I just came across this "sidewalk astronomy" concept. I'm kind of surprised I've never seen this. I'm positive that I have been in the general vacinity during one of the 2007 time periods listed on the Chicago Sidewalk Astronomy Club website. I was probably distracted, drunk or a victim of spontaneous temporary blindness. Possibly all three.
The gig seems to involve this fellow, Dennis Erickson (presumably not the ASU football coach), sets up shop on one of the street corners in Chicago with his equipment and shows people the great spectacles of the universe. Weather permitting, of course. I'll have to wait until spring since this doesn't go on during below 40 degree temperature days.
From the pictures, it seems his telescope is bigger than mine. I should feel shame and intimidation, but I find myself curiously interested and looking for an opportunity to get my hands on Erickson's glistening tube.
His site also links to the International Dark-Sky Association, a group concerned with light pollutions and energy waste. So many causes. This one seems doomed to obscurity, but the obvious connection with ongoing energy concerns has resulted in a bit of recent publicity for these folks. I'm all for it as a means to ease my sky watching endeavours, which are hampered by my living in the center of a perpetual light explosion. However, I will admit that it looks stupendous on a dark arrival into ORD.
Dennis isn't the only one out there looking to have fun doing what they enjoy. I ran across the Windy City Hikers page today as well (perhaps in the Trib, I don't recall). I thought meetup.com was dead, but this is the third time in a week I've seen it come to my attention. I just need a meetup mashup combining all these great activities with my usual bacchanalia.
12.27.2007
12.23.2007
Ewwww, Tofu!
It's freaking freezing outside. What better remedy? OK, yeah, I hear you. Nevertheless, I pressed on.
I managed a Crispy Catfish Mango Salad, doing it the "traditional way" as is given in the recipe. Catfish is a great fry fish. However, I think I cramped my wrist forking it into little slivers. Other than that, it was a ridiculously easy recipe and good.
Along with the catfish salad, I did fried tofu with a peanut dipping sauce. I love nuts, so I loaded it up. As usual for me, frying in sesame oil. Again, really easy and really good. I didn't toast the nuts myself. Too lazy, but I would advise in favor of it.
Finally, the heart of the matter was a Thai Drunken Chicken. Lot of garlic, peppers, basil. It is not as spicy as it sounds. The basil and the fish and oyster sauce come through.
I managed a Crispy Catfish Mango Salad, doing it the "traditional way" as is given in the recipe. Catfish is a great fry fish. However, I think I cramped my wrist forking it into little slivers. Other than that, it was a ridiculously easy recipe and good.
Along with the catfish salad, I did fried tofu with a peanut dipping sauce. I love nuts, so I loaded it up. As usual for me, frying in sesame oil. Again, really easy and really good. I didn't toast the nuts myself. Too lazy, but I would advise in favor of it.
Finally, the heart of the matter was a Thai Drunken Chicken. Lot of garlic, peppers, basil. It is not as spicy as it sounds. The basil and the fish and oyster sauce come through.
12.14.2007
You're Kidding Me
According to an AP story on the Chicago Tribune website, a pirate ship once captained by William Kidd was discovered just off of a small Dominican Republic island.
There is no treasure other than the remnants of the ship itself and what knowledge can be gained about pirate life in the Caribbean. Fortunately, the Domincan government has licensed Indiana University (the team behind the discovery) to convert the area of the wreck, including the sunken cannons and other relics, into an underwater preserve available to scuba divers and snorkelers.
Of more importance, the story brings to attention the visual of a convicted Kidd hanging in a gibbet (cage) on the Thames River as a warning to other would-be pirates.
http://www.ryetowncouncil.gov.uk/whatwedotownhall.aspx
http://www.modelspecimens.com/
There is no treasure other than the remnants of the ship itself and what knowledge can be gained about pirate life in the Caribbean. Fortunately, the Domincan government has licensed Indiana University (the team behind the discovery) to convert the area of the wreck, including the sunken cannons and other relics, into an underwater preserve available to scuba divers and snorkelers.
Of more importance, the story brings to attention the visual of a convicted Kidd hanging in a gibbet (cage) on the Thames River as a warning to other would-be pirates.
http://www.ryetowncouncil.gov.uk/whatwedotownhall.aspx
http://www.modelspecimens.com/
12.11.2007
Keep Stirring
Nice etoufee recipe. I did it with crawfish instead of shrimp. I can tell you the roux part is a pain in the crotch, but it's worth it. Yes, just keep stirring. It will get there.
Also, in a departure from the normal rites, I decided to cook my finger by sticking it in the roux rather than drawing blood. I think I was inspired by BOC on the radio (Schnapster.....ping!)
Also, in a departure from the normal rites, I decided to cook my finger by sticking it in the roux rather than drawing blood. I think I was inspired by BOC on the radio (Schnapster.....ping!)
Geminids on the Way
Many watchers find the Geminids the most pleasing of the showers, and this year should be prime viewing as the moon hit new phase on December 9. On the 14th, there will be plenty of dark sky. The unusually bright, slow meteors of the Geminid shower are worth a look.
Appearance of between 60-120 per hour at the peak period (or more depending on who you ask) on December 14. Even at non-peak periods, the per hour count shouldn't be much less. Look for the Gemini star grouping to appear at the east-northeast horizon. Viewing should be good as it comes directly overhead and best on the 13th and 14th, though this shower will have some visual activity in the days up to and following the peak periods.
Super cool animated estimate of radiant and meteors from shadowandsubstance.com
Radiant drift map
Northern Hemi Map
More info from skytour
Appearance of between 60-120 per hour at the peak period (or more depending on who you ask) on December 14. Even at non-peak periods, the per hour count shouldn't be much less. Look for the Gemini star grouping to appear at the east-northeast horizon. Viewing should be good as it comes directly overhead and best on the 13th and 14th, though this shower will have some visual activity in the days up to and following the peak periods.
Super cool animated estimate of radiant and meteors from shadowandsubstance.com
Radiant drift map
Northern Hemi Map
More info from skytour
12.07.2007
A Time and Place for Regifting
The joy of discovery is a wonderful thing. It's something that beings of all ages experience. An ancient arrowhead uncovered in the bed of a dry rivulet, buckstacy in the pocket of newly laundered jeans, a new favorite band, a scrap of unnoticed steak found after the humans have retired to the den.
For many people, it can be a lifelong fascination. A passion that drives them to hunt through otherwise unwanted junk for that magical find. It can make a day of rooting around looking for stored holiday lights an excursion rather than a chore. Once among the dust and piles of items in the attic, one might stumble on a box of your children's kindergarten drawings or photos of that day at the beach long ago.
Any archeology buff can tell you that the detritus of lives long past leave a plethora of historical relics. Just look around. Walk a path. Keep your eyes open. There is, for the lucky few, a present waiting. Wrapped pleasingly in space age plastic, a time capsule marking the passing of man and beast. Saved from the ravages of time and weather.
The most astute of us are overjoyed that anyone would be so kind as to preserve our past in this age of digitized and compressed memories. Rejoice that a beacon of colored synthetic material prevents the unwitting destruction of the encased valuables. Skeptics may say that canine fecal matter is no man's treasure. I say it surely is. Why else would these treasure sacks be saved from the trash bin? Why such elaborate preservation technques? Such care has been given for a reason. This is certainly one gift where the giver would revel in its regifting. One can only hope they are one day be on the receiving end of such genorosity.
For many people, it can be a lifelong fascination. A passion that drives them to hunt through otherwise unwanted junk for that magical find. It can make a day of rooting around looking for stored holiday lights an excursion rather than a chore. Once among the dust and piles of items in the attic, one might stumble on a box of your children's kindergarten drawings or photos of that day at the beach long ago.
Any archeology buff can tell you that the detritus of lives long past leave a plethora of historical relics. Just look around. Walk a path. Keep your eyes open. There is, for the lucky few, a present waiting. Wrapped pleasingly in space age plastic, a time capsule marking the passing of man and beast. Saved from the ravages of time and weather.
The most astute of us are overjoyed that anyone would be so kind as to preserve our past in this age of digitized and compressed memories. Rejoice that a beacon of colored synthetic material prevents the unwitting destruction of the encased valuables. Skeptics may say that canine fecal matter is no man's treasure. I say it surely is. Why else would these treasure sacks be saved from the trash bin? Why such elaborate preservation technques? Such care has been given for a reason. This is certainly one gift where the giver would revel in its regifting. One can only hope they are one day be on the receiving end of such genorosity.
12.02.2007
The Void
It happens rarely, but it does happen, that I can't find what I'm looking for. I am now so attuned to having every little whim and bit of information at my fingertips. It is disturbing when something I presume to be a commonplace piece of data is not readily available.
It is unfathomable that the great and wondrous interzone will not cough up the desired knowledge if one shakes it hard enough. To fall into this awful trap will leave a person clicking off into infinity. There is no end to the dark and seedy virtual back alleys. Pray that you don't look under the wrong stone. Some things can never be unseen.
Let's be careful out there.
It is unfathomable that the great and wondrous interzone will not cough up the desired knowledge if one shakes it hard enough. To fall into this awful trap will leave a person clicking off into infinity. There is no end to the dark and seedy virtual back alleys. Pray that you don't look under the wrong stone. Some things can never be unseen.
Let's be careful out there.
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