Heh, this being my birthday and having worked with some top astronomers in the past, I can tell you how they explained it: The equinox is when the earth’s equator crosses the ecliptic plane (which is the plane that the earth makes around the sun as it orbits). In (probably only a little) simpler language, [...]
Welcome to 2010. I have a bunch of fun curiosities from Porterville to share with you over the next few months, starting tonight as I hang out in Starbucks. Found old photos and news stories, books from the once-a-month cellar sale by the Friends of Porterville Library, and more! Enjoy and please share your comments [...]
Browse the Library Well, actually 1 shelf from my office, and a large pile of books on the floor for which there is no shelf space. Many of the ones on the floor are pretty recent, acquired from various catch-a-catch can sources in what masquerades as bookstores here in Porterville: the local 99 cent store, [...]
Just played on Pandora – one of my favorite songs ever! Wall Of Death Lyrics Richard Thompson Let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time Let me ride on the Wall Of Death one more time You can waste your time on the other rides This is the nearest to being alive [...]
One of the things people often want to know about photography at the Smithsonian is, “How many photographs do you have?” with the quick follow-up, “Have you counted all of them?” No one knows for certain, but statistical sampling suggests that there are over fifteen million pictures, in the form of prints, negatives, and digital [...]
I came across these images yesterday of a building where I used to live in Baltimore for 7 years. I was one of the earliest residents when the one-time factory was renovated into loft apartments. I had long heard that the factory manufactured underwear, never confirmed until yesterday when I found these photos of the [...]
NEW YORK – The New York Daily News is reporting that Red Sox Hall of Famer Ted Williams‘ severed head was mistreated at an Arizona cryonics facility, according to details from a new book. Report: Book says Ted Williams’ head mistreated – Yahoo! News. Now that is a lede! And a future Simpson’s Halloween Special [...]
The Sunset League — The Hardball Times. Apparently, Porterville once had a minor league baseball team! From 1947 until 1951, when the population was a league low 5,000, only about 1/6 -1/7 of the current population. That places it more in line with modern-day Strathmore’s size. Anyone know where the field of dreams was located?
From Gulp! Mexico tells citizens to swallow their gum Mexicans now chew an average of 2.6 pounds (1.2 kilograms) of gum each year, half what the average American chews but still among the highest rates in Latin America. A lot of that winds up on the street. Wow let’s run a few numbers here…the Average [...]