Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wiggle-monster!
He was all tucked in... I guess he wasn't all tuckered out though! Look closely and you'll see his fingers poked through the crochet blanket - ha ha. Funny part is he was asleep when I put him down. This kids BUSY!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Julian's Goldrush Hotel
Friday, October 22, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
OK now I've seen EVERYTHING!
While processing student records today, I come across one parent w/ three kids (none w/ the same last name), and what does she provide for proof of residency? Her DMV Suspension/ Revocation Order for DUI! Not even kidding!
Did Science Find God?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jose-rodrigues-dos-santos/hawking-science-finds-god_b_705177.html
Jose Rodrigues dos Santos.Posted: September 4, 2010 06:59 AM
Stephen Hawking, Science And God: Author Rodrigues dos Santos Asks Did Science Find God?
Scientists and theologians are often at odds about whether or not God exists. But, is it possible to find God using science? Two books coming out this fall address this crucial philosophical question from different perspectives. One is physicist Stephen Hawkings' "The Grand Design" and the other is my novel "The Einstein Enigma."
When we search for the scientific proof of God's existence, we first need to establish one crucial thing: what is God?
Some people imagine God as an old patriarch with a white beard who looks down at the world, listens to our prayers, and protects us.
But, if you look through the end of a telescope on a starry night, no such entity will be visible. So, the question becomes, is there a different form of God out there and how does science uncover Him?
First, science deals with God not as a supernatural entity, but as something natural. Remember: the supernatural is only the natural we do not understand.
Second, it looks at the universe and searches for two things: intelligence and intention. Is the universe intelligent? Just look around - there are clever things everywhere. See the extremely intelligent way a cell divides in two, and then in four, and so on, in a process that ends up with a human being. Isn't that intelligent? But what if this intelligence is merely accidental?
If the universe is accidental, there is no God and life has no meaning - it's just an accident. But if the universe is intentional, then there is God and, yes, life has a meaning. That's why we also need to find intention. How do we do that?
Let us suppose I find a flower lying on the ground. I will think: well, this is a flower, a natural thing, and that's it. But let us suppose that, instead of a flower, I find a pen. I know a pen has a purpose and someone invented it with an intention: to write. I may not know personally who that inventor is, but I know someone invented the pen with an intention.
Now, if I can say this about something as simple as a pen, why can't I say the same about a flower? Why do I accept that a pen is an intelligent device created by someone with an intention and I cannot say the same about people, life, the universe? Aren't the trees, and the clouds, and the rain, and the planets, and the stars much more complex and intelligent creations than... a pen?
Or for example, suppose I ask an engineer: "What is television?" He's going to open up a TV set and say: "Well, television is a device with chips and wires and electrical stuff". He's right, of course. But it's much more than that, isn't it? Television is also about news programs, sports, soap-operas, reality-shows, game-shows, movies.
But, if you ask a scientist: "What is the universe?" He will say: "Well, the universe is quarks, electrons, protons, neutrons, atoms, planets, stars, constellations, galaxies, clusters". He's right, of course. That's the hardware of the universe, but scientists do not examine the software. What is the program that is playing? What is behind the hardware?
The problem is, perhaps, perspective. Imagine there's a small ant on top of a Persian rug. If I told the ant that she's walking on a beautiful rug, she would say: "What rug? What are you talking about? This is just the ground." So, if I want the ant to see how beautiful the rug is, I have to lift her from the ground and show her the rug from a vantage point, giving her the full view.
"The Einstein Enigma" is a novel that, through a love and spy story involving a hitherto unknown manuscript by Albert Einstein, addresses God from science's perspective. And it shows, using recent scientific data, that the universe is fine-tuned for life, a discovery with tremendous philosophical implications because it means there is intention in its creation. Because the book is fiction, I get to play with some of these ideas in a way that scientists cannot.
So, where does Stephen Hawkings' "The Grand Design" fit in? He deals with these same disturbing scientific discoveries explained in detail in "The Einstein Enigma." He admits they are "odd" and "difficult to explain" without accepting God exists, but he tries anyway. How? He comes up with a theory that explains the strange fine tuning of the universe as something accidental. He says: there are zillions of universes and, out of zillions, one was bound to come up fine-tuned for life.
The evidence for this? An interpretation by Richard Feynman on a quantic experiment called The Buckyball Experiment, which involves projecting particles against a double-slit barrier. Feynman states that at every moment the universe is splitting in two in such a way that a particle goes through the left slit on Universe 1 and the same particle goes through the right slit on Universe 2 and the same particle goes back to the left slit on Universe 3 and the same particle goes back to the left slit on Universe 4 and so on and so on.
Hawking discusses Feynman's interpretation of its results by saying that out of these endless possibilities, it was inevitable that a universe fine-tuned for life would emerge - it's just a statistical accident.
Convincing? You decide. Hawking's extravagant theory is all there is to explain the discoveries in a way that does not link the universe to an intentional intelligence. What I say to you, as the author of "The Einstein Enigma," is that the universe is a strange place. In fact, quantum theory tells us that things are so bizarre that particles only decide in which place they are when we look at them. If we accept these weird concepts, why don't we accept a simpler evidence: that the universe is intentional?
Remember, we are really ants walking on top of a rug. What I try to do in my novel is to give you a new perspective to see the universe. A vantage point. The solution to Einstein's last enigma.
Jose Rodrigues dos Santos.Posted: September 4, 2010 06:59 AM
Stephen Hawking, Science And God: Author Rodrigues dos Santos Asks Did Science Find God?
Scientists and theologians are often at odds about whether or not God exists. But, is it possible to find God using science? Two books coming out this fall address this crucial philosophical question from different perspectives. One is physicist Stephen Hawkings' "The Grand Design" and the other is my novel "The Einstein Enigma."
When we search for the scientific proof of God's existence, we first need to establish one crucial thing: what is God?
Some people imagine God as an old patriarch with a white beard who looks down at the world, listens to our prayers, and protects us.
But, if you look through the end of a telescope on a starry night, no such entity will be visible. So, the question becomes, is there a different form of God out there and how does science uncover Him?
First, science deals with God not as a supernatural entity, but as something natural. Remember: the supernatural is only the natural we do not understand.
Second, it looks at the universe and searches for two things: intelligence and intention. Is the universe intelligent? Just look around - there are clever things everywhere. See the extremely intelligent way a cell divides in two, and then in four, and so on, in a process that ends up with a human being. Isn't that intelligent? But what if this intelligence is merely accidental?
If the universe is accidental, there is no God and life has no meaning - it's just an accident. But if the universe is intentional, then there is God and, yes, life has a meaning. That's why we also need to find intention. How do we do that?
Let us suppose I find a flower lying on the ground. I will think: well, this is a flower, a natural thing, and that's it. But let us suppose that, instead of a flower, I find a pen. I know a pen has a purpose and someone invented it with an intention: to write. I may not know personally who that inventor is, but I know someone invented the pen with an intention.
Now, if I can say this about something as simple as a pen, why can't I say the same about a flower? Why do I accept that a pen is an intelligent device created by someone with an intention and I cannot say the same about people, life, the universe? Aren't the trees, and the clouds, and the rain, and the planets, and the stars much more complex and intelligent creations than... a pen?
Or for example, suppose I ask an engineer: "What is television?" He's going to open up a TV set and say: "Well, television is a device with chips and wires and electrical stuff". He's right, of course. But it's much more than that, isn't it? Television is also about news programs, sports, soap-operas, reality-shows, game-shows, movies.
But, if you ask a scientist: "What is the universe?" He will say: "Well, the universe is quarks, electrons, protons, neutrons, atoms, planets, stars, constellations, galaxies, clusters". He's right, of course. That's the hardware of the universe, but scientists do not examine the software. What is the program that is playing? What is behind the hardware?
The problem is, perhaps, perspective. Imagine there's a small ant on top of a Persian rug. If I told the ant that she's walking on a beautiful rug, she would say: "What rug? What are you talking about? This is just the ground." So, if I want the ant to see how beautiful the rug is, I have to lift her from the ground and show her the rug from a vantage point, giving her the full view.
"The Einstein Enigma" is a novel that, through a love and spy story involving a hitherto unknown manuscript by Albert Einstein, addresses God from science's perspective. And it shows, using recent scientific data, that the universe is fine-tuned for life, a discovery with tremendous philosophical implications because it means there is intention in its creation. Because the book is fiction, I get to play with some of these ideas in a way that scientists cannot.
So, where does Stephen Hawkings' "The Grand Design" fit in? He deals with these same disturbing scientific discoveries explained in detail in "The Einstein Enigma." He admits they are "odd" and "difficult to explain" without accepting God exists, but he tries anyway. How? He comes up with a theory that explains the strange fine tuning of the universe as something accidental. He says: there are zillions of universes and, out of zillions, one was bound to come up fine-tuned for life.
The evidence for this? An interpretation by Richard Feynman on a quantic experiment called The Buckyball Experiment, which involves projecting particles against a double-slit barrier. Feynman states that at every moment the universe is splitting in two in such a way that a particle goes through the left slit on Universe 1 and the same particle goes through the right slit on Universe 2 and the same particle goes back to the left slit on Universe 3 and the same particle goes back to the left slit on Universe 4 and so on and so on.
Hawking discusses Feynman's interpretation of its results by saying that out of these endless possibilities, it was inevitable that a universe fine-tuned for life would emerge - it's just a statistical accident.
Convincing? You decide. Hawking's extravagant theory is all there is to explain the discoveries in a way that does not link the universe to an intentional intelligence. What I say to you, as the author of "The Einstein Enigma," is that the universe is a strange place. In fact, quantum theory tells us that things are so bizarre that particles only decide in which place they are when we look at them. If we accept these weird concepts, why don't we accept a simpler evidence: that the universe is intentional?
Remember, we are really ants walking on top of a rug. What I try to do in my novel is to give you a new perspective to see the universe. A vantage point. The solution to Einstein's last enigma.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Brittany! Call your mother!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
While my daughter is genarally a pain in the (fill in the blank here), I must admit, she does have her moments of awsomeness!
Q: How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
A: "First, as the average weight of a healthy, young woodchuck is about 10 pounds, let’s assume that said woodchuck is able to cut down and lift pieces of wood approximating this weight. This concept follows the theory that, generally, an animal can lift and car...ry its own body weight.
Also, our average woodchuck can consume as much as about 2000 calories per day derived from lettuce, corn, spinach, peas, squash, cucumbers, alfalfa, clover, oats, and other vegetables, grains, and fruits, most scavenged from farm crops. This means that the woodchuck would be able to chuck a pretty hefty amount of wood, naturally using up his or her daily caloric intake before having to rest.
However, assuming that each cut piece of wood would demand about four calories of woodchuck energy, and knowing that animals generally have a short attention span, the woodchuck might retire for the day after an initial workout. He or she could resume chucking later on, but would still need to retain calories for normal activities until the next day, including some calories to burn in order to keep warm at night. Also, if the wood is too dense, such as with an oak or maple tree, the woodchuck may become frustrated and move on to another, “softer” tree. Either way, let’s assume that he or she would burn about 300 calories.
So, plugging these figures into a formula, we could figure that a woodchuck could chuck 75 10-pound pieces of wood in a day if it could, indeed, chuck wood. However, this amount would be unattainable because by the time a woodchuck chucked this much wood, he or she may have attracted the attention of a red fox and been eaten. Other possible predators are the bobcat, cougar, coyote, mountain lion, wolf, and human hunter. Woodchucks are excellent swimmers and climbers, though, and our sample woodchuck may have escaped, if the chucking didn’t leave it too tired to run, climb, or swim.
It all depends on how quietly the woodchuck chucks, how much energy it expends, and the proximity of the nearest red fox."
www.elitewritingenterprises.com
Also, our average woodchuck can consume as much as about 2000 calories per day derived from lettuce, corn, spinach, peas, squash, cucumbers, alfalfa, clover, oats, and other vegetables, grains, and fruits, most scavenged from farm crops. This means that the woodchuck would be able to chuck a pretty hefty amount of wood, naturally using up his or her daily caloric intake before having to rest.
However, assuming that each cut piece of wood would demand about four calories of woodchuck energy, and knowing that animals generally have a short attention span, the woodchuck might retire for the day after an initial workout. He or she could resume chucking later on, but would still need to retain calories for normal activities until the next day, including some calories to burn in order to keep warm at night. Also, if the wood is too dense, such as with an oak or maple tree, the woodchuck may become frustrated and move on to another, “softer” tree. Either way, let’s assume that he or she would burn about 300 calories.
So, plugging these figures into a formula, we could figure that a woodchuck could chuck 75 10-pound pieces of wood in a day if it could, indeed, chuck wood. However, this amount would be unattainable because by the time a woodchuck chucked this much wood, he or she may have attracted the attention of a red fox and been eaten. Other possible predators are the bobcat, cougar, coyote, mountain lion, wolf, and human hunter. Woodchucks are excellent swimmers and climbers, though, and our sample woodchuck may have escaped, if the chucking didn’t leave it too tired to run, climb, or swim.
It all depends on how quietly the woodchuck chucks, how much energy it expends, and the proximity of the nearest red fox."
www.elitewritingenterprises.com
Another city in California remains in the “a rule of law” for immigration category
The residents from Escondido, California packed the City Council chambers to show their support for Arizona’s SB 1070 immigration law. The southern Californian residents wanted to challenge Councilmember Olga Diaz's attempt to chastise Arizona.
“Those who support Arizona outnumbered the opposition 10 to 1. It seemed that some of those in opposition had been ‘imported’ from outside Escondido to protest,” said Tisha Bennett of Escondido and founder of CERS. “Residents here agree with Arizona that the federal government has failed the American people.”
I, personally, don't have any problem with immigration - as long as it's done correctly. I am personally offended by those who sneak accross our borders, and then demand rights and entitlements as citizens. It's not unlike someone climbing in through my bathroom window at night and then sitting down at my table, complaining about what was served for breakfast! Would you welcome that kind of visitor?
My momma (the immigrant) taught me to come to someone's home only when invited, and to stay only as long as you're welcome. She also taught me that respecting my host and their home goes a long way toward extending your welcome and even being invited back.
I know that this country was built by immigrants. My own mother immigrated here from Honduras back in the early 60's, and my father's grandparents (on both sides) immigrated from Canada, after coming over from Ireland and Germany in the 1880s.
I even spent time on the other side of the issue. I lived abroad (in Ireland) for four years. I knew it was time to come back to the stated when the company I worked for folded and moved back to England. As they were sponsor to my work permit, I couldn't stay unless I could find another employer to sponsor me. I knew my visa was running out, so I packed up my family, and all our belongings, and made the trip back BEFORE it expired.
“Those who support Arizona outnumbered the opposition 10 to 1. It seemed that some of those in opposition had been ‘imported’ from outside Escondido to protest,” said Tisha Bennett of Escondido and founder of CERS. “Residents here agree with Arizona that the federal government has failed the American people.”
I, personally, don't have any problem with immigration - as long as it's done correctly. I am personally offended by those who sneak accross our borders, and then demand rights and entitlements as citizens. It's not unlike someone climbing in through my bathroom window at night and then sitting down at my table, complaining about what was served for breakfast! Would you welcome that kind of visitor?
My momma (the immigrant) taught me to come to someone's home only when invited, and to stay only as long as you're welcome. She also taught me that respecting my host and their home goes a long way toward extending your welcome and even being invited back.
I know that this country was built by immigrants. My own mother immigrated here from Honduras back in the early 60's, and my father's grandparents (on both sides) immigrated from Canada, after coming over from Ireland and Germany in the 1880s.
I even spent time on the other side of the issue. I lived abroad (in Ireland) for four years. I knew it was time to come back to the stated when the company I worked for folded and moved back to England. As they were sponsor to my work permit, I couldn't stay unless I could find another employer to sponsor me. I knew my visa was running out, so I packed up my family, and all our belongings, and made the trip back BEFORE it expired.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Allan just got back last week from a training mission...
All I can say is - better him than me!
http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/DIV/1MAR/2BN/gal_bridgeport10.asp#0
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Way to go Allan!
Posted : Thursday May 27, 2010 12:06:35 EDT
Active-duty petty officer second class (HM2)
Winger Allan D
By Mark D. Faram - Staff writer, Navy Times
The petty officer advancement list is out, and more than 18,000 sailors have something to crow about: They will be move up to become petty officers first, second or third class.
Even as sailors celebrate, there is sobering news: The Navy has active-duty quotas to advance fewer than 15,000 to E-4, E-5 and E-6.
Navy-wide, there is a 16.42 percent chance to advance, with 88,715 sailors passing their tests and 14,570 quotas available to move up. That is down from 19.86 percent last fall and a 24.08 percent chance just a year ago.
Part of the problem is more competition, with 1,758 more sailors passing their tests than the 86,957 who passed in September, and 2,740 more than a year ago, when 85,975 became eligible to advance by passing advancement exams.
But the real killer is fewer quotas, down 2,808 from the 17,378 available slots to move up last fall. That’s also 6,087 fewer than last year’s spring cycle, when 20,657 got a new chevron.
At the E-5 level, opportunity is also down for the third cycle in a row. The overall opportunity to make second class dipped to 15.52 percent, down from the 18.97 percent last fall and 22.6 percent just a year ago.
It’s the lowest chance at making E-5 since fall 1997, when opportunity was 15.06 percent, but still a bit above the 12.57 percent in the fall of 1996, when the Navy was drawing down.
Here, too, competition is rising. Since the spring 2009 cycle, the numbers of test-passers has increased by 1,011 while quotas dropped by 2,109, causing the slide in opportunity.
Although the quotas dropped from last fall by 130, to 3,233, it’s still higher than the 2,787 quotas available last spring. But the drop in quotas was offset by fewer eligible sailors — 1,31l fewer test passers than last fall.
Monday, May 17, 2010
I'm one proud mama!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
:::Whew:: What a relief!
Dad underwent an angioplasty yesterday. He's already survived a quintuple by-pass about 5 years ago, and a couple of small strokes about a year ago, after his surgery for a broken hip, so I tend to worry about him.
Yesterday's surgery went well. They inserted three stints to open blocked arteries, and they kept him overnight. He should be home today, God willing. By the time he heals up from this he should feel like a "new man"... as much as one can at 76.
His new names are "Patch" and "Frankenpoppa" because of how many surgeries he's had over the years.
Yesterday's surgery went well. They inserted three stints to open blocked arteries, and they kept him overnight. He should be home today, God willing. By the time he heals up from this he should feel like a "new man"... as much as one can at 76.
His new names are "Patch" and "Frankenpoppa" because of how many surgeries he's had over the years.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
OK - it's safe now, the Pity Party's over!
I was able to go to work today, and lasted 'till quitting time! (I only endorse those which are Rx used under medical supervision, but "drugs are good; mmmmkay?")
Sunday, January 17, 2010
For any of you who are not yet aware:
Asthma SUCKS!
Another weekend incapacitated. This is really getting old; my abs are getting a work-out that would wear out any MCRD drill instructor. I have nothing in my stomach, because every time I cough, it's with enough force to expel anything I've tried to ingest. How am I supposed to root on my Chargers today if I can't catch my breath?
In case you're worried that I should maybe go to the doctor; I spent a big chunk of yesterday at Kaiser.
Alternately, if you're wondering why I'm boring you with my complaints, remember -misery loves company.
Another weekend incapacitated. This is really getting old; my abs are getting a work-out that would wear out any MCRD drill instructor. I have nothing in my stomach, because every time I cough, it's with enough force to expel anything I've tried to ingest. How am I supposed to root on my Chargers today if I can't catch my breath?
In case you're worried that I should maybe go to the doctor; I spent a big chunk of yesterday at Kaiser.
Alternately, if you're wondering why I'm boring you with my complaints, remember -misery loves company.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
I gotta get out more...
To that end, I'm now seeking a dog-walking companion in R-side. Must be able to carry on stimulating conversation while walking... so power-walkers need not apply. Dog not required, but if you do intend to bring one (or more) he/she/they must have current vaccinations and be well-mannered.
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