HHWT - Picture Album

Living History Farms Cross Country Race 2007

2007-11-18T10:08:00.000-08:00

Team Brass, Strings, Science and Steel
(Kaitlyn's Pics)

Smiling Suzie just before The Hill of Death

Peter heading up The Hill of Death (after a short swim)

Crazy characters and the essence of the race

Our team results

Brain Teasers!

2007-09-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

Photon Roll Call
Starting with an expression for the total energy of an arbitrary superposition of plane electromagnetic waves in otherwise empty space, show that the total number of photons is given by

Bug of the Month

2007-08-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

October, 2007
Chinese Mantis (Tenodera aridifolia)

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September, 2007
Acorn Weevil (Cucurio glandium)

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August, 2007
Golden Orb Weaver (Argiope aurantia)

Practice Makes Perfect

2007-04-04T22:54:00.000-07:00

Notes: Average is taken over seven days, Monday through Sunday, all days being weighted equally. Work related draws on practice time (rehearsals, concerts, commuting) are averaged separately and shown as negative time. Non-work-related draws (socializing, running, other travel) are not considered. A miscellaneous category (chamber music, lessons, auditions, etc) may be introduced at a later time.

"And the heavens opened up and rained death upon the land..."

2007-04-04T22:40:00.000-07:00

Some shots from recent Spring thunderstorms near Zwingle, Iowa.

Help Me Find My New Face!

2007-04-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

I've been missing a few too many notes lately due to poor vision. Since I frack enough on my own without an optical handicap thrown in the mix, it's time for a new prescription. Now, I only see my face, say, a couple minutes each day, in the bathroom mirror while shaving, or reflected in the deep soulless pupils of unrequited love, so clearly I am not an adequate judge.

Who sees my face more than me? Other people, that's who! This is why, dear esteemed readers, I call upon you, especially if you are of the fairer sex, to help me pick my new frames, and hence my new face for years to come.

Below are twenty-four candidates, kindly vetted by two of my sisters (thanks KV and ME!). Please choose your favorite(s) and let me know via the "comments" section at the end of this post. I'll tally the results and post the ultimate winner in a few days. And please, no jibes about plastic surgery, Rogaine, botox, Clearasil, etc. I'm fragile.

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Sights From the Road

2007-01-20T17:22:00.000-08:00

Blizzard of '07
(I80 ~50 miles east of Des Moines, IA)

In spite of the occasional limited visibility there were beautiful scenes to behold. Or perhaps the aestheticism was heightened due to adrenalin overdose!

This was one of the most dramatically posed stranded vehicles. Not just because it was the only jack-knifed semi I saw in the ditch but because it seems to be facing the wrong way. Keep in mind, this is a four lane divided interstate highway. The oncoming traffic would have to cross the snow filled median to reach this ditch. I can't imagine how this truck came to rest in that position without at least a partial donut being involved in the trajectory.

Sun Pilllar
(I80 20 miles west of Iowa City, IA)

This is a rather modest example of an atmospheric effect known as a Sun Pillar. A shaft of light seems to emanate out of the top and bottom of the Sun, usually during sunrise or sunset. The effect is caused by flat polygonal-shaped ice crystals which, in calm air, slowly float down from high altitude clouds. Due to air resistance their flat sides stay parallel to the ground most of the time, like a falling feather. An observer sees sunlight reflected predominantly in a plane perpendicular to the ground containing the sun, the observer. This gives the appearance of a vertical shaft of light rising and/or descending from the Sun.

Hawaii License Plate
(I39-South half an hour north of Madison, WI)

The holy grail of the license plate game. My brother and sister played this on a road trip all the way from Wisconsin to Maine and back this past Summer. I think we got shots of forty-some states but never dreamt we would ever see the likes of Hawaii or Alaska. My sister has since sent me a blurry, low resolution camera phone shot of what she says is an Alaska plate. I'm still skeptical. As you can see above, however, there is no doubt of the veracity of my claim.

Training Progress

2007-01-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

Wintery Wisconsin Wonderland

2007-01-02T12:48:00.000-08:00

We got snow just in time for Christmas in central
Wisconsin. Below you can see some holiday fun being had.
The great white north. It's a beauty way to go.

The slow progression of the traditional front yard snow giant. He should
last until mid-June but will not age well.

My cute-as-a-button niece from snow-less Arizona.

Keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times!

If that's not the expression of pure joy I don't know what is.

A couple nephews getting a kick out of the whole gravity/ice thing.

My nephew SAM looks ready for serious sledding speed.

Me getting some wicked air. The landing was not pretty nor painless.

Somebody missed the boat.

Still cute as a button.

The only way to go.

My niece and her cousin. If not for the cool hats I
wouldn't be able to tell them apart.

Wollersheim Winery

2007-01-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

The Wollersheim Winery vineyards near Prairie du Sac, WI.

My brother DM letting his riesling breath in the cellar.

My Dad and sister KV composing the buy list.
We got almost two case that day. Quello è vino molto!

DM and my younger brother AP lounging and clowning respectvely.

A shot of my good side believe it or not.

The whole wine tasting gang in front of the old cellar gate.