I have to say that I’m really enjoying the Children of Time series. I devoured the first book and thought I’d take a break before starting the second, but I thought, I’ll just read a few pages and see. Well, I’m not stopping now.
I was really unsure when I got to the spiders part, thinking, “ya, I don’t think spiders will work for me” but, you know, it works for the most part.
Check it out if you need a new Science Fiction read.
If you’re in the Phoenix Valley, ASU has a dedicated page on Dust Storms with a rating scale, photos, videos, and other information.
Rubin Observatory - The largest survey of the sky ever undertaken has now begun. A 3.2 billion pixels camera that takes an image every 40 seconds. You can download high-resolution images that are 56,428 x 29,949 pixels. That’s 1.7 billion pixels. It’s a 9.4-gigabyte file. You can download the first image here.
Out and about today, I parked next to this and had to take a quick photo 😂
All I got to say is:
I’m no advertising expert, but I’m not sure I would have approved this layout.
or,
The phrase “gently cooked” is doing a lot of unfortunate work here.
or,
Somewhere, a graphic designer is quietly updating their resume.
Help me out here, add yours below.
Book Deals
- Early Bird Books - I’ve been getting their emails for a while now and have found some really good deals. You can sign up for their email list here. There is also a dedicated Canadian deal page, and a U.K. deals page.
I’ll have more in June’s The Good Stuff
I just found B&H Photo’s used gear. Looking at their used film cameras, it’s interesting to see:
- How much Leica film cameras sell for, $9000+
- Rollei made a 35mm AF camera.
- I’ve never heard of 35mm half-frame cameras like the Holga 135HC.
Some good used photo gear sites:
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/…
Ebay, of course, just gotta use great caution.
I don’t have the time or money to get into Large Format Photography, but I’d still like to take this course just to learn more about it.
Daily Meditation:
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” ~ Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
More stickers today, FTW! 🙌
Also, my Kaweco Brass Sport is excellent to write with. It’s pleasantly heavy, as you’d expect from brass, but not too heavy. This is the heaviest pen I’ve used, and it gives the tip an extra weight on the paper that I’m starting to like.
(you know, I’m supposed to be studying…)
Sitting outside, studying for work, and thought I’d take a break and show you my stickers.
Fun with Stats! I have a little stat box on the top of my homepage, but @amit’s new and improved stat page brings much more data.
A huge thank you to @amit for the wonderful update.
Why it takes years of training to make this $1200 Montblanc pen
Gift Article: www.wsj.com/business/…
“Unraveling the Dream,” a new film presented by the Waking Up meditation app, explores whether the new science of psychedelics might shed fresh light on Huxley’s vision. Featuring original interviews with Anil Seth, Robin Carhart-Harris, and Shamil Chandaria, the film takes viewers on a sweeping journey to the frontiers of neuroscience and through the rich, turbulent history of psychedelics.
Lots of writing today. Some blog cleanup, but mostly just writing, and I so appreciate having the uninterrupted time to do such things. I’m making a new monthly blog post called Stray Thoughts to go along with the monthly The Good Stuff posts.
I’m lousy at keeping my Now Page current, and I think a monthly Stray Thoughts post will take its place. I have my Stray Pixels section on my 365Pixels photo blog, and thought I’d carry the name over. First edition out at the end of April.
If You Love ‘The Pitt,’ You’ll Love These Books Memoirs from the front lines capture the high-octane pace, roller coaster stakes, and unforgettable personalities of emergency medicine.
Gift Article: www.nytimes.com/2026/04/0…
#books
“For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with the extension of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings, they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time.”
~ Henry Beston from his book The Outermost House
A very nice Artemis II tracker:
“Let’s all go for a Beaver Tail” 😂 🇨🇦