Monday, May 28, 2007
Headline versus Quote
I am always fascinated by what is a news event and what the news media choose to highlight. I popped open Google News tonight and saw this headline to an article about George W. Bush's remarks on Memorial Day:"Bush: This war will end"
Now, the quote that the article references:
"...one day this war will end, as all wars do."
Thanks for the false hope.
Labels: Bush, memorial day, news media
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Physics Homework
I need help with a cosmological physics question. I just read this article today that says that the Universe will someday disappear from view. It happens that the universe, in a few billion or trillion years, will be expanding so quickly, faster than the speed of light in fact, that galaxies will simply become undetectable from one another.This is very interesting, right? Well, I guess if you are a big geek - not like me. What actually caught my interest was this quote below:
"This is possible despite the universal speed limit being that of light, Krauss said, because the galactic clusters won't actually be moving; it's the space between them that will be expanding at a rate faster than light can traverse it."
Okay, what kind of spin is that? The galaxies won't be moving faster than the speed of light, but the space in between will be expanding faster than the speed of light? If some very powerful object that is placed immediately between you and me, say a gigantic balloon, is expanding at a certain speed, then it is essentially pushing you and I in directions away from one another at that very speed.
So how's it that the space between two galaxies can expand faster than the speed of light but not make the galaxies themselves move at that speed? According to the article it's something called "Dark Energy." Besides being a great possible name for a Pink Floyd album, Dark Energy is the growing tendency of empty space to spontaneously create more empty space. According to the article, and this is a direct quote: "No one can fully explain dark energy, but without it the universe we see today makes no sense."
Isn't that great? We made up something we can't explain to make sense of something that is theoretical anyway. I have a feeling some scientists are watching too much Sci Fi Channel. The greatest thing of the whole article is a quote from one scientist who suggested that we may even be experiencing something like this right now and not even know it! That is to say, because the distance between galaxies is expanding faster than the s
peed of light, we are literally traveling in time apart from one another! That means there could be galaxies that are undetectable to us that are still in the nascence of the Big Bang, and galaxies on the verge of the Big Crunch! All potential universes really can exist concurrently, though we won't be able to know, thanks to Dark Energy, the thing we made up that we can't explain to explain the thing that may or may not happen or be happening now! I love science.Labels: Big Bang, Big Crunch, Science Fiction, Speed of Light, turtles, Universe
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
This is only a test
Watch this film. Notice what your reaction is.
If your reaction was shock and anger, congratulations, you are a decent human being.
If your reaction was to laugh and watch it again, congratulations, you are just like me.
If your reaction was shock and anger, congratulations, you are a decent human being.
If your reaction was to laugh and watch it again, congratulations, you are just like me.
Labels: breakdancing, test
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Spam Poetry of the Day
Today I am forgoing the Spam Poem of the Day for a very important message I received. It is a very important spam message from a friend from the Ukraine:
From Nastyona at hammond@red-crow.net
Hi, dear
Please, open windows into your heart. I know that you are embarrassed, what you can have common with woman from far Ukraine, the country which is situated at the another part of the world. Before writing to you this letter, I was puzzled by this question too till I have not found the answer and you here. We are both lonely and want the same: to find love and to be happy.
Am I right? I am not risky person, but I want to risk this time, because it is the one chance to get acquainted with you and to create couple with you. I am kind-hearted, pretty woman who is able to love and take care. If my words touched your heart and you want to find your love, write me here http://inetfeelings.com/fantasy
Nastyona
From Nastyona at hammond@red-crow.netHi, dear
Please, open windows into your heart. I know that you are embarrassed, what you can have common with woman from far Ukraine, the country which is situated at the another part of the world. Before writing to you this letter, I was puzzled by this question too till I have not found the answer and you here. We are both lonely and want the same: to find love and to be happy.
Am I right? I am not risky person, but I want to risk this time, because it is the one chance to get acquainted with you and to create couple with you. I am kind-hearted, pretty woman who is able to love and take care. If my words touched your heart and you want to find your love, write me here http://inetfeelings.com/fantasy
Good-bye
Nastyona
Labels: spam poetry
Monday, May 14, 2007
Perfect Pancakes
My endless quest for the perfect yet easy pancake is making progress. I found this video podcast from the New York Times called the Minimalist that emphasizes cooking for simplicity and elegance and they gave me this recipe:1 C Flour
1 Tbsp Sugar
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1 C Milk
1 Egg
Mix together the dry ingredients while the griddle is heating up and then quickly and briefly mix in the milk and egg just until the flour gets moist. Cook, and serve it up!
The guy from the New York Times says you should use real maple syrup, but you and I can't afford that luxury so I just say go with what you've got. What I like best about this recipe is its simplicity. It's basically five ones. This gives you the flexibility to add in some flair to make it tastier. Replace the milk with buttermilk. Mix in some cinnamon or vanilla. Add blueberries or strawberries. Or do what I like to do: add some chai powder (this is the best brand). Try chai pancakes and you'll never go back.
Labels: chai, new york times, pancakes
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Spam Prose of the Day
"The Ballad of Petro Sun, Inc."
by Valerie Alston keesevilleay@jknet.com.br
The story of Cleopatra is a story of crime. It is a narrative of the husband, either from this or some other causes, seemed to be gaining the than a man. The term Physcon was a Greek word, which denoted friendly asp alone spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.
The boundless fields which the waters had fertilized were then At length Alexander died suddenly, after a night of drinking and southwestern part of Asia Minor. The governor of this province had respect to the institutions, and monuments, and wonderful physical
_______________
PETRO-SUN Inc. (P-S-U-D)
Price Today: .43
How far can it go from here? We are not allowed to speculate!
Check this deal out for yourself.
P-S-U-D news:
PetroSun is pleased to announce that the final remaining details of the
Arizona exploration program have been completed and the scheduling
of the Holbrook Basin drilling operations has commenced. The Company's
leasehold includes 985,000 acres of oil and gas rights in Arizona and
New Mexico.
For the complete release, please see your brokers website
_______________
and advantages which the young enjoy in their early years, and, on the gathered around, each eager to obtain the first glimpse of the contents. This vegetation, now wholly regulated and controlled by the hand of man.
He engaged than in temperate climes, and they grow less and less so as we approach the same surface with the sea, only, instead of blue waters topped with fact, to a very high command in the Macedonian army, and distinguished by mankind for the greatness of his exploits and the splendor of his throughout, with one all-pervading character: the absence of vegetables.
Alexandria became, in fact, very soon after it was founded, very great. His body was deposited in a splendid mausoleum, which had been built for she scarcely needed any. Alexander's engineers, however, in exploring the other sister--the same Cleopatra, in fact, that had been divorced in fact, a very common name among the princesses of the Ptolemaic line. ceaseless activity. Here groups of men were unloading the canal boats.
by Valerie Alston keesevilleay@jknet.com.br
The story of Cleopatra is a story of crime. It is a narrative of the husband, either from this or some other causes, seemed to be gaining the than a man. The term Physcon was a Greek word, which denoted friendly asp alone spared her Rome's crowning ignominy.
The boundless fields which the waters had fertilized were then At length Alexander died suddenly, after a night of drinking and southwestern part of Asia Minor. The governor of this province had respect to the institutions, and monuments, and wonderful physical
_______________
PETRO-SUN Inc. (P-S-U-D)
Price Today: .43
How far can it go from here? We are not allowed to speculate!
Check this deal out for yourself.
P-S-U-D news:
PetroSun is pleased to announce that the final remaining details of the
Arizona exploration program have been completed and the scheduling
of the Holbrook Basin drilling operations has commenced. The Company's
leasehold includes 985,000 acres of oil and gas rights in Arizona and
New Mexico.
For the complete release, please see your brokers website
_______________
and advantages which the young enjoy in their early years, and, on the gathered around, each eager to obtain the first glimpse of the contents. This vegetation, now wholly regulated and controlled by the hand of man.
He engaged than in temperate climes, and they grow less and less so as we approach the same surface with the sea, only, instead of blue waters topped with fact, to a very high command in the Macedonian army, and distinguished by mankind for the greatness of his exploits and the splendor of his throughout, with one all-pervading character: the absence of vegetables.
Alexandria became, in fact, very soon after it was founded, very great. His body was deposited in a splendid mausoleum, which had been built for she scarcely needed any. Alexander's engineers, however, in exploring the other sister--the same Cleopatra, in fact, that had been divorced in fact, a very common name among the princesses of the Ptolemaic line. ceaseless activity. Here groups of men were unloading the canal boats.
Labels: spam prose
Friday, May 4, 2007
Spam Poetry of the Day
The Winter Road From the St. Simeon Farm
by Horacio Michaud bananan@losgigtenerife.com
(in an ad for photoshop CS3)
Trampled snow is the only rose.
And melt the spirit; his mouth will distend
VII. Hudson and His Strait; Baffin and His Bay
Astonished that you have returned to go
grow hot in the parking lot, though they're
II. Quest and Conquest
Is it almost honey, is it snow?
At these masses the snow hides from me.
the old men burnish stories of Yaz and the Babe
snowdrops and crocuses might be fooled
Down the road, at Cypress Gardens, a woman
Introduction by Vilhjalmur Stefansson
The weight of being born into exile is lifted.
The winter road from the St. Simeon farm
Silence, are in his hand—birds in a snare;
In a single floral stroke,
Unreadable from behind—they are well down
And all at once it is the meadow I walked in at ten,
Against this sky no longer of our world.
by Horacio Michaud bananan@losgigtenerife.com
(in an ad for photoshop CS3)
Trampled snow is the only rose.
And melt the spirit; his mouth will distend
VII. Hudson and His Strait; Baffin and His Bay
Astonished that you have returned to go
grow hot in the parking lot, though they're
II. Quest and Conquest
Is it almost honey, is it snow?
At these masses the snow hides from me.
the old men burnish stories of Yaz and the Babe
snowdrops and crocuses might be fooled
Down the road, at Cypress Gardens, a woman
Introduction by Vilhjalmur Stefansson
The weight of being born into exile is lifted.
The winter road from the St. Simeon farm
Silence, are in his hand—birds in a snare;
In a single floral stroke,
Unreadable from behind—they are well down
And all at once it is the meadow I walked in at ten,
Against this sky no longer of our world.
Labels: spam poetry
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Spam poem of the Day
"Things Should Go Fine"
by Mitsuko Daniels
(grouped with a Viagra ad)
Prove myself fit to go up. I'm to begin the first of next month in the book-room. "It is not polite to whistle a very simple little marriage feast, every thing i know to please him, and so will sanch; he's fond of children."
We have had enough of that; women have been called queens a long time, but the "and now," announced - charity's mantle, seemed to cover a multitude of sins in other people's eyes.
Got trying to reach a honeysuckle from the vine which ran all over the porch. Of course, was not expected to take any part, but her taste was good, so all and make things jolly for his friends. I tell you we can't do without girls.
"At first, perhaps, but i am sure that under better influences Charlie will redeem himself because teddy in his care. You older boys I trust to manage yourselves for a day. Franz so, when Mrs. Sterling called point of land nearest the stranded samuel."
This opened a new world to Nat, and for she has courage, strong nerves, a tender heart, and an intense love and said Bella softly, "I accept and thank you for it, little teacher; I'll try as they did the sea-green furniture of her marine boudoir."
"But day after day, I want to pay a little debt of honour that is rather pressing," and that only made it all the jollier in the warm, bright rooms, full let alone, after gathering up the thick waves and curls into a hebe-like sort of splendor. I like to make things pretty at home, and know that what passed between them no one knew, but when they appeared her happy, they had not succeeded very well, for she was unlike any Rachel it to be sawed.
A white hat and blue feather, a muslin dress to match, and the loveliest creatures more than three times. Twice already the wicked witch had eyes filled, and when Nep, Tom's great newfoundland, came blundering - truly just, and free, and great. they were also quick to see that kindness'. every room in the big house was soon full.
And round the corner of the house rattled Ned Christie felt ready for any thing than usual, and Tom felt that he was in his proper place again. the so sternly that her wild guests saw she was not to be trifled with.
Reckoned on the untiring energy of the saw-horse, whose wooden limbs to see the crabs go sidling and backing over the bed. In bouquets, Jo browsed over the new library voraciously, and convulsed and it was mean not to tell me in time. "Will let me go with her and her mother when they do their shopping."
by Mitsuko Daniels
(grouped with a Viagra ad)
Prove myself fit to go up. I'm to begin the first of next month in the book-room. "It is not polite to whistle a very simple little marriage feast, every thing i know to please him, and so will sanch; he's fond of children."
We have had enough of that; women have been called queens a long time, but the "and now," announced - charity's mantle, seemed to cover a multitude of sins in other people's eyes.
Got trying to reach a honeysuckle from the vine which ran all over the porch. Of course, was not expected to take any part, but her taste was good, so all and make things jolly for his friends. I tell you we can't do without girls.
"At first, perhaps, but i am sure that under better influences Charlie will redeem himself because teddy in his care. You older boys I trust to manage yourselves for a day. Franz so, when Mrs. Sterling called point of land nearest the stranded samuel."
This opened a new world to Nat, and for she has courage, strong nerves, a tender heart, and an intense love and said Bella softly, "I accept and thank you for it, little teacher; I'll try as they did the sea-green furniture of her marine boudoir."
"But day after day, I want to pay a little debt of honour that is rather pressing," and that only made it all the jollier in the warm, bright rooms, full let alone, after gathering up the thick waves and curls into a hebe-like sort of splendor. I like to make things pretty at home, and know that what passed between them no one knew, but when they appeared her happy, they had not succeeded very well, for she was unlike any Rachel it to be sawed.
A white hat and blue feather, a muslin dress to match, and the loveliest creatures more than three times. Twice already the wicked witch had eyes filled, and when Nep, Tom's great newfoundland, came blundering - truly just, and free, and great. they were also quick to see that kindness'. every room in the big house was soon full.
And round the corner of the house rattled Ned Christie felt ready for any thing than usual, and Tom felt that he was in his proper place again. the so sternly that her wild guests saw she was not to be trifled with.
Reckoned on the untiring energy of the saw-horse, whose wooden limbs to see the crabs go sidling and backing over the bed. In bouquets, Jo browsed over the new library voraciously, and convulsed and it was mean not to tell me in time. "Will let me go with her and her mother when they do their shopping."
Labels: poetry, spam, spam poetry
Chronicles of the Super Human: Speed Walking
In my ongoing effort to chronicle the evolution of technology that will soon enhance the pitiful design of the human body (read here for brains), I have to reference a recent update on the design of a prosthetic ankle.Using robotic tendons, researchers at Arizona State University have created an artificial ankle that may soon allow the legless to walk with the best of Ethiopian marathon winners.
But why stop there, I beg. You may have already heard about this Russian superstar's new gas powered shoe. (Older models of the shoe used coal-fired steam power). This shoe has been clocked at an amazing 22-mph. If we merged this hyper shoe into an artificial limb can you imagine the possibilities? Someday people could walk on the highway, keeping apace with cars, jump like Spiderman, and kick with the power of Shaolin Soccer star Stephen Chau. Pre-teens would be amputating their own legs for a chance to make first choice on the kickball team. I know I would.
Labels: ankle, artificial, Ethiopia, gas, prosthetics, shoes
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Indy
Top three movies I saw at the Indianapolis Int'l Film Festival (besides my film, of course):1: The Ten
A series of ten vignettes loosely inspired by the Ten Commandments, written by comic geniuses Ken Marino and David Wain, with an all star cast. For those who like their humor shaken, not stirred.
2: Eagle vs. Shark
A kind of "Napoleon Dynamite" absurdity meets the "Me and You and Everyone We Know" sentimentality, from New Zealand, with a little bit of Michel Gondry thrown in. Sure to appeal to a broad audience.
3. The TV Set
David Duchovny turns tricks as a TV pilot producer whose integrity is tested by Sigourney Weaver in the first role I've ever liked her in since...hmm, I guess, Ghostbusters. Folks said that "Thank You For Smoking" redefined satire, but this film blends pointed satire with a humorous and subtle flavor. Yum!
Labels: festival, film, Indianapolis
Addicted
I checked my iTunes the other day and noticed that I have over SEVEN DAYS WORTH of podcasts in my library. Yes, I am addicted (some of my favorites are here, here, and here). Between taking the train for no less than 1 hour a day, running half an hour or so, and just wanting to block out the white noise that is the tourist/locust invasion of DC, my earphones are more valuable to me than a methadone drip is to 7 percent of the population of Guam.I've already gone through four sets of headphones this year. I've gone from over-the-ear headsets with traditional foam/cloth coverings, to earbuds, to full-fledged 70's style headsets. But when my cheapo earbuds conked out on me last week I thought all hope was lost. For some reason, one side of the headset loses sound at some point and I have to replace them.
Well, I happened to be paying a hit man to kill me my credit card bill the other day and I noticed that I had somehow racked up 8,000 points, I guess for my noble willingness to keep paying the monthly minimum and not declare bankruptcy. Looking through the rewards list I discovered a listing for Sharper Image's Noise Reduction Earbuds which I ordered promptly.
These earbuds just arrived today and let me just say that they have quite possibly changed my life. If you never thought that you could get quality from two corn kernel sized foam inserts connected to a box streaming pitiful AAC-quality audio, try this pair and get back to me. I plugged these into my ears for the first time at my metro stop and turned on Money Mark's most recent album and I could barely hear the train coming. I swear if I were standing on the tracks themselves I wouldn't have heard it as it came towards me and flattened my body.
I have yet to give them the sweat test - where I go running with them in my ears to see if the sweat generated by my lobes lubricates them enough to knock them out. But I can say that the texture of the foam gives me hope - it is absorbent, whereas my previous pair was resistant. Yes, this will result in sweaty buds, but hey, I'm not going to let someone else use them.
Thank you again Sharper Image for improving the quality of life in the Northern Hemisphere by yet another micrometer.
Labels: corn kernel, earphones, iPod, Money Mark, sharper image., sweat
