Quote(s)

“Any sufficiently analyzed magic is indistinguishable from science.” - Girl Genius, by Kaja & Phil Foglio

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke

Perspective, it's all about perspective ...

30 January 2013

Storyboard for my novel?

Some of you are familiar with the storyline for my WIP, Rising Tide.  My daughter, who (to me at least) knows all things Internets, showed me this:

Created by gingerhaze HERE

My lovely daughter pointed out Noelle has illustrated my novel!  I pointed out that the hero and heroine do NOT run off on a motorcycle.  Hero pointed out he has one that I just wouldn't let him use in the novel.   *sigh*

But, OMG you guys!  Heroine is a scientist and has a white lab coat.  Hero doesn't pull off his shirt when she gets the helmet, but is not wearing a shirt when she brings up the subject of a helmet ...  close enough!

Science Fun

Came across this in my daughter's tumblr feed (click on the image to make it bigger):





It's from The Electron Café, which is written by a research scientist.  Oh, my, I have lived this.


27 January 2013

Link Gumbo - Weather, The Future, and An Adventure

What's the difference between sleet and freezing rain?  I'll start with this, given we may well see both of these today in the Chicago area.  Angela Fritz, atmospheric scientist, explains.


Permafrost is melting all across the northern reaches of the globe.  Researchers in Alaska found the remains of "Bison Bob," a 40,000-year-old steppe bison, in a thawing river bank.  Here's the story.


The World Economic Forum occurred recently at Davos, Switzerland.  Here's a brief summary of some predictions for the future. 


I write fiction, as do many of my friends and readers.  We paint images with words.  Here's a short animated film that is only images, no words!  There are fantasy adventure tropes galore as well as a wonderful, satisfying ending. 

Stay warm!  I'm going to make another mocha and do some editing. 


UPDATE:  We have sleet!  (In case you're wondering, sleet and hail are almost the same.  Sleet happens in winter, hail happens in summer and is often larger than sleet.)


I can hear the little balls pinging off the windows.

19 January 2013

Brief Update

Work has been very busy.  Over the course of about a month we hit the trifecta of regulatory inspections.  We had the FDA for three days, ISO for four days, and yesterday the EMA (the European equivalent of the FDA) for one very intense day.  I’m proud to be part of the team that came through all that with just a few minor observations. 

Perhaps things will return to normal now, whatever that may be.  Perhaps there will be less overtime.  Now, I like the money from overtime, but it seriously cuts into my writing time.  Not just in terms of actual hours.  It wears me out mentally so I can’t write on both my days off.  I need the first one to rest.  As they say, getting older isn’t for wimps. 

I am off today!  Got a lot to do, including a Bar Mitzvah party tonight.  Must head out into the cold ...


14 January 2013

Turning the Tables

David Attenborough is well-known for nature programing.  Check out this comic from bird and moon that neatly has Mr. Attenborough as the investigative subject: 

http://birdandmoon.com/attenborough.html

*grin*




13 January 2013

Geeks in Washington DC

The Obama administration instituted a system for people to petition the government.  Someone opened one for the construction of a Death Star.  It received enough signatures to get a response.  I know this is old news, but I hadn't read the actual response until today. 

Geek points for the administration!

"This Isn't the Petition Response You're Looking For"  was written by Paul Shawcross.  It includes the statement that the administration doesn't support blowing up planets.  I like that.  Blowing up planets is only for the bad guys.

He also mentions it would be quite expensive at a time we're trying to reduce the deficit and has a fundamentally flawed design that can be exploited by a one-man starship.  Good thinking, that.

There is also a list of some of the cool space science going on now, like our robot labs roaming Mars and the planned replacement satellite for Hubble.  And he encourages people to pursue careers in science and other areas related to space exploration.  Good Stuff!

Curiosity Rover self portrait from here.  
I follow the Curiosity Rover on Twitter - @MarsCuriosity.  Boy, it's fun living here in the future!


07 January 2013

Sloths - I know you were wondering about them

Relax.
Slow down.
And enjoy this video about sloths.  (Found thanks to Matociquala.)


EDIT 1/13/13
Well, You Tube canceled the account for the video
I linked here. 
For copyright infringement.
Sorry for perpetuating something like that.

I will try to find the original.
Because ... sloths!

05 January 2013

The Hydrologic Cycle

The US Geological Survey (USGS) created this marvelous image of the water cycle.  It tickles me inordinately.  I think it's the faces on the little drops ... yes, I recognize anthropomorphism when I see it.  Doesn't mean I'm not susceptible or can't enjoy it!


Click the image to biggify.  Or go to the USGS link.

Okay.  Fun's over for me.  Back to editing (I'm working on Rising Tide again).