Weblog
Friday, 11 September 2009
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Remembering 9/11...
It is said, that time heals all wounds. Another year has passed, and the pain and sickness I felt on this morning eight years ago still remain. I remember watching on the television the sight of the flames and black smoke billowing out of the towers. I felt a deep sickness in the pit of my stomach, because I knew for certain that terrorists had struck even before official confirmation came in. Even as I write this post I cannot help, but feel ill. I remember watching people at the top floors jumping out rather than face the flames that were approaching them. I remember watching the towers come down. I shudder at the nightmares I would have, had I seen all this in person rather than throught the cold, objective lense of a camera.As I look around me in this coffee shop, I wonder how many people here remember where they were on that Tuesday morning. Looking at the kids behind the counter, I wonder what was going through their mind seeing the adults around him reacting. And then I wonder about my newphew; he was three that year. He's 11 now, and I wonder what he is learning about this day in school. Are they even teaching about this day? I worry about what he learns about this day, or even if he will be taught about it.Eight years have passed. Eight years and I still remember. Where were you that Tuesday morning?
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
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Decommisioning....
I started to write this post several
weeks ago, but life got in the way. Also, I have been avoiding
writing this. A part of me is still in denial, and another part of
me has moved on.
Sadly, after almost 12 years of faithful
service it has come time to decommission my car. It was a
frustrating decision, but in the end it was best.
In the
end, it was if she knew her end was near. She refused to give up and
go quietly. I regret that her end came ingloriously on the back of a
flatbed being carried off to the used car lot. No blaze of fiery
glory; just a quiet ride to the end. My heart was heavy when I
handed over my keys and signed the final paperwork to officially turn
her over. I was hoping to be able to sell the car later, but
circumstances required that I expedite the decommissioning. I would
have loved to have had a last trip in her, but as the case with many
things we don't always get what we want.She was a good car, she always brought
me home. She took me cross country more than once. We went through
the hills of California, the deserts of Arizona, the plains of Texas,
the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, and the swamps of the South.
Through the snow, through the rain, through the desert heat, the
sunniest of days, and the darkest of nights, she remained steady.
She saw me through happy times and sad times. Many times I sat in
her embrace and wept tears of heartbreak; many more times I wept
tears of triumph. She became a place of refuge when life became
hard. There are many memories some good, some bad, but mostly good.The hum of her engine and the feel of
her clutch comforted me. Every time I sat in her and held her wheel
and shifter, it felt as though I became one with her. I knew her
limits and how far I could push them, and push them I did. I knew by
feel where every control was located. I could tell how fast she was
going just by the hum of the engine and the vibration of the frame.Sadly The Black Dragon is
no more. She has been decommissioned.*cue:
End credits to Star
Trek III*
Friday, 23 January 2009
Thursday, 22 January 2009
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Chinese efficiency
We should take a lesson form the Chinese when it comes to dealing with corporate corruption.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/burningIssues/idUKTRE50L0ZG20090122?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0
Sunday, 18 January 2009
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I violated the laws of physics today.
How you may ask? And which law did I break? I believe I broke Newton's Third Law of Motion. As for the how, read on.
I was playing football today. (The game itself was interesting with the amount of lucky lateral passes that were made.) At one point I read a pass and moved to intercept the receiver. The receiver catches the ball and turns to run, but I'm there to stop him. Now here's where the physics come into play.
Let's compare the two objects: Designate me as S1 and the receiver as S2. S1 is 178 lbs and 5'8", S2 is 160lbs and 5'6". Let's convert that to SI. S1 would be 80.74kg and 172cm, S2 would be 72.57kg and 167.64cm. In theory S1 is a larger mass than S2. S1 is at full speed and slowing down and S2 is beginning to accelerate. S1 has an acceleration of 3.35 m/s (based on an eight minute mile), let's say S2 has an acceleration of 3 m/s (remember S2 did not have the opportunity to reach full velocity). According to the equation F=ma, S1 has a force of 270.48N and S2 a force of 217.71N. That is a difference of 52.77N.
Therefore we have S1(270.48N)--><--S2(217.71N). Now being a lager mass and having more Force you would think the reaction from the collision would have resulted in S2 being propelled backward. However, that was not the case. I was the one propelled backward flat on my back with my glasses going flying. S2 went backwards only because he was dazed from hitting his head on my chest.
So, my conclusion, the Laws of Physics can be broken.
Lifetime
