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« Show all entries for APRIL 2009
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 02:51:13
Yes of course I picked that title at random. No association with the song lyric. Ha. This log doesn't really need to come into being, but it's going to. Read an article today and decided to do the most random log entry ever, barring the one about hilfolk narrated by a thug with the mind of a spy and the vocabulary of a third grader. Hard to top. So, smells are underappreciated. Just feel the need for a little exhibitionism. So here goes--there are two kinds of smells in the verse. The first--like pretty florals to put in your bonnet (mind the bees), just plain smell nice and that's why we like 'em. What we call "associational" good smells may or may not be inherently pleasant--these have a strong association with memories that were pleasurable. A long list of mine, excising the ones that are specifically food, flowers, extra fragrances. well worn leather freshly cut grass dirt after rain (not "earth" mind you, dirt) slate after rain-- I promise it's different wet concrete--trend here... plum leaves furniture oil (ok, it's lemon...) horses seaspray pine lemon zest hot clean dishes (not the soap) clay old books hot wax (both the candle and crayon kind) cardboard sunscreen woodsmoke, candlesmoke marsh redwood shade clover baby powder warm metal fog/rain/snow/frost--these do all "smell" Rope hay/dry grass stubble Jack o lanterns wicker baskets rotting leaves potting soil airports/airplane hospitals tomato plants oak forest dirt roads sawdust asphalt eucalyptus lipstick chalk board ivy air dried laundry goosedown shaving cream sagebrush cow pasture geraniums carrot tops old houses rosin dog feet printer ink/newspaper bricks henna damp wool floor wax elmers glue shoe polish Well. As you can see, I am grateful for the nose on my face.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 22:35:59
First off, I am by no means a rocket scientists. But, I was thinking about space travel in general and what I believe would an effective way to travel within our solar system. The problem I see is acceleration. It would take too much fuel, even in the vacuum of space. What I propose is this, Maglev trains in space. Once in space, these would require no fuel. They would only require energy which could be provided by nuclear power. These trains can accelerate to about 4000 mph. Considering that Mars is 36 million miles away one could reach the planet in about 375 days. (36,000,000 miles/40000 mph = 9000 hours = 375 days) This would be just like sling shotting a space ship towards its final destination. A problem I do see in this plan is that in order to prevent this from being one way trip is that the final destination would need a Maglev set up in order for the team of travelers to return. Any thoughts?