Politics: Explanation Of The Debt Ceiling

from ScriptingNews. Season 6 of the West Wing explains the politics of the debt ceiling. "Is it routine, or the end of the world?" "Both."

Music: They Might Be Giants

From NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.

Fire: Mini-Fireballs With Orange Peel

via io9.

Quote: No Cure For Curiosity

My suggestion is to always be a learner.

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity. Dorothy Parker

Picture: Atlantis Coming Home

This picture of the Atlantis entering the Earth's atmosphere on July 21 was taken from the International Space Station.

Android: Android Controlled RC Car

I just funded this Android controlled RC car on KickStarter. $59 for a car that has touch or motion controls through the phone.

Cannon: New Idea For Potato Cannon

Great ideas from video on Make magazine for our potato cannon re-design.

1. They used a sprinkler valve to hook a switch to the launching mechanism.
2. Liked the folded air canister for easier moving.
3. Need a larger canister with a screw-off top so that repairs to the Schrader valve are easier.

Quote: There's Still Work To Be Done

Great quote in support of space exploration from gapingvoid.

Star Wars: Star Wars Meets Metal

via GeekDad

Roller Coaster: World's Steepest Roller Coaster

Takabisha roller coaster in Japan includes a 121 degree free fall. via TechCrunch



The free fall begins at about 1:45.

Star Wars: Dark Side of the Death Star

Star Wars puns via Neatorama.

Games: Cardboard Box Assembler

Routine sounding game, but the testers will give it a try. via Woot!

Kids: Make Your Kids Your Greatest Project

We are having great fun over the summer. Isaac found he enjoyed playing chess in the coffee shop. It seemed to encourage spontaneous and interesting conversation from total strangers.

via Scrivle.

Hiking: Guadalupe Mountains/Carlsbad Caverns

On the 4th of July weekend we went to the west edge of Texas to go hiking on the tallest mountain in Texas. We were going to go on a short route and it tuned out to be the hardest hike at the Guadalupe mountains. The next day we went to Carlsbad Caverns and looked at all the cool formations.

The hike was the hardest but funnest hike. Every turn we were all complaining about the ascent. It was the hardest thing in our hiking experiences.
--Isaac

Games: Solarmax

via Woot. Solarmax, conquer the Galaxy. I haven't attempted yet, but maybe reviews from my tester this evening.