Deirdre
@dstraughan.bsky.social
Survived 40 years in tech, having opinions online even longer. Born in New Orleans, I've lived in Thailand, Bangladesh, India, 17 years in Italy. I now mostly post about living and gardening in Australia. She. Lots about me on my website beginningwithi.com
Tithonia starting to bloom at a sensible time of year; in previous years, it was blooming in late fall to winter here in Australia, perhaps I thought it was still in Mexico. There are three or four more plants that I have transplanted to various parts of the garden #GardeningAustralia.
February 11, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Tithonia starting to bloom at a sensible time of year; in previous years, it was blooming in late fall to winter here in Australia, perhaps I thought it was still in Mexico. There are three or four more plants that I have transplanted to various parts of the garden #GardeningAustralia.
Family news: www.brendangregg.com/blog/2026-02...
Why I joined OpenAI
Why I joined OpenAI
www.brendangregg.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:05 AM
Family news: www.brendangregg.com/blog/2026-02...
pfishing email:
"Dear Deirdré,
At The Coca-Cola Company, innovation is our lifeblood, but a great product is only half the battle. We have world-class R&D, but we need a strategic leader to translate technical features into compelling consumer value propositions that win in the market."
February 6, 2026 at 8:53 AM
pfishing email:
"Dear Deirdré,
At The Coca-Cola Company, innovation is our lifeblood, but a great product is only half the battle. We have world-class R&D, but we need a strategic leader to translate technical features into compelling consumer value propositions that win in the market."
Reviewing my website, I find pieces from 20+ years ago that I wish I had not got it right:
www.beginningwithi.com/2001/10/11/s...
www.beginningwithi.com/2004/02/02/g...
And one where I wish I’d known how to monetize the idea:
www.beginningwithi.com/2004/01/10/h...
www.beginningwithi.com/2001/10/11/s...
www.beginningwithi.com/2004/02/02/g...
And one where I wish I’d known how to monetize the idea:
www.beginningwithi.com/2004/01/10/h...
Some Thoughts on Extremism - Countries Beginning with I
Talking with a friend about the events of September 11th, he mentioned that many devout Muslims, and even Hindus, are offended by some things they see on Western television. My first reaction to this ...
www.beginningwithi.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Reviewing my website, I find pieces from 20+ years ago that I wish I had not got it right:
www.beginningwithi.com/2001/10/11/s...
www.beginningwithi.com/2004/02/02/g...
And one where I wish I’d known how to monetize the idea:
www.beginningwithi.com/2004/01/10/h...
www.beginningwithi.com/2001/10/11/s...
www.beginningwithi.com/2004/02/02/g...
And one where I wish I’d known how to monetize the idea:
www.beginningwithi.com/2004/01/10/h...
It now requires a video to show the extent of the butternut plant, and this doesn’t show at least two other vines that are drooping over the edge of the terrace #gardening
January 18, 2026 at 12:21 AM
It now requires a video to show the extent of the butternut plant, and this doesn’t show at least two other vines that are drooping over the edge of the terrace #gardening
Interesting magpie sounds - not the usual (beautiful) warble, she seems to be experimenting #australianbirds (excuse the weird camera work - iPhone decided I was filming the screen! Which shows the attentions of the cockatoos)
January 15, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Interesting magpie sounds - not the usual (beautiful) warble, she seems to be experimenting #australianbirds (excuse the weird camera work - iPhone decided I was filming the screen! Which shows the attentions of the cockatoos)
This morning’s visitors. I only bring out birdseed for the king parrots, then the lorikeet butted in #australianbirds
January 14, 2026 at 9:31 PM
This morning’s visitors. I only bring out birdseed for the king parrots, then the lorikeet butted in #australianbirds
I’ve been planting tithonia aka red or Mexican sunflower for years. 1st & 2nd year it came up months after sowing, in autumn. Now 2 coming up, 1 I don’t remember planting, 1 self sown from last year’s plant. They should grow large, with brilliant orange-red flowers
January 8, 2026 at 12:36 AM
I’ve been planting tithonia aka red or Mexican sunflower for years. 1st & 2nd year it came up months after sowing, in autumn. Now 2 coming up, 1 I don’t remember planting, 1 self sown from last year’s plant. They should grow large, with brilliant orange-red flowers
More zinnias, and a single nigella flower #GardeningAustralia
January 7, 2026 at 9:00 PM
More zinnias, and a single nigella flower #GardeningAustralia
Young kookaburras are not very good at making kookaburra noises. Once they get their act together the whole family will serenade us #australianwildlife #australianbirds #birds
January 1, 2026 at 3:50 AM
Young kookaburras are not very good at making kookaburra noises. Once they get their act together the whole family will serenade us #australianwildlife #australianbirds #birds
A Boyd’s forest dragon, which looks pretty exactly how I would imagine a “real” baby dragon to look #australianwildlife
December 30, 2025 at 6:56 AM
A Boyd’s forest dragon, which looks pretty exactly how I would imagine a “real” baby dragon to look #australianwildlife
Green and gold bell frog - my iPhone doesn’t do justice to the golden shine of this creature #australianwildlife #frogs
December 30, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Green and gold bell frog - my iPhone doesn’t do justice to the golden shine of this creature #australianwildlife #frogs
Here you can see almost the full extent of the butternut vines, except for the one hanging over the edge heading for the next terrace #gardening
December 27, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Here you can see almost the full extent of the butternut vines, except for the one hanging over the edge heading for the next terrace #gardening
I have a sunflower, and the cockies have not yet decapitated it. Maybe because it’s in the front yard where they rarely go. #GardeningAustralia
December 26, 2025 at 6:56 AM
I have a sunflower, and the cockies have not yet decapitated it. Maybe because it’s in the front yard where they rarely go. #GardeningAustralia
Christmas Eve gift: we discovered a couple of juvenile ring tailed possums in our rolled up awning. Not sure how long they had been there, we rarely extend it for fear the wind will snatch it away. #Australia #AustralianWildlife.
December 25, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Christmas Eve gift: we discovered a couple of juvenile ring tailed possums in our rolled up awning. Not sure how long they had been there, we rarely extend it for fear the wind will snatch it away. #Australia #AustralianWildlife.
This year I’m trying “fuck it gardening” — let the plants do what they like and see how it goes. #gardening #GardeningAustralia
Today’s progress: 1. a self-seeded largish tomato, 2. a plot containing corn, tomatillos, zinnias, cosmos, and a lot of purslane underneath. 3.zinnias, purslane, and corn
December 22, 2025 at 12:55 AM
This year I’m trying “fuck it gardening” — let the plants do what they like and see how it goes. #gardening #GardeningAustralia
Today’s progress: 1. a self-seeded largish tomato, 2. a plot containing corn, tomatillos, zinnias, cosmos, and a lot of purslane underneath. 3.zinnias, purslane, and corn
This poster on a neighborhood billboard explains that there are no circumstances in which a politician may give a gift to a constituent. #japan
December 21, 2025 at 9:57 PM
This poster on a neighborhood billboard explains that there are no circumstances in which a politician may give a gift to a constituent. #japan
I returned to my garden this week to find the butternut vine aspiring to world domination #gardening
December 19, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I returned to my garden this week to find the butternut vine aspiring to world domination #gardening
Anti-slide stair railing. Or maybe wildly stimulating, depending on your thrills.
December 15, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Anti-slide stair railing. Or maybe wildly stimulating, depending on your thrills.
There are many fancy cars on the streets of Ginza, but for me this vintage Mercedes is the winner. The Porsche gets points for being an unusual color.
December 15, 2025 at 1:26 AM
There are many fancy cars on the streets of Ginza, but for me this vintage Mercedes is the winner. The Porsche gets points for being an unusual color.
In Japan, you can make scale model Americans.
December 15, 2025 at 12:53 AM
In Japan, you can make scale model Americans.
UNIQLO will be missing an opportunity if they don’t sell this shirt in Australia
December 13, 2025 at 2:21 AM
UNIQLO will be missing an opportunity if they don’t sell this shirt in Australia