Sorry, no time for a synopsis of this one:
http://www.trnmag.com/Stories/2003/121703/PDA_translates_speech_121703.html
Cross your fingers.... The Redcoats are about to land on the Red Planet. Check out the Beagle 2 website to keep track of how they do. ETA is Christmas Day, 2:54am GMT. Thanks again to Glen for the keen link - also if you haven't already, check out the call sign the probe is scheduled to play. Pretty neat.
MoveOn is sponsoring a contest to find a 30-second commercial that summarizes all the reasons why Bush shouldn't be re-elected. They were more successful than they thought. Over 1000 potential ads were entered, so they need your help to judge the ads and pick your favorites. You don't have to watch them all; just 20 at a time whenever you can. Who knows; you might find a real gem!
I came across this site accidentally, doing a search on futuristic designs from the 50s. What I found was a CafePress site run by a guy who does artwork in two categories: really pretty Celtic stuff and really neat-o "50s-vision-of-the-future" stuff. I thought it was a fascinating combination, one that really appealed to me, and I figured some of you might be intrigued as well...
Planning a trip through space today? Well, why not check the weather? You never know when those magnetic storms might hit!
Would you fit into an abnormal psych book? Here's a way to find out whether or not you are really as neurotic as you think you are.
Just so you don't feel bad: I scored "low" on all but a "moderate" on schizotypal.
Not that Chris will take time to look at global spin any time soon (how's that for a useless link?), but I thought I'd just announce that our dear boy (and new dad!) is 30 today!
I bet he's enjoying today immensely.
We love you, Chris! Happy birthday (and a big hi to the family, too)!
Um... welcome colymbosathon ecplecticos to the world. But don't stand too close. You know, I used to be intimidated by the Latin and/or Greek names scientists give to things. But after this, maybe the naming of things should be more closely regulated....
Mars is so popular - so fetching in red. Here's a really interesting link to a NASA site on Mars in Popular Culture. It's actually got some real history and educational stuff worked in, but doesn't skimp on the bad Mars movies.... I snagged this link from the most recent edition of Natural History.
Stay awake and feel good while you're at it!
Welcome to the web site of Café Mam 100% Organic, Fair Trade Certified ™ Coffee.
Besides, you anthro types will have fun looking up the Mam people of Mexico and Guatemala.
This is more a note to myself than anything, but you might find it interesting as well. JPL has put together an overview called the Basics of Space Flight, covering topics like orbital mechanics, experiments, and communication. It's supposed to have a bent toward unmanned missions, but a lot of the principles are the same. I look forward to reading it.
No link, sorry. But I'm re-reading Friday by Robert Heinlein and our heroine has just arrived in the Confederacy of California:
"But only in California will you find the clear-quill, raw-gum, two-hundred-proof, undiluted democracy...They elect everybody, from precinct parasite to the Chief Confederate ("The Chief"). But they unelect them almost as fast. For example the Chief is supposed to serve one six-year term. But, of the last nine chiefs, only two served a full six years; the others were recalled except that one who was lynched. In many cases an official has not yet been sworn in when the first recall petition is being circulated."
Creepy, eh?
Say it ain't so.... Our fun little Segway is now being considered as a tool in "a plan to develop battlefield robots that think on their own and communicate with troops." Does every toy have to turn into a war toy?