Extra-terrestrial

My brother and I often discuss the mysteries of the universe. We've always been sci-fi, my brother and I. Growing up we devoured "Chariots of the Gods?" by Erich Von Daniken, the first book to present proof that we are not alone in the universe, and that our most ancient art and artifacts are works of aliens passing through.

Recently, he asked me if I've read the works of Dr. Michio Kaku, a renowned theroretical physicist who has taken after Einstein's quest for the "theory of everything." I replied, "Dr. who?" He said, "No, not Dr. Who... Dr. Kaku!"

Before we could both stop laughing, my fingers were already Googling the doctor. I quickly found his site: mkaku.org. And before the end of the day, I had read all the articles posted on the site. My favorite is The Physics of Extra-Terrestrial Civilizations, which explains how our planet can evolve into a Type I, II, and III in order for our species to survive.

I am reminded of this today when I read an article about the thoughts of another renowned physicist, Stephen Hawking: Hawking: Humans must colonize space to survive.

It's just interesting--okay, mind-boggling--to think of all this. Certainly a lot of questions remain unanswered... or actually "fictionally" answered by the plot lines in our favorite sci-fi worlds of Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargate, and Battlestar Galactica. I would love to actually own a replicator or feel the effects of going through the "gate."

For now, in this fraction of time that humans try to not annihilate themselves and somehow succeed in evolving from a Type O to a Type I civilization, my brother and I will just continue to look up at the moon and imagine...





What would it be like to live on Mars... or slip through a tear in the fabric of time and space?

[Photos by Ronald Bayan]

Da Vinci Cryptex

I had mentioned the Da Vinci Code Quest on Google in a previous post. Yes, I had so much fun solving the daily puzzles. I even set an alarm to remind me to solve the last puzzle as soon as it came out. Took me about 5 minutes, so I was confident I made the first 10,000 who completed the puzzle.

Got my confirmation in the mail today... the Da Vinci Code Cryptex! It's brass and quite heavy. Very nice souvenir for the fun I had with the puzzles. A big Thank You to everyone who made this happen.













Now, will I try to solve the final puzzle to win the Grand Prize of untold riches? Who knows?!

Postscript [05/27/06]: Yes, I tried solving the final puzzle, but no, I didn't solve it. Unlike some who cheated by picking up solutions posted online, I worked on the puzzle on my own... ergo, I didn't even get to finish the first set! I'd blame it on the eternal conflict between my ADD and my OCD.

But I did get to see the movie. My take: I'd have enjoyed the movie more if I hadn't read the book. The film has its merits, surely. Still worth seeing if only to learn something new... or at least come out wondering "what if?"

Cabbage shoot - Part 3

Another follow-up on my "Cabbage Shoot" and "Cabbage Shoot - Part 2" posts.

Someone (Rej) suggested that I plant the cabbage shoot in soil. Well, a few days ago, I noticed that the bright yellow plant sitting in my crisper drawer had started to wither because the mother wedge had almost totally dried up. No more nutrients to sustain the shoot!

So, I pulled out an old pot and planted my new plant in the soil. I sheltered it under the plants just outside our patio so it won't get shocked by the light, the Florida heat, and the general outside world.

It's been a week and here's how she looks today:







Notice how green the leaves are! And there seems to be a flower blooming! I'll continue to monitor our little cabbage darling for as long as I can. Until next time.

Fondness for puzzles

I am so ready to watch movie. I just finished reading the book, and I must say The Da Vinci Code is a page-turner. Whatever controversy surrounds it, on whether it's fiction or not, it doesn't matter. The story is well told, and the author really takes you there. The action and intrigue holds a candle to plots weaved in TV series like 24 and Alias.

If you want to learn something new, or at the very least read about some radical thought (remember, the book is touted as fiction), pick up the Da Vinci Code. Even for just the story. I loved it for the riddles, puzzles, and codes (actually figured out a few).

Info and links pertinent to the movie, the author, the book's references, etc. are compiled on Wikipedia (heed warning on spoilers).

If you're like me, who grew up collecting puzzles (talk about solved jigsaw puzzles piled under the bed because there's no more space to hang them on the walls), you'll try the Da Vinci Code Quest on Google. I'm on the Day 7 puzzle (and kinda stuck! Haha!).

Did you know that the Mona Lisa is both male and female?

Cabbage shoot - Part 2

I talked about how I discovered that a cabbage had grown in my refrigerator crisper.

Well, I didn't want to throw the thing away, so I shoved it back in one of the crisper drawers. I didn't put it in a plastic bag anymore. This morning, something yellow caught my eye... in the crisper drawer where I left the cabbage. Look what I found!



How totally fascinating is that?! The shoot had grown tall (trying to reach for light) and remained light yellow (should I have opened the fridge door more often?). The wedge continued to wither as it fed the shoot.

And look at this close-up!



Wonders never cease.