So the universe is big. No REALLY BIG. And somehow in that vast amount of nothingness, scientists have discovered yet another new planet. Now before you pack your bags and say "get me off of this spinning blue marble" it won't be any time soon that you'll get there. It's 41 light years away! Not to mention is an all gaseous planet. But the scientists say (so far) that this is the closest solar system like ours with 5 planets.
I'm trying to remain positive today, because I just woke up this morning and heard a 2 minute financial report on NPR. It was full of words like "fear, panic, dollar, china, "something - we don't know what - will break" - not exactly words of calm and peace. I wandered over to the financial section on yahoo (of which I know nothing about!) and saw that one US dollar is worth 30,000 Zimbabwean Dollars. Woohoo! I'm moving there so I can be RICH! (I know, it's not really a funny thing to joke about - sry). And Speaking of RICH, my friend pointed out to me this morning that would could have been rich... About 7-8 years ago we were both considering buying some Stock in Apple. It was a measly $15-18 a share. But I said "I have so many other and BETTER uses for $1000 in stock". Well, I'm kicking myself in the head now... Apple Stock is now at $190 a share. If I bought in at $1000 at $18 per share I'd have approx 55 shares, which now would have been worth about $10,000! Dang it.
Say - la - V
Have a good Wednesday :)
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
More Ghost stories
Ok, I know it's after Halloween but I just found this video today. It definitely has some "hoaky" parts in it, but there are a few shots that if real are pretty amazing! I can't say for sure if they are real or not. Without having been there and witnessed some of the details it's impossible for the average viewer to really make a call. BUT... Skip the first segment and "Fastforward" (You can drag the slider once the video loads) to about 5:40. Pretty spooky huh? Is it fake? Could be. It has some things that just don't seem kosher to me. The way the glass moves and buckles the tablecloth doesn't look right. That would mean there would have to be a lot of downward pressure on the glass to make the tablecloth do that.
The next segment again... could be faked. The video quality is pretty poor. I could see the chair and the sheetrock being attached to a fishing line or something like that. Again, if real, pretty impressive.
But now we get to the good one at about 7:55. This next segment has Ed and Loraine Warren. They are well known in the "paranormal world" as being "demonologists." I've never met them, but I know people who have. I can not make a judgment call on their character, but since I know people who will vouch for them, I have to give them the benefit of the doubt.
That part with the kid sitting in the chair is amazing.
I'm not saying anything, I'm just saying :)
You can pretty much skip the rest of the video after that. The rest are things that I personally believe are normal events that can be explained.
Sleep tight :)
Here's the link to the google video.
The next segment again... could be faked. The video quality is pretty poor. I could see the chair and the sheetrock being attached to a fishing line or something like that. Again, if real, pretty impressive.
But now we get to the good one at about 7:55. This next segment has Ed and Loraine Warren. They are well known in the "paranormal world" as being "demonologists." I've never met them, but I know people who have. I can not make a judgment call on their character, but since I know people who will vouch for them, I have to give them the benefit of the doubt.
That part with the kid sitting in the chair is amazing.
I'm not saying anything, I'm just saying :)
You can pretty much skip the rest of the video after that. The rest are things that I personally believe are normal events that can be explained.
Sleep tight :)
Here's the link to the google video.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Impeach Cheney
Well, it's late Monday night, and I keep hearing these rumblings on the internet that Kucinich is about to introduce (or is it RE-introduce) a motion to continue with the impeachment of VP Cheney. I'll be honest... as much as I hope this happens, I'm not going to hold my breath. I've seen the Democrats fold so many times that I've come to expect it now. I wish Kucinich luck, but we shall see what happens tomorrow. We may know more about this by 3pm on Tuesday.
Check this website for more details. One would think, that if a current member of the Senate who is also running for President in '08 that it might make the news that this person is looking for starting an impeachement hearing. But no! I've heard NOTHING about this in the major news outlets. Way to go Mass Media! Whoops strike that... 54 minutes ago, Fox news posted this on their website. My fingers are crossed.
Check this website for more details. One would think, that if a current member of the Senate who is also running for President in '08 that it might make the news that this person is looking for starting an impeachement hearing. But no! I've heard NOTHING about this in the major news outlets. Way to go Mass Media! Whoops strike that... 54 minutes ago, Fox news posted this on their website. My fingers are crossed.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Lars and the Real Girl
Saw a good movie tonight. Lars and the Real Girl.
It's late and I've been up since 7am so bear with me here. :)
We went to see this movie on a whim based on a trailer we saw a week or so ago. I think we both did not expect what we saw once we got into the theater. We were both expecting more of a goofy comedy movie, when in fact it was a drama (aka chick-flick). But again, it was a good movie and a unique story (which is rare coming out of Hollywood now-a-days).
I'm not giving anything away here, because it's in the trailer, but the nutshell of the movie is that Lars is a little - shall we say - odd. He's socially awkward. Then one day... he orders a "sex doll" off the internet, but takes to it as if she is a real person. The movie then is about how this effects (or is it affects?) Lar's life, and those around him who care about him. It was a pretty touching movie in spite of its oddball premise. If you're looking for a movie that's off the beaten trail (which are the ones I usually like), then I'd recommend this movie.
I was again impressed with the actor who played Lars... Ryan Gosling. I couldn't think where I had just heard that name recently, turns out I just watched a DVD about a week or two ago with him in it. That movie was "Fracture" and I would have NEVER pinned those two characters as the same actor. Kudo's Ryan.
There was one scene in the movie that I thought was brilliant... Once the word gets out in this small town about Lar's new "girlfriend" we start to see how the various townspeople react. Of course most of them think it's strange, give him/her odd looks etc... Well, there was one scene where Lar's goes into work and his two co-workers are teasing one another... The one guy is a computer geek with lots of action figures set up around his computer, and the girls he's bickering with has a teddy bear by here computer. The girls is getting back at the geek for messing with her bear, so she "hides" some of his action figures. Then it hit me... the writer(s) were making the point that many of us have these "real dolls" that mean something to us. I had to smile once I got the point.
In other news... and I'll try to keep this short, as it may not really be of any interest to most people... I signed up for and went today to a class/workshop to learn about "microcontrolers". Specifically the board we were introduced to is called an "arduino" (made in Italy! Anyone who speaks Italian, know what that may stand for? Sis?). This entire "field" is totally new to me. I never really got into electronics because after a few basics I get totally confused. But I've always enjoyed tinkering. So I said "what the heck" and signed up for the class. Now that it's over, I'm really glad I took it. Even though I had to get up at 7AM on a SATURDAY!!!I learned a lot (I hope I retain it), and perhaps, I may have started down a new path to a new hobby in electronics. I hope I can stick with it and not get frustrated and move on to something else.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Friday, November 02, 2007
religion vs atheism
I stumbled upon this video link last week sometime and have been trying to find the time and right mindset to watch it since. Well, tonight I was able to (although I was interrupted by the daily show, but that's beside the point).
In this corner... weighing in at 165lbs dressed in a dapper brown suit jacket with graying hair, standing up for all atheists everywhere is Richard Dawkins! [crowd applause]
And in this corner... with a nice politician haircut and his holy baige suit jacket, standing in for all God fearin folks is Alister McGrath! [Crowd applause]
Leetsss get readddyyy to Rummblblleeeee...
Ok, no really this is some heavy duty stuff being debated here by two heavy weights. I've never actually read anything by Richard Dawkins, but I've seen him talk a few times on both the internet and tv. I don't agree with a lot of what he says, but intellectually I respect his viewpoints and do occasionally find some of his questions and points valid.
As to this Alister McGrath... I'm afraid to admit, I've never heard of him (sorry Al). The brief introduction to the video says that he is a Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University, so I'm guessing he knows a thing or two about a thing or two.
It's a bit strange watching this video because it's obvious that it is being filmed on a low budget with what I assume will be edited together for a more compact piece later. (why they didn't spring for two cameramen is beyond me).
It's also FANTASTIC to see a debate on religion held with such civility! I'm so used to reading religious debates online and 99.99% of the time it spirals out of control into name calling on either one or both sides.
I don't think anything was solved here, Richard I'm sure is still an atheist, and Alister is still probably going to go to church this Sunday, but it's good to see a debate like this.
Wouldn't it be great if there were a show on TV that covered this sort of stuff on a regular basis? It wouldn't have to be on nightly, but at least once a month to show two well educated people sitting down (or in this case standing for over an hour!?) and just having a civil discussion/debate? The world needs more of this.
So for those of you with a touch of A.D.D. (I think we all have that), this video comes in at about 1 hour and 10 minutes, but it's really interesting. I highly encourage you to set aside this time, grab a cup of tea, and sit back a listen to this debate.
I won't embed the video, simply click here to go to the open culture website and watch it there. Good stuff.
PS> I couldn't help to giggle to myself as I just pictured both of these guys snapping and just start swinging at each other. Thus the boxing introduction :)
In this corner... weighing in at 165lbs dressed in a dapper brown suit jacket with graying hair, standing up for all atheists everywhere is Richard Dawkins! [crowd applause]
And in this corner... with a nice politician haircut and his holy baige suit jacket, standing in for all God fearin folks is Alister McGrath! [Crowd applause]
Leetsss get readddyyy to Rummblblleeeee...
Ok, no really this is some heavy duty stuff being debated here by two heavy weights. I've never actually read anything by Richard Dawkins, but I've seen him talk a few times on both the internet and tv. I don't agree with a lot of what he says, but intellectually I respect his viewpoints and do occasionally find some of his questions and points valid.
As to this Alister McGrath... I'm afraid to admit, I've never heard of him (sorry Al). The brief introduction to the video says that he is a Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University, so I'm guessing he knows a thing or two about a thing or two.
It's a bit strange watching this video because it's obvious that it is being filmed on a low budget with what I assume will be edited together for a more compact piece later. (why they didn't spring for two cameramen is beyond me).
It's also FANTASTIC to see a debate on religion held with such civility! I'm so used to reading religious debates online and 99.99% of the time it spirals out of control into name calling on either one or both sides.
I don't think anything was solved here, Richard I'm sure is still an atheist, and Alister is still probably going to go to church this Sunday, but it's good to see a debate like this.
Wouldn't it be great if there were a show on TV that covered this sort of stuff on a regular basis? It wouldn't have to be on nightly, but at least once a month to show two well educated people sitting down (or in this case standing for over an hour!?) and just having a civil discussion/debate? The world needs more of this.
So for those of you with a touch of A.D.D. (I think we all have that), this video comes in at about 1 hour and 10 minutes, but it's really interesting. I highly encourage you to set aside this time, grab a cup of tea, and sit back a listen to this debate.
I won't embed the video, simply click here to go to the open culture website and watch it there. Good stuff.
PS> I couldn't help to giggle to myself as I just pictured both of these guys snapping and just start swinging at each other. Thus the boxing introduction :)
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Hallow's Eve!
Just a quick post to wish everyone a Happy Halloween today! One of my favorite "holidays". I guess I'm too old to celebrate this one, but I love surfin the web and seeing all the creative costumes out there. I just found this one over on an Etsy contest - some really great ones there.
So Be safe and have a good time!
At this time of year I always have a bit of melancholy feeling for a "hobby" that I've since given up... Ghost chasing. Yep, I was part of one of those groups that would go into a "supposed" haunted place and look for signs of the paranormal. In 99.9% of the times that I went out to these places there were only 2 times that I can say that I was actually afraid. The first one was a sort of "unofficial" investigation with just my friend and I. We went to a local cemetery to see what we could see. We had been to this location several times in the past and always seemed to have something interesting happen (I got one of my best "ghost photos" there). But this particular night, we wandered into a new section of the cemetery, and I had an uncomfortable feeling. My stomach was physically upset (maybe something I ate for dinner?). But here's the weird part... I was standing at a sort of "crossroads" of 2 paths, when I thought I heard whispers. It sounded like 2 people were fighting off in the distance. My friend who was with me looked at me too and said "did you hear that?" "yea" I said. So I suggested, I think we should leave this area... he agreed. Later he told me he had heard the sound of a baby crying. (I did not hear that though). Never went back to that section again.
The other time I got "spooked" was really nothing but a trick of my mind... I was on an "investigation" of a historic building. It was an old canoe club that went back to the 1800's. At one point I wandered off down into the basement with a teammate. I was in charge of videotaping. Well, I wasn't really paying attention to my teammate, and they had wandered back upstairs. I was too interested in looking at all the boating equipment and junk that was down in the basement via my infrared camera. Then I realized I was alone (not supposed to be alone on these investigations). I pulled my camera down and suddenly realized how pitch black it was! I then sorta high-tailed it outta there :)
Do I believe in ghosts? I still ask myself that question from time to time. I've NEVER seen anything paranormal with my own eyes. BUT... I've heard "whispers" in areas where I should not have. I've seen "evidence" on film. I've heard strange "knocks". I have one AWESOME video tape of what I am 99% convinced is a spirit saying "hi" that still gives me chills when I hear it. So I guess I'm pretty positive that there is something paranormal out there.
BOO!
So Be safe and have a good time!
At this time of year I always have a bit of melancholy feeling for a "hobby" that I've since given up... Ghost chasing. Yep, I was part of one of those groups that would go into a "supposed" haunted place and look for signs of the paranormal. In 99.9% of the times that I went out to these places there were only 2 times that I can say that I was actually afraid. The first one was a sort of "unofficial" investigation with just my friend and I. We went to a local cemetery to see what we could see. We had been to this location several times in the past and always seemed to have something interesting happen (I got one of my best "ghost photos" there). But this particular night, we wandered into a new section of the cemetery, and I had an uncomfortable feeling. My stomach was physically upset (maybe something I ate for dinner?). But here's the weird part... I was standing at a sort of "crossroads" of 2 paths, when I thought I heard whispers. It sounded like 2 people were fighting off in the distance. My friend who was with me looked at me too and said "did you hear that?" "yea" I said. So I suggested, I think we should leave this area... he agreed. Later he told me he had heard the sound of a baby crying. (I did not hear that though). Never went back to that section again.
The other time I got "spooked" was really nothing but a trick of my mind... I was on an "investigation" of a historic building. It was an old canoe club that went back to the 1800's. At one point I wandered off down into the basement with a teammate. I was in charge of videotaping. Well, I wasn't really paying attention to my teammate, and they had wandered back upstairs. I was too interested in looking at all the boating equipment and junk that was down in the basement via my infrared camera. Then I realized I was alone (not supposed to be alone on these investigations). I pulled my camera down and suddenly realized how pitch black it was! I then sorta high-tailed it outta there :)
Do I believe in ghosts? I still ask myself that question from time to time. I've NEVER seen anything paranormal with my own eyes. BUT... I've heard "whispers" in areas where I should not have. I've seen "evidence" on film. I've heard strange "knocks". I have one AWESOME video tape of what I am 99% convinced is a spirit saying "hi" that still gives me chills when I hear it. So I guess I'm pretty positive that there is something paranormal out there.
BOO!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
UFO in PA
This item has been making a flutter in my "google news" updates for UFO related news. I don't hold much hope for any new information regarding this, but at the same time I'm glad NASA is being held accountable. I had never heard about the Kecksburg incident before until about a few years ago. It may have even been on the Sci-fi Channel that this Wired news item talks about. Turns out it was an event similar to the famous Roswell incident, but with much quicker military involvement (Guess they learned from the 1947 event) so it involved a quicker coverup. Nutshell... Something LARGE crashed into the rural woods in Kecksburg, PA on Dec 9th 1965.
As with almost ALL UFO stories it has a lot of the same elements... Supposed crash site in a rural area. Eye-witnesses giving mixed accounts of what they saw. Military swooping in and confiscating "evidence" - then as usual - denying any evidence ever existed. Then increased suspicious activity from the Government agencies regarding what they were doing there and what (if anything) may have been found.
Good wikipedia article on it here.
I hope to keep an internet ear open for developing stories on this one.
I'm gonna try a new feature of google here too... I'll try to "embed" a map of kecksburg, PA below. If you don't see anything, it's not you, it's probably Google working out the kinks.
View Larger Map
As with almost ALL UFO stories it has a lot of the same elements... Supposed crash site in a rural area. Eye-witnesses giving mixed accounts of what they saw. Military swooping in and confiscating "evidence" - then as usual - denying any evidence ever existed. Then increased suspicious activity from the Government agencies regarding what they were doing there and what (if anything) may have been found.
Good wikipedia article on it here.
I hope to keep an internet ear open for developing stories on this one.
I'm gonna try a new feature of google here too... I'll try to "embed" a map of kecksburg, PA below. If you don't see anything, it's not you, it's probably Google working out the kinks.
View Larger Map
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