Curiosity Killed the Cat...And Landed on Mars

NASA's successful Curiosity rover is a mind-blowing feat of technology that defied odds, but not logic or reason.

Careful planning by NASA scientists coupled with countless hours of design and testing here on Earth set the stage for one of mankind's truly remarkable achievements.

That being said, while the Internets [sic] have been super excited about humans building and landing what is essentially a nuclear-powered SUV 350,000,000 miles away, I worry that people as a whole are sufficiently jaded to the point where this isn't viewed as an impressive feat.

Certainly, sending a rover (no matter how incredible) isn't as sexy as landing humans, but these are crucial missions if we ever want to get to that point.

This isn't the sixties moon missions where we strapped young men to rockets and wished them the best of luck.

An amazing composite photo taken by Curiosity.

The stakes are higher because the challenge is significantly greater. Everything from communication issues to the mental health of the astronauts, even the difficulty of creating the spacecraft is magnified.

As for Curiosity, you've likely seen this video detailing the outrageous landing procedure by now but even so, you should watch it again.



On a side note, I'm totally down to volunteer for a one-way mission to Mars.

Sure that would mean dying on the red planet, but that's extraordinarily selfless to be the first person knowing fully you aren't coming back.

They'd put my face on money and have a federal holiday in my honor. Also, aside from the various rovers NO TRAFFIC.

Sold.

General Musings About Football Season 2012

It's been painfully quiet around here lately. I return with a Hokie-centric look at the coming football season, pro and college.

First, Virginia Tech continues an unofficial quest to become the Oregon of the east coast when it comes to uniforms.

Tech will continue the now common practice of using multiple helmets throughout the season including this fairly tasteful camouflage helmet for Military Appreciation Day Saturday, September 22 against Bowling Green.

Then there are these controversial helmets for the White Out game Saturday, September 8 against Austin Peay.

Now they're only controversial insofar as they're ugly, but for a one-off they're tolerable. Gobbler tracks aren't remotely approaching the most offensive thing I've seen on football uniforms. 

Of course, most folks have been less forgiving of the new design, including starting quarterback Logan Thomas who chimed in on Twitter:

Indeed.

As for the action under the helmets, Virginia Tech is in Frank Beamer's favorite position. 

The Hokies are ranked fairly low, return a talented albeit somewhat unproven roster, and no one is really talking about them. Perfect.

On to the NFL (which sucks), and the myriad of Hokies on NFL rosters. That may thin out a bit as the teams make cuts, but I was surprised at the sheer numbers.

Some are no surprise as this season will mark the debuts of two of Tech's most exciting and successful running backs, second-year man Ryan Williams of the Arizona Cardinals and back-flipping rookie David Wilson of the Super Bowl Champion Giants.

Williams missed all of his rookie campaign with a significant knee injury, but appears to be back at full strength going into the preseason and the coaches in Arizona love him.

Praise has been equally high for Wilson in New York, where players and coaches alike have marveled at his maturity and athleticism. He demonstrated the latter in his first preseason game, nearly returning a kick-off for a touchdown.

The trick for the rabbit-catching phenom is to learn the playbook and continue to bulk up, while Williams needs to get some game contact to regain his confidence. 

Both appear poised to make an impact as complimentary backs—especially Williams because Beanie Wells is mediocre on a good day.

I guess the other main story no one has talked about regarding "the shield" is the fact that negotiations with game officials are still not settled and the NFL may use back-up referees into the regular season. 

Fans complain regardless, but given the number of competent, high-level football referees in this country, I think it's safe to say we'll see a drop-off in quality officiating the first few weeks.

Obviously, we'll have more detailed thoughts as the rapidly-approaching season nears. 

Virginia Tech kicks off Labor Day night when they host Georgia Tech at 8 PM on ESPN.

The winner of that match-up has represented the Coastal division in the ACC Championship game every season since the Hokies joined the conference in 2004.

Notre Dame will begin their season whenever they find a quarterback, or September 1 when they take on Navy in Ireland, whichever comes first.

Also, that game appears to start at 9 AM here on the east coast. Those with big tailgating plans may want to save the bratwurst until at least halftime. 

Windy City to Feature Notre Dame Hockey in Outdoor Game

Notre Dame will play Miami twice at Soldier Field in the span of four months. On October 6, the football squad will play Miami (Fla.) in the annual offsite 'home' game at the historic Chicago location. Anticipation is high as the two storied programs rekindle a rivalry born in the 80's during the Jimmy Johnson and Lou Holtz eras.

Several months after that game, on February 17, Notre Dame will again meet Miami at Soldier Field with a slight twist. It will be the Irish Hockey squad against CCHA conference rival Miami (OH) in the program's first outdoor hockey game.

That game is part of the Hockey City Classic, pitting the Irish against Miami (OH) and Minnesota against Wisconsin. A possibility remains that one or more of the teams in the event will don throwback uniforms, but it is still too early to tell.

For reaction from Irish Head Coach Jeff Jackson and Center Anders Lee watch this (lengthy) video.

For the official game announcement and interviews with Chicago native Defensemen Sam Calabrese, watch this video.

Notre Dame Isn't Joining A Conference Anytime Soon

It’s been a long time coming, but there simply hasn’t been enough commentary or postings from us around here lately. I’m mostly to blame – Justin has been the most frequent infrequent poster of the two of us. During the time span of now and my previous post, a LOT has happened in the world at large so I figured it’s time I catch up and re-engage my passion. After all, why leave my handful of readers wondering (or worse yet perhaps not caring) about when my next post will be. While the latter may already be true, it’s time to dive in with as broad of a (keyboard) stroke as I can fathom.

BCS and Notre Dame’s position

Justin already touched on this from the VT perspective so it’s time I chime in a little on this one. Given heightened awareness around the BCS this one really hits home for Irish fans.

Notre Dame’s AD, Jack Swarbrick, has truly been an impact player and advocate for the Fighting Irish during the recent conversations amongst conference officials in determining the future state, or lack thereof, of the BCS. To make a long story short (watch the video below to see what I mean), Notre Dame came out of the whole BCS playoff picture and conference alignment mess unscathed. If anything, they’ve enhanced their position by 1) not needing to join a conference to gain access to the new playoff model and 2) enhancing their bowl partnerships with a premier bowl opportunity.

There has been much speculation about whether or not the Irish are delaying the inevitable of joining a conference by aligning to certain conference’s bowl allegiances (i.e. Orange Bowl via ACC). But with the Irish eligible for the playoff and bowls like the Orange Bowl, there is no rush to abandon the Independence Ship.

None of this, however, means the Irish won’t shop around their Olympic sports to a conference not named the Big East. Academically speaking, the ACC is the most closely aligned given the intellectually driven universities like Duke, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Virginia (sorry Justin), and Virginia Tech (yay Justin!). Notre Dame has little in common with the Big XII except that Texas forged it’s own quasi-independent football alliance by negotiating special TV rights outside of the Big XII’s contracts.

The fact of the matter is, Notre Dame is staying put and will do so for the foreseeable future in football. Olympic sports remain a question mark but will not be a driver in moving football into a conference. Football membership, or the absence of a clause requiring all sports to join, will be the primary cog in the system determining the fate of the University’s cash cow and identity.

Lacrosse

The season didn’t end too nicely for Notre Dame Lacrosse as they failed to return to the title game despite advancing to championship weekend. A slow start doomed the Irish against eventual national champion Loyola (MD). Despite the disappointment, Head Coach Kevin Corrigan has done an outstanding job not only putting Irish Lacrosse on the map but turning the program into a perennial title contender.

Tiger Woods

Somebody’s got his mojo back and it’s not Austin Powers. Tiger Woods appears to be channeling visions of his former self with three tour wins already this season and one second-place finish. He passed Jack Nicklaus for all-time wins with a strong showing at The Congressional a couple weekends ago. While I’m sure he thought that was a nice notch on the belt to pass Jack, that’s not the record of Jack’s he has been most focused on breaking. At 14 major wins he still has some work to do to catch Jack (18), but given his past dominance and his recent turnaround it’s hard to imagine him not getting closer to that mark.

Frank Beamer is the Coolest and the BCS Is Dead (Almost)

The head coach of the Hokies isn't the only one dancing today as a presidential oversight committee, led by Virginia Tech President Charles Steger, finally granted approval to a four-team playoff system for college football.

In an interview with the Daily Press, Steger told David Teel, “The ACC presidents were unanimously in favor of the four-team playoff, and I wanted to be sure they [Athletic Director Jim Weaver and Beamer] were comfortable with it. Frank’s the one who’s got to coach the team. Not me. He’s very supportive."

And why wouldn't he be? The Hokies are consistently on the cusp of being a top team, but usually fall just on the outside of the national championship picture.

Therein lies the biggest criticism of Beamer, he can't win the big one.

You know the rest of the drill, Frank Beamer is class personified. He's nice to a fault in the minds of many, and there aren't a lot of public sports figures these days criticized for being loyal and considerate of one's opponents.

Those detractors are few and far between, a product of the semi-professional SEC and the envious eyes fixed upon its success by the rest of the college football world.

Hokies certainly aren't immune to that, and there is a crazed group of folks who whisper too loudly for my tastes that Beamer will never win the national championship and can't get Tech to that level during his last handful of seasons in Blacksburg.

I get that to some extent. I want a national championship too and Frank wants it more than anyone. There have been plenty of eggs laid by the Hokies on the big stage and maybe he won't win the big prize, but that's no reason to hasten his retirement.

The man is Virginia Tech football. His record is 209-98-2. He has never had any recruiting violations or academic scandals. If anything, maybe you could say he's given troubled athletes too many second chances. Oh for shame!

There's only one thing hanging over his legacy, and it's the empty trophy case in the Merryman athletic center reserved for the national championship trophy.

This case overlooking the practice field is reserved for the national championship trophy.

People are quick to blame Frank for that emptiness, but they forget he's the only reason it's there in the first place.

Now, the four-team playoff format brings new hope to those not confident in Tech's ability to finish in the top two spots of the BCS.

The BCS is dying and we will all dance on its grave and welcome the purer playoff that gives more teams a chance to win the national championship.

Really it's all about money, but don't tell Frank. He's first in line to dance a jig.

Remember Fiona Apple? This And Other News

When last I posted, I painted a rather bleak portrait of the mainstream music scene as it stands today.

I insinuated that the youth of the world are vapid people that listen to strange, disposable sounds. That they possess the attention-span of a gerbil after having their brains warped their entire lives by the warm glow of modern technology.

This is true.

But that isn't to say that there isn't a lot of good music still being put out there.

I'd like to take this chance to re-affirm some faith in the current music industry by highlighting some upcoming releases that are very exciting.

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Fiona Apple is best known for the controversial music video for her 1996 song "Criminal", from her debut album Tidal. 


Subsequent releases saw her evolve a unique style featuring her soulful, emotive voice alongside tasteful piano playing and arranging.

Her latest album, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw, And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do, features some bare arrangements that serve to highlight Fiona's voice and emotion.


It's a very powerful album and also very weird, both of which are good things in my book.

Her single, "Every Single Night" is beautiful and arresting while the music video is at once the coolest and strangest thing I've seen in a while.



Another promising project comes to us from Glen Hansard.

Formerly of The Frames and The Swell Season, Hansard marks his solo debut with the release of Rhythm and Repose. 

Sepia tones and suspenders mean folk gold and hipster cred.

It's a very folksy album with fairly restrained vocals that give way to some powerful moments such as on the song "High Hope". 

Hansard has melted our hearts before with his work in the film Once, and his other collaborations with former love interest Markéta Irglová.

Glen's distinctive Irish voice lends a certain tenderness to everything he sings and he's still playing that old guitar with the hole in it. Very folksy indeed.

Both albums will be released 6/19. In the meantime, you can stream them both over at NPR's First Listen.