Events

Finally. But the benefit of having a really strict instructor is that my landings are now better than two years ago when I flew more often. And, of course, a Google Earth file is available.

Living in a temperate climate means everything changes constantly. But there are rhythms. Things change fastest in late August and early March, for example: the sun set after 8pm from early May until just three weeks ago, but last night, the sun set at 7:30; in two and a half weeks it sets at 7; three weeks after that, at 6:30. So what prompted this nearly-inane observation? The insects. It's late evening and my windows are all open, so I can hear thousands of cicadas, grasshoppers, crickets—yes, even...

My cousin and I went to Wrigley Field last night, and as expected, we had seats like you can only get at that park: That was the only bad part of the evening, though, because thanks to Aramis Ramirez, the Cubs came back from a 4-2 deficit against the Phillies to win 6-4. This put the Cubs fully 6½ games ahead of the Brewers. It's beginning to look a little like October... There is one sad bit of news to report. The Mariners (50-83, almost the exact inverse of the Cubs' 84-50) yesterday became the first...

Excellent speech by former nominee John Kerry tonight. (Where was this guy in 2004?)

I'm overwhelmed, even though everyone knew it was coming, even though it's "just politics:" tonight, for the first time ever, the United States has a nominee for President who is not a white man. I have a degree in U.S. history, so I know full well that many of the most important events in our past passed right by the people living through them. This one, though, this one happened on international TV, in real time, and everyone watching knew it was important. The best part? That he's black doesn't...