Memory: Volume Conversions

Useful trick to remember volume conversions (Gallons-Quarts-Pints-Cups).

Books: Thoughts on 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'

I just completed reading this book, and wanted to write down some thoughts before they escape.

Pirsig's discussion on Quality comes to a climax, for me, in his discussion of classical Greek philosophy. While the differences and progression from Socrates to Plato to Aristotle are not familiar to me, his revelation of the ancient Greek idea of arete', or excellence, is inspirational.

A thought which combines the ideas I understand in the book was captured by a small phrase in the afterward. "There is more to life than getting a great job," perhaps its enough to do a great job.

What a great way to begin the work week. As Garrison Keillor says, "Be well, do good work, and keep in touch."

Drawing: Time-Lapse Skull

Interesting drawing.

Quotes: Scream

image via silverscreenandroll

Although rooting for the Lakers, we couldn't help but admire Glen "Big Baby" Davis' enthusiastic scream last night. Noticed this quote today which seemed to sum it up fairly well.

Sometimes a scream is better than a thesis. Ralph Waldo Emerson, 'Journals,' 1836

Music: Aviary Music Creator

Isaac and I have created a few songs using the Aviary mixer. Here's a new tool from them that lets you experiment with various sounds and combinations.

Here's a article in the NY Times about the project.

Games: Liquid Particles

via Ajaxian. The particles follow your mouse, and are repelled on a click. I guess not really a game, but all accomplished in JavaScript.

Video: Oil Spill Comedy

I guess sometimes you have to have a laugh. ...and we always say Google makes you smart.

Video: Cartoon Chemistry

Oxygen from Christopher Hendryx on Vimeo.

HTML: Readability in HTML

This web widget converts web pages filled with ads and tabs to more readable text.

1. Go to their site and choose the style you want to read in.
2. Copy this style over to your browser tool bar.
3. When you get to an article you want to read click the bookmark.
4. The widget removes extraneous adds and formatting not pertinent to the article.

Discussion: Surfing Crocodiles

This article describes how researchers discovered that crocodiles consider surf conditions to surf up to 60 miles on the open water. Via Netorama.

Music: Bach by Zuill Bailey

To get your Monday morning creative juices flowing, try some Bach from NPR. There is video of this amazing instrument here.

Particularly interesting to me was to hear how the musician breathes as if playing a wind instrument. Makes for a great beginning to the day.

Rugby: NBC Broadcasts Seven's Rugby

In preparation for Olympic rugby in 2016, NBC broadcast an invitational college rugby tournament this weekend. While much of the action looked very much like a college rugby tournament, the final was awesome.

Glad to see that the rest of the country gets a chance to be exposed to rugby. They can also see how the upcoming wave of Polynesian football players learned their trade. I hope these same players decide to help the US team when the Olympics come around.

Quotes: John Wooden

Many great quotes this weekend from John Wooden. The best story I heard was about his teaching methods. He took time to teach his players the best way to put on their socks to prevent blisters, preparation begins early. Here was one of my favorite quotes.

Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful. John Wooden

Games: Happy Birthday Faith

Happy Birthday to my favorite blond niece! I'm not perfect at picking out games for sweet girls, but try this one. Sort of a physics games in the shape of saving baby chickens. Hope you had a great day Faith!

Pictures: Pioneer Woman's "Coming Home Competition"

Beautiful, scary, sad, and reflective photo set from Pioneer Woman. Makes me proud of the military families in my country and in my own family.

Games: Soccer Referee

Question whether we should be posting games about getting red cards, but here it is. Have fun.

Creativity: Making Ideas Happen

via gapingvoid.


A story this week which proves a mantra that "simplicity is not simple (or simplicity != simple). Worked an entire day developing a fancy solution using Generics and Reflection. The next day after taking lunch with a colleague, I found the solution in a one line property. simplicity!=Simple

Comics: Mobile Comics

Hoping to soon get an Android type phone, must check out these comic application. This one looks interesting, "Robot 13." Need to check out if its kid safe.

Ukulele: Van Halen

Its always a good trick to throw down some "Stairway to Heaven" on the ukulele, but how about some Van Halen. Very nice!

Video: Reward Systems For Cognitive Workers

Interesting video from Dan Pink, via Robert Scoble.

Here's my take away.

• Algorithmic (if...then) tasks respond well with a "carrot and stick" reward system.


• Once any, even rudimentary, cognitive thought process is required, these reward systems are no longer effective.
  
  
  • Initially, cognitive workers must be paid a wage which takes money away from the equation.
  • Cognitive workers respond better to Autonomy (not compliance)
  • Cognitive workers aspire to mastery. They want to work somewhere that inspire transcendent motives, not just profit motives. Making the world a better place.

Quotes: Love and Failure

First, I welcome a frequent contributor and my personal lover, Denise. I finally figured out how to give her a log-in, so she can share her positive messages with the blog.

Next, a bizarre love quote. At least I think its a love quote.

I'm going to memorize your name and throw my head away. Oscar Levant

and another, don't forget, mistakes are synonymous with learning.

"No one talks of failure as anything but shameful; this is wrongheaded and foolish ... Mistakes are synonymous with learning. Failing is unavoidable. Making is a process, not an end. It is true that deep experience helps avoid problems, but mainly it gives you mental tools with which to solve inevitable problems when they come up."

-Tom Jennings, as quoted in Mark Frauenfelder's excellent new book, Made by Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World

Live in the Moment

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly. - Buddha

I recently ran across a blog Tiny Buddha- Simple wisdom for Complex Lives. It contains such interesting life topics.

One thought to ponder:

"Telling someone you love them, not because you want to hear it back, but because you feel it too deeply not to express it. Because expressing it makes you happy."

Today I tell you my Lover, my soul mate, my best friend, and life partner that I adore you and love you to my inner core. I see your beautiful smiling face and it fills me with a strong Spirit that I can only equate to my Higher Being. I see the magic in life when you are by my side.

Te Amo Corazon.

Sustainable Living: Agarita Creek Farms

Thought this might be interesting research for the family compound. Looks like they also encourage visitors and learning in Fredericksburg.

Agarita Creek Farms is a working experiment in self-sufficient and sustainable family farming located in Fredericksburg, Texas. It is operated by Beverly and Tom Carnes, who have no previous farming or ranching experience, but who have an enduring commitment to farming and ranching in a responsible, sustainable, and humane manner, as shepherds to their flock and as stewards to their land.

Development: .Net Micro Framework

Just found these projects using the .Net Micro Framework. This enables development for smaller embedded devices, through a developed and often used IDE.

This example uses a FEZ Board to control a Rock Band stage kit through a USB controller.

The implications for science fair projects are enormous!

Love: Love and Purpose

Combination of two favorite business type bloggers and artists, Gaping Void and Seth Godin.



Seth Godin's simple steps for everything.

1. Go, make something happen.
2. Do work you're proud of.
3. Treat people with respect.
4. Make big promises and keep them.
5. Ship it out the door.

When in doubt, see #1.

Picture: Isaac and Dad Jam

Denise, Isaac, and I were having a family jam, learning the chords to "House of the Rising Sun," when Isaac requested playing the bass to the song. Denise took the picture of the results.

It was awesome! He began learning to hear the chord changes, and we were playing the song very quickly together.

Google: PacMan Home Page Site

Google gave the Pac Man page a permanent residence. Now you can make it your homepage.

Ukulele: Tri-Tabs

Must check out these tabs using the top three strings of the ukulele.

Love: Love Forever

Amazing, Wouldn't it be fantastic to hand out these business cards. via gapingvoid.

DIY: PVC Didgeridoo

Fantastic project working with PVC. Even works as a good science fair project due to the calculation of pipe lengths using the speed of sound.







via Maker

Organization: The Last 10 Percent

This article from Seth Godin, describes the cost of doing anything professionally. The difference is the last 10%. He concludes that the additional costs are not only worth it, they are essential. "The secret is to seek out the work that most people believe isn't worth the effort. That's what you get paid for."

Perhaps this effort level crosses over to all things. From doing your work, to mowing your yard. However, I can also see the pitfalls, of not blending this philosophy with the "ship fast, and ship often" mantra. Can't get so caught up in perfection that the product never moves out the door.

Games: Gluey

Try this one out.

GeoCaching: Texas State Parks

Need to check this out for the Houston area for starters.

Music: Beatles To The Rescue

It seems the Beatles were a bit hazy when they came up with these zen-like lyrics. Hazy or not, perhaps they describe a certain personality type accurately.

Quotes: Good Manners

We frequently remind Isaac of the same idea. Glad to see it in the daily quotes.

Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot. Clarence Thomas

Quotes: Daily Affirmation

I find myself watching this over and over again, telling myself to keep living in the moment. "Everything is Great!"

Quote: Definition of Insanity

I've used this quote frequently when developing applications. When debugging, it's tempting (and easier) to suspect some magical solution to a difficult problem. I even used it on Isaac just last week.

I had often attributed it to a clever, old boss of mine. But the the credit appropriately belongs to Albert Einstein.

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Environment: Japanese Snow Monkeys

How can you not love these Japanese macaques?

It turns out they have many characteristics previously only thought to be human. Such as: intricate oral traditions, capacity to pass information across generations, their accent (or pitch) varies by postcode, and each individual is capable of numerous different facial expressions.

Hiking: National Geographic Trail Maps

Need to check out these National Geographic Trail maps for summer hiking.

Also research some Orienteering and USGS Topographic Maps.

Radio: Isaac and Lorenzo Llama

Isaac and Denise listen to the XM radio station "Kid's Place Live" in the morning on the way to school. His favorite character on the "Animal Farm" is Lorenzo Llama. We even came up with a theme song for Lorenzo, MC Hammer's "Can't Touch This," because of Lorenzo's frequent "Don't touch me" complaint.

Isaac called the radio station this morning and got to speak to Lorenzo. He spoke to him several minutes, telling him about his theme song idea, and even referred to Lorenzo as "Sir" (way to go kid). Not sure if it made it on the radio, but it has definitely made our day.

Peace: Rock, Paper, Scissors

I just bought this shirt on Woot.com. Check it out.

RPS, certainly the best form of resolving problems ever created. We use it all the time. Also, a great conversation starter. The next time you're in line at the coffee shop, challenge the guy in front of you to a game. Best 2 of 3, loser buys.

Reading: Cory Doctorow - For The Win

I love Cory Doctorow's science fiction stories, but they are a bit too risque for young readers. He has written a book for younger audiences in "For The Win." They have an extensive preview on Tor.com.

After reading the initial chapter, it seems to tell the story of a young game player who mines gold from video games to sell on the open market. Kind of a not too distant science fiction prediction of video games as an actual stock market.

Politics: Fact Sheet for Arizona Law HB 2281

Again, educate yourself and develop original thought on this topic before the radio and TV do it for you. Fact Sheet for Arizona law HB2281

via NPR

Art: Star Wars Art

Article via Wired Magazine GeekDad with artist James Hance.

Here are my favorite Star Wars re-creations.

Death of General Vader


The Gentle Sith


Storm Trooper

Singing: i want to sing

Another great card from gapingvoid. i want to sing too

Travel: Le Tour Du Monde en 80 Secondes

Video was shot with a point and shoot camera. Not sure, however, there is any connection really to Jules Verne other than the concept.

Illusion: Illusion of the Year Contest

Here is a contest for illusions. Listed are the top 10 illusions of the year.

And the winner.

Oil Spill: Charts

More information on the Horizon Deep Water Oil Spill, from Information Is Beautiful.

Oil Spill: Volume Perspective

This article from GeekDad about explaining the oil spill to kids. One of the most interesting points is the perspective of the volume of oil leaking into our Gulf.

1. If you put the spilled oil into gallon milk jugs and line them up on a football field, 91% of the field is covered each day.
2. In three days, enough oil has leaked to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool.
3. Since the spill began on April 22nd, there has been enough to fill 7 pools (and that's the best case estimate).

Camera: NEX-5

In case the camera genie every visits. Here's one to take a look at. Our main qualification is to take photos of moving football players from the stands.

Cartoon: Death By Stuff

From gapingvoid. While not always possible, we try to remind ourselves to think in the moment like our dog Leo. No matter how long we're going, he's always happy to see us when we get home.

Supreme Court: Nominee Elena Kagan

If its not too late, educate yourself about the supreme court nominee Elena Kagan, and form your own independent opinion before the radio pundits get a chance to do it for you. Here are some of the important statements made by Ms. Kagan which may be questioned during confirmation.

NY Times comments, that if confirmed, it will be the first time 3 women have sat simultaneous on the Supreme Court.

TaeKwonDo: 1st Degree Black Belt

Isaac received the next degree in his black belt certification a couple of weeks ago. Here are pictures of the charming lad, and his new belt. As many belt as he has now, his pants are assured to never fall.

Remain POSITIVE even when others can't see it...or they choose not to.

How to Keep a Positive Attitude and Stay Positive Around Negative People
by Jonathan Lockwood Huie

You think of yourself as a basically happy person. You try to make an effort to stay positive. But the people you work with are so negative. Or, the people in your family are so negative. Now what? How can you keep your positive attitude even when surrounded by all that negativity?

Try some of the following tips for staying positive even when surrounded by people who have a negative outlook on life. Some of these tips are ideas for reducing the negativity while other tips help you to calmly accept your circumstances. The suggestions include both concrete actions you can take, and ways you can change your attitude to accommodate your environment.

1. First attempt to understand what you are really up against. Observe, as dispassionately as possible, what is actually happening, and examine the interpretation you are placing on what you see. What are the words, the actions, the tone of voice, the facial expressions? What emotions do you sense behind the words and actions? Are you sure? While negative words and actions are always unpleasant to be around, it is helpful to distinguish among those cases in which someone has simply fallen into the bad habit of negative talk, times when they have brought a past upset into the present, and the most difficult moments when they are actively hostile to the current situation.

2. Assume the best about the intentions of those around you. Unless you have facts to prove otherwise, assume that the negative talk is simply the bad habit of complaining.

3. Don't take it personally. Even when negative talk is directed toward you, don't take it personally. Negativity is basically selfishness, and their selfishness is about them, not about you. Yes, this is very difficult to put into practice. When you are the target of the other person's complaints, and especially their sarcasm, it is very hard not to take it personally. Try, however, to remain objective and assess whether their is any rational basis for the criticism. When the criticism is unfounded, know that the other person is simply venting their own pent up hostility in your direction, and don't take it personally.

4. Have compassion for negative people. While it is unpleasant to be around negative people, it is far more unpleasant to be an negative person. Each of these people is highly troubled. They perceive themselves as victims of hostile life forces beyond their control. They feel helpless and afraid. The most belligerent of them are the most fearful, paranoid actually, despite their outward bluster. Anger is always an expression of fear and perceived vulnerability.

5. If it is compatible with your belief systems, hold a White Light of peace around each person who troubles you, or say a silent prayer for them. Perhaps light a candle for their spirit. Intend that they find their own happiness. Do this as an act of compassion and generosity, and not as an attempt to alter their behavior for your own benefit.

6. Forgive them. Forgive them for everything they have ever done that has been difficult for you. Then forgive them again and again for each new bit of gossip, sarcasm, or anger.

7. Have gratitude for what is positive. No person or situation is 100% negative. Have gratitude for everything that is positive. Make a list of everything that is positive about the person or situation. Keep writing until you have compiled a meaningful list. Then give thanks for all that is positive.

8. Consider how you can cheer up the negative person. Can you compliment a co-worker on a task well done? Even give them a note of appreciation or a gold star? Inquire about their family? Be supportive of their troubles without either agreeing or offering suggestions? However, if your attempts to befriend someone create more hostility, Stop. You tried, and there is no point in doing anything to annoy them further.

9. If all your attempts to create an uplifting connection with the negative person fail, establish your own boundaries and create your own happiness within your own personal space. Visualize yourself encased in an invisible protective "egg" that surrounds your body and enhances the positive while keeping the negative elements out. Create your own private world of joy. Be clear that while this approach works well when applied with co-workers, a job, extended family, or others you interact with occasionally, it is no way to live your whole life.

10. Balance the negative aspects of your life with more powerful positive aspects. If your job is filled with negative influences, it is all the more important that your family life be positive. If your extended family is negative, it is crucial that your intimate relationship be positive. If your relationship with your spouse is negative, seek to have every other influence in your life be exceedingly positive. Seek out new positive opportunities. Cultivate friends with positive attitudes. Join groups that are populated by very positive people.

11. Remember that you can choose to end any relationship. You can choose to quit your job, get a divorce, resign from the community group or church, distance yourself from negative friends or extended family, even minimize contact with parents or grown children. Of course there are consequences, but you always do have a choice. You can make the trade-off of costs and benefits and make your own decision. Seriously consider ending any job or other relationship which is harming your physical or emotional health. If you do decide to keep yourself in an unpleasant situation, remember that each day you again have the option to remove yourself if you choose. Let the knowledge that you always have a choice to empower yourself when met in a negative situation by radiating, and basking in, your own positive energy

Family and friends,

This is a great article. You know I am by far not perfect, however I do try to remain on the sunny-side of things daily. It is a mantra we use frequently for myself and our Hughen household. I truly believe that if you "radiate" sunshine, others will eventually feel it's warmth....even those who don't normally gravitate to the light.

Sending out Love and Sunshine to all our readers,
Denise

Oil: BP Oil Slick

This blog is chronicling the oil slick from a local perspective. The movie was taken 5/04/2010. While the video is sometimes difficult to see because of its small perspective, the man's commentary is telling of the situation. Many times he describes the oil slick spanning the entire horizon.

Anniversary: Michael and Nancy 15 Years

Happy Anniversary Michael and Nancy. For your anniversary we'd like to buy you a trip to see the Sistine Chapel. We hope you will enjoy it from the comfort of your browser window.

Love you guys!

Celebration: Cinco De Mayo

Since the Arizona immigration law, we're basically looking for any reason to celebrate (turns out the Phoenix Suns are also celebrating) our Mexican - American heritage (see 'American' - their descendants were born in another country just like most of yours).

Why not Cinco De Mayo. This article explains some facts about the 5th of May. Most notable, is that the day does not celebrate Mexican Independence Day, but rather, a victory over the French army in 1862. Mexican Independence Day from Spain is celebrated on September 16th (Diez y Seis de Septiembre).

Still, a promising reason to have a cool margarita. Viva Mexico! Viva Mexica!

Poetry: A Relocalizer's Manifesto!

A piece of poetry by Andrew MacDonald found on Punk Rock Permaculture.

My wife is desperately teaching us to appreciate "collective smarts."

I declare our collective smarts
brighter than our solitary darks.
I acknowledge our collective intelligence
past the laments
and the governments.
The road’s not far,
and we’ll be glad we went.

Mythology: Pronunciation Guide

As Isaac becomes more interested in Greek mythology, we're finding a pronunciation guide extremely necessary. Here's one on Encyclopedia Mythica. It looks like there are many other feature and articles available on the site.

Food: Stuffed French Toast

Stuffed french toast is our favorite at IHop, we'll have to give Pioneer Woman's version a try.

Star Wars: Happy Star Wars Day

Via io9, today is Star Wars Day. "May the 4th be with you!"

Here are some pictures from Flickr.

Immigration: Arizona Immigration Law 1070

In order to avoid a knee jerk reaction to the newly signed, and much publicized, Arizona immigration law 1070, I suggested reading the actual law, and have found a link to the PDF version. Here is also a rainbow of commentary from the NY Times.

Naturally, being married to a beautiful Latina, I have an interest in preserving the civil rights and heritage of people who have also been United States citizens for at least 3 generations.

I can also appreciate the concerns of the states when considering financing the education and welfare of their constituents. However, I don't find much merit in the "drug war" as an argument for immigration reform. Tightening immigration policies seem unlikely to curb American appetite for drugs, unmet demand will always find a supply.

Music: Project Song With Moby

I feel this is the best episode of NPR's Project Song. Musicians are asked to compose a song in 2 days after choosing a picture and a few words given to them.

Moby's composition and explanation of his craft are incredible and enlightening. When reflecting on the chorus, "Somewhere there's a Sunday ... where everything is safe and warm," he comments that his favorite type of unsettling art, "is the kind of art which isn't immediately unsettling." Then the song concludes, "...but I'm never going home."

As in many things we seem to study, the paradox is often the most interesting. It draws us in because it is not easily understood. I often tell Isaac, if it were easy, everybody would be doing it.

Ice Cream: Two Ingredients No Machines

Must try this one out, only two ingredients sounds like my kind of cooking.

[via LifeHacker]

Firsts: Mowing

After a fun weekend, Isaac mowed most of the lawn for the first time on Sunday. It turned out to be a good workout for him given the fertilizer has started working this spring and the lawnmower isn't self-propelled. We made a good crew; he mowed, I ran the weedeater.

Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Eckhart Tolle

He has other talents as well.


Finally, advice from Wayne Gretzky. Maybe this creates a paradox with the first quote?

Games: 3D Tetris

3D Tetris (no flash) - how cool is that?

[via Ajaxian]

Science Fair: Use The Microwave To Measure The Speed Of Light

From io9, using the microwave to measure the speed of light.

(Frequency) x (Wavelength) = Speed of Light

Buffett: Set List From Atlanta 04-27-2010

Set List with YouTube Videos from BuffettNews. This was the "Under The Big Top" concert on 04-27-2010. They have the lyrics on the BuffettNews site.

1 Nobody From Nowhere

2 License To Chill

3 School Boy Heart

4 It's Five O'Clock Somewhere

5 Pencil Thin Mustache

6 Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes

7 Volcano

8 Take Another Road

9 Boat Drinks

10 Where The Boat Leaves From

11 One Particular Harbor

12 Big Top

Intermission

13 Everybody's on the Phone

14 Woman Goin’ Crazy On Caroline Street

15 Creola (Nadirah on lead vocals and Jimmy on ukulele)

16 Cheeseburger In Paradise

17 Come Monday

18 Son Of A Son Of A Sailor (with a plug for Lulu's)

19 Cuban Crime Of Passion

20 A Pirate Looks At Forty (with Zac Brown)

21 Back Where I Come From (Mac on vocals)

22 Tampico Trauma

23 Southern Cross

24 Margaritaville (with the lost verse with Zac Brown)


First Encore
25 Last Man Standing

Band Intros
26 Fins

Second Encore
27 Lovely Cruise (Jimmy acoustic solo)

Games: Super Mario Crossover

Best flash game ever. Super Mario Crossover, you can even choose your characters, they keep the same powers as their original games.



[via CrunchGear]

Quotes: Perfect Street Concert

Great read from Downhill Both Ways. The last line is a useful quote, describing the street-side concert led by the saxophone player.

Far from purposeful, close to perfect.

Video: Winning With Inches

The inches we need to win are everywhere around us. We just need to find them.

Quote of the Day: Reality Negotiated

From gapingvoid, commentary on reality.

Video: Slow Motion Apollo 11 Lift-Off

Slow motion video of the Apollo 11 lift-off, including an in-depth narration of the events.

Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch (HD) Camera E-8 from Mark Gray on Vimeo.

[via CrunchGear]

Video: Castle Hacking

Promotional for Iron Man 2 and AC/DC, the company uses an old English castle as their canvas.

via io9

Language: Foreign Service Institute Online

The Foreign Service Institute has their extensive language course online for free. However, as one of the commenters pointed out, the course by itself does not replace the extensive immersion from having conversations with native speaking instructors and classmates.

via lifehacker

Video: The Raven

Vimeo link says this short was made with a 5K budget, amazing effects!
Parental warning: PG13 for one language foul up behind the dumpster at 3:39.

via Neatorama.

Motorcycle Maintenance: Windblower Initiation

Inspired by "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," we decided to begin with the smaller project of taking apart and fixing the gasoline windblower the previous owners had left behind.

These are pictures once we finished taking it apart. We had to order the fuel lines and filter, we'll let you know if we get it running.



Carburetor and throttle



Engine



The offending pieces, broken fuel lines.

Pictures: Isaac Eats Cake

A few pictures of our celebration with Buela and Tia Marie.



Here's the rest of the set, complete with some of Isaac and I having a jam to "Everyone was Kung Fu Fighting" (he had learned it in guitar lessons that week.

Pictures: Isaac's Temolo Technique

We visited the music store for a new strap and tremolo bar for Isaac's guitar. Throw in a cool hat and he was rocking. Check out his technique. You should hear it with "Sweet Home Alabama."

Music: How About Some Cumbia

From All Songs Considered, Be Very Careful plays a cumbia. Reminds me of fun times being one of the few gringos on the dance floor with my lover and her sister. But a gringo who can cumbia!

Exercise: CrossFit

I hadn't seen this CrossFit training method before, but it looks good (tons of example videos). They seem to combine Olympic lifts with body weight exercises to increase power (speed + strength) production.

They even have a kids version of it. The football kids should be expecting some of this in the summer.

Cartoon: Permission is Overrated

From the gapingvoid site.

No Impact: #GratitudeList

In celebration of Earth day, No Impact Man suggests creating gratitude lists on Twitter. Of course, Google will search anything with this tag (#GratitudeList), so I thought I would do mine on Blogger (which will replicate to Twitter in a few seconds anyway).

beautiful wife, beautiful son (who likes to take stuff apart), listening/understanding family, HTML, family night with the ruggers, brown dog

Flash Games: Monster Evolution

Check out this flash game, Monster Evolution. Reminds me of the Spore game we just started playing.

Pictures: Einstein's Desk

Time/Life magazine has just released pictures taken the day Einstein died on April 18th, 1955. The Einstein family had previously asked the magazine not to release the pictures. The photographer was able to take these exclusive pictures after bribing people with Scotch.

Here's the gallery.

Games: Play Wii Games From External Hard Drive

Instructions from LifeHacker on how to play Wii games from an external hard drive.

We've also received the disk for streaming Netflix movies and TV shows to the Wii. Watched the 1st episode of Battlestar Galactica last night with Isaac. However, our very first Wii movie was the No Impact Project. Very fun!

Volcanoe: Where In the World is Iceland

Pictures from the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in Iceland.



Here's some good discussion from NASA.

Space: NASA Reductions

Article from io9, a science fiction blog, attempting to show both sides of the NASA reduction story.

I'm curious if tea party (remember the original tea party patriots where asking for representation for taxation, not less taxes) goers may be tempted to simultaneously rally against government spending, and complain about NASA budget reductions? Is this analogous to asking for reduced deficits and lower taxes at the same time?

Music: Nike Shoe Music

Not sure if you can buy these actual shoes, but a pretty cool video.

Math: Primes and Sieve of Eratosthenes

Have a listen to this Engines of our Ingenuity discussing Prime Numbers. It mentions the Sieve of Eratosthenes. Seems like this will be a good algorithm for our initial programming project in finding divisors.