Training Log Archive: CleverSky

I've heard that a study showed that people could tell if someone was staring at the backs of their heads. Sounds preposterous, what would be the mechanism for such a thing? But then, the way things work out, maybe you stare at one person's head, and a third person gets the sensation of being watched. Probably only a fleeting feeling though. And undoubtedly overrated. But you never know with these things.

C • making sense 2

This morning I received a phone call regarding an international situation from a man with a heavy accent, whom I had never met, but whose name I have seen in solid gold letters. It was difficult to understand what he was saying in the noisy car, driving through an area where cell coverage is known to be not so great. I was able to refer him to someone who could in turn refer him to the person who could help him. But before I answered the call, I looked at the number it was coming from, and made an incorrect guess as to what the call would be about, based on the area code. Pffft!

Not much larger than the largest moths, really. And we know the speculative legend that a nonlinear system can exhibit large effects from small stimuli, such that a distant butterfly can ultimately wreak more havoc than an earthquake, although you can't blame it solely on the butterfly. You also have to take into account the actions of all the rest of the bugs. And damping is important. The unconventional folding could well be dismissed and generate no discernible ripples at all. Conversely, it could be missed, which would be degenerate. (And cernible?)

The thing to remember is that temporal balance must be allowed for. The transit is merely the pivot point, and 'tis the season for all sorts of busy commitments. Equal consideration is to be expected in both directions. This is all far too transparent, isn't it?

It's all imaginary at the moment, every bit of it, from the possibilities to the accusations. But as the cat both lives and dies, perhaps all of it is temporarily real. The likelihood of the opening has increased dramatically by now, to the point where I'd guess that pieces are in motion. But there is slack in the gears, so no immediate effects are to be expected. It may be a spot, but it's intentionally a very large one. The process could in principle take years.

Sometimes interstate or international or intercontinental can be a matter of merely a few steps. (But not interplanetary. ) That doesn't necessarily preclude delays and red tape. Either way, it's probably still too soon, but the window could open shortly. Likewise, the door could shut. I won't prepare for either, other than allowing for an April opportunity if any start would be undesirable. That, I'll allow, would be a disappointment.

It's my understanding that space vehicles on reentry go through a period of time during which there are no communications. Shaun's colleague is on stage now, and I have little doubt that he can avoid the poultry. After that, who knows?