dfphil
@dfphil.bsky.social
Scientist, jazz-lover and New Englander.
Thanks! That's super-interesting. The next time we renovate I'm going to check out the construction around the brick in our place more carefully.
I can say that when we had the bathroom redone, the contractor was astounded that there was no fire-proofing between floors. (We fixed that)
I can say that when we had the bathroom redone, the contractor was astounded that there was no fire-proofing between floors. (We fixed that)
January 2, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Thanks! That's super-interesting. The next time we renovate I'm going to check out the construction around the brick in our place more carefully.
I can say that when we had the bathroom redone, the contractor was astounded that there was no fire-proofing between floors. (We fixed that)
I can say that when we had the bathroom redone, the contractor was astounded that there was no fire-proofing between floors. (We fixed that)
I read "La Place de la Concorde Suisse" by John McPhee when I lived outside of Geneva. It felt plausible from my experience as a presentation of Cold War Switzerland for an English language audience
January 2, 2026 at 1:20 AM
I read "La Place de la Concorde Suisse" by John McPhee when I lived outside of Geneva. It felt plausible from my experience as a presentation of Cold War Switzerland for an English language audience
My heart goes out. I should email my Swiss friends. I lived there so long ago but they treated me so well. I miss Geneva.
January 2, 2026 at 12:51 AM
My heart goes out. I should email my Swiss friends. I lived there so long ago but they treated me so well. I miss Geneva.
(Obviously I don't know anything about this, but...) I was thinking of inner suburbs of eastern cities. There are a lot of brick 3-4 story apartments/condos built in the first half of the 20th century. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I live in one. It's true that most new construction is stick-built
January 2, 2026 at 12:47 AM
(Obviously I don't know anything about this, but...) I was thinking of inner suburbs of eastern cities. There are a lot of brick 3-4 story apartments/condos built in the first half of the 20th century. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I live in one. It's true that most new construction is stick-built
Interesting. Do we see differences across the US depending upon building materials? I wouldn't have guessed building materials matter but it makes sense
January 2, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Interesting. Do we see differences across the US depending upon building materials? I wouldn't have guessed building materials matter but it makes sense
Any pointers as to why those numbers are so different in a normal year?
I lived very near Switzerland some decades ago and I thought their politics had a lot in common with ours. I'm surprised that getting technocratic details enacted into regulation are all that different
I lived very near Switzerland some decades ago and I thought their politics had a lot in common with ours. I'm surprised that getting technocratic details enacted into regulation are all that different
January 2, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Any pointers as to why those numbers are so different in a normal year?
I lived very near Switzerland some decades ago and I thought their politics had a lot in common with ours. I'm surprised that getting technocratic details enacted into regulation are all that different
I lived very near Switzerland some decades ago and I thought their politics had a lot in common with ours. I'm surprised that getting technocratic details enacted into regulation are all that different
From the same evening, some Sandhill Cranes
January 2, 2026 at 12:28 AM
From the same evening, some Sandhill Cranes
Tonight's drink is from the Death and Co: the European Union that comprises Gin, Calvados, Sweet Vermouth, Strega, and bitters. As usual for Death and Co., served up with no garnish.
Strega feels like it is in the Chartreuse family even if it isn't a literal replacement. I might add a garnish
Strega feels like it is in the Chartreuse family even if it isn't a literal replacement. I might add a garnish
January 2, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Tonight's drink is from the Death and Co: the European Union that comprises Gin, Calvados, Sweet Vermouth, Strega, and bitters. As usual for Death and Co., served up with no garnish.
Strega feels like it is in the Chartreuse family even if it isn't a literal replacement. I might add a garnish
Strega feels like it is in the Chartreuse family even if it isn't a literal replacement. I might add a garnish
I haven't lived there in decades but the Swiss sure did. Geneva and Zurich most definitely didn't count as *real* Switzerland back when I was there in grad school. (OK, I lived across the border in France, but my local friends were all Swiss)
January 2, 2026 at 12:06 AM
I haven't lived there in decades but the Swiss sure did. Geneva and Zurich most definitely didn't count as *real* Switzerland back when I was there in grad school. (OK, I lived across the border in France, but my local friends were all Swiss)
Aww. sweet little kitten. I hope it finds a good home
January 1, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Aww. sweet little kitten. I hope it finds a good home
One more pic from the top of the ridge
December 31, 2025 at 6:41 PM
One more pic from the top of the ridge