S. Evan Townsend's Blog, page 60

The Eclipse

Photo Credit: Lynn D. TownsendOn August 21st I traveled to Madras, Oregon to see what has been called "The Great American Eclipse." I choose Madras because it's relatively close to where I live (about 280 miles by car), it was near the center of totality, and being in Eastern Oregon, the weather should be good (I made my plans in April, way too soon for weather forecasts).

The Eclipse

There are two ways of thinking about being in an area of totality of an eclipse: the Moon is covering the sun or the Moon's shadow is passing over you. Most people think of the former. But the latter is a useful model, too.

The Moon first touched the Sun's disk at about 9:06 AM. The Moon took so long to cover the Sun that it was nearly impossible to watch constantly unless you have very strong neck muscles. So I'd check every few minutes. We were in the penumbra of the Moon's shadow.

The ambient light appeared to stay the same for most of the eclipse but this is more because our eyes adjust. You can see plenty well outside on a sunny day and inside with light bulbs. But outside is much much brighter (this is why cameras need a flash for interior pictures). But with the Sun about half-covered and looking like a fat crescent moon, the temperature started to drop. A breeze picked up making it almost cool.

As more and more of the Sun disappeared behind the Moon, it did grow dimmer, almost looking like a cloudy day. The temperature kept dropping but not uncomfortably so. We were deeper in the penumbra.

Then the sun disappeared behind the Moon. We were in the umbra of the shadow. For us, that was just after 10:19 AM. The sky and ambient light was like just after the sun set but in all directions as on the horizon you could see outside the umbra of the shadow of the Moon. But the best part was the Moon/Sun combination itself as the Sun's corona became visible. It was lovely and awesome as the dark circle of the moon was surrounded by shifting white light (see picture above). It was magical and other-worldly. It didn't feel like something real. Yet it was, amazingly real.

If you look closely at the picture above, you can see the star Regulus.

Totality lasted just over two minutes. The first sign that it was over was a bright spot on the edge of the Moon. This is the sun coming through the mountains of the Moon and lets you know it's time to look away.

Nearly everyone present started applauding. I was wondering who they were applauding.

Then the Moon just as slowly as it covered the sun, uncovered our star. It grew light out and warmer almost immediately. Within a few minutes, unless you looked at the sun (through eclipse glasses), you'd never know there was an eclipse still happening.

The Good

Seeing the eclipse, probably the last one in my lifetime near where I live, was wonderful and I'm so glad I got to see it.

And Sunday night I had a really good steak at a restaurant in Bend, Oregon (about 40 miles south of Madras).

Where we were was near the airport. Starting about ten minutes after totality ended, airplanes started departing the airport. Mostly private jets. They would be about 10 minutes apart. This went on for at least two hours.

The Bad

The Oregon Solar Fest put us (and about 1,000 other cars) in a farmer's alfalfa field. It was dusty. In the morning it was like a car-alarm symphony as people kept setting off their car alarms. There were so many people there cell service just died. They organizers didn't have enough bathrooms (portapottys) set up. I waited an hour and 10 minutes once (after that I went in the trees) and my wife waited over two hours. My car is filthy inside and out from being in the dusty field.

I slept only three hours the night before the eclipse in an over-priced motel room.

The Ugly

Organizers said that there were about 100,000 people expected to show up in Madras, which is a small town of about 6,000 residents. There are three main roads out of the city, all two-lanes. It took us five hours to get to the backup on the road going north. According to Google Maps, the drive home should have taken about four hours. It took 15. After not sleeping for for over 24 hours (after three hours sleep), I pulled over and took a nap by the side of the road before I fell asleep driving. I saw taillights whenever I closed my eyes. We got home about three in the morning. The next day I was still exhausted.

Conclusion

Even with everything, it was amazing and so worth it.

Huskies are Number 8!

The AP college football poll came out Monday. I was sort of busy with the eclipse, so I didn't see the poll until yesterday.

The University of Washington Huskies are #8 in the pre-season poll. Last year they didn't even start out as ranked (i.e., in the top 25 of the poll).

However, they ended last year at #4 so they dropped a bit since then.

The only other Pac-12 teams that are ranked are USC (#4), Stanford (#14), and WSU(!) at #24.

The Huskies don't play USC in the regular season but do play Stanford and (of course) WSU. Most predict we'll meet USC in the Pac-12 championship game.

The football season starts September 1st when the Huskies take on Rutgers. Go Dawgs!

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Anna M. Aquino and Leisa Ebere

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers Anna M. Aquino and Leisa Ebere.
Anna M. AquinoAnna M. Aquino

Anna M. Aquino is a super fabulous woman of God, wife, and ninja mom of two daughters.  As a writer and guest minister, her passion is to encourage others to fulfill their own destinies.  Often referred to as a preacher and a comedian rolled into one, she believes laughter is one of the best ways to get people to think. She is the author of many works including Cursing the Church or Helping It, Confessions of a Ninja Mom, An Ember In Time and A Marriage In Time.  She has been interviewed on places such as TBN, The Gospel Channel, and many radio shows. She has also written articles for well-known sources like Charisma, Ministry Today and the UK’s Keep The Faith Magazine. While she and her family do travel for ministry, Anna is based out of Central Ohio.  If you would like to connect with her then please contact her online at anna@annamaquino.com, Twitter: annamaquino, Instagram: AnnaMAquino33, and Facebook: annamaquino2.

Anna's Books:


A Marriage in Time
An Ember in Time

Confessions of a Ninja Mom (non-fiction)
Anna's Links:
Website Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
Leisa EbereLeisa Ebere

Leisa Ebere, was originally born in San Francisco, California and now resides in Gravesend in the UK. She is married with three children and one grandchild.

Leisa has been writing poems and stories since the age of twelve and was inspired to write Crows and Angels, her new novel, by the stories her grandmother told her, of her ancestors settling in the Dakota Territory.

Leisa grew up on a horse ranch in the Northwestern United States and is 1/16 Sioux Indian by birth; and has a special place in her heart for Native Americans. Her aim is to tell their side of the story through her writing.

Leisa's Book:

Crows and Angels 

Leisa's Links:

Blog
Facebook


From Today's Program: Will Mini-Fusion Rockets Power Interstellar Flight?
Listen to today's program at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT, or in archive here.

What Makes Me Laugh

Time once again for the 52-week blogging challenge. And today's prompt is "What Makes Me Laugh."

Lots of things make me laugh, like a funny television show. Probably my favorite sitcom of all time is Frasier . It was intelligent and funny.

Funny movies make me laugh, but good funny movies are hard to find. Lately "funny" moves tend to be aimed at teenagers with puerile humor to match.

People make me laugh. Not derisively, but with joy at how funny people can be, often without realizing it.

And bad jokes make me laugh, the cornier the better. Here's one of my favorites:

"How warm is the inside of a tauntaun?

Luke warm."

What makes you laugh? Comment below.

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Mark J. Engels and R.L. Akers

Today one the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are pleased to welcome writers Mark J. Engels and R.L. Akers.
Mark J.EngelsMark J. Engels

Boyhood interests in trains and electronics fostered Mark’s career as an electrical engineer, designing and commissioning signal and communications systems for railroads and rail transit agencies across the United States. Along the way he indulged his writing desire by authoring articles for rail and transit industry trade magazines. Coupled with his long-time membership in anime, manga and anthropomorphic fandoms he took up writing genre fiction. Growing up in Michigan, never far from his beloved Great Lakes, Mark and his wife make their home today in Wisconsin with their son and a dog who naps beside him as he writes.

Mark is a member of Allied Authors of Wisconsin, one of the state's oldest writing collectives. https://allied-authors.org/our-members/mark-engels/

Mark's Book:
Always Gray in Winter
Mark's Links:
Website Facebook Twitter Deviantart
R.L. AkersR.L. Akers
R.L. Akers loves stories. He loves hearing them, loves telling them, loves embellishing them, and loves forging them from raw materials. He is convinced that every person who ever lived has an interesting story, and he's only met one person in his life who came close to proving otherwise.
Holder of an undergraduate degree in computer science and a master's degree in business administration, Akers has worked in software development as well as non-profit fundraising and publicity. His love for children has led him in the past to be a foster parent and a coordinator of the K-5 ministry at his church, and he currently invests time each week in the lives of local high schoolers. His interests include graphic design, orchestral movie soundtracks, and anything remotely creative.
Akers lives in West Virginia with his wife and the four children he loves most in this world. Visit Akers online at his blog, RLAkers.com, where you can find short stories and information about upcoming novels. Make sure you also check out Isle-of-Atlantis.com, Gryphens.com, and OrbitalDefense.com

R.L,'s Books:

Atlantis: Twilight of Mankind
Prometheus Rebound

Prometheus Revealed
R.L.'s Links:
Website Blog Facebook Twitter
From Today's Program: Einstein's Impossible Experiment Done.
Listen to today's program at 6:00 PM ET/ 3:00 PM PT or in archive here.

My Greatest Weakness

Back to the 52-week blogging challenge (we're getting close to the end). This week's prompt is "My Greatest Weakness."

We all have weaknesses. I have little self-control around foods I like. I like to drive fast. I don't multi-task well.

But what's my greatest weakness?

Last week I talked about how extremely shy I am. And I'm going to stick with that as my greatest weakness. But the good news is, I've mostly overcome it except in group settings where I don't know everyone.

But it used to be miserable. I wouldn't talk to people at all for fear of rejection (which is what I think shyness is: fear of rejection). I could barely function as a human when I was in my teens.

And I'm still shy. I just worked hard to overcome it like I said last week. But when I have to call a stranger on the phone and ask for an interview, I have to screw up my courage. Every time. It's very difficult for me. I don't make friends easily and usually have very few.

What do you consider your greatest weakness? Comment below! Let's talk.

A Speculative Fiction Cantina Replay with Wesley Thomas and John Pyka

Today on a Speculative Fiction Cantina replay, we are proud to welcome writers Wesley Thomas and John Pyka.
Wesley ThomasWesley Thomas

Wesley Thomas is a bestselling horror author, freelance writer, business owner, and avid blogger. His obsession with all things horror has led many of his short horror stories to be published in anthologies, magazines, e-zines, and on popular websites. He strives to scare, thrill, and entertain.

Wesley's Books:


GORE ZONE

Where Does Crazy Start?

Succubus

Wesley's Links:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

John PykaJohn Pyka AKA “Big Daddy Cool”

For over 20 years John Pyka has set himself apart as an entertainer with his patented fusion of magic, music, and larger than life characters!

John Pyka is best known for his work onstage as a new vintage variety artist, fusing music and magic with comedy and dance in a 1920s – 1940s style in what is described as “Dieselpunk.” He can be seen performing in theaters, at festivals and conventions around the country.

He is also the author of 4 books on magic, including the best-seller Theatrical Magic . His first novel, Tales From the Flip-Side is published by Pro Se Press and available wherever books are sold – also available as an audiobook!

John is also the producer and host of the Dieselpunk Podcast, THE Voice of Dieselpunk on iTunes and Stitcher. He is also the producer and host of the weekly YouTube show The Roll N Go Game Review Show.

John's Books:

Tales From The Flip-Side 

Magic 101 (non-fiction)

Theatrical Magic (non-fiction)

John's Links:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

From Today's Program: A Renegade Speeding Black Hole.

Listen to today's program at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT, or in archive here.

My Biggest Strength

Time once again for the 52-week blogging challenge. Today's prompt is "Your biggest strength."

I had to think about this for a while. And I finally decided what my biggest strength is.

I'm a very, very shy person. My Myers-Briggs personality type is INTJ. The "I" stands for "introvert." I would rather be alone with my thoughts than at a party where I have to interact with people. All you introverts know what I mean.

But despite that, I am a pretty good public speaker. I can speak in front of a group of people without a problem, if I'm sure about my subject. Part of that is because of my work in Toastmasters. But even before Toastmasters I was fairly good at public speaking. When I worked in the corporate world, I would gladly give presentations all the time.

So I think my greatest strength is overcoming my inherent shyness to be a good public speaker.

Or it might be that I'm capable of doing freelance writing work because that means calling people I don't know and asking them for interviews. It's very hard for me to do that. But I do it because I enjoy the freelance work so much.

What is your greatest strength. Comment below!

The Speculative Fiction Cantina with Keith Rosson and John Murphy

Today on the Speculative Fiction Cantina we are very pleased to welcome writers Keith Rosson and John Murphy.
Keith RossonKeith Rosson

Keith Rosson is the author of the novels The Mercy of the Tide and Smoke City, and his short fiction has appeared in Cream City Review, PANK, December, The Nervous Breakdown, and more. He's been twice nominated for a Pushcart Prize and was a finalist for the Birdwhistle Prize for Short Fiction and the New American Fiction Prize. He’s also an illustrator and graphic designer, with clients that include Green Day, Against Me, the Goo Goo Dolls, and others. A fierce advocate of public libraries and non-ironic adulation of the cassette tape, he can be found at keithrosson.com.

Keith's Works:


The Mercy of the Tide

"Torch Songs" (short story)

"Forgive Me This" (short story)

Keith's Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

John MurphyJohn Murphy

John Murphy was a Corporal in the US Marine Corps. He graduated college and had a successful career in the software industry. He’s the father of 3 adult sons and grandfather of 2.  In addition to writing great stories to share, he enjoy a good cigar, riding motorcycles, shooting guns, drinking tequila, downhill skiing fast and traveling the world with his soulmate wife.

John's Books:

Mission Veritas 

Proelium Veritas 

Vulgus Chronicles

John's Links:

Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

From Today's Program: Math will be Key to Communicating with Aliens.

Listen to Today's Program at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT, or in archive here.

Most Beautiful Place I've Been

Cannon Beach, OR.Time once again for the 52-week blogging challenge and today's prompt is "The Most Beautiful Place I've Been."

This is a tough one. I've been to some beautiful places.

Last year around this time I went to Cannon Beach, Oregon. It was very pretty. But I don't know if it's the most beautiful place I've been.

Two years ago I went to the Canadian Rockies. Now that was amazing. See here, here, here, here, and here. Yes, it was so lovely, I have to have five blog posts to cover it. Only problem was the weather wasn't very good.

And in 2013, I went to Glacier National Park. It was amazing. I'm not sure which is better, Glacier National Park or the Canadian Rockies. See here and here.

And I've been to Hawaii. Of the islands I've visited (Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai) that the prettiest one (and the least spoiled by tourism) is Kauai.

Of all those places, the place I'd want to go back to is Glacier National Park. It's just amazing.

What's the most beautiful place you've ever been? Comment below.