Happy, Sad and Silly Thoughts

(In the background, James Brown is singing Make it Funky)

If Scooby Doo and Astro, the dog from the Jetsons got into a fight who would win?

Who is more clever, Yogi Bear or Wally Gator?

Why can't I drive the Mach V? I mean look at that car. It is awesome. Take a glance at the abridged version of the specs:

The hub of the Mach 5’s steering
wheel features seven lettered buttons, each of which activates a customized accessory designed by Pops Racer.
Control A: “Releases powerful jacks to boost the car so that Sparky, our mechanic, can quickly make any necessary repairs or adjustments.” Although designed for this practical function, the auto jacks have also been used to “leap” the car short distances at high speeds, as a wedge to prevent the car
from toppling over a waterfall, as an alternative braking systems, and as a tool to crush cars in a car-wrestling match.
Control B: Sprouts special grip tires for traction over any kind of terrain. At the same time, 5,000 horsepower is distributed equally to each wheel by auxiliary engines.” Definition of “any kind of terrain”: firm, icy, or unsteady ground; ocean floor; vertical mountainsides.
Control C: “For use traveling over heavily wooded terrain. Powerful rotary saws protrude from the front of the Mach 5 to slash and cut any and all obstacles.” The rotary saws have also been used as a means of self-defense.
Control D: “Releases a powerful deflector which seals the cockpit into an air-conditioned, bullet- and crash-proof, and water-tight chamber. Inside it, I am completely isolated and shielded.” The deflector also protects against sleeping gas.
Control E: “The control for special illumination which can be traversed singly or in tandem, and which enables me to see much farther and more clearly than with ordinary headlights. It’s invaluable in some weird and dangerous places that I race the Mach 5.” When used with the “night shades” attached to Speed’s helmet, his vision is enhanced with infrared light.
Control F: “Used when the Mach 5 is under water. First, the cockpit is supplied with oxygen. Then, a periscope is raised to scan the surface of the water. Everything that is seen is relayed down to me by television.” The 100-pound auxiliary supply of oxygen is enough to last for thirty minutes.
Control G: “Releases a homing robot from the front of the car. The homing robot can carry pictures or tape recorded messages to whomever or whenever I want to send them.” The robot also can carry handwritten messages, X-ray film, rope, and small Egyptian statues, and it has been used as a means of defense. The bird-like device is operated by a built-in remote control within the cockpit. A separate button sends the robot “home.”

Science may make it possible to read more of the original Draconian laws. I found this to be interesting.

"Tests conducted on stone tablets a hundred generations old clearly reveal writing that was lost to the eye.

The study of incised writing on stone and other surfaces is called epigraphy.

"This means restoring thousands of stones, including, possibly, part of the law code of Draco," Clinton said. "It applies to practically any kind of public document you can think of, including many laws, decrees, religious dedications and financial documents."

You've heard Draco's name referred to in phrases starting with "Draconian." He didn't make up the laws, but he was the first to get them written down. Back then, minor offenses carried the death penalty, and debt was a road to slavery.

"X-ray fluorescence imaging has the potential to become a major tool in epigraphy." said Robert Thorne, Cornell professor of physics. "It's just so much more powerful than anything that's been used in the past."

The technique will be detailed in the German journal Papyrology and Epigraphy.

Earlier this year, scientists said they were using a particle accelerator to reveal writings of the Greek mathematician Archimedes."

And on a different note when I first began blogging I noticed that there were a number of blogs that are being written by people who have suffered tremendous losses in their lives. The ones that caught my eye were those that are being written by parents who have lost children. In large part because I am a father and this is a parent's nightmare.

But I have also been touched by the outpouring of support that I have seen for these people. I really do hope that this support has assuage their pain somewhat. The two that I am most familiar with are Seraphic Secret and Elies Expositions. By no means are they the only blogs of this nature out there and I hope that they understand that I am not trying to be ghoulish in drawing attention to them, but they remind me of being part of a community.

And that is so important to not just me, but to others as well. Being part of a community, feeling like you are a part of something is part of what helps us to retain our humanity. It provides us with secure and solid footing and a place to turn to when life gets rough.

That is enough of my rambling and babbling. See you all in the A.M.