Engineers participate in the activities which make the resources of nature available in a form beneficial to man and provide systems which will perform optimally and economically.
L. M. K. Boelter, 1957
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View from a Jet Airplane's Window
I travel by jet many times a year mostly going to San Jose, Cincinnati, or India, flying has become a normal activity for me, yet, I know people who have never flown. Recently I purchased a Nikon 10.5 mm fisheye lens and I thought it might help me capture the view from the window seat of a modern commercial jet. I took these pictures on a Cincinnati (CVG) to Seattle (SEA) flight which was leg two on my way back from Boston. Unfortunately I missed the really good pictures of Mt. Rainier because I was seated in a right-hand window seat headed West into Seattle. Even so I wanted to post these pictures because they give a view of the ground I haven't often seen in photos and I thought they ... [There is more. Click on the title above.][more]
Master of the Lodge
On October 27th my Father, Dennis Blom, was installed as Worshipful Master of the Phoenix Lodge in Hanover Massachusetts. My father is the first mason in our family and since I live on the other side of the U.S.A this was my first opportunity to see the lodge that my father has become so involved with. My younger sister Molly and my new brother in-law Nate (they got married the weekend before), along with our mother, were also present. We are all very proud of Dad's accomplishments at the lodge and are sure that this will be an exciting year from him as master of the lodge.[more]
Big Hump on the Duckabush River
Although covered in snow the Duckabush River trail (#803) to Big Hump turned out to be a great winter hike. The snow was only a few inches deep so simple waterproof hiking boots were all that was needed. Located on Forest Service road 2510 in the Hood Canal District of the Olympic National Forest the trail is easily accessed from US Highway 101. From the parking lot the trail to Big Hump is about 4 miles, however, more than half of that distance has little elevation gain and what you do gain on the way up Little Hump you lose going down to the Duckabush river before beginning the ascent up Big Hump. Take a minute to enjoy the banks of the Duckabush River just before the elevation gain to ... [There is more. Click on the title above.][more]
Pandora Killed the Disk Jockey
I listened to the radio all the time when I was in grade school. The local radio station was the soundtrack for our summer at the pool and late nights playing with Legos. Sometime in high school the commercials took over and the music selection became stale and I left radio. Left with only my own store bought CD collection, BMG/Columbia House music of the month (can you believe they are still around, it looks like their web design is from 1995), and friends my opportunities to hear new music seemed limited. All that changed this week when I experienced Pandora for the second time thanks to Rocketboom's interview of Tim Westergren. The cool thing about Pandora is that it creates a ... [There is more. Click on the title above.][more]
Indian Minivan
One of the sights in the cities of India that always amazes me is the number of passengers on scooters and motorbikes. In my most recent trip to Hyderabad, India I saw one motorbike with four children and two adults, unfortunately I didn't get a picture. I did get a picture of four children and an adult on a scooter. I'm assuming that the man driving this scooter is the parent of at least one of these children, therefore I've titled this photo India's Minivan. If he was not the parent of any of the children I'd call it Indian School Bus.[more]
Back in the U.S.A
Having just completed the 27 hour journey back home for India I'm glad to be, "Back In The U.S.A". I always enjoy my trips to India, the people and the food are wonderful, but, it is nice to be home. As the Delta Boeing 767-300ER taxied to our gate the Bruce Springsteen song, "Born In the U.S.A" came to mind. The song popped into my head for its title not its lyrics. Chuck Berry's lyrics in, "Back In the U.S.A", are a more fitting reflection of my emotions, Oh well, oh well, I feel so good today.We just touched ground on an international runway.Jet propelled back home from overseas to the U.S.A. So, now I have a new play list on my iPhone called, U.S.A. Here is what I put in it so far. ... [There is more. Click on the title above.][more]
Salem Massachusetts in October
Molly, Nate, and I went to Salem Massachusetts the Thursday before Halloween. Made famous by the Salem Witch Trials in 1692 witchcraft is a major theme in the city today. In fact, the city's Fire and Police departments have a witch on a broom at the center of their patches. We enjoined our trip, but, found that the visitor's guide tended to exaggerate the features of the tours we went on (Salem Witch Village, Franken stein's Laboratory and Legends of Salem: The Griffen Theatre). We all enjoined The House of Seven Gables and wished that we hadn't missed the visitor's center and Peabody Essex Museum which both closed at 5 PM. All of the attractions are easily reached on foot and there was ... [There is more. Click on the title above.][more]
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