Falling Sky

It's not often you get two asteroid events in one day, but that's what has happened today. This morning we awoke to stunning pictures of a meteorite streaking across the clear central Russian sky and exploding. The resulting explosion caused significant damage to buildings and caused over a thousand injuries. It's a miracle that the meteorite didn't strike a heavily populated area or the fatalities could easily have been in the many hundreds or even thousands.

What is particularly stunning about this event is the fact that it has been recorded in crystal clear clarity by so many who were either on their way to work in their cars or walking to their offices and factories. This is due to the fact that many cars in Eastern Europe have 'dash cams', an insurance requirement in most cases used to record journeys and the actions of other drivers. The ease at which mobile devices are able to capture video literally makes everyone a potential reporter able to capture news-worthy events as they happen.
What is slightly worrying is the fact that this particular meteorite wasn't spotted. Whether no one was actually watching out for it is the subject of much conjecture but I'm assuming most eyes (and telescopes) are focused on '2012 DA14' which is due to pass Earth at about 7pm GMT at a distance of just 17,000 miles. This may sound a lot but when you consider that some of our communications satellites orbit at approximately the same distance, in cosmic terms, this is really very close indeed and certainly the closest near Earth object in recorded memory.
So it's been quite an interesting day, the sort of day when you half expect something just as weird and fantastic to happen. One thing's for sure, we've certainly had a stark reminder of just how vulnerable we are to the many lumps of rock floating round all around us in space. I wonder if we'll be as lucky the next time?

Forced to rationalise, job update and other stuff

A few days since my last post and a lot happening in the news. As I type this, the overthrow of the Gaddafi regime seems to be entering its final stage and there is speculation the rebels have him surrounded in Tripoli.

Back down to earth and I've decided to focus my attention on growing herbs, tomatoes, onions, peas and beans. Most of what I've tried to grown in the ground has been eaten and I'm tired of trying to keep my vegetable plot pest free. Everything I'm growing under cover in my conservatory is doing very well including most of what I'm growing in pots on my patio. So these are the methods I'll employ for all my growing. It's so much simpler and more especially, productive.

I will endeavour to grow some vegetables - potatoes and carrots especially, but I'll use grow bags which I know to be a very good method.

Of the herbs I'm currently growing, rocket and coriander are the most popular and abundant. In fact, I've been adding rocket to just about everything I can. It has a mild, peppery flavour.
My tomato plants are beginning to bear fruit, lots of it. They are quite small at the moment but I'm certainly going to have a good crop. I'm keen to get another plant going as soon as I can so I can stagger my tomato production. I'm very fond of tomatoes and I know it won't take me long to eat them!

Still no word from my new employer but I'm hopeful I will hear something in the next few days especially if they want me to start at the beginning of September. I signed-off on Monday last which was a great feeling. I'm no longer slave to the Job Centre!

The TV news (especially from Sky) is getting more exciting by the hour. Their correspondents are really placing themselves in amidst the action and I'd be amazed if awards aren't won. I'd be very surprised if there isn't a major development in the next few hours. The coverage has been excellent and is testament to the continuing developments in technology and the portability of news gathering. Compare this to the techniques used just 10-15 years ago.

Oh, I must mention my wife's Birthday which was yesterday. My wife isn't one for celebration - much like myself - but we did nevertheless have a very pleasant day. We popped along to Hunstanton for the afternoon, one of our favourite seaside locations. My son immediately headed for the land train and we travelled the length of the seafront including the Searle's Holiday Camp. After a few rides at the amusement arcade, we had some fantastic fish and chips, opting to eat them on the grass atop the cliffs. Weather was perfect and it all made for an excellent afternoon.