Vintage sci-fi publication We're disappointed that the latest auto show in Detroit failed to introduce a Jetsons mobile. But, happily, other innovations and technological breakthroughs found in science fiction are becoming a part of real life. Way back in 1864, Jules Verne's fictional characters made "A Journey to the Center of the Earth" -- now, modern explorers are finally looking for their own way down. In 2003, Dave Stevenson of Cornell University published his "Modest Proposal," and in 2005, the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program just missed hitting the Earth's mantle. Looking above our planet, the 1998 movie "Deep Impact" offered inspiration of cosmic proportions to the 2005 Deep Impact NASA mission to "land" a spacecraft on a comet. We're duly impressed by modern advances in cloning and humanoid robots, the search for Earth-like worlds, space elevator designs, and medical technologies out of Star Trek, but we're still holding out for that Jetsons car. Suggested Sites... Center for Deep Earth Exploration - drilling down through the Earth's crust and into the mantle in search of life and answers about undersea earthquakes and climate change. Med Gadget - can't wait for your doctor to get rid of the needles and knives? Learn about new medical technologies with this blog. SIM PlanetQuest - space telescope designed to search for new worlds, map the Milky Way, and detect dark matter. Elevator:2010 - Spaceward Foundation's 2006 space elevator challenge. 2005: Year in Review - National Science Foundation looks back at the major discoveries and advances in biology, astronomy, and earth science.

Directory categories: Asteroid and Comet Missions, Extrasolar Planets, Space Elevators, Cloning

Archived under: Exploration, Medicine, Robotics, Science, Space, Technology

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(photo by Vincent Wong) One winter's day in the dim past, someone saw that a lake had frozen over and said, "Let's go out on the ice and slide rocks at a target." Those humble beginnings begat curling, the world's most exciting slow-motion sport. Curlers of all ages love to find a bonspiel, lace up their sliders, step up to the hack, and throw 44-pound stones down the ice at the house. There's more to curling than just sliding rocks, though -- team members also get to scrub the ice with brooms! The team that ends the game with the most stones close to the target wins. If they manage to get all their own rocks and none of their opponents' in the house, though, they score that rarest of feats, an 8-ender -- comparable to a 300 game in bowling. For those with the bug for freezing, wearing funny shoes, and trying not to fall, it's heaven on ice. Suggested Sites... NPR: Canadian Curler Rocks History Books - watch the come-from-behind attempt that many think is the greatest curling shot in history. International Olympic Committee: Curling - all about those who go for the frozen gold. World Curling Federation - curling news and results from the four corners of the earth.

Directory categories: Curling, Curling Organizations, Curling Competitions

Archived under: Curling, Sports, Winter, Winter Olympics

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(photo by Leahcim) New Year fireworks are a month-old memory for many of us, but don't pack up the party favors just yet. Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, starts on January 29. According to Chinese mythology, the second new moon of every year rouses the reptilian predator Nian from its seabed home to attack people. To ward off the beast, the Chinese decorate the city in red, light firecrackers, and perform the lion dance to drums and gongs. Victory over the apparently skittish predator ushers in a 15-day celebration, each day filled with family reunions and traditional menus. On the final day, known as the Lantern Festival or Little New Year, children carry bright lanterns of different shapes shining light to scare away Nian and to signal a new year of good luck and hope. Xin Nian Kuai Le! Happy New Year! Suggested Sites... Celebrations of the Chinese New Year - traditions of the kitchen god, lai-see envelopes, and New Year symbolism. New Year Celebrations in Hong Kong - see how Hong Kong is welcoming in the new year, send lucky messages, or view your Chinese horoscope. New Year Home Cuisine - make it scrumptious with these festive spreads. 2006, the Year of the Dog - learn what the year of the dog has in store for you.

Directory categories: Chinese New Year, Recipes, Ecards, Lion Dance

Archived under: Asia, China, Festivals, Fireworks, Holidays, Regional

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(photo by Michael Oryl) Riding their bikes into biting winds, over dangerously icy roads, and wearing only a couple layers of clothing, snow cyclists must seem out of their minds. "It had to be 20 below," said Elizabeth Acosta, former University of Minnesota student and avid winter cyclist. "By the time I got to campus, my left eye had sealed shut and the bottom half of my pants were stiff with ice." Most winter riders like Acosta are simply bike lovers who refuse to hang up their bikes when temperatures start to drop. Many decide to make their bicycle commutes year round, justifying their occasional struggles and frozen beards with excellent parking and a love of the outdoors. Riders actually find that the cycling conditions are treacherous just a few times a year, and that they even get too hot under all their layers. Whether they cycle for transportation, the exercise, or fun, snow cyclists aren't crazy -- they're just addicted! Suggested Sites... Cold or Wet Weather Cycling - complete guide to biking in the snow, on ice, or through the slush of a rare sunny winter day. Bike Winter - organize local snow cycling events and make friends who also stay in the saddle year round, with the help of this Chicago-based organization. Beat Winter Blues, Stay in Shape - escape the season's cabin fever and lethargy with this article about winter commuting on a junker.

Directory categories: Winter Cycling, Skibiking, Cycling Gear and Equipment

Archived under: Biking, Cycling, Fitness, Outdoors, Sports, Winter

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Robert Burns (1759-1796) Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankit. - Robert Burns And so begins a Burns Night supper on Rabbie's anniversary To fête the bard and feast on haggis, and drink a dram o' whisky. The "ploughman poet" astonished the world with his witty observations Of rural life and love and loss and vanishing Scots traditions. A champion of the common man -- a voice of bygone times, We raise our glass to you, Mr. Burns, and for auld lang syne. Suggested Sites... The Bard - guide to Robert Burns, his poems, Burns suppers, and haggis. Burns Country - the complete works of the poet and a reference encyclopedia. Burns National Heritage Park - the birthplace and museum of Scotland's national bard. Burns an' a' That! - a week-long celebration of life and contemporary Scottish culture in Ayrshire.

Directory categories: Robert Burns, Burns Night, Scots Language

Archived under: History, Holidays, In Character, Literature, Poetry, Regional, Scotland

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