Rocket Jones

September 10, 2003

A different kind of countdown

I see this image almost every day. One of the managers has this posted in full color, blown up to about 2'x3' size. You can't miss it, and everyone walking down this long hallway sees it.

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John has posted another image on his site, which was what I had originally planned for today. He did a much better job, by posting a link to the story behind the image. Check it out, it's beautiful.

Posted by: Ted at 11:52 PM | Comments (65) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Integrating Ideas

Ever have one of those moments where it all comes together?

Bill has a longstanding demand that Jen send him pictures of her chest.

Meanwhile, Daniel points out an interesting project "where people vote on whether a pixel of a map of the world will be land or water". It's called the Mind World Map. Pretty cool, eh?

My new project is the Virtual Jennifer Map. I'll need everyone to vote, pixel at a time, on whether that bit of Jen is skin or clothed. I'm really excited about this, so I hope to see some real enthusiasm from you too.

Update: Comment from Jennifer: "Seriously, though, when do we start?"

You heard the lady. Pixel 0,0. Skin or Other?

Posted by: Ted at 06:24 PM | Comments (67) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Ripple Fire*

"Are you headed to junior high schools to round up the usual suspects?" -- Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to RIAA President Cary Sherman during a Senate Judiciary hearing.

Gas prices have dropped nine cents in two days around here.

My wife is in the throes of a full-blown summer cold and she’s miserable. Mookie is fighting hard but if it takes her down too, she’ll go down swinging. My standard reaction in situations like this is to consume enough OJ to make Anita Bryant consider adoption. Family kissing has been suspended, but hugs are still freely and frequently exchanged.

A co-worker passed away last month, and they’re just now getting around to replacing him. It makes me wonder if they thought he was on vacation.

Do you like my modified NASA ‘meatball’ logo? Mookie helped me do that using her Paint Shop Pro expertise. She smirked and mentioned senility, so I thanked her, then told her to shut up and go clean her room. If she keeps it up, she’s kissing mom.

I heard about the “9/11 Digital Archive” this morning on the way to work. This is a worthy effort and worth looking at. Thanks to WTOP news radio for the tip.

Starhawk of Freedom Lives has been posting a series of pictures from the site of the World Trade Center. I hope you’ve been keeping up with them. If not, it’s my fault because I’ve been remiss in not linking to them more.

Stevie (aka Daun) of Caught in the Xfire has a hat for me! And she’s becoming a Munuvian. Yes sweetie, I am glad to see you, and yes, that is a turkey baster in my pocket.

My Links Roster page is a mess. Consider it a bastion of anarchy in my otherwise orderly corner of the ‘sphere. But the links (mostly probably) do work, and as Johnny Cochran would say “If the links are fine, you must not whine!” Anyways, over there are new places to go and people to see, including Terra Taco, Black Five – the Paratrooper of Love, Tasberry Diary, Dues Ex Culina, Laughing Wolf, Q & O, Coyote's Bark, Classical Values, and Jocularocracy. The blogroll in the right column is evolving and shrinking slowly, use the Links Roster to see what kind of stuff I really read when you’re not looking.

* ‘Ripple Fire’ is a mode whereas multiple military rockets are launched at a target in rapid sequence. It’s similar to machine-gun fire, but with big booms at the receiving end.

Posted by: Ted at 09:07 AM | Comments (65) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

September 09, 2003

A different kind of countdown

Notice that we haven't heard this particular statement lately?

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Posted by: Ted at 11:57 PM | Comments (58) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

It beats bingo

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, I present to you not one, but two opportunities to meet the nicest group of technology geeks and cowboy-biker hobbyists ever to count backwards to zero.

Right around the corner, on September 20-21, in Muncie, Indiana, the Rocketeers of Central Indiana (ROCI) will be hosting a high-power rocket launch. The field is the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) International Aeromodeling Center located just outside of town, and I've flown there before, it's beautiful. See the ROCI site for details. If you live in the area, stop in and check out something different.

Slightly farther out there on the calendar, as well as several hundred miles eastward, the fall BattlePark 2003 Launch is scheduled for the weekend of November 1-2. Located in Culpeper, Virginia, this is one of the premier events in the east, with rocketeers attending from all over the eastern U.S. and Canada. I'll be there both days, and Mookie usually makes at least one if not both. This launch features some of the most interesting projects and flights around. As usual, spectators are free, kids fly their rockets for free, and you'll never meet a friendlier group of people. Come on out, walk around, talk to folks, ask questions, and be prepared to say 'wow'. Oh yeah, they've already obtained an FAA waiver for flights to 15,000 feet.

You are invited and welcome.

The extended entry is just me bragging about my project from last years BattlePark launch.

Posted by: Ted at 09:01 PM | Comments (63) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

New Twenties

The redesigned twenty dollar bills will be coming into wide circulation in October this year. Here's a neat interactive demonstration of the features of this new bill.

What, no free samples?

Posted by: Ted at 01:29 PM | Comments (58) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

A True Hero

You must check this out over at Silent Running. Make sure you follow the links too.

Posted by: Ted at 12:12 PM | Comments (57) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Google is your friend

In Kelly’s Cul-de-sac this week is a little gem about a little known feature of Google. I mentioned it to Mookie, and she told me about a nifty Google mirror site she’d heard about.

Google also changes their logo for special holidays and birthdays. M.C. Escher, Alfred Hitchcock, and Salvador Dali are among those who get special treatment.

This got me to wondering what other stupid Google tricks were out there. You’ve probably heard of most of these by now, because they’re not new and have been going around awhile.

For instance, type in “weapons of mass destruction” (with quotes) and hit the “I’m feeling lucky” button.

Try it again, this time for “French military victories” (with quotes). Snicker

For the terminally optimistic, try “who will be president in 2004” and hit the 'Lucky' button.

These guys tried a few things with the image search feature of google. (Warning: mature – but funny – content).

On the ‘not stupid’ end of the tricks spectrum, check out some of the neat stuff listed here.

And it was mentioned on at least one site above, but were you paying attention? Go to google and type in “answer to life the universe and everything” (no quotes this time).

I'll say it again. Google is your friend.


Posted by: Ted at 08:51 AM | Comments (63) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Not Munu-News

Happy Birthday, Bill!!!

Go on over to his place and say nice things. He has to be out of town and work on his birthday.

Update: Paul over at Sanity's Edge is inviting one and all to tell their favorite Bill stories. Read, laugh, and reminisce with us.

Posted by: Ted at 07:35 AM | Comments (57) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

September 08, 2003

A different kind of countdown

Enjoy a little bit of American 'technology with style'.

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Posted by: Ted at 11:44 PM | Comments (53) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Thanks to my family and friends

It's been a very good day, and I'd like to say thank you for all of the special wishes and good things sent my way.

My blog-friends, you've all become very special to me in a very short time, and the only way I could feel more affection for you would be if you provided sexual favors and/or cash (to be negotiated separately from each of you).

On the family front, I heard from both kids who have already fled the nest, had a very good dinner waiting for me tonight, and after my favorite cake (spice w/ vanilla frosting, decorated with skulls & crossbones in black icing - I've been told that that's very cool), I was presented with a Sears gift card, DVD's of Animal House and Monty Python's Meaning of Life. Then my wife topped it all off by letting me know that she had made a substantial contribution to Ted's Big Honkin' Rocket Motor Fund. As Mookie would say: Woot!

Posted by: Ted at 09:28 PM | Comments (63) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Collectable History

Over on eBay, a nice assortment of aerospace related Zippo lighters.

Posted by: Ted at 04:21 PM | Comments (57) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Do you like crosswords?

I like rockets. What a coincidence! Have fun.

Posted by: Ted at 04:08 PM | Comments (60) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Someone's in the kitchen with Dinahhhhhhh...

Wonderful cheesecake recipes are popping up like mushrooms after a good rain. I can't compete with them (my wife won't let me post her super-secret killer cheesecake recipe), so I'll post something a little bit different. This is a great desert for chilly fall evenings, or as a treat after a day outside raking leaves.

Baked Apple Dumplings

Choose a crisp baking apple, such as pippin or Granny Smith.

2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons shortening
1 cup milk

6 medium baking apples, pared and cored

a little granulated sugar to sprinkle

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Mix together sugar, cinnamon and walnuts. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening with a pastry cutter, or blend rapidly with fingertips until dough resembles oatmeal.
4. Stir in milk. Mix to a smooth dough.
5. Turn dough onto floured board. Divide into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion until large enough to wrap around one apple. Make sure it’s not too thick. Dust lightly with plain sugar.
6. Place each apple in center of individual dough, but do not wrap. Sprinkle reserved sugar mixture into the core of each apple.
7. Bring dough over each apple. Wet edges of dough to seal.
8. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in 350° F. oven until apples are tender and the dough is crispy, about 1/2 hour.

Serve plain, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. You can also drizzle caramel syrup over it all or with crushed peppermint candy over the ice cream.

Serves: 4 to 6

Posted by: Ted at 10:50 AM | Comments (66) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Just a suggestion

A California drivers license should no longer be considered valid ID outside of the state.

Posted by: Ted at 10:08 AM | Comments (62) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Rocketing around the Blogosphere

Not Quite Tea and Crumpets had the scoop on this story. A perfect example of what happens when firearms are used by law-abiding citizens.

Wind Rider over at Silent Running talks about the difference between journalism and 'professional' journalism. Hint: the sarcasm quotes are because he's talking about the BBC.

John gets asked that question that no man can ever answer correctly.

Tiger redecorates and talks about Texas football. Living in the DC metro area, the Redskins play the Cowboys twice a year, and I hate don't care for either team. I used to say that when those teams played each other, I was rooting for a sniper in the stands. Thanks Malvo for ruining a good joke.

Fixing the State Department. Interesting reading by Steven Den Beste over at USS Clueless, who is anything but.

Choices. What matters vs. what should matter. Read all about it and think, courtesy of Winds of Change.

This guy always has something interesting to read.

Men of Iron, Horses of Steel. These guys have become a daily read.

Laughing Wolf gives a concise brief on the Presidents remarks last night.

I don't agree with a lot of what she says, but she's an interesting read, and her school football team is named the Rockets, so she gets a mention.

Robert touches on many subjects and is always a good read. He's about as calm a rant as you can imagine, while still putting it out there for you.

If you're looking for some of these folks over on the right in my links section, they're not all there. If you check under "Poor Organization Skills" you'll see a category called Links Roster, and they're all there, plus many more. The format is still weirded out, because I rode the short bus to html school.

When you hear about Munuviana and Munuvians, do you hear the roar of the surf shooshing up over white sand beaches, while beautiful women in grass skirts and not much else bring you cold beer and cater to your every whim? Welcome to reality. Susie, Jennifer, Cherry and LeeAnn are liberated women, so we can go get our own damn beer, I'm sure. And Mookie is underage, so don't go there. I also have no desire to see the guys in grass skirts, although I'm sure Collins would enjoy it, as long as he got to wear panty hose like his hero.

Tuning Spork (a Munuvian) has written a great piece of satire (oops, now he's written two!). Funny stuff.

Ever heard of Burning Man? Coyote went. See his pictures, then google on it to learn more. Thanks to Annika for the pointer.

He's been described as an "eclectic cultural cuisinart", and the flea is where I go for something extraordinary. Enjoy.

Over at The Meatriarchy, "A" comes out squarely for the Instapundit camp.

Posted by: Ted at 01:17 AM | Comments (62) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

September 07, 2003

A different kind of countdown

Look familiar?

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Posted by: Ted at 11:10 PM | Comments (62) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Munu-News

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEEANN !!!

Visit her place and tell her 'happy birthday'.

Posted by: Ted at 10:30 PM | Comments (59) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

You saw it here first

Takeo Spikes will be the NFL defensive player of the year. Now that he's in Buffalo in the middle of a real defense he won't have to do everything himself, which frees him up to be truly dominating.

This will also be Jerry Porter's breakout season. You can't ignore Rice and Brown, and this will be Porter's year to shine.

Yo Glenn, do you agree? For all you sports fans, you should be checking out Sports Blog if you don't already.

PS. During the singing of the National Anthem at the Oakland Raiders game, they had a bald eagle flying around the field. I saw a special about this particular bird. They found him as a youngster, and he's been trained to fly from one handler way up in the stands to another handler on the field. He's a showoff too, doing long lazy soaring circles as he flys and really getting the crowd pumped up. It's a beautiful thing to see.

Posted by: Ted at 08:49 PM | Comments (56) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

Liberty Bell 7

Gus Grissom was the astronaut for the second manned suborbital flight in the Mercury series, and his capsule was named the Liberty Bell 7.

The flight was fully successful, but upon splashdown the capsule hatch prematurely opened and the capsule sank into the sea.*

The Liberty Bell 7 was finally found and recovered in 1999. The Discovery Channel did several shows on it, and it has been touring the country. It is scheduled to be reutrned 'home' and back on display at the Kansas Cosmosphere before the end of the year.

* Forget that crap from The Right Stuff, Gus Grissom was fully exonerated later by NASA after tests proved his claim that the hatch could indeed 'just blew'. (yeah, I know the quote doesn't quite fit right... deal)

Posted by: Ted at 10:59 AM | Comments (61) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)

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