I know that every candidate, in every election of 2011 and 2012, will discuss the problems with governmental spending, but I also want to hear about how we will change the current Federal tax system to a more simple format. We need a system of taxation which does not allow circumvention via loopholes and does not allow promises of "breaks" for promises of votes, but does bring jobs and prosperity back to the United States.
The Fair Tax is that system and during the electoral processes the candidates that stand out for me will be those that support, and not just pay lip service to, it.
These will be the people who will earn my vote.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Endeavor Launch Trivia
From Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson)
Endeavor weighs 4.4million lbs. If engines gave only 4.4million lbs of thrust, forces would balance, leaving it afloat on pad
Endeavor gets 2.4million lbs of thrust **more** than its 4.4million lbs of weight, giving about 1/2 G acceleration on liftof
Most of the Shuttle's initial propulsion is to accelerate the mass of fuel that burns later in the launch.
Most of Shuttle's energy accelerates it horizontally rather than vertically. Go 17,200 mph sideways & you'd reach orbit too.
If camera-coverage enables, six cool things to look for just seconds before ignition of the SolidRocketBoosters...
1) Orbiter's steering flaps jiggle back and forth -- a final reminder that they can angle the way they're supposed to.
2) The Orbiter's 3 rocket nozzles gimbal to & fro -- a final reminder that they can aim the way they're supposed to.
3) Sparks spray onto launch pad -- they burn away any potentially flammable hydrogen gathered there from the main engine.
4) Water Tower dumps a swimming-pool's worth onto the launch pad -- H2O absorbs sound vibrations, preventing damage to craft
5) "Main Engine Start" -- Orbiter's 3 nozzles ignite, take aim, and force shuttle to tip forward. Bolts still hold her down.
6) "3 - 2 - 1 - Liftoff" -- SolidRocketBoosters ignite, tipping Shuttle straight upwards again. Bolts explode. Craft ascends
Endeavor weighs 4.4million lbs. If engines gave only 4.4million lbs of thrust, forces would balance, leaving it afloat on pad
Endeavor gets 2.4million lbs of thrust **more** than its 4.4million lbs of weight, giving about 1/2 G acceleration on liftof
Most of the Shuttle's initial propulsion is to accelerate the mass of fuel that burns later in the launch.
Most of Shuttle's energy accelerates it horizontally rather than vertically. Go 17,200 mph sideways & you'd reach orbit too.
If camera-coverage enables, six cool things to look for just seconds before ignition of the SolidRocketBoosters...
1) Orbiter's steering flaps jiggle back and forth -- a final reminder that they can angle the way they're supposed to.
2) The Orbiter's 3 rocket nozzles gimbal to & fro -- a final reminder that they can aim the way they're supposed to.
3) Sparks spray onto launch pad -- they burn away any potentially flammable hydrogen gathered there from the main engine.
4) Water Tower dumps a swimming-pool's worth onto the launch pad -- H2O absorbs sound vibrations, preventing damage to craft
5) "Main Engine Start" -- Orbiter's 3 nozzles ignite, take aim, and force shuttle to tip forward. Bolts still hold her down.
6) "3 - 2 - 1 - Liftoff" -- SolidRocketBoosters ignite, tipping Shuttle straight upwards again. Bolts explode. Craft ascends
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Lamb Chops with Wine Sauteed Leek Sauce
Description:
A fairly simple little dish I came up with off the top of my head, for celebrating St. David's Day. I wanted ingredients that were, if not Welsh, Welsh by association!
For the lamb chops, I used two blade-cut shoulder chops, each about 0.4lb. For a side, we had boiled carrots and baby gold potatoes.
Ingredients:
Serves 2 (two)
2 lamb chops
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
1 c. chopped, rinsed leek
⅓ c. - ½ c. Cabernet Sauvignon
1 tsp. butter
Directions:
Lamb Chops:
Season both sides of the lamb chops with salt & pepper.
Put a little olive oil in a frying or saute pan over a medium-low heat.
When the oil is hot enough, gently lay in the chops.
Cook until the meat reaches the desired doneness, flipping to ensure both sides are cooked.
When cooked, place to one side to rest.
Sauce:
Without cleaning it, place the pan that the lamb was cooked in back onto the heat.
Once the oil/fat is hot again, put the leek into the pan.
Sprinkle with a big pinch of salt and saute until leek is soft.
Add the small pat of butter and stir until melted.
Pour in the wine to deglaze the pan.
Cook a minute or two, just enough to reduce the sauce a little.
Serve the sauce drizzled over the meat and any side dishes served.
A fairly simple little dish I came up with off the top of my head, for celebrating St. David's Day. I wanted ingredients that were, if not Welsh, Welsh by association!
For the lamb chops, I used two blade-cut shoulder chops, each about 0.4lb. For a side, we had boiled carrots and baby gold potatoes.
Ingredients:
Serves 2 (two)
2 lamb chops
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
1 c. chopped, rinsed leek
⅓ c. - ½ c. Cabernet Sauvignon
1 tsp. butter
Directions:
Lamb Chops:
Season both sides of the lamb chops with salt & pepper.
Put a little olive oil in a frying or saute pan over a medium-low heat.
When the oil is hot enough, gently lay in the chops.
Cook until the meat reaches the desired doneness, flipping to ensure both sides are cooked.
When cooked, place to one side to rest.
Sauce:
Without cleaning it, place the pan that the lamb was cooked in back onto the heat.
Once the oil/fat is hot again, put the leek into the pan.
Sprinkle with a big pinch of salt and saute until leek is soft.
Add the small pat of butter and stir until melted.
Pour in the wine to deglaze the pan.
Cook a minute or two, just enough to reduce the sauce a little.
Serve the sauce drizzled over the meat and any side dishes served.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Final Trimester With Rebirth On The Horizon
Monday saw the arrival of a letter from USCIS detailing what will be, I hope, my last visit to the Federal building as my process of Naturalization starts its final, climactic stages.
At the end of February, I shall be spending the best part of the day in the Queen City as my knowledge of Civics is tested and I'm grilled about who knows what, in order to ensure I'm OK to go ahead and become a Citizen.
In anticipation I was checking out dates for local Oath Ceremonies. It seems that they are a monthly occurrence. As I looked down the list I was pleasantly surprised to see that the date for June fell on my birthday. My fortieth birthday! Unfortunately, I don't think I get to choose what date Oath Ceremony I can attend, but it would be cool if it worked out that I became a new citizen on such a milestone occasion!
At the end of February, I shall be spending the best part of the day in the Queen City as my knowledge of Civics is tested and I'm grilled about who knows what, in order to ensure I'm OK to go ahead and become a Citizen.
In anticipation I was checking out dates for local Oath Ceremonies. It seems that they are a monthly occurrence. As I looked down the list I was pleasantly surprised to see that the date for June fell on my birthday. My fortieth birthday! Unfortunately, I don't think I get to choose what date Oath Ceremony I can attend, but it would be cool if it worked out that I became a new citizen on such a milestone occasion!
Friday, December 24, 2010
9:30AM And One Surprise Spoiled
I woke up early this morning, (6:30AM), with the plan to sneak off to WalMart for a few random things, including bags for the kids' presents. So... I'm sneaking around, getting ready and am almost out the door when I realize I am missing my keys.
Crap.
By 7AM I have given up looking and come online.
About quarter past DS1 comes strolling out of the bedroom, which is, in itself, astonishing, considering his sleeping pattern, (or lack of it, right now).
He asks why I'm awake and when I get to the bit about missing keys, he tells me he knows where they are, and retrieves them from the only place I didn't look - the desk in the bedroom.
I thank him, and carry on w/ email and FB games for a while, until he mentions he's hungry. And that he wants to go out to Staples for some ballpoints w/ erasable ink.
I formulate a plan...
We swing by the bank, hit Waffle House for a quick breakfast - cinnamon raisin toast & coffee for me, sausage patty in a biscuit and sprite w/ vanilla for him - then off to Staples. We get the pens and I mention popping in WalMart, which is next door.
We're mooching around the store a little before I head to the area w/ the bird seed. As the section is right there, I decide to have a look-see in the Christmas Store. All was fine until we're looking down the aisle w/ toys.
Now, ordinarily, I'd be preparing myself for a meltdown at this point, but DS1 had been in such a good mood, and with Christmas Day tomorrow, I figured I'd easily dissuade him from any purchases or meltdowns.
And then it happened...
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Dino Megazord.
*sigh*
This damn toy...
DS1 has been on about it for months. I have spent hours looking in stores and at various websites trying to ding this damn thing and there it is. Mocking me. The Zord's face looking through the clear plastic with a mocking smirk.
You see, this time last week, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Dino Megazord I managed to find and get the winning bid on arrived in the mail, in its little square box, (it was an ex-display model, from a collector). $33, inc. shipping.
Store Zord? $24.95.
DS1 is excited and my only plan that I could come up with was telling him the truth. On reflection, I could have bought it and just returned it some time, but I know how things work around here: we'd have ended up with two Zords.
I still can't believe it was there... on the shelf...
Typical!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Playoff #Rugby in #Dayton this Saturday...
Free hot dogs, snacks & hot cocoa!
Game commentary with
the priceless voices of Dayton Rugby:
Coach Bob Borgerding
Coach Tom Kramer
Post match socializing at
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Free hot dogs, snacks & hot cocoa! Game commentary with the priceless voices of Dayton Rugby: Coach Bob Borgerding Coach Tom Kramer Po...
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From Neil deGrasse Tyson ( @neiltyson ) Endeavor weighs 4.4million lbs. If engines gave only 4.4million lbs of thrust, forces would balanc...
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Description: A fairly simple little dish I came up with off the top of my head, for celebrating St. David's Day. I wanted ingredients t...
