December 07, 2013
72 Years
Never forget that those who wish to do one harm can be at least as smart as one assumes oneself to be. Furthermore, when they make their move it will often be when and where one feels least threatened.
Last seconds of USS Arizona
It also bears remembering that one should not start a fire one cannot reasonably expect to contain, because winds are fickle and the flames one sets care not who they burn.
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December 04, 2013
ACME Content Substitute
I am still pretty swamped with cramming for exams, papers and working at UPS during December. I've already worked more overtime this week than I worked straight time last week (admittedly a short week).
In lieu of content here's yet more holiday cheesecake.
Given that there was no love for the G.u.P. girls, we'll try Kannagi.
Of course...I suspect that Steven has simply out-bid me in this regard. (Link totally NSFW!)
...It is a testament to my wasted life that I never knew that about Tuesday.
In lieu of content here's yet more holiday cheesecake.
Given that there was no love for the G.u.P. girls, we'll try Kannagi.
Of course...I suspect that Steven has simply out-bid me in this regard. (Link totally NSFW!)
...It is a testament to my wasted life that I never knew that about Tuesday.
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Cobalt 60 (UPDATED)
One of the Brickmuppet's Crack Team of Science Babes takes time to tell us about Cobalt 60:
In 1735 Swedish scientist Eric Brandt determined that the blue tint used in stained glass was a previously unknown element, Cobalt, and not a compound of Bismuth as had been previously supposed. Cobalt is a bluish metal that aside from being quite brittle, has a lot of properties in common with iron. Quite unusually, this includes the fact that it can be magnetized. Cobalt is used for various sensors, and alloys due to its very great temperature stability. Cobalt also has applications in pigments, and lithium ion batteries. However, of primary interest to us today is an unstable isotope of Cobalt, Cobalt 60,
Cobalt 60, is used in food sterilization, radiation therapy and various sensors. It is a powerful gamma emitter with a half life of 5.27 years and is near the top of the IAEA's list of hazardous nuclear wastes. It has been involved in several tragic incidents previously and can be used in a radiological weapon.
In other news, a truck carrying a load of the stuff was just stolen outside of Mexico City. The IAEA is sufficiently concerned that the story has made the papers in India.
Authorities are saying that there is no reason to be alarmed as it is likely that this was a simple theft and the nasty, deadly substance was not intentionally stolen. After all, who in Mexico would want a bunch of materials for a dirty bomb? Indeed, as I typed this news came over the wires that the truck hasd been located abandoned and the container for the cobalt 60 was found nearby so this wouldn't even be a story except for the minor detail that the container for the Co60 was found....empty....yes, empty.
Well then.
UPDATE: The Old Grey Lady is saying that part of the Co60 shipment has been found. Other reports just say the cargo was found. In any event, if the thieves did not have really good radiation suits when they opened the box, they are expected to be dead in 3 days.
"Science babe" is actually Rikka from Love, Chuunibyou and other Delusions, which I suspect is way more enjoyable than radiological terrorism.
In 1735 Swedish scientist Eric Brandt determined that the blue tint used in stained glass was a previously unknown element, Cobalt, and not a compound of Bismuth as had been previously supposed. Cobalt is a bluish metal that aside from being quite brittle, has a lot of properties in common with iron. Quite unusually, this includes the fact that it can be magnetized. Cobalt is used for various sensors, and alloys due to its very great temperature stability. Cobalt also has applications in pigments, and lithium ion batteries. However, of primary interest to us today is an unstable isotope of Cobalt, Cobalt 60,
Cobalt 60, is used in food sterilization, radiation therapy and various sensors. It is a powerful gamma emitter with a half life of 5.27 years and is near the top of the IAEA's list of hazardous nuclear wastes. It has been involved in several tragic incidents previously and can be used in a radiological weapon.
In other news, a truck carrying a load of the stuff was just stolen outside of Mexico City. The IAEA is sufficiently concerned that the story has made the papers in India.
Authorities are saying that there is no reason to be alarmed as it is likely that this was a simple theft and the nasty, deadly substance was not intentionally stolen. After all, who in Mexico would want a bunch of materials for a dirty bomb? Indeed, as I typed this news came over the wires that the truck hasd been located abandoned and the container for the cobalt 60 was found nearby so this wouldn't even be a story except for the minor detail that the container for the Co60 was found....empty....yes, empty.
Well then.
UPDATE: The Old Grey Lady is saying that part of the Co60 shipment has been found. Other reports just say the cargo was found. In any event, if the thieves did not have really good radiation suits when they opened the box, they are expected to be dead in 3 days.
"Science babe" is actually Rikka from Love, Chuunibyou and other Delusions, which I suspect is way more enjoyable than radiological terrorism.
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December 01, 2013
December at UPS and the Final 2 Weeks of the Semester
....combine to thwart my blogging.
I get up for work at midnight....I work till 9ish then go to school, then work on my term paper and cram. Sleep brings the day planner to 31 hours but there's not enough space on the page for that so there may need to be additional adjustments to my schedule.
There's not much to add...except perhaps this...
more...
I get up for work at midnight....I work till 9ish then go to school, then work on my term paper and cram. Sleep brings the day planner to 31 hours but there's not enough space on the page for that so there may need to be additional adjustments to my schedule.
There's not much to add...except perhaps this...
more...
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November 29, 2013
A Pyrrhic Feast
This dinner came at great cost.
You see, my father managed cut the end of his finger off (about a centimeter actually) yesterday morning. There was blood spurting EVERYWHERE. Of course we could not get him to go to the emergency room...because...Thanksgiving.
He didn't want to ruin Thanksgiving...
I tried to explain to him that having dinner a couple of hours late would involve less ruination than it being "....that Thanksgiving where Dad bled to death". This admonition did not have the desired effect...so there was stitching, gauze pads, a finger splint, surgical tape, peroxide and duct tape. Ironically, after the blood was cleaned off the ceiling, cooking resumed and the decision made to ummm...not serve ham or potato salad this year...the relatives ended up being three hours late anyway.
Beyond that dinner was uneventful. There were no fanatical partisan cultists in attendance to ruin the get-together for which I am quite thankful. The only further unexpected incidents involved my 18 month old niece demonstrating that she can count to 13 and the comet exploding.
Dad has had to change his dressing twice but still refuses to go to the ER. OTOH there is no longer any spurting so hopefully he is on the mend
You see, my father managed cut the end of his finger off (about a centimeter actually) yesterday morning. There was blood spurting EVERYWHERE. Of course we could not get him to go to the emergency room...because...Thanksgiving.
He didn't want to ruin Thanksgiving...
I tried to explain to him that having dinner a couple of hours late would involve less ruination than it being "....that Thanksgiving where Dad bled to death". This admonition did not have the desired effect...so there was stitching, gauze pads, a finger splint, surgical tape, peroxide and duct tape. Ironically, after the blood was cleaned off the ceiling, cooking resumed and the decision made to ummm...not serve ham or potato salad this year...the relatives ended up being three hours late anyway.
Beyond that dinner was uneventful. There were no fanatical partisan cultists in attendance to ruin the get-together for which I am quite thankful. The only further unexpected incidents involved my 18 month old niece demonstrating that she can count to 13 and the comet exploding.
Dad has had to change his dressing twice but still refuses to go to the ER. OTOH there is no longer any spurting so hopefully he is on the mend
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Upon Reflection, They Should Have Named it Icarus
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November 28, 2013
There is Still Much to be Thankful For
Foe example: Without Yotsuba@! and Cavendish bananas the world would be a much less happy place.
Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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November 27, 2013
The Best of Social Justice
A friend who desires NO credit for this due to fear of passive aggressive trolling and other markers of 'tolerance' sends me this link...
The Best of Social Justice is a Tumbler blog compiled by a brave or self flagellating soul who compiles posts, tweets, and chats of various "social justice" crusaders.
It's hours of fun...or horror. But it can be useful too. For instance the fact that a prominent poster is named Lickingmuppets is one reason for me to carry a gun.
In related news: This exists...
more...
A friend who desires NO credit for this due to fear of passive aggressive trolling and other markers of 'tolerance' sends me this link...
The Best of Social Justice is a Tumbler blog compiled by a brave or self flagellating soul who compiles posts, tweets, and chats of various "social justice" crusaders.
It's hours of fun...or horror. But it can be useful too. For instance the fact that a prominent poster is named Lickingmuppets is one reason for me to carry a gun.
In related news: This exists...
more...
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November 26, 2013
Mobys, Hustlers and their Consequences
The Anchoress has thoughts on the despicable scam that was perpetrated recently in New Jersey by a waitress who used a receipt with a faked anti-gay slur to bilk facebook users of money and the "Racist Red Lobster" scandal which involved a waitress who pulled a similar scam involving a racial slur...and posted the customers name on Facebook.
Shorter version: don't leave cash tips.
I do it a lot, because, well, I used to bus and wait tables so I know this works better for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is paying the bussers, but it's probably not a good idea any more.
Shorter version: don't leave cash tips.
I do it a lot, because, well, I used to bus and wait tables so I know this works better for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is paying the bussers, but it's probably not a good idea any more.
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November 23, 2013
It's That New Math
I gather our numbering system has, heretofore, been a bit flawed.
Thus, everyone needs to run out and get numerically corrected merchandise before Christmas.
Nice to see McGann again though.
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November 19, 2013
Viola Organista
A Polish fellow has built a musical instrument from plans by Leonardo Da Vinci.
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Senator Deeds Stabbed:
Oh my God.
It looks like Creigh Deeds, a member of the Virginia Senate has been stabbed, apparently by his own son, who then committed suicide.
Deeds, a Democrat, ran against McDonnell for the governorship in 2009. I'm no fan of many of his views but he's been a colorful and passionate member of the Virginia General Assembly who has fought stridently for what he believed to be right.
This is a particularly awful thing to happen to any human being. It's not just the terrible physical wounds, but the fact that he's got to deal with the emotional agony of having to bury his son even if he pulls through. I can't even get my head around it. Send condolences and prayers to state senator Deeds, who is in a terribly dark place this evening.
UPDATE: Fellow Virginian R.S. McCain has lots more.
It looks like Creigh Deeds, a member of the Virginia Senate has been stabbed, apparently by his own son, who then committed suicide.
Deeds, a Democrat, ran against McDonnell for the governorship in 2009. I'm no fan of many of his views but he's been a colorful and passionate member of the Virginia General Assembly who has fought stridently for what he believed to be right.
This is a particularly awful thing to happen to any human being. It's not just the terrible physical wounds, but the fact that he's got to deal with the emotional agony of having to bury his son even if he pulls through. I can't even get my head around it. Send condolences and prayers to state senator Deeds, who is in a terribly dark place this evening.
UPDATE: Fellow Virginian R.S. McCain has lots more.
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November 18, 2013
Bolide
About 35 minutes ago I saw a rather spectacular meteor breakup in the sky to the south of Norfolk. The bolide broke onto about 4 large pieces all traveling in a line before dimming and disappearing from view behind the skyline. It seemed to have a trail of debris and left a briefly incandescent contrail that looked superficially like a comets tail. In comparison with most shooting stars it seemed to be traveling much slower than normal, being visible for long enough that I had enough time to to wish for a catgirl maid. It did not light up the sky but it still appeared quite bright even in downtown Norfolk.
Anyway, I don't know if any satellites fell this evening or if it was a regular meteor, but I thought I'd mention it in case it made he news.
Anyway, I don't know if any satellites fell this evening or if it was a regular meteor, but I thought I'd mention it in case it made he news.
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November 17, 2013
A Long Night Awaits
Wonderduck has been in the middle of it.
more...
Red is particularly bad..I note that Ontario seems to be getting pounded with rainbows. Map via
Wonderduck has been in the middle of it.
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November 16, 2013
Mount Aetna Showing Off
The Youtube heading oversells it a bit. But it's still pretty neat.
more...
The Youtube heading oversells it a bit. But it's still pretty neat.
UPDATE: In the comments Steven points out that the video is from 2000. Aetna (or Etna as seems to be the prefered spelling now) pulled this off last week too, leading to my confusion...I guess Etna is just habitually awesome.
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