Prep No Fail

I am pretty pleased with myself recently. I been in quite few situations lately were being prepared has really paid of. For example, the other day, I managed to minimize the time I had to spend battling the wind to feed the meter, (it so windy here that I could barely stand without being pushed by the wind) because I had thought ahead and packed a bag of change a few weeks ago for my car. Also, recently, when I picked up take-out and the soup container broke as I got home, but because I thought ahead and done all the dishes and pan/potware ahead of time, I was able to easily transfer the soup to the soup pot without loosing much of the soup and without much of a mess.

I have come to realize that being prepared is not just about survival, but it is about making your daily life easier and less stressful. Each time I needed something, it was there. I didn't have to search for it, or spend more time having to clean up and fix something. I was even able to help out my friends a couple times It doesn't seem like much, but when thing just fall into place when you need it, it is a good feeling, and just makes everything easier.

Take care and be well to all.

Saving is like Dieting

Well, I did not drop off the face of the Earth.

I simply had nothing to say.

Anyway we all know I am all about saving money, so here is good link about some simple ways to save money. Even if you have read these tips before or whichever, it is still a good reminder of things to remember to do.

I like how the the article compares saving to dieting. It is a matter of mind set. Dieting is not really about loosing weight, but having a mind set of eating healthy and taking care of yourself.

Take care!

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/108489/4-ways-to-trim-your-spending?mod=bb-budgeting

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

Books

It has to been said that I am lover of books, especially the classics. As technology grows, people do not grow with it. Happy is still happy, and sad is still. Read the classics and learn all the lessons that come with the classics. They are the classics for a reason.

There is no reason to be unable to find these books.

1- The World Catalog. It can find 14 million titles in just about any library, so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding what you are looking for.

http://www.worldcat.org/


2- Google Books. They even have some books in entirety that you can read online. You can search by year, publication, isbn numbers, and a plethora of other ways.
books.google.com

Best to all, and keep well and safe.

Moon Time

This is the post I been promising for a long time.

The idea is very simple. If you know your basic astronomy, you can use both the moon and the sun to tell time and direction.

The Ecliptic is the path the sun takes in the sky. While the sun and moon does not follow the ecliptic dead on, it is still valid to say the sun and the moon rises in the East, and sets in the West.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecliptic

As the Moon goes through each of its phase, it revolves around the earth, which causes it to rise and set at different times. Therefore the full moon, will rise at 6PM and set at 6AM, and a new moon will rise at 6AM, and set at 6PM. However, we can not see the new moon, because the side of the moon that is getting sun is facing away from us.

This has some vocabulary, and a still frame of what I am talking about.
http://www.teachersparadise.com/ency/en/wikipedia/l/lu/lunar_phase.html

Additionally, the following site has a interactive application, which you can set the moon to different phases and see what times they rise and set.
http://www.samuelwat.com/peabody/detailedmoon/index.html
A waxing gibbous will rise at 3PM and set at 3 AM.

Notes:
Daylight light savings time has to be taken into consideration.

The moon does vary slightly in rise and set times, but it is not enough to discredit the use of the moon to get an approximation of what time it is. The following link can tell you exact time of rising setting based on your location.
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php

Waxing - Moon is becoming fuller, and it lighted on the right side (Think about waxing a car with your right hand)
Waning - Moon disappears, and it is dark on the right side.

I believe in the Southern Hemisphere this is all flipped, but I would have to double check on the fact. If anyone knows, let me know.

I did a previous post on using the sun as a compass for anyone interested.
http://ontologicalthinker.blogspot.com/2008/05/no-compass-no-problem.html

Happy Fourth

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope all have a great day, and eat well, and remember the significance of what we are celebrating.

Solar Power Goodness

I have notice a growing trend in solar power devices. Portable radios are no exception. I borrowed this from a friend.

It is solar-powered, hand cranked, has AM/FM radio, along with a headphone jack. It is a good size, and easy to store. It cost about $18 USD.







I have a couple more pictures of this, but I covered the important parts. When I get one, I shall let you all know how good it works.