Monthly Archives: May 2008

Seiches in Chicago

This is interesting. Only a couple of weeks after I wrote about the phenomena of seiches, powerful winds on Lake Michigan produced a seiche which washed up on the Chicago shoreline (h/t my Mom). This seiche was not devastating or … Continue reading

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A couple of days left for the ‘challenge’!

Just thought I’d put out a reminder that the official deadline for the ‘classic science paper challenge’ is only two days away: May 31st.  It will probably take me a couple of days to write up a wrap-up post about … Continue reading

Posted in General science | 8 Comments

Grounded!

Well, I’m back from my skydiving adventure at the Memorial Day Boogie at Emerald Coast Skydiving Center.  Just like last year, the staff was friendly and helpful, and I managed to get eight jumps on the beach.  There’s nothing like … Continue reading

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The gallery of failed atomic models, 1903-1913

It is often said that history is “written by the victors”. While this statement is usually referring to the winners of a military or political conflict, a similar effect occurs in the history of science. Physics textbooks, for instance, often … Continue reading

Posted in History of science, Physics | 41 Comments

My favorite uses of “mood music” in television and movies

I recently rewatched the season finale of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and was struck by one particular scene, in which an FBI agent and a SWAT team move in to arrest a terminator, not knowing exactly what they’re dealing … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment | 5 Comments

Robert E. Howard’s Almuric

Hot on the heels of a discussion of various ‘planetary romances’ set on Mars, I turned to Robert E. Howard’s own take on said romances: the tale of the savage world of Almuric: I have to admit, Howard fan that … Continue reading

Posted in Fantasy fiction, Robert E. Howard | 2 Comments

Keep ’em coming!

I’m currently sitting in a condo on the beach, after a ten-hour drive from home. I managed to find some internet to steal, so here I am! I just thought I’d write a quick note and mention that I’ve updated … Continue reading

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My accent? I don’t have an accent!

A few weeks ago I stumbled across this fascinating quiz on GoToQuiz. Many of the quizzes one takes online are just silly, content-free distractions (with the exception of the Dungeons & Dragons character quiz I’ve talked about earlier), but this … Continue reading

Posted in Silliness | 2 Comments

Vacation time!

Those who read me regularly may have noticed that I’ve dropped off in my postings lately. I’ve been preparing for a trip to Florida to skydive off the Gulf and land on the beach, and much of my time has … Continue reading

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Fusion man goes flying, or: How about them jetpacks, eh?

It would be quite remiss of me not to comment on the cool video of Swiss pilot Yves Rossy, aka “Fusion Man”, and his remarkable jet-powered wing.  There’s a YouTube video associated with the news story which, although it’s in … Continue reading

Posted in Sports | 2 Comments