While searching for some videos on YouTube that might do a better job of explaining the phenomenon of rogue waves than I can, I actually found some really, really good material. First, one of my absolute favorite people on the Intertubes, Hank Green, who is also half of the awesome duo that is the vlog brothers. Here, Hank talks about rogue waves on his SciShow channel.
Continue reading “The science and history of rogue waves, part two”
In what could prove to be a huge step forward in predicting how rogue waves are formed, and thus a tool for saving lives at sea, researchers at MIT have found a way to give 2 to 3 minutes warning of an incoming rogue wave.
I know it probably sounds stupid, but it’s hard for me to explain how excited I am about this research. So much so that I am tempted to go speak with the researchers sometime (living in Cambridge does have its advantages). But to understand why I am geeking out about this, it might help for me to go into some detail about what we know about rogue waves, and how they have affected ships at sea, as well as oil rigs, lighthouses, and coastlines. This is one of those times that my love of history (especially maritime history) and my love of science come together.
Continue reading “The science and history of rogue waves, part one”
Most of you know that I stay out of warm climates whenever possible. Therefore it seems utterly insane that I left Boston today, in the middle of a snowstorm (Ursula was her name) to fly to Dallas. Intentionally. Where it was 80 degrees.
Not much, but some. When I got out to Basil this morning, there was a couple of inches of snow on everything, so I had to clean off the car a bit before I drove to work. The roads weren’t that bad, all things considered. Not much of a storm really. The snow continued for a while, and was still coming down in heavy flakes after I had been at work for a few hours.
By the time I get home, I imagine much of it will be melted. Hopefully shoveling will be minimal. Ah, spring in New England.
-Geoff
The weather recently has been a lot warmer, for the most part. It feels like spring is already here. I have been able to wear shorts a few times. Already we are seeing blooms all over.
Just this past weekend, I was thinking about how I should probably go ahead and put away all of my snow shovels, ice melter, windshield scrapers, and other winter paraphernalia. I was also thinking about how I did not use the snowblower once this winter, after using it so much last winter.
Well. I should have realized that the weather in New England always has the last laugh, especially when it comes to winter.
Continue reading “And I almost put away all the winter stuff, too”
Wow, it got cold suddenly. You know it’s cold when the temperature climbs up 20 to 25 degrees from when I got up this morning, and it’s still only 12 degrees Fahrenheit.
So tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and the temperature is going to be soaring up to a record-breaking 25 to 35 degrees above normal.
No. Just no. In fact, hell no.
Continue reading “Dear universe – I want New England weather back”
In case it wasn’t clear from the title of this post, I’m going to use the word Hell a lot. Mom, you might want to turn back now. “Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch’intrate.*“
I left work today to go to my monthly massage appointment. I can tell you right now that the massage was absolutely not what inspired this post. The massage was divine and I feel SO much better.
It was the walk from the Chiropractic Office back to Kendall Sq to catch the shuttle that got me thinking. What the Hell is up?
Poor Basil. He has suffered immensely this winter. Still, our Mini Cooper has, like us, managed to survive this record-breaking winter and has been buried in snow more times than I can recall. At least digging him out isn’t so bad most of the time since he is so small. And it certainly makes it easier to park in narrow spots nestled between snow piles.
But getting through this winter unscathed was not meant to be, I guess. Last night, on Route 99 where it goes under Rutherford Ave in Charlestown, we hit what was probably the biggest pothole I have ever seen, at least on a road that wasn’t being washed out underneath.
I’m not writing this because I don’t think kids in school don’t work hard enough, because teachers have too much time off, or because I have some other ideas about school/teacher/union reform. I’m writing this because 1) I grew up without a vacation in February and since moving to New England and finding out about it I’ve decided it’s an absurd practice, 2) I work with the public day in and day out and the very worst times of year to deal with people are school vacation weeks, and 3) Climate Change.
If I lost you on that last one, let me go into a little more detail.
Continue reading “It’s time to end February School Vacation week, for good”
The Books are Taking Over... 