Hey, got online learning stuff you've done and liked?

I'm trying to put together a collection of pointers to online learning stuff (short classes, longer programs, one-shot talks/demos). Could be self-paced/self-directed or a more structured/formalized class format for business stuff. Tech stuff (like 'how to be an AWS customer without tripping over your shoelaces') or non-tech professional-skills stuff (perhaps 'how to talk to your employees without making them run out of the room in despair'). From expert level stuff down to 'how to hate msft excel slightly less'. Preferably free stuff but also open to for-fee stuff that someone could get a business to cover the cost of.

I'm particularly interested in stuff you or folks you know have actual experience with - I can do my own web searching for stuff that nobody I know has been involved in. The intended audience for the list is to fill out a "professional development resources" list for my overall division at work. Thanks!

I've been delighted with DarkSky since back before they changed the name. They've since been bought by Apple, which, okay, good for them and improving Apple's iPhone weather app is a good thing. But the DarkSky website is going away.

What websites do folks like for weather? Things I like about DarkSky are the 10 day forecast and being able to expand each day for the "what to expect each hour". A thing I like about the website and their ios stuff is that the ios weather app doesn't currently do is that darksky defaults to showing me when during a day there's expected precipitation.

Hat tip to eftychia, who brought my attention to this. I sort of skimmed past it because it looked mildly amusing but not enough to follow the link to the thread. But on her and totient's recommendations, I followed it and it is a hell of a ride. Contains descriptions of colonial violence, politics, and birds.

Twitter user imillhiser, took a picture of a warning about a goose and ran with it.

[...]

At level 12, the newly formed Goose Free State demands full independence and sovereignty over its ancestral lands.

Level 17 is when the United Republic of Waterfoul successfully detonates an atomic weapon in a controlled test.

At level 19, the Waterfowl receive a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

At level 23, the war came.

[...]

I watched an episode of Columbo last night and now, more than ever, I want to see a reboot of the show that is faithful to the style of the original in all ways except the lead role should be played by Natasha Lyonne. I want to see her lift her hand to the side of her head and say "just one thing". I want to see her holding a mellow basset hound in her arms and explaining that the dog doesn't do much and doesn't come when called so they just call him "Dog" and then explain to the dog that she'll be back in a couple of minutes.

Good luck to everyone diving in to NaNoWriMo this month! I am once again not participating, but I cheer you all on. When all else fails, just make something blow up and end the chapter.

This is some next-level mash-up talent. Less “mashed” and more “intricately braided”.
https://soundcloud.com/hoodinternet/1979-1989-full-mix

If you like anagrams, instead of celebrating "Valentine's Day" you can celebrate "SNAIL EVENT DAY"

So, yeah. There's that and it's excellent.

UPDATE: THE CAT HAS FOUND A HOME and apparently Delano the cat is now living somewhere within the borders of Somerville. Good luck, Delano.

One of my brothers has asked me if I can help find a home for an adult cat - the cat's current owner has become too ill to take care of it, and so he's trying to rehome the cat. Anyone want a nice adult cat? It's a solo cat at the moment - I don't know how it is with other cats. But if anyone is looking for a cat, let me know.

I went through my tea collection recently when I was finding some samples to send to someone, and I realized that I have a bunch of sample packs and other collections of loose-leaf teas that are, frankly, REALLY FUCKING OLD. Ages range from a couple of years to well over a decade. Most of these have been stored in the same sealed foil wrappers they were in when Upton sent them to me as freebies when I got refills on my usual Irish breakfast blend of theirs. Some of them have been stored in non-airtight fold-top bags. I assume it's all still good, but may have had flavors fade a bit, particularly the stuff that's not air-tight. It's almost all black tea (might be some herbal or green tea sample packs in there), mostly from Upton Tea Importers.

Anyone want a box of tea packets? Available for pickup in Somerville.

Anyone interested in 4 tix (really good seats) for tomorrow’s John Waters Xmas show at the berklee? https://www.berklee.edu/events/john-waters-christmas-1