Before This

annoying little rant:

The tv was still on when I left at 4:30 pm, I come home to some inane "celebrity" show. I did not realize something like this was on right away, as I got immediately busy grabbing myself a drink, listening to phone messages, feeding my cats dinner, catching my breath after the kickass workout I had tonight, etc. But eventually I could hear it.
I don't watch much tv, but even if I did I would not be able to stomach a whole show like this (Access Hollywood, I think?--but there are others). I hate how the "information" seeps into my head and that I come out knowing much more than I ever will give a damn about any "celebrity" out there... especially "Heidi and Spencer" and her inability to move her face due to the "spiritual and physical transformation" from plastic surgery. ACK! Honestly, this is from me NOT paying attention and actively avoiding such sources of information. I can't imagine being a devote follower of all things.. "celebrity". Ugh.
Mindless entertainment for some, that's cool, I guess. But I truly feel my irritation rise, so that is why it is bad for me.

End Rant. Enough about that. Yeh, the tv was turned off and all is right with my world again.


Now onto the more positive "winter activities":

So back to my little workout. I'm taking a kickboxing class. The concentrated strength and cardio work is fun and kicks my ass. I needed more options in physical activity during the winter months. I cross country ski, but haven't done it regularly enough to feel like this has been an active winter. Either no snow or freeeeezing tamps creating bad snow quality. So when not at the gym, I hit up a local class. As for outdoor activities, I am going to switch to snowshoeing as my main outdoor winter activity as that is more versatile in many ways:
--Easy to store and transport "equipment"
--As long as there is a little snow, regardless of quality, snowshoeing is an option.
--easier to navigate through various terrain and traverse hills.
--more conducive to taking in ones surroundings, wander off to take pictures, etc.
--good for those that aren't keen on skiing but want to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months, "if you can walk, you can snowshoe"
--it is fun.
--it is a good workout especially if using poles, which I think everyone should anyways for stability and extra body movement.

So if anyone is interested in snowshoeing this winter, lets plan an excursion out. Some areas have snowshoe rentals. To buy new, the range is typically $80-$300 depending on what you plan to do with them (racers cost more than casual hikers, larger sizes cost more, variations among brands, etc).

It is three degrees out.

UGH!

I keep my heat down, as it is only me in a good sized apartment. However, I make use of a nice portable heater in whatever room I am primarily hanging out in that day.

But tonight I just feel so cold..

I'm wearing a hat and several layers without much help. *sigh*

I haven't wanted to leave the house this weekend. I did leave for a few super quick jaunts, but other than that, I've been home entertaining myself this weekend with a swirl of thoughts, writing, movies, music, cleaning, playing with the cats, backing up my picture and music files, and other non social activities. I'm itching to get out but not feeling like bundling up to do so. Tomorrow (Sunday) I have to get out and run some errands, maybe I can pair it with a social call or two.

Oh hey, I have a question...

I have a lot of interests and hobbies but I usually go at them alone or with friends when there is time; mostly on the whim. I think this year I would like to have more structure and socialization to my interests/hobbies. Which hobbies? I don't know yet. Actually, I'd like to know what all is available out there for me to choose from; maybe pick up a new interest or hobby. So given this, I'm curious as to what hobby groups/organizations there are in WNY and where do I find a list or source of information on this, or how to go about getting this information? If there is even such a thing.. but there has to be.
I've never been good at committing to an organized interest and I'm going to change that. I would like to build on an interest, a talent, meet others who share in that, and learn something new and/or add to what I already know.

But where to start?

Help!

Again, 3 degrees! Brrrrr.. time to find some warmth.

It has grown since (e:theecarey,50736)


My "Stalactite" last night..






Today:









Not My Stalactite
(but a real one)

(LINK)



AND..

What my imagination thinks is out there right outside my front door:

for (e:oda)


As with (e:tinypliny), my recommendation for entrance into reading about quantum physics is, "Alice in Quantumland". It reads as a story (as it is an allegory). I wrote a little bit about it here: (e:theecarey,46113).

All of my recommendations include a link to more information on the book. For continuity, I included links only to Amazon. On that note,


Amazon link to the book:
(LINK)

Furthermore, I recommend all books by Robert Gilmore.
A quick list of his books:
* Alice in Quantumland
* Scrooges Cryptic Carol
* Wizard of Quarks
* Once Upon A Universe

The stories makes exploring the material more colorful and less dry than some, stories such as, Edwin Abbott Abbott's, "Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions". (which addresses dimensions. Interesting book, I haven't read it in a long time and I vaguely remember it; so it is on my reread list.)
(LINK)

Also, the Gilmore books make a great primer for further reading exploration.

My recommended reading list continues with (all from my collection- I also recommend acquiring books so you have them to refer back to, or reread in my case):

--- "Quantum: A Guide for the Perplexed" by Jim Al Khalili
This book reads like a text, but is really well done. The implication of the experiments within are amazing and will leave you with much to contemplate. Great color pictures to illustrate the material.
(LINK)

--- Quantum Physics: A Beginners Guide by Alastair I.M. Rae.
Well organized "overview"; includes black print diagrams and summaries.
(LINK)

The following two or more specific- contemplates String Theory, aka The Theory of Everything (TOE), aka The Quantum Theory.
--- "The Elegant Universe" by Brian Greene (string theorist- great stuff)http://www.amazon.com/Elegant-Universe-Superstrings-Dimensions-Ultimate/dp/0375708111

AND..

--- "The Fabric of the Cosmos" by Brian Greene (ok, so i have a little intellectual crush on this guy- seriously though, good stuff!)
(LINK)


Want more?

Oh yeh, go here:

--- "The Fabric of Reality" by David Deutsch
one word: "MULTIVERSES!!" sweet sweet stuff.
(LINK)


---"A Different Universe: Reinventing Physics from the Bottom Down" (I love some of these titles) by Robert Laughlin
Thought provoking, but not well written. Good information to extrapolate and apply to your knowledge base.
(LINK)


---A must read at some point- Stephen Hawkings, "A Brief History of Time". Black holes, the singularity, radiation.. So much of what we hear or read has a basis in the work of Mr. Hawking. Read the wiki article:
(LINK)

--- "The Quantum World"- by Kenneth Ford
Not a book to start with, but has enough strengths to make it onto my recommended reading list.
(LINK)

When enough time passes in between reading this material, I quickly lose what I had learned. All of the information learned becomes relegated to retrieving in the manner of, "oh, it is on the tip of my tongue!". Yet, when I have reengaged the learning process, all of the connections come flooding back. Not sure if that is a defect of my mind or a natural occurrence with "learning' this subject matter. I recall reading somewhere that "if you think you understand quantum physics, you don't understand it at all".

So expect a mental workout and enjoy the process.


Also,
--- Another recommendation is a, let me say, "curious read", is "What the Bleep Do We Know?!" (again, the book)
Read the information and reviews..
(LINK)

This book fell literally jumped out at me one afternoon in an old bookstore in old Kingston, NY. I bought it on a whim and enjoyed it on many levels.

and if you like that sort of thing, I have more books to recommend..

Alright. so.. whatcha gone read first?

anyone have any books, sources, etc to add?

and anyone else enjoy diving into this subject matter? I know I would retain more if I had more opportunities (any opportunity) to discuss it.

I need a reading goal.

If I didn't miss any, which I may have, I believe my book total for 2009 was 54. I'm not sure if I am pleased with that number or not. It is higher than the "average" adult (LINK) but probably nothing special for a self proclaimed "book eater".
More is not better as all of our reading speeds and comprehension varies, (especially based on type of book read) but I just wish I knew my average. I had only started to formally keep track as of last year, (e:theecarey,47667).

I read.. well, anything.

My book list from last year is the usual mix of good fiction, crappy fiction, memoirs, information books pertaining to health, business, sciences (especially quantum physics), politics and writing. Most fiction I "speed-read" through and most everything else I take more time to absorb.

I know last year there were stretches of time that I did not read from books but had focused working through a growing pile of magazine subscriptions (Scientific American, Scientific American Mind, Discover, Fast Company and Home Theater). Come to think of it, that will likely occur again as I have yet another pile of mags to catch up on.

I will have to use 2009 "data" as my "baseline", and see how 2010 will pan out against it.

In addition to book count, maybe I should keep track of pages read as well? Anyone else keep track of their reading habits or have a "goal"?

hmm, what can I say, I love to read.