Earth Moving

Sitting quietly in my home office tonite working on various projects and suddenly the desk lamp begins to sway, there's slight movement under my feet, and Virby gives an "alert" in the doorway. It's not strong, but a clear reminder we live on a planet that's alive.  This is the first quake we've felt in a while.

USGS reports on the event continue to come in from around the island, but the jolt was a 3.7 (preliminary) magnitude tembler about 21 miles north of our house at a depth of 9 miles and was apparently widely felt across this whole rock. (USGS updated the final magnitude to 3.8.)

I have learned over the years to observe Virby as if she were a guard dog.  The signals are much more subtle in cats, but distinctive every bit as much and very accurate.  Hers was only a slight reaction tonight:  she stood in the doorway with a confused look on her puss for about 10 seconds.  Then regular programming resumed.

This probably sums it up as well as anything:

Click & Enjoy!

NORAD Tracks Santa

Those who know me know that I love Google Earth and have figured out how to do just about everything with it.  But at this time of year there is no higher purpose for such sophisticated software than to track a fat man in a red suit, a team of magical reindeer, and a sleigh as they swoop thru the heavens at astronomical speed and drop goodies down chimneys. 

That this should all cost us - software included - no more than the value of a cookie and a glass of milk is magic indeed. Just enjoy it.

For more go to the NORAD Track Santa site now!

Wordless Wednesday

Tail Feathers

Because of the dynamic nature of the internet... this image may, nay will, change from time to time.  So if you think you're crazy you'll have to find another reason.  :)

KOA Triennial Exercise 2011

On Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011, Hawaii's Air National Guard 204th Airlift Squadron assisted Kona International Airport and the Hawaii County Fire Department in the Federal Administration's Triennial Disaster Exercise by providing a large frame aircraft for the simulation of a crash site and mass casualty event. The Kona Airport Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit were first responders, while the Hawaii County Fire Department filled in as additional manpower and triage support. Students from NELHA's West Hawaii Exploration Academy and Kealakehe HS, made up to simulate injuries from minor abrasions to life threatening, provided bodies for the exercise.

Also participating in the exercise were representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, US Army Hawaii Fire Rescue unit, Hawaii County Police Department, Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross, Civil Defense, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Kona Airport Police, and various air carrier representatives.

Thanks go to Tech. Sgt. Andrew Jackson of the 154th Wing Public Affairs section for providing the link to this video work, and to the 204th Airlift Squadron for providing a Hickam AFB Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for the exercise. The interview in the video is with Mr. Merv Kahumoku, Kona ARFF Chief.

My photos of the day will provide more detail of the event and will show up here in the form of a video in the near future. Stay tuned! :)

Company Policy

Japanese Macaque

Finally!  An explanation. 

--- 
 
Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a 
string and place a set of stairs under it. Before long, a monkey will go to the 
stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, 
spray all of the other monkeys with cold water. 
 
After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result - all the 
other monkeys are sprayed with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey 
tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it. 
 
Now, put away the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it 
with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To 
his surprise and horror, all of the other monkeys attack him. After another 
attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be 
assaulted. Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and  replace it 
with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous 
newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! 
 
Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then 
the fifth. Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked. 
Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not 
permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of 
the newest monkey. 
 
After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have 
ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches 
the stairs to try for the banana. Why not? 
 
Because as far as they know that's the way it's always been done around here. 
 
And that, my friends, is how company policy begins. 

Hello, Libya!

Reclaimed as Libya's national flag in the Libyan interim Constitutional Declaration of 3 Aug 2011

I've mentioned it before but it really astounds me how global this silly blog has gone.  Today we were host to a visitor from Libya!!! They left no comment... not even a private one.  But regardless, and to whom ever you may have been, Welcome to the Free World, Libya!  Stop back again soon!

AU 2011 Update





(Click for best view at original size)

   AU is Autodesk University, and it happens every year during the week following Thanksgiving.  Eveyrthing about AU is huge.  And because of the size only a major hotel/casino/convention complex in Las Vegas is suitable.  This year AU was held at the Venetian Hotel and Sands Convention Center.  Attendees come from all over the world, and this year over 80 countries sent 8,000+ to the event.  They came to teach and participate in over 1,000 classes on a wide variety of subjects this year.