Speed of Sound

So this guy took a balloon up nineteen and a half miles, to the edge of our atmosphere, to the border of outer space, and then did something absolutely amazing: he jumped. He reached speeds of 615 mph, becoming the first human being to break the speed of sound without any vehicle, in his 4 1/2 minute freefall back to earth. And he did it in 1960.

We Feel Fine

This is actually very, very cool. For when you have a few minutes to spare: http://www.wefeelfine.org/.

Today's Paper

Oldness Happens

I have only 151 more days of my 20's. Oh farewell, sweet decade!

Anti-Tim

It is always surprising to me when someone doesn't like me. Is this a sign that I am conceited? Perhaps. I think it has to do more with my batting average in life... I think in general, I'm a pretty likeable guy, pretty phlegmatic (this has nothing to do with phlegm, although I do have that sometimes), and so if someone takes a disliking to me, I don't know what to do with it. Everybody should like me!

Are you this way also?

(If you are a woman, you are right now trying to figure out what sparked this comment, who doesn't like me, etc. To put your mind at ease, it is more of a general musing about myself and my life, rather than a reaction to someone's adverse feelings toward me.)

Defeat is not bitter if you don't swallow it.

Camping

It's just you and the outdoors. And a couple of friends. And a pickup full of gear.

Last weekend Tom, Andrew and myself jumped in a truck and headed south quite a ways, down to Mt. St. Helens ("Why plural?" Tom asks. "Was there more than one Helen?") The goal of this expedition was to have some good fun, do some good camping, and check out the Ape Caves, a long underground network of lava tubes. All three goals were met and exceeded, with some darn good camp meals to boot (weren't those top sirloin steaks ambrosial?). Here's a few photos for your viewing pleasure: