Book Review: Tau Zero

(This review contains no significant spoilers.)

The Setup

Tau Zero was published by Poul Anderson in 1970, though I didn't get around to reading it, in e-book form on my iPhone, until this spring. The story follows the crew of a Bussard ramjet on the way to colonize a planet circling a nearby star. Sadly, the plan goes awry.

What I Liked

• The scale of the story is quite grand.
• The vision of a few dozen people hurtling through intersteller space in a small, claustrophobic ship are well realized.
• Some implications of relativistic travel are interestingly explored.

What I Disliked

• The characters are not well fleshed out.

The Bottom Line

Tau Zero was a very enjoyable read. I give it 8.0 out of 10.

PR: Clean

Today I set a new personal record for the clean: 185 lb. That's 10 lb more than my PR for the clean and jerk, which I managed to tie today. I guess we know which part of the C&J is my weakness now.

Gavin, Going Home

Here are a few shots from Gavin's fifth day, the day he went home from the hospital.

Gavin, Day 4

These photos were taken on Gavin's due date.

Gavin, Day 3

A few photos from Gavin's third day:

Gavin, Day 2

Here a few more photos of Gavin. These are from his second day of existence as a separate being.

PR: Vest Fest

Today I set a new PR in one of my favorite made-up WODs: Vest Fest. My new best time, 16:23, was almost a minute faster than my previous best, which I recorded the last time I attempted this workout.

Darmok and Jalad

As a fan of xkcd, Star Trek, and metaphors, I was quite tickled by Monday's xkcd comic.

No Exageration

My mother-in-law, as Alison and I are heading out the door to the pharmacy:

I need cigarettes and Dr. Pepper and do they have any packs of those little doughnuts that I like?

Seriously. This quotation succinctly summarizes her diet.

Welcome, Gavin

Today my lovely wife Alison gave birth to our new son, Gavin. I'm very excited to get to know him.