I came across this beautiful time lapse series from our earth.  We live in such an amazing place! túrána hott kurdís by hasta la otra méxico! from Till Credner on Vimeo.

A few hundred people in the edmonton, canada area witnessed a beautiful fireball/meteor crash through the atmosphere.  Luckily, a canadian policeman had his dashboard camera pointed in the right direction.  Here it is: The meteor is thought to have weighed about 1-7 tons before entering the atmosphere. On entry, it was roughly 5 times the brightness of the full moon. It likely landed near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. Edmonton Journal

Two interesting things.  I put together a pdf of the newspapers I typically read: The Day After Someone with  more time did this one: Headlines And here is a great article in Time magazine that captures the worlds reactions: TIME And a great worldwide slideshow: Huffington Post Now when we travel, we don’t have to act like we’re Canadian!

What an amazing thing to be able to vote.  Even with all the economic problems we are having, we have such a wonderful country.  Earlier this week I came across a couple of powerful pictures of the drama in congo: Congo I wish there was more we could do for Africa. I’m grateful that we as a country have to make a decision between this guy: Obama and this one: McCain and not: Omar or: Mugabe I’ll be following the election tonight here: google_election Let’s hope the best one wins!

A lot of people have asked me to put up a video from our wedding. Micah Brown made a gorgeous video for us, better than we could have ever expected. And lucky for you guys, it’s only about 3 minutes long.

This is probably the best video I could find of the launch. From our view, it was AWESOME in person, but probably wouldn’t be more than a speck on the camera. Here’s my summary of the launch. There were a ton of people on the beach, which created a really great atmosphere. Most people were in their 20’s-50’s. There were a lot of families, and a lot of guys who had always dreamed of seeing a launch (like me). There were some absolutely incredible binoculars, and camera’s with super zooms. So we were only out there for ~ 2 hours. They went through a bunch of checks, and then we didn’t hear anything for about an hour. And then, all of a sudden, they started the countdown. 10, 9, 8…… Smoke was pouring out of the rocket…..7,6,5…..you could barely see the shuttle, there was so much smoke….4,3,2,1,Lift off! And up comes the rocket! It quickly accelerates, and gets higher and higher every second. Everything has been silent up to this point, but you start to hear the rumble of the rockets. The sound grows louder and louder each second. Then we saw the shuttle roll, and begin to shrink in size. Through binoculars, I watched the solid state booster rockets separate and return to earth (they reuse them). Then the shuttle became a beautiful star, visible in daylight. It was simply incredible. Within minutes, they were in space!

I just received this email from a friend today:

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act has been gaining momentum and working its way through Congress. The strong bipartisan legislation (S. 625/HR 1108) grants the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) effective authority to regulate tobacco products, protect children and promote public health. This vital public health legislation has the support of 57 Senators and 223 Representatives and is ready to be considered for full vote. Please show your support for this important legislation by signing our petition today. It asks that Congress move quickly and schedule time for the full U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to debate and vote on the FDA tobacco bills (S. 625/HR 1108). Each day the Congress doesn’t act, more than 1,100 kids will become regular, daily smokers. One-third of them will die from a tobacco-related disease. Unless Congress acts to protect our kids, Big Tobacco will continue to target and entice them with products like candy-flavored cigarettes

I really enjoyed this article about Francis Collins.  I was impressed once again by the beautiful creations of God, and how scientific discovery can help build, rather than hinder, our faith in Him.  I really enjoyed Brother Johnson’s talk in General Conference, in which he spoke about science.  He said that scientist do not create the laws they observe, they only discover them.  Science helps us reach a new level of living, much as religion helps us rise to a higher spiritual level. Whatever your beliefs are, I think you have to respect Dr. Collins on some level.  He has helped revolutionize our understanding of the human Genome, as the director of the US National Human Genome Research Institute.  He has also found God in his life.  I look forward to reading his book!  I’ll let you guys know if it’s any good. Dr. Francis Collins Finds God

As you might have seen in Kjirsti’s lovely photo mosaic, we went to Houston.  I found the trip so inspiring, as I think texans really do a good job at trying to enjoy life.  I had a great talk with a fellow in the library, who’s retired, and studies “drilling mechanics” in his free time.  Many people in houston gave me the impression that they were happy with life. And then, this morning, I came across a lovely little animation, that I hope you all like.  It’s a age-old lesson, but one I always have to remind myself of. Enjoy! 

Okay, just one more. Star Wars, according to a 3 year old:

A lot of people have been asking about podcasts lately. They are completely FREE and a great way to fill commutes. They work on ipods, as well as other mp3 players (though I have an iPod, so I can’t help you with other stuff.)

The idea is that you subscribe to the podcast with a computer program which checks for new episodes. I use iTunes. If you have an mp3 player, you can update your podcasts every time you plug your player in. The problem with iTunes is that it only syncs with iPods. If you have another brand, I’ve heard that Juice is your best bet: Juice . Then, all you need are podcast feeds. Here are the ones I’m subscribed to:

quirks and quarks: Canadian show on recent scientific findings Website || Subscribe

the economist A good analysis of what’s going on in the world Website || Subscribe

lds voices Church Talks Website || Subscribe

linux reality The show that taught me linux Website || Subscribe

lsat logic A princeton review podcast on analyzing a current event’s logical qualities. Not advanced stuff, but still interesting. Website || Subscribe

mclaughlin group You may have already heard of this. A weekly bantering between four- five pundits. Pat Buchanon is a regular. Website || (not sure if this will work) Subscribe

NPR car talk call of the week these guys are hilarious Website || Subscribe

NPR intelligence squared Oxford styled debates about different topics Website || Subscribe

NPR movies cause I never have time to actually go to the movies Website || Subscribe

NPR Satire from the unger report Pretty funny satirical essays not sure about this link: Website || Subscribe

NPR science friday Website || Subscribe

NPR wait, wait don’t tell me game show about current events Website || Subscribe

President’s Weekly Radio Address Actually listening to the president over the last year has actually made me like him more. I think more Americans should try listening to this. Website || Subscribe

Security Now A great show on network/computer security Website || Subscribe

Short Cummings Audio Funny essayist on just the normal things of every day life. A lot like Dave Barry. Website || Subscribe

60-Second Science Website || Subscribe

podiobooks website full of new, free audiobooks released in individual chapters Website

I’m a sci-fi geek, and some of my podiobook sci-fi favorites have been:

Quartershare: A sort of horatio hornblower for a freight ship of the future

Singularity: American secret service tries to stop a russian plot (which involves a singularity) to retake their place of honor.

Badge of Infamy: An medical doctor becomes a pariah because of saving a man’s life against the Medical Boards wishes (He’s sent to mars)

How to succeed in evil: Reveals the idiocy behind all of those super villians we are often entertained by.

I came across this blog post on President Bush's impressive dancing abilities. After hearing, and often pronouncing criticism of him, I have to say that I've actually grown to like the man. Though I can't say I agree with all of his decisions and view points, I don't agree with the demonizing of the man I've witnessed recently. I think what really tipped the scale was realizing that HE CAN DANCE! For all of you who have thought of bush as a stuffy sort of guy, check out this video:

Okay, I didn't say he could dance well!So when you're the president of something, and it is financially failing, outstretched in resources, and your approval rating is ~19%, the best medicine, is doing the rumba!

We had a fun time this afternoon going through Kjirsti’s photojournals of her childhood.  It’s incredible to me how little I actually know about her.  She’s full of stories, surprises and hidden talents.  It caused me to wonder how little I really know about all the people around me, even though I spend time with the same people everyday. I attended a priesthood leadership meeting this evening, and was really inspired to alleviate my utter lack of leadership skills.  I really enjoyed the emphasis the counselor made on helping people set their own goals, rather than setting goals for them.  Kjirsti and I often set personal goals, and sometimes, set goals together.  Often, I try to set goals for her (such as making cookies more often, or watching more movies with me) but her personal goals are nearly always more helpful to her.  I think a good leader helps a person recognize their own potential, and support that increase in effort, rather than enforcing the leader’s standards. For all those LDS readers, check out new.familysearch.org It’s incredible! You need your membership number and confirmation date.  They have linked the historic sites in our ancestors lives to google maps, and you can track where our great-great-great grandparents were born, got married, and died.  They really did a great job. Did you know that the italian prime minister lost a no-confidence vote last week?  Italy no longer has a prime minister! I’ve been following the primaries in my free time lately.  I am not really completely satisfied with any candidate in particular.  Here’s my current views on the republican candidates: Romney:

Pros: Good example of family life (I know, Nixon was tauted the same way).  I agree with his moderate view on pro-life, and can understand his flip-flopping.  I agree with him on many moral issues.  If we really are in a recession, he has demonstrated economic prowess.

Cons:He seems a little too slick.  I know that is superficial, but he seems more like a CEO than a  president.  He wants to place bugs in american, islamic mosques.  He wants to expand Guantanamo.  He has spoken out on expanding citizen surveillance.

Cons: He seems like a thug.

Pros: McCain believes in making the treatment of prisoners’s more humane.  He does not support Bushs runaway increase in citizen surveillance.  He’s got an amazing life story.  I feel like he’s the only candidate that represents himself honestly.  It seems like I know what I’m getting with him. Cons: The world is changing, and I’m not sure he is keeping up. He supports the expansion of the death penalty.

I know, I haven’t blogged on here in a while; Kjirsti is doing such a great job keeping everyone updated, I haven’t felt like I had much to add. However, much to my loss, she is out of town for the week visiting the fam, so it’s my turn. The biggest news for me is I just presented my first poster. Kinda silly really, but it was an interesting way to present everything I’ve been doing for six months on a 3 foot by 4 foot poster. They printed me off 2 accidentally, so I guess I have one to ….ummm…. I don’t know what to do with an extra poster. Any ideas? Here it is: Not bad, eh? So, I woke this morning with a list of ~50 items. It’s Saturday, and I didn’t want to have one of those terrible satrudays that is more stressful than weekdays. So, per my mom’s advice, I made a game of it. I know, sounds childish, but I used dice from the game “settlers”, and used the dice to decide what I did next. You roll between a barbarian and a castle; on barbarian I did something I didn’t want to do; on castle, I did something I liked. I’ve scrubbed the toilet, fixed a doorhandle, emailed my PhD committee, but I’ve also completed a nytimes crossword puzzle (with help; those are hard!) played a game of computer chess, went for a run in 10 degree weather, and went to the library. Turns out, it was a wonderful day. All comes down to the mindset I guess. My friend Steve got me hooked on Inspector Morse, a british mini-series. Not sure if any one else out there has seen it, but it is really good! Our public library has nearly every one. I also started the Wicked audiobook. Some of it is quite crude, not what I expected, but it is starting to shape into quite an interesting story. Hopefully it will continue on this new vein. Just wanted to warn any of you who wanted to start listening to it.