Switzerland to Create Army of Human-eating Dragons

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/29/science/29collider.html

The Large Hadron Collier is a particle accelerator located near Geneva, Switzerland. Scheduled for completion in June of this year, it may show scientists the universe as it was a trillionth of a second after the Big Bang. Or it may create dragons.

Not if killjoys Walter L. Wagner and Luis Sancho get their way. They filed suit in a district court in Hawaii aimed at preventing use of the collider, which they claim may create a universe destroying black hole. It is unclear whether the two men have realized their role as would-be dragon slayers as well.

From the article:

Dr. Arkani-Hamed said concerning worries about the death of the Earth or universe, “Neither has any merit.” He pointed out that because of the dice-throwing nature of quantum physics, there was some probability of almost anything happening. There is some minuscule probability, he said, “the Large Hadron Collider might make dragons that might eat us up.”

Godspeed, young knights.

His world is my world, too

I went to see José González last night with Ruth.

There was a mix up with the location, and the guy at the main Casbah venue didn't know the location of the 'offshoot' venue, even though it happens to be be .6 miles up the road. This 'offshoot' venue was the San Diego Women's Club, though they let me in anyways. Between the opening act (Mia Doi Todd) and José, there was a line for the men's room. I'm convinced that they have a lavish women's room with dozens of stalls and only two toilets for the men, which had cloth curtains in lieu of stall doors. On the upside there was a pleasant sitting room in the entryway to the more functional toilet room.

There was a mix up with the time, and we showed up at 6:30, though the doors opened at 7, Mia started at 7:30, and José wasn't on until 8:30. So we walked around the Balboa Park area, discussed the color of the man on the lighted pedestrian crossing sign (is he green, or do we just assume he is 'cause we know he's supposed to be?), and stopped in at Extraordinary Desserts. Unfortunately we had just had some strawberry shortcake, so we didn't partake in the "sublime pastries [that] should be as luscious to look at as they are to taste", according to their Paris-trained creator, Karen Krasne. They certainly looked sublime.

José was great. He came out and did a few solo songs, which I really dug. Then he brought out a guy and a girl who each played some auxiliary percussion and sang background vocals. Those songs were good, but I found myself trying to just concentrate on the guitar and José himself. Sometimes I forget that the people who are really good at certain things, and who have any degree of fame, are real people inhabiting the same world as me. José was a real guy. He joked around on stage a little bit and seemed to genuinely enjoy himself and get along with his two bandmates. He's also a really good guitarist. That he lives in my world inspires me.

I really like his Teardrop cover.

By the way, José does vocals for Zero 7 on their album The Garden, which I haven't heard but will definitely acquire.

Ultimate and Surfing

I've hit the Ultimate groove in San Diego. There's a game on the beach Wednesday night under the lights at the Capri Hotel, a Saturday game at Balboa Park, and a Sunday game at Mission Park. The Wednesday and Sunday games are within rollerblading distance, up and down the boardwalk along the beach, respectively. The Saturday game is a drive away, but still well worth it.

I met a guy, Matt, at the Saturday game this week. He's also new to the area, coming from Florida most recently. He's a Pats fan, so we got together to watch the game last night at a bar downtown. Today, after the Sunday game fell through because the Chargers were playing (Go Chargers!), we decided to go surfing. He has a board and a suit, and I have access to a board that the previous roommate here left behind. I just needed to get a wetsuit. So we went to a nearby shop and I got myself an El Cheapo wetsuit, and we went surfing on the waves right outside my apartment.

It was the first time I've ever surfed, and it was insanely fun. What a rush! I wasn't even on the big, real waves yet, just the swill, white water in the shallows. It was a blast, we stayed out all afternoon, and I can't wait to go again.

Also, Chargers - Pats next Sunday!

Landed

712C Santa Rita Pl
San Diego, CA 92109
[map]

Stats

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61 hours 12 min of driving
3,704.9 miles
25.6 miles per gallon
144.72 gallons of gas

I'm here in SD now. I was sick as a dog last night, and most of today. I think I'm on the mend, and I have a place to live tomorrow ON THE BEACH! Sweet.

Day 6

Day 5 - Still Alive

This morning started off with me balancing on the side of the bathtub, with one hand propping myself up from the sink, and the other hand reaching around the overflowing toilet to shut off the water valve. I did, and stayed dry, but then I was stranded on the bathtub, in the dark, without my glasses. It smelled vaguely of urine.

I tell you this so that you may appreciate the magnitude of meaning behind the following statement: Today has been amazing.

It was a sunny day and I took some scenic byways. I-70 had been good to me, but we parted ways around lunchtime. I shot down I-15 until Cedar City - that's when things really got interesting. You know you're in for a good time with signs like "Not Recommended For Semi Trucks" and "Snow Tires or Chains Required Nov. 1 - Mar. 1". I had to focus on driving so as not to die. I listened to some pretty crappy music on the radio because I faced certain death if I took my hand off the steering wheel for a second. Feel free to zoom in on the google map below southeast of Cedar City to see some of the crazy roads I drove.

After clearing route 14 I was rewarded with awesome views. Not that I needed much of a reward besides being alive at that point, but sometimes you get a little extra. I stopped every 5 feet to take a picture.
I'd snap a few shots, content that I had just seen an awesome view. But every time, I'd start back down that road again and round the next corner to find another, every bit as picture-worthy.
And oh, the road is speckled with little towns along the way with names like Cliff Dwellers. People live out there, out in the vast expanses of beautiful countryside with a sheer face of red rock as a backdrop.
Everywhere I drove, through treacherous roads, there were people living. There was a "Free Wifi Hotspot" sign in the middle of fucking nowhere. I wish I had a picture of it. I love that thought - just knowing that there are people living like that.

Eventually the sun set, and I drove through the Grand Canyon National Forest in the dark. I even managed to get lost once. I'm excited to see the canyon in the light tomorrow morning!


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And oh yea, Happy New Year!