Hello December + quantum key distribution

Well, I have to say that I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited for November to end as I am this month.  I generally enjoy blogging.  I didn’t realize to what extent the commitment to write everyday might make it into a chore.  But I did it and it’s done, at least once I submit this post.

What should I talk about?  Spencer asked me why I hadn’t really considered starting a company in optics.  Of course, I have considered it, but it never seemed like an easy thing.  One of the larger barriers is capital.  Optical equipment and research costs a lot of money.  I don’t like spending a lot of money.

But if I had to start a company in optics and had the means to do so I know what I’d do: I’d take completely secure communications to the masses.  Quantum key distribution involves communicating using single photons in such a way that any eavesdropper can be detected.  Actually implementation of the protocol is still a pretty tricky optics problem, but one that is going to be solved.  I don’t see why only governments should have access to ultra-secure communication. It would be nice, for example, just to be able to send your credit card across the web in a full-proof manner.  So if I did start an optics company and didn’t want to do medical devices then I would bring quantum key distribution to the masses.

More on frugality

Quoting this Forbes article:

Stanford professor David Cheriton made his billions by introducing Google (nasdaq: GOOG – news – people ) founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page to the venture capitalists at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. He was rewarded with a sizable chunk of Google stock.

Canadian Cheriton says he prefers to ride his bike around his Palo Alto, Calif., neighborhood, and relies on an old Volkswagen (other-otc: VLKAF – news – people ) van or a Honda (nyse: HMC – news – people ) sedan when he needs to get behind the wheel. He says he only flies commercial, prefers jeans to designer clothes and claims to reuse his teabags. He also cuts his own hair to save time going to a barber. His indulgence: two windsurfers.

When contacted about this story, Cheriton cited the Wikipedia definition of frugality: “The acquiring of and resourceful use of economic goods and services in order to achieve lasting and more fulfilling goals.” He says, “That’s certainly something I aspire to.”

What Mitt should have said

Apparently in a recent debate Mitt Romney was asked if he believed that water boarding was torture. He hedged and refused to commit himself to an answer. McCain had a nice chance to rip into him.

I don’t know if waterboarding is torture either. And I don’t know if it is appropriate to answer questions if you don’t know the answer. Here’s what I wish he had said.

“I don’t know if water boarding is torture and I’m not prepared to make a statement right now on something that I don’t know. In fact, I think it is clear that we need to do some careful work to determine what is torture and what is not based on objective science and clear standards. However, I don’t have to know the answer right now: if there is any question about it being torture then we need to stop immediately. Our nation is meant to stand up as an example of respect for the dignity of human life and liberty. Any act that takes away from our ability to set such an example is not worth short term benefits that may be achieved by taking it.”

Pellets

We have two heating systems.  One of them is based on a boiler in our garage.  It sends hot water into any room on demand.  It also has a bunch of bare pipes right there in the garage.  The result of that and other sources of leakage is that our garage is too warm to store fruit in for long periods of time.

The second heating system has been really fun.  We have two independently controlled fireplaces  that are supposed to be extremely efficient and are independently controlled.  One is downstairs by the kitchen and the other is in the master bedroom.  When it gets cold enough the bring in pellets, heat them to a spark, and blow them into a fire.  They leak an occasional few pellets until the area with the fireplace is at the optimal temperature.

Having fires blowing out hot air makes for a cozy environment.  And because they burn at such high oxygen levels there is almost no smoke and almost no ashes are left over.  They are kind of neat.

Kate

Tonight Kate had an interview for her baptism.  I can’t believe that she is almost 8 years old.  It’s happening so quickly.  Still, I think she’s ready.  She has grown into a wise little soul and she’s a delight to have around.

Coming clean: revealing my plans for the second fish

At the beginning of the month I was spending time thinking and praying about the identity of the 2nd fish.  I came up with a tentative answer, but I kept it to myself.  Let me lay out my thinking a bit.

First, I didn’t want another job.  I already have a great job and I don’t have a lot of time.  On a related note, I didn’t want another responsibility.  People who start companies tell tales of many sacrifices at all hours.  I want to sleep at night and I don’t want to be interrupted during dinner with my family.  Pretty much, I wanted a second fish that was low maintenance.  I wanted something that could scale without taking more and more of my time.

Second, I wanted to do something that fit who I am and what I love.  When I have spare time I read or write.  I love to come to an understanding of myself and other people, of the things that matter, of the way the world works, and of how to live a good life.  If I ever had a true love affair with a textbook, it was with the Norton Anthology of English Literature.  And when I’ve wanted to celebrate things or communicate things I’ve turned to writing and to music.  It’s something that I love.

Third, I guess that since we’re in a good place financially, I can do something that would be crazy to do to support a family.  So the morning that I was fasting and praying partly for help in identifying the second fish was the morning that the time changed and I ended up alone in a dark chapel with a piano.  I played until my left pinky was sore and I had a wonderful time.  I sat down and wrote my first song for the last little while.  I decided to look into letting the second fish take the form of music.

Well, I’ve been writing and recording a song each day.  Only vocals and lyrics, and the rule is just to write something and not worry so much about whether it is amazing.  The idea is that I’ll produce something worthwhile in time if I just get started.  It’s been really fun.

I’ve now written enough songs to maybe fill a CD.  What I haven’t really started figuring out is how to make the goal of the first penny of revenue by the 22nd of December.  If you have ideas I would love to hear them.

Goodnight.

Irridescent clouds

Thanksgiving

• Relle gave us the cutest grins and engaging looks,

• Clairen managed to wheedle mac and cheese (“my noodles”) out of the adults for about 7 different meals,

• Tavinder, according to Heather, pretty much disappeared among the other kids until it was time to leave,

• Heather accompanied her rendition of coconut shrimp with the most remarkable pineapple salsa I’ve tasted, and

• Spencer provided me with fascinating conversation for many hours while we held Relle and Lily.

 

• Lily lay on the floor near Relle, and they looked at each other with fascination,

• Elsie engaged with Clairen to bathroom rampage while the rest of us were so engaged with each other that we stopped watching the 2-year-olds

• Timmy held his own and had so much fun that he was genuinely grieving when he found out the girls were going to leave,

• Abby had a great time reading Beauty and the Beast to Tavinder,

• Kate was crying the morning they left until I came to snuggle between her and Abby. Pretty soon she was done crying and was telling me all about Josefina, one of the American girls.

• Gina got to eat real cream in her Cream of Wheat, and

• I got to try holding two cute babies at once.

A wonderful night

We put up the Christmas trees and decorated, then ate Thanksgiving leftovers by candle light while listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing Christmas hymns.  We ate by the light of Christmas tree lights and candles.  The kids were delighted.  At the end we pulled out a cream pie that Heather had made.  We got to choose our own toppings.  I chose frozen raspberries and slivered almonds.  Others had bananas and coconuts.  All-in-all it was delightful.  To top it off I got to go and write a talk on gratitude.

Goodnight.

It’s over

I’m sad to see this week ending and Thanksgiving gone.  I’m sad to see Heather and Spencer leave.  Timmy came to me and announced their departure with a deep melancholy.  My poem for today is a short goodbye:

The time went so quickly, and now it has flown,
Your leaving tomorrow and driving back home,
I’m so glad you came here, it’s been lots of fun,
I pray your trip away is a good and safe one.

Our lives seem so short now, so quickly we change,
but after this visit I still feel the same,
We know you and love you and are proud of you too,
But goodbyes always come and we will miss you.

We ate wonderfully.  We had lots of fun talks and good times.  And we’re all still alive.  Goodbye Heath and Spence, thanks so much for coming.