What's on my mind…

This is one of my favorite commercials of all time:

Over the past few weeks, there has been some science & nature news that is mind-blowing and, well, awesome.

• There was an article on National Geographic online about a remote control submersible camera capturing an “elbowed” Magnapinna squid about a mile and a half below the surface. Look at how freaky this thing is:

  I would hate to run into that thing while water skiing. Luckily for me, that is pretty unlikely–they are very rarely seen. This video marks the first time one of these squids has been seen at an oil development, though, according to the article, scientists don’t think that has any scientific significance. What amazes me the most is that we’ve spent hundreds of years studying the ocean in one way or another and we have only barely brushed the surface.

• BBC News has an article announcing that US scientists may have detected dark matter. The scientists can’t confirm it, but they’re expecting some upgraded equipment in 2010 and the new equipment should be able to give them a more definitive answer. It sounds like some sort of malicious force or something out of the Da Vinci Code, but it’s theorized that dark matter makes up around 90 percent of the universe. It is believed that it exerts gravitational forces, but it doesn’t emit detectable light or radiation. Interesting stuff.

• This article also caught my eye, as I don’t often think of mountains as “enigmatic.” However, the Gamburstevs are in Antarctica and they are totally buried under the ice cap. An international team spent two months in 2008 ad 2009 surveying the mountains.I’m not sure I would have signed up for that expedition-two months in one of the harshest places on the planet just doesn’t appeal to me. However, what they’re finding about these mountains is pretty fascinating.

That’s all for now, but next time you’re reading a news site or a newspaper, don’t be so quick to ignore the science section. It has some pretty interesting stuff that showcase just how awesome our world is.

In case you missed it…

I think it was realistic. It’s easy to get pie in the sky when you’re accepting a peace prize, but sadly, he does not have that luxury. I enjoyed his take on a just war. Commentators on BBC radio were pointing out how a lot of his speech was directed at the European community, who are often hesitant to use force, even when others insist it is necessary. Which, I sometimes applaud and I sometimes disagree with (as in the case of Rwanda). However, I also like that he didn’t back down from his love of diplomacy. He even referenced Reagan and Nixon, which given how much the GOP hates him, I think is an act of diplomacy in itself : ). Do I wish we could withdraw all of our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan tomorrow? Yes. And I think everyone else does, too (including our president). However, I also acknowledge that he didn’t start this war, but it would be irresponsible of him not to finish it.

Your thoughts?

Sorry I missed a week (just as I was starting to get back into the swing of things). I was traveling from San Antonio, Texas back to Charlotte. I had to drive from Austin to San Antonio to catch a 7 a.m. flight, then fly to Charlotte, then go to work and work until 9 p.m. I was pretty exhausted by the time I got home. Hence, no blog.

Today I’ll just do a “brain dump” of sorts…

• I’d like to read Sarah Palin’s book. I’m not a Palin fan by any means…but I have this morbid curiosity about it. While I disagree with basically everything she says, I find her fascinating. Is she rock stupid? Is she a flake? Is she some sort of political genius? Who knows. But let’s see what the straight-talkin’ lady has to say.
• It seems, for now, that the health care bill will have an easier journey through the Senate. I particularly like that the Stupak amendment is out. All I know is that I’m searching for a job and not having much like and I’d really like to be able to see a doctor at some point without declaring bankruptcy.
• One of the saddest news stories I’ve seen in a while happened in North Carolina. Five year-old Shaniya Davis was missing, then found dead outside of Fayetteville. Normally, my heart would go out to the family and it still does, except they suspect the mother had allowed her to be taken for “sexual servitude.” When I heard that, I felt a little ill. My heart goes out to her aunt and father.
• Congratulations to Carl Kasell on his well-deserved retirement. I’ll miss hearing him read the news, but I’m glad he’ll still be doing “Wait, wait don’t tell me.”

I’ll keep it short today : ).

Until next time, kiddos!

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