Music technology and change

I loaded a CD into the tray of our DVD player to listen the other day. It occurred to me what a thrill that was.

For the last few months, if I was listening to music, it was either streaming over the internet or on iTunes. I push a button and the music plays. How sterile.

When I go back to my house in Oklahoma, I have a complete stereo system including turntable. There is something special about taking a piece of vinyl out of cardboard and paper sleeves, laying it on the turntable, and dropping the needle on it. The cracks and the hiss of the needle on the record was a sign that you were really listening to that item and its flaws. You are participating in the music delivery process.

I used to think CDs lacked that same thrill. Now with my abundant digital collection, the thrill formerly reserved only for the LP has emerged with the CD.

The Happiest Dog in the World

New Addition to the Family

Meet Tesla, our new 8-week-old Bichon Frise.

Book is done!

Yes, the book is finally done. The American Meteorological Society has the final draft of "Eloquent Science: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Better Writer, Speaker, and Scientist." The book will now head to copyediting and layout planning. The plan is to have it published by fall 2009. You will know more as I know more.

I hope to post snippets and the Table of Contents here soon.

If Dave and Yvette were Simpsons characters

The link to create these is here.

Dave and Yvette in the Grand Canyon (January 2009)

Dave and Yvette's rental house in York, UK

This house is along the Ouse River (pronounced "ooze"). It has a jacuzzi hot tub in the back and a river view.

Dave and Yvette visit York, UK

Clifford's Tower

Ice sculpture in Helsinki Zoo

Art Meets Ice--the annual ice sculpture contest at the zoo---happened a few weekends ago.

Welcome President Obama!