A Baby Changes Everything

Remarkably, the biggest change at the Gradin household is simply in our perception. There are all sorts of things that change when a new child is born into your family. Your free time dries up, your bank account empties, you become more selfless. But when you already have an older child, the thing we noticed… Continue reading A Baby Changes Everything

Where’s “My” Community?

I am imagining a better WordPress. For those of you who don’t know, it’s the engine behind Gradin.com, as well as countless other blogs on the Interweb. I have been using WordPress for several years now and I really enjoy it. Its many features have grown, and grown on me. Now that I am expectant… Continue reading Where’s “My” Community?

Hangin’ at the Airport

Looks like I get to spend some time at the airport today to contemplate life. I made some planning mistakes getting here this morning, and arriving 15 minutes before my flight cost me 6 hours of wait time for another one. The terminal is locked just prior to the flight, so I couldn’t get in… Continue reading Hangin’ at the Airport

Gym Jones – The Discipline Behind “300”

It’s better to die on your feet than live on your knees. The men of Zack Snyder’s “300” trained 10-12 hours a day, five days a week, for four months – all while eating barely enough to cover their needs and recovery. It was at the invitation-only fitness center in Utah, Gym Jones, where strength… Continue reading Gym Jones – The Discipline Behind “300”

‘Twas the Night Before Yule

‘Twas the night before Yule, when all ‘cross the heath, not a being was stirring; Pagan, faerie, or beast. Wassail was left out & the alter adorned, to rejoice that the Sun King would soon be reborn. The children lay sleeping by the warmth of the hearth, their dreams filled with visions of belov’d Mother… Continue reading ‘Twas the Night Before Yule

The End is Nigh; Scientists Plan to Build New Universe

NPR tells me that scientists are developing a theory around the potential development of synthetic universes. If that sounds vague, it’s because the explanation is based on a mathematical non-zero probability. That’s a tough concept to sell to the general public, myself included. However, I’m learning more about the ideas and am onboard with the… Continue reading The End is Nigh; Scientists Plan to Build New Universe

How to Kill a Kiln

This evening marked the time of the week in which I get together with some friends (sometimes strangers) and play hand drums. If we can put together an decent collection of people, we’ll call it a drum circle. It was getting cold out tonight, so we took the noise inside the Main Street Market where… Continue reading How to Kill a Kiln

The Lineup so Far (Solar System 2.0 Beta)

In case you’ve missed the news, the astronomical community is currently reworking our solar system after some new information and a bit of a debate. While God may or may not have created our universe in 7 days, it has taken 2ΒΌ centuries thus far to flesh out the solar system. Now we’re haggling about… Continue reading The Lineup so Far (Solar System 2.0 Beta)

Population Limiters in Effect

I read Darren’s comments on an article regarding the cancer-causing agents in red meat. Not that anyone has said there are carcinogens in steak, but there seems to be some sort of accusatory game going on. I’m neither a vegetarian nor a carnivore, but rather what humans were meant to be; omnivores. Darren is too,… Continue reading Population Limiters in Effect

Chew-laf

Tuesday I transform into Chewbacca for a gig at Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville. There will be three other Star Wars characters there as well, and Jeff is putting it all together. It looks like I’m going to have a good time, though slightly claustrophobic and dehydrated. I tried the suit on for fit and it’s… Continue reading Chew-laf