Book reviews for September 2017
By Robert Ellison.
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neal Stephenson
4/5
Round Top loop at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, July 31, 2021.
Round Top is a remnant of a 10 million year old volcano, tipped over by tectonic activity. It's pretty high at 1,763 feet. Unfortunately the peak is privately owned so you can't go right to the top but there is a 2.5 mile loop around the peak. You get views out to Mount Tam, Mount Diablo and even the Sierras and an occasional glimpse of the bay. The drive up is also spectacular.
Hike Starts at 37.8483327,-122.1986103 (Google Earth).
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(Hike Map)
(Published to the Fediverse as: Round Top loop at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve #hike #sibley #roundtop #map #volcano #snake Hike around Round Top Loop (a 10 million year old volcano) at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve with views out to Mount Tam, Mount Diablo and even the Sierras )
GGNRA Victory
By Robert Ellison.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the National Park Service's effort to ban dogs from much of the GGNRA is dead:
"The National Park Service pulled the plug Thursday on a 14-year-long process for restricting dog access in the 80,000-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 10 months after revelations emerged that agency officials had improperly corresponded about the process from their personal email accounts."
I've been fighting this for over six years. Some highlights from 2011, 2013 and 2016.
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(Published to the Fediverse as: GGNRA Victory #politics #nps #ggnra #dogs The National Park Service's 14 year effort to ban dogs from much of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is finally defeated. )
End the Electoral College: Amendment, Compact, or Supreme Court?
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Wednesday, August 25, 2021.
Lawrence Lessig and Richard Painter write about the possibility of the Supreme Court taking on the Electoral College in USA Today:
"The Constitution is not going to be amended to remove the Electoral College. It’s possible that states will agree to a compact to allocate their votes to the winner of the national popular vote. But right now, the court should recognize that there is no principle in American law that could justify the unequal reckoning of the votes of citizens of the United States for president of the United States. Call it proportionality, or simple equality: it is an idea that needs urgent legal recognition, now."
It's an intriguing possibility, but they're short on specifics. Who needs to file suit to get this question in front of the court? Should I do this as I live in California and may as well not bother voting for President? If so, please get in touch guys.
I'm a big fan of the The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Until another option looks plausible please follow that link and take one the actions listed to support it.
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(Published to the Fediverse as: End the Electoral College: Amendment, Compact, or Supreme Court? #politics #npvic #scotus #electoralcollege #politicalreform Could a Supreme Court case end the Electoral College? If not then maybe it's time to support the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. )
Harbor Seals
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Monday, January 20, 2025.
Harbor seals resting at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in San Mateo, California.
The photograph titled "Harbor Seals" presents a serene coastal scene bathed in soft, natural light. A group of seals lounges leisurely on a rocky outcrop, their smooth, glistening forms creating a striking contrast against the rugged texture of the rocks and the ever-moving ocean behind them. The horizon, where the sea meets the sky, is painted in muted blues, blending seamlessly into one another. Gentle waves roll in toward the shore, their frothy crests adding a dynamic element to the otherwise tranquil composition. The overall ambiance is one of quietude and harmony, capturing a fleeting moment of nature’s calmness amidst the rhythmic dance of the sea.
The composition of this image effectively uses the rule of thirds, positioning the seals slightly above the center, drawing the viewer's attention to the main subjects without overwhelming the frame. The depth of field captures the texture of the rocks in sharp detail, while the slightly blurred background of ocean waves introduces a sense of movement and depth. The natural lighting enhances the ethereal quality of the scene, though it might benefit from increased contrast to give the seals a more prominent presence against the rocks. The subtlety of the colors complements the peaceful atmosphere; however, a slightly warmer tone could amplify the visual warmth of the setting. Overall, the photograph beautifully encapsulates a tranquil slice of marine life, although it might be further enriched by slight adjustments in contrast and color balance.
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(Published to the Fediverse as: Harbor Seals #photo #seals Picture of harbor seals resting at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in San Mateo, California )
Crab at Fort Funston
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
A Dungeness Crab in shallow water at Fort Funston (Golden Gate National Recreational Area) in San Francisco, California.
The photograph titled "Crab at Fort Funston" captures an underwater scene where a lone crab sits nestled on the sandy bed of a gentle tide pool. The water dances with translucent ripples, casting a mosaic of light and shadow across the scene. The crab itself is mottled with earthy tones of deep red and brown, its textures blending seamlessly with the surrounding sand. The soft, sunlit patterns on the water’s surface create a mesmerizing effect, drawing the viewer into the sea's natural tranquility. This tranquil moment encapsulates a slice of marine life, serene and undisturbed.
The composition of the photo employs a minimalist style, focusing on the simplicity of the scene to evoke a sense of calm. The use of natural lighting highlights the texture of both the crab and the water, giving depth to the image. The crab is subtly positioned off-center, adhering to the rule of thirds, which adds a sense of balance and intrigue. However, while the serene nature of the scene is captivating, the lack of distinct contrast between the crab and its surroundings could make the subject less prominent. The overall calm and understated elegance is delightful, though a slight increase in contrast might have better defined the crab, allowing it to stand out more distinctly against the sandy floor.
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(Published to the Fediverse as: Crab at Fort Funston #photo #crab Photo of a Dungeness Crab in shallow water at Fort Funston, San Francisco, California. )
HOWTO: Fix Twitter
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Sunday, August 8, 2021.
Wired (and everyone else) is reporting that Twitter is finally testing longer tweets. Maybe 280 characters! I had a better fix six years ago:
ITHCWY: Twitter: Put some status in status updates: Give me an extra character for every year that I’ve been with… http://goo.gl/fb/gCEpT
— Robert Ellison (@abfo) July 8, 2011
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(Published to the Fediverse as: HOWTO: Fix Twitter #etc #twitter HOWTO: Fix Twitter - instead of upping the limit to 240 characters drip out an extra character a year, and for good behavior. )
What do you get when you multiply six by nine? Brexit.
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
“Good Morning,” said the Electorate at last.
“Er… good morning, O Electorate,” said Cameron nervously, “do you have… er, that is…”
“An answer for you?” interrupted the Electorate majestically. “Yes, I have.”
“There really is one?” breathed Cameron.
“There really is one,” confirmed the Electorate.
“To Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”
“Yes, though I don’t think,” added the Electorate, that you’re going to like it.”
“Doesn’t matter!” said Cameron, “We must know it! Now!”
“All right,” said the Electorate, “The answer to Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union? Is…”
“Yes…!”
“Is…”
“Yes…!!!…”
“Brexit.”
“I’m going to get lynched, aren’t I?”
“I checked it very thoroughly,” said the Electorate, “and that quite definitely is the answer. I think the problem, to be quite honest with you, is that you’ve never actually known what the question is.”
“But it was Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?” howled Cameron.
“Yes,” said the Electorate with the air of one who suffers fools gladly, “but what does that actually mean?”
“Well, you know, enjoy the benefits of the single market without being part of it, points based immigration here but still retire to Spain, restore the sovereignty of parliament without actually letting it vote…” said Cameron weakly.
“Exactly!” said the Electorate. “So once you do know what the question actually is, you’ll know what the answer means.”
“Look, all right, all right,” said Cameron, “can you just please tell me the question?”
“Tricky.”
“But can you do it?”
“No, but I’ll tell you who can,” said the Electorate.
“Who? Tell me!”
“I speak of none but the referendum that is to come next,” intoned the Electorate, “A referendum whose merest subordinate clauses I am not worthy to comprehend. A referendum that will actually tell us what Brexit is. A referendum of such infinite and subtle complexity that understanding ATM modernization under Single Sky and the medical implications of leaving Euratom shall form part of its introductory reading material…”
(Apologies to Douglas Adams)Related Posts
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(Published to the Fediverse as: What do you get when you multiply six by nine? Brexit. #politics #brexit #eu Good Morning said the Electorate at last. Good Morning, O Electorate, said Cameron nervously... )
Autumnal Equinox 2017
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, August 21, 2021.
Autumn/Fall starts now in the Northern Hemisphere. Springtime for the hemispherically challenged. Rendered in Catfood Earth (Windows, Android live wallpaper).
(Previously, Previously, Previously, Previously)
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San Francisco Street Tree Datalapse
By Robert Ellison. Updated on Saturday, February 19, 2022.
A datalapse video of San Francisco street trees:
City elevation contours and street tree database from DataSF. I included all trees with a latitude, longitude and known planting date. On the visualization trees grow over 25 years to a generally exaggerated 25 meters radius. Each species of tree is assigned a random color.
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(Published to the Fediverse as: San Francisco Street Tree Datalapse #etc #datalapse #sanfrancisco #trees #video Animation of all the known trees in San Francisco (from Data SF). )
