RichC | November 30, 2006
Last Sunday afternoon I took a photo of a taildragger that I thought might be a friend flying down my way from Red Stewart Airfield. The Aeronca Champion ‘quietly’ made a couple slow turns above my house when I snapped this photo — I was thinking … “Mark is that you?” I doubt it … […]
RichC | November 29, 2006
My son came home and demonstrated the “scared pepper” — surface tension of water experiment today. I’m not sure I fully understand the ‘science’ behind the dish washing soap and water, but from an offset printing background we depend on surface tension and even enhance it with isopropyl alcohol or a substitute to dampen aluminum […]
RichC | November 28, 2006
One advantage of a “desultory” blog is that there are very few topics too far out to blog on. Last night I caught a ‘news teaser’ from local Cincinnati television station WXIX talking about “Lock Bumping” and have included the short segment at the bottom of this post. (or check it out on YouTube) Hmm, […]
RichC | November 27, 2006
Master Sergeant John Gebhart was interviewed in reference to a photo of him holding a Iraqi baby on a morning television news show. According to Sergeant Gebhart, his photo had been singled out and for some reason circulated around by email. Although we don’t see many like this on the evening news, Gebhart said from […]
RichC | November 25, 2006
Long running Maryland Public Broadcasting automotive magazine Motorweek produces a segment called Goss’ Garage, which offers tidbits to car owners each week. This past week segment celebrity Pat Goss commented on what to do and what not to do to increase fuel economy. (link to his 10 tips) One comment that might stand out if […]
RichC | November 23, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving. Here’s a refresher story. The Pilgrims who sailed to this country aboard the Mayflower were originally members of the English Separatist Church (a Puritan sect). They had earlier fled their home in England and sailed to Holland (The Netherlands) to escape religious persecution. There, they enjoyed more religious tolerance, but they eventually became […]
RichC | November 23, 2006
I’m not endorsing the outgoing governor of Ohio, but its good to see my state onboard the 25×25′ proposal during a speech Governor Taft delivered to the Ohio Renewable Energy Summit. Energy is something all of us need and want and working towards goals is something all of us need to do in achieve a […]
RichC | November 22, 2006
Here’s a two part answer … downloading is growing, but time spent listening is questionable. An interesting article on American listening habits as they relate to podcasts reviews a few tidbits of data collected by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. The Associated Press Newsvine article on the subject reveals that although the number […]
RichC | November 21, 2006
Although I doubt the reinstatement of the draft proposal by Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) will go anywhere, the idea of national service to country does make some sense. Most Americans appreciate the freedom and privilege we have of living in the United States, but besides paying taxes, many haven’t really had to serve in any […]
RichC | November 21, 2006
From a public relation perspective, News Corporation (NWS) is at least a company that listens to its customers and shareholders. They are obviously listening to the many outraged broadcast viewers (and shareholders) who are upset with the latest book deal and television program featuring OJ Simpson. Simpson worked a book deal with the Newscorp owned […]
RichC | November 20, 2006
According to New Zealand news reports, an iceberg was spotted from shore yesterday for the first time in 75 years. Some of the giant blocks of Antarctic ice were visible from Dunedin on the South Island, but all have recently moved away being driven by wind and current. The 100 plus ‘bergs’ in New Zealand […]
RichC | November 19, 2006
Since I’m relatively new to my Series 2 TiVo branded DVR and have recently networked it rather than use the phone line connections, I though I would play with a few of the less used features today. One of them is to access Internet content in the form of ‘netcasts’ … previously known as ‘podcasts’ […]
RichC | November 18, 2006
In perhaps the biggest game in college football, Ohio State defeats Michigan in a hard fought game … 42 to 39. Wow … it was one for the records!
RichC | November 18, 2006
The Big Game you ask??? If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you just don’t know college football. 😀 Ohio State and Michigan have always been big rivals … in the biggest of way. This year the level of pressure, excitement and emotion has been taken to a whole new level as the undefeated […]
RichC | November 17, 2006
Our neighbor (West Chester, Ohio) and local representative John Boehner (R-OH) will continue to lead the Republicans in congress, although not as the Majority Leader – his current position. He was elected to the position of Minority Leader and accepted the vote of his colleagues in his leadership role after Democrats took majority control of […]
RichC | November 17, 2006
Most Americans are compassionate people and want to do the right thing. We see immigrates as hardworking, family oriented and necessary to fill many unskilled jobs in America … just as they have in past generations. Unfortunately few of us have the insight or background to fully understand what our current immigration policies are doing […]
RichC | November 16, 2006
I stopped at unmanned Fuel Depot’s biodiesel (B20) pump today in Delaware, Ohio (central Ohio north of Columbus) … and noted that prices are few cents higher than the more convenient Sunoco’s B20 pump. Price at the pump was $2.68/gallon to the $2.63 in Mt. Gilead. (exit 151 off I-71) Even though I’m considered frugal […]
RichC | November 16, 2006
According to the online magazine Winding Road, BMW shared what it is planning to export to the US in 2008 — diesel related — and they will publish it in next months issue. According to Matt Davis from Winding Road, “we’ve just driven the 335d Touring – a thoroughly hot wagon with a bi-turbo version […]
RichC | November 15, 2006
Walmart is encouraging associates to share an actual “Merry Christmas” greeting … a reversal of last years policy. Their change is being followed by most major retail stores including Sears, Macy’s, Target and Kohls. One notable exception at this time is Best Buy, who according spokeswoman Dawn Bryant indicates they will continue with “Happy Holidays.” […]
RichC | November 14, 2006
On October 21st, thirty three BlueTec Diesel Mercedes Benz cars began a 28 day drive from Paris to Beijing; they are calling it “The E-Class Experience.” The rally will consist of 5 legs and many drivers from different walks of life. The route will navigate a trip similar to a transcontinental drive from 1907 and […]
RichC | November 13, 2006
Its nice to see the next generation of our nations’ students focused on science and research … and this looks to be the case for two high school students, Holly Jacobson and Tessa Churchill, from Cumberland, Maine. According to an article in the Portland Press Herald, the 17 and 18 year seniors have been invited […]
RichC | November 12, 2006
Thanks you Veterans for all you have done … and continue to do to protect the United States of America and preserve our freedom. A single day of recognition hardly seems appropriate. By the way … thanks Dad(s). (B-26 Air Force WWII and US Army Korea) Have you Forgotten – Darryl Worley in MP3
RichC | November 12, 2006
Most likely remembered by locals as Rookwood Pottery, the restaurant Porkopolis continues a 120 year history of enjoyable atmosphere just east of downtown Cincinnati. The heavily ‘pork’ based menu offers good food at a fair price … and our service from Brian our waiter was excellent. (for out of towners Mt. Adams is about 5 […]
RichC | November 11, 2006
I picked up a home improvement tip from “This Old House” that might come in handy for those needing to get a wire into a room without damaging plaster or wallboard — using “Bad Larry” as Alan the electrician and Host Kevin O’Connor call it. “Bad Larry” is a flexible drill bit, a screw tipped […]
RichC | November 10, 2006
Contrary to a 2002 EPA study, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory published a new study showing that vehicles using B20 fuel —a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel— do not produce an increased level of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in all engines. The previous study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) […]
RichC | November 9, 2006
Hmm … what is going on? Over the noon hour (November 9, 2006) a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy from the USAF circled 6 or 7 times at about 1500 feet around West Chester, Ohio. Passersby looked up as they heard the jet engines whining and saw the flaps extended; it was in obvious slow flight configuration […]
RichC | November 8, 2006
Americans have spoken … and from the looks of things it was clear that we were not happy with the status-quo. Although the change was not quite as large as the 1994 shake up of Congress, it had the same effect in creating a direction change of the same magnitude. Democrats soundly have taken the […]
RichC | November 7, 2006
Americans for all our lauded democracy, have notoriously been a lazy bunch when it comes to getting to the polls to vote. This year there is perhaps more anger and splits in how successfully the bunch in Washington (and locally) are running our country, but I wonder just how angry most Americans are? According to […]
RichC | November 7, 2006
Most car companies have invested significant research into hydrogen and none more than German car manufacturer BMW — see BMW Hydrogen Cars. If you have ever contemplated how hydrogen might work in replacing petroleum, the video clip below showing a BMW Hydrogen7 car might bring the future a step closer. I suspect that eventually we’ll […]
RichC | November 6, 2006
With the election looming, I suspect many will be using the new electronic voting machines for the first time. I’ve heard stories about fraud (nothing solid), tech articles on hacking and references to the weak expertise of poll workers in handing this new equipment. HBO produced a special called “Hacking Democracy” that targets Diebold, a […]
RichC | November 5, 2006
While reading an email the other day, someone mentioned a great Internet video clip from Europe. Since I’m not posting much this weekend, I thought today would be a good day to include it. The video is unique in that it has 4 Radio Control Technology wireless cameras to record an aerobatic flight in Yverdon, […]
RichC | November 5, 2006
I’m loafing a little in posting since I was somewhat busy and tired yesterday from the week away from home. Nevertheless, I’ll post a cellphone photo updating the prices at the public biodiesel pump I usually fill my VW TDI at. Note that priced dropped a couple pennies from the fill up on Tuesday. Also […]
RichC | November 3, 2006
The ‘fall out’ from John Kerry’s gaffe on Monday is blitzing across the country and has made its way to and now back from Iraq in a photo message. Some creative and obviously politically active soldiers have made their voices heard in a big way … and the photo is worth a thousand words. Since […]
RichC | November 2, 2006
Oshkosh Wisconsin is famous for a few things most of us know … Airventure, “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,”Tough Oshkosh Industrial Trucks, OshkoshB’Gosh rugged clothing (especially kids clothes), and someone you might not know … Xtreme Shooter Patrick Flanigan. Haven’t heard of him??? Well … he handles a Winchester Super X shotgun like Tiger Woods […]
RichC | November 1, 2006
Quick post from phone (photo edited) to relay the prices at the central Ohio Sunoco I-71 public biofuel pump at Mt. Gilead exit 151. As of November 1st … B2 – $2.59, B5 – $2.61 and B20 – $2.63. Current petroleum 15ppm Diesel was $2.57 while E85 Ethanol was $2.07 and gasoline $2.17.
RichC | November 1, 2006
Oh … its getting hot in the political kitchen as John Kerry fires up the Republicans with comments made on October 30th as we near the November elections. Senator Kerry used a few words yesterday that either were not carefully selected, or he just poorly communicated his point — strike one. Nevertheless, his damage control […]