At some point in time Earth will get smacked again by a chunk of rock wandering through the solar system. That's a given, and it actually happens several times a year. But probability says with near-certainty that a big'un will intersect with Mother Earth. There are some projects gearing up to look out there, but as early warning systems they are far from comprehensive.

And what if we actually do see something ahead of time? Just what would we do? Face it, Bruce Willis isn't getting any younger.

Fortunately, we've got some very intelligent people thinking ahead and more importantly, doing something about it.

Posted by: Ted at 09:39 AM | category: Space Program
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In 1892, the British Governor General of Canada Sir Frederick Stanley donated the Stanley Cup as "an outward and visible sign" of an annual championship among hockey teams in Canada.

The Cup is unique among championship trophies in that each member of the winning team is allowed to take the Cup home for a day to share with friends and family.

That tradition started in the 1980's, a few years after Montreal Canadiens player Guy Lefleur "stole" the Cup from the team's victory party. He drove the Cup to his boyhood home in Quebec, and placed it in the front yard where his father had built a makeshift rink where he first learned the game.

The very first winners of the Cup were the Amatuer Athletic Association of Montreal, in 1893, and for reasons unclear today refused to accept the trophy. They topped the league again in 1894 and that time accepted the Cup.

I'll post more little tidbits as the playoffs continue.

Posted by: Ted at 06:42 AM | category: History
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Another favorite song lyric that touches on my feelings for my wife.

God Only Knows

Beach Boys

I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
IÂ’ll make you so sure about it

God only knows what IÂ’d be without you

If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me

God only knows what IÂ’d be without you

God only knows what IÂ’d be without you

If you should ever leave me
Well life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me

God only knows what IÂ’d be without you
God only knows what IÂ’d be without you
God only knows

(repeat and fade)

Happy Birthday, Liz.

Posted by: Ted at 05:57 AM | category: Waxing Lyrical
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Wow, it's been a while since I've shared a recipe, mostly because we've been sticking to our standard fare, and I haven't had much chance to experiment. Tonight was an exception, since Liz had to work late and Mookie was at school for rehersals and a date later, so I was on my own for dinner.

I found a recipe a while back at Cooks.com that was used as the starting point.

Bow Tie Pasta with Sausage in Tomato and Cream Sauce

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb sweet Italian sausage, casings removed and crumbled
1/8 tsp ground red pepper (more to taste)
1/2 diced onion
5 cloves minced garlic
1 14oz. can diced tomatoes (I used the roasted garlic flavor)
1 1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped broccoli
Bow Tie pasta
Minced fresh parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese

Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet. Add the sausage and red pepper and cook until the sausage is no longer pink, stirring frequently. Drain. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until the onion is tender and sausage is browned. Add the tomatoes, cream and salt. Simmer until the sauce thickens a little bit. Add the broccoli for the last 10 minutes of cooking time.

While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta in rapidly boiling salted water. When done, drain well and top with sauce, parsley and parmesan cheese.

I made some garlic bread and a green salad. What I've been doing with my salads is instead of dressing I crumble a few savory crackers into it. There's a new Cheese Nip cracker called Twisters, and they have a wonderful Buffalo & Bleu Cheese cracker that's perfect for this. Nice zing.

I'm not a huge fan of tomato sauces, so I only used about half the amount of tomatoes that the recipe called for, and next time I'll use more garlic and broccoli. It's a nice change of pace, and makes enough to feed four to six people.

Posted by: Ted at 07:37 PM | category: Recipes
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Being a computer consultant in the DC area, I've worked for a few different government agencies over the years. The following is an actual telegram received when I worked at the Department of State, regarding, ah... budget matters... at an embassy overseas. I edited out some of the 'official' jargon to clean it up some.

SUBJECT: HALF MOON OVER GABORONE

1. IN REVIEWING ANALYSIS OF FUNDING PROVIDED FOR CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, POST WAS DISMAYED TO FIND THAT THE BUREAU DELETED DOLLARS 3,000 FOR THE LEASE OF A PORTABLE TOILET. POST HESITATES TO MAKE A STINK OVER PIDDLING PROBLEMS, BUT FROM WHERE WE SIT, IT'S IMPORTANT.

2. POST HAS REPEATEDLY POINTED OUT IN CABLES AND TO BUREAU VISITORS THE THIS NEWLY CONSTRUCTED CHANCERY DOES NOT HAVE TOILET FACILITIES FOR OUTSIDE PERSONNEL LIKE GUARDS AND GARDENERS AND NIGHTWATCHMEN AND DRIVERS AND DELIVERYMEN. PREVIOUSLY, SUCH PERSONNEL DISCHARGED THEMSELVES FREELY AND PUBLICLY ON THE CHANCERY GROUNDS. RECOGNIZING OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HALT WASTE, AND NOT WISHING TO BE IN BAD ODOR WITH OUR NEIGHBORS, POST RENTED THE PORTA-POTTY TO MAKE UP FOR DESIGN DEFICIENCY.

3. WE REALIZE THE BUREAU IS NO LONGER FLUSH WITH FUNDS. UPON REFLECTION, POST AGREES THAT WE MAY HAVE USED THE WORNG POT AND THE OUTHOUSE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE FUNDED FROM THE S&E ACCOUNT. SINCE ONLY A MODEST ONE-HOLER IS REQUIRED TO RELIEVE OVERSIGHT AND SHOULD QUALIFY AS A "NON-RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE", POST BELIEVES THE JOHNNY-ON-THE-SPOT SHOULD BE FUNDED UNDER LEASE FUNDS IN LOO OF ORIGINAL.

4. UNLESS INSTRUCTED OTHERWISE, POST INTENDS TO PROCESS FUTURE RENTAL PAYMENTS FROM SAID ACCOUNT.

Posted by: Ted at 04:37 PM | category: Square Pegs
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It's my wife's birthday this week, and Munuviana just happens to share the 14th with her. She was born on Easter day, so the meticulously nosy could figure out how old she is.

This is a song that's special to us both.

She & I

Alabama

She and I live in our own little world
Don't worry about the world outside
She and I agree
She and I lead a perfectly normal life

Ah but just because we aren't often seen socially
People think we've got something to hide.
But all our friends know we're just a little old fashioned
She and I

chorus
Oh ain't that great
Aint it fine
To have a love someone that others can't find
Aint it wonderful to know all we ever need is just the two of us
She and I
So wonderful
She and I

She and I share with every body else
The same wants, needs and desires
She and I save
She and I pay on everything we acquire

Ah but just because we aren't often seen separately
People think we live one life.
Its hard for them to see how anyone could be as close as
She and I

repeat chorus

Posted by: Ted at 05:28 AM | category: Waxing Lyrical
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1 YAY!

Posted by: Pixy Misa at April 12, 2004 09:09 AM (+S1Ft)

2 Happy Birthday, Most Supreme Wife of Ted! ;-)

--TwoDragons

Posted by: Denita TwoDragons at April 12, 2004 10:20 AM (Qaj69)

3 Happy Birthday, Mrs. Ted.

Posted by: Jennifer at April 12, 2004 10:46 AM (DdBLw)

4 Happy Birthday to your missus; nice lyrical sentiment there, too.

April's a good month in our house. My wife's birthday is on April 4, and mine is on the 13th.

Posted by: John Lanius at April 12, 2004 02:33 PM (YVul2)

5 I was expecting Me & Mrs Rocket Jones, but, this was good, too!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at April 12, 2004 09:21 PM (9beX1)

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My wife is watching The Beautician and the Beast (1997) starring Fran Drescher and Timothy Dalton, and she tells me that they've just mentioned a third celebrity in the dialogue who's now dead: Mother Theresa, JFK Junior and just now Sonny Bono. That's kinda spooky, considering the movie was made fairly recently.

Posted by: Ted at 09:29 PM | category: Cult Flicks
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It's been one of those odd weekends where you look back and realize that you've gotten a lot done without really trying. Besides the rocket launch yesterday, today we cleaned the aquarium, cleaned some junk out of the attic for bulk pickup next weekend, had a nice Easter dinner, baked a couple of batches of chocolate chip cookies, and still managed to get a nap.

I'm sitting here now with an ice-cold diet pepsi and a piping hot cup of tea, watching the hockey game. I'm pleasantly tired and looking forward to a good night's sleep. It's supposed to rain all night. Oh yeah.

Posted by: Ted at 08:06 PM | category: Square Pegs
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For proof, all you need to know is that "Yay!" is the traditional Munuvian greeting and celebratory exclamation.

He alone recognized the need to keep it short and simple, as MuNu expands at a rate comparible to the business at an all-you-can-eat buffet opening next to a Jenny Craig.

A collective Yay! to the following new fellow-Munuvians:

A Likely Story
There's One, Only!
Mamamontezz's Mental Rumpus Room
Light & Dark
It's All About De
TexasBestGrok
Fear Your Future
2Flower To You
Anticipatory Retaliation
The Meatriarchy
Ellis Island
Blogo Slovo
Brain Fertilizer
Physics Geek
Beyond the Black Hole
The Massive Whinger
Straight White Guy
Key Issues
Martinis, Persistence, and a Smile
Closet Extremist
Shoes, Ships, and Sealing Wax
Combat Arms
Frinklin Speaks

Some were already on my blogroll in their old digs, some are new to me. Go explore a little bit, and say hi.

Oh, and check out Fear Your Future. It's a new teen group blog born of some pebbles rattling around inside Mookie's skull. Ask pointed questions, and don't give them the easy out. Remember, they may be the generation that picks out your old-folks home.

Posted by: Ted at 10:41 AM | category: Munuvian Daily Tattler
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I talked about it here.

The weather was beautiful, and the site of the launch, Middletown Park, is really nice.

We were on a tight schedule because one of the team had to be at work early, so the plan was to get there, make a practice flight, turn it around and do another 'official' flight to try to improve on their qualifying score. To speed things along, the team had pre-loaded the engines into the rocket so that on the field all they'd have to do was install igniters and the altimeter and eggs.

When we arrived they quickly got prepped and safety-checked, and set the rocket up on the pad. Then it was a short wait for their turn to launch.

Countdown and all three first-stage motors lit. The rocket took off straight as an arrow and it was looking to be a picture perfect flight. First stage burn-out, and the second stage should ignite... should ignite... should ignite any time now...

The rocket coasted upwards, and as it was beginning to arc over the upper stage lit. She powered into the ground about 150 yards away. We collected our gear and went to recover it, to see what could be salvaged for the next flight.

No chance at a second flight. The nosecone was embedded into the ground, and shattered. The egg capsule was smashed too, as were the eggs inside. Much of the second stage was waterlogged (it landed on the edge of a pond) and the motor mount ripped free from the impact. The altimeter was beeping out 620 feet, just about half of the target altitude.

We sat down and started to recreate the flight to figure out what went wrong. When the motors were pulled from the booster stage, we found the problem. Instead of using booster motors (no delay, instant upper-stage ignition), they used upper-stage motors with a seven second delay. So instead of igniting the upper stage immediately, while the rocket was still moving fast and vertical, it slowed down and tipped over during those long seven seconds.

The guy that loaded the wrong motors felt really bad, but it was a simple mistake. I reinforced the lesson about using the checklist when prepping complex rockets, and tried to make the point that everyone makes mistakes now and then. The team has a good qualifying flight to turn in, so they still have a strong chance at making the finals.

Three different teachers also stopped by while we were inspecting the rocket and talked to the kids. I really appreciated that, because they were all supportive and their kind words made the team feel better.

They should know by the end of the week if they made the finals. I'll keep you posted.

Posted by: Ted at 09:54 PM | category: Rocketry
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Other bits and pieces of my life can be found under the Boring Stories and Seriously categories.

I donÂ’t remember exactly how we got invited to the party, but it was some sort of semi-official function. There were four Canadian exchange officers there, and one of them was in full piper kit. Since I love the bagpipes, I got to talking to them, and we all hit it off pretty well. Being young and enlisted, my roommate and I drank way more than we should have, and the Canucks matched us drink for drink. We got a lot of disapproving stares from the other guests because other than us, it was a rather reserved crowd.

It was around midnight when we left the party. My roommate and I went to the Visiting Officers Quarters (VOQ) with the Canadians and we continued the party there. They broke out bottles of MeyerÂ’s Spiced Rum and we kept right on drinking. Sometime after 1am we got thrown out of VOQ for marching up and down the hallway singing filthy drinking songs and being generally disruptive.

Since the night was still young, the Canucks accompanied us to our dorm, and thatÂ’s when things got really fun. We got there, and suddenly our new friends got wildly enthusiastic, because we had a pool table. They started to tell us about a game they played called Crud.

Between the rum and the fact that this all happened some 20 years ago, IÂ’ll try to describe the game. It was fun as hell, but that may just be because we were all drunk.

Ok, first off, to play Crud you only use two of the balls: the cue ball and the 8-ball. Cue sticks are not used. So far, so good.

The object is to use the cue ball to knock the 8-ball into a pocket. That scores a point. Likewise, if the 8-ball stops moving before you hit it with the cue ball, the other team scores a point. The main rule is that the 8-ball cannot stop rolling. You hit the 8-ball with the cue ball (trying to get it into the pocket), and then the other team has to grab the cue ball and they have to hit the 8-ball, then it’s your teammate’s turn, followed by the other team’s second player, and so on. And that brings up the other main rule, the so-called “ball” line. One end of the table is where all cue balls have to be rolled from, but only after your balls (testicles) are behind that end of the table.

Body blocks are allowed, but only by putting both hands on the table and sticking your ass out there. ItÂ’s not considered sporting to trip someone.

Sounds pretty sedate, huh? There is no ‘scratch’. If the cue ball leaves the table, you have to run and fetch it, then get back behind the “ball” line before you can take your turn, and all before the 8-ball stops rolling. What happens in practice is that quite often you’re snagging the cue on the bounce, then diving back across the line while sidearming that cue ball back at the table.

ThatÂ’s how we wound up putting the cue ball through the front of the coke machine. Twice. No bones were broken, but there were plenty of bruises administered, and around 4am someone called the base cops on us, and our evening ended.

I never did get to play Crud again because it was specifically banned in the dorm. Supposedly, there were Crud tables in Winnipeg bars, complete with chicken wire enclosures. I never saw any, but when we went to Winnipeg, it was for CFL games (go Blue Bombers!) and horse racing at Assiniboia Downs, so we didnÂ’t do much bar-hopping in Manitoba.

Posted by: Ted at 04:31 PM | category: Boring Stories
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Which doesn't bother me nearly as much as knowing that someone else in charge thought it was a fine idea.

(in the extended entry) more...

Posted by: Ted at 01:02 AM | category: Square Pegs
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I posted something a couple of days ago crowing about myself, and ended with this line:

We now return to our modest and self-depreciating self.

I'd just like to thank everyone who didn't point and laugh at me for not using the correct phrase "self-deprecating".

Bragging on yourself is bad enough, but to say something stoopid while doing it is downright embarrassing. Mmmm, foot. The other white meat.

Posted by: Ted at 10:03 PM | category: Square Pegs
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1 We noticed it but let it go. Y? Because we like you!

Posted by: Tuning Spork at April 09, 2004 10:47 PM (zjTJc)

2 We printed a mistake in our daily convention newspaper (no big deal, just omitted a number in a suite -- we put 407 instead of 4007). So the CEO went nuts and printed up signs that he taped in all the elevators to say that the number was printed wrong in the program book (we didn't do the fucking program book). It's like misspelling the word "mistake" when you're trying to correct yourself, but at least you corrected yourself beautifully on the first try.

Posted by: Dawn at April 10, 2004 11:04 PM (TcGTg)

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Forget pink and purple paisleys

Little mellow yellow daisies

Ain't no pot of gold

In her rainbow

Her favorite color is chrome

Trace Adkins

Now that is pole-dancing music, country-style.

Posted by: Ted at 12:04 PM | category: Square Pegs
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Beautiful pictures of yesterday's test of Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne. Thanks to RocketForge for the pointer.

Update: Transterrestrial Musings has more on the story too, with links.

Posted by: Ted at 11:55 AM | category: Space Program
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Rabbits invented hip-hop.

Posted by: Ted at 05:42 AM | category: Links
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The Team America Rocket Challenge (TARC) requires that each participating team of students make a qualification flight. The top 100 teams are invited to the finals to be held in Virginia in May. You can check the links to see details, suffice it to say that this is not an easy contest, but the prizes are great (grants, scholarships, and educational opportunities sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association and NASA).

A key point is that the students are entirely responsible for the design, construction, prep, flight and recovery of the rocket. Teachers and mentors are for advice only. No hands-on by adults is allowed.

Last year, the team of high school students I mentored barely missed the finals, coming in 111th out of over 900 teams entered from across the US.

This year's contest is even bigger, and the team is even more determined to make the finals. There’s only one student left from last year, and they’ve been working hard. They built two rockets, one a clone of last year’s design, and the second incorporates some ‘advanced’ technology like fiberglass fins and better aerodynamics. They’ve been running lots of computer simulations on their designs, and have flown both rockets at least a half dozen times on practice flights (pictures here). Their egg protection system is flawless so far, not a single crack yet.

Last Sunday they tried to make their qualifying flight. The wind was terrible, I was surprised that they were allowed to launch. Their first official attempt worked perfectly and went over 1000Â’, but the target altitude is 1250Â’. They went with a smaller upper-stage motor, and misjudged on the low side. They next decided to try the other rocket on a practice flight, then choose between the two for their final qualification flight.

1175Â’. Beautiful, but unofficial. They hustled to turn the rocket around to make another flight before the range closed for the day, and somewhere in the rush a mistake was made. On their final flight, only one motor ignited in the booster stage (itÂ’s a three-motor cluster) and the badly underpowered rocket tipped horizontal off the rod and then the upper-stage motor ignited. The rocket then flew into the ground under power and pretty much disassembled itself. The eggs survived!

So this week theyÂ’re rebuilding. The teacher is headed out of town because of a family emergency, so on Saturday morning IÂ’ll meet the students at their school and haul the crew up to Frederick, Maryland so they can make another, hopefully better, attempt.

Keep your fingers crossed for them.

Posted by: Ted at 01:43 PM | category: Rocketry
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It's playoff time, so you'll be bored to tears thrilled to know there'll be more hockey-related posts than usual for a while. I'll try to keep it to some sane level, but I have ice in my veins and frozen rubber in my pocket.

That doesn't sound right, does it? Gives me the squicky mental picture of dating Ted Williams' head. Ick.

By the age of 18, the average American has witnessed 200,000 acts of violence on television, most of them occurring during Game 1 of the NHL playoff series. -- Steve Rushin

A puck is a hard rubber disc that hockey players strike when they can't hit one another. -- Jimmy Cannon

Ice hockey is a form of disorderly conduct in which the score is kept. -- Doug Larson

Half the game is mental; the other half is being mental. -- Jim McKenny

How would you like a job where, every time you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo? -- Jacques Plante

I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out. -- Rodney Dangerfield

We take the shortest route to the puck and arrive in ill humor. -- Bobby Clarke

I'm not dumb enough to be a goalie. -- Brett Hull

Posted by: Ted at 04:54 AM | category: Square Pegs
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It's about time.

Burt Rutan and Scaled Composites make the big step first. I've talked about them before (search on "x-prize" - on the right), because their Space Ship One is typical Rutan: innovative, original and functional.

I expect there will be several more companies hitting this milestone this year.

Posted by: Ted at 10:16 PM | category: Space Program
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First, I won the caption contest at Wizbang! And although it was a while ago it's not like I enter these all the time. Besides, Susie said some of my other entries should've won too, which proves that she has exceptional taste.

Now, over at Captain's Quarters, I've taken top honors once again. Thanks to Stephen for suggesting people go over to whup him like a red-headed step-child enjoy his fine entries and possibly play as well.

We now return to our modest and self-depreciating self.

Posted by: Ted at 01:46 PM | category: Links
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1 A well deserved win.

I DON'T HAVE RED HAIR!

Posted by: Stephen Macklin at April 07, 2004 06:07 PM (CSxVi)

2 Congrats. And speaking of modesty, thanks for the compliment over at spoons.

Posted by: buckethead at April 07, 2004 06:29 PM (ztNrs)

3 Well earned bucket. I enjoy Perfidy, and even though I frequently want to strangle Ross, I think it's just my inner-Rumsfeld coming through.

Posted by: Ted at April 07, 2004 08:24 PM (ZjSa7)

4 Thanks again!

About Ross, you're not the only one. But that's why we have him there. Otherwise Johno, Geeklethal and I would sit around nodding at each other, and occasionally arguing around the edges of things.

If I can just break Ross of his habit of reflexively presuming ill intent on the part of conservatives, we'll really be in business. I'm making progress, but I'm not quite there yet. He's a sharp guy, good coder, and fun to have a beer with.

Posted by: buckethead at April 07, 2004 11:36 PM (oHUql)

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