Black Holes Renamed 'Super High Gravity Locations'
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - The International Space Nomenclature Council today adopted the term 'emplacements de hats gravité super' - or 'super high gravity locations' - as the official replacement name for black holes. Originally named in reference to the fact that light cannot escape their intense gravity, the term 'black hole' was increasingly criticized as being insensitive to African-Americans and African-Europeans."We're glad the council finally took action on this issue." said Isaiah Herman, Chairman of the National African-American Coalition of People. "The unimaginable destructive power of these super high gravity locations was giving the word 'black' a negative connotation throughout the universe."Super high gravity locations are the remnants of giant stars that collapse into a substance so dense that it has a gravitational pull that consumes all matter that comes near it. "They're the bad boys of the cosmos." says Naked Immure, Professor of Astronomic Anthropology at Howyflyl University. "You would definitely want to cross the street if you saw one coming."Early after their discovery, there was little controversy over the former name of super high gravity locations. However in recent years, scientists theorized that most galaxies had massive super high gravity locations at their cores, and would eventually be swallowed up by them. A doomsday overtone began to be associated with the former 'black holes' - even a slang term for something unendingly wasteful developed - prompting the insensitivity criticism."There was never any intent to be offensive or malicious." says Imsure, commenting on the original naming of super high gravity locations. "It just seemed to fit at the time. But this name fits well too - it's definitely a location of super high gravity."
Shamelessly stolen from http://www.dailyredundancy.com/archives/1018.html
HT to carnival of the insanities
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Evan Almighty
Evan Almighty, I have seen the trailers, I have NOT seen the movie. I will pick it up in bootleg form when I get to Iraq.
It has rained here every day but three this month. This constant rainfall makes it extremely difficult to practice my trade.
It has also submerged 12 vehicles in our overflow lot, here behind the Swamp.
The Swamp? pray tell unkawill, what is the Swamp?
The Swamp is my office/warehouse space,upstairs on a split level 10,000 sf corrugated tin building, downstairs is a three bay garage suitable for working on big rigs and any other vehicles for that matter.
Fully equipped with 2 hydraulic hoists, pneumatic system, welding gear, presses, and special tools.
Amenities include, pool table, dart board, tv,stereo, internet,refrigerators microwave and BBQ pit.
Friends and family visit often.
It has rained here every day but three this month. This constant rainfall makes it extremely difficult to practice my trade.
It has also submerged 12 vehicles in our overflow lot, here behind the Swamp.
The Swamp? pray tell unkawill, what is the Swamp?
The Swamp is my office/warehouse space,upstairs on a split level 10,000 sf corrugated tin building, downstairs is a three bay garage suitable for working on big rigs and any other vehicles for that matter.
Fully equipped with 2 hydraulic hoists, pneumatic system, welding gear, presses, and special tools.
Amenities include, pool table, dart board, tv,stereo, internet,refrigerators microwave and BBQ pit.
Friends and family visit often.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Continued Dealings with HR
It's official.
Report to Houston, Aug. 20 for in processing.
I'm going to have to buy a new laptop to take with me, as I donated my last one to Valor-IT.
I'll blog the in processing process, as I'll be in Houston at least ten days, bored out of my skull and nothing to do at night.
Report to Houston, Aug. 20 for in processing.
I'm going to have to buy a new laptop to take with me, as I donated my last one to Valor-IT.
I'll blog the in processing process, as I'll be in Houston at least ten days, bored out of my skull and nothing to do at night.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Continued Dealings with HR
The conference call went just as expected,You are going to be in a war zone, you could die, 1 year open ended contract, you can leave at any time, we can fire you at anytime, for any reason.
Some reasons for immediate termination,
1. being caught with alcohol.
2.Possessing a firearm
3. Drugs
4. insubordination
5. refusing to go on a mission
A bunch of other information as to the physical, ie; no diabetes,high blood pressure ect...
I have to take a personality test to make sure that I play well with others and get my dentist to sign off on a form stipulating that I can go a year with out treatment.
A bunch of boilerplate, covering their asses, The exact same thing I went through last time.
All in all, just what I expected.
Some reasons for immediate termination,
1. being caught with alcohol.
2.Possessing a firearm
3. Drugs
4. insubordination
5. refusing to go on a mission
A bunch of other information as to the physical, ie; no diabetes,high blood pressure ect...
I have to take a personality test to make sure that I play well with others and get my dentist to sign off on a form stipulating that I can go a year with out treatment.
A bunch of boilerplate, covering their asses, The exact same thing I went through last time.
All in all, just what I expected.
Continued Dealings with HR
Well, I got my print out from the DMV,It contained 1 speeding ticket in Tennessee in 96, which I remember, and 1 Defective Equipment citation in Montana in 98, which I don't remember.
Anyway, I sent this info off to the Hr dept. along with a copy of my DL and have been instructed to participate in a conference call at 3 this afternoon with the recruiter and other applicant's.
The call is part of the screening process that I don't recall having to go through previously.
I think they just want to weed out the squeamish or the faint hearted, before they actually spend money flying us to Houston.
Will update after the call.
Anyway, I sent this info off to the Hr dept. along with a copy of my DL and have been instructed to participate in a conference call at 3 this afternoon with the recruiter and other applicant's.
The call is part of the screening process that I don't recall having to go through previously.
I think they just want to weed out the squeamish or the faint hearted, before they actually spend money flying us to Houston.
Will update after the call.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Reason's
First off, Michelle and Kris, Thank you both for your Kindness and concern for my wellbeing. I too consider Y'all friends,almost sisters, heck I've had more and better conversations with both of you, than most of my real sisters in the last year or so.
Although my last tour ended poorly with me almost dieing of a ruptured appendix, I was not ready to quit,just forced to, while I recuperated from the surgery.
I made some good friends over there, Men tend to bond when facing hardship and danger. I still keep in touch with three of my buds, one each in Anaconda, TQ and Camp Victory.
When I came home to recover, I had every intention of returning as soon as possible.
Life however had other plans. As I got better,and word got out that I was back in town, I started getting phone calls from former client's (Interior Designer's and Decorators) all worried and thankful that I was home, but the conversation would end up with them asking me to do just this one little job for them PleasePleasePlease PLEASE, cause we don't like anybody else doing our work, and you are SOOOO GOOOOD with our customers!
Well with that and the need to take care of my mother, who is in fragile health, I formally reopened my shop.
The catalyst of this decision was last month when I sat in on a meeting with my Niece Helen and an Army Recruiter, as the conversation unfolded, he suggested that I reenlist. What! No WAY!
WAY! said he, because of your prior service you are still eligible! Well blow me down! Still I thought about it, but I fear I would'nt make it through boot camp and if I did, I would be taking a serious cut in pay, and have to work for someone half my age.
The one factor that lets me go, is one of my sisters is getting a divorce, and has moved in with me and is looking after Mom, taking the burden of her care off of my shoulders, and freeing me of the responsibility to stick around.
But the main reason I am going back is financial, after all is said and done, accounts balanced, taxes paid, My net, at the end of the year is around 40K, on a Gross of 300K I have good and capable employees who can continue to service my accounts and I will have my sister take care of the payroll and admin responsibilities.
I'll net 10K a month, 1st 85K, Tax free and that will certainly help my 401k.
Michelle, Sorry about the F-man thingy and I'll expect to meet both you and Kris at some point in the future and I intend to attend the mext milblog conference
Although my last tour ended poorly with me almost dieing of a ruptured appendix, I was not ready to quit,just forced to, while I recuperated from the surgery.
I made some good friends over there, Men tend to bond when facing hardship and danger. I still keep in touch with three of my buds, one each in Anaconda, TQ and Camp Victory.
When I came home to recover, I had every intention of returning as soon as possible.
Life however had other plans. As I got better,and word got out that I was back in town, I started getting phone calls from former client's (Interior Designer's and Decorators) all worried and thankful that I was home, but the conversation would end up with them asking me to do just this one little job for them PleasePleasePlease PLEASE, cause we don't like anybody else doing our work, and you are SOOOO GOOOOD with our customers!
Well with that and the need to take care of my mother, who is in fragile health, I formally reopened my shop.
The catalyst of this decision was last month when I sat in on a meeting with my Niece Helen and an Army Recruiter, as the conversation unfolded, he suggested that I reenlist. What! No WAY!
WAY! said he, because of your prior service you are still eligible! Well blow me down! Still I thought about it, but I fear I would'nt make it through boot camp and if I did, I would be taking a serious cut in pay, and have to work for someone half my age.
The one factor that lets me go, is one of my sisters is getting a divorce, and has moved in with me and is looking after Mom, taking the burden of her care off of my shoulders, and freeing me of the responsibility to stick around.
But the main reason I am going back is financial, after all is said and done, accounts balanced, taxes paid, My net, at the end of the year is around 40K, on a Gross of 300K I have good and capable employees who can continue to service my accounts and I will have my sister take care of the payroll and admin responsibilities.
I'll net 10K a month, 1st 85K, Tax free and that will certainly help my 401k.
Michelle, Sorry about the F-man thingy and I'll expect to meet both you and Kris at some point in the future and I intend to attend the mext milblog conference
Why?
I have received a query as to my reasons for returning to Iraq in the comments to my last post, I will do my best to articulate my thoughts and feelings , but first, I'll post the comment string and then I'll reply.
Anonymous said...
The things we do...The things we do...
July 17, 2007 8:06 PM
Anonymous said...
So tell me unkawill.Why??Enquiring minds...And, of course, all the best. Fair winds and all that....But why?
July 18, 2007 9:04 PM
unkawill said...
Well that is going to take a post of it's own,and I'll get right on that, if you would be so kind as to drop the anon moniker.filterman?
July 19, 2007 5:23 PM
Kris, in New England said...
Unkawill - as curious as I am about your reasons for doing this again, for putting yourself into harm's way like this - it's your decision for your reasons. Post them or not - I'll be keeping you in my thoughts until you return safely to home soil.It's a funny thing, your announcement. I mean, I've been a supporter of the GWOT since 9/12/01. I've immersed myself in milblogs and made it a personal mission to keep as informed as possible about what's going on "over there" and in the rest of the world. I consider a few of the milbloggers, and some in their communities, to be friends - though I've never met any of them. But this, your announcement? Somehow makes it all the more personal now. We've traded comments, snarks and opinions, all in good fun. And though I've never met you - I care about what happens to you. Something about this whole milblog community makes it feel like we all "know" each other from a common ground of some kind.I know - I'm babbling now and probably not making any sense. I'm a sentimental girl and just can't help it. Sorry.
July 20, 2007 6:31 AM
Michelle said...
Sorry, unkawill.The fact that you confused me for fliterman, not very flattering. But perhaps somehow appropriate?;-)'Tis me, Michelle, from Lex's. But I wasn't Google/Blogger so I went with "anon". And I must admit, I was curious as to whether you could decipher who it was LOLAnyway, as Kris said, you have your reasons and there certainly is no need for you to share them if you would rather not. Its just that I know you have your own business, your last experience in country certainly wasn't the best and... I guess I kind of thought that if you went back it would be in the military.But I too am babbling... in this case about stuff that really is none of my business. I certainly wish you all the best over there. Like Kris said, even though we've never met, it makes it all so much more personal. And one could say that we've had an interesting relationship since meeting up on TFD, no?Take care and if you choose to post the "why", I will certainly be reading. Any idea on when you will go?
July 20, 2007 10:29 AM
Anonymous said...
The things we do...The things we do...
July 17, 2007 8:06 PM
Anonymous said...
So tell me unkawill.Why??Enquiring minds...And, of course, all the best. Fair winds and all that....But why?
July 18, 2007 9:04 PM
unkawill said...
Well that is going to take a post of it's own,and I'll get right on that, if you would be so kind as to drop the anon moniker.filterman?
July 19, 2007 5:23 PM
Kris, in New England said...
Unkawill - as curious as I am about your reasons for doing this again, for putting yourself into harm's way like this - it's your decision for your reasons. Post them or not - I'll be keeping you in my thoughts until you return safely to home soil.It's a funny thing, your announcement. I mean, I've been a supporter of the GWOT since 9/12/01. I've immersed myself in milblogs and made it a personal mission to keep as informed as possible about what's going on "over there" and in the rest of the world. I consider a few of the milbloggers, and some in their communities, to be friends - though I've never met any of them. But this, your announcement? Somehow makes it all the more personal now. We've traded comments, snarks and opinions, all in good fun. And though I've never met you - I care about what happens to you. Something about this whole milblog community makes it feel like we all "know" each other from a common ground of some kind.I know - I'm babbling now and probably not making any sense. I'm a sentimental girl and just can't help it. Sorry.
July 20, 2007 6:31 AM
Michelle said...
Sorry, unkawill.The fact that you confused me for fliterman, not very flattering. But perhaps somehow appropriate?;-)'Tis me, Michelle, from Lex's. But I wasn't Google/Blogger so I went with "anon". And I must admit, I was curious as to whether you could decipher who it was LOLAnyway, as Kris said, you have your reasons and there certainly is no need for you to share them if you would rather not. Its just that I know you have your own business, your last experience in country certainly wasn't the best and... I guess I kind of thought that if you went back it would be in the military.But I too am babbling... in this case about stuff that really is none of my business. I certainly wish you all the best over there. Like Kris said, even though we've never met, it makes it all so much more personal. And one could say that we've had an interesting relationship since meeting up on TFD, no?Take care and if you choose to post the "why", I will certainly be reading. Any idea on when you will go?
July 20, 2007 10:29 AM
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Continued Dealings with HR
Got a call this morning, 07:30, from KBR.
You are on the rehire list, I need a copy of your drivers licence, front and back, and your driving record from the Texas dept of Public Safety.
I went to the DPS web site and ordered a copy, it will be here in 5 days, so they say.
Once they get that in their hands, the inprocessing starts .
You are on the rehire list, I need a copy of your drivers licence, front and back, and your driving record from the Texas dept of Public Safety.
I went to the DPS web site and ordered a copy, it will be here in 5 days, so they say.
Once they get that in their hands, the inprocessing starts .
Back to the Sandbox
After wrestling with thoughts of rejoining the Army, due to sitting down with a recruiter while he interviewed my Niece Helen, and tried to get me back in, since apparently, I'm not too OLD at 46 with 8 years of prior service.
The thought of having to go through Boot camp again, after being a civilian for 21 years, is just too much for this slightly overweight, worn out,cigarette smoking, old fart.
While I WANT to do my part, getting back in the Army is not the best way to go about it.
What to do? Well I'll tell Y'all.
Fired up this puter and hi-tailed it on over to KBR's web site, and applied for about 10 Heavy Truck Driver positions, in Iraq,Afganistan and Kuwait, last Sunday.
Monday morning, I get a call from a KBR requiter, who wanted to flesh out my application.
Fine I say, what do y'all need to know?
SSN#
Am I willing to go to Iraq? Why yes I am!
When will be available? How about August.
Good Class A license with Haz Mat and tanker endorsements? Of course!
Clean Driving Record? Clean enough. 1 speeding ticket in the last 5 years.
At this point, I'm thinking, she must have not read my CV.
Oh, I see that you listed that you have worked for us before, do you remember your employee # ? Why yes it's !@#@$%^.
OK,Great, Let me contact HR in country, to see if you are on the rehire list.
Why did you leave? My appendix burst, the Army operated on me in Balad, and Medivaced to Germany and then y'all sent me home to recuperate.
The thought of having to go through Boot camp again, after being a civilian for 21 years, is just too much for this slightly overweight, worn out,cigarette smoking, old fart.
While I WANT to do my part, getting back in the Army is not the best way to go about it.
What to do? Well I'll tell Y'all.
Fired up this puter and hi-tailed it on over to KBR's web site, and applied for about 10 Heavy Truck Driver positions, in Iraq,Afganistan and Kuwait, last Sunday.
Monday morning, I get a call from a KBR requiter, who wanted to flesh out my application.
Fine I say, what do y'all need to know?
SSN#
Am I willing to go to Iraq? Why yes I am!
When will be available? How about August.
Good Class A license with Haz Mat and tanker endorsements? Of course!
Clean Driving Record? Clean enough. 1 speeding ticket in the last 5 years.
At this point, I'm thinking, she must have not read my CV.
Oh, I see that you listed that you have worked for us before, do you remember your employee # ? Why yes it's !@#@$%^.
OK,Great, Let me contact HR in country, to see if you are on the rehire list.
Why did you leave? My appendix burst, the Army operated on me in Balad, and Medivaced to Germany and then y'all sent me home to recuperate.
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