Friday, December 21, 2012

Happy Apocalypse Day!

Well, we're all still here thus far!  I already devised my own doomsday scenario for the Choose Your Own Apocalypse Blogfest and posted it on my writing blog.  Check it out if you like!

On this blog, I felt I had to acknowledge this important day with some celebratory videos.  This first one explains why we're still here.  That is, unless The Doctor actually saved us.


This video doesn't address all of the doomsday theories, but it does show real science taking down the mumbo jumbo of pseudoscience!



I also thought this next video was hilarious!  It also contains useful tips in case the apocalypse does squeeze its way in by the end of the day.  After all, if the world does end, you want to preserve the moment!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Powers of Ten

I love videos like this that attempt to show the scale of the universe we live in.  This first one was made in the late 70's, and I remember watching it on Public Television when I was a kid.  Watching it again brought back memories.




This next one is much newer, and it's narrated by Morgan Freeman.  Gotta love that!

Sunday, December 9, 2012

BAMF Girls Club Web Series

For those of you who like a good laugh and enjoy your fiction, this may be worth your time.  In this web series we poke fun of popular characters and see just how crazy it can get in a house full of women!

Now, this is just the trailer for the web series.  If you like what you see here, there's more for you to watch!


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Captain Planet Parody

This is hilarious!  For those of you who haven't seen these videos, I highly recommend it!  There are four installments, and the links to them will pop up at the end of the video.  It's worth your time to watch them all.


Thursday, November 29, 2012

Experiments in Fizzy Carbonated Beverages and Minty Chewiness

I know we've all seen the reaction you get when you combine Mentos and Diet Coke.  I don't know what inspired me to share these videos now, other than to say it really impresses me that people dedicate this much time and energy to this.  Whatever the reason they do it, I have to admit that the result is pretty flippin cool!

And sticky.






Friday, November 9, 2012

Carl Sagan Day

In honor of Carl Sagan Day.  On this day, November 9th, in the year 1934, one of the greatest minds of our time came into this world.  He left it all too soon, but his words live on to inspire us, and humble us.  

Thank you, Carl Sagan.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Watch Out For the Dragon Baby!

I know a lot of people have already seen this, but I keep thinking about how cool it is.  I first saw this last Friday night, and I was impressed by the skill involved in making it.  Enjoy!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Yay Flexagons!

So, for those of you who didn't know, October is flexagon month.  In honor of this obscure celebration, here is a great video that shows how wonderful flexagons can be.  I also recommend you follow this video up with part 2 and the safety guide.  Links are provided at the end of each video, so you should have no trouble finding them.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Redbull Stratos Jump

I know I'm behind on sharing this.  I've already seen it, but I figured I'd make the time to post it here.  I would have done so already, but it's been a crazy week.

Jumping from the edge of space = AWESOME!


Saturday, October 13, 2012

Klingon Style Video

Here's a wonderfully ridiculous video.  My favorite part is the elevator scene.  My husband and I watched that scene over and over again, and we couldn't stop laughing!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Insane Human Powered Rube Goldberg Machine

We all like a good Rube Goldberg machine.  Now, have you ever seen one powered by insane humans?  Check it out!


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Dazzle and Infuriate Your Friends With SCIENCE!

Who doesn't want to use a little scientific know-how to stump their friends?



These bets often use scientific principles, while others simply use plain trickery.  Still, either is useful if there's money on the line!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Pacific Northwest Pictureshow

Photographer John Eklund took 260,000 pictures and used them to create this breathtaking video. The night sky and serene landscapes are awe inspiring.  This is a video I could happily watch over and over again.  Visit his website to see more of his work.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Tweets in Space!

Do you want to send your message to the stars?  Here's how you can!

On Friday September 21, 2012, log onto Twitter and add #tweetsinspace to your message. Now remember, timing is of the essence.  This must be done 8:30 – 9:00 PM Mountain Time, or 7:30-8PM PST; 9:30-10PM CST; 10:30-11PM EST.  I know all these time zones can make life confusing when it comes to coordinating an interstellar event like this, so thanks to the people at Tweets in Space for spelling it out so clearly on their webpage.

To learn more, watch this groovy video!  It's fun to watch, and the little girl at the end is WAY too cute!

Monday, September 10, 2012

You Can Always Count on Patrick Stewart

All children need Patrick Stewart to help them learn to count!




This next video is an interview in which Patrick Stewart discusses what it was like to go bald at 19.  It may have been traumatic at the time, but can we imagine him any other way?


Friday, August 31, 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Mars Curiosity Landing in HD

Here's a great video of a truly awesome moment.  These things are proof that it's great to be a nerd!


Love to the Enterprise!

I agree.  The Enterprise rules!  And if Neil deGrasse Tyson says it, it must be so.

Friday, August 17, 2012

The Formation of the Universe

The formation of the universe as we know it took billions of years.  Here's a computer simulation that shows what the process may have looked like, and it's barely over a minute long.  The article that explains how the simulation was created can be found HERE.

Enjoy!


Saturday, August 11, 2012

Perseid Meteor Shower

The Perseid Meteor Shower will dazzle us this weekend.  Here's a video that explains what you can expect to see this year.

I don't know about you, but I love a good meteor shower.  Enjoy!

Friday, August 3, 2012

The Earth is Flat? I Thought We Were Well Past That By Now.

Sometimes I see something that makes me feel like my brain is about to bleed.  This is an example of one of those things.

Here is a prime example of willful ignorance, and apparently the rest of the world simply isn't willing to investigate things for themselves.  Hmmm . . .

He is of course free to believe as he wishes.  I just don't see how beliefs like this can possibly survive the modern age.


Friday, July 27, 2012

Science Quotes

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We can all use some inspiration now and then.  Scientists often look to nature to draw inspiration. This is something I share with scientists.  I also, as a science fiction writer, look to science itself for narrative ideas.

Here are some quotes about science to help fire up the imagination.  Some people don't like the use of quotes, but I do, and this is my blog.  So here they are!

All quotes used here come from Brainy Quote.

"Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination."
-John Dewey


"From now on we live in a world where man has walked on the Moon. It's not a miracle; we just decided to go."
-Tom Hanks


"If an elderly but distinguished scientist says that something is possible, he is almost certainly right; but if he says that it is impossible, he is very probably wrong."
-Arthur C. Clarke



"Inanimate objects can be classified scientifically into three major categories; those that don't work, those that break down and those that get lost."
-Russell Baker



"It will free man from the remaining chains, the chains of gravity which still tie him to this planet."
-Wernher von Braun



"Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson



"Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge."
-Carl Sagan


Friday, July 20, 2012

The Birds and the Bees Aren't So Simple

I love science, and though I tend to focus more on astronomy and physics, I also love biology.  The science of how life works is very interesting.

Watching this video reminded me of the diversity of life right here on our own planet.  Just imagine how complicated xenobiology could be!


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Cool Space GIFs

Here's a great animation that I originally encountered thanks to Kelli, a fellow blogger over at Delightfully Ludicrous.  I recommend that you go read what she had to say about this.  It's pretty great.


This image was, as far as I can tell, originally uploaded to Photobucket by ceruleanscarab, and it shows how our planets are orbiting the sun while the entire solar system is moving around the center of the galaxy.  

 

Now here are a couple of others I liked, though they're not so scientifically based as this last one.  They are, however, visually appealing.

By blue-nightingale.

By Richtoon18.
 

Monday, July 16, 2012

Legos: Not Just For Kids

As a kid, I saw Legos as neat toys that were fun to play with.  Now as an adult, I'm realizing that they can do just about anything!

They can be used to repair a wall.

Taken from HERE.

They can be used to recreate a scene from a movie.

Taken from HERE.

They can even go into space!

Taken from HERE.

Seriously!  How cool can a bunch of little chunks of colored plastic be?  Too cool to express.  Simply too cool.


Monday, July 9, 2012

Oh, Those Wacky Scientists!

Here is a little tribute to the scientists of the world who strive everyday to learn about the universe we live in. A lot of people think that scientists are dry, boring people, but the reality is often the exact opposite.  All of the pictures in this post come from HERE.




Now, this last one doesn't have to do with real life scientists, but Starfleet is loaded with scientifically-minded people and artificial beings.  So it counts, right?  Oh well.  Whether it does or not, this is my post and I'll put it here if I want to.




Friday, July 6, 2012

A Disastrous Forecast

This video has been all over the place, so I'm sure many of you have already seen it.  The Geek Twins already featured this.  I highly suggest checking out their site if you haven't already.

Oh well.  I'm putting it here for my own personal amusement.  And if any of you enjoy it as well, that's a nice bonus!


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Parodies Rule

Here's a good video I stumbled upon while watching silly videos with my husband.  Enjoy!



I also recommend checking out the other videos these guys have done.  Teddie Films, you rock!  Make more, please!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Talking With Extraterrestrials

In response to the unexplained 'Wow! Signal' received in 1977, tweets are being collected to be rolled into a response that will be sent out on August 15.  The details from the Huff Post article tell you how you can participate.  To read the full article, click HERE.
All tweets composed between 8 p.m. EDT Friday (June 29) and 3 a.m. EDT Saturday (June 30) tagged with the hashtag #ChasingUFOs will be rolled into a single message, according to the National Geographic Channel, which is timing the Twitter event to coincide with the premiere of the channel's new series, "Chasing UFOs."
Whether the signal came from aliens or some other source, this is a rare opportunity.  I would encourage anyone who dreams of meeting aliens to add their words into the mix.  Why not?  It may seem like the stuff of science fiction, but science fiction often turns to science fact.

Versatility Is A Virtue


The always wonderful farawayeyes at Far Away Series has awarded me with the Versatile Blogger Award.  I will graciously accept and do my best to follow the rules.  In this instance, at least.

Here are the rules:
 1. Add award to your blog
 2. Thank the blogger who gave it to you
 3. Mention 7 random things about yourself
 4. List the rules
 5. Award to 15 bloggers
 6. Inform each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.

The first two steps are done already, so on to the 7 Random Things.
  1. For an anti-social person, I am on a lot of social networking sites.
  2. 15 is my lucky number.  My other lucky numbers are 3 and 5.
  3. Friday the 13th has historically been a lucky day for me.
  4. I met my husband on a Friday the 13th in May 2005.
  5. I hate it when people grind their teeth.
  6. I love French Onion soup, especially from Panera Bread.
  7. I wish the following was an option on all forms we had to fill out.



Now you know more about me.  The rules have already been listed.  That means I now have to award this to 15 bloggers.  I might have to cheat on this one.  Having given out awards between my two blogs has left me paranoid that I might come across as stalker-ish to certain people who I've inundated with awards.  It can also be difficult to keep track of who I've already given certain awards to.  So I'll pass this award on to 10 bloggers instead.


If you want to call me lazy, go right ahead.  It's a Thursday, and I've never been able to get the hang of Thursdays.  It seems like as good a lazy day as any.



  1. Laura @ My Baffling Brain
  2. Mina Lobo @ Some Dark Romantic
  3. Alyssa @ Life is Good
  4. .jessica. @ .a sort of mental squint.
  5. Kellie @ Delightfully Ludicrous
  6. S. L. Hennessy @ Pensuasion
  7. The Geek Twins
  8. Andrea Teagan @ The Enchanted Writer
  9. Laura @ Stranger Than Writing
  10. Writer's Do Laundry, Too
That's all I have in me for right now.  Have a nice day everyone!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Tag, You're It!

I've been tagged by Melanie at Mel: The Positive Pessimist.  This is a great blog, and I love the title!  In a life that is crazy and full of the nonsensical, it makes perfect sense to be a positive pessimist.

This tag doesn't come with any badges or images, but it nevertheless comes with several requirements, each of which will take some considerable thought.  So, I beg you all, stick with me.

1. Each per­son must post 11 things about them­selves on their blog.
2. Answer the ques­tions the tag­ger set for you in their post.
3. Cre­ate 11 new ques­tions for the peo­ple you tag to answer.
4.You have to choose 11 peo­ple to tag and link them on the post. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her. No tag backs, and you legit­i­mately have to tag 11 people.

I guess 11 is a theme that goes along with this one.  That's alright.  I have no qualms with that particular number, so here we go!

Here Are 11 Things About Me You Probably Weren't Dying to Know
  1. I have a tendency of saying really random things at inappropriate times.  I think it's a defense mechanism, but it's gotten me some good laughs over the years.  It's also alienated some people, but you can't please them all.
  2. I'm a lover of science.
  3. The biggest downfall of modern internet communication and text messaging, for me anyway, is the loss of sarcasm.  Astute readers can still spot it, but for the most part, you're more likely to offend people who don't get it.
  4. To save money, I will sew any piece of clothing until it falls apart to the point that you cannot wear it anymore (underwear excluded).  Sewing is a very useful skill.
  5. I'm stingy.  I rarely spend money on myself.  I cut my own hair.  It's never fancy, but I do manage to cut it straight.
  6. Coffee is what keeps me going through the hectic life of being a mother and writer.
  7. My favorite things to buy are science fiction books and office supplies.
  8. I rarely wear makeup.  It's something I do for special occasions.  I'm just a simple person, I guess.
  9. I love music!  Though I love to listen to music while I write, it also distracts me a lot of the time.  
  10. I hate it when people say I'm short.  I find myself wanting to say "Really?  Thanks for pointing that out.  I've never noticed it before!  I just thought the whole world was too tall!" (That's sarcasm, by the way.  I didn't want to risk a misunderstanding.)
  11. As a kid, I collected everything.  Keychains, rocks, postcards, coins, figurines, pogs.  Wow.  I wonder how many people remember what pogs are?
Okay.  Now it's time to answer the questions posed to me.

11 Questions and 11 Answers
  1. Would you travel to outer space if you could? Why or why not?  Yes, I would.  As a lover of science fiction and the space program, I can't think of a more amazing thing to do.  There are so many things out there I'd love to see with my own eyes.
  2. Are you as happy in your current relationship as you could be? What could make you happier?  Overall, I'm very happy with my husband.  It would be easier if we didn't have issues with finances, which does cause some tension.  I also wish he'd take a more active interest in my writing goals and learn how to encourage and support me better.  I know he tries, though.
  3. If you could have any animal as a pet (and the accommodations for this pet were included) what would it be?  I'd love to have a T-Rex, but other than the impossibility of finding one in the local pet shop, it would be a little risky and expensive to feed.  However, if this were a fantasy world where I could be absolutely sure it wouldn't be able to hurt anyone and I could afford to feed it, I would totally have a T-Rex.
  4. If you could find out the day you were going to die and how, would you want to know?  No.  If there were no way to avoid it, knowing would just make life a big countdown to the last day.  And as messy as life is, I doubt I'll ever have everything organized for my demise anyway.
  5. Would you rather jump out of an airplane or jump off a cliff into deep water?  Jump out of an airplane.  I love looking at the world from up high.  That's what it feels like to be a writer as well, and I love that feeling.
  6. What event or events in your life helped build your belief system (religion)?  I'm not a really religious person.  I'd say I'm more philosophical.  I've been that way as long as I can remember.  I grew up with a fascination with science, and I loved looking through my telescope as a kid.  I was never good at reading religious texts without questioning them.  However, when I look out at the universe and all the amazing things there are, I feel an overwhelming sense of awe.  My belief system is basically that we're all children of the same universe, and we'd all do better if we learned to cooperate and get along.
  7. What is your biggest regret in life? Would you change it or has it helped you become a better person? I regret not being more prepared for the world after graduating from college.  I graduated in 2008, and the economy was beginning to really fall apart.  It was a scary time to be entering the world.  Maybe all the preparations in the world wouldn't have made a difference, but it might have made things easier.  In the end though, I think the struggles have ultimately made me stronger, and maybe I wouldn't have had my children when I did if I did things differently.  I'll keep my past as it is and just try to make life better now.
  8. What is your best quality that other people notice, remark on, obviously enjoy, or say defines you? Why is it so important to you and do you work on it or is it natural (examples: humor, sexiness, easy to talk to, verbally astute, etc.)?  People often say I'm a geek, or smart.  These designations seem to be treated as interchangeable labels.  I take pride in being a geek.  Whether I believe that I;m as smart as others say I am is another matter entirely.  I simply know how to use words effectively.
  9. If you could re-live one full day of your life, what day would it be and why?  I think I'd pick the day after I married my husband.  We didn't have the money to go on a big honeymoon, but we did get a nice hotel room with a hot tub for a couple of days.  After the frenzy of the wedding, it was nice to have a relaxed day to ourselves, and we had a great time.
  10. If you could visit with one deceased person (that you actually knew), who would it be and what would you talk about?  My mom.  I'd just talk about my kids and my goals.  Nothing out of the ordinary.
  11. Would you rather argue/debate religion or politics and why?  Both are touchy subjects, but I think I'd choose politics.  Though political beliefs run about as deep as religious ones, there are real world, concrete examples to draw from.  Religion, being based on faith, is almost impossible to debate most of the time, and people tend to get really heated.  These are the types of debates I avoid when possible.
11 Questions For Others to Answer
  1. Are you a morning person or a night person?
  2. Which famous figure from history would you meet if you could, and why?
  3. If you had a time machine, would you visit a specific time in history, or would you go into the future?  Why?
  4. Do you like your name?  Why or why not?  If not, would you consider changing it, and if so, what would you change it to?
  5. What is your favorite kind of music?  Does your music listening depend on your mood?
  6. Do you prefer a good book or a good movie?  Why?
  7. What is your belief system?  How does this influence your outlook on life?  How does it get you through your day?
  8. What kind of humor do you prefer: physical comedy, stand-up, satire, etc?  Which comedian or comedy show best illustrates this preference?
  9. What cause do you feel passionately about?  Why?
  10. What is your favorite quote?  It can be from a famous person in history, a book, a movie, or it can even be from someone you know.  Why is it your favorite?
  11. What is your favorite color?  What does this color remind you of, and how does it make you feel?
Now, time to play tag.

The 11 Who Will Experience My Tagging Prowess Firsthand
  1. Christine Rains
  2. Cherie Reich
  3. Karen Elizabeth Brown
  4. Spacerguy
  5. Some Dark Romantic
  6. Michael Offutt
  7. Tobi Summers
  8. Cassie Mae
  9. Julie DeGuia
  10. Melodie Wright
  11. Chelsea Kelly
This is a lot to do, so for those of you who I tagged, take your time with it.  That's all I have to say for now.





Friday, June 22, 2012

A Delicious T-Shirt Concept

Thank you George Takei for sharing this!

Seeing these little things on Facebook really makes my day sometimes.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Star Trek Fan Talk

We all know Trek fans can be a dedicated bunch.  I too am dedicated, but not to this extreme.



Monday, June 11, 2012

Star Wars and Escher, A Beautiful Pairing

It's being called "Nerd Nirvana."  This very well may be the case.  M. C. Escher is known all over the world for having created images that defied logic.  The impossible came to life before our eyes.  I grew up with an intense love for his works.

And now my love for Star Wars and Escher have been meshed into one glorious thing.  Click HERE to see it.

Now there's a little more beauty in the world.


Thursday, June 7, 2012

Now You Really Can Say Your Dance Moves Are Electrifying!

Tiles that are designed to generate electricity from foot traffic! Not only is that a step in the right direction environmentally speaking, it may give people more incentive to walk. I know if I had a similar tile in my kitchen, I'd be dancing all day to reduce my electric bill!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Awards!

This is the first time I've received blogging awards for this blog.  My other blog, Writing Off The Edge, usually gets them.  So yay!  Now I'm officially all around awesome.  At least, that's what I'll choose to believe.

Thanks so much to The Geek Twins for giving me all three of these awards!  This blog is undiluted awesomeness, so if you've never seen it, you must change that now.  Resistance is futile!  I was also double tagged for the Kreativ Blogger Award, so a shout out to CaptainSciFi as well!
This is the first time I've ever heard of this particular award, but it looks like fun, so I'll give it a try.  For this one, I need to choose posts that I feel best fit into a list of given categories.  No easy task, but let's have a look.

Given that this blog is largely a way for me to share the work of others that I enjoyed, I can't take credit for any of the videos or images I listed here.  So when I list pride-worthy, I mean the person who made this should be dang proud of themselves.

I also fell in love with this video when I saw that The Geek Twins had a post featuring this video listed as most beautiful.  I'd have to agree on that one.  So, sorry, but I had to put it here for my own enjoyment!





Now for the next two awards.  Since they both require me to share information about myself, I'll condense them and only share 7 facts about myself.  Who wants to listen to me drivel on longer than that anyway?





  1. I've seen every episode of Babylon 5 more times than I can count.
  2. I fall asleep watching Star Trek on Netflix almost every night.
  3. My husband has been begging me to get a costume of Princess Leia's slave girl outfit.
  4. I think almost any story can be improved by setting it in space.  Bring on Romeo and Juliet: The Actual Star-Crossed Lovers!  (Hmmm, I could totally write that!)
  5. I love almost every vegetable this world is capable of growing.
  6. I really, really, REALLY want to go into space someday.
  7. I think my children will know the names of all the planets before they know how to write the alphabet.
Now for the nomination process.  There are supposed to be anywhere from 7-15 people tagged for these, but since I gave some of these away from my other blog recently, that makes it harder for me to come up with that many.  So I'll do 5 for now.  If I think of more, I may add to the list later.  So thos eof you listed here, you're free to take all of them.  If you don't, that's cool too.  Just wanted you to know you're awesome!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

The Enterprise Lands in Illinois!

What a fitting flight!  With the popularity of sending inanimate objects into near space, why not send an Enterprise equipped with Captain Kirk and Captain Picard?

Hmmmm.  I wonder who took charge of this mission.


Thursday, May 31, 2012

Trekking Into the Absurd

Here are some Star Trek GIFs that are bound to brighten any geek's day.  I found them in the Gif Bin.


funny gifs
Spock isn't all that different from Kirk in many ways.



funny gifs
Who got into the Romulan Ale again?



funny gifs
It must have been another strange day on the Enterprise.



funny gifs
Even futuristic technology is imperfect!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

ROBOTS!

Thank you George Takei for sharing this on Facebook.  Wall-E is the new Waldo.  It is now my desktop background and brings me much happiness.


How many ways are there to classify these?  Well, too many to count, probably.  Here are some ways that have come to mind, but this is by no means an inclusive list.


  • cartoon vs. live action robots
  • movie vs. T.V. robots
  • by era (decades shown or time period of show featuring them)
  • genre (sounds obvious, but Tom Servo from MST3K is comedy; Bender from Futurama, a comedy; Kryten from Red Dwarf, which is sci fi and comedy)
  • by size, shape, or color
  • by function
  • humanoid vs. non-humanoid robots
Can any of you think of additional ways to classify them?  Or maybe point out one of your favorite robots.



Sunday, May 20, 2012

Some Nerd Humor

Liking George Takei on Facebook has its advantages.  To give you a laugh, I'm here to share some of the humor that he's shared with the world.











Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The Tesla Gun

Science fiction inspires all sorts of magnificent things.

The man in this video built a gun using a Tesla coil.  This gun can shoot out up to 20,000 volts of electricity.  Trust me, it's cool.  And the music in the video is kind of fun too.


Friday, May 11, 2012

Neil deGrasse Tyson Gets Down With the GIFness!

Here's an interesting interview with who is clearly becoming one of the most popular astrophysicists in the world, Neil deGrasse Tyson.







 And here's a clip where he discusses the strange nature of his popularity.

 



Also for your amusement is one of the many GIFs that Tyson has floating around of him.  Look, he's dancing!




GIFSoup


And here's a link if you're interested in the paper dolls that Tyson was talking about.  Dang, scientists are getting popular.  Cool!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Dr. Who Comic Relief

Here's a Dr. Who special, entitled "The Curse of Fatal Death."  This was done to benefit Comic Relief.  Rowan Atkinson plays the Doctor, or at least one of them.  You'll undoubtedly recognize some of the others.

This is worthwhile for any Whovian to watch.  Or, just anyone really.


Friday, May 4, 2012

Star Wars Day 2012!

As some of you may know, or may not know for that matter, today is Star Wars Day!  "May the fourth be with you" is popping up everywhere geeks dare to go.  And with the recent arrest of Obiwan Kenobi for hit and run,  it's obvious that Star Wars still has a loyal legion of fans, even when they're not the most law abiding citizens.  But remember, the Rebels were lawbreakers too.  Of course, they did so in order to fight evil, so it's not the same as hit and run, now is it?

How should loyal friends celebrate this day?  There are a number of suggestions available, but the obvious choice of watching the saga for the millionth time is always acceptable.  It's just good to have the excuse, isn't it?

Thanks to bama287 on fanpop.com for this photo!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Star Wars Music Video

Love or hate the music, and the comments on eBaums World have been heated, I think this video is notable for the editing techniques alone.  I don't know where the idea came from, or how much time it took, there's some talent here.  Go check it out here.

And though I don't particularly like the song (nor do I generally like songs of this type with only a few exceptions), I found myself dancing to it by the end. There's my embarrassing confession for the day.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Cosmic Asperations

Image: manostphoto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Natural resources on Earth are limited.  The geological processes that create materials cannot keep pace with the rate at which we're using them.  Not even close.

It makes sense that we have to start expanding our horizons to include outer space when we look for the materials needed to sustain us.  It was only a matter of time before someone had the inspiration and determination to start mining asteroids.  Planetary Resources Inc., which is being backed by the deep pockets and grand imaginations of James Cameron and others, plans to do just that.

They're everywhere, and they have materials that could be invaluable to us.  Now, there are arguments both for and against this enterprise.  One argument is that the cost is so high to retrieve these materials that it would be a waste.  There are also, as there are with any new endeavor, risks involved.

Here's where I fall on the issue.  Resources will undoubtedly run low.  The cost of sending anything into space is also high.  If we have a mining operation set up in space, we could build ships and colonies more cheaply because we would no longer have to pay to launch them from Earth.  This is expensive in the short term, yes, but in the end, it could pay off in so many ways.

I guess we'll see how it goes.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Do the Bill Nye Slide

I grew up watching Bill Nye.  Now I've seen his dance moves, and my life will never be the same.  Who said scientists couldn't be cool?


Flyin' Sulu!



Happy 75th birthday, George Takei!  Best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, he is truly immortal.  And dang it, he looks so cool with that tea cup!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Our Spectacular Solar System

It's not everyday I double post, but I couldn't resist when I saw this.  An unemployed game developer, Christopher Albeluhn, created this amazing solar system.  He intended to use it for a portfolio.  I know I'd hire him after seeing this.

Enjoy!


Nerd Language

When you're dealing with geekdom, you must understand that there's a different language.  When dealing with a  group of people, or in this instance just two, who get into a conversation concerning geek culture, accept the fact that, as an outsider, you won't have a clue what's going on.

That's okay.




And if you have a burning need to understand, visit this page and click on Geek Therapy.  These experts will have you crossing that cultural barrier in no time.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Holograms R' Us

I was thinking about holograms today, and I remembered this video that I saw a couple years ago.  I managed to track it down and share it with you.  It's pretty funny, and will make you think twice about creating a hologram army.


Friday, April 13, 2012

The Power of Nature

All I can say is that the power of nature is humbling.  It's also beautiful, provided, of course, that you aren't stuck in the path of destruction.

Here's a link to a video talking about the intriguing phenomenon known as "upward lightning."

And here's a video showing a wide range of weather events. Enjoy them from the comfort of your home, because if you're there in person, your experience will be anything but comfortable.

Monday, April 9, 2012

It Takes a Rube Goldberg . . .

I had to share this.  I've always found Rube Goldberg machines ridiculously entertaining.  They also show you a lot about physics, so where can you go wrong?  Besides the time lost in taking the longest way possible to do everything, of course.  The Purdue Society of Professional Engineers broke the world record by building the world' largest functional Rube Goldberg machine.  What is its function? you ask.  To pop a balloon in no fewer than 300 steps.

Hold on to your seats, because this is going to rock.


3D Dreams

When I first heard about this, I thought I had to be dreaming.  Oh the beauty of it all.






There are more videos on You Tube demonstrating this capability. Perhaps it isn't practical technology, but having seen some of the other 3D printers out there, I'm encouraged by the sophistication of technology. Who knows where it might go from here? Here's an example of the practical applications of 3D printing (not in chocolate though).  The implications for the space program alone are enormous.te


 

Monday, April 2, 2012

Poster Girlfriend

How many of us as teenagers, or even adults for that matter, looked at posters of movie or music stars and fantasized about what it would be like to be with them?  Except I recall fantasizing about the real person.  I never dreamed about making out with the actual poster.

Apparently some have.




Fascinating technology, but I'll admit that I don't understand the appeal. The interaction is very limited, and even if they do add in the flavor, you're still kissing a screen. And if it's in public, who would really want to kiss something that's been who kissed by who knows how many people? Yuck!

Even so, I'm at least curious how the technology will progress beyond this. How long before we fulfill the predictions of science fiction and have fully interactive companion robots? Time will tell.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Red Dwarf is a Star in My Night Sky

Today I was thinking about one of my favorite shows of all time, Red Dwarf.  Here's a couple of videos showing some of the best this show has to offer.  And if you've should never seen it, trust me, you're missing out.



 .










I can never get enough of this stuff.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Apollo 11-A Piece of History

Have any of you ever thought it would be cool to look at the rocket engines that blasted Apollo 11 into space? It was, after all, the historic mission that culminated in man setting foot on the moon for the first time.  And anything powerful enough to put a Saturn V into orbit is pretty darn impressive.

Well, you may get the chance to see such a thing.  The founder of Amazon.com Jeff Bezos located the five engines 14,000 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean and plans to retrieve at least one of them.

I hope the effort succeeds, because that's something I'd like to see.  After that I'd like to see us land on the moon again and send people to Mars, but I'm not holding my breath for that one.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Live Long and Prosper, Mr. Spock

Happy birthday Leonard Nimoy!  Mr. Spock is 81 years old.  Hopefully being Vulcan, he'll have another hundred years or so ahead of him!

Isn't it eerie that he and William Shatner are so close in age?  It's like Kirk and Spock were always destined to serve together.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

81 Years of Shat

Happy birthday William Shatner!

And for any of you who have been living under a rock and don't know who he is, well, I suggest you do some research pronto.  Captain Kirk deserves the utmost respect.  Not just anyone can steal the Enterprise and end up getting what he wants out of the deal.

Sir, we salute you.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Happy Pi Day!

Photo by NicoCanali  at Flickr

For everyone who loves math, or numbers that just can't seem to decide when to stop, here's me wishing you a wonderful Pi Day!  Kick back and have a piece of your favorite pie!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Neil deGrasse Tyson Inspires Me

Okay, I've always been into this stuff, but when I hear him speak about space and our need to explore further, I get excited all over again.  Now, yes, he played a role in Pluto's demotion.  To learn more about that, watch The Pluto Files.  Yet, as much as I love Pluto, I've come to forgive him for that.  Pluto may no longer be considered a planet, but it's still cool.

Now, I found these videos inspiring, so I figured I'd share them.  After watching these, I can't help but feel that exploring the universe is an inextricable part of who we are.









I'm still dreaming. Hopefully you are too.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

An Unconventional Space Shuttle Launch

It seems the fabulous fad of sending unconventional objects into space continues.  Apparently the space shuttle needed to cross into space one final time.  Not every lego set travels 20 miles into the air.  Maybe Lego Man went up again and needed a ride back to Earth.


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

A Beautiful Thing

Cruising through You Tube videos, I stumbled across something truly remarkable.  No words are adequate to describe this, so I present it to you, humble viewer.  Make whatever judgments you will.

Engage!


Monday, March 5, 2012

Waldo: The New chuck Norris!

Thanks to my wonderful husband for finding this and showing it to me.  I laughed so hard!

This is for everyone who remembers spending their childhood searching for Waldo.  You'll never look at that red and white striped shirt and hat the same way again.


Saturday, March 3, 2012

Geeks and Nerds

The terms "geek" and "nerd" are often used interchangeably, though there's a definite difference in meaning.  I stumbled across this video on You Tube, and I feel like this really speaks to the issues that my husband and I find ourselves arguing about.  He loves computers and video games, while they confound me.  But hey, before you judge me, at least I like Star Wars!  If I didn't, I don't think my husband would have been able to look past that.  It's his favorite thing in the universe!

Anyway, enjoy.

 

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Scientists Are Fun Too

As a person who avidly supports the space program and astronomy, as well as satirical humor, I loved this interview between Jon Stewart and Neil deGrasse Tyson.  Enjoy!


Anyone Got Some Sunglasses?

This is cool.  In the effort to confirm whether extrasolar harbor extraterrestrial life, scientists need to be able to look directly at the planet itself.  Of course, the light of the parent planet inevitably creates a viewing problem as it drowns out the image.  Now scientists are playing with an idea originally conceived in the '60's by Lyman Spitzer.  They want to build a spaceshade that would be positioned out ahead of the telescope so it could filter out the interfering light.

Now, before anyone offers NASA their used sunglasses so they can save money, it isn't that simple.  The shade needs to be very specifically shaped to avoid the other problem of sunlight bending around the shade to screw up the image.  In short, we're hoping to build a giant sunflower in space.  Wow, that sounds even cooler here than it did in my head.

Scientists are also entertaining other ideas to combat the problem, including coordinating multiple telescopes to cancel out the light or techno-babbly add-ons for future telescopes.

I hope they get this figured out soon, because I really can't wait to see where the aliens might be.


Saturday, February 25, 2012

She Powered Me With Science!

I just read about a new fabric called  Power Felt that is able to produce electricity using lost heat.  Think of a world where you have something that uses your body heat to power your personal electronic devices.  How much money could we save this way?  According to the video linked here, it would only cost $1 to have the fabric attached to a device.

What an interesting way to pursue greener technologies.  Not to mention there can be a whole new market for making this material fashionable.  Instead of wearing tin foil suits like they do in old science fiction movies, we can be bouncing around in brightly colored clothes that can be used to charge your cell phone.  Now when you meet someone new, there might really be sparks flying! (Bad joke, I know.  I can't help myself.)

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

That's no moon. It's a space station.



If you ever wondered why the Empire took it so badly when the rebels blew up the Death Star, I have an answer for you.  Math nerds have calculated that it would take $852 quadrillion to build.  And they built and lost two of them.  Ouch!

No wonder no one wanted to take Emporer Palpatine's place after that second time around.  That kind of loss is enough to kill any empire.  Sometimes you just need to know when to quit.