I've only had a few free minutes between extended work hours and watching the Olympics on TV. After all, I only get to see ski jumping once every four years, right? Does anyone really do that other than Northern European daredevils? It sure looks good, though, especially the brilliant superhero suits the guys wear. Now that Marvel Comics has succumbed to hip-hop and manga, someone else has to look graceful and beautiful in spandex. But what was I saying? The leaping and twirling skaters have grabbed my attention so I haven't done much of what is really important, namely physics.

When I do work on it, I find skiers and ski jumpers in my physics problems. This is pleasantly appropriate. I am not working from Schaum's right now, but from my favorite physics website, The Physics Classroom. The specific problem set I've been working on is at this page which I use both as a paper printout and online. The site uses both diagrams and animations to illustrate the conservation of energy. It is simpler than Schaum's, but the explanations and problems ultimately teach the same thing.

I have just finished going through the problems in the Physics Classroom work/energy section. I will do some of their more difficult equivalents in Schaum's work/energy chapter, and then proceed on to something different. I am also working on page 37 of my graphic novel, which depicts psychomagical special effects, and preparing to start a large commissioned piece which should occupy me through March and April. As the days get longer, with more sunlight, I am less depressed and more willing to do work. Unfortunately, my energy has not been conserved over the winter; it needs to be replenished by an external source.

Posted at 3:15 am | link