Neat!

Apr 11, 2008 01:38

I just got an e-mail from the president of the San Diego Astronomy Association, the local astronomy group that I am a member of. He said that they have just formed a TDS Network Committee and I have been appointed as Committee Chair! This is due to me taking charge in organizing, planning, and implementing the wifi network out at our observatory site. Pretty cool!

Also, since I'm on the topic of the astronomy group, I am on the list to try and get a private pad out at the site. I was number 8 on the list, and just found out that 6 people had their pad leases given up due to not using them enough, so I guess I'm pretty close to the top of the list now! Woo hoo! Once I get a private pad, I'd really like to build an observatory dome on it. Right now I'm thinking a 16' diameter, 8' tall dome sitting on a ring 1' above ground, the inside of which is dug down to about 2'. The dome ring itself will have rollers so the dome can rotate, as well as two slip-rings (I'm thinking two small copper tubes fixed on the bottom ring, with metal-wheeled rollers on the dome) to provide electricity to the rotating dome. The dome will then have a wireless access point which allows communication to the wireless access point in the lower area, and this will allow shutter control as well as allowing me to have a weather station and camera located on top of the dome for real-time monitoring. It would be pretty damned kick-ass, if you ask me. I want to make the dome that large so I can put a 20" netwonian telescope on a split-ring mount inside of the dome, eventually. -THAT- would be an amazing remote observatory. :)

I went to Austin last week for work. It was a great trip and I got a lot accomplished. The best part of the trip; however, was the flight back to San Diego. I sat across the isle from Kyle, next to a cute brunette girl. Her and I started talking and she was just really interesting. She was a genetic biologist studying a gene that causes retardation in humans, and was flying to San Diego to give a presentation on her research. She's going to Austin University to get her graduate degree. The thing is, I -really- like smart girls. A girl who actually knows her shit, whether or not its in the same field as me, really gets me going. It got better though. She mentioned Richard Dawkins. Please, click the link and watch some videos of him if you don't know who he is. Better yet, go buy his book. I digress, her mentioning Richard Dawkins melted my heart. :) Her and I had fantastic conversation for the entire 3 hours of us sitting together. But, now I have to admit the bad news. She has a boyfriend. :( And she lives in Austin. :( I gave her my phone number, and HOPED she would call, even if we would just hang out as friends, but she didn't. It makes sense though, if I was her, I wouldn't call me because that would sort of be cheating, even if nothing happened, because the connection was so clearly there.

I did something a little... different today. I sent a girl roses. I dont usually do that, but I was thinking about her and I really really like her. You might think I'm talking about Kate (the biologist), but I'm not. I'm talking about Chloe (the psychologist). That might make you think that I'm whacko. But follow me here. Meeting Kate made me realize that there are some really fantastic women out there, and if I have the option of trying everything I can to get a woman who is gorgeous and sharp as a tack and SINGLE, I should go for it, because it would make me immensely happy to be with that kind of a woman. Even if it doesn't work out, at least it gives me practice.
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