formerly known as the "ninth planet"

Softening the blow of IAU's 2006 decision to strip Pluto of its planet status, an IAU committee, "has suggested that small, nearly spherical objects orbiting beyond Neptune should carry the "plutoid" tag", reported the BBC recently. Pluto is now a "dwarf planet", along with other solar system bodies like Ceres (who got promoted from asteroid), and recently discovered Eris, Haumea, and Makemake.
Many people are still fuming at IAU for Pluto's demotion and were not satisfied with the "plutoid" consolation. Among them is Alan Stern, the principal investigator of New Horizons, the NASA mission to Pluto, launched in 2006, and scheduled to arrive in 2015. Said, Alan Stern: "It's just some people in a smoke-filled room who dreamed it up," he told the Associated Press. "Plutoids or haemorrhoids, whatever they call it. This is irrelevant."

Seeing red...

My red-claw shrimp (Macrobrachium sp.) died yesterday, one and a half year after I got it. It was one of the liveliest inhabitants of my aquarium, always interesting to observe, especially when feeding - it had a huge appetite - or when it was chasing the fish away. I have to get a new one as soon as possible! This photo was taken last fall.

The end of summer...

A couple of pics from last month.
Sunset over Paros, as seen from Naxos.
And orange spoon-sweet, at a kafe in Syros.

Provincetown 2008

Morning, afternoon, evening, night...

Click pic for larger version

A domestic partnership that discriminates? No, thanks!

Created by a friend in Greece, and posted in dozens of greek blogs today:

In Greece gays, lesbians and transexuals know about discrimination. They face it daily from their families, in their social lives and in the professional field.

But sometimes, all it takes is a single straw to break the camel’s back.

According to press reports, the greek government is preparing to introduce a domestic partnership ‘contract’ EXCLUSIVELY for unmarried heterosexual couples. We do not believe that a mere ‘contract’ can resolve the issues same-sex couples face or ensure their fair treatment under the law. However this discriminatory proposal is a direct contravention of the greek Constitution, as well as european human rights treaties. Especially since same-sex couples already enjoy legal rights in 18 european nations.

The aim of this intervention is to make sure that european institutions, human rights organisations, websites and weblogs from around the world learn about these proposals. What we ask for is equal rights for all. Nothing more and nothing less. This time around we will not sit idly by. This time around we will not keep silent.

GREEK BLOGGERS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION

Steet signs of Madrid

Roofs of Barcelona

Egg nog!

One of my favorite concoctions appears on market shelves this time of year: egg nog! Much has been written about it, including reviews of the various brands one can find. Here is one from a friend's blog and another one from the New Yorker no less. Most egg nog sold in supermarkets is non-alcoholic, so I usually like to have mine with a little bit of brandy/cognac and a dash of cinnamon. Enjoy!

Turn them off!

Remember the standard overhead "Fasten Seat Belts" and "No Smoking" signs that light up when planes take off or land? Since smoking has not been permitted in planes for many years now, some airlines have eliminated the "No Smoking" sign from their newer aircraft. The picture is from a US Airways Airbus A330, where a more modern message is now displayed!