And while we're discussing mysteries... why does the Pi symbol appear in graffiti in every neighborhood from North Seattle to Tacoma? Methinks it's time for some googling.

When NIPR.MIL comes a visiting... should you be concerned?

Today, my wife bought a Fisher Price Music Box Record Player at a garage sale. "It's for the baby," she said.

Art update

Micheal Leavitt, the artist whose work I blogged a few days ago has a show going on at the Showbox in the Green Room. The reception is tonite, May 31, from 6-10pm. I highly recommend checking it out. I, sadly, will not be there. I will be at home changing my beautiful daughter's dirty diapers. Cheers!

Yahoo! News - Powell was under pressure to use shaky intelligence on Iraq: report

"According to the report, the draft contained such questionable material that Powell lost his temper, throwing several pages in the air and declaring, 'I'm not reading this. This is bullshit.'"

The Unh! Project

"On the Warren Ellis comics discussion forum, Kurt Busiek identified himself as the writer of the above panel, describing the context as 'Runaway brat / wannabe sidekick Suzie is assaulting one of the henchwomen of subatomic dictator Atomia.'"

I, Cringely | The Pulpit

"SCO doesn't appear to be forcing Microsoft, so I can only come to the conclusion that Redmond is thinking of actually using that license, selling its own version of Unix. I wrote about something very similar to this a few months ago, only then I speculated that Microsoft might build a new OS atop Linux. But why use Linux when they could claim Unix, instead? The key here, I think, is the Windows emulation technology Microsoft got when it bought Connectix. Originally aimed at server consolidation, that code could be used by Microsoft to create and sell a Unix/Windows hybrid that would be a big success if Linux is killed by SCO. And the new Microsoft OS would even be a viable competitor to Linux if SCO loses, since it would offer Windows application compatibility. Microsoft could certainly use a sturdy server operating system for a change."

05.29.2003 - 3-D map of local interstellar space shows sun lies in middle of hole piercing galactic plane

"The first detailed map of space within about 1,000 light years of Earth places the solar system in the middle of a large hole that pierces the plane of the galaxy, perhaps left by an exploding star one or two million years ago."

MediaGuardian.co.uk | New media | Salam's story

"The most gripping account of the Iraq conflict came from a web diarist known as the Baghdad Blogger. But no one knew his identity - or even if he existed. Rory McCarthy finally tracked him down, and found a quietly spoken, 29-year-old architect. From next week he will write fortnightly in G2."

Salon.com Technology | British paper signs Iraqi blogger as columnist

"A British newspaper said Friday it has signed as a columnist an Iraqi architect whose Internet diary of daily life in Baghdad captivated thousands around the world. The Guardian said the 'Baghdad blogger,' known as Salam Pax, would write a biweekly column for the newspaper beginning Wednesday."

Nazis, treasure and mystery deaths: the hunt for the Amber Chamber

"It is a tale with all the classic ingredients of an edge-of-your-seat thriller: mystery deaths, Nazis and a modern-day chase for a stolen trove of early 18th century treasure."

Micheal Leavitt is a local artist whose work includes one of a kind action figures of artists, people, and works. Above is his "Picassan Lady" action figure. You can see the back of her box here.

Also, check out his Vincent Van Gogh action figure.

He also makes a line of collectable art cards of artworks, people, performances, and so on. A while ago I attempted to create an art card game called Aquinas: the Game of Art using Mike's cards. I don't think the result is actually a playable game, but the results were interesting in their own right.

You can see more at ArtCardMike.com. Micheal's studio is just down the street from my house, off the corner of E.Union and 34th Ave on the top of Madrona Hill.

Fantagraphics is in Trouble

"Our former and now bankrupt book trade distributor went out of business owing us over $70,000 — which we will never see. (To add insult to injury, we learned that the owner is selling copies of our books that he should’ve returned on e-bay!) This unexpected shortfall necessitated taking out a couple loans which have now come due."

Fantagraphics is the Seattle-based publisher of some of the ugliest and freakiest comics on the market.

Underwater Archaeology is cool.

UCSC - Press Release

"March 16, 2880, is the day the asteroid known as 1950 DA, a huge rock two-thirds of a mile in diameter, is due to swing so close to Earth it could slam into the Atlantic Ocean at 38,000 miles per hour. The probability of a direct hit is pretty small, but over the long timescales of Earth's history, asteroids this size and larger have periodically hammered the planet, sometimes with calamitous effects. The so-called K/T impact, for example, ended the age of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago."

National Gallery of Art -- Online Tours

Telegraph | News | Britain finds Iraq's 'smoking gun': a top-secret missile

"British military officers have uncovered an attempt by Saddam Hussein to build a missile capable of hitting targets throughout the Middle East, including Israel, The Telegraph can reveal."

Ica Stones of Peru

"Supporting the ancient continent's theory, researcher and author, James Churchward, discovered a sacred Tibetan tablet showing two unknown continents on either side of present day Mu or Lemuria. His book was titled The Lost Continent of Mu is about a continent that once existed in the area that is now the Pacific Ocean."

Web Stratego - Introduction

"Welcome to WebStratego! This Java applet/application is a superset of the original Stratego by Milton Bradley and contains the basic features from the original as well as many new features."

Buttafly's Oracle of Starbucks

Steam Trek is based on one of the oddest game premises I've ever seen, but the end result is a very cool RPG setting. Be sure and check out the Story section, as it's quite good!

APOCAMON: THE FINAL JUDGEMENT

weird

Ananova - Copies of fifth Harry Potter novel found dumped in field

"Copies of the eagerly-awaited fifth Harry Potter novel have been found dumped in a field by a walker."

Military waste under fire / $1 trillion missing -- Bush plan targets Pentagon accounting

"A GAO report found Defense inventory systems so lax that the U.S. Army lost track of 56 airplanes, 32 tanks, and 36 Javelin missile command launch-units. "

... oh yeah, and 1 TRILLION dollars.

Select Deck For Reading

"The Russian Tarot of Saint Petersburg is the final commissioned work of Yuri Shakov, a master in the lost art of Russian miniature painting. The rich, dark images lend themselves to questions regarding the struggle of the human spirit in trying times."

:::URBAN TRIP - industrial foto:::

Los Angeles Times: Shoot first, fill it in later

"In fact, it's just the sound stage for "World of Tomorrow," a period action-adventure with science-fiction elements starring Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie and being filmed at these studios 15 miles northwest of London. Why blue? Because it is being shot entirely on (you guessed it) blue screen, which means backgrounds behind the actors are filled in digitally after principal photography."

Sure, I thought to myself, another gimmicky movie. But then I read this quote...
"Blue screen is tricky and unusual, but I've found the process freeing, almost theatrical in a way," Law said. "It's like working in an empty space. I've played in several theaters with basic props and an empty stage. Here we have half an airplane, and only suggestions of sets. But you have so much information about what it looks like beforehand, which is so valuable."

... and I think "Hey, this could be good!"

Who is Salam Pax?

"Salam is the scion of a senior figure from Iraq's Baathist nomenclature. He was brought up at least partly in Vienna, which is the OPEC headquarters; his father was therefore an oilman, and possibly a former head of Iraq's OPEC mission. Another clue is a hint that his grandfather was an Iraqi tribal chief, from which I infer that his father was one of the Iraqi tribal chiefs that Saddam Hussein rewarded for loyalty, outside the Tikrit clan."

Warning! This story is highly speculative, and the author offers no support for his assertions. Nevertheless, it's an interesting possibility.

Baby Pictures!

I have just put up a small gallery of pics of the new baby. You can find them here.

78(R) HB 433 - Introduced version - Bill Text

"Relating to criminal offenses involving acts against certain
activities involving animals or involving natural resources and to
civil consequences arising from convictions of those offenses."

A bill proposes to strip eco-terrorists of their constitutional rights. Has Patriot let the cat out of the bat?

Star Telegram | 05/15/2003 | Federal agency was asked to track Texas Democrat's plane

"At the request of Texas law enforcement officials, a federal Homeland Security agency designed to track terrorists and drug dealers searched for a Democrat who flew to Oklahoma in his private plane, the agency said Wednesday."

Soulmate Calculator: How Many American Singles to Meet?

Apparently I have to meet 72 women before I'll find my soulmate. Are they trying to depress us, or what?

David Suzuki

"After geneticist and broadcaster David Suzuki became a noted world authority on the fruit fly, he devoted himself full-time to environmental concerns and, in doing so, popularized science for millions."

If you grew up Canadian and liked science, then chances are, David Suzuki was a hero of yours.

You may be wondering why this blog has been so quiet. Here's why:

On Saturday, May 10, at 12:51 AM, after just over 24 hours of effort on the part of her parents (mom in particular), family, doula, and staff at Swedish Hospital, Maddalena Sarah-eve entered the world, a healthy baby of 9 lbs, 1 oz. The family is now at home resting. Thank you for the kind wishes and messages, all. Pictures to follow in the coming days.

I had a very odd dream last night. We were exiled to a strange world.

The government supplied free healthcare and housing, but everywhere on the streets were black monoliths that sucked bits of lifeforce out of you as you passed.

At the grocery, you could pay full price for any item or you could pay slightly less to try and win the item by gambling. The rows in the supermarket were set up with slot machines, mini shooting ranges, and carnival contests. People were coming to the store with all their income and leaving with nothing.

There was one interstate highway, and it wound through the country, back and forth, visiting every town and city. If you become bored with you life, or wanted to move on for any reason, the government would pay all your relocation costs to the next vacancy down the line and start a new life in a place just like the one you left. Since people could escape the consequences of their actions, no one was conscientious of trustworthy. People who elected to stay in place and try to build a life were faced with a continual stream of troublemakers who never stuck around for more than a few weeks.

Where is Raed ? returns!

The Budapest Sun Online - Story page

"Enjoying the beautiful spring afternoon, hundreds of tourists wandered around the Castle District, admiring the ancient buildings and taking photographs of the sights. But many are probably unaware that, underneath their feet, is a labyrinthine network of caverns and passageways curling through the hill. Writing in 1536, Miklós Oláh, Archbishop of Esztergom and secretary to the widow of Lajos II, noted that, 'Because of the countless wine-cellars situated inside the Castle Hill, it is practically hollow.' "

Guardian Unlimited | Life | Come on in - the water's lovely

"Elaine Morgan, controversial champion of the aquatic ape hypothesis, is finally being taken seriously."

KRT Wire | 05/04/2003 | World sees an explosion in new infectious diseases

"The nation's top scientists say that environmental, economic, social and scientific changes have helped to trigger an unprecedented explosion of more than 35 new infectious diseases that have burst upon the world in the past 30 years. The U.S. death rate from infectious disease, which dropped in the first part of the 20th century and then stabilized, is now double what it was in 1980."

Brian Greig Orrery Maker, exquisite Orreries and planetary machines for sale

I have always wanted an Orrery.

Space Settlement

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Nation -- New Hampshire saddened by collapse of its rocky icon, the Old Man of the Mountain

"New Hampshire awoke Saturday to find its stern granite symbol of independence and stubbornness, the Old Man of the Mountain, had collapsed into indistinguishable rubble. "

My blog is weak. Over the last month I've seen about a 66% reduction or more in the number of users hitting my site. What am I doing wrong? Is my blog that boring? Am I getting too political? What's the problem, already?

CritticAge / A New Beginning

A pretty little browser based game with nice pixel art.

Last night, I attended Feng's blogger dinner with Sundry, Peachy, Dierdorf, and Philos (who hath no blog). A good time was had by all. To celebrate the event, I'm adding Sundry, Peachy, and Dierdorf to my links. Huzzah! BTW, Scott's looking for a cool domain name. If you you have any suggestions, you can enter the Scott Dierdorf Domain Name contest by commenting on this post and suggesting a name!

I know I've sworn off surveys, but this one was too good to pass up.


The Pork Chop Express.


Which B-Movie Badass Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Thanks to TombKing for the link.

Benfey's Spiral Periodic Table and others...