FYI:  Space Shuttle Viewing Information - NASA via Spaceflight Now.

Good Luck, this won't happen much again, if evermore!

MP

:-)

1700 GMT (12:00 p.m. EST)

CALIFORNIA BOUND. With the forecasts predicting unfavorable weather at Florida's Kennedy Space Center proving true today and little hope of better conditions tomorrow, NASA has decided to divert space shuttle Endeavour's landing to the backup site at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

The deorbit burn is scheduled for 3:19 p.m. EST (12:19 p.m. local; 2019 GMT), leading to touchdown at 4:25 p.m. EST (1:25 p.m. local; 2125 GMT) to conclude the 16-day flight.

Ideal weather conditions await the shuttle in California's Mojave Desert today. At landing time, meteorologists are expecting just a few clouds at 30,000 feet, good visibility and northeasterly winds of 6 peaking to 11 knots down the runway.

As for viewing the landing in person, the following information was issued by NASA:

Although the main portion of Edwards Air Force Base will NOT be open to the public for viewing of a potential space shuttle landing, base officials advised Saturday afternoon that the remote east lakebed viewing area off Mercury Boulevard will be open for public viewing. The Mercury Boulevard viewing site is accessible from 120th and 140th Streets East from the south side of the base east of Lancaster, and from Highway 58 off Twenty Mule Team Road west of Boron. Visitors should allow for an additional 45 minutes driving time from the south gate security station on 120th Street East and 30 minutes additional driving time from the Highway 58 exit. Air Force security officers will be on hand to direct traffic beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday.

It’s tough times, and the holidays are among the worst of times to be out of work.  So I find myself…

I’ve learned a few things looking for jobs in our depressed economy.  First, the online employment sites, such as Yahoo and Monster aren’t good for much (If fact they‘re all the same listings--mostly for temp agencies).  The only interest I’ve generated is from shady companies who want me to do what amounts to high-pressure unsolicited sales, something I find rather offensive and will not do.  I’ve learned to research prospective employers because of this, after considering one such job offer, only to find out I was to be responsible for marketing and sales both, all without compensation (a commission only job).  Many employers view desperate folks as a disposable workforce and don’t care much if you stay or go, only that you make a sale--for the company. 

I have learned that being educated can also be a liability, for I’ve been passed over for being, “too qualified.”  Nevermind, that I’m just looking for work, period.

I’ve learned even temp agencies are snobbish.

I’ve learned that prospective employers will act as excited about you as they would over the Hope Diamond, only to never contact you again.  What’s up with that?

I’ve learned nothing beats hitting the pavement looking for work, but even there the jobs are few and far between. 

To effect an end to all this, I’m starting work on my MBA at CSUB and I’m starting my own business.  I’m just sick and tired of being sick and tired.  One can only spend so much time reading these blogs all day.  :-)

I’m starting a photography business.  And no, I don’t know a thing about photography.  But I know enough about business to make the effort with a couple under-employed, but talented photographers to help. 

I hope things improve soon, and I can obtain a genuine 9-5 type job, even if it’s just making coffee and copies somewhere. 

I guess I picked a bad time to have a bad time! Anybody else have a word or two on this?
:-)

MP

We know the universe is large, quite beyond natural comprehension.  Some scientists estimate the universe is actually more than 150 billion light-years wide.  Filled with starry galaxies, and each star having as much as a 50% chance of possessing planets, we come to some interesting implications.  Especially if life developed on our trifling speck of Earth, then probability suggests life exists elsewhere. 

So why don’t I believe in UFO’s and alien visitations? 

I think besides the obvious arguments, such as we haven’t been (conclusively) visited yet, and most “sightings” are quickly determined to be hoaxes or mistakes, the inherent problems with traversing the vast expanses of empty space, it’s difficult for the skeptical inquirer to accept that we’re being visited (or ever have been) by extra-terrestrial intelligences. 

But my greatest argument, believe it or not, is one I have never heard before, so I propose it here.  Although there is surely life on other planets, and some of it intelligent, I hypothesize it has never visited Earth because of economic factors.

Yes, economics.

The fundamental laws of economics are natural laws which govern the existence of all life.  For example, life cannot expand unless there is a plentiful supply of commodities to facilitate that expansion (food, space to grow, & etc).  Once that supply runs low, expansion slows and eventually may halt (supply).  Also, beings (and organisms) will first consume those resources which are easy to obtain, then consume those more difficult to obtain, an finally, consume the last of their resources by obtaining the most difficult ones, but only at a price afforded by ability and necessity (diminishing returns). 

This means, the other beings, like us, will consume natural resources within their easy reach, such as those on the surface of their planet.  They will then look to harvest materials through recycling and  in those places which are harder to get to, such as under the surface.  Finally, as resources run low, they will consider extreme measures of finding resources.  Unfortunately, that effort will be necessarily expensive.  The result is, by the time ET has to leave home to get more resources, he will not have the resources to facilitate that endeavor. 

I think this is compelling.  Consider our example.  We might like to build a starship Enterprise and sail the stars, but what kind of effort would go into such construction?  It is difficult enough for us to fly the shuttle, so imagine the challenge of developing an interstellar space program.  By the time we accomplished this task, which would only be motivated by economic necessity, the means to develop the technology and actually construct such things would be prohibitively expensive, requiring the expenditure of resources we will no longer possess. 

So the conclusion is thus…humans and aliens are planet-bound, forever.  Sure, we might make the moon.  Mars is much less likely  Beyond our solar system, forget it.  Other beings, it will be the same situation.  Here on Earth, we are within a century of expending most of our one-time grant of natural resources that are readily available at affordable economic prices.  By the time we appreciate the need of traveling to the stars, it will be too late. 

No star trek for us then, and none for ET, and he has never been here and he never will be.  All thanks to basic economic laws of supply, and diminishing returns. 

Bad news for Star Trek fans and Hollywood I guess.  What’s your take?

I suppose we’d better take great care of the one spaceship we do have…planet Earth!  We'd better, it's where I keep all my stuff!

I believe we can be saved, if our new government officials make the right moves.  And our salvation can come from the unlikeliest of sources, which are floundering financial institutions, big oil, the crashing auto industry (Detroit), a galling recession, and yes, our government!

I have never been a fan of government intervention in anything, but the present situation, as outlined above, is just the occasion for government intervention--provided our governors act right. 

Here’s what I propose…

1.  Obama and our new congress must sit with big oil and make a deal.  Tell the oil companies they can keep their profits, have more tax breaks, and make more money--IF--they agree to manufacture a single alternative fuel for widespread automobile use and distribution and do so within a target timeframe.  The best new fuel alternative to gasoline should be selected, all the companies must agree, and they must genuinely commit to providing this new fuel, be it ethanol, hydrogen, or even electricity.  We also have to give big oil a(nother) break or two so they can build/retool the facilities to produce our new fuel.

2.  Now time to visit Detroit!  The automobile industry will design, develop, and produce new cars that reliably run on our new fuel supply, meet our transportation needs, and don’t look like eggs or milk cartons with tires. 

3.  Next stop, the bank.  The banks will be given cash infusions for loans to new car buyers, so average folk can buy reasonably priced new vehicles running on alternative fuel. 

4. Thanks to cheap labor, provided by the recession, we now have a labor pool sufficient to work in new refineries and factories to produce a new fuel and new automobiles which are consistent with our needs as a nation.

In the end, big oil keeps their money, the automakers survive, people are put to work, and banks have money to make loans to working families. 

Salvation and Detroit…two words you never thought you’d hear in the same sentence!

Since this can only be pulled off by our government working in concert with itself, oil companies, those oil companies coming to a consensus, an automobile industry that insists on producing V6 engines becoming sensible, and banks that either can’t or don’t want to loan money…well…I have solidified my reputation as a dreamer. 

Maybe we could fight another world war instead.  It kinda worked last time, it’s easier, and much more likely than the above scenario…Oh well, it’s just a blog and I can dream, right?

:-)
MP

Rile against change as much as you like, but recall the parable from Franz Kafka,

"Leopards break into the temple and drink to the dregs what is in the sacrificial pitchers; this is repeated over and over again; finally it can be calculated in advance, and it becomes part of the ceremony."

That which is accepted today was considered offensive yesterday.  Likewise, those things we may find offensive today will not retreat, but rather endure, until that day comes they too become accepted as commonplace and normal.

Gay marriage is only the latest such issue to begin the transformation.  I am sure others here can list multiple other like issues that were once anathema, but are now commonplace and "normal". 

Yes, whether we like it or not.

MP

There's a new No on 8 commercial here:

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Not sure if I should laugh or cry.  Looking at the "missionaries" makes me ask, "Are those guys...? Nah, couldn't be."

Worth the watch, regardless of your position.  You'll either take it seriously or laugh, or both. 

A great article, we would all do well to read.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TEC...