15 August 2009
15 September 2007
Holy Cow...And Pig!
I met with Dr. Vakili yesterday, mainly to touch base on my thesis research. He thinks I'm on the right track, and approves of my systematic approach. I didn't get any candy though. Not a complete bust, I guess. Later, I swung by my local library (100 yards away) for some image processing references (found 2) and any fiber mechanics (no dice) books. And I checked them out, instead of using the honor system. Go me.
Lasagna and curly fries in the cafeteria: $2.35
Knowing I'll never get a better deal, ever: Priceless
Around 2:00, I headed over to my old stomping grounds to help Jeff and his parents do some loading for his move. After we loaded up the U-Haul that they had stolen as well as (senior) Mr. King's truck, we figured "what the heck" and went ahead and drove on down to Huntsville. We wound up getting back to Tullahoma around 8:00 (I had lunch at 11:00), and Jeff and I ran to Wendy's to eat dinner and bring home some food for his folks. Jeff inhaled his baconator. Literally. I had to take 4 bites. Holy cow...and pig!
I returned this morning for another round of loading, driving, and unloading. Jeff only got crushed by the couch once. Jeff, his dad, and I did some preliminary organization around his new place, which I think made life easier for them later. I have to say that he's got a pretty sweet pad - about 2 square feet more than the townhouse in Tullahoma, and its a single story. That makes for a much better use of space. And he got 2 full baths. Nice upgrade.
We stopped for lunch at Firehouse Subs in Madison (next to Huntsville, where Jeff's new place is). I got the New York steamer (corned beef, pastrami, provolone, Italian dressing, and deli mustard), Jeff's dad ordered the same, and Jeff ordered the Italian Meatball sub. When they brought out our sandwiches, they tried to give Jeff the "Italian," which is an entirely different sandwich. Jeff tells them he ordered the "Italian Meatball sub" and they proceeded to argue. Even if you're totally, absolutely, without-a-doubt right, don't argue with the customer. Now Jeff will never return until his dad comes back to visit.
I got back to Tullahoma by mid-afternoon, and mostly just existed in limbo until dinner time. I grabbed some Subway (really wasn't feeling cooking). I know, two sandwiches in one day is bad. However, its better than a sandwich and an entire pizza. That's always a good rationalization.
Tonight, the Sci-Fi Channel aired an original movie Highlander: The Source. It was pretty good; it used the TV characters, which I liked; however, Queen didn't contribute to the soundtrack, which I was saddened by. Someone did cover Princes of the Universe, but it just wasn't the same. On the whole, it was better than nothing (no Law & Order marathon).
Who knows what tomorrow might bring?
13 September 2007
Old Sparky
Apparently, Tennessee still uses the electric chair as a method of execution. Did not know that.
Yesterday's seminar was as awesome as I'd hoped. As it turns out, this guy designed the engines on the SR-71 Blackbird. They gave him an original design that provided no thrust, and melted the afterburners. He tweaked it with some jiggers (that's a slang term for the more proper "thingamabobs") somewhere, and wound up with a pretty sweet engine that pissed off the Russians for decades. And he met Charles Lindbergh, Jimmy Doolittle, and Juan Trip. Totally, totally cool.
I got a call yesterday from the FAA (one person, not everybody). The woman told me to apply for a specific position that's in Georgia (not too far from Atlanta). I filled out the online application, so we'll see where that goes. I wonder if they'd fly me over? If anyone could, it'd be them.
Today was pretty low-key. A little spin-lab work, class, and lunch were followed by a trip to Huntsville & Madison, Alabama. Jeff had some errands, and needed an extra set of hands moving a couple of things before the big move on Saturday. That should be fun. Dinner at Beauregard's was excellent, as always.
Consult your magic 8-ball about an update tomorrow.
10 September 2007
Redneck Escort Service
I'm not making this up.
As I was making the drive back to Tullahoma last night, I saw a truck with this company name and logo written on the passenger door. I saw it as I was getting ready to merge onto I-440 outside of Nashville. When I saw it, I almost drove off the road. You're probably asking yourself, "What on earth?" Well, before you start calling the Nashville-Davidson County Better Business Bureau I should let you know that they "escort" wide loads on the interstate. I have to admit, I was thrown by it. Also, don't try googling it. That won't end well, I promise.
I should also take time to mention that I spent 4 hours at Red Lobster on Saturday. Two of those hours were spent standing at the bar trying to dry off with those crappy little beverage napkins. Jennifer's friend and classmate Bianca wanted to go there for her birthday (she shares a birthday with Jennifer). OK, sounds good. We get there at 5:00 only to find out that the current wait is an hour and forty-five minutes. Holy. Crap. The current theory is that there was a mass exodus from Mid-Town in order to avoid the Soul Bowl. I can't blame them - Jennifer and I essentially did the same thing. After we finally get seated almost two hours later, Bianca orders a 6-oz steak. STEAK. At Red Lobster. Urge to kill...rising...rising...
The garlic cheddar biscuits are really quite good though. If not for those, there might be a missing law student or two.
Today was back to the normal grind at UTSI. Characterizing carbon fibers, auditing Dr. Yue's Fiber Science class, and working towards my thesis (I'm working up a good title, like "Looming Thermo Project of Doom." Suggestions are welcome). I heated up some Campbell's Chicken Tortilla soup for dinner. Not great, but low calorie.
Finally, we're having our first seminar of the semester on Wednesday. Here's the email:
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Never Told Tales of Blackbirds, U2s and Roadrunners,
the Golden Age of Aerospace
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
12:30 pm – Room H-111
Dr. Bob Abernethy
Manager of Reliability and Safety (retired)
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Inc.
Dr. Abernethy is the inventor of the dual cycle engines that power the Blackbirds. He will tell us stories about engineering in the fifties and sixties including the development of the aircraft engines that powered the reconnaissance aircraft of the cold war. The aircraft will include the U2, the YF12, A12, CL400 and the SR-71. The Lockheed Blackbird, SR-71, still holds all seventeen world speed and altitude records even though it was designed forty eight years ago.
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They'd have to TRY to keep me away from that.
06 September 2007
The Chicken of Depression
Obscure Far Side reference. Trust me, its funny.
Been a few days, hasn't it? I'm not apologizing, simply observing. I had a busy weekend back in Memphis, but it was very enjoyable. On Friday, several of us met at Putting Edge in Peabody Place for Ashley Miller's not-Birthday party. She won it a year ago, and needed to redeem it. Jennifer & I got a free round of Putt-Putt and some free pizza out of the deal, which was even better for me because I got Jennifer's free pizza (sans crust). Our foursome (BJ & Marly + Jennifer & me) all shot a hole-in-one at some point. Huzzah.
Saturday was equally busy - the evening was split between a free show at Comedy TN with BJ & Marly and Jennifer's friends Paula and John Paul, then Sheena's going away bowling party. Jennifer and I had to get there a little late because of the comedy club show, but the party was fizzling until we got there. Jeff joined me and Jennifer in a round of bowling before we all headed out. Sheena, your welcome for the help at the party, and good riddance. Or bon voyage. Yeah, bon voyage.
On Sunday, I took Jennifer to see The Lion King musical for her birthday. We didn't exactly have floor seats, but it was still very enjoyable. My only beef was with the Orpheum, not the show: that place was designed to seat small midgets. Not average midgets, but the ones on the smaller end of the bell curve. Why, why, why can't I have leg room? Oh well - hakuna matata, I guess.
I love Huey's, by the way.
Jeff and I have been anxiously awaiting S. M. Stirling's new book to come out for about a year, and The Sunrise Lands hit the stores on Jennifer's birthday (Sept 4th, for those unaware). The bookstore (in the loosest sense of the word) had exactly two copies, and we scooped them up in a hurry. They also tried to sell Jeff a Harry Potter book, for some strange reason. It might have been his wizard hat that he likes to wear.
And tomorrow, I return to Memphis for the weekend again. Good times.
28 August 2007
Fur-Coated Evil
I read an enthralling little article in Uncle John's GREAT BIG Bathroom Reader today (I'll spare you the circumstances that lead to my reading the book) and it just seemed to leap of the page. The article was about "ferret-legging," a sport so ridiculously idiotic that it could only have originated in Scotland (the nation that also gave us golf). Basically, you tie the bottom of your pants to your ankles, insert two ferrets, and tie your waist tight with some rope. You are allowed to smack the ferrets (described as shark-of-the-land, piranha-with-feet, and fur-coated evil). The man who lasts the longest is the winner. Did I mention that there's no underwear allowed? Not that it would survive the encounter.
Today we tested some stabilized fibers, which are fibers that have been spun and dried, but not heat treated. We got some interesting data. Too bad I can't tell you about it. Also did some thesis work.
Ruby Tuesday makes a pretty good hamburger. Not nearly as good as Huey's. I've also been told to try a Red Robin burger. I know only of their seasoning, which is actually pretty good. The commercials look pretty good too. So we'll see.
There's still a rant coming. I'm cooking something up...you just wait.
