#sandys rocket interior

[spongebobproductionart]

SpongeBob and Patrick animation cel from Sandy's Rocket.

[corinthbayrpg]

NAME. Kasey Wallace-Sinclair AGE & BIRTH DATE. 25 & September 7th, 1995 GENDER & PRONOUNS. Trans Woman & She/Her SPECIES. Witch ( Air + Memory Projection ) OCCUPATION. Cashier at Grocery Stop FACE CLAIM. Hunter Schafer

BIOGRAPHY

Kasey Wallace-Sinclair was given two surnames because her parents simply couldn’t decide on one. It was this indecisiveness that shaped the way that she grew up— every wall of her childhood bedroom was painted a slightly different shade of yellow, and her hair was always tied back with baubles of three different textures and patterns. From each ear (pierced when she was three) she wore mismatched earrings and as she grew up, she simply adopted the philosophy that odd socks were just as good as any other ones.

As far as she knows, she was born in Hartford, Connecticut to a teenaged mother who couldn’t yet handle having a child just yet, and instead was put into the hands of two eccentric but loving parents; an interior designer and an accountant. She had been given the name Kyle, but they saw the way that their child struggled under their love, how they grasped for brighter, more beautiful things. They cared little for the constructs or expectations of the rest of their community and Kyle became Kasey, and whatever tears and horror had tormented their child seemed to cease. Under the warmth of their love, she blossomed.

She didn’t have a hard childhood, she remembers rocket popsicles that dripped down the length of her arm and endless, easy summers. She’s a strong swimmer and took to water like a fish, diving off of docks and throwing herself from diving boards. Her light hair grew lighter in the sun and her skin freckled and browned. Their tiny home in Connecticut had never allowed her for a fresh start and so the Wallace-Sinclairs moved across to another continent, seeking out a new life for them and their daughter. Summer stretched on and they spent the first one in England on the coast in Devon, where she splashed her toes in the water of the county’s sandy beaches.

Fall was a bit harder, and being trapped behind a desk so far from a window made her fidget and squirm. School made her hide under the sheets and pretend to be sick, especially when words danced on the page and she couldn’t make sense of them. When words were the enemy, it was numbers that she loved. They and the children that she chattered with at the bus stop made each haul to the classroom worth it. Kasey was doing equations that all the other students couldn’t dream of completing in the sixth grade in one period, but cried over a sea of text in the next.

After a while, she stopped trying. It felt good, letting go of a rope that had been twined around her throat for so long. Instead, she treaded water, fell in love with the way that numbers could form anything if you entered them in the right combinations on a computer. She toted a laptop around with her at all times, typing furiously away at a screen to make something out of nothing. A bit of her own magic. She made her mother’s interior design website, then a funny animated email for her father. When she turned thirteen she’d been declared both incredibly clever and incredibly unmotivated, making apps on their home desktop while staring blankly into space during class.

She found other ways to immerse herself. After a fall fair, she’d decided that she wanted to learn how to read palms and fell in love with the magic of it— pulling meaning out of the lines in someone’s hands, she absorbed everything there was to know from a youtube video and then made up the rest, believing it all wholly. Astrology was her next fascination and after that, she swore that she could see auras, and after that, a whole year was spent learning strange animal facts instead of reading Huckleberry Finn. There were other curiosities, swirling moments where she sat in the middle of a torrent of crimson fall leaves that danced patterns in front of her, or days where she could swear that she ran fast enough that not a single rain drop touched her skin. When she was angry, it felt as though the world responded and the atmosphere got heavier, more blustery to match. You’re just empathetic, her mother had said, smoothing down pale hair that she had gotten into the habit of dyeing brilliant colours.

Her parents had begged her to apply to better schools, and shocking everyone, one in London had taken her in on scholarship. It had been her shining maths grades that had pushed them to take the chance on her, as well as a weighty portfolio of already successful microcomputer applications, all published under her name. A whole new city lay at her feet, but she was first burdened by the hurdle of an entirely new school. Make new friends, the guidance counsellor who had been assigned to easing her transition in the school had said, and Kasey took the instructions to heart. Most avoided her gaze as she tried to seek out a friendly face, but it was the bewildered, dark browed gaze of what seemed to be another new student that she gravitated towards.

His name was Theeran, and she announced after peering at his open palm that they would be good friends. He was good, and he didn’t mind that her tights had stars on them, or if they were baggy at the knees or ripped. She floated through the campus unbothered, her head tipped up towards a sky the colour of a robin’s egg, tucking flowers behind both of their ears as they made journeys across campus. Instead of burying her nose into books, Kasey spent her days in the sun, laughing, dreaming— her fingers stretched for a future that neither Hartford, nor Devon, nor London could provide her. The little worlds that she could create with the stroke of her keyboard in the middle of the night could only satiate her for so long; there was an entire world that waited and would not be cancelled out by her oversized headphones and late night radio.

They turned seventeen and she unfurled Theeran’s fingers to expose his palm, drawing a finger down a line in the middle and announced that they should run away and start on an adventure. He planned it all and she left a note to her parents promising her love before jetting off with her best friend. Their locations were ones that she had circled on a map, and it was on countless trains and tucked into tiny beds and on couches that he whispered the truth of what he was and told her what he thought she was. A fox and a witch, they chased through Europe with the fervent passion of a forest fire.

It wasn’t always a good life, there were days that were hard, more so than either had expected when they had begun their adventure. There were days where money didn’t just run out, it was stolen, and mistakes were made that left them hungry and made dreamers dream of going home. She turned to trickery and magic to rustle up coins and Theeran worked harder than she ever could have hoped for them and at the end of every difficult day, she woke to watch the warmth of a beautiful new sunrise. Every day was a new start and she grew into powers that had been a mystery to her, learning new and more wonderful things that she could do. At a touch of her fingertips to skin, she could project memories to those whom she wished. It helped with the fortune telling, it padded things out and it made them more real to those who she whispered words about the stars and their futures to.

She also learned about the rest of the supernatural world, of the magic that it held and the creatures that were created from it. Not all had the same majesty and warmth as Theeran, some were cruel and they were hungry and her best friend had nearly been whisked away had it not been for another vampire who had entered stage left and decided it upon himself to adopt them. Cambridge was nice for a while, but it was too close to home, too domesticated for her liking and after a little while her bag was packed once again and they returned to a nomadic lifestyle that they had grown into.

Greece was an unexpected turn of events, after so many years without a permanent home, it felt nice to have somewhere to be called to. Her own parents have grown contented with knowing that she would never be back, that the girl that they had once known and raised was someone else now— but that above all things, she was happy. Theeran was quick to take up the offer to live with the vampire they had met so long ago, but for herself she has found interest in having a space of her own. Having an entire apartment to herself feels almost too luxurious but she has found ways to make it her own. A clean white ceiling has been painted a glossy navy and black and the decor is pieces that she’s toted around with her from their adventures. It’s a bizarre, kitschy space, and a rabbit roams freely when she dances in socked feet on the hardwood floors. Kasey works now at the grocery store, torn half between waking and dreaming, with a sticker occasionally plastered to her cheek. She’s a dreamer, she always will be, and her capacity for love is immense— she finds herself incapable of shutting the valve and telling that rusty pipe that there is nothing left for her to give.

PERSONALITY

+ sweet, enthusiastic, idealistic - gullible, scatterbrained, codependent

PLAYED BY Sam. EST. She/Her.

[tisypgnostalgic]

Jade's a piece of shit. Read the Epilogue and stop drawing her.

We start with Mr. Krabs, who is obviously the Bourgeois business owner who ruthlessly exploits Squidward and Spongebob. There is no question about this, it is repeatedly demonstrated that Mr. Krabs is a cruel boss, pathetically obsessed with money even at the expense of his own health (“Squid's Day Off”). He has attempted to charge his workers for breathing (“Squid on Strike”), forced them to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (“Graveyard Shift”) and even traded Spongebob's soul for a measly 62 cents (“Born Again Krabs”). His continual protection of the Krabby Patty Secret Formula from Plankton, in which he enlists the involuntary help of Spongebob (who sees it as a valiant quest to protect the honor of the Krusty Krab) and Squidward (who is just in it for the paycheck), is nothing more than a cheap quest to protect the profit margin of the Krabby Patty, which he likely sells for more than it is worth. There are two ways his workers can react to this awful situation, and Spongebob and Squidward each represent one of them. Squidward is the class-conscious worker. He is fully aware of his miserable situation under the thumb of Mr. Krabs, thus resulting in his depressed and irritable attitude. He is clearly no stranger to Marxist ideas, being the only one of the two to quit due to Krabs' abuse (“Can You Spare a Dime?”) and starting a strike against Mr. Krabs (“Squid on Strike”). He finds solace in art, and dreams of living in a utopian Fully Automated Luxury Communism, relaxing while making his art and sharing it with the world. It was Oscar Wilde, after all, who argued in The Soul of Man Under Socialism that only when their needs are fully accounted for can the artist truly hone their creative genius. He is continually disappointed with his fellow proletarians, the denizens of Bikini Bottom, most of all Spongebob.

If one thinks about it, Squidward really has no apparent reason to hate Spongebob. Spongebob is incredibly kind to Squidward, giving him gifts, saying good morning to him every day, altogether just trying to bring joy into Squidward's life. We are led to believe that Squidward is simply a curmudgeon who hates Spongebob for being happy while he is depressed. But is that really as deep as it goes? I think not. Once one realizes the Marxist undertones in Spongebob, the answer is clear: Squidward resents Spongebob because he is not class-conscious.

Despite his miserable working conditions, despite his boss's abusive behavior, Spongebob remains relentlessly optimistic. A classic case of the unconscious worker. He is cheerful and optimistic about his condition because he is unaware of anything beyond it. He has a Stockholm Syndrome-esque relationship with his boss, seeing him as a father figure (a classic symptom of blind obedience to authority) and enduring humiliating treatment because he holds on to the promise of one day owning the Krusty Krab, thus taking Krabs' place as the new Bourgeois. Given that he does not even know what a Strike is (“Squid on Strike”) it is clear that he has never been exposed to the Marxist critique. In this context, Squidward represents the ill fate of the worker who does not respect his fellow worker. His attempt at revolution fails because he does not respect Spongebob, and simply tried to use him as a pawn for his own ends. But I digress.

Patrick represents what Marx called the Lumpenproletariat. Unemployed, he is left out of the class struggle, and even if he were involved in it would be too stupid to do anything, as symbolized in his attempt at employment in “Big Pink Loser”. However his value to Squidward, the class-conscious worker who hopes for revolution, is underrated. Marxists from Bakunin onward have criticized Marx's rejection of the lumpenproletariat, and Stephen Hillenburg is no exception. Patrick clearly has the socialist spirit in him, recognizing the value of idleness and enjoying life's simple pleasures. Patrick never seeks after money or power as the Bourgeois expects him to, he simply wants to live out his life in peace. He values friendship over all things; he once admitted to spending all day waiting for his best friend, Spongebob, to come back (“New Student Starfish”). Could this represent how industrial work gets in the way of social bonds? Possibly. The point, my friend, is that Patrick in his idle lumpen state has captured the same optimism and joie de vivre of Spongebob. It could be said that the only difference between him and Spongebob is that Spongebob has subsumed to industrial work. In this way, he is the proletarian who is conscious of Socialist ideas without even knowing it.

Sandy and Plankton represent two possibilities of the future in Marxist analysis. Both of them are clearly college-educated scientists whose approach to technology differs based on their position towards Capitalism. Plankton represents the dystopian Capitalist future, the future of Cyberspace where companies like the Chum Bucket control society (remember that Plankton's expressed goal is to “take over the world”). He represents a cold, distant, inhuman, industrial future, as symbolized by the cold metal interior of the Chum Bucket.

Sandy, on the other hand, seems as well-versed in technology as Plankton, but has used it for a completely different purpose. She has created the treedome, an ecological, self-sustaining utopia in which she has everything she needs. She built a rocket to the moon for the sole purpose of exploration (“Sandy's Rocket”). She pursues science out of pure wonder and a desire for the fulfillment of knowledge, unlike Plankton who pursues science out of a desire for domination and control. She represents Fully Automated Luxury Communism, a utopia in which everyone has everything they need and are free to pursue their passions without the burden of work.

Finally, we have Mrs. Puff. Mrs. Puff was a hard one, but I think she represents the failure and uselessness of modern education. She continually attempts to teach Spongebob a useless skill (he walks to work, he doesn't need to drive) for a pathetic trinket of authority (his driver's license, whose possibility of attainment he worships).

[spaceexp]

NASA InSight Lander Arrives on Martian Surface to Learn What Lies Beneath

NASA - InSight Mission logo. Nov. 26, 2018

Image above: NASA's InSight Mars lander acquired this image of the area in front of the lander using its lander-mounted, Instrument Context Camera (ICC). This image was acquired on Nov. 26, 2018, Sol 0 of the InSight mission where the local mean solar time for the image exposures was 13:34:21. Each ICC image has a field of view of 124 x 124 degrees. Image Credits: NASA/JPL-CalTech. Mars has just received its newest robotic resident. NASA's Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) lander successfully touched down on the Red Planet after an almost seven-month, 300-million-mile (458-million-kilometer) journey from Earth. InSight’s two-year mission will be to study the deep interior of Mars to learn how all celestial bodies with rocky surfaces, including Earth and the Moon, formed.

Mars interior. Animation Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

InSight launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California May 5. The lander touched down Monday, Nov. 26, near Mars' equator on the western side of a flat, smooth expanse of lava called Elysium Planitia, with a signal affirming a completed landing sequence at approximately noon PST (3 p.m. EST). "Today, we successfully landed on Mars for the eighth time in human history,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “InSight will study the interior of Mars, and will teach us valuable science as we prepare to send astronauts to the Moon and later to Mars. This accomplishment represents the ingenuity of America and our international partners and it serves as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our team. The best of NASA is yet to come, and it is coming soon.” The landing signal was relayed to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, via one of NASA's two small experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, which launched on the same rocket as InSight and followed the lander to Mars. They are the first CubeSats sent into deep space. After successfully carrying out a number of communications and in-flight navigation experiments, the twin MarCOs were set in position to receive transmissions during InSight's entry, descent and landing.

Image above: Mars InSight team members Kris Bruvold, left, and Sandy Krasner react after receiving confirmation that the Mars InSight lander successfully touched down on the surface of Mars, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018 inside the Mission Support Area at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Image Credits: NASA/Bill Ingalls. From Fast to Slow "We hit the Martian atmosphere at 12,300 mph (19,800 kilometers per hour), and the whole sequence to touching down on the surface took only six-and-a-half minutes," said InSight project manager Tom Hoffman at JPL. "During that short span of time, InSight had to autonomously perform dozens of operations and do them flawlessly — and by all indications that is exactly what our spacecraft did."  Confirmation of a successful touchdown is not the end of the challenges of landing on the Red Planet. InSight's surface-operations phase began a minute after touchdown. One of its first tasks is to deploy its two decagonal solar arrays, which will provide power. That process begins 16 minutes after landing and takes another 16 minutes to complete.

InSight solar panels deployment. Animation Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The InSight team expects a confirmation later Monday that the spacecraft's solar panels successfully deployed. Verification will come from NASA's Odyssey spacecraft, currently orbiting Mars. That signal is expected to reach InSight's mission control at JPL about five-and-a-half hours after landing. "We are solar powered, so getting the arrays out and operating is a big deal," said Hoffman. "With the arrays providing the energy we need to start the cool science operations, we are well on our way to thoroughly investigate what's inside of Mars for the very first time." InSight will begin to collect science data within the first week after landing, though the teams will focus mainly on preparing to set InSight's instruments on the Martian ground. At least two days after touchdown, the engineering team will begin to deploy InSight's 5.9-foot-long (1.8-meter-long) robotic arm so that it can take images of the landscape. "Landing was thrilling, but I'm looking forward to the drilling," said InSight principal investigator Bruce Banerdt of JPL. "When the first images come down, our engineering and science teams will hit the ground running, beginning to plan where to deploy our science instruments. Within two or three months, the arm will deploy the mission's main science instruments, the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) and Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package (HP3) instruments."

InSight SEIS instrument deployment. Animation Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

InSight will operate on the surface for one Martian year, plus 40 Martian days, or sols, until Nov. 24, 2020. The mission objectives of the two small MarCOs which relayed InSight’s telemetry was completed after their Martian flyby. "That's one giant leap for our intrepid, briefcase-sized robotic explorers," said Joel Krajewski, MarCOproject manager at JPL. "I think CubeSats have a big future beyond Earth's orbit, and the MarCO team is happy to trailblaze the way." With InSight’s landing at Elysium Planitia, NASA has successfully soft-landed a vehicle on the Red Planet eight times. "Every Mars landing is daunting, but now with InSight safely on the surface we get to do a unique kind of science on Mars," said JPL director Michael Watkins. "The experimental MarCO CubeSats have also opened a new door to smaller planetary spacecraft. The success of these two unique missions is a tribute to the hundreds of talented engineers and scientists who put their genius and labor into making this a great day."

Mars InSight Mission logo. Animation Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

JPL manages InSight for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. InSight is part of NASA's Discovery Program, managed by the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The MarCO CubeSats were built and managed by JPL. Lockheed Martin Space in Denver built the InSight spacecraft, including its cruise stage and lander, and supports spacecraft operations for the mission. A number of European partners, including France's Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), are supporting the InSight mission. CNES, and the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), provided the SEIS instrument, with significant contributions from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Germany, the Swiss Institute of Technology (ETH) in Switzerland, Imperial College and Oxford University in the United Kingdom, and JPL. DLR provided the HP3 instrument, with significant contributions from the Space Research Center (CBK) of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Astronika in Poland. Spain's Centro de Astrobiología (CAB) supplied the wind sensors. Related article: NASA’s InSight Spacecraft Has Touched Down on Mars: https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2018/11/nasas-insight-spacecraft-has-touched.html Related links: Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS): https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/mission/instruments/seis/ Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package (HP3): https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/mission/instruments/hp3/ For more information about InSight, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/insight/ For more information about MarCO, visit: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/cubesat/missions/marco.php For more information about NASA's Mars missions, go to: https://www.nasa.gov/mars NASA's InSight Mars Lander: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/insight/main/index.html Images (mentioned), Animations (mentioned), Text, Credits: NASA/Dwayne Brown/JoAnna Wendel/Sean Potter/JPL/DC Agle. Best regards, Orbiter.ch Full article

[the-telescope-times]

'Flawless': NASA craft lands on Mars after perilous journey

From left, NASA officials Jim Bridenstine, Michael Watkins, Tom Hoffman, Bruce Banerdt, Andrew Klesh and Elizabeth Barrett make statements under a photograph sent from Mars by the InSight lander at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, in Pasadena, Calif. AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez A NASA spacecraft designed to drill down into Mars' interior landed on the planet Monday after a perilous, supersonic plunge through its red skies, setting off jubilation among scientists who had waited in white-knuckle suspense for confirmation to arrive across 100 million miles of space.

Flight controllers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, leaped out of their chairs, screaming, dancing and hugging, upon learning that InSight had safely arrived on Mars, the graveyard for a multitude of previous missions."Touchdown confirmed!" a flight controller called out just before 3 p.m. EST, instantly dispelling the anxiety that gripped the control room as the spacecraft made its six-minute descent.

Because of the distance between Earth and Mars, it took eight minutes for confirmation to arrive, relayed by a pair of tiny satellites that had been trailing InSight throughout the six-month, 300-million-mile (482-million-kilometer) journey.

The two experimental satellites not only transmitted the good news in almost real time, they also sent back InSight's first snapshot of Mars just 4½ minutes after landing.

The picture was speckled with debris because the dust cover was still on the lander's camera, but the terrain at first glance looked smooth and sandy with just one sizable rock visible—pretty much what scientists had hoped for.

This photo provided by NASA shows the first image acquired by the InSight Mars lander after it touched down on the surface of Mars Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Debris kicked up by the lander's rockets covers the camera's protective shield, which will later be removed. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech via AP

Better photos are expected in the days ahead.

Read more ~ phys.org

[oliwiabresikarchitecture]

My futuristic design so far.Before this concept I've come up with a flat And a rocket shaped house.In this concept I'm attemting to create a honeycomb look with the brown windows on the yellow wall.I made sure that the shape of the house is asymmetrical and I made the door asymmetrical so that it has the main futuristic style aspects.After I finish with the outside ,I'm planning on making a solar energy system and putting solar panels on the roof so that the planet that I got with hot atmosphere,will be able to convert the the sunlight to energy ,which can potentially be used to cool the house down.The house is placed on a circle ,because it's ment to resamble the look of artificial grass.I've put it there so that the people that live there get a feeling of what it's like on other planets.Lastly but most importantly,after the House (including interior) is finished ,I'm planning on photoshopping the background with GIMP so that it looks hot And sandy and there will be a sky.Also im going to add shadows and highlights on the windows and metal parts such as door handles :)

[axburrows]

“My Plague Journal”

By RICHARD LITTLETHOUGHT ‘The Voice of Truth, if by “Truth” you mean “Profoundly Right-Wing Assertions”.’

DAY IV

Readers, I do confess this self-isolation business is getting to me at the very roots! The other day, I was having a harmless browse of some of that P.G. Wodehouse – ‘fun for all the fam’, as the rappers would say. But several chapters in, my heart ached and a drowsy numbness pained my sense, as though of Benylin® I had drunk.

In my delirious state, I saw myself attired in a starched collar and claw-hammer coat to boot. My man-cave was gone. Looking around at this new opulent interior, I surmised that I’d entered into the employment of a top-drawer citizen: Mister Bertram Wooster! Distantly, I heard the tinkling of a bell. I pursued the sound up a long and winding staircase. I opened an oak panelled door and stepped into my master’s bedroom. He was lounging beneath candy-striped bedclothes, a little bell in his hand.  

‘You rang, sir?’ I said.

‘Now look here, Littlethought’, Wooster intoned, ‘My squeeze, Emily Maitlis, is coming round for supper later and I want to make a bit of an impression – if you catch my meaning?’

‘Indeed, sir.’ I said.

‘I’ve got a grocery list here for her favourite dish: Greek moussaka with a special side salad – Yukon potatoes, artichoke hearts and a caramelised fig – that sort of caper.’ He waved this scroll of decadence beneath my salt-of-the-earth nose. ‘Now be a sport and toddle down to Whole Foods, would you?’ 

‘Indeed, sir’, I intoned. I took the list and shimmered out.

Coming down Kensington High Street, the pavements billowed with a thousand coxcombs in primrose scarfs and crushable bushman’s hats. Through the window of a Wasabi, the Monopoly Man was licking ramen off a glass table top while a prostitute clapped. I turned and saw a parade processing up the road, at the centre of which was a massive Chinese dragon with the face of a polystyrene James O’Brien. Fire-eaters and acrobats pranced around it performing tricks, whilst Sandi Toksvig saluted the crowd from an amphibious rocket launcher. Jess Phillips played ‘I Will Survive’ on the ocarina. A marmoset was on Skype!!! I’m a stranger in my own country! I thought. 

Behind me, I heard a fragile voice singing from the doorway of an Alms House.

‘Jesus blood - never failed me yet - never failed m’yet - never failed me...’

‘Mister Farage!’ I said. ‘Whatever became of our Man of the Hour?’

‘I’ve been stripped of m’assets, boy. Stripped of m’assets.’

‘Wassat?’

‘M’Youtube videos have been de-monitised, I tells ye! All m’lovely Youtube videos!’ 

‘They’ll never get away with this, Nige! God’s honour, they won’t!’ 

‘Thruppence for a vodka jelly, will ye?’  

I was about to knee him in the groin and make a speech about the undeserving poor, when an affectless young man approached and forced a limp handshake. The young man then turned and gestured to a bunch of phlegmatic-faced tweens in furs doing coke off a padlock key.

‘Hey, guys, come on over!’ he said. ‘It’s a load of pre-gentrification First Peoples!’ 

They introduced themselves as characters who’d escaped from an Andrew Doyle satire. They were now surviving hand-to-mouth as a band of marauding postmodernists. They tried to impress me by showing me colourful objects from their ‘superior culture’, including Nespresso pods, scalp wax and a pencil sharpener from the Barbican Centre. A young woman in turquoise brogues read a poem about having adulterous sex in a library. When I told her I thought poetry was a form of character weakness, she cried onto her shoes (AND HER LACES TO BOOT!!hooho!). One tired-looking bloke – who claimed that sleep patterns were ‘just a construct’ and favoured instead a politicised version of rest known as ‘free-sleep’ – asked if I’d considered taking ‘powerful antidepressants’ to cure my conservatism. I told him that I was in love with my own sadness. I said I wanted to live my life ‘like a powder keg: short but sweet’ – I winked at the shoe-lady. The bloke explained that he wanted to live his life like an otter: ‘a very long and chilled one’, on his own, lying on a beanbag, eating stems of barley, with infrequent but carefully scheduled sessions of masturbation. I looked him squarely in the eyes and asked if he’d ever had a wet shave. The woman interjected and said I should join a Union, as ‘a working-class person!’ 

‘Who’re you calling working-class?!’ says I. ‘I’m a small business owner, don’t y’know!’

………………

I was referring to a small business I tried to establish in the late 90s, selling knock-off Toby jugs from the boot of my Mazda, just off the A13 trunk road. We got busted by a gang of hired bravoes sent by the Wedgwood company. I was left lying on the verge with a pair of broken legs surrounded by shards of homemade ceramics. The police managed to trace the bravoes as far as Stoke-on-Trent where the trail ran cold, thanks to a conspiracy of silence among the city’s terrified residents. I had a meltdown not long after that. In my despair, I overdosed on Vick’s VapoRub and tried walking into the sea one night down in Billericay. I was saved, after I mistook the inchoate outline of a miniature schnauzer for the spiritual form of a Toby Jug. It hovered above the sand, glowing. 

Don’t give up, Dick. Don’t give up the ju-ugs! 

But I can’t, Tobias, mate. The porcelain industry is eating me alive! 

No one else can potter like you, Dick! That’s the truth.

But the jugs have become a burden, mate!  

It is your destiny, Dick. The jugs are your destiny! Swear. Swear. 

What are you? Angel or Devil?

I AM IN HELL!!!!

………………….

Once I had absquatulated from the students, I entered the vast baize complex of Whole Foods. I’d never seen so many vegetables in my life [INSERT GIBE ABOUT THE SCOTTISH]. The building was at least 100 storeys high, buzzing with flying cars and hydraulic escalators. It was like the Tower of Babel itself! Fritz Lang’s Metropolis crossed with a farmer’s market.  

The affluence of the place sickened me to my very claw! I walked past some Houynhnhnms, cantering along the ‘Oats’ aisle. They gave me sideways glances and whispered to one another. 

‘Darling, is that a Leaver?’

‘Darling, do you know, I think it might well be!’ 

‘In Whole Foods? I say, do you think he’s here to get his methadone injection? Someone should tell him, it’s not that kind of supermarket.’ *Goya-esque braying*

I’m a creep, I thought. I’m a weirdo. What the hell am I doing here? I don’t belong here.

Near an aisle of artichokes, my bum was perused by the ghost of W.H. Auden. 

‘Sir! If I may say’, he whispered, ‘Your arse is so muscular, I should wish to immortalise it in verse!’ I bristled at the scent of cherry brandy on his lips.

‘I concur, Wystan!’ crooned the fay shade of Lytton Strachey. ‘A truly delectable specimen.’

I swung at them. ‘Naff orf, you bloody wagtails!’

‘Oh, I say!’ preened Wystan Hugh.  

At which point the ghost of Jean Cocteau approached, his eyes gleaming like a deviant, his fingers wriggling, ‘Ohohoho! Il a un cul chaud!’ 

‘Now look ere, Frenchy! One step over this ere threshold and I’ll knock yer flippin block off, comprehend-e?’

‘Je recommanderais le chou-fleur.’

‘Watch it! I’m warning you!’

‘Oh, Jean. You old nag!’

‘Oui. Je suis un cinéaste.’

‘I can’t make head nor tail of this! I bluddy hate these romance languages’ I said to myself, sotto voce. I felt a stranger in my native land.

Once I had absquatulated the scene, I returned to the penthouse to prepare supper while Wooster billed and cooed with Ms Maitlis. (It was like the courting ritual of kestrels!!) Around midnight, I brought in the third course of banana shallots. The room was billowing with the scent of orange blossom and legal highs; I nearly fainted. Maitlis wore large, exotic torques from the Barbican Centre gift shop. She was hunkered over a big, indulgent glug of “Chateau de Liz Kendall”. Her eyes were as brown as spear handles!! Her face was firm yet glam, like the prow of a Russian oil tanker steered by Bianca Jagger. Her throaty voice, with its alluring masculine depths, was both thick and sweet, like oil on a scone (in an M&S advert sponsored by Shell). 

‘Your butler’, she intoned. ‘A bit wet behind the ears, don’t you think?’

‘Oh gawd,’ my master said, his saliva moonlit, ‘don’t I know it, Ms Emma! Hum-hum-hum-hum.’

Now easy, Dick, says I to mine-self. Easy does it now. 

Her voice sank deeper: ‘If you want to move in with me, Wooster, we’re going to have to find you a new man!’

‘If you like, I could fire this bounder on the spot! Just for you. I would do that, Emily. For you I would! If you’d like!’ 

She grinned and they stared into each other’s eyes for a good minute. Then she glanced up at me, a touch dismayed. Wooster turned around - he had a scheming look. 

‘Oh, fetch us dessert, would you, Littlethought?’

I shimmered out. I returned a few moments later with an inappropriately large jelly designed by Norman Foster. 

‘Ta, Littlethought.’

‘Sir.’

‘Oh, and Littlethought?’

‘Sir?’

‘You’re dismissed.’

‘Sir?!’

‘Dismissed. Arrivederci, Littlethought. We’re replacing you. Don’t come back tomorrow. You can leave your key card on the salver.’

I TOOK OUT A BOMB. I SCREAMED LIKE A CELT!

‘I say, steady on there, Littlethought!’

‘YIPPEE-KI-YAY, MOTHERFUCKERS!’ I intoned.

‘I didn’t know you spoke French, Littlethought!’

I pulled the cord! ‘FOR ENGLAND!’

Unfortunately, I was the only casualty. I wish I had died to avoid legal culpability. But it was a British explosive, so I incurred only minor tissue scarring. My master and Ms Maitlis immediately pressed charges. Because of my two-year-long media campaign against legal aid, I could only afford to be represented by a sparrow. The sparrow had yet to graduate to the bar, having only recently built his nest outside the chambers at Gray’s Inn where I hoped he’d at least absorbed something of the finer points of tort law. I appeared in court the following week in a plaster cast, where I was sentenced to life by Justice Lady Hale. 

‘Well, well, well, Mithta Littlethought’, lisped Lady Hale. ‘A Leaver in the dock, I thee! It mutht be my lucky day! Yum yum yum!’ (She rubbed her stomach and mimed eating me - which I thought excessive.) A roll call of witnesses for the prosecution sealed my fate: Kojack, David Blunkett, and Charlotte Church in a bonnet who jumped up on the plaintiff’s bench and called me ‘a witch’ and then fainted. Lady Hale said I was ‘weak and scum’ - or ‘thcum’, to be precise (which is Welsh for ‘seamen’, FYI). 

‘I thenenth you to 55 yearth, Mr Littlethought!’ she crooned. ‘55 backbwaking yearth!’ 

She banged her gavel. A loud cheer broke out across the gallery. I looked at my sparrow in his tiny little fucking wig, cursing him with my very blood. 

‘May God have merthy upon your thoul, Mithta Littlethought!’ Hale said. 

The sparrow immediately took wing – with my car keys in its beak – and escaped from a clearstory window. I’d lost everything. As I was bundled out of the courtroom, my faithful but still vividly puce-legged wife, Vanessa, surreptitiously passed me a cyanide capsule and an After Eight mint. She kissed me. 

‘I’ll never forget you, Monsieur Robespierre,’ she said. ‘I’ll never forget you – you – you – YOU…’

I woke up. My body was covered in sweat. It had all been a dream. I sighed with relief. I drew back the coverlet. But then, in the palm of my right hand: was a melted After Eight! Had it really been a dream? Yes. I had fallen asleep on top of a box of After Eights. I showered the mint chocolate off my cords and wept.

 -----------   b l  a  c  k  o  u   t  ------------

Grams:           ‘Underneath the   Arches’  (Flanagan/ Allen - ft. Dua Lipa)

CODA:

[astronomyforastrologers]

Voyage to Saturn - National Geographic Magazine

THE RAIN comes just once every thousand years, in torrents of liquid methane. The noxious air dims sunshine to an eternal orange twilight. The cold—290 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (minus 178.9 degrees Celsius)—is a lethal assault. And beyond the hazy sky looms the ringed planet Saturn. 

Yet here on Saturn's outsize moon Titan is a world eerily like our own. "Titan is a Peter Pan world," says Tobias Owen of the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy. "It's got all the materials and elements to develop into a planet like Earth," he says, "but it never had the chance to grow up." The dense

atmosphere is filled with hydrocarbon smog, "like L.A. on a bad day," Owen says. The rare methane monsoons create sudden rivers that cut deep channels in Titan's low hills and run down to a great sandy plain. Like Earth, Titan may have geologic activity and volcanism—a slow, chilly version that erupts a lavalike mix of half-melted water and ammonia. Most tantalizing of all, Titan's gentle winds carry a rich brew of organic molecules, some reminiscent of compounds that provided the raw material for life on Earth.

Owen and his fellow planetary scientists are used to picturing Titan in their imaginations. Now they've visited, if only by remote control. For the past two-and-a-half years, a space probe called Cassini has hobnobbed with the moons and rings of Saturn and gazed down on the giant planet. Soon after arriving, Cassini even launched a second, smaller probe called Huygens, which touched down on Titan's surface.

The Titan encounter was a high point in what has amounted to a voyage back in time. From the exotic metallic hydrogen in its interior to the fine rubble of its rings, on moons that range from the icy oddball Phoebe to Enceladus, which spurts warm geysers, Saturn carries clues to how the solar system took shape 4.6 billion years ago and gave rise to life. The planet and its orbiting retinue, says planetary scientist Jeff Cuzzi of NASA's Ames Research Center, "connects us to solar system structure and evolution on the grandest scale."

Saturn has been slow to give up its secrets. In 1610 Galileo discovered what turned out to be its most amazing feature, the rings, but through his primitive telescope, he mistook them for two smaller bodies flanking Saturn. Only in 1656 did Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens (the namesake of the Titan probe) recognize what they were. Huygens also discerned a faint spark outside the rings—a moon later named Titan, after the Titans of Greek mythology, who reigned during Earth's early days.

Since then, decade by decade, astronomers have picked out smaller moons, 56 at last count. In the 1940s, as telescopes improved, they discerned a haze around Titan, the first sign that, unlike any other moon in the solar system, it has a dense atmosphere. Finally, the first space probes flew past Saturn—Pioneer 11 in 1979 and Voyagers 1 and 2 in 1980 and 1981. Speeding by, they snapped close-ups of the planet, rings, and moons and gleaned the first hints that Titan is a frozen time capsule of conditions similar to those found on the very early Earth.

Now, after centuries of curiosity and anticipation, scientists are taking a long, close look at Saturn. A metal cylinder 22 feet (6.7 meters) tall, bristling with scientific instruments and topped by a white saucerlike antenna, Cassini-Huygens was built by NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency. It rocketed toward Saturn in 1997 and arrived on June 30, 2004, to begin at least four years of exploration.

As it neared the end of its 2.2-billion-mile (3.5-billion-kilometer) journey, Cassini had to shed speed so that Saturn's gravity could capture it. The spacecraft fired its engines and dropped to within 13,000 miles (20,921.4 kilometers) of the planet's butterscotch clouds, making a daring passage between the outer rings. "White-knuckle time," Cassini project manager Robert Mitchell recalls.

The rings look crisp and manicured, but they are actually swarms of debris: billions of particles from mite- to mansion-size. A single stray pebble slamming into Cassini as it sped through the rings at over 68,000 miles an hour (109,435.3 kilometers an hour) could have ended the 3.4-billion-dollar mission. Mitchell's team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, anxiously monitored signals until Cassini, intact, settled into orbit and began to look around.

Exceeded in size only by Jupiter, Saturn could hold more than 700 Earths. Yet the planet, made almost entirely of hydrogen, is lighter than water. Dropped into an ocean big enough to contain its 75,000-mile (120,701-kilometer) diameter, it would float, bobbing like a colossal yellow sponge ball. It spins so fast that it bulges to a diameter 7,300 miles (11,748.2 kilometers) greater at the equator than at the poles, so fast that a Saturn day lasts less than 11 hours.

Because Saturn is mostly gas, it has no fixed landmarks to reveal its exact rotation rate. But its dense interior generates a powerful magnetic field that spins with the planet. Over the past two years, Cassini has clocked the field's rotation at 10 hours, 47 minutes, and 6 seconds, although no one is sure the planet itself spins at exactly the same rate. But the field also opens a window into the heart of Saturn.

Saturn began in the disk-shaped cloud of dust and gas that swirled around the newborn sun 4.6 billion years ago. Bit by bit, particles stuck together until gravity could take over, drawing material into ever larger lumps of iron and rock. One of them, perhaps several times the mass of Earth, was the seed that grew into Saturn.

Over time, the gravity of this rocky core attracted great clouds of hydrogen gas. The gas settled around the core, and the planet's mass rapidly grew. Pressures mounted, squeezing the innermost layer of hydrogen so hard that scientists believe it turned into a liquid metal—a superb electrical conductor. Currents surging through the metallic hydrogen generate Saturn's immense magnetic field.

More than four billion years later the core still retains heat from its formation, which stirs massive updrafts in the planet's deep atmosphere. They whip up supersonic winds, among the fastest in the solar system at up to a thousand miles an hour (sixteen hundred kilometers an hour), and drive vast weather systems. "We see storms, lightning, zones of clouds, and strange wavelike features in the atmosphere," says Kevin Raines of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In images from Cassini's infrared camera, the heat rising from deep in the atmosphere sets the planet aglow. "We're seeing backlit clouds," Baines says. "We can watch the weather day and night. It's a revelation."

Only at the very top of Saturn's atmosphere, capped by a yellowish layer of haze, docs the turmoil subside. Here, on calmer clouds, the distant sun inscribes shifting patterns of shadows cast by Saturn's vast system of rings.

From edge to edge, the main rings span some 165,000 miles (265,541.7 kilometers), over two-thirds the distance from Earth to the moon. Yet the thickness of these bands of icy rubble averages only 150 feet (45.7 meters). "Think of a sheet of paper spread over ten football fields," says Cuzzi, who studies the rings.

No one knows how the rings formed, although some scientists speculate that Saturn's gravity tore apart an icy moon or a comet, strewing debris that provided the raw material. Whatever their source, the rings are recent, cosmically speaking. If they had existed for the life of the solar system, Cuzzi says, their subtle pinks, yellows, and tans—the result of dust buildup—would have darkened. But they offer a model for something ancient: the disk of particles orbiting the young sun and its interplay with the new-born planets.

In Saturn's rings today, tiny moons play the role of the planets. Each moon's gravitational tug is minute, Cuzzi says, "about the same effect as a passing truck's gravity has on you." Yet the moons’ gravity helps maintain the rings by keeping the particles from straying from their orbits. A moon can also carve a gap between rings, and its gravity can send waves of density rippling through a nearby ring, like traffic speeding and slowing on a crowded freeway.

The Voyager probes glimpsed this dance, but Cassini is adding new detail. During its dash through the rings in June 2004, for example, it spotted evidence of miniature moons in the gauzy A ring, the outermost of the main rings. These moonlets—likely to number in the millions—are only a few hundred yards (182.8 meters) in diameter, but their feeble gravity is enough to leave wakes in the ring. In the F ring, farther from the planet, Cassini imaged a skein of narrow ringlets, accompanied by moonlets that sweep material into clumps and then break them up again.

"We're seeing ringlets interacting with moons and moonlets sculpting rings," Cuzzi says—and gaining new insights into how solar systems develop. "It helps explain how planets form in protoplanetary disks." The tiny moonlets in the A ring spiral slowly inward as they churn the ring particles, in a process that could also have shaped some of the bizarre solar systems detected around other stars. There, Jupiter-size planets are found right next to their suns, in orbits closer than Mercury's—perhaps because of a similar migration process.

One relic of our own early solar system still orbits Saturn: the moon Phoebe. Phoebe revolves in the opposite direction from most of the other moons, a hint that it has an unusual history. Cassini took a close look on its approach to Saturn in 2004 and found that the 130-mile-diameter (209.2-kilometer-diameter) moon is a hodgepodge of ice, rock, and carbon compounds—much like the Kuiper belt objects, small, icy bodies in the outer solar system that are thought to be leftover building blocks for the outer planets. As the solar system formed, most of the Kuiper belt worlds were flung far beyond Pluto. But Phoebe could be a Kuiper belt object that got left behind, trapped in orbit about the young Saturn.

Saturn's other major moons probably were born in the same clump of gas, dust, and rock that created the planet itself, but they are a study in diversity. Cassini revealed that some are little more than loose collections of rubble, including Hyperion, a potato-shaped mass 215 miles (346 kilometers) long. Larger moons are denser and have distinctive surface features, sculpted by accidents of history or by internal heat and the geologic-activity it drives.

Images from Voyager, for example, showed that the 905-mile-diameter (1,456.4-kilometer-diameter) moon Iapetus is divided into black and white hemispheres, like a cosmic yin-yang symbol. Researchers suspect that the moon is made of nearly pure ice, which is exposed in the bright hemisphere and cloaked in rock and organic material on the dark side.

Cassini discovered new mysteries. Iapetus bulges in the middle, like Saturn, and has a ridge twice as high as the Himalaya running a thousand miles (1,609.3 kilometers) along the equator, mostly in the moon's dark hemisphere. "Nobody can figure this out," says Peter Thomas of Cornell University. "The bright and dark sides of Iapetus were one puzzle. That's moved back to third place with these new questions."

The most tantalizing of Saturn's moons is the largest: Titan. On December 25, 2004, six months after arriving at Saturn, Cassini launched the crown jewel of the mission, a saucer-shaped probe named Huygens that had ridden piggyback from Earth. Three weeks later, Huygens plunged into Titan's smoggy atmosphere.

At a gleaming white office complex of the European Space Operations Center in Darmstadt, Germany, hundreds of scientists, students, and journalists jammed an auditorium and waited for the first signals from Titan. A huge yellow model of Saturn dominated the front of the room, bright in the blaze of TV lights. Conversations in English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian flew around like stray meteoroids, reflecting the international origins of Huygens, which was also on display in a full-size mock-up.

The real thing, moving ten times faster than a rifle bullet, had slammed into Titan's outer atmosphere just an hour earlier. Pummeled by air friction, the probe's heat shield reached a temperature of thousands of degrees (537.7 Celsius). Within minutes Huygens slowed and cooled. Parachutes opened, the heat shield dropped away, and Huygens drifted like a leaf on the winds of Titan, cameras and microphones recording the weather on a distant world.

"We'll be looking for lightning, but we might as well listen for thunder," said David Southwood, head of space science for the European Space Agency, who explained Huygens's progress to the crowded auditorium in Germany. "It's going to be very romantic," said Southwood, elegant in silver hair and a dark tweed suit.

As Huygens descended, people crowded into the big auditorium. Mission controllers were already receiving signals from Huygens, evidence that it had survived the descent. Relayed through Cassini, they took 67 minutes to travel from Saturn to Earth. Finally, at 5 p.m., Southwood took the podium and formally announced the probe's safe arrival. "We are the first visitors to Titan."

Now the wait began for the signals to be computer-processed into images. Hours dragged by. Suddenly a grainy black-and-white image appeared on televisions ringing the auditorium. Taken on the way down, it showed lumpy hills and a dark plain.

Crowds surged toward the televisions, and the moon named for the gods commanded a moment of ritualistic, almost worshipful media attention. TV crews filmed the image of Titan. Photographers snapped pictures of the TV crews filming. Radio reporters held microphones toward the commentary coming from the sets.

More images followed, including a hastily constructed mosaic showing a broad aerial panorama. Finally the first picture from the ground appeared. This was in color—a garish orange landscape, strewn with rocks. Low hills appeared in the distance. Long into the night, crowds clustered around the screens as they flashed the images, which had been transmitted hours before from Huygens to Cassini, stored on the mother ship, and then relayed to Earth.

By that time Huygens's short mission was already over. Cassini's orbit had carried it out of contact with the lander. Huygens continued to broadcast into the void for another two hours—far longer than expected—before its batteries went dead.

A glitch had marred the landing. Half the pictures—350 of them—were missing because of a communications failure. Even if everything had gone perfectly, Huygens could see only a small section of Titan, much like viewing an elephant at close range through a drinking straw. But it saw enough to answer some key questions.

Beforehand, no one knew whether Huygens would touch down on solid rock or squishy goo, or in an oily methane ocean. In fact the probe found no pools of liquid, but there were plenty of signs that the surface—crusty on top, soft below, like crème brûlée—is sometimes awash.

"We see signs of liquid methane scouring out river valleys," says Larry Soderblom of the USGS. "Titan may be like dry African deserts, but where rain only falls every century, or even every millennium. But when it comes, there may be a lot, like flash floods." The poles may be rainier. On a July flyby of the northern polar region, Cassini saw a landscape dappled with methane lakes—an otherworldly Minnesota.

The methane originates beneath Titan's crust, brewed in deep, warm reservoirs of water and organic material or trapped in icy deposits. Escaping to the atmosphere, some of the methane falls back to the surface as rain while ultraviolet light transforms other methane molecules into more complex organic compounds, which fall as a toxic sleet. "Titan is the best organic factory in the solar system," says Hunter Waite of the Southwest Research Institute. "There's a layer of frozen hydrocarbons, similar to gasoline, covering much of the moon. If you could mine Titan, you'd never have to worry about oil shortages."

Over millions of years, Titan's winds sculpted this vast sea of hydrocarbon sand, sweeping it into dunes over 300 feet (91.4 meters) high that run in parallel rows for hundreds of miles. "Dead ringers for dunes in the Arabian desert," says Ralph Lorenz, a Titan expert at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory.

Like our atmosphere, Titan's is largely made of nitrogen, which is a key component of life. So are complex carbon compounds like those in its smoggy air. Titan preserves some of the conditions needed to start life, though it is far too cold for the spark of life to ignite. But in Cassini's most surprising discovery so far, scientists stumbled on hints that another moon might actually be hospitable to simple life-forms.

Bright as a beacon, ice-covered Enceladus reflects more light than any other body in the solar system. A quarter of a century ago, Voyager images showed only a few large craters marring the moon's surface, leading scientists to suspect that geologic processes were somehow erasing the scars. Yet at only 310 miles (498.9 kilometers) across, Enceladus seemed too small to generate the heat needed to drive internal activity. In another puzzle, Enceladus seemed to be feeding material into the tenuous E ring, which is densest close to the moon.

Cassini swooped in to investigate. On two encounters early in 2005, it detected an odd disturbance of Saturn's magnetic field. Before the next encounter, Michele Dougherty of Imperial College London, chief of the magnetics team, pleaded with spacecraft controllers to set a course that would take Cassini close to the moon's south pole, where her team had measured the strongest disturbances.

On July 14, 2005, the spacecraft descended to a hundred miles (1,600 kilometers) above Enceladus's south polar region. Working in concert, its many instruments probed the enigmatic moon, monitoring surface heat, chemical traces, and magnetic fields. The data indicated that plumes of material were erupting near the south pole. Four months later, as the distant sun silhouetted Enceladus, Cassini made images that showed geyserlike eruptions of water vapor and ice particles shooting far into space.

The temperature near the south pole was at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit (55.6 degrees Celsius) higher than expected—warm enough to melt ice just below the surface and feed the plumes, which erupt from long fissures that cut across the ice, dubbed "tiger stripes." In freshly fallen snow around the fissures, Cassini detected simple carbon compounds.

One mystery was solved. The E ring bulges near the moon because the plumes are pumping ice particles into it. Now a new puzzle arose: the source of the heat. It could be generated by radioactive elements trapped inside Enceladus or by Saturn's powerful gravity as it squeezes and flexes the moon.

A greater question: Could this modest moon harbor life? Life as we know it requires liquid water, energy, and organic molecules, says Bob Brown of the University of Arizona. "Evidence of all three are here," he says. "We have the cocktail." That same cocktail, Brown says, may exist on Jupiter's moon Europa, in a briny ocean shielded under miles of ice. It may have existed long ago on Mars, when that planet was warm enough to harbor open water. It was present on Earth as early as 3.8 billion years ago. "But we know it exists right now on Enceladus."

Life might be hiding just a few dozen feet below the ice in pockets of warm water, living off dissolved organic compounds and reproducing using some alien version of DNA—or an entirely different kind of genetic material. "We're looking tor places where we might find bugs," says Brown. "We don't expect anything intelligent, or highly developed, but here you have a place where life is possible."

Cassini is scheduled to revisit Enceladus once more and, if space budgets allow, may extend its mission beyond 2008 to make more flybys of Enceladus, Titan, and other key targets. But scientists are already thinking ahead to future space probes that could actually look for life on Enceladus and study the precursors of life on Titan—exploration that would take us closer to understanding our own origins.

Some dream of a robot that would land at the south pole of Enceladus and drop a probe through the vents to look for life. Others picture a satellite that would orbit Titan and launch blimp-like rovers into its atmosphere for a leisurely survey of its hills and plains. Jonathan Lunine of the University of Arizona, a Cassini-Huygens scientist who also studies planets around other stars, sees the quest in the biggest terms. "These places," he says, "will write new chapters in the book on how life began in the universe."

By Bill Douthitt. Published: December 2006

[spongebobproductionart]

Sandy animation cel from Sandy's Rocket.

[myautoworldcom]

Combining a striking design, high versatility and breathtaking performance, the new GLE 63 S Coupe is poised to set the standard for performance SUV Coupes

The redesigned 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe is set to redefine the segment with more power, more technology and more style than ever before. Boasting a handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine featuring an electrified EQ Boost starter-generator, this powerhouse produces 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, and can rocket from zero to 60 mph in only 3.7 seconds. The interior also boasts the most advanced user interface from Mercedes-Benz, the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with touchscreen, voice control and new AMG-specific displays. Arriving in U.S. dealerships late 2020, the awe-inspiring new AMG GLE  63 S Coupe will start from $116,000*.

Twenty years ago, Mercedes-AMG set the benchmark for a performance luxury SUV with the introduction of the pioneering ML 55 AMG SUV. Today, Mercedes-AMG continues to set the standard in SUV dynamics and design with iconic new models such as the high-performance AMG GLE 63 S Coupe. At the heart of this exhiliarting SUV coupe is the handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, newly paired with the electrified EQ Boost starter-generator and a 48-volt on-board electrical system. The 48-volt system and electric motor enable immediate access to horsepower and torque, ensuring the best possible driving performance and smooth power delivery with the lowest possible energy consumption.

A number of new features in the 2021 AMG GLE 63 S Coupe also make it more agile and more dynamic than ever before. These features include innovative technologies such as: active roll stabilization, known as ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL,

AMG active engine mounts, standard AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension with adaptive damping adjustment, and the new electronic rear differential. The ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL system uses two independently operating, electromechanical actuators at the front and rear axles, each with an integrated planetary gear. This means that the stabilization system not only reduces body roll when cornering, but also increases ride comfort while driving in a straight line, as stimuli from one-sided road bumps are balanced out.

The typical look and feel of Mercedes-AMG is also evident in the high-quality interior of the GLE 63 S Coupe, which is characterized by a distinctly sporty ambience with an exclusive flair. The AMG seats are upholstered in exclusive nappa leather, provide optimal lateral support and have an AMG-specific seat pattern with an “AMG” badge in the front backrests. Other leather variants are optionally available. The three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles comes standard, and is ergonomically-optimized for dynamic driving.

Further interior highlights include the AMG Drive Unit steering wheel buttons for quick operation of dynamic controls, such as suspension and exhaust settings.

The new GLE 63 S also boats an impressive list of standard technology features, such as the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. As equipped in the GLE 63 S Coupe, one can select from three distinct display styles, including the particularly striking AMG Supersport setting. Other standard highlights include: 12.3″fully digital instrument cluster, 12.3″central media display with touchscreen, Burmester® Surround Sound System, Active Parking Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Smartphone integration with NFC wireless charging, 64-color adjustable ambient lighting, Active LED Headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist, remote start, MB Navigation with live traffic and map updates for three years and heated and ventilated front seats.

The all-new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe meets the highest expectations in terms of design and exclusivity, as well as excellent driving dynamics and versatility suitable for everyday use. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe will go on sale in the U.S. in late 2020.

An elegant and electrified coupe with superb agility and driving dynamics, offering exceptional everyday comfort: the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe. At the heart of this performance SUV coupe is the handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, featuring an electrified EQ Boost starter-generator and a 48-volt on-board electrical system that delivers an immediate response to driver inputs. The GLE 63 S delivers an impressive engine output of 603 hp. Exceptional agility is guaranteed thanks to the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension with AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL roll stabilization, the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all- wheel drive and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed automatic transmission. The AMG-specific radiator grille visually reinforces the Coupe’s clear membership of the AMG model family. This versatile athlete also offers all the advantages of a traditional Mercedes SUV: a comprehensive range of safety features and effortlessly superior traction, even on a damp or sandy surface and in winter road conditions.

“Our new GLE 63 Coupe rounds off our attractive portfolio in this segment. It meets the highest expectations in terms of design and exclusivity as well as excellent driving dynamics and agility. Thus, our latest SUC is an outstanding example of Performance Luxury made by AMG. In addition to that, even our GLE Coupe utilizes of a 48 volt on-board electrical system connected with the EQ Boost starter-generator which makes us drive the electrification of our model series in a consistent way”, says Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Expressive, powerful and elegant: the exterior design

A powerful yet elegant exterior design embodies the hallmarks of AMG Driving Performance. Membership of the Mercedes-AMG model family is obvious at first glance thanks to the striking AMG-specific radiator grille in high-gloss chrome. The stylish coupe silhouette evokes a self-assured appearance and stance, with design lines that clearly convey the passion for performance. As a typical feature of our performance models, the front bumper in a dynamic jet-wing design is painted in the vehicle color and features black air intakes. Imposing powerdomes in the hood and the front splitter in silver chrome emphasize the sharpened coupe design.

The side skirts, exterior mirror housings and flared wheel arches are painted in the vehicle color, and seamlessly blend into the muscular overall look. As standard, the GLE 63 S is equipped with 22-inch AMG wheels. Other AMG wheel variants are optionally available.

The newly designed rear bumper with AMG-specific details such as a striking diffuser in black with a trim strip in silver chrome visually accentuate the vehicle’s width. The special AMG exhaust system with two rectangular high-gloss chrome tailpipe trim elements completes the sporty and dominant look – the tailpipe trim elements are visually differentiated by a characteristic fluted effect. Further individualization options are available in the AMG Night Package. This includes heat-insulating, dark-tinted windows and also the front splitter, front and rear bumper trim, inserts in the side skirts, mirror caps and window frames in dignified black. In addition, the twin tailpipe trim elements are finished in elegant high-gloss black.

Progressive yet elegant: the interior design

The typical look and feel of AMG is continued in the high-quality interior of the GLE 63 S Coupe, which is characterized by a distinctly sporty ambience with a dynamic and exclusive flair. The AMG seats are upholstered in exclusive nappa leather, provide optimum lateral support and have an AMG-specific seat pattern with an “AMG” badge in the front backrests. Other leather variants are optionally available. Individually adjustable ambient lighting comes as standard.

AMG-specific interior appointments and controls lend the cockpit a hallmark AMG look and support dynamic driving. The three-spoke AMG Performance steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles impresses with its optimized driver- oriented ergonomic design. The steering wheel rim is lined in nappa leather/DINAMICA microfiber and features a black 12-o’clock marking. Further standard interior equipment includes the AMG Drive Unit steering wheel buttons for particularly fast operation of dynamically relevant parameters.

The center console includes an AMG-specific control unit with additional switches that are used to regulate the 3-stage ESP®, the manual transmission mode, the Adaptive Damping System, the standard AMG Performance exhaust system and the vehicle level. Alongside the AMG brushed stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs, door sill panels and black floor mats with “AMG” lettering accentuate the sporty look. A wide range of high-quality interior trim elements is available for further individualization of the interior. AMG trim elements in carbon fiber lend a particularly sporty touch to the interior.

Continuation of electrification: the EQ Boost starter-generator in the AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine

The handcrafted 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine in the new GLE 63 S Coupe is also equipped with an integrated EQ Boost starter-generator. It combines a starter motor and an alternator in a single, powerful electric motor compactly integrated between the engine and the transmission. The additional 21 hp of output plus 184 lb-ft of torque can be called upon temporarily to enable responsive acceleration characteristics as well as unique efficiency traits. This is because this innovative component supplies the 48-volt on-board electrical system and can be used as a power generator and also to perform hybrid functions. These include boost, recuperation, load point shift, gliding and the virtually imperceptible restarting of the engine with the start/stop function. The EQ Boost starter-generator is also responsible for idle speed control. This allows fuel savings that were previously reserved for high-voltage hybrid technology.

The AMG 4.0-liter V8 engine works with the well-proven twin turbocharging, where the two exhaust-gas turbochargers are arranged not on the exterior, but between the cylinder banks. The advantages of the “hot inside V” are the compact engine design and the immediate response of the exhaust-gas turbochargers. These are implemented using twin-scroll technology to make optimized use of the exhaust gas flow and improve the response even further.

The intelligent AMG Cylinder Management system

For increased efficiency, Mercedes-AMG has also equipped the V8 engines with cylinder deactivation. In the partial-load range, cylinders two, three, five and eight are deactivated, which crucially reduces the fuel consumption. When the driver has selected the “Comfort” drive program, the cylinder deactivation system is available in the wide engine speed range from 1,000 to 3,250 rpm. A special display in the instrument cluster indicates whether the cylinder deactivation system is in use and whether the engine is presently operating in four or eight-cylinder mode. The transition between these two operating states is immediate, fast and torque-neutral, so the occupants do not notice.

The new GLE 63 S Coupe also features active dynamic engine mounts. These active engine mounts resolve the conflicting aims of achieving as soft a connection as possible to the powertrain for high comfort, and as rigid a connection as possible for optimum driving dynamics, by seamlessly and quickly adapting their rigidity to the respective driving conditions.

Agile and exact: AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL roll stabilization

The AMG-specific configuration for high vehicle dynamics is greatly assisted by the active roll stabilization system, ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL, enabled thanks to the on-board 48-volt system. This precisely compensates body movements to a variety of road conditions. The result is that even in sporty situations near the limits, the handling remains precisely controllable and extremely direct. The system uses two independently operating, electromechanical actuators at the front and rear axles, each with an integrated planetary gear. This means that the stabilization system not only reduces body roll when cornering, but also allows more precise tuning of the cornering and load cycle properties. In addition, it increases ride comfort when driving in a straight line because stimuli by one-sided road bumps are balanced out, for example. Body movements can be actively and optimally adapted to the driving status, which intensifies the driving experience.

Another benefit compared with the usual hydraulic-based systems is the significantly faster response. The AMG control system can adapt the driving status to the conditions within milliseconds. A further benefit is the low weight of the components compared with hydraulic systems.

Driving pleasure to the power of seven: AMG DYNAMIC SELECT and AMG DYNAMICS

The seven DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual, RACE, Trail and Sand allow a very varied driving experience with a wide spread between maximum comfort and agile sportiness. The modes modify key parameters, such as the response of the engine, transmission, suspension and steering.

“Comfort”: comfortable and fuel-efficient driving, e.g. thanks to early upshifts. Suspension and steering are set up for an emphasis on comfort.

“Sport”: sporty characteristics thanks to more agile response to accelerator pedal commands, shorter shift times, earlier and more precise downshifts owing to double-declutching. More dynamic suspension setup.

“Sport+”: extremely sporty characteristics thanks to an even more agile throttle response, double-declutching on downshifts and targeted torque interventions on upshifts with cylinder deactivation for optimized shift times. Increased idle speed for faster pulling away. An even more dynamic setup for suspension, steering and powertrain.

“Individual”: individual adjustment of the drive system, transmission, AMG DYNAMICS, suspension and exhaust system. In addition, the gliding function is available in the “Reduced” and “Moderate” drive settings.

“RACE”: the “RACE” drive program is designed for highly dynamic driving on closed race circuits. In this program, all of the parameters are configured for maximum performance.

“Trail”: safe driving at maximum performance on soft, muddy or slippery ground. The suspension is raised to a higher level. From 43 mph the suspension is automatically lowered again.

“Sand”: the adjustments to the suspension and the 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive are made for sporty driving on loose, sandy surfaces. The suspension is raised to a higher level. From 43 mph the suspension is automatically lowered again.

The drive programs are linked to the AMG DYNAMICS agility control, which means that the handling characteristics can be even more closely matched with different requirements and driving conditions. Behind the umbrella term AMG DYNAMICS are the agility functions “Basic”, “Advanced”, “Pro” and “Master”, whose functions are automatically selected by the respective drive program. The further “Traction” and “Slide” levels come into effect in the Off-Road “Trail” and “Sand” drive programs when the ESP®  is deactivated.

Parameters relevant to driving, such as the response of the engine and suspension, or the control thresholds of the completely redeveloped ESP®, are intelligently adapted according to the drive program. The spectrum ranges from very comfort-oriented to highly dynamic. The “Master” mode stored in the RACE drive program ensures optimum agility and brings out the high driving dynamics potential to ultimate effect – for example through higher yaw rates and a faster response from the accelerator pedal, gearshift system, rear axle steering, electronically controlled rear axle locking differential or brake force distribution of the all-wheel drive system.

Independent of the drive program, the driver can use the buttons in the center console or the steering wheel buttons to directly select manual transmission mode, the preferred suspension level and also the exhaust system.

Precise and fast: the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed automatic transmission

The SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed automatic transmission is specially tuned to the requirements of the eight-cylinder engine in the GLE 63 S Coupe. The systematic further development of hardware and software has made it possible to further optimize the reaction times. This means that automatic and manual shift commands can be implemented more quickly than ever before. Various reinforcement measures also ensure durability and performance with the high torque generated by the V8 engine.

The extensively tailored software enables extremely short shift times, fast multiple downshifts and delivers especially emotional gear shifts thanks to the double-declutching function. Gear changes are performed with no interruption in tractive power. Dynamic acceleration and very short shift times are available along with settings for a more fuel-efficient driving style – depending on the selected mode.

Highlights of the transmission:

adaptation of the shift characteristics to the selected AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive program

in manual mode “M” the transmission responds directly to manual shift commands by the driver – the powertrain responds precisely and executes the commands almost instantly

the temporary M mode allows an immediate change to manual mode “M” – merely by using the shift paddles

automatic double-declutching function when downshifting: this effect is automatically active in the drive programs “Sport”, “Sport+” and “RACE”

the ECO start/stop function is automatically active in the “Comfort” drive program

the “gliding” function can be individually activated in “Individual” mode

Even sportier: the air suspension with continuous damping adjustment

The standard AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension and the adaptive damping adjustment ADS+ (Adaptive Damping System) combine outstanding agility and excellent vehicle dynamics with maximum traction and superb day-to-day comfort. The damping characteristics can be preselected in three stages – “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport+”, allowing a clear distinction between high long-distance comfort and sporty vehicle dynamics.

Thanks to pneumatic self-levelling, the new GLE 63 S Coupe maintains a constant ride height regardless of the vehicle load. This can be adjusted depending on the driving mode, or manually using a rocker switch in the center console. In the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs “Sport”, “Sport+” and “RACE”, the vehicle level is lowered. In the “Comfort” program, the vehicle is lowered at speeds of 75 mph or above, and raised back to normal level when the speed falls below 43 mph. This reduces aerodynamic drag and therefore fuel consumption. In addition, handling stability is improved thanks to a lower center of gravity. In the drive programs “Trail” and “Sand”, the suspension is raised to increase ground clearance on poor surfaces, and automatically lowered to normal level when the speed reaches 43 mph. This function can also be controlled using the rocker switch.

AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with fully variable torque distribution

The performance-oriented all-wheel drive system continuously ensures the best possible ratio of dynamics, traction and efficiency. An electromechanically controlled clutch connects the permanently driven rear axle variably to the front axle. The best possible torque split is continuously computed according to the driving conditions and driver’s input. The transition from rear-wheel to all-wheel drive and vice versa is seamless, as the intelligent control is integrated into the overall vehicle system. Alongside traction and lateral dynamics, the all-wheel drive also improves the longitudinal dynamics for even more powerful acceleration. The influencing factors for torque distribution are not only the driving speed, the lateral and longitudinal acceleration and the steering angle, but also the difference in rotational speed between the individual wheels and the gear selected.

The all-wheel drive is controlled depending on the selected stage of the 3-stage Electronic Stability Program ESP®  – from comfortable and sporty to highly dynamic. The 4ETS dynamic handling control system further enhances handling safety and agility, in particular on slippery surfaces or on surfaces with different friction coefficients. It uses brake interventions to keep individual driven wheels from spinning when starting off or accelerating. At the same time the differential locking effect enables the drive torque to be shifted to the wheels that are not spinning.

The electronic rear axle locking differential – for even more dynamic appeal

To further improve traction and vehicle dynamics, the GLE 63 S Coupe features an electronically controlled locking differential at the rear axle as standard. The slip is thus suppressed on the inner wheel on bends, ensuring optimum grip and maximum handling safety. The driver is therefore able to accelerate out of corners earlier and with more power thanks to the improved traction. The vehicle remains more stable when braking from high speed, while the locking differential also improves traction when accelerating from a standstill.

Standing firm: the AMG high-performance braking systems

In line with the high output values and their associated performance, the new GLE 63 S Coupe features an enhanced high-performance braking system with 6-piston fixed brake calipers and 15.7 x 1.5 in brake discs at the front, plus single-piston floating brake calipers and 14.6 x 1.3 in discs at the rear. The GLE 63 S Coupe is also visually enhanced by its striking red brake calipers.

As an option, a high-performance ceramic braking system with bronze-colored 6-piston fixed calipers at the front and single-piston floating brake calipers at the rear can be ordered, saving weight compared with the compound discs and thus reducing the unsprung mass. Further advantages are their strong fading stability under high stress. The brake system also scores highly with a long operating life and particularly fast responses.

Direct and immediate: AMG speed-sensitive sports steering

The electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering has a variable ratio. It impresses with its precise feedback thanks to the AMG-specific rack-and-pinion steering with a variable ratio. The steering assistance is assigned to the various stages of the AMG DYNAMICS system. The configuration in “Basic” and “Advanced” is comfort-oriented. In “Pro” and “Master”, a configuration is programmed that supports a sporty driving style and ensures more road feedback.

AMG-specific displays: the MBUX infotainment system

The innovative MBUX control and display concept is a standard feature of the GLE 63 S Coupe, creating an even closer bond between the vehicle, its driver and passengers. At the same time, the latest version of the infotainment system contributes to its great day-to-day practicality. Innovative displays such as the particularly striking Supersport mode with a central rev counter and 3D-look scales lend visual depth to the instrument display and accentuate its exclusivity.

The “Supersport” view also provides extensive additional information specific to AMG, such as a prompt borrowed from motorsport to shift up in manual transmission mode, a feature known as “Shiftlight”. Via the AMG menu, the driver can call up various special displays:

Gear display – with yellow “M” symbol in manual mode

Warm-Up menu – engine and transmission oil temperature

Set-Up menu – AMG DYNAMIC SELECT settings

G-Meter – longitudinal and lateral acceleration forces

RACETIMER – stopwatch, lap and sector times

Engine data – output and torque, engine oil and transmission oil temperature

The newly designed visualizations in the multimedia display enable further vehicle functions to be experienced even better, e.g. with an animated presentation of the driving assistance, vehicle and communication systems, and the drive programs. When the AMG-specific DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs “Trail” and “Sand” are activated, off-road-specific settings such as gradient, incline and differential lock can be selected in the instrument cluster and appear in the media display.

Increased comfort is assured by the optional ENERGIZING Package Plus. It bundles many of the premium equipment items and includes multi-contour seats for the driver and front passenger, seat climate control for the driver and front passenger (with seat heating and seat ventilation), the Warmth and Comfort Package, the AIR-BALANCE Package (fragrances incl. AMG-specific fragrance #63, ionization and air purification) and six ENERGIZING Comfort programs as well as the ENERGIZING COACH for intelligent pre-selection of ENERGIZING Comfort programs, to best suit the driving situation as well as the driver’s physical well-being and frame of mind.

Technical data at a glance

  2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe Engine 4.0-liter V8 with twin turbocharging and integrated EQ Boost starter-generator Displacement 3982 cc Output 603 hp at 5750-6500 rpm + up to 21 hp from EQ Boost Peak torque 627 lb-ft at 2500-4500 rpm + up to 184 lb-ft from EQ Boost Drive AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with fully variable torque distribution Transmission AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed automatic transmission Acceleration 0-60 mph 3.7 s Top speed 174 mph*

* electronically limited

  ALL-NEW 603 HP 2021 MERCEDES-AMG GLE 63 S COUPE Combining a striking design, high versatility and breathtaking performance, the new GLE 63 S Coupe is poised to set the standard for performance SUV Coupes…

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Preface

     By revisiting and reflecting upon renowned enigmas from the past, curious human beings can effectively re-examine and re-evaluate unexplained phenomena. Exploratory expeditions into Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) history have the potential to reveal clues unnoticed decades earlier. Thus, we learn from history. In 2018, as a seasoned UFO researcher, I thought it was time to engage my readers more than ever before. So, what I am about to share is strictly from my perspective. But, it’s based on

Dr. Bob Wenzel Gross The UFO Chronicles 5-18-18

facts from extensive research. The ensuing paper represents decades of scientifically analyzing a well-documented UFO mystery from a bygone era. After years of reviewing relevant literature and reflecting upon my interview notes, I began to identify bits of data that in time fell into bigger distinguishable chunks of information. It wasn’t long before I genuinely understood the mystery surrounding the 1947 Roswell UFO case. For me, the Roswell UFO phenomenon embodied, but was not limited to, the following components:

• Debris made of unfamiliar space age metallic materials was observed and recovered near the crash site • The US government was involved • At least two contemporary covert projects that collected secret data were entangled • At least one project had a multiple year research and development cycle • The government, ufologists, skeptics, and others contributed to disseminating a rare combination of unreliable and conflicting information • Extraterrestrial hypotheses were proffered and publicized • A failure of imagination seemed to permeate initial and subsequent investigations

Introduction

Extraterrestrial intelligence exists somewhere in the Universe. On that account, I scientifically study the UFO phenomenon with considerable rigor. I will accept, however, proof of extraterrestrial intelligence on Earth—but only on a case by case basis. For me, absence of evidence is strong evidence of absence. All UFO cases must withstand scientific scrutiny. Scientists learn from history. Thus, science becomes less wrong over time. By studying times gone by, devout scientific investigators can examine and evaluate credible examples of the UFO phenomenon from a unique vantage point. That vantage point—the past—is an excellent place for spotting patterns. Differentiating and contemplating distinct and elusive patterns makes it possible for human beings to learn from history and grow from past mistakes. Existential intelligence is a concept that Dr. Howard Gardner explored in the late 1990s. The term intelligence itself deals with how people effectively and efficiently solve problems and create products valued in a given culture (Gardner, 1999). Existential intelligence is the capacity to readily envision the big picture. People with a strong existential intelligence have the distinct ability to think about why things exist. We all possess existential intelligence to some degree. People with a dominant existential intelligence may wonder if intelligent life exists in the Universe. Individuals with a well-developed existential intelligence also need the freedom to ponder, conceptualize, and hypothesize. Such distinctive characters take pleasure in analyzing and thinking about questions that don’t have clear answers. Existential intelligence can be grown. Those humans who have nurtured their existential intelligence wonder about how variables interact. They also willingly evaluate how concepts relate to one another (Gangi, 2011). People with a robust existential intelligence naturally detect patterns that connect phenomena. Partly because of my own enduring existential intelligence, when I view images of unidentifiable aerial phenomenon, I don’t immediately think aliens from another planet are visiting Earth. Similarly, when I actually encounter an object in the air that seems to defy contemporary science, it doesn’t automatically mean to me that the object originated from beyond this world. The Department of Defense (DOD) is an executive branch department of the federal government of the United States. Coincidentally, the DOD was created in 1947. It was charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government concerned with national security. Project Blue Book was a US government project that investigated UFO reports between 1947 and 1969. The project was initiated to determine if anomalous aerial vehicles threatened national security (Federal Bureau of Investigation, n.d.). Under Blue Book, the US Air Force looked at thousands of reported UFO sightings. Many of those sightings remain unidentified. Studying history is germane to understanding UFOs. Looking at aerial anomalies from a historical perspective makes it possible to learn from the endeavors of early UFO researchers. Today, UFO enthusiasts cannot afford to repeat the processing errors of the past. Ufology must improve. Therefore, to increase the depth and breadth of knowledge related to the UFO phenomenon, I revisited a well-documented UFO incident from 1947: The Roswell, New Mexico UFO crash.

The Roswell Story Overview

New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the United States with a total area of approximately 121,700 square miles. Much of New Mexico is sandy, undeveloped, and desolate. The state’s wide open spaces and clear blue skies make it an ideal location for working on rockets, launching experimental payloads, and testing atomic bombs (“New Mexico,” n.d.). In addition to its distinctive landscape, New Mexico has a unique culture. More specifically, New Mexico has a cowboy culture that blends hard work, innovation, and individualism with a love for adventure. Some inhabitants call it the Land of Enchantment (Visit Albuquerque, n.d.). I was first introduced to New Mexico in 2001. Up to that time, my professional career had been rewarding. It encompassed a wide continuum of jobs mostly in the realm of education. But, the tragedy of September 11, 2001, forced me to rethink my calling. I placed my life’s work on hold and joined AmeriCorps. While in AmeriCorps—the Domestic Peace Corps—I served as a volunteer in New Mexico. While living and working there, I traveled rather extensively and learned as much as I could about that entrancing southwestern state and its inhabitants. I was an AmeriCorps volunteer participating in an arts education project in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The project used the performing, literary, and visual arts to improve the quality of education in failing schools near Mexico. This not-for-profit endeavor incorporated safe after school programs, interdisciplinary arts education programs, and community projects. I helped teams of visual and performing artists coach teachers about integrating the arts into their core curriculums. Then, in 2004, I was hired as the chief licensed administrator for a new charter school in Las Cruces. My responsibilities included developing and implementing: policies, regulations, procedures, and curriculums. I made sure all enrolled students received instruction that exceeded the state standards. I also managed course development, program evaluations, extracurricular activities, personnel issues, finances, facilities, scheduling, and discipline procedures. Moreover, I coordinated school assessments, delivered staff development workshops, and wrote grants. In my spare time, I produced and participated in informational television programs about the school. Later, from 2005 to 2007, I lived and worked on the Navajo Reservation near Crownpoint, New Mexico. There, I was employed by the U.S. Department of the Interior to serve as a turnaround specialist, educational consultant, headmaster, and executive director. I oversaw all educational aspects of a grant school. The school was located on the Eastern Navajo Agency. The Navajo’s tasked me with establishing an education system built on the Navajo language and culture. To accomplish my task, I quickly learned how to interpret and implement federal, state, local, and tribal laws. In addition, I was required to lobby for the Navajo Nation at state and national meetings. Conjointly, I spoke on behalf of the Navajo Tribe at Tribal Budget Advisory Committee meetings in Washington, DC. Following that job, I worked as a turnaround administrator for a small school district located between Albuquerque and Las Cruces, New Mexico. From 2007 to 2010, I lived and worked in the small resort town of Truth or Consequences. In that place, I functioned as part of an administrative team to improve the local schools’ education programs. Besides that, I acted as a district hearing officer and served on a New Mexico gang task force that trained in Roswell, New Mexico. Roswell was famous for an alleged UFO incident. The event took place in that southwestern city during 1947. Explanations of what took place back then were based on official and unofficial communications. On or about July 8, 1947 a press release was issued stating personnel from Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF) had retrieved the remnants of a crashed flying disk (Mutual UFO Network [MUFON], n.d.-b). Although, nobody actually saw the disk in the air, the press release conveyed that a flying disk had crashed on a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico (Rudiak, 2001a). Allegedly, the flying disk was damaged during a powerful storm. As might have been predicted, a military whitewash followed (Olmsted, 2009). The crash debris was salvaged from the ranch and flown to General Roger Ramey in Fort Worth, Texas for inspection. After the remains were examined, General Ramey stated that RAAF personnel had actually retrieved a wrecked weather balloon. A press conference was ultimately held so the debris could be displayed and then photographed by the media. For all intents and purposes, the wreckage appeared to have been bits and pieces of a weather balloon (MUFON, n.d.-b). In due course, the incident faded from public attention. Then, in 1978, a ufologist and nuclear physicist, Stanton T. Friedman, interviewed Major Jesse Marcel who was involved with the original 1947 debris retrieval. Marcel expressed his belief that the military had covered up salvaging an alien spacecraft. Marcel’s story quickly spread through UFO circles. It was featured in UFO documentaries and publications. In 1980, the National Enquirer ran an interview with Marcel that brought national and worldwide attention to the Roswell incident. As a result, UFO proponents pushed that an alien craft was found, its occupants captured, and the military covered it up. Conspiracy theories clearly fomented the original event. The Roswell incident grew into a popular UFO mystery. In 1995, the General Accounting Office released the results of a report that concluded the debris retrieved from a Roswell ranch in 1947 was from Project Mogul (MUFON, n.d.-b). Project Mogul was a US Military Air Force surveillance balloon experiment classified TOP SECRET in 1946. Mogul employed experimental high-altitude surveillance balloons. Apparently, when a Mogul balloon smashed into the sands of a New Mexican ranch, the military decided to hide Project Mogul’s real identity. Unlike a typical weather balloon, Project Mogul’s gear was enormous and contained unusual types of materials. According to research conducted by the New York Times, Project Mogul employed big balloons, reflectors, lightweight sticks, and sharp pieces of metal foil (Broad, 1994). Today, Roswell continues to be the most publicized of all alleged UFO incidents (MUFON, n.d.-b). Since the late 1970s, the Roswell occurrence has also been the subject of much controversy.

Prediction

After an initial review of the existing literature, I predicted that an experimental prototype of a US government passive communications satellite—not a Project Mogul balloon or weather balloon—crashed on a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. Two years prior to that crash, the concept of a passive communications satellite system was proposed by science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke. Moreover, one year before the Roswell crash, a study about satellites found that launching an orbiting probe of sorts would have a vivid effect on world opinion. Furthermore, a satellite is a great communications relay.

Unfamiliar Space Age Metallic Debris Retrieved Near Crash

Eyewitnesses maintained that some fragments retrieved near Roswell, New Mexico in 1947 had an aluminum-like dull finish on one side, but appeared shiny on the other. The stuff was thin, lightweight, and would flex—not dent—when struck. The peculiar metal seemed to be cut and perforation proof. Most pieces were jagged and seemed as if they had been exploded. Although the shards had burn marks on them, they were not scratched. These metallic bits could be folded, but they would quickly go back to their original shapes (Rudiak, 2001b). The debris was scientifically analyzed, but none of it was determined extraterrestrial in origin (Korff, 1997).

US Government Involvement

The state of New Mexico played a significant part in developing the US government’s early space program. For instance, New Mexico is home to the White Sands Missile Range that established its headquarters near Las Cruces. Also, the Trinity Site in Alamogordo is the location of the world’s first atomic bomb that was detonated in 1945. Moreover, New Mexico houses an Air and Space Park. On display in this park is a spacecraft that is 86 feet tall—allegedly the largest rocket ever launched from New Mexico. The park also features an outdoor track once used to test the human body’s tolerances. For more than eighty years, New Mexico has been on the cutting edge regarding new developments in aerospace and rocketry. Much of the early work that paved the way for the US government to become a world leader in space happened in the state of New Mexico (The New Mexico Museum of Space History, n.d.). The Roswell crash was perhaps the greatest of all US government cover-ups. The story of the US government’s Project Mogul can be pieced together from US Air Force reports and other documents. The Mogul spying system was the brainchild of Dr. Maurice Ewing. Early in his career, Dr. Ewing worked at conducting naval research on the transmission of sound. Mogul balloon test flights were launched from Alamogordo, New Mexico—a short distance from Roswell. The United States Armed Forces maintained that the debris from the 1947 Roswell crash was the remnants of an experimental high-altitude surveillance balloon belonging to Project Mogul. Back then, the US government was required to protect TOP SECRET information (Broad, 1994).

Two Contemporary Covert Projects Entangled

Project Mogul

In 1944, Dr. Maurice Ewing theorized that the Earth's atmosphere might contain a sound channel. Hence, he proposed a surveillance system to the US Air Force that could monitor distant nuclear blasts. In 1946, Project Mogul was given TOP SECRET classification. The project’s primary purpose was the long distance detection of sound waves generated by atomic bomb tests. Project Mogul essentially involved flying microphones on high-altitude balloons. The Mogul venture was carried out from 1947 until early 1949. The project’s mission was moderately successful, but it was very expensive. It was superseded by a network of seismic detectors and air sampling devices for fallout, which were cheaper, more reliable, and easier to deploy and operate. The early Mogul balloons consisted of large clusters of rubber meteorological balloons; however, these were quickly replaced by enormous balloons made of polyethylene plastic. The replacement balloons were more durable, leaked less helium, and were better at holding a constant altitude than the early rubber balloons (“Project Mogul,” n.d.). Since Mogul’s, goal was to search the atmosphere for reverberations from nuclear tests, the project sought out prominent scientists and academic institutions to develop all kinds of balloons and detecting equipment. Dr. Ewing and Columbia University were involved in developing sensors. A prominent meteorologist at New York University, Dr. Athelstan F. Spilhaus, was hired to develop high altitude balloons that would stay at a constant height. At first, the Air Force’s balloon-related experiments used neoprene meteorological balloons. Later, the use of polyethylene balloons was pioneered. Project Mogul used polyethylene balloons manufactured in New York and in Minneapolis. Many test flights of balloons were launched from Alamogordo, New Mexico. Allegedly, the 1947 Roswell crash debris no longer exists. Thus, it cannot be proven that the debris recovered from the Roswell ranch was related to Project Mogul. Photographs taken in 1947 and published seem to show damaged fragments of collapsed balloons and radar reflectors. Supposedly, the Air Force’s Roswell-related reports excluded all evidence that conflicted with its Project Mogul conclusion. Those reports ignored statements from witnesses who described unusually strong, light weight, material that looked like a kind of metal foil (Broad, 1994).

Passive Communications Satellites

In 1942, George O. Smith proposed the concept of Earth-Venus relay communications satellites (Whalen, n.d.). A passive communications satellite system was detailed by science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke in 1945. Passive communications satellites were intended to be inflatable spheres with a thin metal-coated plastic skin. Project Echo eventually became the USA’s first official passive communications satellite experiment. Each Echo spacecraft was a metalized balloon satellite functioning as a passive reflector for microwave signals. Communication signals were bounced off them from one point on Earth to another. In addition, NASA's new inflatable satellite program could gather information about the upper atmosphere and radiation. Moreover, these dirigible-like experiments could collect valuable information about the military buildup on Earth (Hansen, 1995). From 1959 to 1964, three refined Project Echo passive communications satellites were launched. Regrettably, the initial test of a full-sized sphere ended abruptly with the sphere exploding as it inflated (“Project Echo,” n.d.). The 1959 test of an Echo 1 Passive Communications Satellite ended abruptly when the inflating sphere exploded—ripping the satelloon to shreds. Thousands of fragments of aluminum-covered balloon floated back to Earth. The shards reflected the light of the setting sun and created a sensation of flashing lights. However, in 1961, NASA’s Echo IA satellite was successfully sent into orbit around the Earth. During 1964, NASA was able to send Echo II, a rigidized balloon passive communications satellite experiment, into orbit (Hansen, 1995). Initially, each Echo spacecraft was designed to be a 30.5 meter diameter balloon made of 0.0127 millimeter thick Mylar polyester film. A set of beacon transmitters would be carried for telemetry. The transmitters were powered by nickel-cadmium batteries that were charged by solar cells mounted on the balloon. Eventually, a 41.1 meter diameter Mylar balloon was used with an improved inflation system to increase the balloon's smoothness and sphericity. Instrumentation was added which included temperature sensors to monitor the balloon's skin temperature and pressure sensors to monitor the balloon's internal pressure. A beacon system, consisting of two transmitter assemblies, provided tracking and telemetry signals. The beacon system used solar cell panels for power (Jet Propulsion Laboratory National Aeronautics Space Administration, n.d.).

Research and Development Cycle

During the 1930’s and 1940s, Roswell was the home of Dr. Robert Goddard. On a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico, Dr. Goddard and his team established a rocket research site and conducted rocket experiments (The New Mexico Museum of Space History, n.d.). For the most part, Dr. Robert Goddard’s rocket work predated the technology used for the German V-2 missiles. John Whinfield and James Dickson developed and patented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in 1941 (Johnson, 2017). In 1946, a panel was convened to study experiments in progress that had the potential of sooner or later being launched by V-2 rockets. Also in 1946, an independent study of Earth satellites by Project RAND observed that a satellite launch would have a dramatic effect on world opinion. The study also found satellites might have a promising future if used as communications relays (Whalen, n.d.). The research and development cycle for the passive communications satellite project encompassed untried experiments in at least four major areas: 1. The use of polyethylene balloons that stay at a constant height area—polyethylene lessens the up-at-day, down-at-night cycle for high altitude balloons (Broad, 1994). 2. The satelloon or metalized balloon development area—including tensile stress testing. 3. The rocket development area—involving the process of injecting satelloons into orbit around the Earth. 4. The inflation area—flawlessly inflating the folded satelloons that are jettisoned from their small payload canisters (NASA, 2011). The Echo Passive Communications Satellite Project had a relatively long research and development cycle. Essentially, the project’s complete cycle—from inception to first successful launch—lasted from 1945 to 1961. It was approximately sixteen (16) years from the onset of the Passive Communications Satellite Project’s design, development, and test period to its decline and take over by the Echo II Project and other satellite programs.

[...] SEE PART II ► See Also: The Children Who Bore Witness to Roswell: Their Tragic Stories Roswell Witness Described 'Morphing Memory Metal' Alien Survived Roswell Crash, Confesses General in Death Bed Confession | VIDEO

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[phyllispettis94-blog]

Kim Kardashian's Met Party 2015 Dress Was Incredibly Like One That Beyoncé Used.

For anyone that helps haulage companies or is interested in an organization in the transporting business, the date from March 21st, 2015 need to be actually strengthened in their minds as a day to become conserved! When our experts gave advice for 2015 you will certainly remember a year earlier, we were actually experiencing a bunch of FX headwinds at that point over time and also we verbalized that our strategy was that we will expand our escape from the FX challenge. The 72 years old megastar Amitabh Bachchan is again collaborating with Superstar And also for Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi which is accordinged to a theme adapted coming from the British show Tonight is the Evening where the wants from individuals come to life. And also in England, William Sandys as well as Davies Gilbert began picking up outdated X-mas songs off around the country, and publishing new carols http://fitlucas.info/indicatoren-onycosolve-ervaringen or brand-new plans of existing carols including 'The First Noel.' Royal prince Albert, the German spouse of Queen Victoria required even more benevolent and joyful European events from Xmas in England, and the heritage of carolling appears to have had brand-new life breathed into this right now. As an example, the Facebook iPhone app delivers alarms when you would normally receive a notification online for a good friend commenting on your status, on your wall structure or even replies to a condition that you discussed. Those alerts may come to be provoking if they are waking you up in the evening. Withania somnifera is actually one more herb made use of once and for all over all health and wellness and also for healthy and balanced sexual habits, it can preserve hormonal harmony, enhances nerves as well as muscular tissues and also remedy small interior traumas, which could occur due to over masturbatory stimulation as well as cause the problem of extreme evening discharge. Green and woes are very most usual, however some yellows and oranges could also infiltrate. I was luckied to see red two times - and one night Every One Of the colors consisting of flashes that I supposed were falling stars or something. A night like this is going to establish him going and as soon as he's drunk he's somewhat unsafe." Horace Femm appears to provide herself the creeps, with his okay like that from a neutered model of Lon Chaney's Nightmare of the Opera. We often celebrate Beacon Night in the house, as well as some years our team've thrown friends whereas various other years it's been actually simply our team. Our experts carried out a conflagration one year but vouched certainly never once again after the terrible scorched spot it left, so rather stuck to a small household carton of sparklers as well as rockets.

[israel-jewish-news]

Israel Digs Deep to Thwart Tunnel Threat From Gaza Strip

New Post has been published on http://hamodia.com/2018/01/18/israel-digs-deep-thwart-tunnel-threat-gaza-strip/

Israel Digs Deep to Thwart Tunnel Threat From Gaza Strip

A picture taken with an ultra-wide-angle lens on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza shows the interior of a tunnel dug by Islamic Jihad, leading from Gaza into Israel, near the southern Israeli kibbutz of Kissufim, Thursday. (Jack Guez/Pool via AP)

Massive earthworks and mounds of sandy soil line the Israel-Gaza border as the Israeli military forges ahead with an ambitious subterranean barrier to detect and prevent attack tunnels from reaching southern Israel from the Palestinian enclave.

Israeli military officials on Thursday touted the secretive project as a major deterrent against what Israel has seen as a strategic threat since the last war against Hamas exposed the extent of the tunnels. Israel has made uncovering the tunnels from Gaza a priority and in recent months has demolished at least three through a combination of intelligence, infantry operations and hi-tech sensors.

Israel began construction of a 40-mile long underground wall last summer, aiming to prevent Palestinian terrorists from burrowing toward Israeli communities along the border.

“The technology really is groundbreaking,” Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said in a briefing with journalists on the border with the Gaza Strip. “The message to Hamas is: ‘We now have this system which can detect and destroy terror tunnels that violate Israeli sovereignty.'”

Conricus said that the anti-tunnel barrier under construction “provides a significant challenge for anyone tunneling below,” without elaborating.

Excavating machines, concrete mixers and hundreds of workers toil furiously as part of Israel’s deadly underground game of cat and mouse with Hamas and other Gaza terrorist groups, such as Islamic Jihad.

The barrier — hundreds of feet below ground, studded with sensors and topped by a 26-foot metal fence — has an estimated price tag of $700 million and is on track for its slated completion in mid-2019, a senior Israeli military official said Thursday. Thus far, crews working 24 hours a day, six days a week, have completed 2.5 miles of the 40-mile border barrier.

Wary of tipping off enemies, Israeli military officials were reticent to discuss particulars concerning the barrier’s tunnel detection capabilities, or precisely how far into the earth the wall goes.

“It’s deep enough,” a senior Israeli military official said. Cranes hoisted 75-foot-long rebar cages into the air, and the official said that “several get welded together” to form the concrete wall’s reinforced spine.

An opening of a tunnel leading from Gaza into Israel, near the southern Israeli kibbutz of Kissufim. Israel says the tunnel was dug by Islamic Jihad. (Jack Guez/Pool via AP)

Thus far, Hamas has not tried to disrupt construction, and giant earth berms protect workers from spying eyes and small arms fire. A senior Israeli military official said that while neither side wants to start a new round of violence, minor incidents along the border had the potential to snowball into a larger conflict quickly.

However, the military is determined to complete the barrier. “Israel will defend this barrier in every way possible,” an IDF official said in August. “This barrier will be built. Period. At any price.”

The military on Thursday also showcased a tunnel destroyed in late October — its demolition left a dozen terrorists dead.

The concrete-lined shaft penetrated hundreds of yards into southern Israel toward nearby Kibbutz Kissufim. The tunnel was located less than two miles from the community, and is believed by the IDF to have been intended to be used to attack Kissufim and/or abduct Israeli soldiers.

Its destruction prompted retaliatory rocket fire by Islamic Jihad.

Another tunnel was demolished late last year, and on Sunday, Israel said it destroyed a 1-mile tunnel built by Hamas which stretched from the Gaza Strip, through Israel and into Egypt.

“Now we’ll see how Hamas responds to these new developments,” Conricus said.

An Israeli military map of the Gaza Strip shown to reporters illustrated the miles of Hamas and Islamic Jihad tunnels honeycombing the Palestinian territory. The military estimates that working around the clock, a couple dozen terrorists can dig 10 yards of tunnel per day.

As construction progresses, the IDF says it expects to find and destroy several more attack tunnels crossing under the border from Gaza.

Assuming the tunnels are destroyed and abandoned, Gazan terrorists are expected to turn to other methods of assault, such as drones, sea-based attacks or more advanced types of missiles, and the IDF is preparing to counter those as well.

[micaelaworrall-blog]

Y Combinator's Summertime 2017 Health Care Startups To Enjoy.

Summertime is time when the days are pretty long as well as warmed up as well as you additionally shed a great deal of liquids from you body. Gallop on sandy beaches, swim with your equine in a highland loch and also canter throughout heather-covered moors on a seven-day coast-to-coast trail flight from Brora in Sutherland to Kylesku on the west coast with Highlands Unbridled. This across the country deal applies to all Manchester shops from July 25 - August 31. We have actually also had our share of unexpected concerns, yet have constantly dealt with them in a manner that leaves every last client satisfied with their purchase and also honored to support our business.

After launching in Kuala Lumpur, the firm gets on a $1.8 million earnings run price and also has plans to expand to 8 more markets. As well as unless you're paying the relocating business added to use their storage space structure, possibilities are you're going to need to rent a self-storage system. Instead, the incorporated fabric maker, which could have worked as a magnet to bring in various other garment suppliers to the approaching clothing SEZ, is preparing to establish the center at its forthcoming textile park at Santej, on the outskirts of the city, notified resources told TOI. If you adored this article and also you would like to be given more info regarding Read More Listed here kindly visit our web-site. Since the application expansion will certainly have different classifications of benefits it will certainly provide gamers an unique treat when they win one, as they will certainly have the ability to select which category they desire. We are also including a USB port to allow customers to maintain their clock software up-to-date without needing to buy the future generation". You'll deal with a selection of clients and also be part of a group collaborating with FTSE 100 companies along with hundreds of smaller sized organisations. UK climate: Met Office forecast shows by midweek warm air is being dragged up from the Continent. In the meanwhile, great deals of brand-new skins show up to have actually leaked, which you can see in the gallery below. Top five Collection finalizings to replace Alexis Sanchez. School's out for summertime as well as while the weather could not be placing on much of a program, there are great deals of interior tasks to take your mind off it. Complying with Cartwheel's integration with the primary Target application, this process will continue - except that, with assistance for mobile settlements, buyers will have the ability to both pay as well as save by having that barcode checked just when. Fortunately, a lot of the moms and dads of the campers help with the production to make it run as smoothly as feasible! British Airways (0844 493 0787;) flies to Geneva from Heathrow from ₤ 156 return in mid-June. We turned the cult traditional film Damp Hot American Summertime into an old-fashioned pen-and-paper roleplaying game, so you can have your very own steamy and also crazy Camp Firewood experiences. They do not have sufficient water to change the high levels of fluid shed throughout panting, bring about dehydration as well as lessened warmth losing capability. You'll work with a variety of firms, from large multi-national organisations to smaller sized UK-focused businesses, advising them on how ideal to achieve their purposes in relation to their pension/benefit plans. There's been a lot of circumstantial evidence found over the previous few months that supports the return of the Overwatch Summertimes Gamings. That's a problematic concept of exactly how software functions: If Microsoft were compelled to proclaim a recall every Spot Tuesday, that would certainly be a lot of recalls. UK HEATWAVE: Britain set for SCORCHING INDIAN SUMMERTIME as mercury to rocket in September. Review launched in 2013 to provide business a better method to be more clear with their customers. The Weather condition Company stated temperatures will certainly continue to be above average into the start of April with May looking slightly cooler before a warmer compared to typical June. So what we use need to be stylish however very Men's beachwear includes a inexpensive and also exotic Jackets & Outerwearelegant variety of clothing or apparels items. Digital access to the final film - plus all previous electronic benefits !! The Southampton central protector Virgil van Dijk is also a target, as is the Monaco midfielder Tiemoué Bakayoko, though Chelsea face competition from Manchester United, Manchester City as well as PSG for the France Under-21 worldwide. In the end, the story of Android apps on Chrome OS coincides tale of virtually every other Google item we have actually found out about this year at Google I/. Coming quickly, however the truly large changes will certainly occur later on this year.

[chefprefers]

The Abandon House

Chapter Nine    The Abandon House

Corporal Craig was on a flight home from Vietnam. He was at the window seat looking over the rice fields of Cambodia. He knew somewhere down there, somebody was getting shot. He was sure glad he was up in the plane far far away rather than that poor soul down there. Good luck to them, he thought. He’d witnessed a lot of injuries and deaths. At first, he thought a lot about what he saw and he couldn’t sleep. His body wanted to sleep, but his mind kept him awake. One soldier advised him that the only way to function out here was to become numb. 'Don’t think about it’ he remembered hearing. He’d witness senseless killings, mines detonating, rockets exploding, mass graves and the fall of law and order. One thing he couldn’t shake was having flashbacks and frightening thoughts. Every moment down there was life or death and somehow he’d escaped it. He would be finishing up with the Marines on his return. He will receive a military honour and then be on his way. However, the only thing on his mine was getting back to see his family again.

Jack waited until dark before going to Greg’s place. Greg had mentioned that the best time to trick or treat was after dark. Before that, it was for little kids. It took Jack over 20 minutes to walk to Greg’s place. It would normally take ten but the costume he was wearing wasn’t design for walking. Jessie had come up with a real beauty of an outfit. However, it broke down in the practical part. He had partly taken it off, so he could walk the distance and when he got to Greg’s front porch, he put it back on. He rang the door bell when he was ready.

Greg’s mother had opened the door and she had a bowl of candy in her hands. She poked it out the door and said 'There you go.’ Jack just stood there waiting for a reaction. He was half expecting Greg’s mother to be spooked and shriek 'What is this!’ No, it didn’t go like that at all. She just handed over the bowl offered candy. Jack hadn’t been shown the ropes on what goes on with Halloween, so he didn’t know what to do. Finally, he confessed that he was here for Greg. Greg’s mum looked up and Jack took off the mask for a second. 'Oh, Jack, well well,… GREG!’ She yelled 'Jack’s here to see you’. Greg could be heard behind running down the stair and he poked his head around the door. 'Oh my lord what are you?, he queried, a giant rat or something?’ Jack was confused because he wasn’t a giant rat. He proclaimed 'No, I’m a Kangaroo.’ Greg was curious. 'What’s a Kangaroo?’ Greg’s mum interjected’ Don’t you know what a Kangaroo is? It’s an Australian marsupial animal.’ 'Ah, an Australian what? Greg cackled. 'Never mind, let go!’ Greg passed his mum and came out to porch. He was wearing black pants and a black shirt. Jack asked 'What are you supposed to be?’ Greg was carrying a mask and put it over his face. The red mask looked like a devil with fanged teeth and a burnt singed forehead. 'I’m the devil’ he proclaimed. Jack was amused 'Cool’ he approved. Greg added that they had to meet up with Brad at the corner at any minute, so they were off.

When they got to the corner, Brad was waiting for them holding a guitar. Brad had on a fake bushy beard and wearing a large brown buttoned up overcoat. Jack had it admired the costume and asked Brad what he was supposed to be. Brad responded with opening up his overcoat revealing his body dressed in beige pants and a shirt. There seemed to be a long stuffed sock hanging from his midriff. 'I’m Jim Morrison on stage’, he announced. He had seen on the news recently that Jim Morrison, the singer from the Doors, had been arrested for a gig he did in Florida when he exposed himself on stage. Both Greg and Jack having seen the footage, laughed. Brad turned to Jack and asked 'What are you suppose to be, a rat or something?’ Greg included 'Yeah, a giant rat’. Jack was getting impatience with this costume, not only because it was hard to get around in, but it looked stupid. He wanted to take it off and leave it on the street. He responded by saying that he was trying to be a Kangaroo. Brad laughed 'Oh, those bouncy animals that you see on Wild Kingdom, Cool! Man, I love that show.’ Jack was relieved and took it as a sign of acceptance, so he decided to keep wearing it. Brad stated 'Do you know what this means’ Greg responded 'Yeah, later though, lets go man!

The entry to the house was dark, the foyer led into a hallway which exposed burnt out house studs. It appeared as though the house had been recently on fire. Every step they took, the floor creaked, like the house was playing an eerie song. Sandy could just hear drumming in the background, as though somebody was playing the bongo drums in the other room. Since his father was away a lot, he continued to ask male strangers on whether they were his father. So he wasn’t fearful of strangers and the old lady appeared to be nice enough. So, he continued to walk down the hallway. At the end of the passage was an archway. Flicking light could be seen through the opening. The lady was walking backwards still beckoning them to come. His eyes were focused on the light as he struggles with his crutches. He was hoping that he could sit down soon. When Sandy reached the entrance to the room, it opened up into a large lounge room. The flames in the fire place projected a calming atmosphere. In the centre of the room, there was a large three seater couch facing the fire and a slate covered coffee table in between. The old lady indicated for them to sit down on the couch. Sandy was relieved so it didn’t take much convincing. Jamie was focused on the interior design of the room. So he sat down as though he was following the leader.

Jamie was intrigued on the layout. The fireplace had a vintage clock hanging over it. The hour hand was positioned on roman numeral five, the minute hand on three and the second hand was not moving. The timed displayed was quarter past five. Jamie knew of this time, because it was the time in which the Washington to Boston train passes by. It’s a large train which makes allot of noise. Jamie was recollecting that the time must be at least 6pm. So it must be broken.

Jessie stayed at the archway. She didn’t want to enter the room and kept anxiously looking back towards the front door. On the coffee table, there was a large bowl in the middle. The old lady point towards the large bowl. Jamie reached over and picked it up and looked inside. Sandy leaned over and peeked into the inners. Jessie although behind them could just make out Sandy’s reaction on his face. His eye lids opened up wide and he had a smile from ear to ear. It was he had scored the jackpot. He reached in and grabbed a bunch of candy. She could just make out the labels on the packets. They looked like candy cigarettes, candy necklaces, Lemmonheads and even Redhots. Sandy continued to grab and stash the lollies into his bag. Jamie was doing the same.

Jessie was weary and stayed at the door. Once they had emptied the bowl, the old lady walked over to the fire place and picked up a stoking iron. Jessie became alarmed and quietly ran over to the couch and signalled for them to leave. Jamie concurred and helped Sandy get up. Sandy’s lolly bag was full and too heavy for him to carry. Jessie grabbed it and ran around the couch to protect him from the old lady. The old lady had her back to them and was busy stoking the fire. Jessie saw an opportunity an caroused both Jamie and Sandy back to the hallway. Jessie looked back to see the old lady still poking at the fire as she walk out the archway. She seemed to be unaware of their sudden exit.

Sandy was in the lead thumping down the hallway with his crutches. He pushed the front door open with his right crutch. It swung open wide and they stumbled through the door down to the pathway. The door sprung back shut with a BANG! They all jumped from the sudden sound and looked back as though there was a dog nipping at their heals. It was dark outside now, so it was hard to see the pathway to the street.

When they got to the street, they looked back an saw no one chasing them. The house seemed to be invisible from the darkness and appeared abandon. Jessie proclaimed 'That place gave me the creeps.’ Jamie became aware of what she meant and agreed 'Me too.’ Satisfied with their takings, they headed back home.

When they were nearly at their driveway, they met up with Jack, Greg and Brad coming the other way. Jack asked Jamie 'How did you guys go?’ Jessie replied 'Halloween gives me the creeps’ 'Why’ Greg asked 'Well, we’ve just come from the craziest house, you know the house with the steeples’ Brad said 'Oh, you mean the abandon house’ . Jessie continued 'Not really, there was this old weird lady who invited us in and sat us down in this strange room.’ 'Really?’ said Brad 'That house has been abandon for years, nobody lives there.’ Jessie and Jamie both look at each other and responded as a chorus 'REALLY?’

[pressography-blog1]

Fuqua joins Scott, others to rally for Florida tourism

New Post has been published on https://pressography.org/fuqua-joins-scott-others-to-rally-for-florida-tourism/

Fuqua joins Scott, others to rally for Florida tourism

In Tallahassee Tuesday, Pam Fuqua, incoming president of RiverWay South Apalachicola Choctawhatchee, joined Gov. Rick Scott and others to speak up the nation’s tourism enterprise.

                                          Florida Tourism

Florida Polls

Grant applications thru the state’s tourism advertising enterprise Visit Florida have helped RiverWay South — a nine-county rural tourism corporation — make materials, enhance its website and optimize the content material to enhance placement in seek engine effects, Fuqua said throughout a Florida Tourism Day occasion at the nation Capitol. “Everything that’s vital within the advertising world to draw the 113 million traffic that (Florida) had.”

on the begin of the legislative consultation, the governor reveals himself at odds with GOP legislators looking to alternate the way Visit Florida operates. Tuesday’s event gave Scott, Fuqua, and plenty of others in the industry a risk to sing the praises of the state tourism organization.

“We have very small budgets,” Fuqua said of RiverWay South. “However without Visit Florida’s assist, we would not be surviving nowadays.”

Fuqua says she become asked by way of Visit Florida to speak at the governor’s press conference and changed into proud to sign up for her colleagues and constitute the agricultural factor of Florida’s big tourism enterprise.

The former head of the Jackson County Tourist Development Council, Fuqua left that submit in 2016, But keeps to sell tourism via RiverWay South and final 12 months commenced her personal advertising organization, 78 Diploma Media.

Florida Tourism – Beginning & Increase

Located in 1513 through Spanish Conquistador Juan Ponce de León, Florida has speedy emerge as the world’s favored Traveler vacation spot pulling in about 60 million site visitors to the country every 12 months. Its warm climate, pleasant locals and a huge variety of activities all contribute to its number one vacation fame.

Earlier than the travelers started flooding in Florida was typically an agricultural kingdom and this continues to be its 2d biggest industry nowadays. In addition to a booming cattle farming enterprise, Florida produces the general public of citrus fruit inside the US. Certainly, Florida is famous, even now, not most effective for its subject matter parks But for its massive amount of oranges, orange juice being the states respectable beverage. As well as citrus fruit the nation is also well known for producing sugar cane, nowadays its third largest industry. These days it is unexpected to the maximum that, Earlier than the arrival of tourism, Florida consisted of usually cattle fields and swamplands.

The nice and cozy weather, sandy beaches and various sports along with fishing and water sports activities started out to convey inside the traffic and lay the muse for what became to grow to be the state’s greatest industry and foremost economic system source. within the early days of this Boom (the early to mid-1800s), it becomes still best the rich and well-known who ought to find the money for a vacation to Florida. That changed into until American mogul Henry S. Flagler visited that nation in 1878 and diagnosed the large capability Florida ought to maintain to attract visitors from out of doors the nation. He built the Ponce de Leon Motel in St Augustine in 1885 and then started out to assemble what is now known as the Florida East Coast Railway making a tour into Florida a good deal less complicated and extra convenient for humans from as ways away as NY. Flagler went directly to construct greater hotels sooner or later enhancing the states accommodation and taking into consideration more visitors. within the early 1900s site visitors to the light kingdom increased appreciably due to this Increase in accommodations and railways after which within the 1930s airlines spread out tour schedules to Florida and airports had been constructed within the important cities, again making an allowance for a boost in vacationers.

Tourism Industry

people came to soak within the solar and the laid lower back Florida mind-set bringing approximately the Boom of beach towns up and down the coasts. through now many of Florida’s citizens had lengthy discovered that tourism had turned out to be a fundamental source of bread and butter for them and so that they set approximately earning some thing livings they might from it. While the beach cities prospered from all the solar seeker’s human beings commenced to tug traffic further inland with numerous roadside attractions. But it became in 1963-64 while a sure man took a plane journey over the country that the upward push of Florida tourism as we comprehend it nowadays genuinely began.

In 1963 Walt Disney was seeking out somewhere to construct his dream, a larger and higher version of his Disneyland enchantment in California. Disneyland didn’t fulfil Walt’s dream the manner he intended, most effective buying enough land to construct the actual park it quickly have become surrounded by way of city lifestyles as Los Angeles grew round it, so this time he knew he wished land and masses of it. on the time crucial Florida had undeveloped swampland in abundance and when Mr. Disney took that plane flight overhead he knew that changed into the place.

nowadays Walt Disney global is still taken into consideration the best subject matter park on this planet and its Development was accompanied by way of a succession of greater world magnificence subject matter parks together with Generic Studios, Islands of Journey, Sea world and Busch Gardens. it is now those sights that Florida is best recognized for and between them they collect masses of heaps of visitors every day and it turned into the Increase in those sights that rocketed the as soon as sleepy southern country of Florida into the position of the worlds primary Traveler destination. Regardless of this, there is nevertheless an huge range of activities provided to modern Florida Tourist along with (But absolutely not restricted to) fishing, golf, water sports, area trip launches, flora and fauna, buying, eating and international magnificence beaches.

Florida Tourism and Culture

For most of the people Of Florida’s forty million-plus annual site visitors, the everyday travel poster pictures of Florida – sun, sea, sand, and Mickey Mouse – are reason sufficient to leap on the next aircraft. the light nation deserves its recognition as the perfect circle of relatives holiday spot, However, Florida is plenty richer in its Tradition, panorama, and man or woman than its stereotypical image suggests.

Human beings And Society

The kingdom “wherein all people is from someplace else,” Florida has always been a cultural hodgepodge. The Seminole Indians, who arrived in the seventeenth century, were in Florida longer than every other institution. They live totally on reservations, But you spot them by the roadside in some southern regions, selling their colorful, homemade crafts. The first-rate applicants for the identity of “authentic Floridian” are the Cracker farmers, whose ancestors settled inside the nation in the 1800s; their call comes perhaps from the cracking of their livestock whips or the cracking of corn to make grits. Unless you explore the interior, you probable won’t meet a Cracker; along the affluent, closely populated coast, you’ll rub shoulders in particular with human beings whose roots lie in more northerly states.

North Individuals have poured into Florida since global Warfare II; the twentieth most populous kingdom within the US in 1950, Florida is now ranked fourth. The largest single institution to transport south has been the retirees, for whom Florida’s climate and way of life of amusement (plus its tax concessions) preserve super enchantment after an existence of tough paintings. Retirees take complete advantage of Florida’s recreational and cultural possibilities. you’ll see many seniors gambling a round of golf, fishing, or browsing round one of Florida’s state-of-the-art buying department stores. While amazing-wealthy groups like Palm seashore fit the conservative and staid photo that some human beings nonetheless have of Florida, the truth could be very different. More and more the new arrivals are young people, for whom Florida is a land of opportunity, a place to have amusing and experience the coolest life. it is this more youthful era that has helped turn Miami’s South seashore, wherein stunning bodies pose in opposition to a backdrop of art Deco motels, into one of the trendiest hotels in the US.

Fuqua Director

There has also been massive immigration from Latin us, and Miami has a huge Cuban network. Right here, salsa and merengue beats fill the air Whilst exuberant gala’s fill the calendar. The ethnic range is also celebrated within the nearby food: As well as genuine re-creations of the Caribbean and other ethnic dishes, you could revel in the exciting and progressive dishes that have emerged with the fashion for go-cultural cuisine.