Mercury Messenger

More than three years ago, and without the kind of fanfare you would find around a shuttle launched, the MESSENGER spacecraft took off on a decade long mission to map and observe Mercury, the closest planet to our sun. Sometime in 2111, the spacecraft will arrive in orbit around Mercury, but to the get there it's taking the grand scenic tour of the inner solar system. Recently it flew past Mercury in one of its many gravitational games it will play to make the final orbit possible. The science coming back from MESSENGER is nothing short of remarkable, and the real fun is 3 years away. Dr. Phil Plait, a much better writer than I, discusses the latest news coming back from Mercury in his Bad Astronomer Blog.

Bad Astronomy Blog » Spiders on Mercury!

Technorati Tags: science, space, mercury, messenger, cool stuff

Dog and Snow

Something about a dog's eyes.

Slow Regrowth

This week, I had the opportunity to visit once again the Gulf Coast region of Mississippi and the cities of Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. It was a short notice trip, but it gave me a chance to see for myself what has been happening since my previous visit there last April.

Sadly, I can't say that I noticed a big change in the landscape, now over two years since Hurricane Katrina. It seems, in the residential areas, that whatever new building and reclamation is pretty well complete, but that's not to say that everything is rebuilt. Far from it. There were far fewer trailers occupying lots, and many lots that had damaged property are now empty, full of trash and weeds and mangled signs. Gone are the handmade signs promising a new and better community. The large wooden cross proclaiming "He has risen, and so shall we" seems a hollow threat. High rebuilding costs, insurance costs, the recent economic downturn and, no doubt, the lingering threat of more hurricanes in the future seems to have reduced the optimism of a year ago to a pragmatic reality.

Gulfport seemed further behind their efforts than Biloxi. I am not familiar with the politics that I am sure are a major factor in rebuilding plans, but if they don't get it together soon, Biloxi will soon move way ahead in terms of business and tourism dollars.

Technorati tags: mississippi, gulfport, katrina, rebuilding

Perma Pelicans

Along the harbor at St. Andrew Bay, I came upon this sculpture, evidently made from driftwood. A little fog over the bay. Was tough walking away from this scene.

Where Do The Candidates Stand On Science?

Are you concerned about your elected officials stand on science? You should be. How our politicians stand on science affects much more policy than seems apparent at first blush. Now there is a resource where you can find out more about key science and technology positions for every congress critter and presidential candidate. Thanks to the Scientists & Engineers for America for building the site and to Nick Anthis for the tip.

Welcome - SHARP Network

Technorati Tags: science, politics, activism

Casual Sign

In the St. Andrew's section of Panama City, Florida.

Why Jon Stewart Doesn't Need Writers

So here I am, catching an early flight home, and I'm sitting in a Corky's stand at Memphis airport, eating a mediocre rib dinner, the tube tuned to the unctuous Glenn Beck looking especially smug. I'm a captive audience, I have no choice. So on comes a bit about Joy Behar of "The View" (a show which I never watch, for a number of reasons) and how she suggests that the saints of yesteryear just weren't quite right in the head. Welllll.....Beck says, in his typical clownish disbelief, who is REALLY the crazy one here? We're gonna show Ms. Behar just how crazy she is, by gumby. So who does he roll out to provide the most credible argument in favor of saints? That's right, sports fans! None other than good old Bill Donohue, chief shill of all that is wingnut in this country. Now that's comedy!

I bet Jon Stewart is pissed. How can he compete with that?

Joy Behar Suggests Saints Were Mentally Ill | NewsBusters.org

Technorati Tags: religion, hate, view, behar, humor

God's Way

I guess only the chosen few are allowed in.

On the road north of Panama City, Florida.

Technorati tags: god, humor, religion, florida

George Rogers Clark Memorial

Who was George Rogers Clark and why a memorial, you ask?

I was wondering the same, and it seems the guy wins a minor battle during the American Revolution, and they put up a big pile of granite to commemorate the event.

Technorati tags: travel, indiana, monument

I Need a Caption, Please

When originally erected, it was....well....vertical.

Technorati tags: snow, sculpture, strange, humor

Happy New Year from the Road

To all of my wonderful friends and readers of "This Blog Title For Sale", I want to extend my warmest best wishes and a Happy New Year. I'm banging this out real quick from a passenger lounge at Blue Grass Regional Airport in Lexington, Kentucky. Indeed, this New Year's found me on the road supporting a client's successful go-live. I'm actually flying home a day early today.

If not for this close community formed by the intertubes, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to do the job I do, seeing as I have access to all the resources I need to keep me going.

So once again, to my family, my readers, and my friends, thank you and have a wonderful 2008!
Technorati tags: new year, road, airport, greeting, lexington