Jazz Introduction: Charles Mingus

What is most notable in this recording? Seems like tempo to me. Also several inspiring sax solos, one made even more distinctive by using clapping instead of the drum in the background.

Jazz Introduction: Thelonious Monk

Notice the similar theme to the Parker and Gillespie song. Also listen when Monk sneaks in some distinctive sounding chords while playing mostly single notes during his solo.

Jazz Introduction: Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie

Great mixture of trumpet and saxophone. The Bird was famous for making his sax sound like a human voice, very apparent in this recording. Also a young Thelonious Monk on piano.

Jazz Introduction: Eric Dolphy Quintet with Booker Little

In an attempt to show Isaac some inspiring Jazz, here is a 5 song recommendation from NPR.

Music: Metal Free Jazz

I was showing Isaac some jazz the other day. However, we never found anything like this. It is metal free jazz. Combining 60 - 70s free jazz movement and slam dance metal. This track was one of the more calm ones from NPR's Take Five.

Music: Alice's Restaurant

We're usually singing this on the road to Thanksgiving.

Development: Harris County Naturalization

Hey check out the article on November 20, 2009 from the Harris County District Clerk Loren Jackson. I developed this application at same time as the Historical Document search. Very cool.

You can go directly to the application here.

Medicine: How the H1N1 Vaccine Is Made

1.2 billion eggs required to make this vaccine (via Make magazine). Busy chickens...

Music: Tiny Desk Concert

Listening to the "Tiny Desk Concert" series from NPR's All Song Considered at work today. The Avett Brothers have amazing harmony and sounds from minimal amplification.

Music: Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros

Must check out this band, they definitely make a joyful noise. I'd love to see them in concert. Here they are on NPR's All Songs Considered.

"Home is where ever there is you"

DIY: Reuse Lightbulbs As Planters

Looks like a fun project with light bulb terrariums. Must be careful taking apart the used light bulb!

History: Empire Evolution

This movies attempts to visualize the evolution of 4 empires.

Visualizing empires decline from Pedro M Cruz on Vimeo.

Software: Brower as Operating System

I've discussed the concept of the browser as an operating system previously. Today Google discussed the implementation of this idea. Here is their over simplified explanation of the open source Chrome OS.

The concept is currently most appropriate for netbooks. We will put it on Isaac's as soon as it is available (really he's been begging for a browser based operating system).

Happy Anniversary To My Love

I read this short story, from the Paris Review, last night while waiting for rugby to begin. It tells of an adventure of a father and a son crossing a dangerous river. Upon reflection I realized that I don't get into lonely and helpless situations like that, because my soul-mate is always there to help save Isaac and me (my Mom and Sister do a good job of it also).

I love her for always saving us, every time.

A poem from Paublo Neruda which we had on our original wedding invitations.

I do not love you as if you were a salt rose, or topaz
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
So I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Science Fair: Water Rocketry

Very cool, but more involved project plans to build a multi-stage water rocket from 2 Liter bottles. It seems the tricky part is building the launching mechanism.

Movies: No Worries

Have you even noticed the similarities between the Bare Necessities and Hakuna Matata? Remarkably similar life philosophies. Even insect eating.

Reading: The Farmer's Manifesto

I'm attempting to provide Isaac with well-rounded reading experiences for his nightly reading assignments. I also think, during his school years, it will be a valuable skill to be able to comfortably read from a computer device.

This week's reading is a dairy farmer's manifesto. There are many gems about working the earth; however this is one of my favorites.

I believe that by my toil I am giving more to the world then I am taking from it, an honor that does not come to all men.

Pictures: Views From the Garden

We seemed to be more successful at growing cool caterpillars than vegetables in our summer garden. However, here are a couple new shots of both. Take a look a large version of the orange caterpillar, pretty cool.



And our best pepper.

Development: Facebook Toolkit For Microsoft Developers

This looks fun. May try a sample app in my spare time.

Star Wars: Gangster Rap

Great to hear Yoga wants to be a "baller" or "balla" (he wants to be a basketball player). As in any gangster rap, there are some slightly PG13 parts, but most is OK.

DIY: Lit Holiday Cards

Seems like a fun project, creating your own lit holiday cards.

Veterans Day: Happy Veterans Day

Thank you veterans. Thank you.

Halloween: Yoda Goes to the Streets

We had a fantastic Halloween adventure. Yoda encountered a Sith Lord, but they were easily dispatched. A few younger trick-or-treaters even recognized both the young Obi-One and Lea. We were also reminded that Lea did not actually carry a light saber.

DIY: Marshmallow Blaster

A quick, cheap, and fun project we tried out on Sunday. Because of the myriad of combinations, and the ease of re-assembly, the project allows many iterations in blaster design. We found removing some of the longer sections makes for a longer shot, while sacrificing looks and ease of operation.

(Side note: dogs love the marshmallow battles; at least ours did, but are not supposed to eat the ammunition)

Football: Family and Football

Great weekend with the family and some spectacular football.

Isaac's team, the Pearland Red Eagles (4-4), played the one loss team from Friendswood (7-1) on Saturday. In a very spirited match, the Eagles completed goal-line stands at the end of the 1st and 2nd halves to push the game into overtime. Then the Eagles scored on a drive consisting of two long runs, and a wide-open quarterback sneak behind the bruising center.

A fantastic game, more exciting than any of the pro games over the weekend (IMHO); followed by a fun celebration dinner. The Eagles play next week in Pearland at 1200 to go to their league's Superbowl.

Games: Drench

Fun and simple online game. No instructions! The fun is figuring out how to play.

Hero: Ft. Hood Heroine

The police officer who stopped the shooter in Ft. Hood yesterday has a twitter account @hope2forget30. This is her remarkable tagline in the twitter bio.

I live a good life....a hard one, but I go to sleep peacefully @ night knowing that I may have made a difference in someone's life.

Here's an article from "Times Online" about her actions.

Reading: Kid's Science Comic

Review of "The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook" in boingboing.

Math: Facial Recognition

Here's a podcast from NPR's Engines of Our Ingenuity discussing facial recognition. Turns out they use a linear algebra algorithm to let the machine recognize the faces. Facebook has also deployed a facial recognition software which attempts to tag members in photos.

Quotes: Anniversary Quotes

Our wedding anniversary is coming up later this month, but its never too early for some love quotes.

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out. Elizabeth Barrett Browning

War: American Soldier

The Denver Post follows a high school graduate in pictures through his enlistment, to basic training, and to Iraq. Stunning photographs.

This story had a happy ending, unfortunately, it is not the only story. Many never get told.

Grammar: When To Use an Apostrophe

In our continual pursuit of good grammar, here's a refresher on how to use an apostrophe.

Chemistry: Mad Scientist Chemistry Experiments

Neatorama suggests (correctly in my opinion) that chemistry should be taught by mad scientists. Follow the link for some very cool experiments.

Here's my favorite the unstable gummy bear. Gummy Bear + Potassium Chlorate.

Qatar: Women Working In Qatar

My sister-in-law has interest in a position in Qatar. Any other experiences?

Here are some links I've found

• Working Women
• More Working Women
• Expatriates

Comics: Advanced Preschool Playground

Good one from "Non Sequitur."

@FakeAPStyleBook: Poor News Room Etiquette

Consider following the FakeAPStyleBook on Twitter. Quite funny, especially in our 3rd grade pursuit of grammatical correctness.

Here's their take on news room etiquette.

It is poor newsroom etiquette to throw yourself out of the window to prove that your co-worker is Superman.

Twitter: Test With Blog Connection

Test new blog feed to @mhrugby on Twitter. This service should update once an hour automatically using twitterfeed.com.

Quotes: Monday Quote Of The Day

"It's a sign of mediocrity when you demonstrate gratitude with moderation." Roberto Benigni

Also check out this guitar video. One guitar, four hands - very cool!