New Year - 2009 - 0 Comments

John Clappier — 2009-01-04

As this new year rolls into gear, I figured I better write down some New Year Resolutions. Otherwise, I probably won't write down any goals for the year. Living on my own this year, these resolutions may be quite different from years past.

Stormy Reflections - 1 Comment

John Clappier — 2008-12-19

It was the middle of the night when I stepped into my car. Snow was hastily falling from above, littering the streets and cluttering my eyes. I creeped onto the freeway and joined a train of cars. My car magically flew at warp speed into a universal blizzard, steadily following the faint gleaming glow of the tail-lights of another vehicle. Just then those lights flickered out of view, as if dissolving into the blitz of chaos. I could not see the road, all I could see was snow. I did not know where the asphalt crumbled or the dirt began, I just knew I had to keep rolling. I was leading a train of lights, navigating darkness on a familiar road. And I was scared.

Back To Work - 2 Comments

John Clappier — 2008-12-01

I can't believe it's already December. It's been 7 months now since I graduated when it felt like only yesterday. My wrist is slowly healing after the surgery in early November. I do not have full strength or range of motion yet, but its coming back gradually. My rehabilitation has included working and Tetris. Hopefully neither are doing more harm than good.

Surgery Marathon - 2 Comments

John Clappier — 2008-11-08

Greetings friends from my period of absence. I had surgery on my wrist 2 days ago. I had a ganglion cyst which was causing me pain, so I had it removed. It marks the first surgery I've ever had. First time I've ever been on Vicodin as well. All in all, it was a good first experience. But this splint on my left wrist is really getting to me....

Crash and Burn - 2 Comments

John Clappier — 2008-10-13

Last Thursday my hard drive crashed. After multiple blue screens, error checks, and pointless diagnostics it became unusable. I have had my laptop for 4 years and this was the first major problem that occured. Naturally, I contacted Justin for further advice. By Sunday, I had a new hard drive and all the data off my old hard drive. Thanks Justin!

Well, that's it.

Confidence - 1 Comment

John Clappier — 2008-10-02

Julius, a good friend of mine, asked me a question the other day. What makes you confident?

The question caught me off guard. I didn't have a good answer, in fact I didn't have an answer. Instead, I tried thinking about it while running along the trails. The first few miles are always the most difficult for me while running. I struggle with my breathing, my muscles, and my mental motivation. But, then I reach this point where all my pain and suffering goes away...

My senses open to the world around me as the worries of daily life dissipate. The smell of Fall floats through paper leaves, which sparkle ruby gold in the soft spoken sunlight. Everything is silent as the trees speak to each other, I can hear their whisper. I feel perfect, admist all this other beauty and perfection. And then I realize, the answer is God.

God keeps me going when the world tells me to stop. He tells me I'm right when everything feels so wrong. And He gives me the drive to live this life to its fullest everyday; For my family, for Kellie, and for my job. I feel blessed to be a part of His glorious creation.

Caribou Napkin - 1 Comment

John Clappier — 2008-09-14

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Particle Accelerator - 3 Comments

John Clappier — 2008-09-10

As discussion has somewhat halted on the issues related to humane societies, I found another topic of discussion. This is most likely far beyond some of our knowledge as I don't know any of my friends who are physicists (or nuclear physicists for that matter), however I always enjoyed the bus-ride-home discussion of moon shoes, planetary repulsion, and anti-gravity hats.

Newsweek has an excellent review of the biggest science experiment ever. The experiment is with the largest particle accelerator ever built (Large Hadron Collider) with the sole purpose of banging particles together and studying their collisions. I first asked myself why they wanted to do this and here is what I figured out. Apparently, the 10,000 scientists working on this little project can study the collisions which reveal information about the beginning of universes. Based on the particles created during the collisions, scientists could figure out why things have mass or even existence for that matter. It all seems very complicated to me and very threatening to others. There is even a non-profit organization formed for the sole purpose to prevent the scientists from turning this bad boy "ON." These skeptics feel that this particle accelerator could create black holes (miniature ones), new types of matter never seen before (strangelets), and alternative dimensions.

Whatever the case, the idea behind the experiment is very intriguing. Personally, I think it would be kindof cool if they were able to create some of these phenomena that humans have marveled at for years in science fiction series and films. I guess there is good reason to be nervous with such powerful technology.

I was wondering what my readers thought about this new particle accelerator? Are you for the cause or against it?

p.s. I expect some input from Richard and Justin on this one ; )

Bias - 9 Comments

John Clappier — 2008-08-26

Bias is a major problem among newspaper articles, journals, and other information sources. Depending on how well written the article is, you may not even notice that you are getting pushed one direction over another. I have a perfect article to which I was looking for responses.

Espresso - 1 Comment

John Clappier — 2008-08-21

Espresso is made by using hot water delivered by high pressure through coffee grounds which are ground to a fine powder. The result is a concentrated mixture of coffee, which is thicker than your everyday drip coffee. This well-known process, seen at almost every local coffee shop, musters up a little of the insomnia in us all.