GIS Day


It almost always surprises me every year, when I get an email from ESRI saying that today is GIS day, apparently ESRI chose it. Not specifically the 19th of November, but the third Wednesday in November. I assume this is because like myself Wednesday can be a bit of a slog. Here is the internets description of GIS day:

GIS Day is an annual event celebrating geographic information systems based technologies on the third Wednesday of November. The event first took place in 1999. It was initiated by spatial analytics software provider Esri. Esri president and co-founder Jack Dangermond credits Ralph Nader with being the person who inspired the creation of GIS Day. He considered the event a good initiative for people to learn about geography and the many uses of GIS. He wanted GIS Day to be a grassroots effort and open to everyone to participate. Today, the event provides an international forum for users of GIS technology from across the GIS industry to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in society.

Of course as an avid Open Source Software user I promote QGIS over ArcGIS everyday of the week especially since ESRI changed their subscription model. So “Happy GIS Day” go forth and create great maps!

Fly Boy

Note the extremely winter jacket….

Spring seemed to be very cold and rainy and today it finally feels like summer is at least on its way, or has certainly sent a note with it’s arrival date.

Thankfully I can finally get out with the drone again and finally pass the GVC test and be licenced and insured for it, for project as well as fun.


Anyway, here is something from last summer and hopefully some good stuff from this summer later!

Random finds

So it has been a while since I have browsed around my network drive, I usually just use it for downloads nowadays, and for storing old images.

I came across a directory of images I that I kept when I was still living in The Netherlands that for one reason or another I kept. Most were ‘collected’ when I was loading data. Some of them made me laugh, some were (a little) inspirational and some were images of woman that were “wow” so to speak.

Here is a snapshot of these, click and hover for the Lightbox and explanation.

I have no idea who owns these images or what the copyright is on them. Am not sure I particularly care either ;-)

Winter Solstice

Today represents the arduous descent to the day with the shortest amount of light, the winter solstice. The peak of Saturnalia as represented by my light ‘candle’. As much as I love winter I do enjoy the sunlight being a bit longer as 8:45 is ridiculous for sunrise…

I hope that you are enjoying the Saturnalia festivities that you may have going on, or any other pagan rituals that you are into!

Snapshots of 2023

Have been unbelievably slack on keeping this journal up to date, something I hope to rectify next year. Thought I would post some shots from the year so far.

A short snippet of the coast at El Golfo