Monthly Archives: May 2015

Ion Thrusters

Posted by imasillypirate on

Hey all,

This week, I’m going to do something just a little different.

As many of you know, I’m just about done working on my master’s degree in physics. All that’s left at this point is finishing up my thesis which will, hopefully, be done in the next month (don’t worry, when it is finally done, you’ll get a chance to read all about the change in the hadron composition of neutron stars as they spin down). There are two sides to my life, the science side and the writer side. The two sides meet fairly regularly from my perspective, but anyone on one side rarely gets a chance to see anything that I do on the other. So, today I’m splashing some physics into all this creative writing.

As part of a class I was taking this last semester, I was supposed to write an introduction to a topic related to the class, but not explicitly discussed. I chose ion thrusters as my topic, with the intent of sharing it with my friends that write sci-fi. Since ion propulsion systems have long since been a favorite in the genera, I figured a solid look at how they work couldn’t hurt.

A few comments: First, to make it related to the class, I talked a lot about particle accelerators, which may feel a little off topic. You’ve been warned.
Second, you may notice that I left the name of the professor for the class on there. I did this because Dr. Calvin Johnson also writes science fiction and physics related articles. What I’ve read of his, so far, is incredible. I suggest that you do some creative googling in his general direction and take a look at some of his short stories, and/or articles (here are two links to start you off: http://www.physics.sdsu.edu/~johnson/writing/sf.html http://www.analogsf.com/2014_12/index.shtml).

Without further blabbing, here is a PDF of my Introduction to Ion Thrusters. May it help with your understanding of the topic and, thus, the strength of your fiction.

Ion_Thrusters

Healthy Start

Posted by imasillypirate on

HealthyStartThe banana sat in the liquid, his top third sticking out above the top. It was cool, relaxing: a nice, healthy start to the day. The bottom could have been more comfortable; something jagged poked him from below, but it didn’t hurt much and he couldn’t see it through the opaque bath of water, juice, and yogurt. The berries came diving in, all at once, the way they do: berries always travel in large groups. Their introduction to the pool splashed the banana a little, but it didn’t disturb him. In fact, he was happy to have the company.

He contemplated saying good morning to each of them, but there were so many, so he decided to just sit back and enjoy his pleasant, healthy start to the day.

2 years, already??

Posted by imasillypirate on

Today is my 2 year blogiversary!

Yes. As of today, my little nest on the internet has existed for 2 years and I think I’m finally starting to figure out how this blogging thing works.

In those two years, I’ve accumulated 118 posts (not counting this one) much of which is fiction, some of which are comics. I’ve made contacts and found other great blogs to follow, but most importantly I’ve made a whole slew of friends.

To those of you that have been reading for a while now, thank you. To those that are just joining me, welcome.
I really do appreciate the support, motivation and inspiration that you all give me.

Here’s hoping that one year from today I’m writing another awkward blogiversary post.

 

Twitter Army

Posted by imasillypirate on

Hey everyone,

Yesterday I posted the following tweet.

I expected that I might get some silly responses and maybe a few clever ones, because my twitter friends are fantastic. I, however, was not prepared for the amazingness that followed. Instead of attending to the 100 other things that I was supposed to be doing last night, I had to draw them.

The following picture includes all the responses that I got, with one exception (to be explained later). Below the image you will find the original tweets.
I just want to throw out a few comments before we get there, though.
First, I don’t claim to be a good artist. I like how a lot of them turned out, but I promise, these weird looking individuals are not actually what I think you look like. This was supposed to be in good fun, not intended to offend anyone.
Second, you should go follow these people if you don’t already, because… I mean… come on… look at these responses!
Third, I’m sorry for anyone that was left out. If I missed a response, let me know.
Fourth, I apologize for repeating the initial tweet over and over below, I can’t figure out how to embed a tweeted response without what they are responding to; you’ll also get some other pieces of conversations in there too. If anyone knows how to fix this, please let me know… 🙂

My twitter friends are fantastic.

My twitter friends are fantastic.

There where a few straight forward responses, though none of them are anything short of amazing.

Go follow her at @AlbrightWrites

As far as the one not pictured goes, @VoxVorago, I tried… I couldn’t draw that magnificent beast in any way that didn’t make it come out looking like a scribble. I failed. 😦

There were a few that might require a little explanation, so there are multiple tweets. Again, I don’t really understand this tweet embedding thing… so, forgive the ridiculous format.

The idea for @Angelinawrites ‘s character developed over a few tweets.

That for @kizzywiggleboo developed over a few as well, and I took a little creative license in making the character a giant with gigantic biceps…

Then there was @elastword and her “dragon.” :p

Now, some of you may have made it to this point wondering about the guy with the glue. That’s @D_Evil_Overlord . I know full well that he was saying to use Super Glue to attach oneself to a saber tooth (obviously). When I read it, though, my first thought was that he meant he’d like to ride a bottle of super Glue into battle, and the image made me laugh, so I included it.

If you are wondering where Richard on his woolly rhino is, unfortunately, he isn’t pictured, because someone had to snap the photo… or something… I don’t know, drawing myself is weird.

Go follow these amazing individuals, because we have an army now and @elastword likes stabbing things…

I leave you with this question: if you had to pick an animal (extinct or not) to ride into battle, what would it be?

Thanks for reading!