As a school boy who grew up watching the original Star Trek series, the term 'Warp Drive' is one old timers like me are familiar with.
The 'Science' in the original show was hazy sometimes, but much of it has become a reality.
Hand held communicators are now iPhones and a reality, powerful personal computers, advanced medical diagnostics, and like devices were only a script writers dream then.
Now they are a part of life.
But the concept of faster than light travel is still just that, a concept and a sci-fi writers dream.
If you want to stretch your brain to the breaking point, ponder the realities of quantum physics, Einstein's theory of Relativity, and is time really linear?
Warp Drive was better explained in later movies as follows;
the universe is folded, and light travels in waves much like sound does.
By finding a way to skip from the top of one wave to the other, great distances can be overcome, allowing travel to distant stars and even to the edge of our galaxy.
Minor matters like momentum, equilibrium, a tiny bit of matter at that speed punching through a Star Ship like a nuclear bomb were never discussed.
Neither was Einstein's and others thoughts on what would happen to the elapse of time if we could exceed the speed of light. Would it speed up, would it reverse or slow?
If a crew left today for Alpha Centauri, when they came back would everyone here be dead?
Personally, one has to suspend logic and just sit back and enjoy shows like Star Trek or Star Wars.
I enjoyed the latest movie that revisits the origins of the crew of the Enterprise.
It was well cast and a real hoot to watch.
But back to my original scatter brained thought from the title of this missive,
just when did the time in my life hit Warp Factor Seven?
I am not now older than my father was when he passed, and older than any of my Uncles were when I was a young adult!
My son is not fixing to be older than I was when I started working full time, and the professional athletes that I watch are now sometimes younger than he is!
Mr Scott, slow this puppy down and put Phasers on stun!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
More empty chairs at the table.
Last week, I received and email from a woman who went to Hialeah High School when I did.
I never knew her then as we had almost 1,000 people in my class, with over 4,500 in the school.
She had placed a message on one of the networking sites I am listed on, to see if anyone had a yearbook from my sophomore year, 1968-69.
As it happened I did.
A man who was in my class had recently passed, and she was responsible for putting together a memorial service for him. It seems there weren't many pictures available.
When I scanned the page that had his picture, I remembered him.
We must have shared a couple of classes. Those years and those bright young faces have dimmed as time has elapsed. That Soph year is now 40 years in the past! Impossible!
I found out later when she emailed to thank me for sending the page that he passed away in a Nursing home. No idea as to what his malady was, but it was left unsaid that he had no family, and was pretty much alone.
She and her husband were kind, and stepped in to comfort and take care of him.
The fact that they raised six children of their own, and taught Special Ed told me the kind of people they were.
The occasion gave me pause to reflect, and a great deal of sadness as well.
I have known of several of my former classmates who have already passed on, some of them I knew well and called friends.
One knows there must be many more that I am not aware of.
As the years continue to fly by, more of us will cross the bridge as well.
I have been blessed with a wonderful wife, a son who has grown into manhood with honor and purpose, and a great extended family to support one another.
Most of us are similarly blessed, but not all.
It is true that we can't go 'home' again, but maybe looking up a schoolmate or childhood friend might shine the light on a need we can fulfill.
In the very least, it will give us pause to reflect, and to give thanks for what we have.
You are in a better place now, Mike and whatever trials and tribulations you had to undergo have now been taken care of by the Master.
I never knew her then as we had almost 1,000 people in my class, with over 4,500 in the school.
She had placed a message on one of the networking sites I am listed on, to see if anyone had a yearbook from my sophomore year, 1968-69.
As it happened I did.
A man who was in my class had recently passed, and she was responsible for putting together a memorial service for him. It seems there weren't many pictures available.
When I scanned the page that had his picture, I remembered him.
We must have shared a couple of classes. Those years and those bright young faces have dimmed as time has elapsed. That Soph year is now 40 years in the past! Impossible!
I found out later when she emailed to thank me for sending the page that he passed away in a Nursing home. No idea as to what his malady was, but it was left unsaid that he had no family, and was pretty much alone.
She and her husband were kind, and stepped in to comfort and take care of him.
The fact that they raised six children of their own, and taught Special Ed told me the kind of people they were.
The occasion gave me pause to reflect, and a great deal of sadness as well.
I have known of several of my former classmates who have already passed on, some of them I knew well and called friends.
One knows there must be many more that I am not aware of.
As the years continue to fly by, more of us will cross the bridge as well.
I have been blessed with a wonderful wife, a son who has grown into manhood with honor and purpose, and a great extended family to support one another.
Most of us are similarly blessed, but not all.
It is true that we can't go 'home' again, but maybe looking up a schoolmate or childhood friend might shine the light on a need we can fulfill.
In the very least, it will give us pause to reflect, and to give thanks for what we have.
You are in a better place now, Mike and whatever trials and tribulations you had to undergo have now been taken care of by the Master.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Life is bubbling like vegetable soup.
I started a pot of vegetable soup this morning.
That truly teaches you patience, resisting the temptation of dipping into it before it is done.
The Queen is at the store getting a couple of missing ingredients, and I am signing my first two contracts for the new business.
Eventually I hope to have six to eight companies represented, but these first two are milestones.
Our lives are bubbling away like home made soup!
We're not 'done' until He says we are, and I hope we are both a long way from that point!
I've heard of many famous people who did not hit their stride until later in life.
Grandma Moses and Colonel Harlan Sanders immediately come to mind.
She was, by the standards of her day already 'old' when she started painting.
Col Sanders was in his sixties when he started the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise.
Both Dwight David Eisenhower and George S. Patton were in the Westpoint class "The Stars Fell On" Many of that class became Generals, and found fame in World War II.
No one outside of the Army had heard of General Eisenhower before the war, indeed he was still a Colonel when it began.
Patton had a flamboyance that gained him some fame, but he did not become famous until our entry into the War.
Late bloomers all, and one is never to old to learn, or to start over!
That truly teaches you patience, resisting the temptation of dipping into it before it is done.
The Queen is at the store getting a couple of missing ingredients, and I am signing my first two contracts for the new business.
Eventually I hope to have six to eight companies represented, but these first two are milestones.
Our lives are bubbling away like home made soup!
We're not 'done' until He says we are, and I hope we are both a long way from that point!
I've heard of many famous people who did not hit their stride until later in life.
Grandma Moses and Colonel Harlan Sanders immediately come to mind.
She was, by the standards of her day already 'old' when she started painting.
Col Sanders was in his sixties when he started the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise.
Both Dwight David Eisenhower and George S. Patton were in the Westpoint class "The Stars Fell On" Many of that class became Generals, and found fame in World War II.
No one outside of the Army had heard of General Eisenhower before the war, indeed he was still a Colonel when it began.
Patton had a flamboyance that gained him some fame, but he did not become famous until our entry into the War.
Late bloomers all, and one is never to old to learn, or to start over!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Old rivalries, and you never really grow up.
Oh, but is was indeed sweet watching my old town Dolphins win a classic shootout with my most hated AFC East rival, the New Yawk Jets. Even though those Orange Jerseys looked more like the Miami Hurricanes than Dolphins.
After listening to the Sports media brag about the Jet defense all week, the Dolphin's physically took them apart. Their winning drive took five minutes, and left NY time for only one desperation play.
Second year QB Chad Henne came of age in only his second start.
As the term goes, he showed he can "go vertical", hitting Ginn for a 53 yard TD pass.
He also threw several perfect 'touch' passes in critical situations, and never turned the ball over.
Several questionable pass interference penalties went against the Dolphins.
They never let them get them down, and came back every time to retake the lead.
New York's coach Rex Ryan (His dad coached the great Bears defense in the eighties, and later was head coach of the Eagles) whined in the post game press conference.
Instead of giving credit where due, which made the win even better for old Dolfans like myself.
Back in the hunt after losing the first three games, football sure is a funny game sometimes!
After listening to the Sports media brag about the Jet defense all week, the Dolphin's physically took them apart. Their winning drive took five minutes, and left NY time for only one desperation play.
Second year QB Chad Henne came of age in only his second start.
As the term goes, he showed he can "go vertical", hitting Ginn for a 53 yard TD pass.
He also threw several perfect 'touch' passes in critical situations, and never turned the ball over.
Several questionable pass interference penalties went against the Dolphins.
They never let them get them down, and came back every time to retake the lead.
New York's coach Rex Ryan (His dad coached the great Bears defense in the eighties, and later was head coach of the Eagles) whined in the post game press conference.
Instead of giving credit where due, which made the win even better for old Dolfans like myself.
Back in the hunt after losing the first three games, football sure is a funny game sometimes!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
legality, young adulthood and playoff baseball
I heard back from the NC Secretary of State that my company name was cleared, and my application was accepted and filed for the LLC.
I also have my taxpayer ID number, have to pay Caesar!
We're now legal, I will sign the contracts for our first two represented lines next week.
It will be a long, hard struggle until we are profitable, but for the first time in my long working life I'm working for us!
Many people in my industry who lost their jobs in the current Obameconomy are also starting their own businesses.
In the long run, our economy and the Republic will be stronger than ever, as long as we keep our free spending career politicians in check.
We do that at the ballot box.
They must be held accountable, regardless of party.
Remember that next November in the 2010 mid term elections.
Item two, we called our son the LT at his office today.
It was a hoot hearing "2LT Harvey, may I help you?"
As Paul put it and I paraphrase "Leaving our childish ways behind us"
He has been impressing the daylights out of me of late with the maturity of his decisions.
The Army provides excellent counseling for their new officers, and between them and what I have been preaching he already has the framework in order for eventual financial independence.
Light years ahead of me, even now in the (early) Autumn of my working life!
Item three, the baseball playoffs are here!
Of all the team sports, none can be so dramatic as baseball.
Last night the Twins and the Detroit Tigers played a one game playoff for the division title and final post season playoff spot.
They finished dead even after playing 162 regular season games.
This is the second year in a row that Minnesota has done so, losing a similar game last year to the White Sox.
This game met and exceeded the hype.
Dramatic home runs, clutch catches and double plays, and two incredible plays at the plate sent the game into extra innings.
Finally in the bottom of the twelfth with one out, the Twins won on a clutch single.
Baseball although a team sport is in reality a man on man series of individual battles.
Batter against pitcher, fielder against base runner, and sometimes catcher against a charging bull of a runner.
With the game and the season on the line, each out is critical, and every play can signify disaster and heartbreak or jubilation.
I love post season baseball! Should be a great Division and League championship set, leading up to what should be a fantastic World Series.
Baseball is still our National Pastime, part of our culture from generation to generation.
I also have my taxpayer ID number, have to pay Caesar!
We're now legal, I will sign the contracts for our first two represented lines next week.
It will be a long, hard struggle until we are profitable, but for the first time in my long working life I'm working for us!
Many people in my industry who lost their jobs in the current Obameconomy are also starting their own businesses.
In the long run, our economy and the Republic will be stronger than ever, as long as we keep our free spending career politicians in check.
We do that at the ballot box.
They must be held accountable, regardless of party.
Remember that next November in the 2010 mid term elections.
Item two, we called our son the LT at his office today.
It was a hoot hearing "2LT Harvey, may I help you?"
As Paul put it and I paraphrase "Leaving our childish ways behind us"
He has been impressing the daylights out of me of late with the maturity of his decisions.
The Army provides excellent counseling for their new officers, and between them and what I have been preaching he already has the framework in order for eventual financial independence.
Light years ahead of me, even now in the (early) Autumn of my working life!
Item three, the baseball playoffs are here!
Of all the team sports, none can be so dramatic as baseball.
Last night the Twins and the Detroit Tigers played a one game playoff for the division title and final post season playoff spot.
They finished dead even after playing 162 regular season games.
This is the second year in a row that Minnesota has done so, losing a similar game last year to the White Sox.
This game met and exceeded the hype.
Dramatic home runs, clutch catches and double plays, and two incredible plays at the plate sent the game into extra innings.
Finally in the bottom of the twelfth with one out, the Twins won on a clutch single.
Baseball although a team sport is in reality a man on man series of individual battles.
Batter against pitcher, fielder against base runner, and sometimes catcher against a charging bull of a runner.
With the game and the season on the line, each out is critical, and every play can signify disaster and heartbreak or jubilation.
I love post season baseball! Should be a great Division and League championship set, leading up to what should be a fantastic World Series.
Baseball is still our National Pastime, part of our culture from generation to generation.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Am I old or what!
My sister certainly thinks so.
My silly comment on Fbook that I hide all the mirrors brought a rejoinder from her
"No, they broke of their own free will!"
What is a sister good for except being the occasional smart aleck?
When asked where I wanted to go for my bday dinner, I told the Queen "The back deck"
"Home made spaghetti and meatballs, not the stuff in a jar"
A nice bottle of Fetzer's cabernet (a great value and a really nice wine) and it was heaven.
Lit the Chimenea for the first time this fall, listened to the late NFL game through the open window, and it was a really nice time at home with my Queen.
Who is now Madam Vice President as well.
I filed the paperwork for the LLC for our new rep firm with the State this Thursday last.
I heard back today that the name passed the first clearance and appears to be available.
Carolina ITS Solutions, the ITS stands for Information Transport Systems, which people in my niche of Telecommunications will understand. It will identify what we are involved in.
I was a bit concerned when a name popped up that did not in my initial domain and net search,
Carolina IT Solutions, which stands for Information Technologies, kind of an all encompassing description of an entire segment of communications and network hardware.
It doesn't appear to be a problem, not even sure if they are still around, last entry was 2008.
We are in the process of jokingly defining my new VP's specific duties.
"Well, you go to funerals overseas for boring old toots that the president doesn't want to bother with.
You sit next to the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader during joint sessions and pretend you can stand either one of them.
You hide when the president is around, and if you are the current VP you make occasional Bozo the Clown statements in public and embarrass the Pres"
She will add, "well I cleared the table, that's one of my duties. I walked the dog washed the clothes and looked darn good all day long! Fulfilled my obligations and made you look good!"
Right on, Madame VP!
My silly comment on Fbook that I hide all the mirrors brought a rejoinder from her
"No, they broke of their own free will!"
What is a sister good for except being the occasional smart aleck?
When asked where I wanted to go for my bday dinner, I told the Queen "The back deck"
"Home made spaghetti and meatballs, not the stuff in a jar"
A nice bottle of Fetzer's cabernet (a great value and a really nice wine) and it was heaven.
Lit the Chimenea for the first time this fall, listened to the late NFL game through the open window, and it was a really nice time at home with my Queen.
Who is now Madam Vice President as well.
I filed the paperwork for the LLC for our new rep firm with the State this Thursday last.
I heard back today that the name passed the first clearance and appears to be available.
Carolina ITS Solutions, the ITS stands for Information Transport Systems, which people in my niche of Telecommunications will understand. It will identify what we are involved in.
I was a bit concerned when a name popped up that did not in my initial domain and net search,
Carolina IT Solutions, which stands for Information Technologies, kind of an all encompassing description of an entire segment of communications and network hardware.
It doesn't appear to be a problem, not even sure if they are still around, last entry was 2008.
We are in the process of jokingly defining my new VP's specific duties.
"Well, you go to funerals overseas for boring old toots that the president doesn't want to bother with.
You sit next to the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader during joint sessions and pretend you can stand either one of them.
You hide when the president is around, and if you are the current VP you make occasional Bozo the Clown statements in public and embarrass the Pres"
She will add, "well I cleared the table, that's one of my duties. I walked the dog washed the clothes and looked darn good all day long! Fulfilled my obligations and made you look good!"
Right on, Madame VP!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The Lone Ranger rides again!
I was right, my partner backed out yesterday.
A family situation involving a late in life divorce for his parents made it tough on him.
He felt he couldn't put 100% into this venture at this point.
I told him spending time with his mom while she is under such duress and heartbreak is more important.
Totally amicable, and completely understandable.
I am going solo, with the Lord's and the Queen's help.
Shoot, I always work alone anyhow in this business!
We will just keep all of the proceeds for six months to a year, and then decide whether to add an associate or two to better cover the territory and grow the business.
One manufacturer has already told me it doesn't matter.
I'm pretty sure it won't to the others either.
We should be up and running with two or three lines by Nov 1st.
Let's get this party started!
A family situation involving a late in life divorce for his parents made it tough on him.
He felt he couldn't put 100% into this venture at this point.
I told him spending time with his mom while she is under such duress and heartbreak is more important.
Totally amicable, and completely understandable.
I am going solo, with the Lord's and the Queen's help.
Shoot, I always work alone anyhow in this business!
We will just keep all of the proceeds for six months to a year, and then decide whether to add an associate or two to better cover the territory and grow the business.
One manufacturer has already told me it doesn't matter.
I'm pretty sure it won't to the others either.
We should be up and running with two or three lines by Nov 1st.
Let's get this party started!
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