Neil DeGrasse Tyson has written a book Death by Black Hole about the solar system. When astrophysicist’s describe the universe it is a rather other world conversation. Some of the things that have struck me as I listen to this book on tape, while commuting to work, include the fact that we are all star dust. We are star dust because all matter contain the elements of the what makes up the solar system and stars. The cosmic origin of…
We arrived in Bangkok yesterday afternoon. We are staying at the famous Oriental Hotel. This five star hotel was founded over one hundred years ago although the original structure no longer exists. Royalty, dignitaries and distinguished people have followed the legendary Chao Phrya River through the heart of Bangkok to the doors of this hotel. It was only in recent years the main entrance of the hotel was moved from the river to the land side. The river is chocolate…
The International Herald Tribune (10/26/07) had an editorial which began: "President George W. Bush waited until he had vetoed a relatively inexpensive children’s health insurance bill before asking for tens of billions of dollars more for his misadventure in Iraq. The cynicism of that maneuver is only slight less shameful than the president’s distorted priorities. Bush keeps throwing money at his war, regardless of the cost in blood, treasure or children’s health care." It goes on to point out that…
There was a temporary break in the rain last evening and we actually sat outside in the courtyard by the pool having a drink and listening to the women play Thai music. No stars visible, of course. In fact, we have seen neither the sun nor the stars since arriving in Phuket. The waves make a loud crashing sound as they land on the small sandy beach below the court yard and the music is pleasant. It is consistently warm…
On this Blog you get all the news including news about the suspicious death of 29 year old Rizwanur Rahman in Calcutta. It’s a story of love ending in tragedy. The International Tribune reports that the police have reported his death as a suicide, but many believe it was an arranged murder with police involvement. Police are accused of aiding his wife’s family, very rich Hindus, who had opposed his marriage to their daughter Priyanka Todi. Rahman had been born…
It is Monday October 29, 2007 in Phuket, Thailand and it should come as no surprise to those reading this Blog that it is raining. In fact, it has rained every day since our arrival here. The only variety has been the intensity of the rain. The rain here is not like our Northwest weather. Here, it comes down in enormous volumes of water that land with enough force to see it bounce back up and it is relentless rain….
You know what it looks like when you tip a full pail full of water and let it pour out? Well, that’s what yesterday was like. Starting at about 10:00 am a total torrential monsoon downpour began under a solid Gray cloud like a fog bank and it never stopped or let up until evening. Water stacking up in rising puddles on the pavement, filling the swimming pool to over flowing and totally relentless. I got a lot of work…
I am sitting in a room Amanpuri Resort at Phuket looking out at totally Grey skies and a torrential downpour of rain. We arrived here yesterday afternoon, following a two hour flight from Hong Kong and a forty minute ride from the airport. When we arrived at the new Hong Kong international airport I thought there had been a bomb scare. There were no people in sight at the terminal we got off at. Inside there were very few people….
Greetings from Hong Kong where the sun is shinning and it is about 80 degrees today. We flew from San Francisco on Tuesday about noon and arrived at our hotel here Wednesday night about 7:30. The lost time was due to a 15 hour long non stop flight and a time change. As I write this is Thursday about 2:45, but it is still Wednesday in Seattle about 11:45 pm at night. So, there is a substantial time difference. The…
While at Mass on Sunday, it occurred to me from the readings and homily that there is so much religious legalism in America today. The conservative right wing Christian’s who are convinced that there is only one truth, which is so clear it is white from black and which only they exclusively posses. Only they possess the amazing ability to discern the exclusive truth. All who do not agree with their views are in sin. There is no room for…
