A Wayfaring Stranger and A Travelin' Man
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Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in the "Traveller" journal:[<< Previous 20 entries]
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07:25 pm
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Money Doesn't Grow on Trees, But Gasoline Might
Money Doesn't Grow on Trees, But Gasoline Might
National Science Foundation Press Release 08-056
Researchers make breakthrough in creating gasoline from plant matter, with almost no carbon footprint
April 7, 2008
"Researchers have made a breakthrough in the development of "green gasoline," a liquid identical to standard gasoline yet created from sustainable biomass sources like switchgrass and poplar trees.
"Reporting in the cover article of the April 7, 2008 issue of Chemistry & Sustainability, Energy & Materials (ChemSusChem), chemical engineer and National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER awardee George Huber of ..."
"Not only is the method a compact way to treat a great deal of biomass in a short time, Regalbuto [John Regalbuto, who directs the Catalysis and Biocatalysis Program at NSF and supported this research] emphasized that the process, in principle, does not require any external energy. 'In fact, from the extra heat that will be released, you can generate electricity in addition to the biofuel,' he said. 'There will not be just a small carbon footprint for the process; by recovering heat and generating electricity, there won't be any footprint.'"
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11:34 am
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There Shall Be Dragons
From Asking a Judge to Save the World, and Maybe a Whole Lot More
New York Times Published: March 29, 2008
"Dr. Arkani-Hamed said concerning worries about the death of the Earth or universe, 'Neither has any merit.' He pointed out that because of the dice-throwing nature of quantum physics, there was some probability of almost anything happening. There is some minuscule probability, he said, 'the Large Hadron Collider might make dragons that might eat us up.'"
Go Go Hadron Dragons!
(G)
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02:35 pm
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Friends List reduction
I've removed some people from my friends list. There is a separate post marked "friends only" that went up a minute or two ago. If you can't see both posts, and would like to see both posts, please comment. All comments are screened.
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09:30 am
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Superheroes
So, there's this Superhero meme going around, and R K Milholland at Something Positive is running a series of "SuperStupor" strips, and... I guess there must be something in the air.
I woke up with superheroes in my head. Bubbles is bouncy and blond, and she giggles every time she projects one or more spherical force fields. Her telepathic power manifests itself as an ability to hear any vocalization or sub-vocalization from any person or group she's focused on, regardless of where they are. Anyone in the area of her focus experiences Bubble's response as though they were hearing her voice, though a tape recorder doesn't pick up any sound.
Her sister is the inevitable girl (she doesn't use capital letters to write her name), who is essentially unnoticed by everyone all the time.
Their mother, Hovering Hazel, has to concentrate to stay *on* the ground, otherwise, she tends to bob around on the ceiling or drift off into the sky, and she carries anyone she's talking to along with her as she floats away.
There is also the Male Who Has Incredible Powers Because He's From Far Away, and The Wimp, who's body can be shaped into any form by a sufficient application of external force.
So, what superheroes are floating around in *your* head?
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09:33 pm
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Learning about and Dealing With Stress
Back on October 6, 1999, before the dawn of the 21st Century, I attended a seminar in Auburn Alabama hosted by the Children’s Trust Fund. One of the presenters was Dr. Steve Nagy. The following are my notes from his presentation.
( Learning About Stress; Dealing With Stress )
This may be a place I can find the notes again.
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08:47 pm
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"The Guest House" by Rumi + wisdom writings
Back on April 21, 2007, I attended a seminar at the Episcopal Church of St. John & St. Mark on exploring the use of Wisdom Writings as a spiritual practice. Rev. Stan White and Rev. Dr. Joe Clift were the facilitators. The following poem was printed on the flyer for the seminar:
"The Guest House"
Rumi (translated by Coleman arks and John Moyne)
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
the dark thought, the shame,
the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
The following was the description of the seminar given in the flyer:
The Wisdom of the Ages: Using Wisdom Writings as a Spiritual Practice
"What is it that flies free when the heart springs open? Love tumbles out in all of its colors. Tears flow for the sadness of the world; joy pours forth in the embrace of a lover; a tiny wren becomes precious to our eyes; people in the street carry the same cross, the same beauty, as we do. Life, God, call it what you will, is alive and well again, and all things shall be well, whatever they are.
"When the heart opens, we forget ourselves and the world as it is pours in. Great wisdom writings, great poetry, great art is a bridge between our heart and the heart of the world.
"In order to experience the opening of the heart our seminar will explore the writings of mystics, theologians, prophets, and poets from different spiritual traditions and eras. We will allow their words and wisdom to give language and understand to our own spiritual journeys. The morning session will focus on pre-modern voices such as Meister Eckhart, John of the Cross, Rumi, Kabir, and Hafez. the afternoon session will present the wisdom of more contemporary writers like Mary Oliver, D. H. Lawrence, David Whyte, Ghandi, Thomas Merton, and John Lennon."
All is well, and all is well, and all is very well.
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07:59 pm
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What D&D Character Am I?
This quiz is very thorough (129 questions), and it was fun. Note that you must enable javascript and disable pop-up window managers.
( I Am A... )
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05:48 pm
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Alexandra Erin
I found Alexandra Erin's "Tribe" through an ad on "Something Positive." Do yourself a favor and go and read. Lovely 333-word chapters of connected urban fantasy. No superheroes, as such, but still the type of writing ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) katarik might enjoy. I've referenced some of her other works here to help me keep up with them.
Links:
Tribe
Void Dogs
Tales of M.U.
Go! Read! Enjoy!
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09:01 am
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Candidate Clinton Commits to Space Exploration
From the 11/23/2007 Washington Post: Clinton Favors Future Human Spaceflight
"In her Oct. 4 policy statement on a range of scientific issues, Clinton said she 'is committed to a space exploration program that involves robust human spaceflight to complete the Space Station and later human missions, expanded robotic spaceflight probes of our solar system leading to future human exploration, and enhanced space science activities.'
"She also said that in pursuing next-generation programs, she will 'capitalize on the expertise of the current shuttle program workforce and will not allow a repeat of the 'brain drain' that occurred between the Apollo and shuttle missions.'
"But the same day, Clinton somewhat muted her support for an aggressive human space exploration program by telling a New York Times reporter that travel to Mars 'excites people,' adding that she is 'more focused on nearer-term goals I think are achievable.' She also said the Bush administration has shortchanged NASA's earth science and aeronautics programs, and that they need to be expanded.
"She promised to 'restore a national commitment' to unfettered and ambitious scientific research and exploration."
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06:58 pm
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Loverly fan fiction
Found through dakiwiboid
Sam Vimes solves the theft of the Silmarils!
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08:51 pm
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US evangelicals aim to influence European law
From the Christian Science Monitor
US evangelicals aim to influence European law
"[A current case] is emblematic of the growing effort by US Christian legal organizations to take the "culture wars" overseas. Pushing back against a perceived assault on their values by an increasingly secular society, the groups are striving to influence European law on issues ranging from home schooling to stem-cell research to gay marriage."
The article ends with a list of some of the organizations in Europe being funded by groups in the U.S.
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04:41 pm
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Meditation/Prayer
I first heard this earlier this year at the Episcopal Church of St John & St Mark in Albany. I really like it as a meditation or prayer. It was spoken aloud in the adult Sunday School class, with a pause between the lines and a short period of silence following.
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know that I am
Be still and know
Be still
Be
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09:29 pm
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Invisibility machine
"Disappear into thin air? Scientists take step toward invisibility."
Christian Science Monitor article
"The key is a new class of engineered substances called metamaterials."
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10:56 pm
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That meme
The first five people to respond to this post will get a song written by me, specifically for them, based on what I believe they will like, and containing up to five words of their choice. Or it's possible that all five people will get the same song containing all twenty five words. Or some combination thereof.
The only catch, of course; as with most memes, if you sign up, it is desirable that you put this in your own journal as well.
Also, I make no promises about response time. I'll try to do them in a timely fashion, but I can't guarantee inspiration will strike immediately ;)
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10:15 pm
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Old School
Old School! Yes!
Home on the Strange
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08:52 pm
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Details of a life
I got my car back Friday. It's good to fall back into a routine and be able to drive without having to plan transportation.
James and Jennifer had a Halo party Friday night. A reporter from their school newspaper came by to take pictures. Perhaps this will be the first nine seconds of their fifteen minutes of fame.
I was cutting the grass Saturday when a friend drove up towing a massive professional lawnmower. He had rented it to take care of another friend's large yard, and was trying to put it to the maximum use before returning it. His sons and nephews finished the whole yard in less than an hour. I did the area inside the back fence myself, just because I had promised myself I would. In general, though, all I had to do was contribute toward the rental, and I had to convince him to accept that.
I spent about three hours Sunday at work completing some materials for the Board package. The Board meeting last night went well, and they passed the adjustments to several staff salaries that show recognition for work above and beyond the call of duty.
The Board meeting ran late, so I was late for my first swing dance class. Actually, the first class was last Monday, but I was out of town. My partner and I had a good time. I've tried swing before, but this was the first time I've really had the steps feel right. There's no class next week because of Labor Day, so I'll get to see how much I can retain over a two week break.
I spent most of the day out of the office at meetings, though I did get a few work things accomplished in the late afternoon. Apart from work, I have to get some additional planning done for my birthday party (also filk) on September 16. I did get the announcement out to the Georgia filk mailing list this evening.
Maybe some guitar practice now.
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09:41 pm
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Cheshire Moon
There's a Cheshire Moon in the sky tonight, grinning at the world.
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08:30 pm
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Update
I got to work on Sunday in just enough time to gather up materials and drive to Augusta for the Celebrating Rural Georgia conference that started on Monday. I forgot my phone, which has left me feeling oddly anxious and out of touch all this week.
I got to Augusta in time to have dinner and make music with Barbara, Terri, William & his wife, Bryan and his wife and other friends (someone help me out with names). I really enjoyed Bryan's guitar work, Terri's singing and guitar, and all of Barbara's material. I talked with Bryan about getting some recording done in the relatively near future - now I have to follow up with a real schedule.
Augusta is a beautiful town. The city has done a lot with the downtown, and it was a pleasure to drive there. The river walk development is lovely. Recommended.
Celebrating Rural Georgia was a mixed bag. There were some useful presentations and some that were more like political commercials. I suppose I should have expected it in an election year - can't let an opportunity to announce a new initiative pass by.
I left Augusta yesterday and drove to Atlanta through a series of nasty thunder storms. I arrived almost an hour later than I intended, but I was still able to have dinner with a friend. The evening was much better for the company and conversation.
The hotel I stayed in was the midtown Best Western - the Granada. It had a Spanish influence throughout, but had been extensively re-modeled. I was in a mini-apartment on the third floor - two stories high with kitchen on the main level and a stairway up to the bed room and bathroom. There were skylights in the roof in every room on the second floor, and I could see the lights of the towers in the Atlanta skyline while I was lying in the bed. It would be a great room to share with someone on a mini-vacation, with flowers and a bottle of wine on the dining table and the lights of the skyline to light the room. Unfortunately, on an overnight business trip, it was mostly inconvenient rather than romantic to have to schlep luggage up and down the stairs.
Today's training session for CEO's of nonprofits was much better than the Celebrating Rural Georgia conference. I had some doubts about attending, but the quality of the presentation was worth the cost. The material was on marketing and branding non-profit organizations, and I came away with several things that we need to begin doing as we plan with the Board for the organization's future.
After I got home this afternoon, I called the body shop in Albany where my car is located. They were able to find and secure a used bumper, so my car won't have to be totaled after all. (WHEW! I wasn't ready to add another debt just this instant.) They will also be able to repair the mirror on the passenger side door while they are replacing the bumper. I'll pay the deductible on the bumper and the full price on the door repair (it was old damage not caused by James' accident). I also called and found that I will be able to get the cracked windshield replaced here in town for a reasonable price in about two weeks. Now, if I can get the air conditioning fixed....
This afternoon and evening, I did three loads of laundry, two loads of dishes, helped Jennifer disassemble her old bed to make room for the new bed, swept most of the water from day-before-yesterday's storm out of the garage, paid for our new central air conditioning unit, and carried six bags of trash to the back. Beth assembled a set of shelves to hold materials in the garage and did a heavy cleanup job (in addition to cooking supper).
Beth and Jennifer are assembling her new bed. Maybe I'll practice guitar.
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10:11 pm
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Start of the week
I got a little done Friday, but mostly went to meetings during the rest of the days of this past week.
Today, I volunteered in the Triathlon ("If Football were hard, they would call it a triathlon") for a little while. Then Beth and I took a borrowed vehicle back to Atlanta.
Tomorrow, I go to work to complete some materials for the Board meeting on the 28th, drive to Augusta for the Celebrating Rural Georgia conference that begins Monday, and visit with Barbara and Terri. Monday and Tuesday are conference days. Tuesday night, I drive to Atlanta for a CEO 60 meeting presented by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits that begins at 8 am Wednesday morning. Wednesday night, I go home. Thursday, I ride to the Congressional Luncheon with some other members of the Chamber of Commerce. Friday I have meetings, and Friday evening, James has a Halo party.
I think I may plan to do very little next Saturday.
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12:17 am
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Clerks II
James and I went to see "Clerks II" tonight. It certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I liked it a lot. I thought it was very funny.
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