Stephen Hawking says... history has infinite possibilities

"...according to Quantum Theory, the universe doesn't have just a unique single history...the universe has every single possible history, each with its own probability. " Read more. 

Reviving your inner voice - the artist within.

Your "inner voice" is magical. It is a voice that speaks from a part of you that you may have forgotten is there.

"The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself." -Henry Miller

My INFJ Myers Briggs Results

INFJ

I used to be something else - but actually this test reflects more accurately whom I've become...

Quotes of Day

"Searching is half the fun; life is more manageable when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party." -Jimmy Buffet

"When we were little we had no difficulty sounding the way we felt; thus most little children speak and write with real voice." - Peter Elbow

Insulate my House with Aerogel

New flexible and stronger aerogel expected to open new applications for super-insulated homes.

"Building envelope applications are a natural for aerogel, and companies such as Thermoblok, Aspen and Cabot already have been working in these markets. Despite the production, handling and installation problems of silica aerogel, there has been some evidence that just using small strips of the material to prevent thermal bridging at target areas—such as wall studs—can be cost effective. So, cheaper and flexible aerogel strips would go a long way toward making the savings calculation easier. The housing stock in Europe, particularly Northern Europe, is particularly in need of improved insulation (no word yet on the results of the EU’s first Aerocoins aerogel workshop that was to be held this past June). Meador says that the new aerogel is five to 10 times more efficient than existing insulation, with a quarter-inch-thick sheet providing as much insulation as three inches of fiberglass. These insulation values are generally in line with ordinary silica aerogel, so the ease of use is the main thing here."  

Buy here on Ebay.

Read on Cabot website.

Cabot aerogel is also enabling the next generation of insulating plasters:

• 2 – 3 times more effective than currently available insulating plasters and even better than currently used insulation boards with lambda values down to 0.028 W/mK
• Easy spray coating application works on uneven surfaces, piping or cables
• No insulation board handling or cutting for reduced installation time and cost
• No gaps for water condensation, no head bridges
• Can easily model the shape of the facade - will not change its appearance
• Inorganic system is ideal for retrofitting of historical buildings
• Vapor open, can be used in interiors or exteriors
• Light weight, easy to handle
• Can reach fire class A2

For more information, visit www.fixit.ch/aerogel

Cabot aerogel can also be used in its granular form for cavity wall infill  or in a blanket form, Thermal Wrap^TM. The Thermal Wrap blanket is especially useful in applications where a thin product is required that can be easily cut, rolled, and/or shaped on the job site. Because it delivers high insulation performance even when compressed, it is especially useful as a thermal break in places that otherwise conduct heat, such as over studs and around windows (i.e. strips).Still have questions? Click here for FAQs.

For more information on board insulation and finishing systems, visit:
www.sto-aevero.de
www.aerowolle.de

From Inhabitat website:

Aerogel is fireproof, mildew-proof yet allows moisture to move through.

Aerogel rolls.

Aerogel strips.

• 
  Super Batteries Made From 'Frozen Smoke' May be Here Soon
  Over the years we’ve seen batteries made from an incredible range of materials – from mud to coffee to water. However researchers from the University
• 
  Scientists Develop Graphene Aerogel - The World's Lightest Material
  Last year, German scientists created aerographite, which at 0.2 milligrams per cubic centimeter was dubbed the world’s lightest material. However they have now been eclipsed

More: Space-age Aerogel Insulation Now Cheaper and Available in Sheets | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building 

Answers to more questions here. Buy Aerogel and get samples here.

IoT: The "Internet of Things"

Soon I will know if I forgot to take my thyroid pill because the bottle will "know" if it was opened that morning. This is the coming of age of IoT, the "Internet of Things". If the internet enables "any to any" connectivity (computers, mobile devices to users, businesses and to each other), then IoT connects things to users, businesses, as well as to other things - all things - including appliances, aircraft, automobiles, medical devices, environmental sensors - you name it!  This soon-to-be pervasive telecommunications technology enables autonomous intercommunication machine-to-machine (M2M) data transfer. Who needs good short-term memory anymore?

For example, the State Department was equipping US passports with RFID (radio frequency identification) tags whose data could be read up to 30 ft away via equipment purchased on eBay for $250! The new generation of tags is more secure. But as technology becomes more entwined with physical objects and processes, the consequences of security failure escalates... how will humans handle the dangers of being almost completely subservient to the net? Will internet-connected machines become the useful idiots to malicious criminals? And if a machine makes a wrong decision, what happens then?! Who or what is held accountable?

The Dalai Lama Supports 2045’s Avatar Project

Dalai Lama likes this project.

THE PORCH remodel

Renovation Dreams

Before

After renovation (Photoshopped)

Found this house and I am hoping I can purchase it and renovate it myself. As you see in the "Before" version it needs a new roof and possibly a new front door. The "After" picture is how I envision it with new roof and front door, and a bit more curb appeal with additional landscaping and some flowers. Maybe even add some plants along the walkway. It's the inside of the house that will be challenging, but I found some inspiring posts on the web:

Before

After

upstairs hallway

Upcycling an old brass chandelier

Martha Stuart chandelier

Z Gallerie chandelier

I plan to upcycle my old brass chandeliers bought on craigslist to look like these beauties:
First, I will remove bulbs and sleeves and clean off all dust and dirt with paper towels; then I'll scuff up the brass surface with sandpaper to prepare for priming; then I'll use self-etching spray primer; then spray paint chandelier and chain et al. Found How-To article here.

Super Moon on New Years, 2014

When the moon, earth, and sun are in alignment, as during a full or new moon, it is called syzygy — an astronomical term. January 1, 2014 has a Super Moon, a New Moon. 

2014 will be awesome. All thoughts should be on manifesting happiness. Bliss. Good dreams come true. Health, love, prosperity, joy. Looking forward to it!

Brooks Hall, University of Virginia

I became lost a few weeks ago driving through the University of Virginia campus and came upon this building. I knew that it was the building from a dream I had several months prior to my move to Charlottesville. I discovered that it is Brooks Hall, originally home to the Paleontology Department. I also learned that Thomas Jefferson was the first paleontologist in the New World. This fact made me think of my Paleontology Professor, Dr. Ron Parsley. I did a search for Dr. Parsley on Google that afternoon and found that he was attending his retirement ceremony that day after 47 years at Tulane University. It has been over 23 years since I last communicated with him - I was his illustrator! How serendipitous!