Music: Before Christmas Comes Around

Roger McGuinn posted this old sailing poem and added a melody for Christmas. I thought it might add a fun family contribution to our family's Christmas celebration.

We might change the key so that Isaac can play a rollicking recorder solo.

Democracy: WikiLeaks Conversation

Video from Democracy NOW interview with Noam Chomsky. Good commentary, from the man who worked with Howard Zinn to leak the Pentagon Papers; which, opposes the view that WikiLeaks should be considered a foreign terrorist organization.

At one point he says, "one of the main reasons for government secrecy is to protect the government from their own population."

Scale: Scale of the Universe

Awesome application vividly demonstrating the scale of our Universe. The ultimate conclusions are deservedly humbling (ie. "you are not the center").

Physics: Cats Exhibit Quantum Tunneling

This article in Neatorama considers the possibility that common household cats (especially those with long hair) exhibit Non-Newtonian characteristics of quantum tunneling previously only observed in sub-atomic particles.

Apparently, this tunneling behavior can also be shown in car keys and socks.

DIY: Leviathan Model

These steam-punk models are built using eggs as a base. They look very familiar to a book Isaac just read by Scott Westerfeld, Leviathan.



via Make.

Video: Don't Be Greedy

via Neatorama.

The Arctic Circle from Kevin Parry on Vimeo.

Love: Happy Anniversary To My Lover

This is the song I learned for my lover to help celebrate our anniversary. This is Ben Taylor singing the Beatles tune "I Will."

Thank you for taking care of us Amor. We're off to see Dulcinea this weekend.

My own finishing line:
"I said I do, you know I will, I love you baby"

Quotes: What Do You Know?

I choose to think that randomness may be knowing all of the above.

From a blog I've recently found devoted to scribbles.

Music: Steamroller Blues

Image your at this fantastic festival watching JT sing Steamroller Blues, then on walks Joe Walsh to play his "brush." Go check it out, they have the embed disabled.

Easy blues chords, just working in that F#7.

Quotes: I Like the Mad Ones

I've posted this quote many times, but here it is again from Lance Armstrong (see the Mellow Johnny's hat in the reflection?).

Especially good to keep in mind on the eve of the anniversary to my beautiful lover, and our annual trek to Chapel Dulcinea. We'll be out there with Isaac mad to live, and desirous of everything.

Music: Sean Lennon

Have you heard Sean Lennon? Great stuff! They even use a melodica, Isaac and I have created a few songs with our own melodica.

from NPR's All Songs Considered.

Video: Turbo Face

This commercial reminds me of my friend Chris. Especially at about 17 seconds. Hope you're doing OK, and frequently making your "turbo face".

Movie: Green Lantern

We all need a super-hero fix sometimes. "With the ring comes great responsibility." Don't forget it.

Geology: Tectonic Music Mashup

Video of a Geology mashup which takes earthquake XML data and projects it both visually to Google Earth, and acoustically to their speaker matrix.

Here's a sample XML feed from the US Geological Survey.

Life: Geographic Certainty

This article from EverydayIsAwesome introduces the concept of "Geographic Certainty." It is a moment when you are in the exact time and place and dimension that you are supposed to be. Athletes refer to this sensation as being in "the zone."

My question, is how to increase the moments of geographic certainty. I want to spend more time in the zone.

As Denise and I approach our anniversary, one method I've found wildly successful is geographic proximity to my lover. In this time/space dimension, this is exactly where I'm meant to be.

Happy Friday!

Guitar: Don't Fear The Reaper

From GeekDad, Don't Fear The Reaper

Remebering Our Family For Veterans Day

Thank you veterans in our family.

• Thank you for making us proud at football games when we put our hands over our hearts and sing the national anthem
• Thank you for giving us real heroes to believe in. Ones other than the video game commercials who walking around shooting helicopters with a smile on their face.
• Thank you for sharing your lives and stories with us, even after you've been forced to see some very terrible things.
• Please thank your immediate family for us too. They go through their own horrors, and still make time to help nurture our own family

We love and cherish you. Please stay safe.

Music: Los Lobos Yo Canto

Watch out, we'll be pushing the couches against the wall for a cumbia. I heard this originally on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.

Philosophy: Wag More, Bark Less

IMAG0135
Originally uploaded by mhughen.

Noticed this in a parking lot near my office. Seems a respectable life philosophy.

Science Fair: Go Faster Than The Wind

Good documentary from Make, regarding building a wind powered vehicle which goes faster than the wind. Seems to go against intuition and would make a great project.

Games: Star Wars Clone Wars Adventures

Online game, waiting for I to test.

Pictures: Adventures at the HHH Ranch

HHHAdventure
Originally uploaded by mhughen.

A face-off between porcupine and white tail buck at the corn feeder.

Thanks Ernie for the views from the wild west.

Links: Monday Link Roll

Pac-Man skeleton.


Suiseki is the Japanese art of selecting and arranging stones in aesthetically pleasing forms.

Sailing: Trip to Key West

I told my friend Mike the next time I go to Key West, it should be on a boat. I wanted to post this email conversation we had while discussing a home-made sailing documentary I noticed on line called Hold Fast. I haven't watched this yet so it very well may be NSFW, but their tag line is Stories of maniac sailors, anarchist castaways, and the voyage of the S/V Pestilence... (sounds fun doesn't it).

Mike's classic response was this, can't wait to go. Have to learn to sail first, but there's always YouTube.

If I could leave right now without losing my job I would. Caroline would have to go though...and wearing a big blue hat.

Caroline's job would be to feed the birds and talk to the sea animals for "proper" directions. And everyone knows that the only way to treat a guest is by having a tea party. Special guests would include "Quiet" her stuffed rabbit, and whatever interesting animals happen to pass by. It's interesting...sharks always had the best table manners.

Isaac would have a very different job...to ward off scallywaggs and pirates with rock and roll music played on a special guitar and amp powered by moonlight collected by thousands of diamonds in designs from a dream he had as a baby about Woodstock. Of course; he would play a ballad; but only if a mother sea turtle asked.

Our job however is the best...sit back and steer the boat with a toe while taking it all in. And harmonize of course.

Games: Missing Mechanism

Missing Mechanism looks fun.



from Woot.

Movies: Harry Potter - The Deathly Hallows

Honestly Harry, you are the "chosen one," surely you can come up a more original charm besides "Expecto Patronum."

Hannah: Congratulations Hannah

via NatalieDee.

Football: Pictures of the Eagles Center

Pictures from Isaac's Football team, the Eagles, picture stream (credits are probably to his mother).

Space: NASA Images of Comet Hartley 2

Close up views of a comet from NASA.

Books: Amazon 2010 Top 10 Science Fiction List

Fun reading for cold, snuggly nights.

Happiness: Happiness Exercises

Looks like a fun new website. She gives exercises to work your "happiness muscle."

This is her warm-up:

• Say thank you
• Unexpectedly compliment someone
• Look around
• Be generous in line
• Stretch and breathe

Music: Accoustic Cartoon Mix

from Geektoplasm

Dia de los Muertos

Thank you Ancestors for our rich history, our culture, and the immense love we feel from you daily.
We honor you and your adventures.

Music: Feliz Dia de los Muertos

From NPR's All Songs Considered, a mariachi band with a banjo!

Optimism: The Glass Is Always Full

from Neatorama.

Lego: Frog Dissection

Can you smell the Formaldehyde?

Halloween 2010

Hercules, Poseidon, and Aphrodite have returned from a great night of trick or treating! Isaac hit the mother load of chocolate. It was a beautiful night for the neighborhood kiddos. Great time had by all! :)

Baseball: Dungeons and Dragons

About the only time of year I enjoy watching baseball is the world series. And with a Texan team playing, it seemed an even more interesting contest.

To this point; however, this comic seems to sum it up pretty well. D&D anyone?



from GeekDad

Quote: Just Because He's Angry ... Doesn't Mean He's Right

... or even well-informed.

Something to think about when dealing with a customer, a leader or even a neighbor.

It's easy to assume that vivid emotions spring from the truth. I'm not so sure. They often come from fear and confusion and well-told stories.

So true. Sometimes I think some use anger as a self-generated tool to avoid real debate and deliberation. They seem to think, "if I can scare them, they won't want to have a discussion." I must admit, it works perfectly on me.

Dear angry person, I'm afraid of you, please move along.

from Seth Godin.

Comics: How High Is Your Stack?

Great comic from Willey Miller's Non-Sequitur.

The height of your paper stack or the volume of your working hours doesn't define your value to the company. Let's measure value by creativity and innovation, not by the number of widgets generated.

Birthday: Happy Birthday Hannah

Hannah, you make our hearts happy. Have a happy heart day. I searched desperately for a Care Bear game, try this one out.

Quotes: Be Brave, But Be Smart

Headline from gapingvoid,

if you’re david, fighting goliath, don’t let goliath choose the weapons

Star Wars: Dia De Los Muertos

Fantastic! From artist José Pulido. Check out all of the images.

Star Wars: Darth Vader Theme Beethoven Style

Notice he is improvising the majority of the time. via Neatorama.

Parkour: Isaac Tries Parkour

A fun Sunday morning, Isaac tries some free running and parkour in the park. Sure love this phone.

Science Fair: Gyrocar

Perhaps the best science fair project ever, Gyrocar from Make Magazine. Maybe if Isaac will go ahead and build it, it will pass inspection. He can write it up when the fair comes around. Here's the PDF.

Thanks: Be Grateful

Found this quote in a new found blog (EveryDayIsAwesome - How's that for a title) from a story about "The Grateful Stone."

After a bit of conflict this week on the football team, I'm very grateful for the additional time I get to spend with my son while helping to coach his team. I'm also thankful for the lesson my wife taught me, that you don't always have to defend yourself. Sometimes walking away with a smile is good enough.

Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.” -John Henry Jowett

Comical: Space Bar

Can I get this in a T-Shirt? via Neatorama.

Quotes: How Much Experience Do You Need

Interesting quote from Seth Godin regarding experience.

Nine years of experience is very different from one year of experience, nine times.

Halloween: How To Carve The Death Star

Instructions on how to carve the Death Star.

ACL2010

ACL2010Brian
Originally uploaded by mhughen.

Even better than seeing the Eagles live, was getting to hook up with my old friend Brian and his wife, as well as jamming with Nancy and Michael. A great day of music and fun!

Music: IPhone Band

Another example of making your own art. A band called Atomic Tom plays on the NY Subway using only IPhone Apps. NY Times.

Chemistry: Nitroglycerine Detonation

Chemistry is fun. (at Make)

DIY: I Am a Maker

Great sign at Purdue University, "Imagination is my most used tool."
via Make.

Parachute: Army Parachuting to a Football Game

Looks terrifying, and I'm amazed how much time there is.

Sgt. Adam Sniffen of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne parachuting into a Michigan football game.
via Neatorama.

Life: Live Adventure to Adventure

From gapingvoid.

Games: Nanopath

Very fun flash game, Nanopath.
via Woot.

Movies: Books Brought to Life

Great stop motion movie. Gives a new idea of "pop-up" book.
via Make.

Reading: News Feed in Kindle E-Reader

Interesting combination from CoolTools to make a Kindle into an RSS feed reader.

Flags: Pop Quiz

Pop Quiz, which is our state flag? Click each for more.

For my amazing Lover

"When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause 'Lover' you're amazing
Just the way you are" - Bruno Mars

See this cover :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG1EOQCvjbw&feature=related


Lover you are so beautifully handsome.....and I will tell you everyday. Te amo.

Isaac and Mark have enjoyed football immensely this year together. Isaac shared with me that his dad is "the best Dad and coach!" There is truly something very special witnessing a father and son show their love.

Happy Friday Family and Friends!

Dance: Rain Dance

Hard to believe that these guys do not have classical training (note pointed toes and hand extension). However, still impressive modern impression.



Neatorama

Music: Tom Tom Club - Tiny Desk Concert

Hey, NPR made their video concerts embeddable. Great concert to begin with. This group originated in 1981 from the rhythm section from the Talking Heads.

Star Wars: Homemade PaperCraft Video and Song

Cool. Homemade song and video.
via Neatorama.

Here are words to the song.

Twin suns of Tatooine
Taught me everything I know
Twin suns of Tatooine
Taught me everything I know

There’s room up there for second chances
Singles are fine but doubles are fantastic
I’d like to think that there’s a star for me and you
Spinning round, falling for one another

Therapy: E-Legs

If I would have been involved with projects like this when working in physical therapy, I wouldn't be a software developer today.

Amazing stuff. The most impressive is the second guy with a T3 injury. The other two are very amazing looking, but a much lower injury.

This technology was initially designed for the military as an assisted weight bearing device.

Daddy/Amor -

"Esta son Las Mananitas que cantar a Rey David.....Hoy es dia cumpleanos y nos cantamos a ti."

Isaac and I want to wish you a very happy day filled with love, happiness, laughter, and of course cake! We love you to infinity and beyond! Thank you for loving us the way you do.

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!
Besos from both of us,
Denise and Isaac

Music: Justin Timberlake Re-Mix

In addition to some cool ukulele, I need to see if we can get some of those digital effects machines.



Update: The instrument is called a Stylophone Beatbox. Here's Brett Domino's site. Found them at Amazon.

Facebook: What Your Facebook Portrait Says About You

via Neatorama. While instructional, I always wonder about people who don't actually put a picture of themselves on the portrait. How am I supposed to remember you were the guy I played rugby with in college when your portrait is of your pet rock?

We want to see your face! Serious, silly, sensual. I don't care if your ugly, we're all pretty ugly, still want to see what you look like.

Star Wars: Elephants in Star Wars

Elephants were used as the Bantha creatures seen in Star Wars: The New Hope. Apparently, the elephant kept taking the hot costume off during shooting.

Elephants were also used as a reference when animating the Imperial walkers, and the sound of the tie fighter.

via elephant art

Strength: The Appearance Of Weakness Takes Strength

Good article from Seth Godin.

Demonstrating strength

Apologize
Defer to others
Avoid shortcuts
Tell the truth
Offer kindness
Seek alliances
Volunteer to take the short straw
Choose the long-term, sacrificing the short
Demonstrate respect to all, not just the obviously strong
Share credit and be public in your gratitude

Risking the appearance of weakness takes strength. And the market knows it.

Drawing: Shading

Next in the NY Times series an article on shading, including cross-hatching.

Cartoon: Win - Win

Were always looking for a win-win negotiation.

Star Wars: AT-AT Day Afternoon

Comical!

AT-AT day afternoon from Patrick Boivin on Vimeo.

Eating: Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs

via LifeHacker

Guitar: Werewolves Of London

GeekDad shows easy "Werewolves Of London." Good Halloween tune.

Fields of Sunflowers

Sunflowers to remind us of the beauty yesterday, the beauty today, and the beauty to come. Brings fond thoughts of our family compound, veggie gardens, animals, flowers, and love swirling around the trees. Beautiful.

Besos y Abrazos.

Love for my Beloved Boys

http://amolife.com/image/romance/love-is.html

"Love is like pi - natural, irrational, and very important."

Enjoy the rebirth of the new season and be sure to stop to love those dear to your heart.

Besos and Sunshine,
- D -

Art: Tilt-Shift Van Gogh

Check out this remarkable slide show of Van Gogh art with the tilt-shift affect applied.

Here's "Starry Night Over the Rhone."

Reading: 100 Best Opening Lines

American Book Review has compiled a list of the 100 best opening lines in a novel. Here are some of my favorites.

8. It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. —George Orwell, 1984 (1949)

22. It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents, except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the house-tops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness. —Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, Paul Clifford (1830)

54. A story has no beginning or end; arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead. —Graham Greene, The End of the Affair (1951)

64. In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. —F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (1925)

78. The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there. —L. P. Hartley, The Go-Between (1953)

Ukulele: Bohemian Rhapsody

While playing this weekend, somebody ask me, "the ukulele only has 4 strings, how hard can it be?" I believe Jake Shimakuburo originally used this as a warm-up tune. via LiveUkulele.

Drawing: Line By Line

NY Times series about learning to draw again. This article should appear each Friday.

This week's lesson covers "The Frisbee of Art," the ellipse. They give a circle dimension. Notice the ellipse in these paintings.

Quote: Whistling for a Friend

Good quote from Thoreau, much more interesting analogy than making lemonade from lemons.

When a dog runs at you, whistle for him.

Also, good advice about making friends and meeting people. Denise is trying to teach this skill to Isaac; I'm not very good at it myself (but we make a good team). from Stuff No One Told Me.

Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Sounds like a fun event for the day after Halloween. BTW Harry, your voice is beginning to get too deep for a high school student.