The Wood Siding Could Age Badly Unless It's Well-treated, But Otherwise Cool.

This really is how starting ballroom felt like, and still feels like sometimes.

That frame needs work though.

Let Me Show You the World

NASA recorded the DNA of one twin (Mark Kelly) astronaut on earth, and his identical​twin before, during, and after Scott Kelly spent a year in space. It looks like there are differences, but we don't know what that entails yet!

In early September of 1666, the Great Fire of London devastated the city for four days. Archaeological evidence suggests the searing heat may have reached as high as 3000 F. At that temperature human remains, bones and all, become ash.

I think it's Java? Just really, really bad Java

aurora and the milky way over the manistee lighthouse

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With No Warning, House Republicans Vote to Gut Independent Ethics Office

The move by emboldened Republicans on the eve of a new Congress would strip power and independence from an investigative body and give lawmakers control over ethics inquiries.

Wow. 

The move to effectively kill the Office of Congressional Ethics was not made public until late Monday, when Representative Robert W. Goodlatte, Republican of Virginia and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, announced that the House Republican Conference had approved the change. There was no advance notice or debate on the measure.

The surprising vote came on the eve of the start of a new session of Congress, where emboldened Republicans are ready to push an ambitious agenda on everything from health care to infrastructure, issues that will be the subject of intense lobbying from corporate interests. The House Republicans’ move would take away both power and independence from an investigative body, and give lawmakers more control over internal inquiries.

It also came on the eve of a historic shift in power in Washington, where Republicans control both houses of Congress and where a wealthy businessman with myriad potential conflicts of interest is preparing to move into the White House.

[…]

“This is huge,” said Mr. Morgan, who now defends lawmakers targeted in ethics investigations. “It effectively allows the committee to shut down any independent investigation into member misconduct.“

Jupiter and Io

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International tango is also the middle of a fight

“The forms of tango are like stages of a marriage. The American tango is like the beginning of a love affair, when you’re both very romantic and on your best behavior. The Argentine tango is when you’re in the heat of things and all kinds of emotions are flying: passion, anger, humor. The International tango is like the end of the marriage, when you’re staying together for the sake of the children.” -Barbara Garvey

2,200 years ago in Turkey, this insane rental agreement was inscribed in stone

Written in Greek, the lease allows renters to use slaves that come with the property

No ripping up this rental agreement. And the punishments for not looking after the property, not paying the rent, etc. Nuts. Plus new legal terminology. Great stuff.

Such a cool apartment, I like the mini-window between the bedroom and sitting area.