Saturday, April 30, 2005
Weekend Diversion
OK, Here's your weekend diversion. Follow this link and DO NOT click on th button!
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Is it just me...
I saw a mini cooper today, and for some reason I couldn't stop staring. Not only that, but I was struck by the thought that I had never before seen a car with such large headlights.
But maybe I'm just imagining things.
But maybe I'm just imagining things.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Model Railroading...Illini Style
Apparently having a winning basketball team has some advantages for model railroaders like myself. There is now a "special edition" Illini train available in HO scale.
Never mind that it's probably a really cheaply made model that will run poorly for about 50 hours of operation and then quit, It's kind of a cool idea. I think the railroad club ought to have one...or at least some engines painted like that.
Never mind that it's probably a really cheaply made model that will run poorly for about 50 hours of operation and then quit, It's kind of a cool idea. I think the railroad club ought to have one...or at least some engines painted like that.
Monday, April 25, 2005
Quote of the unspecified temporal interval
"Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious."
Brendan Gill
Brendan Gill
Saturday, April 23, 2005
When blooper's aren't funny
I almost feel sorry for this policeman, but right now that's being overpowered by my concern about a little detail in the picture
A heavily armed New York City police officer stands guard outside the New York Stock Exchange... (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
What bothers me is that little thing called an "aimpoint" mounted atop that M16/AR15. Here he is looking strong and invincible, and the very device used to aim his rifle IS ON BACKWARDS!! He probably isn't to blame for this (it's most likely his armorer's responsibility) but it means that this man is carrying a rifle which has probably never been sighted in. Heaven help him (and the people around him) if he ever has to use it.
Leave guns to the "professionals". . . I think NOT!
A heavily armed New York City police officer stands guard outside the New York Stock Exchange... (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
What bothers me is that little thing called an "aimpoint" mounted atop that M16/AR15. Here he is looking strong and invincible, and the very device used to aim his rifle IS ON BACKWARDS!! He probably isn't to blame for this (it's most likely his armorer's responsibility) but it means that this man is carrying a rifle which has probably never been sighted in. Heaven help him (and the people around him) if he ever has to use it.
Leave guns to the "professionals". . . I think NOT!
Weekend Diversion
It looks like this could be a nasty weekend in C-U, so here's a chance to go shoot some pool. No, I mean really SHOOT some pool!
Friday, April 22, 2005
A Methodology for the Typical Unification of Access Points and Redundancy
Once in a while I think the people of academia deserve a collective slap in the face. But I've NEVER seen anyone do it better than this!
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Engineering isn't a career...
I was once told "Engineering isn't just a career; it's a way of life." At the time I doubt I really appreciated how true the statement was, but over time I have learned how true it really is. I'm quite serious about that too! How else can I explain the compulsion to sketch boiler schematics, plumbing layouts, pneumatic systems, and circuitry on napkins at the dinner table?
In many cases the "engineering lifestyle" means the continual search for knowledge, especially when it means disassembling gadgets and various interesting items. But for some there is the strong compulsion to build as well. I just stumbled across one of the best examples of this instinct that I have ever seen.
Over at www.fivebears.com there are all sorts of projects online. This page covers everything from a home-made CNC milling machine to an 8,000 rpm (at the propeller) turboprop.
What's even more amazing is the amount of do-it-yourself work that went into these projects. For example the 9-cylinder radial engine has a custom cylinder head design. The heads weren't made at some shop and shipped in! No they were cast by the builder himself (through a process he had apparently never been trained in).
All I can say is that I am impressed! It must be an incredible feeling to go from having a pot of molten metal to having a beautiful little piece of machinery like this!
9 cylinder, home built, radial engine.
In many cases the "engineering lifestyle" means the continual search for knowledge, especially when it means disassembling gadgets and various interesting items. But for some there is the strong compulsion to build as well. I just stumbled across one of the best examples of this instinct that I have ever seen.
Over at www.fivebears.com there are all sorts of projects online. This page covers everything from a home-made CNC milling machine to an 8,000 rpm (at the propeller) turboprop.
What's even more amazing is the amount of do-it-yourself work that went into these projects. For example the 9-cylinder radial engine has a custom cylinder head design. The heads weren't made at some shop and shipped in! No they were cast by the builder himself (through a process he had apparently never been trained in).
All I can say is that I am impressed! It must be an incredible feeling to go from having a pot of molten metal to having a beautiful little piece of machinery like this!
9 cylinder, home built, radial engine.
Monday, April 18, 2005
BANG
Hobbies are interesting things. In my case they're rather cyclical, which is to say, I'll get really interested for a while before my interest tapers off. The good hobbies are the ones that re-spark your interest every little bit.
In this case, my daily (online) reading over at the Nation of Riflemen has really given me the itch again. For those of you who aren't familiar with his blog, Mr. du Toit frequently presents pictures of firearms for nuts...er... enthusiasts like me to gaze at. This time he's come up with a shot of three pieces of high caliber artwork. Of course I usually prefer revolvers in a nice shiny stainless finish, but in this case I'll make an exception. Those are some real beauties!
In this case, my daily (online) reading over at the Nation of Riflemen has really given me the itch again. For those of you who aren't familiar with his blog, Mr. du Toit frequently presents pictures of firearms for nuts...er... enthusiasts like me to gaze at. This time he's come up with a shot of three pieces of high caliber artwork. Of course I usually prefer revolvers in a nice shiny stainless finish, but in this case I'll make an exception. Those are some real beauties!
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