Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

I'd better get a bunch of these out of the way before I get around to trying to catch up on my friends page and find several more URLs to share...

• From drglam (here), an interesting-sounding drink created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA. Even the method of preparation alludes to the history.
• And continuing on the subject of science, here's a scoring system to rate the likely bogosity of unusual claims and conjectures: The Crackpot Index. Examples: "5 points for using a thought experiment that contradicts the results of a widely accepted real experiment." And, "40 points for claiming that the 'scientific establishment' is engaged in a 'conspiracy' to prevent your work from gaining its well-deserved fame, or suchlike."
• Vehicle to autonomous biped robot conversion for the Mini Cooper r50: "I first had the vision to build a robot while working as an engineer on the old Mini Coopers in the late 1960s. There were no real robots at the time of course, so it was purely science-fiction. [...] This ambition started to look possible when work began on the new Mini. I've always believed BMW overbuilds many of their parts, so the over-building of certain Mini applications for my robotics use went unnoticed. In 1998, I began tests in a remote location outside Oxford." Hmmmm. (Found the link on Elbows.)
• And a conversion to a car: "Limousines de Guadalajara Vaca Meters bought an old Boeing 727-100, jettisoned its wings and gave it a facelift to turn the aircraft into the ultimate limousine with the capacity to transport up to 50 passengers." It even has a dance floor inside, and it can go over 100 MPH.
• And when technology is just odd (okay, more like an unusual choice of artistic medium, I guess): Square Trees in Scotland. "Everyone comments on our square trees. Eventually they will be braced so that they grow out into three dimensions. This takes about 15 years and results in cube shaped trees - they are very popular on the Continent." (Link thanks to Fred)
• Switching from technology to religion ... here's a page about a religious view of one technology: a discussion of what the Bible says about flush toilets.
• And then there's the Tao Te Chip "Therefore the Guru programs without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Warnings arise and he lets them come; processes are swapped and he lets them go. He has but doesn't chown, acts but doesn't expect. When his work is done, he deletes it. That is why it lasts forever." I should probably make my .login print a random section of this.
• Turning from religion+technology to religion+politics, excerpts from an interesting (and somewhat encouraging) article in American Prospect, with commentary from sunfell: how moderate evangelical Christians might tip the balance in the upcoming US presidential election. "What do we do with verses that talk about God's concern for the poor, the oppressed, orphans, widows, and the [immigrants] in our midst? Do we just ignore these?"
• A six year old boy with memories from the life of a WWII pilot. Whether you believe it or not, it's an interesting tale. (Link thanks to Fred.)
• And I'll close with a song, "The East of My Kind", by filkerdave. "See how the house was tossed; this time the witch has lost / Caught from above and behind / Better beware, my pretty, off to the Em'rald City / I was the East of my kind" There's even a link to the sheet music in the comments.

"No student should be forced to choose between following her faith and enjoying the benefits of a public education." -- Alex Acosta, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, quoted 2004-03-30 in a CNN story, "U.S. to defend Muslim girl wearing scarf in school"

I didn't get enough sleep.

I allowed myself lots of time to find parking.

I found nice, long-duration parking meters several blocks from the couthouse.

When I got to the courthouse I was told I could not bring my camera in. (I always carry a camera.) The last time I was in a courthouse I was permitted to carry my camera (though I don't think I was supposed to use it).

I was told "8:30" on the summons really means 9:00.

I walked all the way back to my car to stash the camera. Downtown was noticeably warmer than SoWeBo. I got hot and tired. I made it back to the courthouse by 9:00.

"Courtroom 00" turned out to be a counter with a computer terminal on it. I have a judgement against me. I was asked whether I had any income. Apparently the tiny amount I earned in 2003 counts as effectively zero (which I figured it would.) I'm not sure what's changed by this. I owed the money; I still owe the money. I was broke; I'm still broke. I intended to pay the money when able; I still plan to pay the money when I can. But at least some lawyer got paid, I guess.

I turned out not to need the long parking meter.

I need sleep.