Friday, March 21, 2014

Alternate History

 
A friend of mine posted the following question on his Facebook page:

What if....
The allies had a Super Guppy Cargo Plane during WWII? What if the Axis powers had one? Explain how history would be different today. Go!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aero_Spacelines_Super_Guppy


I thought you'd appreciate my reply to his question:


In preparation for the Conference of the Allied Leaders in Yalta, the Super Guppy from Great Britain was loaded with 52,500 lb of cargo that would be necessary to sustain Prime Minister Churchill during his stay in Yalta.

While unloading the Super Guppy, the Russian airport crew discovered that the entire cargo hold was filled with cigars and brandy.

Churchill's supplies never made it to the conference. It was all diverted to the front line Soviet troops.

Three days afterwards, the Russian advance towards Berlin sputtered, then stopped due to alcoholic stupor.

German troops prepared for a counteroffensive, but an hour before they launched their counter attack a 10,000 foot tall cloud
stretching the entire length of the front line – menacingly rolled towards them. One million Russian troops had lit their cigars and exhaled in the general direction of Germany.

The miasma was overpowering. Blood, Tears, Soil and Sweat; these were the well-known Stenches of War, but nothing could prepare the Germans for La Aroma de Cuba.  Those that were not immediately overcome fell back in hasty retreat, clearing the road to Berlin.



.   .

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Keep Calm ...

 

Monday, March 17, 2014

Chicks with Guns

 
 

FW: Romper Room - SciFi Style

 

I see Yoda, & the Alien, & The Doctor & R2D2 & Marvin & ….

 

 

How many things can you recognize?


Why Irish Americans eat corned beef and cabbage not bacon for St. Patrick’s Day

 
 
Beef was not readily available in Ireland and was considered a luxury. That's why the traditional Irish meal centered around ham, the bacon.

But when these Irish got off the boats in America it was quite the opposite. Corned beef was the meat that they could easily and more cheaply get their hands on and, so, this became the meal of choice for generations of Irish Americans to come.

In New England, a tradition formed of having a boiled dinner. For this dish the corned beef, cabbage, and root vegetables such as carrots, turnips, and potatoes were boiled.

Many maintain that the dish is simply not Irish at all. The close proximity of the Irish and Jewish communities at the time is said to be largely responsible for the popularity of corned beef among the Irish immigrants. According to thekitchenproject.com, when the Irish arrived in America, they couldn't find a bacon joint like they had in Ireland so they gravitated toward the Jewish corned beef which was very similar in texture.

http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/food-drink/why-do-irish-americans-eat-corned-beef-and-cabbage-instead-of-bacon-for-st-patricks-day-196470851-237570541.html

Friday, March 14, 2014

Most GM cars with at-risk switch not recalled


General Motors' recall of the Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 covers fewer than half the GM cars on U.S. roads that it years ago told dealers might have the ignition switch problem linked to at least six deaths.

The car company continues to decline to explain publicly why it believes some vehicles with the apparently identical ignition switches are at risk for shutting off unexpectedly and others are not.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/02/23/gm-recall-ignition-switch-fatalities-nhtsa/5704149

=====

If a new car built by my company leaves Chicago traveling west at 60 miles per hour, and the rear differential locks up, and the car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside, does my company initiate a recall?

You take the population of vehicles in the field (A) and multiply it by the probable rate of failure (B), then multiply the result by the average cost of an out-of-court settlement (C).

A times B times C equals X. This is what it will cost if we don't initiate a recall.

If X is greater than the cost of a recall, we recall the cars and no one gets hurt.

If X is less than the cost of a recall, then we don't recall.

- "FIGHT CLUB" by Chuck Palahniuk


Happy π Day!

 

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Chuck Norris was born March 10th, 1940.




Chuck Norris was born March 10th, 1940. Don't worry about missing his birthday.
Chuck doesn't have birthdays.

You see, Birthdays are timed by the year it took for you -- on the Earth -- to revolve around the Sun.

The Sun, however, revolves around Chuck.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Benjamin Franklin's Essay on Daylight Saving

 
 
Benjamin Franklin's
Essay on Daylight Saving
 
Letter to the Editor of the Journal of Paris, 1784

The idea of daylight saving time was first conceived by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 during his stay in Paris. He published an essay titled "An Economical Project."

He noted that the sun rises before most rise from their beds, and declared
(tongue in cheek) that the sun gives light immediately upon its rising. He suggested using all available daylight rather than using candles at night.

In true Nerd fashion, Franklin then proceeded to calculate the number of candles t
hat the city of Paris might save every year by the economy of using sunshine instead of candles.

Full text of his essay:

http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/franklin3.html







Friday, March 07, 2014

Biology class should have been this fun.


How to tell the difference between a Land Pig and the Sea Pig.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y4DbZivHCY


tickle me pickle elmo


Thursday, March 06, 2014

Lamp by Igor Clark

Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Revolutionary War reenactors at Peter Wentz Farmstead Saturday March 8th

 

Revolutionary War reenactors from the Mid-Atlantic region will be at the Peter Wentz Farmstead for the 3rd Annual School of the Soldier, hosted by the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment

Experience the camp life of the Continental Army during the long winter encampments of the Revolutionary War. Watch as the troops practice marching, drilling and firing. Visit the Visitor's Center to meet with Distaff demonstrating 18th Century hand crafts.

Saturday, March 8th, 2014 . 10:00am-4:00pm
All ages; $2 per person suggested donation; Groups Welcome.


Driving Directions The Farmstead is located on Shearer Road in Worcester, PA, near the intersection of Routes 73 and 363 in Montgomery County.
From Philadelphia:
  1. Get on 76 West (Schuylkill Expressway).
  2. Get off 76 at Plymouth Meeting exit for 476 North.
  3. Stay on 476 North through toll both (bear to left).
  4. Get off 476 at Lansdale exit.
  5. After toll, go to light and make left on to Sumneytown Pike (63).
  6. At second light, turn right onto Bustard Road.
  7. Take Bustard to Route 73.
  8. Turn left on Route 73.
  9. On Route 73, cross Valley Forge Road (363) and make first left onto Shearer Road.
  10. Farmstead entrance is on right.
From the PA Turnpike:
  1. Get off at exit for the Northeast Extension/476 North (near Norristown exit.)
  2. Go to Step 4 in directions from Philadelphia.


http://www.peterwentzfarmsteadsociety.org/hours.html


Saturday, March 01, 2014

Know Thy Selfie


Sum izzamples of whuddah Filelfian seawns luyk



http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/03/02/sunday-review/philly-tawk.html

full story at 
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/opinion/sunday/the-sound-of-philadelphia-fades-out.html