Games

A new site with popular Flash Games.

Untried Javascript Drum Machines, looks like some downloading of components might be necessary.  Some may only be development tools, unsure so far.

• JS-909
  
• Hobnox
  
• SoundManager
  

East Austin Studio Tour: 11/23

Looks like an interesting event in Austin on Sunday, November 23.  Could be a fun walk.

Typing Test

Curious what you guys get on this typing test.  I scored 62 wpm with 9 mistakes on the first try.  I bet Mom and Grandma are much faster.

The idea came from this article mentioning that programmers should be typist first and programmers second.

How Lightsabers Work

Interesting article in HowStuffWorks regarding how a lightsaber would work.  There's even a safety tip included.

Taekwondo: Isaac's Poom Belt Test

After much hard work and perseverance, Isaac passed the exam to receive his Poom belt in Taekwondo.  This belt is half red and half black, and is the step before receiving the black belt.  Here's the picture set.  (We must give credit to Isaac's Mom for taking these pictures, and thanks to Dad for forwarding them to us).

In other news, Isaac had more spectacular results this weekend.

His flag football team played in the league's championship game.  While the Texans didn't get the victory, Isaac played extremely well.  

This was certainly a break out year for him in football.  Because of his great defensive play, the man we sat next to during the games started calling Isaac the "Missile".  Isaac lived up to this intimidating nick-name by practicing his Taekwondo forms before the games.

Additionally, we got a call later last night learning that Isaac had lost a tooth.  Like I told you, he's definately "en fuego."

A Little Sickly

We all find ourselves a little bit sickly this week.  However, we're still curious.

Online Guitar Tuner

I had to change the strings the other day, and still don't think I have them in the correct tune.  Maybe this will help.

Oh look here's one I can embed into the site. It's basically a little flash movie.  Very Cool!

Games: Flash Tetris Game

Here's a new flash game for the kids.  99 Bricks looks like the anti-Tetris.  You try to build towers instead of deleting rows.  Isn't that a positive way to look at the problem.

I figured out how to post a screen shot from my browser so Isaac will know which posts to look for.  He doesn't seem to be as interested in the quotes just yet.

Want to Learn French

This little girl's story, while quite gruesome at times, proves that everybody loves a happy ending.  It also will make you want to learn French.

Once upon a time... from Capucha on Vimeo.

Wireless Camera SD Card

Must checkout this SD card which connects to your wireless network to transfer pictures from your phone to your computer.  cool!

Crowd Pleaser

Originally posted at Neatorama.

Great Time at the Reunion

We had a fantastic time at the reunion meeting all of our long lost cousins and playing tirelessly with the one's we knew about, playing basketball, and canasta.  Isaac told us about his promise to Carol to keep practicing canasta, what great fun!  Thanks Mom.

Oh yes, and pinatas!

Happy Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day to all of our family who has served our country.  It is a fantastic country to live in.  Thank You.

New Oxford American Dictionary Word of the Year: Hypermiling

Remarkably, I've heard this term used in a perfectly understandable sentence earlier this year.  "In order to save our precious oil resources, I was hypermiling on the way to Corpus as the family slept peacefully in the back of the van."  Sound familiar?

Also posted on Neatorma.  The presumed originator of the phrase is Wayne Gerdes.

Quotes of the Day: Nonsense

I really enjoy these two quotes together today.  My favorite bit of Buckminster's theory, "There are no straight lines."  It seems to take a lifetime to work the 'straight line' mentality, taught in elementary school, out of the problem solving process.

Everything you've learned in school as "obvious" becomes less and less obvious as you begin to study the universe.  For example, there are no solids in the universe.  There's not even a suggestion of a solid.  There are no absolute continuums.  There are no surfaces.  There are no straight lines.  R. Buckminster Fuller

A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men.  Anonymous

Election Results Via Cartogram

Here's an article which describes the recent 2008 presidential election map using a cartogram.  The cartogram resizes the states in proportion to their population, instead of their acreage.

Quote: Barack Obama

It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to where we are today, but we have just begun.  Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today.  Barack Obama

My favorite part of this great speech, is the man's look of determination.  He does not seem caught up in the celebration, but rather ready to go to work.

IMHO, We also saw the best speech of Senator McCain's candidacy last night.

Finally, in an interesting twist from working in a politically lead organization, I also find myself with a new boss this morning.  A&M graduate who seems to support technology.  Sounds OK to me.

A Cappella: We Love Star Wars

Another amazing a cappella video in YouTube. The singer performs a Star Wars recap to various John Williams' movie themes.

Games: Another Online Physics Game

Splitter is another physics game similar to the Crayon Physics.  This one however, is online.  Looks promising.

Quotes: A Case For No War?

It seems I've heard similar discussions regarding a case for war.  These two quotes seems to go hand in hand.

By the way, the previously posted cartoon mocking philosophy quotes was directed inward at the blogger, not the philosopher in our family.  

Happy Halloween!

• Any war that requires the suspension of reason as a necessity for support is a bad war.  Norman Mailer
  
• I shut my eyes in order to see.  Paul Gauguin
  

Halloween Cartoon

And you thought trying on hats in the store was gross!

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Or in Chinese (at least that's what Babelfish says)

生日快乐 Hannah!

We love you and hope you had a great birthday!

Guitar Geek Database

The neighbor helped me install a pickup on my acoustic guitar the other night.  We're having fun playing it threw Isaac's tiny amplifier.

This site, however, has the set-ups of many famous guitar heroes.  I think we're ready to try some effects pedals.  Onward to the pawn shops!

New Game: Distopix

Flash game which challenges your orientation.  Interested to see how the different aged kids perform with this?

Pumpkin Design

Use this web site to test your pumpkin design before you begin carving.  Suggested by Mom.  Technical note, the "swf" extension is a flash animation, similar to many of the online games.

Personally, we like this design.

Monday Love Quote

After an exciting weekend of Rugby, weddings, dancing, and great flag football, it seemed this love quote was especially appropriate.

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life:  That word is love.  Sophocles

Thriller Acapella

Isaac and I were having a discussion the other day about what "harmony" was in music.  

Here is a great example.  The man recorded 64 tracks of himself to remake the classic.  Amazing stuff!

DIY Halloween: Melon Brain

The site says even vegetarians will want to dig into this brain.

Science Project Idea: Tabletop Linier Accelerator

This simple project would make a great science fair entry. It demonstrates energy transfer using magnets and ball bearings.

So You Want To Coach Basketball

For any would be basketball coaches out there.  Here's a link to the wikipedia entry, more than you'll ever need to know about the game.

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m) high hoop (the goal) under organized rules.

What fun are organized rules anyway?

Quote of the Day

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.  Henry David Thoreau

I suppose here's the risk of posting too many "quotes of the day".

Laughter and Love

Denise posted this in the comments, but its worthy of a full post. Te amo mucho me amor.

Lover, family, and friends........today why don't you laugh so hard it hurts! Let all the other stuff that you allow to preoccupy your life go......laugh, be happy, celebrate life, and truly enjoy!

I was recently confronted with the statement "you will/could never understand....."

We don't always have to understand everything.....but we do have a choice on whether or not to be happy. I choose to laugh!!!! I choose to smile, forgive, and move to a happy state of mind.

Today we all should laugh, giggle, jump, clap, dance, and most of all love.

Happy Laughter Day all!

Global Handwashing Day

Thought one of our regular readers would especially appreciate this funny awareness day.  The initiative encourages people to wash their hands with soap at the "critical occasions".

My beautiful husband shared a passage from one of his birthday books ("Zen Guitar") with me early this morning. The words of the passage are very insightful and we discussed how our own great fusion dances daily.

"A band is not merely a collection of individuals. Its essential character must be for the whole to exceed the sum of the parts. When the right people get together, be it in music, or sports, or business, or marriage, or intimacy, or whatever....a kind of spiritual fusion takes place. This fusion can not be manufactured. It simply happens from the chemistry of nature. Most groups have no chemistry. Like a random collection of molecules, they don't combine to make anything special. Every now and then, though, two hydrogen molecules will collide with one molecule of oxygen. The resulting mix takes on character far beyond its basic elements. So it is with human beings as well. Human chemistry is not a science. No one knows how this magic happens. But when it does, we feel the presence of something divine, and everyone who's there knows it. Cherish this chemistry....You are on to something big."

WOW~ what a thought to have such a deep "spiritual fusion" with someone. Every day I feel that collision of molecules take place in my heart for Mark.

Thank you Amor for sharing such an inspiring passage with me......had to put it on the blog so others can be aware of this collision for themselves. Talk about self-enlightenment! Find your matching molecule and rejoice in it's happy collision.

Besitos,

Denise

Oblique Strategy: Listen

Here's another oblique strategy that Denise was teaching Isaac this weekend. 

Listen to the quiet voice

As noted earlier, these are often self-evident, and often waiting to be written down.  It seems these would make for an interesting blog, "Oblique Strategy of the Day".

Oblique Strategies - Our Adventures in Problem Solving

Isaac, Denise and I were practicing math word problems this weekend, trying to discover how to solve more complex problems.  The subject is neither easy to learn or teach.  Perhaps the Zen would teach that they are impossible to master, but worth every second of time practicing.

However, I discovered this random thought generator, which is meant to enhance creativity.  The initial authors comment that the thoughts are "intellect catching up with intuition," and often become self-evident upon reflection.

This one reminded me of our own problem solving revelations.  What great fun!

What are the sections sections of?    Imagine a caterpillar moving

Game: Forbidden City

This game has to be downloaded; however, may be worth it for the experience.  

IBM took three years developing the environment to match the detail of the actual city.  They collaborated with the Palace Museum to "celebrate and explore aspects of Chinese culture and history."

Neutron Joke

A neutron walks into a store and says, "I'd like a juice please."

After the clerk gave him one he asks, "how much will that be?"

"For you," the clerk says, "No Charge"

A discussion regarding neutrons here.  Isaac and I had a discussion yesterday about particles and the Large Hadron Collider.  However, the collider accerlates and collides protons not neutrons (at 99.99% the speed of light).  It also makes for a cool T-Shirt, thanks Mom.

Happy Birthday (yesterday) Michael

I was thinking you might enjoy a day at the Sustainable Living Roadshow in Austin.  I know I would.

Looks like they even have a children's section sponsored by Greater Austin Garbage Art.

Happy Birthday Michael!

Boondock RVing

I'm not sure we're ready to totally give into the nomadic lifestyle; however, seeing the country from an RV or, maybe more appropriate in our case, a pop-up trailer, sounds compelling.

MIT: Street-Fighting Mathematics

This online course hopes to teach quick problem solving and estimating skills.  Although this one seems to require a bit of calculus knowledge, perhaps it can be adapted to help the kids learn an innovative method for solving problems.  Plus another example of free course work available from the United States' most prestigious universities.

Here's the ambitious course description

This course teaches the art of guessing results and solving problems without doing a proof or an exact calculation. Techniques include extreme-cases reasoning, dimensional analysis, successive approximation, discretization, generalization, and pictorial analysis. Applications include mental calculation, solid geometry, musical intervals, logarithms, integration, infinite series, solitaire, and differential equations. (No epsilons or deltas are harmed by taking this course.)

Photo-Sensitive Pumpkin

This article demonstrates an LED circuit for a pumpkin which contains a photo transistor to detect the ambient light level, and turn the LED off during the day time.

Sounds like a good weekend project after a visit to the local pumpkin patch.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVER!

What a grand day! We celebrate the birthday of my beautiful Lover.
In my culture we sing a traditional morning birthday song called "Las Mananitas." It is truly a great day to sing and honor my gorgeous hubbie.
http://gomexico.about.com/od/historyculture/qt/mananitas.htm


Las Mañanitas Lyrics:
Estas son las mañanitas, que cantaba el Rey David,
Hoy por ser día de tu santo, te las cantamos a ti,
Despierta, mi bien, despierta, mira que ya amaneció,
Ya los pajarillos cantan, la luna ya se metió.

Que linda está la mañana en que vengo a saludarte,
Venimos todos con gusto y placer a felicitarte,
Ya viene amaneciendo,
ya la luz del día nos dio,Levántate de mañana, mira que ya amaneció.

Translation:
This is the morning song that King David sang
Because today is your saint's day we're singing it for you
Wake up, my dear, wake up, look it is already dawn
The birds are already singing and the moon has set
How lovely is the morning in which I come to greet you
We all came with joy and pleasure to congratulate you
The morning is coming now, the sun is giving us its light
Get up in the morning, look it is already dawn.

Wishing you a fantastic birthday parade Lover! Hope your week is filled with love, laughter, happiness, family, friends, and CAKE! We will celebrate in full birthday party mode when Isaac comes home!

Te Amo Birthday Boy!
;) Denise

Dream Captcha

Wondering if you guys would get this one? Makes me laugh anyway.

Also an oddly appropriate quote for the day.

Let me advise thee not to talk of thyself as being old. There is something in Mind Cure, after all, and if thee continually talks of thyself as being old, thee may perhaps bring on some of the infirmities of age. At least I would not risk it if I were thee. Hannah Whitall Smith

The Art Of Flag Pulling

Isaac had a breakout game this weekend in flag football.  After a weekend full of defensive practice with his Dad and the neighborhood kids; he made 6 tackles, including one for a game deciding safety.  

Here's the rest of the set.

These pictures are not mine, but taken by Isaac's mother.  Thank you Grandpa Jim for forwarding them to our attention.  Otherwise, you would be stuck with a boring text description.

Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho

View Larger Map

Here's a version of this "slave spiritual" from Roger McGuinn's Folk Den.

I didn't realize that Jericho is believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.  Study of the ruins of Jericho combined with carbon dating have confirmed the timeline, around 1550 BC, for the Biblical account of Jericho and Joshua.

From the map you can see how Jericho's strategic position near the Dead Sea and the Jordan River made it an important city in the ancient world.

Adroid: Mobile Phone Development

Maybe the next wave of software development.  Seems like an interesting new skill to learn for an emerging market with a strong open-source platform supported by Google.

DIY: Guitar Amps from Kids

This site illustrates examples of kids making there own string instruments and amplifiers.

Star Wars Pumpkins

Interesting pumpkin ideas.

Lost Tooth and New Football Season

Many thanks to Dad for providing information and a link to Isaac's mother's photo stream.  Thanks to this information, we all get to see great pictures of the awesome football player and kid.  Here's a link to the whole set.

Isaac's first game was Sunday.  Amazing the difference a year makes; he made several tackles, and is looking much more confident when running the ball.

I also understand, but haven't heard it (or seen it, as it may be) from the horses mouth, that Isaac lost a tooth yesterday.  Great stuff!!

Electron Microscope Images

Check out these images of everyday objects as seen through the electronic microscope at the University of Hawaii.

The image is one a a neuron.  While this neuron is one from a crab and grown in a petri dish, the neurons in your body conduct chemical signals from the brain to your body.

There are many common human disorders affecting the neuronic or nervous system; including; Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Economic Crisis? September 24, 2008

Here is the text from the President's speech last night regarding the economic bailout plan of Wall Street.

A quote from Republican Congressman Mike Pence from Indiana.

I must tell you, there are those in the public debate who have said that we must act now. The last time I heard that, I was on a used-car lot.  The truth is, every time somebody tells you that you've got to do the deal right now, it usually means they're going to get the better part of the deal.  source

I had a discussion at a party recently regarding many of the economic theories being thrown around in the discussion over the economy.  I thought it might prove useful reading for a review.

• Socialism
  
• Communism
  
• Capitalism
  

After reading through these economic theories, it seems apparent that no system can follow a rigid school of economic thought.  Instead most, including the President's proposed government bailout of Wall Street Capitalism, require a blended approach.

Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

 I needed a bit of review of my anatomy on this subject.  This picture seems to best illustrate the condition.

Terms to know regarding the clinical presentation of bilateral cleft lip and palate:

• Bifid Uvula
  
• Notching of the hard palate
  

Hope you're feeling better soon Hannah!

Goodwill Online Auction Site

Do you know anybody who enjoys sifting through endless racks of Goodwill items?  I do!  Here's an online auction site for Goodwill.  

The possibilities seem endless.  There's even stories of people making a living flipping these items on EBay.

More Games and a Quote

A new javascript game emulation, this time space invaders.

Also a reminder that we cannot be content with our father's or grandfather's (or mother's) accomplishments.  Eventually, we must make our own future.

You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.  Irish Proverb

Hurricane Ike from Space

Strange to see a storm which passed so close to your home from the International Space Station.

Here's more high resolution images.

Happy Birthday Brian

Happy Birthday Brian, you are certainly full of mystery and fun.  We love you!

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.  Albert Einstein

Comprehensive Anticipatory Design Science

This is what Buckminster Fuller called his problem solving approach for complex problems.  This approach, 

...combined an emphasis on individual initiative and integrity with whole systems thinking, scientific rigor and faithful reliance on nature's underlying principles. The designs he is best known for (the geodesic dome, the Dymaxion house, car, and map, and the global electric grid) were part of a visionary strategy to redesign the inter-related systems of shelter, transportation and energy.

The web site is one for an annual eco-design challenge in his name.

We have certainly supported and partaken in holistic medicine, however an emphasis on holistic design still seems revolutionary.

Electronic Music Show In Austin

Interesting music show in Austin this weekend.  BleepLabs also have a cool looking photo-synthesizer device (you can even run the guitar through it).

Speak Like a Pirate Day: Quote

Today is 'International Speak Like a Pirate Day'.  I must give my favorite quote from the modern day pirate singer, Jimmy Buffett.

Haul the sheet in as we ride on the wind 
That our forefathers harnessed before us 
Hear the bells ring as the tight rigging sings 
It's a son of a gun of a chorus 

Son of a Sailor

Arrrgh!

Another Javascript PacMan Game

No doubt when the developers of today grew up is it.  This one is a little more realistic.

New Dictionary Site

Here's a new dictionary site called Wordia.  They let users upload videos of their own definitions of the words (right now, most of the videos are of British people - practice your Monty Python accent).  Definately makes for some interesting posts.

Monty Python aside:

Oh, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you.  Dennis

Sorry; anyway, here's the word of the day for today, tantamount.

Happy Friday!

Free Stanford Computer Science and Robotics Courses

These courses look interesting, and a good way to elaborate on a self-taught fascination.

Post-Ike Quote of the Day

All is well here in the land of the Pears.  We've discovered many things during this storm and its aftermath; however, one amazing realization is how a difficulty brings a community together.  We've met and 'raised a glass' with so many neighbors during the last several days.  It is amazing what being forced to eat dinner on your front lawn does for the community.

On that note several quotes for today.

The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum. Frances Willard

'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.  Abraham Lincoln

Go meet your neighbors.

Never Forget ... 9-11-01

Nice Weekend For an Austin Trip

I took this screen print from a program which lays the hurricane path over Google Maps.  This shows the project path on 9/11/08 at 0900, the orange dot is our home in Pearland.

Seems like a good time for a trip to the hill country.  Know of any festivals going on?

Large Hadron Collider

Lots of stories about this today, and no black holes.

Here's the link to the cool T-Shirt.

Better Together

This song just made me think of my love and my son.  Always better together 100%.

Building a Row Boat

Sounds fun and interesting.  Not sure how far off-shore I want to trust a homemade boat?

Hurricanes From Space

These incredible pictures were taken from space.  They show various hurricanes.

This picture of Hurricane Felix was taken from the International Space Station.

Political / Environmental Commentary

Just wanted to post a short note regarding the absurd shouts heard from the Republican National Convention last week of "Drill Baby Drill."  There are many commentaries regarding this ridiculous shout available; however, I just wanted to make one connection.

Notice the similarity from the GOP mob to the 1965 LA Watts Riots, "Burn, Baby, Burn."  Holy Smokes, it's enough to make you want to pack up the family and go be a goat farmer somewhere in Mexico.  

But perhaps that would be burying our heads in the sand.  Instead, lets PLEASE encourage our babies to invent, baby, invent.

Lance Sighting

We miss Lance in the Tour De France.

Saw this yesterday, but hesitated to comment on gossip.  However, I guess this NY Times report may give it more credence.

JavaScript PacMan Game

Another one for Isaac to test!

Smiling Jesus

As noted, we love pictures of smiling people.  Check out this artist's rendition of a popular theme.

Monday Quote of the Day

Found this quote in my Monday reading.  It seems especially resonate after a beautiful weekend with my family.  Must check out this writer.  Careful!  'We are dangerous!"

We are dangerous. We are daring and immortal. Fog whips up from under the cliffs and billows over the highway. Blue breaks from beyond the fog and sun suddenly screams from the blue.

Hulu: Try This Service With Family

Hulu is a new service which streams TV shows and Movies online.  I haven't looked at it, but wanted to give it a go later.

Haptic Internet

We had earlier discussed haptic devices, those which deal with kinesthetic touch.  Here's a brief interview with Vint Cerf, often called the father of the Internet, where he discusses haptic devices using a network.  

Notice when he discusses the concept of 'telepresence', or being in more than one place at a time.  Fascinating stuff!

I expect to see much more interesting interactions, including the possibility of haptic interactions - touch. Not just touch screens, but the ability to remotely interact with things. Little robots, for example, that are instantiations of you, and are remotely operated, giving you what is called telepresence. It's a step well beyond the kind of video telepresence we are accustomed to seeing today.

This image of little robots is different from the typical autonomous robot you see in the AI world. They could be sitting in a conference room, representing me -- not autonomously, but allowing me to be in more than one place at the same time. They can move around, interact with things, talk to people, see like everyone else can.

Looking Forward to Science Fairs: Sundial Robot

We had an outstanding visit to Isaac's school last night.  The new program he's in seems to put a huge emphasis on problem solving and creative thinking.  

BTW: I'm not sure how he qualified to be in this program, I don't believe they tested him or anything.  Maybe he was referred from his last teacher?  I'll have to ask his current instructor during a meeting.

However, it happened, it will be an excellent opportunity.  Even UIL problem solving competitions and a mandatory science fair.

While we have already built a few robots worthy of a science fair, here's a sundial robot made from the Lego's Mindstorm kit.  Although this one involves programming trigonometric functions, maybe we can modify the design slightly for Isaac's level.

History Versus Bedtime

A recent discussion sparked my interest regarding the question of learning and education. My example, when should academic preparedness (was more specifically 1 hour of bedtime) be sacrificed for the thirst for knowledge and history?

I guess another question arises, which event is worthy of this sacrifice? A baseball game, a meeting with a friend, an impromtu science experiment, a political speech??

Certainly a difficult question. While academics are certainly important, my hope is that learning never stops. We are destined to spend more of our lives outside of the classroom than in it.

As a homework assignment for life, we watched this incredible lecture this weekend. Though, just over an hour in length, I would highly recommend it. Brick walls are not put in our path to stop us, but to make us work harder.

The Golden Rule of Personal Selling

I have spent some of my day studying "The Golden Rule of Personal Selling." As some of you may or may not know....I decided to further my studies to enhance my sales capabilities. My chapter of study today revolves around an interesting topic that is very familiar.

The author's definition of The Golden Rule of Personal Selling: “The Golden Rule of Personal Selling refers to the sales philosophy of unselfishly treating others as you would like to be treated.”

The author also included several "world" examples of the above concept. Take a look:

1) "This is the sum of duty; do naught unto others what you would have them do to you." - Hindu Mahabharata 5:1517
2)"Do not do to others what you would not like yourself." - Confucius Analects 12:2
3)"Hurt not others in the way you yourself would find hurtful." - The Buddhist Udana Varga 5:1
4)"That which is hateful to you do not do unto your neighbor. The rest is commentary." - Rabbi Hillel
5)"Do to others as you would have them do to you." - The Christian Bible Matthew 7:12

Interesting enough, all the passages above must be carefully interpreted in BOTH personal and professional relationships. It is easy to say ....do for ME, and then I will do for YOU. Reciprocity is not the "Golden Rule" concept and should not be our main focus. Funny how something you learn as a child can be linked to so many areas of one's life.

Family & Friends...be happy, be positive, be thoughtful, and wish well to others.....even customers. :)

Love to you all,

Denise

Friday Quotes of the Day

First a quote from a speech we heard yesterday. Isaac stayed up a little later to witness history, and observed some parts directed at him specifically.

The life of a tall, gangly, self-made Springfield lawyer tells us that a different future is possible. He tells us that there is power in words. He tells us that there is power in conviction. That beneath all the differences of race and region, faith and station, we are one people. He tells us that there is power in hope.

One of my favorite quotes in another iteration.

Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. Dr. Laura Schlessinger

Happy Friday

New Physics Game: Fantastic Contraption

I haven't had an opportunity to try this Fantastic Contraption out yet, but it looks like another physics/mechanical game. It sounds similar to the Crayola Physics game, which was certainly a hit in our house.

Happy Birthday Nancy!: Friday Game

Happy Birthday Nancy, we wish you a wonderful Birthday parade. I found a quote of the day which reminded me of your experiences lately. Wouldn't it be nice (or maybe boring) if it were completely true.

It is only the first step that is difficult.
Marie De Vichy-Chaconne

Didn't you always want to play video games on your birthday? Here's an interesting
one to challenge your spacial awareness.

Word of the Day: Haptic

I should have known this one given my kinesiology background, but it was a new word for me. A haptic device in one which provides tactile and kinaesthetic feedback.

These scientists in Japan are working on a haptic device which provides extra-sensory feedback through a laser whisker system. Proposed applications include visual prosthetics for the blind and extra-sensory awareness systems for working in hazardous conditions or even driving.

Spider Web Art

After successfully working through several problems during a project at work, this site made a perfect diversion. Art is everywhere.

Denise's Birthday Run

We recently completed the 'Run 4 Cover' 5K race in honor of Denise's Birthday. It also served as Isaac's inaugural race, covering 1K.

In addition to having a fantastic time celebrating Denise, our family had a very successful run. Isaac was the first boy finisher, making a dramatic finishing kick passing two more experienced boys at the finish line. Likewise, Denise won a prize for completing the distance towards the top of her own experience level.

As it may also be noticeable in the post-race pictures, we also celebrated a Gulf-Coast morning heat wave.

Happy Birthday Denise!

Quote of the Day

This quote give an extremely tall order, which sounds very familiar.

Say little, and love much; give all; judge no man; aspire to all that is pure
and good. White Eagle

X-Files Movie: 10 Best X-Files Monsters

Some in my house are anxiously awaiting the X-Files Movie. Here's a post of the 10 best monsters.

Some include:

10. The Artificial Intelligence in Kill Switch
9. The Chameleon-like Forest Creatures in Detour
8. The Jersey Devil in Jersey Devil
1. The Cigarette Smoking Man

DIY: GPS Data

This article explains making a device which would caputure GPS data and sync with a laptop. Sounds like a fun project, but maybe easier to use the cell phone to capture the coordinates.

Make Austin Wierd

Thought you guys would appreciate this. Looks like the next Maker fair in Austin is scheduled for October 18th.

Also wishing happy travels to the Broughs, vaya con Dios. I'm sure you guys will bring plenty of "weirdness" to China with you. I hear they're even getting "green" for your arrival.

StumbleAudio

Interesting new site to try out. Looks a little like Pandora for Indie music.

Zen Masters and Hot Dogs

Did you hear about the the Zen master who ordered a hot dog? He asked for one with everything.

We heard this joke in a movie last night. Denise will use it today in a big presentation regarding, "One Container Business" and the synergies between the sister companies.

Never bad to start off with a joke; but, even better to have one which proves your point. Good luck Babe!

Summer Night Sounds

This short animation brings back many summer memories. The combination of fire flies and locus sounds are fantastic. We don't seem to have many fire flies on the coastal prairie, we'll have to go search for them for a summer get-a-way.

We Seek Connections

We've been searching recently for tandem bicycles. However, we've pretty much discovered that a three person tandem bike (without going broke) might require some "do it yourself" development. Here's a good start!

But why does a tandem seem so appealing? I think because we seek connectivity.

When we seek for connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other. Margaret Wheatley

BTW - Good luck to the Brough's when constructing your 6 person tandem. We'll certainly contribute design advise.

Yosemite Extreme Panoramic Imaging Project

Wow! This site is an amazing utilization of HD photography. Check out this panoramic shot of Yosemite's Half Dome. You can zoom in and search for the climbers. Amazing stuff.

Here's the site for the company producing the pictures.

DIY: Piezo-Electric Pick-Up

Here is a review of articles on how to build your own guitar pick-up from inexpensive parts which can be purchased at Radio Shack. While we can certainly build one to amplify the acoustic guitar, they will also work on any homemade stringed instrument.

Another illustrated article with instructions.

JavaScript Look Alike of Old School Video Games

An interesting link for the kids, or for some reflection on old school games much before Guitar Hero.

Soccer on the Beach

Denise and I had an opportunity to play soccer on the beach this weekend with a group of foreign exchange students from France. Although they probably didn't appreciate the soccer tactics of a bunch of rugby players, it was a great time.

This quote reminded me of the experience.

All sanity depends on this: that it should be a delight to feel heat strike the
skin, a delight to stand upright, knowing the bones are moving easily under the
flesh.
Doris Lessing

DIY: Water Rockets From Coke Bottles

Cool post. This might make a nice accessory to the potato cannon.