So, about 12 hours ago, I saw a cool t-shirt online that was about Back to the Future. About 15 minutes ago that t-shirt popped back up into my mind spurring a random string of thoughts that I'd like to share. Now, for your pleasure, is a glimpse into how Brian's mind works when he is driving alone, thinking.
"that was a pretty cool t-shirt earlier. i really want to buy it cause i would wear it for sure. 88 mph sure is fast. the future. hmmmmm. the future.
you know, i've always thought about travel through time as a motion when really, just because relativity involves moving at the speed of light, it doesn't mean travel through time has to involve motion in the original 3 dimensions. hmmmmmm. That would mean that Wells' The Time Machine had it closer than Back to the Future i think. still. i don't think travel to the past is possible, but if you could unsync yourself from normal time, you could bypass a large chunk of time. but you'd have to somehow uncouple the interior of your 'time bubble' as well, otherwise you would experience the passage of time. argh!
let's see, somehow your time bubble would have to be 'moving' at relativistic speeds unless some hitherto unknown process could accelerate time around an object. hmmmm.
how fast can superman go? i saw an episode of the Batman Superman Adventures that had the flash melt himself out of ice by vibrating his body so fast the friction melted it. superman of course had heat vision. but still, if the flash and superman were racing and nobody was winning, that must mean superman can go pretty darn fast. if so, then could he (or the flash) vibrate so fast in place that they begin to 'move' at relativistic speeds and bypass time? this is where my idea of travel to the past as illogical comes from. one can only bypass time, not go back. at least that's how i see it......"
Blah, blah. So you see, those are the paths my mind takes. What you didn't see is that during all this I was being even more elaborate, singing along with a song, thinking about an intense dream I had last night, playing a movie clip of all my thoughts as they cued in my head, and pondering my dinner selection tonight. Not to mention driving. Cue discussion about time travel if you like.
December 6, 2008
November 6, 2008
A Little Blue...
I am so upset! There are only so many authors out there that I would purchase their book regardless of knowing what the book is about. Kurt Vonnegut, Philip K Dick, C.S. Lewis, George Orwell, Richard Feynman, and Michael Crichton to name probably all of them. Sadly, I just read an article that said Michael Crichton had passed away. Oh my gosh! I had a dream of meeting him sometime in my life and now that dream is shattered. He was/is in my top three favorite authors. I must have read Jurassic Park 10 times in 4 or 5 years, I loved it that much. I’ve read all of his books except for his latest one, Next. Most I’ve read more than 3 times. Timeline is incredible and I remember getting Prey for Christmas and reading it that night. I can remember the first time I read the Great Train Robbery and Andromeda Strain. I remember where I was when I was reading Lost World and Terminal Man. And who could forget Congo even though I hate monkeys? Argh! I’m gonna miss you Crichton.
October 31, 2008
Anticipation
So to make a long story short yet concise yet full-of-all-that-you-would-need-to-know, I am preparing my skill set to partake in analyzing data for a post doc at the UW. What? Well to undergrads like myself they call that research. Cool, huh? I have to say I'm very nervous yet excited. I know that research is an important part of being an undergrad and grad in the sciences so I've been wondering how I was going to get started. Imagine my shock when all I had to do was talk to our (the Astronomy Dept.) friendly program advisor who then took me over to the faculty member with the work to be done! Whew!
What skill set am I preparing you ask? Well, I'm a Windows guy. I like PC's. To use the current cliche, I'm a PC. What I don't know very well are any things that use command lines and stuff that's behind the scenes without a friendly desktop and mouse to help me around. The data I'll be needing are accessible by Linux or programs similar to Linux (which is similar to Unix [you got me on what that is]). This faculty member, whose name is Lynne, got me a link to a crash course in Linux and I'm studying it like a fiend, trying to get good at it so I can start this project.
And the project is, you ask? Well Lynne was taking optical (visible light) data of a patch of asteroids in the Asteroid Belt and at nearly the same time, the Spitzer Space Telescope was taking an infrared (measures the heat of an object) picture of the same batch of asteroids. Now if you have either optical or infrared data on an object like an asteroid, it's difficult (not sure if its impossible) to determine its size. But, by combining both, you can determine the albedo, a measure of the reflectivity of the object and from that you can determine size. What you do with the info after that is ... up to someone else at this point I think.
There is my news for the week. That and I've been sick with a cold. I also just finished my math physics homework which was more tedious than anything I've done in about 4 months, which was when I had to move.
What skill set am I preparing you ask? Well, I'm a Windows guy. I like PC's. To use the current cliche, I'm a PC. What I don't know very well are any things that use command lines and stuff that's behind the scenes without a friendly desktop and mouse to help me around. The data I'll be needing are accessible by Linux or programs similar to Linux (which is similar to Unix [you got me on what that is]). This faculty member, whose name is Lynne, got me a link to a crash course in Linux and I'm studying it like a fiend, trying to get good at it so I can start this project.
And the project is, you ask? Well Lynne was taking optical (visible light) data of a patch of asteroids in the Asteroid Belt and at nearly the same time, the Spitzer Space Telescope was taking an infrared (measures the heat of an object) picture of the same batch of asteroids. Now if you have either optical or infrared data on an object like an asteroid, it's difficult (not sure if its impossible) to determine its size. But, by combining both, you can determine the albedo, a measure of the reflectivity of the object and from that you can determine size. What you do with the info after that is ... up to someone else at this point I think.
There is my news for the week. That and I've been sick with a cold. I also just finished my math physics homework which was more tedious than anything I've done in about 4 months, which was when I had to move.
October 15, 2008
3.3 Microseconds
It's a full moon. I've started listening to Christmas music. I'm freeing up space on my computer. And this is my 60th blog (but technically my 59th posted blog). It seems only fitting I discuss an interesting matter that has been muddling around in the back and front and sides of my head (nooks and crannies are free of this thought).
Take a moment and consider light. Go on................ It has a velocity: 3.0 x 10^8 m/s (or verbally, three hundred million meters per second). That's pretty stinking fast you say. Duh, I know, I'm an astrophysicist (in training). Anyway. Now consider what light does for us. It illuminates things. Everything you can see with your eyes is because light is reflecting off of it. Shocking! If it were not for light bouncing off things, we would not see them, unless the object itself was a source of illumination. Now, put these two ideas together. Velocity and that things we see are because of light. We are constantly seeing the past.
Yes, we are always seeing the past. Never the now. A little meta-exi-physi-stensial for you? Well, I'm only putting it how I heard it and then thought about it. Light takes time to travel from an object to our eye. Thus, unless the object is in your eye, you are experiencing it as it was in the past (and we won't discuss neuron sensory path time). There is no now when it comes to visual stimuli. It's easy to say light from a star took 100 million years to get here because it's 100 million light-years away, but it's not something people think about when they look at a train coming at them from say....1 kilometer away. Do you know how long it took that light from the train to get to you? It's Math Time (insert intro credits to favorite TV show here).
Distance = velocity x time so t = D/v or t= (1000m)/(3 x 10^8 m/s)
t= .0000033 seconds
AHHHH! That train could have exploded and you wouldn't know it for 3.3 micro seconds!!!
So, cue a discussion if you like. Perhaps others are so adamant about the absurdity of my statement that an answer to life, the universe, and everything will come out of discusssion.
P.S. As an aside, or I guess more accurately a post script, I would like to point out the distance from the Sun to the Earth is 1.49 x 10^11 meters, which is 149 billion meters. Couple that with light speed and the Sun could explode and we wouldn't have a gorram clue for 8 minutes. Makes me chuckle just thinking about it.
Take a moment and consider light. Go on................ It has a velocity: 3.0 x 10^8 m/s (or verbally, three hundred million meters per second). That's pretty stinking fast you say. Duh, I know, I'm an astrophysicist (in training). Anyway. Now consider what light does for us. It illuminates things. Everything you can see with your eyes is because light is reflecting off of it. Shocking! If it were not for light bouncing off things, we would not see them, unless the object itself was a source of illumination. Now, put these two ideas together. Velocity and that things we see are because of light. We are constantly seeing the past.
Yes, we are always seeing the past. Never the now. A little meta-exi-physi-stensial for you? Well, I'm only putting it how I heard it and then thought about it. Light takes time to travel from an object to our eye. Thus, unless the object is in your eye, you are experiencing it as it was in the past (and we won't discuss neuron sensory path time). There is no now when it comes to visual stimuli. It's easy to say light from a star took 100 million years to get here because it's 100 million light-years away, but it's not something people think about when they look at a train coming at them from say....1 kilometer away. Do you know how long it took that light from the train to get to you? It's Math Time (insert intro credits to favorite TV show here).
Distance = velocity x time so t = D/v or t= (1000m)/(3 x 10^8 m/s)
t= .0000033 seconds
AHHHH! That train could have exploded and you wouldn't know it for 3.3 micro seconds!!!
So, cue a discussion if you like. Perhaps others are so adamant about the absurdity of my statement that an answer to life, the universe, and everything will come out of discusssion.
P.S. As an aside, or I guess more accurately a post script, I would like to point out the distance from the Sun to the Earth is 1.49 x 10^11 meters, which is 149 billion meters. Couple that with light speed and the Sun could explode and we wouldn't have a gorram clue for 8 minutes. Makes me chuckle just thinking about it.
October 9, 2008
Stupid Irony
Just a quick little blurb about something I found on the internet. Yes, I know, I've succumbed to sharing things on a blog that I found while surfing. Well, this deserves it. Check it out if you want because it is really short. Here is the skinny. Some clock in New York City has been showing a running total of the national debt since 1989. The debt is now too large for the clock to properly show. What are we doing about it? We're getting a frakkin' new clock! Why in the name of all good and sensible things would we pay for a (no doubt cool looking, digital, fancy, atomic, large, very pricey for something so dumb, and pointless) new clock??!! Who cares? It's going to be ready in a year. Can you think of how much a clock thing that takes a year to build would cost? Even if it was ten dollars, I'd say, screw the clock and go buy that homeless man down the street a new sweater. I can't believe this country. Do you see the irony?
September 24, 2008
E-Ticket Dad
Recently, I went on vacation. I needed one. That's why I went. So, there you go.
Let me start out by saying, if you don't know what an E Ticket was, go here. Briefly, an E Ticket was the bestest ride at Disneyland/World. It was the cream of the crop, the most exciting. It was Space Mountain, the Matterhorn, etc. I tell you that so you understand the title. My dad took us on an E Ticket ride through Brooklyn in New York. My only advice in case you ever find yourself driving there is two-fold: look at every traffic sign you can and look out for the pedestrians as they have no respect for the right of way.
Our vacation was a New England cruise and our departure port was Pier 12 in New York, New York. Being there a day early, we decided to attend church on Sunday at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Perfect. We have directions to the church, what could go wrong? I was the navigator and it was my role to pay attention for things that perhaps the driver would not and inform him at the last possible moment about them (last possible so I didn't look like a backseat driver). Now, I'm looking for a church and so I imagine a church-like looking structure. I'm looking and don't notice that the street we're on suddenly decides to cease being a two-way and turn into a one-way... towards us. It was a required left or right turn and both my Padre and I missed it. I can't tell you how much you want to get to church when you're going down a one way street the wrong way with cars heading for you. Well, we turn off that road pretty quick, nearly running some people over. I say, "we must have passed it because the street numbers are going the wrong way." We begin to loop around the block looking for parking as well as the actual building. Swerving around Brooklyn on a Sunday morning in a rental car with Tennessee plates is really quite exhilarating.
The next big shock was when we thought we could make a left turn only to realize it was a bus only street (why do we have those so lamely labeled), which was occupied by a bus! I didn't know if it was a two lane road, or we were going down another one way the wrong way, but I saw another one way street that was a left turn so I shouted "over there!" We zoom around the bus and, you guessed it, almost hit another person and got off the bus only road. I felt I was starting to get the hang of the one way streets and remembered that there was a bus only road at such and such a turn. Now we're making progress.
On our fourth or fifth jaunt down the street that the Brooklyn Tab is supposedly on, I finally spot the (in my opinion) small block letters on a building that looks like any other building in the area. I shout "there it is!" and we now start the quest to find parking, while I look on to the location in my mind and become aware of any turn we make so we can find our way back on foot to the entrance. A couple of more turns later and we find the parking lot that goes with the church and we park. I was never so happy to go to church in my life. You really had to be there on that drive to understand. Words don't properly describe the sheer chaos. Did I happen to mention that there was a local police precinct across the street that was no doubt watching us violate dozens of traffic laws. "Crazy tourists. When they finally hit something we'll have to go out there and help 'em out." I'm sure that's not what they were really saying. Anyhoo.
How was church? Fantastic. The choir? Everything I thought it could be and more. I love choirs. I wish I could sing in one. The power, energy, harmony... I had pins and needles. The message? Right for me. Anyway, that was the first day of my vacation. I think you can imagine how the rest of it went. I hope to have time to tell a few more stories.
Let me start out by saying, if you don't know what an E Ticket was, go here. Briefly, an E Ticket was the bestest ride at Disneyland/World. It was the cream of the crop, the most exciting. It was Space Mountain, the Matterhorn, etc. I tell you that so you understand the title. My dad took us on an E Ticket ride through Brooklyn in New York. My only advice in case you ever find yourself driving there is two-fold: look at every traffic sign you can and look out for the pedestrians as they have no respect for the right of way.
Our vacation was a New England cruise and our departure port was Pier 12 in New York, New York. Being there a day early, we decided to attend church on Sunday at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Perfect. We have directions to the church, what could go wrong? I was the navigator and it was my role to pay attention for things that perhaps the driver would not and inform him at the last possible moment about them (last possible so I didn't look like a backseat driver). Now, I'm looking for a church and so I imagine a church-like looking structure. I'm looking and don't notice that the street we're on suddenly decides to cease being a two-way and turn into a one-way... towards us. It was a required left or right turn and both my Padre and I missed it. I can't tell you how much you want to get to church when you're going down a one way street the wrong way with cars heading for you. Well, we turn off that road pretty quick, nearly running some people over. I say, "we must have passed it because the street numbers are going the wrong way." We begin to loop around the block looking for parking as well as the actual building. Swerving around Brooklyn on a Sunday morning in a rental car with Tennessee plates is really quite exhilarating.
The next big shock was when we thought we could make a left turn only to realize it was a bus only street (why do we have those so lamely labeled), which was occupied by a bus! I didn't know if it was a two lane road, or we were going down another one way the wrong way, but I saw another one way street that was a left turn so I shouted "over there!" We zoom around the bus and, you guessed it, almost hit another person and got off the bus only road. I felt I was starting to get the hang of the one way streets and remembered that there was a bus only road at such and such a turn. Now we're making progress.
On our fourth or fifth jaunt down the street that the Brooklyn Tab is supposedly on, I finally spot the (in my opinion) small block letters on a building that looks like any other building in the area. I shout "there it is!" and we now start the quest to find parking, while I look on to the location in my mind and become aware of any turn we make so we can find our way back on foot to the entrance. A couple of more turns later and we find the parking lot that goes with the church and we park. I was never so happy to go to church in my life. You really had to be there on that drive to understand. Words don't properly describe the sheer chaos. Did I happen to mention that there was a local police precinct across the street that was no doubt watching us violate dozens of traffic laws. "Crazy tourists. When they finally hit something we'll have to go out there and help 'em out." I'm sure that's not what they were really saying. Anyhoo.
How was church? Fantastic. The choir? Everything I thought it could be and more. I love choirs. I wish I could sing in one. The power, energy, harmony... I had pins and needles. The message? Right for me. Anyway, that was the first day of my vacation. I think you can imagine how the rest of it went. I hope to have time to tell a few more stories.
September 5, 2008
Kopi Luwak
Ah, the Asian Palm Civet. Who would have thought that man would pay attention enough to the feces of this small mammal to notice the undigested coffee beans? I don't think I would have, but some people did and now for some reason the beans that have passed through this creature are the most expensive in the world. Who in their right mind would purchase these beans, or even a cup of coffee made from said beans before knowing if they would like it or not? Would you slap down fifty greenbacks for a 6oz. cup of Kopi Luwak coffee? I wouldn't. Thankfully, I don't have to now. Yes! It's true. I have now tasted this coffee with my own mouth, almost (being quite figurative here) straight from the Civet's rear. How? My roommate, the equitable Tyler J.S. Cronk has a friend from(or is) Indonesia(n) who gifted us with an entire bag. It may weigh a pound and thus, I was holding somewhere between $120 and $600 worth of Civet crap on Tuesday in my hand. Wow.
So, you're wondering what it tastes like? It has a very different brewing aroma than I'm used to and also has an even stronger smell in my cup. Doing my best to realize that what I'm about to drink has passed through the mouth, stomach, and anus of another animal, I gently sip the concoction. It has a seemingly floral and nutty flavor while at the same time not having either, if you follow me. I can't place it. It was definitely unique. Hold it! It was then that it hit me. After swallowing, I had very little to no coffee taste in my mouth. There was no bitter coffee taste. I was shocked by its strangeness. I sipped again just to make sure I wasn't mad and indeed, after four straight days, I can tell you this coffee does not leave very much taste in your mouth. I was amazed and so went to the Fount of All Knowledge and Wisdom (aka Wikipedia) to find out the reason. Apparently, the Civet's digestive track breaks down the protein responsible for coffee bitterness. Seeing my question answered satisfactorily, I stopped my research and so could be completely wrong. Oh well.
So, is it worthy of the title 'most expensive coffee in the world'? Well, I can see why it would cost so much due to labor and expense, but I don't think it's expensive because it is so frickin' good. It's your standard cup of joe with a different flavor, that's all. So if you're in it for the experience or are trying to impress some hot girls somewhere, go ahead and pay out the nose for a cup. But I don't think you'll be too wowed or amazed.
Fount of All Knowledge and Wisdom Link
So, you're wondering what it tastes like? It has a very different brewing aroma than I'm used to and also has an even stronger smell in my cup. Doing my best to realize that what I'm about to drink has passed through the mouth, stomach, and anus of another animal, I gently sip the concoction. It has a seemingly floral and nutty flavor while at the same time not having either, if you follow me. I can't place it. It was definitely unique. Hold it! It was then that it hit me. After swallowing, I had very little to no coffee taste in my mouth. There was no bitter coffee taste. I was shocked by its strangeness. I sipped again just to make sure I wasn't mad and indeed, after four straight days, I can tell you this coffee does not leave very much taste in your mouth. I was amazed and so went to the Fount of All Knowledge and Wisdom (aka Wikipedia) to find out the reason. Apparently, the Civet's digestive track breaks down the protein responsible for coffee bitterness. Seeing my question answered satisfactorily, I stopped my research and so could be completely wrong. Oh well.
So, is it worthy of the title 'most expensive coffee in the world'? Well, I can see why it would cost so much due to labor and expense, but I don't think it's expensive because it is so frickin' good. It's your standard cup of joe with a different flavor, that's all. So if you're in it for the experience or are trying to impress some hot girls somewhere, go ahead and pay out the nose for a cup. But I don't think you'll be too wowed or amazed.
Fount of All Knowledge and Wisdom Link
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