Hey Dave!  I'm Allison, working upstairs with Thad and Lyle.  See you around!

-al

Before any details, a joke I just read:

Q. What do you get if you cross a mosquito with a mountain goat?
A. You can't. The mosquito is a vector and the goat is a scaler!

     Anyway, I made it home last night after a nice day at ACP.  The first thing I did was walk down to the CVS on the corner to see if I could find a coffee maker - I'm a monster without my morning fix.  Found one for a reasonable price, and bought some coffee too.  Then had dinner with the family.  After dinner I washed the dishes, then we played cards and listened to another chapter of Harry Potter.  Then the kids went to bed and so did we.  I think we are all still recovering from the drive.

     I found a shortcut through the College Park Metro station today, so I walked to work.  Most of today was spent working on ideas for the student research section.  In addition to that, I took care of some details back in Texas regarding classes and a research report I have to write.  I also started fleshing out ideas for a new section on the site - keep your eyes open.   All in all a quiet but productive day.  We rented a movie last night that we were too tired to watch, so I think that's on the agenda for tonight.  I'll be in touch.

Dave

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value -- Albert Einstein

How about another joke.

One hydrogen atom said to the other:  "I've lost an electron"

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive."

     The wife got tied up yesterday and didn't make it to the store, so I stopped and picked up pizza on the way home.  There was even some left over for me to bring for lunch today.  After dinner I took the kids and went to Home Depot to by parts for the toilet.  We then went to the grocery store to by food for tonight.  When we got home, we listened to another chapter of Harry Potter, and put the kids to bed.  After the kids were down, we watched "Love Actually".  Not a bad movie, definitely entertaining.

     Today I worked on a couple of things.  One was getting the teaching section of the Nucleus drafted and sent out for people to look at.  The other was to write the final report for a research project I have been working on for the past couple of years.  In between working on those, I tried to keep up with other discussion threads, and also look for more interesting links to pu on the site.  The next thing we will be working on is improving the student lounge.  More tomorrow.

Dave

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value -- Albert Einstein

Missed my post yesterday, so i will do two at once.  Been working on a couple of the sections for the site.  Met with Thad, Gary, Allison and KB yesterday to discuss some ideas, and pursued a couple of those today.  Also finished my research report, and revised a paper I'm working on with a former student (now at CREOL in Florida).
     On the home front it's been pretty quiet.  We went out for dinner last night (Chipotle burrito bar around the corner).  Food wasn't bad, but they seem very fond of cilantro.  After that, home for cards and listening to Harry Potter.  This weekend we will go to the Mall (I'm not sure which museum we'll go to yet, but I think there are plans for an IMAX movie, or maybe the planetarium) on Saturday.  Saturday night my mother-in-laww arrives for a few days.  Sunday we go to the zoo.  Hope everyone has a good weekend.  Don't do anything I wouldn't do!  (As if).

Dave

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value -- Albert Einstein

Like everyone else around here, my posting frequency seems to be decreasing.  Sorry about that.  I don't have the excuse of trying to prepare a presentation, either.  Anyway, here's what I've been up to.

     Saturday, we took the kids to see the planetarium show at air and space, and then the bugs 3D IMAX at the natural history museum.  Neither one was particularly spectacular.  Saturday night I drove to BWI to pick up my mother-in-law.  Sunday we went to the zoo.  Weather was good (not too hot), and there weren't too many people.  the pandas were cute, and a good time was had by all.

     This week I've continued to work on the new sections of the nucleus, as well as sprucing things up a bit.  I'm also putting together a list of things for Thad to do when he gets back next week.  In addition to that, I have been spending a little time on some other projects as well.  I will try to be a more diligent poster.  Bye for now.

Dave

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value -- Albert Einstein

Once again, I have been lax about posting.  Sorry about that.  It's been nearly a week since my last post, and I leave here in a couple of days.  From here I go to a family reunion, then to the AAPT meeting in Sacramento.

As far as work goes, I have been spending a fair omount of time looking at intern presentations (great job from everyone!).  The big show was today, and I think all of the invitees were impressed.  I also have been working on an idea to commemorate the world year of physics.  We are going to try to post English translations of the four Einstein papers from 1905.  Then we will have discussions and (hopefully) directed chat about them.  i am waiting for permission on one of them.  I will keep you posted.

As far as the family goes, we went to the National Archives last week to see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.  It was pretty impressive.  I highly recommend it for anyone who visits DC.  Be sure to go at night (they're open until 9 PM) to avoid the crowds.  We also went to Mt. Vernon (also pretty fun), and saw all of the memorials (WWII, Vietnam, Lincoln, FDR, and Jefferson) in one afternoon.  that was a lot of walking!

I will try to post at least once more before I leave.  Hope everyone is doing well.  Go Interns!

Dave

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value -- Albert Einstein

Well, this is my last day here.  Tomorrow we leave for California.  Family reunion on Sat. and then on the the AAPT meeting in Sacramento.

I think I have gotten a lot done while I have been here.  I was looking at my list last night, and I accomplished all of the things I wanted, and couple of others besides.  I also got the chance to meet and interact with six very talented students.  Kudos to all of the interns on a very productive summer.

In addition to the interns, I would like to acknowledge Gary White and Jack Hehn who made my time here pleasant.  I would also like to thank the AIP and SPS staff:  Sonja, Liz, Lydia, Stphanie, Sacha, Doug, and Tracy, for being good folks to be around.  I will start a new thread when I get back to Texas.  Until then, everyon be good.

Dave

Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value -- Albert Einstein