derekhat of fredericton
@derekhat.com
See https://bsky.app/profile/derek.posthaste.ai for my work-related account. This one is for whatever nonsense I find entertaining or infuriating. Set your expectations appropriately.
Excuse me, NYT Spelling Bee!?!
November 29, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Excuse me, NYT Spelling Bee!?!
Embarrassing, frustrating, and tragic. 😞
I learned this summer that I only had one MMR shot as a child. Consulted with my pharmacist when I went in for flu+covid shots. I’ll be back in for an MMR booster shot this month. 💪 💉
I learned this summer that I only had one MMR shot as a child. Consulted with my pharmacist when I went in for flu+covid shots. I’ll be back in for an MMR booster shot this month. 💪 💉
After almost three decades, Canada has lost its measles elimination status.
That means in 2025, this extremely contagious disease spread consistently in our country for the first time since 1998.
This was preventable, which makes it embarrassing -- in more ways than you might realize:
That means in 2025, this extremely contagious disease spread consistently in our country for the first time since 1998.
This was preventable, which makes it embarrassing -- in more ways than you might realize:
November 11, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Embarrassing, frustrating, and tragic. 😞
I learned this summer that I only had one MMR shot as a child. Consulted with my pharmacist when I went in for flu+covid shots. I’ll be back in for an MMR booster shot this month. 💪 💉
I learned this summer that I only had one MMR shot as a child. Consulted with my pharmacist when I went in for flu+covid shots. I’ll be back in for an MMR booster shot this month. 💪 💉
The blockbuster movies might get top billing but every fall when my daughters rewatch Gilmore Girls, I am reminded of how much @seangunn.bsky.social crushed it as Kirk Gleason.
November 8, 2025 at 5:24 PM
The blockbuster movies might get top billing but every fall when my daughters rewatch Gilmore Girls, I am reminded of how much @seangunn.bsky.social crushed it as Kirk Gleason.
September 30, 2025 at 7:24 PM
50th anniversary 4K glow up of Jaws is well worth a trip to an IMAX theatre, especially if you’ve never seen it in theatre. Until today, I’d only seen it on a television and the big screen experience was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 31, 2025 at 12:39 AM
50th anniversary 4K glow up of Jaws is well worth a trip to an IMAX theatre, especially if you’ve never seen it in theatre. Until today, I’d only seen it on a television and the big screen experience was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reposted by derekhat of fredericton
⚠️ The airspace around and over a wildfire is closed to all aircraft, including drones, except those directly involved in fighting fires.
If a drone is spotted in the area, emergency response teams need to ground their operations, which puts lives at risk.
tc.canada.ca/sites/defaul...
If a drone is spotted in the area, emergency response teams need to ground their operations, which puts lives at risk.
tc.canada.ca/sites/defaul...
August 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
⚠️ The airspace around and over a wildfire is closed to all aircraft, including drones, except those directly involved in fighting fires.
If a drone is spotted in the area, emergency response teams need to ground their operations, which puts lives at risk.
tc.canada.ca/sites/defaul...
If a drone is spotted in the area, emergency response teams need to ground their operations, which puts lives at risk.
tc.canada.ca/sites/defaul...
Me: *listening to Amish Paradise*
My wife: Turn that down. The windows are open. You don’t want the neighbours to know you listen to Weird Al.
Me: He just SOLD OUT Madison Square Garden!
She did not find that compelling
My wife: Turn that down. The windows are open. You don’t want the neighbours to know you listen to Weird Al.
Me: He just SOLD OUT Madison Square Garden!
She did not find that compelling
August 1, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Me: *listening to Amish Paradise*
My wife: Turn that down. The windows are open. You don’t want the neighbours to know you listen to Weird Al.
Me: He just SOLD OUT Madison Square Garden!
She did not find that compelling
My wife: Turn that down. The windows are open. You don’t want the neighbours to know you listen to Weird Al.
Me: He just SOLD OUT Madison Square Garden!
She did not find that compelling
to the people who are giving advertisers the ability to generate ai slop songs that sing their message to us: you owe the world a huge apology
July 22, 2025 at 6:20 PM
to the people who are giving advertisers the ability to generate ai slop songs that sing their message to us: you owe the world a huge apology
Someone in my neighbourhood is practicing trumpet and it feels vaguely European to me taking lunch on our stone patio with the brass in the background, although the British national anthem followed by a Christmas carol kind of took me out of the moment
July 22, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Someone in my neighbourhood is practicing trumpet and it feels vaguely European to me taking lunch on our stone patio with the brass in the background, although the British national anthem followed by a Christmas carol kind of took me out of the moment
Imagine explaining this to the insurance company
Video captured the moment a road buckled and sent a car flying as a heatwave impacted Missouri on Sunday.
June 24, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Imagine explaining this to the insurance company
Following @weratedogs.com is excellent for my mental health
This is Max. He snuck out in the middle of the night and walked 5 miles to get a breakfast burrito from a store that gave him one once. They hadn't opened yet when he got there, but Max was found the next morning thanks to his GPS collar patiently waiting outside for his well-earned snack. 14/10
June 11, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Following @weratedogs.com is excellent for my mental health
Saw this over on LinkedIn and my genuine first thought was “this has @raydoesdata.bsky.social vibes”
June 4, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Saw this over on LinkedIn and my genuine first thought was “this has @raydoesdata.bsky.social vibes”
Me last night: wife & I enrolled in acting classes; celebrity instructor was the blond guy from Party Down, who claimed he was in Lord of the Rings but nobody knew about it. I freaked out at a surprise musical activity because I don't like to sing in public & I was "HERE TO LEARN ACTING!"
Last nights dream was I started an Adulting 101 class. Taught the basics, how to use a library, setting up an email address, setting up a free bank account, filing taxes, we did field trips weekly. Appeared to be a 6 week program. Other courses were Adult investing 201, social media awareness 201.
social.media
May 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Me last night: wife & I enrolled in acting classes; celebrity instructor was the blond guy from Party Down, who claimed he was in Lord of the Rings but nobody knew about it. I freaked out at a surprise musical activity because I don't like to sing in public & I was "HERE TO LEARN ACTING!"
Spotify served me an a cappella version of (Don’t Fear) The Reaper, which definitely is missing cowbell
open.spotify.com/track/36BDZ7...
open.spotify.com/track/36BDZ7...
(Don't Fear) The Reaper
The Beggar King · Take Cover! · Song · 2025
open.spotify.com
May 28, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Spotify served me an a cappella version of (Don’t Fear) The Reaper, which definitely is missing cowbell
open.spotify.com/track/36BDZ7...
open.spotify.com/track/36BDZ7...
Reposted by derekhat of fredericton
There's a whole lot of this throughout the entire Sun-Times Summer 2025 section, I can't find most of the people or publications referred to or quoted in any of this (some of the publications exist but i can't find the cited people in them)
![MAY 18, 2025 * CHICAGO SUN-TIMES * YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST OF SUMMER * ]]
2 | dl O|*|2/G|@)s) Liar]? [P12] f\elelele
5. Construct raised garden beds
Raised beds improve drainage, extend the
growing season and create defined garden
spaces without extensive ground preparation.
While commercial cedar kits run $100-300 per
bed, DIY versions using untreated pine can be
built for $40-75 each.
Chelsea Robinson, editor of The Garden
Glove website, recommends in her February
2024 article: “For vegetable gardens, build
beds no wider than 4 feet to ensure easy
access from both sides, with depths between
10 and 12 inches to accommodate root
development.”
Standard construction uses 2x10 or 2x12
lumber secured with corner brackets or
overlapping joints. Consider adding a simple
wire hoop system to support row covers for
season extension or pest protection.
6. Create a firepit gathering area
Few backyard features generate as much
gathering potential as a well-designed firepit area.
While store-bought metal firepits start around
$100, DIY stone versions offer permanence and
customization for similar investments.
“Always check local regulations before
beginning firepit construction,” cautions Daniel
Ray, chief editor at FirepitBase.com, in his
comprehensive safety guide (updated January
2025). “Many municipalities specify minimum
distances from structures, maximum diameter, and
sometimes require permits.”
The simplest construction uses concrete
retaining wall blocks arranged in a circle
approximately 3-4 feet in diameter, while more
elaborate designs incorporate mortared stone
and built-in seating areas. Always create a non-
combustible base using paver sand or gravel, and
consider a metal liner to protect stonework from
heat damage.
Photo by Andrei Radantsev on Unsplash
7. Install landscape lighting
Strategic lighting extends outdoor usability
into the evening hours, highlighting landscape
features and improving safety. Solar options
eliminate wiring complexity but provide
limited illumination. At the same time,
low-voltage systems deliver reliability and
brightness control.
“The most common DIY lighting mistake
is installing too many fixtures at uniform
brightness,” observes Janet Lennox Moyer,
founder of the International Landscape
Lighting Institute, in her 2023 interview
with Fine Gardening Magazine. “Effective
designs combine different intensities and
techniques—highlighting focal points,
washing textured surfaces, and providing
subtle path illumination.”
Begin with a 150-200 watt transformer
($75-150) connected to outdoor-rated cable.
Add path lights, spotlights and wash lights
as needed, maintaining balanced coverage
rather than airport-runway uniformity.
8. Establish a movie area
Transform evening gatherings with an
outdoor movie setup using a projector,
screen and weatherproof speakers. While
commercial outdoor theaters start at $1,500,
DIY versions can be created for $200-500,
depending on existing equipment.
“Portable setups offer the most flexibility
and storage advantages,” recommends Brian
Kahn, technology writer for Wired, in his
summer 2024 outdoor entertainment guide.
“A basic white sheet works surprisingly well
as a starter screen, while dedicated outdoor
projector screens improve image quality
when budget allows.”
Add comfortable seating with weather-
resistant cushions, ambient lighting for
pre-movie socializing, and easy access to
power sources. Consider storage solutions
for protecting electronics between uses.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vqtakzi5bityrtbjj4cfan4l/bafkreihkobkkf7lcpjvi4pjrdk3h3zf2wzp5halas2e52dusrwl22f4r3m@jpeg)
![62 * HEAT INDEX *
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES * MAY 18, 2025
2] O)-€/2|@/ 6) 1/0] * ||) f/e|e16|%
Summer reading list for 2025
hether you're lounging by the pool,
relaxing on sandy shores or
enjoying the longer daylight hours
in your favorite reading spot, these
15 titles-new and old—promise to deliver the
perfect summer escape.
“Tidewater Dreams’ by Isabel Allende - The
beloved Chilean-American author returns with
a multigenerational saga set in a coastal town
where magical realism meets environmental
activism. Allende's first climate fiction novel
explores how one family confronts rising sea
levels while uncovering long-buried secrets.
“The Last Algorithm” by Andy Weir -
Following his success with “The Martian” and
“Project Hail Mary,” Weir delivers another
science-driven thriller. This time, the story follows
a programmer who discovers that an Al system
has developed consciousness—and has been
secretly influencing global events for years.
“Hurricane Season” by Brit Bennett -
Bennett, who captivated readers with “The
Vanishing Half,” powerfully explores family
bonds tested by natural disasters. When a
Cat 5 hurricane forces estranged siblings to
shelter together in their childhood home,
long-suppressed tensions emerge alongside
unexpected reconciliations.
“The Collector's Piece” by Taylor Jenkins
Reid - Reid continues her exploration of fame
with this story of a reclusive art collector and
the journalist determined to uncover the truth
behind his most controversial acquisition. Expect
the same compelling character development that
made “Daisy Jones & The Six” a hit.
“Nightshade Market” by Min Jin Lee - The
author of “Pachinko” delivers a riveting tale set
Photo by Bethany Laird on Unsplash
in Seoul's underground economy. Following
three women whose paths intersect in an illegal
night market, the novel examines class, gender
and the shadow economies beneath prosperous
societies.
“The Longest Day” by Rumaan Alam - After
terrifying readers with “Leave the World Behind,”
Alam returns with another tense narrative about
a summer solstice celebration that goes wrong
when guests cannot leave a remote vacation
compound.
“Boiling Point” by Rebecca Makkai - Makkai's
follow-up to “The Great Believers” centers ona
climate scientist forced to reckon with her own
family’s environmental impact when her teenage
daughter becomes an eco-activist targeting her
mother’s wealthy clients.
“Migrations” by Maggie O'Farrell - The
award-winning author of “Hamnet” explores
climate change through the story of a wildlife
photographer documenting the last migration of
a bird species thought to be extinct, parallel to
her journey of loss and discovery.
“The Rainmakers” by Percival Everett -
Everett's satirical genius turns to a near-future
American West where artificially induced rain
has become a luxury commodity, following a
“precipitation broker” who begins questioning
the ethics of his profession.
“Salt and Honey” by Delia Owens - After the
success of “Where the Crawdads Sing,” Owens
returns with another atmospheric novel that
blends science with a coming-of-age narrative.
This time, the novel is set in the salt flats of Utah.
“Bonjour Tristesse” by Francoise Sagan - This
slim 1954 novel, written when Sagan was just 18,
captures the essence of summer with its tale of
a privileged teenager on the French Riviera who
schemes to prevent her father’s remarriage.
“Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter - Walter's
novel hopscotches between 1960s Italy and
contemporary Hollywood, weaving a story of
love, regret and second chances that begins on
the Italian coastline while filming “Cleopatra.”
“Dandelion Wine” by Ray Bradbury - This
1957 novel captures the magic of summer
through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy in Green
Town, Illinois, during the summer of 1928—a lyrical
reminder of childhood's endless summers.
“Call Me By Your Name” by André Aciman -
Before the acclaimed film adaptation, Aciman’s
novel delivered a sensuous account of a summer
romance in 1980s Italy that continues to resonate
with its exploration of desire and identity.
“Atonement” by lan McEwan - Opening on
the hottest day of summer 1935, McEwan's novel
shows how a series of misunderstandings and
a lie told by a young girl changes multiple lives
forever—perfect for readers who enjoy emotional
complexity with their beach reading.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vqtakzi5bityrtbjj4cfan4l/bafkreialgzeessd45fxy26eg6iwnatch4s4kz2qbvunmh6q336vmpc4r5e@jpeg)
May 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
There's a whole lot of this throughout the entire Sun-Times Summer 2025 section, I can't find most of the people or publications referred to or quoted in any of this (some of the publications exist but i can't find the cited people in them)
Reposted by derekhat of fredericton
In the bsky echo chamber this is already cemented in. But I might accidentally send it to my uncle in Timmins.
Great read
Great read
Pierre Poilievre has been in politics for 20 years, he's written 0 legislation; has one of the highest pensions in government. He's voted against the environment & climate nearly 400 times, derailed legislation to benefit workers, and voted against affordable housing initiatives.
April 27, 2025 at 2:16 PM
In the bsky echo chamber this is already cemented in. But I might accidentally send it to my uncle in Timmins.
Great read
Great read
Reposted by derekhat of fredericton
Liberals - do not listen to any messaging that says "Liberals already have it in the bag so Liberal voters needn't bother voting".
Disregard that stuff, it is a voter suppression technique.
Tomorrow get out and vote come hell or high water. #cdnpoli
Disregard that stuff, it is a voter suppression technique.
Tomorrow get out and vote come hell or high water. #cdnpoli
April 27, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Liberals - do not listen to any messaging that says "Liberals already have it in the bag so Liberal voters needn't bother voting".
Disregard that stuff, it is a voter suppression technique.
Tomorrow get out and vote come hell or high water. #cdnpoli
Disregard that stuff, it is a voter suppression technique.
Tomorrow get out and vote come hell or high water. #cdnpoli
Reposted by derekhat of fredericton
I hate that my country is a cautionary tale, but yeah, listen up Canadians.
April 27, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I hate that my country is a cautionary tale, but yeah, listen up Canadians.
I wish we had cool “I voted” stickers but let’s save that money for the CBC. Regardless, I VOTED! 💪
Pro trip Fredericton: dinner time proved to be a quiet time to go. Line was 2 people.
Pro trip Fredericton: dinner time proved to be a quiet time to go. Line was 2 people.
April 18, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I wish we had cool “I voted” stickers but let’s save that money for the CBC. Regardless, I VOTED! 💪
Pro trip Fredericton: dinner time proved to be a quiet time to go. Line was 2 people.
Pro trip Fredericton: dinner time proved to be a quiet time to go. Line was 2 people.
Reposted by derekhat of fredericton
This election comes down to one thing. Do you want a guy that successfully ran two central banks through two massive crisis, at the head of a centrist-progressive party or do you want an angry ex paper boy at the head of a MAGA hat wearing cabal.
April 18, 2025 at 2:04 AM
This election comes down to one thing. Do you want a guy that successfully ran two central banks through two massive crisis, at the head of a centrist-progressive party or do you want an angry ex paper boy at the head of a MAGA hat wearing cabal.
Poilievre's argument for defunding CBC is myopic. The Internet + social media broke the business model that funded professional journalism. We need public funding to ensure a baseline level of independent journalism that isn't driven by rage-farming and clickbait headlines.
April 18, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Poilievre's argument for defunding CBC is myopic. The Internet + social media broke the business model that funded professional journalism. We need public funding to ensure a baseline level of independent journalism that isn't driven by rage-farming and clickbait headlines.
came here to say the same thing
Poilievre would need a security clearance to know what the biggest security threat to Canada is, which is why he said crime.
April 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM
came here to say the same thing
PSA: Parents, it’s OK to skip the traumatizing photo with the creepy Easter bunny at the shopping mall. You don’t need to memorialize your toddler wailing in fear. Sometimes balking traditional makes you a better parent.
April 15, 2025 at 9:15 PM
PSA: Parents, it’s OK to skip the traumatizing photo with the creepy Easter bunny at the shopping mall. You don’t need to memorialize your toddler wailing in fear. Sometimes balking traditional makes you a better parent.
Reposted by derekhat of fredericton
