Kohlrabi Catcher July 11, 2014
Posted by mareserinitatis in food/cooking, pets.Tags: cooking, Gigadog, kohlrabi, pictures, teradog, video
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I got this very weird vegetable from our CSA:
I wasn’t sure what it was at first, but it’s apparently kohlrabi. I’d heard of it but never eaten it. After asking on Facebook and searching the Internet, I now have a million ways to prepare it but opted for throwing it in some tikka masala sauce for a first go round.
Whenever I cook, Teradog and Gigadog hang around the kitchen. Or maybe it’s more appropriate to say they consume the entirety of the kitchen floor space. They know the command “out,” something I came up with after many near-death kitchen catastrophes. However, I still like to provide them with samples of my cooking as much as possible because they’re a quite appreciative audience. Through their sampling, I discovered that Teradog likes pretty much all vegetables except romaine lettuce. Since I was dicing the kohlrabi, I decided to see if he’d like some, as well. (Just so you know, throwing food and videotaping simultaneously isn’t all that easy.)
Gigadog also liked the kohlrabi, but if you try to play ‘catch’ with her, it bounces off her nose and she looks annoyed at having to wander over to its landing spot. I guess some food isn’t worth it.
99 bottles of…oops January 28, 2014
Posted by mareserinitatis in education, physics, science.Tags: boy scouts, pascal's law, physics, science, Scientists, teaching, video
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Yesterday, I was helping guide some cub scouts (specifically webelos) through their scientist achievement. One of the things we had to discuss was Pascal’s law. Unfortunately, the instruction set on this was pretty limited: read and discuss. That, to me, means they likely wouldn’t understand it at all, so I felt like a demo was in order.
I decided to demonstrate the pressure change in a beer bottle. The concept is simple: fill an empty bottle with a non-compressible fluid (so water works, air won’t) and tap on the open end with a rubber mallet or even your hand. Of course, you want to do this over a bucket because the sudden change in pressure causes the bottle to break at the weakest point, usually the seam along the bottom, and spill it’s contents.
I did this demo for the first time in front of the kids. (I had ONE bottle of beer. No, I didn’t imbibe in front of them…I used it to bake bread.) It worked like a charm. If I didn’t trust physics so much, I wouldn’t have been okay trying it cold like that.
If you don’t have a beer bottle handy and would like to see this demo, there’s a good video on YouTube:
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: 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: 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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My babies, furry and otherwise December 8, 2011
Posted by mareserinitatis in computers, engineerblogs.org, family, pets, photography, younger son.Tags: belly rubs, computers, Gigadog, Mike, pictures, video, younger son
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I have a couple posts to write, but as today was my last day of classes after an extremely late night/early morning grading frenzy, I am too fried to put down anything coherent. You’ll have to make do with some pictures.
First, this is what greats me after I do a run on the treadmill, which is in the basement:
However, lest you think she’s not getting any love, you need to see this video:
And finally, a rare picture of the younger son. I have an old (as in 10 year old) iBook that the younger son was using, but the keyboard doesn’t seem to be functioning. We’re not sure if we can fix it, but Mike decided to order another iBook that we can use to scavenge for parts. Not only is it cheaper than buying a new computer, it will provide both of them with hours of entertainment, especially since the iBook we ordered has an Air Port.
I fear this means I’m losing the war, however. Mike and I have been arguing about whether he’s going to be a physicist or an electrical engineer. Engineer is looking likely at this point. I can handle it if he goes into electrical engineering…but certainly not something lesser like mechanical. ;-)
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: