List of classes my daughter is taking in the Spring semester of her junior year:

  • Perspectives in Environmental Science
  • New Modes of Magic (Interesting! It is an English class)
  • Microbiology
  • Global Political Ecology

Link to a similar post with my son’s classes.

Today’s Lock Screen

Muted someone who continues to be obnoxious even after telling them about it politely.

A conversation with my kids today.

It is 22nd work anniversary for me today. Can’t believe that it has been so long. Time flies when you’re having fun and doing good science!

After a break of about one month, we are back to empty-nesting! Not saying it is better or worse. It is what it is. This will last till first week of March when they will come back for Spring break. Their breaks are not simultaneous with only one weekend overlapping. That means a longer break in empty-nesting for us.

It was a cold and quiet day on campus yesterday when I dropped off my daughter in Maine.











Moss and ice (icicles, plates, crystals?!?) growing around it.

Today’s lock screen

My son starts the Spring semester of his freshman year at college today. Good to see that he is taking such diverse classes:

  • Minimalism/postminimalism in music
  • French
  • Intro to Organic Chemistry
  • Intro to Computer Science

Happy to see some snow (~4 inches) here. With sub-freezing temps for next few days, it will stick around.







Our issues with airline travel continue. My son going back to college today was on a 9:15 am flight. I dropped him off at the airport at 7:15 am and he just got onto the plane at 7:15 pm. Poor guy had to spend the whole day at the airport. American Airlines is just a steaming pile of shit.


It is going to be a candle-lit evening. Power company expects to restore electricity by 11 pm.

Looks like our whole town just lost power. It has been super windy all day. Must have brought down some trees. Hope this gets resolved quickly otherwise it will be a cold night.

In 2023, I was fortunate to witness and photograph two extraordinary astronomical events:

A supernova in Pinwheel galaxy (M101) seen in May

Annular Solar Eclipse in October

The story of Centralia, PA and its everlasting coal mine fire that has been going on for the last 60 years keeps coming back. It was in one of the recent episode of 99%invisible.

On yesterday’s hike, the trail was blocked by a flooded stream so I decided to go off trail and bushwhacked. The woods consisted of mostly mountain laurel and in places it got very crowded with barely any room to pass through. After I continued for about a quarter mile, I realized how bad idea that was. In these woods, there are black bears and packs of coyotes. If I had gotten into a den of these animals, it would have been bad. With the thick vegetation there was no way I could have run away from any animals. Hibernating bears probably were not much of a risk but, if there was a six pack of coyotes, that could have been trouble. Thankfully I found the other trail I was looking for through the woods and came out of it safely. Hopefully, I’ll think a little bit before undertaking such adventure next time.

Foggy and cold winter morning with leafless trees and a waterlogged trail in the middle

Went on a hike on this foggy morning after a lot of rain overnight. The trails had turned into streams. Had to bushwhack about half a mile as the trail was cutoff by a flooded brook. It was the most adventurous hike in a long time.

A look back at 2023

It is a little late but, want to get this post written. 2023 was a very busy and eventful year. It was a major shock for us when my father passed away in April. He was a big presence in all our lives and left a big void but, we have so many happy memories with him that we cherish.

Ad:

  • graduated high school and now a freshman at Davidson College in Davidson, NC; will possibly major in Physics
  • got selected for all the music festivals he auditioned for and also played in the Connecticut Youth Symphony
  • participates in the Davidson College Symphony Orchestra and receives a small scholarship
  • was co-captain of his high school swim team that finished second at ECC championships
  • worked at the pool all summer

    • As:

  • junior at Bowdoin college working towards a double major in Environmental studies and Biology with a minor in English
  • went to University of Edinburgh for study abroad in the fall semester
  • still playing Cello in the college symphony orchestra and a chamber group while at Bowdoin
  • received a research fellowship for Summer to survey invasive plant species at Lyme Land Trust and to help device management strategies for preserved land

    • V:

  • super busy at work; back to some work related travel and now on site for 50% of time
  • continuing on with Peloton bike rides and other exercise challenges

    • Me:

  • cycled more than 3000 miles but, felt like it was much less as there were several breaks; 55 mile tour de lyme was the longest ride of the year; started indoor rowing again and really enjoying it
  • gotten better at using my astronomy equipment and processing workflow; captured some really nice images that I happy with; imaged a supernova in galaxy M101 in May; got to experience an annular solar eclipse in October

    • Vacations:

  • Puerto Rico during Spring break
  • Bar Harbor and Acadia NP in Summer; bike rides, hiking, and the usual good times
  • a week in August at Davidson, NC when we went to drop off Ad; it was a nice (but super-hot) road trip
  • 2 days in San Antonio, TX to view Annular Solar Eclipse
  • a week in Scotland to visit As while she was studying abroad; really enjoyed 3 days in Edinburgh and 4 days in the highlands and Isle of Skye
  • week of winter break in Barcelona; had a good time being in the middle of a city with great restaurants and plenty of activities; a complete opposite compared to calm and serene time in Scotland; was a perfect vacation until we had travel issues on the way home

    • Annular Solar Eclipse; Oct 14, 2023


    Rosette Nebula

    Ahead of Monday’s caucuses, Republicans have spent $200+ millions on advertising in Iowa that has a population of ~3million. That is ~$70 per person. Considering that a small number of Iowans will actually participate in the process, it is easily ~$500 per caucus participant. Election process in US is totally out of control and ridiculous.