More on Repairs

Friday I obtained a piece of steel 3 inches wide, 1/2 an inch thick, and 18 feet long. While I was prepared for it's weight, only about 100 pounds, I was not prepared for its lack of stiffness. It's hard to believe such a large piece of steel will behave like overcooked spaghetti.

My experiences with this band of steel today would have looked to any observer (thank goodness there were none) like the out takes from a 3 stooges film, rejected because they were too far fetched. No sooner would I get the second end up then the first would slither back down on to the floor. Most of the time it would wedge itself between a wall and post or the large rocks that litter the west end of our basement. Whenever I got close to having it in place, it shook itself and wiggled and jumped off the post it was sitting on and threw itself onto the floor; often remembering to pat me on the shoulder or arm en route. I finally got it fixed in place with some bolts and 3/4" threaded rod and now we'll see if it helps hold things together.

Impromptu Communications

While my normally conservative nature usually constrains me from doing this sort of thing, here are some shoutouts of the non-audible variety, i.e. printed shouts:

Hi to: Ms Roros; the two Frankies; I'm not Cindy; Serena the thoughtful; the two Sarah Bs; Sara A if she's out there; Ashley and Cacarly; The charming Scott ladies; Jun; the two Scott Ks; Hema and Harleen; Allie D; the two Ms Byingtons; Julie of the smile and Julia of the cosmic rays; the quiet Monica; and the not so quiet Ms Decker; the VanLandegems;  and to so many others.

Please do not feel slighted if I have missed you. 700 shoutouts would be a bit much to write or read, and I really do remember, and miss, you folks.

Physics

I had the chance to help a student who was in my class a couple of years ago. In the process I developed some additional notes on electric and magnetic fields and electromagnetic waves. If you want a copy let me know.

Given the title of this post, I know that only the real believers are reading this so I'll let you know that I have almost reached the point where I feel comfortable about why the Hubble constant doesn't yield true faster than light relative velocities. I am still not sure how to explain the "fact" that a star whose light took 12 billion years to reach us can be thought of as 43 billion light years away from us at this time.

Trip to Ridge or Escape from the Basement

Having grown weary of mixing concrete, getting hit in the head by large pieces of steel, and tripping over sharp edged timbers, I've decided to take a break from attempting to repair the sills, beams, and joists of our house, and visit some folks in New Jersey. I expect to be at Ridge soon after noon on Wednesday.... hope to see some of you folks there.

Cycling

I managed to get some cycling in over the last several days. A typical round trip in these parts involves about 100 feet gained or lost every mile. Since its a round trip this implies a minimum of 200 feet per mile gained on the uphill parts. Thus there is a minimum average of 4% grade when climbing, and usually somewhat more, since there are some flats. On my last ride I hit a 17% grade and was barely able to keep going. When I got home, the only part of me that didn't hurt was my hair. 

I was thinking of moving to Louisiana since I hear its pretty flat down there, but the other half of the senior Cherdacks vetoed any such plans.  Just as well, flat is kind of boring.

Family, Home, and Culture

Had a great time at Passover at my sister's house. She has a wonderful set of children, children in law, and grandkids. I would have to say that my family's best talent  is the ability to pick great spouses.

I recently began working on the sills, beams, and joists of my house  and this will probably keep me pretty busy through mid May, with time out for rides, cultural activities, etc.

Speaking of cultural activities, yesterday we went to the fine arts museum in Springfield  MA. It has a small but very fine collection of paintings, well worth seeing if you are in the area. We followed this with dinner in Wethersfield, CT, a fine old town with many pre revolutionary and some fine federal period buildings. This was followed by a great concert with the Hartford Symphony playing the Dvorak Cello Concerto, and Sibelius Second Symphony. Fine and exciting performances with Gerard Schwarz conducting with his son the cello soloist. Not a bad ending to a day that started with removing forms from a concrete pad I poured on Wednesday and getting a beam up on house jacks.

Admissions, Rejections, etc.

So far I have heard from about half of you as to how you have fared in this years great college bazaar. Please let me know how you did so we can celebrate, commiserate, or ponder the the mysterious working of admissions offices together. Also, please remember that whatever happens won't change my opinion of you; I already know you much better than those college admissions people do.

Good luck to all.