2010 Vacation Day 3 [ G I ]

Leaving Fort William, we proceeded up the A82 past the unimaginatively named Loch Lochy past Loch Oich to Urqhart castle on the shores of Loch Ness. This castle dates from the 6^th century in the time of St. Columbia. Although we saw a lot fo Loch Ness we saw no monsters, I think. One thing I am not allowed to write about is what happened with my sister-in-law at Urqhart castle.

As we were a bit behind, we planned to just see Inverness castle in Inverness, When we arrived, we saw it was a really modern, occupied building, so we eschewed this and some other Inverness attractions and left for Balvenie castle. This one is a bit more intact than Urqhart, but not much. A really impressive structure, all of these castle even more impressive when you realize this was built sans cranes, bulldozers, etc.

We also stopped at the Glenfiddich distillery, as it is about 1,000 feet from the castle. Although modern in the inside (no photos) the buildings look quaint and old; the visitor center is the original distillery from over 100 years ago. They sell bottles at prices up to and including 10,000 Pounds for a 50-year old scotch.

From there to Huntley Castle near Huntley (where else). We didn’t have a lot of time as the closed in about 1/2 hour, so we ran through and took lots of pictures. This castle still had some great detailed carvings left, as many castles were stripped of anything ornate (even plain stones) for local peasants to use as building materials.

We arrived in Aberdeen about on time (who was wrong to make a schedule?) and lucked out again. The hotel (Craibstones Suites) was like the Fort William hotel newly-renovated with posh accoutrements and a fantastic mini-kitchen. The Italian restaurant near us was closed, and no one at the time really wanted Spanish tapas, so we chose a Chinese restaurant.

Later Avery and I went walking to get some next day snacks. We found a grocery store that was moving, so everything (beer too) was 1/2 price. However, due to some draconian Byzantine law I could not buy beer accompanied by a minor. I was told (the girl thought 13-year-old Avery was 16 or 17) that I cannot buy alcohol with a minor with me. I thought she meant (like in the States) that he couldn’t carry it. I was told flat-out I couldn’t buy it. Weird; so we wne tnext door and he waited outside.

2010 Vacation Day 2 [ G I S ]

Avery and I went out walking near the River Kelvin at around 6:00 AM. We went over the Ha’penny bridge and then back around to the hotel. We all had breakfast and left Glasgow for Loch Lomond. This is one place where Cindy’s mom’s ashes were to be scattered. There we saw the most amazing tree, and then we headed to Oban then to Kilmore for the Highland Games.

We arrived just as the rain broke – it was very sunny for about an hour. We watched hammer throws and other manly events; some of the female contestants were fairly manly, as well. Then up the A828 over Loch Etive (a one-lane converted railroad bridge) and Loch Creran (with a real two-lane bridge) to Fort William. We dropped stuff at the Nevis Bank Inn (just renovated, great score for a hotel) and then to Glen Nevis area for more scattering.

Glen Nevis is this nature preserve with some amazing scenery and a lot of waterfalls and streams. The spot chosen was on the edge of an undercut, deadly raging stream (as opposed to the placid brook Evan suggested that flows into said stream, I could see headlines now: “man watches in mock horror as spouse, father-in-law and sister-in-law perish, but I digress). This done we stopped near the foot of Ben Nevis (highest mountain in Scotland) for pictures.

We then went to the hotel, and back into town for dinner. We ate at a great restaurant, No. 4, and Evan tried Haggis (sheep heart, lungs, liver mix cooked in the stomach, very “hearty”). I had a great Scottish grass-fed steak, cooked as some know just barely.

2010 Vacation Day 1 [ G I ]

This is the first vacation we have ever had as a family in Europe. It is usually the sheer logistics (and cost) that has hindered us in the past. Not that we haven't gone on vacations, such as Cape Cod (usually), Maine, Pennsylvania, and DC.

Anyway, to make this short and sweet. Home to work no problem, left car and took a limo to Logan (cheaper actually than parking there). Virgin Atlantic to Heathrow was a bit late but they made up time. Virgin was awesome as usual ( I mean what virgin isn't) with service and food that belies the cost of the airfare. And than my father-in-law for treating us to the "extra legroom" seats.

The only real nightmare so far was Customs, seems there's some renovations going on so there were like 5 people for the "non EU" passengers. And I swear there was one "swarthy" gentleman who tied up an inspector for 20 minutes; and after all that - rejected!

After that, on to the train to Terminal 5, then BA to Glasgow. The flight was a bit late, but we got there okay. The rental was ready, and the drive (on the left or "wrong" side) was uneventful, I only clipped one mirror while in the city.

The only issue was the on-line reservation with the Kelingrove, the guy was apologetic and called several times to check but he had no record (we had paid a deposit to someone) and only one room. However he called the Ambassador hotel and they accommodated us for the same rate. Cindy and I had an apartment so it was arguably a better deal.

Given the lateness we didn't plan much of Glasgow, we just walked to dinner. Evan stayed behind as he was very tired. We walked by the Glasgow Botanical GArdens,and may stop in next morning before we depart for the Highland Games.

See photos here

Texting to my Wife[ FE I ]

Now that my company iPhone has texting turned on again, I can send texts.

Of course I can send them to my wife (while at a Memorial Day Parade) but if she does not read then it is pointless.
[actual text messages below]


Please don't encourage loud people if I'm taping

Thanks again

Please don't tell strangers our son's last name

Don't tell where we live please

Please, louder, the parade is almost here

Please don't talk about son's girlfriend and where she lives

Please don't give girlfriend's name to potential pedophile


- BlogPress iPhone

Solving BP's Delimma [ AN G PI S ]

I'm not going to go into a long rant about BP and the Gulf oil leak, and rehash what others have said; including almost biblical levels of incompetence, and references to their Texas City TX multi-fatality refinery explosion a few years ago. No I won't mention these things.

What I will mention are some ways to contain and possibly stop the oil leak. Note this is written the same week after hearing Robert Kennedy speak at the opening session of a conference, where he railed against any "dirty" fuel (oil/coal) gathering of which this oil leak made great media fodder. But I do understand the need for these fuels, hence the offering of my decades of obscure knowledge and facts that could possibly halt this disaster and prevent similar occurrences.

1) Why not try mercury? We've heard BP tried pumping down some sorts of "proprietary high-density" fluids. Mercury is the densest fluid at the temperatures encountered. I will just about guarantee mercury will at least temporarily staunch the flow, until a more permanent cap can be engaged. What's that - mercury is toxic? I'm not saying spray it over several hectares, I'm saying pump elemental mercury into the wellhead. And so contained, there is minimal chance of sea-based microorganisms turning it into the more toxic methylmercury that finds it's way into out foodchain. Okay Dr.Teller?

2) What about lead shot? We've heard other bizarre schemes tried including "mud" (Was the well in need of a complexion re-do? Was the mud supplier Clinique?) Lead shot if small enough diameter in a slurry would be pumpable/flowable almost like a liquid.

3) Don't like lead or mercury due to toxicity? How about Osmium. Or Antimony? Or Wolfram? (Tungsten to you laymen). Trying any dense metal slurry is better than pulling on your pud while trying to blame dead subcontractors, as BP is.

4) Where's Red Adair's team when you need them? I mean this is different from burning Kuwait oilfields, but these guys are the seminal "pros from Dover." They must have ideas; certainly they ain't cheap, but nothing good ever is. Cost is irrelevant at this juncture; you need to stop the oil leak that has vaulted you into the unenviable position of leapfrogging the Exxon Valdez in terms of horrificness.

5) Why not just use explosives? I estimate a "Bunker Buster" bomb would reach "only" 60-70 MPH before hitting the seabed, burrowing into the bedrock and exploding and sealing the well. I sense a reluctance on BP's part to explore a destructive end to the oil leak, as this means no chance to reactivate the well in the future, recouping some of their costs.

6) What about the Gov'ment? (as my Mom would say). No deep sea submersibles? No wire guided torpedoes or other precision explosives deployment?No replacement for the Navy's NR1? Where's the Alvin or Aluminaut? How about deploying one of those classified atmospheric full body "hard suits" that allegedly can operate at depths of the leak?

7) How about trying cyanoacrylate (Super-Glue to non-scientists)? This glue has one of if not the greatest adhesive tensile strengths known to man. It also reacts catalytically to the presence of moisture to set a mind-numbing rapidity; so it would seal the well quite handily I'd estimate.

8) How about a combined assault, trying a "reactive metal" slurry. Lithium or Potassium metal would react with the surrounding water in a violent way, releasing H2 gas from the water, and igniting said H2; with the heat of the reaction fusing the pipes shut.

9) What about trying hydraulic cement. Note that cement and concrete do not just "dry out" to cure like a water-based glue. They form a hard mortar due to a chemical reaction which takes place regardless of whether they are in the water or not. Pumping hydraulic cement may cap the well.

10) What about trying a chunky organic slurry made from BP executives and 20£ notes? This coarsely-ground paste would react with the water, and the inherent amount of bullshit would generate elevated temperatures like a compost bin, fusing the well shut. Besides, who would it hurt?

- BlogPress iPhone

Location:In air between CO & NC

Off to Mumbai

Mark is having fun with his business trip.

He found out this AM that to American Express a "direct" flight to Mumbai is via Brussels, which until recently was shut down. So we now have a flight via Abu Dhabi that gets in at 3:00 AM Wednesday.

Since we have business in the UK (which is open now) we have to get back to Heathrow on Friday. Of course the return leg of our original flight from UK to Mumbai was voided as we didn't fly from UK; this was because there were no outgoing flights. The carrier doesn't care as they can sell it for more.

Since we HAVE to be back in UK we now leave Mumbai on Friday at 2:00 AM on the only 2 seats - business class via Brussels. The price is obscene.

Posted from my 85% solar iPhone

Super Bowl [ F, PI, S ]

I thought I'd try something different, and add to my blog while watching the SuperBowl.
- Same tired Geico commercial; why not say (à la the movie 'Putney Swope') "you'll save a shitload of money with us!"
- Look who's up for the Walter Payton award: when that player is not beating his wife, he helps underprivileged kids.
- Carrie Underwood changed keys so often I thing F. S. Key was spinning on his grave.
- Nice to see some of the old timers like Jerry Rice & Emmet Smith.
- I assume there's a special place in hell for those who use flash on their camera while sitting in the grandstand.
- The Doritos bark-collar ad was great, made up for that Boost Mobile travesty.
- Nice going Colston; it's not like you catch a ball for a living; oh wait - you do!
- Colts 3 - 0.
- Doritos, the "hands off my momma, and my Doritos" ad - you guys are batting 1,000!
- Colts go ahead 9 - 0; now 10 - 0. Who is winning in the office pool?
- New Orleans gets 3.
- Budweiser "bridge is out" ad - great, and how like our ant brethren.
- Ophah, Leno and Letterman in one ad? What's up with that!
- Casual Friday CareerBuilder ad with no pants; immediately followed by the Dockers ad with no pants, I don't know who put these back-to-back.
- Two beers into the game, we have about 5 minutes left in Q2. So far the best thing has been the pulled pork and guacamole.
- New Orleans is first and goal; let's see...
- "Man's Last Stand" from Dodge was sooooooo true.
- Now 3rd and goal... now 4th and goal... REJECTED. ouch all the way to the 1.
- New Orleans FG 6 - 10.
- Half time analysis and show. Let's see how the Who are doing.
- Listening the half-time analysis make me yearn for the peace and quiet that Marlee Matlin must experience.
- Pinball Wizard, Baba O'Rielly, Who are You (look Gladys, they're playing the CSI theme), We're Not Gonna Take It, Won't Get Fooled Again; Daltrey and Townshend (the last two) sounded and looked really, really great. I am sure some Cortizone and Methamphetamine (at least) helped a bit.
- Q3 here we go, onside kick, PIGPILE!
- New Orleans up 13 - 10
- ooh the game is copyrighted by the NFL, any rebroadcast or reuse is illegal. I'm sure this doesn't count.
- Quite a running pass by Manning, I guess he really earns his money; wait Colts score!
- Text 90999 to donate $10 to Haiti; text 91234 to donate $10 to me!
- Colts now 17 - 16
- For those who don't know, Lamar Hunt, former owner of the Kansas City Chiefs and founding member of the American Football League, coined the name "Super Bowl" after watching his children playing with a Super Ball.
- Colts going 4th and 2 - WOW they made it.
- Emerald nuts + Pop Secret popcorn with dolphin people (a South Park Jewfin?) = awesomely awesome!
- New Orleans scores and now up 22 - 17. Missed 2 point conversion.
- Special review of incomplete conversion, it's GOOD!!!! 7 point game 24 - 17.
- Dennys is offering a free Grand Slam breakfast. Fortunately I enjoy deep-fried rat's eyes.
- The VW TDI "Green Police" ad (soundtrack to the tune of Cheap Trick's "Dream Police") was cute and scary!!
- Tracy Porter from New Orleans 70 yard interception return; game over man, game over. New Orleans 31 - 17
- Ninja Doritos man - yum.
- Colts ALMOST score, penalty.
- And just like that it was over.