Bernhard Lederer 3 Times Certified Observatory Chronometer is beautiful.
After a hiatus of more than a decade, I'm back on the Iain M Banks train. Currently two-thirds of the way through Matter. This is on the back of The Hydrogen Sonata a few months ago. After this, I'll probably get onto Dr No by Percival Everett. I've well and truly become a fan of his work over the past 12 months.
Sounds ominous and I’m sorry to hear it. Do you have people around you whom you can lean on?
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on what "sabotaged definitively into the realm of the unknowable" might look like. I assume there are bipartisan observers and scrutineers at all ballot counting locations. "sabotaged definitively into the realm of the unknowable" is the sort of claim I'd expect the Republicans to make in the event of it becoming apparent that they've lost.
Absence of a magnetosphere entails gradual erosion of atmosphere. You can still have one provided you're topping it up intermittently. So absence of a magnetosphere is not much of a challenge if you have a liveable atmosphere on Mars. But that's the actual challenge, right? Barring ancient reactors buried at the poles, it would take an unfathomable, multi-generational effort to produce a liveable atmosphere on Mars, be it by speed-braking comets in the upper atmosphere or nuking the polar ice. The first step, presumably, is to set up a base on Mars and find a way to make enough money out of it (some kind of Mars-tech or billionaire eco-tourism or the ultimate season of Alone) that it could continue to persist. The first half of that sentence seems doable. The second part seems harder to sell (and is the plot of Thin Air). I think that's the vision Musk has. Or maybe had. This isn't even touching on the legalities and ethics of interfering with the unseen biosphere that may already be there. The colonise Mars thing has certainly pushed the Overton window to set the stage for other stuff much closer to Earth. A space hotel / research lab catering to the superrich seems pretty feasible in the next couple of decades. A permanent (at least for a decade or two) presence on the moon now seems like a strategic priority for both China and the US. Neither of those really seemed plausible 20 years ago. I think SpaceX changed a lot of that. Anyway, I know you already know all of that. It's a pity to see what's happening to Musk.
Nearly a week since we flew back from Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Words cannot describe those two locations. It felt like I was on another planet. The Anangu people are not big on people taking photos of sacred spots, so I don't have any to share. Came down with the flu on my first day back at work. I've been watching the DNC from my couch instead. Books read: - Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan. Excellent novel that captures London right now. - The Mercy of Gods by James S A Corey. Yes, the duo have a new sci fi trilogy. I loved it.
Yeah, I assume Gwynne Shotwell actually does a lot of the driving behind SpaceX. That's interesting about the grid fins - I didn't realise they were a Soviet innovation. Timely conversation in view of the Polaris Dawn mission underway, incidentally.
My eardrum exploded with the light of a thousand suns. I'm now deaf as a stump on one side. As far as novel experiences go, I can't recommend it.
Weddings are stressful. Amazing, wonderful experiences, but stressful. Even if you successfully hold it together, chances are somebody in your immediate family will use the opportunity to go off the rails. It's one of those things. Good luck, cobber, and congratulations.
I am tired of being deaf.
Two days of work remain before I take two weeks off to visit the Whitsundays, followed by Uluru. The partner and I need a break.
Ah, the Tripods Trilogy. Such sweet memories. Did you ever read The Death of Grass by the same author?
7.5 years later, this post of forwardslash deserves a revisit.
God in heaven, these are absurd. I love them. Favourites: - IWC Schaffhausen, Portugieser Eternal Calendar - MB&F, HM11 Architect - wtf is this, even? - Angelus, Instrument de Vitesse - actually just a really nice-looking watch
Yeah, sorry Foveaux. I hadn't realised just how much they don't welcome photographs until I arrived. Many of the locations are sites of cultural practice and a guide on one of the tours made it clear that it would not be respectful to take photographs. In the end it just became easier to leave the phone in my pocket. I felt like I got more of the experience by doing so, as well. Kata Tjuta in particular was transcendent.
Cheers, Foveaux. I'll take lots of pictures and post some here.
I'm in Amsterdam. The weather is beautiful, the scenery magnificent and the beer excellent. I'd forgotten how good Iain M Banks' Culture novels are.
Thawing out and bringing new life to this 11 year old post because I just read Ghost Species by James Bradley, a surprisingly affecting novel about what happens when a billionaire-sponsored team of scientists create a Neanderthal girl in 21st Century when the world is on the edge of a climate crisis. Worth a read.
Congratulations on what sounds like an extraordinarily fortunate purchase, but also only fortunate because you had the expertise to recognise the value. What decade are we talking? You still around the north west?
The first past the post system really doesn't do US and UK voters any favours. Seems like it would take a lot of organisation to fix it, though.
Last day of work before I take another week off to go houseboating on the Murray. Four days of perfect silence, except for flowing water, currawongs, and persistent deafening tinnitus in my left ear.
I don't believe I've heard that proverb before, so thank you for sharing it. Sorry to hear you're in a slump. I hope you find yourself in higher climes, soon.
I DREAM'D in a dream, I saw a city invincible to the attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth; I dream'd that was the new City of Friends; Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust love—it led the rest; It was seen every hour in the actions of the men of that city, And in all their looks and words.
Just finished American Desert by Percival Everett. I loved it though I gather Everett afficionados don't rate it among his best books. Next is to read Plains of Promise by Alexis Wright. After that, I'll be jumping into the latest Booker winner.
In Australia, we're all wondering who this is.
Man, I loved Empty World. Read it so many times. I grew up in the bush, with no neighbours, without electricity. Never travelling anywhere except the closest country towns. But every time I read Empty World it was as though I was travelling overseas. The way John Christopher described London I felt I knew it better than Melbourne. He also had a knack for writing protagonists who had a strong streak of bastardry in them. It was refreshing to read as a kid.
A Memory Called Empire is a great fucking book. I'd held off A Desolation Called Peace because the reviews I saw seemed to be more restrained. It's good to hear you liked it. Have you tried the Broken Earth Series (starting with Fifth Season)? Check out Ancillary Justice, as well.