sky, Author at Sky's Blog

Gandhi Action Figure

20 January, 2016 by sky Leave a Comment

My friends at The Metta Center, which focuses on nonviolence education, sent me a holiday card. The card is more like a Mahatma Gandhi action figure. Gandi was, of course, a cornerstone of the peaceful action which resulted in India’s independence from Britain in 1947.

The cutout cards are produced by the Unemployed Philosophers’ Guild and they stand up on four legs. There are philosophers, writers, activists, scientists, composers, and many others. The (Unemployed) Philosophers’ Guild sells its cards and other products online. (The online store was broken when I tried it today, but they’re also sold in many stores.) It’s worth a visit to see the promotional videos. Cute.

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May Lake High Sierra Camp

15 January, 2016 by sky Leave a Comment

The May Lake High Sierra Camp is one of a series of six within Yosemite National Park. They’re a great way to get a wilderness experience without having to pack in food and tents. The camps provide sleeping in canvas tents, and food in a tent dining hall. We’ve gone through the May Lake camp many times in our 30 years of wilderness experiences.

Brian Shoor, who has managed the camp every summer for 14 years, gave me this interview in the summer of 2015. You can find information about the chain of camps, and application information, online. [Read more…]

Proof of intelligent human life in outer space

11 January, 2016 by sky Leave a Comment

I was astounded today to see that there is actual evidence that humans exist in outer space.

Here’s what happened. I was looking at this photo of the Horsehead Nebula on the NASA web site.

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Psychoactive bison

9 January, 2016 by sky 2 Comments

Yes, this is for real. It’s a sign posted on the fence at the Bison Paddock in Golden Gate Park (San Francisco CA USA). At least it was there last year.

No, I have no idea why the sign is there, although I suppose it makes sense to avoid giving bison psychoactive substances. Except maybe when prescribed by their vet?

The bison have been there since 1930, before San Francisco had a zoo. This small herd has remained in the park rather than relocating to the zoo at the south end of The Great Highway.

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Now that I know everyone

7 January, 2016 by sky Leave a Comment

I have several “threads” on LinkedIn. First, I’m a computer science guy, so I know lots of CS people. Next, I’ve been involved in peace activities with The Dalai Lama Foundation and The Metta Center. Another group of people. Then recently as a musician+composer. On LinkedIn I’ve been looking at the “People You May Know” links and recently I’ve been adding a lot of musicians because LinkedIn usually does get it right and it shows me names and photos for people I do indeed know. For every 8 or so people it suggests, I know one or two people.

But a week ago I noticed that it’s not giving me as many names or people I know. Maybe I know one in a hundred of the people it’s presenting. I wonder if their algorithm is confused by my change of orientation and can’t figure out who to present as possible links? Uh, yes, I do know that it’s basing its recommendations on my own contacts, but it seems to have reached some kind of event horizon.