More randomness

In lieu of actual running commentary, I'm still posting this odd garbage. I'm trying not to think too much about the race this weekend. Next up will be a race report.

Plutarch on running

"Runners aren't discontented because they don't win the wrestling competition; they find pride and satisfaction in their own prizes." - from On Contentment

"Athletes who are too old for training never quite lose their enthusiasm for winning and for physical exercise, but love watching others train and give them advice and run beside them." - from On Socrates' Personal Daemon

My children's book

I went to a publisher of children's books and pitched my idea: "30 Minutes to More Effective Tantrums." I wish I'd brought a camera.

Terms of endearment

Trying to find a tool in my workshop, I moved a belt sander and thought, "Now that would be a bad nickname." I thought there might be a good comedy bit about tools and petnames (not names of pets). Later in the day, I was at a place that rents landscaping tools and saw the list of tools and prices. "Stump grinder." I started smiling. "Wood chipper." Had me thinking of Beavis and Butthead. As I pictured myself arguing the benefits of a "front loader" versus a "backhoe," I started giggling uncontrollably.

Wow, I can be immature.

Deep thought

It took me a while to see the flaw in this argument: If the universe is infinite (and it's generally agreed it is) and there are stars scattered throughout the universe (and with minor exceptions, there are), then the light from the stars should make the sky at night white, not black with a few stars.

Unclassifiable

If you turn your garden hose on slowly, the water is clear and smooth and, if you turn it on full blast, it's turbulent and can't be seen through. Engineers can tell you that the behavior is dependent upon the Reynolds number (diameter of pipe times water velocity times density, divide by viscosity). The behavior is predictable at low Reynolds number (laminar flow) and high Reynolds number (completely turbulent), but unpredictable inbetween, so they design processes to be at either end of the scale. It's the inbetween that's poetic. When you water plants, play with the velocity and you'll see what I mean... and you can tell people you're aiming for a Reynolds number of 5000 when they ask why you're playing with your hose.

I'm betting there's some giggling going on out there again.