Storm Chasers

BLACKOUT: Imagine CJ and Annabelle's abject HORROR this morning when they tried to hop on two of their very favorite Web sites (Wikipedia, above, and Minecraft, below) only to find they were both blacked out.

Initially, CJ declared the people blacking out some of his favorite Web sites today trolls. I explained to him that he was entirely wrong. These Web sites are blacked out of their own accord, as a protest measure against legislation that could change the Internet as he knows it.

And then, after the initial hysterics died down, we had a little lesson about SOPA (short for the "Stop Online Piracy Act") and PIPA (an acronym for the "Protect IP Act," with the IP standing for 'intellectual property'). Together, we read Wikipedia's very thorough explanation of the proposed legislation. (it was the only part of their English Web site that wasn't blacked out today).

Regarding the proposed changes, CJ said, "Imagine a world without free knowledge! They should get fired for doing that!"

"People need knowledge!" echoed Annabelle.

"I would love to be able to take PIPA and SOPA down," said CJ.

Many of the blacked out sites (including Minecraft and Wikipedia) had links that made it easy for people to contact their legislators on the matter, so that's just what I had CJ and Annabelle do. CJ did so through an interface on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Web site.
Using a link from Wikipedia's info page, Annabelle navigated to the Web site of our Congressman Jim McDermott. Through his site, she sent him this message:

I am a 7 year old living in Magnolia and I found out about Protect IP Act (PIPA) and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) today when trying to use Wikipedia - a great resource for me when doing school work, and when trying to play Minecraft, one of my favorite online games. Both sites are blacked out today to raise awareness about these bills.


I have read about how PIPA and SOPA might change the Internet and it frightens me. I use the Internet so much to learn things and I am really worried most of the Web sites I use might disappear forever if these Internet Blacklist Bills are passed.

I hope you will join Senator Ron Wyden from Oregon and other members of Congress, in opposing it.

Thank you!

So, thanks to two of their favorite sites being blacked out, the kids got an excellent lesson in the business of the Internet, censorship, and civics. We'll certainly be watching what happens with PIPA and SOPA in the future.

IN GRAINED: This morning's art project was having some fun with the sand art kit Annabelle got as a Christmas present. CJ filled a colorful giraffe, while Annabelle made a striped horse. They each made pendants, as well.

WHITE OUT:  Today, Snowmageddeon finally struck Seattle. There were just a couple of inches of snow when I awoke around 5 a.m., and by midday there were probably 4-plus inches. That, and it was snowing sideways much of the day.

Around 10 a.m. a firetruck tried getting up our hill. It didn't make it past the end of our alley. There, it sat for about a hour while the poor firemen had to dig it out and then gingerly back it down the hill.

We did spend some time outside in the white stuff, tromping around and sledding down our hillside.

WEATHER WATCHERS: While the snow came down outside, CeeJ and Bee played catch up on the weather calendars they're supposed to be keeping daily for their science class. Truth be told, they were a few days behind.

Above, is CJ's work station. He carefully cut out icons and pasted them on the appropriate days.

DIRTY JOB: Another project we started today is the Root-Vue planter CJ received as a Christmas gift. It has an acrylic front so you can see your plants do their things. We carefully followed the instructions for setting it up.

The kids unanimously decided to plant carrots (over onions and radishes). The info says the seeds should germinate in about a week. Stay tuned for further developments.

TIV-RIFFIC!: This evening we braved the snowy roads to make the (mercifully very short) drive to Seattle Center for a special event. Filmmaker and storm chaser Sean Casey was there with his amazing Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV). Casey and TIV have been featured on Discovery Channel's "Storm Chasers" show, and are the stars of the movie "Tornado Alley," which we saw a few weeks ago in IMAX 3D. When we heard he and the armored car were coming to Seattle, we were jazzed. When the snow arrived we were afraid the event would be canceled, and though everything else at Pacific Science Center was closed today, the TIV exhibit was still on. Hooray!

We went a little early and enjoyed (mostly) happy hour at McMenamins first, although we did have to get up and move tables because we sitting next to The Most Obnoxious, Loudest, Most Foul Mouthed 20-something girl EVER. Though she continued to spew incessantly while we moved, the other people in her party noticed. We could still hear her 5 tables away, but she finally quieted down for a few minutes when her food came. Egad. Here's our lovely view before blabbermouth drove us away.

But back to the good stuff. We got to the center around 6:30 p.m.

We found TIV awaiting us under the Pacific Science Center arches.

We checked it out from all angles. That's one impressive, hulking machine (it weighs 14,000 pounds).

Before the movie Casey was in the lobby signing shirts and posters. Here's a crappy shot of him crouched down, signing the kids' TIV shirts. (My poor camera was so cold from being outside, its trigger wouldn't work properly.)

Casey talked for about 10 minutes before the screening, and then came out afterward to answer questions. Of course, CJ and Annabelle had questions. CJ asked, "What's the most annoying thing that ever happened to you when you were in TIV?" Casey got a chuckle out of the question. He said his annoying times have been when parts on TIV break and when people copy his vehicle.

Annabelle asked how the heavy armor moves up and down on TIV. Casey explained it's done with hydraulics.

The theater wasn't packed, but I was surprised there were as many people as there were (around 80 maybe), given the weather.

All in all, it was a busy day at MPA, especially considering most Seattle area students has school-free snow days!