-13-

[get_thebook]

"Dog Days bright and clear
indicate a happy year.
But when accompanied by rain,
for better times our hopes are vain."

It would seem we are fast approaching what would normally be known as the "Dog Days". As I understand it, to the ancient Egyptians these were marked by the movement of Sirius across the heavens, beginning just before the waters of the

Comments

[emptyyourself]

Superstitious rot.

[get_thebook]

If you're very good at ignoring factual information, of course. But I wouldn't like to call you "stupid" sir, as that would just be rude, wouldn't it?

[emptyyourself]

Nursery rhymes have very rarely been used as proof of fact.

The rest is just a history lesson and supposition.

[get_thebook]

Allow me to offer "Ring round the Rosie" as an example to the contrary, referential to the plague.

[19centconstable]

I don't think the heavens can blunder, miss.

[get_thebook]

Anything is possible.

[19centconstable]

I do certainly believe that. But the heavens seem awfully organized to me.

[get_thebook]

Have you been on the deck lately?

[needshumility]

I tried to prove that by taking a picture.

I expected patterns of light. All I got was a massive blur.

So I'm not sure which of us is moving.

[get_thebook]

That sounds interesting, but I'm afraid I'm not the most acclimated toward certain sciences. Could you explain your experiment to me?

[needshumility]

It's not that scientific, I suppose.

Basically, a friend at home fell asleep with the exposure on his camera open. The stars formed a circular pattern on the resulting picture, so we could tell the world rotated, and it moved, not the stars.

I tried the same on deck, expecting to see at least a direction of movement, but all I got was a big blur.

[get_thebook]

Fascinating.

[you_run_i_chase]

We're moving, you can tell it when you flick something over the side.

[get_thebook]

Perhaps.

[you_run_i_chase]

It certainly looks like we do.

[get_thebook]

It's one theory. But have you ever stood by the side of a busy road and felt the rush of wind as the cars pass you?

[championoftime]

Heavens I hope not. I wouldn't want to be caught standing still.

[get_thebook]

And why is that, Doctor?

[championoftime]

I've never been fond of gathering moss. It's bad for the complexion.

[get_thebook]

All that stands perfectly still shall gather moss, then?

I think you'd look rather dashing in green, myself.