year in review

Let's see, in the year of 2006 I've managed to get a few things done.

Got that wanting to live alone forever out of the system.
Filled my head with an overdose of knowledge rush.
Finally in a committing relationship.
Nearing the money-saving target.
Watched over 100 movies.
Entirely on Linux.
Set a couple of goals.

I guess I'll call this a good year. And for that I'm really thankful.

Wishing all

a Merry Merry Christmas!!

Massive Stars in Open Cluster Pismis 24

Explanation:
How massive can a normal star be?

Estimates made from distance, brightness and standard solar models had given one star in the open cluster Pismis 24 over 200 times the mass of our Sun, making it a record holder. This star is the brightest object located just to the right of the gas front in the above image. Close inspection of images taken recently with the Hubble Space Telescope, however, have shown that Pismis 24-1 derives its brilliant luminosity not from a single star but from three at least. Component stars would still remain near 100 solar masses, making them among the more massive stars currently on record. Toward the image left, stars are still forming in the associated emission nebula NGC 6357, including several that appear to be breaking out and illuminating a spectacular cocoon.

NASA apod

Teen finds, returns $24K in movie theater

...and refuses to accept any cash rewards. Let's just call this the feel-good holiday-season story. With so much negativity in the air we can all use a little positive energy. Let's do the right thing once in a while my fellow humans.

Imagine stumbling upon $24,000 cash. What would you do with the money?

The untraceable wad of $100 bills, rubber-banded together inside a zippered bank pouch, tumbled unnoticed from the purse of RoseMarie Limoncelli, 39, as she sat Friday inside the AMC Fantasy theater in Rockville Centre.

Christopher Montgomery, 19, found the money as he was cleaning between seats.

The Lynbrook student returned it. Every dollar. (read on...)

Pandora Stations

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few years you probably know of a website that provides great music for free - Pandora. (a personalized radio station, you be the DJ kind)

Here is a place where folks like us go to share said created stations. Highly recommended.
pandorastations.crispynews.com

learn practical English

big-ass EARTHQUAKE

update: as of now (Nov 16th 12:32AM) the USGS upgraded the magnitude of the quake just off the coast of Hokkaido to an 8.3!

This one takes the cake.

I have been living in Japan for almost four years but this was the biggest so far, measuring 7.8 in magnitude. I didn't feel a thing being this far from Hokkaido but the tsunami warning in my areas is a first! The local news indicates the quake is measured 8.1 in Japan.

Taken from usgs.gov

The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: A major earthquake occurred 445 km (275 miles) ENE of Kuril'sk, Kuril Islands and 1665 km (1030 miles) NE of TOKYO, Japan at 5:14 AM MDT, Nov 15, 2006 (10:14 PM local time in Russia). The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. No reports of damage or casualties have been received at this time; however, this earthquake may have caused damage due to its location and size. Earthquakes of this type sometimes cause tsunamis, however the USGS has no information that an actual tsunami has been generated. For information about tsunamis, contact the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers at http://tsunami.gov.

down the middle

America, everything dies exactly once. It's a bitch but let it be a less painful one. Go write history with your tainted votes.

Trouble in the 'hood

Niihama, Ehime, my Japan's hometown made national news today.

School principal hangs self over curriculum scandal

NIIHAMA, Ehime -- The principal of a high school hanged himself at his home, apparently over concerns about the nationwide curriculum scandal, officials said on Monday.

Police believe Hiroshi Masaoka, 60, principal of Niihama-Nishi High School in Niihama committed suicide.

Officials at the school said that Masaoka had been worried about a nationwide problem where students had to take supplementary lessons to make up for a shortage of credits needed to graduate.

"Students at our school didn't fail to take the necessary classes. But the principal was seemingly worried over related issues," one official said.

A total of 27 high schools in Ehime Prefecture have reported that their students failed to take the required classes needed to graduate. Niihama-Nishi High School isn't included in the 27 schools. (Mainichi)

Aren't you guys shocked?