Busy traveling … no time for blogging
Posted By RichC on November 1, 2007
… BUT, while zipping into the necessary room at a McDonald’s restaurant, I saw an unusually labeled diaper changing table. (Baby Changing Station — kind of sick in this case?)
Odds and Ends: just archiving
Posted By RichC on October 31, 2007
I ran across a few interesting math calculations, in of all places, a surfing and sailing photo blog that I enjoy called the Horse’s Mouth. Joe Rouse includes excellent photos of sailing, surfing, fishing and all things ‘seaworthy.’ (and some that are just ‘nice’ to look at)
😉
It was interesting enough at the moment that I wanted to save it … and share it. Of course now that I’m this far in posting, I’m having second thoughts … hmm?
1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 9876543211 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 11111111111 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321
Leopard OS sales impressive; Vista lampooned
Posted By RichC on October 30, 2007
As Apple’s new Leopard OS leaps to 2 million copies sold in a week (link), the fine folks at Microsoft are spoofed by BlimpTV in a “made for BlipTV” ad promoting (or demoting) Vista. Very funny … with a few off color descriptive words.
“It’s crashing, and it won’t boot up!” Hilarious!
Slow progress on our Back Porch project
Posted By RichC on October 30, 2007
(New Palm Centro smartphone photo test – click photo for larger)
The weather is starting to turn a bit nippy and our back porch project is still without an outdoor fireplace, not that you’ll catch me sitting out there at 32 degrees. (temperature this morning) According to the the builders, waiting on the stone masons is no surprise to them. Hmm … I hope we’ll have things finished up before the snow piles up or before my son graduates next spring!
🙂
Thought I would add a photo from my Canon EOS Rebel XT for comparison. (click photo for larger)
The best team in baseball 2007
Posted By RichC on October 29, 2007
There isn’t much doubt that the best team in baseball this year resides in Boston. Last night the Red Sox won game four of the World Series (4-3) and defeated the national league’s best, the Cinderella-like Colorado Rockies. Although the Rockies won 20 of their last 21 games to get to the World Series early, they were no match for the American League Boston Red Sox. (or perhaps it was during the long layoff that the Rockies lost their momentum?) At any rate, there is not much doubt that pro sport owners in Boston know how to build winning teams.
My congratulations to the Sox, their friends and fans … even though it pains me.
2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 video reviews
Posted By RichC on October 28, 2007
The Volkswagen Touareg has been impressive ever since its introduction back in 2003. It is a technology oriented 4×4 SUV that has developed an impressive pedigree over the last 4 years with races in Dakar, Baja, Pikes Peak and the unmanned DARPA competition. (race version of the Touareg2 to the right) The Touareg isn’t just about performance as it is also an attractive and comfortable SUV; it is just as impressive in everyday driving and offers an array of creature comforts that are easy on the body; from the exterior it is also pleasing to eyes in my opinion. But that is where is stops for many of us as the new 2008 VW Touareg2 is still without a third row seat or from what I’ve seen to date … a U.S. V-6 diesel. (see March 8, 2007 post) Price and economy has been another sour note for many of us; for example the current V-10 diesel TDI version lists for nearly $70,000.
The video above is from the long running PBS automotive program Motorweek and reviews the redesigned 2008 model. Below are two videos by a Volkswagen of America’s General Manager of Product Management detailing many of the features of the Touareg2.
Charlie Rose interviews Hans Blix 10/25/2007
Posted By RichC on October 27, 2007
Let me state that I’m not a big fan of Hans Blix, or even most of the PBS ‘political’ oriented news programs, but I do occasionally check on shows not available on a regularly watched right leaning news station. That said, Charlie Rose had a 25 minute interview with the previous head United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency and more recently the Swedish based Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission (WMDC). He is a politician and diplomat as well as the author of the 2004 publication “Disarming Iraq.”
It is clear that Mr. Blix has political views that differ from our countries current path, his goal is none the less the same: a nuclear free Iraq and Iran. To Charlie Rose’s credit, he had a couple challenging questions that seem to remain unanswered by Blix. The current U.S. policy is to negotiate from strengthen in preventing nuclear weapon development in initially Iraq and most recently Iran differs from the softer negotiation mention subscribed by Hans Blix. He sees the build up of forces and ultimatums prior to talking with radical Arab leaders counter productive, and believes that we should negotiate with all things on the table first and stand down military presence in the middle east. Its a dangerous time to be wrong.
Tesla electric car with EPA 245 mile range
Posted By RichC on October 26, 2007
I still think I could be talked into this electric car with an EPA rated range of 245 miles that can do 0-60 in 4 seconds, look as good as a Ferrari and be recharged in 3-1/2 hours.It offers electric vehicles good hope for the future … too bad the Tesla is going to cost over $100K. (article and youtube video)
Aviation biodiesel “jet” flight testing success
Posted By RichC on October 25, 2007
Biodiesel Magazine reported the successful results from flight testing by Green Flight International and Biodiesel Solutions this week in Reno, Nevada. The Czechoslovakian L-29 aircraft blended a mixture with Jet-A at the beginning of the flight and slowly increased the blend until it reached B100 (100% biodiesel). The jet powered aircraft reached 17,000 feet and showed “no significant difference in performance compared to jet fuel” according to Green Flight International. Biodiesel Solutions President Rudi Wiedemann commented “the very idea of using 100 percent biodiesel to fly a jet aircraft makes a compelling statement about the possibilities for the future of renewable energy and a healthier planet.â€
Garmin GPS software for the Palm devices
Posted By RichC on October 24, 2007
Garmin software (my current preferred GPS product outside of the Treo) will soon be available for the Palm GPS. Will the TomTom continue to be offered?
The software from Garmin will be the Mobile XT product and offer turn by turn directions, with voice as well as the Garmin online service which includes traffic, fuel prices, hotel prices and weather information. I’ve read that the current price will be $249 in the U.S. and Canada … including the Garmin online information. According to Engadget, it should be available in November.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.