www.Scratchley.org : blog

Well.  I bought a telescope, and figured today would be a great time to start trying to use it.  I can honestly say, I’m pretty happy about it.

Lance picked up a little treat for me this week.  London Drugs (who knew!) brought in a shipment of Celestron “Firstscope” units.  This little dobsonian telescope is just fantastic.  For 50$ you get a 300mm dobsonian with a 20mm wide field, and 4mm high magnification eyepieces.  First - the caveat.  These eyepieces are NOT particularly good.  Replacement is definitely in order, and the first order of business.  Since they are 1.25″ eyepieces though, almost ANY telescope shop will have good quality replacement Plossl eyepieces.

Using the Edmund scientific 21.5 that Lance bequeathed me alongside his now retired ETX-60 Meade scope, this little telescope kicks some pretty substantial ass for novice observing.

The Moon…
Crater Eratosthenes sat just in daylight on the terminator.  For a 58km wide crater, it stuck out like a sore thumb with the coma ridden 4mm Celestron eyepiece, but was still well defined and must look amazing up close.  Mare Imbrium and the Appeninus Montes were well defined, and it’s amazing to think of the violent past of our little Moon.

Rupes Recta - that strange little straight line in Mare Nubium alongside Crater Birt was visible, but took some doing.  I knew where to look, and could discern it - but a day sooner would have given me enough shadow relief to make it out clearly.

Lastly Crater Newton to Crater Scott outlined the last visible elements at the south pole terminator.  As much as I could pick out along the terminator, it was those few elements that stole my attention tonight.

Stars and Deep space:

I bounced about pretty aimlessly when it came to stars.  I toured around Cygnus, and found the cluster housing the North American Nebula.  Too much light pollution to see any nebulousity I’m afraid, but I know where to look now.

Vega is one bright mother, white blue to my eyes, Arcturus too.  I scanned about quite aimlessly, noting close pairs of stars across the sky until I bumped into Cassiopeia which is my ‘pointer’ constellation to the Andromeda galaxy, which I was able to spot once, barely above the light pollution and the ‘never dark’ north sky.  Also in the area is the Perseus double cluster, which eluded me.

Planets:

Though I now see in Starry Night that Saturn was visible for a time, I spent my evening waiting for Jupiter to rise in the east.  As promised by Lance, it most definitely does NOT look like a star.  Yellowy/Orange would best describe the planet in the eyepiece, with two distinct bright spots on one side, and 8ish diameters to the other side another visible point of light.

.  . O                 .

Just align those dots with the centre of the planet, and that was the layout.  Io, Ganymede, Jupiter, and a long gap to Callisto (left to right) with Europa and the others impossible to spot.

I think it’s time to pick up a new eyepiece and a finder scope for this thing.  What a great little portable scope!

If you’re looking for an ultracompact and capable wide-field scope, that you can dial the poer up on, this is a great little unit.

http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?ProdID=568

It’s happening again folks.  While I’m still cheesed that Darryl and the Gang wouldn’t consider a stop in the arctic (ok… Edmonton Canada) they’re now less than a month from the tour and a number of creative agencies and progressive potential clients will get the treat of meeting one of the coolest agencies I’ve ever experienced.

They bill themselves as the ‘coolest agency in the land’. Having worked with some of the ‘bigs’ like DDB and the ’smalls’ like Edmonton’s own Snowglobe - they are most definitely one of the coolest in the land.  That’s not to be taken as a ‘dis’ against the ‘bigs’ or especially the ’smalls’ as they all bring great things to the table, but Darryl and his crew really do have the full package.  Branding, media, web-integration, social media, etc - they’ve got the skills to pull it off.

I just wish they were closer to me, or I closer to them.  I know that we’d work with them in a heartbeat (we being my employer) and I have the utmost respect for their opennes, humility, and work ethic.

If you are in the Motor city, or along the route through the mid-west to New Orleans, you really should be watching for the plaid wagon - a visit would be most excellent.

Check out the tour at http://www.plaidnation.com and Plaid - The Agency at http://www.thinkplaid.com

- G.

Mayor Mandel, you’re off your nut.

Latest in his series of looney ideas is this - as reported by the Edmonton Journal:

“Even if we don’t want to take them into the criminal justice system, we can create a bylaw which might be just as effective. Give them a $200 fine for carrying a knife in public.”

I say:

This mayor has got a little case of “God Complex” going on.  Pocket knives are neither prohibited or illegal in this country - and it’s pretty unlikely that anyone would be stupid enough to try - the gun registry is a joke - how well do you think they’d do ‘classifying’ pocket knives?

Who honestly believes that Mandel is skilled enough in criminology and ethics to determine what is acceptable and isn’t?

He actually wants to make the 2″ folding buck that I regularly carry (for opening boxes, bottles, strapping, battery compartments, licorice or shortening straws for my 2 year olds juice) criminal (or ‘bylaw violating’) in Edmonton?

What if it’s a steak knife I’m using on a patio outside a restaurant on the sidewalk? A swiss army knife? Leatherman? Is Mandel going to personally approve certain tools and disapprove of others?

Public safety is a reasonable concern, but put these measures where they belong.  At the entrance to bars and nightclubs, on charter travel (bus / air) and major venues (concert / sport events).

Tourists and out of towners beware. While we’re at this ludicrous plan - better make note of this new ‘dictatorial decree’ on the big glass welcome to “Waste-monton” ‘fortress of solitude’ signs he wanted to erect too!

This radical and ridiculous effort to allow the public to be searched at-will by the Edmonton city police is a waste of resources, and a violation (I suspect) of the rights of citizens.

I see no end of Mandel’s ‘pet’ projects, but no real long term strategy for managing infrastructure, finance, or fiscal accountability in our cash bleeding city government. (Ask how much the city pays to lease a truck sometime).

Let it go Mandel.  Your support at voting time is waning.  Bury your head in the sand and hush before you’ve completely alienated the voters who thought you were a change for the better.

If you are receiving spam from this domain - please accept my apologies, but it ain’t me.  I’ve seen ever increasing spam being sent by users from domains hosted on my current web host.

Of the 3 sites I currently work with, each and every one is getting spoofed, and there isn’t a darn thing that can be done.  Sorry… delete the spam if you get it.

/g

(No video? View post here.)

So.  Grant MacEwan school of business, and in particular BlogCamp (http://macewanblogcamp.ca) have launched a contest to suck link equity out of Twittering bloggers with a contest.

Damn. Sucked in.

See - I have a unique perspective perhaps.  My wife worked (yes - past tense) for the school for many years, and as a result I tended to disregard it in the grand scheme of things.  In times of economic uncertainly it’s crucial to keep personal and professional development on the horizon, but even better to actively pursue that growth to build personal and professional worth.

Mike and Lenny (Part one: http://macewanblogcamp.ca/mike-lenny-part-1-155/ ) is a lighthearted but effective stab at that very situation.  The ‘less than wonderful’ new roomate in my opinion is the star of the ad (yes - it is an ad…) and points out something - I wonder how much of his helpfulness and subsequent employment is really a little bit of Mac rubbing off?

The contest in question (http://macewanblogcamp.ca/twitter-contest/) seeks bloggers to write the third episode.

I can’t do that.

I can’t do that because as I watched I saw the opportunity for me to go back to school - perhaps even doing it while I continue to be a working Manager, father, flyfisher, blogger, hunter, photographer guy.  How can I possibly write their story, when I have my own to think about?

That to me speaks volumes about Grant MacEwan, and the world of business today in general.  For those so inclined, opportunity is only a suggestion away.

So.  Episode three.  Where do Mike and Lenny go next?  I could suggest something about moving locations to the main campus where Lenny could emcee the next study group in the cafeteria - getting an ‘honorary student’ badge from the gang, only to show them his ‘new’ student ID card.

But in reality, I think it’s simpler than that. It’s not necessary.

The next installment might be as simple as showing a picture of the many students who can study and graduate from a quality program while holding down a job and making a family work.

Maybe like me.

Firstly - let me say thank you to Twitter (http://www.twitter.com) and to Global Television (http://www.globaltvedmonton.com).  Why that combination?  Because Global Television has been progressive, and supported News Producer Lynda Steele (@lyndasteele) in her quest to not only use but integrate Twitter into her working life.

It was because of this connection that I was able to share the Fox News debacle known as “Red Eye” with her, and get like minded Canadians to sound off about the US show’s ignorance, and insensitivity to a nation at war, on their behalf. Seeing this story lead the Saturday evening news felt good - knowing that the word was out, and that I had been able to connect directly with the people who could get  the message out there.

“Red Eye” is a late night (aka - only moderate viewership) satirical news program.

Their take on Canada was misinformed, ill timed, and ill-willed.  When the nations of the world contribute to complete military operations initiated by the United States and abandoned - you’d think there would an iota of consideration.  Not so from the Fox News organization.  We were berated, belittled, and sat at the little table with the children for easter dinner.

The truth is, Canada has contributed thousands of troops on the ground to stabilize, educate, and mentor a nation torn apart by a thousand years of outside interference.  Why?  Was it the Evil Taliban? Surely a good reason, but not (I’m sure) the only one. *cough-oil*

ED NOTE: Just a few hours after posting - I caught this: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Canada+demands+apology+from/1418836/story.html  Appears FOX has a few brain cells.  Just not enough to think before open their mouths. Nothing new - It’s FOX.  Should be listed under “Comedy” channels anyway. Too little too late… but I suppose it proves that those at FOX can at least read.

On local matters - to the subject of “WinterLight”.  What a great opportunity to get outside in this great city to take advantage of our Culture, Arts, Science, and history.  Thank you city hall for supporting such a great reason to get outside and see our city during this bleak season. NOTE: Photos on Flickr. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scratch/sets/72157615759017908/)

Telus World of Science.  Great fun - despite the terror inflicted on my 2 year old by the giant NOSE and TONGUE.  My son ran laps around the space station module, while I marvelled at Lego.  Gone are some of the trappings I remember from my youth.  The long ramp to the space exhibit, the Canadarm (where IS that thing now anyway!) all appear gone, but in their place well designed exhibits and a lot of good science.  Nice.  Well worth the price.

Lastly - and I apologize for the late delivery… but Happy Birthday Jenny-Girl.  I hope it was a good one…

Have you seen “Red Eye” from FOX News lately?

Please… take a moment my Canadian friends, and watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcJn5XlbSFk

When you return, share my disgust.

With less that 10% of America’s population, Canada has taken a lead role in the rebuilding of Afghanistan for the last 4 years.  This due to the ill planned, ill orchestrated, and ill advised military excercise of the United States of America - on their rapid move to Iraq after failing to successfully track a target.

The 108 Canadians killed in action don’t deserve the kind of disservice done by FOX News.

Consider FOX no longer a part of my news or entertainment world.

This is my blog.


There are many like it, but this one is mine.




I did leech the image. (Thanks MTLB!)

ghwt drums

Originally uploaded by JosephWalker

Wii did it. Wii went out and got Guitar Hero World Tour. Admittedly - I hadn’t even finished the GH3 - but damn - this thing is a lot of fun.

I like the guitar - but Ben - he’s a confirmed drum dude.

I caught him installing the Wii controller in the drums on the first night we had it. Amazing how quickly kids can ‘connect the dots’ so to speak.

If you haven’t played on a Wii - with the bundled Wii bowling, tennis, baseball and boxing - you haven’t experienced where gaming is going.

The games let you work up a sweat, and the Wii FIT with Yoga, Balance and strength training is a BLAST.

Next time you’re over - just think about challenging us to a game.