Mars, 2008. This more-or-less true color image shows the special DVD containing about 250,000 names (including cbell’s) and other information velcroed onto the Mars Phoenix Lander. Image: NASA (obviously).

The Phoenix Lander like the Spirit and Opportunity Rover missions before have reignited my long-standing interest in planetary exploration that dates back to afternoons in the late 70s and early 80s sitting in absolute awe watching the “live” images coming back from the Voyager 1 & 2 missions.

Weatherford, OK, 2008. This growing wind power installation creates an impressive view along the horizon. I took this shot while driving east on I-40 across Oklahoma last March.

For fellow mid-century modern fans here in Los Angeles: Julius Shulman will be signing copies of the new Julius Shulman: Palm Springs at the DWR studio in LA on Friday 29 February 2008 from 6 to 8 PM.

Marina del Rey, CA, 2008. By the end of the evening, it was raining (and it hasn’t really stopped since).

Fish purchases for cash. [conveniently, the instructions go on to explain that] ‘Fish’ means all fish and other forms of aquatic life. ‘Cash’ means U.S. and foreign coin and currency and a cashier’s check, bank draft, traveler’s check, or money order. Cash does not include a check drawn on your personal or business account.

So make sure to keep track of the cash payments your business is making when buying any form of aquatic life! Something tells me that this odd exception can be traced back to a big case of fraud.

One of my favorite passages comes in the midst of Hugh’s reflection how some have passion to change the world. He traces the roots of that kind of passion to what he calls the “Pissed Off Gene”:

Human beings have this thing I call the “Pissed Off Gene.” It’s that bit of our psyche hat makes us utterly dissatisfied with our lot, no matter how kindly fortune smiles upon us.

It’s there for a reason. Back in our early caveman days being pissed off made us more likely to get off our butt, get out of the cave and into the tundra hunting woolly mammoth, so we’d have something to eat for supper. It’s a survival mechanism. Damn useful then, damn useful now.

. . .

Part of understanding creative urge is understanding that it’s primal. Wanting to change the world is not a noble calling; it’s a primal urge.

We think we’re “providing a superior integrated logistic system” or “helping America to really taste freshness.” In fact, we’re just pissed off and want to get the hell out of the cave and kill the woolly mammoth.

(Emphsis mine.) Go read it. Really. It’s fun too.

Apple Valley, CA, 2008. I was ready for a long drive in the rain to kick-off the annual pilgrimage to LasVegas for CES, but as soon as I crossed the mountain pass, the clouds parted a bit and the rain stopped. The vista views were dramatic with the sun poking through the dense clouds.

Never ascribe to malice that which can more easily be explained by incompetence.

It’s an effective conspiracy theory killer too. Naturally, this is cbell’s Corollary to Occam’s Razor.

Santa Monica, 2007. Time to go back outside.

Las Vegas, 2007. The fog was hanging low and illuminated by the strip lights.

Santa Monica, 2007.

Santa Monica, 2007.

Santa Monica, 2007.

Santa Monica, 2006.

In my own mind, I use it as a test: in the absence of differentiating evidence, the explanation with the fewest unknown dependencies—in other words, the simplest one—is likely correct.

Santa Monica, 2007.

Santa Monica, 2007.

LA sky. The haze is subsiding, but even this morning’s clear sky looks brown.

Washington Blvd in Marina del Rey on a clearer day.

Another great day in SF.

Some facts are too good to check

Yikes. What about those items that are actually important?