posted May 15, 2012 12:05 PM            

We're starting to assimilate all of the gifts now. It's great having all matching silverware. Love it.

posted May 23, 2012 12:48 AM            

She's a lucky girl to have scooped you up

Lifetimes of happiness to you both.

posted July 20, 2012 07:26 PM            

1) you might have clicked on this one-> Getting skeptical about global warming skepticism - but who knows?

2) Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson quotes:

“... there is no shame in not knowing. The problem arises when irrational thought and attendant behavior fill the vacuum left by ignorance.” ¯ Neil deGrasse Tyson, The Sky Is Not the Limit: Adventures of an Urban Astrophysicist

posted July 20, 2012 07:50 PM            

You guys all left me!

Yeah, I've been to the skeptical science site before a number of times. Like I told Randall recently, the real climate scientists have taken the skeptics far more seriously than the skeptics would believe. Every angle ever attempted by skeptics has been thoroughly analyzed and dissected, and the real climate scientists are STILL convinced about man's contribution.

Things like this are disturbing proof that some people will be fooled by anything that's plausible. Of course it's worse that they stop there -at the first plausible theory that seems to coincide with what they'd like to believe- instead of taking a more balanced approach and weighing all plausible options against one another.

Farmer beats grocer when the subject is growing food, just as it is with this. Climate scientist beats Conservative blogger. Climate scientist beats oil-company employed "scientist". Climate scientist beats meteorologist. The only thing Climate scientist doesn't beat on the subject of climate is another climate scientist, but they're vastly in agreement, and we're reminded of this every time an article comes out about the effects of the warming, which is virtually daily.

I want to give the skeptics the credit for wishful thinking, but I don't really think it is wishful thinking. I think it is just stubborn thinking. The actual junk science is a reality they want to believe is true, and because that reality doesn't intersect with their lives in any meaningful way, they can get away with the wrong belief. Their paycheck and their livelihood don't depend on them being right about this, so they refuse to think critically.

Zala just recently posted a Tyson quote, too, on Facebook. I liked what he said in that one, and I like what he says in yours. It's absolutely correct.

posted July 21, 2012 08:04 AM            

I think this has been going on since man discovered fire. Can you imagine the poor sob laboriously scraping away with a rock, and ~dang~ a spark flew into the shavings? He was either stoned to death for his discovery, or regarded as a deity- one to be feared.

“When scientifically investigating the natural world, the only thing worse than a blind believer is a seeing denier.” ¯ Neil deGrasse Tyson, Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries

“I look up at the night sky, and I know that, yes, we are part of this Universe, we are in this Universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts is that the Universe is in us. When I reflect on that fact, I look up—many people feel small, because they’re small and the Universe is big, but I feel big, because my atoms came from those stars.” ¯ Neil deGrasse Tyson

here is a short 10 question quiz, if you are in the mood.

Political who said what--I did poorly
____________________________________
:edit:

forgot to mention, I watched the Dark Knight Rises. Could not buy in to the baddie "Bane" he reminded of 3:

Hannibal Lichter in his mask
Sean Connery
Darth Vader
Wont mention more...spoilers?

posted July 21, 2012 01:46 PM            

quote:

---

The IPCC and NOAA and associated scientists' paychecks and livelihood depend on them keeping the gravy train rolling.

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That's false, and I think you know that. There is NO justification whatsoever for a belief that IF global warming wasn't happening all of these scientists would be out of a job. That's a blatantly ludicrous suggestion. We'd still need climate scientists to be observing the climate, and putting forth new studies.

This is a great example for why you're so easily wrong. You don't seem to think through what you're saying. As long as there is money for research, everything that is studied will be studied regardless of outcome.

quote:

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How do you rationalize a belief in Astrology when science debunks it?

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What's fascinating about this question is the give away as to where your mind is at. You're linking your belief against global warming to a belief in astrology. Obviously, these are COMPLETELY different subjects, but by linking them, you're essentially equating your unscientific belief with something akin to religion. That's ironic, because the people supporting the science are made out as being the religionists. So you're saying that believing against scientific measurement is akin to believing in astrology.

Number of times I've debated astrology versus science: Zero
How many times I've allowed astrology to be discussed on my facebook wall: not zero, but some other very low number. I usually delete astrological stuff.

My wife was over my shoulder as I read your question, and her response was that I am a skeptic. That's based on her interpretation of my actions. The truth is I do find use in astrology. As a Capricorn "I use," right? It's all part of a decades old plan to know people better in order that I might instantly suss people out. What's written about astrology is kind of like a written musical score: the written version captures the idea, but it's the human interpreting the written that defines the actual product. On that basis, results vary.

posted July 21, 2012 04:08 PM            

Erm, "science proving it false."

That is false. Just off the top, I remember a study which proved that biologically mice born in winter were different from mice born in the spring. In fact they found it to be true month by month. Simplistically, Carl Sagan said we are star dust.

Dr Tyson says it as well:

“The knowledge that the atoms that comprise life on earth - the atoms that make up the human body, are traceable to the crucibles that cooked light elements into heavy elements in their core under extreme temperatures and pressures. These stars- the high mass ones among them- went unstable in their later years- they collapsed and then exploded- scattering their enriched guts across the galaxy- guts made of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and all the fundamental ingredients of life itself. These ingredients become part of gas clouds that condense, collapse, form the next generation of solar systems- stars with orbiting planets. And those planets now have the ingredients for life itself. So that when I look up at the night sky, and I know that yes we are part of this universe, we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts is that the universe is in us. When I reflect on that fact, I look up- many people feel small, cause their small and the universe is big. But I feel big because my atoms came from those stars.”

posted July 21, 2012 05:20 PM            

Now CONTRAST that with me. Have I ever said astrology was absolutely unimpeachable in the face of science to the contrary? Nope.

posted July 22, 2012 11:53 AM            

If you ask me at gunpoint whether astrology really works, I'll give you the same answer as if you were asking me if God exists, which is an unequivocal, "I don't know. Maybe."

posted October 15, 2012 09:00 AM            

Time to kick it in gear and hear what`s up with the newlyweds on the west coast.

Bummer, I lost your address too

Anyhow, did the dog get some help to stay in the family?

posted October 16, 2012 11:52 AM            

Halloween is probably the Jen's favorite holiday. Perhaps it's the four Scorpio planets. We decorated our yard, and Jen decorated the interior this past weekend. I'm sure we'll be going to ...(what do you call them?) [is it] haunted houses here soon. I guess that is what they're called, though not to be confused with places actually said to be haunted. I'm kind of new to really getting into this holiday, so it's fun. Last year, when we went through the haunted houses, I tried maintaining a detachment to the whole thing, but this year maybe I'll try allowing myself to be more surprised.

It's fun to get into holidays like this.

posted October 16, 2012 06:12 PM            

I enjoy Halloween too. It`s another chance to have a fun time and the kids love it.

Yes they call them haunted houses. I find them a hoot Some things startle me if they also have a loud accompanying noise but "scared" is a bit silly.

This year I will be on Main St. (which is just the main 4 corners, no stop/caution lights)serving up cider and doughnuts to the trick or treaters. I missed it last year because I had a cold but look so forward to the little ghosties and goulies.

posted October 16, 2012 06:31 PM            

The dog is a mutt. I forget the surprising things they found in his heritage when Jen had his DNA tested or whatever. I think Border Collie made the mix.

Last year, we decorated the yard early, but when it came down to Halloween we put even more stuff out. I guess it's to keep the electronic stuff away from the elements.

Here's some of the stuff out there:
I shopped Goodwill for the clothes for these guys:

This is a birdfeeder!

posted October 16, 2012 06:38 PM            

I took a flashlight out there to help me get night shots that were properly lit.

posted October 16, 2012 07:33 PM            

Mr skeleton in the orange glow is sure to scare some trick or treater.

I`m happy Jen got you into the occasion as it`s a great job!

Thanks for sharing