I am man, and I am animal

Finally got my 18 horse lawn tractor and plastic tub trailor today. The yard
looks great. After assembling everything at 9 this morning, I spent the
entire day preparing the grounds for the winter (that's two acres, and a
solid 8 hour day of riding, raking, shoveling debris, and dumping).

What does this have to do with astronomy?

One of the things I use to enjoy as an outdoors kind of guy years ago was
laying on my back and looking up. Even as an urbanite, I would make my way
out to a local park or school athletic field, just to lay on my back and
gaze at the stars. In times past, I waxed philosophical in my thoughts, and
contemplated God and aliens alike, wondering about how I got here, what I
was meant to do, and what would happen when I died. You know, is there an
after life and all that.

After seven years of seeking answers to the philisophical questions, I
finally concluded that in the here and now there's more to do and accomplish
than seeking my source for direction and meaning. It was time to pack up my
emotional baggage, catalog it, and store it in the attic, possibly for some
future self exploration, should I feel the need to revisit it.

So I picked up my pencils, and my notebooks and headed off to college. There
I studied computer science and fortunately, in hindsight, I was also
required to take physics, calculus, and humanities. Among these seemingly
obscure and meaningless things to learn as a computer science major, the
subject of physics and sociology has had a lasting impact on me that I have
grown to appreciate. This completed for me a line from physics in technology
to technology in society, and having done so, I felt I had found my place,
my direction and meaning. The "divine" source that remained elusive and
silent, yielded to the human source of knowledge and discovery.

Anyway, so here I am at the end of the day, the last trailor load dumped,
the sun setting and my body wearied. I put the tractor away, and went out to
the back acre to take one last look at my work, and decided to sit for a
moment on the ground. Well, before you know it, I'm laying back and looking
up at the sky. Mars is clearing the trees in the southeast and Vega and
Deneb appear, it's early November and the summer triangle is over head at
5:30PM local time.

The earth smells both like fresh dirt and freshly cut hay. Not the smell of
the hay to be bailed, but the smell of the cut at the ground, and after
about 15 minutes of waiting for stars and staring through the oncoming
twilight, I roll over and push myself up on hands and knees. I am a four
legged creature; maybe I'm a wolf, or a deer. I take a deep breath and drink
in the wonderful smell of the earth, trimmed, loved, and open before me. It
hits me: I am man, and I am animal. I live here on the dirt. It sustains me,
and it is my source of life, and my final place of rest.

As I walk back to the house some 300 feet away, I think to myself, I wish I
could stay out here day and night among the trees and the dirt and the grass
of the field, and bask in the pleasure of being. When I get into the house
and down to dinner, I look over to my wife and I say, "I have my piece of
earth, and I am in heaven".

Afterwards I hesitantly turn on the television and click my way around to
find the Discovery channel doing a piece on amateur model rocketry. After a
half hour or so I reach over and grab the laptop to check up on SAA and see
if I have any email of interest. The moon is full and its 20 degrees (F)
outside. After a long day in the sunshine and fresh cold air, it's both good
and dissapointing to be inside and surrounded by technology.

Stephen Paul
Shirley, MA

From what I've read about that show, it leaves out the field that they all
started in " Model Rocketry " which, unlike the HPR stuff doesn't have to worry
about the BATF nosing around.

Long Live the SIAR


--
"In this universe the night was falling,the shadows were lengthening
towards an east that would not know another dawn.
But elsewhere the stars were still young and the light of morning
lingered: and along the path he once had followed, man would one day go
again."

Arthur C. Clarke, The City & The Stars

SIAR
www.starlords.org
Freelance Writers Shop
http://www.freelancewrittersshop.netfirms.com
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Ad World
http://adworld.netfirms.com

"Stephen Paul" wrote in message
...
Finally got my 18 horse lawn tractor and plastic tub trailor today. The yard
looks great. After assembling everything at 9 this morning, I spent the
entire day preparing the grounds for the winter (that's two acres, and a
solid 8 hour day of riding, raking, shoveling debris, and dumping).

What does this have to do with astronomy?

One of the things I use to enjoy as an outdoors kind of guy years ago was
laying on my back and looking up. Even as an urbanite, I would make my way
out to a local park or school athletic field, just to lay on my back and
gaze at the stars. In times past, I waxed philosophical in my thoughts, and
contemplated God and aliens alike, wondering about how I got here, what I
was meant to do, and what would happen when I died. You know, is there an
after life and all that.

After seven years of seeking answers to the philisophical questions, I
finally concluded that in the here and now there's more to do and accomplish
than seeking my source for direction and meaning. It was time to pack up my
emotional baggage, catalog it, and store it in the attic, possibly for some
future self exploration, should I feel the need to revisit it.

So I picked up my pencils, and my notebooks and headed off to college. There
I studied computer science and fortunately, in hindsight, I was also
required to take physics, calculus, and humanities. Among these seemingly
obscure and meaningless things to learn as a computer science major, the
subject of physics and sociology has had a lasting impact on me that I have
grown to appreciate. This completed for me a line from physics in technology
to technology in society, and having done so, I felt I had found my place,
my direction and meaning. The "divine" source that remained elusive and
silent, yielded to the human source of knowledge and discovery.

Anyway, so here I am at the end of the day, the last trailor load dumped,
the sun setting and my body wearied. I put the tractor away, and went out to
the back acre to take one last look at my work, and decided to sit for a
moment on the ground. Well, before you know it, I'm laying back and looking
up at the sky. Mars is clearing the trees in the southeast and Vega and
Deneb appear, it's early November and the summer triangle is over head at
5:30PM local time.

The earth smells both like fresh dirt and freshly cut hay. Not the smell of
the hay to be bailed, but the smell of the cut at the ground, and after
about 15 minutes of waiting for stars and staring through the oncoming
twilight, I roll over and push myself up on hands and knees. I am a four
legged creature; maybe I'm a wolf, or a deer. I take a deep breath and drink
in the wonderful smell of the earth, trimmed, loved, and open before me. It
hits me: I am man, and I am animal. I live here on the dirt. It sustains me,
and it is my source of life, and my final place of rest.

As I walk back to the house some 300 feet away, I think to myself, I wish I
could stay out here day and night among the trees and the dirt and the grass
of the field, and bask in the pleasure of being. When I get into the house
and down to dinner, I look over to my wife and I say, "I have my piece of
earth, and I am in heaven".

Afterwards I hesitantly turn on the television and click my way around to
find the Discovery channel doing a piece on amateur model rocketry. After a
half hour or so I reach over and grab the laptop to check up on SAA and see
if I have any email of interest. The moon is full and its 20 degrees (F)
outside. After a long day in the sunshine and fresh cold air, it's both good
and dissapointing to be inside and surrounded by technology.

Stephen Paul
Shirley, MA




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.535 / Virus Database: 330 - Release Date: 11/1/03

Half of us, if not more, don't have a prayer of knowing what you're talking
about. What is HPR or BATF? And what is SIAR?

Al


"Starlord" wrote in message
...
From what I've read about that show, it leaves out the field that they all
started in " Model Rocketry " which, unlike the HPR stuff doesn't have to
worry
about the BATF nosing around.

Long Live the SIAR


--
"In this universe the night was falling,the shadows were lengthening
towards an east that would not know another dawn.
But elsewhere the stars were still young and the light of morning
lingered: and along the path he once had followed, man would one day go
again."

Arthur C. Clarke, The City & The Stars

SIAR
www.starlords.org
Freelance Writers Shop
http://www.freelancewrittersshop.netfirms.com
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Ad World
http://adworld.netfirms.com

"Stephen Paul" wrote in message
...
Finally got my 18 horse lawn tractor and plastic tub trailor today. The
yard
looks great. After assembling everything at 9 this morning, I spent the
entire day preparing the grounds for the winter (that's two acres, and a
solid 8 hour day of riding, raking, shoveling debris, and dumping).

What does this have to do with astronomy?

One of the things I use to enjoy as an outdoors kind of guy years ago
was
laying on my back and looking up. Even as an urbanite, I would make my
way
out to a local park or school athletic field, just to lay on my back and
gaze at the stars. In times past, I waxed philosophical in my thoughts,
and
contemplated God and aliens alike, wondering about how I got here, what
I
was meant to do, and what would happen when I died. You know, is there
an
after life and all that.

After seven years of seeking answers to the philisophical questions, I
finally concluded that in the here and now there's more to do and
accomplish
than seeking my source for direction and meaning. It was time to pack up
my
emotional baggage, catalog it, and store it in the attic, possibly for
some
future self exploration, should I feel the need to revisit it.

So I picked up my pencils, and my notebooks and headed off to college.
There
I studied computer science and fortunately, in hindsight, I was also
required to take physics, calculus, and humanities. Among these
seemingly
obscure and meaningless things to learn as a computer science major, the
subject of physics and sociology has had a lasting impact on me that I
have
grown to appreciate. This completed for me a line from physics in
technology
to technology in society, and having done so, I felt I had found my
place,
my direction and meaning. The "divine" source that remained elusive and
silent, yielded to the human source of knowledge and discovery.

Anyway, so here I am at the end of the day, the last trailor load
dumped,
the sun setting and my body wearied. I put the tractor away, and went
out to
the back acre to take one last look at my work, and decided to sit for a
moment on the ground. Well, before you know it, I'm laying back and
looking
up at the sky. Mars is clearing the trees in the southeast and Vega and
Deneb appear, it's early November and the summer triangle is over head
at
5:30PM local time.

The earth smells both like fresh dirt and freshly cut hay. Not the smell
of
the hay to be bailed, but the smell of the cut at the ground, and after
about 15 minutes of waiting for stars and staring through the oncoming
twilight, I roll over and push myself up on hands and knees. I am a four
legged creature; maybe I'm a wolf, or a deer. I take a deep breath and
drink
in the wonderful smell of the earth, trimmed, loved, and open before me.
It
hits me: I am man, and I am animal. I live here on the dirt. It sustains
me,
and it is my source of life, and my final place of rest.

As I walk back to the house some 300 feet away, I think to myself, I
wish I
could stay out here day and night among the trees and the dirt and the
grass
of the field, and bask in the pleasure of being. When I get into the
house
and down to dinner, I look over to my wife and I say, "I have my piece
of
earth, and I am in heaven".

Afterwards I hesitantly turn on the television and click my way around
to
find the Discovery channel doing a piece on amateur model rocketry.
After a
half hour or so I reach over and grab the laptop to check up on SAA and
see
if I have any email of interest. The moon is full and its 20 degrees (F)
outside. After a long day in the sunshine and fresh cold air, it's both
good
and dissapointing to be inside and surrounded by technology.

Stephen Paul
Shirley, MA




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.535 / Virus Database: 330 - Release Date: 11/1/03

You might be surprised to find out there's a number of am.astronomers who are
also rocketeers.

HPR = High power Rockets , any rocket that is powered by an engine more than 120
newton seconds of force and over 62.5grams of fuel.

BATF = The FEDS who have out and out LIED about HPR's and the fuel the engines
are made of. Subject to a lawsuit going on right now.

SIAR = Founded in 1971 for Model Rocketeers and while small, still active and
has international membership.
" Starlord International Assoc. of Rocketry "



--
"In this universe the night was falling,the shadows were lengthening
towards an east that would not know another dawn.
But elsewhere the stars were still young and the light of morning
lingered: and along the path he once had followed, man would one day go
again."

Arthur C. Clarke, The City & The Stars

SIAR
www.starlords.org
Freelance Writers Shop
http://www.freelancewrittersshop.netfirms.com
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Ad World
http://adworld.netfirms.com

"Al" wrote in message
...
Half of us, if not more, don't have a prayer of knowing what you're talking
about. What is HPR or BATF? And what is SIAR?

Al



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.535 / Virus Database: 330 - Release Date: 11/2/03

"Starlord" wrote in message
...
From what I've read about that show, it leaves out the field that they all
started in " Model Rocketry " which, unlike the HPR stuff doesn't have to
worry
about the BATF nosing around.

I'm not sure what distinguishes "model" rocketry from any other amateur
rocket hobby, but regardless, it was a blast to watch both the rockets, and
the elation of the creators. I had no idea that there were amateurs building
rockets at that size. IIRC they called the category LDR for Large Dangerous
Rockets. :-)

Sure was cool to see those 20 footers, one of which they had to get approval
from the FAA to launch as it was expected to reach 30,000 feet.

The outhouse rocket was funny as hell, in the "lowest altitude with safe
recovery" category, which was ultimately won by a 13 year old kid who
launched a wire spool 125 feet, and recovered without damage. The
porta-jonny went 119 feet and would have won, but it didn't land well. ;-)

They showed that at least one team, Team Extreme, makes there own engines.
These are the folks that went to 30,000 feet. Looks like a real fun hobby to
me, but I live where it wouldn't be practical. When I was a kid I was into
Estes, but I lost every rocket I ever launched, either to disaster, or to
wind. We did try to launch a lawn chair one time when I ended up with more
engines than rockets. g

--
-Stephen Paul

If an engine is more than 62.5 grams in weight, it IS classed as a High Power
Rocket Engine and you then need a letup permit to store and even handle the
engine.

I have been and always will be a Model Rocketeer, engines under 62.5grams and
rockets under the 3.3lbs weight limit.

Estes is still the biggest company, but there are meny smaller companys that are
selling BETTER kits than estes. check out:
http://fliskits.com/products/01prod_fs.htm



--
"In this universe the night was falling,the shadows were lengthening
towards an east that would not know another dawn.
But elsewhere the stars were still young and the light of morning
lingered: and along the path he once had followed, man would one day go
again."

Arthur C. Clarke, The City & The Stars

SIAR
www.starlords.org
Freelance Writers Shop
http://www.freelancewrittersshop.netfirms.com
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Ad World
http://adworld.netfirms.com

"Stephen Paul" wrote in message
...
"Starlord" wrote in message
...
From what I've read about that show, it leaves out the field that they all
started in " Model Rocketry " which, unlike the HPR stuff doesn't have to
worry
about the BATF nosing around.

I'm not sure what distinguishes "model" rocketry from any other amateur
rocket hobby, but regardless, it was a blast to watch both the rockets, and
the elation of the creators. I had no idea that there were amateurs building
rockets at that size. IIRC they called the category LDR for Large Dangerous
Rockets. :-)



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.535 / Virus Database: 330 - Release Date: 11/1/03

hey you might wander into www.pantheism.net
everybody who has looked up with wonder at the stars should be if not
already is a pantheist

Why bother? Pantheism reduces the term "god" to a meaningless emotional
experience; a spineless frivolous pursuit. I admire atheists and theists
for the courage of their convictions.
But if you want, have fun with it.

Ed

"dennis" wrote in message
om...
hey you might wander into www.pantheism.net
everybody who has looked up with wonder at the stars should be if not
already is a pantheist

Na, not for me, for after all, when all else is said and done, I always have
been, and always will be ...


Starlord


--
"In this universe the night was falling,the shadows were lengthening
towards an east that would not know another dawn.
But elsewhere the stars were still young and the light of morning
lingered: and along the path he once had followed, man would one day go
again."

Arthur C. Clarke, The City & The Stars

SIAR
www.starlords.org
Freelance Writers Shop
http://www.freelancewrittersshop.netfirms.com
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Ad World
http://adworld.netfirms.com

"dennis" wrote in message
om...
hey you might wander into www.pantheism.net
everybody who has looked up with wonder at the stars should be if not
already is a pantheist


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.535 / Virus Database: 330 - Release Date: 11/1/03

Stephen Paul wrote in message news:

The earth smells both like fresh dirt and freshly cut hay. Not the smell of
the hay to be bailed, but the smell of the cut at the ground, and after
about 15 minutes of waiting for stars and staring through the oncoming
twilight, I roll over and push myself up on hands and knees. I am a four
legged creature; maybe I'm a wolf, or a deer. I take a deep breath and drink
in the wonderful smell of the earth, trimmed, loved, and open before me. It
hits me: I am man, and I am animal. I live here on the dirt. It sustains me,
and it is my source of life, and my final place of rest.

Stephen-
Sounds like you need to rid your new property of the wild mushrooms ;-)

Chris Nicholl