Perseus the Hero

Oh, our beloved Perseid meteor shower is almost here. And this year there's no moon to contend with, which is an excellent situation. So get outside and watch this thing!


Best time to watch: 
August 12-13, 2015 before dawn (not the night of the 13th, but the night of the 12th to the morning of the 13th) It's better after midnight and best from 2 - 3 a.m., but you can still see some meteors earlier if you are a sleepyhead or a gremlin and can't stay up that late. But don't be a baby, it's worth losing one night's sleep for!


Moon status: 
The waning crescent will rise right before dawn so no moonlight will be interrupting our chance to see the dimmer meteors.


What to expect: 
50-100 meteors per hour, depending on how dark the skies where you are are. (double word points) The meteors from the Perseids show are usually fast and bright so they're really fun to watch.


Can I see a Fireball?
Yes! And few things are quite as cool. This video from 2013 explains why you're more likely to see incredible fireballs during the Perseids than other meteor showers.



Why is it called the Perseid Shower?
During meteor showers, it often looks like many of the meteors are coming from the same general part of the sky, in this case the constellation Perseus.

Perseus defeated Medusa, used her severed head to kill all his enemies, saved Andromeda from Cetus the monster and was the ultimate Greek hero.


How to watch:
Get yourself a blanket or reclining lawn chair. I will be using my REI comfort cot, which I am obsessed with:

Doesn't that just look so comfortable? It is.
Even though it's August, you might want a sleeping bag or blanket or something depending on where you are on Planet Earth.


Watch this video for more help on how to be an expert meteor shower watcher:
(Watch it even if you don't want help, it's a cool video.)




Bonus Feature:
Meteors and Greek heroes aren't the only amazing things coming from the constellation Perseus. Check out this amazing discovery:

DARK MATTER!!!!!


Happy Perseids!

International Space Station Alert

Earlier tonight I was working in my classroom and had so much to do that I was beginning to feel convinced that I should just spend the night there; crawl right under my desk with my rolled up lab coat as a pillow when I couldn't stand to grade another Science journal. In this defeated moment a chirp from an app on my phone alerted me that in just a few minutes the ISS would be passing directly over head at my exact planetary location.

Five minutes later, science journals abandoned, with my coat, my keys, and my dreams held tightly in my hand, I stood in the middle of the dark and abandoned parking lot staring up at the twilight sky. I watched as the Space Station cruised by and then slowly dimmed and went dark as it floated into Earth's shadow.

As I walked on to my car, glad that Science had saved me from a grading all-nighter, I could only hope that one day I would be up there looking down. Until then, this:

This is Our Planet from Tomislav Safundžić on Vimeo.

Where Are All the Notes?

Dear loyal blog reader,

Have you wondered what ever happened to me posting confiscated student notes? Don't worry, I'm pretty sure I'll be able to start posting more soon. Last year I was teaching honors classes and the thing about honors students is they are smart (translate to sneaky). Either that or they aren't very interested in advancing their social agenda. Either way, I didn't find any discarded notes lying about and I rarely saw a kiddo writing a note. I usually at least warn them before taking their notes, a practice for which I apologize to you, dear blog reader. This school year, which starts in just a week (!), promises to be a better haul. I am only teaching 2 honors classes, the other three are just regular 8th grade science classes. Eighth grader's notes are usually better anyway, let's be honest. More drama and angst.

I will try to show at least one super boring science video during September and lurk in the back waiting for some good stuff to come rolling in. Videos are great for note collecting because the kids try to counter extreme disinterest with socializing.

Until then, consider rereading some of your favorites from the past.

Confiscated Notes

Dating and Fashion Advice

do u want 2 d8 me?

Love Is the Coal That Makes This Train Roll

Last summer I took as many of my nieces as my car had seat belts for to the donut store for a field trip. Of course the Black Keys were playing on my car's woefully inadequate sound system.

My niece Callie was especially enamoured with the song Howling for You. If you're my niece, seriously, I'm gonna love you no matter what, but love was streaming right out of my heart as she was singing da da da da da, da da da da da . . .
So last night I was thinking "I wish Callie was here, she would love this!" while I was enjoying the magical moment of the boys singing it live.

Then I thought what kind of grown-up would bring a child to a rock concert?! There's a dude smoking pot (a couple of dudes) and the music is so loud that my pants are actually moving from the sound waves. Nevertheless what might not constitute a healthy environment for a kid at 10 o'clock on a school night was a pretty awesome time for the rest of us.


I can't express to you the coolness of this giant mirror ball. Last time I saw them it came out of a giant box, so when I didn't see the box I felt, I'm not gonna lie, a little disappointed. But the rest of the show was so great that I was willing to forgive and forget. But no, forgiveness was not required, the magical mirror ball of your dreams was lowered down from the ceiling and none of my hopes were dashed.

None.

All the hopes were realized.

Spring Break

I have very little motivation to get my chores done today. I have an entire list of things that I've been putting off until spring break, but now it's Friday and I still haven't done any of them. The dilemma before me now is should I get started on the chores or bum around all day? Both activities have a certain appeal. The default is to do nothing; such an attractive plan. But then I wonder when am I going to do laundry, get my oil changed, grade science fair projects, get a new cell phone, clean out the fridge . . . ? Maybe spring break 2013?

But it's Friday so it's time for the next segment of the ever popular Low Calorie Friday Treat.

Swing of Change from Swing of Change on Vimeo.

Happy Friday!

* * * update * * *

Accomplishments so far:

Changed out of my pajama bottoms.

Got a new cell phone.

Experimented with a new recipe for whole wheat waffles. Had to peel it out of the waffle maker but the taste was phenomenal.

Thought about doing a little laundry.

Yay me!

Breaking Up

Oh winter. I'm not going to lie, I loved those snow days off from school, but it's over between us. It's not you it's me. I'm sure somewhere in the southern hemisphere someone is excitedly unpacking their sweaters and knitted caps but I love the sun and you are coming between us. I'm sorry it had to end like this.

Where are the Donuts?

Yesterday morning I left Seattle with the commuters, but not to go to work (yippee!). I came to visit my sisters and their 9 (almost 10) kids. I showed up and was greeted with enthusiasm.

"Aunt Karen's here!"

"She is?!"

"Yay!"

"Where are the donuts?"

Uh?

So I looked into their shining expectant faces and said, "Oh, I stopped here first so I could find out which ones you wanted".

Correct answer.

"YAAAAAYYY!"

Escalator Escapade

I went to Target last night to get some pens so I could grade Algebra tests. Which are, by the way, sitting here next to me still not graded. First I checked out the chocolate and cold cereal isles. And let me assure you that if health and good nutrition could be maintained consisting on a diet solely of these two favorite food groups I would never eat another piece of lettuce in my life.

Eventually I realized that I needed to get down to business and find some pens so I hopped on the escalator heading downstairs. As I'm riding it down I see the pen isle above me on the floor I was just on so I turn around and try to run back up the escalator. And, wow, that was hard. This escalator was moving like it meant business and I was sprinting in place. At some point it occurred to me that if I didn't make it to the top I was going to look foolish (more than I already did) so I gave it everything I had and overcame that speedy staircase of DOOM.

There's this weird sensation that happens to your legs when you're running backwards up an escalator and you finally get to the top that manifests itself as a very pronounced stumble.

I caught myself, balanced my traitorous legs, turned to the watching couple and declared victory. They politely acknowledged the crazy person that was clogging the escalator and I bought some pens.

Algebra Angst

Please understand that I have been known to misuse superlatives, so some of you are going to roll your eyes when I say this, but here's the truth. Math is my favorite.

I am not even kidding you.

Four of the six classes I'm teaching this year are 8th grade Algebra and they're all freaking out about it. But here's the thing kids, freaking out doesn't help. What we all need a little more of is geeking out. If everyone would just do a bit more of that, we could survive.

Ahhhhhhhhhh, GEEK OUT!

(You really have to sing this ala "Le Freak" to feel the correct intensity of that statement.)

But why is Math my favorite you ask? Besides the obvious answer of it's awesome?! Here's why: Math is like a little puzzle. And let me put in a little disclaimer: I have a degree in Geology and not Astronomy because I didn't want to take so much math . . . *sigh* we all make mistakes in college. But just because I once ran from the fight does not mean I'll let you. So buckle down, here we go:

Suppose you're sitting in class and your teacher says you can use Algebra in real life and you think to yourself: "ummm . . . my teacher is crazy". Well?

And then she throws this at you:

Maggie’s brother is three years younger than twice her age. The sum of their ages is 24. Write and solve an equation to find out how old Maggie is?

And then you think: Holy Smokes! Why does she have to make everything so complicated? Just look at Maggie's birth certificate!

Yeah, if you indentify with the above story, you might be suffering from Algebra Angst.

If you saw the above problem and thought: "Finally! My math teacher promised this would happen someday. I was just blog stalking and now, what a treat, some math I can really sink my teeth into! I've been ready for this moment--let me at it!" Then you might be crazy.

Welcome to your dream world crazies.

Black Keys, Black Eye

Dude. I totally ran smack into a door while getting ready for a concert on Saturday night. Ouch.

The concert was incredible which made the throbbing pain in my face bearable.

I iced my eyebrow with a pint of ice cream, which just made me want to eat ice cream. Eating ice cream, unfortunately, doesn't help with the swelling so by the end of the night I had a pretty little goose egg right above my left eye. Which I found kind of fascinating and kept touching.

Also I cut my hair. It's short and kind of adorable.

All in all, an eventful weekend.

Rogue Babies

The floor of the chapel was crawling with babies during church today. They're like wind up toys going every which way and direction.

You see these kids squirming in their parents arms to get free. You know it's because they feel the need for speed and the cheerios and fishy snacks, which will pacify them for a time, will never fill the void.

Eventually sweet freedom is gathered in. Their knees hit the carpet with squeals of delight and if their old man can't catch them, they're off like a shot.

Each of them however, has one destination: the steps at the front. They crawl there as fast as they can, or run if they've mastered the art of bipedal mobility. Only to reach the steps and turn around to glowingly taunt both their parents and every restrained baby in the room.

Soon a shamefaced, sleep deprived adult comes shuffling down the aisle to collect their genetic offspring who looks on the congregation with triumph in their eyes, fists in the air and a cry of "I shall return," upon their lips.

Elastic Potential Energy

Fact: I really love summer vacation. I panic when I see leaves falling, my heart rate elevates exponentially while walking through stores with school supplies on sale and don't even talk to me about the sun setting earlier--I might cry a little. Did I mention that I love summer... Why I don't I marry it?, you ask. You better believe me, I would if I could. Absolutely.

Don't get me wrong, teaching's seriously the best gig and I'm looking forward to this year's encore performance. Much of this week has been devoted to pouring over my classroom textbooks, planning labs and aligning with state standards--so if you're one of my students' parents don't panic too much; I promise to show up on the first day. I promise to be professional and not take it out on the children that all my hopes and dreams of freedom have been crushed and dashed. There may be some teeth gnashing and tantrum throwing when my alarm goes off however.

Let's do some science. If I had to use scientific vocabulary to describe how I feel in August, I would select:

Potential Energy

PE refers, basically, to the ability to do work without actually doing work. A rock at the edge of a cliff above you isn't actually falling on your head, but you'd be kind of foolish to stand there because it has the potential to give you a very nasty headache. Get it?
Several varieties of potential energy exist to describe a myriad of situations.

potential kinetic energy

potential electric energy

gravitational potential energy

August, I think, is best described as elastic potential energy though. Let's refer to figure 1.1

Yes, I feel a little squished.

What's so great about summer you wonder? ARE YOU CRAZY!

A day in the life of a vacationing teacher:

6:00 ~ alarm goes off (just kidding, who needs an alarm?)
8:00 ~ wake up when I hear my roommate leaving for work (sucker)
9:00 ~ think about waking up, but remember that I stayed awake until 2 am reading, so sleep a little longer
10:15 ~ back is starting to ache from being in bed so long
10:20 ~ check facebook to see what happened to my peeps overnight
1:00 ~ eat
2:00 ~ whatever I want
3:00 ~ play tetris
4:00 ~ naptime
5:00 ~ roommate comes home, we talk [mostly about guys]
7:00 ~ adventures
11:00 ~ roommate calls it a night
12:00 ~ check facebook again

It's a pretty sweet schedule. But some days I actually leave the house. Refer to figures 1.2 - 1.9


fig. 1.2 Mt. St. Helens


fig. 1.3 Ape Caves


fig. 1.4 San Jauns Island ferry


fig 1.5 Oregon Coast


fig 1.6 Family reunion


fig 1.7 Camping


fig 1.8 Puget Sound sunset


fig 1.9 Kayaking


My 16 year-old nephew, who I texted yesterday with my reservations about the impending school year, replied affirmatively to my suggestion that panicking was the appropriate response. So if the teachers and the students don't want to go--why do we do it? Let's call the whole thing off, eh? (Except I'd like an arrangement where I still get paid.)

Pumpkin and Pecan

I know TV is TV and real life is...well, real. But watching the West Wing makes me feel smart. When I used to watch the West Wing I always felt like I was up on current events. I know. No need to remind me, it's not real, just TV. But...still.
I started wondering what was going on in my actual country with my actual President. I strted watching C-SPAN which in turn got me in a lot of trouble with my roommate at the time who thought I watched C-SPAN just to annoy her. I promise I didn't; I just found it really intriguing. I especially loved to watch the British coverage--those guys really get animated. Another favorite treat was watching Ari Fleischer do The White House press briefings. Maybe because I love Allison Janney/C.J. Cregg so much.

Real Press Secretary:

Ari Fleischer, Press Secretary for the Bush Administration until he resigned in 2003. Dana Perino is the current Press Secretary.

Pretend Press Secretary:

Allison Janney as C.J. Cregg, pretend Press Secretary in the fictional West Wing universe.

One of my favorite West Wing Episodes is a Thanksgiving episode which a little bit of internet digging revealed is titled "Shibboleth". Wherein the fictional President of the United States pardons a turkey. The annual Pardoning of the turkey is just one more thing I can add to my list of:


Things I Learned From Watching the West Wing:

• Andrew Jackson, in the main foyer of the White House, had a two-ton block of cheese.
• You can cook stuffing inside the turkey, as long as the temperature of the stuffing reaches 130°.
• There are 3 words that start with “dw” in the English Language and 14 punctuation marks.
• Nothing on the map is where you think.
• There is a contingency plan to invade Canada.
• Islamic extremist is to Islam as KKK is to Christianity.
• Goldfish are animals, but they are also crackers.

Real President pardoning a turkey:

Pretend President pardoning a turkey:

In real life, President Bush pardoned 2 turkeys up front so it's unlikely that this little scene played out in the actual White House.

Humorously, the pardoned turkeys are named each year by the democratic process. About a week ago I went to this site to pick my choice. I carefully looked at each of the candidates and weighed the pros and cons of each pair of names. Obviously my love of pie forced me to choose Pumpkin and Peacn, although Dawn and Early Light were a close second until I remembered that I love my sister Emily (sorry, it's an inside joke).
The American people agreed with me I guess, or I'm the only one who voted. Therefore the lucky pardoned turkeys will henceforth be known as Pumpkin and Pecan.

Yum, I love pie.

Thanksgiving 2008 celebrated at the real White House: