New to Toronto, so cold and empty!? Not quite:
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Watching the Canadian dollar is excrutiating, so I've been feeling ggod
watching the Vegas pros:
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Sometimes, I would really like to help on some issue, but I really
don't know how to solve something. Rebuilding after the Los Angeles fires
would be one of those times. The root problem: many of those houses
have to adapt to not one, but two quite different sets of contextual conditions:
L.A.in the summer and storms from the sea, L.A. in the winter and Santa Ana
winds bringing fire risks. Choose your problem...
I happen to know - from watching old movies of the 40s - that buildings right on
the sea in Malibu used to be summer cottages. So summer archithecture, open
to the sea with sloping roofs toward the sea, are great. In the winter, the place is boarded
up...
From the before pictures of Pacific Palisades, one sees tract housing on the Florida
model: houses all in a row. This is easy to build, and provides quick access for cleaning
and fire and crime control. Or does it. In a Santa Ana event, those houses spread fire
one to the other. As for those lovely hedges that protect from sea winds and give privacy,
all tinder in a dry year.
For now, people all want to rebuild their homes, unjustly taken from them. But on reflection,
the decisions on how and what to rebuild might be better seen as community decisions.
What kind of a place should the community be, where should services and schools go...
A seaside community protects its inner city. A fire prone community doesn't fear the desert,
it creates one around itself, with those lovely plants safely indoor inside a mall!!
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Sud de la France: comment les habitations évitent le feu.
Les habitations dans le sud de la France adoptent plusieurs stratégies pour éviter les incendies. Voici quelques-unes des mesures couramment prises :
Matériaux résistants au feu : Les maisons sont souvent construites avec des matériaux non combustibles comme la brique, la pierre ou le béton, qui sont moins susceptibles de s'enflammer.
Débroussaillage : Les propriétaires sont encouragés à maintenir une zone de sécurité autour de leurs maisons en enlevant les broussailles, les herbes sèches et les branches basses qui pourraient propager le feu.
Toitures et fenêtres : Les toitures sont souvent faites de tuiles ou d'autres matériaux résistants au feu, et les fenêtres peuvent être équipées de volets métalliques pour empêcher les braises de pénétrer à l'intérieur.
Systèmes d'irrigation : Certains propriétaires installent des systèmes d'irrigation pour garder le sol humide autour de leurs maisons, réduisant ainsi le risque d'incendie.
Plans d'évacuation : Les communautés locales élaborent des plans d'évacuation pour assurer la sécurité des résidents en cas d'incendie.
Ces mesures, combinées à une vigilance constante et à une coopération avec les services de lutte contre les incendies, aident à protéger les habitations dans cette région sujette aux feux de forêt.
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ST - TROPEZ
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L'eau qui alimente Saint-Tropez provient principalement de plusieurs cours d'eau et sources situés dans la région environnante. Voici quelques-uns des principaux cours d'eau qui contribuent à l'approvisionnement en eau de la région :
Le Préconil : Ce cours d'eau prend sa source au col de Vignon à 330 m d'altitude et se jette dans le Golfe de Saint-Tropez après avoir traversé l'agglomération de Sainte-Maxime.
La Giscle : Sa source se situe au cœur du massif des Maures, et elle se jette dans le golfe au niveau de Port Grimaud et des marines de Cogolin.
Le Bourrian : Ce cours d'eau prend sa source sur les collines de La Croix-Valmer et se jette dans le Golfe de Saint-Tropez.
Ces cours d'eau, ainsi que d'autres sources locales, jouent un rôle crucial dans l'approvisionnement en eau de Saint-Tropez et de ses environs.
Présentation du territoire - Communauté de communes du Golfe de Saint Tropez
Bassin-versant; définition svp
Un bassin versant est une zone géographique où toutes les eaux de surface convergent vers un même point, généralement un cours d'eau, un lac ou un océan. Les eaux de pluie, les ruisseaux et les rivières s'écoulent à travers ce bassin versant, collectant l'eau et les sédiments en chemin. La gestion des bassins versants est cruciale pour prévenir les inondations, maintenir la qualité de l'eau et protéger les écosystèmes locaux.
Pour en savoir plus sur les bassins versants dans la région de Saint-Tropez, vous pouvez consulter la .
Bassin versant; translate
A watershed, also known as a drainage basin, is a geographic area where all surface water converges to a single point, typically a river, lake, or ocean. Rainwater, streams, and rivers flow through this watershed, collecting water and sediments along the way. Managing watersheds is crucial for preventing floods, maintaining water quality, and protecting local ecosystems.
China's stance on the Trump AdministrationTariffs:
https://www.ft.com/content/ca79e423-7c0f-4883-a295-6fe1c73a2819
https://www.ft.com/content/215e505e-3e46-4fbc-9cf6-a9ba0a95afeb
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Chatting with COPILOT:
How large is China's monetary mass compared to that of Canada?
China's monetary mass, specifically the M2 money supply, is significantly larger than that of Canada. As of the end of 2022, China's M2 supply amounted to approximately 292 trillion yuan, which is around 41 trillion U.S. dollars. In comparison, Canada's M2 money supply was around 2.6 trillion Canadian dollars as of October 2024.
This stark difference reflects the larger scale of China's economy and its extensive monetary policies aimed at supporting economic growth and stability.
Define the M2 money suppply for me.
The M2 money supply is a measure of the money supply that includes a broader set of financial assets than the M1 money supply. Specifically, M2 includes:
M1: This consists of the most liquid forms of money, such as cash and checking deposits.
Savings deposits: These are accounts that earn interest but are not as easily accessible as checking accounts.
Time deposits: Also known as certificates of deposit (CDs), these are fixed-term deposits that cannot be withdrawn before a certain period without penalty.
Money market mutual funds: These are investment funds that invest in short-term, high-quality securities and are considered relatively low-risk.
M2 is used by economists and policymakers to gauge the amount of money available in the economy for spending and investment. It provides a more comprehensive view of the money supply than M1 alone, as it includes assets that can be quickly converted into cash.
Day 3 of being - for all practical purposes - snowed in! I have been
watching Las Vegas slot play videos to avoid feeling depressed. C'est dire...
Actually, it works. If someone wins big, I share the thrill. When someone
looses, it's schadenfreude. I tell myself, at least that didn't happen to me.
Below, some videos about the lay-out of Las Vegas. The first, where to stay.
The second, how-to get around on foot... or not!!
Chatting with COPILOT:
How much do Canadians spend as tourists in th USA every year?
Canadians are avid travelers to the United States, with over 20 million Canadians visiting the U.S. annually. They spend nearly $20 billion dollars during their trips. This includes expenses on accommodations, food, entertainment, shopping, and more.
It's fascinating to see how much Canadians contribute to the U.S. tourism industry! If you have any other questions or need more information, feel free to ask.
Do these expenses show up in balance of trade statistics?
Yes, the expenses of Canadian tourists in the United States do show up in balance of trade statistics. These expenses are considered part of the "travel exports" for the United States, as they represent spending by foreign visitors within the country. This spending contributes to the U.S. trade balance with Canada. For example, in 2018, Canadian tourists spent $16.4 billion in the U.S., which contributed to a $12.9 billion travel trade surplus for the United States with Canada.
Can you find more recent figures on this for me?
Sure! According to the most recent data, Canadian residents spent approximately $5.3 billion on trips to the United States in the third quarter of 2022. This was a significant increase from the $545.9 million spent in the same quarter of 2021.
I have big hopes for the dollar, today...
At 7:40 am:
The Canadian dollar had a bit of a rebound today. It was at .6922
Friday night, and looks stronger tonight (10pm, Montreal time).
For the record: that was political interference, of a kind, which I did not particularly
appreciate: Donald Trump infantilizing Justin Trudeau. True that Donald Trump himself
was a victim of quite a bit of disrespect. Still, for Justin T., this was the last straw; le
coup de grâce.
And yes, the level of comprehension of English Grandstanding could have been higher in
that Cabinet...
True as well that the House of Commons has been bricked for months. But there, the problems
lie deeper. The presence of the Bloc, ever unmoving but not actively advancing new alliances
for itself, is also on my list of co-culprits.
Finally, the Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre seemed to me a little too personnal for
comfort in their attacks in the House. Politics in the age of ever-invasive media is a new
game...no harassement!!
In fact, media politics also played in Justin T's favor: he is tall, good-looking, always
well-dressed. I was proud of him!😶🙆
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La prorogation du Parlement met fin au nouvel impôt sur les gains en capital
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I think I just had a great bad idea. Below, chatting with COPILOT:
Is it possible to change the operating system on an inexpensive but sound phone?
Yes, it is possible to change the operating system on an inexpensive phone, but it requires some technical know-how and caution. This process is known as "flashing" a custom ROM (a modified version of the Android OS) onto the device. Here are the general steps:
Unlock the Bootloader: This is the first step and it allows you to make modifications to the phone's software. Be aware that unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on the phone and may void the warranty.
Backup Your Data: Before proceeding, make sure to back up all important data as the process will erase everything on your phone.
Download a Custom ROM: Choose a custom ROM that is compatible with your device. Popular options include LineageOS, Paranoid Android, and GrapheneOS3.
Install a Custom Recovery: A custom recovery like TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is needed to flash the custom ROM onto your device.
Flash the Custom ROM: Using the custom recovery, you can flash the custom ROM onto your device. Follow the instructions provided by the custom ROM developer carefully2.
Install Google Apps (Optional): If the custom ROM does not include Google Apps (GApps), you can flash a GApps package separately.
Keep in mind that flashing a custom ROM can be risky and may cause unexpected issues or even brick your device if not done correctly. It's recommended to only proceed if you are experienced with Android and comfortable with the process.
If you need a more user-friendly approach, you can use tools like OpenAndroidInstaller which simplifies the process and supports many devices.
Would you like more detailed instructions or have any specific questions about the process?
Who said retirement had to be dull:
The value of the Canadian dollar against other currencies is determined by the foreign exchange market. This market operates 24/7, with participants including banks, financial institutions, corporations, governments, and individual traders. The exchange rates fluctuate based on supply and demand dynamics for the Canadian dollar.
Several factors influence these fluctuations:
Interest Rates: Higher interest rates in Canada can attract foreign investors seeking better returns, increasing demand for the Canadian dollar.
Inflation Rates: Lower inflation rates in Canada compared to other countries can make the Canadian dollar more attractive.
Economic Indicators: Strong economic performance, such as GDP growth and employment rates, can boost confidence in the Canadian dollar.
Commodity Prices: As a major exporter of commodities like oil and minerals, changes in commodity prices can significantly impact the Canadian dollar's value.
Market Sentiment: Investor perceptions and geopolitical events can also cause short-term fluctuations in exchange rates.
The Bank of Canada allows the Canadian dollar to float, meaning its value is determined by the market rather than being fixed by the government. This approach helps the economy adjust to external shocks and maintain stability.
If you're curious about the specifics, you can find more detailed information on the .
Sure thing! Here are five currencies that have appreciated against the Canadian dollar in the last six months:
Euro (EUR)
British Pound (GBP)
Japanese Yen (JPY)
Swiss Franc (CHF)
Australian Dollar (AUD)
Sure! Here are the changes in value for each of the five currencies against the Canadian dollar over the last six months:
Euro (EUR): The Euro has appreciated by approximately 0.19%.
British Pound (GBP): The British Pound has appreciated by about 3.71%.
Japanese Yen (JPY): The Japanese Yen has appreciated by around 8.31%.
Swiss Franc (CHF): The Swiss Franc has appreciated by approximately 5.42%.
Australian Dollar (AUD): The Australian Dollar has depreciated by about 2.79%.
This is not an area of expertise for me, but it is interesting... Trying
to untangle the trials and tribulations of the Canadian dollar.
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