Khan's Castle

I've always loved that original Star Wars scene with the binary sunset. And so now, the news is that it seems that binary stars often have planetary discs like single stars. Nice!

I like the idea of protecting the environment, but I don't know. Is this over the top? To me it's a touch disingenuous to use technology—computers, the web, boats (a la Greenpeace), cars, etc. —to trumpet the environmental cause while not quite admitting that to have that technology, certain things have to be done. Granted, more care can be taken and if that's all they're saying, I'm OK with that, but honestly, some people don't seem to put two and two together.

An interesting piece on the Iran situation involving the British sailors over the weekend. I wonder what exactly is going on?

Here's an idea whose time may have come. Or not? Who knows?

So, next I glanced in on News of the Weird. There's no end to the shenanigans in there. On my bad days, when I read stuff like that, I really do think we're all doomed.

One of my very favorite columnists, Victor Davis Hanson, has a nice little piece about the movie 300 and historical accuracy.

Quiet day today
Spring long gone, winter comes now
Life will be done soon

Sentiments dark, freeze
Leaf soft and pale, now falling
New life next spring dawns

Hope in life today
Mindful sight look skyward now
Sun shall rise again

A little tidbit too good to pass up.

And are they dancing at Boeing today? (news from Airbus)

My mind is obviously not on regularly writing in here of late, but I will try to here and there.

In pursuit of that. . .

I really enjoyed 300 the other night. I'm very fond of Frank Miller's work all around and 300 was no exception. The Battle of Thermopylae certainly is legendary; I thought the movie told the story well and in fine style.

I visited a chiropractor several times in the last couple weeks to get my neck adjusted after, it seems, that my lever exercises yanked a vertebrae out of alignment. My overall impression is: What a wonderful service!

I did hold a one-legged lever for 17 seconds last week, but my neck really was sore afterward. I think the asymmetry of the one-legged one is the real problem and that a slightly tucked two legged one may be better for me to use at this stage. I'll try it as soon as my neck is better.

A dear friend sent me links to a couple O. Henry stories: A Municiple Report and The Last Leaf. Stories can be written in all styles, but frankly, I'm not sure the writing can get any better. I had only remembered a favorite from childhood, The Ransom of Red Chief. Wonderful stuff.

How about a little daydreaming?

If I were just rolling in dough and the time to play with it, I might just buy one of these and one of these.

Ahhh. . .

I really enjoyed watching Ghost in the Shell last night. It's a cyberpunk Japanese anime and within that realm, a classic. The animation isn't what Hayao Miyazaki's is—but then, who's is?—and exhibits quality of motion on the order of a serial anime, rather than a large budget full length feature film. Having said that, the art is beautifully done and if the motions were smoothed out it would be gorgeous.