I took the extra day on my Orlando trip to go to Epcot Center, part of Walt Disney World. I had an amazingly good time, even though I was alone. The rides were amusing and I was also impressed by the "magic" of it, they clearly work hard to keep reality from intruding on their fantasy constructs. The world showcase was interesting, but the food was disappointing. I did eat at the cheaper places, but it ranged from bland to bad. The highlight was the chocolate crepe from "France". Oh and I got to ride the monorail. I don't know why, but I am slightly obsessed with monorails and have always joked that if I ever have tons of money to donate anywhere, one of the stipulations would be a monorail system. Monorail! Monorail! Monorail!

I am Orlando, FL for a conference. I am staying by the intersection of International Drive and Sand Lake Rd. I am surprised what this area is like. I can in at night and the glow of the lights was bright. There is the Las Vegas touch with neon. When the McDonald's has neon in its sign, you know it is a serious competition. And there are just lots of random hotels/shopping/entertainment destinations vying for attention with themes and/or silly buildings. And there seems to almost every chain restaurant I can think of within a few miles. Plus junky souvenir shops. It's all very random.

I read in Wired Magazine about amateurs tracking spy satellites. It was fascinating that the orbits of the major spy satellites are well established. I liked the detailed tracking on the recommended site, Heavens Above. The U.S. government supposedly has a new stealth satellite that reflects less. What particularly struck me was that one of the trackers thinks that the satellites purposely avoid the locations of known amateur satellite trackers. I guess it just reinforces one of my favorite paranoia adages, "Just because you think they are out to get you, doesn't mean that they aren't really out to get you."