The world famous Consumer Electronic Show took place in Las Vegas this past weekend and what a better way to start my monthly look at tech series off than with a look at some of the very cool things showcased at this years event. In keeping with my always sunny disposition lets start with one of the winners of a CES Innovation Award the Raybot. Created by ECOVACS Robotics, Raybot is a water-free robot designed for the automated cleaning of solar panels. It uses a blow-sweep-vacuum system to get rid of dust and debris and keep your solar panels operating…
Month: January 2015
Character Study- Sanjuro
The mysterious stranger wanders into town. Gruff and aloof he has no interest in petty, parochial concerns. Unless one of those concerns can make him a quick buck, then he might just stick around long enough to get paid. After all everyone’s got to eat. Gradually we see there’s more to this supposedly cold-blooded mercenary than originally believed. He’s got a soft spot. Maybe its a woman, could be a cute kid, or maybe somebody done shot his dog but this killer with a heart of gold isn’t going to let the bad guys of easy. He’s got a plan…
The Silver Bullet- My Approach to Education
Yesterday I spent a pleasant morning guest lecturing on a wide range of topics for a few high school classes taught by some friends of mine. For me it was a particularly enjoyable experience as a result of having not been in front of a classroom for quite a while. There are few experiences as satisfying in life as the look in a student’s eyes when a concept finally clicks for them. Anybody who has ever been a teacher knows that look and no matter how much you may enjoy whatever it is you moved on from teaching to pursue, you…
In Stores Now- Station Eleven
So I have a confession. Originally I had planned on writing this review about a fantastic non-fiction gem The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson before realizing that it was published all the way back in 2003. A novel that had been out for over a decade did not fit the goal of more current reviews that I had put forth for this particular set of posts. So I decided I should find something else to read and review. No big deal. Then I spent a fantastic booze-filled weekend in San Francisco with old friends and wasted all the reading…
Renewal
January 1st is upon us again. A day of rest and rejuvenation. A day of plans and expectations. Where New Year’s Eve is a day of reflection, New Year’s is a day of anticipation. It is a chance to shed the hindrances and complications of the previous year and embrace a new calendar and a fresh start. It is a day for us to gather our strength and our energy to face the challenges we know are to come. It is a day of rebirth and renewal For me the most powerful lesson of New Year’s Day is that it…