Another Film Night

After being inspired by news events and by quotamour I decided to go with:

"Notes on a Scandal" with Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett and Bill Nighy and later "Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey".  Both were very good.  Both were on the discount table at Blockbuster for four bucks each.  The story and acting, of course, was excellent on the first.  The Theremin story was compelling even if the ability of the documentary maker had a bit to be desired.

Was also inspired by the previously mentioned LJ friend to set up my Radio Shack MIDI keyboard, stand and seat such that it's operational and ready for appropriate further inspiration.  Running the demo songs stored on it was fun in the player piano kind of way.  This keyboard also has keys that can light up as they play which is a nice touch for those learning the instrument.  (Or so I've heard and read.)

Another Film Night

After being inspired by news events and by quotamour I decided to go with:

"Notes on a Scandal" with Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett and Bill Nighy and later "Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey".  Both were very good.  Both were on the discount table at Blockbuster for four bucks each.  The story and acting, of course, was excellent on the first.  The Theremin story was compelling even if the ability of the documentary maker had a bit to be desired.

Was also inspired by the previously mentioned LJ friend to set up my Radio Shack MIDI keyboard, stand and seat such that it's operational and ready for appropriate further inspiration.  Running the demo songs stored on it was fun in the player piano kind of way.  This keyboard also has keys that can light up as they play which is a nice touch for those learning the instrument.  (Or so I've heard and read.)

No to More "Necklaces" in Belarus

Seems like all you tend to hear from the former USSR states is pro-nuke stuff from the govmints.  Not this time.

Video: Scientists Come Out Against Construction of Nuclear Power Plant in Belarus - Belarus News - 11 Mar 08 (Note: Video not in English.)

"A group of prominent Belarusian scientists have decided to found a movement for a nuclear free Belarus.

As Professor Heorhiy Lepin, an initiator of the movement who holds a doctor’s degree in engineering sciences, said in an interview with BelaPAN, nine years ago, the head of the Belarusian government set up a special commission that concluded that it would be expedient to start any nuclear power engineering work at least in the next 10 years. According to Dr. Lepin, the Cabinet of Ministers then adopted a moratorium that expires only on January 14, 2009. Despite this, preparations for the construction of a nuclear power plant are in full swing in the country, he said.

'We used to believe that a nuclear plant was dangerous only in the event of an accident,' he said. 'But this is wrong. Nuclear power plants permanently emit a significant amount of radioactive isotopes into the air. Within 15 years, all nuclear power plants in the world emit more radioactive isotopes than was released in the Chernobyl accident.'"

Belarusian Physicists Urge Authorities to Abandon Nuclear Plans - Belarus News - 10 Mar 08

"The scientist said that the nuclear case was not an 'unavoidable necessity' for the country, pointing to the absence of economic and technical conditions for the construction.  'Since the dispute about whether or not a nuclear power plant should be built began, nobody has ever offered any distinct data in favor of the nuclear power industry,' Mr. Fyadzyushkin said.

'Now that increasingly more nations around the world are pushing for their countries to adopt a non-nuclear status, we, representatives of science and intelligentsia, cannot stand aside,' he said.  The group, which includes people who worked at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, wants the government to hold a large-scale meeting to discuss the nuclear plans, and, if the plans are approved, to call a referendum on the matter. It also wants to set up an association that would struggle to 'protect the people of Belarus from Chernobyl Hell and Nuclear Eden.'"

No to More "Necklaces" in Belarus

Seems like all you tend to hear from the former USSR states is pro-nuke stuff from the govmints.  Not this time.

Video: Scientists Come Out Against Construction of Nuclear Power Plant in Belarus - Belarus News - 11 Mar 08 (Note: Video not in English.)

"A group of prominent Belarusian scientists have decided to found a movement for a nuclear free Belarus.

As Professor Heorhiy Lepin, an initiator of the movement who holds a doctor’s degree in engineering sciences, said in an interview with BelaPAN, nine years ago, the head of the Belarusian government set up a special commission that concluded that it would be expedient to start any nuclear power engineering work at least in the next 10 years. According to Dr. Lepin, the Cabinet of Ministers then adopted a moratorium that expires only on January 14, 2009. Despite this, preparations for the construction of a nuclear power plant are in full swing in the country, he said.

'We used to believe that a nuclear plant was dangerous only in the event of an accident,' he said. 'But this is wrong. Nuclear power plants permanently emit a significant amount of radioactive isotopes into the air. Within 15 years, all nuclear power plants in the world emit more radioactive isotopes than was released in the Chernobyl accident.'"

Belarusian Physicists Urge Authorities to Abandon Nuclear Plans - Belarus News - 10 Mar 08

"The scientist said that the nuclear case was not an 'unavoidable necessity' for the country, pointing to the absence of economic and technical conditions for the construction.  'Since the dispute about whether or not a nuclear power plant should be built began, nobody has ever offered any distinct data in favor of the nuclear power industry,' Mr. Fyadzyushkin said.

'Now that increasingly more nations around the world are pushing for their countries to adopt a non-nuclear status, we, representatives of science and intelligentsia, cannot stand aside,' he said.  The group, which includes people who worked at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, wants the government to hold a large-scale meeting to discuss the nuclear plans, and, if the plans are approved, to call a referendum on the matter. It also wants to set up an association that would struggle to 'protect the people of Belarus from Chernobyl Hell and Nuclear Eden.'"