Friday fun: The best videos I’ve seen this week September 20, 2013
Posted by mareserinitatis in Friday Fun, physics, science.Tags: a capella science, Bill Nye, dancing, nina davuluri, physics, video
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In hearing about all the racism that surfaced regarding Nina Davuluri, I heard someone mention she’d done a Bollywood dance for her performance. I had to check it out, and I have to admit that I’m very impressed. Her kneeling spins are something else.
I wasn’t nearly as impressed with Bill Nye’s cha cha on Dancing with the Stars, but you have to admit it’s kind of cute (if a bit stereotyped).
And speaking of science and music (but not dance), I also came across this wonderful remake of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody called Bohemian Gravity. I think this one is my favorite this week…it combines some pretty amazing talent with really amazing physics.
Friday fun: It’s a trap! August 23, 2013
Posted by mareserinitatis in family, Friday Fun, humor.Tags: admiral ackbar, friday fun, traps
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I actually had planned another post for today, but I’m too short on time to write it out. Hopefully next week…
In the meantime, Mike, the older son, and I were having one of those philosophical discussions one has when one’s brain cells are fried because it’s the end of the week and you’re all suffering from the dreaded summer cold. The comment that excited this discussion was a Far Side comic (which I can’t find). The comic shows a couple guys walking through a jungle, and one of them has been caught in a death trap. Meanwhile, one of his fellow jungle-goers is telling another that this is why he tends to walk near the back.
If they’d had Admiral Ackbar with them, he would have pointed out that the first guy was caught in a trap.
This led into a long discussion about what the safest position in a hiking party is, particularly if one is going through an isolated jungle. From the movies, we know that the first guy always trips the net or falls into the pit or what have you. The guy in the middle always ends up succumbing to the rocks on the cliff or bridge that have been weakened by the first guy. The last guy always gets picked off by the natives.
As far as we can tell, this seems to hold unless you’re the protagonist in a non-George R. R. Martin book/show/movie. And, of course, the doubters are all hosed regardless of position.
So what do you think: what is the safest position in a jungle-venturing party? If you have a reason why, I’d love to hear it.
Friday Fun: Cool toys August 9, 2013
Posted by mareserinitatis in Friday Fun, physics, science, science fiction.Tags: astronaut, barbie, birthday, large hadron collider, legos, star trek, thinkgeek, toys
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My birthday is coming up in a few days, and despite the fact that my husband already got me a present, I’m still thinking of other fun things that I want.
He knew I had to have the purple cover.
I thought a new pair of running shoes might be in order, but those are no longer in the category of ‘fun’ and more into the realm of ‘must have’! Also, I got running shoes last year for Christmas, so it would be boring to always get running shoes.
I decided to get in touch with my inner geek and see what she really, really wanted if she had an unlimited budget, space, and time:
Yes, it’s a Barbie. But it’s Mars Explorer Barbie! It’s probably the only Barbie I’d ever want to own, but I have to give two thumbs up to Mattel for this one.
I’ve been eyeing this one for a long time. I wanted to have space battles between it and my lego space shuttle. (Sadly, I’m sure the shuttle would be outgunned.)
I may have to scrounge Ebay to find a Star Trek pizza cutter. ThinkGeek is out!
I do realize they’re coming out with a scaled down version of the LHC…but I want the full-blown version.
And finally, I think I’d book a trip with these guys. At least the $250k is refundable.
So if you could have anything you wanted…what would you want?
Friday Fun: What is your favorite wavelength? August 2, 2013
Posted by mareserinitatis in electromagnetics, Friday Fun, physics.Tags: colors, friday fun, light, physics, spectrum, waves
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I want to know everyone’s favorite color…by their wavelength. If you need help, here you go:
My personal favorite is right around 400 nm. And it’s entirely for aesthetic reasons.
So what is yours and why?
(Yeah, I know…everyone is going to pick some non-optical frequency. And yes, you have to stick to photons. Maybe we can do sonic waves another week…)
Friday Fun: Minion Posters July 26, 2013
Posted by mareserinitatis in Friday Fun.Tags: friday fun, minion
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I need to print these out and hang them up in my office. (Apologies to my Facebook friends, who have already seen these…depending on whether or not FB lets you see all my posts.)
Friday Fun: How dogs keep cool & cool things with control theory June 22, 2012
Posted by mareserinitatis in engineering, Friday Fun, pets.Tags: engineering, friday fun, Gigadog
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A friend posted the following video on facebook. I think I may use this with my class this fall, so they can get a good handle on the cool things you can do with control theory:
This is based on the following video created with computer animation. (I find it amusing that for so many years, we’ve been trying to master creating animation that looks real, and now Intel tried to make something real that mimicked an animation.)
Once you’ve finished watching those, you’ll want to check out the latest cartoon featuring Gigadog. (I think all Newf owners understand this one…)
Friday Fun: best videos I came across this week June 8, 2012
Posted by mareserinitatis in Friday Fun, humor.Tags: electronics, robin williams, solar physics, star wars, venus, video
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Just keep in mind that I don’t have a very high bar for all of them….
Friday Fun: It reminds of having a conversation with a toddler May 18, 2012
Posted by mareserinitatis in Friday Fun.Tags: bots, friday fun
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Friday Fun: For all the Stars Wars Geeks April 27, 2012
Posted by mareserinitatis in Friday Fun, science fiction.Tags: science fiction, star wars, video
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I also blog at Engineer Blogs, home away from home to some of the best engineering blogs.
Friday Fun: Long live the Queen July 19, 2013
Posted by mareserinitatis in Friday Fun, societal commentary.Tags: Freddie Mercury, marriage, music, Queen, video
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The Queen has signed onto marriage equality in England and Wales.
I’m not sure who came up with this image (I’d love to give credit), but I adore it.
A reference to the Queen and gay people obviously leads me to think of Freddie Mercury. (Am I right?)
I imagine he would be happy about the pronouncement, so to celebrate, I’m posting Queen videos today.
I did an informal poll on Facebook and Twitter of my friends’ favorite Queen songs. I got about 18 responses with 20 songs, but there were two that were named repeatedly.
Everyone, of course, loves, Bohemian Rhapsody:
Although there were some people who prefer the Muppet version:
The definite favorite, however, was Under Pressure:
Personally, though, I was a bit disappointed that no one else shared my personal favorite: