iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 04/10/2026

Top deck 3rd base side is nicely in shade! Ready for NLDS game 2.

The view from Top Deck section 13 over Dodger Stadium towards the San Gabriel Mountains.

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 03/10/2026

Game 1 is an experiment with a blue margarita. So far it’s effective. It’s just replacing triple sec with blue curaçao, but it took a little tuning since the blue curaçao is a little more bitter.

Remnants of a scarily blue drink. It’s a margarita with blue curaçao, but man are blue drinks disturbing.

011

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 24/09/2026

Why do I get tickets for midweek concerts?

Lit up marquee saying Beck live at the Greek Theatre with glowing BF seats behind it.

110

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 19/09/2026

2026 JPL night at Dodger Stadium for the Dodgers-Giants game. And a very bright Hawaiian shirt.

Selfie with the beautiful wife at the JPL night at the Dodgers. Both wearing very bright JPL and Dodger-themed Hawaiian shirts

190

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 16/09/2026

While giving a talk at the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG) meeting today at Purdue University, I decided to do a dramatic reveal of putting on my hat of my (national champion) alma mater at the beginning of the talk.

190

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 15/09/2026

Does it mean something that I have the lucky 13th row all to myself?

An image of the view from my window seat showing no one in any of the other seats. Lots of space to spread out!

270

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 15/09/2026

This is a great product, and I love the topography of California.

Color relief map of the most varied relief state of the contiguous 48 states, i.e. California. it’s from the USGS, and it’s beautiful with purple-red Sierra and dark green Central Valley and desert valleys.

0120

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 07/09/2026

Vote #andalusite. I fight for these polymorphs every year like I did when I made this stupid edit a couple years ago when kyanite was the underdog in a late cup matchup (it lost).

2 year old stupid edit of Russel Crowe with a blue kyanite blade with the andalusite/sillimanite/andalusite phase diagram on his shield on top of a scene from gladiator.

0132

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 04/09/2026

Given how many places I’ve lived, I’m not surprised it didn’t get where I’m from (Indiana). At this point, though, I’ve lived in California about as long as I lived in the Midwest, so I guess it makes some sense. Florida also got a little red patch somehow, but New Jersey didn’t stick.

A map of the US with the brightest red in California, but red extending across to the Great Lakes region. The darkest blues are the Southeast and the Dakotas and the northeast. There’s a little red patch in Florida. The scale goes from Blue “Least like you” to red “Most like you”

210

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 02/09/2026

I arrange my window Legos from Mars to LEO assets to Apollo project items. How about you?

View out a JPL office window with a growing collection of Lego models including (from left to right) an InSight lander, the ISS, the Discovery Space Shuttle including the Hubble telescope in the payload bay, the Apollo 17 LRV, the Apollo 11 Lunar Lander, and the Saturn V rocket.

180

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 29/08/2026

It’s done! Here it is in both driving mode and launch configuration

Lego Apollo 17 LRV configured for driving with all the instrument packages attached.

Lego Apollo 17 LRV with instrument packages removed and in the folded launch configuration.

0110

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 28/08/2026

Looks just like mine. Amazing how little it looks like how it looks to my eyes.

Last attempt at taking a picture of the lunar eclipse. It still doesn’t look much like it really does.

120

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 28/08/2026

Kinda looks like a screaming face in this one.

Another attempt at taking a picture of the lunar eclipse. It looks a little like a face with a bright spot on top.

260

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 28/08/2026

iPhone doesn’t seem able to get a picture that really shows the eclipse.

Picture of an almost total lunar eclipse. You can’t really tell, though.

1100

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 23/08/2026

Up to about 2/3 of the way through the build with the bulk of the rover built and the front instrument package. Basically just the aft instrument package and various signs to go

Another process picture of the Apollo 17 LRV. This is how it looks after bag 8 of 12.

190

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 22/08/2026

Back to forward progress on the build. Now with seats and wheels!

A developing build of the Lego Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle. It has a full frame and wheels and seats and a little monitor. Don’t you just want to drive it around?

2132

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 20/08/2026

The stickers are here! The stickers are here!

Sticker sheets for a Lego set freshly arrived! They show various Apollo 17 labels and other things for the build.

060

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 19/08/2026

Just saw some great new images of the new crater on the Moon formed a couple weeks ago when a Falcon upper stage crashed in at a low angle. lroc.im-ldi.com/images/1499

1122

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 07/08/2026

Had to wait on my drive in to work yesterday for a peacock to cross the road. I don’t see them very often on the west side of Pasadena. They’re more of an East Pasadena/Arcadia phenomenon.

Peacock slowly strutting across the road just past a speed hump on the road.

160

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 04/08/2026

At the Greek for the Death Cab show and the opening band is Nation of Language. Apparently they appear to be a bunch of people less than 30 who are basically playing 80’s New Wave style music. Good, but it’s from before they were born!

A view of the stage at the Greek Theatre in LA. There’s a band visible kinda small, but they’re Nation of Language.

170

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 02/08/2026

My first order was automatically cancelled and I was worried that I couldn’t get them since the set is technically discontinued, but I called customer service and supposedly the order is placed!

Screen shot of a LEGO.com order with three sticker sheets marked as “In Warehouse”. Of course that warehouse is in Denmark, so I’ll be waiting a while.

111

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 01/08/2026

This build is fun. Done for the night, but fun mechanisms and watching the Dodgers take the lead on a Shohei home run is a good evening so far.

120

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 30/07/2026

The Apollo LRV build is underway. I don’t even know what this mechanism does, but it clicks back and forth and makes me happy.

050

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 29/07/2026

Birthday cocktails sounded good. But going to work at 7 am after birthday cocktails doesn’t work as well in my older body as it did in my younger body. But The Raymond does make good cocktails and they are conveniently within walking distance.

Zoom in on a coupe glass with a lemon peel garnish, with a dark amber cocktail called a Return Ticket.

390

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 27/07/2026

I’m doing bad at remembering to do this. Today I was thinking about how I was running through the remnants of the original Busch Gardens before it was an amusement park in the Valley and now in Tampa. Originally it was just fancy gardens of the Busch family open to the public.

Someone’s house that incorporated the Greek pergola from the old Busch Gardens Pasadena from the 1930’s. It’s now just a cool round feature of the house.

A stone wall along Arroyo Blvd that I believe is a remnant from the old Busch Gardens from the 1930’s. The yards below this all have remnant paths from the Gardens that are all disconnected by fences now.

100

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 19/07/2026

Two thoughts on today’s run: 1) had to cut short my portion of the run in the bottom of the arroyo thanks to a coyote laying across the path. Maybe not the best at sunset. 2) also running after a giant meal and cocktail at Amigos was a bad idea unless I really wanted terrible heartburn.

View from La Loma bridge to the north just past sunset. The lights of the Colorado St Bridge are peeking through the trees and the sky is a nice peachy color.

221

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 17/07/2026

Thaddeus is 2 years old today. And appparently tolerant of my wife making him wear a hat.

Thaddeus the little dog looking dapper in a blue party hat and blue Dodger bandana

1100

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 13/07/2026

Forgot to write down my thoughts after today’s run, but I’ll just say that I love running in the Arroyo.

Running along a nature trail with the Colorado Street Bridge overhead. It’s pretty, trust me.

0120

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 09/07/2026

Came to a Dodgers game all by myself on a Shohei “greatest game” bobblehead night. Sitting in the top row of top deck which is actually pretty sweet since it gets shade. Had to get this bobblehead since I actually went to game 4 of the NLCS last year and it was pretty goddamn amazing.

Shohei greatest game bobblehead showing him pitching.

The view from the top row of the top deck where I’ll be watching another Dodgers game.

030

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 04/07/2026

Apropos of this, I am about to see the Beach Boys and John Stamos at the Hollywood Bowl. Or maybe it’s just Beach Boy, because I think it’s just Mike Love at this point.

A view from seats at the Hollywood Bowl before a concert. It’s a pretty stadium and you can just see the Hollywood sign above and to the left of the stage.

220

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 28/06/2026

At Griffith Park to see Coriolanus, a Shakespeare play that I’m not 100% certain I had ever heard of before, and it’s Pride night. Love my #IndieShakes.

A view of the crowd at Griffith Park above the old zoo for a performance in the opening weekend of Coriolanus.

080

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 28/06/2026

All I need is the trickle along the algae going down the concrete channel of the Arroyo Seco.

A view of the south Arroyo Seco in Pasadena looking towards the La Loma Bridge with a mighty trickle running down the center of the concrete channel.

220

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 27/06/2026

So despite being an Indiana native, I believe I have watched only one Fever game in my life. So I know nothing of context here, but for one day the internet has convinced me to be a fan of Sophie Cunningham simply for her commitment to the bit.

Screen grab of Sophie Cunningham pointing at someone during an Indiana Fever game.

330

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 21/06/2026

My daughter bought me a beer and also got me a Father’s Day coozie. It’s a good life.

My daughter posing with me pointing at the coozie that says #1 Dad around my Stone Delicious IPA gluten-reduced beer. She’s actually old enough to buy me a beer.

060

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 21/06/2026

You can see the warehouse fire plume from Dodger Stadium. Pretty smoky here too, but I got my daughters here for a Fathers Day game, so I’ll brave the structure fire metal-ridden smoke.

A view of the warehouse fire in Boyle Heights from the top deck at Dodgers Stadium. Lots of smoke in the air and a plume of white smoke coming out in the distance past the palm trees and parked cars.

120

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 14/06/2026

Did a sunset hike along a fire road off the 2 last night (we call it the quarantine trail because it’s the highest one you could get to when they closed it down in 2020). The yucca (or flashy, giant asparagus as I like to think of them) are going full force.

Selfie with the wife and my big noggin blocking the sun while on a hike.

Sunset viewed from a trail in the San Gabriel Mountains.

It’s a blooming yucca. It’s glowing in low-angle sun and surrounded by San Gabriel Mountain scenic scrub.

View of a ridgeline with lens flares along left edge of image and glowing yucca blooms all along the ridgeline.

060

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 30/05/2026

How many non-closer bullpen pitchers get bobbleheads? I 💙 Alex Vesia and all of his energy drink addiction.

A picture of Alex Vesia with Dodger Stadium filed out of focus in the background.

Side view of the bobblehead box proving that the ridiculous face on the bobblehead is actually accurate.

020

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 11/05/2026

Here’s some more pretty pictures from a nice Mother’s Day in the Cayucos and Morro Bay Area of the central coast.

Nice tilted sedimentary (chert?) beds at Montaña de Oro state park along the central coast of California. Waves are splashing on to the rocks.

It’s a tree covered in some sort of epiphyte in the marine layer fog on a trail called Harmony Headlands along the central coast of California.

A shipwreck near Cayucos, California accessible at low tide.

Rabbit watching me from the trail ahead at Harmony Headlands Trail near Cayucos, California accessible

070

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 09/05/2026

Back to the central coast again. I’m going to miss having an excuse to come up here after the daughters graduate.

A view along a beach looking back to Morro Rock.

1140

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 08/05/2026

A little bit odd for a kid in the 80’s, but god I loved this tape (the pic is the cover of the Beatles 1967-1970 greatest hits album).

The cover of the greatest hits album from The Beatles called The Beatles 1967-1970. The cover was a repeat of the original album cover of Please Please Me but with older, hairier Beatles.

030

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 06/05/2026

Looks like a lot of dachshund and chihuahua to me. Reminds me a little of my little guy who’s half chihuahua and half every other small dog breed known to man.

Thaddeus the puppy showing off standing on his hind legs while wearing a ridiculous bow tie.

240

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 03/05/2026

Playing this at my friend David Haven’s house was the coolest. Despite now having lived over a third of my life in California, it’s still the closest I’ve come to surfing.

Wonderful graphics on late 80’s video game California Games

021

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 01/05/2026

So I forgot to check the website on time one morning for jury duty, but I checked it later that day and I wasn’t required to appear. And then I get this when I check to see if I need to come in. This has me seething. I didn’t even need to show up and they’re still saying I haven’t completed!

A text window screen shotted from a website saying:

Call Juror Services.
Service Week: April 27, 2026
Our records indicate that you have not checked your reporting instructions every day during your service week as instructed. As a result, your jury service is not complete.

010

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 26/04/2026

Apparently there are even traffic jams on the Dodger Stadium warning track.

Looking down from the Top Deck at Dodger Stadium, where a bunch of little leaguers and their families are walking the warning track around the diamond before a day game between the Cubs and Dodgers.

000

Mark Panning @markpanning.seismology.space · 24/04/2026

I wonder how many people have a valid Erdős-Bacon number? Apparently I have an Erdős number of 4, but no valid Bacon number with no film credits to my name.

Output of a search for my path to Paul Erdős on csauthors.net showing a distance of 4 linked through Wen-Zhang Song, Peng-Jun Wan, Ronald L. Graham.

7140