Nasa News

Space Shuttle Discovery (isn't she beautful?) is currently gently rolling out to Launch Pad 39B in preparation for launch on mission STS-116 to the International Space Station. The shuttle's payload includes the next space station components: the P5 integrated truss segment and the SPACEHAB module The launch window for mission STS-116 opens Dec. 7.

This amazing new view of the Orion Nebula (a composite of visible and infrared light) was created using both NASA's Spitzer and Hubble telescopes. (click on the pic for more info and a larger high-def image) In other shuttle and Hubble (shubble?) news, a new 900 million dollars mission was decided last week to go and repair the aging Hubble Telescop. Great news for all astronomers around the world as this telescop brought unprecedented discoveries about the origins and the inner mechanics of our lil' universe.

No, it's not an inside view of my stomach after the last Halloween party but a really frakking big storm on Saturn captured by orbiting spacecraft Cassini (this spacecraft is navigated, between pregnancies, by my dear friend Julie at JPL where I used to work): 8,000km (5,000 miles) wide with winds up to 550km/h (350 miles/h)... (click on the pic for more info and a movie of the storm)

Cat Power - The Greatest

Cat Power (stage name for singer Charlyn "Chan" Marshall) is a strange little lady. I saw her recently live in NYC and she seems really shy and to have her own world (which is a good thing) but she's a real artist with a warm, original and evocative voice. She just released a new album (The Greatest).

Midterm elections (updated update)

It's this time of the year again! Votes recount days are coming! The people have put the Democrats back in charge of the House, and--as of this writing--are two seats away from retaking the Senate.

Hearing people talking on the subway or at a coffee shop, most of them seemed rather suprised and happy about the Dems victory, but then again we're in NY...

A good news never coming alone, Bush just announced Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld resignation.

It's raining today outside. But it's a nice day.


UPDATE: it's now 50-49 for the Democrats as they just won Montana. Only one race left in Virginia where Jim Webb leads by 3,000 votes over the prett much racist republican Sen. George Allen. In case Webb is declared winner of this race, Democrates will have control over both houses.

UPDATE 2: and done. Now the Congress is in the hand of the Dems. Hopefully they'll know what to do with it. A nice day indeed. ;-)

The Log Lady Diaries 5

I play my part on my stage.
I tell what I can to form the perfect answer.
But that answer cannot come before all are ready to hear.
So I tell what I can to form the perfect answer.

Sometimes my anger at the fire is evident.
Sometimes it is not anger, really.
It may appear as such, but could it be a clue?
The fire I speak of is not a kind fire.

Nina Simone - For A While

Effortlessly beautiful.

Halloween in NYC

A few random shots of Halloween in New York City... really creepy (left-click for larger pictures)

A story in six words? Wow!

Wired hired writers for short stories.
The rule is: only six words.
Hemingway was first, SciFi writers now.
OK, I stop. (no seriously now)

A few of my favorites here:

Vacuum collision. Orbits diverge. Farewell, love.
- David Brin
Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so.
- Joss Whedon
Longed for him. Got him. Shit.
- Margaret Atwood
From torched skyscrapers, men grew wings.
- Gregory Maguire
With bloody hands, I say good-bye.
- Frank Miller
It’s behind you! Hurry before it
- Rockne S. O’Bannon
The baby’s blood type? Human, mostly.
- Orson Scott Card
Tick tock tick tock tick tick.
- Neal Stephenson

Not that difficult? Try it yourself!

Jeff Buckley - What Will You Say

A great song, What Will You Say was never released in studio version. Jeff's father, Tim Buckley was a famous folk singer/songwriter at the end of the 60s and early 70s. He died at 28 of a drug overdose. Jeff, who never got to really know him, still clearly had issues with his dead father as evidenced in this song:

"...Father do you hear me?
Do you know me?
Do you even care?..."

Although I prefer Jeff's voice, you should definitely try some of his father's works. There is a great anthology available released a few years ago. UPDATE: here's a link to a Tim Buckley's video. Try also here and here.

This clip was filmed during the Glastonbury Festival in 1995 (rest of the lyrics in the comments).

The log lady diaries 4

Even the ones who laugh are sometimes caught without an answer:
these creatures who introduce themselves but we swear we have met them before.

Yes, look in the mirror. What do you see?
Is it a dream or a nightmare?
Are we introduced against our will? Are they mirrors?

I can see the smoke. I can smell the fire.
The battle is drawing nigh.

Good night, and good luck.

After Bill Clinton impassionate reply to a moronic Fox News journalist last week, Keith Olbermann (journalist at MSNBC) channels Edward R. Murrow. I know the whole journalists-have-to-be-objective thing but this made my day. It's time some people (and that includes journalists) wake up and start talking out loud.

If you haven't seen it, I would really recommend that you watch George Clooney's second movie as a director (which proves that you can actually be good looking AND smart) Good night, and good luck. This movie (shot in black and white and set in the 50s) depicts CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow as he opposes Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House of Un-American Activities Committee. With a desire to report the facts and enlighten the public, Murrow, and his dedicated staff--headed by his producer Fred Friendly (played by Clooney himself) and Joe Wershba (Robert Downey Jr) in the CBS newsroom--defy corporate and sponsorship pressures to examine the lies and scaremongering tactics perpetrated by McCarthy during his communist witch-hunts...

After this segment, I think Murrow would have been proud of Olbermann.