March 14, 2024

Repair footage goes missing amid Boeing, Alaska Airlines blowout probe

Source: Scripps News, via WRTV.com

Federal investigators say their investigation is being stymied after footage — that would have shown repair work being made on a door plug of the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 jet that experienced a midair blowout in early January — is now missing.

In a letter from the National Transportation Safety Board addressed to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, federal inspectors say they "still do not know who performed the work to open, reinstall, and close the door plug on the accident aircraft."

The NTSB has not been able to interview the door crew manager who would have overseen the repairs in Renton, Washington because he has been out on medical leave. The agency said they are only seeking to interview workers who did the repairs to learn more about Boeing's safety and quality assurance methods.

The letter said, "NTSB investigators first requested documents that would have contained this information from Boeing on January 9, 2024. Shortly thereafter, we identified the door crew manager and were advised that he was out on medical leave. We requested status updates on February 15, 2024, and February 22, 2024, after which we were advised by his attorney that he would not be able to provide a statement or interview to NTSB due to medical issues"


Read more: https://www.wrtv.com/repair-footage-goes-missing-amid-boeing-alaska-airlines-blowout-probe

---

Curiouser and curiouser, especially in light of the recent suicide of the Boeing whistleblower before he could complete his testimony.

February 28, 2024

Dramatic Image Reveals How Much The Sun Has Changed in Two Years

Images from Solar Orbiter have been released that show closeups of the Sun's visible surface, the photosphere as it nears peak of solar activity.

At the beginning of the cycle, at solar minimum in 2019, there was relatively little activity and only a few sunspots. Since then, things have been slowly increasing. The image from February 2021 showed a reasonably quiet Sun but an image taken in October last year shows that things are, dare I say, hotting up!

The maximum of this cycle is expected to occur in 2025 which supports theories that the period of maximum activity could arrive a year earlier.

Understanding the cycle is not just of whimsical scientific interest, it is vital to ensure we minimize damage to ground based and orbiting systems but crucially understand impact on life on Earth.

https://www.sciencealert.com/dramatic-image-reveals-how-much-the-sun-has-changed-in-two-years

Interesting article at the link. Keep your eyes open for aurora borealis sightings!

February 9, 2024

Well, I'm home from the hospital with a story to tell

I awoke at 2:00 Monday morning with the worst stomach ache EVER. It hurt worse than birthing my 8 lb. son. I stayed in bed, waiting for the pain to subside, but it did not. I could barely move and could not get comfortable. Add to that severe nausea, causing me to vomit several times. I had no idea what was wrong, but I suspected maybe food poisoning. It wasn't that. My daughter took me to the hospital in Tacoma, where they did a CT scan and an ultrasound. The doctors determined that it was my gall bladder, and it needed to come out pronto. So, Wednesday morning I had the first surgery of my life. That went well, and the gall bladder is now history, bye bye birdie! I want to publicly thank the exceptional staff of St. Joseph's, from the doctors who made the right call, to the surgeon who removed the offending body part, to the nurses who took good care of me from start to finish, and even the maintenance man who plunged the toilet in my room. My undying respect and admiration for you dedicated health care people goes on and on. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

November 19, 2023

Outstanding interview with Rachael Maddow about her book Prequel

Brought to you by the Free Library of Philadelphia. Enjoy!

November 16, 2023

A question for the pie enthusiasts here

I'm bringing a pumpkin pie to Thursday's family get together and I have a crust question. I follow the recipe exactly and usually end up with a soggy bottom crust. I make a whole wheat/butter crust and bake the pie in a 10 inch enameled cast iron skillet. The pie recipe calls for baking the pie at 425* F for 15 minutes, then reducing the oven temperature to 350*F for the rest of the time. I consistently do this, and I have a thermometer in the oven to make sure it is the correct temperature. What else can I do to prevent a soggy bottom crust? Any suggestions? Thanks for your help.

October 9, 2023

Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner Now Operating On Renewable Diesel

https://laist.com/news/transportation/amtraks-pacific-surfliner-now-operating-on-renewable-diesel

Why it matters: The move away from locomotive diesel, which emit harmful pollutants, is part of meeting a net-zero emissions by 2045 goal that Amtrak announced last year.

"The adoption of renewable diesel for our Pacific Surfliner service is an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to environmental preservation and the fight against climate change," Jewel Edson, chair of the LOSSAN Agency Board of Directors, said in a statement. "We take immense pride in joining forces with Amtrak, state and federal agencies, rail equipment manufacturers, and fuel distributors who share our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability."

What impact will the move have on greenhouse gasses? LOSSAN spokesperson Puja Thomas-Patel says the transition will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 63% during a train's operating lifetime. But she says it's important to note that the Pacific Surfliner fleet has used diesel-electric Charger locomotives since 2018.

"The Charger locomotives possess the stringent Tier IV emissions certification from the Environmental Protection Agency, making the Charger one of the cleanest diesel-electric passenger locomotives currently in operation," she said. "The Charger locomotive reduced emissions by 90% over the previous Pacific Surfliner locomotives. The switch to Renewable Diesel further reduces emissions."


As a railfan and Amtrak supporter, I am happy to post most of this short article. Little more at link.

June 26, 2023

Yard sale update

The results are in and the yard sale was a win! I sold most of the stuff on Friday, and only 3 items on Saturday. All told, I made $157 for the two days. What surprised me was that things I expected to sell did not. My old bicycle is still here, as are the practically new firepit and lawn mower. There is talk of another community yard sale next month so I guess I'll just save the remaining stuff until then.

June 17, 2023

Has anyone here had a yard sale? I'm planning my first one for next weekend

I have lots of good stuff that I don't use anymore, and I can surely use the cash. Can you give me any tips for a successful sale? I'll be in and out all day today and tomorrow prepping for the sale, and I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks!

February 28, 2023

Looks like Jupiter and Venus are having a party tonight

There, up in the Western sky are two very bright objects, and they aren't Chinese weather balloons. I'm here on the left coast where it's 7 pm. If you're in the Eastern time zone they may have already set. If so, try again tomorrow if your skies are clear. Happy viewing!

December 3, 2022

Another kind of cat video

A very interesting documentary from PBS/Nova on the origin of domesticated cats, and theories on why we love them:

I've had cats all my life and I wouldn't be without one or two. They certainly are entertaining little critters!