Leslie Feist (born in Amherst Nova Scotia) had a breakout hit with 1234 when it was used in an Apple iPod Nano commercial. The original video is a catchy little song and dance version.
Everyone’s seen and heard it but I just saw the version she performed with the Muppets.
Fun fact: This was performed as part of Sesame Street’s 39th season.
(AP Photo/NASA)
This just might get my vote for the coolest picture of the year. The space shuttle Endeavour heads back to Florida from Edwards Air Force base in California on NASA’s modified 747. Taken on December 10th.
From the always awesome “The Big Picture”. While you’re over there, check out their 3 part 2008 in pictures series.
Wow, another year has passed. Festivus is upon us once again.
Time to air the grievances and perform feats of strength.
Continental Airlines flight 1404 began its takeoff run at 1808 MST on Saturday evening at Denver airport for a routine flight to Houston. Carrying 115 passengers and crew, the Boeing 737-500 series airplane was heavy with fuel as it thundered down the runway.
Preliminary indications are that, just after lifting off, something went wrong with one of the engines and the pilots aborted the takeoff. In their attempts to slow and stop, the aircraft veered left off the runway, shot across the grass and finally came to rest about 200 yards from an airport fire station. A fire broke out but, amazingly, everyone evacuated with a number of injuries but no fatalities.
115 people will have an extra reason to celebrate this holiday season. They’re still alive.
UPDATE 1: Jon over at Flightblogger makes the point that we shouldn’t call it a “miracle”. Pilot and flight attendant training and a well manufactured airplane ensured that everyone survived.
UPDATE 2: Passengers are saying that a pre-boarding announcement said that the plane had “engine problems” but they had been corrected.
Much, much more to come.
At 7:04 EST (12:04 UTC) the Sun reached its Southermost declination. Winter officially arrived. Cold, but not as cold as yesterday, and light, fluffy, beautiful snow. The days start to get a little longer and winter settles in for the next few months.
Perhaps it’s a good time to skate away on the ice of a new day.
Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull, circa 1977
Yesterday the Greater Toronto Area got whacked with the first serious snow of the season. About 15cm fell accompanied by strong winds. Trying to shovel the driveway last night was an exercise in futility. Throw one shovel load and get half of it back in your face.
Now we’re under another warning as the system shown at the top left of the image above comes barrelling at us. This one starts tonight and promises another 10cm before it lets up tomorrow. If that’s not enough, the long range says a third storm will hit on Christmas Eve.
After clearing the driveway this morning I headed out for a little shopping expedition. Actually managed to get more than half the Xmas gifts out of the way. No lineups anywhere I went.
We’re on holidays until the 5th of January so I can finally get into the Christmas spirit. Annual regulars’ party at Jake’s tomorrow and Maxine and David are coming down (weather permitting).
Now even Santa Claus is looking for a bailout.
An airplane’s wings generate lift by causing a difference in air pressure above and below the wing surface. An unfortunate consequence of this is known as “wing tip vortices”. This “dirty” air results in a drop in efficiency and a corresponding fuel burn penalty.
For years, manufacturers have put small winglets at the ends to cut down on these vortices. Usually, they’re very small but in the past few years they’ve evolved into tall “blended winglets”. Boeing now has them on certain 737 models and airlines like American have retrofitted them to some of their planes (757).
Now, Airbus is installing them on A320s and is test flying them. Here’s a great shot
It’s rare that something that serves a useful purpose also looks so darn sexy.
Thanks to Flightblogger for publishing these official Airbus pictures.
This is the last week at work for this year and I couldn’t be happier.
Thursday evening we’re having our National Office Christmas gathering. To be sure that I don’t cross any lines, I’m paying close attention to this image that shows how these things should go.
Don’t want to make any social blunders that could effect my employment.
For the second weekend in a row, my flying lesson has been cancelled. Last week was because my instructor had a personal matter to attend to and today is due to weather. Low ceiling and icy rain.
At this rate it will take me about 4 years to get my minimum hours in before I can take my flight examination. Good thing I’m not going for a commercial rating.
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