Micheal J
@chealion.ca
Nerd about many things - coffee, urbanism, municipal issues, OpenStack, Kubernetes.
CA President, and technical manager at Cybera (NREN non profit)
CA President, and technical manager at Cybera (NREN non profit)
Reposted by Micheal J
Systems thinking is a way of thinking about how change works. Change happens because of relationships and connections. Seeds sprout because they encounter water. Rocks turn into soil because fungi digest them. Species evolve because of their environment. Everything changes, constantly.
January 14, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Systems thinking is a way of thinking about how change works. Change happens because of relationships and connections. Seeds sprout because they encounter water. Rocks turn into soil because fungi digest them. Species evolve because of their environment. Everything changes, constantly.
Reposted by Micheal J
This thread owes a lot to the most recent piece from @kissane.myatproto.social i am realizing on reread www.wrecka.ge/landslide-a-...
January 14, 2026 at 1:09 PM
This thread owes a lot to the most recent piece from @kissane.myatproto.social i am realizing on reread www.wrecka.ge/landslide-a-...
Reposted by Micheal J
It’s not a distraction.
If it seems like far-right govts are very busy dismantling the world around you, it’s because all of those things are the Main Event. They want to do it all. It’s all their priority, not a massive circular distraction.
There’s no conspiracy or marionette strings.
If it seems like far-right govts are very busy dismantling the world around you, it’s because all of those things are the Main Event. They want to do it all. It’s all their priority, not a massive circular distraction.
There’s no conspiracy or marionette strings.
Cripes a’mighty people, Steven Miller is not staging a militarized ethnic cleansing and sending the border cops to murder people in the street to distract from the Epstein files. He’s doing it because he and Trump (and Vance and Homan and Noem etc) really really want to.
January 15, 2026 at 3:49 AM
It’s not a distraction.
If it seems like far-right govts are very busy dismantling the world around you, it’s because all of those things are the Main Event. They want to do it all. It’s all their priority, not a massive circular distraction.
There’s no conspiracy or marionette strings.
If it seems like far-right govts are very busy dismantling the world around you, it’s because all of those things are the Main Event. They want to do it all. It’s all their priority, not a massive circular distraction.
There’s no conspiracy or marionette strings.
Heads up #yycbike - extremely dangerous 12 ave lane closure at 14th St.
No signage eastbound - just a plastic barrier.
Westbound says to use sidewalk and has the immediate sidewalk closed.
Unacceptably bad detour.
@calgary.ca @natefor8.bsky.social
#yyccc
No signage eastbound - just a plastic barrier.
Westbound says to use sidewalk and has the immediate sidewalk closed.
Unacceptably bad detour.
@calgary.ca @natefor8.bsky.social
#yyccc
January 15, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Heads up #yycbike - extremely dangerous 12 ave lane closure at 14th St.
No signage eastbound - just a plastic barrier.
Westbound says to use sidewalk and has the immediate sidewalk closed.
Unacceptably bad detour.
@calgary.ca @natefor8.bsky.social
#yyccc
No signage eastbound - just a plastic barrier.
Westbound says to use sidewalk and has the immediate sidewalk closed.
Unacceptably bad detour.
@calgary.ca @natefor8.bsky.social
#yyccc
Reposted by Micheal J
Quite frankly, it’s outrageous that Mark Carney is cutting Statistics Canada. If he was Stephen Harper or Pierre Poilievre, I feel like this would be getting a lot more backlash.
Carney of all people should know the importance of high-quality data and information about the country.
Carney of all people should know the importance of high-quality data and information about the country.
Statistics Canada to cut 850 jobs in 'dark time' for public service, union says
Federal statistics agency entered its workforce adjustment period Monday, sending notices to thousands of employees.
ottawacitizen.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Quite frankly, it’s outrageous that Mark Carney is cutting Statistics Canada. If he was Stephen Harper or Pierre Poilievre, I feel like this would be getting a lot more backlash.
Carney of all people should know the importance of high-quality data and information about the country.
Carney of all people should know the importance of high-quality data and information about the country.
Reposted by Micheal J
Will miss seeing Robson's charts and articles at CBC but look forward to what you have next @robsonfletcher.com. And for anyone looking for these services I 110% recommend connecting with him.
As they say, *ahem*, some personal news:
After 20 years in journalism, including a decade at CBC News, I'm moving on to something different.
I’m launching my own independent practice as a Data & Storytelling Strategist.
Yes, I'm giving up a stable job in order to hang up my own shingle.
Why?
🧵👇
After 20 years in journalism, including a decade at CBC News, I'm moving on to something different.
I’m launching my own independent practice as a Data & Storytelling Strategist.
Yes, I'm giving up a stable job in order to hang up my own shingle.
Why?
🧵👇
January 14, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Will miss seeing Robson's charts and articles at CBC but look forward to what you have next @robsonfletcher.com. And for anyone looking for these services I 110% recommend connecting with him.
Reposted by Micheal J
I'm just sitting here, trying to figure out how to threat model for armed, masked thugs who may kidnap you off the street, then steal, and possibly sell your phone.
Yes, immigration agents not only took Arnoldo's phone, the 10th grader had to use Find My Phone to locate it — in a vending machine for used electronics, close to an ICE detention center.
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
January 14, 2026 at 12:55 AM
I'm just sitting here, trying to figure out how to threat model for armed, masked thugs who may kidnap you off the street, then steal, and possibly sell your phone.
Reposted by Micheal J
Renee Good: “I’m not mad at you, dude.”
We placate, we seek to please and de-escalate.
Three shots to the head.
“Fucking bitch.”
Read it again. Think about it. Let it haunt you. It says so much about who we are.
And what cops think they can do.
We placate, we seek to please and de-escalate.
Three shots to the head.
“Fucking bitch.”
Read it again. Think about it. Let it haunt you. It says so much about who we are.
And what cops think they can do.
He didn't shoot her in the head at point blank range because he felt like he was in danger. He shot her in the head at point blank range because he was furious that she wasn't afraid of him. He shot her in the head at point blank range because he felt emasculated.
January 10, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Renee Good: “I’m not mad at you, dude.”
We placate, we seek to please and de-escalate.
Three shots to the head.
“Fucking bitch.”
Read it again. Think about it. Let it haunt you. It says so much about who we are.
And what cops think they can do.
We placate, we seek to please and de-escalate.
Three shots to the head.
“Fucking bitch.”
Read it again. Think about it. Let it haunt you. It says so much about who we are.
And what cops think they can do.
Reposted by Micheal J
In order for Calgary's water supply to be sustainable until the Bearspaw feeder main comes back online, total daily Megalitre usage needs to be below 485 ML.
Right now the Glenmore Reservoir volume is dropping daily because consumption outstrips the very small inflow.
Right now the Glenmore Reservoir volume is dropping daily because consumption outstrips the very small inflow.
January 10, 2026 at 2:10 AM
In order for Calgary's water supply to be sustainable until the Bearspaw feeder main comes back online, total daily Megalitre usage needs to be below 485 ML.
Right now the Glenmore Reservoir volume is dropping daily because consumption outstrips the very small inflow.
Right now the Glenmore Reservoir volume is dropping daily because consumption outstrips the very small inflow.
Reposted by Micheal J
Thanks @simonwillison.net, always enjoy your content. I also really like HTML tools. Thank you for all the resources!
Was inspired to share them:
www.briangershon.com/blog/make-to...
Was inspired to share them:
www.briangershon.com/blog/make-to...
Make the Tool You Wish Existed (with Your LLM) | Brian Gershon
Build custom HTML tools that fit your exact workflow using LLMs. No extensive programming knowledge required. Turn workflow problems into practical tools in hours.
www.briangershon.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Thanks @simonwillison.net, always enjoy your content. I also really like HTML tools. Thank you for all the resources!
Was inspired to share them:
www.briangershon.com/blog/make-to...
Was inspired to share them:
www.briangershon.com/blog/make-to...
Reposted by Micheal J
Have you ever been attacked by students? I have. Not physically. But they tried. I still think about it. A lot. I still a lot about my department head who made me sit in the room with the man who led these threats. Who thought that apology was the end. ottawacitizen.com/news/nationa...
Lindsay Tedds: Threats on social media are not victimless crimes
The comments made reference to very specific times and locations that I was likely to be alone. The threats, in other words, seemed very real and very likely.
ottawacitizen.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:43 PM
Have you ever been attacked by students? I have. Not physically. But they tried. I still think about it. A lot. I still a lot about my department head who made me sit in the room with the man who led these threats. Who thought that apology was the end. ottawacitizen.com/news/nationa...
Reposted by Micheal J
Food for thought for @jeromyyyc.bsky.social & the rest of #yyccc as they move to repeal blanket rezoning & shift back to small town style governance where gentle density applications will once again start to eat up time that could be better spent running a city approaching 2 million people:
Since 2004 how many hours has #yyccc wasted debating every secondary suite, duplex & townhouse application? What if housing had been a permitted use this whole time & politicians could have focused their efforts on governance of big ticket items instead?
globalnews.ca/news/1160486...
globalnews.ca/news/1160486...
Calgary was ‘chronically underinvesting’ in its water system over last 20 years: report - Calgary | Globalnews.ca
The independent panel's report found the City of Calgary's water utility spent its entire capital budget only twice in the last 20 years.
globalnews.ca
January 9, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Food for thought for @jeromyyyc.bsky.social & the rest of #yyccc as they move to repeal blanket rezoning & shift back to small town style governance where gentle density applications will once again start to eat up time that could be better spent running a city approaching 2 million people:
Reposted by Micheal J
Colleague Jo Horwood and I tried to find out, how many books were pulled off Alberta school shelves as a result of the gov't order? And what books were they?
Turns out, the names of the books are a secret #AbLeg #AbEd
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Turns out, the names of the books are a secret #AbLeg #AbEd
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Alberta school divisions remove handful of titles from shelves as new school library rules take effect | CBC News
A newly enacted provincial order on school literary materials prompted some divisions to remove a couple of dozen books from school shelves, but the names of those titles are secret.
www.cbc.ca
January 7, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Colleague Jo Horwood and I tried to find out, how many books were pulled off Alberta school shelves as a result of the gov't order? And what books were they?
Turns out, the names of the books are a secret #AbLeg #AbEd
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Turns out, the names of the books are a secret #AbLeg #AbEd
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Micheal J
I’m at a loss of words over a loss today. So I’ll let the words of others from 2022 speak to how important remembering members of Calgarys transgender community is.
livewirecalgary.com/2022/11/20/t...
livewirecalgary.com/2022/11/20/t...
Transgender Day of Remembrance commemorated at Contemporary Calgary in wake of LGBTQ violence - LiveWire Calgary
Editor’s Note: this story contains discussions of violence and suicide. 24-hour support is available through Talk Suicide at 1-833-456-4566, and though Alberta Health Services at 1-877-303-2642. Calga...
livewirecalgary.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:39 PM
I’m at a loss of words over a loss today. So I’ll let the words of others from 2022 speak to how important remembering members of Calgarys transgender community is.
livewirecalgary.com/2022/11/20/t...
livewirecalgary.com/2022/11/20/t...
... I guess I use Overcast a fair amount....
mathias.blog/tools/overcast
H/T: bsky.app/profile/math...
mathias.blog/tools/overcast
H/T: bsky.app/profile/math...
January 7, 2026 at 3:26 PM
... I guess I use Overcast a fair amount....
mathias.blog/tools/overcast
H/T: bsky.app/profile/math...
mathias.blog/tools/overcast
H/T: bsky.app/profile/math...
Reposted by Micheal J
"It's a public safety emergency."
We're seeing a public safety emergency play out right now and what that looks like.
Where are the emergency restrictions? The expedited infrastructure projects? The rapid, targeted, adapted solutions? The regular updates, info sharing, accountability?
We're seeing a public safety emergency play out right now and what that looks like.
Where are the emergency restrictions? The expedited infrastructure projects? The rapid, targeted, adapted solutions? The regular updates, info sharing, accountability?
In partnership with @calgarypolice.bsky.social, we are asking our community to do their part to keep each other safe on the road. Slow down, be patient and courteous, and stay focused.
This isn’t just data — it’s a public safety emergency.
Join the Drive to Zero Lives Lost: calgary.ca/visionzero
This isn’t just data — it’s a public safety emergency.
Join the Drive to Zero Lives Lost: calgary.ca/visionzero
Vision Zero
calgary.ca
January 7, 2026 at 1:05 AM
"It's a public safety emergency."
We're seeing a public safety emergency play out right now and what that looks like.
Where are the emergency restrictions? The expedited infrastructure projects? The rapid, targeted, adapted solutions? The regular updates, info sharing, accountability?
We're seeing a public safety emergency play out right now and what that looks like.
Where are the emergency restrictions? The expedited infrastructure projects? The rapid, targeted, adapted solutions? The regular updates, info sharing, accountability?
Reposted by Micheal J
... omfg, here is a fun #lawsky AI fail: if you ask Claude about anything to do with Australian regulations or bureaucracy it will start hallucinating something about "s.22(1A)" being a relevant clause that relates to whatever you asked it for.
s.22(1A) is a reason to withhold/redact a document.
s.22(1A) is a reason to withhold/redact a document.
January 6, 2026 at 4:41 AM
... omfg, here is a fun #lawsky AI fail: if you ask Claude about anything to do with Australian regulations or bureaucracy it will start hallucinating something about "s.22(1A)" being a relevant clause that relates to whatever you asked it for.
s.22(1A) is a reason to withhold/redact a document.
s.22(1A) is a reason to withhold/redact a document.
Reposted by Micheal J
Reposted by Micheal J
A note for Canadians: export of Venezuelan heavy crude (similar to WCS from Cnd oilsands) was down to 100-200kbpd to Gulf Coast refineries.
In absence of pipeline constraints, today will have little effect on differential between WCS and WTI.
Longer-term, it may depress price of WCS.
In absence of pipeline constraints, today will have little effect on differential between WCS and WTI.
Longer-term, it may depress price of WCS.
January 3, 2026 at 5:07 PM
A note for Canadians: export of Venezuelan heavy crude (similar to WCS from Cnd oilsands) was down to 100-200kbpd to Gulf Coast refineries.
In absence of pipeline constraints, today will have little effect on differential between WCS and WTI.
Longer-term, it may depress price of WCS.
In absence of pipeline constraints, today will have little effect on differential between WCS and WTI.
Longer-term, it may depress price of WCS.
"Mr. Trump’s use of a coup d’etat backed or forced by the U.S. military cannot be ruled out in Venezuela. Canada beware. The Keystone XL pipeline may never be needed. Mr. Trump has zero loyalty to Canada or its exports, including oil."
The last paragraph is chilling to read with today's events in mind. Mr @ereguly.bsky.social totally called it.
January 3, 2026 at 8:08 PM
"Mr. Trump’s use of a coup d’etat backed or forced by the U.S. military cannot be ruled out in Venezuela. Canada beware. The Keystone XL pipeline may never be needed. Mr. Trump has zero loyalty to Canada or its exports, including oil."
Reposted by Micheal J
Trump is transactional. This isn’t about narcotics, it’s certainly not about “helping the Venezuelan people”. It’s about the $billions in oil money they now plan to extract. And likely, in no small part, to gain leverage in the upcoming NAFTA renegotiations with their largest trading partner.
January 3, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Trump is transactional. This isn’t about narcotics, it’s certainly not about “helping the Venezuelan people”. It’s about the $billions in oil money they now plan to extract. And likely, in no small part, to gain leverage in the upcoming NAFTA renegotiations with their largest trading partner.
Reposted by Micheal J
Among the many reasons you don’t kidnap a foreign head of state at gunpoint even if you have the capability, is that it sparks consequences you can neither control nor anticipate.
January 3, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Among the many reasons you don’t kidnap a foreign head of state at gunpoint even if you have the capability, is that it sparks consequences you can neither control nor anticipate.
Reposted by Micheal J
Jan. 2, 1 p.m. Update
Here is the latest update on the critical water main break along 16 Ave. N.W.:
• On Jan 1, our water use dropped to 473 ML – which is at a sustainable level
️⚠️ It is imperative that we continue to conserve water, so demand does not outstrip supply.⚠️
Here is the latest update on the critical water main break along 16 Ave. N.W.:
• On Jan 1, our water use dropped to 473 ML – which is at a sustainable level
️⚠️ It is imperative that we continue to conserve water, so demand does not outstrip supply.⚠️
January 2, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Jan. 2, 1 p.m. Update
Here is the latest update on the critical water main break along 16 Ave. N.W.:
• On Jan 1, our water use dropped to 473 ML – which is at a sustainable level
️⚠️ It is imperative that we continue to conserve water, so demand does not outstrip supply.⚠️
Here is the latest update on the critical water main break along 16 Ave. N.W.:
• On Jan 1, our water use dropped to 473 ML – which is at a sustainable level
️⚠️ It is imperative that we continue to conserve water, so demand does not outstrip supply.⚠️
Reposted by Micheal J
What if investing in infrastructure, both in building it high quality and maintaining it through regular investments is actually important?
(You could say I’m subtweeting a city but honestly it’s a continent wide phenomenon)
(You could say I’m subtweeting a city but honestly it’s a continent wide phenomenon)
December 31, 2025 at 6:07 AM
What if investing in infrastructure, both in building it high quality and maintaining it through regular investments is actually important?
(You could say I’m subtweeting a city but honestly it’s a continent wide phenomenon)
(You could say I’m subtweeting a city but honestly it’s a continent wide phenomenon)