Roll With It

Despite recent scientific advancements, earthquakes remain highly unpredictable for humans.  No one could have warned these poor picnickers that their world would come tumbling down in a matter of seconds.  Perhaps they escaped tragic consequences this time, but there is no substitute for preparation in advance of a repeat performance.  Lesson learned.

Blueday

To persevere through life's ups and downs, the human soul instinctively turns to a primeval source of strength that has underpinned our civilization since its very beginning:  music.

Bubblicimous

These days, high-nutrition smoothies can get out of control with exotic organic ingredients, supplements, and complex compounds.

Left Turn in Albuquerque

Discovered a new visitor on Easter Sunday.  First time to see one here.  Ever. 

No Regret Net

This year's ESPN Trout tournament winner shows off his last-second acquisition that pulled him into the lead for good.

Guarded

Even the world's premier life guards have to take a break once in a while. 

Scarlet Trumpets

Everyone knows the "Little Shop of Horrors" was based on a true story, but there is scant trace of its principal characters after an earthquake and fire destroyed any evidence.  However, recently a world-renowned botanist has managed to assemble revealing clues and will soon publish findings in the journal Nature. 

Sleight of Hand

After numerous failures measuring speed with radar and high-speed camera, ballistics engineers later revealed that the new launcher emits its projectile at close to the speed of light-- so fast that no one saw it. 

Spinnessential

Endurance training includes a periodic burst of speed to simulate the reaction of seeing that finish line in the distance. 

Found Mound

In order to obtain a complete understanding of species life-cycle, leading marine biologists study ecosystem components that are not immediately obvious to the casual observer.  They must dig deep into environments that may seem only distantly related to complex creatures at the bottom of the ocean. 

Prune Soon

Brute force is not always the answer.  Even Superman knows how to use the correct tool for the job. 

Hop, Skip, and a Nap

It happens to everyone in academics -- both the student and the instructor.  That moment when facing the inevitable, the enormous undertaking that lies ahead, the sudden realization that a daunting semester-long effort is about to begin.  Some shrivel in fear, some turn to counsel, some seek a diversion, but the successful know how to take it one step at a time and include plenty of breaks to keep it all in perspective.

Grotesquolastic

Today's best engineers may spend an entire career studying the deformation theory of plasticity, non-linear elasticity, stress-strain response for monotonic loading, or elastoplastic fracture mechanics.  In deriving the Stress-Strain curve for specific materials, they must calibrate simulation models with actual empirical evidence.  Most crucial is knowing exactly when a material has reached the end of the elastic, and then plastic deformation ranges before an actual fracture occurs.

Tire Tryer

County Parks and Rec engineers are diligent with their annual springtime inspections of recreational equipment.  To meet rigorous safety standards, they typically apply maximum stress testing for tensile, torsional, breaking strength, grip resistance, end fixings, the works!  Sometimes passers-by misinterpret these tests as simple leisure activities.  Certainly a negative impact on public relations, but a necessary evil.

Mixed Direction

Over the course of our lives, we occasionally lose sight of the target, we sometimes lose our way.  This is why it is so important to savor the journey, capture the moment, seize the day, smell the roses, and enjoy the ride.