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Just wanted to say how sorry I am that our group seems to be no longer active. It's the new format I suspect. So I wanted to let folks know that myself, and a few of the other members from the group are over at PrettyThinAgain these days. It's a good group of folks over there, and the site format is really simple, so I...
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"Usually what people call tough love is just being an asshole and saying it's because you care."

lone_ranger:
banned
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There's a thread in the "All about SG" group asking if people spend more or less time on SG since the change.

One guy answered "More, because it takes twice as much time to find anything."

If it's still there to be found, that is. I'm beginning to *really* resent the time I spend looking for stuff that's simply not here anymore.

Then the staff...
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andthen:
 I just got another notice from a science magazine that I subscribe to, notifying me of the "exciting new look" that I'd soon be seeing on not only their website, but their *print magazine* as well, as they "integrate their content" so it will look good on phones and tablets.   My suspicion is that it as well will be some version of  "the new SG look".   Will all websites get this treatment sooner or later ?   Oh the curse of that tiny screen : Who would have thought it would result in everything getting stupider.
lone_ranger:
ergonomics man, ergonomics....
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Damn, it seems that my blog posts are just scattered here and there all over the page, rather than coming up in a reasonable order as they did in the past. Maybe we're all supposed to be getting used to the idea that the modern world is simply a matter of vaguely-organized chaos anymore, but I don't see why SG feels the need to add...
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skinnymf:
Where is the blogs tab? I saw it yesterday but can't find it today.
andthen:
Why the fuck do I need two separate blog pages then ?    On my homepage, there they are, looking like someone took a random handful of them and simply threw them at the page......but then I have this one where they seem to be in order ?   
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I sure hope this remake works out. I'm still having a heck of a time finding content.

skinnymf:
I'm not sure how I stumbled upon this... I can't find anything with this new layout.
andthen:
Yeah, it's been the same for me.   I find myself somewhere, and then for the life of me I can't find my way back there again.
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I've started scraping paint on my garage. This will be a long project.

I also believe I'm solidly in the running for the dullest blog post you've seen this week.
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tosslink:
So, Dude, what is the BPD group's consensus regarding the possible war with Syria? Lacking a consensus, how do YOU feel about it on a personal level?
tosslink:
Um.. thought about it and i hereby rescind asking what the bpd group thinks, I WOULD like to hear what you think tho! If it makes you more comfortable, please feel free to answer by dm.
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Remember those two little Rovers they sent to Mars ? The ones that landed like bouncing beach balls and were supposed to last for 90 days ?

Today marks the 10 year anniversary of their launch, and one of them ( Opportunity) is still chugging along, moving across the landscape and doing science, just like when it first got there.

Pretty darned amazing.
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andthen:
Gosh, I just saw that documentary too !

They had it at the library, and it was released right around when they had been up there for 5 years. It's a totally super show, with the ever-funky Steve Squires giving the real lowdown on things.

Spirit was the one that had problems. It got stuck in the sand, and thus could not get to a parking place for the winter where it's solar cells were tilted sufficiently towards the sun to keep it's heaters going.

After 4 1/2 years, it froze to death.

What got to me was the loooong drives they would have to do, out across otherwise uninteresting terrain, in order to get to the next crater of interest.

I think they did one drive that took 2 years.
samling:
thank you for your words. you and i think terribly alike! i, at one time, would have launched off at these people and made them have a reason not to like me. or worse, i'd bend over backwards being extra nice so they'd like me. now i let it hurt, but then i move on. i can't change other people's minds. i can only live my life in the best way i know how.
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Back in town after a week at the lake, and then another week hosting visitors from overseas. Trying to get back in the swing of things (it's great to have time with my cat miao!! ) but more visitors on the way.

While I love time seeing my friends, one learns to appreciate quiet time too.

And Oh Jesus : The mob of tourists that were...
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Swift counting time at the chimney in the evenings, and peony hybridizing season going now during the day.

It's that time of year to get hooked back up with nature and the long term garden projects.

We don't get big numbers of swifts like these on our side of the mountains, but this short video should give you an idea of how they can be...
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laria:
Thanks smile
lone_ranger:
Staling Flocking

years ago, I was ambitious enough to imagine working on collective robotics that could mimic this. Biomimetics. Beautiful and ethereal, and currently ineffible.

I had gold-finches (I think that's what they were) swooping in and out of my workshop today. Juncos last winter? I put out a lot of feed for them and they loved it. Stellar's Bluejays were active here this spring. The neighboring property was logged, so I don't know if the owls will return.

I wish I could have seen flocking like this when I was in Eugene.
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Cat hair shedding time. miao!!

Time to hide all of one's black clothing !
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andthen:
If you guys have not gotten one yet, those gloves with the nubby rubber things on the palms are totally the thing for grooming cats.

Finding one that fits your hand is the trick though, so it's worth shopping around, but they really are easy to use, and really effective for getting shedding hair before it ends up all over everything.
archaepelago:
My first thought after reading that article: "I beat the English majors....heck I BEAT FINE ART!" Haha.

The article is true regarding employment (or lack thereof). It is really tough right now. My coworker just graduated with her Masters in archaeology, and none of her class (there are almost 20 of them) have jobs.
It's crazy. While we don't go in it for the money (I was in aerospace engineering), we do hope for jobs...but those are so hard to come by right now!