on this day, 60 years ago.

no less than confirmation of einstein's theory of general relativity.

see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8061449.stm

many thanks

to tanc, tiernan and mark for an excellent memorial day bash at jimmy's.

for those who attended, you know how good the music was.

cheers!

the last hurrah at #501

we're putting the apartment up for sale after memorial day.

we will celebrate our last party with our friends.

cheers.

it doesn't look like jesus...

from the new york times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/16/science/16fossil.html?hpw

not your everday view of the world...

click on image for full screen

sign of the day award goes to:

hubble's last mission

what your tax dollars can get you when not spent on fighting a war, or propping up banks.

today is the launch of the last ever mission to service the hubble space telescope. since 1990, it has cost taxpayers some $10 billion. that amount seems high, but considering the thousands of people over the past 2 decades that have worked/are working on this project, that figure seems miniscule compared to the $2 billion per week that the war in iraq is costing...or the AIG bailout.

republicans always refer to government spending as 'wasteful', yet strangely they remain silent when it comes to the towering sums the united states spends on its military.


the hubble space telescope and the US Government (via the tax payer) has given the world the most successful scientific experiment in history.

science channel is covering the launch live, beginning at 1:30pm eastern.

so here's to the triumph of science, and the positive side of paying taxes.

e-mail to speed tv

http://www.speedtv.com/feedback/

dear sirs,

i have just had the grave misfortune to witness the AMA superbike and Sportbike race this past saturday.

it's hard to know where to start, so i'll try to be succinct.

without doubt, you are simply incapable of covering motorcycle racing on a national level.
apart from occasional annoying racing which interrupts the inane tv ads...you actually stopped the broadcast to interview jamie hacking. if he was jesus, sent down from above to save the world from my sins i wouldn't have wanted to watch this shit. also, do you really think it is a good idea to stop watching the racing so we can listen instead to some podgy, shirt-tucking cunt in a studio wearing a brown shirt? i guess at least the colour was right...

and who is the guy that sounds like he was recently caught running moonshine in the commentary box...such a plus.

but who am i to complain, since whoever paid for the producer's lobotomy obviously got his wish.

in a sentance: you have reduced 2-wheel racing to nascar.

one word sums up your AMA motorcycle racing coverage: CRAP.

in europe, they actually commentate on racing (without adverts).

please inform your presenters that ducati is not pronounced 'DooCahrdee'...

i understand that one doesn't always have to murder both the programme and the language at the same time...

oil cooler for the monster

not looking forward to riding in d.c. on an air-cooled motor, so hope this helps a bit.

(as in the engine temperature soaring in stop & go traffic, and my legs being cooked)

astronomy picture of the day

click on photo for full screen size.

alas, i did not capture this image...

go to:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090503.html

getting away for daisy's birthday

skyland resort, shenandoah.

click on this photo for the view from our accommodation.