tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287650722024-03-13T13:11:35.689-07:00Recreational Physicsbecause physics is phunJohn M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-28452712344105283332010-01-29T17:30:00.000-08:002010-01-30T00:19:48.455-08:00"Tales Before Narnia" edited by Douglas A. Anderson"Tales Before Narnia: The Roots of Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction" edited by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_A._Anderson">Douglas A. Anderson</a> (2008)<br />
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C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien are two of my favorite authors. A few years ago I read "Tales Before Tolkien: The Roots of Modern Fantasy", also edited by Douglas A. Anderson. Both books are collections of short stories by authors that Lewis and Tolkien enjoyed and drew inspiration from. These books offer insights into the literary world in which these authors lived.<br />
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I was a little disappointed with the selection of short stories in this collection. Most were classic fantasy tales whose influence can be clearly seen in "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronicles_of_narnia">The Chronicles of Narnia</a>" books. I found the title to be a bit of a misnomer since there was only one story related to science fiction. This tale, however, was a gem; "The Man Who Lived Backwards" by Charles F. Hall, published in "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_Wonder_%28magazine%29">Tales of Wonder</a>" #3, Summer 1938. Anderson's introduction to this story says that this author published two short stories and then disappeared; nothing else is known about him. Now I am searching for the other story by Charles Hall, "The Time-Drug", published in "Tales of Wonder" #5, Winter 1938.<br />
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The included fantasy tales were interesting. For example, I was unaware that "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wind_in_the_Willows">The Wind in the Willows</a>" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Grahame">Kenneth Grahame</a> came out of the letters he wrote to his son and also that these letters are available in print<span class="publicationInfo"> as "First Whisper of 'The Wind in the Willows'" by </span><span lang="EN-IE">Kenneth Grahame and Elspeth Grahame</span>.<br />
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Many of the other stories were similarly for children and Lewis makes a good case for appreciating them an adult. In his essay "On Three Ways of Writing for Children" he wrote "I am almost inclined to set it up as a canon that a children's story which is only enjoyed by children is a bad children's story. The good ones last." I have to agree; I still have books on my shelf that I read when I was in elementary school that regularly return to, such "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tripods">The Tripods</a>" trilogy by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Youd">John Christopher</a>, the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwall">Redwall</a>" series by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Jacques">Brian Jacques</a> and of course "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit">The Hobbit</a>".<br />
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To be fair, science fiction and fantasy aren't terribly different; the both ask imaginative 'what if?' questions, though the settings and the specifics of the questions between them differ. Both transport the reader to a new world where the rules are different from the world we live in. Maybe interstellar travel is common or some people are gifted in magic. Even in bookstores are these genres rarely separated. I have heard the term <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speculative_fiction">speculative fiction</a> used as a meta-genre for these kinds of science fiction and fantasy.<br />
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This book has broadened my knowledge of classical fantasy. I'm currently reading "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Well_at_the_World%27s_End">The Well and the World's End</a>" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Morris">William Morris</a> and have bought a copy "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Voyage_to_Arcturus">A Voyage to Arcturus</a>" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Lindsay_%28novelist%29">David Lindsay</a> (of which I hoped an excerpt or similar would be included), which I will try write about soon.<br />
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Next: "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_U">The Big U</a>" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Stephenson">Neal Stephenson</a>.John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-4027898727602308572009-12-20T20:54:00.000-08:002009-12-20T20:54:23.149-08:00"Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" by Susanna Clarke"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Strange_%26_Mr._Norrell">Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell</a>" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susanna_Clarke">Susanna Clarke</a> (2004)<br />
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This was one of those random books I picked up at a used bookstore. I had seen it at new bookstores when it was published and it looked to be very popular, but I never heard anything about it, good or bad. After reading it, I can say without reservation that it was a pleasure to read and I highly recommend it.<br />
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I saw a fine reasonably priced (cheaper than a paperback) hardcover edition and after reading the front flap, decided to risk buying it. Later that week, I heard that a friend was reading and enjoying it. It sat on my bookshelf for quite a while, waiting for me to work up the state of mind for reading such a heavy tome. Finally, after burning myself out on reading all of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_universe"><span style="font-style: italic;">Dune</span></a> series (1965-2007), I decided I was ready.<br />
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"Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" was a joy to read. It is the story of how two practical (rather than theoretical) magicians work (with and against each other) to bring magic back to 19th-century England. In this England, the classic English fairy tales (sources for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_MacDonald">George MacDonald</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Lang">Andrew Lang</a> and inspiration for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JRR_Tolkien">J.R.R. Tolkien</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CS_Lewis">C.S. Lewis</a>) are historical. And so are many of the events of our world, such as the Napoleonic wars, in which one of the magicians assists Wellington in his campaigns.<br />
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Most of the story centers around the magic of John Uskglass, the king of Northern England from about 1100 to 1400; also known as the Raven King. He is credited for developing a systematic method for practicing magic. Most of the spells used by later magicians were invented by him.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_R._Lawhead">Stephen R. Lawhead</a>, an excellent author, has written a retelling of the legend Robin Hood called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Raven_Trilogy"><i>The Raven King Trilogy</i></a>. I am very curious if there is any historical significance connected to the title The Raven King and if Clarke and Lawhead drew upon the same legends in telling their tales. I haven't been able to find anything on the internet besides these two books. If you know of any tales or legends or even mentions of a Raven King in English history, I'd be very interested to know about them as well. Please leave a comment or send me an email.<br />
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This was Susanna Clarke's first novel but it felt like it was written by a seasoned author. It was written in a style that reminded me of classic English literature, like that of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Austen">Jane Austen</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens">Charles Dickens</a>. It also reminded me of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Stephenson">Neal Stephenson</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Baroque_Cycle"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Baroque Cycle</span></a> (2003-04), focusing on magic instead of science. To add to the realism, Clarke added many elaborate footnotes to the text, filling in references to other texts in her world, even quoting sections of them to flesh out the world for the reader. It reads like historical fiction, fantasy and classical literature all in one.<br />
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Clarke has also written "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ladies_of_Grace_Adieu_and_Other_Stories">The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories</a>" (2006), a collection of short stories that take place in the same world as "Jonathan Strange" but dealing instead with women and magic. In interviews she has said that she is working on a sequel that follows two of the minor characters in the first book. Now my copy of "Jonathan Strange" sits upon it's shelf, waiting with me for the rumored sequel to be published.<br />
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Next: "Tales Before Narnia: The Roots of Modern Fantasy and Science Fiction" edited by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_A._Anderson">Douglas A. Anderson</a> (2008).John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-87956618531661626152009-12-13T12:13:00.000-08:002009-12-14T20:04:54.508-08:00Reviving the Blog: Books I've ReadIt's been a long time since I've written anything here; two years to the day. I'm going to make an attempt to start making regular posts again. One problem with having a blog is figuring out what to write about. My plan is to write something about the book I've just read soon after I finish it. Since I read every evening before I go to sleep, I tend to finish books regularly and this should keep me on a good writing schedule. <br /><br />My purpose is three-fold:<br /><ol><li>To hone my writing skills by writing regularly. And you all know they need some work.</li><li>To keep a record of what I've read and when and what thoughts I might have had at the time. Not for any specific reason; just in case I am ever curious later.</li><li>To offer to my friends and family recommendations of books to read or stay away from. I value my friend's recommendations when deciding what book to read next and I hope others find my opinions useful as well.</li></ol><br />Recently I have been reading a lot of fiction: science fiction and fantasy mostly. Although I have plenty of non-fiction books on my shelf, I can never bring myself to start reading one. I think this is because I spend all day reading scientific papers and textbooks related to my research. When I get home I want to let my mind wander in another world for a while. I guess physics has ceased being recreational. So for the time being, I'll mostly be writing about fiction. Your suggestions will always be welcomed.<br /><br />If you're reading this, it means I've started writing about the first book and it should be posted soon.<br /><br />Up Next: "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Strange_%26_Mr_Norrell">Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell</a>" by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susanna_Clarke">Susanna Clarke</a> (2004).John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-16146751442044535132007-12-13T17:08:00.000-08:002007-12-13T17:10:01.576-08:00Finally<div style="text-align: center;">finals are over<br />and this haiku is as long<br />as it needs to be<br /></div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-81076867247087531442007-04-26T16:19:00.000-07:002015-01-16T21:15:28.346-08:00Post-PrelimWow, it's been a long time since I've posted anything of length here. A lot of things have happened since my last major post in December.<br />
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The primary reason I haven't been posting updates is that I had to take the prelims this semester. The prelims consist of four, five hour written exams covering the major areas of physics: Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Quantum Mechanics and Thermodynamics. Following the written portion, there is a two hour oral exam covering anything from physics that we have studied this far. The purpose of this test is to determine whether or not I am qualified to begin working towards my PhD.<br />
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I spent this semester working problems, going over class notes and old assignments and doing my best to prepare. It was rough, and I really hate studying. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"> </span><br />
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Last Thursday, I received my results. I had passed. Yea! Now to give some attention to the rest of my life.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FmnNQSc5ahA/RjFGfSQcb8I/AAAAAAAAAIY/Sv75uQGA50I/s1600-h/Prelim+Paper.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FmnNQSc5ahA/RjFGfSQcb8I/AAAAAAAAAIY/Sv75uQGA50I/s320/Prelim+Paper.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057901359804477378" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>All that work for a little piece of paper...</div>
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Since I've spent the semester studying like a madman, I haven't been keeping up in the one class I'm taking. The professor has been lenient, requesting that all the homework be turned in by the end of finals week, which is next week. This week, I've been working on a presentation I will be giving in class tomorrow on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ising_model"> two-dimensional <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ising</span> model</a>. I still have a ways to go before the semester is over.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FmnNQSc5ahA/RjE_JiQcb7I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/PMxAh4bSJ14/s1600-h/2D+Ising+Model.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FmnNQSc5ahA/RjE_JiQcb7I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/PMxAh4bSJ14/s320/2D+Ising+Model.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057893289560928178" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>One of the more interesting slides from my presentation</div>
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As for the summer, I'm going to Japan for a week to visit my good friend <a href="http://inkandpaint.blogspot.com/">Tim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Marston</span></a> who is studying there. I'm not a world traveler, and barely a state traveler. But I'm really excited to go and to hang out with Tim. Hopefully we'll do some cool Japanese things as well as play some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worms_%28series%29">Worms</a> and <a href="http://www.bzflag.org/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">BZFlag</span></a> for old times sake. Feel free to suggest things I should do or get while I'm in Japan.<br />
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After Japan, I'm hoping to jump headfirst into research. Right now the plan is to do some work looking at chemical changes under shock using spectroscopy. Beyond this general idea, I have no idea what I will be doing or where I will end up. I will be working on a hard, but interesting problem; that much is certain.<br />
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<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Welp</span>, thanks for reading. Check back later for some Japan stuff and hopefully some interesting summer physics.John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-39813045314625715632007-04-16T16:18:00.000-07:002007-04-16T16:25:36.184-07:00τ: Characteristic Relaxation Time<div style="text-align: center;">after studying<br />intensely for weeks and weeks<br />it's strange to be done<br /><br /></div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-78488800754783604772007-04-09T14:29:00.000-07:002007-04-16T16:26:07.413-07:00[ X , P ] = iħ ?<div style="text-align: center;">prelim number three<br />has shown that I am not a<br />quantum mechanic<br /><br /></div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-61176821173576840132007-03-13T12:53:00.000-07:002007-03-13T12:56:30.032-07:00Spring Break!<div style="text-align: center;">Two prelims, one week<br />At 8 am every day<br />Vacations are rough.<br /></div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-65035297458634572152006-12-12T11:16:00.000-08:002007-01-16T13:17:03.327-08:00Chain Blog Game Fun !!!Finals are wrapping up, all the snow is almost melted, and I'm getting ready to go home for the Christmas holiday. Sorry for not posting earlier; I meant to write about Dad's weekend over a month ago. Maybe I'll get to it before the end of the year.<br /><br />Apparently I've been 'tagged' by my good friend Tim and <a href="http://jupiterbuttons.wordpress.com/">his sister</a>. Silly humans and their games. Personally I dislike these sorts of things, but since I was asked nicely by two Marstons, I will oblige. You brought it on yourselves.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Four Jobs I've Had:</span><ol><li>Professional Weed-puller and Bark-spreader on the Lang Estate</li><li>Dish washer in Gwinn, SPU's cafeteria</li><li>Backroom Team Member at Target<br /></li><li>Graduate Student at WSU (finally they are paying me to go to school)</li></ol><span style="font-style: italic;">Four Movies I Could Watch Over & Over</span><br /><ol><li>Arsenic and Old Lace</li><li>Mr. Smith Goes to Washington<br /></li><li>Star Trek VI</li><li>TRON<br /></li></ol><span style="font-style: italic;">Four Places I have Lived</span><br /><ol><li>Kent, WA</li><li>Seattle, WA</li><li>Pullman, WA</li><li>Kent, WA<br /></li></ol><span style="font-style: italic;">Four TV Shows I Love<br /></span><ol><li>Firefly</li><li>Stargate SG-1</li><li>Star Trek</li><li>Mr. Rogers</li></ol><span style="font-style: italic;">Four Places I Have Been for a Vacation</span><br /><ol><li>Camping!</li><li>Victoria, BC, Canadia</li><li>My Grandparents Cabin</li><li>My Uncle's house in Virginia<br /></li></ol><span style="font-style: italic;">Four Websites I Visit Daily (or when I'm at work)</span><ol><li>Tim's Blog</li><li>My email/calendar</li><li>FoxTrot: <a href="http://www.foxtrot.com/">http://www.foxtrot.com</a></li><li>OSNews: <a href="http://www.osnews.com/">http://www.osnews.com</a></li></ol><span style="font-style: italic;">My Four Favourite Foods:<br /></span><ol><li>LAMB</li><li>Baklava</li><li>My Mom's cooking<br /></li><li>Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup, oh the simplicity</li></ol><span style="font-style: italic;">Four Places I would Like to Be (I can't count):</span><br /><ol><li>Home with my family, friends and books<br /></li><li>Japan, to visit Tim</li><li>England, since it is so British, and that means awesome!</li><li>Exploring some untouched forest far from what we call civilization</li><li>In orbit around some unsuspecting planet (I'd settle for Earth)<br /></li></ol><span style="font-style: italic;">Four People I'm Tagging:</span><br /><ol><li>A family member</li><li>A friend from home<br /></li><li>A friend from WSU<br /></li><li>The poor, unsuspecting person that stumbled upon this atrocity by accident</li></ol>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-5338009729683159882006-11-29T14:25:00.000-08:002006-12-12T14:57:41.692-08:00ThinkpadOne of the many reasons I am glad to have a <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Thinkpad</span>: <a href="http://theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35827"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Stinkpads</span> will never change</a>. It's a good read.<br /><br />Other reasons include:<br /><ul><li>Linux compatibility, it Just Works<sup>TM</sup><br /></li><li>Simple, yet appealing design<br /></li><li>Durable <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">construction</span><br /></li><li>Powerful, yet small and portable<br /></li><li>Reliable, no downtime unless I ask for it<br /></li><li>The <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Trackpoint</span>, fondly <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">referred</span> to as a 'nub'</li></ul>If only I could have another... not out of necessity, but for fun.John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-63374153016706137822006-11-09T14:31:00.000-08:002006-11-09T14:32:30.595-08:00❄ ☃ ❆<span style="font-size:100%;">First Snowfall of the Season!<br /><br />Yea!<br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;"></span>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-67523371172208484282006-10-30T20:36:00.000-08:002006-10-30T20:39:29.204-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">the counsel of friends<br />is a gift from God Most High<br />brings peace to my soul<br /><br /></div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-82640545220768256712006-10-27T09:46:00.000-07:002006-10-27T09:54:05.668-07:00Thermal PonderingsI've heard it said that the human body loses a significant portion of its heat through the top of the head. Anyone know why this is? Does the brain generate more heat than the rest of the body, causing a greater thermal gradient resulting a a greater heat flow? Or are there convection currents in the body that carry thermal energy up through the head like a chimney? Does the skull have a greater coefficient of thermal conductivity than the rest of the body, allowing thermal energy to flow more readily out of the heat? Or maybe there's another reason that the biologists out there can share.<br /><br />In any case, I'm glad I have my hat because its starting to get cold here.John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-54063959286204717252006-10-24T15:10:00.000-07:002006-10-24T21:52:47.471-07:00Tim-<div style="text-align: center;">sighs of relief, the<br />candidacy is over<br />now bound for Japan<br /><br />write of your travels<br />of the acoustics and fun<br />i'll call if its cheap<br /><br />know that in all things<br />my prayers will be with you, and<br />that God will be too<br /><br />«sigh»<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Congratulations and God-speed.<br /><br /></div></div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-63664546120661866302006-10-16T08:56:00.000-07:002006-12-12T14:58:28.891-08:00Assignment<div style="text-align: center;">procrastination<br />is not the only answer<br />when homework is due<br /><br /></div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-82398747574675782432006-10-13T13:20:00.000-07:002015-01-16T21:19:34.400-08:00LIGOLast weekend the Physics and Astronomy Club went on a field trip to Hanford, WA to see LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory). I went on this trip last year also, but this year I drove instead of doing homework (no more contour integrals!). This year we did not get a chance to look at the equipment making up the interferometer, but we did get to see the control room and hear how the gravitational wave detection was going. There have been no signals yet, which is ok, since they don't expect to see any until their sensitivity improves. It was a good time and I was certainly not disappointed since the trip was worth it just for the Greek food we ate for lunch. Definitely a welcome distraction from studying for my E&M exam.<br />
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=46.458555,-119.430485&spn=0.054036,0.120352&t=k">LIGO on Google Maps</a><br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2960/3511/1600/ligo-driving.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2960/3511/320/ligo-driving.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Driving to LIGO</div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2960/3511/1600/ligo-greekfood.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2960/3511/320/ligo-greekfood.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Greek food... Tasty!<span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2960/3511/1600/ligo-arm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2960/3511/320/ligo-arm.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>x-arm of LIGO</div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2960/3511/1600/ligo-weed.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2960/3511/320/ligo-weed.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Blue skies and tumbleweed(?)<br />
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John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-8952561272009147492006-10-12T17:58:00.000-07:002006-10-12T18:13:39.075-07:00∇ · E = 0<div style="text-align: center;">the Tempest has passed<br />with waves and radiation<br />but did i pass it?<br /><br />is it over yet<br />or is this a lull before<br />the final death blow?<br /><br />shall i survive it?<br />the integrals will tell all<br />what could not be found<br /><br />the weekend comes soon<br />will i find my solace there<br />in the midst of friends?<br /><br /></div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-56184873086453952742006-10-10T10:21:00.000-07:002006-10-11T09:06:44.313-07:00Exams<div style="text-align: center;">exams always come<br />bringing stress and frustration<br />but never candy<br /><br /></div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-19457092447101163702006-10-06T09:30:00.000-07:002006-10-06T09:53:15.383-07:00udev WoesIn addition to school, <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">frisbee</span> golf and dealing with <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">burglers</span>, I've been helping with the latest release of <a href="http://droplinegnome.org/"><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Dropline</span> GNOME</a> for <a href="http://slackware.com/">Slackware Linux</a>. I'm responsible for building, testing and troubleshooting packages related to integrating digital camera support into <a href="http://gnome.org/">GNOME</a>. Usually my meager knowledge of the underpinnings of a Linux system is enough for me get it all working but this release cycle is different. Finally, after over a year of development Slackware 11 was released on last Monday. With it came some rather large changes to the system boot process and how hardware is managed with newer kernels. Specifically, if you decide to use a 2.6 kernel, <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">linux</span>-<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">hotplug</span> is disabled and device support must be handled entirely by <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">udev</span>. The problem is that with older versions of Slackware, <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">linux</span>-<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">hotplug</span> handled the creation and permissions of device nodes but since <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">linux</span>-<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">hotplug</span> will most likely be disabled (most of our users will be using a 2.6 kernel) I need to figure a way to get <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">udev</span> to create the proper nodes and more importantly, set the permissions on those nodes so that the appropriate users can access their camera. This involves deep understanding of the how Linux manages devices and how to write <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">udev</span> rules. In short, this problem is way over my head, especially while I'm in school and don't have an <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">internet</span> connection. There's some pretty smart guys on our development team, so I'm hoping they can figure it out. Hopefully it won't be too long before we get this and a few other bugs worked out and can release our final product. I"ll keep you posted...John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-74000586825580749232006-10-02T15:16:00.000-07:002006-10-11T09:09:20.135-07:00"Shock¹"(<span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">shǒ</span>k) <span style="font-style: italic;">noun</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">1</span>. A non-linear, high-amplitude disturbance in a material that typically induces conditions of high pressure and temperature. <span style="font-weight: bold;">2</span>. The logical response to coming home and finding two girls watching TV in your apartment. <span style="font-weight: bold;">3</span>. A famous musical drama in Japan. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Syn</span>: seismic disturbance, daze, stupor, concussion, trauma. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ant</span>: settle, comfort.<br />{French <tt>choc</tt>, from <tt>choquer</tt>, <i>to collide with</i>, from Old French <tt>chuquier</tt>, perhaps of Germanic origin}<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2960/3511/1600/shock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/2960/3511/320/shock.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></tt></tt>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-25989584197529253532006-09-19T11:43:00.000-07:002006-09-19T11:59:22.838-07:00Avast MateysArr! Today be "Talk like a Pirate Day". So find y'self a bottle o' rum an' start the pilligin'n an ' plunderin'. Me thinks I'll fin' me some landlubbers to walk the plank...<br /><br />Here's a piratey haiku for you all, not me own invention, it be pirated from <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/tlap/thread/3668a54b-6423-47e7-b410-abdfd7be66d0">elsewhere</a>. I challenge thee to best me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Arrg arg aaaarg arg aarrgggh<br />Aaarg hhharr har aarrggh har rrar har<br />Yo Ho ho HHo Ho!<br /></div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-9378831797113046992006-09-18T17:43:00.000-07:002006-09-18T17:44:35.278-07:00TE - TM<div style="text-align: center;">transverse electric<br />the boundary field is zero<br />transverse magnetic<br /></div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-10117220800758829282006-09-14T08:56:00.000-07:002006-09-14T12:26:07.088-07:00Wave Propagation and Wake BoardingSince the title of my blog is 'Recreational Physics' I figure I ought to post something related to both physics and recreation. But really, what is more recreational than physics?<br /><br />Over labor day weekend, about two weeks ago, I went to the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tri</span>-Cities to participate in "Dan <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ekstrom's</span> Boating Extravaganza", at least <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">that's</span> what I called it. It's something his church does; they come with a bunch of boats and people up to <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Richland</span> to go tubing, water skiing, wake boarding and the like. It was a good <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">opportunity</span> for me to go see Dan, much better than having to make the drive all the way to Oregon.<br /><br />I went wake boarding and tubing and had a great time. I was sore for a week afterwards. But it was a good break. It's not often I get to spend time doing crazy fun stuff with non-physicists.<br /><br />Since I am a physicist to the core, I was constantly thinking about physics while we were on the water. In two of my classes we have been talking about wave propagation, so I couldn't help watching the waves and thinking about their <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">physical</span> properties and how they were propagating. Terms like group velocity, phase velocity, wave packet, <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">impedance</span>, and the k vector kept popping into my mind. Have you ever looked at the wake of a boat and wondered how much energy is being transmitted by the waves in the wake and how much is lost through dissipation? I don't know the answer, but key is in the asking.<br /><br />Now you may think that all this physics thinking was keeping me from enjoying my break. On the contrary, I enjoyed myself all the more. I derive a lot of joy from being able to take what I learn in the cold environment of the classroom and see it manifested in the real world. Although the wave mechanics of the wake of a boat may have no practical applications, it is a real world system where the physics learned from a book can be seen.<br /><br />Of course, taken to far, this could turn into me taking my work home; which is something I want to avoid. As long as I can keep my physical observations recreational when I'm not at work, my obsession with physics should remain healthy. In our fast-paced, work oriented culture I want to make the extra effort to partition my life between work and play so that if I ever have a family, they will not have to compete with my work for the center of my life.<br /><br /><span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Unfortunately</span>, I don't have any pictures of the trip; you'll just have to use your imagination. Dan said I had some great wipe-outs. Which was exactly what I hoped for, though one face-plant is enough for anyone. If I go again next year, I'll do my best to remember the camera, I promise.John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-40557498210797993432006-09-12T12:47:00.000-07:002006-09-12T14:57:42.758-07:00ε(ω)<div style="text-align: center;">permittivity<br />imaginary and real<br />complex relation</div>John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765072.post-28830503882524719502006-08-28T11:35:00.000-07:002006-08-28T12:20:04.699-07:00Back to the Old GrindstoneFinished my first week of class and started the second. This semester I am taking Electrodynamics, Continuum Mechanics, Partial Differential Equations and Shock Wave Seminar. Unfortunately, the department is only offering one core class this semester, so I am having to take other classes that I don't <span style="font-style: italic;">need</span> but will be useful. It not going to be an easy semester; I am already finding it difficult to concentrate on homework (like now, I'm writing this instead of studying). Hopefully I'll get back into the groove soon.<br /><br />I've been playing a lot of frisbee golf lately. There is a nice 18 hole course over in Sunnyside Park. I almost got a hole-in-one on Saturday; my frisbee hit the basket but didn't stay in. I get a birdie every once and a while, but on average I get 1-2 strokes over par. Its a good distraction from classes and it helps me get some fresh air.<br /><br />I best get crackin' on my homework. I've two assignments due on Wednesday that I need to put some serious work into.John M Langhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14390469469338313899noreply@blogger.com0