Space Pod, 1960

 drawings, projects, spacecraft  1 Response »
Nov 272010
 

Taken from a report to the Wright Air Development Division (Wright-Pat AFB) dated May 1961 is an illustration of a manned “tug” to be used to bring logistics vehicles to space stations. The idea seemed to have been that spaceplanes from Earth (and similar manned large space vehicles) might not be able to precisely maneuver themselves into a safe docking with a  space station.

The report described work done by Cleveland Pneumatic Industries, Inc., mostly focussing on landing gear systems for both spacecraft returning to Earth, and landing on the moon. However, a some of the artwork clearly depicted designs produced by Lockheed, so this space “tug” might have been a design by Lockheed, Boeing or some other major contractor.

 Posted by at 1:20 am

Feline Mind-Bleach

 cats, photography  2 Responses »
Nov 272010
 

The Unwanted Blog has had its share of downer posts about cats for the last little while. So, here’s something completely different…

While these photos were taken several days ago, as I type this these two are in the same place, doing the same thing. Finger’s purring is prit near shaking the walls.

 Posted by at 12:53 am

Scruffy

 cats, photography  3 Responses »
Nov 272010
 

On the topic of “Save All The Kitties,” here’s one I can’t save… because he doesn’t *want* to be saved. Scruffy in fact goes way the hell out of his way to get himself into danger, a record of which is clearly imprinted on his face. One day he won’t show up ever again.

If there’s a local feline “Fight Club” or a cat version of MTV’s “Jackass,” Scruffy would be right up front and center. I don’t know who the hell it is he fights with… I’ve never seen any other cat as torn up as Scruffy. He may be seeking racoons or some such.

 Posted by at 12:38 am

Not Really What You Want To See…

 blather, photography  1 Response »
Nov 272010
 

… right next to you on the highway:

While driving across Wyoming, I pulled off several times… to gas up, to food up, to bladder down. And every time I did, it gave this truck the opportunity to catch up to me, so that some time later I wound up passing it again. I must’ve passed it five times.

Yeah, a tanker truck full of blasting agents. Neato. Sure, a Class 1.5 explosive is pretty insensitive, but still, that’s enough to give you the uncomfortables.

 Posted by at 12:32 am

Nature Is Cruel

 AARRRGH, blather, cats  15 Responses »
Nov 252010
 

It is customary for something to go kinda wrong for me on holidays, something to ruin days of supposed celebration. Well, Thanksgiving 2010 is off to an awesome start.

One of the first things I did this AM was to step out onto the front porch briefly to spray some primer onto some model parts. While I was out there, I heard the faint sound of a kitten crying. I went in search of it, wearing not nearly enough for current conditions (well below freezing). My search took me across the road to a neighbors old shed, where I saw and heard a kitten trying to get attention. The kitten looked in good shape, but wasn’t interested in being my friend… it ducked back into the shed. I looked in and saw *another* kitten laying on a box about 6 feet in. Far out of reach. This second kitten was immobile, but breathing. It didn’t respond to me in any way.

I came back home and spent a few minutes pondering what to do… not my kittens, not my shed. Eventually I got better dressed and grabbed a long stick. Long story short… too damned late.

Attempts at revival (warm water) were unsuccessful. I suspect that even if I’d gotten the kitten when I first saw it, I would not have been able to help… it’s eyes were frozen. Not frozen shut… the vitreous humor, the clear liquid in the eyeball, was frozen into white mush. I can’t help but think that that would have been a bad thing even if I’d warmed it up while it was still alive.

This day sucks already.

 Posted by at 11:21 am

Socialists on a Rampage

 dumbassery, politics  13 Responses »
Nov 252010
 

Take a gander at the photos to see what happens when you tell a socialist that he or she might have to pay for something that they want you to pay for:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1332811/TUITION-FEES-PROTEST-Students-streets-girls-leading-charge.html

Seems to me, a proper solution from the Brit governmnet to this problem would be for them to stop all university subsidies. Let these precious snowflakes pay their own way entirely.

 Posted by at 9:05 am

More Photos

 photography, Utah  No Responses »
Nov 242010
 

Up near Logan more than a week ago. With the recent blizzards, I have doubts that this looks the same today. Not having anything better to do, tomorrow I may head up that way and see what the view is now like.

——————-

Back yard, looking south towards Little Mountain at sundown.

——————–

Looking west towards the “Blue Hills,” with the last rays of the sun illuminating a few scraps of cloud.

 Posted by at 9:38 pm
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