Tycho

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Mechanical engineer, material scientist. Loves to run, play billiards, swim, and be outdoors. Friend's Blogs:

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Posted 22:15 by Tycho

First up for tonight is a section on New Orleans. For those of you who like to shove your head in the sand (or other places), New Orleans has been more or less wiped off the face of the Earth. The strongest building (Superdome) has its roof ripped off, and is structurally unsound. There is one road in and out of the city for supplies (2 Chinooks are on station, along with the USS Bataan and another warship). Levees have burst, raising the level of water in the city to new heights, and people are waiting for rescue on their roofs. In order to combat this, 4 more Chinooks will be flown in to start dumping 3 000 and 15 000 sand bags to "dam" up the levees that have broken.

Now, for the unrescued, time is running VERY short for survival. Food is in extremely short supply, and fresh water is almost nowhere to be found, as all the floodwaters are contaminated with fuels, other chemicals, and refuse, making it very unsafe to drink.

On top of that, looting is prevalent, and the police were reluctant to stop the thieves (proud new owners of 60" TV...which won't work either because its flooded, was damaged, or due to lack of electricity). And since everyone who doesn't get out will most likely die, they'll have to leave those possessions behind to be evacuated (but Mr. Chinook pilot, I NEED my 60" plasma HDTV or else I *WILL* die). Fortunately, to restore order, martial law has been declared, and will be enforced by over 10 000 National Guardsmen. Of course, if they can't keep the peace, and a strike force is needed to quell looting, there is a Marine Amphibious Assault landing craft (equivalent to an LCA) ready to go for rapid deployment.

In other news, in the midst of a large crowd in Baghdad (or near, I can't remember), someone screamed there was a suicide bomber...sick thing to do. In the ensuing stampede, over 985 people were killed--far more than a suicide bomber could have hoped for in his dreams of attaining his eternal bondage sessions with 72 virgin pigs and horses (some people just really want their bacon fresh, not fried).

Now for news about me. I've been out running regularly--definitely not as much as I want or should, but I have. There's something here that makes me feel like I could go forever. There was this strange lady who was staring at me as I was stretching out--she sat down when I started, stared, then got up when I was done. And yes, I was wearing the red shorts. Shut up, Chris (and no, I didn't bring the compression shorts, if you were wondering). I think the summer training is beginning to pay off--I can feel it! Once I get back to school, I'll be set for 2 Cross Country meets...just need to make sure to keep up the training and taper a bit just before heading back.

WARNING: LONG SECTION OF POSSIBLE EDUCATION; GEEK ALERT

NASA is really awesome. The project is extremely interesting (but sometimes has very tedious reading to go through), and I've learned alot, and got to play with alot of damned cool toys. I've also come to an impasse in my academic career. My original concentration was aero- and astronautics. Unfortunately, due to scheduling issues with the courses*, I had to switch to materials science and engineering concentration (very interesting, fun, and gets me lab time). But with the possibility of grad school coming up, I've been doing some thinking. If I can get a TAship (free tuition), I can do my masters in mat. sci.+eng. ... but I'm really hoping they'll let me take undergrad classes, too, and that way I can get my bachelor's in aero/astronautics, or at least be able to learn the material and be better prepared to enter the aerospace and astronautics industry.

*Until the aerospace major was formed, many of the aero courses were offered every other year, making them relatively difficult to schedule.

Sometimes I shake my fist at life--so much to learn, not enough time. It's not fair. Then again, life is rarely fair.

1: "So how does this thing work?"
2: "You flip the switch and pretty lights come on."
1: "........."

I'm sorry I have nothing exciting to report. Excepting that the Mythbusters is the best show on TV...EVER! Take common myths, debunk them or prove them, and then pack it full of high explosives and help contribute to global warming (OR) throw it out of an airplane to determine if it is aerodynamic or not (OR) shoot rifles at it (self-explanatory) (OR) attach lots of rockets to it (also self-explanatory) (OR) load it into a trebuchet to see if poor Buster could indeed be used as the next-generation bunker buster.

Needless to say, it is a VERY popular show around here. It is a dream job for engineers such as ourselves. Adam, Jamie, if by some lucky chance read this (and make it this far), WE LOVE YOUR SHOW. PLEASE HIRE US!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And to further enhance my resume to them, I am currently watching the show. Our favorite has got to be when they let concrete dry in a cement truck, then filled it up with bags upon bags of high explosives, and ripped a small hole in existence.

Sorry, tired, got a little off track. Tomorrow will be an early call, and research has to be done.

Oh, and by they way, MARYLAND DRIVERS SUCK ASS. I have NEVER seen such utter retardation or ineptitude when it comes to driving. Neither have I ever seen an exit in the middle of a freaking merge lane (exit ramp is about 100 feet in front of the on-ramp)! People say Boston and New York is bad for driving--at least we can fucking hold the road, and, you know, LOOK before cutting people off. Nor do we have assholes who ride two lanes or squeeze between two cars. It does make for a picturesque route home from Goddard--the roadside is utterly strewn with shrapnel and debris (including a mirror from my ride). It seems that the driving skill of these people is inversely proportional to gas prices.

Anyways, I need sleep. Good night everyone, and fare ye well! So as to leave on a positive note: I can't wait to go out running tomorrow.

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Thursday, August 25, 2005

Posted 22:45 by Tycho

Was in a hit and run. Everyone is ok.

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Friday, August 05, 2005

Posted 23:05 by Tycho

Good evening all.

First, I'd like to admit that I fucked up. I wasn't having a good time, and spoiled the time for everyone else, too. Way to go, Matt. Not cool.

Last few days were ok. Took a couple days off this week from running because my legs were getting ripped up a bit (by the way, my hip gave out tonight). Went out yesterday for a 3.5 miler and did it at a 6:44 pace. Awesome. Did a 7:04 pace and 6:44 pace in the days before. Tomorrow will probably be a 7 miler, though I might cut it back to 5 depending on the heat and humidity. We'll see. Either way, it will be good.

Today was yet another long and tedious day at work, and was looking forward to going out tonight. Every time I changed something in the program at work, I'd have to save it, then reload it, which takes the better part of an hour. If I make a mistake, have reload it all over again. The reason why its bad is because both my manager and I have been working on this *single* part for the past week or so. Extremely frustrating at times, but definitely was a good project, as it was quite challenging! Good news is that I finally got it to work properly today. Monday I need to start on another part (yay!). I haven't been able to make it down to the machine shop for a couple days, and so haven't been able to enjoy playing with the big toys. I also accidently "stole" my co-worker's timecard today due to a miscommunication. I'm lucky I survived!

Got out of work, didn't have time to go running, and got picked up by Chris. Got everyone else, went to Boston Beer Works and played pool. Night started out pretty good, but then went downhill. Its kind of insulting when someone talks to all the other people individually for long periods of time, but when they talk to you, they keep it to as short a time as possible. Am I that uninteresting/disliked? And so I just withdrew and kept to myself for the rest of the night, as that bothered me. No wonder some might believe I never have any fun. I wish that I wouldn't be stupid and be my normal self in such cases--you know, the hyper, on the bounce, excited, a ball of energy, out to have fun, and to make sure everyone else has fun, too. That's the real me, but I haven't been showing it lately.

No surprise she asked to just stay friends. I wonder if she remembers the real me. Doesn't matter anymore, I guess. I'll admit it hurts. Unfortunately, in this world, second chances are few and far between.

I do feel ashamed for throwing a pity party (the invitations are in the mail), especially on the 60th anniversary of the detonation of an atomic bomb over Hiroshima (and in three days, Nagasaki). May the souls of those who died rest in peace, and may the scarred survivors find peace within themselves, as well as forgive us for the horror that we unleashed upon them. Thank God weapons as destructive as those have not been used since.

Also, I pray that the Russian submariners will be rescued, safe and sound. I'm hoping that their oxygen will hold out longer than expected. I am afraid that it will turn out like the Kursk...but there is always hope, and I will continue to hold out hope for them. I was very glad to hear of rescue craft towing it, and that the US and Britain are rushing their own rescue craft (though no one is sure if the one from the US will make it in time to help save the sailors).

Right now I'm tired, so I shall be heading off to bed. I pray that you all have a safe night. Fare ye well, and may you find good fortune.

They don't care if you die or not--dying is part of our trade. They do, however, care a great deal about how you die--it must be on the bounce, and still trying.

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