Most of you know now that Nicole and I are having another baby. This is both terrifying and exciting. Terrifying because we have so much stuff that needs to be done before hand. Exciting because we will have another little bundle.
Alain can't decide between a brother and sister. Of course, he told the babysitter yesterday he is having 6 brothers and sisters... lol. Only 1 heartbeat today :)
According to the old wives tales, a faster heart beat is a girl, slow is a boy (our doctor joked how he should have had 2 boys but got 2 girls). Accordingly then, we are having a girl. Of course I put zero stock in that! I say 50/50 at this point. I don't think we want to know ahead of time...
Well... March 25 is the due date. So we should be having it around the beginning of March if Alain was any indication!
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Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.
– Richard Feynman
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Israel versus Common Sense
Israel claims they want to negotiate. The Palestinian Authority wants them to stop any new settlements before they will sit down. What do the Israelis do? Burn down trees and destroy a village to build a settlement. When the villagers tried to prevent the settlers from moving in by protesting and throwing rocks, the settlers fired guns and the Israeli army came in to "police" the situation, killing 1 villager and injuring several others yet not even stopping settlers.
Do they really want to sit at a negotiating table?
The situation reminds me of something like the police "negotiating" in a hostage situation. There is no leaving (all the borders are controlled by the Israelis and there is a blockade in the water) without getting shot at the worst and at best being arrested and subjugated. Essentially negotiating at gunpoint.
Now, imagine if Hitler did the same to Poland. He claimed "we need breathing room" and invaded Poland. If he stopped there and essentially forced the Polish to negotiate while being occupied, we have a similar situation (though the Israelis have occupied the Palestinian Territories for decades).
Someone has risen up and said "enough is enough - WE are a people". Abbas has balls. Imagine if the citizens of the West Bank and Gaza protested like in Egypt? We would have another Lybia on our hands. But we already know which side the Americans are on. It would be a massacre that Israel would simply say that it wasn't really OUR fault - we were just defending ourselves. Sound like a special forces unit landing at night on an unarmed boat with activists aboard anyone?
It seems like common sense if you ask me. Since the Israelis and Americans are essentially against them, who can the PA turn to as an occupied territory? Who is going to listen to them? Here is hoping someone does...
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Science is simply common sense at its best that is, rigidly
accurate in observation, and merciless to fallacy in logic.
-- Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-95) English biologist
Do they really want to sit at a negotiating table?
The situation reminds me of something like the police "negotiating" in a hostage situation. There is no leaving (all the borders are controlled by the Israelis and there is a blockade in the water) without getting shot at the worst and at best being arrested and subjugated. Essentially negotiating at gunpoint.
Now, imagine if Hitler did the same to Poland. He claimed "we need breathing room" and invaded Poland. If he stopped there and essentially forced the Polish to negotiate while being occupied, we have a similar situation (though the Israelis have occupied the Palestinian Territories for decades).
Someone has risen up and said "enough is enough - WE are a people". Abbas has balls. Imagine if the citizens of the West Bank and Gaza protested like in Egypt? We would have another Lybia on our hands. But we already know which side the Americans are on. It would be a massacre that Israel would simply say that it wasn't really OUR fault - we were just defending ourselves. Sound like a special forces unit landing at night on an unarmed boat with activists aboard anyone?
It seems like common sense if you ask me. Since the Israelis and Americans are essentially against them, who can the PA turn to as an occupied territory? Who is going to listen to them? Here is hoping someone does...
------------------------------
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
That's right I AM an Atheist
Yes, it is true, I am an atheist. I have always been one but it is important that others now know. Think of this as me "coming out of the closet".
In all my years growing up, I can only recollect attending church on 2 occasions. Neither were particularly "church" as they were when my sister and I stayed with my aunt and uncle when my parents were gone and required we go to "Sunday School" (i.e. indoctrination school). We never said grace (except at my grandparents house occasionally) nor did we "pray". Growing up in the Canadian bible belt, I can say many of my friends were "semi-religious" to religious. Most of the religious people were Mormons.
Then I got to university. It was a free-for-all beer swilling drunken party (I lived in residence)... at least for those in the social sciences who only had a couple papers to write at the end of the semester. I got a girlfriend who was catholic. Though, I really use that term lightly ;) I did attend a catholic church with her several times (that is when she felt like it) but always on off days or times. Most of the time of course I didn't go.
When I finally met my wife, I was definitely a "non-believer" though she was raised to be one. She is a physicist in her own right and I think that she is essentially a non-believer though perhaps has a nagging doubt (damn that indoctrination). She was a member of some religiously cult-type environment growing up but shook that off before I met her. Luckily, her immediate family at that time had essentially shaken that.
When we got married, because we were half a country apart, it was hard to plan so I basically told her to do whatever she wanted with one exception - there could be NO religious aspects. She was in agreement (though I think her grandmother and aunt were a bit miffed).
Now we have a son (and one on the way too). I need to figure out how to raise they properly in a secular household. Not easy with "Christmas" and "Easter" though that is easy enough to make a different sort of celebrations. I want them to learn about religion but not be sucked in before the can think logically and make up their own minds. Here is hoping they can develop reasoning skills early.
So, yes, I am an atheist.
-----------------
In all my years growing up, I can only recollect attending church on 2 occasions. Neither were particularly "church" as they were when my sister and I stayed with my aunt and uncle when my parents were gone and required we go to "Sunday School" (i.e. indoctrination school). We never said grace (except at my grandparents house occasionally) nor did we "pray". Growing up in the Canadian bible belt, I can say many of my friends were "semi-religious" to religious. Most of the religious people were Mormons.
Then I got to university. It was a free-for-all beer swilling drunken party (I lived in residence)... at least for those in the social sciences who only had a couple papers to write at the end of the semester. I got a girlfriend who was catholic. Though, I really use that term lightly ;) I did attend a catholic church with her several times (that is when she felt like it) but always on off days or times. Most of the time of course I didn't go.
When I finally met my wife, I was definitely a "non-believer" though she was raised to be one. She is a physicist in her own right and I think that she is essentially a non-believer though perhaps has a nagging doubt (damn that indoctrination). She was a member of some religiously cult-type environment growing up but shook that off before I met her. Luckily, her immediate family at that time had essentially shaken that.
When we got married, because we were half a country apart, it was hard to plan so I basically told her to do whatever she wanted with one exception - there could be NO religious aspects. She was in agreement (though I think her grandmother and aunt were a bit miffed).
Now we have a son (and one on the way too). I need to figure out how to raise they properly in a secular household. Not easy with "Christmas" and "Easter" though that is easy enough to make a different sort of celebrations. I want them to learn about religion but not be sucked in before the can think logically and make up their own minds. Here is hoping they can develop reasoning skills early.
So, yes, I am an atheist.
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- Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.
- -- Adam Smith (1723-90) The Wealth of Nations, 1776
Monday, September 19, 2011
Unfortunate Circumstances
So I have a big problem. My wife are taking a class that is being offered for pregnant couples by our potential doula. My wife has talked briefly to her on the phone and she invited to join her class at the last minute. They even had child care available! Then I found out the class was being held in a church. I didn't say anything because there was a chance that it was going to be focussed on dealing with pregnancy and childbirth. Believe me when I say, free child care is great too
Unfortunately, our doula's husband is the pastor of this FUNDAMENTALIST church. She also cannot apparently separate her job as a doula and teacher with that of a religious believer. This means she providing us "helpful" scriptures and her "textbook" is filled with passages from the bible. I found it VERY difficult to continue to sit in my seat and say nothing.
Then I found out that the child care - which I quickly realised was run by the church - was essentially attempting to indoctrinate my child. This made me both queasy and very angry. He is luckily only 3 and has a secular home life and likely sees the "story" he was read as just that... a story.
My wife is unsure what her position is or at least she is reluctant to tell me her position. I agreed that if the doula could detach herself from her religion and service us in her capacity as a childbirth expert then I would work with her. Unfortunately this likely still means attending her class. She apparently likes discussion however, so I believe I will try and bring a more secular discussion to balance her "biblical" ideas.
In case you haven't guessed, I am an atheist - or perhaps secular humanist? I have no problem with people believing whatever they want. I do have a problem with people pushing those beliefs on others. The classroom where we go has a book in obvious display that sums up my problems quite well - "The Lie: Evolution"
What am I to do but grin and bear it?
Unfortunately, our doula's husband is the pastor of this FUNDAMENTALIST church. She also cannot apparently separate her job as a doula and teacher with that of a religious believer. This means she providing us "helpful" scriptures and her "textbook" is filled with passages from the bible. I found it VERY difficult to continue to sit in my seat and say nothing.
Then I found out that the child care - which I quickly realised was run by the church - was essentially attempting to indoctrinate my child. This made me both queasy and very angry. He is luckily only 3 and has a secular home life and likely sees the "story" he was read as just that... a story.
My wife is unsure what her position is or at least she is reluctant to tell me her position. I agreed that if the doula could detach herself from her religion and service us in her capacity as a childbirth expert then I would work with her. Unfortunately this likely still means attending her class. She apparently likes discussion however, so I believe I will try and bring a more secular discussion to balance her "biblical" ideas.
In case you haven't guessed, I am an atheist - or perhaps secular humanist? I have no problem with people believing whatever they want. I do have a problem with people pushing those beliefs on others. The classroom where we go has a book in obvious display that sums up my problems quite well - "The Lie: Evolution"
What am I to do but grin and bear it?
Thursday, September 1, 2011
3 years old
Yes, that's right. The monkey turns 3 years old tomorrow. It is hard to believe that! Seems like yesterday he was just crawling around... the day before he had just arrived in our lives. Now he runs around like a crazy man, chases the poor dogs and never stops talking (well, except when he decides to sleep).
So we are having a friend over with their 2 year old to get some play time and have a nice BBQ. Maybe go to the park if it is nice. He pick chocolate cake (he seems to be on a chocolate kick for some reason... he rarely gets any) and of course Nicole found a Lightning McQueen cake pan. I think he'll have a great birthday.
Grandma and papa are coming for a quick visit too. They arrive a bit late but they always love to see him and don't often get the chance with them both still working.
Can you believe that he essentially makes the coffee in the morning too? I have to help him with the water and make sure he puts the correct number of scoops in (he sometimes gets a bit confused) but he closese things and pushes the button to get it started... so helpful!
Unfortunately we are on the waiting list for the kindersport program for him because the stupid association didn't actually tell us the rules properly so we showed up on time while most everyone was really early to just get the application forms and not register. Ah well, maybe he'll get in or maybe we'll have to find something else for him.
Happy long weekend!
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Science is what you know. Philosophy is what you don't know.
- Bertrand Russell
So we are having a friend over with their 2 year old to get some play time and have a nice BBQ. Maybe go to the park if it is nice. He pick chocolate cake (he seems to be on a chocolate kick for some reason... he rarely gets any) and of course Nicole found a Lightning McQueen cake pan. I think he'll have a great birthday.
Grandma and papa are coming for a quick visit too. They arrive a bit late but they always love to see him and don't often get the chance with them both still working.
Can you believe that he essentially makes the coffee in the morning too? I have to help him with the water and make sure he puts the correct number of scoops in (he sometimes gets a bit confused) but he closese things and pushes the button to get it started... so helpful!
Unfortunately we are on the waiting list for the kindersport program for him because the stupid association didn't actually tell us the rules properly so we showed up on time while most everyone was really early to just get the application forms and not register. Ah well, maybe he'll get in or maybe we'll have to find something else for him.
Happy long weekend!
-----------------
Science is what you know. Philosophy is what you don't know.
- Bertrand Russell
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Potty Training
Well, it has officially started. Alain is starting to figure out the potty. While he has been getting the idea about SITTING on the potty for a while, it wasn't until a few days ago he actually really WENT on the potty.
I think only recently did he start to really understand when he actually goes. He also generally lets you know that he has pooped... unfortunately it is usually after :)
It will be nice if we can get him trained in the next few months, I think he will like it better and I know WE will too...
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Science... never solves a problem without creating ten more.
- George Bernard Shaw
I think only recently did he start to really understand when he actually goes. He also generally lets you know that he has pooped... unfortunately it is usually after :)
It will be nice if we can get him trained in the next few months, I think he will like it better and I know WE will too...
----------------
Science... never solves a problem without creating ten more.
- George Bernard Shaw
Monday, August 22, 2011
Meeting Brief Submitted (Almost)
So I finally finished the revision of my meeting brief. I never thought writing a paper would be so hard. Normal paper sure, have all the words you want, just don't make it too long. This brief needs to be no longer than 500 words MAX (though the editor nicely expanded it to 550). 500 HUNDRED WORDS! Remember in school when you had to write essays and you had to have between 500 and 1000 words and you scrapped together 500 words using "and", "the" and as many adjectives as you could to get to 500? Try the reverse... not easy.
But, it's done (essentially). Wrote up the reply to the reviewer and hopefully our new draft will require only a few tweaks and not anything major for the next go round (I'm sure there will be one!). I hope politics don't come bite me in the butt either. Too many people and projects at the meeting to mention them all so I had to be careful to be as inclusive as possible.
Now I have to get this damn data processed and off to Kathryn so she can think about the paper she is writing. I have plenty of ideas for her, as long as I don't have to write it... I already need to write 3 others and I am waiting for a draft from a co-author for another...
Ah well... such is life.
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All science is either physics or stamp collecting.
- Ernest Rutherford
But, it's done (essentially). Wrote up the reply to the reviewer and hopefully our new draft will require only a few tweaks and not anything major for the next go round (I'm sure there will be one!). I hope politics don't come bite me in the butt either. Too many people and projects at the meeting to mention them all so I had to be careful to be as inclusive as possible.
Now I have to get this damn data processed and off to Kathryn so she can think about the paper she is writing. I have plenty of ideas for her, as long as I don't have to write it... I already need to write 3 others and I am waiting for a draft from a co-author for another...
Ah well... such is life.
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All science is either physics or stamp collecting.
- Ernest Rutherford
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