On The Fly

In this episode, Morning Coffee . . . Now, I’m not saying everyone needs coffee. Some folks get by just fine on, I don’t know, sunlight and positive thinking. Me? I’m pretty sure I started drinking the stuff sometime around the Reagan administration. Reading John Gierach’s "Ode to Campfire Coffee" in Trout Bum (a book that should be required reading for anyone who sees sleeping on the ground as recreation) got me thinking about how we’ve managed to complicate something as fundamentally simple as boiling water and adding grounds. Taste, you say? Look, black coffee is an acquired taste, like tequila or cilantro. I just don’t get it. Gierach, bless his heart, mostly drinks his java streamside, probably while wearing wool socks and waders and contemplating the mysteries of the universe. As for me? My outdoor coffee experience is a bit different. Picture this: the High Sierra, where campfires are banned (to avoid agitating Smoky Bear), and I’m huddled over a Whisperlite , coax...

In this episode, Decoding the Cryptic . . . Welcome back to On the Fly ! This week, we're tackling something that's been driving me—and probably you— absolutely crazy : cryptic social media posts. You know the type: a jumble of acronyms, vague references, and absolutely no context. It's like trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphs, and honestly, it makes me want to throw my phone across the room. I'm referring to those posts (and emails) from friends and family that leave you scratching your head. "OMG, just had the worst day. IDK what I'm going to do. BRB." Okay, BRB, but . . . what happened? Did a rogue squirrel steal your lunch? Did your car break down? Are you suddenly moving to Tasmania? I'm genuinely concerned, but I have no clue what's going on! And this got me thinking: Is this a modern form of writer's block? Are people so afraid of being unable to tell a story clearly that they resort to these vague snippets? Or is it just a sign of o...

In this episode, Starry, Starry Night . . . Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, we're exploring the basics of astrophotography. Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what's really out there? I’ve discovered a way to explore distant galaxies–without a telescope–or leaving my backyard. Consider this: each night, when the skies are clear, a breathtaking display unfolds above us—a cosmic dance of light and color. When you step outside, you notice the moon and perhaps a few stars. However, you can open a gateway to the universe with a camera, some adjustments, and a tripod. Suddenly, faint whispers of light transform into vibrant galaxies, swirling nebulae, and star clusters that shimmer like diamonds scattered across black velvet. That fuzzy patch you thought was just a smudge becomes the Andromeda Galaxy, our closest galactic neighbor, an astonishing 2.5 million light-years away. You're capturing light that has traveled millions of years to reach your came...

In this episode, TGL–Golf Evolving . . . Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, I want to share what Lori discovered on ESPN about professional golf: the NEW TGL league. You see, golf has evolved over the centuries. The game has always adapted from Scotland's windswept links to Augusta's manicured courses. But what if I told you that the most significant change in golf history isn't happening on a sprawling 18-hole masterpiece but inside a building? Inspired by Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story," we’re about to tee off! Good morning, Americans! Today, we're talking about golf—a sport as old as time yet as new as tomorrow. Who hasn’t heard of Tiger Woods, the golfing phenom? Also, if you’re a golf fan, you've probably heard of Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish star. But have you heard of their brainchild? It's called TGL–turning the golf world on its ear. TGL stands for TMRW Golf League. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy founded TMRW Sports in partne...

In this episode, The Tapestry of Truth . . . Imagine a tapestry woven with the threads of countless experiences. These threads are the stories we encounter, the lessons we learn, the relationships we cultivate, and the environments we inhabit. Each thread contributes to the intricate pattern of our beliefs, values, and interactions with truth. Philosophers have long debated the definition of truth. Bertrand Russell defined truth as "the correspondence between belief and fact." Essentially, a statement is true if it accurately reflects reality. Consider Galileo Galilei's observation of Jupiter. Through his telescope, he observed celestial bodies orbiting the planet. Initially met with resistance, this observation revolutionized our understanding of the solar system. Statement: Jupiter has moons orbiting it. Reality: Galileo's observations accurately reflected the reality of Jupiter's moons.  This demonstrates how truth corresponds to reality. Despite initial oppos...

In this episode, Introduction to Quantum Computing . . . Welcome back to On the Fly, the podcast where we delve into fascinating and occasionally complex topics that pique curious minds. Today, we’re exploring something that sounds like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie: Quantum Computing. Don’t worry if you’re not a tech expert—I promise to keep it simple, fun, and full of real-world analogies. So, let’s start with this question: Have you ever been stuck in traffic and wondered, “What’s the fastest way to get to my destination?” You open your favorite map app, which calculates the best route in seconds. But imagine if it could consider every possible route, even ones you never thought of, all at once. That’s similar to what quantum computing can do—but on a much larger scale. Classical vs. Quantum Computing : To understand quantum computing, let’s first discuss the computers we use every day. These classical computers process information in binary—ones and zeros. Think of it like a...

In this episode, Rediscovering Galileo . . . Today, we’re turning our telescopes back in time to explore Galileo Galilei's work and how amateur astronomers today can experience his groundbreaking discoveries for themselves. If you listened to last week's podcast, Planetary Pursuit , you might have heard me say that Jupiter is “my favorite planet." Here’s why– Galileo’s Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, published in 1632, challenged the geocentric model of the universe—the belief that everything orbits around Earth. Instead, he advocated for the Copernican model, which places the Sun at the center of our solar system. This book was not just a scientific treatise but also a revolutionary act that put Galileo in conflict with the Catholic Church. Galileo presented his arguments as a dialogue between three characters: Salviati, who supported the heliocentric model; Simplicio, who defended the traditional geocentric view ; and Sagredo, an open-minded observer....

In this episode, Planetary Pursuit . . .   “We are voyagers on Earth sailing through space, like passengers on a ship, and many of us have never considered any part of the vessel beyond the cabin we occupy.” – S. P. Langley Hello, everyone, and welcome back to On the Fly! Today, we're diving deep into planetary observing with my Celestron 500mm f/5 refractor telescope. We'll cover telescope basics, different eyepieces, the planets, and how to use 40mm, 25mm, and 10mm eyepieces to reveal stunning views of our celestial neighbors. 1. Learn the Night Sky; Before standing in the dark, wondering what to do, download "The Planets” app (free) on your smartphone or tablet to locate and identify each planet and when it’s visible. Modern telescopes feature computer-aided go-to functions, but you'll pay considerably more for one with this capability. This may lead to frustration when the telescope doesn't perform as expected. However, remember you have a smartphone, and t...