Friday, February 20, 2009

Quantum Fascination Continues...

So this is just too fascinating to pass up!  A year or so ago Nicolas Gisin, of the University of Geneva, proposed that the human eye could arguably detect a few photons at a time.  In other words, we can detect extremely low light.

And it only took some time, and a separate experimental investigation into "cascading quantum states" by Francesco De Martini and buddies at the University of Rome to posit that, indeed people could experience quantum entanglement through their retinas.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Johnny Ong cracks me up...

I had to post this over here... too funny!  Thanks Johnny...

Life's Happenings: People Can Hear What You Say

I was barely sitting down when I heard a voice from the other stall saying: 'Hi, how are you?'

I'm not the type to start a conversation in the restroom and I don't know what got into me, but I answered, somewhat embarrassed, 'Doin' just fine!'

And the other person says: 'So what are you up to?'

What kind of question is that? At that point, I'm thinking this is too bizarre so I say: 'Uhhh, I'm like you, just traveling!'

At this point I am just trying to get out as fast as I can when I hear another question. 'Can I come over?'

Ok, this question is just too weird for me but I figured I could just be polite and end the conversation. I tell him 'No..I'm a little busy right now!!!'

Then I hear the person say nervously... 'Listen, I'll have to call you back. There's an idiot in the next stall who keeps answering all my questions.

Cell phones, don't you just love them.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Secretary has a point...

The Children's and Schools Secretary in Britain has voiced fears of a return to "far right politics and Fascism."
"I think that this is a financial crisis more extreme and more serious than that of the 1930s and we all remember how the politics of that era were shaped by the economy."
Though a former economic advisor at the English Treasure - having a name like Secretary Ed Balls, and an inconsequential title in the British Government is likely to tarnish any message the poor bloke would speak - but it most certainly gets buried under the massive festival of DOOM which our politicians are celebrating these days.

And that's part of the problem.  It's as though every time a politician speaks, Adam's "invisible hand" smacks down the economy with a vengeance.  Likely, those few brave souls confident enough to invest in the economy are busy playing the economic equivalent of the "Hokey Pokey."

And perhaps Fascism will rise in the world - but I really hope not.  Humanity has got to be smarter than they used to be, right?

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Catholic Meltdown

(update - New York times has broken the news mainstream)

(copied from my facebook note)
Those of you who know me over the years, have perhaps known my hesitation towards supporting the Legion of Christ & to a lesser extent, Regnum Christi.

For some time now - I've been pretty upset that these organizations have lived with a continual denial of unanswered questions and secrets. Now a few more secrets have come to light - and it's pretty ugly stuff for a Catholic order.

I've known about some of these things for a long time. Suffice it to say - that even with the knowledge of these abuses (both public, and still hidden) I still converted to the one, true Faith.

And I could take this opportunity to say I told you so. But, I just can't.

You have in your orders some of the very best people I know. And I mean that. I have to remember that our faith lies with Christ and his Church, not in misguided sins of humanity.

For all my friends in those orders, and who work for them - I pray that you can stay and demand Truth as well as you have demanded excellence and charity so far.

God bless you all.

Zazzle ROCKS!

I love Zazzle! Zazzle is an answer to a 7 year old prayer! If you like it, please let people know about my work!

Radical Rose 7

Thank you!
Steph

Monday, February 02, 2009

You know there's a problem when...

You know there's a problem with a system, when not even the people who MAKE THE LAW can get it right.

Tom Daschle apparently "forgot" about several problems with his tax records - and ended up paying $128k+ in back taxes and fees.

It makes me think of an NPR story from 8-9 years ago - in which a reporter submitted her taxes to 10 different CPA's.   Of course you already know the results - she received ten totally different results, with different taxes owed and very different exemptions.

And why is it that some people "get to amend" their returns - and others "go to jail."  Why do we even jail tax evaders, really?  Wouldn't it be better served to garnish wages or government benefits?

So in essence, are congressmen showing us that to "game" the system your best solution?  Daschle certainly isn't the first - and I can't help but feel jilted when I patiently spend hours(days?) preparing my massive return (business, personal, and this year farm) to get it correct. 

Yes, I've even made a couple of mistakes (wrong SSN number from illegible card, and a single dollar rounding error.. cost me over $250 in fees).