A recurring theme lately has been news reports that the economy is improving, with evidence such as a decrease in the number of new unemployment claims, lower than expected losses on company balence sheets, etc.
It makes me wish differential equations was a mandatory subject in school.
A decrease in the rate of descent is NOT the same thing as an increase. We're still going down, we're just not going down AS FAST.
IMO, the recession isn't actually 'over' until we've not just started going UP again, but regained all the lost ground of the down swing.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Loss
Today at 7:58AM the vet put Seran (our cat) to sleep. He'd been living with diabetes for several years, though up until two weeks ago he was coping well. However by this morning he was in serious pain, having difficulty breathing, and hadn't eaten anything in two days, despite us trying everything from baby food to bread with alfredo sauce. He was 17 years old, and had been my cat for seven or eight years - a quarter of my life.
He is, and will be, sorely missed. He was a good cat.
I buried him in the back yard at about 9:30AM.
He is, and will be, sorely missed. He was a good cat.
I buried him in the back yard at about 9:30AM.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
From the Cavalry Raid: Warren War
Last night I spent three hours in the car in order to attend a bardic competition at an event. I didn't do anything else at the event, mind you. I'm classifying this as a cavalry raid.
There were six entrants, and I made it to the final round. I turned in quite respectable performances in each of the five rounds, but in the final my opponent (Arundel or some such - sp?) knocked it out of the park. He deserved the win - though I'd have loved a chance to go best two out of three with him!
My entries:
1st round, theme "broken heart": The Roman Centurion's Song (poem by Kipling)
2nd round, theme "revenge": Black Jack's Lady (song by Heather Alexander)
3rd round, theme "air": converted to 'wind' and thus to 'winds of fortune', "Here me now..." from Man of la Mancha.
4th round, theme "witch": The Rising of the Wheat (story by me)
5th round, theme "ghost": The Phantom of the Opera (from musical of the same name)
After the bardic a group of us played around with AL Weber - a little bit of Cats, and a lot of Jesus Christ Superstar (turns out the just-became-champion had played Judas in a production...).
There were six entrants, and I made it to the final round. I turned in quite respectable performances in each of the five rounds, but in the final my opponent (Arundel or some such - sp?) knocked it out of the park. He deserved the win - though I'd have loved a chance to go best two out of three with him!
My entries:
1st round, theme "broken heart": The Roman Centurion's Song (poem by Kipling)
2nd round, theme "revenge": Black Jack's Lady (song by Heather Alexander)
3rd round, theme "air": converted to 'wind' and thus to 'winds of fortune', "Here me now..." from Man of la Mancha.
4th round, theme "witch": The Rising of the Wheat (story by me)
5th round, theme "ghost": The Phantom of the Opera (from musical of the same name)
After the bardic a group of us played around with AL Weber - a little bit of Cats, and a lot of Jesus Christ Superstar (turns out the just-became-champion had played Judas in a production...).
Friday, August 21, 2009
Irony
Boeing Commercial Airplane Export Control group just gave us all pens as thanks for making our desks secure for Family Day.
The pens are clearly marked "Made in China".
The pens are clearly marked "Made in China".
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A logical conclusion I'd never reached
http://freefall.purrsia.com/ff200/fv00170.htm
Per the environmentalists, Solar Power is good.
Per physics, Solar Power is Nuclear Power.
Therefore, Nuclear Power is good!
Alternate:
Per the environmentalists, Radiation produced by Nuclear Power is hazardous to living creatures.
This is a big problem for plants.
Per the environmentalists, Solar Power is good.
Per physics, Solar Power is Nuclear Power.
Therefore, Nuclear Power is good!
Alternate:
Per the environmentalists, Radiation produced by Nuclear Power is hazardous to living creatures.
This is a big problem for plants.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Aboard
It may be over two years late, but the 787 is still a beauty. I just got back from a trip to the 787 final assembly line, where I got to step aboard a Dreamliner for the first time.
Airplanes are representative of the difference between my personal intellect and emotions. I KNOW that commercial air travel on a first-world airline is not just safe, but absurdly safe. It is safer than cars, trains, boats, ships, or just walking down the street. Yet, I still cannot sleep on a plane - the best I can manage is a half-sleeping state. Again, I find aircraft systems fascinating - both technically and aesthetically. I know a great deal about their inner workings. But I can't make myselft trust them. There's no logical reason for it, but my emotions aren't under the control of logic.
Perhaps part of the problem is the TSA. I firmly believe (and this is both intellect and emotion) that they make flying less safe. Perhaps part of the problem is that I know what they are trying to do, and I disagree with their whole philosophy, not just how they apply it to produce regulations and processes. Also I think from a strict constitutional standpoint the TSA screenings are illegal (because they are done by the federal government, not by any party to the contract between me and the airline).
It doesn't change the fact that it was a thrill to go aboard a 787, and I'd be even more psyched to go on a test flight.
But I wouldn't be able to sleep.
Airplanes are representative of the difference between my personal intellect and emotions. I KNOW that commercial air travel on a first-world airline is not just safe, but absurdly safe. It is safer than cars, trains, boats, ships, or just walking down the street. Yet, I still cannot sleep on a plane - the best I can manage is a half-sleeping state. Again, I find aircraft systems fascinating - both technically and aesthetically. I know a great deal about their inner workings. But I can't make myselft trust them. There's no logical reason for it, but my emotions aren't under the control of logic.
Perhaps part of the problem is the TSA. I firmly believe (and this is both intellect and emotion) that they make flying less safe. Perhaps part of the problem is that I know what they are trying to do, and I disagree with their whole philosophy, not just how they apply it to produce regulations and processes. Also I think from a strict constitutional standpoint the TSA screenings are illegal (because they are done by the federal government, not by any party to the contract between me and the airline).
It doesn't change the fact that it was a thrill to go aboard a 787, and I'd be even more psyched to go on a test flight.
But I wouldn't be able to sleep.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Perhaps there really will be change!
It must be April Fool's Day, or snowing in Hell. A government appointee has recently taken an office he is actually qualified for!
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200909/fema
Craig Fugate is now the head of FEMA.
He's worked as a volunteer firefighter and a professional paramedic. He reportedly has no political connections to PBHOJ. He's an advocate of individual preparedness, objects to the media 'celebrating' people who refuse to evacuate when ordered, and conducts unscheduled disaster drills. I think if I weren't straight I'd be in love.
Anyone want to take bets on him being fired within a year?
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200909/fema
Craig Fugate is now the head of FEMA.
He's worked as a volunteer firefighter and a professional paramedic. He reportedly has no political connections to PBHOJ. He's an advocate of individual preparedness, objects to the media 'celebrating' people who refuse to evacuate when ordered, and conducts unscheduled disaster drills. I think if I weren't straight I'd be in love.
Anyone want to take bets on him being fired within a year?
I Love a Parade!
Wednesday evening I was in a parade for the second time in my life.
I'm currently working up to do sword work with a belly dance troop and I was conscripted^H^H^H recruited to carry one end of the troop's banner in a local parade. I also had my dance sword and was wearing a highly elaborate vest that included small mirrors.
The parade was only half a dozen blocks long but was rather fun, and included a horseback troop, a tractor towing a train of children's wagons, and various other cars, scooters, etc.
I'm currently working up to do sword work with a belly dance troop and I was conscripted^H^H^H recruited to carry one end of the troop's banner in a local parade. I also had my dance sword and was wearing a highly elaborate vest that included small mirrors.
The parade was only half a dozen blocks long but was rather fun, and included a horseback troop, a tractor towing a train of children's wagons, and various other cars, scooters, etc.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Guitar Sidekick
Last night I practiced playing the guitar for the first time. Yes, I've been meaning to do this since the Midhaven Champions a month and a half ago.
I am certainly never going to be a master, but I think that given sufficient practice I will be able to augment my singing with some reasonable guitar strumming and picking. I managed to tune the guitar, and also to play two chords (E minor and A minor, iirc).
My fingers are still a little battered, but hopefully they will adjust.
I am certainly never going to be a master, but I think that given sufficient practice I will be able to augment my singing with some reasonable guitar strumming and picking. I managed to tune the guitar, and also to play two chords (E minor and A minor, iirc).
My fingers are still a little battered, but hopefully they will adjust.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
4th of July Part II: The Getty Villa
Well, it has been several weeks since the 4th of July (in fact, it has been exactly a month, but hey), and I'm still a little in awe of the Getty Villa Museum.
Most museums are either fairly drab backdrops to their exhibits or, IMO, eyesores that detract from them due to trying to hard to be 'artistic' themselves. The Getty Villa is neither. For those who don't know, the Villa is almost a recreation of a Roman villa house and surroundings. If the modern display cases were removed and the rather less than artfully concealed modern security and safety equipment hidden it could do an excellent job as a living history structure all by itself - the building is a work of art, one of both high quality and, as far as I can tell, high fidelity to the styles and traditions of Roman art. The collection is rather modest in quantity, but impressive in quality. I found the coin exhibit and discussion particularly noteworthy, though the almost complete lack of arms and armor bothered my slightly given the militancy of Roman culture.
While perhaps only of limited interest to those who aren't into Etruscan/Greco-Roman art and history (the collection is quite narowly focused), it is a treat for those who are, with a cafeteria that is tailored to the subject as well as some excellent and creative exhibits.
One other slightly low note was the giftshop, which was small in both size and in variety - oddly, considering the lavish space available.
All in all, however, the museum is a gem that is more than worthy of the artifacts it presents.
Most museums are either fairly drab backdrops to their exhibits or, IMO, eyesores that detract from them due to trying to hard to be 'artistic' themselves. The Getty Villa is neither. For those who don't know, the Villa is almost a recreation of a Roman villa house and surroundings. If the modern display cases were removed and the rather less than artfully concealed modern security and safety equipment hidden it could do an excellent job as a living history structure all by itself - the building is a work of art, one of both high quality and, as far as I can tell, high fidelity to the styles and traditions of Roman art. The collection is rather modest in quantity, but impressive in quality. I found the coin exhibit and discussion particularly noteworthy, though the almost complete lack of arms and armor bothered my slightly given the militancy of Roman culture.
While perhaps only of limited interest to those who aren't into Etruscan/Greco-Roman art and history (the collection is quite narowly focused), it is a treat for those who are, with a cafeteria that is tailored to the subject as well as some excellent and creative exhibits.
One other slightly low note was the giftshop, which was small in both size and in variety - oddly, considering the lavish space available.
All in all, however, the museum is a gem that is more than worthy of the artifacts it presents.
From the Rear Echelon: WA Ren Faire
Saturday I led of party of three who braved the heat to visit the WA Ren Faire in its new location. The Faire didn't happen at all last year due to permit issues, which made braving 90 degree weather with no cloud cover seem reasonable... at the time.
The new site, sadly, has no shade aside from the booths themselves and some extremely rare trees. The old site had a number of fully shaded areas from tree cover alone. The weather on saturday included only a fitful and slight breeze - just enough to taunt us.
However, I think the trip was worth it. The gypsy equestrian show is always worth the time - there is just something about someone standing on the back of a trotting horse doing a backflip onto another trotting horse behind them. :-) In addition I acquired a new pair of fencing gloves and a larger hit, both of which I'd been rather in need of.
The heat did get to us, however, and after just a few hours we departed. If the weather is better I may make another trip on one of the coming weekends.
The new site, sadly, has no shade aside from the booths themselves and some extremely rare trees. The old site had a number of fully shaded areas from tree cover alone. The weather on saturday included only a fitful and slight breeze - just enough to taunt us.
However, I think the trip was worth it. The gypsy equestrian show is always worth the time - there is just something about someone standing on the back of a trotting horse doing a backflip onto another trotting horse behind them. :-) In addition I acquired a new pair of fencing gloves and a larger hit, both of which I'd been rather in need of.
The heat did get to us, however, and after just a few hours we departed. If the weather is better I may make another trip on one of the coming weekends.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
