Read this question, come up with an answer and then check the extended entry for the result. This is not a trick question. It is as it reads.

A woman, while at the funeral of her own mother, met this guy whom she did not know. She thought this guy was amazing, so much her dream guy she believed him to be, that she fell in love with him right there but never asked for his number and could not find him. A few days later she killed her sister.

Question: What is her motive in killing her sister? (Give this some thought before you answer) more...

Posted by: Ted at 08:26 AM | category: Square Pegs
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1 Whew. Thank goodness for Snopes; I got it "correct." (But correct with an appropriate level of horror and revulsion, I assure you!)

Posted by: nic at November 09, 2003 09:44 AM (16A49)

2 I was way off the track, but then I have no killer instinct ... well until the mosquitos start bitin' me, but I count that as self-defense.

Posted by: Tiger at November 09, 2003 12:36 PM (xV/w/)

3 I feel so much better about myself! LOL

Posted by: PunchBuggy at November 10, 2003 02:12 AM (iEHQX)

4 I had to look. I thought the guy was a cop and he had given her a clue her sister had some hand in the death of her mother.

I'm not sure how to feel about my gf getting the right answer.

Posted by: Victor at November 10, 2003 03:50 PM (L3qPK)

5 Not even a clue as to what that was about...Thank God.

All I could think was maybe the sister ran over the womans dog or something or really pissed her off unrelated to the rest of it.

Thank God my brain doesn't work like that.
(And yes 'like that' was TOO necessary, Teddy-poo!)

Posted by: Stevie at November 10, 2003 11:15 PM (4l3Gy)

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If you don't know what this is all about, look here for links to previous posts.

The rocket is fully dressed and ready to fly. In the extended entry are photos of the decals and paint job. They're not great photos, but you'll get the idea. There are eight of them, but sized rather small to help the bandwidth.

Maiden flight is next saturday, the 15th of November, at The Plains, Virginia. more...

Posted by: Ted at 02:13 PM | category: Rocketry
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1 Awesome!!! Love the cow-fins!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at November 08, 2003 05:02 PM (9ttrm)

2 How nifty is that?

Posted by: LeeAnn at November 08, 2003 05:25 PM (HxCeX)

3 Too cool! So when is it supposed to start sendin' pictures back from Pluto?

Posted by: Tiger at November 08, 2003 08:49 PM (6QDjI)

4 Aw, man, you are too cool...
I saw the POW flag, then I saw this other decal...
The first thing I noticed was Stevie Ray's hat...I was tryin' to figure out the rest of it..and...DAMN! A whole 'nother decal just for Mr. Vaughan.

Ted, you are da man!

Thank you so much for both decals...and those fins are way cool, too...

(When I first clicked onto here, I was thinkin' to myself that I need to ship you cookies along with the hat, for takin' so long. Now that I've seen this, I'll be shipping a coupla varieties along with the hat....all homemade, though. Hmmm...can you mail a spice cake? With cream cheese frosting?)

Posted by: Stevie at November 08, 2003 10:30 PM (nbNVc)

5 Ted, the only one I didn't see was yours: your mu.nu meatball. It's fabulous, otherwise

Time to put up the Sharks logo. What a crappy game.

Posted by: Victor at November 08, 2003 11:06 PM (16A49)

6 Wow! What a lot of work! I'm honored to be represented on your rocket. Thanks, Ted!

Posted by: Susie at November 09, 2003 01:13 AM (0+cMc)

7 Absolutely gorgeous!

Posted by: Jennifer at November 09, 2003 05:46 AM (peLv7)

8 Woohoo!

Posted by: Pixy Misa at November 09, 2003 07:10 AM (jtW2s)

9 I see the meatball now (must've been blinded by tears and exhaustion)...but is it the mu.nu meaball or the nasa meatball? I can't quite tell thru the flash glare...?

Posted by: Victor at November 09, 2003 10:45 AM (16A49)

10 Above the names is the MuNu meatball, NASA's inferior version is in line with the 'space and rocket' logos, but not in any picture.

Posted by: Ted at November 09, 2003 11:49 AM (2sKfR)

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Researchers said on Wednesday they had found erectile tissue in the tentacle of a male octopus, the first time such tissue has been seen in an invertebrate.

Octopuses, known for their intelligence and complex behavior, are shy animals. Observing their mating is difficult and often the females attack and eat the males during courtship.

In humans, that behavoir has evolved into divorce court and custody hearings.

"We haven't gotten a male octopus to perform for us, as it were, in the lab," Thompson admitted. "Maybe we should try Viagra."

I knew there'd be one! I had nothing funnier, so we'll leave it at that.

"Erectile tissue might be a way to have a large copulatory organ when it is in use," Thompson said. When not in use, it would be small and out of the way. "Running around with an erection potentially could be difficult."

This one invites the humor, but instead take a second and think about what human cultures would be like if men were perpetually erect. Would the penis have evolved into a smaller and less intrusive organ for it's own protection? What would men's clothing - and women's come to think about it - look like? How would customs and conventions have been different? There really is some interesting speculating to do over a cuppa if you leave the humor out of it. Then have another cup and go for the jokes.

Posted by: Ted at 09:27 AM | category: SciTech
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I live in Virginia, skies are forecast to be clear, and the show starts at 8:02pm. Details can be found here.

Mookie and I will be bundled up and out there with our crappy little telescope.

And here's a link to '10 Cool Lunar Eclipse Facts'.

Posted by: Ted at 09:18 AM | category: SciTech
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A man was in a terrible accident, and his "manhood" was mangled and torn from his body. His doctor assured him that modern medicine could give him back his manhood, but that his insurance wouldn't cover the surgery, since it was considered cosmetic.

The doctor said that the cost would be $3500 for "small," $6500 for "medium," and $14,000 for "large." The man was sure he would want a medium or large, but the doctor urged him to talk it over with his wife before he made any decision.

The man called his wife on the phone and explained their options. The doctor came back into the room, and found the man looking quite dejected. "Well, what have the two of you decided?" asked the doctor. The man answered, "She'd rather remodel the kitchen."

Posted by: Ted at 08:05 AM | category: Square Pegs
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For rockets of the size that I fly, most of my final painting is done with cans of spray paint. For the real big rockets, people either use automotive paint guns or take the rocket to a local auto-paint shop. Sometimes you can make a deal where they'll paint your rocket for a reduced price if they can use up leftover paint from another job.

The most interesting finish I've ever seen on a big rocket didn't use paint at all. One guy laminated uncut sheets of US one dollar bills (info available here on how to get them) onto his rocket. I remember it took just over one hundred bills to cover the entire airframe, and he said it was actually a bit cheaper than taking it into the shop for a professional paint job.

Posted by: Ted at 09:29 PM | category: Rocketry
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Another lost city found in the jungles of Peru. Lost twice actually, because explorer Hiram Bingham, the discoverer of Machu Picchu, described the site in 1912 but was vague about the exact location and it wasn't found again until this year.

Because of the heavy jungle canopy, an airborne infrared camera was used to locate the ruins of Llactapata. Then the expedition used machetes to hack through the jungle to reach it, 9,000 feet up the side of a mountain.

You can see pictures of this stunning region here (there are some great related links at the bottom of the page too), and learn more about the Incas here.

Posted by: Ted at 07:39 AM | category: History
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Last night the San Jose Sharks played the Boston Bruins and wonder of wonders, it was televised. That's a good thing, because watching the local Washington Capitals lately has been painful and last night was no exception.

The game was mucho fun to watch, ending in a 5-5 tie. After the Sharks imploded last year, a major overhaul was begun and this years version is younger and faster than previous teams. They also unloaded some high-priced and underachieving stars, which seems to have changed the chemistry of the team for the better. They have enough veterans to provide the leadership needed, and the older players are all grinders and workers, setting the example for the youngsters.

There were a couple of times during the game when the old Sharks would have folded or gotten panicky and made a stupid mistake. That didn't happen.

The Sharks need the young kids to mature rapidly this season, and players like Marleau and Sturm have to play up to their potential. We've been waiting for them to break thru for several years now, and we're getting impatient.

In goal, the Sharks have three solid goalies. Most teams only carry two, and I don't know what the Sharks are planning to do long-term. Last night third-string goalie Teskala played a pretty good game and although the Bruins scored five goals, there were no 'cheap' goals on either side. It was good goaltending getting beat by good shots.

Young and rebuilding, the Sharks have a chance to make the playoffs this season (I know, I know, that's not hard to do in hockey... tell it to the Rangers). This team is going to be fun to watch.

Posted by: Ted at 07:10 AM | category: Square Pegs
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Take the test and identify your inner self.

Also, for your N/G/D entertainment, this is a cool look at video game and computer history.

Posted by: Ted at 05:26 AM | category: Links
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Voyager, leaving our solar system.

Posted by: Ted at 02:28 PM | category: Space Program
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Enough for one each day of the month, with a couple spares. Become one of life's success stories, courtesy of Rocket Jones. more...

Posted by: Ted at 11:11 AM | category: Square Pegs
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Collins had set up a challenge before going haitian he disappeared. Details are here, but basically each week if his beloved Jets won the game then he would rag the other team and designated fan or vice versa, and links would be provided.

It went according to plan for exactly one week, when Rob of Left & Right treated John like a red-headed stepchild. Then life got interesting for John, and the challenge went by the wayside.

Everyone seemed to just let it lie, but I already had some killer jokes prepared for him. I was confident then, before the Raiders started looking like a team in the new AARPFL. So on sunday, I'm going to watch the game, and if the Raiders beat the Jets, I'm going to slam Collins and his Jets according to the original plan. And if the Jets whup the Raiders, well, I'll rework the jokes where possible and do my drunken mick impersonation, showing no mercy to the Black & Silver.

Bill, Wind Rider, Paul or anyone else who talks to John occasionally, point him this way next chance he gets. I'm thinking about him.

Posted by: Ted at 09:58 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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Yesterday I ranted about the BATFE and their latest attempt to expand their power. Publicola left a comment to that post that is so dead-on accurate that I wanted to make sure you had a chance to read it. It's fairly long, but worth the time it takes to read through.

In it, he wrote this, which is the best summary of the BATFE I've ever seen:
"Publicity is BIG for them. More press, more congressional attention = bigger budget. That's what it's all about."

Exactly. The BATFE will do anything to keep the control they have and to grow their empire, including issuing official letters and reports to sympathetic congressmen that are full of factual errors, misrepresentations and deliberate lies. They also like to hold press conferences to announce sensationalized events that always turn out to be less than meets the eye. The BATFE has gone so far as to assign agents as part of the staffs of certain cooperative members of congress.

This is the same goverment bureau that originally required fingerprinting of Cub Scouts before being allowed to launch model rockets as part of (long-established) Scouting programs. When the complaints began flooding in, they allowed the smallest possible exception, which helped Scouts but left educational institutions out in the cold.

This is the bureau that managed to wreck quite a few Fourth of July fireworks displays last year by requiring complete background investigations on everyone in contact with 'explosives'. That meant that every warehouse worker, truck driver and railroad employee needed that check. Predictably, the universal reaction was "we won't carry those items". By the time the rule was rescinded, it was too late for many towns.

This bureau has already started to clamp down on all those potential terrorists who use RC cars, planes and boats. Their plan is to require licensing for all users of radio-controlled toys.

If you click on the Rocketry category link at the bottom of this post, you'll see my other articles about the BATFE and their efforts to protect us all from ourselves.

It's not just rockets or RC or even guns. This is an organization out of control, and Homeland Security has given them a smokescreen and excuse that they are using to grab even more power.

By the way, if you like reasoned argument and debate about the 2nd Amendment, you really should visit Publicola. He cites sources and research throughout his work, and he writes well.

Posted by: Ted at 06:59 AM | category: Rocketry
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This site (click this link) has just been put up thanks to the volunteer efforts of rocketeers across the US. It will be referred to during the commercial breaks of The Great Rocketry Challenge scheduled to air beginning November 9th on the Discovery Channel.

Lots of great information there.

Posted by: Ted at 05:32 AM | category: Rocketry
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1 There was something on the discovery channel about rockets the other night dad. We were flipping through the channels as we were giong to bed. Just thought that I would mention it.

Posted by: Robyn at November 06, 2003 10:54 AM (gWcjd)

2

Posted by: Ted at November 06, 2003 11:11 AM (Qj620)

3 The Rocket Challenge series is outSTANDING coverage that shows what a exciting hobby rocketry is for people of all ages, how it inspires creativity, technical prowess and craftsmanship. It’s also a lot of fun!

here is the re-air schedule

[ Times shown are EST ]

--- Thursday/Friday, Nov 13/14 2003 ---
08:00 PM Wild and Weird Rockets
09:00 PM How High Can You Fly?
10:00 PM Supersonic Speed Demons
11:00 PM Wild and Weird Rockets
12:00 AM How High Can You Fly?
01:00 AM Supersonic Speed Demons

--- Saturday, Nov 15 2003 ---
12:00 PM Wild and Weird Rockets
01:00 PM How High Can You Fly?
02:00 PM Supersonic Speed Demons

--- Saturday, Nov 22 2003 ---
05:00 PM Wild and Weird Rockets
06:00 PM How High Can You Fly?
07:00 PM Supersonic Speed Demons


and here are the blurbs from TDC

Wild and Weird Rockets

The largest amateur rocket competition blasts off in Kansas -- with a chance to break world records and put some of the most unusual rockets into the atmosphere. Can the Aurora hit Mach 2? And can an outhouse really fly?

How High Can You Fly?

The highest bowling ball wins! Rocketeers launch rockets with 16-pound bowling balls in a heavyweight altitude challenge. And which team will win from the ground up as teams race to build and launch an 8 ft rocket from scratch in just a matter of hours.

Supersonic Speed Demons

Speed is the challenge, as rocketeers compete to build and fly the fastest home built rocket at speeds over 1300 miles per hour. And viewers will see who can launch a rocket with the most precision in a target based, high-stress competition.

[ source: The Discovery Channel Online at http://dsc.discovery.com/schedule/series.jsp?series=24306&gid=11495 ]

- iz

Posted by: Ismaeel Abdur-Rasheed at November 10, 2003 11:05 PM (tfP3d)

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Victor, Nic and Stevie: thought you might be interested. There are pictures and everything.

Posted by: Ted at 01:35 PM | category: Square Pegs
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Over on the right column is a tagline that changes every few days, and right below it is the link to my tagline archive where you can view past bits of wisdom and whimsy. If you have one to contribute, send it in and I'll post it up.

Posted by: Ted at 08:57 AM | category: Square Pegs
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It's been a while since I've posted a Bill picture.

Bill throws a lot of parties. It's because no one will invite him to their house.

Open it up to see Bill's halloween costume. more...

Posted by: Ted at 07:43 AM | category: Square Pegs
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1 Heh.

(Why didn't you send it to me first for a little...adjusting?)

Posted by: Jennifer at November 05, 2003 12:05 PM (XVdrJ)

2 Didn't need it.

Posted by: Ted at November 05, 2003 02:20 PM (Qj620)

3 Beer in hand, pants down to ankles. Yep, that's Bill.

Posted by: Victor at November 06, 2003 07:30 AM (L3qPK)

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Welcome to the visitors who reached this blog by searching Google for:

"Lanced boil pictures"
"Auction houses in San Fransisco"
"Anti-Halloween Poem"
"Estes rocket vegetable"

Posted by: Ted at 05:48 AM | category: Square Pegs
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November 4, 2003 - The ATFE and its contractor, Applied Research Associates, have been purchasing high power rocket motors, rocket kits, launch rails, electrical launchers and other items to conduct tests at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. The purpose of the tests is to provide proof that high power rockets can be used to shoot down commercial aircraft during landings and takeoffs. The tests will be documented by videotape. It is expected that the video tape will be
released during a press conference for maximum media exposure.

The ATFE plans were first discovered by a high power rocket vendor who recognized the name of ATFE agent, David Shatzer, as he purchased launch rail equipment. Mr. Shatzer has been traveling across the country purchasing other high power rocket supplies using the cover story that he is a high power rocket hobbyist. He changes the story with respect to who he will be flying with depending on his geographical location. Applied Research Associates has purchased at least 40 J350 rocket motors and large numbers of rocket kits from
different suppliers.

It was reported to ARSA that Applied Research Associates employees along with ATFE agents were to conduct tests yesterday at Hill Air Force Base using a target drone to simulate a commercial aircraft. The high power rockets were to be launched out of a parked van. The rockets were going to be launched one at a time at the drone as well as several at a time. The rockets did not contain explosive warheads. It is not known whether the drone was rigged to simulate an explosion as a high power rocket passed by.

The information in this story was made available to Senator Mike Enzi's staff. It is not know at this time, what action, if any, Senator Enzi plans to take. Watch for further updates on this story as it develops.

Thanks to Izzy of Rocket Forge for posting the article to the Rec.Models.Rockets (RMR) newsgroup.

First of all, some questions immediately come to mind:

1. Does Agent Shatzer posses a LEUP (Low Explosives User Permit)? We are required to in order to purchase these motors. In other words, it's already regulated.

2. Is Agent Shatzer posses at least a Level 2 certification from the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) or Tripoli? We are required to in order to purchase these motors. In other words, it's already regulated.

3. Is Agent Shatzer storing his motors in a BATFE-approved magazine? Getting approval for his magazine shouldn't be hard since he is a BATFE agent, but the magazine requirements are not simple to comply with. Again, it's already regulated.

Someone brought up a good point - the BATFE doesn't have to videotape anything but a van driving up, opening the doors and launching a rocket from the back. That alone will be sufficient to scare enough idiots Senators and Representatives that they will get their way.

And what exactly is it that they want to do? They want to eliminate hobby rocketry. Not because it will make anyone safer, nor will it stop a single terrorist action, because there are easier and more effective ways to shoot down airplanes. In fact, using one of our unguided rockets is a pretty damned silly method with virtually no chance of success.

But they could point to this and crow that they're protecting Americans.

Here's a nice quote from C. Stewart on RMR:
The actual point of the silly cloak-and-dagger routine is that the BATF wants to be able to shout loudly that "Terrorists can easily get model rockets!" while showing vids of this character doing just that... wait till they trot out those vids at the scarefest... er... "press conference".

Update: David W. states in RMR: The cert requirement is only in NFPA 1127, which at this time is not very widely adopted, as far as I know. And J350 reloads currently require neither an LEUP nor storage, althought how that gets interpreted and/or enforced depends on which agent you talk to.

So the only people who are being required at this time to follow the more stringent proposed regulations are hobby rocketry enthusiasts. I hate these bastards with a passion.

Posted by: Ted at 04:45 AM | category: Rocketry
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As a kid, my favorite book was The Mad Scientist's Club, written by Bertrand Brinley. This collection of tales were great fun as the seven club members used science to solve problems, uncover mysteries and pull off outrageous practical jokes. Many of these stories originally appeared in Boy's Life magazine.

Maybe you remember tales such as The Strange Sea Monster of Strawberry Lake, The Unidentified Flying Man of Mammoth Falls, The Secret of the Old Cannon, or The Great Gas Bag Race. If not, then you really missed out and should track down a copy.

Ok, so I tracked it down for you. Amazon has the original, the second collection, and the only published novel length story - The Big Kerplop!

There's talk of finally printing the final unpublished story in the future. I'll be getting a copy as soon as it's available.

Posted by: Ted at 01:38 PM | category: Cult Flicks
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