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I'm reading the biography of John Bardeen, co-inventor of the transistor and co-author of the BCS theory of superconductivity. He won a Nobel Prize in Physics for each of these discoveries, making him the only person ever to win two Nobels in the same category. The book is "True Genius---The Life and Science of John Bardeen" by Hoddeson and Daitch. He's not as well known to the public as Einstein or Feynman, but his contributions to science are up there with the greats. Here's a quote that I find very wise, from a man not known for saying much. People have said about Bardeen, "he doesn't say much, but when he does say something, you pay attention." "I feel that science cannot provide an answer to the ultimate questions about the meaning and purpose of life. With religion, one can get answers on faith. Most scientists leave them open and perhaps unanswerable, but do abide by a code of moral values. For civilized society to succeed, there must be ...

Just saw a brilliant movie with great cast and very interesting story. Essentially, advances in cloning have led to the creation of the Merrick Institute, a place where the rich and famous can have their clones created. The clients are told that their clones are lifeless organ factories without soul, emotion, consciousness and love. They are the means for the clients to cheat death. Unbeknownst to them, these clones have actually been awakened because only living, conscious souls can give organs that last beyond three years. So in this underground make-believe world shielded from the outside by a hologram wall, these clones live and work and wait for the day they will be given the chance to go to "The Island." The Island, as they are told, is the last living paradise that is free of pathogen contamination, which explains why they are forced to live within the well guarded confines. Funny how the guards always point their guns in, when supposedly it is what comes from outside ...

Went hiking at Eno River Park this past Saturday again. I always enjoy excursions into nature, preferably with friends! We are now planning a camping trip sometime in August. Tents, bbq, and let's hope, encounters with bears (safe and friendly encounters that is)!

Just want to see whether this works!

Got my copy of Harry Potter and am enjoying the read immensely! I can't wait to finish the book! I'm feeling like a ten year old. I really admire JK Rowling. Hers is an example of where a good idea or story can really influence the world, not to mention bring in billions of dollars. I think her personal wealth has exceeded that of the Queen's! So no long post today. I'll try to post up what I think of HP once I'm done. Back to it!

For some reason I decided to type in Google "which nose hole do you breathe out of." I was just curious cause of late my nose has been getting stuffy, typically always the right nostril. So I breathe out of the left nostril. I should start taking data and see if this is random or really the right nostril always clogs! Funny some info you can learn from websites, though whether they are believable is another issue. Apparently Cleopatra was well known for her beauty and very large nose. Tyco Brahe had an actual gold nose tip because his real one was sliced off in a duel! Completely useless trivia to shock friends, and perhaps its not even true! Is this what my brain cells are used for?! This just shows how indispensable Google has become, at least for my life. I practically use it to find anything I need, restaurant menus, pictures, all sorts of stuff. The old fashioned let's go to the library to find things may be going bye bye. I do have to say I'd miss getting a pers...

Here's a link to some pics from my last trip to NY some time ago. Picture Stories as I like to call them. More picture stories to come. I'm completely hooked to Teen Titans! Their theme song is so catchy too, as performed by Puffy AmiYumi. "When there's trouble you know who to call, Teen Titans! From their tower they can see it all, Teen Titans! When there's evil on the attack, You can rest knowing they got your back, Cuz when the world needs heroes on patrol Teen Titans GO!..." It's a great cartoon. I need to get the DVDs!! Somehow I'm most attracted to the character of Raven. Robin is cool as the leader and the brainy one; he is pure human. No superpowers..just plain human. But the point is with our intellect, humans can be driven to perform superhuman feats, physical and mental. Cyborg is part man, part machine. His abilities and strengths are mechanical, but he is more than machine. Again the human will propels his already incredible strength to g...