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If not for Radio National, I would keep forgetting that this is Oz National Science Week.
In the old days there would be events like guest speakers at public events, the annual ritual of open days at the assorted universities where prospective students and nosy oldies get a chance to peek at or even play with the assorted geek toys (microscopes, telescopes, magnets, DNA testing kits etc etc)
But this year all of that has been cancelled. So there is only the odd snippet of stuff on the radio
One memorable event from the past that stands out was the Open Day at the Pewsey Centre on Saturday 20th August 2016.
I used to often wonder what was behind those doors as the bus would go past and all you can see from the road is a giant storage room which is where the air conditioners units and data storage from the astronomy super computers are to be found.
I had always wanted to stick my geekish little nose into that joint so was quite delighted when they decided to open the doors for just one day as part of National Science Week.
It turned out that a lot of the tours of the floors where the computers are kept were already booked out but it was still possible to see quite a bit from the main lobby as well as attending assorted lectures on astronomy in some of the side rooms
There were even food trucks and coffee vans offering freebies. But the thing that stood out for me on the day was being an object of amusement due to the big fat white bandaged blob plastered all over my nose.
For I had a nose job done the previous day to remove a very nasty witchy wart which had been growing bigger and blacker by the day. It wasn't a melanoma but a squishie.
It was rather freaky being under a local anaesthetic with a surgeon literally cutting up bits of my face literally right before my very eyes. Just as well I was in 'curious impartial Martian' mode rather than Stephen King mode because it was kind of squeamish and creepy
I thought it was funny that I was so fascinated by getting a long awaited peek at Geek Central that I was not the least bit bothered by walking around looking like Rudolf the Red nosed reindeer. I did take time off work on account of the nose job but no way was it going to stop me going to the assorted science events and university open days
Petunia was horrified that I dared go out in public looking so disgraceful. I think I had to wait for a week before finally being able to take the bandages off.
I missed all the online events this week but did manage to pick up 2 Karl Kruszelnicki books at a charity shop today. He is Australia's most famous science whisperer. So many books and so little time
But my favorite scientist of all time still has to be Richard Feynman. I never did get to see him live but there are so many amazing interviews out there.
It must be now 30 years ago since I read "Surely you must be joking, Mr Feynman?" and to this day I have not read anything even half as funny since then.
I think if Mr Feynman ever had a motto, it would have to be "Sacred Cows make the best burgers"
In the old days there would be events like guest speakers at public events, the annual ritual of open days at the assorted universities where prospective students and nosy oldies get a chance to peek at or even play with the assorted geek toys (microscopes, telescopes, magnets, DNA testing kits etc etc)
But this year all of that has been cancelled. So there is only the odd snippet of stuff on the radio
One memorable event from the past that stands out was the Open Day at the Pewsey Centre on Saturday 20th August 2016.
I used to often wonder what was behind those doors as the bus would go past and all you can see from the road is a giant storage room which is where the air conditioners units and data storage from the astronomy super computers are to be found.
I had always wanted to stick my geekish little nose into that joint so was quite delighted when they decided to open the doors for just one day as part of National Science Week.
It turned out that a lot of the tours of the floors where the computers are kept were already booked out but it was still possible to see quite a bit from the main lobby as well as attending assorted lectures on astronomy in some of the side rooms
There were even food trucks and coffee vans offering freebies. But the thing that stood out for me on the day was being an object of amusement due to the big fat white bandaged blob plastered all over my nose.
For I had a nose job done the previous day to remove a very nasty witchy wart which had been growing bigger and blacker by the day. It wasn't a melanoma but a squishie.
It was rather freaky being under a local anaesthetic with a surgeon literally cutting up bits of my face literally right before my very eyes. Just as well I was in 'curious impartial Martian' mode rather than Stephen King mode because it was kind of squeamish and creepy
I thought it was funny that I was so fascinated by getting a long awaited peek at Geek Central that I was not the least bit bothered by walking around looking like Rudolf the Red nosed reindeer. I did take time off work on account of the nose job but no way was it going to stop me going to the assorted science events and university open days
Petunia was horrified that I dared go out in public looking so disgraceful. I think I had to wait for a week before finally being able to take the bandages off.
I missed all the online events this week but did manage to pick up 2 Karl Kruszelnicki books at a charity shop today. He is Australia's most famous science whisperer. So many books and so little time
But my favorite scientist of all time still has to be Richard Feynman. I never did get to see him live but there are so many amazing interviews out there.
It must be now 30 years ago since I read "Surely you must be joking, Mr Feynman?" and to this day I have not read anything even half as funny since then.
I think if Mr Feynman ever had a motto, it would have to be "Sacred Cows make the best burgers"
