I noticed it the other day as I drove by. I usually drive by it once or twice a week, but this time I looked, took notice, perceived. And I did not like what I saw. I did not like what they had done to it. It used to be a place of beauty and sanctuary. Now it's just...just...it's...well, I should probably back up a little and give some background.
At the end of a range of hills there was a place that the locals called Bedrock. This Bedrock was so called because of the underlying...bedrock. It was a place of solitude in the midst of suburbia, an escape to the peace and quiet of nature. Once you got up to the top area, no one down below could see what you were doing. It was a place suitable for many outdoor activities - paintball, hiking, meditating, riding, praying, comet watching - but I will focus on MTB'ing at Bedrock.
It was at bedrock that I got my first taste of "real" moutain biking. I remember that as a teenager and young adult we (me, my younger bro, and our neighbor, Jack) would ride about 7 miles from home just to get to Bedrock, then we'd ride up in the hills for a while, then 7 more miles home. When I re-connected with a longtime friend, it was at Bedrock that we rode. At Bedrock I learned to do a boulder-fall, also called a drop. At Bedrock I learned the art of gracefully flying over the handlebars while braking too hard going downhill.
At Bedrock I witnessed the proper technique of using the feet as brakes on long downhills. My friend Eric, yes that Eric, had lost his brakes one day, so he put his feet down to control his speed. It worked - he survived - but his shoes' soles were worn flat - I can picture it still. On another date, on the same slope I think, this same Eric executed the most perfect splash through a mud puddle that I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. I remember it clearly: Eric was a little ahead of me, to my left, and he positioned himself and aimed his splash perfectly. I don't think it would have been possible to give me a more thorough soaking in that situation. It was a beautiful moment.
I was never sure if we were trespassing, or if the land was officially open to the public, but there were no ranger, no cops, and a lot of people went up there.
I remember the last time I rode at Bedrock. It was after the land had been sold to private owners and fences were put up. My friend, Paul, and I decided to have one last ride up at Bedrock. I don't remember how we got inside the fences, but we went on up and had our last visit.
And now it's gone: no more old-growth Oaks, no more turkeys, no more Miwok Indian caves, no more bike paths, no more boulders to fall over, no more poison oak. Now, it's just green, artificially maintained grass and sand - a golf course. A golf course. Prime MTB land was sold and turned into a golf course, but we will never forget what once was.
Farewell, Bedrock - gone, but not forgotten.
bIsh
**If I am ever rich enough to buy the land, I think I'll tear out the golf course and let the land return to its natural state. Then I'll build a MTB course for me and my friends.**
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Pure Apple-y Freshness
Our subject for this evening's discussion is the Fuji Apple. A common variety is the Fuji, easily found at any grocery store, available most of the year. Coloration. The Fuji has a yellowish or pinkish base, painted over with red vertical stripes and vertical dashes. There is also a layer of red speckles that is visible if one looks closely. There is a close resemblance to the Gala apple. The flesh is firm, but not very cohesive. That is to say, it is crisp when bitten into, but it does not lend itself naturally to biting off big chunks. When fresh, the Fuji is not mushy or soft, but this may change if refrigerated for an extended period. Flavor varies from sweetish to sharp, often in the same apple, with no tartness or sharpness. All in all, a Fuji is a good, flavorful apple when fresh. As with most apples, organic is my recommendation, if available.
Comparing apples and...
bIsh
Comparing apples and...
bIsh
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Have you lost weight?
Have you lost weight?
Over the past couple months, a few of my co-workers have asked the above question. I have lost a few pounds over the past months, and it's nice to know that other people notice without my saying anything about it. In fact, this past week I've been wearing my belt one hole tighter than I used to. How did I do it? You might say I'm on the Bish's Slow and Gradual Weight Loss Plan. What's that? Well, first a little background on dieting in-general. Despite all of the nutritional and medical knowledge we have today, there is still only one way to lose weight (excluding surgery or loss of a body part) - burn more calories than you take in. Fancy fads, special eating programs - Weight Watchers, Atkins, Jenny Craig, et. al. - are designed to do two things: 1) Help and motivate people to burn more calories than they take in. 2) Make money for someone. There's nothing wrong with these programs, and many have been helped by them. Understand, however, that they are merely variations on the same theme.
A while ago I made some small changes to my diet, and initiated an increase in my weekly and monthly exercise. Nothing drastic, nothing too time-consuming, nothing that most everyone can't do. But the results are real. People have noticed. I have noticed. The scale has noticed. How did I do it?
Diet: Nothing too drastic here. Basically, I decided to cut back a lot on my sugar intake and increase my fruit intake. Notice I didn't say, "give up sugar". That would be drastic, and a bit more difficult. There are many areas of the diet in which it is easy to eliminate refined sugar, but I will focus here on four: Bread, Peanut Butter, Pasta Sauce, and Salsa. I also started using honey (raw and uncooked) as a sweetener for my tea in place of sugar.
Bread. There are a lot of good breads available that have no sugar and no hydrogenated oils (think vegetable shortening - very bad for the health). It may take a little looking, but the major grocery stores do carry such bread. Two excellent brands that I eat are Beckmans and Alfaro's. Your region of the country (world) may have its own varieties.
Peanut Butter. I find it amazing how much junk is in most peanut butters. Read a few ingredients labels for yourself. I have found that the "natural style" peanut butters (such as Adam's) taste better and are more agreeable to my gustatory system. In my opinion, the only things that should be in a proper peanut butter are peanuts and/or salt (and maybe peanut oil). Sugar and hydrogenated oils have no place here. I know the objections - you have to stir it up, you have to keep it refrigerated - and in my opinion these are weak objections. I will stir and refrigerate my peanut butter if it means better health. Some alternatives to peanut butter (not necessarily carried by the major grocery chains) are cashew butter and almond butter. In my case, peanut butter at all became progressively disagreeable with my digestive tract and I switched to cashew butter, with no problems to date.
Pasta Sauce. I only buy pasta sauce with no sugar and no hydrogenated oils. As with peanut butter, it's amazing what some brands put in pasta sauce. In my experience, a good pasta sauce doesn't need sugar to improve the taste. Sometimes I make my own pasta sauce, starting with plain tomato sauce as a base. It's not hard to do, and it can be most satisfying.
Salsa. The salsa I buy consists primarily of vegetables, seasonings, and spices. As such, I believe it is a good way to get a good serving of vegetables. Why spoil perfectly good chilies, peppers, tomatoes, etc. by infusing them with artificial chemicals and "natural flavor"? There are some excellent salsas on the market that have no sugar or hydrogenated oils. Again, read the ingredients lists. I usually have no trouble finding a salsa that fits. Chipotle salsa and salsa verde are two varieties that I am especially fond of. I prefer medium heat.
Exercise: Again, nothing extreme. I ride a bike to work 3 to 4 days a week, and I take long rides on weekends. When daylight savings kicks in again I'll be able to ride after work sometimes. I love riding. One benefit of living where I do is the close proximity of hills and mountains in which to ride. It's nice to get out of the city and into nature. I've also been doing push ups several nights a week. My goal right now is 50 good push ups, 5 to 6 nights a week. I'm close to that, and I have noticed a difference.
These are just a few ideas that have helped me. My main point in all this is that it doesn't take drastic changes in lifestyle to lose weight and get in better shape. It might take longer doing it my way, but it has worked for me, and by integrating these small changes into my daily life, and making them habits, the results should last and I should continue to improve.
Your calorige may vary.
bIsh
Over the past couple months, a few of my co-workers have asked the above question. I have lost a few pounds over the past months, and it's nice to know that other people notice without my saying anything about it. In fact, this past week I've been wearing my belt one hole tighter than I used to. How did I do it? You might say I'm on the Bish's Slow and Gradual Weight Loss Plan. What's that? Well, first a little background on dieting in-general. Despite all of the nutritional and medical knowledge we have today, there is still only one way to lose weight (excluding surgery or loss of a body part) - burn more calories than you take in. Fancy fads, special eating programs - Weight Watchers, Atkins, Jenny Craig, et. al. - are designed to do two things: 1) Help and motivate people to burn more calories than they take in. 2) Make money for someone. There's nothing wrong with these programs, and many have been helped by them. Understand, however, that they are merely variations on the same theme.
A while ago I made some small changes to my diet, and initiated an increase in my weekly and monthly exercise. Nothing drastic, nothing too time-consuming, nothing that most everyone can't do. But the results are real. People have noticed. I have noticed. The scale has noticed. How did I do it?
Diet: Nothing too drastic here. Basically, I decided to cut back a lot on my sugar intake and increase my fruit intake. Notice I didn't say, "give up sugar". That would be drastic, and a bit more difficult. There are many areas of the diet in which it is easy to eliminate refined sugar, but I will focus here on four: Bread, Peanut Butter, Pasta Sauce, and Salsa. I also started using honey (raw and uncooked) as a sweetener for my tea in place of sugar.
Bread. There are a lot of good breads available that have no sugar and no hydrogenated oils (think vegetable shortening - very bad for the health). It may take a little looking, but the major grocery stores do carry such bread. Two excellent brands that I eat are Beckmans and Alfaro's. Your region of the country (world) may have its own varieties.
Peanut Butter. I find it amazing how much junk is in most peanut butters. Read a few ingredients labels for yourself. I have found that the "natural style" peanut butters (such as Adam's) taste better and are more agreeable to my gustatory system. In my opinion, the only things that should be in a proper peanut butter are peanuts and/or salt (and maybe peanut oil). Sugar and hydrogenated oils have no place here. I know the objections - you have to stir it up, you have to keep it refrigerated - and in my opinion these are weak objections. I will stir and refrigerate my peanut butter if it means better health. Some alternatives to peanut butter (not necessarily carried by the major grocery chains) are cashew butter and almond butter. In my case, peanut butter at all became progressively disagreeable with my digestive tract and I switched to cashew butter, with no problems to date.
Pasta Sauce. I only buy pasta sauce with no sugar and no hydrogenated oils. As with peanut butter, it's amazing what some brands put in pasta sauce. In my experience, a good pasta sauce doesn't need sugar to improve the taste. Sometimes I make my own pasta sauce, starting with plain tomato sauce as a base. It's not hard to do, and it can be most satisfying.
Salsa. The salsa I buy consists primarily of vegetables, seasonings, and spices. As such, I believe it is a good way to get a good serving of vegetables. Why spoil perfectly good chilies, peppers, tomatoes, etc. by infusing them with artificial chemicals and "natural flavor"? There are some excellent salsas on the market that have no sugar or hydrogenated oils. Again, read the ingredients lists. I usually have no trouble finding a salsa that fits. Chipotle salsa and salsa verde are two varieties that I am especially fond of. I prefer medium heat.
Exercise: Again, nothing extreme. I ride a bike to work 3 to 4 days a week, and I take long rides on weekends. When daylight savings kicks in again I'll be able to ride after work sometimes. I love riding. One benefit of living where I do is the close proximity of hills and mountains in which to ride. It's nice to get out of the city and into nature. I've also been doing push ups several nights a week. My goal right now is 50 good push ups, 5 to 6 nights a week. I'm close to that, and I have noticed a difference.
These are just a few ideas that have helped me. My main point in all this is that it doesn't take drastic changes in lifestyle to lose weight and get in better shape. It might take longer doing it my way, but it has worked for me, and by integrating these small changes into my daily life, and making them habits, the results should last and I should continue to improve.
Your calorige may vary.
bIsh
Thursday, January 18, 2007
What's With The Apples?
Tonight we will be discussing the Pink Lady Apple. This is a smaller variety with a nice round form. Primary colors for this apple are yellows, pinks, and some red, like a Pacific Rose, but with a different distribuation and more yellow. Flavor is a nice level of apple-y sharpness. To my palate, it is just about right - not sour or tart at all. The flesh is solid and compact - there's no mushiness here. All in all, a good choice for a smaller apple.
A blog a day keeps the doctor away.
bIsh
A blog a day keeps the doctor away.
bIsh
Lament For Windows Defrag
What's up with Windows Defrag? I remember back in the day (we're talkin' Windows 95, 98, ME - a group fondly referred to as Windows 9x, or Win9x) when watching a disk defrag was an entertaining thing. I remember watching the individual blocks being scanned, moved, consolidated into one solid mass. I remember the colors, too. Light blue and grey were for blocks that had yet to be scanned and moved; yellow was for blocks being read; red was for blocks being written; dark blue was for blocks that had been scanned and moved; white was for empty space. There were a few other colors, too. It was actually fun to watch. I remember there were options - you could choose the level of defraging, and you could choose to do a Scandisk at the same time.
But no more. Times have changed. The old, entertaining Defrag is gone. Gone since Windows 2000 (also called Win2k, or Win 2k). The big, scrolling display of individual blocks has been replaced two horizontal colored graphs - a "before" and "after". These graphs consist of colored vertical bands and stripes; blue (there's only one blue) is for data that Windows doesn't think needs defraging; red is for data that Windows will defrag; lime green is for data that Windows can't (or won't) defrag; white is still for empty space. Watching Defrag these days is about as exciting as watching water freeze. Yeah, you can watch the stripes change from red to blue, and move around a bit, but it's not the same - not nearly as interesting. And there are no options. It's either defrag or don't; no levels of defragmentation to choose from.
Why? Why? Why did they have to change good old Defrag? Why couldn't they leave it alone? It was one of the few things you could depend on in Win9x (most of the time). On the other hand, with HDD capacities quickly approaching 1TB (yes that is a "T" in front of the "B"), you'd be spending a lot of time watching those blocks move around. Hmmm....
They just don't build 'em like they used to (thank goodness).
bIsh
But no more. Times have changed. The old, entertaining Defrag is gone. Gone since Windows 2000 (also called Win2k, or Win 2k). The big, scrolling display of individual blocks has been replaced two horizontal colored graphs - a "before" and "after". These graphs consist of colored vertical bands and stripes; blue (there's only one blue) is for data that Windows doesn't think needs defraging; red is for data that Windows will defrag; lime green is for data that Windows can't (or won't) defrag; white is still for empty space. Watching Defrag these days is about as exciting as watching water freeze. Yeah, you can watch the stripes change from red to blue, and move around a bit, but it's not the same - not nearly as interesting. And there are no options. It's either defrag or don't; no levels of defragmentation to choose from.
Why? Why? Why did they have to change good old Defrag? Why couldn't they leave it alone? It was one of the few things you could depend on in Win9x (most of the time). On the other hand, with HDD capacities quickly approaching 1TB (yes that is a "T" in front of the "B"), you'd be spending a lot of time watching those blocks move around. Hmmm....
They just don't build 'em like they used to (thank goodness).
bIsh
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Creationst Musings
Just a few random thoughts. Things I've learned in the past year.
Did you know that in the entire world, there is NO place where the evolutinary geologic column exists? Nowhere. In fact, there's no place where more than 3 layers of material are in the "correct" evolutionary order. Yet this LIE is still in our public school textbooks.
Did you know that the ideas of gill slits and parallel embryonic development were proven false OVER 125 YEARS ago? By secular science? Yet these LIES are STILL in our public school textbooks today!
Did you know that most state laws require textbooks for schools to be accurate? Yet somehow these LIES, and others, keep getting included.
Willful ignorance is bliss.
bIsh
Did you know that in the entire world, there is NO place where the evolutinary geologic column exists? Nowhere. In fact, there's no place where more than 3 layers of material are in the "correct" evolutionary order. Yet this LIE is still in our public school textbooks.
Did you know that the ideas of gill slits and parallel embryonic development were proven false OVER 125 YEARS ago? By secular science? Yet these LIES are STILL in our public school textbooks today!
Did you know that most state laws require textbooks for schools to be accurate? Yet somehow these LIES, and others, keep getting included.
Willful ignorance is bliss.
bIsh
Still More Apples
I tried another kind of apple tonight - the Ambrosia. This is a small apple, with a color scheme comprised mainly of yellow with red highlights. The flesh is mostly firm, but on the soft side of firm. The flavor is mild, sweet, but not very distinct. There may be just a hint of sharpness, but overall it's a good blend. Hmmm...not sure where I'd put this on my list of favorite apples, but it is an enjoyable choice despite its small size.
"A" is for apple, "B" is for...
bIsh
"A" is for apple, "B" is for...
bIsh
Apples Re-visited
Recently I have discovered a variety of apple that I didn't know about before - the Pacific Rose. This is a larger variety with a coloring that is predominatly pink with some yellow thrown in for good measure. The flesh is firm and crisp, and the flavor is sweet and mild, with no discernable tartness or sharpness. This is a very smooth apple, and I highly recommend it. The Honeycrisp is still my all-time favorite apple, but the Pacific Rose is a close second, and in-season Golden Delicious a close third. I have also discovered that apples are best when kept un-refrigerated. They will last quite a while at room temperature. Refrigerating apples tends to (in my observations) rob their flesh of firmness and crispness and flavor.
Enjoyment to the Core.
bIsh
Enjoyment to the Core.
bIsh
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Beware the Bear
The following is a true account of a bear encounter that I had while camping with a friend of mine near Downieville , California
bIsh
What’s that I see? Is it? Yes it is, a fire. And two people. This one looks promising. Got to get closer. Sniff sniff. Do I smell…beef? Meat? Yes! People always carry more food than they eat, so I get meat tonight! And, sniff, what else? Corn - smells like they burned it. No thanks. Apples? Yes, I smell apples. I love apples! I don’t find them here in the woods - only people have apples. This is better: now I’m close enough to see them good. Yup, only two people. Eww. Cigar smoke. Ooh. I see a cooler.
Wait. Did that person hear me? I don’t think so. It was only a small twig I stepped on. He’s not turning around. Oh no, now he’s turning his head to look. And he’s got a light in his hand. It’s a bright light. Right in my eyes. Thanks a lot, dude. Now he’s calling his friend to look. Great, two people staring at me with two lights. Ok, ok, you’ve seen me, now turn off the lights and get back to your fire. At least they’re not yelling or freaking out. Argh. Looks like they’re gonna keep staring. I’ll just sneak off into the woods and come back later for the food. Let’s see, first some water from the stream, then to mosey on over to the other side of their camp site to wait for them to go inside their shelter. Those people and their shelters. Why don’t they just lay down on the ground to sleep, like me? Oh yeah, no fur. I don’t know what I’d do without my fur. Probably be real cold.
Ah, that was some good water - I like this stream. Here I am, back at the other side of the camp site, out of sight in the trees. They won’t see me here. Now to watch and wait. Look at those two suckers. They keep shining their lights in the direction I walked off. Do they really think I’m gonna come from the same direction? Hello! I know this campground. I live here. What are they doing now? Putting their food away. Cleaning up. Moving all of the food away from the temporary shelter. Yes! I should be able to eat without disturbing them. Just a little longer stomach. Hold on. That one guy’s still watching the fire, but they’re not adding wood. Looks like the fire’s dying. All right! Fire’s out and they’re heading in for the night. Wait. Wait. Wait. The light’s still on inside the shelter. Come on guys, go to sleep - I’m hungry. Light’s off. Wait. Wait. Wait. They should be asleep by now. Alright! Dinner time!
Let’s see what we have here. Apples! Corn! Wait, it’s burned corn. No thanks. Food bars! Don’t want to eat the wrapper on those, so I’ll open one up and have a taste. Mmmmm. And what’s in this unopened bag? One way to find out. I’m guessing chips. Yes! Chips! Fritos! Score! Munch munch. Mmm. Munch munch. I’ll save some of them for dessert. Now for those apples. Munch munch. Mmmm. Good apples. Chomp chomp. I know I’m makin’ noise with these apples, but they’re so good and…wait, what’s that noise? It’s coming from the people’s shelter. Are they getting up? Did they hear me? Munch munch. Oh well, what are they going to do? Keep eating. Chomp chomp. There’s the zipper on the shelter, and there they go. Wait, now that one is turning to see me, with the light in my face again. Munch munch. Good apples. Now the other one has his light on me, too. Come on, guys. Can’t a bear eat a meal in peace? Well? Are you just going to stare at me? Ok, so you want to watch me eat. Well too bad. I think I’ll just grab this cooler and head into the trees. Later, dudes. Hmmm. This is a nice cooler. Fits well in my mouth. And I’m gone. Into the trees. I know they won’t follow me here - no one ever does. And they can’t see me with those lights, not where I am now. But I can hear them yelling. Ha ha ha. Keep yelling guys! Now, let’s see what’s in this cooler. I’ll just pop the lid off (no need to break it). Ice. Juice - orange juice. Good orange juice! Sweeeeeet. Slurp slurp slurp. And…beef! Yes! Only one small piece, but it’s beef. And what’s in this wrapper? Bacon! Bacon bacon bacon! Good, thick bacon! Yeah! Bacon! Munch munch munch. Slurp. Munch. Awesome. What else? Eggs. Nice. Crunch crunch. And…sausage! Good sausage! Woohoo. Munch munch munch. Thanks, guys! You really know how to take care of a bear! I like you. I think I’ll leave the cooler where they can find it in the morning. Mmm. Back to my bacon now. Mmmmm….
Mmmmm.......baaaconbIsh
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Watch the light.
Ah, well I remember it. It was a clear summer night - or maybe spring, or winter, or fall perhaps. I don't remember now, but it was a clear night for sure. We, a friend and myself, were heading out late at night to watch a comet (either Hyakutaki or Hale-Bopp). We were heading south on highway 85, in Silicon Valley, in my '84 VW Rabbit (silver, four-door, 1.7 liter, 5-speed, dark blue interior, AC) - I was driving. The two front windows were down (I always put the widnows down, even in cold weather (but not in the rain)). Traffic - what traffic there was late at night - was flowing nicely, and my friend and myself were engaged in a deep conversation on some topic that I don't recall. Suddenly and without warning, a bright white-ish light appeared in the heavens, high above the surrounding hills and scenery, and it proceeded to proceed from right to left across the sky.
"Big deal," some might say, "a meteorite (or shooting star)." But those people would be answering prematurely, for there is more startling informatin to be revealed. As this light moved across the sky, it did not move in the smooth, straight line of a regular shooting star (or meteorite). Nay, rather, it zig-zagged up and down as it moved across the sky - most un-meteorite-like. After it had moved across the sky a ways (zig-zagging), the light disappeared.
Immediately upon its disappearence I turned to my right and looked at my friend in wonder, wondering if he had seen it, and indeed if I had really seen what I saw - so awe-struck was I. I discovered that he was staring at me, awe-struck also. We asked each other if we had really seen it, and indeed we had. I have never seen anything like it before or since, and to this day I do not know what it was, and I make no claims for what it was or was not. But I do tell you most certainly that it did not move like any shooting star or meteorite I have ever seen or heard of.
Anyway, that's it, my UFO story. As far as I know there was no missing time, and no long-term effects, just a sighting of something from a distance.
Keep looking up.
bIsh
"Big deal," some might say, "a meteorite (or shooting star)." But those people would be answering prematurely, for there is more startling informatin to be revealed. As this light moved across the sky, it did not move in the smooth, straight line of a regular shooting star (or meteorite). Nay, rather, it zig-zagged up and down as it moved across the sky - most un-meteorite-like. After it had moved across the sky a ways (zig-zagging), the light disappeared.
Immediately upon its disappearence I turned to my right and looked at my friend in wonder, wondering if he had seen it, and indeed if I had really seen what I saw - so awe-struck was I. I discovered that he was staring at me, awe-struck also. We asked each other if we had really seen it, and indeed we had. I have never seen anything like it before or since, and to this day I do not know what it was, and I make no claims for what it was or was not. But I do tell you most certainly that it did not move like any shooting star or meteorite I have ever seen or heard of.
Anyway, that's it, my UFO story. As far as I know there was no missing time, and no long-term effects, just a sighting of something from a distance.
Keep looking up.
bIsh
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Wither Pluto?
Ah Pluto, the least loved of the planets, or dwarf planets, or orbiting spacial objects, or whatever they're calling it today. Pluto, for over 80 years included with the nine in the pantheon of planets; now demoted in status, outcast, no longer part of the gang. Pluto, now the father of a new class of orbiting spheres - dwarf planets (or Trans-Neptunian Objects). Is it the end of an era or the beginning? And does it really matter?
Certainly, Pluto isn't affected by what we call it, and neither is the rest of the universe. In fact, life on Earth will not change at all. Sure, textbooks will have to be revised, and certain mnemonic devices will have to be rethought, but that's about it. And there may be a few arguments and debates, but nothing too serious. No wars will be fought, no one will resort to fisticuffs. Angry mobs will not rise up against the cruel oppressors of astronomy. Telescopes and observatories will not be burned or looted. In fact, I'd wager that in 10 years this will not be given a second thought.
After all, the classification of heavenly bodies is just a human convention. We like to classify and categorize and sort and name. Look at the animal kingdom. We have names and classes and orders and families and species and phylums and genuses, but the animals don't care. It doesn't really matter how we class them from the animals' point of view. Look at life, too. When I was in high school there were 5 kingdoms of life - Plant, Animal, Protist, Bacteria, Fungi - and now there are 6 or 7 recognized kingdoms of life - depending on whom one asks. So it is with celestial things. Where there was officially (or unofficially, as there was never a formal definition of planet) one class of things called planet, now there are at least two, and there may be more in the future. So be it.
The thing I don't understand is why some, or maybe many, astronomers are opposed to including Pluto with the planets and possibly classifying more things as planets. There's enough room in the solar system for a few more planets, right? So why are so many in the astronomic community so opposed? I don't know.
The key disqualifier for Pluto's planethood is that it does not "clear its orbit"; that is, it crosses the orbit of another planet - Neptune. Of course, if this definition is consistently applied Neptune must also be demoted from planethood because it crosses Pluto's orbit. On the other hand, one could now argue that since Pluto is not a true planet anymore, Neptune does not cross the path of another true planet. But this is splitting hairs, and could lead to splitting headaches.
Bottom line - it doesn't matter. I shall continue to think of Pluto as one of the planets, regardless of the official classification. It is big and round and it orbits the sun and no other bodies. It was orbiting the sun long before man discovered it, and it will keep on orbiting until the Lord declares otherwise.
Just don't ask Mickey to rename his dog.
bIsh
Certainly, Pluto isn't affected by what we call it, and neither is the rest of the universe. In fact, life on Earth will not change at all. Sure, textbooks will have to be revised, and certain mnemonic devices will have to be rethought, but that's about it. And there may be a few arguments and debates, but nothing too serious. No wars will be fought, no one will resort to fisticuffs. Angry mobs will not rise up against the cruel oppressors of astronomy. Telescopes and observatories will not be burned or looted. In fact, I'd wager that in 10 years this will not be given a second thought.
After all, the classification of heavenly bodies is just a human convention. We like to classify and categorize and sort and name. Look at the animal kingdom. We have names and classes and orders and families and species and phylums and genuses, but the animals don't care. It doesn't really matter how we class them from the animals' point of view. Look at life, too. When I was in high school there were 5 kingdoms of life - Plant, Animal, Protist, Bacteria, Fungi - and now there are 6 or 7 recognized kingdoms of life - depending on whom one asks. So it is with celestial things. Where there was officially (or unofficially, as there was never a formal definition of planet) one class of things called planet, now there are at least two, and there may be more in the future. So be it.
The thing I don't understand is why some, or maybe many, astronomers are opposed to including Pluto with the planets and possibly classifying more things as planets. There's enough room in the solar system for a few more planets, right? So why are so many in the astronomic community so opposed? I don't know.
The key disqualifier for Pluto's planethood is that it does not "clear its orbit"; that is, it crosses the orbit of another planet - Neptune. Of course, if this definition is consistently applied Neptune must also be demoted from planethood because it crosses Pluto's orbit. On the other hand, one could now argue that since Pluto is not a true planet anymore, Neptune does not cross the path of another true planet. But this is splitting hairs, and could lead to splitting headaches.
Bottom line - it doesn't matter. I shall continue to think of Pluto as one of the planets, regardless of the official classification. It is big and round and it orbits the sun and no other bodies. It was orbiting the sun long before man discovered it, and it will keep on orbiting until the Lord declares otherwise.
Just don't ask Mickey to rename his dog.
bIsh
Voices part 2
A quick update to my last post. I called out to the voice, and it has called back to me. Fellowship has been restored. I have learned much, and I will be wiser in response to this voice. The voice is friendly now, and I think it will likely be for some time. If things start to turn otherwise, I will know better how to respond.
Hear ya later.
bIsh
Hear ya later.
bIsh
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
The Voice is Calling
A voice. I hear it. A voice from the past. A voice that has been silent for a time. Many yoms. A voice that was grating and harsh when last I heard it. Now it calls to me from the mists. Calls me to call back to it. It is no longer harsh, but kind and inviting. A voice I know well. This voice, has it run out of ears in its misty realm? Is it seeking familiar ears to fall upon? Familiar voices to return the call? I have known this voice - the full spectrum of itself - for many yoms, until it silenced itself to me. Chose to not fill my ears more with sound. Chose to be a voice unto itself - a voice that did not need any ears to hear it.
Now it calls out to me again. What shall I do? Shall I answer this voice? Shall I open my ears once again? I must decide. Has the voice changed from grating to graceful? Or is this merely one more swing around the loop of itself? One more part in the cycle of the voice - its full spectrum?
The cycle of the voice once took years to complete; now it is months. Faster and faster it seems to cycle. How can I listen to the voice but not be caught by its cycle?
Much has happened since last I heard the voice, and I like to think I am a bit wiser in regard to it. I think I can listen wiselyer and avoid those other parts of the voice's spectrum of cycling. I can, I believe, be prepared and shield myself from those parts.
I will call out to this voice. For, in truth, I have been listening for it, hoping that I would again hear it, but also letting it go, further and further behind me. I will call out. I will be cautious, but I will call out. For, in truth, this voice is seeking other voices, other ears. It does not like to be cut off, alone, with no ears to hear it. I will call this voice because I have said that I would be available if the voice ever called out to me again.
At least it's not a voice in my head.
bIsh
Now it calls out to me again. What shall I do? Shall I answer this voice? Shall I open my ears once again? I must decide. Has the voice changed from grating to graceful? Or is this merely one more swing around the loop of itself? One more part in the cycle of the voice - its full spectrum?
The cycle of the voice once took years to complete; now it is months. Faster and faster it seems to cycle. How can I listen to the voice but not be caught by its cycle?
Much has happened since last I heard the voice, and I like to think I am a bit wiser in regard to it. I think I can listen wiselyer and avoid those other parts of the voice's spectrum of cycling. I can, I believe, be prepared and shield myself from those parts.
I will call out to this voice. For, in truth, I have been listening for it, hoping that I would again hear it, but also letting it go, further and further behind me. I will call out. I will be cautious, but I will call out. For, in truth, this voice is seeking other voices, other ears. It does not like to be cut off, alone, with no ears to hear it. I will call this voice because I have said that I would be available if the voice ever called out to me again.
At least it's not a voice in my head.
bIsh
Friday, June 23, 2006
Man it was hot today.
Well, the hot weather is finally here. It's been getting up into the upper 90's during the day, but it still gets nice and cool at night - in the 50's and 60's. Typically, we don't get a lot of real hot weather around here; we might have a few hot spells, but generally it's mild and comfortable.
So what else has been going on? I've been riding more, and I'm getting some of my riding strength back. My mountain bike is a custom-built job based around a Santa Cruz Superlight frame (I did not use any Shimano parts). My street/commuter bike started life as a Bridgestone (you remember Bridgestone) MB4, way back in 1994, and now only the frame, derailurs, bottom bracket, and crankset are original (and the rear derailur is scheduled for replacement). I've been riding with a friend of mine, and having a riding partner really motivates me to get out there more than if I was doing only solo rides.
What else is happening? My Z is in the shop - tranny rebuild and front-end work. I hope to get it back this week so I can take advantage of my vacation days and go somewhere. My 510 is a good car - runs great all the time - but it's not so good for long trips. I guess if I don't get my Z back I can take some shorter trips. Either way, I feel the need to get away for a couple of days. This week was supposed to be my annual backpacking trip with friends, but some of them had health challenges and the trip was called off. It was a real let-down, but I've moved on and accepted it.
Keep moving.
bIsh
So what else has been going on? I've been riding more, and I'm getting some of my riding strength back. My mountain bike is a custom-built job based around a Santa Cruz Superlight frame (I did not use any Shimano parts). My street/commuter bike started life as a Bridgestone (you remember Bridgestone) MB4, way back in 1994, and now only the frame, derailurs, bottom bracket, and crankset are original (and the rear derailur is scheduled for replacement). I've been riding with a friend of mine, and having a riding partner really motivates me to get out there more than if I was doing only solo rides.
What else is happening? My Z is in the shop - tranny rebuild and front-end work. I hope to get it back this week so I can take advantage of my vacation days and go somewhere. My 510 is a good car - runs great all the time - but it's not so good for long trips. I guess if I don't get my Z back I can take some shorter trips. Either way, I feel the need to get away for a couple of days. This week was supposed to be my annual backpacking trip with friends, but some of them had health challenges and the trip was called off. It was a real let-down, but I've moved on and accepted it.
Keep moving.
bIsh
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Still here
It's been almost a month since my last post. I guess the motivation just hasn't been there lately to write anything. I'm sure it's just a temporary condition. I mean, I've got all kinds of ideas and things to say. Of course, those ideas don't always come to me when I'm sitting in front of the computer, ready to publish something. Often ideas and thoughts arrive when I'm far from any computer - driving for instance, or riding, or hiking. Maybe I should write some of these things down so I don't forget.
The subconscious mind is an amazing piece of creation. As an example: when I'm sleeping, dreaming, my mind comes up with some incredible stuff. It composes original music, designs complex landscapes, builds complete buildings (interior and exterior), paints individual people, and allows me to experience some cool things. If I could remember that music when I wake, or the blueprints to those buildings, or figure out how to paint those amazing landscapes I could be famous. But alas, they are only temporary - for my own private viewing pleasure only. Too bad - there's some really cool stuff to see. And dreams are just one aspect of the subconscious mind. Imagine all it does when we're awake. How anyone could actually believe that the human mind is a result of random chance and evolution, I don't understand. Clearly, the mind is a created thing, as is everything we see in this world.
Think about that!
bIsh
The subconscious mind is an amazing piece of creation. As an example: when I'm sleeping, dreaming, my mind comes up with some incredible stuff. It composes original music, designs complex landscapes, builds complete buildings (interior and exterior), paints individual people, and allows me to experience some cool things. If I could remember that music when I wake, or the blueprints to those buildings, or figure out how to paint those amazing landscapes I could be famous. But alas, they are only temporary - for my own private viewing pleasure only. Too bad - there's some really cool stuff to see. And dreams are just one aspect of the subconscious mind. Imagine all it does when we're awake. How anyone could actually believe that the human mind is a result of random chance and evolution, I don't understand. Clearly, the mind is a created thing, as is everything we see in this world.
Think about that!
bIsh
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Home Again
Well, I'm home again. I went to Las Vegas over the past weekend for a business conference, then I spent a couple of days around the Bridgeport, CA area. It was an excellent trip, and it was good to be away from my normal routine for a while. I spent some time exploring around the Mono Lake Basin, too. That is an amazing place. I wanted to go into Bodie, but the roads are closed, presumably due to the excessive snow this year. My blue 280z did quite well, and I had some fun driving through the deserts of Nevada and the mountains of California. There are a couple of aspects of the driving that I will comment on in more detail.
The first aspect of the drive that I want to comment on is sort of a rant. I've commented before in this space about truckers on the highways. I have nothing against them as people, but I do have something against their practice of passing each other and holding up traffic. In my experience, it is not rare for one truck to pass another truck when their speed difference is very small. This results in a significant slowdown for traffic while one of these lumbering beasts creeps past the other. That would not be too bad if the truck drivers waited for openings in traffic to pass each other, but quite often the driver of the passing truck apparently has no regard for the traffic, and he pulls out whenever he feels like it - regardless of how much space he has. Why do they do this? There was one truck driver that I appreciated, however. He sticks out in my mind because when he passed another truck, he had some excellent momentum and he did not slow down the other traffic. This is a rarity, and I appreciated it. Anyway, enough about this. In then end, it really doesn't matter - it's just a minor annoyance.
The second aspect of that I want to discuss is what happened to me. Before I left home I asked the Lord to remind me that speed is not the most important thing on the road, and I asked Him to help me be calm on the road. He answered yes to both requests. I was often not able to drive as fast as I wanted to, and I was ok with it - I was calm and patient. I was pleasantly surprised, as I have tended to be an impatient guy on the highways. But I was cool this time. Thank you, Lord.
Well, I guess that's all for now.
Keep on truckin'.
bIsh
The first aspect of the drive that I want to comment on is sort of a rant. I've commented before in this space about truckers on the highways. I have nothing against them as people, but I do have something against their practice of passing each other and holding up traffic. In my experience, it is not rare for one truck to pass another truck when their speed difference is very small. This results in a significant slowdown for traffic while one of these lumbering beasts creeps past the other. That would not be too bad if the truck drivers waited for openings in traffic to pass each other, but quite often the driver of the passing truck apparently has no regard for the traffic, and he pulls out whenever he feels like it - regardless of how much space he has. Why do they do this? There was one truck driver that I appreciated, however. He sticks out in my mind because when he passed another truck, he had some excellent momentum and he did not slow down the other traffic. This is a rarity, and I appreciated it. Anyway, enough about this. In then end, it really doesn't matter - it's just a minor annoyance.
The second aspect of that I want to discuss is what happened to me. Before I left home I asked the Lord to remind me that speed is not the most important thing on the road, and I asked Him to help me be calm on the road. He answered yes to both requests. I was often not able to drive as fast as I wanted to, and I was ok with it - I was calm and patient. I was pleasantly surprised, as I have tended to be an impatient guy on the highways. But I was cool this time. Thank you, Lord.
Well, I guess that's all for now.
Keep on truckin'.
bIsh
Sunday, April 16, 2006
April Musings
March was an unusually rainy month here - the wettest in 100 years. It rained 28 out of 31 days. We're in the middle of April now, and the past couple of weeks have been rainy. We had a couple of days of sun, but more rain today. This must be what it's like to live in Seattle. Anyway, I'm ready for some sunny weather, and I think most people in this area are, too. Although, it is nice to see the grass, trees, and bushes green and full of life.
As I write this, Resurrection Day (also called Easter Sunday) is drawing to a close. I visited with my family today, and we had some good food and fellowship. We had an excellent message in church today as we remember our Saviour's death and resurrection. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me, and rising again.
The past few weeks I've come to see two seperate holidays being celebrated today - Easter and Resurrection Day. Easter, as I see it, has nothing to do with Jesus or savation - it has only to do with eggs, chickens, bunnies, flowers, pretty dresses, etc. Resurrection Day is a remembrance and celebration of Jesus' death and resurrection - it has nothing to do with the secular trappings of Easter. The two are unrelated, from where I stand. A lot of people choose to celebrate this spring day called Easter (the word "Easter" is, in fact, derived from the word "Ishtar", a goddess of fertility), and I suppose that there is nothing inherently wrong with having fun with some of these things - as long as we remember that this day is really about remembering and celebrating Jesus' finished work of salvation for you and me. I choose to remember Jesus today, and His finished work and empty tomb.
I'll be going on a trip later this week if the Lord wills. I'll be travelling through eastern California and western Nevada. I don't know exactly where I'll be going, or what spots I'll be visiting. I'm considering stopping by the Manzanar Internment Camp from WWII. I've driven past it once or twice, but never stopped by yet. I'd like to get out to Bodie, California, sometime soon, but I understand that the increased rain and snow this year have rendered Bodie inaccessible at this time. It will be good to get away for a while.
Happy Resurrection Day!
bIsh
As I write this, Resurrection Day (also called Easter Sunday) is drawing to a close. I visited with my family today, and we had some good food and fellowship. We had an excellent message in church today as we remember our Saviour's death and resurrection. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me, and rising again.
The past few weeks I've come to see two seperate holidays being celebrated today - Easter and Resurrection Day. Easter, as I see it, has nothing to do with Jesus or savation - it has only to do with eggs, chickens, bunnies, flowers, pretty dresses, etc. Resurrection Day is a remembrance and celebration of Jesus' death and resurrection - it has nothing to do with the secular trappings of Easter. The two are unrelated, from where I stand. A lot of people choose to celebrate this spring day called Easter (the word "Easter" is, in fact, derived from the word "Ishtar", a goddess of fertility), and I suppose that there is nothing inherently wrong with having fun with some of these things - as long as we remember that this day is really about remembering and celebrating Jesus' finished work of salvation for you and me. I choose to remember Jesus today, and His finished work and empty tomb.
I'll be going on a trip later this week if the Lord wills. I'll be travelling through eastern California and western Nevada. I don't know exactly where I'll be going, or what spots I'll be visiting. I'm considering stopping by the Manzanar Internment Camp from WWII. I've driven past it once or twice, but never stopped by yet. I'd like to get out to Bodie, California, sometime soon, but I understand that the increased rain and snow this year have rendered Bodie inaccessible at this time. It will be good to get away for a while.
Happy Resurrection Day!
bIsh
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