jump to navigation

NOTE: The spam filter is being unusually aggressive. If you comment does not immediately appear, it has simply been placed in moderation and I will approve it as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.

"Murphy was an optimist!"

Quote of the Day May 19, 2009 4:56 pm

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Philosophy, Quote
, add a comment

Seen on Nixie Pixel:

A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history – with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila.

add a comment

Rare East Coast rocket launch tonight at 7:35 May 19, 2009 3:52 pm

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Science, Space, Technology
, add a comment

Launch currently scheduled for 7:35pm tonight.Launch completed successfully! No sign of it in the sky from Knoxville but live stream was beautiful. Friend in Delaware was able to see the 2nd stage separation.

NASA is again going to attempt to launch an Air Force Minotaur I rocket carrying the Air Force Research Laboratory’s TacSat-3 satellite, NASA’s PharmaSat microsatellite, and NASA’s CubeSat Technology Demonstration experiments, which includes three four-inch cubed satellites, developed by universities and industry. [Source] The launch will be from the NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. I read that if the skies are clear, the launch will be visible up to 800 miles away (but I could be misinformed). Knoxville is roughly 450 miles as the crow flies. If you don’t want to leave the house, NASA has the most exceptional webcasts available. The Wallops launch is already streaming live. Read more at the Wallops site or follow @NASA_Wallops on Twitter. Be sure to also follow @ATKRocketNews Trina Patterson of ATK who gives additional Twitter commentary on the launch.

add a comment

Entrepreneurs can change the world May 19, 2009 12:01 pm

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Of Interest, Publishing, Video
, add a comment

This is a great video seen on Phreadz. It is an ad for http://grasshopper.com/ but except for the last second of the video is completely unrelated to Grasshopper. The message in the video is strong and worth 2:19 seconds of your time.

add a comment

Chasing that early bird May 19, 2009 6:04 am

Posted by Doug McCaughan in : Daily Life, Health, Sleep
, add a comment

I like to get up early. I accomplish a lot and the sound of near silence plus chirping birds is very appealing to me. However, I don’t do it often anymore. I’ve become a 6am riser although today I scored 5am. I went to bed at midnight and almost rose from bed at 2am. But almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

add a comment