Thursday 23 October 2008

Geology question: Pukaskwa



Two ladders in this photograph, one is a close up the other is very far away, so look closely. How can a ladder like structure form in a rock face? Is it weathering? Was there a mineral in this rock face that weathered away and the rocks remaining are more resistant? Was freeze-thaw action working on the rocks? How did this develop?

Tuesday 21 October 2008

Around the World in 80 Days - Jules Verne





Start: London, England October 2, 1872















Suez Canal, Egypt














Bombay, India
















Calcutta, India
















Hong Kong, China














Yokohama, Japan











San Francisco, California, USA











New York City, New York, USA


















London, England, December 21, 1872
First flakes of snow!!! K, not really flakes, but small, solid white things did fly past my head when I biked to the university today, so that counts, right?

Wednesday 15 October 2008

McCain in Strongsville

On October 8th, McCain and Palin spoke in Strongsville, Ohio. 10,000 tickets were sold to attend the rally. The following are two accounts.

90.3 WCPN ideastream®:
McCain Campaign Stops in Strongsville

Posted Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Topics: Politics, Other


Republican Presidential nominee John McCain and running mate Sarah Palin spoke to an enthusiastic crowd Wednesday in Strongsville. It was their first Northeast Ohio visit together, and ideastream®'s Kymberli Hagelberg was there.

Nothing could quell the good humor of the hundreds of people who packed into the gym of the Strongsville senior center to see John McCaiin and Sarah Palin. Most ignored the close confines and heat of the crowded room. They chanted, stomped their feet to the Stongsville High School marching band and waved signs that read “Country First.”
When vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin spoke, the crowd yelled her name and chanted drill baby drill. She set a much less incendiary tone toward Barack Obama than just two days ago. Gone was the previous allegation that Obama pals around with a domestic terrorist, but she did question his truthfulness in Tuesday’s debate. .
PALIN:"Barack Obama has opposed offshore drilling. Of, course last night though he changed his position on that again. I guess he’s not willing to drill for energy but he’s willing to drill for votes.”
Palin introduced 2 surprise guests Browns quarterback Brady Quinn and lineman Joe Thomas. Qunn introduced John McCain, calling him - quote - “a real hero.”
QUINN: “We need heroes like this to inspire us.”
John McCain stood on stage as Palin and Quinn spoke. After thanking Quinn’s father for his service in Vietnam he got right to the point.
MCCAIN: “My friends I don’t want to bore you with political history, but it’s been a long time since someone has been elected president without carrying the state of Ohio. I need you to help me carry the state of Ohio and carry the state of Ohio and take the presidency of the United States.”
McCain repeated his promise, first mentioned in the debate, that he would order the government to buy up bad mortages so Americans can stay in their homes. but gave no further details on the plan.
The latest polls show McCain slightly behind Obama, who will make stops in Sourthwest Ohio today.
Kymberli Hagelberg, 90.3
http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/news/14786/


Bigots at McCain rally embarrassed Strongsville - letters to the editor

Sunday, October 12, 2008
Those living in Strongsville have celebrities in their midst, but I wouldn't be proud. Strongsville residents have been seen on YouTube from each local John McCain rally (Middleburg Heights and Strongsville). The basis: The attendees of the McCain rallies are "interviewed" with questions, such as, "long have you known the name Sarah Palin? Barack Obama?"
Based on the bile that came from their mouths, I say the world has seen these people for what they really are - ignorant, unintelligent, uneducated bigots who obviously don't hold "country first."
How could any of the respondents be concerned for our country, its security, the failing economy, health care, jobs, civil rights (and the list goes on) if they are so narrow-minded as to choose, or not choose, a president based on his name?
You all know who you are. Anyone with morals or a conscience would be ashamed.
It is every American's privilege to vote. Never would I tell someone whom to vote for. But I beg all voters to empower and educate themselves. Research the candidates' policies via their Web pages. Please make your choice on the issues that affect you, your family and your future. Don't hand over your vote to the crunch-time scare tactics.
Melissa Cumberland, North Ridgeville
Sadly, this week my 7-year-old came running into the house yelling, "Mom, who are you voting for?" "Sen. Obama," I replied. "Oh, no!" he said, "You can't have an evil president."
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. His young friend down the street had been to the Strongsville rally and told him all about it.
Silence in the face of hatred is not fit to lead!
Strongsville High School is home to a few rampant KKK-loving students; another reported last year on "Why we should kill gays" - complete with photos from the Internet. My 16-year-old was made to endure this hate-filled presentation during English class.
Silence in the face of hatred is unfit to lead!
I campaigned in my neighborhood the other day with a woman who is now a U.S. citizen, but who is originally from a Middle Eastern country. She worried about knocking on neighbors' doors because others like her have been cursed and called terrorists. I apologized for my fellow white middle-class neighbors.
Silence in the face of hatred is not fit to lead!
John McCain and Sarah Palin have ignored shouts of "kill him" and "terrorist" at recent campaign rallies.
Silence in the face of hatred is not fit to lead!
Michelle Mahon, Strongsville

http://www.cleveland.com/letters/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion/122371401290060.xml&coll=2

Monday 13 October 2008

Oktoberfest




Oktoberfest ist Wunderbar! Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit!

Sunday 12 October 2008

Scientific Thought

Basic Definitions of Science: If it's green or wiggles, it's biology. If it stinks, it's chemistry. If it doesn't work, it's physics.

Things are only impossible until they're not.

Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity. -- Albert Einstein

Cole's Axiom: The sum of intelligence on the planet is a constant. The population is growing

Black holes are where God divided by zero

In theory, there is no difference
between theory and practice.
In practice, however, there is

Biology is the only science in which multiplication means the same
thing as division

The atom of modern physics can be symbolized only through a partial differential equation in an abstract space of many dimensions. All its properties are inferential; no material properties can be directly attributed to it. That is to say, any picture of the atom that our imagination is able to invent is for that very reason defective. An understanding of the atomic world in that primary sensuous fashion...is impossible
- Heisenberg

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny..." ~Isaac Asimov

Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. ~Wernher Von Braun

The capacity to blunder slightly is the real marvel of DNA. Without this special attribute, we would still be anaerobic bacteria and there would be no music. ~Lewis Thomas

Most institutions demand unqualified faith; but the institution of science makes skepticism a virtue. ~Robert K. Merton, Social Theory, 1957

The whole history of physics proves that a new discovery is quite likely lurking at the next decimal place. ~F.K. Richtmeyer

Science, in the very act of solving problems, creates more of them. ~Abraham Flexner, Universities, 1930

Science is always wrong. It never solves a problem without creating ten more. ~George Bernard Shaw


The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. ~Eden Phillpotts, A Shadow Passes

First Connections INTEG 121 from September 23



Nothing in the cry
of cicadas suggests
they are about to die

Friday 10 October 2008

Bread: INTEG 121

  • 3 cups of white or whole wheat flour, or 1-1/2 cups of each (plus a little extra flour for kneading)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 packet, or about 2 teaspoons yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or brown sugar or honey
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 cup warm water (not hot, just warm)
When you need a recipe to practice making bread with, this is the
one to turn to. First you need a big bowl. If you don't have a big
bowl, then a large pot will work just as well. Measure the flour into
the bowl (or pot). White flour is easier to use to make your first
batch of dough. Whole Wheat flour makes a simple variation
though, when you decide to branch out a little. Make sure your flour measurements are
level with the top of the measuring cup. Don't pack the flour down into the cup. Just
scoop it in lightly, and even off the top of it with your finger by
brushing off the excess. After you put your flour into the bowl, add
the salt, sugar and yeast. One of the packets of yeast from the
store will work just fine. If you have a jar or bag of yeast, then use
about 2 teaspoons of it. Using your hands or a spoon or fork, stir
the yeast, salt, sugar and flour all together. These are the dry
ingredients. They are called dry ingredients because they aren't
wet or sticky. They are dry and light. Now measure in your oil. Add
a cup of warm water. Do not use hot tap water. Hot tap water is too
hot and will kill the yeast. Use warm tap water instead. Warm
enough to feel warm to your finger, but not warm enough to scald you. Try to measure
the water accurately.

Stir the dough with a fork or spoon until it gets sticky and stiff. Next look at your hands,
are they clean? If not then wash them. Remove any rings or watches you may have on
and put them in a safe place. Dig into the dough with your clean hands. It will be gooey,
and warm. Work the dough with your hands, right there in the
bowl. Scrape the dough off of your fingers as necessary and try to
get the dough to all work together into a nice ball. If it is too sticky
then add more flour. You may need to add up to 1/2 cup more
flour, or even more sometimes. If it is too dry, then add a little bit
of water at a time, to get it right. Usually a teaspoon of water at a
time, is a good way to go. Mix and mash; Mix and mash. When you
get a ball of dough, turn the dough out onto your counter or kitchen table. Scatter a bit
of flour about the dough, and around the counter. Knead the dough. Press it, fold it,
stretch it, turn it. Keep kneading the dough for a full 5 minutes by the clock. Set the
timer if need be. Kneading makes the dough soft and fluffy. Be sure to knead it enough.
Then let the dough sit on the counter for a few minutes while you wash out the bowl you
used to mix it in. Dry the bowl and pour a little bit of oil into it. A spoonful (teaspoon or
tablespoon) will be just enough. Place the ball of dough
into the clean bowl, on top of the oil. Roll the dough
around in the oil, to coat it evenly. Place the dough in a
warm spot, or on the counter near the stove. Cover the
top of the bowl with plastic wrap or a tea towel. Allow
the dough to sit and rise. It may take the dough up to 2
hours to rise. You will want it to double in size. Be
patient and give the dough enough time to get as big as
it can. Sometimes this happens in as quickly as an hour, but usually it takes longer,
especially if the kitchen is cold.

When it is well risen, punch the dough down. Put your fist into the dough and smash
down to force all the air out of it. Knead the dough again. This time, just knead it for a
minute or so. Long enough to get all the air out of it. Let the dough rest for a minute or
two while you oil or grease a loaf pan. A large loaf pan either 9" by 5"
or 8!" by 4!" is the perfect size. If you don't have a loaf pan, then
use a casserole pan, or a round cake pan. The dough doesn't know
what shape it is supposed to be. You have to give it shape. Round
bread is sometimes easier to make as a first loaf, so if you don't have
a bread pan, use what ever you do have. Just make sure to grease
the pan well. Coax the dough into the shape of the pan you are going
to bake it in. Cover it with a dish towel or plastic wrap again. Set it
aside and let it rise for about an hour to an hour and a half. It should double in bulk
again. After it has risen enough, it is time to bake it. Set the oven to 350° or 375°. Place
the bread into the oven. You do not need to preheat the oven. Let the bread bake for 30
to 40 minutes. When it is done the top will be golden brown. It will be well risen, and
crusty. Carefully turn the hot bread out of the pan and onto a
dishtowel on the counter. Be careful not to burn yourself. Thump
the bottom with your finger. If it sounds hollow then it is done. If it
doesn't sound hollow, then put it back into the pan and bake it
some more. Allow the bread to cool down for a few minutes before
slicing it.

When you slice it be sure to use a serrated (bumpy) edged knife. Saw
back and forth across the bread like you are sawing a log. Do not press
too hard, just saw gently. When you get your first slice of bread, spread a
little margarine or jam on it and take a bite. Succumb to the pleasure
which only a bite of your own homemade bread can create. Grin
decadently and plan your next loaf.

Or, if this loaf of bread fails, check the recipe and try again. Keep trying until you are
satisfied with your results. I didn't make it perfectly the first time; I made bricks. Big
heavy, chewy, undercooked bricks. It takes practice to get the hang of it,
so don't give up. Just keep at it, and before you know it, you will be very
pleased with what a little flour and yeast can make up for less than
twenty-five cents.

Beginner's Bread http://hillbillyhousewife.com/beginnersbread.htm

Thursday 9 October 2008

L'Chaim

What more is there to be thankful for?

Mysterious Frog





September 13th, I look up from my computer and see a frog on the other side of the glass door. Small, able to climb glass. I take pics, use hand to reference size. About a half hour later, a second frog is beside the first. By morning, both were gone. The night was about 10-15 C. Neither frog made a sound. I cannot identify them. Are they even native to Canada?

September 13th, 2008 - Waterloo, ON
This week Features:

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog
Thoughts of bread
Memories of claymation
A few words on altruism
Questioning protists, poriferans, cnidarians, and platyhelmenthes
Late nights
Audio portal
The world is just amazing
Being revealed
Being alone
Missing friends
Self pity and hope
Future?