Bad Astronomy and Universe Today Forum - Off-Topic Babbling http://www.bautforum.com/ en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:03:44 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.bautforum.com/images/misc/rss.jpg Bad Astronomy and Universe Today Forum - Off-Topic Babbling http://www.bautforum.com/ Rant about Central Ohio late falls-winter http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96969-rant-about-central-ohio-late-falls-winter.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:07:39 GMT My g/f sent me a text saying she wants to go out and do something tonight, and I agree. We typically just crash on the couch watching sub-par television. So I set out to scour the local entertainment scenes to see what we can do.

Movie's are out . . . I very much dislike going out to movies. That's why I bought a giant flat-screen. Besides, how is planting myself in a dirty theater chair any different than planting myself on a couch?

Well, after scouring the local entertainment wires, I've come to the conclusion that there's only four things to do in Central Ohio this time of year:

1) Go to a movie
2) Go to a bar to see some local band I've never heard of or some comedian I've never heard of.
3) Go to a night club
4) Go to an art exhibit of some artsy-fartsy artist I've never heard of

I already ruled out option one. Neither me or my g/f are into the bar/club scene, which rules out 2&3. And neither of us have any interest in looking at a bunch of paintings on par with my 5 year old niece's, but for some reason are considered good because they were done by an adult.

Oh, I didn't count "going out to eat" because I don't consider that as entertainment.

Now, when we lived in Pittsburgh, the 2-4 options were a little different because A) those scenes were better in P-Town, and B) we lived downtown, so it was all close and within walking distance. If you went somewhere and it sucked, you just walked back home. And the bar scene is a little more tolerable (though more expensive) when you can actually have some drinks. Columbus is a 30-40 minute drive, which means, well, that you have to drive. Which means no drinking. Which transforms a bar into nothing more than a crowded, loud room where one can buy $5 Pepsi.

Blah. I think I'll choose option 5--go into a deep sleep, and hibernate until spring. Having some actual daylight for a few hours after work opens up a whole bunch of other options.

. . . and yes, I'm being overly pessimistic; I've been in a bad mood all day anyway. But I was sure I'd be able to find at least one thing that sounds fun rather than just tolerable.

(One thing I didn't list is that the Columbus Zoo has their 'Holiday Lights' display open now, but the way I've been feeling today, I'm kinda worried the lights would give me a migraine. Maybe that can be an option for tomorrow night . . . though I may not be in a better condition, as tomorrow is the OSU/Michigan game).

[/rant] ]]> Off-Topic Babbling Fazor http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96969-rant-about-central-ohio-late-falls-winter.html A former in-law murdered. http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96966-former-law-murdered.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:07:28 GMT Last week my former stepniece was murdered by her estranged husband. :cry: Teresa was 30. He was apprehended at the site. Their 8-month-old baby boy is now living with grandparents.

My sister was married to Teresa's dad for 6 years. During that time I lived here (1200 miles away), but did meet Teresa in 1997. She'd just graduated high school, was a beautiful young woman with dark blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Teresa went on to join the National Guard and served 3 tours of duty in Iraq; was honorably discharged. She later enrolled in college and graduated with a Bachelors.

It's awful knowing she's now in that cemetery. All that life and potential, violently taken away. :( According to friends she'd been elated to be pregnant and a mommy. It's all especially bothering me today.

I'm glad I got to meet her at least once. That day she showed me her beautiful blue senior prom dress (matched her eyes), and we chatted a bit. ]]> Off-Topic Babbling Buttercup http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96966-former-law-murdered.html Very Serious Question About Isaac Newton... http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96963-very-serious-question-about-isaac-newton.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:32:51 GMT I can't seem to find a definitive answer to this question. I have seen the answer as "Definitely yes," "Definitely no," and "Definitely maybe."

The question is this:
Did Isaac Newton invent the cat flap?*

I first came across this notion while reading Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, in which Dirk Gently stated that Newton's greatest achievement wasn't his work on gravity, but his invention of the cat flap. He reasoned that since gravity is always there, someone would have worked it out eventually, but to be able to visualize a door within a door was a mark of true genius. Having never heard this "fact" before, I simply assumed that Adams had made this bit up to be funny. However, I have recently come across other references to this "fact," which led me to search and see if it is true, but there seems to be some debate about it in the sources I have checked.

Does anyone have any trusted references that can shed light on this question?


*Or doggie door, if you prefer. ]]> Off-Topic Babbling weatherc http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96963-very-serious-question-about-isaac-newton.html Going to be a daddy again! http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96952-going-daddy-again.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:32:45 GMT A little boy this time. :D

We'll be signing the formal acceptance paperwork next week. Estimated travel time is 3-6 months, so it'll be spring before we go get him. Still, feeling very excited right now!

Also a little nervous. He'll be four years old (or nearly so) by the time we bring him home. That's going to be just a little different than our last, who was just over a year. ]]> Off-Topic Babbling SeanF http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96952-going-daddy-again.html Phone Apps http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96943-phone-apps.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:14:07 GMT Can anyone recommend a decent app for the Ipod Touch for a newcommer to the world of astronmy? Thanks Martin Can anyone recommend a decent app for the Ipod Touch for a newcommer to the world of astronmy?
Thanks
Martin ]]> Off-Topic Babbling mart707 http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96943-phone-apps.html The invention of the axle http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96923-invention-axle.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:45:06 GMT Just musing randomly. . .

The common meme out there is that the wheel was the first great invention.

Assuming that 'wheel' doesn't refer to rolling logs, doesn't that mean that the axle must have been invented at the same time? ]]> Off-Topic Babbling Lord Jubjub http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96923-invention-axle.html Some University of California Regents Need to Go Back To School! http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96918-some-university-california-regents-need-go-back-school.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:48:55 GMT Earlier today, UC regents voted to increase student fees by 32%, which will push the cost of education to more than 3 times what it was 10 years ago. - Source

That's an increase of 300%. Meanwhile, inflation has only risen 32% in the same period of time. To top it off, administrators have been cutting both majors and programs.

Before the hike, UC President Mark Yudof said the hike may come if the state couldn't meet his request for an additional $913 million.

So, while students and their families are cutting spending to the bone just to stay in school, UC isn't cutting anything, but thinks this is an opportune time for increased spending?

I'm gathering the regents were fairly unanimous in their hatred of Econ 101, so much so they're thinking what little they learned was false, and they're trying to prove it.

Tell you what, Californians - move to Colorado!

Oh, wait - you have been for some time. Silly me. ]]> Off-Topic Babbling mugaliens http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96918-some-university-california-regents-need-go-back-school.html Dad Spoke Only Klingon To Son For Three Years http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96904-dad-spoke-only-klingon-son-three-years.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:03:06 GMT On the huffingtonpost.com

Quote:
Despite his interest in Klingon, Speers says he's not a Star Trek fanatic.
]]> Off-Topic Babbling Argos http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96904-dad-spoke-only-klingon-son-three-years.html Job Hunting http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96882-job-hunting.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:18:42 GMT Oh boy...

Well, the owner of the company I've worked for for the last 15 years called me into his office last night for a talk. I knew that our entire industry has been having a rough time for the last several years, but apparently we're doing even worse than I has suspected. Long story short, the company is going into "survival mode". Every expense that can be cut will be cut. This even includes our office. My task for the next few weeks is to move our IT infrastructure into his garage, where the company will now operate from with a minimal skeleton crew. Worse yet, I am now going to be working on an "as needed" basis. Being the highest paid employee, my salary is an attractive target for cost cutting. Basically that means that I'll be called in when something breaks, but the vast majority of what I do is "on hold". I'll be lucky to get 3 or 4 hours a week.

So, obviously, I'm now looking for a job. I know you're supposed to always keep your resume updated and ready to go. Heck, I give people that advice all the time, so I feel appropriately foolish for not having one on hand.

I guess the first thing I'm wondering is if there are any good resources online for putting together a good resume. I know what I see as positives and negatives when they come across my desk, but I figure it wouldn't hurt to brush up a bit in this area.

Also, are there any good online resources for locating open IT positions? So far I'm checking the local help wanted ads, hot jobs, monster.com, and dice.com. Missing anything?

Ugh. From what I've seen, there's pretty much nobody hiring right now. The jobs that are available are either in a highly specialized niche that I have no experience with, or are general helpdesk / support positions at less than half of what I've been making.

Things are going to be interesting for awhile...

Thanks in advance for any tips, hints, pointers, etc... anyone may have. ]]> Off-Topic Babbling coreybv http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96882-job-hunting.html I A V A (OIF-OEF) NYC GALA Nov 10th http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96858-i-v-oif-oef-nyc-gala-nov-10th.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:26:30 GMT The person who received the award in the video is J R Martinez, injured severely in Iraq, now starring on ABC's (USA) All My Children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd_UE...layer_embedded

Enjoy. ]]> Off-Topic Babbling bebe7 http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96858-i-v-oif-oef-nyc-gala-nov-10th.html Who is V. Guhan? http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96852-who-v-guhan.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:27:47 GMT Who is the V. Guhan who is quoted in the signature:

"If I have not seen farther, it is because giants have stood on my shoulders." -- V. Guhan

Is this a saying that was first used on the internet? Or was it written in literature? ]]> Off-Topic Babbling tashirosgt http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96852-who-v-guhan.html <![CDATA[I'm Home from the Dorm for Two Weeks, But...]]> http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96827-im-home-dorm-two-weeks-but.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:46:30 GMT Yesterday, I had a flight home at 7:15 PM. I was in agreement with a cab to stop by the dorm gate and pick me up at 5:00 PM. On my way to the airport, I threw up all my lunch -- in the car. My clothes turned into utter and disgusting garbage. The guy asked if he should stop at a gas station for me to clean up, but I told him it was fine as I was afraid I was going to be late. Got to the airport at 5:45 PM, went straight to the restroom, quickly opened my bag and grabbed another shirt and jeans, changed my clothes, then went to the counter from which I was supposed to receive my boarding pass, only to be told that the flight was closed! Pardon me, but I totally felt like I was shot by a sniper bullet right in the head.

So, what did I do now? Went to the other counter, asked if there were any other available flights to my hometown, and of course, there weren't. I ended up paying $100 for a whole new flight to a city close enough to my hometown. The new flight was at 10:45 PM. This meant waiting at the airport for over two hours.

At 12:30 AM, I arrived in that other city. Took a cab home from the airport there, paying another $100. I got home at around 2:40 AM. I'm currently on a two-week break.

I defy anyone to have such a hard life. *blows nose* ]]> Off-Topic Babbling Fiery Phoenix http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96827-im-home-dorm-two-weeks-but.html Tiny neutron may have caused mid-air emergency http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96807-tiny-neutron-may-have-caused-mid-air-emergency.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:14:57 GMT http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/tiny-neutron-may-have-forced-down-jet/story-fn3dxity-1225799279734 Apparently in the struggle to find an answer, investigators are looking into the possibility a neutron hit by cosmic radiation may have been responsible for the computer fault that caused the plane to suddenly lose altitude. Is it me or does this sound a bit far-fetched? :confused: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225799279734

Apparently in the struggle to find an answer, investigators are looking into the possibility a neutron hit by cosmic radiation may have been responsible for the computer fault that caused the plane to suddenly lose altitude.

Is it me or does this sound a bit far-fetched? :confused: ]]> Off-Topic Babbling Selenite http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96807-tiny-neutron-may-have-caused-mid-air-emergency.html <![CDATA[Ahem -- "PSAS"]]> http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96800-ahem-psas.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:49:31 GMT It's called Persistant Sexual Arousal Syndrome:


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lif...-1225797973089

She was wearing out her boyfriends, poor thing, but has apparently found one up to the task. 10 times a day. Hey, it's a medical condition. Really.


-Richard ]]> Off-Topic Babbling publius http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96800-ahem-psas.html educational video of history of astronomy http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96795-educational-video-history-astronomy.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:17:24 GMT I'd like to show my physics class a video on the history of astronomy...anyone got a good ideas or titles?

Pete ]]> Off-Topic Babbling peter eldergill http://www.bautforum.com/off-topic-babbling/96795-educational-video-history-astronomy.html