What is Eclectic Echoes?
Good question.
Eclectic
When I first told a few people the name of my site (“back in the day” before “blogs” were common) I had more than one person reply to me that “Eclectic” was an insulting term, a person who can’t make up their mind or flip flops all the time.
Well, that certainly didn’t jive with my interpretation of the word…so just to make sure I consulted THE source.
According to OED Eclectic can mean:
- …those who combine elements derived from diverse systems of opinion or practice in any science or art.
- More vaguely: That borrows or is borrowed from diverse sources. Also, of persons or personal attributes: Unfettered by narrow system in matters of opinion or practice; broad, not exclusive, in matters of taste.
That’s pretty much what I thought. Unfettered, broad tastes, wide range of influences, combines elements from diverse source… yeah I like that, and it fits…or at least I think it does. I think if you look through the archives you will agree my interests are extremely eclectic.
Echoes
I worked for a time in radio and satellite communications, so while the word echoes may have a more auditory meaning to most people, to me it is more a pure signal (EM waves) construct. Two of OED’s definitions bear out my interpretation:
- A radio wave which has been reflected or otherwise returned with sufficient magnitude and delay to be perceived as a wave distinct from that transmitted (see also quot. 1941). Also attrib. and fig.
- A radar wave which has been reflected from an object; also, the representation of it on a radar screen.
Often, like other informal blog authors, I use this blog to get my thoughts and ideas out, to see where they are and often to track their progress and evolution rover time or through events. Blips on the radar…
so there you have it..that is the rationale behind the site, its organization and its name
Chaos
The subtitle is our little formula for fun and also our formula for frustration.
Both Tammy and I enjoy Science, doing it, reading about it and talking about it. Naturally enough so does Johann. Johann especially love physics and zoology. Of course I am back to school for my B.Sc. in Marine Sciences (and hopefully at least an M.Sc. as well).
Art refers to our similar love of art – painting, fabric design, typography, music, poetry etc…
Knitting, well, Tammy knits us all winter socks, gloves and sweaters annually. In addition she sells some of her knitwear through local stores (not so much anymore) and on ETSY. She always has at least two projects going so she can switch between them as she gets bored with one or the other. Fabric and yarn, both in their unmanipulated and manipulated forms are simply part of the color and pattern of this house.
Photography. What can I say, except that I love photography and one day hope to be as goo as it as my father who is a professional wildlife photographer. Like hime my favorite subject to photograph is wildlife, be it microscopic or the charismatic megafauna.
Parenting. You know everything does change when you have a kid around. Usually for the better, sometimes for the worse. Good and bad, we try and teach Johann the values and ideals we hold dearest, while not passing down our hangups and foibles. Lots of mistakes, a few tears and shouts, but mostly laughter and fun so far.
Chaos… As Sam from Paleoentemology an Insect Evolution pointed out, OED defines chaos as “complete disorder and confusion” and that is sometimes what it feels like, but it sure a fun ride!
The Choatic Cast of Characters
But until I get around to writing about the cast…
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