Fog drapes the manzanita bushes and wisps across the pavement in front of my
car. The road is dark with damp and at its edge sits a golden animal. I brake
because I think it's a stray dog, maybe injured and in need of rescue. The
animal turns its head to look at me for a second, then bunches its muscles and
springs. Its front feet hit the center line of the road, then the back haunches
roll forward. The hind feet strike the pavement, while the front legs stretch
for the opposite side of the road. The tip of the creature's long tail flicks,
as if waving good bye, before it disappears into the thick brush.<br><br>
My heart thrills and a tingle launches itself up my spine. I have just seen
one of the most elusive animals in North America: a mountain lion.... (Originally appeared 2005-02-13)
For the last sixty years, there has been one question repeatedly asked by novice historians. What does the "d" in D-day stand for? Ironically enough, the answer is in the very word itself. (Originally appeared 2005-06-06)
At the Manzanita Lake entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park, someone has posted cautionary advice about being prepared for sudden changes in weather. Is it the advice of a furry rodent in shades and ski boots?
His actions can arguably be the greatest of anyone to lead to American victory, but in the end, his motivations were selfish, his courage and ability a commodity to be purchased. The story of Benedict Arnold is indeed a tale of "selfish courage."
No sore muscle hurts as much as that Failure does. But what if success becomes the whole point of your actions? Can you only see who you are in the mirror of failure or success?
We remember him as a traitor, but few people recall that Benedict Arnold was one of the greatest heroes of the American Revolution, or why he turned against the young nation he fought so bravely for.
Anyone who has been involved in a family squabblecan attest that family fights are often the nastiest. So it was with WWI. In the end, this family feud costs the lives of over eight million soldiers.
Dennis Smith, who believes that "through art we have the means to peacefully consider violence," has created a war memorial that fills the observer with reverence and tranquility.
Their job is to protect U.S. coastal areas, but the Coast Guard had direct involvement with the invasion of Normandy and has participated in all the wars in which the U.S. has been involved. Take a look at the forgotten branch of the U.S. military.
How can you prevent bot abuse and control the manner in which the program is manipulated? How can you stop it from annoying people, especially in heavy forums discussions with emotional significance? Can a program simulate tact? Read on. Part 2 of 2.
All the cool kids are doing it... creating artificial intelligence programs that respond to complex input as a person, or animal, or imaginary character might. What are some of the concerns in designing such a program? Part 1 of 2.
How important is balance when riding a bike? Riding safely, especially at freeway speeds, isn't just a matter of not leaning too far to the left or right. Too much weight toward the front or the back can also have disastrous results.
