An advertisement-free blog about motorcycling, Northern life, home improvement, power plants, submarines, nuclear stuff, and a few other off-beat subjects. Comments are welcome. (Image is the Selway Crags in Northern Idaho)
Battleshort: A condition in which some military equipment can be placed so that it does not shut down when circumstances would be damaging to the equipment or personnel.
In practice, Battleshort defeats safety interlocks that might keep a combat unit from completing a mission, particularly when taking heavy damage.
Below: A redneck version of Battleshort, in a civilian electrical circuit. The screwdriver should not blow under high current like a fuse would.
Been working on a post, and hosted several different house guests this summer. Hopefully I'll get something up before the weekend is over.
EDIT: Nope, not happening... it's long-winded and taking a bit of research.
Meanwhile here is a cool science kit from the 1950's. Get your child interested in nuclear physics, engineering or cancer! It would be awesome to have one of these right now!
For years there has been a rumor that the US Navy has a secretive submarine base where they test submarines at a land-locked lake in Idaho. Is this true? Yes, sort of.
Before reading this post, please watch this video clip from the movie "The Naked Gun". In the video clip, OJ Simpson has just announced that he's a cop and that everyone in the room is under arrest. Hilarity ensues.
I suggested watching this video before proceeding with the post, because I was reminded of this scene while reading about the early years of USS Houston, SSN-713. This post might come across as a little harsh, but it's not intended that way. It's actually very instructive as to how a momentary lapse of attention or judgement can put the entire ship at risk.
The old thumb drive keeps giving and giving. A classic, Frankenstein
Wings for Marie (part 2). The album title refers to how many days the singer's mother lived: 10,000 days - a little bit over 27 years. Marie was his mother. The lyrics are intense and the long build-up to the song's crescendo sends chills up my spine. I've said it before: These guys are the Pink Floyd of this generation. Best heard with a good set of earbuds or a great stereo system. Tinny PC speakers don't do it justice.
An amazing vocal performance. Gotye has a voice reminiscent of Sting, but better. Kimbra is maybe even better than he is - certainly better looking, hahaha. This is a phenomenal (multi-platinum) duet.
Another cool song, this one by Cyrkle. Song was co-written by Paul Simon.
