Matter, Energy, and Life of Michaela A. Castello.

Category: Long Reads

Stories that take a bit longer to get through.

  • The Religion of Science Fiction

    Good science fiction authors are at the same time remarkably prophetic in their thinking and humorously influenced by their own time. I remember laughing aloud when one of the characters in Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land began darning a sock. To me, it was hilarious that in a futuristic world with space travel, characters would…

  • Let’s Try Some Science

    I have been working on updating my research poster for a presentation I’ll be giving at UMBC as part of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achivement Day. I have been a part of this project since I first started working in scientific research last year, and it’s been extremely exciting to start to see the data…

  • A Family Affair

    Rachel and I see one set of our respective parents and siblings nearly every weekend, so when Easter rolled around we decided to spend the Sunday with our nuclear family—that is, just the two of us. We went out to Giant Sunday morning and picked up a bunch of materials for an easy-but-nice Easter dinner, and…

  • The State of Maryland vs. pr0n

    Somehow I’ve found myself involved in the ongoing issue over screening adult films on University System of Maryland schools. There are a few good articles to read on the subject as it stands right now, but here’s a quick summary: College Park was going to screen an adult film in the student theater, but the…

  • Fire Study by Maria V. Synder

    This is a decent conclusion to an enjoyable series.

  • Ideological Whiskers

    Being a diverse campus, UMBC has its share of people who inhabit the rough-hewn edges of mainstream beliefs. These aret the people who say things that make non-sympathizers around them feel just a little bit uncomfortable. At my school there is a church who sends guys to stand in academic row with an easel and…

  • This Unfortunate Holiday

    I usually have a grand time on April Fools’ Day, checking out all of the pranks from my favorite sites like Google, Smashing Magazine, and Gizmodo. I can’t remember the last time somebody pulled one on me, but James McCauley just hit me with a great one. Context: James and I have been working over…

  • A Most Excellent Day

    Every so often events and my persepctive on life align in such a way that a truly wonderful experience is generated. Today was one of those times, and while there are still nearly eight hours left, I feel confident in saying that it’s been fantastic. Rachel took off from her Marriott job today in order…