Author: Gary

James Oberg writes that we may soon see a time where no living human has been on the moon.

Its a thought I’ve had for quite a while now (not that there is anything super special or original about it). Given the mention Oberg’s mention, here is a run down of everyone who has been to the moon. (for the purposes of this, I’ll be conservative and count people who have orbited the moon as having been to the moon)

I had to share this. This is the result of my biology lab from this week:

The two white strips underlined in red are my DNA. Not much of it, and not a very important part, but its my DNA nonetheless.

I liken this course to riding on a roller coaster where they take your picture at the end.

Another boring school entry. Here is my final class schedule for Fall 2004:

CHEM 1021 Chem Principles I Lab 6:00 – 8:50pm Th
CHEM 1021 Chem Principles I Lecture 6:00 – 9:00pm Tu

PHYS 1302 Physics II Lecture 12:20 – 1:10pm M Tu W F
PHYS 1302 Physics II Lab 9:05 – 11:00am Tu
PHYS 1302 Physics II Discussion 12:20 – 1:10pm Th

Those of you following at home may be asking yourself, “where’s the physics?” The physics program requires Physics I, II, III, and quantum to be taken sequentially. You really can’t do much until you have that sequence taken in order, and the quantum classes are only offered in the spring. So I have lots of non-physics openings in my schedule that I’m filling with geology. I should have most of a geology degree done by the time I get finished with the core physics stuff. Next semsester I probably wont take any physics just because I’m a semester out of step with the way the classes are being taught.

Next semester I’ll be taking some combination of: Chem II, Petrology, Earth History, some other geology course, and probably a biology course. I actually have a rough outline of the next four years done, but its way too long to post here.

I think its time for an update. Given the anemic comments, I’m amazed at the number of people that read this site.

• I had a biology test yesterday. I got an A. I have an A for the course pretty wrapped up I think. I just have to not totally bomb the final, which while its possible, shouldn’t be that likely. I have wiggle room. I think I can get a 76% on the final and still get an A for the course. The thing that I did the worst on in the course were dumb 3 point pre-lab quizes.
• My last physics test was horrible. I didn’t study enough and assumed I knew the material better than I did. Thankfully, all is not lost. I did well on the first test and the tests are only 55% of the total grade, and there are 4 tests. Given the status of biology, I have to shift focus to physics now.
• I’ve scored above the mean on all my differential equations classes, so I’m not too worried about passing.
• I’m going to drop the cryptology/number theory course this fall. I’d like to take it, but I have other classes I have to fit in if I want to do everything I want. Efficency has to give way to desire.
• I’m going to leave town for a week after this term is done. I have no clue where I’ll go other than “away”. Probably north. Just me, my computer, and books.
• Navigating the University of Minnesota classes is a real pain. I’m astounded at what they DONT offer.
• I’m going to Ikea tonight.

In addition to schooling, I’ve been stopping by at the Center for Public Speaking camp this week to listen to speeches and lecture. I’ll be giving lectures on economics (micro and macro) as well as science and technology to the extempers.

It was another Tuesday and that means almost 10 straight hours of class. I had a test and a quiz in biology lab. So far so good in biology, but my last physics test did not go as well as I had hoped. I didn’t bomb it or anything, but I could have done much better.

I just finished the “Deep Hot Biosphere” by Thomas Gold. Its an interesting argument and if more data comes forward, it could be as big as contenintal drift was.

I’m enjoying differential equations more now. Vector spaces are more interesting than methods to solve equations.

I got a big Barry Bonds post at home I haven’t posted yet. Suffice to say, he’s having another crazy year. He has more intentional base on balls than he does hits. No on has ever even approached anything like that before in the history of baseball.

As is the norm for Tuesdays, I only had about 5 hours of sleep last night.

Oh yeah……………….Tim Sheaf.