Apparently the microwave power plant from SimCity 2000 is going to be a reality: www.next100.com/2009/04/space-solar-power-the-next-fro.php. Now if Chicago decides to build a Darco, sign me up.

According to a recent Rasmussen poll (a company not known for their liberal bias), Americans now prefer capitalism to socialism by only a 53-20 margin.  That's right: 20% of us are socialists, and yet another 27% aren't sure.  Other highlights:

Under $20k income: 35-27

Under age 30: 37-33

We're back, baby.  I just wish it were under better ( Read more... )

My mostly apolitical, usually subdued mother on the debate:

"Did you watch the VP debate last night?  I am so upset with Palin I could vomit.  She is a disgrace to all women."

I guess not everyone's expectations were quite as low as mine.  I'm glad some could keep perspective.

After nearly a month of waiting for my appointment at the body shop, I take the car in.  Naturally I'm worried that they're going to find frame damage and it's going to be more than the estimate (more than the car is worth) at the end and I'll have to tell them to scrap it.

I come in and it's obvious they weren't expecting me to drop off my car.   ( Read more... )

Erdos->Ronald Graham->S-T Yau->Cumrun Vafa->Albrecht Klemm->me. Eat it.

I go to my physics mailbox this morning to discover an odd envelope addressed to me, personally. The return address is "GWPP" in some city in California, but it's been stamped in Oregon. It's a normal letter-sized envelope but it's been stuffed to the point that it requires extra postage. On the way up the elevator, I'm wondering whom it's from ( Read more... )

Many of you may have noticed a gaping hole in my dash the last couple of months where my radio used to be. Some of you, (
( Read more... )

Rachel's in line at Best Buy right now (somewhere between #10 and #15) and I just got today's ad stating "Minimum 20 per store." If somehow we don't get one heads will roll. I'm glad we didn't try waiting at Target (29 people in line at 6:15, and I'm guessing they'll have around 10). It's still going to be a pain in the ass if we can't get ( Read more... )

The past couple days I've been sleeping more than normal (10 and 9 1/2 hours, respectively) and waking up very tired. I'm about to get caffeine dose #3. I think Rachel's sleep disorder is catching. Or maybe I'm just sick, even though there aren't other symptoms. I'm worried my students are going to start finding drool puddles on their papers. ( Read more... )

To remain as scientific as possible, decide whether you're going to respond before reading.

( The Poll... )