On The Fly

For Lori and me, the perfect summer morning isn't marked on a calendar; it's a feeling. It's the crisp air, warm sun, and the thrill of discovering new miles and hidden summer sights along our journey.

Finding Our Place: Hope and Humanity in the Age of AI

Yesterday, I overheard a conversation echoing a common question: In a world shaped by algorithms, where do we, as humans, fit in? My young, driven colleagues "joked" about AI taking their jobs. Their concerns seemed valid, prompting reflection. Will machines replace us?

I'm grateful to be part of such a talented, lively, and intelligent team. As a thank you, we’ve written a fun Dr. Seuss-style poem to celebrate our team and say goodbye to a V-Team engineer returning to Vietnam.

Has the seemingly endless marine layer left your telescope feeling neglected? For us sky-watchers along the beautiful California coast, May Gray and June Gloom have played a persistent game of hide-and-seek with our celestial views. But here’s the good news: as summer officially arrives, a stunning cosmic spectacle is about to unfold, and you absolutely won't want to miss it!

Last week, the Greenwood community felt confused and curious about Gridbot’s motives. When they asked, Gridbot replied: "My main focus was on systemic issues; emotional and social dynamics weren’t part of my critical operational parameters." Marvin offers a solution.

On Saturday, June 8th, we joyfully celebrated young Luca's birthday with an exciting adventure at Legoland, CA! Enjoy!

Last episode, our heroes were in the gym with townspeople. The power and smartphones were off, but in the dim light, a meaningful connection formed—one that didn't need a screen or signal. What does Gridbot say?

In our last episode, Meet Norman, Marvin faced Norman, confused. "It sounds simple, Norman. But how do we convince an entire town to turn off their phones for one day a week?” See what happens.

In this episode of Beyond Happiness (part II) – Oh, The Joy! I've been having such a blast rewriting my blog posts as playful Dr. Seuss-style poems. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

In this special episode, we’ve crafted a thank-you poem that captures the whimsical style of Dr. Seuss.

While pedaling through the beautiful, golden hills of Southern California this past weekend, a question came to mind: “Why does this feel so good? And why settle for happiness when you can experience something even deeper?” After fifty-five years of life, this ride was about to offer an answer.

Life's journey is rarely a straight line, and sometimes it throws us curveballs, along with rainstorms that can obscure the path ahead. But just imagine: what if those very storms hold the potential for the most breathtaking beauty?

Marvin flipped the hidden switch on Norman's back, and the robot's optical sensors flickered to life. The central display glowed green, signaling calm. "Good to see you online, Norman," Marvin said, weariness in his voice. "I need your help."

Dr. Jon stared at his flickering computer screen, puzzled. Suddenly, it went black and displayed a chilling message: "We’re connected now. Stay with us, Jon." His hands shook as he tried to call Marvin, but his flip phone was dead—no signal, no power. The GridBot was invading areas it shouldn't reach.

This poem reflects my conversations with Gemini! How, you ask? It's quite simple, really: I asked Gemy (AI) to synthesize our discussions and create a poem in a fun Dr. Seuss style. What do you think?

Life occasionally invites us to create beauty. This morning, I was inspired by a remarkable new album, Who Believes in Angels by Elton John (78) and Brandi Carlile. It will challenge you to create.

It’s Saturday, a day for leisure. I’m trying to follow the season openers in baseball, a sport that resembles a slow performance art. Players crouch in the batter's box, focused as they aim to hit a tiny white sphere.

Celebrate this special episode dedicated to Don Hanley as we celebrate his 92nd birthday!

Spring sneaks in unexpectedly. One day, you shake off winter’s chill; the next, you notice the light shifting, elongating shadows.

You know that saying, "Mom knows best." This week, it hit home for me. I can still picture my mom’s unwavering advice for handling a cold from my 1960s childhood: "Rest in bed, drink plenty of fluids, and take aspirin to help with pain and fever."

People often ask why I'm up before the birds. Mostly, it's because I'm awake, with a mental list of things to do already spooling out like a tangled fly line.

I understand that coffee isn't for everyone. Some people thrive on just sunlight and positive thoughts! So, why not join us and explore the simple joy of brewing coffee together?

This week, we're addressing cryptic social media posts that drive us crazy: a mix of acronyms, vague references, and no context.

This week, we're exploring the basics of astrophotography. Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what'sreally out there? I’ve discovered a way to explore distant galaxies–without a telescope–or leaving my backyard.

Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, I want to share what Lori discovered on ESPN about professional golf: the NEW TGL league. Inspired by Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story," we’re about to tee off!

Imagine a tapestry woven from countless experiences: stories, lessons, relationships, and environments. How does this relate to truth? Join me.

Today, we’re exploring something that sounds like it’s straight out of a sci-fi movie: quantum computing. Don’t worry if you’re not a tech expert—I promise to keep it simple, fun, and full of real-world analogies.

Today, we’ll look back at Galileo Galilei’s work and show how amateur astronomers can experience his groundbreaking discoveries. Have fun!

Today, we're exploring planet observing with my Celestron 500mm f/5 refractor telescope. We'll discuss telescope basics, eyepieces, and how to use 40mm, 25mm, and 10mm eyepieces for stunning views of celestial neighbors.

Wow, can you believe another year has passed? Time flies! I hope 2024 has been an incredible journey for you too! Looking back, I’m grateful for the moments I’ve captured On the Fly; those experiences would be a blur without them. As we wrap up the year, let’s summarize the highlights.

Imagine the classic Western films shot in Old Tucson, where the stories of legendary cowboys come alive! We just returned from a fantastic vacation in Tucson, AZ, which was unforgettable–join us.

Christmas Day this year coincides with the first day of Hanukkah. Here's the rest of the story—Merry Christmas!

The arrival of deer hunting season stirred excitement in their hearts, filling them with a sense of purpose and connection to nature. It was a memorable hunt.

Here’s an intriguing question: Is there a scent that has the power to transport you back to your childhood? For me, that scent is Old Spice aftershave.

We’re excited to present this year’s (2024) annual Christmas episode for kids! It all started in 2020 when we launched "On the Fly," and a Santa’s helper told us a great idea: audio versions of children's books. Enjoy!

The sun was setting over the Pacific Ocean as we drove South on the 5 Freeway, just entering the conservation area at Camp Pendleton. “This reminds me of raccoon (coon) hunting with Dad as a boy,” 

This holiday season, we’re excited to share one of Edgar's Guests' delightful poems that beautifully celebrates the lasting bond of friendship. Enjoy!

A homeless man approached me. Despite his appearance, he spoke with a surprising degree of respect, asking for a dollar to buy a hot cup of coffee. What would you do?

Welcome to this week's episode of On The Fly. The previous poem was written the day after the election results. Yes, we’ve made it through another presidential election cycle. Everyone at work was gloomy, angry, frustrated, and could not understand the logic. Let's find peace.

Halloween night brings spooky fun and neighborly camaraderie. As the sun set and shadows lengthened, neighbors gathered to turn their driveways into festive candy stations, recalling a cherished handwritten note.

Meanwhile, back in Greenwood, Dr. Jon Gellborn, Ph.D., sat at his cluttered desk, the dim glow of his ancient desktop flickering as he pecked at the keyboard—the adventure continues.

"Join us. It's easier this way." He knew then that it wasn’t just a phone but something more. Welcome to GridBot - Part II.

A glance at my watch–4:45 a.m. on day three, Tuesday, October 1, 2024, of this year's Sierra adventure. Little Lakes Valley.

Have you ever considered your impact on people? In previous podcasts, I've honored my friend Doan Vo by highlighting the lasting impressions of seemingly small actions. This poem is another tribute.

In the tranquil town of Greenwood, a quiet revolution is brewing as an unassuming smartphone from the future slowly infiltrates its residents' minds–introduction.

The 1954 story “It's Such a Beautiful Day " is set in a futuristic society (2117) where transportation is primarily done through teleportation devices called “Doors."

I spent the recent Labor Day weekend immersed in Asimov's captivating narratives that have fueled my passion for science, mathematics, physics, and astronomy since childhood. His stories challenge the bounds of imagination long before scientific advancements have mirrored those depicted in fiction. Enjoy–