A Dark Sky Over Death Valley (Pt. 2)

I heard from the guy in Californa who can produce a print of the photo that I blogged about yesterday. To make a long story short, the computer file (the photo was made in a digital format) is apparently huge. When we were discussing formats and how large I wanted the print, he told he that this file in a musuem quality print would be 90 feet long! I don't think I want something that big, though you have to admit that would be awfully cool! After he checked out the format and doing whatever he does on the computer, he told me that the optimum size for what I wanted to do with it (I want to hang it in my office at work) would be 50" x 16". I thought this was much more reasonable. He stated he will print it on archivable paper and will leave enough white edging that it can be framed or just hung as it. I am excited! I will be ordering it soon.

If you wish to see the website that I look at each day, including this photo (May 8, 2007), go to Google and enter Astronomy Picture of the Day Archive. The site has been up since 1995 and they have an archive that goes back to the start of the site. It is run by people who have connections to NASA so they have a wealth of photos to choose from. Save this to your favorites as I guarantee it will become one of your favorites, also.

A Dark Sky Over Death Valley

I have been a fan of manned space flight and, consequently, the cosmos since I was in elementary school. I can remember being at school when I was in the 1st through 5th grades and we would watch the launches of the Mercury and Gemini missions all day. There was nothing more exciting to me than watching the challenge of man reaching out for the moon and beyond. At one time I could tell you the names of all the constellations and stars and planets. I could tell you their Latin and Arabic and English names. I could tell you their locations in the skies by the season of the year and the hour of the night. I didn't need a calendar to know when there would be a new or full moon. I also knew the names of the various moons as they occured during the year. I lived and breathed the cosmos. Talk abut having your head in the clouds!

Anyway . . . several months ago, Robert Hutton turned me on to a website (Astronomy Picture of the Day Archive) that has mostly pictures of the heavens. Man, I was in hog heaven (no pun intended)!! I have loved this website as I am able to feed my interest in space and things that occur "out there". The best thing is the explaination from the photographer that comes with the photo.

I recently saw one photo entitled A Dark Sky Over Death Valley. I have been trying for over three weeks to get in touch with the photographer to see if I could get a print. It is a panoramic view of Death Valley, Californa taken at night. The photographer is an employee of the National Parks Service. Once I got ahold of him he referred me to the person who would provide the print. We spoke on the phone earlier today and he will be getting back with me on prices and formats. I can hardly wait. Who knows, maybe I'll be going to see Caleb soon.

A Black Kettle

I have several blogs with which I have been keeping up. I have not had much time (or patience) to blog lately but I have a personal rule that if someone does not blog for about 90 days, I delete them from my favorites. So I have let some go from people that I would have liked to continue to hear from, but . . . no blog, no hear, and therefore - delete.

This is one of those "I said all that to say this" moments.

I will promise to blog more. I will try not to let work, life, impatience, slow computers, apathy (well, you get the point) get in the way of my blogs. I so enjoy hearing from people from the perspective of their blogs. It gives me an insight into that person I might not have received otherwise.

See you 'round the blog-o-watercooler!

It Seems Like Only Yesterday

31 years ago today, I married my best friend and partner. I have not always made the best decisions in life but this was a good one. Amy and I have laughed, cried, prayed, supported and talked our way through good times and bad, kids (not necessarily our own), friends, brethern and family. We have both become who we are, in large part, because of who the other is. Would I do it again?

Absolutely . . you bet!!

Driving Miss Daisy, or Me Crazy

As you may know, in my opinion, one of the lowest common denominators in our society are those people who don't know how to drive or behave while they are behind the wheel of a moving automobile.

People talking on cell phones, eating lunch, putting on make-up, feeding kids, reading the newspaper (yikes!!) or maps...they just don't get it. I will admit that I am not perfect and have made my share of mistakes while driving, but I hope I have learned to not repeat my mistakes. However, the other day I was reminded of how completely obstinate people can be.

I was at the Wilson County Sheriff's Office for court and was returning to the office which is about two miles away. There is a crossover at the main entrance to the sheriff's office and you have to cross over a four lane divided highway. There is a yield sign when you get ready to turn left into the southbound traffic. Across from here is a Valero station. I was concentrating on the cross traffic and did not see a light blue Chrysler minivan preparing to go across the traffic flow to go through the crossover. I pulled out and luckily saw that vehicle at the last moment. I stopped, looked at the driver and waived my hands in surrender and mouthed an apology, "I'm sorry". The other driver's reaction...give a dirty look, mouth something and issue the "one fingered salute". I can only assume that he was actually telling me what his I.Q. is. Obviously he was demonstrating it. The really sad part...he had a small child in the front seat with him in a car seat. What a great demonstartion of how to be an adult.