Updated: Never — Philip's Blog

Because having an early night proved to be impossible owing to things being set on fire in a noisy way, I decided to watch my shiny new Funkwecker for the leap-second that was introduced just now.

It was unbelievably exciting!

A bit like watching paint dry. You should try it some time! Watch for the memo for the next leap second.

I understand however, that not everyone was interested in the leap-second tonight. Many people celebrated the completion of an imprecisely parametrized solar cycle (I still love that phrase, Elise!) instead. Some of those people got so sucked in to the celebrations that they decided to send me text messages.

Of course, a new year does not officially start until p2's annual Goa-text, so I'm definitely not complaining!

Some of the other texts I received were a bit strange (well, stranger) though. Particularly because they came from people I don't know! I feel a bit weird about getting messages encouraging to make my "naughtiest dreams" come true and such more from possibly random strangers.

I also wonder what I should text them in return? "Enjoy the leap-second" felt a bit too geeky. I decided that the best approach was probably to wish them a generic happy new year and not to ask them to identify themselves. That might have implied that I only feel people I know should be happy. Everyone should be happy of course. And not just on the 1st of January according to a given calendar.

Happy new year if you celebrate this particular calendrical phenomenon!