Explanation: If you took a picture of the Sun at the same time each day, would it remain in the same position? The answer is no, and the shape traced out by the Sun over the course of a year is called an analemma. The Sun's apparent shift is caused by the Earth's motion around the Sun when combined with the tilt of the Earth's rotation axis. The Sun will appear at its highest point of the analemma during summer and at its lowest during winter. Analemmas created from different Earth latitudes would appear at least slightly different, as well as analemmas created at a different time each day. The analemma pictured to the left was built up by Sun photographs taken from 1998 August through 1999 August from Ukraine. The foreground picture from the same location was taken during the early evening in 1999 July.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Analemma
Explanation: If you took a picture of the Sun at the same time each day, would it remain in the same position? The answer is no, and the shape traced out by the Sun over the course of a year is called an analemma. The Sun's apparent shift is caused by the Earth's motion around the Sun when combined with the tilt of the Earth's rotation axis. The Sun will appear at its highest point of the analemma during summer and at its lowest during winter. Analemmas created from different Earth latitudes would appear at least slightly different, as well as analemmas created at a different time each day. The analemma pictured to the left was built up by Sun photographs taken from 1998 August through 1999 August from Ukraine. The foreground picture from the same location was taken during the early evening in 1999 July.
HOW TO ARGUE EFFECTIVELY
I argue very well. Ask any of my remaining friends. I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don't even invite me. You too can win arguments. Simply follow these rules: DRINK LIQUOR
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Suppose you are at a party and some hotshot intellectual is expounding on the economy of Peru, a subject you know nothing about. If you're drinking some health-fanatic drink like grapefruit juice, you'll hang back, afraid to display your ignorance, while the hotshot enthralls your date. But if you drink several large martinis, you'll discover you have STRONG VIEWS about the Peruvian economy. You'll be a WEALTH of information. You'll argue forcefully, offering searing insights and possibly upsetting furniture.
People will be impressed. Some may leave the room.
Suppose, in the Peruvian economy argument, you are trying to prove that Peruvians are underpaid, a position you base solely on the fact that YOU are underpaid, and you'll be damned if you're going to let a bunch of Peruvians be better off. DON'T say: "I think Peruvians are underpaid." Say instead:
- "The average Peruvian's salary in 1981 dollars adjusted for the revised tax base is $1,452.81 per annum, which is $836.07 before the mean gross poverty level."
NOTE: Always make up exact figures.
If an opponent asks you where you got your information, make THAT up too. Say:
- "This information comes from Dr. Hovel T. Moon's study for the Buford Commission published on May 9, 1982. Didn't you read it?" Say this in the same tone of voice you would use to say, "You left your soiled underwear in my bathroom."
Memorize this list:
- Let me put it this way
In terms of
Vis-à-vis
Per se
As it were
Qua
So to speak
You should also memorize some Latin abbreviations such as "Q.E.D.", "e.g.", and "i.e." These are all short for "I speak Latin, and you don't."
Here's how to use these words and phrases. Suppose you want to say,"Peruvians would like to order appetizers more often, but they don't have enough money."
You never win arguments talking like that. But you WILL win if you say:
- "Let me put it this way. In terms of appetizers vis-à-vis Peruvians qua Peruvians, they would like to order them more often, so to speak, but they do not have enough money per se, as it were. Q.E.D." Only a fool would challenge that statement.
You need an arsenal of all-purpose irrelevant phrases to fire back at your opponents when they make valid points. The best are:
- You're begging the question.
You're being defensive.
Don't compare apples to oranges.
What are your parameters?
This last one is especially valuable. Nobody (other than engineers and policy wonks) has the vaguest idea what "parameters" means.
Don't forget the classic: YOU'RE SO LINEAR.
Here's how to use your comebacks:
| You say: | As Abraham Lincoln said in 1873... |
| Your opponent says: | Lincoln died in 1865. |
| You say: | You're begging the question. |
| | |
| You say: | Liberians, like most Asians... |
| Your opponent says: | Liberia is in Africa. |
| You say: | You're being defensive. |
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Saturday, March 3, 2007
I really didn't expect this honor
In case you didn't check back, my submission to the shutterday.com contest "First" tied for second place overall! Whoot!Go on over and vote for this week's contest: Jump!
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Reindeer Treats
Paige tossing some magic Reindeer food into the driveway on Christmas eve.
Posted for Shutterday: "Put That Camera Down."
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Autumn and the Plot Against Me
Ever wonder where the photographs are taken that adorn your Windows Desktop?Vanity Fair writer Nick Tosches goes a long way to find out. It's a really good and quick read.
Know how he finally gets his answer? By emailing Bill Gates himself.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Removing 100% of the meat from a Lobster when it's still ALIVE
What's new is using these machines to process live lobsters. The animals are locked inside the tube, alive, and the pumps whir and the water pressure is compressed around the lobsters to three times the deepest trenches in the ocean. The lobsters die, of course -- just think what the pressure on your ears is like when you dive a few feet underwater.
At the same time, all the muscle flesh inside the lobsters conveniently separates from the shell. For the first time in human history, people have finally devised way to extract the meat of a lobster without cooking it.
Mom S, you should tell Pectic about this!
more lobster info here
At the same time, all the muscle flesh inside the lobsters conveniently separates from the shell. For the first time in human history, people have finally devised way to extract the meat of a lobster without cooking it.
Mom S, you should tell Pectic about this!
more lobster info here
Scamming the hotel clerk
OK, this is hilarious! I died when the clerk loses it and starts laughing!!!
(Warning: some bad language and a great Indian accent)
(Warning: some bad language and a great Indian accent)
Monday, February 12, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Post Secret
I came across this site a few months back and forgot about it. It's an interesting, and sometimes heartbreaking view into peoples lives. Here is a little sample of this week's:
How does it work? You are invited to anonymously contribute your secrets to PostSecret. Each secret can be a regret, hope, funny experience, unseen kindness, fantasy, belief, fear, betrayal, erotic desire, feeling, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything - as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before.
Check it out.
How does it work? You are invited to anonymously contribute your secrets to PostSecret. Each secret can be a regret, hope, funny experience, unseen kindness, fantasy, belief, fear, betrayal, erotic desire, feeling, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything - as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before.
Check it out.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
I love wheel of fortune!
Especially when Vanna claps!
"Pat, I'd like to solve the puzzle! That's Click Jack.Blogspot.Com!"
"Why, that's right! Johnny - tell him what he's won."
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