December 21, 2008
More on The Paths not Taken
Over at the Unwanted Blog, where Scott Lowther has a selection of pictures from Project Meteor, a hugely ambitious program from 1956 that was as Lowther puts it...
Not so limited indeed...the station was half a mile long and the gravity deck (centrifuge) was 1500 feet in diameter. This was the size of an O'Neal colony...in 1956!
In theory, the optimum altitude for a station is around1050 miles up or so which is beyond all traces of the earths atmosphere, however what was not known prior to Explorer 1 is that that orbital sweet spot is smack blam in the middle of in the Van Allen Belts. Low earth orbit, though considered a hard vacuum, still has enough trace atmosphere to cause some over time drag, making satellites there non-permanent or high maintenance. However, given the investment in the thing and the plans concurrent project for reusable space launchers, this could have probably been made to work.
Lowther has a 59 page report describing the project in great detail for sale here along with several other forgotten chapters of aerospace history.
*Explanation of the irony in this statement can be found at this awesome site. dedicated to the "Colliers Space Program"
This was somewhat similar to the “Colliers†space program as envisioned by von Braun and others… just not so small and limited.*
Not so limited indeed...the station was half a mile long and the gravity deck (centrifuge) was 1500 feet in diameter. This was the size of an O'Neal colony...in 1956!
srrsly guys...manuver carefully!
I was familliar with the interesting and forward thinking Meteor ferry rocket, from Ron Millers, The Dream Machines. However I had NO idea that it was tied to such an ambitious project. According to Lowther, the numbers largely work, this was a very serious proposal, but I suspect this...like other 1950's station proposals, would have run afoul of the then unknown Van Allen problem
*Explanation of the irony in this statement can be found at this awesome site. dedicated to the "Colliers Space Program"
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Purple Squirrel
No really. A purple squirrel. (via)
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Sunday Funnies
Several people do a Sunday funnies bit where they pic a political cartoon for the week. Over at Flopping Aces, they've carried this to the next level.
Which political cartoons you ask?
As the great John Connor once said,"....all of them I think."
Which political cartoons you ask?
As the great John Connor once said,"....all of them I think."
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Momentary Memephilia
All the cool kids are doing it....
• What anime are you watching now?
Bleach, Lucky Star
• What is your favourite time to watch?
The middle of the night.
• And your favorite place?
Within line of sight of the monitor (duh!)
• Who is your favourite auteur?
Satoshi Kohn
• Your favourite OST?
3 actually, Space Cruiser Yamato, Grendaizer, Ghost in the Shell
• What is the most difficult anime you’ve ever watched?
Serial Experiments Lain...but it was worth it
• What was the first anime you remember watching?
Marine Boy or Speed Racer in '74
• Do you have a comfort show that you re-watch?
I watch Arivadercci Yamato every Christmas. I also re-watch select episodes Starblazers, Mazinger series robot shows and VanDread from time to time.
.
• What is the most erotic anime you’ve watched?
As an American I am protected by the 5th amendment to the United States Constitution...
• Which classic should you have watched?
Doraemon.
• Which series did you never want to end?
Bleach....despite its Shonen Jump tropes, the characters are superbly realized and the story is engaging.
• What is your most overrated anime?
Neon Genesis Evangelion
• Which character could you have an affair with?
LOL whut?
• Who is your favourite character?
Ichigo from Bleach...closely followed by Meia Gisbourne from VanDread
Other runners up that spring to mind immediately..
Vash from Trigun
Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist
Lady Eboshi from Princess Mononoke
• Which character do you most dislike?
Probably Shinji from Evangelion
• Which character do you identify with most?
Linna Inverse from Slayers....which is probably a sign of deep seated emotional problems.
• Which anime changed your life?
Starblazers
• What anime are you watching now?
Bleach, Lucky Star
• What is your favourite time to watch?
The middle of the night.
• And your favorite place?
Within line of sight of the monitor (duh!)
• Who is your favourite auteur?
Satoshi Kohn
• Your favourite OST?
3 actually, Space Cruiser Yamato, Grendaizer, Ghost in the Shell
• What is the most difficult anime you’ve ever watched?
Serial Experiments Lain...but it was worth it
• What was the first anime you remember watching?
Marine Boy or Speed Racer in '74
• Do you have a comfort show that you re-watch?
I watch Arivadercci Yamato every Christmas. I also re-watch select episodes Starblazers, Mazinger series robot shows and VanDread from time to time.
.
• What is the most erotic anime you’ve watched?
As an American I am protected by the 5th amendment to the United States Constitution...
• Which classic should you have watched?
Doraemon.
• Which series did you never want to end?
Bleach....despite its Shonen Jump tropes, the characters are superbly realized and the story is engaging.
• What is your most overrated anime?
Neon Genesis Evangelion
• Which character could you have an affair with?
LOL whut?
• Who is your favourite character?
Ichigo from Bleach...closely followed by Meia Gisbourne from VanDread
Other runners up that spring to mind immediately..
Vash from Trigun
Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist
Lady Eboshi from Princess Mononoke
• Which character do you most dislike?
Probably Shinji from Evangelion
• Which character do you identify with most?
Linna Inverse from Slayers....which is probably a sign of deep seated emotional problems.
• Which anime changed your life?
Starblazers
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December 15, 2008
7 Working Days Left Till Christmas is Past
And I'm short of time so here are Saber and Rin from Fate Stay Night
...as well as some quick links....
As most of you know, some asshat set fire to the Wasilla Church that includes amongst its members, Governor Palin. There is now a fundraiser to help.
The Anchoress has some interesting thoughts on the shoe incident.
Via Steven Den Beste comes this humorous translation fiasco.
The Carnival of Space has been taken over by those pesky antipodians.
Finally Colleen Doran posts a well researched and interesting piece on the evolution of Shojo Manga, a possible american connection and the awful story behind that story. Read the whole thing
.(Note in reference to her post, that the culture museum in Nagasaki has a large display of pre Tezuka Girls Manga some of which are seen here)
Update: Rand Simberg has posted a long and informative article from 2004 never before published in full, debunking several myths of spaceflight and proposing a productive way forward...I've added it to this previous post of mine which looks at some of the same issues but does so rather less well.
As most of you know, some asshat set fire to the Wasilla Church that includes amongst its members, Governor Palin. There is now a fundraiser to help.
The Anchoress has some interesting thoughts on the shoe incident.
Via Steven Den Beste comes this humorous translation fiasco.
The Carnival of Space has been taken over by those pesky antipodians.
Finally Colleen Doran posts a well researched and interesting piece on the evolution of Shojo Manga, a possible american connection and the awful story behind that story. Read the whole thing
.(Note in reference to her post, that the culture museum in Nagasaki has a large display of pre Tezuka Girls Manga some of which are seen here)
Update: Rand Simberg has posted a long and informative article from 2004 never before published in full, debunking several myths of spaceflight and proposing a productive way forward...I've added it to this previous post of mine which looks at some of the same issues but does so rather less well.
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December 14, 2008
Holiday Chaos
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Signs of the times...
Our volume Friday at my UPS center was perfectly normal....for a Wednesday
in July. After the big rush before and immediately after Thanksgiving, volume has
been dropping in increasing increments each day. I won't mention specific volume numbers of course, but I've been at UPS 16 years, I was hired during the recession in '92...I've
NEVER seen anything like this.
On the up side the hours are still christmassy....UPS is afraid of
getting hit short of time when the actual presents arrive so they are keeping the extended sort time as a hedge for now in the expectation of a late spike. This is prudent from a customer service standpoint and I'm pulling long
days of double shifts (wo0t)... I still expect layoffs after Christmas though.
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December 13, 2008
WTF??
Seriously Eric......WTF?!?
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December 10, 2008
A Few Random Bits
DigiKerot just wants the DVD and is unimpressed with the marketing departments attempt to splice Rube Goldberg's DNA onto origami.
Wonderduck has had a rough week, but he has discovered the joys of customer satisfaction.
Pete has begun watching Midori no Hibi (mentioned in passing here) and seems to be enjoying it.
Steve Den Beste is finicky...(who knew!)...nevertheless, he takes the time to explain why this might be a good time...as in the last time...to get several series.
Colleen Doran has a roundup of links, starting off with another reason not to date...but she also has advice for aspiring artists and many fans....
Finally, many people are quick to point out that Anime is a perfectly respectable hobby.
Pixy Misa helpfully puts that myth to rest in a post that requires he put this 'explanation' in the associated comments.
Wonderduck has had a rough week, but he has discovered the joys of customer satisfaction.
Pete has begun watching Midori no Hibi (mentioned in passing here) and seems to be enjoying it.
Steve Den Beste is finicky...(who knew!)...nevertheless, he takes the time to explain why this might be a good time...as in the last time...to get several series.
Colleen Doran has a roundup of links, starting off with another reason not to date...but she also has advice for aspiring artists and many fans....
Copyright: There's a better way to learn the basics than making an enemy of an artist with more money than God.
Finally, many people are quick to point out that Anime is a perfectly respectable hobby.
Pixy Misa helpfully puts that myth to rest in a post that requires he put this 'explanation' in the associated comments.
Well, there's at least two others with plausible excuses - one wearing inflatable falsies, and one with a trout in her bra.(probably NSFW)
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Normally I am Very Enthusiastic about Diesels
But that is only in reference to the engine...not the spambot.
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December 09, 2008
Oh God...
....it's Christmas at UPS again.
I'm going in early to help park the trucks and staying late to help pull them out of the building. I actually managed to make more overtime than straight time last Friday (double secret overtime!?). Anyway I'm tired, so tired that I got home Friday put the key in the door to unlock it and was momentarily puzzled when it wouldn't start...
I'm taking all the hours I can now because this may be it. Some UPS centers in Virginia are reportedly going to close after the holidays and as I mentioned previously there are lots of layoffs on the horizon. There was a big spike in volume up to yesterday but I suspect that this is companies desperately clearing inventory for tax purposes...and it is Christmas at UPS after all.
On the home front, the pickup of peril is now sporting a clutch. (yay!)
I leave for work momentarily, but here are a couple of.....
Christmas carols!
Also here...
Well, enough religion for now.....I'm off to work. Blogging is going to be necessarily light till the weekend. Stay safe!
I'm taking all the hours I can now because this may be it. Some UPS centers in Virginia are reportedly going to close after the holidays and as I mentioned previously there are lots of layoffs on the horizon. There was a big spike in volume up to yesterday but I suspect that this is companies desperately clearing inventory for tax purposes...and it is Christmas at UPS after all.
On the home front, the pickup of peril is now sporting a clutch. (yay!)
I leave for work momentarily, but here are a couple of.....
Christmas carols!
Well, enough religion for now.....I'm off to work. Blogging is going to be necessarily light till the weekend. Stay safe!
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December 04, 2008
Murdoc is Running a Contest
You have to go there for the details.
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Multitudinous Mammaries Mysteriously Missing
A large shipment of inflatable boobs has gone missing en route to Australia.
They must be located in 2 days or they will miss their deadline. No.Really.
They must be located in 2 days or they will miss their deadline. No.Really.
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December 02, 2008
It's That Time...
I'm leaving for work in an hour and am beat to pieces, but here are a
few bits from around the 'sphere I found interesting but am too pooped
to comment on as I'm beginning my shift now at midnight....
As some of you know, I work for UPS Despite the economic mess a combination of the collapse of DHL, orders placed before the collapse and consumer obliviousness, our workload is...well...Christmassy....
Teh Fred has comments on this phenomenon...
....so relax kids its all OK....unless Teh Fred is being sarcastic somehow.
On other serious matters, over at the Long War Journal, in the wake of the Mubai attacks this is NOT what we need to be hearing from the Pakistani military....especially in light of this.
Dennis Prager has thoughts on the targeting of the Chabad House, when it made little tactical sense to do so. Godwins law does not apply here.
Rodger Kimball reflects upon a story from the UK, that is while bloodless, no less disturbing in its own way.....
We can at least take comfort in the fact that it can't happen here.....oh wait...
On a more upbeat note, Next Big Future reports on -77 degree F superconductors. Not room temperature yet, but withing the reach of conventional HVAC tech!
It is often forgotten that Condi Rice is not just a diplomat, but also a classical pianist. Yesterday she got to combine those two skillsets in an unusual combo resulting in "win".
Will at Criminally Wierd brings us this bit of....ummm....
Colleen Doran gets all pervy on her blog...and somewhat surprisingly, she is not the only person today to manage to mention sex and Hitler in one post...
As soon as you are finished applying the eyebleach, I implore you to look at this tangentially related cautionary tale on the importance of checking over childrens homework....
I am now off to ride the package tsunami....Stay safe everyone!
Elf grrl is a cosplaying Konata...from Lucky Star which has been masterfully translated by Avatar
As some of you know, I work for UPS Despite the economic mess a combination of the collapse of DHL, orders placed before the collapse and consumer obliviousness, our workload is...well...Christmassy....
Teh Fred has comments on this phenomenon...
....so relax kids its all OK....unless Teh Fred is being sarcastic somehow.
On other serious matters, over at the Long War Journal, in the wake of the Mubai attacks this is NOT what we need to be hearing from the Pakistani military....especially in light of this.
Dennis Prager has thoughts on the targeting of the Chabad House, when it made little tactical sense to do so. Godwins law does not apply here.
Rodger Kimball reflects upon a story from the UK, that is while bloodless, no less disturbing in its own way.....
We can at least take comfort in the fact that it can't happen here.....oh wait...
On a more upbeat note, Next Big Future reports on -77 degree F superconductors. Not room temperature yet, but withing the reach of conventional HVAC tech!
It is often forgotten that Condi Rice is not just a diplomat, but also a classical pianist. Yesterday she got to combine those two skillsets in an unusual combo resulting in "win".
Will at Criminally Wierd brings us this bit of....ummm....
Colleen Doran gets all pervy on her blog...and somewhat surprisingly, she is not the only person today to manage to mention sex and Hitler in one post...
As soon as you are finished applying the eyebleach, I implore you to look at this tangentially related cautionary tale on the importance of checking over childrens homework....
I am now off to ride the package tsunami....Stay safe everyone!
Elf grrl is a cosplaying Konata...from Lucky Star which has been masterfully translated by Avatar
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Stupid has Been Weaponized
Behold...the chainsaw bayonet....via
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November 30, 2008
Well........DUH!!!!
Hokkaido zookeepers were perplexed that they couldn't get their two polar bears to mate.
stumped they were....
mystified even....
Finally, having tried everything they knew, somebody though to check one detail....
I'm just an ignorant redneck geek...but it would seem to me that he first step in successful animal breeding would be....oh never mind.
stumped they were....
mystified even....
Finally, having tried everything they knew, somebody though to check one detail....
The zoo put Tsuyoshi under an anesthetic earlier in the month for a gender checkup, and learned he was a she.
'kaaayyy...
I'm just an ignorant redneck geek...but it would seem to me that he first step in successful animal breeding would be....oh never mind.
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November 28, 2008
The Dub...
Wendee Lee and company did indeed earn their paychecks.
The Akihabara cafe scene from the Lucky Star dub...
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Still More Banality Blogging
Naturally, out of consideration for our readers, the banality is below the fold.
more...
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Inclusiveness:
n: a single edged bladed weapon used by leftists to kill or torture the objects of their foetid bigotry as well as ritual extortion.
The Carleton University Students' Association has voted to drop a cystic fibrosis charity as the beneficiary of its annual Shinearama fundraiser, supporting a motion that argued the disease is not "inclusive" enough.
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A Thing of Beauty
That's a 60mm mortar....fired from the hip.
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