Steps Toward A More Satisfying Life

I noticed this article on No Impact Man today, and found a special relevance.

Yesterday, when speaking to Isaac on the phone, I asked him to tell me something good that happened today. The author of the article calls it, paying "attention to life's momentary pleasures and wonders."

My good thing yesterday was an especially tricky solution at work. After some encouragement, Isaac's good thing was playing in the hot tub.

While we have practiced this at times as a family, I hope to continue this exercise on a more routine basis.

For example, this morning while driving into work, I noticed the most amazing sunrise reflection off the downtown buildings. I admit, the buildings may not be of much use, but they do make a glorious sunrise/sunset prism sculpture.

Build Your Own GPS Tracker

Sounds like an interesting and relatively cheap project. Better on the next level when you can send the GPS coordinates to Google Maps.

Speaking of a custom Google Maps gadget, here's an example of one which shows the results of the recent Pennsylvania primaries by county.

Happy Earth Day

In celebration, we're calling the Pearland Recycling center for curbside pickup. Here's their number so we don't forget 281-652-1603.

For My Running Lover

They ran the Boston Marathon today. A long time, and continuing goal of my lover.

I thought this picture of the winner, Dire Tune, with a time of 2:25, seemed to reflect what we felt like at the end of our marathons. However, I bet her feet don't hurt as bad.

Can You Show Your Work

Most Thursday nights, we study for Isaac's spelling test, which routinely occurs on Friday. Additionally, we all read to each other; in my opinion, covering English subjects quite thouroughly. However, it seems a frequent discussion of math topics was being neglected (unless you count chess games).

To address this, we introduced some simple algebra concepts; such as, how to solve for a variable using simple addition and subtraction. Looking at this cartoon reminded me of our initial experiences, and my suggestions to "show your work."

Iron Man Game Trailer

This trailer is from the upcoming game, however, it seems like the soundtrack on this is going to be awesome. Every time we here Black Sabbath and Ozzie go into their version of Iron Man, we look like Wayne's World Bohemian Rhapsody.

McCain's Gas Tax Holiday

We seem to be in the season of economic stimulus likely corresponding both with an impending economic downturn and a presidential election cycle. In celebration of both, John McCain has recommended a "Gas Tax Holiday" to coincide with the busy summer driving period between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

While initially tempting, this NY Times article suggests that the tax adjustment might be sending the wrong signals. Just as Americans are making an economically driven recovery from oil addiction, this incentive would encourage them back to the pump. In the long term, resulting in a higher price for gas and increased carbon dioxide emissions.

While this and other gas incentive programs may, on the surface, affect the consumer; the real beneficiary, is the gas companies who seem to be doing OK without it.

Many more opinions on Google.

Sun Therapy

I used to practice this theory when working at the nursing home, I called it "sun therapy". However, this article from the NY Times agrees, this works even on an overcast day.

They indicate that the ultraviolet wavelengths of 290 to 320 nanometers (in the ultraviolet-B range) are necessary for an adequate "sun bath".

I love a good "sun bath", however they also caution the ultraviolet-B waves are also associated with sunburn and skin damage. So, just like in most other cases, use in moderation.

Happy Birthday Mom: Quote of the Day

Happy Birthday Mom, we love you very much. Do something fantastic today on your day.

Found this quote today, seems to also comment on our family's travels on many levels.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.
Thomas Paine

As an aside, after looking at Mr. Paine's wikipedia entry, wouldn't it be interesting to have the job title of "intellectual". I don't qualify, but I'll take "helper" instead.

Birthday Lizard

BirthdayLizardMacroB
Originally uploaded by mhughen.

I took off today, to take Isaac to school for his birthday, and found this little lizard sitting on our love roses. We're slowly getting better at our macro shots. Happy Birthday Isaac!

Here's the set with the rest of the lizard and rose shots.

Birthday Trick Bike

BirthdayBikeIsaacXTrick
Originally uploaded by mhughen.

Isaac was on his birthday bike for about 30 seconds before he started trying tricks (all before going to school this morning). I call this one IsaacX. Here's the set.

Happy Birthday Isaac!!

Website for Isaac's Birthday card. We love you Isaac.

GreenDimes: Saving the Environment

I took No Impact Man's advice this morning, and signed up for this service to stop junk mail. We'll see how effective it is in saving the environment during the next few months.

A Walking Robot Idea

Texas Earth Quake This Morning

News about a 3.7 magnitude earthquake in south Texas this morning. Here's a page from the USGS about the tremor 40 Miles NNW of Beeville. You can see from the seismic map of Texas the area near San Antonio which was affected (compare Texas to the California map).

We're still waiting for eyewitness reports from Xochie the dog, but she's not saying much. Our usual South Texas reporter, Mr. Valdez, was driving from Houston when it happened at 0451 this morning and didn't experience it.

Isaac Soldering

Thought you guys would get a kick out of these. Isaac and I finally got a good soldering set up. We also had a fun time putting together some more beginning robot parts.

Love Sonnet XVII - Pablo Neruda - For my Lover

"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where...
I love you simply, without problems or pride...
I love you because I know no other way of loving but this:
Where there is no I, nor you...So close that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so close that when your eyes close, I fall asleep."

Mark & I put these beautiful words on our wedding invitations. These words will always serve as a kind reminder of what love should always be.......truly unconditional. My husband is my corazon (heart), my mind, and my soul. We are one. Our love is infinite, it is strong, and it joyfully frolics in dance daily. If you listen carefully you can hear the song our love dances to. I am so glad to share this dance with Isaac and the rest of our family.

Listen....ahh yes... there it is. Beautiful isn't it?

I love you Mark.

Crayon Physics Game

Understand some may have had difficulty finding the crayon game. We've had so much fun with it, see if you can download this zip file. Extract it, and run the crayon.exe program.

Various Robot Articles

Just found a post mentioning many personal robot projects. These are primarily prebuilt parts which you can put together and program.

• RoBlocks
• IPRE (Institute for Personal Robots in Education)
• Bug Labs
• Lego Mindstorms

DIY MP3 Player

Definately need to practice the soldering skills for this one. But, how cool is it to make your own MP3 player. Then you can put it into any kind of enclosure you like.