Thursday, September 30, 2004

And more...

extract of chapter 21 of "The Little Prince"



"What does that mean--tame?"



"It is an act too often neglected," said the fox. "It means to establish ties."



"To establish ties?"



"Just that," said the fox. "To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world . . ." .....



if you tame me, it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life. I shall know the sound of a step that will be different from all the others. Other steps send me hurrying back underneath the ground. Yours will call me, like music out of my burrow. And then look: you see the grain-fields down yonder? I do not eat bread. Wheat is of no use to me. The wheat fields have nothing to say to me. And that is sad. But you have hair that is the color of gold. Think how wonderful that will be when you have tamed me! The grain, which is also golden, will bring me back the thought of you. And I shall love to listen to the wind in the wheat . . . "



The fox gazed at the little prince, for a long time. "Please--tame me!" he said.

Respect for a loss


GHOSTIES AT THE WEDDING.



Turn down a glass afore his place;

Draw up the dog-eared chair;

For though we shall not see his face,

I think he will be here

Our wedding day to share.



Turn up the glass where she would be

And put a red rose there.

Her quick, grey eyes we cannot see,

But weren't they everywhere,

And shall not they be here?



Though them old blids are in the grave

And their good light's gone out,

We'd sooner their kind ghosties have

Than all the living rout

As will be there no doubt.



For some are dead as cannot die.

Some flown as cannot flee.

You still do fancy 'em near by.

'Tis so with him and she,

At any rate to we.



-- Eden Philpotts

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

CivilianSpaceTravelGo!

Just watched the first X-Prize flight by Space Ship One. Discovered NASA TV and the coverage of the launch was incredible with live streaming video from the wing cameras on the spacecraft. From 100km you really get an amazing view of the curvature of the earth.



This is the big step. This is the opportunity, when private enterprise finds a way to make a profit by leaving the nest of Earth and exploration begins, first of the solar system and then to the stars. 40 years ago it was shown to be possible, but the cost was too great. Today the cost comes down to within the reach of private companies and private citizens, and all of humanity comes out the winners.