Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘brandy’ Category

DSCN0062

“I have managed projects of 800 people.  I never let the engineers talk to the client.  That is what project managers are for–to talk to the client. I am here to take over this project and make it happen.” (more…)

Read Full Post »

DSCN0029

I am in Huntington Beach, California and thus California Dreaming.  Or at least living the dream that is Orange County—a bastion of white, Hispanic, and Vietnamese wealth, power, and privilege.  The Bentley now stands outside the small townhouse where once (fifteen years ago) there stood a cheap American car driven by old people, now dead.  The hue of colors at the pier is vast–although, thankfully, there are still young ladies in bikinis (of all hue) on roller-blades bedecking the streets.  As my son once said: “Dad, no man should be enabled to fall in love so often during a mere walk down the street.” (more…)

Read Full Post »

DSC00873

It costs between $1 and $40 a ton to build, operate, and close a mine tailings facility.  That is as specific as I was able to be when answering a question today in response to an enquiry from Australia.  There is a surprising paucity of data out there on the cost of tailings management.  We have details of salaries & wages.  We know the compensation of mining company executives.  We know how much it costs to engage and retain even the most expensive consultant.  But we have no data-base on tailings costs. (more…)

Read Full Post »

twins 0308(1)[1]

If you read this blog, you will know that in the past four or so years, I have visited the Marlin and Escobal Mines in Guatemala many times.   (Do a search with these key words in the box at top-right to get all I have written about these visits.) (more…)

Read Full Post »

You know that summer is coming when you spend a rainy day in the movie house in Coquitlam watching the final Met Opera production of the season, and you walk out infused with music and fun to go to Wendy’s for a spicy chicken burger and a baked potatoes and you all three can talk of nothing else. (more…)

Read Full Post »

tumblr_mkp6emeM3k1qhs2doo1_500[1]

Categories are constructs of our imagination.  We define categories to aid our thinking, analysis, and decision-making.  It is easier to respond immediately if a stimulus fits a preconceived category, than to analyze afresh.  A rustle in the brush fits the definition of the category “Tiger in the woods; the tiger could kill us; therefore flee.”   Why analyze the situation to decide that the wind is merely blowing through the trees and making a nasty sound? (more…)

Read Full Post »

tumblr_mkp6bh6kfZ1qhs2doo1_500[1]

Friday and Saturday were given over to love (some may call it lust and the pleasures of the flesh.)  Sunday was given over to good weather, a long bike ride, opera, and smoking a pipe. The most innocent of these is smoking a pipe.  I first smoked a pipe when I was thirteen or fourteen–I cannot recall which.  We sat behind the shed and puffed the pleasures of tobacco.  I transgressed to cigarettes and cigars, and strong spirits, including brandy and cognac.  (more…)

Read Full Post »

DSC01392

Here are a few random thoughts based on today’s events & activities.  I do not give details, for that would excite the lawyers who protect intellectual property rights & patents.  (more…)

Read Full Post »

The lady who organizes, manages, and dominates my opera and movie life called this morning and said:  “I am not working today.  There is a ballet at the Coquitlam movie house.  I have never seen it, but it might be fun.”  Reluctantly, for the sun was shining and my bike beckoned, I took myself off to the ballet. (more…)

Read Full Post »

On the mines of South Africa, a long time ago, Easter was a special occasion.  It was the end of summer and the beginning of autumn; it was a long weekend when even the miners did not work; it was a family time;  and we went to Church to pray for lives lost and redeemed.  For through the year, there were always deaths and distress.  After Lent, this seemed an appropriate time to reminisce.  (more…)

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 222 other followers