Prison Break Pooch

When we first got Squirtle (yeah, don't let your kids name your pets), he was nice dog. He didn't know where he was allowed to shit, but that's expected of a 3 month-old pup. He was lovable; like, kids could pet him without losing a finger.

Squirtle's temperament is getting progressively worse as he approaches senior citizenship (The veterinarian tells me that a dog is a senior citizen at 8 years-old). He has bitten or attempted to bite every member of our family and all of the other pets. Nice doggie.

This weekend his aggression has reached a new high (low?). We came home from the movies to find the results of his failed prison break. He was able to bend a few of the steel bars. As you can see he was successful at breaking one of the welds.

Maybe he knows he's on death row.

State of Fear

I just finished State of Fear, by Michael Crichton. I loved it. In typical Crichton style, the book is a fun page-turner. Also in typical Crichton style, the ending is just so so. But that's OK, because the nonfiction component of this book makes up for its other weaknesses.

Nonfiction? But it's fiction, isn't it? This book is different than Crichton's other works because he includes many footnotes that backup statements made by the characters. What a fantastic concept.

Throughout the book, Crichton delivers blow after punishing blow against the global warming political movement. Each of his attacks is supported by references to real scientific studies. For me the coup de grace occurred in the first appendix, where he compares the popularity of global warming to the popularity of eugenics in the first half of the 1900s. I had no idea eugenics was so popular. I guess Hitler ruined it for everyone.

The character, Ted Bradley, was maddening and hilarious at the same time. Crichton was obviously mocking Martin Sheen. Ted Bradley¹ is a charismatic actor/activist most recognized for playing the president of the United States in a now canceled TV drama. Funny.

Not in the mood to read a 600+ page book? You might enjoy this 30 minute video from Penn & Teller. But trust me, this book is a must read. You'll feel much better about the state of the world when you're finished...or half way through.

I have to thank Tommy for recommending this book. Maybe I should listen to him more often. What were those other books he wanted me to read? The Joy of Sex? The Devil Wears Prada? The Bridges of Madison County?

- - - spoiler alert - - -

¹Mr. Bradley also plays a starring role in one of best death scenes I've ever experienced. It had me laughing out loud. That can't be healthy...I need help.

Geekcon 2006

You may remember that, back in February, my youngest son was awarded the Grand Champion prize for his Science Fair project. It was a proud moment for us.

One of the perks of being Grand Champion is an all expense paid invitation to the PSTA Annual Convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania. My son and I enjoyed the two night say at the Hershey Lodge, free food, and of course an abundance of chocolate. In return, my son had to present his project to convention goers for two hours each day. A small price to pay.

My son was amazed by the exhibit hall. It housed over a hundred companies demonstrating their latest and greatest gadgets science teachers could employ to enrich the educational experience. Ensuring that no child gets left behind. My son stared at me in amazement as the exhibitors gave him all kinds of free stuff. The novelty of being the youngest person there got him more attention than the other convention attendees.

One exhibitor gave him four large (four inches long) millipedes. Luckily, they weren't the poisonous kind.

Another exhibitor asked him to hang out at their booth because he was drawing a large crowd. I guess 4 foot tall kid with a 6 foot long Boa Constrictor wrapped around his neck is interesting to most people.

But the give away that takes the cake occurred on the last day. One of the guys involved with PSTA asked my son what he was interested in. "Anything about animals!" He took my son to an exhibitor who gave him microscope. We were shocked.

As soon as we got home my son and I started experimenting with the microscope. My son was transfixed as he gazed at various things though 400x magnification. Human hair, dog hair, paper, mold, human saliva, toilet water, aquarium water. The aquarium water yielded the coolest images. He was giddy when he got to see a Euchlanis munching on microscopic plants.