May 2008 – Random Connections

The Shrub Comes to Furman, Part One

May 31, 2008 Tom 4 Comments

Not since the separation from the Baptists has Furman found itself in such a maelstrom of controversy. As usual, the problems really started when the local media got involved, and got it wrong. From there, the community has gotten involved, voicing its opinion based on the erroneous information from the Greenville Cage Liner. First, the … Read More “The Shrub Comes to Furman, Part One” »

The Travels of JH, Junior

May 30, 2008 Tom 4 Comments

Geocaching and Maps

In the summer of 2006 we made a trip to London and visited the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. While there I picked up a fuzzy little souvenir I intended to use as a Travel Bug for geocaching. Thus was born “JH, Junior.” JH, Junior. was named for John Harrison (1693-1776). Harrison was an English clockmaker … Read More “The Travels of JH, Junior” »

Embeddable Google Earth

May 29, 2008 Tom No Comments

Geocaching and Maps

The functionality of Google Earth is showing up in more and more places outside of the actual Google Earth software. Much of what you could do in GE is now available in Google Maps. Maps has had the ability to read KML/KMZ files for awhile now, and for the most part the imagery is the same for both systems. Well the folks at Google have blurred the line even more with the recent release of the Google Earth COM API.

The new API allows developers to create interfaces to the Google Earth data. Probably one of the best examples of this has been done by the folks at TakItWithMe.com. They have created a version of Google Earth than can be embedded into blog posts, web pages, etc.

In order to take advantage of this three things have got to be in place:

Google Earth 4.x or higher must be installed on your computer.
You have to install the Google Earth 3D plugin for the browser you plan to use.
The KML/KMZ file you plan to use must be available online, either on hosted webspace or on the user’s My Maps folder in Google Maps.

If you have at least the first two of these already in place on your computer, you can click the link below to read more, and you’ll see a demonstration…

Read More “Embeddable Google Earth” »

Who’s Gonna Clean Up After All These Elephants??

May 29, 2008 Tom 4 Comments

Local, Rants, Weirdness

Our neighborhood and district are staunchly Republican. So much so that there often isn’t a Democrat opponent in the general election. Therefore, if we are to have any say in who represents us, we have to hold our noses and vote in the Republican primaries. This has had some interesting side effects. We get multiple … Read More “Who’s Gonna Clean Up After All These Elephants??” »

Google Notebook – the Perfect Online Research Tool?

May 27, 2008 Tom No Comments

Internet

I’ve just been playing with Google Notebook, and I’m thoroughly impressed. I find this to be even better than Del.icio.us or Diigo for collecting and annotating websites. First you need a Google account (easy enough to sign up for, and it’s free.) I added a Google Notebook box to my iGoogle page. To make it … Read More “Google Notebook – the Perfect Online Research Tool?” »

Memorial Day Caching

May 26, 2008 Tom 1 Comment

Geocaching and Maps

Today I went geocaching with John Kaup and his son, Richard. I’ve found that I enjoy geocaching with others more than just heading out on my own. I think that’s why I haven’t been very active lately – it’s been harder to coordinate times with friends who are interested. John and I were actually written … Read More “Memorial Day Caching” »

In Flanders Fields

May 26, 2008 Tom No Comments

Miscellaneous

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In … Read More “In Flanders Fields” »

Fruit Smoothie on Steroids

May 25, 2008 Tom 1 Comment

Recipes

I was looking for recipes for fruit smoothies, but I didn’t find anything that fit the ingredients. So I came up with my own. Ingredients 12 oz can of frozen concentrate orange juice 6 oz frozen berries (I used a strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry mix) 1 cup water (or less) 1 cup rum dash of … Read More “Fruit Smoothie on Steroids” »

The Search for Moving Water

May 25, 2008 Tom 2 Comments

Local, Photography, Travel

Memorial Day Weekend is always the pits, at least as far as Furman is concerned. This weekend is particularly bad. Laura has to give exams both Saturday morning and Monday morning. When she’s not giving the tests, she will be busy grading them. With Furman going onto a semester system next year, this is the last time that Memorial Day will be messed up.

Even knowing that she wouldn’t be available for exploration, I got my household chores done ahead of time this week during the evenings so that I could head out and explore this weekend. I had planned to do a bit of geocaching, but I put that on hold to take a few photos.

My first target was Freedom Weekend Aloft. Last year I stumbled onto a balloon launch from a parking lot and was able to get some great shots. I was hoping for the same this year, but I was afraid the brisk winds this morning would keep the balloons grounded. Either my fears were confirmed, or I had missed the schedule. There were no balloons to be seen. Therefore, I headed north to look for some waterfalls.

The Indiana Mummy Files

May 22, 2008 Tom No Comments

Entertainment

Long ago, in a cafe far, far away… George: So, what good movies have you seen lately? Steven: You know, the Mummy series was really cool! I loved the way Brenden Frazier… George: Yeah! That was great! Steven: I just rented X-Files. Talk about a convoluted plot. George: Who gives a damn about plots. They’re … Read More “The Indiana Mummy Files” »