Born (Again) on the Fourth of July

Good afternoon everyone.

Happy 5th of July, National Hangover Day. Granted, this is usually reserved for the 1st of January, or everyday at 4 PM if you are Bubbles. But today is unique, it is the only day where waking up hung-over in a strange bath tub with your shirt on backwards and confetti in your underwear is considered Patriotic. But seriously folks, I was making my usual rounds and errands this morning before work (coffee, grocery store etc.), and every one who I encountered on my pre-work odyssey seemed to be hung over and tired, even at 10 AM. That is why I have dubbed today National Hangover Day, in the Land of the Free and Home of the Headachy and Nauseous Brave.

Now to the details of the 4th. Earlier in the day, From Russia with Love stopped by, and had a very lazy morning doing almost nothing. That is exactly what I have been needing by the way, living the busy life that I do. We spent most of the morning watching this show on MSNBC, with Chris Matthews that was a sting operation where they caught old guys who tried to meet young girls in online chat-rooms for disgusting reasons. It’s quite sad really, how many people they get, but hilarious at the same time. More entertaining than COPS if you ask me.

At about 3:30, From Russia with Love hat to go to work, so I packed up my camera and went picture taking. I headed over to see what Sandy City had planned, and took pictures of the celebrations. Those pictures are up on the PHOTOGRAPHY blog (link on the right) if you would like to check them out (I know, I know. They are not my best, and for waiting as long as most of you have for new updates there, that has to be a little disappointing).

After that, my brother had got back from his cruise and was doing a little barbequing, so I had him fry me up some Bratwurst. Then not a lot happened until I met up with From Russia with Love again after work to watch the fireworks outside The Mayan (a decent view from the parking garage, considering we really didn’t have enough time to go anywhere better). Here are some pictures of the fireworks and setting (not great, that’s why I didn’t put these on the photo blog):


Then we went and stopped by a party that was going on. These people were not really my friends or her friends, but friends of friends. That made it really lame, so we did not stay long.

Then it was back to my place. We busted out my dad’s telescope, and looked at a really bright star that she was curious about. Turned out it was Jupiter. Really cool actually, because my dad’s telescope has enough resolution to where we could actually see the cloud rings (not red spot though), and a couple of the moons. W tried to take pictures (I knew it wouldn’t turn out that great because we didn’t have any kind of mount or any means of steadying the camera, but it’s still awesome). Any way, here are our shots of Jupiter (if you believe me):

Having the day off was just what the doctor had ordered. Not that doctor, who gave me the skin cream. But my rash is a little better! So, All in all, I feel like a million bucks today (just a little tired, and a tad off the top of my game). But good none the less! (see, I can do an entire post without whining!)

T

Independence Day

Good afternoon everyone.

Today is the 4th of July. Not one of my favorite holidays (but still a day off of work and school). Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being ‘Anti-America’ or anything, but it’s just the normal celebrations of fireworks and such I find a little boring. Sure fireworks are pretty, but I don’t think that they should be the center of the day. After all, it is Independence Day, the day that the Rebels and visionaries of the New World declared independence from The Crown. That is a lesson to take to heart on this day. To remember what we stand for as a nation, which is Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Important thoughts in these times, given the current political climate and economy woes.

Also on this subject, one of the most recognizable symbols of our country is the Statue of Liberty. Every one knows where it came from (France), but not everyone knows the story of the words on it (you know the “tired, hungry huddled masses” thing). Basically, after we got the thing, there was a fund raising effort for the Statue of Liberty for who knows what, and a woman named Emma Lazarus was asked to contribute a poem to help the effort, and part of the poem was inscribed there. So, all, I will leave you to your celebrations (with or without fireworks) with the poem in its entirety. So, here you are, The New Colossus, by Emma Lazarus:

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

~ Emma Lazarus [1883]

That’s all folks! Happy Independence Day!

T

Post No. 100

Good afternoon everyone,

As if you couldn’t tell by the title of this post, it is number 100. Hoora! I have been typing this thing for all of you for less than a year, and already I have reached a hundred plus pages of my grumblings, whining, complaining, boring, nerdy and at times hilarious thoughts. All in the format of my daily routine. And most have been done right here, where I sit at work, doing whatever it is that they pay me to do (I really think that most of the time it is to update this blog, and do home work, with a little of my job duties here and there).

You have all been here with me through all of the changes and additions to this blog. The most recent being The Cinema Project, my movie review page, and my photo page that I have only updated once (sadly). There will be more to come on that page, I just need to find the time to do so, being that I primarily use film, and I have to scan every picture.

I went through the checklist yesterday, so I will save you all the pain of that on my 100th post. I think that I will just summarize the checklist in one word: BUSY.

I really wish that I had something more to say, something spectacular and celebratory for this momentous occasion, but I do not. I think I will say “Thank you for reading everybody!”

In other news, George Carlin passed away recently.

A hilarious man, and he will be missed.

With this being such a momentous occasion, (my 100th post here on this blog), there are a few resolutions on this post that I would like to make as well. They are as follows:

1. This blog is called “The Mad Scientist”. With a title like that, you would expect there to be more ‘science’ type stuff, and I know that I have made a similar resolution like this in the past, but I will be posting more stuff that I am actually doing in class, rather than just complaining about how time consuming that it is.

2. I will try to not complain as much, and make more of an effort to have this thing be actually ‘interesting’*

*results may vary. What I consider to be interesting may greatly differ from what you are entertained by.

3. I am going to get in shape, and will keep you all posted in the form of News Bulletins. In fact, here is the first:

Professor T. Announces Crackdown On Love Handles!

In a recent press conference, Professor T. announced that there will be a city wide crackdown on the growing problem of love handles. He is optimistic about the progress of this particular program, despite the failures of similar programs in the past. He plans on tackling this spreading issue with a better diet, and more exercise. More on this story as it develops.

4. Also, I plan on posting more on the other pages, The Cinema Project and the PHOTOGRAHY blog, so just in case you don’t get enough of me from this page, you will have more opportunities to enjoy all of my witty banter and beautiful pictures.

That’s the show today folks. Please check out The Cinema Project for my review of Futurama- Beast with a Billon Backs!

Good night everyone!

T