Let's hear it for the LHC!

Did you know that last night CERN's Large Hadron Collider made history? Check out the blog post at Bad Astronomy . . .

After more than a decade of triumph, setbacks, and much sturm and drang, the Large Hadron Collider made history last night by taking two beams of protons and smashing them head on at just a whisper under the speed of light.

Follow live tweets from the world's most adorable particle physicist (who works on the LHC) at:
http://twitter.com/profBriancox

Unfortunately the scientists had to exchange their champagne flutes for compasses to defend the world from the hordes of blood-thirsty demons that came pouring through the dimensional rift they'd created.

"Geek" is a Four Letter Word

[A tongue in cheek rant from yours truly.]

I don't like the word "geek." I've also never been fond of "nerd." If you look those up in the Thesaurus, you'll find they're pegged the equivalent of "bore." Say WHAT?

Galloping around the universe is not a game for the boring!

I'm a female writer and reader who loves the possibilities of science fiction, along with a liberal dose of romantic action. I'm a SFR fan. A Skiffy Rommer. Proud member of the Brigade. That doesn't make me...you know...one of those "other" words.


Thank you, Dr. Bailey!

If I must have a label I prefer "adventurist." Or "forward thinker." Or even "space groupie." Isn't it time female readers interested in science, space, astronomy and astrophysics are thought of in more flattering terms than geek and nerd? It's okay for females to be doctors, lawyers, astronauts, CEOs, even presidential candidates, but not to be hooked on science fiction? There's something fundamentally wrong with that picture, don't you think?

After all, it is almost 2010. ;)