alright i havent had anything to say for a bit. lets face it im a busy guy. between being a stupid grunt welder, and practicing to be a raging alcoholic, i havent got a lot of free time.
there are no pictures for this horrendous travesty that i have commited. the other day i accomplished what my father has been telling me would happen since i started learning to weld. i am happy to say i have finally welded some part of myself to the table.
lets back up a bit. i was working with .045'' stainless steel welding wire, type 409. for those of you that dont know much about welding, .045 welding wire is relatively heavy wire, there's heavier stuff out there, but it isnt used in manual processes very often. the other important thing to know about 409 welding wire is that it ends in a sharp tip when the welding stops.
so then, i've almost finished tacking a piece together, and take off my gloves to check dimensions. i notice that i have missed a tack and pick up the stinger and lay in that last tack. i was not paying a lot of attention, and put the gun down with the end of the stinger jamming the hot end of wire into the web of flesh between my thumb and my finger. the hot wire burned me, causing a wonderfull thing to happen, i jerked my hands and squeezed the trigger on the stinger.
now comes the fun part. the wire ran into my hand while at the same time the sweat on my palm grounded my hand out on the work table. now the wire's EVEN HOTTER. i had such a swell time cutting the wire and then drawing it out with a pair of pliers. at least there was no blood, the wire cauterized everything....
if your know enough about welding to understand everything i said, you probably already know someone who did this, or have done it yourself.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
GREENPEACE !!! stopping others, but doing nothing
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/about/victories
out of a sick urge, i looked at greenpeace's website. I'd just finished a novel that critisized green supporters.
the premise of the novel is that green supporters have reached a level of power in the united states where they have been democratically elected and are running the country. it is against the law to set your thermostat higher than 55, genetically engineered farming is illegal, all power comes from hydro electric dams, fuel for vehicles is either hydrogen or alcohol. its illegal to cut down a tree. an ice age is moving across the continent, and the government controlled media is warning against increased levels of global warming.
science fiction is not against the law, but its not printed. if your found to have science fiction or "fandom" leanings, you have a good chance of losing your job, or being "re-educated" for not being politically correct.
the only thing in space is the old space station. with a few astronauts hanging on. they skim nitrogen from the upper atmosphere to replace the stuff lost out the seals of their station. the government blames the ice age on the astronauts stealing the insulation of the world.
now, you may be wondering why im going into detail like this. well one of the things the book suggests is that rather than find ways to improve the cleanliness of industry. the greens would rather that it just wasnt done. they are more interested in stopping people from doing things that they consider to be bad for the earth than they are in finding ways to accomplish the same things cleanly.
looking at the greenpeace website, im sort of inclined to agree with the book. their victory section is completely full of accomplishments that stop people from polluting. I didn't see anything like "Greenpeace employed scientist finds way to lubricate engines with vegetable oil"
its not like they care what i say, but it sure would be nice to see a group thats so interested in saving the earth find ways to do that. rather than just do their best to grind civilization to a halt.
out of a sick urge, i looked at greenpeace's website. I'd just finished a novel that critisized green supporters.
the premise of the novel is that green supporters have reached a level of power in the united states where they have been democratically elected and are running the country. it is against the law to set your thermostat higher than 55, genetically engineered farming is illegal, all power comes from hydro electric dams, fuel for vehicles is either hydrogen or alcohol. its illegal to cut down a tree. an ice age is moving across the continent, and the government controlled media is warning against increased levels of global warming.
science fiction is not against the law, but its not printed. if your found to have science fiction or "fandom" leanings, you have a good chance of losing your job, or being "re-educated" for not being politically correct.
the only thing in space is the old space station. with a few astronauts hanging on. they skim nitrogen from the upper atmosphere to replace the stuff lost out the seals of their station. the government blames the ice age on the astronauts stealing the insulation of the world.
now, you may be wondering why im going into detail like this. well one of the things the book suggests is that rather than find ways to improve the cleanliness of industry. the greens would rather that it just wasnt done. they are more interested in stopping people from doing things that they consider to be bad for the earth than they are in finding ways to accomplish the same things cleanly.
looking at the greenpeace website, im sort of inclined to agree with the book. their victory section is completely full of accomplishments that stop people from polluting. I didn't see anything like "Greenpeace employed scientist finds way to lubricate engines with vegetable oil"
its not like they care what i say, but it sure would be nice to see a group thats so interested in saving the earth find ways to do that. rather than just do their best to grind civilization to a halt.
Friday, November 6, 2009
A Hard Hit For Peaceful Power Generation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/05/iran-tested-nuclear-warhead-design
ok. well im not really surprised about this. Iran has been playing around with nuclear weapons technology for years and years now. Their intention to develop weapons is very much old news. What i consider to be interesting is the fact that rather than work on a less complicated weapon, the iranians are skipping straight to high tech designs suited for use with a missle delivery system.
this makes sense. first off, the iranians already know that the design they are developing works. its more complicated than it could be, but its not like they are really blazing any trails. and since the different methods of initiating a nuclear blast use completely different designs, the iranians arent really losing any important information by skipping the first step and going straight to the high tech solution.
secondly, when iran tests their first nuke, they will not be testing it in the ocean or desert. iran's very first nuke will be undoubtedly pointed at an enemy. (Israel, duh) the first nuclear test will prompt a complete all out attack from israel in the interest of protecting their country from the next bomb, which they will have every reason to believe is going to be aimed at them. The first nuclear test will HAVE to take place over top of israel or iran is toast. Thus its not in the least bit surprising that the iranians are developing a nuclear weapon built to go into a missle. and its not hard to guess where the missle is going to be pointed.
finally, in the scheme of things, initiating a nuclear blast is not that complicated. it doesnt take very much know how to produce the bomb. producing weapons grade uranium is much more complicated than actually setting it off. for that matter, making your missle go where you want it to is also much more complicated than what your jamming into it. im not saying its easy to make the bomb go boom, but its definatly easier than some of the other issues that are going to need to be adressed.
and now let me say i hope some enterprising soul leaves a small nuclear weapon lodged n the center of their precious fuel dump.
and everyone remember:
do unto others what they were planning to do unto you, but do it first.*
*this quote is stolen, cant remember who made it.
ok. well im not really surprised about this. Iran has been playing around with nuclear weapons technology for years and years now. Their intention to develop weapons is very much old news. What i consider to be interesting is the fact that rather than work on a less complicated weapon, the iranians are skipping straight to high tech designs suited for use with a missle delivery system.
this makes sense. first off, the iranians already know that the design they are developing works. its more complicated than it could be, but its not like they are really blazing any trails. and since the different methods of initiating a nuclear blast use completely different designs, the iranians arent really losing any important information by skipping the first step and going straight to the high tech solution.
secondly, when iran tests their first nuke, they will not be testing it in the ocean or desert. iran's very first nuke will be undoubtedly pointed at an enemy. (Israel, duh) the first nuclear test will prompt a complete all out attack from israel in the interest of protecting their country from the next bomb, which they will have every reason to believe is going to be aimed at them. The first nuclear test will HAVE to take place over top of israel or iran is toast. Thus its not in the least bit surprising that the iranians are developing a nuclear weapon built to go into a missle. and its not hard to guess where the missle is going to be pointed.
finally, in the scheme of things, initiating a nuclear blast is not that complicated. it doesnt take very much know how to produce the bomb. producing weapons grade uranium is much more complicated than actually setting it off. for that matter, making your missle go where you want it to is also much more complicated than what your jamming into it. im not saying its easy to make the bomb go boom, but its definatly easier than some of the other issues that are going to need to be adressed.
and now let me say i hope some enterprising soul leaves a small nuclear weapon lodged n the center of their precious fuel dump.
and everyone remember:
do unto others what they were planning to do unto you, but do it first.*
*this quote is stolen, cant remember who made it.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Political Spin of Terror
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/11/04/pakistan.taliban/index.html
Politics makes its way into terror organizations. I dont feel this is anything new, but the fact that the taliban knows PR gives an insight into just how organized and extensive these organizations are.
now, i dont know that they have a dental plan, but they certainly are more organized than personally i would like for my neighborhood brand of lunatic religious fanatic. and i dont know how much of their crap the average human believes, but its easy to see that they sure are doing their best to run a public relations department. although you have to admit they arent that good at it.
seriously, if "thousands" of pakistani soldiers had been killed like they have claimed, it would of gotten out. i know the pakistani military has a pretty solid block on news going in and out of the area, but nothing is water tight. Im frankly wondering what kind of fighting exactly is going on between these forces.
Taliban tactics are to hit, run, and hide among the population. This area however, is where they have been strong, and had a tiny little corner of the world to call their own. They are fairly stuck, geographically, and militarily, since this has been the place they always had to run to, and now there's nowhere for them to go, as a group.
since so many people have been displaced by the fighting, i would speculate that there is relatively little in the way of civilian population for the taliban to disappear into. That said, the infrastructure of the population was left behind, with plenty of places to hide and ambush from. There's not a lot of information coming out of the area, but i think probably the pakistani military is rooting out taliban using tactics with a huge cost to infrastructure, something the international community would not approve of. (though anyone who thinks military action should magically avoid damage to everything but the enemy is probably sucking car fumes for fun)
so we see then, if a well armed, determined insurgency cannot stand against even a relatively poorly trained army when the ability to hide in the population is taken out of the situation and military might is used probably without regard to losses in infrastructure.
Politics makes its way into terror organizations. I dont feel this is anything new, but the fact that the taliban knows PR gives an insight into just how organized and extensive these organizations are.
now, i dont know that they have a dental plan, but they certainly are more organized than personally i would like for my neighborhood brand of lunatic religious fanatic. and i dont know how much of their crap the average human believes, but its easy to see that they sure are doing their best to run a public relations department. although you have to admit they arent that good at it.
seriously, if "thousands" of pakistani soldiers had been killed like they have claimed, it would of gotten out. i know the pakistani military has a pretty solid block on news going in and out of the area, but nothing is water tight. Im frankly wondering what kind of fighting exactly is going on between these forces.
Taliban tactics are to hit, run, and hide among the population. This area however, is where they have been strong, and had a tiny little corner of the world to call their own. They are fairly stuck, geographically, and militarily, since this has been the place they always had to run to, and now there's nowhere for them to go, as a group.
since so many people have been displaced by the fighting, i would speculate that there is relatively little in the way of civilian population for the taliban to disappear into. That said, the infrastructure of the population was left behind, with plenty of places to hide and ambush from. There's not a lot of information coming out of the area, but i think probably the pakistani military is rooting out taliban using tactics with a huge cost to infrastructure, something the international community would not approve of. (though anyone who thinks military action should magically avoid damage to everything but the enemy is probably sucking car fumes for fun)
so we see then, if a well armed, determined insurgency cannot stand against even a relatively poorly trained army when the ability to hide in the population is taken out of the situation and military might is used probably without regard to losses in infrastructure.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Space Hotels
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33579859/ns/technology_and_science-space/?GT1=43001
this is sort of neat. it also spells a possible end for nasa if it can be pulled off. basically the story is about several companies that are gearing up to provide the ultimate getaway, all the way to space. While i sorta personally doubt that some of the current timelines these companies are suggesting are practical, i do think that private enterprise would be good for space.
well, maybe not good for space per sey, but it would be good for man's entrance into space.
private enterprise, with the goal of personal profit is probably the best tool that can be used to drive down the cost of doing anything. What im saying is, if there's a way to produce a profit, now that the government has shown it can be done, its time for someone else to find ways to do it cheaper. if the cost of moving matter to space can be lowered enough, there's unlimited good that can be done with it. Im not talking about space hotels, although thats the start.
im talking about medical advances, industrial applications, resource exploitation... you know, science fiction stuff.
and the fact of the matter is, space hotels give companies a relatively affordable way to conduct tests of their own in space, to determine if investing in space is likely to pay off. While im sure these hotels are going to get their fair share of rich thrill seekers, im also quite certain that many companies are going to use these hotels as an opportunity to get their space booties wet.
this is sort of neat. it also spells a possible end for nasa if it can be pulled off. basically the story is about several companies that are gearing up to provide the ultimate getaway, all the way to space. While i sorta personally doubt that some of the current timelines these companies are suggesting are practical, i do think that private enterprise would be good for space.
well, maybe not good for space per sey, but it would be good for man's entrance into space.
private enterprise, with the goal of personal profit is probably the best tool that can be used to drive down the cost of doing anything. What im saying is, if there's a way to produce a profit, now that the government has shown it can be done, its time for someone else to find ways to do it cheaper. if the cost of moving matter to space can be lowered enough, there's unlimited good that can be done with it. Im not talking about space hotels, although thats the start.
im talking about medical advances, industrial applications, resource exploitation... you know, science fiction stuff.
and the fact of the matter is, space hotels give companies a relatively affordable way to conduct tests of their own in space, to determine if investing in space is likely to pay off. While im sure these hotels are going to get their fair share of rich thrill seekers, im also quite certain that many companies are going to use these hotels as an opportunity to get their space booties wet.
Womens Bathroom Things.
Now, im going to tell any of you that have never lived with a woman something important. women have lots of weird bathroom things, and the smartest thing you can do is NOT touch them.
im not talking about those little diaper things, or those cotton sticks. those are ok to play with. in fact your usually in for a hell of a time if you stick one in your nose and then go try to give her a kiss. you can also pour ketchup on them and leave them in odd places before company comes over. i can absolutely promise you that before she kicks your head in, you will have such a laugh.
so if its not cotton sticks, what is it?
STAY AWAY FROM WOMENS HAIR PRODUCTS AND SOAP!!!
this stuff is nasty. i cant even lie about it, its gross. my girlfriend switched to a new conditioner and the tub started clogging. and guess who has to go fix it? (me) and guess whose hair lump mixed with non water soluble conditioner it was? (her) As far as im concerned, thats gross. if it wont even dissolve in water, why on earth would u put it in your hair?
As for womens shampoo and soap, let me tell you a story. As we all know, men are lazy. if the soap isnt there when we need it, the chances of us planning out to bring it beforehand are zero. chances are, if we really need soap, we wander dripping through the house till we find some. if we're less desperate, or just not interested in being cold or proactive, we'll use whatever else is there. wash our hair with a soap bar, or body with shampoo.
well rather than use shampoo, i was so clever, i used the girlfriends body wash. NASTY!!!
womens soap doesnt wash off right, it leaves you all slimy and soft. its moisturizers or something. as far as im concerned, when you wash the soap off of yourself your supposed to squeak afterwards. anything else means your dirty. so this is a warning to you men living with girlfriends, who might consider using their soap. DONT. its way better to wander through the house leaving a puddle everywhere you've been on your search for real soap.
im not talking about those little diaper things, or those cotton sticks. those are ok to play with. in fact your usually in for a hell of a time if you stick one in your nose and then go try to give her a kiss. you can also pour ketchup on them and leave them in odd places before company comes over. i can absolutely promise you that before she kicks your head in, you will have such a laugh.
so if its not cotton sticks, what is it?
STAY AWAY FROM WOMENS HAIR PRODUCTS AND SOAP!!!
this stuff is nasty. i cant even lie about it, its gross. my girlfriend switched to a new conditioner and the tub started clogging. and guess who has to go fix it? (me) and guess whose hair lump mixed with non water soluble conditioner it was? (her) As far as im concerned, thats gross. if it wont even dissolve in water, why on earth would u put it in your hair?
As for womens shampoo and soap, let me tell you a story. As we all know, men are lazy. if the soap isnt there when we need it, the chances of us planning out to bring it beforehand are zero. chances are, if we really need soap, we wander dripping through the house till we find some. if we're less desperate, or just not interested in being cold or proactive, we'll use whatever else is there. wash our hair with a soap bar, or body with shampoo.
well rather than use shampoo, i was so clever, i used the girlfriends body wash. NASTY!!!
womens soap doesnt wash off right, it leaves you all slimy and soft. its moisturizers or something. as far as im concerned, when you wash the soap off of yourself your supposed to squeak afterwards. anything else means your dirty. so this is a warning to you men living with girlfriends, who might consider using their soap. DONT. its way better to wander through the house leaving a puddle everywhere you've been on your search for real soap.
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