Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Could Looking Up Bring Civility To Civilization?


WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014: For all who are aware and in awe of the natural wonders of the cosmos, the night prior to an early morning celestial event oft involves a state of wakefulness; not unlike the type experienced by a young kid anticipating a visit from Santa Claus. Such is the way I spent my overnight hours between yesterday and today.

One of my many return-to-consciousness moments involved the sound of rain hitting my roof’s shingles. This was my “oh no”, déjà vu moment because, just this past April, clouds had dropped the curtains down on and then rained out another lunar eclipse. But, I did manage to drift back to sleep; only slightly reassured by recollections of a fairly reliable weather forecast; one, which had called for clearing after midnight.

Eventually, my 2 a.m. wake up time for this special day arrived and the first thing I did was take a gander out a westward facing window. It was damp pavement below and wispy clouds rapidly racing across the face of the full Moon above.

While chowing down my very, very early breakfast, I considered the aesthetics and mechanics of this lunar event; in particular, the pros and cons of using my telescope. After all, even sans any magnification, an eclipse is already spectacular. And there was a practical consideration, too. After all, an optical aid wouldn’t be of much use if the semi-transparent cloud deck were obscuring the cratered details of the Moon.

Well, once the KP was history, I stepped outside to find out that the well-known aphorism about highly changeable Michigan weather was true. Wow, what a difference a couple of hours can make. The clouds had thoroughly dissipated, and, in addition to the now fully visible full moon to the west, a couple of other celestial attractions (Jupiter and the Orion Constellation / Nebula) had already risen well above the hazy horizon to the east.

And so, my next mission was to scope out the ideal spot to set up my scope. By the time I was up and running, the eclipse was just getting underway. Impressive to the naked eye and even more so in the finder scope, the telescopic view was (forgive the wordplay) out of this world. And, soon after settling in, nature started to cast her spell upon me.

Folks, there’s a certain something that changes one’s mood (for the better) once the still of the night’s pervasive hush descends and envelops; as the chill of the early autumn breeze hits one’s face. A liberating feeling, which permits one to simply shut down worldly concerns and merge with the great outdoors; to stand in peaceful solitude under the vast Milky Way.

Even the auditory sense becomes heightened with the hum of far off, thoroughfare traffic; light winds rustling through the maple tree leaves; the occasional falling leaf dryly skidding across the sidewalk and driveway; even the residual rainwater drips dripping down a downspout.

These minute decibels had provided the soundtrack, which accompanied the amazing sight of our planet Earth’s shadow, ever so silently, ever so steadily, “inching” over the Moon’s surface. As has happened to me during past eclipses, I had to pause and reflect; had to wonder… in order for this to even be possible… who (or what force) had fashioned these two immense, spheroid “rocks” into just the right size, set them at the correct distances apart and aligned them with such precision?

Beyond that? Well…

There’s a certain perception of timelessness to a lunar eclipse, as well. Obviously, while it’s all happening, it’s so easy to lose track of the minutes and hours… but there’s even more to it, too. Think of the countless generations of humans who, down through the millennia, have all shared in this rather unique experience.

There’s also a strong sense of bonding with each and every other Earthling simultaneously, looking up at the sky. And, although, for the most part, they're unseen, they are part of a vast planetary audience. They all stand, united, beside each and every one of us.

As proof that there is a basis for my above claim, one early morning riser, seeing me gazing skyward today, actually said, “Good Morning” to me as she jogged past my house. And, during Earth’s August 2003 close encounter with Mars, a man driving past my house stopped to chat for a few moments re that event.

One can easily sense our oneness with the universe. And, on this cosmic scale, it is entirely possible to feel humbled and insignificant and yet, somehow, simultaneously, feel emboldened and part of something bigger.

Yes, those were my reflections while my scope was refracting light. And while that was happening, slowly but surely, the lit face of the Moon eventually became cloaked in totality. At that point some astronomers had been predicting Earth’s satellite could take on a shade of blood red. Well, from my vantage point, I’d have to categorize it as more of an orange-like hue; one similar to the “red planet” Mars.

Well… that was about it. Since I had studied many of this eclipse’s other particulars, too, it came as no big surprise to me that, this time around, at least in my neck of the woods, everything would be “ending” far too soon.

As dawn’s early light began to assert itself in the east, the moon was sinking into the misty, distant, western treetops. Nope, I would not be seeing the reappearance of the moon… for that I’ll have to wait for moonrise, tonight.

Now, since this blog site, All That’s Left, is usually devoted to almost all things political, I do feel it’s my duty to make at least a couple of applicable comments.

Firstly, for those of us on the left who, re the sorry state of the U.S. and world, are feeling exasperation to the max; are feeling a level of powerlessness, which is driving us to despondency, I highly encourage you to try some stargazing… perhaps as early as the very next nightfall? As the song Up On The Roof correctly claims, “At night the stars put on a show for free.” And, as I claim, this free show can help free you, too.

As for my second comment, it’s my heartfelt wish that the powers that be (in particular the righties in the U.S.); indeed, all of the narrow-minded leaders worldwide, could all look upward and trade off their delusions of grandeur for the sanity, which the grandeur of the universe can inspire.

Even if these “leaders” could feel a mere fraction of what I feel whenever I become a backyard astronomer, they’d soon realize that we are all in this TOGETHER; that there’s no place on Earth for their vicious and avaricious MO.

Maybe then these “leaders” would be able to mend their wretched ways?

Oh… if only there was no need to punctuate that above sentence with a question mark…    

Friday, September 26, 2014

Watts The Big Deal


FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2014: I suppose a bit of an explanation (re my blog headline play on words) is in order. That’s “Watts” as in Kilowatts / Kilowatt Hours; as in the measurement of electricity, which you and I get billed for each and every month.

My always being on the lookout for new ways to keep all of my utility bills as low as possible, I’ve gotten into the habit of stepping outside to read my meter every morning (at the exact same time). And so I already know that my daily usage of electricity (for this warmer time of year) has been averaging around 6 Kilowatts.

I decided to run an experiment. For the past seven days, rather than leave my computer in sleep mode day in / day out / all day long, I decided to totally shut it down; booting up only when I need the damn thing.

Folks, on Day 1 of those 7, I could hardly believe my eyes. I had saved 1 KWH! This had to be a fluke, right? WRONG!!! The next six meter readings confirmed that I’ve been saving 1 Kilowatt each and every day!

Now don’t scoff! That may not sound like much BUT this really adds up and I mean fast! Per annum, I can save 365 Kilowatt Hours!

I next dug into my paid utility bills file to research my consumption history for the past 12 months. Check out the KWH data in the table below.

10/13 = 181
11/13 = 205
12/13 = 246
01/14 = 261
02/14 = 267
03/14 = 221
04/14 = 196
05/14 = 188
06/14 = 185
07/14 = 180
08/14 = 179
09/14 = 172

Crunching the Data: Let’s perform a for instance here. If we add up my June and July consumption (185 + 180) that comes to 365! Had I started conserving much sooner, my annual savings of 365 Kilowatts would’ve been just like NOT having to pay for TWO FULL MONTHS of electricity. And I know I’d be shouting out “YIPEE!” were that to ever happen. You would, too, if that happened to you!

Even during last winter’s bitter cold, double digit subzero Arctic blasts… where my KWH consumption peaked at 267, my conservation measures would’ve even covered an additional 98 KWH; nearly half a month into the next billing cycle!

All of that from shutting down JUST ONE energy pig device. I’m sure many of you are slopping (at the KWH trough) two, three or more of those high tech hogs.

Watt (What) about your other tech? Oh… say… flat screen TVs and small kitchen appliances? Many of these are never actually “off”, even when not in use. They simply go into standby mode.

Folks, energy savings can start for all of us this very day and every day; just by going over to the wall outlet(s) and literally pulling the plug(s).

Putting this into an ideological perspective: Do you realize that by striving for energy conservation / becoming less energy dependent on foreign oil, we could all be fighting terrorism… right from the comfort of our own homes! We could even wind up saving our own lives!

After all… ISIS sells oil to fund their evil, deadly plots. Yep, someday, U.S. energy consumers could become victims of another 9/11 magnitude terrorist attack… and here’s the real kick in the ass…

...one, which WE paid for with our own money!


Saturday, September 6, 2014

A Head In “The Cloud” Left To Its Own “Devices” Society


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2014: Recently, as a potentially paying customer, I paid visits to Best Buy (ISO a single play CD player for my home sound system) and Barnes & Noble (ISO a Paul McCartney CD). I entered both brick and mortar establishments feeling upbeat, excited and (I might add) in an all too rare spending mood. Yet, upon exiting… I did so dejected and empty-handed.

Of course, “the why” as to why I had struck out so miserably is really a no-brainer. Accessing music via iTunes has all but rendered, extinct, CDs and the tech to play them. Of course, Netflix (et al) and a slew of publishers have had a similar impact, respectively, on films, literary works and periodicals. Without a doubt, time is running out where we’ll still be able to hold these actual physical products in our hot little hands.

OK, admittedly, at this point, I can practically see the scant number of my readers rolling their eyes; can almost visualize the floating over their noggins thought bubbles which say: WTF is the problem, here? Why doesn’t he just buy an iPod?

Folks, I actually used to own such a device until built-in obsolescence caused it to die way too soon (the HP host computer, which, once upon a time, it was synched to, is in even sorrier shape). And I wouldn’t be so damned quick to rely on Internet access, either. Indeed, a few weeks ago my “service provider” was experiencing technical issues, which kept me offline for the better part of a day. And this erratic service is not an isolated incident, either. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been forced to reboot.

All things considered, it makes me glad that I hadn’t done something really shortsighted and stupid… such as selling off my massive collection of CDs. And so, for now, even though I’m still in need of that new CD player, I still can access my music library, utilizing my Sony Walkman (anyone remember those?).

I suppose, on the surface, this CD, DVD, book and periodical vanishing act all SEEMS innocuous enough… BUT

Before we all part company with these actual products, we really must rethink the will-‘o-the-wisp nature of virtual reality… before it’s too late. You see, the qualifying word here is SEEMS. Check out this following nightmarish, WHAT IF scenario.

WHAT IF, someday, some renegade, corporately owned rightwing, would-be dictator / POTUS hatches and implements an insidious plot designed to muzzle all left leaning musicians, film producers and publishers; to censor what this autocrat has arbitrarily deemed to be subversive; e.g., all of the books, protest songs and films, which expose this “leader” as the wretched, evil, fraudulent effer, who (s)he, in reality, is.

Hell, such a “prez” would not even need to deploy the armed with firepower and flamethrower troops; not even need to dispatch the search and destroy, book burning (and CD/DVD burning) goon squads to kick down our doors ISO that cultural “contraband”. Nope, nary even a single struck match would be required. All it would take for such a freakin’ control freak to gain and maintain a chokehold on us would be shutting down the Internet.

Needless to say, a society devoid of its culture would soon become a chronically depressed, dejected, downtrodden nation of easily conquerable zombies; be malleable putty in the hands of this tyrant.

Factoring in a concurrent, absolute communications breakdown (e.g., no social networks and email) our overthrow of that sort of régime would be next to impossible.  

So… am I overreacting?

OR…

Could, in reality, A Head In “The Cloud” Left To Its Own “Devices” Society become so bedazzled by a virtual realty everything / everyday world that this citizenry would simultaneously become blinded to some looming, opportunistic, all too real, rightwing red menace?

Must we get to the point where it’s too late to resist the rightwing’s hidden agenda; their plot designed to overthrow what little remains of our present-day, Constitutionally guaranteed freedom?

OR…

Is our society’s downfall assured because, in becoming excessively Net dependent, it is already too late?

Your comments are welcome.

Monday, November 25, 2013

A Day of Mourning / Then and Now


MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1963 2013: Fifty years ago, an estimated one million people showed up to line assassinated President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s funeral procession route in Washington, DC; that itinerary extending from the Capitol to the White House to St. Matthew’s Cathedral to Arlington National Cemetery. Many millions more watched the televised coverage; my family and I among this vast viewing audience. By 3:34 p.m., our irreplaceable leader was buried and along with him went his ideals.

Finding such an inspirational man, who is also interested in holding public office, is a rarity. With an overabundance of present-day empty suit candidates, is it any wonder why I am unable to let go of the past? Why I’m so fondly reminiscing?

Why I so desperately wish I could transform some sci-fi scenario into scientific fact? And then build a time machine to send me back to Dealey Plaza on 11/22/1963; where I could undo the damage done. But alas… that’s not possible…

But we can pretend, can we not? With that in mind, let’s explore an 11/22/1963, alternate reality; as presented in the Twilight Zone episode, Profile In Silver: PART ONEPART TWOPART THREE. I’m sure that when you watch it, you’ll agree that actor Andrew Robinson had really breathed life into the role of JFK. If only such a “resuscitation” were that easy in real life.

Or, if you’d prefer a quick read about this TZ’s storyline, you can access that HERE.

Well, folks, these past four days have weighed heavily on me; saddened me to the point where I find my state of mind indescribable. And believe me, for this blogger, who is rarely, if ever, at a loss for words, this is highly unusual.

In any event, since we know that sadness can be unhealthy, we need to do something to cheer us up. To that end, I did find a clip featuring Bill Maher, where he compares JFK to Ronald Reagan; and his routine did make me laugh; which suggests that there’s a lot of truth in what is oft said re the co-dependent relationship between comedy and tragedy.

And so, as was the case fifty years ago, Monday, November 25th is now winding down and so is this blog posting. If there is such a thing as eternal life, I hope my heartfelt “Good-Bye” was heard by JFK, both then and just now, while I was typing this last word.