I'm not dead

Just really, really busy. I still have snark that needs outing, never fear.

On a more important topic, it's Valor-IT time! And in memory of Dear Old Dad, and because I root for the underdog, I am backing the Air Force team. I expect all loyal members of the SnarkaTribe to at least *consider* donating. It's easy! It builds massive amounts of karma points! It involves computers that understand voice commands just like in Star Trek! (Sexy female response voice not included).

Seriously, hospitals are no fun-- a constant round of pain and boredom. When you have suddenly gone from being active, physical, and in command to not even being able to send an email on your own, it's even worse. Give these guys and gals the means to connect back to their buddies, their lives, their families while they heal up.

Sunday Funnies

-Schlock Mercenary The hazards of cute reporters.
-TwoLumps The evil kittens have been recalled.
-xkcd
-Girl Genius Descent to the basement of the Castle! What could possibly go wrong?
-No Need For Bushido The weekly updates continue! Atsumori has a plan, we think.
-Digger Something is making Digger and friends hurry back, and they don't know what.

Not Updated, fie!

-Lackadaisy
-Dresden Codak
-My Ninja Family
-Gone with the Blastwave
-Arrgghonauts Number 10 is a myth.

Sunday Funnies

-Schlock Mercenary Remedial explosives.
-TwoLumps Smartass kittens.
-xkcd
-Girl Genius The little clank leaders can't decide who is boss.
-No Need For Bushido Weekly updates! Oh, and farmers rock. Just wanted to mention that.
-Digger The adventurers emerge into sunlight.

Not Updated, fie!

-Lackadaisy
-Dresden Codak
-My Ninja Family
-Gone with the Blastwave
-Arrgghonauts Number 10, where are yoooou? ...

This is What A Real Nobel looks like

The Nobel Physics award this year is for fiberoptics and CCD detectors, otherwise known as the guts of digital cameras. I worked with CCD detectors more directly when I did my research with photoelectron spectroscopy. They are extremely clever little gizmos and they make possible photos that range from the sublime (Hubble space telescope) to the ridiculous (countless drunken cell phone pictures) to the heartbreaking(pictures of Buddhist monks killed by the regime in Burma, basiji thugs beating peaceful protesters in Iran). Real science that has affected the lives of millions for the better (yes, getting the word out about horrific abuse is better than letting violent regimes keep it a secret.) The Nobel Science prizes are truly an honor and reflect the best humanity can offer.

And then we have the Nobel Peace Prize. Awarded to a weapons-grade narcissist who had been in office a mere three weeks when the committee made its decision, and who now joins the likes of Yasser Arafat, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, and Kofi Annan, who also received this ... accolade. (You know, it *does* seem appropriate now that I think about it. A terrorist, a wimp, a blowhard, and a corruptocrat...)

African Teen helps himself, UN feels useless

(via the Blogfather)
Young William Kamkwamba just wanted to read after it got dark. Problem being, he lived in one of the poorest areas of the poor country of Malawi, and he had no electricity. Fortunately for him, he *did* have access to a small library, and that small library had two very interesting books: Explaining Physics and Using Energy. Now his village has electric lights, a well with a pump for irrigation, power to charge cellphones with, and also radios and a TV. All because one kid knew how to read, had access to books with information, and knew how to scrounge junkyards. He built three useful windmills, all because he wanted to stay up late reading.

Outstanding job, Mr. Kamkwamba. I wish you all success in your dream of attending college in the USA. May I recommend MIT? I think it would be a good fit for your inventiveness.

Note: absolutely no sanctimonious, patronizing Lady Bountiful UN bozos were involved in this happy scenario.

igNobels 2009

For research that cannot or should not be reproduced:

the 2009 winners!

Featuring a gas-mask bra, the biological richness of panda poop, and anonymity as a factor in milk production for cows.

Sunday Funnies

-Schlock Mercenary Do not ask crazy people for moral judgments.
-TwoLumps The trouble with RPGs. The games, not the explosives.
-xkcd
-Girl Genius Agatha's little clanks have found their mistress.
-No Need For Bushido I hear rumors we might be going back to weekly updates. Stay tuned ...
-Digger Stairs. Lots of stairs.
-Lackadaisy A art preview update, and strong hints of multiple pages forthcoming.
-Dresden Codak Caveman Science Fiction.

Not Updated, fie!

-My Ninja Family
-Gone with the Blastwave
-Arrgghonauts Promises, promises ...