Experiments in Life

Seeing that Rick is reading the Elegant Universe made me remember that I still had the third and final episode of the Nova special on the Elegant Universe on the Tivo. Having just taken the time to finish it, I think that I will have to put the book on my reading list, although it will probably take a back burner to The Road to Reality : A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe — a book that I have sitting on my bookshelf, waiting to be read when I have the time.

This third episode mentioned a theory called M-theory that is seen as the successor to string theory. The show made two comments that left me puzzled; therefore, I want to read the book to see if my questions are resolved or whether it is an unknown part of the theory. M-theory posits that our universe might exist on a 4-dimensional (mem)brane that coexists with other 4-dimensional branes in 11-dimensional space. The first thing that really bothered me is the thought that gravity is not weaker than the other forces, but rather the energy of gravity bleeds off into these other branes. One of the experiments that physicists believe would help bolster M-theory is that they should be able to see a graviton be created in a particle accelerator and then see it disappear as it bleeds off into a different brane. What bugs me about that is that it should work in reverse. I think that gravitons from these other branes should be able to bleed into our universe and would appear as gravitational fields with no known source. Obviously, we do not see that happen — at least as far as I know. So, I do not see how that could be a valid part of the theory. Maybe the book will explain that.

The second thing that bugged me is the thought that the Big Bang was caused by two of these 4-dimensional branes bumping into each other and causing the explosion of energy that we believe is the Big Bang. What I do not like about this is that it really does not answer any questions. Sure, maybe that could explain from whence our universe came. However, it is suggesting that there is something outside of the universe and giving no explanation for it. Another thought about the Big Bang is that I do not know what troubles me more: the thought of the universe having a beginning (where did it come from?) or the thought that the universe is completely eternal (infinity bothers me to think about and once again, where did it come from?). Please, before you try to answer the question with “God created it,” remember my responses — “Infinity bothers me to think about” and “Where did it come from?”

Thus ends my physical and metaphysical ramblings for the night, at least on this site.

Well, I did not think that it would happen, but I have hit my limit for books in the past week. Early in the week, I was working my way through two books for work. I read the majority of VHDL : Programming By Example and managed to make it half way through Rapid Development. I read the VHDL book as a refresher for the project I am currently involved with at work. I am reading the book on Rapid Development to gain insight on software project management and to work towards my long-term career goals.

Amazingly, I also managed to finish two fiction books this week. During the first part of the week, I read The Soulforge (Dragonlance: The Raistlin Chronicles, Book 1), which was a paperback I picked up at a used bookstore several months ago. It was so entertaining that I read it through at a break-neck pace just so that I could find out what would happen next to Raistlin. During the latter half of the week, I read Phantom: Chainfire Trilogy, Part 2 (Sword of Truth, Book 10). I have been waiting on this book to come out for the last year and a half, so I am sad that I finished it in two days. Now, there is only one book left in the series and it is probably another year or two away.

Given the size of the books, I estimated that I read somewhere around 1500 pages this week, give or take a few hundred. Now, I am trying to rest for the remainder of the weekend before I try to finish Rapid Development during the next week.

Well, it has taken several weeks, but I have finally gotten around to posting photos of our vacation to Oregon at the end of June, courtesy of Flickr and FAlbum. You can visit any of our photo sets, including a set of the most recent photos, by clicking the Photo Gallery link on the main page. Here are the photo sets that include the pictures we took on our vacation:

• Oregon Zoo
• Klamath Falls
• Crater Lake
• Butte Falls
• Salt Creek Falls
• Japanese Gardens
• International Rose Test Gardens
• Columbia River Gorge History Highway

Well, it took us about three weeks, but Ashley and I finally decided which HVAC installer to choose to replace our faulty heat pumps. The installers are coming out Monday morning. Given the time estimate, they should be finished by mid-week next week. Thanks to everyone who has loaned us fans to use while the A/C has been out!

Update: Our A/C replacement was finally finished Wednesday night! Our house is now cool again.

You know, I never really gave much thought as to what it means to be a father or what they go through as they watch their children grow-up. In my experience, fathers can be fun, but they can be stern too. I’m sure the phrase “Just wait until your father comes home” still strikes fear into many children. But really, what does it mean to be a father? Now, I am certainly not the person to answer this, seeing as I am not a father nor will I ever be one. However, a recent experience has gotten me thinking about things, specifically from a father’s point of view.

Last week, as I was on my way to work, I heard this song about a father giving his daughter away at her wedding. It gave me goosebumps just listening to it. It made me think of my dad and what he must have gone through when I got married. It was really an eye-opening moment for me. So, Dad, here is my tribute to you and fathers everywhere, courtesy of the group Heartland. (I know the song is geared toward fathers and daughters, but I think it is applicable to fathers and sons as well.)

Here is the song…

Look at the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment and each others face
So much in love your alone in this place
Like there’s nobody else in the world
I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one
She told me so
And she still means the world to me
Just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl
Time changes everything
Life must go on
And I’m not gonna stand in your way

Chorus:
But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she’d find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first

How could that beautiful women with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time

Repeat chorus

From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
Someday you might know what I’m going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first

-I Loved Her First by Heartland

This song is probably just barely touching the tip of the iceburg of fatherhood. But again I ask, what does it mean to be a father? I can only speculate. Joy? Love? Hope? Pain…in the sense that one day you have to let your children go? I may not know what being a father means, but I know what my father means to me. He could never be replaced. I have been truly blessed with wonderful father in my life.

Thanks Dad, for everything

Alabama gets rather warm during the summer months. The current forecast for today is for the high to reach around 101 degrees Fahrenheit. As if that were not bad enough, the compressor on one of our two heat-pumps, the upstairs unit, has gone out and the unit needs to be replaced. In addition, the duct-work for both the upstairs and downstairs units are falling apart. We are currently in the process of getting estimates for the replacement and repair work.

Luckily, the downstairs unit works, although we are pretty sure that we are trying to cool the attic in the process. Thus, we are only able to run the downstairs unit at about 40% efficiency at the moment. Between that and fans, the downstairs is relatively livable. We are also avoiding going upstairs whenever possible, but it is not too bad in the early morning hours.

1. Xanax is a wonderful drug
2. They have PELICANS in Klamath Falls, OR!
3. Oregon has no sales tax.
4. In Oregon, they pump your gas for you
5. Flying first class is nice
6. Singing sinks are the dumbest invention ever!
7. Chocolate chips do not travel through straws very well
8. Pregnant bellies are not as squishy as they look. They are in fact fairly solid.
9. I am prone to sympathy bathroom breaks when around pregnant women.
10. Pink eye is also known as eye goop.
11. Linn County, OR is one of the top grass seed producers in the state.
12. Speed limits are just a suggestion there.
13. It stays light until almost 9 PM during the summer.
14. Taco Time is better than Taco Bell.
15. They have the world’s cleanest McDonalds restaurants ever.
16. Lampreys swim upstream to spawn, just like salmon. Who knew.
17. Fish ladders are cool.
18. Multnomah falls is a tourist trap and not as impressive because of it. It is also the 4th largest falls in the country and the largest in the state of OR.
19. Salt Creek Falls is the second largest falls in the state of OR.
20. You can buy emu oil in a few OR gas stations, preferably those located near an emu farm.
21. There is an animal known as the tree kangaroo. Weird

That is probably enough for now. I’m sure I’ll think of other things though. Who knew you could learn so much when on vacation…and I wasn’t even trying. Imagine what I might have learned if I’d actually taken my brain on vacation with me

That is what is happening outside my window right now. My office happens to overlook a small lake that has a rather large turtle population. I believe there are some snapping turtles present, however I have no idea what other species are attempting to co-exist with them.

There is much flipping as one tries to dunk the other under the water. It’s especially humourous to see one fin-smack the other From my viewpoint, they both look to be fairly large turtles. They have been fighting for over 5 minutes…at least, I hope it’s fighting. Otherwise both Jessica and I have witnessed some crazy turtle mating ritual.

According to google, water turtles do tend to be territorial, especially when living with other individuals of the same species. It also happens around mating time.

So who knows what exactly is going on. The two turtles take a break and then one will go after the other again. We’re either seeing a fight for ruler of the lake or a date gone horribly, horribly wrong.

Stay tuned for updates on Turtle vs. Turtle…One will win, the other must lose…What will happen to the loser; exhile, death, or mating with the ugly females? Check back later for results on this turtle death match

UPDATE: Well, the turtles rolled around for about an hour or so, maybe even longer. I missed the ending, so I’m not sure which turtle won. However, they did romp across the entire width of the lake. I also came to the conclusion that they probably were not fighting, they were “fighting” if you know what I mean After seeing this morning’s display of turtle affection however, I am very glad that I am not a turtle