daily timewaster

Sunday, November 2, 2014

The Hawaiian lava flow is getting closer to the town of Pahoa

Moving at 5 to 10 yards per hour, with the advance rate varying because of changes in the slope of the land, the lava flow reached a fence line marking private property on Tuesday morning. As it moved through private land, the lava engulfed everything in its path, including a utility shed, trees in a small macadamia nut orchard and a pile of tires. The burning tires produced a thick plume of black smoke that was visible for miles, causing both interest and concern among Pahoa and nearby residents.

Over the subsequent days, the lava flow continued to advance through private property toward Pahoa Village Road, although the advance rate of the flow front slowed to only a few yards per hour, and eventually stalled Thursday. Such slowdowns are common in pahoehoe flows. Breakouts upslope of the flow front can divert supply away from the leading edge and flow inflation can cause the flow to thicken instead of pushing forward.

Nevertheless, it is important to remain vigilant. Inflated flows can suddenly burst forth, releasing streams of lava that can move rapidly over small distances — behavior that was common in the days prior to the slowdown on Thursday. In addition, we expect the flow to continue to widen as breakouts upslope fill in places that were initially bypassed by the leading edge. The process of inflating, surging and widening is the pattern by which pahoehoe lava flows grow.

Lots of heat not far below.

Just a little cow poke, but getting the job done nevertheless.

Knife porn

I've spent my "coffee time" this morning perusing a fascinating thread over at Blade Forums on old knives.

Time well spent.

Below, a collection of pocketknives adorned with what they call "butter and molasses" scales.

This old muskrat is just about used up.

Looks like prison bars.

Great old bone

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Peshmerga

A unique perspective

When orbiting Saturn, be sure to watch for breathtaking superpositions of moons and rings. One such picturesque vista was visible recently to the robot Cassini spacecraft now orbiting Saturn. In 2006 April, Cassini captured Saturn's A and F rings stretching in front of cloud-shrouded Titan. Near the rings and appearing just above Titan was Epimetheus, a moon which orbits just outside the F ring. The dark space in the A ring is called the Encke Gap, although several thin knotted ringlets and even the small moon Pan orbit there.

Via APOD

It's winter in the high mountains

That's El Capitan in the foreground, and the face of Half Dome, Yosemite, peeking through the clouds.

A good start to the winter.

And they vote!

Look, I'm sure the folk that made this video edited out the kids that knew the answers, but still, those questions were basic. Very basic. Every single college kid - in fact, every kid in America - should have the answers at the tip of their tongue.

A pathetic performance, and every one of those truly uneducated children should be ashamed.

Went on a walk

In the yard, and saw a couple interesting things.

First, the pomegranates are ripe and ready. There was a light crop last year, so this year, having rested, the tree is putting out a lot of fruit.

And best of all, the banana tree is putting out a new leaf! Now, if I can just get it to survive the winter. My BIL, who gave it to me, says not to sweat it, but I'm sweating it. Don't worry, little banana buddy, I'll be out there on freezing nights with a sheet to keep the frost off, and maybe a string of spare Christmas lights to add some warmth. I got your back.

Just got my fifth call this morning from the Democrat Party.

They want to make sure I'm going to vote for this guy, who is currently our local dem representative.

I haven't voted for a Democrat since I wasted my vote on Carter, so many years ago. I learned my lesson.

I'm surprised they are so nervous, given how blue California is, but I suppose their internal polling is telling them the race is close. We will see how things go next Tuesday, but if the Dems are having trouble re electing an incumbent in deep blue California, well, they are in trouble indeed.