Silence Explained

I started a new job as an Instructional Designer at CA yesterday, so I've been really busy getting back into the swing of having a regular job and all of the routines that go along with it. There's a lot to process and it's mentaly tiring. I hope to be back to semi-regular posting next week.

The History Revealed

There was always a big mystery behind the unavailability of Alan Moore's great Miracleman (Marvelman on the US). Here's an interview that explains all.

It's Easy Seeing Green

From the common sense department, a study notes that nature calms you down:

I've written before about the powerful mental benefits of communing with nature - it leads to more self-control, increased working memory, lower levels of stress and better moods - but a new study by psychologists at the University of Rochester find that being exposed to wildlife also makes us more compassionate. Nature might be red in tooth and claw, but even a glimpse of greenery can make us behave in kinder, gentler ways.

although one astute comment thinks that the study has it all backwards:

...or maybe a mere glimpse of city life can make us more miserly? Why is the focus on nature here? ...
It is not like it is the default state of all humans to live in cities. I think large cities like New York do more to make us miserly to strangers than nature does to make us generous. In New York there are just too many people trying to scam you to trust everyone. I think a city picture would, for me at least, conjure up suspicion and stinginess. I'd be more likely to point to the city picture as a source of behavioral change than the nature picture.

Hunter's Stats

Hunter just had his three-year checkup and we found that he's"
- 38.2" tall, well taller than 75% of the kids his age
- 34.4 pounds. So he's tall and skinny.
- Body mass index of 16.53.

His newest phrase is "that's fantastic!" which he uses from anything to being presented with sausage to finding out his favorite shirt is clean.

Quote of the Day

The mind should be a vastness like the sky. Mental events should be allowed to disperse like clouds.

Longchenpa

New Toons

My friend Eric records excellent music as Innerfuze, and just released his first song, which is available from most of the major outlets. I highly recommend picking it up - his music is energetic and entertaining. He started playing some of the Boston clubs, and i'm hoping to actually make it out of the house to see him spin one of these days. If I do, i'll be sure to let y'all know about it here.

A Walk in the Woods

I took advantage of a beautiful fall day and Bella's healed ACL to take the dog for a walk in the Ashland Town Forest today. The sun was shining, turning the light green as it dappled through the green beech leaves. The trails are mainly through a tree canopy so you feel like you're walking through a tunnel, although there are many open spaces. In the wetlands, the ferns are dying, opening up the soggy earth to light and exposing the squirrels and chipmunks as they race around gathering up all of the incredible profusion of acorns that are littering the forest floor.

Very peaceful. I wish I had more opportunities to take these walks, just me and the pup.