Uncertain Principles
Thoughts on physics, politics, and pop culture, by a physics professor at a small liberal arts college, plus occasional conversations with his dog.
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You've read the blog, now try the books! How to Teach Physics to Your Dog is published by Scribner, and available wherever books are sold. How to Teach Relativity to Your Dog is published by Basic Books and will be available 2/28/2012, as foretold by the Maya.
"Uncertain Principles" features the miscellaneous ramblings of a physicist at a small liberal arts college. Physics, politics, pop culture, and occasional conversations with his dog.
"Prof. Orzel gives the impression of an everyday guy who just happens to have a vast but hidden knowledge of physics." (anonymous student evaluation comment)
Emmy is a German Shepherd mix, and the Queen of Niskayuna. She likes treats, walks, chasing bunnies, and quantum physics.
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« Dorky Poll: Three Beeeeellion Dollars | Main | links for 2008-02-21 »
Why I've Been Preoccupied Lately
Category: Personal
Posted on: February 20, 2008 12:04 PM, by Chad Orzel
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TrackBack URL for this entry: http://scienceblogs.com/mt/pings/64646
Comments
Mazel tov!
You want the "things you would not have believed were physically possible until you became a parent" stories now or later?
Posted by: Dr. Free-Ride | February 20, 2008 12:16 PM
It's a lizard! Eee!
Posted by: Yoon Ha Lee | February 20, 2008 12:34 PM
wow, congratulations!
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | February 20, 2008 12:35 PM
Wow you have a baby in your stomach. Weird...
Posted by: Steve Higgins | February 20, 2008 12:38 PM
Congrats, from one soon to be a dad to another!
Posted by: Evan | February 20, 2008 12:39 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Laelaps | February 20, 2008 12:43 PM
Yay! Congratulations!
Posted by: Maria | February 20, 2008 12:59 PM
Wow...congrats to you and Kate, Chad.
Welcome to the club. You'll get used to being tired eventually. I did.
Posted by: Jamie Bowden | February 20, 2008 1:05 PM
Dude, that's awesome! You're going to have a book, AND a baby, probably arriving around the same time. :)
Posted by: Jennifer Ouellette | February 20, 2008 1:13 PM
Once again, my hearty congratulations!
Posted by: Skwid | February 20, 2008 1:25 PM
!!!!
They get tenure, and then ...
Posted by: mollishka | February 20, 2008 1:39 PM
Congratulations to both of you!
Now I want to see the dialog when you break the news to Emmy about the "people puppy." ;-)
Posted by: chezjake | February 20, 2008 1:54 PM
Whoa, awesome! Congrats!
Posted by: Nick | February 20, 2008 1:56 PM
Congrats!! Better get writing on that book because the amount of time you have to work on non-life or job threatening projects is going to drop dramatically soon!
Posted by: Natalie | February 20, 2008 2:21 PM
Wow, congratulations!
Posted by: Dave Munger | February 20, 2008 2:21 PM
I personally don't believe taxpayers should be allowed to reproduce when so many illegitmate get are compassionately deserving of every boon and advantage. It is selfish of you to consume what others cannot be expected to earn.
Have you arranged for a Night Basketball tutor?
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9506E0D81F3BF937A35755C0A962958260
"The House version of the crime bill allocates $1.2 billion for programs that would keep schools and other community centers open to provide a safe place for kids to play after school. This is a trifling amount..."
Yeah, "trifling," 23% of NSF's annual budget thrown to pigs.
depp=true
Posted by: Uncle Al | February 20, 2008 2:44 PM
Congratulations! Get ready for sleepless nights and endless joy!
Posted by: Abel Pharmboy | February 20, 2008 2:46 PM
Congrats, Kate and Chad!
Posted by: Brad Holden | February 20, 2008 2:49 PM
Holy wow. Congratulations!
Posted by: Will "scifantasy" Frank | February 20, 2008 2:52 PM
Congratulations, and good health to all concerned.
Posted by: Mike Hoye | February 20, 2008 2:57 PM
Wow man -- congrats!
Posted by: Kenneth Cavness | February 20, 2008 3:01 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Aaron Bergman | February 20, 2008 3:03 PM
Woohoo! RASFWR-J: TNG gets its next episode! Good luck to all of you!
Posted by: Karl-Johan Norén | February 20, 2008 3:06 PM
Congratulations to you both! (Another newsgroup ex-patriate here.)
Posted by: Zeynep Dilli | February 20, 2008 3:08 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Alistair Young | February 20, 2008 3:15 PM
Congrats! (and trust me--they are even cooler in color and three dimensions!
Posted by: Anon | February 20, 2008 3:29 PM
I hope The Queen approves. My parents had a dog that went crazy after me and my brother were born. She would routinely mess up the house and destroy everything she could (including multiple Christmas trees) out of spite for no longer being the sole object of affection. My brother was born first so him and his toys bore the brunt of her assault, but I grew up with only 3 of the orange tinker toys. Seriously, every single thing you can make with tinker toys requires all 4 of the large orange ones, it was horrible.
Posted by: Dennis | February 20, 2008 3:37 PM
Congratulations!!! from another ex-RASFR-Jian.
Posted by: Stina | February 20, 2008 3:43 PM
Congratulations. Now you're in for all those annoying "your life is going to completely change" comments.
Posted by: ScienceWoman | February 20, 2008 3:45 PM
Enthusiastic congratulations, Kate and Chad!
I though my life was going well; science, fiction, publications, prestige, and all that. But now I know that my life REALLY began when my son was born.
You may look forward to infinite rewards and challenges.
Posted by: Jonathan Vos Post | February 20, 2008 3:50 PM
Many thanks for all the kind words (Uncle Al, not so much). We're really excited, though it's been a trying first few months-- more details later, as appropriate.
Due date is late July, which is coincidentally the same as the deadline for turning in the book (August 1). It's going to be an interesting summer in Chateau Steelypips...
Posted by: Chad Orzel | February 20, 2008 4:02 PM
Congratulations! And it's perfect timing - the second book in the Science Dog series can be about babies.
Posted by: capella | February 20, 2008 4:14 PM
Congratulations, both of you. I'm thrilled for you.
Posted by: Trent | February 20, 2008 4:17 PM
Wow! Great news! Many congratulations to you both!
Posted by: cisko | February 20, 2008 4:18 PM
Just told Therese, and she adds her congratulations as well.
Posted by: Karl-Johan Norén | February 20, 2008 4:30 PM
I'm trying to come up with something non-trite to say that doesn't just reduce to me cackling in a corner. I'm totally failing. All I can say is that my laughter is not meant to be mocking but is totally sympathetic.
I think y'all are going to be great parents, defined around our house as "all parties survive the process with minimal therapy bills."
Posted by: Devin L. Ganger | February 20, 2008 4:31 PM
Congratulations to all three of you.
Posted by: Johan Gustafsson | February 20, 2008 4:51 PM
Whoo!
Posted by: Leigh Butler | February 20, 2008 4:59 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: onymous | February 20, 2008 5:12 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Blaine | February 20, 2008 5:18 PM
Congratulations, life is never going to be the same again, but in a good way...
Posted by: Moshe | February 20, 2008 5:19 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Roy G. Ovrebo | February 20, 2008 6:00 PM
Congrats to both of you!
Posted by: thistleingrey | February 20, 2008 6:11 PM
YAY! Congratulations to the both of you. Just remember, sleepless nights are the baby's way of saying "I love you".
Posted by: John Dilick | February 20, 2008 6:26 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Tony Zbaraschuk | February 20, 2008 7:20 PM
Congratulations to both of you!
Posted by: Michael I | February 20, 2008 7:23 PM
Life is definitely Before Children and After Children. You'll have roots in the future. Prepare to be tired for the next five years. It's harder than you expect, and it's more rewarding than you expect. Congratulations, good luck, and blessings.
Posted by: Monado, FCD | February 20, 2008 8:11 PM
Sleep Now! WHILE YOU STILL CAN!
(And congrats.)
Posted by: MikeG | February 20, 2008 8:15 PM
...And do try to organize a parents' baby-sitting co-op: it helps a lot. You can issue tickets good for half an hour of babysitting, then trade them. It 's easy to babysit when you've got the time, and saves a pile of money and worry when you have to go out and your little one is being watched by an experienced parent.
Posted by: Monado, FCD | February 20, 2008 8:15 PM
Good luck!
Posted by: Caledonian | February 20, 2008 8:32 PM
Looks like you! Congratulations!
Posted by: revere | February 20, 2008 8:33 PM
Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Ron | February 20, 2008 8:41 PM
CONGRATS, Chad and Kate! That is awesome!
Posted by: Hohn | February 20, 2008 8:42 PM
Congratulations. I think I handed out bubblegum cigars, but that was 1980, before we had the interweb tubes installed.
Posted by: Bert Chadick | February 20, 2008 8:56 PM
and baby makes three.
Best wishes from another old rasfwrjer
Posted by: Emma Pease | February 20, 2008 9:01 PM
Welcome to the club - and yes, we need more synonyms for 'congratulations!' May things go as smoothly as possible from here on. Well, at least until birth. After that all bets are apparently off ;-)
I second the babysitting circle/co-op motion. As it happens, we're indeed moving to Albany this summer...
Posted by: Ewan | February 20, 2008 10:51 PM
Re #27: I'm a 21 year old human, and I STILL think that my little sister stole my mommy.
Still, a happy occasion and more to come.
Posted by: Evan | February 20, 2008 11:06 PM
Congratulations, Chad and Kate! Given the dates for the baby and the book, I see a sequel coming ....
Posted by: Rajesh | February 20, 2008 11:51 PM
...
Wow. I really need the 'annotated' version of that picture. I could probably convince myself that it _is_ a lizard, as Yoon Ha Lee suggested very early.
Congrats and all that.
Oh, and do not worry. Absolutely nothing changes.
.
.
...snickeringquietly...
...tom...
.
Posted by: ...tom... | February 20, 2008 11:58 PM
Congratulations.
Ignore the weisenheimers. That's a great radar image of a storm system south-west of the British Isles.
Posted by: Johan Larson | February 21, 2008 8:35 AM
Congrats!
My first impression was that it was a weather satellite picture. I see Johan Larson agrees.
Posted by: Tom | February 21, 2008 9:04 AM
Welcome to the club! You have some hard work waiting for you, but also some of the best experiences of your life. (Says the mother who yesterday politely was asked by the bus driver to leave the bus, since he could not hear his communication radio for the two-year-old screaming. The little one was extremely tired, and it was impossible to calm her down... She fell asleep over my head as I carried her on my shoulders to get home. 40 minutes on icy slippery sidewalks. But I love her! I don't want to scare you, most days are great.)
My best tip for the first time with baby: get a good baby carrier. It will really help a lot. The best ones, most comfortable for baby and parent, are the long wraps -- don't be scared of 5 meters of fabric, it's easy once you learn it.
Posted by: Åka | February 21, 2008 9:55 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: dean dad | February 21, 2008 10:29 AM
Congratulations! Looking forward to a new post category :)
Posted by: JT | February 21, 2008 11:44 AM
My best wishes to you all.
Posted by: Drew Gillmore | February 21, 2008 2:36 PM
Congratulations to you both.
Posted by: Ed Martz | February 21, 2008 3:24 PM
You will know true love when that sprite comes out. Oh, have a plan for introducing the baby to the dog. Whoever the dog worships more should NOT be seen carrying the baby into the house, otherwise the baby is competition.
Posted by: Scott Spiegelberg | February 21, 2008 3:25 PM
Whoever the dog worships more
Well, there's no question who *that* is . . .
(Thanks, all.)
Posted by: Kate Nepveu | February 21, 2008 3:41 PM
Whoever the dog worships more should NOT be seen carrying the baby into the house, otherwise the baby is competition.
Right, so the dog can't carry the baby into the house herself. Got it.
Posted by: Chad Orzel | February 21, 2008 3:44 PM
Yay, well done! Always a pleasure to see good people procreate.
Posted by: Martin R | February 21, 2008 5:30 PM
Congratulations to both of you. Kids turn your life upside-down and inside-out, but when you hold them you know that you are in the right place, doing the right thing.
Posted by: Ray | February 21, 2008 5:31 PM
Fantastic news. Best to you and to Kate.
(Rachel and I are beginning to worry that this unusual condition is spreading through the blogosphere. You're the third blogfriend to post a sonogram this month... :-)
Posted by: EthanZ | February 22, 2008 9:55 AM
W00t!
Our dog adopted our baby as her puppy and supervised all our child care tasks. I swear the dog was a bigger nag than the grandmothers.
Posted by: David Owen-Cruise | February 22, 2008 2:10 PM
Congratulations!
I'm with Jamie, you will eventually get over the fact that you are tired.
Posted by: jrolsma | February 23, 2008 1:00 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Michael Nielsen | February 24, 2008 5:15 PM
Congrats! You and Kate'll make great parents.
Posted by: Hawk | February 24, 2008 10:54 PM
My (seriously belated) congratulations! I've got two of 'em, and it's a heap of joy. A heap or work, too, but way more fun than anyone ever told you it would be. Mazel tov!
In re: prepping the dog, the advice we were given (and which we took) was to bring home some items that the baby was using while mother and child were still at the hospital (such as blankets) and strew them around the house, so the dog get get used to the scent, and realize there's a new sheriff in town. It seems to have worked for us, though our dog is pretty mellow anyway. Try it and see for yourself. And bear in mind that once the kid starts on solid food, and thus becomes and excellent source of food for the dog, the dog will become a fan.
(True story: One of our one-year-old's daycare providers asked us recently if we had a dog. When we said Yes, she said she can always tell which kids come from dog-enabled homes, because they indicate they're done eating by throwing some food on the floor; other kids just push it away. At our house, we call it giving tribute to the dog.)
Posted by: Charles Kuffner | February 27, 2008 4:04 PM