fun
clock | August 9, 2006This is what we got yesterday:
PD-16 Plenax
Agfa Ansco Corporation, Binghamton, NY.
1930's
Lens: Hypar Anistigmat f6.3 103mm
T B 25 50 100
616 film
2 1/4 x 4 1/4 in.
One of those was sold on e-bay relatively recently for $85. Is there any possibility that one can find a stash of the old film used in this camera so I can give it try?
clock | August 7, 2006Today appears to be the day when all ScienceBloggers link to XKCD comics. As a clock person around here, I had to find one that deals with biological oscillations and I quickly found one with Fourier transforms...under the fold:
clock | August 6, 2006My wife and kids went to the beach last week. When they returned they gave me a present. Frankly, I wasn't expecting a present at all, so I found it funny that they felt apprehensive that I woud not like the present as it was cheap. Then I opened it, and it was....
...the Drinking Happy Bird!!!! I love it! I always wanted to have one. A craftsman of some sort (watch repair, glass-cutting?) down the street where I grew up had one displayed in his shop window. It was big (about 20cm long) and the legs and stuff were made of metal.
It took me a few minutes to get it set up and working…
clock | August 3, 2006Since Creationists do not believe in Carbon Dating, they are not allowed to use this service. The only requirement is that you are capable of remaining isotopic during a conversation.
In other news, Jenna, TNG and John have, so far, responded to my book meme tag. Update: And Greensmile did it as well.
clock | August 3, 2006That is what the SEED overlords are asking this week:
What movie do you think does something admirable (though not necessarily accurate) regarding science? Bonus points for answering whether the chosen movie is any good generally.
Jeff Goldblum comes to mind....
But no, the most admirable thing a movie can do about science is make it look cool to kids. Many kids' movies (and TV shows) are doing a pretty good job at turning science-geeks into superheroes. My all-time-favourite is Jimmy Neutron.
Why? Jimmy is not just an inventor and engineer (like Dexter, for instance) but a real scientist…
clock | August 2, 2006"....asking Woody to name-check a mere mortal like David Blaine would be like asking Ingmar Bergman to acknowledge ABBA...."
David Fellerath in today's review of Scoop, new Woody Allen's movie which, once it opens nearby, I will see out of religious and patriotic duty - and I am not talking about Johanssen here, just that even the worst Woody Allen movie is better than pretty much anything out of Hollywood in any given year.
clock | July 31, 2006A couple of days ago I took my son to see "Monster House". The way the movie was not pushed hard by the marketers (compared to some other animated stuff), my expectations were low. However, I really liked the movie a lot!
It is not a non-stop slapstick comedy like Shrek, it is not as cerebral and political as Antz, but it is just as good as Nemo, or Robots, or Monsters, Inc. or Ice Age I, and better than Incredibles IMHO. The action is mostly happening in the second half, while the first half manages to really flesh out the characters well. I also like the fact that there are no…
clock | July 31, 2006I saw a trailer for Night at the Museum the other day and I can't wait to see the movie (opens December 22). Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt - Priceless!
clock | July 29, 2006You Are a Blogging Expert
You got 8/8 correct!
You know so much about blogging, you should blog for a living.
How Much Do You Know About Blogging?
clock | July 29, 2006You Passed 8th Grade Science
Congratulations, you got 8/8 correct!
Could You Pass 8th Grade Science?
Watch out! One question has a correct answer and a MORE correct answer, and in another question they meant "neutron", not "neuron".
(Hat-tip: John Lynch)
clock | July 29, 2006The media is all excited about the news that Daniel Radcliffe will star as Alan Strang in Peter Schaffer's "Equus" in New York next spring. Of course, they all focus on the fact that there is a naked sex scene at the end, ignoring the fact that this is a difficult role in an excellent play. I am glad that he is growing up as an actor and taking serious roles instead of fluff that some other young actors tend to do at that age.
clock | July 23, 2006Did you know the origin of the phrase "Every time you masturbate (or do whataver in the context), God kills a kitten"? I just found out that Wikipedia has a full illustrated history - which is hillarious.
stoat | July 19, 2006As someone with no interest in football, the worlds concentration on the world cup was a bit boring. So I'm pleased to offer you... http://www.gamelemons.com/zidane/zidane.swf. Left button to butt; I got 28. Thanks to Tom.
clock | July 17, 2006
?? Which Creature Of The Sea Are You??
SeahorseTake this quiz!
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Well, the questions are kinda iffy, so when I did the quiz the second time around with alternate answers, I got a cephalopod after all, and a description that fits me much, much better:
?? Which Creature Of The Sea Are You??
OctopusTake this quiz!
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clock | July 17, 2006Do you think YOU can solve this puzzle? Go see the first three clues, the fourth clue and the final clue. Any ideas?
clock | July 17, 2006Ingeo is a fabric made out of genetically engineered corn - one more way the agricultural-military-industrial complex is finding a way to get you to consume all those tons of corn they are paying the farmers to grow.Fashion of future may grow in cornfield:
``We think there is a tremendous future for it, particularly because the consumer world is starting to wake up and recognize that it makes sense to employ some of these different materials as an alternative to both energy and fabric," said Martin Dudziak, research director for Linda Loudermilk Inc., which makes Ingeo clothes.
Fashion: Corn…
clock | July 7, 2006Robert Anson Heinlein was born at Butler, Missouri on this day in 1907. One of the "Big Three" authors of science fiction (along with Asimov and Clarke), his stories offered vivid characters who consistently were independent in both thought and action. He used his stories to comment on politics, religion, and sexuality, and described the waterbed so clearly that when it was actually invented it was impossible to patent it. I've spent many delightful hours in his worlds. Here are a few quotes from the grand master.
Today's Quotes:
It may be better to be a live jackal than a dead lion, but it…
clock | July 5, 2006Oh-oh! As if I needed yet another way to mess up my credit rating! Now, they are rolling out Coke machines that take credit cards! The way I drink Coke, this is a path to sure bankrupcy!
I always wanted to install a sink in my kitchen with three faucets: cold water, hot water and cold Coke, piped in straight from the nearest Coke factory. As much Coke as I have consumed to date, the CocaCola company should just provide me with free Coke (and free delivery) for the rest of my life - I deserve it - I singlehandedly kept their company afloat over all these years. Thus, there is no need to…