...
> > The sheer vastness of the cosmos does help us put our lives in perspective, doesn't it? I feel quite small and fragile, on a small, fragile world when I think about all that's out there.
> > Iss

Well, since we're about it:
If you reduce the Earth to a globe 40 inches / 100 cm in diameter, Mt Everest is only as tall as a speck of sand. And the deepest point (in the Pacific) is just a scratch. On this scale, the air and water spheres are mere films.

> For my part, I'm reminded of the Monty Python song -
...
> In an outer spiral arm, at forty thousand miles an hour
> Of the galaxy we call the Milky Way
>
> Everyone join in for the second verse...
>
> en"ter in single f"ile...

Yeah, I checked:
The sun's orbital motion is rather more complex than I thought. Both numbers 500,000 and 40,000 are correct at the same time.

Thanks for the Galaxy Song tip, enile.
And for a complete change of pace, try the link below. Your patience will rewarded, I assure you.
Take care now, you all hear?
sm