It's the busiest time of the year for me. Conferences abound, have to finish posters, and create presentations for classes and elsewhere. I have another few days in between trips, but plenty to write about.

There was a large gathering of family members this weekend to celebrate my grandfather's 80th birthday. It was nice to see so many in attendance! I got a lot captured on video, but haven't taken the time to figure out how to transfer that here... yet.

The mystery party was a hit! A bit difficult for so many that were new to it, but still a lot of fun. A group of 12 of us went to Perkins until 2am to chat afterwards. I'll create a new web site for it once I'm back longer.

Also did some work at Stanford, got to see some friends in CA and attended Bo & Laurie's wedding in Santa Rosa. Afterwards I spent 4 days at a conference in Pittsburgh. Gorgeous weather and view of downtown skyline, and learned a lot as well. Zooloretto is Michael & Smita's newest favorite board game, too. And, as usual, I am grateful for my neighbors taking care of my kittens while I'm away.

Today I got to see Baxter (now named James), too. The new owner surprised me by bringing him by. TB hissed at him and he definitely looked disoriented being back at home (though he knew to go downstairs to get food!). Glad he's happy at his new home and reminds me that 2 cats are plenty.

The weather is getting cold! Need to get the sprinkler system aired out...

Had 2 game nights this week - one with the usual game-night crowd (played Arkham Horror), and one with the non-game night crowd who were dismayed not to know anything about the "official" game night crowd from the mystery party. Both were a lot of fun and both had way too much Halloween snacks! I'm feeling stuffed still and no DDR to help... time to run around the block a few more times.

Impressive and expensive joystick for Xbox360. There are so many good new games for the Xbox 360! Mine got the 3-red rings of death last week and is being repaired down in Texas. If I wasn't leaving again so soon, I'd rent one for a temporary spell. Instead, got the old xbox working to watch dvds and maybe even try some old unplayed games... (ok, still only a thought, not a reality).

Something I've been "suffering" from for years now - phantom vibrations in my leg where my cell phone is. Sadly, it's gotten to the point where I can't tell if it's the real thing or fake and just put my hand down to see. I also hear my phantom ringing, too... ack!

This week is when the new Mac OS arrives - I get my copy tomorrow. Exciting! Leopard vs Vista and some impressions. Here's the main review, though, on ars tehcnica.

A friend showed me this interesting safari battle between water buffalo and lions and...

And this one, of Matt, dancing around the world. If I could be like Matt...

Impressive transformation of an old missile silo in Kansas to a new-age tourist site/home. I could live there (though I may transform it slightly differently).

Oh yeah, and an amazing finish to a football game - never seen so many laterals!

Too many new links not to share before the weekend. In order, of course.

First, if you listen to NPR, Marketplace or surf the web, you likely have heard that Radiohead's new album, In Rainbows, was released today only by downloading from their site and paying whatever you want to pay them. I gave them 3.45 lbs (~$7) and am happy with the album, though the audiophile in me wishes it was a higher bitrate. (yes, you can download it for free, too)

A Nation of Christians is not a Christian Nation - oped piece in the NYTimes this week. It's a short one, but I couldn't find the better comments I heard recently with the writer of a new book about the history of Christianity in the US. Email from friends/family that talk about how the US was founded upon/within Christianity and how it should be a greater part of our government tire me - and yes, I disagree completely. Not that it didn't influence the founders and many in it now, but we don't need to become a Christian nation/government any more than the world needs another Muslim or Buddhist Theocracy.

This probably shouldn't be on YouTube, and I haven't taken the time to watch it, yet, but I hear good things about this 60 min documentary on The Life of Buddha.

While we're on religion, back to the issues closest to my heart... or at least see an amusing news article on the FSM.

OK, last week I wrote about putting up $ for the incoming SmartUSA car, but anyone going to do the same with this 300 mpg "car"?

Here's an impressive short video from NASA showing a comet getting it's tail ripped off by a solar eruption.

And, finally, a good article about why email and IM aren't so good for communication (at least compared to being in person with someone). I've noticed plenty of times interpreting mood/emotion incorrectly (and being misinterpreted, too).

OK, now I'm free to return back to work.

Though the sun goes down earlier these days, it's still been an absolutely gorgeous late summer/fall. Roses are still in bloom. I've been spoiled by this great weather. Also was spoiled by both K-State and the Chiefs winning last weekend! (not mentioning Nebraska since it was a game they had to win). This Saturday will be something different for all the Big XII. Yeah, I like football.

So the first mystery party of Nebraska will happen this month. Can't believe I couldn't invite all I wanted to - nice that it's so popular! May have to have a re-shot at it come February (assuming it goes well).

Since it's football season, it's the only time I actually watch TV. Here's the full and great video for Feist's 1234 (seen for Apple iPodnano).

As for something scary, how about the brain-eating amoeba in US lakes? (thanks, Katie)

I knew nothing about the fancy ways of tieing shoes back in the 80s, but here's a wonderful site showing LOTS of fun ways of re-lacing your shoes.

Am I the only one curious and interested in getting in on the first set of smartcars when they arrive in the US next year? I'm thinking of getting one in Nebraska colors and if I'm not happy with it, turning it around for 0 to little profit. Definitely a city car.

Mary-Lee sent me this (which I've now discovered was written by Michael Kinsley in the New Republic, NOT Reagan): The following is from Ronald Reagan's recently published diaries (entry dated May 17, 1986):

"A moment I've been dreading. George brought his ne're-do-well son around this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the political one who lives in Florida. The one who hangs around here all the time looking shiftless. This so-called kid is already almost 40 and has never had a real job. Maybe I'll call Kinsley over at The New Republic and see if they'll hire him as a contributing editor or something. That looks like easy work."

Oh my!

BTW, I did finally get Halo 3 in the mail. Simply amazing... and yeah, I'm still not good at it.