inspiration – Mike Paul

Solar Eclipse from Dark of the Moon

art002e009301 (April 6, 2026) – Captured by the Artemis II crew during their lunar flyby on April 6, 2026, this image shows the Moon fully eclipsing the Sun. From the crew’s perspective, the Moon appears large enough to completely block the Sun, creating nearly 54 minutes of totality and extending the view far beyond what is possible from Earth. We see a glowing halo around the dark lunar disk. The science community is investigating whether this effect is due to the corona, zodiacal light, or a combination of the two. Also visible are stars, typically too faint to see when imaging the Moon, but with the Moon in darkness stars are readily imaged. This unique vantage point provides both a striking visual and a valuable opportunity for astronauts to document their observations during humanity’s return to deep space. The faint glow of the nearside of the Moon is visible in this image, having been illuminated by light reflected off the Earth. Credit: NASA

The pics of a blue Earth are frakkin’ brilliant, but this image taken from the Artemis II is breathtaking. And I still don’t understand how the flat-earthers can see these images and only hold more tightly to their delusions.

Also, I’m examining this pic very closely for signs of the Ark and/or Sentinel Prime…

If this image gave you the itch to look up more often, a decent beginner telescope doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The Celestron NexStar 5SE is what I’d point someone toward — computerized, easy to set up, and will absolutely ruin you for earthly concerns. For something more affordable, the Celestron StarSense Explorer uses your phone to help you find objects and is genuinely magical for beginners.

Source: Artemis II in Eclipse | art002e009301 (April 6, 2026) – Capt… | Flickr

VOLUMES: ONE (SELECTIONS FROM MUSIC CONCERTS 2019-2023 BON IVER 6 PIECE BAND) | Bon Iver

11 track album

Finally got the chance to put this in my ears with the onset of Spring Break. Justin Vernon never ceases to amaze me with his inspired combination of analog and digital music tools. This is tons of fun, gotta pick up the vinyl soon.

(Update: grabbed it on vinyl — if you’re a Justin Vernon fan and don’t have a turntable yet, that’s a hole in your life you should fill. I use this one, and it’s been rock solid.)

Source: VOLUMES: ONE (SELECTIONS FROM MUSIC CONCERTS 2019-2023 BON IVER 6 PIECE BAND) | Bon Iver

New Semester, New Quote

"I'm gonna go grab a Coke or something caffeinated, because it's gonna be a long night." -Will Byers

I have a small whiteboard outside my office door. Being the inspirational do-gooder that I am, I change out the quote at least once a week. Sometimes the quotes are fun, sometimes more meaningful.

I though this was an appropriate quote for our first week back to class.

“I’m gonna go grab a Coke or something caffeinated, because it’s gonna be a long night.”

-Will Byers

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Chill Music for Springtime Mornings

pink flower field — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

As we depart from the nonsense that is Winter and dive headlong into pollen-filled, sinus-breaking, gloriously sunny early days of Spring, you too may get the urge to sit outside on your back deck on a Saturday morning and just chill.

Back deck sitting is one of my favorite pastimes and often when I do some of my best reading and thinking.

Sitting and chilling in my world means there will be music in the background, preferably something with a chill vibe and mostly instrumental.

I’ve been jamming on Hermanos Gutiérrez for a bit now and just loving these brothers more and more each time I listen.

Here’s their NPR Tiny Desk concert from early 2013 to give you a good intro to their music.

After reading a comment on that particular video, I found another band with similar vibes called Khruangbin.

This trio from Houston, Texas, is heavily inspired by 1960s and ’70s funk and soul from, of all places, Thailand. That musical passion has taken them on a journey that, these days, incorporates music from Spain, Ethiopia, and the Middle East.

Yes, they exude cool.

Add these two groups to your early weekend morning chill vibe. You won’t regret it.

How Small Are We…

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark.

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark.
Carl Sagan

The new school year rapidly approaches. We all have big plans. So do our students. Ultimately, our big plans just aren’t that big on the grand scale of the universe.

Remember, all we have is each other. We are on this journey together, all of us. And all we have to carry us through the day is the love of family and friends.

Enjoy this new school year, and keep in mind what really matters.