Pages

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

In the beginning… #1

by Whabby


Over the last 500 years or so, painstaking work by generation after generation of scientists has produced an enormous but internally consistent “bank” of knowledge that encompasses biology, physics, chemistry, geology, and astronomy. Unfortunately, there’s now way too much knowledge in the bank for any one person to acquire more than a small fraction of it, and scientists are making new deposits at a faster clip than at any time in history. Making matters worse, most people haven’t enough formal training in science and mathematics to understand the specialized language in which much scientific knowledge is expressed, creating an insurmountable barrier between them and the bank.

This past January, a dear friend that I met through my husband Jim, named Karl Baker, died unexpectedly from complications of colon surgery. Barely into his 60’s when he met this decidedly untimely death, Karl had long since established himself in my eyes as “uncommonly uncommon”. For example, although Karl lacked formal training in the hard sciences, he had a keen interest in cosmology, the study of the nature, history, and fate of the universe. So strong was his curiosity that he actually learned enough about the topic to write a lengthy and quite interesting essay on the Big Bang.

Right after Karl died, I decided that I wanted to write a blog to mark and honor his unusual willingness to wrap his mind around an esoteric scientific concept. Little did I know that this decision would mushroom into a series of blogs, complete with figures, diagrams, and even (horrors!) a little simple mathematics (very simple, I promise). The work behind these blogs is entirely dedicated to Karl.

My goal with these blogs is admittedly ambitious. I aim to slowly, carefully, and cautiously introduce you to “time dilation”, one of the most important aspects of Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity (as opposed to his “general” theory of relativity, which he developed years later). Why did I choose to tackle this particular nugget from the bank of science? Several reasons. First and foremost, time dilation ranks right up there with Newton’s laws of gravity as one of the most important additions ever made to our understanding of physical reality. If you come to understand it, you’ll have mastered one of the bigger deposits in the bank. Second, there’s good old fashioned bragging rights. Einstein is such a famous figure, but almost no one understands why he’s so revered. Imagine the satisfaction that will come with living the rest of your life, smuch with the knowledge that you understand an important aspect of one of Albert Einstein’s theories! Imagine the thrill of being able to explain it to your children, grandchildren, or your students.

And, last but not least, learning about time dilation is actually fun! The details are so eerie, so bizarre, and ultimately so breathtaking, that much of it seems like science fiction. At the same time, the phenomenon rests on a breathtakingly simple and very real-worldly set of conditions, so concrete that they can be grasped with just the slightest use of elementary mathematics.

The story of time dilation started in 1905, a year that has gone down in the history of science as “Annus Mirabilis” because of four papers published by Einstein. One, “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Objects”, created a whole new way of thinking about space and time. We’ll start into the nitty-gritty of time dilation tomorrow. Today, I just wanted to introduce you to what it is we’ll be doing while I hijack the nest over the next week or ten days. In the meantime, thanks so much to Carol for indulging me in this very unusual “nesting behavior”! If I succeed in even a small measure, and get even a few of you to make it to the finish line with me, I know Karl would smile.

Are you ready? Are you ready to scream at me in the comments section as soon as you hit something you don’t understand? Are you ready to take me up on my daily challenge, which is to guess what the solution is to a mystery or conundrum that I’m going to pose at the end of each day’s blog (and then answer the next day)? Ok then… let’s be off! To start things off, I’d love to know: have you ever given Albert Einstein’s scientific contributions any serious thought? What they actually were, I mean, and what he actually found? Go ahead, owls… share away!

150 comments:

Birdee said...

Good Morning!!!

Tina~in_ut said...

damn!~

Birdee said...

Ha!! thought someone would beat me.

Tina~in_ut said...

good morning birdee....have you read it yet? I'm a scared~

Birdee said...

Tina!!! oh soooooo close!!!!

Birdee said...

Not yet Tina....I may need a dictionary

Tina~in_ut said...

dang.....will dictionary.com do?

Birdee said...

we can try! is there really such a thing as dictionary.com???

see how much I know???
nothing!!!

Birdee said...

I totally forgot about the light show last night.

Birdee said...

I wanted it see it so I could converse with Whabbear or at least know what he was talking about...

He is just way to smart for me!! ;o)

Birdee said...

off to read...bbl ;o)

Tina~in_ut said...

That was so cute~ I'm looking forward to Wednesdays~ Thanks Bear~

Birdee said...

Whabby, I think instead of me explaining this to my grandkid's...they may have to explain it to ME!!!! LOL

MEK in AZ said...

FORETEEN

MEK in AZ said...

Happy Wednesday!!

Good morning..

Birdee - congrats on first.. i said yesterday that I would need a dictionary - and damned if i wasn't correct!! LOL

Tina - damn!! oh so close!! and I'm a scared also!!!

Welcome to Wednesday with Whabby -

Whabby - seriously - I will read when i get back from the dog park - :-)

I know you put alot of work into this series and I want to be wide awake when I read... so that I can truely appreciate your brillance.

I hope everyone has an excellent day!!

bonachichi said...

Oh Whab. Why do I get the feeling you're going to be delving into Einstein's cosmology work? Are we going to be seeing a lot of Λ?

I for one, can't wait to read more. You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself that always makes sense. This is going to be a fun ride!

bonachichi said...

Hello to Birdee, Tina and MEK! Happy Wednesday, to all!

Shirley(NCC-1701) said...

Albert who? Is he the guy who played in "Green Acres"?

Shirley(NCC-1701) said...

Good morning and congrats on 1st Birdee!

Good morning also to Tina, Mek and Bonachichi!

Whabbear your series of blogs sounds fasinating. I will stick with you to the end...doesn't mean I'll understand what you're talking about but I'll stick with you.

I have never really given Albert Einstein much thought, sorry, but I assume you wanted us to be honest.

I have to get ready and go up to mum's. See you all later.

Shirley(NCC-1701) said...

Carol I wasn't able to watch your video here (I can't watch any videos here) but I caught it on You Tube this morning. I love you videos! Sticking through the tough times is what makes a business sucessful. IMHO. I'm sure your's will continue to prosper. At the end of the video I was screaming at you to just move the camera a little, but you didn't listen to me. Too funny! Thanks for sharing your life. ((HUGS))

Lynn D said...

Morning Glories!

Congrats on first Birdee doo!

Whabby this is going to be interesting! Lets see if I can stretch my limited IQ to grasp some of the concepts that you are going to share with us. Aaaah my brain already hurts.

I can tell truthfully that I remember being taught some about Einstein in school but haven't retained much of it, since that was a long time ago. Have I pondered about his contributions much. Sadly that would be a no. So this will be a great challenge for me.

Lynn D said...

Ok kids I need to fly out the door!

Sacbarb I am so glad you are home! Bet sleeping in your own bed feels like heaven.

Kids the interview I did was with out very local Newspaper. No video thank God! It was bad enough they took my picture. If they put it on line I will provide links later.

Gotta run.

Tinkatia said...

24

Tinkatia said...

25

Tinkatia said...

Just a quick check-in. I am leaving right now for a day in hospital. They are going to do x-rays and a series of tests. This arthritis is trying hard to keep me from walking and that just can't happen. Good morning to everyone. Have a great day. Bear I know your blog is wonderful. I will read it tonight. Love, Audrey

Birdee said...

Shirley!!! LOL @ Albert who???

Sacbarb, glad thing's are going well enough for you to be back at home.

Birdee said...

Tink, I hope the Dr.'s come up with something to help you keep moving. ;o)

goldie said...

Oh dear heavens (pun intended)! I need more coffee to wrap myself around your blog Whabby. However I will say it is very nice of you to want to make a tribute to your friend by writing these blogs.
Like Shirley, I will stick with them until the end!

Good Morning Hooters!

Tink- hope the Dr.'s can help you today.

Going to get back to work, have more coffee and then read the blog again. I find Albert Einstein so sexy, don't you all???

goldie said...

Oh, and to answer your question Whab.( I reread the blog without coffee and realized this was the easy one!) NO- I have never given any thought to Einststeins theories before. Well, perhaps in school when it was mandatory in class, but otherwise no.

YES- I am perfectly willing to yell at you when I dont understand something! :)

whabbear said...

Thanks, Goldie! We can make this a communal effort!

Bonacci: no lambda, I'm afraid. I don't think Einstein introduced the cosmological constant until the 1920's. But I'll check that date.

whabbear said...

Wrongo! The cosmological constant was part of Einstein's general relativity theory, published in 1915. In the 1920's, he abandoned it based on the evidence that the universe is expanding rather than collapsing. It was resurrected in 1999 after the further discovery that the expansion rate is increasing over time, but that's a whole other story!

bonachichi said...

Whab, I admire you for tackling Einstein. For understanding his work, I worship you. I always thought of him as a modern scientist. He himself disproved a lot of his theories (very humbly), and I always felt that the story wasn't finished yet. I feel as if there might be a few tricks up his sleeve yet.

I am a Newtonian girl myself. It's rare to find someone who understands Einstein's work (or even the basis of it) and even rarer to find someone who can explain it to someone else. I know you can do that and I look forward to being your pupil.

Tina~in_ut said...

teacher's pet!!!!~

goldie said...

ass kisser!!

:0)

Tina~in_ut said...

lmbo Goldie~ :D

bonachichi said...

Hey. If you want an A+, you have to work for it! Ass kissing is not beneath me if it means a good grade.

bonachichi said...

All kidding aside, I really do love this science shit. Einstein's body of work was so large and all encompassing, it's pretty much incomprehensible. It's like asking what you know about the universe. It's huge. So huge that we don't have the ability to understand it.

Einstein had some "failures", meaning he decided he'd been wrong about something. I'm not entirely convinced that, as we develop more technology, we won't find that he actually was right the "first" time.

In truth, I'm surprised that this is Whab's topic. He mentioned that he's more philosophical than mathematical. Again, one of those curveballs he throws my way all the time. Maybe it takes a philosophical mind to understand Einstein. I don't unless it's spoon-fed to me.

kahonugrl said...

I don't get it, look forward to "gettin it", will probably look quite uneducated in the process but always up for a challenge....

And I don't kiss ass, so I will probably be seated in the back of the class~

Morning Hooters.

whabbear said...

LOL@Goldie and Tina!

Just_Lin said...

Good morning/afternoon!

Birdee Ooooh, you got first by just a beak!

Tina I hope Birdee didn't elbow you out of the way. LOL @ teacher's pet!

Goldie LOL @ ass kisser!

Shirley ROFLMAO @ the Albert remark!

Tinka I'm so sorry about the pain you are enduring. I hope the x-rays find something helpful that will lead to relief. (((HUGS)))

Bonachichi Whabbear does feed us this stuff with a rather large spoon and I usually "get it", at least while I'm reading it but I can't claim to retain it. : (

Whabby I'm so glad I could read your intro without straining my brain. LOL

LynnD I hope the article and pic are on line. How fun!

MEK Are you swimming yet?

Kgrl I'm just glad you're in class. How's the weather?

kahonugrl said...

J/Lin:

The weather....really weird. Last night I had to take a friend to the airport to meet some peeps. When I left the house at 830pm, it was windy like a mofo, and pouring rain. When I got to the freeway on ramp, it was still and dry. At the airport it was pouring again. All thru the night it was POURING (Tina like it was that time you came to the house) and gusty. This morning it was raining but the wind has subsided.

Now it is just kinda piddling and is overcast, but there is some good surf on the south and east shores.

Tina~in_ut said...

I love that Kgrl~ Looking at the positive side: the surf it good~

Tina~in_ut said...

btw....I'm sitting in the back, too...can I bring my crocheting? :D

kahonugrl said...

I love when it rains~ I love the smell, and how Manoa is so green.

Crocheting? I am thinkin you'll be playn Farmville, or hatchin eggs, or texting dakine~

Maureen said...

HUH??????????????

I like Newton, too...Fig Newtons.

Don't I feel smart today!! Ya think I can get a refund on my college tuition??? LOL!!

bbl

Tina~in_ut said...

I didn't see any computers in class! So of course I'd be farming....and no texting to the U.K. or Prague~ :( Is it Friday yet? This day is going downhill FAST!!!! ugh~

Mo~ I don't like Fig Newtons...can I have shortbread?~

Dianne/Denver said...

Hello Everyone: Well WHAB, I read your intro and will be ready for more. I think I will be in the back of the class too.. It doesn't sound like there is going to be a front of the class!!

TINA: No texting in class or your phone gets taken away. You should know that since you sleep with a principal!!!

Here is some interesting (to me anyway) news. My newest root canal is getting better. I will be all well for my weekly appt on Monday to get the other one taken out but at least I will have a side I can eat on.

TINK: I hope the doctor finds some relief for you. I know how hard it is not to be able to get around walking as you are used to doing..

It is hot and dry here today...92. I wish I had the pool that ZONA and MEK have so I could go and jump in.

ZONA: (from area 51 or 52) MrD isn't going to put the Bronco decal on this new car. This car is a really nice color and a nice looking car so I think we are going to sneak into my son's house and put it on the refrig. I wonder how long it will take them to notice. Hopefully, we will be gone by that time so we won't have to take it back. The more boxes my husband empties from his school office the more junk I am finding around the house.

K-GIRL: I'm glad the big storm missed you and that you are all okay.

VIG; Isn't it about two weeks for you now? I bet you are getting more excited by the minute. Hope we hear from you before you leave.

goldie said...

damn, damn, damn! I am just too nice.

A good friend called and asked me to do something tonight, but another friend asked me to do something a couple of days ago and I said yes( even though I didn't want to) Now I can't make myself blow off my 1st request. damn

goldie said...

k-girl- I am sorry that you are getting piddled on (unless you like that sort of thing) but really happy the storm didn't land as originally predicted!

goldie said...

56

goldie said...

57

goldie said...

58

goldie said...

58

goldie said...

60?

goldie said...

61

goldie said...

62

goldie said...

63

goldie said...

64

goldie said...

where are you kgirl?

goldie said...

66

goldie said...

67

goldie said...

68

goldie said...

69

kahonugrl said...

goldie:

Is a threesome a possibility? I mean can you invite friend #1 to Friend #2's deal? Then you get both~

goldie said...

ahhhhhhhhhh

time for a smoke- mark that in the book Shirley (please and thank you)

kahonugrl said...

guess my timing is off today Goldster~

goldie said...

nope- I wouldn't inflict friend 1#'s thing on friend 2!

Actually, friend 2 just wanted to hang out and friend 1 is having one of those card making party thingys and I got roped into it. I really dislike things- I am not craft at all!

Mary/MI said...

Whabby, as you know I am in Vegas. I was only going to Peek lol, but as usual you "stimulated me" :) Many years ago I read a book about Einstein. I still have it and go back to it. It is heavy reading, but I have always been fascinated by him and others of such intense,focused,beautiful minds! I am looking forward to your posts. I will be infringing on your writings, (copy writes lol)and printing them out :):):)
"gambling" lol!!!

goldie said...

pretty rare to get one away from you kgirl- gotta take them when I can! MWAH

kahonugrl said...

I take it honesty doesn't work with friend #1 huh?

Mary/MI said...

I must have deleted the words "back to the mundane...", before the "GAMBLING" LOL!!

Mary/MI said...

Birdee,-I-am-fuzzy, congrats on 1st!

Goldie, my, my, 69 on Hump Day :) !!

Now I am really going...........

goldie said...

kgirl- honesty would work and she would be gracious, BUT I know it would hurt her feelings and I just can't do it. I have begged off so many times when she has these parties that I finally caved.

I did tell her I was not going to buy a single thing- she said that was fine, she just wanted me to come and gab, eat and mingle and have fun making cards. Oy

goldie said...

well Mary, I would rather be in Vegas gambling with you, but I'll take the 69 on hump day as my consolation prize.. :0)

kahonugrl said...

Mary:

When you walk past a Roulette table and you feel a slight wind or some other indicator, place a chip on #14. When you win, just let me know k?

Dianne/Denver said...

GOLDIE: You are a sweet friend. I have a friend that I don't mind going to lunch with once in awhile but that is enough as she is rather "high-maintenance". I went with her today and one of my other good friends from my old office surprised me and came down to meet when I was there picking them up. I always seem to enjoy lunch with the first girl when someone else is involved. So.....I know what you are talking about. Go have fun eating, drinking and mingling.

MARY: How many dollars has my quarter won? Don't try to rob me!! :)

Zona said...

Good Afternoon!!

BEAR: Well, that wasn't so bad! I'm looking forward to learning about Einstein and time dilation. I really don't like the word dilation..it causes shivers up my spine..but I'm gonna pay attention and try to understand each of your blogs. I think it's cool that you are doing this not only for us, but to honor your friend Karl. This will be one time I'm actually looking forward to being confused! ;)

E=mc2....that's about all I know about Albert Einstein BEAR..so Bring It On! I'm an empty book on this subject..come and fill me up!! :D

I have to get in the pool before I lose the ooomph to do so! bbiab!

Tina~in_ut said...

I totally know what you mean Goldie~ I have a friend in Denver....love her dearly...but she can be a real downer and it's like pulling teeth to get her to talk! But I'm a saint and will continue to hang out with her~ :)~

Dianne/Denver said...

TINA...MY LITTLE PET>>>First of all, do we have to talk about pulling teeth when I am at the F.....dentist every week? I know I am quiet but I am trying to over-come it each time you visit. Just think how chirpy I will be after a few years. BTW, are you going to continue to take the credit for naming BONACCI -BONACHICHI? P.S. I did talk some when you are the driver but I guess those words don't count..

Tina~in_ut said...

lmdbo!!!!!! Di....sweetheart....I wasn't talking about you~ :)~ And I wasn't taking credit for Bonachichi.....I just said that's what I call her~ :D

kahonugrl said...

Tina....sure you weren't talking about Di~ uh-huh

Dianne/Denver said...

K-GIRL: I'm glad you are seeing what ":our" friend is saying AFTER she visits and then pretends it is someone else she is talking about....I agree..uh huh!

kahonugrl said...

unless of course she is talking about some "new" friend she made while escorting the boys around campuses.....yeah that must be it~

kahonugrl said...

90

kahonugrl said...

91

kahonugrl said...

hmmmmm

kahonugrl said...

who's here?

kahonugrl said...

94

kahonugrl said...

95

kahonugrl said...

96

kahonugrl said...

97

kahonugrl said...

98

kahonugrl said...

99

kahonugrl said...

smile

Tina~in_ut said...

damnit!!!!!~

kahonugrl said...

that was for Carol~ like a Kracker

Tina~in_ut said...

Di~ you are so easy to get along with and talk to.......I think Kgrl is right....must have been that girl I met in Boulder!!!! :)~

bonachichi said...

Just to clear things up... I did change bonacci to bonachichi on account (or in honor?) of Tina. I am now her creation.

kahonugrl said...

Bonacci....good lord....why did you have to go and admit to that~

kahonugrl said...

Whabby....do we really have to wait til next week? Kinda curious now~

whabbear said...

K-girl: The blogs were written on the assumption they would run on sequential days, but Carol decided to spread them out. She is the president and CEO, after all, so I defer to her judgment!

East Bay J said...

Hi hooters!

Whab I will dust off the brain cobwebs and sit with those in the back.

I am however looking forward to your blogs. I love to learn, I am not sure if Einstein will do it for me but I am willing.

I had a patient one time who's son was with him, I will never forget the son as his name was Einstein.

That is a lot to live up to!

Of course there is the famous African Grey parrot named Einstein, that may be more up my alley.

Birdee congrats on 1st today!

Have a nice evening everyone!

kahonugrl said...

ok so my friend works (photographing events) for a famous Honolulu concert promoter.... I am waiting for a phone call to see if I get to tag along with her tonite to see No Doubt in concert at the Blaisdell Arena. How cool is that? Maybe a backstage visit with Gwen? Many of my other friends went to last nights show and most said it was one of the better concerts they have seen here in Honolulu.....here's hoping my phone rings!

Jodi said...

WHABBY - Looking forward to your blogs. I will do my best to wrap my mind about them. :O) For some reason all I can think of is a flux capacitor and a bad ass delorian!! Muah!!

GOLDIE - Friend #2 still loves ya!! Just sayin'!!!

Waving a wing @ EVERYONE!!! Just up for a potty break....hope everyone is having a great Wednesday night!!

Jodi said...

TURTLE - That would be so cool!!! Hey, baby, hey baby, hey!!!

night.owls.sb said...

Happy 1 Birdee.. :O)

Oh happy day! I read the blog and feel smarter already, just think in 10 weeks to come I will be a genius!

Fun!

night.owls.sb said...

Turtle..

Very kewl.. I hope u get to go..

night.owls.sb said...

Bonachichi..

I think we are all Tina's creations..

:O)

night.owls.sb said...

I know something about Mr Einstein he lived in Princeton NJ.. see I am smart!

Jodi said...

CAROL - And pretty!!!

East Bay J said...

Kgirl, hope you're feelin' HELLA GOOD... just KEEP ON DANCIN!!!

Sounda awesome, I love No Doubt. I hope you get to go!

kahonugrl said...

ok here's a peep at the water flowing down Mt. Waialeale on Kauai...This is how much it rained here....enjoy

http://snap808.khnl.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=5586342&collection_id=8478

sacBarb said...

Happy Wednesday Owls.

Whab, I am sorry to say I don't know that much about Einstein and I haven't even thought about him in many years. I am looking forward to reading the rest of your blogs and I hope I am not too old to learn something from them.

sacBarb said...

I have gone to the post office and picked up 2 months worth of mail - mostly junk, and ran about a hundred other errands. So I am really tired. I drank a glass of wine (OK two) and now I am sleepy, so I think I'll go to bed early. (I love my bed)

Good night Owls. I hope you all had a great day.

Tina~in_ut said...

Kgrl~ That vid is beautiful~ Thanks for sharing~ Hope she calls!!! I'm getting tired of waiting~

Tina~in_ut said...

Goodnight SacBarb~ Glad ur home~

kahonugrl said...

Sweet Dreams Barb.....welcome home. Glad your son is doing so well.

Jodi said...

TURTLE - Cool video...:O)

SACBARB - Enjoy your bed....get some rest!!

Jodi said...

125!!!

Tina~in_ut said...

Kgrl~ Watch the third vid....it's of you getting in the water~ :)~

kahonugrl said...

At least I am not MR. CLEAN white like you we're when you came to visit~

Tina~in_ut said...

that doesn't even make sense to monkeys~ :)~

night.owls.sb said...

JodiHo..

Whatca doing up so late?? no work tomorrow.. :O)

Sacbarb..

Welcome home, you have been missed, so very glad your son is doing well, and you with him thru his journey of recovery..

night.owls.sb said...

I understand it.. you were not Tan..


Did I get it right? Do I win a prize?

night.owls.sb said...

I have to go.. I am getting sleepy, I am fighting it, but not really sure why.. so I am giving up.. sleep is near..

Night

night.owls.sb said...

Oh and if I won a prize you can surely let me know tomorrow..

I love prizes..


:O)

night.owls.sb said...

Tina..

I just saw your post from this morning.. "I'm a scared" LOL..

Tina~in_ut said...

I'll give you a prize all right!!!!!

Tina~in_ut said...

DeeDee!!!! Git ur ass up....It's Madonna day!!!!!!!

kahonugrl said...

ding ding ding ding.....Carol wins a shiny new.....ummmmm



sssshhhh....it vibrates~

bonachichi said...

Kgrl; lol @ admitting to being Tina's creation. I figured resistance would be futile!

kahonugrl said...

oh resist~

Tina~in_ut said...

hey!!!! I'm in the room!!!!!~

kahonugrl said...

yeah and that means what? oh yeah that I am on speaker~

bonachichi said...

Kgrl, I watched that video... It actually looks beautiful to me, although I'm sure it was a hard time in the making. I'm glad you're okay.

I was in Hilo once, during a shower. Everyone just went about their business while buckets of water poured from the sky. I don't remember seeing so much rain.

kahonugrl said...

the Hawaiians believe that rain is a blessing. Brides actually like it when it rains on their wedding day. I love it when it rains like that and cascades down the mountain side....it's pure power and stunningly beautiful~

bonachichi said...

Hi Tina!! Is DeeDee coming home soon?

Tina~in_ut said...

yeah it is...like me~ :D

Tina~in_ut said...

DeeDee comes home on Friday~ She's flying to Prague today then home the next day~

bonachichi said...

It really is beautiful, Kgrl. I didn't know about rain being a blessing. I learned to love rain in Hawaii. I used to get bummed and carry an umbrella cuz MY HAIR!! Now I just throw on a hat and have fun.

bonachichi said...

I've kind of missed DeeDee. She's gonna be so bassakwards cuz of the time difference!

Tina~in_ut said...

nah.....she'll be bassakwards cuz she's DeeDee~ :D

Just_Lin said...

Kgrl Thanks for the link. I love the rain.

Just_Lin said...

And waterfalls, and any other rushing water.

MEK in AZ said...

Whabby - as I read your blog - the theme song to

"Are you Smarter Than a 5th Grader"

just keeps running thru my mind!!

and - you should live here - there is NO light polution!!!

waving howdy to all..

i need to go to bed...

I hope everyone has an excellent thursday..
:-)

Just_Lin said...

MEK LOL I have a feeling we'll all feel like 5th graders when we read Whabbear's blogs. Well, maybe not Bonachichi. : )

Sweet dreams, HOoters!

whabbear said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
whabbear said...

First time I ever did that... really mangled it!

So here goes again:

First, thanks everybody for your encouragement and interest in the blog today!

Welcome back, SacBarb! There's indeed no place like home...

MEK: LOL! I think we need to get Shirley on that show. She can answer all the "Who's that famous physicist" questions with "Eddie Albert"!

By sheer random coincidence, a friend of mine in Tacoma posted on Facebook tonight, wondering if anybody knew any local handymen who could complete a house project.

Not being anywhere near Tacoma, I responded: "Yep! Alf and Ralf"!

whabbear said...

J/L: Not by the time we're finished!

I hope!

whabbear said...

Oh, MEK, in case I haven't made myself perfectly clear:

Fuck light pollution!