Back at ya…

Weer’d has been sharing some really cool bluegrass covers of favorite songs.  Well, here’s one for you:


And while we’re on the subject of covers in very different style from the original recordings, allow me to present this:

Now this is just too cool!

A long time ago I was enthralled with the idea of radio controlled planes.  I even bought a used one at a yard sale.  I think my one flight lasted about three and a half seconds and ended with the prop spinner firmly planted in the runway.

Oops…

The plane wasn’t that badly damaged and I did try again that same day, but I couldn’t get the engine to start.  After my one ‘less than successful’ attempt to fly my plane I pretty much gave up. 

The original idea was to put a camera on the plane and shoot in flight movies.  Back then video gear was much too big and heavy and everything about RC was expensive.  So I shelved the idea.  I had also thought of using a kite or a balloon or even a blimp to hoist a camera aloft.  So far It’s all just been the stuff of daydreams.

I did build a series of remotely operated submersibles that were remarkably successful.  The big one even had has a video camera and is operated with what they are calling these days First Person Video, or FPV.  That project was set aside around twenty years ago now when I bought a larger boat to run the ROV from.  I fixated on the boat and lost interest in the reason I bought it in the first place.

Who me?  Nah!  (cough…)

So a few weeks ago I stumbled upon this series of YouTube videos.  Flight Test to be specific.

OMG!  They are doing things with RC planes I would have thought defy the laws of physics and aerodynamics!

And the planes and equipment, while not cheap, are very affordable!  Some of the planes are positively cheap.  They are using foam board from the dollar store the way I used to use the Styrofoam cafeteria trays from the lunchroom at work to make gliders back when I was still working on the ROV.  I could very easily get roped back into the whole RC plane thing all over again.  And putting a camera on the plane is now almost commonplace!

Meanwhile there’s been a new hobby springing up of people from MIT students to sixth graders launching ‘space probes’ to the edge of space on weather balloons.

So with all this background in place I can tell you about the story I spotted in the news at lunch today.  It featured a name I recognized from the Flight Test videos.

Better yet, why don’t you just watch the video…




You will want to watch this full screen fer sure!

Ca$h Mob: West Concord 5 & 10

Saturday March 2, 2013
Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord, Massachusetts

I plan on being there at some point during the day.  Will you?

A cash mob effort for West Concord’s 5 & 10

I first ‘discovered’ the West Concord 5 & 10 around thirty years ago.  I was working in town and would sometimes walk past the store on my way to the train station.  Back then the trains were usually three Budd RDC’s being pulled by an FP-10 or similar locomotive in push-pull service between Fitchburg and Boston.  The trains have changed, but the 5 & 10 is still the same.  The economy has been hard on everyone and, according to the report, that combined with the closing of a key supplier, has been especially hard on the 5 & 10.  Let’s see what we can do to give a good honest family owned store a hand.

Because I can...

So Mum and I went out to Friendly's for lunch.  We both had the seafood platter.  Not unusual for Mum, but unprecedented for me.  You see, I know a little too much about some of my meal's place in the food chain.  I may have to revise my position regarding what things I won't eat.  Just maybe I might be a little more inclusive in the future.  It was good!

Anywho, the service was also good.  So naturally I left a nice tip...

Because I can...

Sorry the picture is so fuzzy.  I'm still getting the hang of the camera in my new cell phone.

Standing on a corner

In Winslow Arizona
Such a fine sight to see

The only thing missing is

A girl, my lord
In a flat-bed Ford
Slowing down to take a look at me

This “photo” is a screen grab from Google Street View.  I heard a cover of that old Eagles song on the radio today and finally got ‘round to looking it up.

Good heavens!

It's just occured to me that I haven't posted anything since last year!  I better post something...


SOMETHING.

There.  Now I feel better!

Got a weird one in the comments

On a post from about a year ago in which I was sharing a photograph of my home built submersible ROV with someone on the phone (I now can’t remember who…) I received the strangest comment:

Прежде чем жениться обязательно посмотрите на поведение вашей избранницы вне себя это совсем другой человек
!!!

Bing translator translates that from Russian as follows:

Before you marry must see the behavior of your chosen one out yourself is a completely different person
!!!

The odd thing is that here were no links.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Question Mark!

One thing leads to another

Every time I hear this song on the radio

I think of this

Thanks Weerd!

\\\\’ Hooray! ‘////