Monicks: Unleashed

Tag: Monicks

  • Christopher Hitchens – No reason to think there is a god

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbhFXpI8DHA]

    Christopher Hitchens No reason to think there is a god and why we’re lucky none of the mythology is true.

  • Astronomy Awe of the Day | Watch the Aurora Borealis Live via Webcam

    Aurora Borealis. From Wikimedia Commons.

    If you’ve even seen the Aurora Borealis live, you know how awe-inspiring it can be. But if you live too far south, or aren’t a night owl, there’s now a way for to you see the aurora, via the web, every night. Last night was the world premier of AuroraMAX – an online observatory which began streaming Canada’s northern lights live over the Internet. “Armchair skywatchers everywhere can now discover the wonder of the northern lights live on their home computer screen,” says Canadian Space Agency President Steve MacLean. “We hope that watching the dance of the northern lights will make you curious about the science of the sky and the relationship we have with our own star, the Sun.” In addition to nightly broadcasts of the aurora, AuroraMAX will help demystify the science behind the phenomenon, offer tips for seeing and photographing auroras, and highlight Canadian research on the Sun–Earth relationship. The website will also include an image gallery with still photos and movies from previous nights. Auroras occur as charged particles from the Sun collide with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere. The launch of AuroraMAX coincides with the beginning of aurora season in northern Canada, which generally begins in late August or early September and ends in May. Aurora enthusiasts will be able to follow AuroraMAX through solar maximum, the most active period of the Sun’s 11-year cycle, which should produce more frequent and intense auroras on Earth. Solar maximum is currently expected in 2013. AuroraMAX is a collaborative public engagement initiative between the CSA, the University of Calgary, the City of Yellowknife and Astronomy North.

    Source

  • For No One

    Allegedly, Paul McCartney wrote this song sitting in a chalet while on holiday with his girlfriend Jane Asher in Klosters, Switzerland, March of 1966. The working title was “Why Did It Die?”, and there is speculation that McCartney wrote the song about Asher, who was a successful London actress. The theory is that Paul wanted her to cater to his schedule, tour with him, and be the “perfect Beatle wife,” but Jane had a life and career of her own, hence the “She doesn’t need you” lyrics. Paul has never said it was about Jane specifically, however he did say, “I guess there had been an argument. I never have easy relationships with women.” He knew what he was getting into when he got involved with Jane, and being that the song was written in 1966 and they didn’t break up until 1968, it’s likely that if the song was about Jane, it wasn’t a serious argument.

    This was recorded on May 9, 16 and 19, 1966 by only two Beatles – Paul singing and playing the keyboard and bass, and Ringo on percussion, originally appeared on The Beatles’ seventh album, Revolver. McCartney used this song in his 1984 movie Give My Regards to Broad Street.

    John Lennon at some point said that this was his favorite McCartney song.

    For No One is such a beautiful song with a touch of a melancholic lonely feel to it. A brilliant example of true ballad writing.

    Enjoy!

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6iAykoKLog]

    Lyrics

    The day breaks, your mind aches
    You find that all her words of kindness linger on
    When she no longer needs you

    She wakes up, she makes up
    She takes her time and doesn’t feel she has to hurry
    She no longer needs you

    And in her eyes you see nothing
    No sign of love behind her tears
    Cried for no one
    A love that should have lasted years

    You want her, you need her
    And yet you don’t believe her when she says her love is dead
    You think she needs you

    And in her eyes you see nothing
    No sign of love behind the tears
    Cried for no one
    A love that should have lasted years

    You stay home, she goes out
    She says that long ago she knew someone but now he’s gone
    She doesn’t need him

    Your day breaks, your mind aches
    There will be times when all the things she said will fill your head
    You won’t forget her

    And in her eyes you see nothing
    No sign of love behind her tears
    Cried for no one
    A love that should have lasted years