Nocturnal notes

The opposite is diurnal notes but those daytime notes are nothing special.

Now I'm not saying that I blog at night. I have done most of my post writing as a daylight activity.

Having a thought and then explaining that thought in a post is two distinct activities. Many of the thoughts found on my blog originate at night. What I seem to fail to do too often is writing a note of my nocturnal thought

They are listening

I just asked our Google Home Mini gadget if it would take a note. It told me there was an issue with the permission setting. After some fiddling with my smartphone and the gadget I was able to have the gadget save a short reminder for me. Not quite note taking but possibly useful for remembering a thought.

Most of my book reading is nocturnal. Typically before I fall asleep. I just finished a book titled, The Trouble with Gravity, (blog followers probably recall I read mostly non-fiction). It's a good overview of humanity’s understanding of gravity's pervasive effect on our existence.

I read a few online reviews of the book. I agree with the opinion that book doesn’t provide an in-depth explanation of the various theories of gravity. But those explanations are difficult to present without some serious math and science understanding. So the book offers a good overview history to a broader audience.

A few notes I found interesting:

• Nobody really knows what gravity is. They can measure and predict its influences but still don’t know exactly its composition.
• Throughout the spread of many different cultures/religions the distinction of things up there and down here being very different was incorporated in their views/teachings.
• I learned of Roger Babson who considered gravity to be our enemy number one. He started the Gravity Research Foundation to develop gravitational shielding.
• The LIGO gravitational-wave observatories have unbelievable sensitivity. 

Please listen to a song that leaves me thinking about gravity’s effect on moving the planets around, click the youtube clip below. I didn’t realize until I just read a comment on its youtube page that songwriter, Patrick Monahan, was inspired by his late mother, who had died after a struggle with cancer, and that the opening lines "came to [him] in a dream." A great example of a nocturnal thought.

The lyrics certainly play on ideas of gravity and space.

But tell me, did you sail across the sun?
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated?
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star– One without a permanent scar?
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?

Over the moon

No one was mooned in the making of this post.

Retirement offers more time to read. My completion rate on books is not that high but improving. Recently I finished “The Book of the Moon” by self-named lunatic, Maggie Aderin-Pocock. I completed the whole book but compared to most books it's a smaller one. An easy read that still provides plenty of information about our moon. It’s not overly technical.

One thing I learned was that the moon is receding from us and that the Earth’s spin is slowed by the moon. Go back a billion year and you would experience about a 23 hour day. You also would starve since multicellular life was just beginning. The moon stabilizes Earth’s spin.

While not explicitly covered in this book, I credit the moon with advancing human knowledge. It gives us a noticeable object to track, measure time, and wonder about. Solar and lunar eclipses are nature’s experiments for us to observe and study. The night sky would be duller without those waxing and waning phases.

Without the moon we would have never heard the song “Moon River”. I found a few Moon River covers on youtube. I’ll start with a favorite since I’m fan of Eric Clapton. (Oh I also learned that Georgia’s politicians honored Johnny Mercer by renaming the Back River, the Moon River.)







I was a bit surprised to find a parody called "Joan Rivers".  (the parody starts about half minute into the clip)

Library of indecision

Do you have such a library? Maybe just a collection?

The indecision related to this blog is the decision of my post topic. Could it be that when indecision halts your writing you should just write about the indecision?

Seems like a cop out. However this is a personal blog with loose rules.

One of my minor ideas which remains less than minor was the naming of new products. Do you need a bomb in your bath?

You can now buy 2-pack unicorn bath bomb for about $12. Oh joy of effervescent unicorns. Why call this a bomb? It’s not very destructive.

Oh rub-a-dub

With that out of the way, what’s with my library reference? I have enjoyed libraries from a young age. I doubt it’s the smell of paper. I rather think it’s knowledge on a shelf. Also, they are normally quiet enough places to gather your thoughts. Today we carry connected knowledge in our pocketed smartphones. I do hope libraries will survive this smartphone upheaval.

I still recall the trip my Aunt asked me to join her on to a college library. It was a day trip and I think she just wanted some company. Not sure, but I think I had just started high school at the time. I was impressed by the number of books. I surprised myself when I found my name in the card catalog (are you old enough to have used a card catalog?). There was another well published guy out there with my exact name. I found that interesting but not his publications. Looking up my name in the card catalog - the precursor to googling oneself?

During my recent local library visit I looked up a book by Steven Johnson that I read about online. Steven Johnson hosted a PBS series called “How We Got To Now” back in 2014. (hey do NOT come here for the latest on TV) His book is titled “Wonderland”.

Now for my attempt to tie all this together. I believe these bath bombs relate well to Johnson’s theme in Wonderland. Here’s a quote from the book:

“Because play is often about breaking rules and experimenting with new conventions, it turns out to be the seedbed for many innovations that ultimately develop into much sturdier and more significant forms.”

Johnson describes many examples of play and delight driving innovation. I find this bath bomb an invention for delight. I'm not suggesting these bath bombs are going to develop into anything other than clean freshen people but who knows. Automating the social comparison of college students eventually developed into Facebook. I've heard that's a big thing. Maybe unicornbath will be the next big bomb.

never been to Ipanema

I've never walked on Ipanema beach. Wikipedia shows me it looks like this at sunset.





Not quite as far south as Ipanema, I took this sunset picture on a beach that I've been fortunate enough to walk on.

Miramar Beach FL

During these sunset events I and everyone that has been around me refers to the sun going down. I can’t recall anyone saying how lovely it is when the earth turns and sun disappears on the horizon. The sun going down is a fine way to describe it even if it not as accurate. Today, most would find it unacceptable to punish Galileo for promoting this earth turning idea.

Perception - Things are not always what they seem.

I’m currently reading, “The Quantum Moment”. (here’s an Amazon link if you want to look it up) The two authors are both professors at Stony Brook University. One a philosopher, and the other a physicist have written this book based on their co-taught class that is taken by both physics and philosophy majors. I’m not finished reading the book yet but I already would highly recommend it. Of course, I read mostly nonfiction and I know many favor fiction.

Once in the dark sky of Montana my wife, youngest daughter, and I watched with amazement the milky way travel over us. That night I didn’t perceive the earth turning but I’m convinced from my education that it does. Even though I’ve never touch the Ipanema beach I have no doubt of its existence. My inability to perceive quantum particles (actually we perceive light which is made up of quantum photons) doesn’t stop me from believing quantum theories. Understanding quantum theories is whole different problem though.

If you have been introduced to the classical physics (based on Newton’s work) and have heard of quantum mechanics then this book should be an easy read. Much of the book tells of the misused and mistranslated quantum theory ideas by popular culture.

I don’t need to understand wave dynamics or the crystal structure of the sand to enjoy a nice beach. However, sitting on a warm beach I do enjoy pondering how it all came to be.

I can go for fragments

(think back - 80's - Hall & Oates)

Easy, ready, willing, overtime
Where does it stop?
Where do you dare me to draw the line?
You've got the body,
now you want my soul
Don't even think about it,
say no go, yeah

I-ahh-ahh, I'll do anything that you want me to-oo,
yeah
I-ahh-ah-ahh do almost anything that you want me to-oo, ooh yeah

But I can't go for that, no no can do

However, a Friday Fragments post doesn't require your soul.  Just a little bit of thought, a post and a link-up over at Mrs. 4444's blog.

I'll included a cover of this Hall & Oates hit song at the bottom of this post.

I've been telling Mother Nature "no, no can do" lately but she is not listening.

yeah I know it's snowing upside down

It's nice when there is a recall that has absolutely no impact on your life. Hot-pockets recall - I could care less.

I doubt any readers come here expecting book reviews (actually I don't know what readers expect here, hopefully to be surprised).  Last year I posted about a Jim Croce book.  The bio his widow wrote was both interesting and a fun trip back to the 70's.  Here's a link to that post.

Currently, I'm reading a very different book (still non-fiction which is my preference) about a physics learning journey.  A dad and his daughter challenge each other on a quest to find answers to big questions such as the beginning of the universe.  I enjoy physics and the approach taken this curious non-physicist young woman has been a good read.  She works herself into global theoretical physics conferences by posing as a journalist.  The book is full of information.  The title is "Trespassing on Einstein's Lawn".  (a link) 

Having worked too many years in the cubicle jungles called offices (too much time in those and you start to act more prairie dog than human) gave me an appreciation of a website I learned about from a radio show.  If you have had any amount of teleconferencing experience suffering, you'll probably enjoy this site called conferencecall.biz  (you need to listen to it - presentation is all audio).  It will be a win-win.

Have you heard of "Live from Daryl’s House"? I stumbled onto it during a youtube journey. Really going onto youtube is always a lengthy journey for me. The suggested clips never stop you know. Daryl Hall of the famous Hall & Oates started recording jam sessions at his home studio. His guests include many of the top performers of yesterday and today. Here's a clip of that song I started this post with, covered by Cee Lo Green. (there is a long intro - about a minute)

gone friday fragment fishing

Unknown Mami, summer hostess of Friday Fragments (as a title that would be SHoFF) lives near the sea but I don’t know if she has fished there.  You can catch fragments there during the summer.




I miss the days of stupid phones and smart people. This past week we passed an idiot driver in a corvette staring at his smartphone while cruising down the expressway.

The best way to remove lipstick is by kissing right? Not that I’m a big kisser but I’ve been reading the bio on Jim Croce and their dating period was just covered. It brought back memories of making out.

comic comments --  I try to be funny. It’s tough being funny with just text on a screen without the tone of your voice. Months ago Bearman Cartoons left this comment on a post:

Ok you had me going for a minute.

I replied: That's great, hope you had somewhere to go. thanks

One of the enjoyments of my past biz travel was sharing jokes. There were some guys with great material and delivery. One liners and short ones are a great way to get it going.

I heard that this sales rep I worked with had a trophy wife. I got to meet her once. I guess he had won second or third place.

Lisleman’s limited research shows “opt out” (don’t think that term was used much 20 years ago) is becoming more and more important. Consider this informative useful article: AT&T Considers Selling Your Browsing History, Location, And More To Advertisers. Here’s How To Opt Out (too long of a title but a good article to read)

Did you read my post about discovering an idea creation trend I seem to have? (every once in a taco I get inspired) One my current July ideas is starting a new group call OGWB (old guys with blockage).

Memory recall is never easy for most us. I’m thinking if I need an appointment around the middle of the day I should make it for 1:23. What’s easier than 1 2 3?

Please take a moment to locate this planet’s emergency exits.

spinning shades of grey

Hey shady readers or people who are attracted to the number 50, your kind have been noticed. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, they say. I noticed this mentioned in Time magazine recently.

The Huffington Post wrote a funny article about this sexy chicken being bound and roasted. The names of the 50 recipes become funny in the context of the popular book that started this craze:

Dripping Thighs 

Sticky Chicken Fingers 

Bacon-Bound Wings 

Mustard-Spanked Chicken

But wait! There’s more. While at the Amazon page for the roasted chicken goddess, I was given the suggestion of another book titled, “Fifty Shades of Bacon”.

Cooks get your spanking spatulas ready. Meanwhile I’m staying out of the kitchen it’s getting too hot for me.

flinging fragments

Our lawn is just a fragment of what it was before the drought sucked its moisture dry. Good thing my brain fragments still needs mowing. Here’s this week’s clippings. See Mrs. 4444’s blog for a harvest of fragments.

Do you realize this year many will design their Christmas on Pinterest? I might start decorating now. What do you want from Pinterest this year? May I be the first to wish you a great Pinterest Christmas.

- Warning fart factoid coming up after this -

A best seller has me worried. I’m hoping that the “Fifty Shades of Grey” popularity drops off before I take my next flight. Imagine the awkwardness of sitting between two women reading that on the plane.

- I warned you -  

(found on lifeslittlemysteries.com) The answer may stink, but everything we eat or drink gives us gas. In fact, it's normal to fart up to half a gallon (1.9 liters), or about 15 to 20 toots worth of gas each day. Particularly fragrant flatulence, however, comes from colonies of bacteria shacked up inside our lower intestinal tract. In the process of converting our meals into useful nutrients, these food-munching microbes produce a smelly by-product of hydrogen sulfide gas—the same stench that emanates from rotten eggs.

- cool I got you reading the small print -

Now if you consider that previous fragment as less than blog worthy, you will be thankful I skipped writing about the following headline story from the same website. 

Octopus Hitches Ride on Dolphin's Genitals

- now go back to the top and start over (just kidding) -

Penguins - When you are short on ideas, think penguins. That’s what google did with streetview. Penguins need privacy.

- if you take the first letter from all these dividers -

Next time a stranger approaches you and says “you look familiar do I know you for somewhere?”, answer, “Yes, remember I loaned you $20 about 8 months ago.” 

- you didn’t think I would give the next step for those letters -

Typically “with insight” is much better than “within sight”. 

(proofreading provided by C. F. Eyecare)

fancy friday fragments

Do you fancy a fragment or two? 

I’m very glad you stopped in for a look. You will find a few fragments here but if you are still hungry for more browse over to Mrs. 4444’s place. She collects links to many more.

Do you read or listen to books? 

I read mostly but I’m not that quick and have returned a library book unfinished more than once.  Would listening be quicker?

My wife has gotten into the habit of listening to audiobooks in the car. That was my introduction to them. It’s a good way to pass the time on a long car trip. However, if you can’t stand the story or characters it quickly becomes a form of torture. I found an interesting discussion about audiobooks - here.

Would you consider this serendipity? I finished mowing the lawn this evening and after cleaning up (you did clean up before reading this blog - right?) I read this post by Lilly (she’s an Aussie from OZ you know) about a crazy neighbor’s desire to mow her lawn. 

I’m not sure how I would react if this happened to me. Someone mowing for free might be hard to turn down. I doubt this Aussie guy wants to travel here to mow my lawn (Lilly might want to send him).

Being blog neighbors doesn’t require you to do much with the physical appearance of your place. That slacker idea I follow doesn't apply if you post pictures of your place.  I have a blog neighbor who recently took us on a tour of her place and then in the next post gave a tour of her town. I know her as Shrinky and she lives on the Isle of Man. I believe you can still catch the tours.

This week has turned into uncommon word week here at A Few Clowns Short - a plethora of terms to enhance my phraseology - not really but I worked in a few uncommon ones. 

zoopraxiscope and zoetrope in this post 

zilch and Chaturanga in this post

James Bond will drink a beer in an upcoming movie. This made the news. As it should. Martinis are not the only sophisticated drink.

Just looking for opinions and I know we all have them, so share. Which of the following do you think is an expression so worthy of a Monday? 

• nowhere nuts 
• salsa sliding 
• sleepy soup 
• manic mustard 

BLOG ON people 

(proofreading provided by C. F. Eyecare)

sex on six legs

I thought about using the title “wango tango” but then why not use the title of the book. Yes I’m about halfway through sex on six legs (the book - what you are thinking?) 

Regular readers know I don’t review books here often but I have a few times. I posted about Eat Pray Love once and I never read the book or saw the movie.

The “sex on six legs” book by Marlene Zuk is not about ménage à trois.  It is about insects.  However, reading it I learned female beetles, flies, and many other types mate with multiple partners.

The insect world is a strange place and this book takes you on weird and wonderful journey that leaves you with some scientific knowledge of genetics and animal behavior.

Here’s a sample from the “Sperm and Eggs on Six Legs” chapter.

“Other insects, such as hangingflies and scorpionflies, go out and catch prey items to present to females, who then consume the item while their hind ends are occupied with mating.”

“...a rather modest-looking species called the short-bodied cellar spider, females “sing” during mating … making a sound the authors describe as “resembling squeaking leather.”

Wow - eating during sex, gift giving males trying to get lucky, spider porn, I didn’t realize biology was so exciting.  Now if more students realized science can involve sex maybe we could get more interested students signing up.

So What

So be it.

 

 

You think so.

So far so good.

Your so-called friend?

I’m feeling so so.

You are so lame.

So I say, so what!

Hey so I got this idea from that so-and-so author you might know.

Roy Blount Jr. latest book, Alphabetter Juice has an example of the many uses of ‘so’.

His 'so' example is different than mine but similar.

So useful and yet so short!

(pics from Bluntcards.com )

another circus 

Obscene Duck Calls

Like odd stuff?

I consider myself an odd liker (maybe that should be liker of odd).

I can’t really pin it down but maybe it started with “The Far Side” cartoons back in the 80’s.  In the first “The Far Side” book I got I still remember the funny introduction page.

Gary Larson blames his brother for creating the odd sense of humor in him.  Growing up he had the “standard monster-infested basement” and his brother would turn off the lights and close the door on him while reminding him that “it’s coming”.

Our basement was fine.  It was the attic that my dad told me was a dangerous scary place.  I guess he meant that I might slip and fall through a part of the ceiling.  I thought he meant there were monsters or zombies living in there.

Did you ever see “Bent Objects”?

I found it some years ago and Terry Border has been creating ever funnier art objects every year.  I joined his FB fan page so I get regular updates on his latest stuff.

I suspect the internet is both a blessing and a curse for “Bent Objects”.  It easily gets him noticed but people also take his pictures and forward them around sometimes without even giving him the credit.

Here’s a youtube clip he put up to promote his book.

Oh those obscene duck calls you ask (cmon, just pretend you asked ok) -

I was just flipping through that old “The Far Side” book and got a good laugh with a cartoon of a hunter calling some duck on the phone - titled “Obscene Duck Call”.

Think about it - if some guy lured people over to his place and then shot them that would be more than obscene.  

Don’t worry I don’t even own a gun.

eat pray love then what

Shopping?

(just I minute let me backup a little)

Are my comments better than most of my posts?

I don't know but I love the interaction on comments. It's a good example of diversity at work. I'll write something with my background thoughts and a reader comes along and gives me a different angle on the topic. Diversity provides those different view angles. If we can agree to disagree, we are doing fine.

I've said before that if you don't like what you are seeing, you could move to a different position. It's easier to go around the mountain than moving it.

Now don't click over to some other blog just yet. This ain't no mountain.

I think you would agree that comments come from your reaction to the topic at hand. It's not like you spend too much time thinking about the wording of the comment. Well at least in comparison to writing a post. OK, I believe my blogger friends think before they post.

I want to throw something at you. Ready?

So here's a topic I've been thinking about and hope to get some reaction in the comments. You could help me understand.

eat pray love ===>>> shop shop shop

Since I didn’t read the book or see the movie, I am totally qualified to review both. Seriously, the media cable news channel talking heads comments about all types of things they have no clue about, so why would I be any different?

Actually, I did watch a clip of the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, giving a very inspiring speech at the TED conference. The clip is over 19 minutes long (about 18 minutes more than most internet users attention span) so here’s a link.

Elizabeth Gilbert at TED

Just guessing about what I don’t know (my wife believes that’s a favorite occupation of mine), but I think Elizabeth Gilbert wrote her memoir without any idea that it might be a movie someday. It is probably a better book because it was written without concern for the marketing of it.

Is this a memoir about finding yourself through shopping?

I imagine not. So what "a-few-clowns-short-of-a-circus" marketing team decided to turn "eat pray love" into a shopping event. Isn't that insulting to women?

I found a good post about this over at  The Urban Cowboy.

so click, read, comment - got it?  good.

Also here's a funny and insightful review of it from Lewis Black:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Back in Black - Eat Pray Love
www.thedailyshow.com
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