Very Cold, Very Deep; Vostok is Breached

On February 5th of 2012, Russian scientists broke through the Antarctic ice sheet and breached a prehistoric lake. At a depth of over 2 miles(!) beneath ice, the secrets of Lake Vostok remained hidden to all for more than 20 million years. Now, after decades of work, the team has reached their goal – even… Continue reading Very Cold, Very Deep; Vostok is Breached

Breakfast for Dinner

We had breakfast for dinner last night at the area IHOP.  It was a pleasant winter’s walk from the downtown square – the kind that makes a warm restaurant all the more enjoyable!  I had their new meal, the BIG Country-Fried Steak and Eggs dinner, which included a huge slab of battered cube-steak, white gravy,… Continue reading Breakfast for Dinner

A Comment on the Weather

I got a Christmas card from the nice folks at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – the Climate Witness division. You may recall the article I wrote for them concerning the pitiful state of Lake Lanier (speaking of which, the scientific review of my story is now available). The card reminded me of… Continue reading A Comment on the Weather

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

Gävlebocken (The Gävle Goat)

In a small city north of Stockholm, 5,000 onlookers welcome a giant Goat as it is unveiled each year around Yule. For several decades now, the Gävle Goat has made a historical mark in Gävle history as it is either sacrificed or spared during the Winter. In 1969 the goat was burned on New Year’s… Continue reading Gävlebocken (The Gävle Goat)

A Night of Amazing Celtic Music!

My wife and an old high school friend of ours, Colin Blackledge, have put together a most remarkable double-event concert this Friday off the downtown square in Gainesville. Seven Nations and Emerald Rose will be performing in the small pizza bar venue that is the Monkey Barrel. For $15.00, you can get in to see… Continue reading A Night of Amazing Celtic Music!

The First Camping Trip

While Balthazar’s first camping trip was actually over just before 10:00pm, he did get some good exposure to camp-life and the adventures that surround it. Balthazar has been going on about a camping trip for days now. We’re not exactly sure where he picked this up, but I couldn’t be happier. I love camping and… Continue reading The First Camping Trip

Raquy Danziger Workshop

Saturday I took a workshop with Raquy Danziger of Raquy and the Cavemen. She’s touring for her latest album release, “Naked.” I’ve been looking forward to this workshop since before it was actually being offered with her busy touring schedule. Perseverance paid off and the schedule was finally updated to include Atlanta as a stop… Continue reading Raquy Danziger Workshop

Oo-Lah-Lah, Spring’s Guffaw

Winter really didn’t have much of an icy grip this year. It is not unheard of to see a hearty snow in the middle of March, but I think the danger of that is over. Spring appears to be here to stay, if the Cherry trees, Flowering Pear, and Daffodils are to be believed. Per… Continue reading Oo-Lah-Lah, Spring’s Guffaw

Oh Captain, My Captain!

The Death of Captain America On his way to an arraignment at the Federal Courthouse in New York City, Captain America was shot in the right shoulder by a sniper’s bullet. Several subsequent shots were fired point blank at Rogers by Sharon Carter, brainwashed by Dr. Faustus who was allied with the Red Skull. Sharon,… Continue reading Oh Captain, My Captain!