Wow! Cool! Very Cool!

Wow! The lecture by Dr. Geist on Dark Matter / Dark Energy was very interesting. I took my fair share of Physics at UCSD as an undergrad, and it always was very interesting to me and mindblowing. This reinvigorated my interest in it. The idea that when we see something 14 million light years away, it was a "picture" from 14 million years ago. I never really thought about it. So, if we (anyone at their planet) look out and see a planet or something that far away, it's possible that life exists and has evolved, but we're seeing a VERY OLD picture of it giving us the initial impression that we're the only ones existing. Did that make sense? Anyhow, I'm sitting here watching Star Trek: The Next Generation at the same time thinking about it and it's all pretty cool.

Cool! Students presented their inventions to C.A.S.H. (that's the Committee for the Advancement of Scientific Humor, which today consisted of myself and a math teacher friend of mine, Ana). It was fun, engaging -- I loved how every group had questions asked of them from the others -- and a different way for them to think on their feet and present their work. Ana was impressed with everyone. The written proposals will be reviewed prior to the grant being awarded. Everyone did a wonderful job and I could tell thought and creativity was put into it -- even with procrastination. Thank you to Ana who came out and found us at Center Hall (this is a great feat because she found it with my directions -- and I'm directionally challenged!).

Very Cool! Petco Park - behind the scenes! It was very cool! I have always loved seeing behind the scene stuff. It was a rare treat to sit in the dugout. I got video footage of most of the tour. My regular digital camera is officially dead I think. I guess I'll have to ask for one for my birthday, but it might be too late to add to that list since it's in a week. I'll have to download that video and create pictures from it. It was fascinating to me to see all the video and audio technology that is put into producing the game. I loved how he showed a script from a past game. It reiterated the importance of a script to them - even with a live sports game! The concept of team work, not just on the field but in the booth!

Thank you Joe for arranging this wonderful field trip! I know we all will remember this - and will make others jealous of our opportunity!