Rocket Jones
October 31, 2005
Fall BattlePark 2005 Rocket Launch
November 5th and 6th in Culpeper, Virginia. 10am-5pm. Spectators welcome and it's free. We're cleared through the FAA for flights up to 15,000 feet.
I'll be there, look for the red Mazda pickup. If you need
more info, feel free to ask in the comments or via email. If you do decide to come out, please check that link or check back here, and I'll post whatever go/no go information I have if the weather's dicey.
This will be the first BattlePark for me sans kids, which is going to be kind of strange (I've got a seat open if someone would like to ride with). We've camped out there before, and other times we've just made day trips of it. Either way, it's big fun.
Posted by: Ted at
04:23 AM
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1
See you there! I'm going to test my eventual Level 3 vehicle: six inch, 11 foot long fiberglass IQSY Tomahawk, on a Contrail L1222 Sparky motor. Can't wait. Culpeper is always great, not least because Barbecue Country is about halfway down the road!
Posted by: Doug Pratt at October 31, 2005 08:57 AM (D6ZyB)
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Are you headed for the BBQ place afterwards? I'm in if you'd care for the company.
Posted by: Ted at October 31, 2005 08:59 AM (blNMI)
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You can bet I'll be there at least one day.Most likely Saturday.A friend of mine lives right down the road so I'm probably gonna do the "The Thing That Wouldn't Leave" thing with him later.
Now Ted I gotta ask;Did I miss y'all Saturday?I would have liked to come but no-one sent out any directions.I thought there would be the usual e-mail the night before,but nothing.
Also,I'm sad to say,that I will be but a spectator this time around.My membership expired with the NAR and frankly I'm just not that worried about renewing it right now.As long as NOVAAR will have me then I can live with just flying there......for now.Truth is i'm just trying to stretch my rocketry budget out as far as possible.I've been getting back into my plastic modeling quite a bit lately after having almost completely set it aside for a couple of years now rocketry and I'm afraid I'm just not rich enough to go Daddy Warbucks unlimited on both of them.
Posted by: Russ at October 31, 2005 03:29 PM (ObxzR)
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That should have said;"a couple of years now FOR rocketry".
Posted by: Russ at October 31, 2005 03:32 PM (ObxzR)
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Russ, I missed Saturday, but you're right about not getting any directions. Telling me that the launch is at a campground in "town" isn't really enough for me to go hunting it down.
I know what you mean though about membership. My NAR dues is an annual Christmas present from my wife, so that works out well. I'd paid up way in advance with NOVAAR, but it's been quite a while, so I'm probably behind in my club dues.
Posted by: Ted at October 31, 2005 06:50 PM (+OVgL)
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Someone calling Haymarket a town?I think they're using the word waaaaaay too loosly.More like a pit stop on the I-66 Speedway to me.
Anyhow,yes I know what yer sayin' about the club dues.I got an e-mail reminding me about a month ago.I had thought that maybe I was taken off the list but I recieved an e-mail from Trip last night about the upcoming meeting and party so I don't reckon I was.At the last launch I attended I was about a month over.I had intended to pay that day but it totally slipped my mind.Yesterday would have been my first launch since but it didn't happen of course.I'll just catch`em again on the 19th.
Oh and BTW speaking of things I've been meaning to do......Expect a bundle of e-mails from me some time this week.Some cool stuff I've come across from time to time and couldn't help but to think you'd like.
Posted by: Russ at October 31, 2005 08:55 PM (ObxzR)
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October 30, 2005
Commercial Criticism
DirecTV has this spot that's been on heavy rotation during football games that shows this cute 4 year old kid coming in to see his dad.
"Dad, can you read me a story?"
The kid notices the TV and looking crestfallen, says, "Oh, football."
And dad, playing the hero, tells his tot that "I can freeze time" with a snap of his finger and a clandestine touch of the remote.
Oh puh-leeze.
Today's four year olds know what the freakin' freeze control is. Hell, by that age they've already hacked the passworded parental control block.
Better check up on older sister, dad. The kid is distracting you for a reason. "Read me a story?" Ground the little scamster and go find the mastermind. Catch 'em red handed, administer punishments.
Then watch your football game uninterupted. As it should be.
Posted by: Ted at
07:33 PM
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I saw that commercial about forty times today, and I was thinking "I'll tell you a story, son. How about the story of the third and goal play action fake?"
Posted by: nic at October 30, 2005 08:02 PM (l+W8Z)
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Semi-unrelated: A recent episode of South Park featured a scene were Cartman was "briefing" the other boys regarding a future-seeing device in the posession of the girls. He is playing a video tape to the boys. At one point he pauses the video with his remote control, but at the moment he presses the button he says, "Freeze image." in the style of countless action adventure movies.
Silly, and easily overlooked, but I laughed like nobody's business at that one little nugget.
Er... what was the question?
Posted by: BLUE at November 02, 2005 12:01 PM (hDMsP)
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I refuse to start a category for knitting
Even though this is tres cool. Behold the imagination that went into creating the zombies of Dawn of the Dead as knitted dolls. I love you, but I'm surprised they let you keep the pointy knitting needles.
Thanks to
Pete for this one.
Posted by: Ted at
04:34 PM
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Carnival of the Recipes
It's up, over at Everything and Nothing. Plenty of good hearty fall and winter fare in this one.
Posted by: Ted at
11:48 AM
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Font Assistance Needed
A friend is looking for a "Thomas Jefferson" style font, where the "s" is written almost like an uncrossed small letter "f" (sample here). This style was used for early printed versions of the Declaration of Independence.
I've found a font designed based on
Jefferson's handwriting, but it has the normal "s" and it's not what he wants.
If you can point me to the right place, font fanatics, I'd be most obliged.
Posted by: Ted at
03:40 AM
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1
You could always use one of these: ƒ
Posted by: Pixy Misa at October 30, 2005 04:49 AM (QriEg)
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try here:
http://www.dafont.com/
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at October 30, 2005 07:27 AM (ics4u)
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Thank you, you guys rock!!!
I think we may have found one that works at the defont site.
Posted by: Ted at October 30, 2005 08:01 AM (+OVgL)
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Excellent! If we can make this work, I'll have new bumper stickers printed up in time for the big launch in Culpeper next weekend!
Posted by: Doug Pratt at October 30, 2005 07:45 PM (ia2zV)
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October 29, 2005
Rocket Jones Trick or Treating Tip
Kids, if you see one of these on the front porch:
Just head right on by to the next house, because you can pretty much count on their candy already being gone.
I'd pass on the brownies too, if they offer.
Posted by: Ted at
08:02 AM
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Here I am, looking at the pumpkin, thinking it's a maple leaf, and thinking "Why would Canadians have the munchies?"
I am, apparently, brain dead.
Posted by: owlish at October 29, 2005 12:03 PM (rzugH)
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Ooo, sooper kewl Halloween banner!
Posted by: Tuning Spork at October 29, 2005 01:15 PM (0vCok)
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I'm with owlish, I thought it was a maple leaf and couldn't figure out why canadians have the munchies more than americans on halloween.
Duh!
Posted by: Machelle at October 31, 2005 11:29 AM (ZAyoW)
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How many times have I told you not to leave your clothes lying all over the ceiling?
Wegglywoo has a fun look at beach bathing boxes, down under.
Posted by: Ted at
07:51 AM
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Tuskegee Airmen Vets Visit Namesake Unit in Iraq
This is awe-inspiring.
More than 60 years after the formation of a pioneering group of black pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen, three of its aging members visited their former unit in Balad, a city just north of Baghdad.
"This is the new Air Force, this is the Air Force that represents America, all of it. It is not an organization of African American pilots trying to break the segregation system - they have done it," Lt. Col. Lee Archer, 85, said Friday in a telephone interview from Balad, where the 332 Expeditionary Air Wing is based.
Col. Archer is America's first black Ace from World War II.
Archer, of New York City, said the new unit "reflects the entire image of America. In that dining room was everything that makes America what it is: black, white, Asian, Pacific islanders, people from different parts of Europe. This is what America is."
He was one of three original Tuskegee Airmen in Balad. Archer was accompanied by retired Tech. Sgt. George Watson Sr., 85, from New Jersey and Master Sgt. James A. Shepherd, 81, from Maine. The visit was arranged by Air Force officials to link the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen with a new generation.
Of the many things that the United States military does well, possibly the most underappreciated by the civilian world is how it quietly emphasizes the historical significance of the various units to it's warriors. You can bet that this reminder of the 332nd's beginnings has boosted morale even higher and subtly pointed out that the men and women in that unit have a mighty big legacy to live up to. By all accounts, they are.
Read more about the Tuskegee Airmen
here.
Posted by: Ted at
07:35 AM
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Fashion Tips? From me? Oh you poor, misguided soul...
Somehow, Rocket Jones is number 1 on Google for "how to dress up as buckethead".
I know this because someone got here by doing just that search. Either a lost lamb or a really, really stupid bot.
Posted by: Ted at
07:29 AM
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October 28, 2005
ePumpkins
Carve your own virtual pumpkin here.
Here's mine (
click for big, scary jump-out-at-you size):
Thanks to
The Ministry of Minor Perfidy for the pointer.
Posted by: Ted at
09:24 PM
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It would explain a few things
Do you think Captain Kirk was overcompensating all that time?
My last comment on the subject, I promise.
Posted by: Ted at
12:11 PM
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(I'm choosing to ignore your obsession here.)
Nice logo!!!!! Me like a lot.
Posted by: Blogeline at October 28, 2005 11:41 AM (YMz4J)
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Thanks!
She's my Halloween banner, although I don't remember why I had it listed that way. Maybe I put "Rocket Jones" up in orange or something. I'll have to pretty it all up together, quote and all, and add her to the regular rotation.
Posted by: Ted at October 28, 2005 12:21 PM (blNMI)
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Why on earth would you stop?
Posted by: buckethead at October 28, 2005 12:25 PM (ztNrs)
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uh, getting back to kirk... if we take a look at his crew we see:
- spock was smarter & more logical
- scotty was more passionate
- dr. mccoy was simultaneously more humane towards the crew & cynical towards other races
- lt. uhura... well she was just too darn sexy for the lot of them.
so darn right he was always overcompensating in order to exert his supremacy over all.
Posted by: michele at October 28, 2005 01:45 PM (snduz)
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I think Shatner had short man syndrome, he figured he had to overact to make sure everyone noticed him. Either that or to distract people from staring at Uhura's chest all episode.
Posted by: Oorgo at October 28, 2005 06:57 PM (lM0qs)
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More diverse than we ever knew
George Takei, best known as Mr. Sulu of the original Star Trek, has transported out of the closet.
It's kind of a shame that this is still considered news.
Posted by: Ted at
05:04 AM
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that is a very funny way of putting it.
Posted by: michele at October 28, 2005 09:12 AM (aT3g0)
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I agree, and it's also not a surprise to anyone that's a trekkie. I still like the reaction to when it was published that Rob Halford (of Judas Priest fame) was gay, fans did a collective "Yeah, and?".
Posted by: Oorgo at October 28, 2005 03:29 PM (lM0qs)
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October 27, 2005
Blind to the Irony
This line, from a story about Israeli troops arresting a senior leader of Islamic Jihad:
[Hamas] has largely scaled back its attacks since the truce declaration.
So I guess the word
truce now means "we won't murder as many of you as before."
Posted by: Ted at
02:20 PM
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Farewell, Old Friend
My drop light died last night. I've had that thing for somewhere around 30 years, it was one of the old fashioned light bulb types. I've got the portable halogen setups as well, but sometimes the old drop light was exactly what was needed. Now I've got to replace it, which means a trip to the hardware store. Yay!
Posted by: Ted at
06:12 AM
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You guys down in the city only have one thing that makes me jelous.......but it's a doozie.A Harbor Freight store.I gotta get down there sometime.
Posted by: Russ at October 27, 2005 10:38 AM (ObxzR)
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I try not to go near that place, the draw is irresistable!
Posted by: Ted at October 27, 2005 10:51 AM (blNMI)
Posted by: michele at October 27, 2005 10:57 AM (FJ2Bh)
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It's a light bulb in a protective cage with a long extension cord. They have a hook on them so you can hang them wherever you need temporary light. Very useful when working on cars.
Newer ones are florescent.
Posted by: Ted at October 27, 2005 11:12 AM (blNMI)
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There's a Harbor Freight near me, but I only go there for comsumables--gloves, cheap screwdrivers, that kind of stuff. Looking at the equipment there and the apparent quality left something to be desired, to me. In fact, my welding instructor referred to it as the "cheap-made-in-China-crap" store.
Posted by: Victor at October 27, 2005 11:48 AM (L3qPK)
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Oh, that's exactly what it is, a lot of their stuff is absolute crap. But when I need a field multimeter for my rocketry, I can get one from there for a few bucks rather than risk the nice one I keep in my workshop.
Posted by: Ted at October 27, 2005 11:58 AM (blNMI)
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I wouldn't buy precision measuring tools or anything like that from them.Sockets,wrenches,engine stands.......yeah.
You could go to the other end of "quality" and just demand everything come from Snap-On or Mac but you gotta ask;Do I really need a 20 dollar socket to turn that nut with?Will it last longer than a "lesser" brand?Probably not.Also,warranty can be a consideration.I don't know about Harbor Freight but Craftsman is by far the best.Way back in the mid 80's I had a tool set which came from Sears.One day that tool set came off the back of our line painting truck after someone else swore to me that they had just tied it down.This was up on the Beltway right past Andrews AFB.Long story short it took forever to round up the mangled pieces.What I did get back I took to Landmark Sears that night and did a straight up trade.No questions asked.
Now when it come to Snap On and Mac I have to say that I am not one bit impressed.First;I have seen shit break from them on numerous occasions just as easily as other brands.Secondly;I have not noticed that their quality is anywhere near on par with their prices which are just outrageous.You might get close to twice as nice but at five times the cost.Third;Their warranties are a joke.Fill out this in triplicate telling a novel sized story of the breakage.Then send the part back to the factory where a breakage commity will examine the tool to see wether you deserve your money back.Gee....seems like you'd get more after spending that much cash.
Then you have to consider overall price vs. what or how much you get.Take a look at the prize packs from both Monster House and Monster Garage.Monster House's is valued at something like 3 grand and you get a whole trunk full of stuff easy.On Monster garage you get this piddly little tool set valued at 4 grand.Sorry Jesse but that not 4 thou in my book.I can buy a whole lotta shit from HF for that kinda jack.....and it's not all Chinese either.
Being able to go to HF and examine stuff for myself would be a big help in weeding out the good from the bad.Having been an assembly tech for Lowes,Home Depot and others for almost three years throwing together all sorts of cheap grills and lawn furniture believe me when I say that I have seen more chinese crap than a shit scooper at the Bejing zoo.
Posted by: Russ at October 27, 2005 04:39 PM (ObxzR)
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Ohhhh, so that's what those lights are called. I used to call them the temporary lights with the hook. sigh! see, sometimes I can be such a girl!
Posted by: michele at October 27, 2005 04:41 PM (FJ2Bh)
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Well, I took a chance on a cheap socket set a few years ago. About half of it became useless one day when I tried to turn a rather tight nut and broke the adapter. I don't think those cheap sets are made of steel. Shiny lead, maybe?
Posted by: Tuning Spork at October 27, 2005 09:03 PM (GCHV1)
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Go White Sox
Congrats on winning the World Series. I didn't have a dog in this hunt, because I don't particularly follow either Chicago or Houston. If the Astros would've won, I'd have been happy for them as well.
But the
good Chicago team won. You know,
the non-loser ones.
Posted by: Ted at
06:10 AM
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Poor Chicago baseball fans. They haven't had a championship team since the frickin' Wilson administration. Good to see the Secon.. er.. Third City finally get a chance to kick back and enjoy sweet victory.
Posted by: Tuning Spork at October 27, 2005 09:08 PM (GCHV1)
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I'm a little late in realizing why you linked to me on this, but...HEY!
Posted by: Jennifer at November 01, 2005 11:49 AM (aUOzU)
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Friends, Romans, Countrymen
I took the "Which Historical General Are You" test, found over at Naked Villainy.
Results in the extended entry.
Posted by: Ted at
05:18 AM
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It appears that we are (were) enemies. I scored as Vercingetorix, quite ruthless and unorthodox for my age group.
Posted by: Derek at October 27, 2005 12:19 PM (FloaD)
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William Wallace.Oh,No!Not me!Go figure!HEHEHE
http://www.okcupid.com/tests/take
Posted by: Russ at October 27, 2005 04:57 PM (ObxzR)
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October 25, 2005
Need a laugh?
WWII, as an online interactive game:
deGaulle: eisenhower ur worthless come help me quick
Eisenhower: i cant do **** til rosevelt gives me an army
paTTon: yah hurry the fock up
Churchill: d00d im gettin pounded
deGaulle: this is fockin weak u guys suck
*deGaulle has left the game.*
And it just gets better from there.
Follow the links over at
The Ministry of Minor Perfidy and read the whole thing. Warning though, your co-workers will be looking in to see why you're making those strangled choking noises at your desk.
Posted by: Ted at
10:54 AM
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Acceptable. "Mexigogue" is beginning to bore me.
Posted by: Citizen Quasar at October 26, 2005 12:37 AM (WBtD8)
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OMG, I was skeptical but holy shit that was funny. I'm a gamer so all of that hit home.
Posted by: Maelstrom at October 26, 2005 07:13 PM (NErMm)
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Gene Wolfe wrote a short story in which these guys were playing a war game on a world map (Risk-like) and kept dropping cigar ash on the board. For example, they dropped some ashes on Dresden, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, .... You get the picture. Great story, but not nearly as funny as this :^}
Posted by: chris hall at October 27, 2005 01:24 PM (laRRX)
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Snippet
My wife and I, discussing an idiot she had to deal with at her workplace:
Me: Welcome to Stupidit-- Welcome to Stupidititt-- Welcome to Stupidville.
Wife: And you're their spokesman.
Sometimes, I'm their
king.
Posted by: Ted at
08:24 AM
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Everybody's gotta be good at somethin'.
Posted by: shank at October 26, 2005 06:48 PM (jfEhX)
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LOL! very funny & quick on her part.
Posted by: michele at October 27, 2005 08:39 AM (3/is2)
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October 24, 2005
Cleverly hidden for maximum sneakiness
Posted by: Ted at
08:02 PM
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For some reason I'm imagining the scene; 2640 BC:
"Hey, see that big wild animal over there?"
"Uh-huh."
"I think I'll try to ride it."
"Huh?!"
Posted by: Tuning Spork at October 24, 2005 08:33 PM (FbWm7)
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I wonder if it'll blow up there or at the check point?
Posted by: Russ at October 24, 2005 08:50 PM (ObxzR)
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Ted, don't you know species profiling is bad? You'll give that camel self esteem issues or something.
Posted by: buckethead at October 25, 2005 11:01 AM (ztNrs)
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Repost From Last May
We Walk the Levee.
Posted by: Ted at
04:11 PM
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Just head right on by to the next house, because you can pretty much count on their candy already being gone.
I'd pass on the brownies too, if they offer.
Thanks to The Ministry of Minor Perfidy for the pointer.
