From the “What in God’s green earth made anyone think that was a good idea” department comes the latest Halloween decorations launched by the Pacific Science Center.

If you think like an adult, and act like an adult, you can see beyond the bathroom humor displayed here. Unfortunately for the Pacific Science Center employees, they need to constantly think like children - as children are the majority audience at this valuable Seattle venue.

On another (and much more positive note): My wife Justine* and I went to see the Lucy exhibit a couple weeks ago (Lucy’s Legacy). I was highly impressed, even more-so because I learned a lot!
The majority of the exhibit focuses on Ethiopia itself; the history of this amazing nation, the historical significance (in regards to fossils, and the evolution of our planet). Once you start “digging” (I couldn’t resist the pun) into the importance of Lucy herself, the Science Center’s extensive displays (many of which are interactive) on bone structure, skull capacity (I couldn’t help but respond with “man, our skulls are hogs!” when I learned about the capacity of modern man’s skulls compared to earlier specimens), and evolution really take your breath away.
I was also impressed with the amount of supplemental information you get when you borrow one of the free earpieces (which look like little clubs, by the way. Hopefully, unintentional). The dialog and interviews as part of the audio stream teach you even more about the photos, artifacts, fossils and other items on display.
I was nervous that the Lucy’s Legacy exhibit would be dry (again, apologies for the pun), but I am greatly appreciative of how engaging and exciting the exhibit turned out to be. This is no boring night at the museum, loyal readers. Lucy’s Legacy is a joy and, in my opinion, should be shared by adults and children alike.
Finally, the dialog and discussion my wife shared long after leaving the Science Center was the absolute icing on the cake for me. We spoke for hours, and I continue to discuss the discoveries with coworkers and friends weeks later. Now, if they only could get rid of the spider!

*Full disclosure: It was my choice to add the Lucy’s Legacy comments to this post, not my wife’s (who is a Science Center employee). I don’t feel like this is a “plug” for Lucy; instead I feel like a little balance is in order. Sure, the spider photos are funny - and inappropriate - but even so, the Science Center does great work and if it takes a little butt-joke to get you and your kids to visit (beyond seeing Batman in Imax), then so-be-it.

If you’re interested, there’s an amazing video of the Bonobo - Apes that write - from a recent TED conference. The Bonobo is an interesting specimen, especially in the comparison to Australopithecus (that’s Lucy!). I’m just tickled that I can pronounce Australopithecus (as long as I have it written in front of me).

I can post a totally junk blog entry if I want to.

I dare you to watch this without laughing.

While reviewing the King County Elections site for information on electronic ballots, and electioneering, I found something that worries me a tad:

All observers and poll watchers may not:
Electioneer within 300 feet of the polling place entrance or exit.

What worries me about this is, during the 2000 election there was heavy pressure outside many polling places from PAC’s and other groups (I’m not bold enough to assume the pressure came from any candidates election team officially). This happened at my polling place (just up the street from my house), where I was pressured by firemen to vote for George W. Bush.

Electioneering is defined (dict.org) as “To make interest for a candidate at an election.” In other words, presenting handbills for/against a measure or candidate(s), speaking in a suggestive manor to any person waiting to vote - or having voted, displaying stickers or posters or any other materials on vehicles or polling locations suggesting for/against a measure or candidate(s).

Now here’s what worries me: Early polling monitoring has shown as much as five hour waits for voters. If the lines are so long, and the wait so lengthy, won’t voters be in line a distance greater than 300 feet? Potentially beyond the public land used as the polling place? If so, there’s nothing stating on the State elections Web site guarding the voters.

I haven’t yet learned whether electronic ballots will be used throughout King County (I have learned that advanced voting for accesible requirements does include electronic ballots). From previous elections, I understand some counties/states allowed for the request of a paper ballot wherever electronic ballots are used.

I’m a tech-head, and I still wouldn’t trust my vote to an electronic ballot. This coming from a person that lives off his ATM machines.

Update: Not an electioneering issue, but something of even greater importance: My wife just notified me (she learned from a mailroom notice) that the absentee ballots in WA require .59 cents in postage - so please don’t forget to check  your postage before mailing!

Years ago, I worked for the Fort Myers News-Press as a member of the Online department.

There were many proud days, many hard days, and during the 2000 Presidential election, the days (and nights) were often both.

Since leaving The News-Press in 2001, I have often checked the paper’s Web site, partly to keep up with events in Fort Myers, and partly to check on what code I’ve deployed still remains in use.

It saddens me to see advertising so blatent on the homepage of a newspaper Web site - especially when it’s political. Shouldn’t a newspaper be as neutral (as Fox News would put it “Fair and Balanced”)? I understand many newspapers endorse candidates, and even more flavor their news and information to their customers (ever heard your local paper called a “red” paper, or a “blue” paper?), but an advertisement (Flash, even!) of this size just makes me sad. And I’m even an Obama supporter!

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