Give Me a Second

If you’ve made this request at some point in your life the International Earth Rotation and Reference System Service (IERS) is granting your request.

At 6:59:60 PM on December 31, 2008 the IERS will add another second to time.

REASON
The second is the base unit for modern time keeping. The second was previously defined based on the Earth’s rotation, but because modern atomic clocks are more accurate than the Earth’s rotation the definition was changed in 1967. A second is currently defined as being the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods/oscillations of radiation from a Cesium-133 atom at the ground state.

The Earth is rotating slower and slower over time, while the atomic clocks are not slowing down. On one average day the difference is around 0.002 seconds, which means around 1 second in 500 days. In order to synchronize the atomic clocks with the Earth’s observed rotation, the atomic clocks are occasionally instructed to add an extra second – the leap second. Leap seconds are inserted so that the difference between the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) and UT1 (mean solar time – observed Earth rotation) is kept below 0.9 seconds.

The leap second is added in the end of June or December. It is also possible to have a negative leap second, where one second is removed, in a case where the Earth is rotating faster, but such a negative second has never been used, and is rather unlikely to be used in the future.

RESPONSE
I’ve always wondered what it is like to be God. I thought controlling time was a power only administered by God, I guess not according to the IERS.

Well at least we have an extra second to enjoy the monumental year of 2008.

Happy New Years.

Additional References & Inspiration Source:

International Earth Rotation & Reference Systems Service – (Official Website)

International Atomic Time – (Official Website)

Time & Date “December 2008 Leap Second”

An Overactive Mind: Part 3

Thought #2 — This really sets into motion the need for all of the things that followed. If you really want to get down and dirty to why it appears that some Black people have a heighten sense of discrimination, unequal treatment or even mistrust, you can look to 1862 as a benchmark. Slavery is absolutely apart of it, but the journey to the White House didn’t begin on February 10, 2007 in Springfield, Illinois, it began long before that.

An understanding of this and other events before and after the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s & 60’s may be enough to put into context the jubilation you saw on election day not only in America, not only with Obama supporters of all races and not only with Black people.

I think this is important to include. Historically and symbolically the election of Barack Obama was a fulfillment of a promise and a reality of a dream. What you will see on inauguration of Barack Obama, as President will be more than what it appears on the surface to some. It’s not about Barack Obama. You have heard him say that. Barack is a representative, a benchmark of sort of a larger struggle within Black America and the American society as a whole. It’s bigger than any one person.

Regardless of what he does, to paraphrase a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Barack Obama does not belong to Black people, he belong to the ages. The struggles of yesterday are now the fights of today in hope for a better tomorrow. So all the people who got upset with me throughout this year this is just a touch of what I mean by when I told you that you’re missing the point or you’re uninformed. I was speaking beyond the surface of the moment, but towards the magnitude of the meaning of it all.

Thought #3 — What Barack did was take a different approach, an approach that wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the actions of Americans of all races, religions and creeds.

If it wasn’t for the actions of President Lincoln, Frederick Douglas, W.E.B. DuBois, Dred Scott, Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King, President Kennedy, President Lyndon Johnson, Rosa Parks, Dr. Vernon Johns, Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy, Robert Kennedy, Rep. Shirley Chisholm, Rep. Barbara Jordan, Jesse Jackson and thousands of other unnamed people 2008 would have been the year of the Same and not a year of Change.

Barack is a student of history when you think about it. He understood the message these people were essentially trying to convey, the American Dream.

Thought #4 – The American Dream is a continual quest for freedom, equality and justice for all. The substance of the dream is expressed in the profound words of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. It is expressed the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s expressed in the Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. The Board of Education in Topeka, KS. Women demanding equal rights expressed it on the protest outside of the White House. It was expressed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial August 28, 1963. It was expressed by thousands of Anti-Immigration Protesters marching in the streets around the country demanding justice. It was recently expressed in the voting booth on November 4, 2008. It is expressed everyday by people like yourself.

Thoughts #5 — Change is not instantaneous. Change takes more than a coalition of Blacks, but a collaboration of Whites, the cooperation of Latinos the inclusion of Gays & Lesbians the support of Asians, the participation of Jews and the acceptance of Muslims to make good on the promises of America. The proclamation is the emancipation of us all. Out of many came one. In 2008 it was Barack Obama on the surface, but in essence it was all of us. Those who supported him and those who scorn him. We are the dream that makes up America as unperfected as we are, we must always keep in mind the ultimate purpose of America.

Thoughts #6 — I need to conclude here. I apologize for my tangents. It’s like I start out with one thing and 5 other things partially related just flows out of my mind onto the page. I really am trying to focus more, but I wanted to share so many things that I find significance about this year its difficult to summarize.

So I will do spin the bottle again back around to the original topic, Watch Night. LOL. Now that was a journey of thought. I hope I didn’t lose too many of you. If so, just read it in bits.

Watch Night – December 31, 2008 is like its historical counterpart of this day in 1862, but today we share the great anticipation of the emancipation of tomorrow. January 1, 2009 will be the beginning of a new year and new possibilities.

Thank you 2008 and welcome 2009.

These are my thoughts, ideas and suggestions,

Tim Valentine

An Overactive Mind: Part 2

Thoughts #1 — Many people celebrate New Year’s Eve differently. Some attend special parties, so hit the bars, some stay at home, some spend time with family and friends, some unfortunate enough have to work and others like myself attend a church service that’s referred to as Watch Night Service.

Now this is where the questions will begin for some, Church? Why do you go to church on New Years Eve? In fact I was asked that very question last week by a co-worker. I can’t express how I enjoyed the silence in my office when the question came around to my New Years Eve plans. Priceless.

Watch Night Service is not just something that my particular church does, but many majority Black Christian churches conduct Watch Night Services. The tradition dates back to 1862 in America.

In September of 1862 President Abraham Lincoln promised to sign what is know as the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. I would love to go into detail about this, but if you go back to the blog post published on June 19th called “We The People: My Celebration of Juneteenth” you would find some good references of the history and more explanation of the relationship of the importance of this document.

Watch Night – December 31, 1862 was a day of great anticipation for the American Black, because of a promise. Of course many were skeptic of the actuality of this promise, because Blacks have been lied to before and during the inception of this country, a betrayal that has been passed down through the generations. When the founding fathers of this country wrote the words of the Declaration of Independence, “We The People”, we (referring to Black people) were not included. In fact women were not included either. So you can begin to understand why many people were skeptical of this promise of freedom.

Weeks after the promise was made came opposition and fear. Fear that the slaves would kill their oppressors, so the White House said that the President wouldn’t sign the proclamation. Now comes the beginning of the making of Watch Night. So those who were in bondage worked prayed and watched the clock on this day waiting for the clock to strike midnight.

Although Lincoln was the President of the United States and the Confederacy had lost the Civil War to the Union, Mr. Lincoln really didn’t have much political influence of the south to enforce this “New Deal”. Once again America has defaulted on its promissory note, a check that was marked null and void.

Now students and enthusiast of history may notice the language I used ranged from a reference to FDR and King. The Emancipation Proclamation can be boring, but the connection of the examples of yesterday and promise of tomorrow are determined by the actions of today. So I apologize if I’m what my sister says, “Geeking Out” on you, but if you don’t know your past you’ll make the same mistakes in the future.

Now some of you will say that the slaves were free and Lincoln did sign the Emancipation Proclamation. That is correct he did sign it, but this is where the connection of Juneteenth comes into play. In order to conserve time I invite you to read the post on 06/19/08 this really provides more historical detail and explanation. It’s like the second half of the Emancipation Proclamation story.

*** PLEASE COME BACK TOMORROW FOR PART 3 ***

An Overactive Mind: Part 1

Preface — By the end of this one you will see why I titled this “An Overactive Mind”. This is my last post of the year, so I decided to just let my mind wonder a bit and reflect over the year. I’ve inserted this text after completing my thought and have decided to break this up into 3 sections because it’s way too much for one blog post. All three post will appear at the same time everyday. I wish you all well and hope to hear from you next year. If you like this blog please share it with others. I enjoy hearing what you have to say and think.

Reflection – 2008 has been a year of change for me. I use the word change for obvious reasons, but not limited to political change. It’s been a change for me personally. At the beginning of the year the only thing I knew is that I had to make great strides towards change in my life on virtually every area.

It was in January I revived this blog and gave it a title, “Thoughts, Ideas & Suggestions”. After looking back I had quite a few thoughts, ideas and suggestions.

Throughout the year some have expressed their disagreement with me on various issues, mostly political. Initially I would get irritated with them, but over time irritation became an indicator of sort.

What I’ve found more important are the supportive, considerate, positive, generous, inspiring and encouraging comments and suggestions I received. Those exceedingly out weight the negative, uninformed or on occasion derogatory comments I receive.

Some may not put much value into this, but I certainly do appreciate the select group of online friends I’ve had the opportunity to communicate with throughout this year. To those individuals I thank you again.

*** PLEASE COME BACK TOMORROW FOR PART 2 ***

Better Than I Was Last Year

2008 has been a year of evaluation, challenge and faith. The decision to use this blog as an avenue to express and document some of my thoughts, ideas and suggestions (thus the name of the blog) turned out to be a good decision.

In February of this year (2008), I began this post you’re reading now, but decided not to publish it until the end of the year. Boy I’m glad that I did. WHAT A YEAR! I believe I can add another category into my relationships, online friends. I have had more insightful, creative, intriguing, inspiring, funny and encouraging conversations from a very small group of individuals, whom I have never met, than people I see all the time. To have the rare and wonderful opportunity to have a conversation with who often lives hundreds and even thousands of miles away from you is something that couldn’t easily happen a few years ago.

For that small group of people, I thank you. I don’t think I need to give names, but they come from all walks of life, experiences, perspectives and opinions. Most live in the U.S., but I’m always delighted to hear from that wonderful lady across the pond too. I believe you know who you are and I just want to thank you for reading and being apart of the molding of my thoughts, ideas and suggestions. Some may view that as a compliment others may start screaming, “WHAT HAVE I DONE, I’VE CREATED A MONSTER!” Either way it’s been fun and look forward to more.

Now that I’ve said that, let me begin. Don’t worry it’s not that long.

This time last year I was working for a very large health care provider. I absolutely hated this place for a variety of reasons. On Thursday, January, 31^st I was basically given notice that my time with this company is limited. Initially I wanted to get upset, but it was a relief. I wasn’t going to be respected and I have a problem working with people who know everything, but always asking you how to do something technically. Then question your expertise after you solve the problem and deny that you helped them.

Anyway, as I was sitting there a spirit of calmness came over me. I wanted to get mad. I have a mortgage, car payment and a list of other things to pay for. It’s hard enough to find a job and you’re getting rid of me. But the only word that spirit gave me was, “Remember! There’s no need to fear. You just need to walk by faith and not by sight.” It was then I could see the worry on my manager’s face and hear it in her voice. Although I think she’s a fake and a sneak and never bought into the “Look at me, I’m a Christian routine” she tried to play with me. Be who you are with me, don’t act a certain way towards me because of your perceptions. I’m not some stereotypical christian than blindly follows without question and you shouldn’t be one either. You gotta be true to yourself before you can be true to anyone else. (You see I need a pull-up man or woman. Because I’m not trying to go there this time.) Anyway,  strangely enough found myself offering her comforting words.

So, what do I do now? My time is very limited and bills will still be due. I have responsibilities. And God Knows that the Last Thing Wanna Do Is To Go Home And Tell A Black Woman I Lost My Job. You know what? I would want to go home and tell any color woman that, because the reaction is the same.  Wouldn’t that be just typical, a Black man losing his job.   I rather be televised slow dancing with Dick Cheney under the moonlight in a pink pinstripped prom dress from 1984 than do that. (That would not be a pretty sight for anyone to see.)

Well my only answer is that I have to be encouraged, resist the spirit of fear and to walk by faith and not by sight. I don’t know what the future holds for me. I knew that I may have some difficult days ahead, but I couldn’t worry about that now. I had too much to do.

I later found out that she was lying, but that’s another story. I was leaving the bottomless pit of despair you call a healthcare giant and go where I’m wanted and appreciated. So in this difficult job environment I left a job and walked by faith and not by sight. Exactly three (3) days later I get a phone call out of the blue. It’s some company calling me about a position I applied for. I don’t remember, but I’m in the market.

What’s interesting is that it took 3 days, but I’m not going to analyze that one.

Long story short after 3 interviews I was working again and all my bills were paid on time. Now I could use some church musicians right there, but I digress. 

Let’s continue…

I was making four thousand less, had bills to pay and a family to provide for, guess what happens. Somehow  I was able to pay off four debts.. So how do you do that, when you’re making $4000 less? I think some already know my answer to that. I’ll just keep on walking through my story.

I want you to understand that I’m not where I want to be, but I’m much better off than where I was a year ago. I have a job that respects and appreciates my willingness to try to simplify how they work. I’ve had some wonderful conversations and hope that I have in some way encouraged, enlighten, persuade, challenge, made some mad and change your perceptions with the occasional laugh or smile. I know I made some people mad, but everyone will not like my thoughts, ideas & suggestions.

Merry Christmas.

PS: Let me know if you’re ever in Nashville.

Race in the 2008 Election & Beyond

Here’s something for you to chew on this weekend. This may give some a brief peak to things that I find very interesting. I was visiting the site of Melissa Harris-Lacewell when I found this clip. I invite you to watch the other video when you have time, but I’m sure I will reference it at some point in the future.

This is a brief clip regarding Race in the 2008 election and beyond. I hope you enjoy. If not, I hope to see you back here Monday.