Author: sunshine
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Calculating actual variable costs for energy
As a discussion related to the economics and cross-over points for dual-fuel heating (natural gas and heat pump) the topic came up how to calculate costs of each energy source. While at first, it may seem obvious, there are a variety of costs that are variable (ie based on how much you consume) that are…
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Book notes – Braving the Wilderness – Brown
(audiobook) Belonging is important. When in pain, 3 outcomes 1. Live in CST pain seek relief try to numb pain or pass it on to others. 2 deny pain and makes it pass to those around you and your children. 3 own pain develop empathy and compassion in yourself and others. Bring authentic self, don’t…
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Book notes – How to change your mind – Pollan
(audio book) [This was not what I was expecting based on the title, it is mostly about psychedelics, somewhat interesting stories but it lacks a lot of robust scientific study. The book seems to try and convince the reader that scientific study is warranted and new approaches may be needed, as it sounds like they…
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Book Notes – Weapons of Math Destruction – O’Neil
(Audio book) Algorithms deciding things sometimes based on insufficient data and can cause life changing problems Everyone has models which are a simplification of reality. They often work but sometimes don’t as they don’t take everything into account. They need to be constantly updated or they become stale. Racism is our model being flawed, generalization,…
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Book Notes – Dare to Lead – Brown
(Audio Book version) Gratitude – write down things we are grateful for. Recognition increases employee engagement. Need to celebrate accomplishments.Addictions abound, statistically everyone is impacted directly/indirectly. Numbing takes both good and bad away.Resentment related to lack of boundaries.Instead of trying to numb, lean into, understand reason. It’s not what we do it, but why we…
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Trip Report – 10 Apr 2023 – Green’s Creek
This is our 2nd annual spring run of Green’s Creek in Ottawa. The name will be familiar to most Ottawan’s as there is a big sliding hill in winter that takes its name. The creek itself flows through greenspace for most of its length and passes just at the bottom of the sliding hill. This…
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Book Notes – Godin – Tribes
While this book seems to try and inspire ones to lead tribes with various examples, anectdotes and information, it seems to miss the mark in terms of depth. It is similar to Start with Why by Sinek, but lacks the depth and analysis. Explains the concept of tribes, or people with similar interest and viewpoints.…
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Implementing Dual-Fuel house heating (Heat pump)
Looking to upgrade my old Air Conditioner, I decided to go for a dual-fuel heating solution. Heat-pump for cooling and moderate heating with my existing natural gas furnace for heating at low temperatures. Does a Heat-pump work in a colder climate like Ottawa, Ontario, Canada? – YES! Even with a non-cold climate heat pump, about…
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Emporia Vue 2 Energy Monitor
As I was switching my house heating to a dual-fuel system (replacing an old AC with a heat-pump and keeping my existing natural gas furnace), I figured it would be a good idea to add an energy monitor to see how much power I was actually using. After shopping around a bit and confirming a…
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Trip Report – 1850s Vintage Trip – Rideau Canal – Jun 2011
Rowing 4 days with vintage equipment on a naval whaler through a UNESCO world heritage site and it’s series of locks? Yeah that sounds like a challenge! Several years before, through working with the Scouts, a project was initiated to refurbish two Naval Whalers that had been acquired. With the Rideau Canal, opened in 1832,…
