Princes of the Universe, Part I

[Sisiutil]

Hey, it's not actually that bad. I live in a relatively small apartment, and at least I'm not in a city where everyone is wearing raincoats and 2/3rds of the population is stoned almost all the time.

We don't wear raincoats and rarely use umbrellas. Vancouver has rain machismo.

As for your other assertion... uh... sorry, dude, what were you saying?

 

[Sisiutil]

Nice update once again, and a clever way of having Jin "learn" about spins.

Interesting method of introducing how rifling was discovered.

Thanks--I've always found the idea of intuitive leaps to be fascinating. Scientific progress isn't usually as dramatic as Archimedes's "Eureka!" moment (which is apocryphal anyway), but you still have to wonder how many of our scientific and engineering advancements came about. Concepts that seem obvious to us now once were anything but, so how did someone make the jump? I wanted to show one of those advancement events.

 

[rabidveggie]

I guessed you were Canadian Sisiutil. Although for your location you have Pacific North West, not many other countries located there.

 

[Sjakelen]

We don't wear raincoats and rarely use umbrellas. Vancouver has rain machismo.

As for your other assertion... uh... sorry, dude, what were you saying?

So hashish, is it?

A little clip from our friend Rick Mercer about Vancouver: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH3IIzpwEhk

 

[Dicorion]

Hi, I just want to say thanks for your really entertaining and "teachfull" story!

I was only one time in Northern America and it was in Vancouver. And I must say it is wonderfull! It makes me feel better about spending a dozen hours in aeroplane for just 30 minutes staying infront of my poster. I fell in love with Vancouver and will sure come back for more

 

[demokratickid]

Wonderful update!!!!

I've been to Vancouver several times, and might I add a spectacular city...

 

[DMOC]

Wait, did the idea of spinning really come from someone watching a game of rugby/football?

 

[Gooblah]

I went north to Toronto last weekend to meet my uncle, aunt, and baby cousin (who never stops laughing, btw...such a happy camper!) who are moving there. Well, not Toronto. Mississauga. Big city-704,000 ppl or something. Anyways, security on the border is really tight, especially at North America's busiest border crossing (kudos to those who know what I'm talking about). Took us about a minute crossing into Canada and 2 hours crossing back into the states..

 

[Sisiutil]

Wait, did the idea of spinning really come from someone watching a game of rugby/football?

In my universe it did.

Seriously though, I have no idea, but I doubt it.

 

[demokratickid]

Gooblah-I went north to Toronto last weekend to meet my uncle, aunt, and baby cousin (who never stops laughing, btw...such a happy camper!) who are moving there. Well, not Toronto. Mississauga. Big city-704,000 ppl or something. Anyways, security on the border is really tight, especially at North America's busiest border crossing (kudos to those who know what I'm talking about). Took us about a minute crossing into Canada and 2 hours crossing back into the states..

I understand how you feel about the border crossing... Mississauga is a nice city, however! Went there last month to visit friends...

 

[Sisiutil]

I understand how you feel about the border crossing... Mississauga is a nice city, however! Went there last month to visit friends...

I lived in Mississauga for 2 years, down in the Port Credit area--close to the lake. Would have enjoyed it more if my landlord hadn't been such an a******.

 

[demokratickid]

Really? I've been to Port Credit! I went there on a sunday drive about three years ago! Sorta ironic, eh?

 

[Civfan333]

Great update as usual, Sisutil.

Great story. I like rugby better than football, myself

 

[Premier Valle]

Wait, did the idea of spinning really come from someone watching a game of rugby/football?

In my universe it did.

Seriously though, I have no idea, but I doubt it.

As far as I know the "spinning" thing was meant initially for rockets, someone figured that the fuel comsuption of the rocket wasn't uniform, so the exhausts were made in a way that they provoqued the rocket to spin, so the fuel gets wasted uniformly.

Other than that, I have no idea.

 

[oynaz]

Took us about a minute crossing into Canada and 2 hours crossing back into the states..

Appearently, not even the firemen can cross the border to put out a fire.

 

[Sjakelen]

Yeah, maybe instead of trying to defend yourselves with force, improving relations with countries that might pose a threat to you might be a good idea :/ (Not your fault, though, the man you didn't even elect likes to give backrubs to female Heads of State... Eat your heart out, Islamic fundamentalists!) That's one of the reasons Canada (or at least Paul Martin) didn't want missile defence, it would be wasted money, since... no-one's shooting as us -nervous smile-

 

[Sisiutil]

No offense, but... could you guys take this discussion to the off-topic forum? I'd prefer this thread be limited as much as possible to either story or discussion of it, not another internet message board political debate. (And yes I acknowledge that I, too, have posted OT in here.) I also don't want it turning into a flame war (which is usually inevitable).

Thanks!

 

[BrianJ]

We don't wear raincoats and rarely use umbrellas. Vancouver has rain machismo.

As for your other assertion... uh... sorry, dude, what were you saying?

I'm from Vancouver, born adn raised. Not living there now.

Coming back fora visit next week though! And gonna make sure you are still writiong! lol

 

[Milarqui]

Do you have a Latin version of your name that you'd like me to use? Johnus Smithus or something like that?

I'm glad many of you are enjoying this installment so far, especially since it's taking a while to get going. In many ways I'm setting the stage for the main action that's yet to come.

I think that Johannes Ferrarius would be the Latin translation of John Smith. Smith, literally translated into Latin, is "faber ferrarius", but I think that Ferrarius has a better ring to it.

Anyway, I'd like to request my addition into the story (I may be the last in a large queue of requesters, but ...). I'm Spanish, so being a Spaniard (please, GREAT SCIENTIST!!!) in your story would be nice . If you plan to put a Spaniard to the front, don't doubt to call me!

 

[BananaLee]

I consider it an early form of rugby, myself.

Amen, my brother! Amen!

I consider rugby a stepping stone to true football. That's why I watch the NFL on Sundays, not the NRL.

Real men don't have to wear padding. And true football is what everyone else around the whole world plays - with a round yellow ball and with their feet.

but in that game a spin is used to curve the ball, resulting in accuracy, but of a very different kind. I needed a long, straight toss to inspire Jin, hence the forward spiral pass.

Tell that to Wayne Barnes..

but in that game a spin is used to curve the ball, resulting in accuracy, but of a very different kind. I needed a long, straight toss to inspire Jin, hence the forward spiral pass.

Actually, all rugby passes involve spin. You throw it sideways - one hand providing thrust, the other spin.

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But back on topic, lovely updates