Easter Eggs: Hen and Chicks

Looks like a fun idea for egg decorating. The beaks are made from carrots, and the eyes are black olives.

Birthday: Melon Death Star

How about this for Isaac's birthday cake? I understand its not officially a "cake," but the kids would have fun creating their own Death Star.

Missing Isaac by the way; while he's off vacationing in Mexico. Can't wait to give him a hug.

Quote: Anxiety

"Anxiety is nothing but repeatedly re-experiencing failure in advance. What a waste." Seth Godin

Be Cool!

Games: Paper Cannon

Flash game Paper Cannon.

Downtown: Luxurious Accomodations

This site, Downhill Both Ways, has a great collection of essays about everyday life. This one seems especially interesting, and makes me reflect on travel through my own downtown (the bit about the bibles is not the important part, it just adds to the irony).

Should the royalty come down to visit the commoners, they should not be embarrassed to sit on their floor.

Calligraphy: Art For Faith

This one is for the girl who has the best handwriting that I know (but I still encourage you to keep practicing your typing). Also take a look at the gallery.

Study: HeadMagnet

This site lets you create your own study flash cards. It will test forwards and backwards, then ask the questions again that you might have missed. I need to try this out on the boring task of memorizing state capitals with my more than willing (and cute) Guinea Pig.

Biking: Google Maps Adds Bike Directions

This service is in beta right now; but I see Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Here are the directions from our home to my downtown office in Houston (admittedly, not a very bike friendly trip). It looks like it takes bike trails when available, and attempts to keep you off the freeway.

Pictures: Go Texan Day 2010

This is how we roll "Go Texan Day." We like some sand between our toes, and guitar around the camp fire.

Garden: Homemade Tomato Germination

The weekend project Sunday was making homemade pots from newspaper for germinating tomato seeds (used the technique described in this article). We had a great time washing our hands in the clean earth.

Used a soup can as our template.



Cut strips of newspaper for the pot.

Fill with dirt and tiny little tomato seeds.


Water. And Water.


Waiting for growth in the box.


Not sure if anything will grow, but lots of fun!

Productivity: Five Minutes of Brilliance

I completely agree with this article by Seth Godin, articulating that brilliant ideas do not necessarily take a lot of time. The working world should get better at measuring productivity by the amount or quality or brilliance of work done, not the volume of hours worked.

Also a book list for linchpins from Mr. Godin.

Education: Lizard Brain Memorizes States and Capitals

Isaac has spent the entire quarter in school memorizing all the US states and capitals. In a few weeks, given a black sheet of paper, he will be able to write from memory all 50 states and capitals (spelled, for the most part, correctly).

My question is, what has been sacrificed in order to commit this to memory. The ongoing assignment has taken the place of regular spelling and vocabulary study.

This reminds me of Seth Godin's frequent references to the lizard brain. The lizard brain tells us to go slow and be cautious. It tells us to memorize because every single other child is told to memorize this set of data.

However, what problems does this help us solve? How does it spark creativity and revolutionary thinking patterns?

Games: Steambirds

Flash game with dog fighting airplanes.

Thursday Reading: Mazes and Labyrinths

Questions for the young student regarding this article.

1. What are some of the societies who created mazes?
2. Who is the Minotaur?
3. What are some of the reasons people built mazes?
4. What is an enigma, what does an enigma have to do with Mazes and Labyrinths?

Video: Trans-Siberian Railway and Google Maps

An amazing interactive application which blends Google Maps of the Trans-Siberian railway with YouTube and various audio clips. You can listen to Russian literature and music along the way.

Cooking: Apple Fritters

I think Isaac may require some additional cooking practice this weekend.

Star Wars: Darth Vadar A Cat Person

image via The Official Star Wars Blog.

Time: Chilean Earthquake Shortens Days

This article on MSNBC suggests that the recent earthquake in Chili may have shifted the Earth's axis enough to shorten the length of a day. This has happened before with large quakes, this time shortening the day by 1.26 milliseconds.

Brains: Teen Aged Brain

From NPR: A neuroscientist figures out why teenagers seem to have a poor concept of cause and effect. Turns out the frontal lobe is not fully connected. The nerve cell connecting the frontal lobe has not developed sufficient myelin coating. This makes the connections between cause and effect slower.

Running: 2012 US Marathon Trials In Houston

We have watched several course records broken during the last few years in the Houston Marathon. In preparation for the 2012 Summer Olympics, USA Track and Field have decided to let Houston host the marathon and half marathon team trials.

Bet they don't slow down on that hill you have to go up right before the Galleria like we did a couple of years ago. However, I imagine they won't play a rugby match the day before either.

Games: Planetary Physics

Adjust the mass, velocity and position of the planets in your solar system. Play with the presets for cool options (I enjoyed the 4 star ballet). Sometimes they crash. Cool Stuff!

Thursday Reading: Cassini Mission Extended

Great web design in this feature on BoingBoing regarding the Cassini Mission to Saturn.

Questions for the student:

1. What do they mean by "space-kumbayas"?
2. How is information transmitted to Earth?
3. What is Titan's little secret?
4. What does a space voyage to Saturn have to do with alternative energy?

Cooking: Pot Roast

We had so much fun with Pioneer Woman's dessert recipe how about another one? We do love a good and spicy pot roast.

Video: Austin Snow Skiing at the Capital

Snow skiing in Austin from the local Fox broadcast.

Games: Alphabet Shoot

Interesting flash physics game.

Learning: Ace the Test Without Studying

Not sure how all of these ideas translate; but, interesting article about hacking the learning process. Talks about mapping facts and even numbers to other parts of your brain. Here's the author's website. Worth subscribing to the RSS feed for a few months.

Pictures: Space Guitar

Check out astronaut Stevie "Ray" Robinson on-board the international space station in the new viewing addition called Cupola. Perhaps the most interesting part of this is that the astronaut is writing Twitter posts from space.

Pictures: Rugby January 2010

A few pictures of the rugby game in January. Isaac and his merry band of brothers getting dirty, and a fit looking #5 (don't you think?)

Pictures: Apple Dumplings

Just had to upload this set quickly. We tried Pioneer Woman's Apple Dumpling recepie with great success. Peace! Out!

Cooking: Apple Dumplings

Must try this one with Isaac.

Football: Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex

Just found out that Round Rock ISD has decided to name their district football stadium after my high school football coach Kelly Reeves.

Business: Who Gets Your Attention

This article from Seth Godin describes which customers might be most beneficial to shower with your limited attention.

However, I can see the principal being applied in many areas. As consumers, we should also realize which behaviors may merit additional courtesies from our service providers.

On a note regarding service providers, do public teachers count as service providers? I think they should. I will keep Mr. Godin's attention principal in mind so that I can be an attractive customer to attract extra services.

Thursday Reading: Program to Graduate Early

This article describes a pilot program being tested by several states to allow high school sophomores to take a graduation test. If they pass, they will get their diploma early and finish their 2 remaining years taking community college classes.

Seems like a promising program for aspiring students. I guess the negative side effects, if any, would be social programming.

Video: Sign Language

Love your job. No matter what your job happens to be, there are positives.

Development: Money Exchange

This is a copy of the suggestion I sent to the management of my own company. Looks like an interesting development idea good for both the merchant (less costs) and the customer (more security).

I read an article last night, while waiting for rugby practice, in Wired Magazine regarding the changing face of money exchange (can’t find it posted online yet). It seemed an interesting development challenge/opportunity to address comments I’ve heard in our office discussing regarding credit card transactions.

It seems that Paypal has done a great deal of work to open their transaction system up to third party developers, looks like they call it “Paypal X”. The article mentioned that this system was gaining popularity even with larger companies not only with their customer interactions, but also business to business transactions. Because of increased efficiencies in the Paypal system, merchants are paying only 1/3rd of the prices previously given to credit cards; of course leaving more profit to the merchant.

Pictures: Inside Everyday Stuff

Take a look at these photos of everyday stuff from the inside. It's a flash application so I can't put any pictures, but the one of the frog is very cool.

Art: Staple Art

I believe the artists refer to this as an example of positive and negative space (I think?). Great ideas for projection art!

Climate: What If It's a Hoax

From the Empress of Dirt site. What if it's a hoax? Even if I only practice some environmental practices for self serving means, they are still beneficial to my pack.

Speaking Points: Super Bowl or Olympic Medal

After asking Isaac the question regarding a favorite song for a space wake-up call on the phone last night, I confirmed by belief in the value of complex speaking points for valuable conversation.

This is a widespread concept used when interviewing, never ask simple "Yes or No" questions. Instead ask more complex questions which challenge the speaker to concentrate and evaluate his response.

I've added another criteria to my engagement speaking points for Isaac:

• No Yes or No questions (Did you have a good day in school today)
• No questions which can potentially be responded to with "good" (How was school today?)

The speaking point question for today comes from the sports world. Is it better to win the Super Bowl or an Olympic Gold Medal? After watching the Canadian win the Gold Medal in his home country last night, I would have to vote for that scenario.

Music: Space Shuttle Wake-Up Call

According to GeekDad, this song was played for Bob Behnken on-board the space shuttle Endeavor this morning.

Wonder what song you would choose as your wake-up call while in space? Pink Floyd seems appropriate to me; however, I don't think I could resist the temptation of hearing Jimmy Buffett (Maybe a little Grapefruit Juicy-fruit) while hurtling through space.

Quotes: Howard Zinn

Thanks to Michael for reminding me of this (congratulations Michael by the way).

Howard Zinn died Wednesday, to show his broad appeal here are obituaries from the NY Times, and Eddie Vedder.

Howard Zinn has been the inspiration behind many commentaries on this site regarding pacificism. However, here is a quote which dovetails nicely with thoughts expressed about Seth Godin's Linchpin.

I'm worried that students will take their obedient place in society and look to become successful cogs in the wheel - let the wheel spin them around as it wants without taking a look at what they're doing. I'm concerned that students not become passive acceptors of the official doctrine that's handed down to them from the White House, the media, textbooks, teachers and preachers. Howard Zinn 1922-2010

Valentine's Day: Song For Our Amor

Isaac and I celebrated Valentine's Day early over the weekend, singing Denise a mash-up of songs with the ukulele. The main song was 1,2,3,4 by the Plain White T's. We mashed a verse of "Hey Soul Sister" by Train into it by transposing the chords of D - A - Bm - A (- G for the chorus).

Great stuff! And a fitting set of songs for our Amor, Denise! Maybe we'll get a recording of our version one of these days.

Happy Valentine's Day my Lover.

Development: Small Basic - Beginning Programming

Just found this beginning programming language from Microsoft called Small Basic. Looks like you can follow the directions on the PDF that comes with the download pretty easily.

There's only 15 keywords, so a good way to learn concepts such as branching, loops, and arrays. You can also publish programs to the web, and embed them in your websites. Also lots of graphical methods for entertainment.

Video: International Space Station Tour

Tour of the International Space Station. Amazing how much they make it seem like a regular office (as much as possible at over 170 miles), "...and here's Charlie!" It seems like the space station is attached at the time, so you can see inside of that as well.

Math: Visual Math Proofs

Here is the next in the series from Stever Strogatz regarding math exploration. He discusses some visual mathematics.

I found myself teaching Isaac to be a good test taker this weekend; however, the same techniques do not necessarily transfer into being an effective problem solver. I ordered several books from the article to maybe point us toward more creative solutions.

His example is solving the sum of consecutive integers. The solution can be seen in the expression n*(n+1)/2. The graphical proof is much more interesting though.

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Convertion: Convert YouTube to MP4

Looks like an interesting service to get YouTube videos on the Zune.

from LifeHacker.

Video: Stop Motion Goodness

Must give this stop motion a try. This one is very cool!

Video: Who's On First

Inspiration: Sieze the Day

Inspiration from a poet and cancer patient.
use caution with the children, this is a poetry slam, and the poet is emphatic regarding her thoughts of "carpe diem"

Business: Cost, Margin, Price

I need to make time to read this e-book from Todd Sattersten discussing lessons about flexible pricing options. Reminds me of the initiative to gain your business degree online instead of in the business school. He has a blog as well.

Teaching: Hunters and Farmers

This article from Seth Godin makes a great distinction between hunters and farmers. The different types of people should be acknowledged when marketing, hiring, and teaching.

He points out that, "that medicating kids who might be better at hunting so that they can sit quietly in a school designed to teach farming doesn't make a lot of sense."

Diversity is what makes the world interesting, maybe we just need to learn how to appreciate and gear our message.

Exercise: Target Zone Training

Article from NPR this morning discussing Target Heart Rate Zone training. Interesting point at about 5 minutes discussing the impact on the brain (pre-frontal cortex) for target heart rate training (even in children).

Science Fair: Paper Airplanes to Learn Flight

This page is a pointer from Make Magazine to paper airplane instructionals. Need to brush up on the lift, drag, thrust, and gravity.

Pictures: Night At The Gallery

For our weekend's culture, we went to Tia Marie's Gallery opening. You can see her and Isaac standing in front of her work which includes an interesting study of the old Maxwell Coffee building in Houston.

We finished the evening at an old looking diner with Abuela, where we walked in on a bluegrass concert. Feeling extremely cultural indeed!

Thursday Reading: 2010 State of the Union Address

Don't think we'll make it through all of this, but we'll read parts of it.

Pictures: Big Bend 2009

Remarkable trip to Big Bend after Christmas. Our initial inspiration was Isaac's national park assignment for next semester.

The mountains were breath taking. Even Denise and my legs were burning on the long way down after a 10 mile hike, Isaac was jumping down the trail like a billy goat.

We may have broke the vacation picture rules about taking too many shots of the same subject, but the mountains were amazing! Can't wait to go back for a longer stay.

Reading: Nebula Award Nominations On Tor

A list of potential award fantasy fiction published by Tor.com throughout 2009. Could make for interesting reading.

Pictures: Sound Project With Grandpa Jim

Good pictures of the kids for Grandpa Jim's visit on Christmas. We made a sound device from a kit, complete with plug for the amp. It worked great to wake everyone up from their naps when we were finished.

Linchpin: What Matters?

Here's another one from Linchpin. He says our work is our are, and the obvious enemy is the status quo. Godin encourages us to be a creative genius again, like we were when we were children. Make connections and combination, say surprising things, be original, and engage your audience.

Strong Stuff!

Linchpin: What Matters?

School: Don't Feed The Lizzard Brain

More thoughts from Seth Godin and his new book Linchpin. Here's a poster he put on Scribd. I suppose we are feeding into this scam with Isaac; however, I'm not sure how else to go about it outside of encouraging curiosity and creativity whenever possible.

Linchpin: School Is A Scam

Pictures: Christmas Eve 2009

Christmas cookies and some "Fire Power". You must check out "Night at the Smithsonian". We had fun with the "Fire Power" this Christmas for sure.

Pictures: Rugby January 2010

I love to see Isaac at the rugby matches. He always seem to hook up with friends, and this time they even played a game. Of course, nobody there is afraid of getting dirty!

Blogs: Informal Economy

Check out this blog, stealth of nations. Writer Robert Neuwirth discusses global "informal economies." It is the market of street vendors and other undocumented businesses.

The blog reminds me of a local vendor I call "preacher man" (mostly because he performs thousands of street-side blessings each day). I told the preacher I didn't care to donate to his charity; however, I would be more than happy to purchase his product (candy bars in this case). I suppose this is a small piece of the informal economy at work here in H-Town.

This informal economy of Neuwirth's was also the inspiration behind the 3D printer shanty town in Cory Doctorow's book, Maker's. Cory's implementation suggests that while economic disaster sometimes brings depression, it will also nurture creativity.

Games: Snakebox

Snake game in 3 dimensions. Should work for a study break. Suggested by Woot.com.

Gardens: Make Your Own Germinating Pots

This web site explains how to make your own germinating pots for spring planting. The roots will grow through the newspaper while growing in the garden. Mid March to early April is the time to begin the process if germinating your own seeds.

Running: Born To Run

Just read the book by Christopher McDougall, Born To Run. He basically tells the theory that humans survived evolution, due to their ability to run long distances. While never the fastest mammal, they did have the ability to run the longest distances.

This article in Scientific American supports this theory in their discussion regarding the reason humans did not develop hair, like other mammals. If you are going to be a long distance runner, you need a better method to dissipate body heat. The book discusses this combination of traits, along with others, allowing early humans the ability to literally run the hooves off an antelope.

A great book, which also discusses alternative injury free running techniques. It inspired us to study our evolutionary history, and run for the joy of running, and because we were "born to run," not sit on the couch.

Mobile App: iSites IPhone App Publisher

This online application will let you design an app for iPhone and Adroid primarily using RSS feeds. While its not extremely functional, just an RSS reader, it could get the boss an quick iPhone app he's been looking for.

Luckily, I built an RSS feed into the Harris County Case of the Month application so that we could use it in the future. A quick fix to include News and other articles from the marketing department might do the trick.

Otherwise, I'm trying to talk him into spending time building a mobile website instead of an app. Thin client is the way of the future - onward to the browser OS.

Music: The Low Anthem

Tiny Desk Concert on NPR. Love the beginning song with the high harmony, contrast with the stand-up bass. Also great effects from a small, live concert (even using cell phones). What is that instrument in the beginning of song #2? Soprano baritone?
Careful for slight language in #2 song.

Science Fair: Laser Light Show

I think we could adapt this set-up to use our new Lego kit. It has a motor that would work nicely.

WIFI: Free WIFI starts today at McDonald's

For our lovable traveling sales person. The ability to connect at any McDonald's for free might work almost as good as a 3G internet connection on the phone. Now if only we can pass on the fries.

Thursday Reading: Haiti Earthquake

In light of current events in Haiti, changing the reading assignment to Haiti's earthquake. Interesting story in Time, whether the earthquake could have been predicted.

Search: Google Makes You Smart?

This is one of my favorite sayings. This article from Nicholas Carr has me conflicted, because he questions how smart fast, accurate search algorithms actually make you.

For most day to day functions, a Google search can find almost any answer. However, original knowledge cannot be obtained through search. Carr says truth only comes from hard work and knowing.

Truth is self-created through labor, through the hard, inefficient, unscripted work of the mind, through the indirection of dream and reverie. What matters is what cannot be rendered as code. Google can give you everything but meaning.

Thursday Reading: Anabolic Steroid Use In Teenagers

Is it too soon to have a discussion with Isaac about anabolic steroid use? After the rage that was pee-wee football last season, I don't think believe it is.

The recent Mark McGwire admission seems to present a good time in the media attention cycle to begin a discussion. This article is from a Hospital Group and discussed the pressures for a teen to be faster and stronger.

Quotes: Be Ferocious

I love this quote. It works great for the rugby pitch as well as in business. I wanted to express this to the boys on my team, the difference between a friendly and a cup match is the level of ferocity.

"Play by the rules, but be ferocious." Phil Knight

Typing: A Simple Typing Application

This one is for Isaac to try out. There are much more advanced typing applications available, but this one does not require any registration (just begin typing). It has simple and advanced modes.

Music: Adam Arcuragi

I've been looking for some good new music for Christmas music gift certificates. This one seems promising. Oh dear, may need to look for a mandolin on Ebay lover (whole new set of chords too, but it does sound cool).



Here's one of the best one's from the album. "Bottom of the River"

Cats: Big Cat Pictures

We certainly don't have enough cat references on this site. Here's a site with big cat pictures and information.

I chose the puma picture because they were supposed to be in Big Bend when we went hiking. However, the only chance we had to see one was in the museum (probably better that way). Pictures of the Big Bend adventures coming in the future.

Thursday Reading: From a New Fantasy Website

A short story from a new fantasy website, Realms of Fantasy. Not really an inspirational story, but perhaps an effort at a parable.

Is it so difficult to see your true love when they appear? I'm glad I did. However, beware of the prophet.

Sales: Hand to Hand Sales Tactics

Thought Denise might be interested in these hand-to-hand sales tactics. It says you have to love cold calling. She does, and that's one reason she's awesome at that job, and why I would be terrible.

Most of these are technology based, but I think there are cross-over points.

Reading: GeekDad Reading List

GeekDad put out a kid's books of the decade list. Looks like various ages, but certainly a slant towards fantasy and science fiction.

Also quote of the day from George Washington. "Better to offer no excuse than a bad one." Seems true for many things; from telling your parents how the hole managed to find its way into the wall, to telling your customer how you mishandled their order.

Music: Norah Jones Album

Denise has enjoyed the previous Norah Jones albums, here is the All Songs Considered interview on The World Cafe. Personally, it doesn't seem to have the same groove to it.

Work: Different Kinds Of Work

Fantastic post from Seth Godin. Do creative work, I love it. Do it with a smile on your face.

If your boss asks you to move a box from point a to point b, it's probably not okay to say, "I don't feel like it right now."

If you work on the chain gang and it's time to dig a ditch, you don't get a reprieve if you roll your eyes and say, "that's not what they pay me for."

And if you're a dishwasher, you don't get a chance to say, "I guess I'm just not the kind of person who's good at putting his hands into really hot soapy water all day."

And yet.

And yet when we ask you to look people in the eye, be creative, brainstorm, be generous, find a way to satisfy an angry customer, work with a bully, learn a new skill or bring joy to work, suddenly the excuses pile up. Is this a different sort of work? Is raising your hand in class too much to ask of you?

The jobs most of us would like to have are jobs like this. And yet we put up a fight when given the chance to do them well.

Birthday: Happy Birthday Christian

Happy Birthday Christian, thought you might appreciate some old school Atari video games on your lunch break. Isaac and I like Crystal Castle the best, wonder what your favorite is?

Presentations: Author Report - Mary Pope Osborn

Denise and I got to attend Isaac's Author Report presentation this morning. The author he presented on was Mary Pope Osborn, the author of the Magic Tree House series. The presentation was a small piece of a larger research project based on the district's IIM (Independent Investigation Method).

The most striking aspect of the children's presentation was the huge accumulation of interdisciplinary teachers involved in a single class project. The group of specialists included the English teacher, Librarian, Art, Computer Specialist, and Gifted and Talented Coordinator.

Isaac did an admirable job with his own presentation, speaking audibly (tough for 3rd graders) and looking at the audience every now and then (tough to find your place again after looking up isn't it).

After, Denise and I named the single piece of advice we would give a young presenter if we ever had the chance to contribute in the future. My advice was NEVER write out your entire speech and read it to the audience. Denise advised to engage the audience (not one kid told a joke?!?).

Reading: What Matters Now

This is a collection of essays freely given away and edited by Seth Godin. They discuss issues worth discussing during the next year.

I've read just a few, but my favorites so far are:
"We are too poor to afford education. But until we have education, we will always be poor" Nepalese Headmaster
"Never compare your inside with somebody else's outside."

Music: Holiday Music Acapella Style

Great collection of holiday acapella songs. Several winter holiday traditions represented in these songs. Christmas, Hanukkah, and even Winter Solstice (When the Christians and Pagans Met For Dinner).

Movie: Invictus

We watched the new rugby movie Invictus with Morgan Freeman and Matt Dammon yesterday. It turns out not to be a rugby movie at all. Instead, I found it to be a parable for forgiveness. Nelson Mandalla managed to forgive his and his people's oppressors in favor of a united country (perhaps conflict is not genetic).

Personally, I vividly remember this history through the rugby perspective of Afrikaan team mates. They frequently discussed South Africa's new president, flag and national anthem during the World Cup the movie shows. Their viewpoint was also stained by horrific violence.

The rugby turns out to be very ordinary. Most of the action scenes look like an over 50 old boys game with an unusual amount of grunting during the scrummaging. However, the forgiveness message is worth this complaint.

This is the powerful poem that drives the movie. Invictus by William Ernest Henley. Certainly Madalla practiced what he read.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Quote: War as Genetics

It pains me to see this quote from our President. He insinuates that humans are somehow genetically predisposed to conflict. I completely disagree. Let peace be an option, and the President could have just as easily pointed towards early man's capacity to build communities.

If you have trouble believing that we are predisposed to be peaceful, take a look at Howard Zinn. Maybe he could talk you into it.

Now these questions are not new. War, in one form or another, appeared with the first man. At the dawn of history, its morality was not questioned; it was simply a fact, like drought or disease -- the manner in which tribes and then civilizations sought power and settled their differences. Barack Obama

Music: Govt Mule

This is a concert recorded in Philadelphia by Govt Mule. I thought it sounds very familiar, like "One Way Out." Turns out the lead singer, Warren Haynes, comes from the Allman Brothers.

TaeKwonDo: Impression Pattern

For Isaac's next test, he has an assignment to develop his own form they call an impression pattern. He chose, "Peace On Earth," in Korean, as the name of his pattern. Uncle Michael helped us with the pronunciation.

The phrase is "Jigu Pyeonghwa". The pronunciation is "gee-goo" pyoung ('young' with a P at the start)-hwah (like 'ha' with a W in the middle of it). (Thanks Uncle Michael)

Reading: Fantasy Poetry

How about some mythos poetry for reading material? This poem refers to the Cthulhu, which is referred to often in fantasy and science fiction web sites when speaking of particularly horrific or evil things.

Guitar: Effectology

Great series on guitar effects. This seems like it would certainly interest the young mind (and the old as well).

Development: Instructions for Google DNS

May try this on our home router for increased speed and better protection.

Jazz: A Love Supreme - Psalm

Finally, the conclusion.

Jazz: A Love Supreme - Pursuance

This is a live recording of his solo on Pursuance. You can definately hear the free jazz creeping in.

Also reading for Isaac's Thursday night reading.

Jazz: A Love Supreme - Resolution

Here's part 2, Resolution.

Jazz: A Love Supreme - Coltrane

Can't miss this in a jazz education. Part One of John Coltrane's Love Supreme. Listen for the main theme, then how it gets manipulated from one instrument to the next.

Development: Guide To Installing Chromium OS

This is a beta version of Google's Chromium OS. They describe it basically as only a browser. However, it might be interesting project with the netbook.

Philosophy: Immanuel Kant Through Comics

Douglas Wolk explains Kant's Critique of Aesthetic Judgment using superhero comics. He comments that, "Kant was a great thinker, and one of the very worst writers of all time." Wolk's commentary goes a long way in breaking it down.

Music: Weird Al Does Star Wars

The Star Wars saga set to "American Pie."