Second Order Consequences

You have probably heard by now, Pluto is no longer an official "planet" like Earth but a "dwarf planet". It joins the ranks of other objects in the solar system such as Ceres and UB313 (aka Xena). Charon is similar, but is considered a moon of Pluto. This was determined by a group of Astronomers meeting last week in Prague.

However, it would seem that another "stakeholder" community in the heavens were left out: Astrologers. The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article titled: Pluto's Demotion Divides Astrologers (registration required). You can also read it in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Time Magazine also has an article.

Apparently UB313 causes some heartache in by itself. According to an astrologer quoted in the WSJ, "UB313 is never going to tell you whether Wednesday is good for romance." Yeah, I guess that name lacks flair.

Recommended Design

For a while I have had my eye on a Sapien Bookcase. I think it is space saving and looks great. Before becoming unemployed a student, my last big purchase was the taller 80" version. Placed in the corner of my bedroom, it displays my books much better than my older traditional bookcase. Less floor space is consumed, making the room appear less small then otherwise. Also, by leaving the walls more open, the pictures hanging on the wall stand out. I chose the aluminum color instead of the black (pictured to the left); its neutral color blends in really well.

Next, I might get a mahogany wall shelf. For about $20 from Target, it is a better fit for my budget living. I think it might look well underneath one of my pictures and give me some space to set some smaller pictures, my keys, etc.

Belated Post...

OK, I've started school at Darden, which is part of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. So far it has been a blast, but classes are full tilt. I promise some more posts soon. It took me about two weeks to get fully situated. The move was relatively painless, but the apartment had no room for the boxes of crud that typically go unpacked in the garage or storage closet. I finally dealt with some things that have gone unused for years.... some of it dating back to Quantico / 2001.

Back in the USA!

I have returned from vacation and moved into my new apartment in Virginia. I had a wonderful time abroad. A mentor once told me, "The ideal vacation leaves you ready and yearning for return." This trip was therapeutic and just the right length and pace; I'm happy to return without needing a "vacation from vacation".

The Eternal City

Rome was awesome.

What I find special about the Old World is the age and history of the cities. Civilization has been more or less uninterrupted for several thousand years. European cities such as London or Paris, were large and vibrant before any meaningful and persistent urbanization in North America. However, Rome was OLD long before Londinium or Lutetia Parisiorum.

Then there is Rome- layer upon layer of uninterrupted human habitation since at least 753 B.C. You can't dig in Rome without unearthing artifacts [National Geographic July 2006]. In Rome there seemed to be something interesting on every corner. Sometimes it was a ruin, or a gorgeous church, or maybe an enticing ristorante. Of course, you can't visit Italy without subsisting on the Italian food. Rome is without parallel.

It seemed every church had an incredible ceiling and several amazing statues. What would be considered significant in another city is fairly routine in Rome.


In London, the only thing similar is St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. However, I found those churches a little tedious because there were so many statues, crypts, memorials, etc.

The Vittoriano (Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of unified Italy) is also worth seeing in Rome. Actually, it is so prominent you cannot miss it. The local nickname is reportedly "the wedding cake".


I also visited the Pantheon. This was personally significant, since the Pantheon was the subject of a final project in my Latin class during High School. The temple has survived intact for over twenty centuries, during which it was stripped of precious objects for Constantinople and reconsecrated as a Christian church. The dome is a marvel of aesthetics and engineering. At the top is a thirty-foot wide oculus (eye) that lets in sun and rain.