Today, we may have seen the most impressive engineering feat ever.

Ever heard of Biosphere 2?

Seems like most people haven't. But it's really awesome (Yes, I said "awesome").

This place was built back in the mid- to late-80s as an attempt to find out whether life as we know it on earth could be sustained inside of a sealed, glass building someplace on another planet or maybe even on the moon. These people thought of just about everything when they designed and built Biosphere 2 (Biosphere 1 is Earth, according to the landmark).

Inside the 3-acre building, which is made up of steel, glass and concrete, with a 1/8-inch stainless steel barrier between the raw earth and the concrete floors of the basement in the place, is 1) a South American rain forest; 2) a Savannah; 3) a mini ocean (holding a million gallons of water taken from the Pacific Ocean near San Diego); 4) a Florida Everglades marsh; and 5) a Baja California desert. The engineers and scientists who designed and developed the place included everything from the real vegetation from each of the ecosystems all the way down to the animals and insects (and all the other species) that needed to be included.

The goal of the thing was to make sure that all of the people, plants and other living organisms could survive, mostly self-sustained (along with the supplies they were given in the beginning of the experiment), in a sealed environment.

I won't go into anymore huge depth, but there are several websites about it out there. A few of them, include the following, which are pretty awesome:

http://www.bio2.com
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/business/55319.php
http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/apr/stories/bios2.html
http://www.biospheres.com

Two other awesome things happened today, and they're both good!

While we were out to drinks with my friend Jeff Paulson and his girlfriend Wailani (I hope I'm spelling that right) on Thursday night, we talked a lot about changing our plans for Lake Havasu City so that we'd be there through February, and then come back here to Mesa for March . . . so we could be here for the World Baseball Classic, and for Spring Training. But it had another side, too. This way, we'd be in Havasu for the big street festival they have every February, which we really want to go to, AND so we would miss the big Spring Break crowd that Havasu apparantly gets every year. Anyway, we DID change the plans, which is awesome. So, Mick and Ligaya, whenever you guys make your plans to come down for Spring Training, we'll be here in town! Looking forward to seeing you guys again.

The other awesome thing that happened today, is that I found out I'll be one of the staff in media relations for the World Baseball Classic this spring (March 4-10, to be exact). This World Baseball Classic is pretty cool because it's a tournament of all the best players from respective countries around the world to determine which country truly is the best in baseball. The USA team is pretty impressive, with future Hall of Famers like Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter and Roger Clemens on the roster. Thanks to Emmy who talked to her friend Blake, who works with the San Francisco Giants, for this opportunity. It truly was a case of "Hey, a friend of a friend of mine . . . "

Before we went out with friends last night, we went to our first women's basketball game at Arizona State. It was awesome . . . after having the lead most of the game, ASU had to come from behind, and barely won, beating Oregon by one point, at the buzzer. It was exciting enough that we're going to go back tomorrow to see the Sun Devils play Oregon State. I still have a soft spot in my heart for women's basketball.

Lastly, to be fair, I should say that for the last two months, we've been making my mom envious of all the nice weather and the relaxation that we've been able to experience. But tonight, she started telling me the websites to look at to see her upcoming vacation. She's going to a spa and resort in Mexico. The temps there this time of year are about the same as they are here . . . but she's going to be at a spa! Have fun mom, and be safe!