Unexpected Epiphany

[akirlu]

I was hunting through files on my USB key this morning, and opened an unfamiliar-sounding one to see what was in it. It's the opening of my beanstalk terrorist story. (The one I started for the "The Sea and the Sky" prompt, for those who were following along in Deathless Pose -- it's meant to be an Analog-style story. Techy and crunchy and based on a technological idea.) I was surprised to discover that it reads well after sitting fallow for so long. Usually things go clunky and awkward when I'm not looking. But no, this hasn't. This is a good story. I should finish it. I think I need to borrow a tame physicist. Pestilence. All my tame scientists have gone on to having careers.

Comments

[athenais.livejournal.com]

John is a physicist. You could email him at bartelt at mindspring.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Oh. Golly, thanks. Good point. I shall, once I figure out what my questions are. I have a feeling not all of them will be physicist questions -- rather a lot may be atmospheric sciences or chemistry or munitions questions, but maybe he can at least cull out what he can answer or tell me what sort of person I should be asking.

[sraun]

What about marykaykare's husband? I don't remember if she ties in to GT, but I know he does - that's a great source for answers to weird science questions!

[marykaykare.livejournal.com]

As sraun says, Jordin is also a physicist, if not a very tame one. And he's local to you! Want his email and/or cell phone number? You have my email address...

MKK

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Good point. When I think physics, I tend to think Caltech, and people I knew from there, but in fact I have physicists in my own social circle. Maybe even a chemist or two. Clearly my thought patterns need a shake up. Thanks!

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Oh, right. I am a dunce. And he even does all sorts of space stuff, which is precisely the sort of stuff I'm likely to need, when I get to the point of asking physics questions. But for now I've found some good resources on high atmosphere skydiving and the specs for Gemini-vintage space suits, and what I clearly need to find out about is how certain explosives and children's type balloons would behave in high atmosphere. Much to do, but I'll let you know when I'm ready to ask Jordin stuff.

[marykaykare.livejournal.com]

It's not entirely impossible he could help you with the explosives and stuff. He's an encyclopedia of unlikely information.

MKK

[sraun]

Glad to have been of help!

I'd like to read the story whenever it reaches final form - it sounds interesting! Be sure to let us know when it's published somewhere?

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

I'll probably be looking for beta readers before that happens. If you'd be interested, I could give you a look when it hits that stage.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Good point. Let me get my arms around What I Don't Know, first, and I'll be back to you and/or him.

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

He's never bitten me.

But now that I think about it, he's never allowed me to pet him, either.

(I'm a physicist, too, but not as accomplished as Jordin is.)

[sraun]

I'd love to!