Oh Boy!

Christmas is coming... and gift giving and seeing friends and blah, blah, blah, blah...

Come on January!!

Silver, A Haiku

What is this Silver?
A lining on a dark cloud,
or pocket lining?




Silver Christmas Tree
Nostalgic beyond belief
Its'n my living room...

I only thought...

I guess I fooled myself into thinking the funeral was closure. My sisters and I have been cleaning out Mom's house. Everything we touch brings back memories... stirs emotions... and causes tears to flow. I'm not sure at this time if closure is a reality. I've always heard losing someone is something you never get over, but must learn to live with... if that's the case, closure is a fantasy...

Closure

Mom's funeral was Saturday.

There's Iron in Your Words of Life... and Death...

Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't.

I've lived a blessed life. No, I am not rich... I am not famous... I just am. I am blessed to have a mother that cared and taught me how to survive in the real world. I could read, write (in cursive), solve basic mathematical problems, sew, wash clothes and cook before I ever stepped foot into a classroom. My mom made sure I could/would survive by teaching me those basic skills. She taught me that there is no problem that can't be solved; no problem that can't be learned from. I am forever grateful to her for that.

She also allowed me to pursue my love of music at a young age. With my baby sister a new born, in the next room, mom allowed my teenage band to practice in the living room. She also never paid for anything musical...  "If you want it, work for it." Another valuable lesson.

As a child, I dreamed that I would die in the month of September after I turned 59. I've been fearfully anticipating that upcoming event. We are in that month and year. The dream stayed with me all of my life. However, I now know that it wasn't about me. Thursday morning a piece of me died. Thursday morning, Mom's mission on earth ended peacefully and quietly. The dream wasn't about me, it was about my mom.

I love you Mom... and thank you for everything.

Rest well Mom.......

Let This Soak Your Brain...

“Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.”

"Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't."

"A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed, it feels an impulsion... this is the place to go now.
But the sky knows the reason and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons."

Richard Bach
Illusions : The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

Relativity

No... I'm not going to blog about my relatives.... there is not enough time in the day, enough days in the week, enough weeks in the year... enough years left in my life, to waste spend talking about my family.... I am NOT referring to my wife or my in laws... so STFU!

No... this is about where we live. People that live in the mountains deal with mud slides, land slides... on the west coast, basically the same, with the addition of earth quakes... up north, miserably cold weather and snow bound half of the year...
But the south... we have Hurricanes. I hate hurricanes... The only good thing about a hurricane is, you have plenty of notice that it's planning to drop 3 feet of water on your yard in 5 hours, or it plans on uprooting every tree within falling distance of the house. You don''t know which one it's going to do, or if it plans on doing both, but at least you know it's coming.

Meet Irene...
Irene is currently a Category 2 hurricane, which means it has sustained winds of 100MPH or greater, with gusts up to 110MPH... or greater...

Here is Irene's projected path...

At 2:00 PM Friday, it will be due east of where I live and predicted to be a Category 3 hurricane.. A cat 3 is, according to the The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, well hell... here's the abridged version of the SSHWS:
Category One Hurricane: Sustained winds 74-95 mph, 64-82 kt, or 119-153 km/hr).
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage
Category Two Hurricane Sustained winds 96-110 mph, 83-95 kt, or 154-177 km/hr).
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage
Category Three Hurricane Sustained winds 111-130 mph, 96-113 kt, or 178-209 km/hr).
Devastating damage will occur
Category Four Hurricane Sustained winds 131-155 mph, 114-135 kt, or 210-249 km/hr).
Catastrophic damage will occur
Category Five Hurricane Sustained winds greater than 155 mph, greater than 135 kt, or greater than 249 km/hr).
Catastrophic damage will occur
Ok... now... the difference between "Devastating damage" and "Catastrophic damage" is pretty much a moot point. To me it would be like the difference between zero degrees and 20 below... at some point, it's just F-ing cold... same with a hurricane, and some point, it's just F-ing dangerous.

So now the question is, "How far east will it be??

Your guess is as good as mine... I just hope the weather man is a better guesser that I am...

FYI...
Words often heard this time of year in the South...

HUNKER DOWN!!!

Ever Wonder....

Have you ever wondered why A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, G, and H are the Letters used to define bra sizes, but couldn't figure out what the letters stood for.

I think I have this riddle solved, or at least my interpretation:
(A) Almost visible.
(B) Barely there.
(C) Can't Complain!
(D) Damn!
(DD) Double Damn!
(E) Enormous!
(F) Fake.
(G) Get a Reduction.
(H) Help me, I've fallen and I can't get up!

Season of the Witch

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: Emily has lost it's umph. Looks like she is just going to be a typical summer rain. But keep an eye on her anyway... just in case!!

UPDATE: Looks like Emily might swerve out to sea, or at least enough to do minimal damage...

Let me introduce you to Emily... she has recently moved into the neighborhood.

Stuff

Starting a new diet routine... watched a video where this guy lost 75lbs, just by juicing... not the steroid type juicing, I mean pulverized veggies and fruit.

Hopefully, when I'm done, I'll be half the man I used to be!!

Back to Work

You know.... you'd think that someone would pick up the slack while you were away on company business.
But NOOOOO.... my world stood perfectly still whilst I was away... well, not completely still. I was able to remotely log on to my computer at work, at night after the training classes, whilst others were sitting down at the bar, enjoying adult beverages and each others company.

I became intimate with my company issued laptop and the hotel login screen.

I really know how to party... eh?

Gone for a Week

I only went to Atlanta... for training for the company I work for. I learned things I never wanted to learn, but learn them I did. It will look good on my review for next year if nothing else.

While I was gone, the Space shuttle separated from the International Space Station (ISS), for the very last time. It left orbit after a day and landed back at not only it's former home, but it's future home, as it will be on display at the Kennedy Space Center after it has been stripped of anything technical (secret stuff). After that, it will be placed on a static display, where it will most likely be climbed all over by kids with sticky fingers, re-hydrated, dehydrated ice cream will be dripped all over it, chewing gum stuck on the floor, bird shit all over the windows.... not a fitting end for a great Space Ship.

Hopefully they will put it in a building, where it can be preserved and studied by future Astronauts.

OK NASA... you're up.

What is the new amazing piece of space hardware that will woo the crowd and once again leave them breathlessly awestruck?

Who knows, but what would really impress me would be this. Go back to the moon NASA. I think there's stuff there to be discovered. While you're there, how about building a space ship factory, that could launch rockets from the moon on a sled.... it might not cost 600 billion dollars for every launch...

Now THAT would impress me...

Blogger Etiquette

Blogger is like Las Vegas....

1. What's posted in blogger, stays in blogger.
2. Comments are where any opinion should be placed. If you're not going to comment on the blog, then why bother reading it.
3. What's posted in blogger, stays in blogger.

If you have any questions concerning this...

LEAVE A COMMENT!!!

A Part of Me Died

Yesterday at approximately 11:27 am, a part of me died, and in a few days, I will lose a friend. Yesterday marked the end of an era. An era that as Americans and humans, we should be very proud. STS-135, and the Space Shuttle Atlantis left for the International Space Station on its 33rd and final trip to orbit, and ended a 30 year program, producing technology that has changed the world, and brought us flying high into the 21st century.

On the morning of April 12, 1981, Robert Crippen and John Young piloted the Columbia into the next century on STS-1. I was very fortunate to have been there for the first launch. I couldn't help but be there for the final launch. I could go on and on, but watch the video below.

The Closeout Crew sends its farewell and thanks after helping the final space shuttle crew into their seats before liftoff.

Guys, I couldn't have said it better. God Speed Atlantis... return home safely.

Newest Bucket List Item

Beer In Space!!!

Random Crap

Pocket Change Definition:
1. When politicians take money from YOUR pocket, and put it in theirs.

The grass is never truly greener on the other side... unless you are a horse.

According to Jack Bauer, there are only 2 options to save the world;
mastering the art of whispering and yelling at the same time, at someone who knows where the bomb is, or getting shot in the kneecap. You can tell how much Jack Bauer likes you by how far above your kneecap he shoots you.

Jack Bauer could get off the Lost island in 24 hours.

I hate snakes. I shoot first, and determine later if it's poisonous. Of course, with their head blown to smithereens, it pretty much becomes a moot point.

People get stuck in their comfort zone.
Life begins OUTSIDE of your comfort zone.
Dumb Masses...

Some days, I think about giving up country living and moving into an apartment, so when things break, I could just call a maintenance man. Then I stop and think about what it was like when I used to live in an apartment...
Pass me the pipe wrench, I have plumbing to repair.

Family reunions... I got nothing... other than avoid them at all cost.

We spend the first 24 months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk, and the next 24 years telling them to shut up and sit down... no wonder they are so screwed up.

A friend gave their son an etch-a-sketch for Christmas last year... he picked it up, looked at it, wanted to know where the on/off switch was. "No switch." "Where do you put in the batteries?" "No batteries." "WOW, this must be the latest thing in electronics."
Yeah kid... shut up and sit down.

I used to own a 1972, chocolate brown, Triumph TR6. It was the most amazing car I've ever owned. It could take a 90 degree turn at 50 mph and never bark the tires. One day I'd like to own another one.

I ride a 90ci V-twin motorcycle. It too can make a 90 degree turn at 50 mph... but with someone else driving it, who has good insurance, and deep pockets, and a million years experience...

My Gastroenterologist is one of the nicest guys, most sophisticated, and one of if not the kindest man I have ever met. Whenever I have an appointment, he always walks in the room, shakes my hand, and always treats me like I'm the most important thing in his life at that moment... a rare thing these days. I think I have a man crush on him.

In the Still of the Night

I watched this... I laughed.. and I cried...

How much of this do you remember...?

Boris the Wonder Dog

Meet Boris the Wonder Dog.

We rescued him from becoming a pound puppy.

Boris is part Border Collie... and something else. And he really is something else.
This dog will play catch with you until he drops... literally. I've never seen anything like it.

We thought we had a home lined up for him, but it never materialized, and here we are... another addition to the family.

Guardian of the Garden

We live in what used to be considered "out in the country", but suburbia has crept into the area. We have a septic tank for sewage control and our water comes from a well. The well produces some of the best Sulfur water known to man. I have engineered a system that removes 90% of the sulfur prior to bringing it into the house. If you're not familiar with sulfur water, think of a rotten egg smell.

We are still zoned agricultural and we try our best to maintain our "country" lifestyle, as much as we can. We have chickens and horses, and we try our best to grow a garden each year. This year, we are actually growing 2 gardens, one next to the garage (lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, beans, etc), so there was some protection from the cold last winter (we started that one early) and one out in the North West corner of the property, which is strictly a blueberry garden... about 20 small blueberry plants.

It's very satisfying to sit down to dinner and know that everything on your plate (minus the meat) was grown right outside your back door. Especially with this new strain of E-Coli out break.

I do not have a green thumb. Let's get that out in the open right now. If I try to grow something, most times it either dies, or never breaks the ground...

But I do know some things...

I know that root veggies like a sandier soil so they don't have to fight hard packed soil to grow... and I know you can grow potatoes in a compost pile. I know that if you plant an orange from a seed, the fruit will be sour as shit. I know everything needs water and sunlight.

Ok... if you knew NOTHING about gardening, and you're reading this, you now know as much as I do.

Bottom line... I suffer from chronic CGS... Can't Grow Shit, unless it's mold in the refrigerator... I can grow a bumper crop of mold!!

All that being said, my wife controls the garden, I engineer whatever mechanics she needs to help make things grow.

Last year we (SHE!) grew corn, melons, peppers and assorted other veggies. I engineered the irrigation equipment. It worked pretty well for the most part, but wasn't the most efficient system ever built. The underlying issue was water pressure.

Until 3 weeks ago, my yard was a spiderweb of hoses and "Y's" and I was in constant damage control mode because the hoses were constantly springing leaks. Over the past several weeks, I buried about 1000 feet of 1/2 PVC pipe to bring water to all points of my yard. From the well, out to the garden, 100 feet, from the well to the barn, another 300 feet, from the barn out to the horses, another 600 feet. I actually ran pipe out to the front gate, another 300 feet, but have not tied it in yet nor buried it.

No runs, no leaks, no errors!

Last week, my wife mentioned that the sprinkler we had for last years garden wasn't enough to cover all of the blue berries.

ENGINEERING TIME!

I created a sprinkler system out of PVC that any gardener would be proud to own. It has 5 sprinkler heads that each would produce an 8 to 15 foot radius of water. Plenty big enough to not only cover ALL of the blueberry plants, but 2 pear trees on the edge of the garden. I'm a PVC Farookin' genius!!

Unfortunately, not only do I suffer from chronic CGS (Can't Grow Shit) I also suffer from CRS (Can't Remember Shit), and forgot about the water pressure issue. The 5 sprinkler heads are, at this very moment, producing an 8 to 15 INCH radius of water.

I could just scream.

♫NWM♫

STS-135 Atlantis

Rockets Red Glare

As dawn splashed it's morning hues of red and orange, behind the wispy cloud cover over Kennedy Space Center, Space Shuttle Endeavor stood majestically on Pad 39A, waiting for someone to light the fuse. This was Endeavor's final flight.

I am always in awe as I see the plume of steam that begins to boil from the millions of gallons of water that are poured onto the launch pad. This, in anticipation of the first spark of flame that begins to bloom, growing ever bigger; the shuttle slowly lifts off the pad, gaining speed enough to escape the earthly bonds.

The view was short lived because of a low bank of clouds, but I've seen it enough to know what happens next.

Nine seconds into the flight, the shuttle begins to roll. The roll is designed to immediately put the shuttle on a trajectory to meet up with the International Space Station (ISS). At 18 seconds the roll ends... the shuttle is in position. At this point, the shuttle is travelling 284 mph, at an altitude of 3500 ft.

At the 36 second mark, the shuttle throttles down to about 72% thrust, to lower the external pressure on the fuel tanks and shuttle while in the denser lower atmosphere.

At approximately 49 seconds into the flight, Capcom gives the order, "go at throttle up". Hearing that order from the ground, the Shuttle Commander replies, "Roger, go at throttle up." The engines are throttled up to 105%. The shuttle is now travelling at approximately 800 mph, at an altitude of 25,000 feet, and they have reached a little over Mach I.

The 60 second mark reveals that the shuttle has reached Max Q, the point of maximum dynamic pressure, the point at which aerodynamic stress on a spacecraft in atmospheric flight is maximized (712 psf).

This is the point where it becomes extremely personal for me. The roar of the engines finally makes it's way and fills your ears with the sound of Humanity's quest for our destiny in the Universe. Before the sounds fades away, the ground begins to rumble under your feet as the shock wave gently caresses you from head to toe. This moment never fails to fill my extremities with goose bumps.

One hundred and twenty five seconds SRB Staging occurs, where the Solid Rocket Boosters are jettisoned. The shuttle is now travelling at a cool 3000 mph, and has reached Mach IV.

Everything that happens next is beyond naked eye viewing.

At about 500 seconds or a little over 8 minutes, the shuttle has reached a cruising speed of 17000 mph, at an altutude of around 65 miles. The shuttle will eventually triple, or quadruple that altitude to catch the ISS. The ISS orbits between 173 miles and 286 miles.

As you can tell, I take space flight seriously. I was there for the very first shuttle flight. I've witnessed about 12 or 15 shuttle launches... even caught a night launch. I will try my best to be there for the very last shuttle launch.

I'm concerned where we, as a country, will "land" as far as space flight goes...

♫NWM♫

Alias Beware the Aspergantus

I deleted my other blog because my wife was being harrassed by people that have no life.

I became very "anti blog" and went into hiding...

I hide no more...

♫NWM♫

alias Aspergantus