tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11845038935368837872011-11-27T16:23:48.773-07:00"Stuff your eyes with wonder," he said, "live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories. Ask no guarantees, ask for no security, there never was such an animal. And if there were, it would be related to the great sloth which hangs upside down in a tree all day every day, sleeping its life away. To hell with that," he said, "shake the tree and knock the great sloth down on his ass." - <i>Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451</i>Scottnoreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-45731117591132567122008-09-02T12:24:00.004-06:002008-09-02T13:48:38.355-06:00

Kentucky Lake

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-17710951869443081172008-08-20T12:41:00.001-06:002008-08-20T12:43:39.702-06:00

Late Model race start, Concord 8/17/08

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-17539293897601798492008-06-21T20:24:00.001-06:002008-06-21T20:24:43.771-06:00

Just a few snapshots in glorious 640x480 (I apologize sincerely for that fact) from the Gunnison Bluffs/Old Spanish Trail area.Cactus. Lots of that along the way. They should have a sign above them that says DO NOT SIT HERE IDIOT.Rocky, harsh terrain- a lot of this, too. The trail is about 14 miles, nothing horribly rugged, but there is no shade and no water to drink for the time you're out. It

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-69159948603027812822008-06-20T23:46:00.002-06:002008-06-20T23:49:21.572-06:00

I actually wrote this several years ago, and hadn't thought of it in all this time. A discussion I was having refreshed my memory, and I thought I'd share here- it may not be good. It may not be everyone's cup of tea. But I (having been one of the people I'm talking about in the piece) have always felt a bit of pride in it.So, here you go.July 2nd, 1863- Colonel Joshua Lawerence Chamberlain,

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-60702184471351117132008-05-16T11:00:00.002-06:002008-05-16T11:21:53.108-06:00

The latest global food pinch is actually starting to hit home a little. Take note of the following, taken from SeattlePI.com:"Media reports are starting to trickle in about grocers limiting some food purchases, while Costco Wholesale Corp. is seeing higher-than-usual demand for staple foods such as rice and flour as consumers appear to be stocking up.The Reuters story followed a Monday article in

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-48176239748326118872008-05-15T18:29:00.002-06:002008-05-16T08:54:46.711-06:00

I seriously never thought I could condone a cover of this particular song. The original is too good, too meaningful, and too perfect to be tampered with, right? I was wrong. Saul Williams has done the impossible, I think, in relating this to the current place and time. His latest release- linked to from the video above- is a seriously good effort, and a bargain at $5 for the digital version (the

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-65609503848176425602008-04-27T11:40:00.001-06:002008-04-27T11:40:27.460-06:00

If you know me, you know I think that the biofuels scam is one of the most irresponsible, idiotic things we've ever bought into. It's nothing but a grab for the farm vote. Mike Adams at NaturalNews.com apparently agrees, and I think this is a very good presentation of the reasons why: Please read, even if you disagree with my stand.

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-83858833857141461042008-04-25T20:50:00.001-06:002008-04-25T20:50:42.760-06:00

Seriously, I don't know.Maybe I don't want to know. I just get into these flurries of wanting to share useless info sometimes, and then go on a kick where I find as much useful info as I can, and then I'll cycle into silence for a month, a year, or a decade. I guess it's all part of the machinery that makes me go. I suppose anyone who knows me will see that as one of the less grievous faults.This

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-23452019477275202152008-03-10T12:24:00.003-06:002008-03-10T12:31:33.508-06:00

You'll notice them to the right, where they always appear. Just a couple things I find to be interesting or important- Sciencedebate is an organization working to ensure that the issues of science are not ignored or glossed over this election year. I see this as absolutely critical to the future of our country, and it is a very admirable and worthy cause they're working toward.The other, Homeless

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-44836330914577209872008-03-06T08:52:00.003-07:002008-03-06T09:12:08.758-07:00

Yes, Tank Girl!Sometimes I forget about the small, simple things can can bring joy into my life. Last night about 10:00, I got a very random reminder of one of these things- just happened to check, and right there on the Encore listings, those eight letters jumped out like x-rays from a pulsar.I undestand that this is not a good movie. It's not particularly well written, acted, or directed, and

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-45166271846774736872008-03-05T08:46:00.003-07:002008-03-05T12:55:09.550-07:00

The silence from me is just deafening. The one person who I think actually reads anything I write keeps bothering me about it, but truthfully, there's been very little to say lately, and when there is, it seems to be very trivial stuff that not many people need to hear from me- ESPN provides better sports coverage than I can!But I suppose I can avoid feeling like a completely inert lump of

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-71272795063637797022008-02-18T11:12:00.003-07:002008-02-18T11:23:08.988-07:00

Six weeks, you say? Man, time flies sometimes. I haven't updated anything, haven't had much to say, and it shows. Slow, lazy, winter = slow, lazy me.I think I really just get media-d to death every so often and don't feel like contributing to the billions of words flying around. Since the last entry, about the most significant event for me personally is seeing Cloverfield (twice) and not being

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-17058790222256732192007-12-28T07:53:00.000-07:002007-12-28T09:05:33.373-07:00

Questions that crop up in unexpected places, too. I'm sure any question I can ask is answered in a dozen places by a dozen knowledgeable people- my forays into the field are at the most basic "For Dummies" level that you can imagine. But, at any rate,it is all fascinating and illustrates just how little we really know about the big picture. It's amazing that, with all the things we've learned,

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-89254787974217307812007-12-27T08:06:00.000-07:002007-12-27T08:48:22.048-07:00

We've all been presented with them, either in person, on line, in a letter or e-mail. The ones that are supposed to provoke deep thoughts and existentialist musings, I suppose, as we ponder the importance or necessity of various objects in our lives. I've answered them- and be honest, you have, too. But do we really think them through? Example: "What is the ONE THING that you could not live

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-27832547864608798462007-12-26T08:43:00.000-07:002007-12-26T08:59:44.915-07:00

I'll be the first to admit to not really caring much for the holiday season. I don't hate it- and I'm not the Grinch personified- but I just don't actually like it. All the goodwill and cheer and such doesn't inspire me, doesn't give me a warm feeling at all, mainly because it's countered by the fact that Christmas and the shopping frenzy it incites tends to bring out the absolute worst in

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-82679193370858211782007-12-19T11:50:00.000-07:002007-12-19T11:53:53.504-07:00

Just my favourite piece of work from the mind, pen, and instruments of Neil Peart, Geddy Lee, and Alex Lifeson. I've been on a Hemispheres binge lately, and just can't kick it. Has there ever been a song written that holds more pure truth than this?I. PreludeWhen our weary world was youngThe struggle of the ancients first beganThe gods of love and reasonSought alone to rule the fate of manThey

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-34659168202737077452007-12-17T10:05:00.000-07:002007-12-17T10:23:02.579-07:00

It really is. I was thinking of the reasons why today isn't a good day- it's cold (temperatures at night are hitting the single digits, which really offends my desert dweller sensibilities), my cat tried to claw my eye out** and it hurts, and there's a coating of oddly cold and crystalline white stuff all over the ground. Stuff that I believe belongs 15 miles away, up on top of the mountains.(*

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-21620421922075414182007-12-11T21:51:00.000-07:002007-12-11T21:58:54.724-07:00

It's simple- go here and sign the petition to get our presidential candidates to agree to a topical, in depth debate on science and the issues facing our nation in that realm. It doesn't take long, and it's well worth the effort. The list of people already supporting this debate reads like a Who's Who of American science, but every signature helps.A listing on the website outlines some subjects

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-33559528015838339082007-12-11T12:49:00.000-07:002007-12-11T12:54:49.211-07:00

Say "Happy Holidays" in a unique way with cards courtesy of our friends at Hubble Site. Printable, free, and best of all, Hubble images! Find them here.

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-33595143847141671172007-12-10T02:08:00.000-07:002007-12-10T02:14:20.834-07:00

I'm having issues with the silly embedded player, so I'll redirect you to this link. I will also neither confirm nor deny my real feelings, and leave it up to you to decide if I'm kidding or not.

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-36803094368307239882007-12-06T22:48:00.000-07:002007-12-06T22:54:43.155-07:00

It is simply amazing how quickly the field has grown, and the incredible levels of precision engineers have reached. As an example, I give you the following video, courtesy of Reuters:Just....wow. How long before we have these little guys doing surgery? These are some very interesting and exciting days we live in, folks. Enjoy it. Read more about the Toyota-built robot in the video here.

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-69832004681496655372007-12-05T22:44:00.000-07:002007-12-05T22:54:42.980-07:00

Or one of them, anyhow. This isn't a new article, but I'm finally getting around to mentioning it. Jennifer Oullette over at Cocktail Party Physics (see links to the right) wrote this very interesting piece on a use for plasma- specifically, plasma as an antenna. It was something I was completely ignorant of before reading that, and is in her usual style- smart, witty, and as entertaining as a

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-53985934343285774232007-12-03T07:51:00.000-07:002007-12-03T09:40:52.845-07:00

I really can't go without saying something. I won't say anything about sports here at all. There are 5 million other places that specialize in that subject, and frankly, it's not important enough to spend a lot of time writing about. I am, however, someone who follows 3 sports pretty closely- those being baseball, English Premier League soccer, and college football. The latter is once again

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-2211385083530086162007-11-30T07:26:00.000-07:002007-11-30T08:22:42.154-07:00

Yes, there is a book out there with that very title, but that's not what this is about. There are reference materials coming, though, no worries there, and maybe they'll be helpful to someone. I think it's a great find, a terrific public service, and yes I am pretty proud of myself for my web searching prowess. The real point here is trying to figure out just how deep into the world of Physics,

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-84977912136749068622007-11-30T01:18:00.000-07:002008-12-09T13:19:22.289-07:00

New for me, since I change every so often. This one is courtesy of Hubblesite, and it is STUNNING. There are dozens of this quality there- go take a look!Man, I love the Hubble Space Telescope.

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-43296813257358324852007-11-29T09:20:00.000-07:002007-11-29T12:10:31.990-07:00

Seriously, I just don't understand it. Are we so desperate for any thread of control, so scared that things happen outside the tiny context of our lives and minute piece of existence, that things like this can honestly be believed?I was looking around the BAUT forum (pretty much a daily exercise for me. I am an absolute expert at forum lurking) when I came across a link to this amazingly insane

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-5122531239767799142007-11-26T09:23:00.000-07:002007-11-26T09:53:13.750-07:00

Seriously soon, I hope. It would save me a tremendous amount of trauma. I'm trying to reacquaint my brain with the world of mathematics. It's been a while since I've had to do anything beyond the calculations required for doing my taxes, so yeah- I'm a bit out of form. So I'm doing all right (not great, but...yeah. I'm remembering things) and all of a sudden I'm faced with this:a(0) / 2 + [Sigma]

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-53306468836582098782007-11-22T10:57:00.000-07:002007-11-22T10:58:48.627-07:00

I know it's not a holiday anywhere else but the U.S. I also know that I don't do anything much to commemorate it myself, but I hope those of you that do have a great day.

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-12534841264471997832007-11-20T09:34:00.000-07:002008-12-09T13:19:22.805-07:00

(Note: No, I am NOT serious. But seeing all this garbage makes me think I'm on to something)I am not an expert, an astronomer, a butcher, baker, or anyone who knows much of anything. But the photos below will provide undeniable proof that the Easter Bunny is REAL, and that the ancient race of Moon dwellers knew it.Image I: Untouched image from Google Moon.You can see the bunny carved from the

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-31435586483848144832007-11-17T19:01:00.000-07:002007-11-17T19:07:50.761-07:00

Now this is an interesting program- and one I can fully support and agree with. Until November 26th, people in the US and Canada can purchase an XO Laptop and not only will they get one, but so will a school age child in a developing nation. Check the link out- the XO is a unique little machine, running a Linux-derived OS. While you're there, have a look at the program, too, and consider lending

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-39430790503963912222007-11-17T14:10:00.000-07:002007-11-17T14:11:48.703-07:00

Give this a try and see how you do- maybe I'll divulge my score later. I did better than expected on the world map, I'll admit, and find this to be a pretty neat little test.

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-46756955779909659992007-11-16T19:45:00.001-07:002007-11-16T19:51:55.064-07:00

Luckily, the recent earthquake in northern Chile didn't damage ESO's telescopes at Paranal- everything is reported up and running normally according to the release found here. Not that there's anything 'lucky' about an earthquake of this magnitude (7.7 on the Richter), but I think it's a relief that there was no damage to any of the facilities used by ESO. Best wishes to all of those who were

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-3187745349345709972007-11-15T22:30:00.000-07:002008-12-09T13:19:23.040-07:00

Time for another introduction to an amazing site, full of great educational material and spectacular imagery. Pay a visit to the Chandra X-Ray Observatory - part of NASA's "Great Observatory" fleet, Chandra has been providing data on the unseen universe since August of 1999 and is still going strong. A good example is the image seen here, a spectacular representation of the Tycho supernova

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-88205665343884548942007-11-15T07:28:00.000-07:002008-12-09T13:19:23.122-07:00

After mentioning the Cassini probe in my little rant yesterday, I thought it was right to make note of the amazing photos of Saturn and it's moons (and rings!) that we're getting back. I particularly liked this one, showing the very clear ice-filled canyonlike features on Dione, Saturn's 12th satellite. There is an archive of shots like this one, complete mission profile documentation, and a

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1184503893536883787.post-24572748098003384242007-11-14T23:50:00.000-07:002007-11-15T00:27:20.149-07:00

...and it's been on my mind a lot these past few days. I fully realize that we live in a very entertainment-driven society here in the US. I further understand that the pursuit of knowledge isn't exactly the most popular exercise. But even with these things in mind, I have to vent a little- an expression of frustration more than anything, I suppose. Do this for me, and maybe you'll see why I'm

Scottnoreply@blogger.com0