"Formation of the carbon atomic nucleus requires a nearly simultaneous triple collision of alpha particles (helium nuclei) within the core of a giant or supergiant star. This happens in conditions of > 100 megakelvin temperature and helium concentration that the rapid expansion and cooling of the early universe prohibited, and therefore no ( Read more... )

Today was JJ's birthday, so we went to watch the swifts. I arrived alone and the entire hill was covered with people. As I scanned the audience, I was acutely aware that I wasn't supposed to be looking at people, I was supposed to be looking at the birds. But when I looked around, it seemed like no one was watching the birds, everyone was ( Read more... )

I left the capitol of Russia for the capitol of the US. I met Yang in Arlington, VA, a residential part of DC immediately across the river in Maryland. Arlington is full of well-paid lawyers, bureacrats, and other white collar businessmen. Come 6 O'clock, these businessmen strip out of their white collars and change into khaki or plaid shorts, ( Read more... )

mother russia.

Saw a coyote AND a fox last night.

New haircut
New computer
New house?

Friday night Macrocosm played Dekum Manor.  Black Metal blacker than Malcolm X.  The dude Ben was scream-singing into the crowd the entire set, with his palm facing the audience.  At the end of the set, he held up the ram's skull over his head triumphantly, with two stable arms.  Saturday night, I dressed formally to Kiki's dinner party, white ( Read more... )

baah blah black sheep

Last night was a strange night-- mostly cause it was a stranger's birthday variety show, open to the public at the Someday Lounge.  Jay was supposed to play, but I couldn't wait any longer.  I talked to Sean of Phat Boy's Bakery.  He gave me his business card which was actually a napkin.  Pre-written, with name, email, website, address, and youtube ( Read more... )

The swifts