Tom Clancy once remarked in one of his books that Washingto DC is (‘X’ number) square miles, surrounded by reality…

I’ve taken to just calling it Dumbass, or Dumbass Hollow if I’m feeling wordy.

I know it’s not very clever, but I figure they don’t really deserve a clever insulting name.

A friend of mine calls it something that, if I typed it here, would burn out the pixels on your monitor. Yes, there is someone more cynical than me. Scary, eh? We try to keep him relatively isolated from the general public.

> “Pharyngulistas”

I totally did that once in a brothel in Nevada! It’s overrated. You need *two* girls and goat never cooperates.

Well, then I’m afraid I cannot believe in your existence.

Do you take smite requests?

I have a list.

It’s rather long…

> “there’s some big school group here, too. There are swarms of teenagers running around and squealing and giggling and having a fun time- I’m trying to restrain myself from smiting them”

That I think that’s illegal in most of the country with the exception of parts of the South.

> “How about “BAbees” instead?”

Only if the posters to your site get to be called Pizzers.

I’d -LOVE- to have seen John kick Hoagland out of Lowel! I’d heard that delicious story last summer when John joined the club. He’s operating the 26″ Clark refractor a good bit lately for public night.

That reminds me, BABlogees! (How about BAers?) You are all invited to view Mars (or Saturn or whatever’s up) in the monster 26″ refractor at the University of Virginia’s McCormick Observatory in Charlottesville Virginia. It’s free and open to the public on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month, year around. This is the best view of Saturn you’ll probably ever have, bar none. Phil will back me up on this one fer sher, he used to operate the scope himself. It’s the best free show in the universe!

See ya at Susan’s place tomorrow, Red! If you need directions, email me at vicepresident (at) cvilleastro dot org.
Rich

As it turns out I just joined CAS Wednesday night. I came really close to plugging Phil’s site here when the speaker was telling us about kicking Richard Hoagland out of the Lowel observatory on Mars Day! If the weather is good I should be able to make it out for the club night.

And not being able to look at the schedule of speakers, I have no idea what you and PZ are doing during the afternoon tomorrow.

So I hope the following doesn’t come across as spam, but the National Capital Area Skeptics are sponsoring a free talk tomorrow. Dr. Eric Cline will talk on Biblical junk science. Full details at http://www.ncas.org.

The talk is from 2:00 – 4:00 at the National Science Foundation just across the river in Arlington, and is accessible by Metro.

If you’re not busy and looking for something to do, stop on by.

J. D.

I spoke with the local area Astronomy club last weekend. They said they had spoken to you about a local appearance for their club but,,,ah, you know,,,

Hope you can one day make it to this general neck of the woods. Red Top Mountain is a lovely place. Many Astronomy clubs find this a great place to hang the old ‘scope and peer at the heavens.

MAybe Next time.

GAry 7

I wish you and all there the best of luck. Go forth, and educate!

aReddishGreen! You should maybe join the Charlottesville Astronomical Society and have a look at our home galaxy sometime! (Shameless plug, huh?) We meet at McCormick Observatory (Phil’s old stomping ground) the first Wednesday of every month. We have observing sessions each month too, and I’ll be at our November session tomorrow night working on my binocular Messier certificate instead of hoisting a pint with Phil in DC. I’m the VP of the club and it’s incumbent upon me to attend these sessions.

So much to do, so little time! Bummer in the summer!
Rich

I’m already checked in to the hotel, and I have to warn you: there’s some big school group here, too. There are swarms of teenagers running around and squealing and giggling and having a fun time — I’m trying to restrain myself from smiting them, but if it goes on too late I may have to.

“BABloggees”? What a horrible name. How about “BAbees” instead?

Hey, BA, you planning a European tour at any point?

I’m still hoping that somehow CSpan will video and broadcast a presentation or something from this annual meeting, seems right up their alley.

Wish I could be there. Sounds like a great way to spend a weekend. Have fun!