The Mars Report - The National Air and Space Museum Awards

Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to the very first 'The Mars Report' since my return to The Other Shoe. This was always one of my favorite articles to write, and share. Enjoy!

By coincidence, fate, destiny or just sheer luck I have returned to The Other Shoe and ‘The Mars Report’ just in time to share with you some very important news. The curiosity team (The Mars science laboratory project at JPL) has won the National Air and Space Museum lifetime achievement award for the landing of the Curiosity rover.

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        “The team in charge of successfully landing NASA's Mars rover Curiosity, managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., received the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's highest group honor at a dinner in Washington on Wednesday night, April 24. The 2013 Trophy for Current Achievement honors outstanding achievements in the fields of aerospace science and technology. “

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This is a huge honor for Joseph Sutter and the team at NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory project. Now many of you will have never heard of Joseph Sutter, unless you are an aviation nut there would be no reason to know this man until now. However, while Sutter was working with Boeing, he led the project that (in record time) revolutionized air travel. The project was designing the world’s first wide-body “jumbo jet”, the Boeing 747 ‘Super Jumbo’. The Boeing 747 superliner was the very first aircraft of its type, and changed the airline industry. Mr. Sutter is now known as “The Father of the 747” and now the leader of the team that landed Curiosity safely on Mars.

Below is a short video (animation not real life) of that incredible landing on Mars.

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFTbiKSZRiw]

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Since this project lifted off from the launch pad in Florida I was convinced Curiosity would be winner. Now the National Air and Space Museum has validated my feelings. IMHO This is what is missing in modern America, a larger interest in science and space. Most of you, My Dear Readers, grew up around the same time as I. We grew up to; Red Stone, Gemini, and the culmination of a generation’s efforts the Apollo project. Our generation looked at the stars in the sky with hope. Hope for our country beating the U.S.S.R. at putting a man on the moon (they had beat us in the beginning with Sputnik). Some how, now, our nation is satisfied with only venturing into space via IMAX and ‘Real 3D’ while sitting comfortably in a movie theater.

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What is the single biggest problem with that approach to human space exploration?  You cannot ride that theater seat into space, if a huge rock flying through space suddenly crashes into Earth. Sixty-Five million years ago the Dinosaurs were wiped from the face of the Earth by a rock flying through space and crashing into Earth.

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I do not know about you, My Dear Reader, but I do not want the human race to be the brunt of some intergalactic joke that equates twenty-first century man to the dinosaur. How ironic would it be if mankind suffered the same fate as the dinosaurs? I am not laughing.

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Thanks for dropping by, My Dear Readers. Have a great weekend and Enjoy!

Check back later this weekend for more content… and maybe a surprise!

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The Mars Report - April 26 2013

Welcome back, My Dear Readers, to the very first 'The Mars Report' since my return to The Other Shoe. This was always one of my favorite articles to write, and share. Enjoy!

By coincidence, fate, destiny or just sheer luck I have returned to The Other Shoe and ‘The Mars Report’ just in time to share with you some very important news. The curiosity team (The Mars science laboratory project at JPL) has won the National Air and Space Museum lifetime achievement award for the landing of the Curiosity rover.

 .

        “The team in charge of successfully landing NASA's Mars rover Curiosity, managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., received the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's highest group honor at a dinner in Washington on Wednesday night, April 24. The 2013 Trophy for Current Achievement honors outstanding achievements in the fields of aerospace science and technology. “

 .

This is a huge honor for Joseph Sutter and the team at NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory project. Now many of you will have never heard of Joseph Sutter, unless you are an aviation nut there would be no reason to know this man until now. However, while Sutter was working with Boeing, he led the project that (in record time) revolutionized air travel. The project was designing the world’s first wide-body “jumbo jet”, the Boeing 747 ‘Super Jumbo’. The Boeing 747 superliner was the very first aircraft of its type, and changed the airline industry. Mr. Sutter is now known as “The Father of the 747” and now the leader of the team that landed Curiosity safely on Mars.

Below is a short video (animation not real life) of that incredible landing on Mars.

.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFTbiKSZRiw]

.

Since this project lifted off from the launch pad in Florida I was convinced Curiosity would be winner. Now the National Air and Space Museum has validated my feelings. IMHO This is what is missing in modern America, a larger interest in science and space. Most of you, My Dear Readers, grew up around the same time as I. We grew up to; Red Stone, Gemini, and the culmination of a generation’s efforts the Apollo project. Our generation looked at the stars in the sky with hope. Hope for our country beating the U.S.S.R. at putting a man on the moon (they had beat us in the beginning with Sputnik). Some how, now, our nation is satisfied with only venturing into space via IMAX and ‘Real 3D’ while sitting comfortably in a movie theater.

.

What is the single biggest problem with that approach to human space exploration?  You cannot ride that theater seat into space, if a huge rock flying through space suddenly crashes into Earth. Sixty-Five million years ago the Dinosaurs were wiped from the face of the Earth by a rock flying through space and crashing into Earth.

.

I do not know about you, My Dear Reader, but I do not want the human race to be the brunt of some intergalactic joke that equates twenty-first century man to the dinosaur. How ironic would it be if mankind suffered the same fate as the dinosaurs? I am not laughing.

.

Thanks for dropping by, My Dear Readers. Have a great weekend and Enjoy!

Check back later this weekend for more content… and maybe a surprise!

.

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.

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First Dictated Posting

This is my very first article written with Dragon speech software. It has taken me the better part of three hours to get this program set up, updated, registered, and trained. This has left me and a great deal of pain. However, I wanted to post this simple article to explain how things are going with me and my new program.

My Dear Readers, I want you all to know how much I truly value you as my dear readers. You might not know this, but when I was running my campaign for my power chair, and communicating with all of you on a daily basis I was my most happy. I love to write. Almost as much as I love hearing what you have to say about what I write. The exchange we had, My Dear Readers, during that campaign brought vitality back to my life. Not since the beginning of my medical problems have I felt more alive, more productive, or more loved.

This October it will been 10 years that I have suffered with the worst of my disease. The highlight of those 10 years? Give three months we talked, and shared. I do not know if you can understand the isolation I feel, people with my condition feel, but at times it is terrifying. Not just the isolation from friends and family. But isolation from day-to-day contact with people.

I am hoping that this new tool, Dragon at NaturallySpeaking, will help me to feel less isolated again. I miss you all.

Enjoy!

A New Beginning

Today holds hope, for Danny, of a ‘New Beginning’. Today I received my copy of Dragon Naturally Speaking version 12 for my use to write. No, this post was not written with this new software. Hence, the brevity of this posting and there are no huge mistakes. Currently I am updating the software. I have already installed the software. Registered the software and created a profile at Nuance.

This has taken me the better part of three hours, no lie. Tomorrow I am hoping to post the first article written on this new software, hopefully. If not Friday, by the end of the weekend I will be posting an article written solely on this wonderful software.  I hope to see you here.

Thanks for reading!

See you, here, again soon!

NEWS UPDATE - Boston Marathon Bombing Gets BIG Break!

Shortly ago the FBI held a news conference about the Boston Marathon bombing. They have identified two suspects and have provided photographs for the public to use to assist in finding these suspects. I watched the news conference real time and would like to share the salient points with you, My Dear Readers.

First here is the situation;

“This morning the FBI, along with Boston PD, Massachusetts State Police, and ATF officially began its forensic evidence recovery effort at the site. Their goal was to recover physical items related to the blast. Those items have been recovered and sent to the FBI’s Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia. “

Further;

“Among items partially recovered are pieces of black nylon—which could be from a backpack—and what appear to be fragments of BBs and nails possibly contained in a pressure cooker device. We are expediting this blast evidence to our Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia for a complete and thorough analysis.”

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Therefore, these two suspects used two “pressure cooker” type bomb devices to execute this terrorist act. This is good solid information that should be used by local law enforcement and citizens. We now know what the suspects look like, and where they might have frequented prior to the bombing. Let’s move on;

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“In addition, this morning, it was determined that both of the explosives were placed in a dark-colored nylon bag or backpack. The bag would have been heavy because of the components believed to be in it.”

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Ok, this is good information too. “Dark-colored nylon back pack” If you look at the captioned pictures you will see the back packs clearly. This is quite helpful and all Americans should be informing themselves. What else?

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“All across the nation, and around the world, the force of the United States is working hard to locate those responsible.

Already, the FBI has received more than 2,000 tips as of noon today, many of which have already been reviewed, analyzed, and vetted.

We will continue to work around the clock, tirelessly, side by side with our partners to continue to investigate and act on these leads.”

And finally;

“At this time, there are no claims of responsibility. The range of suspects and motives remains wide-open.

Importantly, the person who did this is someone’s friend, neighbor, coworker, or relative. We are asking anyone who may have heard someone speak about the marathon or the date of April 15 in any way that indicated he or she may target the event to call us. Someone knows who did this.

Cooperation from the community will play a crucial role is this investigation. We ask that businesses review and preserve surveillance video and other business records in their original form. And we are asking the public remain alert and to alert us to the following activity:

 An individual who expressed a desire to target the marathon;

 Suspicious interest in researching how to create explosive device;

 The noise of explosions in remote areas prior to yesterday which may have been used as tests by those responsible;

 Someone who appeared to be carrying an unusually heavy, dark-colored bag yesterday around the time of the blasts and in the vicinity of the blasts.

As further substantive details become available that are appropriate for release, then together we will either issue a release or hold a press conference.

Tomorrow, we plan to hold another press conference in the early afternoon.

Thank you very much, and I also want to thank the public for their tremendous support in this investigation.”

Let me share something that Special Agent in Charge Richard DesLauriers said in questioning after the statement.

WE are the BEST resource for finding these suspects. The American people are the best resource the F.B.I. has in it’s pursuit of these suspects and improving the likelihood of their capture. However, please consider these suspects armed and dangerous and should NOT be approached by anyone but law enforcement officers.

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IF you see either of these suspects call (800) CALL FBI (or 1-800-255-5324) and report your information. If you are unable to do that, just dial 911 and they will get the information to the F.B.I.

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I just cannot stress the importance of assisting our nation’s law enforcement in this matter. We all need to be observant; we all need to be diligent. If we all do that and report what we see we can capture and convict these suspects.

Pictures and further information at or

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Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you for dropping by, My Dear Readers.

News From Daniel

Hello, My Dear Readers. It has been several months since I posted with any regularity, here @ The Other Shoe. First, let me tell you this is NOT because I have nothing to say or because there are no issues of governance that need my attention. Quite the opposite is true. However, circumstances beyond my control have plagued me.

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I am not going to go into detail and explain all the 'scans' and 'examinations' I have endured these past three months. The 'Readers Digest' condensed version is; I am having real problems eating (one of the few things I have STILL been able to 'do' since 2003 when this adventure in pain and humiliation started) and I often choke on food... pudding even. Hence, my last exam (in THIS series) is an EGD. Yes, they are going to shove a camera down my throat to see just how badly my esophagus is being compressed. I have already been 'warned' that (most likely) there will be nothing that they can 'Do', to help.

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However, they do need to track the progression of my disease and maybe there are things they can do to help me be able to eat. I truly hope so, I have few joys left in life and eating IS one my favorite right now.

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"How 'bad' was it, Danny?" You may ask. Well prior to this problem starting (holidays last year) I weighed 182 lbs. right now today, I weigh 164. Yes, a twenty-five pound loss in just three months. If you choke eating, well you eat less and are less interested in eating. So, things are not all 'Doom & Gloom' here on the Left Coast, there is good news for Danny.

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Other 'Good News' is that I have moved (with help from my caregiver) my laptop into a position that I can use it while I am sitting in bed. I have dug up an old wireless keyboard and mouse so that i can write. I still have substantial problems typing and it takes me hours to write an article of this size. I am still trying to save to purchase the 'Voice to Text' software (Dragon Speech Recognition Software) so that I can write easily and without pain.

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However, I have been able to complete a good deal of work on the novel(s) I am planning. I have character sheets, scene listings, character profiles, and chapter outlines completed. Once I obtain the software I should be able to move quickly writing 'Princess Nadia and the Healing Light'. This is going to be a novel for 10-14 year olds that takes them on the adventures of 'Princess Nadia' (yes, named after my most loved little girl). From all the work I have completed, this promises to be my best work. I am hoping to have some excerpts from the novel posted here @ The Other Shoe by this summer. It is a very touching tale (rat... tale) and one that I have projected over three potential novels. As well, I am looking at this novel from a commercial point of view from the very beginning.

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I thank you, my Dear Readers, for taking a moment with me. I appreciate all my readers and all my friends and family that read my work. I hope that (and with a good deal of work and sweat) I will get published and then all of you, My Dear Readers, will be able to say, "I was reading Daniel's works before his novels!"

Thank you for reading.

 

Explosions Rock Boston Marathon Finish Line

At 2:50PM Eastern time two explosions rocked the finish line at the Boston Marathon. As many as fifty people have been injured, two deaths are confirmed with "severe" injuries @ Mass. General hospital. There is no news as to the origin of the explosions and no groups or individuals have claimed responsibility. The Marathon headquarters has released a statement that "two bombs exploded".

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That this was a bombing has not been confirmed, but the F.B.I. is headed to the site at this time. A.T.F. and F.B.I. are to release statements in time for tomorrow morning's news shows. There is speculation that news, here on the Left Coast, may have more information regarding this explosion. I should have more information of injuries and any deaths @ 6:30 PM PST. Check back then for more information.

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Unknown is if it is related or not, there was a fire at the J.F.K. Library in Boston today, too. Check back often I will add information as it comes in.
Thank you.

1:47PM PST Authorities at the site are now stating; this WAS a criminal act NOT a "natural act" or accident, that there were THREE devices (one has been neutralized) and possibly FOUR explosive devices.

more to come

Post News conf. The THIRD explosive device was detonated at the JFK library. I thought that!

Update 4:20PM PST: The most recent numbers of injured are 100. Thankfully the number of dead/fatally injured remains at just two. There are conflicting reports regarding the fire @ the JFK Library. To the best of my ability to discern is that there was an explosion @ the library and it is thought it was the third bombing in Boston.. That is all for now, more as things change.

Thanks, again, for dropping by. Coming later this week will be a personal posting an 'Update on Dan'. Hope you check it out, and please 'Share'.

Sprint 4G LTE Arrives in Orange County

    Late last year I did a little something for myself, the exception not the rule. I purchased a Samsung Galaxy 3S from Sprint for Christmas. The phone is just fine and works well. However, since I turned it on I have never once connected @ 4G LTE. Yesterday, while I was getting my hair cut for my medical appointment tomorrow, I saw that my phone was connected '4G'. Be still my heart. By the the I got back home, it takes quite awhile in a wheelchair, the 4G was replaced by 3G. :(

    Today has been busy, I would never have thought it takes two weeks to get an appointment for a colonoscopy. I was trying to convince a medical receptionist that I had suffered enough and just wanted to make the appointment for this painful and humiliating procedure, when I noticed the call was connected via 4G LTE once again. I hung up on the receptionist, without an appointment... still I got on line with the phone and tested this alleged 4G LTE connection. Well the ping is still poor @ 135 still no playing multi-player games on cell phones... but the download was flirting with 10Mbps. This is definitely not 3G! Sprint's 4G LTE has arrived in Orange county California... finally.

So, if you are one of my readers here in the L.A. 'Pit' go and get your Samsung Galaxy 4G LTE and you will get your high speed connection Sprint has promised since last year.

ENJOY!

P.S. Yeah, I know I have been gone for quite awhile... I hope to be 'back' soon. dlh