2:44 PM

In fact, NASA has a very interesting page entirely dedicated to Earth Day that has pictures, maps, facts, and many other cool features all involving our home planet. Pretty rad. It's going to occupy my time for a while, I think.

Enjoy perusing, and happy Earth Day. :)

12:23 AM

O HAI NAÏVITÉ

Silly me. I'm glad I'm over that phase of my life, at least for the time being.

Here's a few things that I've picked up recently:

Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution- Neil DeGrasse Tyson. DUH, of COURSE I'd pick up a book with my idol's name on it. I've yet to start it, but I can't wait... especially after reading another one of his books (Death by Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries, generously given to me by my father the Christmas before last). It was SUPER entertaining, and his essays are written so that even I understand what he's saying.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Astronomy, 4th Edition- Christopher De Pree. As the title clearly states, it's written for me. I'm a few chapters in, and it's really great supplemental info. A lot I already know from previous Astronomy courses, but there's also a lot of new information that is really interesting.

Stars & Planets field guide- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion. I'll probably end up buying this sometime soon. It's got great descriptions and definitions of types of stars, planets, and deep space objects. It also has wonderfully detailed colored sky maps and Hubble pics.

God's Equation: Einstein, Relativity, and the Expanding Universe- Amir D. Aczel. Just got this one tonight, but it addresses some really interesting issues that I've always been curious about. Mostly how God fits in with the whole theory of Cosmology... something I've always wanted to talk with my dad about, but unfortunately never had the chance.

So, yeah... can't wait to get my nose into these completely. I'm pretty sure I'll be up there later this week and see what else I can get... I'll probably have the entire astronomy section borrowed. I just wish I had the same dedication to my actual school classes.

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?!

ANYWAY, I just had to post about my latest obsession, NASAtv. Really, it's fantastic. It features live feeds from the ISS, as well as many interesting minishows and interviews.

Also, I'm changing my layout. This one is too busy for me. :/

Also, today I found out what horsepower feels like. Who'd have thought I would find it in the minivan?

I had decided today that instead of going by the general mental state of there only being one car between my sister and I, I would instead regard the fact that there was a lonely, neglected caravan snoozing away in our back driveway.

The poor thing was scared and lonely when I went to load it with my school supplies. I coaxed it into starting, and it slowly got used to my presence. The shyness was quickly shed and we embarked on what would come to be a rather enjoyable adventure.

I was unsteady and a bit shaken as we crept down the hill... I was trying to get a handle of steering a mammoth vehicle rather than the tiny Focus, and I was unsure as to how the brakes would respond. Soon, however, my uncertainties were abolished and I was in command of a trusty golden steed.

Together we rode through the town, to school, the library, and back home. I felt the breeze through my hair as I accelerated faster than was possible in the Focus thanks to the lovely engine. Also, small cars always let me turn first.

All in all, riding in the van was a pleasant experience. We enjoyed each other's company greatly, and I feel that a strong friendship has been kindled.