Reflection on Organic Chemistry

Aromaticity stinks.

And once again...

Life imitates art.

"There's no reason to become alarmed, and we hope you'll enjoy the rest of your flight. By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?"

Ready...aim...fire!

I vote for officially canonizing Darwin as Patron Saint of Stupidity. No real reason, but he seems to be well on the way there already.

I have decided.

Wyoming weather is not only sentient, but actively malicious. And really enjoys April Fools' Day.

This morning, it was somewhat cool, but not too bad. By noon, it was actually a pretty nice day - sunny and warm enough to go without a coat.

An hour later, it was snowing. A blizzard of huge flakes.

Wonderful Wyoming...

UPDATE: Now it's bright and sunny again.

UPDATE: Now it's snowing and sunny. This is capricious, even for Wyo.

Rain check, please!

It is nearly April, it's supposed to be spring! What is with all this snow?

They say Wyoming has four seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and construction. Still, I'm getting tired of getting a cold snowy blast to the face every time I step outside.

Once again...

Simultaneously proving that 1) life imitates art, and b) utility does not rank high among the Patent Office's criteria. Or alternately, people are stupid.

I suppose there are theoretical situations in which it might possibly be useful. It still sounds silly.

For those of you

...who have yet to fill your Weird Music Quota for the day:

The Hallelujah Chorus...kind of.

Attention, geeks...

How long ago should I have posted "Happy Pi Day"?

R. I. P.

50 years ago today...

A long, long time ago,
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance,
That I could make those people dance,
And maybe they'd be happy for a while.
But February made me shiver,
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step.
I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride,
But something touched me deep inside,
The day the music died.

---Don McLean, "American Pie"

Holiday of the Week

Happy National Kazoo Day!

That's a Kitty!

When a paw hits your eye and you see stars go by,
That's a kitty.
When you feel claws dig in and you see feline grin,
That's a kitty.
Cat will purr at discomfiture 'til you grab her fur
And fling her through the ceiling.
Cat will play, always in the way, scorning your dismay,
And your days slyly stealing.

When you wake up in fear with a yowl in your ear,
That's a kitty.
When you dance down the hall trying hard not to fall,
That's a cat.
When you feel trembling but there's no earthquake
shaking the city
Just a cat in your lap, purring in her cat-nap...
That's a kitty!

What to do...

When you have too much time on your hands:


You're never too old to play with your food, kids!

I may be a lousy artist...

But at least I'm a lousy artist who can now do GIFs!



(Made with GIMP)

This is not the date you're looking for...

Merry Christmas!

Or Boxing Day, at least...

Speaking of art...

There are simply no words to describe this.

Scholarly artisans

The variety and creativity of work to be observed around campus is quite astonishing. From bathroom stalls to old wooden desks, students have chosen to share their artwork and witticisms with the world. From one small section of one classroom:

- "So there I was, elbow deep in this dude..." (which I elect, for the sake of my peace of mind, to believe is describing a surgeon.)
- A detailed depiction of a cannabis leaf
- "This graffiti is fleeting human contact..."

Along with the usual assortment of insults and crudities, of course.

Political Update

Who's the leader of the land,
Hailed in the USA?
B-A-R-A-C-K O-B-A-M-A!

He's the one we've chosen,
He will lead us day by day -
B-A-R-A-C-K O-B-A-M-A!

Obama! (John McCain!) Obama! (John McCain!)
Forever let us wave our ballots high! (high! high! high!)

Come along and join the throng,
Hear what he has to say,
B-A-R-A-C-K O-B-A-M-A!

See Obama!
See Obama!
We'll have fun, we'll hear his speeches,
He's not one of those lying leeches!
All around the land we're watching

Obama!
Obama!
Obama is here!
Yeah!

Arrrr, me hearties!

Avast and belay! I'll keelhaul ev'ry man jack of ye who be not knowing it be Talk Like a Pirate Day!

So shiver me timbers, plunder a pot o' grog, and hoist the black flag this day with a hearty YARRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Useful Site of the Day

For all your Supercollider needs.

9/11

In remembrance of those who died, and those who gave their lives for others.

It is rare to experience an event so dramatic that it binds an entire nation together, for a moment they will never forget. Across the country, people gave whatever they could, wishing only that they could do more to support those who lost friends and family. Even now, people can still tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news.

It was unforgettable. And we will not forget. We will not mourn them forever, but we will remember. In books, movies, stories, we will remember the men, women, and children who lost their lives that day, victims of a blind hatred vented on all Americans, guilty or not.

"We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain..."