Glass Water Bottle

After all of the recent hoo-ha about water bottles made out of plastic with BPA in it, I started searching around for a new container for water. I'm not going camping anytime soon, so I don't need an indestructible water container. I just wanted something I could put in a refrigerator, so the water would get cold. Anyway, after researching stainless-steel water bottles -- which sound very cool -- I decided to use a glass Snapple bottle. So far, this plan has worked out well. The water tastes better, and I think the glass cools faster than plastic does.

Peanut Butter Knife

I recently bought a wide, spreader knife for my peanut butter, which I keep on my desk at the Exploratorium for an extra kick of protein now and again. The knife works well; I no longer yearn to test the peanut-butter stirrer, built into a jar cap, that I saw in a catalog. So, if anyone out there is debating whether they should get a wide spreader knife, I say, go for it! It is the king of peanut butter knives.

My Lunch Today

Today, I am going to eat a spinach salad with cranberries on top. It's been too long.... I also have some chocolate-brownie macaroons. Ba-dao!

The Hipster PDA

This is absolute genius, and one of the funniest articles I have ever read:

Hipster PDA

Louis Brandeis

And now, here are some quotes from former Supreme Court justice Louis Brandeis:

"Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the Government's purposes are beneficent. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers. The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding."

"At the foundation of our civil liberties lies the principle that denies to government officials an exceptional position before the law and which subjects them to the same rules of conduct that are commands to the citizen."

"I abhor averages. I like the individual case. A man may have six meals one day and none the next, making an average of three meals per day, but that is not a good way to live."

Night Sky Over Flagstaff, Arizona

Has anyone seen this photograph of the night sky over Flagstaff? I would love to see a sky like that.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080416.html

My Lunch Today

Today, I am eating peanut butter, prunes, and pea soup. Top that!

Mangroves in Eritrea

I just read a story about how Eritreans are now planting mangrove trees on their coast. By doing so, they create a food source for themselves (the mangroves roots shelter small fish and shrimp, which are then eaten by larger fish, which the Eritreans then catch and eat), and for their goats (which eat the mangrove leaves). The Eritreans also use mangrove wood for firewood. I really love stories like these, in which many problems -- lack of food, deforestation -- can be solved by a simple procedure.

Music Graphs

I love these!

http://scienceblogs.com/twominds/2008/04/hilarious_music_graphs.php

Peanut Butter!

I really want to try this device, but I'm not sure it would work better than just using a knife or a spoon:

http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=5912&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=5912

Difference Engine

A model of Charles Babbage's difference engine has now arrived in Silicon Valley. I think I want one of these in my room.

http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/multimedia/2008/04/gallery_babbage

Cool Science Toy!

Neat-o.

http://www.badscience.net/?p=622

My Lunch Today

Today, I went to the Exploratorium's cafeteria, and had mashed potatoes, turkey meat loaf, and some salad. Ta-da!

Fantastic Pen Spinning

Wow.

http://ptj2008.pen-spinning.org/contents/8vUPv-232m-e5HCq-2P0/

The Bianchi Milano

Good grief: I can't stop looking at this bike:

http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_milano.html

It's gorgeous. I can't stand it. If anyone out there wants to buy me a big present, this is my first choice.