Dark Matters

To assure that our current understanding of the rules of the universe isn't completely broken, and to explain aspects of how fast (or slow) the universe appears to be expanding, science has proposed "dark matter". The only problem is that no one has seen, measured, or detected this dark matter - and it should make up most of the universe's mass. This report:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/science/space/18dark.html?_r=1&emc=eta1
is the first I've seen that might indicate a detection of dark matter - but even this article admits there is a 20% chance they could be wrong.

I do enjoy seeing theories struggle to provide solid evidence - that is how they are disproved - or proved. Many people seem to have a problem realizing that the disproof of a theory is just as important to science as a proof. Witness the CO2 based theories of climate change.

Inside the Earth

Now this is neat!

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091214075225.htm

There is so much going on with the planet that we don't really understand yet.

Just a Note

Been busy, and been dealing with a long stretch of below freezing weather here in Denver.

Environmental factors

Our environment has lots of subtle effects that we are only partly aware of. Here' s an interesting study on myopia that (reasonably) shows how good it is to be kids (and, I supect, adults) outside!

http://www.futurepundit.com/archives/006699.html

Quantum Physics

Here's a theory that shows the far out conclusions quantum mechanics can support.

SCIENCE / SPACE & COSMOS | October 13, 2009
Essay: The Collider, the Particle and a Theory About Fate
By DENNIS OVERBYE
at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/science/space/13lhc.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

The time traveling particle is interesting enough as an hypothesis, but now there is this:
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2009-11/bread-loving-bird-shuts-down-lhc

which does seem to lend credence to the idea. Only time will tell - at some point, if they never get the collider to work, the theory can be considered supported by evidence.

Ain't Science Wonderful!

Change

Here's a story about an event that is all too common in Earth's history, but, since it works on a different time scale than humans do, we rarely see it. It has implications for evolution (how fast or slow it may happen) and geographic history (does the Earth change in spurts or continuously and gradually). The answer is, of course, both, but this event in Africa is a good example of a "spurt"!

Giant Crack in Africa Will Create a New Ocean
http://www.livescience.com/environment/091102-africa-rift-ocean.html

Early Snow

Denver - and Golden - is getting a big early snow - about 19 inches in my backyard as of 9 am and more is forecast. I do like the variability of Colorado weather!

Smile!

As most anyone who knows me knows, I smile a lot. I've always believed that it is a great way to make it through the day, but I recognize that was based upon nothing other than my feelings and some popular wisdom. But here's a reinforcing opinion that actually has some references that support the theory.

http://judson.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/a-language-of-smiles/?ref=science

So I'll keep smiling - and I suggest you do the same

Questions

Here are some mind stretching questions for those among you with a physics bent - http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18041-seven-questions-that-keep-physicists-up-at-night.html?full=true

Debt

I've always admired Victor Davis Hanson, a professor of Classical Greece and recognized expert on ancient Greek and Roman history. He is particularly well known for "The Western Way of War" which attributes western victories to western cultural attitudes. Here - http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/allfallingdown/ - is an excellent article that strongly agrees with my views of the danger of public debt - and that a major source of public debt is government entitlement programs.

Threats

All the political and social noise about climate change seems to me to be misdirected. A much more real threat is described in this - http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18046 - article in "New Scientist". And unlike climate change, it's pretty firmly established that a collision with a comet can result in massive extinctions - just ask T. rex.

Free speech, the UN, and blasphemy

It seems to me that the President's oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States would require that ANY Administration vote against an exception to free speech based upon negative racial or religious religious stereotyping. Yet, according to this - http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/10/column-just-say-no-to-blasphemy-laws-.html - the Obama Administration has done just that.

Evolution

Very interesting article on the evolution of flying reptiles and some general implications to evolutionary theory. It more or less supports that evolution can happen rapidly - in a geological sense - when an opportunity arises. The site for the article is: http://www.economist.com/sciencetechnology/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14637291&source=hptextfeature

Debt

This site shows why I think government debt is the most serious long term issue for the country. The longer we wait, the greater the pain of the fix - and even now it will cause pain.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Alarming Debt Charts

Simple charts vividly demonstrate the immensity of the exploding debt problem now faced by the United States. The large expansion of debt in World War II looks like a small blip compared to what's coming if we do not change policy. Click here:

http://johnbtaylorsblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/alarming-debt-charts.html

to see the charts I used to compare U.S. debt history with CBO projections in my Economics lectures at Stanford today. The source is the spreadsheet for CBO's alternative fiscal scenario in its June Long-Term Budget Outlook.

Contradictions

President Obama seems to be confused about who defined the mission in Afghanistan and when it was defined -

BARACK OBAMA

Apparently the Mission Crept Sometime in the Past Five Weeks

Obama, this weekend:

“No, no, no, no,” Mr. Obama replied. He said that he had inherited a strategy on Afghanistan that was “somewhat adrift,” and wanted to restore a sharp focus on defeating the al-Qaeda threat.

“We lost that focus for a while and you started seeing a classic case of mission creep,” he said.

Obama, an entire 36 days ago:

It's why I announced a new, comprehensive strategy in March — a strategy that recognizes that al Qaeda and its allies had moved their base from the remote, tribal areas — to the remote, tribal areas of Pakistan. This strategy acknowledges that military power alone will not win this war — that we also need diplomacy and development and good governance. And our new strategy has a clear mission and defined goals: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies.

In the months since, we have begun to put this comprehensive strategy into action. And in recent weeks, we've seen our troops do their part. They've gone into new areas — taking the fight to the Taliban in villages and towns where residents have been terrorized for years. They're adapting new tactics, knowing that it's not enough to kill extremists and terrorists; we also need to protect the Afghan people and improve their daily lives. And today, our troops are helping to secure polling places for this week's election so that Afghans can choose the future that they want.

Now, these new efforts have not been without a price. The fighting has been fierce. More Americans have given their lives. And as always, the thoughts and prayers of every American are with those who make the ultimate sacrifice in our defense.

As I said when I announced this strategy, there will be more difficult days ahead. The insurgency in Afghanistan didn't just happen overnight and we won't defeat it overnight. This will not be quick, nor easy. But we must never forget: This is not a war of choice. This is a war of necessity. Those who attacked America on 9/11 are plotting to do so again. If left unchecked, the Taliban insurgency will mean an even larger safe haven from which al Qaeda would plot to kill more Americans. So this is not only a war worth fighting. This is a — this is fundamental to the defense of our people.

What happens when a White House that called a war "fundamental to the defense of our people" starts trying to argue that America "just can't win"?

From http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/
9/22/2009

Contradictions

Here's an example of why many (including me) are not impressed with the passion of the environmental groups over the crisis of Global Warming - opps - climate change.

Disputed Solar Energy Project in California Desert Is Dropped


o

Article Tools Sponsored By
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
Published: September 18, 2009 New York Times

A proposed solar energy project in the California desert that caused intense friction between environmentalists and the developers of renewable energy has been shelved.

BrightSource Energy Inc. had planned a 5,130-acre solar power farm in a remote part of the Mojave Desert, on land previously intended for conservation. The company, based in Oakland, Calif., said Thursday that it was instead seeking an alternative site for the project.

The Wildlands Conservancy, a California environmental group, had tried to block the solar development, as had Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, who proposed that the area become a national monument.

The land was donated by Wildlands to the Interior Department during the Clinton administration, with assurances from President Bill Clinton himself, the group says, that it would be protected in perpetuity. But the Energy Policy Act of 2005, a Bush administration initiative, opened the land to the development of solar projects.

“We salute BrightSource for their responsible behavior,” said David Myers, executive director of Wildlands. “A major conflict between the environment and renewable energy is over.”

The plant would have been “at the heart of a signature valley” filled with bighorn sheep and other natural treasures, said Mr. Myers, who added that he hoped BrightSource would now find a “more appropriate site.”

Representatives of the company did not return calls for comment.

BrightSource, a high-profile company with investors like Google and advisers like the environmental campaigner Robert F. Kennedy Jr., builds large-scale, sophisticated solar plants in the United States, Israel and Australia. It is developing more than four gigawatts of solar power in the southwestern United States, according to its Web site.

The company uses a technique in which hundreds of small mirrors redirect desert sunlight onto a single central tower, where the heat generates steam.

[site: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/science/earth/19mojave.html?_r=1&ref=science]

My conclusion is that if the environmental groups don't treat is as a crisis (except when they want something), I can't get into "crisis mode". And if I'm not in crisis mode, I'm certainly not going to support a massive tax on energy.

Poisonous plants

Here's an interesting little article that should give you something to think about.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/earth/4331026.html

A number of these grow commonly in yards and found all over the US. If you are interested in this stuff, the classic text is "Poisonous Plants of the United States and Canada" by John Kingsbury. It's dated now, but quite complete.

OMB and CBO

For those of you not into Federal alphabet soup - that's the Office of Management and Budget (part of the Executive Branch - i.e., works for President) and the Congressional Budget Office (part of the Legislative Branch, and set up to be non-partisan). This report (http://hotair.com/archives/2009/07/26/the-omb-cbo-throwdown/) of the OMB pressuring the CBO is really quite a serious thing. The (relative) independence of the CBO is critical to Congressional budgeting decisions - and, as a part of the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch has little business even being at the meetings, much less "pressing his old CBO colleagues to change past practices".

This could lead to more of an "Imperial Presidency" than anything Bush or even Nixon did.

Federal Health Care

I'm pretty firmly opposed to every options I've heard discussed for expanded health care. Partly because I have fundamental issues with the Federal Government providing health care at all (I know, that's a lost cause) and partly because of the expense. On the expense, specifically, all the plans I've seen assume major savings from increased efficiency. I work for the Federal Government, and have for more than 30 years. I think every Administration I've worked for has claimed they would reduce the cost of something or other by increasing efficiency. I've seen no demonstrated successes. So for proponents of health care - demonstrate the savings in medicare and medicaid first - then we can talk about how much more money would be saved by expanding federal health care programs.

Must be a slow day - 2 posts in one day is a record for me!

Afganistan Attacks

In headlines I would have expected more during Pres. Bush's administration (which may reflect my prejudice) most of the major news outlets are talking about the the 7 suicide bombers - but the headlines are about the attacks, not about what seems to me to be more important - the attacks all failed as a result of Afgan security forces taking action. The headlines don't even imply this was a victory, when it obviously was - see, for example:
The Guardian - http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/26/taliban-afghanistan-khost-attack
CNN International - http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/25/afghanistan.wrap/
and
AP - http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWEqwq3CrRvaQCmt21MfoYhjZJQD99LMNAO4

Climate Change

One of the more interesting - to me at least - current issues is the debate about climate change. I've expressed my concerns before about the uncertainty in the science, and here's a recent peer-reviewed article that illustrates some basis for the uncertainty: http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2009/2008JD011637.shtml

The basic conclusion is that the Southern Oscillation (a fancy phrase for the periodic temperature changes in the Pacific Ocean) can explain most the variability we have seen in climate for the last 50 years or so. The Climate change proponents (I almost said fanatics) have immediately raised a number of issues - some appear legitimate, some are more in the line of personal attacks and name-calling. Here are the 3 I found:

http://tamino.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/old-news/
http://greenfyre.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/is-our-whole-dissembly-appeared/
http://initforthegold.blogspot.com/2009/07/surprising-conclusions-from.html

Note that none of these are peer reviewed - and I'm far from a climate scientist!

One point they make which may have some value is that the Southern Oscillation study did not include trend data. But I 'm not sure that was the point - the point seems to me that climate models have to include the effects of the southern oscillation if they are to represent the what the climate appears to work - and currently they don't.

So, this is another source of uncertainty in the models that make me skeptical on their scenarios (since even they don't call them predictions).

Senator Benntet's response

Senator Bennet actually appears to have read (or his staff, actually) my original note and responded - here is the response:

"Thank you for contacting me. I appreciate hearing from you.

Our nation is currently undergoing an economic upheaval, the likes of which we have not seen since the Great Depression. The number of unemployed Americans increased by 563,000 to 13.7 million in April 2009, and the unemployment rate rose to 8.9 percent overall. In Colorado, more than 58,000 workers have lost their jobs, and every day, more and more Coloradans fall behind in their mortgage payments.

It is important to remember that the seeds of the current economic turmoil were planted during the past eight years, when unregulated markets allowed financial institutions to swell and the housing market to balloon to unrealistic proportions. Even traditional advocates of deregulation, and the financial industry itself, have asked Congress to step in and help reform the system of regulation to create more certainty. We have seen a need for smarter regulation given the seriousness of the current financial meltdown. It will take bold action and a willingness to embrace new ideas to get our economy moving again. The work of the current Administration and Congress has been to address this crisis with every tool at our disposal.

Recovery will not happen overnight, but Congress must do more to stave off a prolonged recession and help working families. I believe that vigorous investments we have made are necessary to get our economy moving again. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (P.L.111-5), we have made targeted investments in energy, health care, education, and transportation that will help create jobs and grow our economy. In addition, the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Resolution, which passed the Senate on April 2, 2009, lays the foundation for significant cost saving reforms to our health care system and energy sector.

That said, I certainly share your concerns over the current size of the deficit. As we work to revive the economy, we must do everything we can to put America back on the track toward fiscal responsibility. That is why I supported the Senate Budget Resolution, which went beyond President Obama’s plan by cutting the deficit by two-thirds by 2014, stimulating the economy in the short run and then reducing the deficit in the long run. We must work to reduce the deficit, because economic recovery will be short-lived if we mortgage our children’s future to achieve it.

Some have attempted to reduce these bold efforts to partisan talking points, asserting that, all told, the initiatives represent a return to “big government” or stereotypical “tax and spend” economic plans. I believe these arguments overlook the severity of our situation and mischaracterize the actual policy. For example, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act cuts taxes for 95 percent of American families, and the Making Work Pay tax cut – which covers more Americans than any in history – is putting more than $900 million back into the pockets of more than 1.8 million Colorado families.

Coloradans need help now. As we invest in America and pave the way for long-term economic recovery, rest assured I will keep your thoughts in mind and work to serve as responsible steward of taxpayer funds.

Again, thank you for contacting me."

I still disagree with much of what he says - and he has taken an excessively political tone when discussing the origins of the current financial situation - its been building for much longer than 8 years - that just happens to be the two terms of President Bush - and as a good Democrat (rather than an honest broker and source of information) - he can't say anything that implies President Clinton had anything to do with it. Additionally, of course, the economy is the thing that Presidents have the least control over - even though they are blamed first when things go bad.

Finally, again, like Congressman Perlmutter, he kind of missed the point. He came closer than Congressman Perlmutter, but still focused too much upon the deficit and government as the solution - rather than the ease with which the government can be the problem and the high level of distrust (earned) in Congressional actions. Notice I'm clear that government isn't always the problem, and some actions of the government likely helped. Unfortunately, the actions that likely helped where likely the most unpopular - supporting the banks. In today's society, the availability of credit is vital to the economy of the country. I would like to see a longer term solution based upon restricting the size of an individual institution so it cannot be "too big to fail". And then the system should be able to allow the failure those institutions that are poorly managed, but the expansion of those that are not.

That still leaves the very human problem of the herd mentality. If a bank is making more money - even in the short term - by a particular practice, the odds are that most banks will follow the same path, despite the risks. There is an element of human nature involved that regulation is not going to fix - and if it tried too hard, the regulation becomes the problem.

Life Happens

That's as good a reason as any for my lack or recent posting - nothing specific, just life.

I just returned from visiting my daughter in Little Rock and had a very pleasant visit. Did some shooting and visited the Pea Ridge Battlefield.

Arkansas is a beautiful state - not one I know well. It's certainly different from the Western states I am more used to (and like better). The humidity would take some getting used to and the bugs are magnitudes more of a problem than in the Rockies - something I'd have to figure out, because if I lived in Arkansas I would enjoy doing some bushwacking up the streams in the Ozarks. Something I did a lot of as a kid in the Sierras.

I travel quite a bit, and one thing I've learned is that each State has its beauties. I assume that is true even of the more densely populated states (New Jersey comes to mind). There is lots to explore in the 50 states - I've only been in 28 so far.

First response

My last post was a copy of a note I sent to my 2 Senator's and y Congressman. I promised I'd show any response I received. Here's what I received from my Congressman (Congressman Perlmutter)

"Dear Don,

Thank you for contacting me about government spending. I appreciate hearing from you on such an important issue because it enables me to better represent the beliefs and values of our district.

As you know our country is facing some of the toughest financial times since the Great Depression. I share your concerns about taking action to ensure our economic well being. Our economy has traditionally thrived when the federal government oversees, but does not interfere too much in, the free market. However, there are times when the federal government must act responsibly for the stability and security of our country. Some of our nation's largest employers are on the brink of failure if the federal government does not intervene. With millions of Americans working for our nation's auto makers, and many millions more in industries directly related to it, our nation simply cannot afford to stand by and do nothing, at times the federal government must intervene. That is why I voted in favor of a plan to provide loans to these companies in exchange for major restructuring to their long-term plans.

Recently, the House passed a budget blueprint for 2010. As you may know, this budget proposes to roll back tax breaks for those making over $250,000, close corporate tax loopholes, and bring tax relief to 95% of working Americans. The budget also pushes forward a green energy agenda designed to create jobs in the renewable energy sector and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Further, the budget promises to make great strides in healthcare reform to lower the costs of quality care, and makes critical investments in education by making college more affordable. I reaffirm my commitment to helping our country return to economic prosperity while maintaining a focus on important investments in our future as set forth in the budget plan."

This is rather obviously a canned response to questions about spending and budget that makes no attempt to respond to the content of my note. This is a pattern I've noticed - the Congressional websites have a list of Subjects that you are supposed to select from - I suspect (given my experience) there are canned letters to respond to those subjects so the staff doesn't have to even think about how to answer. It certainly doesn't increase the publics confidence they are really paying attention (one of hte points of the tea parties, which started this discussion).

Tea Party Movement

I just sent this message to my Congressman and both Senators:

This note is to demonstrate agreement with the Tea Party Movement. While I am a registered Republican, I'm not politically active, so please don't make the mistake of thinking that this is an "astroturf" phenomenon, as some "progressive" commentators have been doing. This is truly a grassroots effort to get the attention of politicians such as yourself and say that the wasteful, misguided, and just plain stupid use of our tax dollars needs to stop. Automatic raises for Congress members should stop. Budgeting by continuing resolution should stop. Federal funding for the "Arts" should stop. Eternal deficits should stop. Farm subsidies should stop. Obviously, the list can go on and on, but I hope the point is made. Responsible people, who work and pay their taxes (the "John Galts" of the world) are about fed up with the excuses about deficits, budgets, and general poor management of our tax money by Congress (Republican and Democratic) and the Administration(s)(Republican and Democratic). As stated on a Tea Party demonstration sign, "It's not a Republican thing, it's not a Democratic thing, it's an American thing."

I'll discuss any meaningful response I get.

Pirates

Congratulations to the Navy for a job well done in the Indian Ocean - and also to President Obama, making the right call to allow whatever force the local command believed necessary to address the problem and save an American life.

The Sun

There's an interesting thing going on with the sun - that may (or may not) be related to the recent leveling (or decline) in global temperatures (depends upon which site you look at - continued rise in temperatures is documented at http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/
Leveling or declines are documented at http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk/cru/data/temperature/). But what's interesting about the sun is the very low sunspot activity recently - here's a NASA site that talks about how unusually low the solar output has been recently - some are saying this is reflected in the recent temperatures world-wide - others disagree. The site is:

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum.htm

Real Clear Politics

Real Clear Politics is a valuable site for an overview of articles about the current political situation, focused upon the United States. Here's a recent article that discussed one of Obama's weak points in logic - but strong points in political argument:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/04/obamas_childish_vision_of_poli.html

It is a good example of the logical flaw of false dilemma or false dichotomy. A choice is presented as if only 2 options exist, when, in reality, many choices exist. It is an effective political tool, but very rarely an accurate effective way to present real choices.

The obvious

Here's a recent study that documents the obvious:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090331183800.htm

The gist is that kids who are physically active can pay better attention in class - well, duh. Note that the sample size of the study is very small (only 20 kids), so it's weak statistically, but it sure fits common sense! I've long believed that much of the current plague of ADD type disorders relates to kids - and especially boys - not having major physical work to do on a regular basis.

It's always nice to fine a study that reinforces your prejudices!

Palestine

Interesting information on the Palestinian situation that is rarely talked about - how Arab governments have trapped the Palestinian population in refugee status for their political ends. Read it at http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2009/03/palestine_is_a_victim_of_arab.html

The Economist

I greatly enjoy the "Economist" magazine for several reasons. First, because it attempts to cover the entire world (sort of like "Time" magazine used to do). Second, as a British publication, it gives a"less involved" view of the American political situation than magazines published in the U.S. By way of examples, here are 3 articles that I found interesting just in today's on line edition.

"Obama's standing army"
http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13331151
An interesting analysis of how Obama is using campaign tactics to push his agenda, even against the Democratic Congress.

"Don't keep on trucking"
http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13331117
A rather embarrassing article addressing how Mexico is losing patience with the US for not living up to NAFTA.

"EU leaders compare notes,scare each other"
http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2009/03/eu_leaders_compare_notes_scare.cfm
An opinion piece on how Europe is struggling to figure out the financial situation as much as the US is.

It's just a great place to see things from a different perspective.

Spring Planning

It's time for Colorado big-game hunters to get their requests (and money) for tags sent into the Division of Wildlife. The due date is April 7. In a way, it's kind of hard to get "into" the hunting mode this time of year, but once you get used to it, it's kind of nice.

That's because it gives you a reason to think seriously about hunting almost all year long. For the month of March, you are plotting which unit to apply for - and since I hunt elk, deer and antelope, I get to plan 3 trips. Then in June you get the word on which units you did get drawn for, so then you can start looking over the maps and plotting the specific places you want to set up camp and hunt. Hopefully, during the summer you will get at least one trip to the unit to scout it out on the ground. And there is always at least one trip to a range to sight in your rifle. And that brings you to September, when the weather starts to change and you start planning what gear you need to take (and what new gear you need to buy!).

Finally the season opens and the constant tension of the hunt consumes your days until you kill your animal.

Another several days of butchering (which I do myself) follows. Then it's sharing hunting stories with your friends for several months and it starts all over again.

Isn't life great!

Climate Change

Of course I "believe" in climate change. Anyone who has looked at geologic history acknowledges that the climate of the earth has change frequently - in fact, it's more accurate to say that it is always changing.

What is a more viable question is "What does the increased CO2 in the atmosphere have to do with current climate change?" A qualified view that is different from the mantra of 'CO2 bad, people bad, all our fault' can be found at http://www.ilovemycarbondioxide.com/pdf/Willie_Soon-Its_the_Sun_Stupid.pdf

Today was a Runequest (RQ) day. For those of you who don't know what that is, I've run a fantasy role-playing game at my church for about 25 years with the various generations of kids in jr. and sr. high. Similar to D&D, I've alwasy liked the RQ system better - much more flexible, in my opinion.

That game today was against a major center of Chaos - 3 to 5 (it varied as the day went on, with people arriving late and getting added in) players fought trolls of various sizes and shapes, ghosts, minataurs, and demons. They are up against major evil here and did not find it easy - 3 player characters died. And, at the end, they were just about where they had started, after retreating once to recover from damamge. But a good time was had by all and they were eager to play again, so I accomplished my purpose.

And so it begins - I've fallen into the comuter blogging world - now the question is, can I get up?