GARYC24

Polls keep showing that American Indians aren't really offended by college team nicknames such as warriors, braves, Indians, Seminoles, and Fighting Illini. But many sportswriters, campus "diversity" officials, and now the National Collegiate Athletic Association think they ought to be. So the NCAA says it will ban from championship play all college teams with "hostile or abusive" nicknames and mascots. It apparently took this action without consulting tribal leaders. "It's like history--they left the natives out," said Max Osceola, a member of the tribal council of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which approves the use of the Seminole mascot and nickname long used by Florida State. "They have nonnatives telling natives what's good for them." Browse through an archive of columns by John Leo. Here we are confronted by the dreaded social disease of nannyism, the irrepressible urge toward do-good coercion. The nannies are all around us now, attempting to ban smoking in outdoor areas, including New York's vast Central Park, working to eliminate one schoolyard game after another, including dodge ball (too violent), tag (hurts feelings by turning kids into targets), and just about any game with winners and losers (competition douses the cooperative ethic, and losers can be traumatized for life). California has banned genetically modified fish from home aquariums, and San Francisco set strict rules for doghouse construction. Alabama banned sex toys. A California legislator introduced a state bill to prohibit use of tanning machines by those under age 18, unless they have a doctor's prescription. A New York assemblyman sponsored a bill to require every car in the state to come with a device that would allow driving only if the motorist blew into a tube and passed a breathalyzer test. The test would have to be repeated every 30 to 40 minutes, or the car would stop. In North Dakota, a state bill would make it illegal for people who are just turning 21 to drink before 8 a.m. on their birthdays. The goal is to keep the young from rushing out at midnight on their birthday to get drunk. It's a good idea to stop glamorizing smoking in movies, but the nannies want more. Stanton Glantz, a researcher opposed to tobacco, wants smoking to earn a bad rating for films, maybe an R for explicit inhalation. Nannyism is a progressive affliction. When the nannies get something from the public, they always want more--helmets for tots riding tricycles, for example. Now that the sensible rules against drivers' use of hand-held phones have caught on, the campaign against hands-free phones has begun. "Inattention blindness," we are told, is the real villain, and a recent study says that all drivers who use phones--hand-held or not--are four times as likely as other drivers to have serious crash injuries. The logic of this is to ban radios and smoking in cars, and perhaps babies, dogs, and talking passengers, all of which can be distracting. Drive-through fast-food windows would have to close, too. Candy and cake. The obesity police also want more. Advising people to watch calories and fat is praiseworthy. Taxing "bad" foods out of reach is not. And now we hear calls to force restaurants to serve smaller portions and candy makers to halt "supersize" packaging. (If chocolate bars were smaller, apparently snackers would never think of buying two.) California's textbook review process routinely eliminates references to food considered bad for your health, including ketchup and butter. A photo of a birthday party was dropped because the cake seemed unhealthful. A bill in the Texas Legislature would have required a printed obesity warning under each menu item. Some people, as Michael Kinsley pointed out years ago, won't be content until every french fry carries a warning label. Some schools prohibit children from selling candy in school, because sweets are regarded as just as toxic on school property as moments of silence, which, as we all know, are church-state violations. Hidden nannyism would include all sorts of political uplift, including term limits and congressional hearings on steroids in baseball, which is the Major Leagues' problem, not Washington's. Last week in a New York Times op-ed article, two men from something called the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning called for behavioral standards in schools (good) and a federal law mandating "systematic classroom assessments of children's social and emotional growth" (not good--parents do that, not your friendly local school). Let's hope nannies can learn to control themselves. Otherwise, we may need some coercive but kindhearted antinannyist legislation.

A bag of potatoes goes along ways, too Lots of different way to cook them. however, it does take awhile..

My name is Gary and I'm overweight.

25 cents. Been here for 2-1/2 yrs with an increase of $2.91 an hour. Not bad I think. However, they just hand ya the paperwork, sign it and give it back..there is no actual sit down talk review, to me this seems un-professional and lacks employee-supervisor/mg relationship.. Oh, get this..my supervisor just handed me my copy as I'm typing this.. Later,

Test Jumpers. Like the ones in the video BreakAway.(just 1 example, military test jumper as well) They go through all that gear set-up just to help others see what it looks like, so we can decide what we may/should do if/when it happens to us.

I found this on howstuffworks.com How Invisibility Cloaks Work by William Harris If you're a fan of Harry Potter, then you're quite familiar with the concept of an invisibility cloak. In his first year at Hogwarts Academy, Harry receives an invisibility cloak that used to belong to his father. As its name suggests, the invisibility cloak renders Harry invisible when he slips beneath the shining, silvery cloth. Photo courtesy ©Tachi Laboratory, the University of Tokyo Optical-camouflage technology developed at the University of Tokyo This seems perfectly believable when you're reading about a fictional world filled with witches, wizards and centuries-old magic; but in the real world, such a garment would be impossible, right? Not so fast. With optical-camouflage technology developed by scientists at the University of Tokyo, the invisibility cloak is already a reality. Seeing (or Not Seeing) is Believing Optical camouflage delivers a similar experience to Harry Potter's invisibility cloak, but using it requires a slightly more complicated arrangement. First, the person who wants to be invisible (let's call her Person A) dons a garment that resembles a hooded raincoat. The garment is made of a special material that we'll examine more closely in a moment. Next, an observer (Person B) stands before Person A at a specific location. At that location, instead of seeing Person A wearing a hooded raincoat, Person B sees right through the cloak, making Person A appear to be invisible. The photograph on the right below shows you what Person B would see. If Person B were viewing from a slightly different location, he would simply see Person A wearing a silver garment (left photograph below). Photo courtesy ©Tachi Laboratory, the University of Tokyo Still, despite its limitations, this is a cool piece of technology. Not only that, but it's also a technology that's been around for a while. Altered Reality Optical camouflage doesn't work by way of magic. It works by taking advantage of something called augmented-reality technology -- a type of technology that was first pioneered in the 1960s by Ivan Sutherland and his students at Harvard University and the University of Utah. You can read more about augmented reality in How Augmented Reality Will Work, but a quick recap will be helpful here. Augmented-reality systems add computer-generated information to a user's sensory perceptions. Imagine, for example, that you're walking down a city street. As you gaze at sites along the way, additional information appears to enhance and enrich your normal view. Perhaps it's the day's specials at a restaurant or the show times at a theater or the bus schedule at the station. What's critical to understand here is that augmented reality is not the same as virtual reality. While virtual reality aims to replace the world, augmented reality merely tries to supplement it with additional, helpful content. Augmented-reality displays overlay computer-generated graphics onto the real world. Most augmented-reality systems require that users look through a special viewing apparatus to see a real-world scene enhanced with synthesized graphics. They also require a powerful computer. Optical camouflage requires these things, as well, but it also requires several other components. Here's everything needed to make a person appear invisible: A garment made from highly reflective material A video camera A computer A projector A special, half-silvered mirror called a combiner Let's look at each of these components in greater detail. The Cloak The cloak that enables optical camouflage to work is made from a special material known as retro-reflective material. Photo courtesy ©Tachi Laboratory, the University of Tokyo Invisibility cloak A retro-reflective material is covered with thousands and thousands of small beads. When light strikes one of these beads, the light rays bounce back exactly in the same direction from which they came. To understand why this is unique, look at how light reflects off of other types of surfaces. A rough surface creates a diffused reflection because the incident (incoming) light rays get scattered in many different directions. A perfectly smooth surface, like that of a mirror, creates what is known as a specular reflection -- a reflection in which incident light rays and reflected light rays form the exact same angle with the mirror surface. In retro-reflection, the glass beads act like prisms, bending the light rays by a process known as refraction. This causes the reflected light rays to travel back along the same path as the incident light rays. The result: An observer situated at the light source receives more of the reflected light and therefore sees a brighter reflection. Retro-reflective materials are actually quite common. Traffic signs, road markers and bicycle reflectors all take advantage of retro-reflection to be more visible to people driving at night. Movie screens used in most modern commercial theaters also take advantage of this material because it allows for high brilliance under dark conditions. In optical camouflage, the use of retro-reflective material is critical because it can be seen from far away and outside in bright sunlight -- two requirements for the illusion of invisibility. The Video Camera and Computer Video Camera Photo courtesy ©Tachi Laboratory, the University of Tokyo The retro-reflective garment doesn't actually make a person invisible -- in fact, it's perfectly opaque. What the garment does is create an illusion of invisibility by acting like a movie screen onto which an image from the background is projected. Capturing the background image requires a video camera, which sits behind the person wearing the cloak. The video from the camera must be in a digital format so it can be sent to a computer for processing. Computer All augmented-reality systems rely on powerful computers to synthesize graphics and then superimpose them on a real-world image. For optical camouflage to work, the hardware/software combo must take the captured image from the video camera, calculate the appropriate perspective to simulate reality and transform the captured image into the image that will be projected onto the retro-reflective material. The Projector and Combiner The Projector Photo courtesy ©Tachi Laboratory, the University of Tokyo The modified image produced by the computer must be shone onto the garment, which acts like a movie screen. A projector accomplishes this task by shining a light beam through an opening controlled by a device called an iris diaphragm. An iris diaphragm is made of thin, opaque plates, and turning a ring changes the diameter of the central opening. For optical camouflage to work properly, this opening must be the size of a pinhole. Why? This ensures a larger depth of field so that the screen (in this case the cloak) can be located any distance from the projector. The Combiner The system requires a special mirror to both reflect the projected image toward the cloak and to let light rays bouncing off the cloak return to the user's eye. This special mirror is called a beam splitter, or a combiner -- a half-silvered mirror that both reflects light (the silvered half) and transmits light (the transparent half). If properly positioned in front of the user's eye, the combiner allows the user to perceive both the image enhanced by the computer and light from the surrounding world. This is critical because the computer-generated image and the real-world scene must be fully integrated for the illusion of invisibility to seem realistic. The user has to look through a peephole in this mirror to see the augmented reality. The Complete System Now let's put all of these components together to see how the invisibility cloak appears to make a person transparent. The diagram below shows the typical arrangement of all of the various devices and pieces of equipment. Once a person puts on the cloak made with the retro-reflective material, here's the sequence of events: A digital video camera captures the scene behind the person wearing the cloak. The computer processes the captured image and makes the calculations necessary to adjust the still image or video so it will look realistic when it is projected. The projector receives the enhanced image from the computer and shines the image through a pinhole-sized opening onto the combiner. The silvered half of the mirror, which is completely reflective, bounces the projected image toward the person wearing the cloak. The cloak acts like a movie screen, reflecting light directly back to the source, which in this case is the mirror. Light rays bouncing off of the cloak pass through the transparent part of the mirror and fall on the user's eyes. Remember that the light rays bouncing off of the cloak contain the image of the scene that exists behind the person wearing the cloak. The person wearing the cloak appears invisible because the background scene is being displayed onto the retro-reflective material. At the same time, light rays from the rest of the world are allowed reach the user's eye, making it seem as if an invisible person exists in an otherwise normal-looking world. Head-mounted Displays Of course, making the observer stand behind a stationary combiner is not very pragmatic -- no augmented-reality system would be of much practical use if the user had to stand in a fixed location. That's why most systems require that the user carry the computer on his or her person, either in a backpack or clipped on the hip. It's also why most systems take advantage of head-mounted displays, or HMDs, which assemble the combiner and optics in a wearable device. There are two types of HMDs: optical see-through displays and video see-through displays. Optical see-through displays look like high-tech goggles, sort of like the goggles Cyclops wears in the X-Men comic books and movies. These goggles provide a display and optics for each eye, so the user sees the augmented reality in stereo. Video see-through displays, on the other hand, use video-mixing technology to combine the image from a head-worn camera with computer-generated graphics. Photo courtesy Columbia University Computer Graphics and User Interfaces Lab Video see-through display In this arrangement, video of the real world is mixed with synthesized graphics and then presented on a liquid-crystal display. The great advantage of video see-through displays is that virtual objects can fully obscure real-world objects and vice versa. The scientists who have developed optical-camouflage technology are currently perfecting a variation of a video see-through display that brings together all of the components necessary to make the invisibility cloak work. Photo courtesy ©Tachi Laboratory, the University of Tokyo Prototype head-mounted projector They call their apparatus a head-mounted projector (HMP) because the projection unit is an integral part of the helmet. Two projectors -- one for each eye -- are required to produce a stereoscopic effect. Real-World Applications While an invisibility cloak is an interesting application of optical camouflage, it's probably not the most useful one. Here are some practical ways the technology might be applied: Pilots landing a plane could use this technology to make cockpit floors transparent. This would enable them to see the runway and the landing gear simply by glancing down. Doctors performing surgery could use optical camouflage to see through their hands and instruments to the underlying tissue. See Tachi Lab: Optical Camouflage: oc-phantom.mpg to watch a video of how this might work. Providing a view of the outside in windowless rooms is one of the more fanciful applications of the technology, but one that might improve the psychological well-being of people in such environments. Drivers backing up cars could benefit one day from optical camouflage. A quick glance backward through a transparent rear hatch or tailgate would make it easy to know when to stop. One of the most promising applications of this technology, however, has less to do with making objects invisible and more about making them visible. The concept is called mutual telexistence: working and perceiving with the feeling that you are in several places at once. Here's how it works: Human user A is at one location while his telexistence robot A is at another location with human user B. Human user B is at one location while his telexistence robot B is at another location with human user A. Both telexistence robots are covered in retro-reflective material so that they act like screens. With video cameras and projectors at each location, the images of the two human users are projected onto their respective robots in the remote locations. This gives each human the perception that he is working with another human instead of a robot. Right now, mutual telexistence is science fiction, but it won't be for long as scientists continue to push the boundaries of the technology. For example, pervasive gaming is already becoming a reality. Pervasive gaming extends gaming experiences out into the real world, whether on city streets or in remote wilderness. Players with mobile displays move through the world while sensors capture information about their environment, including their location. This information is used to deliver users a gaming experience that changes according to where they are and what they are doing.

Is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking, or do I just have a dirty mind? That reminds me of another surfer song. hehehehehe...Wipeout!

So, basically... "If all the girls had a ocean across the USA, then all the girls would be healthy, healthier today.. (sung in the tune of Beachboys Surfin USA) I dated a surfer girl,,she took me to a seafood disco once..and pulled a mussel.

LOCKED

We're doing a study on "HOPE" at my church. I do the sound and recording stuff there..so I have to actually listen and be somewhat awake and listen to the message..(har har) Anyways..I PETER chapter 4:3 came to mind when I read post. Have a great week! Gary Calhoun CSA#105

I worked last year during Style & Accuracy.2 free meals, 4 jumps tix per day, and a T-shirt. I spent vacation time there..I considered it this year. But, do not want to use the rest of vacation time I have left. However, maybe an extended weekend..may check on it this Sat.. Later, Gary Calhoun Edited to add..I WILL probably make plans for it! I just counted my reserve due date..It's TODAY! I swear I thought it was due Sunday!

A guy gets pulled over by the cops. Asked for license and registration. He asks the cop why he pulled him over. The cop replies, I couldn't help noticing how you banged your fist against the steering wheel when that old lady was crossing the crosswalk very slowly. Also, how you waved your fist at the car in front of you that slowed down as the light turned yellow. Then I noticed the fish symbol on your bumper and figured the car was stolen.

Woked me up with windows & door shaking.. Here, in Camarillo, Ca.

Large bowl of oatmeal, little milk & sugar on top. Glass of milk or orange juice.

So, basically...he admitted that he knew it was your cat, shot the cat with a pellet. Basically, (IMHO) he really didn't give a shit about whether you found out or not. I guess things are all hunky dory now?

(Man with glasses; thinking) "Must remember to pick up Preparation H"

(aa3)A photo sensor, cell, etc. leds come on when it's in the dark?

I suggest to read books by Lee Strobel. Case for Christ, Case for Faith, Case for a Creator. In your case, start with Case for a Creator may be something you may relate to. Unless, you read the intro (at least) in Case for a Creator, you won't know why I suggest it. That's all. Gary Calhoun

I quit smoking.(been 1 day) No consuming alcohol (at least 6 months, maybe for life) Been smoking and drinking whiskey too much too long! And it shows in blood liver enzymes! Also, liver slightly enlarged! Yep, at 45 I think I have decided that smoking and drinking has got to cease!

Actually, the $ doesn't really bother me(even tho I don't make much, etc, blad blah, blah) I see myself at least getting up to "Solo". My truck will be paid off soon! That will speed things up in the next 6 months! Thank all for reply.. The End.

Thanks for respones all. However, just found out that these quotes have changes and was told nobody does it in 40 hours. So, Private Pilot est. cost is between $8-10,000. Estimated Instrument rating is $7,981. They don't have 10 hr blocks, years ago it I went to place for $595 10 hr, then it went up to $695. Single 1 hr instruction is $250 !.. So, it all on hold !..

Now that's HOWL- itosis !! (as in Halitosis)

Is this normal price range? Anyone (any state) ? 40 Hr Cessna 172P 20 hr dual flight instruction 15 hr ground instruction 3 hr simulator Progress phase check flights: 2 hr Cessna 3 hr dual flight ground Books, material, CD ROM incl. Private written exam FAA Examiner fee check ride 3rd Class Medical Minimum cost: $6,647 Cessna Pilot Center

I don't have a digital camera to address original post with my p/w seat. However..just wanted to mention..in my storage I may still have my Timex Sinclair 1000 w/the 16k ram module !!

Around 150 jumps I helped a guy get his tandem rating. At 6:00 am! The rig did have 'chicken handle' on it. It was weird..I would help someone again if asked, just for the weirdness of it all! haha