Firsts - Live One

Machu Picchu

2010-04-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

Machu Picchu is an ancient city located in Peru. Meaning “Old Peak” in Quechua, the native language from the Inca Empire, this mountain relic is claimed as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The city draws its popularity not from what lies within its walls but where it was built, 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level.

The city is believed to have constructed around the 1450. Yet scientific research has shown that it was abandoned a little more than a century later, synonymous with the arrival of the Spanish Conquest. Historians speculate that the city’s population had succumbed to an outbreak of smallpox before the Spanish’s arrival.

Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built in honor of the great Inca emperor, Pachacuti (1432-1472). Others hypothesize that its purpose was to govern the economy of nearby settlements. Located on a mountain top, its inhabitants would have had a good view of their surroundings. Smaller minorities believe the city had a more simple purpose such as a prison or an agricultural testing station that would test how different types of crops survived in the variable climate.

The city sits in a valley between the two larger mountains Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Early settlers would have received water from nearby springs while food would have been grown from local fields. It’s actually interesting, because there is enough land to feed four times what the city’s population at the time. Engineers also terraced the surrounding hillsides to guard against invaders and reduce soil erosion to prevent landslides.

aerial shot of Machu Picchu

One of the area’s leading tourist attractions is the Intuhuatana Stone. A rare ritual stone found in South America, the rock is arranged to point directly at the sun during a winter solstice. This results in no shadow casted by the leading pillar during the equinoxes. It’s speculated the device was a primitive calendar.

Did you know?- There are many flights of stairs at the city consisting of one hundred steps or more carved from a single block of granite!

The important buildings inside Machu Picchu have polished-dry stone walls made with a technique called ashlar in which precision cut stones are fitted together tightly without mortar. Peru has a lot of seismic activity and the structure’s walls can shift and resettle without collapsing.

Human-powered Flight

2010-04-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

While we have shared the sky with birds for the last hundred years, modern flight continues to leave many feeling disconnected from the winged creatures. My opinion for this happening is that while birds experience flight firsthand, we are simply trying to mimic their grace. Before the choice to use an external power source was even an option, man could only dream of attaining flight through our own human efforts. And with engine-powered flight now available for personal use to everyone in the planet, the idea to lift one into the heavens has lost much steam. Only a few have achieved what Icarus did in the story.

Human-powered aircraft (HPA) are propelled by only human force and gravity. In this way, they rely on many of the same principles as gliders such as air thermals and rising currents. The first recorded human-powered aircraft was the Italian designed Pedaliante (Italian for “Pedal Glider”) in 1937. Constructed with a glider-like profile, the plane had a wingspan of 58 feet (17.7 meters) and two laminated balsa wood propellers 6.2 feet (2 meters) in diameter. The plane had an aspect ratio of 13:4 meaning that for every 13 feet it traveled horizontally, it only descended 4 feet. The sole pilot sat upright and transmitted power to the props via pedaling.

Pedaliante

While originally the plane was to have an empty weight of 160 pounds (73 Kg) the Italian Air Ministry required it to meet the same structural criteria of an engine-powered aircraft increasing its final weight to 214 pounds (97 Kg). Launched with the assistance of a catapult, the plane came to travel a length of 1 Km (0.62 miles), remarkable for its time.

It wasn’t until 1960 that a man-powered aircraft capable of taking off under its own power was created. That year’s spring, three undergraduate students at Southampton University decided to build an HPA during the middle of their last term. Duly named the Southampton University Man Powered Aircraft (SUMPAC), the plane would complete over 40 flights, the longest of which was 2,130 feet (650 meters).

SUMPAC

Since the 60s, there have been a number of HPAs. And while each new design comes closer to the goal of easily sustained, long-distance flight, we’re still not there yet. Today, the world record for longest human-powered flight is 74 miles (119 Km), achieved on April 23, 1988 by the MIT Daedalus 88. The design only weighed 69 pounds (31 Kg).

MIT Daedalus 88

Did you know?- The first human-powered helicopter, the Da Vinci III, built by the California Polytechnic State University in 1989, flew for 7.1 seconds reaching an altitude of 20 centimeters. The video below showcases a later design, the Yuri 1, constructed in 1994 that utilizes four giant rotors.

The Longbow

2010-03-31T12:42:00.000-07:00

If I was forced to fight in a war during the Middle Ages, I’d immediately choose to be an archer. You’re not fighting at close range, and you’re one of the last regiments to be attacked.

The longbow is at least four feet in length and normally extends the full height of its shooter. Its appearance in history is first seen by the Germans and Scandinavians in 500 A.D. Yet the weapon would not become famous until the technology was adopted by the English.

Traditionally the bows were made of yew, a conifer type tree that grows in central Europe. Ironically, England’s military did not find their own land’s variety of yew appropriate and had the majority of the material imported from Italy and Spain. The youngling trees were cut in winter when no sap was running where they were subsequently left to age. It would be worked upon gradually during the three to four year aging process until completed.

Mass produced versions of the bow were about 70 inches (178 cm) long with pull strength of 75-100 pounds (34-45 Kg). The arrows ranged between 27 to 36 inches long and could kill unarmored infantry up to one hundred yards away. Beyond that, the arrows could wound opponents as much as 250 yards away.

Did you know?- During the Battle of Agincourt, what became a significant English victory in the Hundred Years War, there were so many archers that it’s estimated 1,000 arrows were in the air every second! While conducting research, I found a quote from someone who saw the battle saying that there were so many arrows that afterwards the white feathers on their ends made it appear as if snow had blanketed the battlefield.

If you wanted to wield this weapon, you had to train until it became an extension of yourself. The training adopted by the English was the most rigorous. All sports were banned on Sundays and men between 12 and 65 were expected to practice their archery for several hours a day. An experienced archer could fire 12 arrows a minute.

The longbow remained the most powerful weapon in Europe from 1300 to 1588. France, having witnessed the destructive power of the longbow first hand, was quick to train their armies to wield the weapon. But surprisingly, a long line of kings declined its use on the battlefield claiming it was too much power for the meek to wield.

Did you know?- Amateur bowyers today can craft a longbow in about ten to twenty hours.

Besides the obvious difference in size, the longbow’s main distinction is its skinnier limbs and rounded cross-section. This results in an unequal distribution of stress through the bow and is believed to be the reasoning behind its recognizable length.

Modern longbows are generally wooden composites constructed from multiple types of woods glued and pressed together. Hickory is used on the front of the bow which stretches better, while the inside is lined with yew which better undergoes compression. You can find an old guide RIGHT HERE explaining how to form a longbow from a piece of lemonwood, another popular choice.

Meteor Crater

2010-03-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

POSSIBLE DOOMSDAY SCENARIOS:

1. Nuclear holocaust
2. Super-virus
3. Climate change
4. Vampire-Robot-Nazis-Zombies take over the world

The list goes on and on…

One of the most frightening doomsday scenarios is something that will eventually occur; our planet’s collision with another extraterrestrial body. The idea that something could strike Earth wasn’t seriously recognized until scientists first began searching the vastness of space for the objects. And while in this case the expression “trying to find a needle in a haystack” is dead on, it’s much more difficult than that. To help understand the effects of an asteroid’s impact, scientists began to look for evidence of impacts here on Earth.

Meteor Crater

Today, what is the largest and considered to be the best conserved impact crater on Earth is Meteor Crater in Arizona. Approximately 43 miles east of Flagstaff there is a landmark so breathtaking that its image takes you back 40,000 years. At the time, this dessert was still open grassland dotted with woodlands inhabited by woolly mammoths and giant ground sloths. Perhaps on what was a crisp, summer morning, the creatures raised their heads to a bright light. The meteorite would have been the brightest thing in the sky for a few seconds during its descent into the atmosphere. Traveling at 28,600 mph (12.8 kilometers per second), the chunk of nickel and iron slammed into the ground like a golf ball in a sand trap.

satellite image of Meteor Crater

The resulting damage was immense, leaving a crater 4,000 feet (1.2 Km) in diameter and 570 feet (170 meters) deep. Believed to have been around 50 meters in diameter, scientists speculate that about half of the meteorite’s weight (300,000 metric tons) was vaporized in its descent.

While looking at the crater it’s obvious a lot of energy was transferred into the ground, although most of it was actually projected skywards. 30 tons of meteoritic iron were scattered within a 4-5 miles radius of the impact site. Closer to the crater’s lip is a 150 foot (45 meters) high rim composed of the debris.

When scientists checked if humans would have inhabited the area during this time, it was proven that most likely no one would have made their way to America yet. The crater’s existence did not become known to modern men until European settlers stumbled across it in the 19th century. Dubbed “Canyon Diablo crater”, it was believed to be the result of volcanic forces. The idea did not harbor much criticism since the San Francisco volcanic field only lies about 40 miles (64 Km) to the west.

It wasn’t until 1903, when a mining engineer and businessman by the name of Daniel Barringer suggested that the crater had been formed by a meteorite impact. Through research, Barringer found small pieces of meteoritic iron that were mixed with rocks on the crater’s border. He knew that if the meteorites had fallen at a different time from that at which the crater was formed, they would have been lodged in distinct, separate layers in the surrounding soil. In fact, upon closer examination these different classes of rock were set in the opposite order of the underlying bedrock. When Barringer found no volcanic rock near the crater, scientists began accepting his theory as the reality. To see the effect of an impact of extraterrestrial bodies, watch the simulation below.

Thinking he was sitting on a gold mine, Barringer's company, the Standard Iron Company, purchased 640 acres around the crater for private use. While it was estimated 300,000 tons of iron could be harvested from the site, later research found the material unusable for manufacturing purposes.

Did you know?- Barringer made attempts to find what remained of the meteorite for 27 years. Since impact physics was poorly understood at the time, Barringer was unaware that most of the meteorite had vaporized on impact. Over the years he would drill to a depth of 1,376 feet (419 meters) with no significant finding of iron.

mining site inside the crater

Today, the Barringer family continues to own the surrounding area around Meteor Crater and has turned the feature into a popular tourist attraction. Next to the crater is the Meteor Crater Visitor Center that contains interactive exhibits and displays about meteorites and asteroids, space, the solar system and, comets. Also, interestingly enough it contains the American Astronaut Wall of Fame. The center also contains a movie theater, gift shop, and observation areas with views inside the rim of the crater. Guided tours of the rim are offered daily through their website meteorcrater.com.

Dog Dancing

2010-03-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

Dog dancing? Dancing…with your dog? You’re kidding right?

Actually, I’m not. Known as musical canine freestyle, dog dancing is a mixture of standard obedience training and tricks that grants handlers a more intimate bond with their dog(s). There are two categories in the sport, musical freestyle and freestyle heeling. While freestyle heeling highlights the dog's ability to stay in variations of the heel position with the handler dancing, musical freestyle allows more leeway as far as tricks are concerned. The latter category is judged much more on creativity than execution. (Let’s face it…neither one of you are going to look cool out there.)

Although competition rules vary widely, there are two standards. They include:

• No use of training aids or leashes.
• Participants must compete either as a single dog and handler, a pair of dogs and handlers, or as a full team of three or more dogs and their handlers.

Since you’re more likely to win with a creative dance to Michael Jackson’s Thriller than a perfectly choreographed routine to the Macarena, the competitor’s choice of music is extremely important. Routines much match the song or judges may not even give you a score.

Did you know?- Albeit, many who participate in dog dancing choose to express themselves in competitions, it’s not the only way to get yourself seen. Exhibition freestyle is a non-competitive form of the sport that allows for the use of props, cues, and costumes. These duos are often seen on television and occasionally in movies.

If you’re brave enough to have yourself seen dancing with your canine in public, you have nothing holding you back from realizing your dog dancing rise to stardom. While there are not many instructional resources yet available to the public, the websites canine-freestyle.org and worldcaninefreestyle.org can offer you some beginner’s advise and point you in the right direction.

Unalaska

2010-03-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

Why would you name a city in Alaska….Unalaska? Unalaksa, AK is a small town located in the Aleutian Chain 800 miles southwest of Anchorage. We’ve all heard that Alaska is the least populated state per square mile (1.1, where the country’s average is 79.6), but to put things into greater perspective, Unalaska ranks as the state’s 11th largest city with a population of 4,000.

Part of the reason for the city’s number of people may be the area’s stable temperate. The mean annual temperature is about 38 °F (3.4 °C), dipping to 30 °F (−1.1 °C) in January and rising to 52 °F (11.1 °C) in August. Yet I still doubt whether people choose to stay here because of the temperature alone. The city is also claimed as the rainiest place in the United States with about 250 days of rain per year.

Did you know?- Unalaska has a total area of 212.3 square miles and almost 48% of that is water!

The city has only one port, Dutch Harbor, which the locals simply know as “Dutch”. It was given its name because the Russians believed the first ship to enter the harbor was Dutch. (Why would that be the case?) The harbor is actually located on Amaknak Island which is connected to Unalaska Island by bridge. While Amaknak is home to 59% of the city's population, it makes up only 3% of its area.

Dutch Harbor

Unalaska and Amaknak Islands once contained a native population, known as the Aleut, for hundreds of years before being discovered by modern man. The islands’ trading potential weren’t harnessed until 1759 when the Russian fur trade claimed the harbor as their own. The Russians named the island Ounalashka, meaning ‘near the peninsula’.

For three years, the Russians operated peacefully with the Aleut until violence broke out between the two. Outnumbered and unable to compete with the Russians’ weaponry, the Aleut were forced to surrender.

In time there were others who would come to take Dutch. In 1788, the Spanish discovered the Aleutian Chain. Explorers Esteban José Martínez and Gonzalo López de Haro visited hundreds of native settlements with Unalaska being the farthest west. These two men alone claimed the island for Spain and named it Puerto de Dona Marie Luisa Teresa, Port of Donates Marie Luisa Teresa, named after the former queen of Spain.

Marie Luisa Teresa (What is she wearing?)

If you’re still looking for a reason to bear what will most likely be a rainy trip, there are two places that have been deemed National Historic Landmarks you need to see. The first is the Dutch Harbor Naval Operating Base and Fort Mears, one of two U.S. army bases located in Alaska when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The fort also played a crucial role in the Battle of Dutch Harbor during the Japanese invasion of Alaska. Second is the Church of the Holy Ascension which was built in 1826.

Church of the Holy Ascension

And if you’re not into taking tours, why not visit Makushin Volcano which has an elevation of 5,691 feet (1.75 Km). On clear days, steam can be seen coming from its peak.

Makushin Volcano

Unbeknownst to those in the lower forty-nine, Dutch Harbor is one of the most productive ports in the United States. It has seen the largest volume of seafood caught for almost every year since 1981, and until 2000 ranked first in dollar value per catch. The position is now held by New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Did you know?- A experimental project based on the island is attempting to produce fish oil biodiesel from the fish waste from local manufacturers. The idea is hoped to kill two birds with one stone by reducing the need to transport excess fish oil off the island (now, 3.5 million tons annually) but also to fuel the majority of machines which use diesel engines.

Thanks to television, this once unheard of port has become the most famous in the country. For five years, the Discovery Network has been documenting the life of Alaskan crab fisherman in their hit series Deadliest Catch. One of my favorite shows, it is one of the few reality programs that is truly reality. The series gets its name from the fact that it is the deadliest job in America, above other profession like logging and mining. Watch one of the show’s most shocking moments when a ship rescues a man overboard below.

Zeppelins

2010-03-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

The Hindenburg’s destruction has been seen as one of the greatest, unforeseen tragedies in aeronautical history. Because of this one incident, the Zeppelin name would be deeply questioned for the next half century. Yet despite the number of lives lost, zeppelins were bounds ahead in engineering for their time.

Unlike modern blimps, the first lighter-than-air fliers did not hold their shape from the pressure of the gas inside, but instead made use of a lightweight, rigid airframe. Known as ‘dirigibles’, these would become the standard zeppelin design allowing ships to lift heavier loads and be fitted with stronger engines.

Zeppelin frame

Covering the frame was a cotton fabric coated with specialized metallic paints created to reflect the sun’s rays, preventing internal temperature change of the ship’s gas. Inside the elaborate framework of aluminum struts were several balloons containing either helium or hydrogen. For most dirigibles, these gasbags were made of countless sheets of a material known at the time as ‘goldbeater’s skin’, taken from the intestines of cows. About 200,000 cow’s intestines were needed for the average zeppelin!

While earlier models were shaped like hot dogs, later designs had an elongated football shape that reduced drag as well as increased stability in the air. At the end of the ship were four directional fins (two set vertically and horizontally) that steered the blimp. Since zeppelins were so large, one pilot was sanctioned in the rear solely to man the fins while another pilot at the front of the ship controlled thrust and heading.

Did you know?- The later built Graf Zeppelin used engines fuelled with a gas named blaugas. Similar to propane, it weighed roughly the same as the surrounding air and was contained uncompressed. This meant that as fuel was burnt, the airship did not have to shift ballast to retain balance during flight.

If it weren’t for the dirigible’s inventor, Led Zeppelin may still be known as the New Yardbirds. Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin was a wealthy inventor who became interested in developing a lighter-than-air balloon after witnessing events of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 where he saw the French using balloons to transport mail.

When Zeppelin completed his designs he went looking for sponsors to help get his idea off the ground, but when he presented his plans to a committee in 1984 no one showed interest. Forced to fund the project himself, the Count founded the Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Luftschiffahrt (Society for the Promotion of Airship Flight) and began construction of his prototype.

LZ 1

The first Zeppelin, dubbed LZ 1, took its maiden flight on July 2, 1900 over Lake Constance in the Bay of Manzell, Germany. True to what would be the Wright brothers’ style, the craft didn’t stay airborne for long. Airborne for only 18 minutes, LZ 1 was forced to land on the lake after its winding mechanism for keeping ballast failed. Unfortunately, when it was placed back in its hangar, the harness mechanism broke and the blimp crashed suffering damage.

Even with an essentially successful flight, many of the project’s investors decided to back out. This prompted Zeppelin to take another leap of faith and buy the company and airship for himself in 1901. With the help of donations, public funding, a mortgage on his wife’s estate, and some lottery winnings, the Count was ready to build the LZ 2. Although sadly, during its first flight in 1906, the ship’s engines failed and it was forced to make an emergency landing in the Allgau Mountains where it was destroyed beyond repair by a vicious storm.

After two failed attempts in creating his dream balloon, Count von Zeppelin finally realized success. Incorporating all usable parts of LZ 2, the LZ 3 became the first successful airship. By 1908 it had travelled a total of 4,398 kilometers (2,733 mi) in the course of 45 flights.

Did you know?- In 1930, when the Art Deco spire of the Empire State Building was built there were designs for it to serve as a terminal for passing airships. Passengers would exit the airship on a landing platform constructed on the 102nd floor. There a separate elevator traveling between the 86th and 102nd floors would transport passengers to the building’s main elevators where they could exit the building. However, after some initial testing the idea was kyboshed; powerful updrafts surrounding the skyscraper made anchoring to the spire too dangerous to be practical.

This zeppelin hangar opened by retracting is rounded outer doors.

Though many design changes would happen throughout the years of their operation, commercial zeppelins shared a majority of features during their prime. 150-160 meters (490-520 feet) in length, they could hold 22,000–25,000 cubic meters of helium or hydrogen able to carry a payload of nine tons. Powered by three 475 horsepower diesel engines, the airships could reach speeds of up to 80 Km/h (50 mph).

Did you know?- During the first World War, Zeppelins were used by the German military for scouting and precision bombing in assisting infantry forces. Yet Zeppelin was quick to realize that his airship had a fatal battle flaw, its gas chambers were easily susceptible to enemy fire. Knowing this, he developed the observational car, essentially a metal basket holding a passenger. Equipped with chart table, electric lamp, compass, telephone, and lightning conductor, the car would be lowered 750 meters below the main airframe where the occupant would give orders on navigation and what bombs to deploy. Information was transmitted through a tether cable made of high grade steel with a brass core insulated with rubber to act as a telephone cable. This allowed the ships to hide in cloud cover where they’d be out of range of artillery fire.

observation car

With the ending of the war and Germany’s defeat, came the passing of the notorious Treaty of Versailles. In the document, Allied forces demanded the deconstruction of the German air force stating no further zeppelins would be built and that all remaining models were to be given to the United States as reparations. Luckily, Zeppelin did not get to see the destruction of his great company having suffered a timely death before the war’s end. The company’s new leader, Dr. Hugo Eckener, now planned to take the zeppelin in a whole new direction; making it a messenger of peace.

On March 4, 1936, LZ 129 Hindenburg made her first flight. It was the largest airship ever constructed at 245 meters (804 feet) long and 41 m (135 feet) in diameter. In comparison, the Hindenburg was longer than three Boeing 747s placed end-to-end! Unlike today’s famous Goodyear blimp with its two pilots, the airship could accommodate 50 passengers and a crew of 40.

LZ 129 Hindenburg

What many believe to have been making a date with death, the Hindenburg’s creators did not fill their ship with hydrogen by choice. At the time, the majority of helium was being imported from the U.S., yet due to escalating tensions in Europe there was a trade embargo on the gas leaving no other viable option.

With the skepticism surrounding dirigible airships almost gone, a new generation of zeppelins is taking to the skies. A company based in California called Airship Ventures recently revealed their new line of Zeppelin ‘New Technology’ (NT) airships. A combination of new and old, the models are semi-rigid and come in at 246 feet (75 meters) long, the longest ship of its kind today.

Also, if you’ve read my earlier post on autogyros, you’d know that there are companies out there making remote control autogyros for hobbyists. Now the same is being done with scale blimps primarily for advertising purposes. Two great sites where you can learn more about these new technologies are advertisingballoons.com and minizepp.com.

Sturgis Bike Week

2010-03-12T09:32:00.000-08:00

Besides the creators of South Park, many people feel Harley Davidson riders are “fags”. However, the motorcycle has become synonymous with American cultures just like baseball and apple pie. And although the machine is over one hundred years old, it continues to connect with our population’s need for speed. In fact, Harleys have become so popular that they head their own movement. So just like the hippies had Woodstock, motorcycle riders have their own rally. But why in the world is it held in a small town in South Dakota?

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (here and also here) is held annually in Sturgis, South Dakota the first full week of August. This tradition started on August 14, 1938 by the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club which still owns the tracks, hill climb, and field areas where the core of the rally takes place. While the first event had only 19 bikes, lasted two days, and concentrated on racing and stunts, today’s Sturgis Bike Week is a huge deal to Harley owners across the continent.

Did you know?- One of the events main stunts involved riders colliding head on into parked automobiles. (Why?!)

Other than some years off during the second World War, the rally will be celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2010. And while bikers have been given a reputation as a rowdy bunch, bike week is a family affair at heart with many of the attendees being parents dragging their kids along.

Even for the people who don’t feel like riding their bikes hundreds of miles, sometimes choose to drive trailers and campers to the rally only riding their motorcycles the final couple miles into town. This has prompted several riders to start wearing patches and shirts saying "I Rode Mine to Sturgis" with the year they attended on it to separate the diehards from the wanabees.

Did you know?- In 2005, attendance was estimated at 525,250! A lot of people right….especially when you compare it to the state’s population of 754,844 as of the 2000 census.

Mountainboarding

2010-03-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

Like most boys during the 90s, I too was into skateboarding for a short period. It probably started when I received a Sony Playstation for my birthday along with my first game, Tony Hawk Pro Skateboarding. Soon thinking that I could catch 30 feet of air off a half-pipe and the only consequence of falling was a little blood, I bought my first skateboard. And I’m still not surprised when after a week or so of attempting ollies, I had had enough.

Through my teenage years, I experimented with other alternative, freestyle sports such as BMX and rollerblading, but none of them stuck. The urge to give skateboarding another go surfaces every now and then when guys pass me on their long-boards on campus. But I’ve come to think that the skateboard’s possibilities are too small. What I mean is that while I was growing up, the board stayed the same size and eventually it felt like I was playing with a dinky, little toy. Plus, I live in Northwest Ohio where there’s no elevation change once so ever. If I wanted to get back on a board, I’d need something that could take some abuse; something that could go on and offroad. Yet when I first saw a picture of a mountainboard, I thought there was no way I was getting on one.

As I hinted at, mountainboards can handle a wide variety of terrain including: boardercross tracks, slopestyle parks, grass hills, gravel roads, BMX and mountain bike trails, and even ski resorts. Of course, they can also be seen with skateboarders on the city streets and at local skate parks.

The first mountain board, termed an ‘All Terrain Dirtboard’, was patented by Morton Hellig of England in 1989. His company, Supercrusier Inc., was the first to produce the board on a wide scale. It wasn’t until 1992 that the sport began to acquire buzz in the United States where three snowboarders from northern California (one of whom, Jason Lee, would end up coining the term ‘mountainboard’) were looking for an alternative option to snowboarding in the summer. They would soon find one of the sports main producers, Mountain Board Sports (MSB), in 1993.

The deck of a mountainboard is typically 90-110 cm (35-43 inches) long and made from laminated wood pressed into shape using a similar process as in the construction of snowboards. The boards have variable characteristics that can be made to suite the rider such as flex, weight, shape, length, and tip angle.

Its wheels are connected to the deck in one of two methods: skate or channel trucks. Skate trucks are almost identical in design to their skateboard counterparts, just much bigger. While channel trucks are more common and offer steering that is cushioned by shocks and springs.

channel trucks

There are five different types of bindings:

• Snowboard
• Ratchet-strap
• Velcro
• Bar-bindings
• Heelstraps

The board’s rims are made from plastic or metal fitted with pneumatic tires ranging in size from 8-13 inches (20-33 cm). The tires come in varying thicknesses and treads to suit the terrain. Also, some boards are fixed with brakes although they are generally reserved for professional riders who compete in longer runs. When they are added, they are normally attached to both front wheels rather than the rears to increase braking efficiency and reduce the risk of the wheel lockage.

Did you know?- It has been found that the 8 inch wheel is the perfect size for freestyling, while 9-10 inch wheels are reserved for events where speed and greater stability are favored. They are operated by a hand lever in one of three different designs:

• Drum brakes
• Hydraulic rim/disc brakes
• V mounted brakes (set up similar to standard bicycle brakes)

Since you’re going down hills of dirt and not snow, you should wear a good amount of protective gear. The following is list of everything you should wear:

• Helmet
• Wrtistguards
• Elbow and knee pads
• Padded shorts
• Body armor

Four event categories:

• Downhill (DH)/Big Mountain- Timed, single man descents on long courses (+1 Km)
• Boardercross (BoardeX, BX)- Two to four man racing on a specifically designed track.
• Freestyle (FS)
o Slopestyle
o Big Air
o Skate Park/Jib
• Freeriding (FR)- Non competitive over natural terrain.

dirtsurfer

A similar activity is dirtsurfing, an Australian board sport defined as ‘inline boarding’. Composed of an aluminum tubular frame, composite deck, and two 16/20 inch BMX wheels, this extreme sport replicates snowboarding even better. You can view this company’s patented products at their official website, dirtsurfer.com.

If you’re interested in getting started in this sport but not sure where to begin, click here to see MBS’s board selection guide which will help you choose a board based on what competition styles you’re most interested in. After that you can visit mbs.com or groundindustries.com and search through their many models.

I want to know…While I think mountainboards are perfectly designed for freestyle and racing purposes, what about traversing mixed terrain? I can envision that the majority of kids who buy a mountainboard will only be able to use it in their back woods. And if you don’t have a special course to ride on, what’s the point in having a fancy suspension system that will just get banged to pieces?

Be Unlimited mountainboard

Through some research I found an alternatively designed mountain board called Be Unlimited made by an old company called Beyond Boards. It’s unique in that the trucks are placed on top of the deck making the transition from one terrain to another (let’s say rock to grass) much easier. I believe the company no longer exists so the only place I could find one is RIGHT HERE.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

2010-03-08T05:57:00.000-08:00

There are not many displays in war I find glorious. Sure there are certain battles that I find interesting from a tactical standpoint, but I don’t see much heroicness in the sacrificing of lives due to a deficiency of communication. In America, the most pointless war to beseech our homeland was our only Civil War. It’s easy to become caught up in the facts when you’re learning about past conflicts in history class, but when you really think about it there’s nothing more pointless than brothers killing one another.

A significant event in the war’s outcome was the Battle of Gettysburg, what many acclaim to be the beginning of the South’s decline. This three day exchange was the bloodiest campaign of the war resulting in each side losing a total of 46,000-51,000 men. Below you can see how many men each commanding officer had at their disposal before the battle.

Robert E. Lee (CONFEDERACY)- 71,699
George G. Meade (UNION)- 93,921

Today Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is just a small town with a permanent population of 7,500, although the number becomes a lot larger if tourists are taken into consideration. Back in 1786, when tavern owner Samuel Gettys founded the city, there wasn’t much around. Now there’s history waiting to be discovered by visitors behind every corner.

Gettysburg College

One such place is Gettysburg College created in 1832. A private, four-year, liberal arts school, the college only enrolls only 2,600 students. Another attraction is the Dobbin House Tavern, the town’s oldest standing building constructed in 1776. Through the centuries, the Dobbin House has been a main stop on the Underground Railroad and also served as a makeshift hospital during the war. These instances have earned the restaurant a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

Since being recognized on a wide scale, much of the tavern has been converted into a gift shop and is also home to a large Civil War diorama. To bring its diners back to an earlier time, the restaurants only light comes from candles, while the staff serves traditional food while dressed in original wartime attire.

Did you know?- Before becoming a famous military general and U.S. president, Dwight D. Eisenhower lived a quiet life in Gettysburg. After World War II, Eisenhower returned to the city to retire. It would also be where he would recover from his surprise heart attack in 1955. During these years he became involved with the local college and even spent time serving on the Board of Trustees. Eventually an office was named after the president where it is documented that Eisenhower wrote his memoirs.

Despite the for mentioned attractions, the majority of tourists are drawn to Gettysburg’s bloody history. Growing in popularity are local ghost tours where visitors explore places reported to be haunted by soldiers yet to leave this realm. And of course there’s the annual reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg which replicates the entire three day skirmish. And there is Gettysburg National Military Park which contains actual weaponry and paraphernalia from the battle.

And during your visit you decide there’s too much to see in one day, why not spend a night at the Gettysburg Hotel. Now technically serving as a Best Western branch, the building was constructed in 1797 and continues to hold a certain allure to passionate couples.

Gettysburg Hotel

For those out there who thought this post would be a recount of the battle, you’re not out of luck. While whole books and movies have been dedicated to the Battle of Gettysburg, I will only recite what in my mind is the most famous occurrence of the battle, Pickett’s Charge.

map of Pickett's Charge

It began on the third day, July 3, where fighting resumed on Culp's Hill. Cavalry battles erupted to the east and south. At around 1 p.m., 150-170 Confederate cannons began bombarding Union soldiers with artillery fire, spending nearly all of their ammunition. Soon afterwards, 80 Union cannons returned fire. With the Army of Northern Virginia nearly depleted of ammunition, 12,500 men situated in Spangler’s Woods began their march into the hailstorm of cannonballs. Those left standing would end up having hiked the ¾ mile (1.2 Km) to Cemetery Ridge. You can watch part 1 of a 5 part series documenting the vicious attack below.

Auschwitz

2010-03-05T06:20:00.000-08:00

Do you believe in true evil? That the polar opposites of right and wrong really exist? I’d like to think I don’t; that what one perceives as wickedness is rather a lack of understanding of the world. One of our largest physiological shortcomings is the thought that “we” are our egos; that our minds and bodies are the only things that exist. Many have overcome this illusion: the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, and Gandhi. But just because we can rise above the misconception of opposites does not mean that we can obliterate what causes the pain that causes many to suffer.

I’m not certain why, but I occasionally like to remind myself how much the world suffers; perhaps to make myself feel more humble or to remember the fragility and shortness of life. I still feel the need to make myself aware of how good a life I have in America that everyone, even consciously, takes for granted. And if I’m ever having a bad day, I think back to disasters like the thousands of waiting victims of Hurricane Katrina or the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers in 2001 to bring me back to reality. Over time, I’ve learned to forgive the people that made these things happen, but there is still one event that I continue to find hard to believe let alone accept; the Holocaust.

When I think of the Holocaust, I think of concentration camps. And when I think of concentration camps, I think of Auschwitz, the mother of German killing farms during World War II. Actually a grouping of 48 separate holding camps, Auschwitz was built around the Poland town of Oświęcim which was renamed after the country was seized by Germany in September of 1941.

These encampments were settled on an area rich in natural resources. The three main camps were Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II-Birkenau, and Auschwitz III-Monowitz, often referred to as ‘Buna’.

aerial shot of Auschwitz

Auschwitz II-Birkenau was the brain-child of Heinrich Himmler, Germany’s Minister of the Interior. He was quoted in saying the new camp would be the center of the “final solution of the Jewish question in Europe.” The camp’s first commanding officer, Rudolph Hoss, would later testify at the Nuremberg Trials that up to three million people had died there, around 90% of them Jews.

Did you know?- While many text books will tell you the Allies had no idea about Auschwitz during World War II, they actually did. Witold Pilecki, a Polish Army Captain, volunteered to be inside the concentration camp to get evidence of the German’s attempted genocide. Witold spent 945 days at Auschwitz relaying information to the Polish resistance movement which was later given to the British. When he finally escaped in April of 1943 and filed his final report, many thought that his accounts were exaggerations and dismissed his claims.

Arbeit Macht Frei - "Work sets you free."

While most know of the gas chambers that became signature with these camps, there were other more obscure forms of torture that you should know about. They include:

• Some prisoners were forced to spend nights in “standing cells”. These were 4’ x 4’ rooms where four men would be placed inside.
• In basements there were "starvation cells" where prisoners were placed with no food and eventually died. There were also “dark cells” which had only a very tiny slit of a window for oxygen eventually leading to the prisoner’s suffocation. If the process wasn’t going fast enough, an officer would occasionally place a lit candle in the cell to accelerate the process.
• Many were subjected to having their hands handcuffed behind their backs, dislocating their shoulder joints for days.
• Officers also removed gold teeth from the corpses of gas chamber victims which were melted down and reused.

Most people think that prisoners of concentration camps never got any rest, but that’s not absolutely true. Occupants’ days began at 4:30 in the morning with roll call followed by 30 minutes where they were allowed to clean themselves as best they could. Then they were led to their work station by foot wearing striped camp suits, no underwear, and wooden shoes without socks. After a 12 hour day, prisoners were assembled for another roll call, given their daily ration of bread, and dismissed into their buildings. Often, four people would share one bunk.

glasses of victims

On January 27, 1945, Auschwitz was finally liberated by Soviet troops, a day commemorated around the world as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Did you know?- At the museum there is a display case about 30 meters (98 feet) long entirely filled the hair of inmates Nazis removed before and after their deaths. Also, when the Russians arrived on site they found precisely 348,820 men's suits and 836,255 women's garments.

In 1947, Poland created a museum consisting of the remaining buildings inside the boundaries of Auschwitz I and II. By 1994 the museum had seen more than 22 million visitors. It is now believed to bring in more than 700,000 visitors annually. If you would like to help preserve what’s left of this important historical reminder, click here to make a charitable donation.

Many movies have been made on the Holocaust since the fall of the Third Reich. The most well known to my generation is Stephen Spielberg’s Schindler’s List. If you haven’t seen the movie, you can watch a trailer below.

Fencing

2010-03-03T10:41:00.000-08:00

Touché! Ongaurd! When I think of two dudes fighting it out with swords, I either think of Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or two Brits fencing. I’m not sure if that’s a normal identification process but fencing is one of the most honored forms of swordsmanship.

Man he's a sexy beast!!!

What many people don’t know is that fencing is actually a collection of sports that feature weapons such as swords, knives, pikes (long spears), bayonets, batons, and clubs. There are three categories of competition which are featured in the Olympic Games. They include:

• Foil- A lightweight thrusting weapon. Acceptable targets include the chest, torso, shoulders, and back.

• Epee- A heavy thrusting weapon. Any part of the body can be targeted.

• Sabre- A cutting and thrusting weapon. The only targets are the saddle line, which extends across the hip, as well as the head.

Rather than described the rules of each category, I’ve decided to dedicate the rest of this article to describe the foil method, which is the style most think of.

Did you know?- Wheelchair fencing, also known as jousting, is a Paralympics sport. Minor modifications to the rules allow disabled fencers to fence all three weapons. Footwork is replaced by torso or arm movement, depending on the fencer's disability. The proximity of the two fencers tends to increase the pace of bouts, which require considerable skill.

Like a lot of sports, if you’re new to watching fencing you’ll probably have no idea what’s going on. Just as with the majority of American athletics, in fencing a winner is chosen upon a point system. Specifically in foil, score is kept by counting the number of hits which land on the opponent’s target area. These hits are called ‘touches’. When a player has been struck, the judge will yell “Halt!” signaling the end of the round. Bouts are scored to either five or fifteen touches.

Now it gets complicated….There are rules that govern the priority of a hit when opponents strike one another simultaneously. This guideline is referred to as the “right of way.” When a person is attacked, the opposite fencer must either avoid or defend against the attack to be awarded a touch. If the opponent ‘parries’, or blocks, the attack, he/she has the right to ‘riposte’ or counter-attack. Counter-attacks only score if the attacker misses. Even if the attacker’s strike misses its target, it still takes priority over the opponent’s valid hit.

Below is a list of all the protective equipment required in professional fencing.

breeches

gloves

jacket

mask

plastron

Did you know?- As fencers’ strikes became quicker judges were having a difficult time scoring bouts by eye. This problem was eliminated with the invention of electric fencing equipment. It works by sending an electric current through the sword which when striking the target area completes the circuit causing a light on the end of the sword to light up.

Fencing is a great sport to build muscle speed and hand-eye coordination. To ensure no one gets hurt in your learning process, it’s recommended you start with a practice weapon which is considerably cheaper than electric models. Two websites that offer practice foils starting at $25 are blade-fencing.com and shop.fencing.net.

The Wiener's Circle

2010-03-01T06:23:00.000-08:00

WARNING: The following post is rated PG-13 and may not be suitable for children!

When you’re at a fancy restaurant, service is extremely important. You feel you should be treated with respect and that you always “know what’s best.” Of course, the lower the quality of the establishment, the lower the quality of service. I don’t enjoy eating out that much because I feel guilty looking at all the young waiters hustling around doing a job you know they don’t enjoy. Plus, whenever I go to a restaurant like Applebee’s I feel sooo white. I think we would all like to see a waiter just let their customer(s) have it someday. In some places, if you’re not being called a motherf***** you’re not getting what you came for.

Chicago is a city known for many historic eateries, and The Wiener’s Circle is no different. This hot dog stand is known for its char-grilled food and verbal abuse between customers and employees. (They also have delicious chili fries.) Their most ordered item is the ‘chardog’ with “the works”; a grilled Vienne beef hot dog on a warm poppy seed bun topped with mustard, onions, relish, dill pickles spears, tomato slices, and sport peppers with a dash of celery salt.

The profanity exchanged between employees and customers only happens during late-weekend hours where they are often open until 5:00 a.m. During the day it’s a typical hot dog stand but when the party crowd comes to grab a bite after the bars close, the insults start flying.

This company tradition began in the early 90s when Larry Gold, one of the owners, was dealing with an intoxicated customer who wasn’t making the ordering process any easier. At his breaking point from the large crowd, Larry called the drunk an ass*****. Nowadays, with the majority of staff being black and the stand being located in an upper-class white neighborhood, racist slurs often change the atmosphere from relaxed to unfriendly.

Did you know?- Some customers request a “chocolate milkshake” from one of the female employees which is a request for them to expose their breasts.

Sign Language

2010-02-26T10:24:00.000-08:00

The first records of sign language date back to the early 17th century. In 1620, Spanish priest Juan Pablo Bonet published Reduction of Letter and Art for Teaching Mute People to Speak (Boy that’s a mouthful), the first alphabet for the deaf. From his work, philanthropic educator Charles-Michel de I’Epee published his alphabet a century later which has been left largely unchanged since.

Charles-Michel de I’Epee

Did you know?- Just like scientists have a universal system of measurement, the metric system, deaf people have a similar network. Known as International Sign, it is used at the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) as well as the Deaflympics, Olympics held strictly for those of hard hearing where participants compete in many of the same games.

Although widely viewed as being more limited that oral languages, sign language has the advantage of communicating through sight; not only through techniques like facial expressions and body movement but much more. Think of it like this…oral language is linear. What I mean by that is when speaking; only one sound can be made or heard at a time. On the other hand, sign language is visual, meaning a whole scene can be taken in at once. Here’s an example:

Let’s take a look at the phrase, “I went to the park.” Spoken, he/she would need to make the phrase longer to give additional information, such as, “I went to the park while it was sunny. It was beautiful.” In American Sign Language (ASL), details about the day and your feelings about it can be conveyed through with the verb ‘went’ by performing simultaneous gestures like specific hand movements, body posture, and facial expression. I other words, the deaf can shorten the new two word phrase back into its original format, “I went to the park.”

Sign language has five elements. They are:

• Handshape (handform)
• Orientation (palm orientation)
• Location (place of articulation)
• Movement
• Expression (facial expression)

Together they form the acronym HOLME which has become easy to remember when learning the language. If you’re interested in learning sign for whatever reason (So you and your friend have a secret language, or you can insult people without their knowing) watch the video below to see if you can master the numbers 1-20 as well as the English alphabet.

If you still think you would like to learn sign, visit start-american-sign-language.com. While there are countless other software programs to download online to learn ASL, this site is the best compilation of free lessons and tutorials that I could find.

Did you know?- In terms of sentence construction, ASL shares more with spoken Japanese than it does with English.

Yet whether you make a conscious choice to learn sign or not, you may find the language becoming more main stream in popular culture. Recently, there has been a movement to teach and encourage the use of sign language with toddlers before they learn to talk because young children can communicate effectively with signed languages before they are physically capable of speech. There have also been several breeds of primate such as the chimpanzee and gorilla that scientists have taught basic signs to in our hope to communicate with them. Below is part 1 of the 8 part series 1978 documentary, Koko: A Talking Gorilla, which showcases the abilities of a wonderful gorilla by the name of Koko who knows more than 1,000 signs of ASL as well as 2,000 spoken English words.

The Louvre

2010-02-24T06:02:00.000-08:00

ornithopter drawing

Leonardo da Vinci was not only a brilliant artist, but an ingenious inventor. The public has been showered with ‘da Vinci’ media these past couple years with the release of Dan Brown’s best-selling novel, The Da Vinci Code, as well as universities and engineering firms beginning to recreate many of his old ideas that were only left on paper. One can see how much confidence da Vinci had in his own intellect; he never attempted to build any of his inventions because he knew they would work. My favorite design was his ornithopter, a man-powered machine that attained flight with the flapping of artificial wings. While this idea has been proven to work in small scale, humans are still developing a machine that can transport us with the grace of birds.

Yet to most, Leondardo is the painter of The Mona Lisa housed inside the Louvre in Paris, France. Properly known as the Grand Louvre, this is the most visited museum in the world. It is also one of the largest museums at 652,300 square feet (60,600 square meters) containing nearly 35,000 objects dating from the dawn our beginning to the 19th century.

The museum was originally a fortress built in the late 12th century under King Philip II of France. Charles X converted the building into the royal family’s quarters in 1546. After that, it underwent multiple additions and remained the primary residence of the king and queen until 1672 when Louis XIV switched to the Palace of Versailles. Since then, its vast halls have been mainly used to exhibit artwork from the royal families.

Did you know?- During the Second French Empire (Napoleon III ruled from 1852-1870) the museum gained 20,000 pieces of art!

The current collection is divided into eight departments:

• Egyptian Antiquities
• Near Eastern Antiquities
• Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities
• Islamic Art
• Sculpture
• Decorative Arts
• Paintings
• Prints and Drawings

Although not highly publicized, the Louvre is actually owned by the French government. Since 2003, they have required the museum to generate funds for municipal projects. The government currently provides 62% of the museum’s funding with the remainder coming from private contributions and ticket sales.

Did you know?- In order to keep everything running, the museum employs 2,000 people!

One of the Louvre’s main architectural features is the glass pyramid in the central courtyard. Architect I. M. Pei was appointed the task and was completed in October 1988. The second phase of Pei’s plan, La Pyramide Inversée (the Inverted Pyramid), was completed in 1993. Upon reaching the year 2002, the museum’s attendance had doubled due to its completion!

Powered Paragliding

2010-02-22T08:46:00.000-08:00

When the idea to travel around the world first appeared in my thoughts, my main question was how I would get around. Originally, I thought of riding a motorcycle but realized that I wanted to see the globe a lot slower than 55mph. Then I considered just walking or hitchhiking my way across the planet. However, because I wouldn’t be able to carry as much on the road, this idea dissolved as well. Finally after some research, I decided on bicycle touring as the perfect solution. (click here to learn more)

Still, I know that someday the intense craving to see the Earth in new ways will resurface again. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to see scenery from the ground, but what about the sky? Thus far I’ve written about quite a few ways that I’d like to experience flight someday, but today I want to reveal my ultimate fantasy. To travel across the sky at only 15-20 mph strapped into a powered paraglider.

Also known as paramotoring, powered paragliding is a type of ultralight aircraft where a pilot wears a motor on his/her back (called a paramotor) which creates enough thrust for the parafoil wing to ascend. Takeoff requires no assistance as the pilot simply runs until the desired speed is reached for takeoff.

In the United States, the sport requires no license to fly probably because it is incredibly safe at low altitude and slow speeds. What makes this so appealing to me as well as thousands of other people is that fact that you don’t need a lot of equipment to get started. Also factor in that maintenance costs are low and with no cockpit it gives the rider an incredible free flight feeling where one can view more of their surroundings.

Before I go any further, I think it’s important to distinguish between two commonly mistaken forms of powered parafoil flight. Powered parachuting (PPC) assemblies have easier to control, yet less efficient wings then paramotors, as well as larger engines, slower flight speeds (25-35 mph) and that pilots steer with their feet.

powered parachute

Paramotors can fly between 15-45 mph (25-70 Km/h) at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet (5,400 meters) although the majority of pilots stay under 500 feet (150 meters). The motor weighs between 45-80 pounds (20-36 Kg) and requires only about 10 feet (3 meters) of runway, excluding the parafoil, to take off. Unfortunately, due to the parafoil’s low flight speed and susceptibility to crosswinds, the sport is normally reserved for the summer months.

Did you know?- A complete, new paragliding package can cost between $6,000 to $9,500, while used equipment could run you anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000.

As I said earlier, while you don’t need a license to operate these machines in most countries, it’s still recommended you complete some sort of training course. Most courses take only about a month to complete.

Some paramotor pilots choose to attach lightweight trikes to their motor assembly if they can’t foot launch properly. In some countries, such as England, this modification changes the aircraft’s status and requires a license to fly.

In the U.S., powered paragliding is represented by the US Powered Paragliding Association (USSPA) as well as the US Ultralight Association.

Did you know?- In 2007, world famous adventurer and TV star, Bear Grylls, flew over the Himalayas using a paramotor. Although not officially confirmed, Bear claims to have reached an altitude of 8,990 meters (24,294 feet) where he saw the tip of Mount Everest!

The Red Square

2010-02-19T06:17:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of places that have somehow managed to pack a lot of importance into a small place. One example is Madison Square Garden, the most noteworthy square block in New York City. Another is the Louvre art museum in France, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Even Plymouth Rock, the landing point of America’s first immigrants, is important in my country’s short history while still being a pile of limestone.

Yeah...that's it.

What is it about these places that give them so much prestige? It could be what happened at the local, but so many areas in the world are distinguished with history. It could be the people who graced them with their presence, but I don’t think that’s it either. I believe, in the end, some places are famous not for their past or relevant meaning but just because they’re there; whether by fate or not if you believe in such a thing.

One of the most famous city squares on Earth is the Red Square. Located in Moscow, Russia, the square’s original purpose was to serve as the city’s main marketplace as well as to be the site of public ceremonies like the coronations of czars.

Red Square

There has been much debate on how the square received its name. Despite what you may have heard, it’s not because the bricks around the area are red or because of the association with communism. Instead, it came about because the Russian word for red can also mean ‘beautiful’. Although its alternative meaning was originally applied to Saint Basil’s Cathedral, it was later expanded to encompass the entire square.

Saint Basil's Cathedral

Everywhere you look around the Red Square there is something to admire and learn about. Lenin’s Mausoleum contains the body of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, the founder of the Soviet Union. I already mentioned Saint Basil’s Cathedral which marks the geometric center of Moscow and the center of which all construction has been built since the 14th century. It was the tallest building in the city until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600.

Lenin's mausoleum

On the eastern side of the square there is the GUM (pronounced as ‘goom’) department store (now a shopping mall). In the shape of a trapezoid, the building combines Russian medieval architecture with modern design elements such as steel beams and a glass roof.

the GUM

inside the GUM

Next to the department store is the Kazan Cathedral, an Orthodox church built in the 1630s marking Russia’s freedom from aggressive Polish occupants. Then there is the State Historical Museum which showcases some of the country’s earliest historical artifacts as well as a countless number of priceless artworks dating back to the Romanov dynasty.

Kazan Cathedral

State Historical Museum

Iceboating

2010-02-17T07:12:00.000-08:00

As an aspiring explorer, I have deep respect for the first adventurers of our time. Some of my favorite expeditions involve journeys to the most isolated places on Earth. And nothing rings true to the words ‘unforgiving and inhospitable’ than the Arctic. Expeditions at both poles were remarkable, whether it was the first ship to reach the Arctic Circle, the first man to reach the North Pole, or attempting the longest unsupported arctic trip in history (click here to see the related post).

But what makes travel so difficult in these places? Anyone who’s seen the raw power contained below the 30th parallel feels that everything around you is trying to kill you. Early explorers had ice as their main enemy; early ships only had wooden hulls and were powered by the wind leaving ice breaking to be done by hand. And it was never that simple. When you saw ice on open water you were likely to see it again, whether dressed as wandering ice flows, icebergs, or solid sheets spanning hundreds of miles.

International DN

In an attempt to make the transition from one medium to another easier, the iceboat (also called an ice/bay scooter) was created. Upon completion it could traverse between ice and open water with no changes in its structure required. Yet it was incredibly difficult to control; having no rudder, its course could only be directed by adjusting the main and jib sails. The earliest models ranged between 30-50 feet (9-15 meters) long and were used mainly for transportation of goods.

Did you know?- In 1869 the largest iceboat developed, for racing on the Hudson River in New York, named the Icicle came in at 69 feet (21 meters) long. It’s also recorded that in 1871 the boat beat the Chicago Express train on a run between Poughkeepsie and Ossining. This was not unheard of as early ice yacht clubs would often race trains.

iceboat race

Today, iceboats or ice yachts are primarily seen racing in clubs around the world. Perhaps the most recognizable class of these vessels is the International DN. The name stands for the Detroit News newspaper where the first one was built in 1937. Its design features a narrow, single-person cockpit, three steel blades arranged in a tricycle configuration, and a steeply raked mast. Boats in this class are required to be 12 (3.5 meters) feet long, with an 8 foot (2.5 meter) wide runner plank, a 16 foot (5 meter) mast, and have a sail square area of 60 feet.

Did you know?- With just a smooth ice surface and a steady wind of 12-15 mph, the International DN can reach speeds of up to 55-65 mph!

Those who live by a large body of water, in a seasonal climate, have no reason to pass up the opportunity to glide across the ice in one of these boats. Although they are expensive to buy and even harder to find, the majority are made by average Joes in garages all across the northern continents. By clicking here you can see the most comprehensive, free guide I could find on building your own International DN iceboat on a limited budget.

Zorbing

2010-02-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

Zorbing (which also goes by globe-riding, sphereing, or orbing) is the stomach stirring experience of rolling downhill in an ‘orb’ made of transparent plastic. Zorbs come in two designs: harnessed or non-harnessed. Constructions with harnesses can carry up to three riders, while harnessed designs carry only one or two.

Outdoor Gravity Orb (OGO)

The zorb’s construction is both simple and ingenious. The ball is double-sectioned, with a small sphere inside a larger one with a layer of trapped air between. The difference between the two diameters results in a 20”-24” cushion of air. With the zorb being made of flexible plastic, this buffer helps to cushion the rider from any irregularities in the slope surface. Sometimes, operators place water inside the spheres to reduce friction allowing the ball to roll underneath its riders without tossing them around as violently.

The idea behind the orb’s design is based off of the small rodent balls that have been in production since the 1970s. It wasn’t until the 1980s that humans would adopt the principle for themselves in a big way. The Dangerous Sports Club constructed a giant sphere 23 meters (75.5 feet) in diameter with a gimbals arrangement supporting two deck chairs inside. No pictures of the machine have been found as it was shortly disassembled thereafter for scrap.

In 1994, Dwane van der Sluis and Andrew Akers created the first zorb in Auckland, New Zealand. After acquiring two investors, they were quick to capitalize on the idea creating the now famous firm ZORB Limited. After years of networking, similar companies such as Downhill Revolution have been created as well as a couple of spin-off inventions like the Outdoor Gravity Orb (OGO) and the Fishpipe.

Fishpipe

Fishpipe- The world’s first rotating barrel ride. Up to three riders enter the barrel where operators then add 20 gallons (75 liters) or water and spin the contraption up to 45 revolutions per minute. Occupants can attempt to surf the ride while standing up though it’s difficult to get the hang of.

Did you know?- Although zorbs generally descend gentle slopes, I want to break the land-speed record for a zorb! The world record for fastest zorb ride is held by Keith Kolver at a speed of 32.3 mph (52 Km/h).

The reporter below thought it would be funny to be struck by an empty zorb rolling down a hill. She was wrong…

International Birdman Competition

2010-02-12T06:35:00.000-08:00

Ever since man first gazed at the sky, it has dreamed of flying. Not until a little over a hundred years ago did that realization come to pass. Society has the Wright brothers to thank for the conveniences of modern flight, but if it wasn’t for the groundwork completed by previous visionaries, we might still be grounded today. Yet, if you watch the old black and white reels of inventors testing their weird flying machines, it looks like the Wright brothers made huge bounds with their research. And even though we’ve progressed far in avionics this past century, the desire to realize flight is still present in the hearts of average Joes all across the world. So sometimes you just have to go against all logic, build a giant paper-Mache chicken, run off the end of a pier, and hope for the best. What?!

The International Birdman Competition is held annually in Worthing, England. The event has always been held on piers in West Sussex, on the island’s southern coast, originally beginning in Selsey, then moved to Bognor Regis, and finally to Worthing in 2008. Although similar events have manifested, this competition is the oldest Birdman Rally in the world.

The rules are simple, contestants take off running down a 30 foot high pier attempting to fly the furthest distance until striking the water surface. As of 2009, a reward stood at £30,000 ($46,900) for anyone who could reach 100 meters (330 feet) past the pier’s end.

While there is always a share of serious individuals competing each year, most participants enter to just have fun. In the rally’s long history, contest organizers have seen too many preposterous-looking contraptions to name. In order to keep festivities moving the event has been divided between advanced aviators looking to win and those who just want to make a big splash.

Did you know?- Steve Elkins set the record for longest flight in 2009 at 99.8 meters (327 feet)! He didn’t win the prize money.

I want to know…If you entered this contest, what would your aircraft be modeled after? Maybe a prehistoric pterodactyl or a refrigerator with wings? Leave a comment below.

Alaskan Highway

2010-02-10T06:04:00.000-08:00

Last week I finished finalizing my bicycle tour directions from home (Toledo, OH) to Leavenworth, WA. And let me tell you, at this point, I’m pretty sick of looking at roads in Google Maps. In fact, the realization that I will be sharing the same roads as thousands of vehicles on a rickety bicycle leaves me a little timid. When I’m done with my first leg I’ll probably be too afraid to drive again because I’ll after having become so acquainted with the fear of being struck by traffic. Although after months of recovery, I’ll probably be back on the road heading back towards the Atlantic Ocean.

the Alaskan Highway

Yet someday, whether it’s when I’m in Washington or down in Florida, I’d love to ride my bike to Alaska. And as far as I’m concerned there’s only one way to get there, via the Alaskan Highway. The highway is 1,390 miles (2,237 Km) long stretching from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Delta Junction, Alaska.

Proposals for the highway’s construction were given in the 1920s when an investor thought it would be beneficial to build a ‘super-road’ linking the United States, Canada, and Russia. Yet in order for the idea to take root, Canada, where the majority of the roadway would lie, would have to be very supportive of its construction; they were not. It wasn’t until the attack of Pearl Harbor in 1941 and the later Japanese invasion of Alaska, that the idea was approved by U.S. Congress and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Canada approved of the highway as long as it along with all roadside assets were turned over to the Canadians after the war.

Many bridges were simple, makeshift woodem designs

made by hand from the surrounding forests.

The majority of the highway’s construction was done by the U.S. Army. 11,000 soldiers along with 7,500 civilians were put to the task of building the shortest road to Alaska that, at the very least, could be used to transport military equipment. Two crews started from each end point and worked their way to the middle. It’s actually quite remarkable that the two teams met without global positioning satellites (GPS) been launched yet.

The most difficult setback in creating the road came not from subarctic temperatures, but from the Earth itself. In the summer, the ground underneath the quickly thinning permafrost was filling with water and becoming increasingly unstable. When this top layer was removed in order to lay the road the soil turned into quicksand, sucking bulldozers and other heavy machinery with it.

Did you know?- On September 24, 1942 crews from both directions met at Mile 588 at what became named Contact Creek.

This will be me someday…

Dragon Ball Z

2010-02-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

My imagination as a child was overwhelmingly powerful. And I mean that in the most literal way because it often created problems in trying to live out a normal life. When I was a kid who you could lock in a room for 24 hours and not here me wine one bit; I already had everything I needed to entertain myself right inside my head. Most attractive to my imagination were the recent release of Japanese animation shows, or ‘manga’ series. When Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh exploded onto the scene in the mid-90s, there was no turning back for my generation. And while I know doubt collected my fair share or trading cards, the majority of these shows lost their appeal as I matured. Still, there was one cartoon that always stuck with me; the one that was and still is the undisputed best manga series of all time.

(From lef to right): Tien, Trunks, Goku, Krillin, Vegeta, and Piccolo

Kaaa…Meee…Haaa…Meee……HAAAAAA!!!

Yeah…Dragon Ball Z was the shiz! And just to be clear, while I truly enjoyed Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z was the first of the series to be broadcasted on Cartoon Network’s Toonami cartoon block.

We have one man to thank for this show’s creation and his name is Akira Toriyama. His amazing work has inspired countless other artists such as Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto and One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda for the plot of their shows. Both artists have stated that Son Goku, Dragon Ball Z’s main character, inspired their series' main protagonists as well series structure.

(From back to front): Goku normal, Super Saiyan, 'Ascended' Super Saiyan, and Super Saiyan x 3 The halo just signifies that Goku is dead in this picture.

Did you know?- In a survey completed by 1,000 people in 2007, Goku ranked first as the “Strongest Manga Character of All Time.”

For more information on the show’s creation, cool merchandise and polls, visit dragonballz.com.

While I take the series’ story line to heart, I realize how silly the show really is. Recently a channel on YouTube made a parody of the series that is absolutely hilarious. You can watch the first episode, of ten, below which follow through Vegeta’s arrival on Earth, or you can skip that to see a sneak peek at the Planet Namek series at tfsabridged.com.

I want to know…Who’s your favorite DBZ character and attack that he/she possesses? Leave a comment below.

Aurora UFO Conspiracy

2010-02-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

While some may argue the Nessie’s existence has little credibility, the case is not the smoking gun in proving the existence of the weird. The most controversial of mythical occurrences are undoubtedly UFOs (unidentified flying objects). Now, there’s no way I can legitimately prove the presence of extraterrestrials on Earth, and trying to answer that question frankly don’t interest me, but there is one story that intrigues me. And it perhaps contains the biggest proof anyone could ever need, the body of a dead alien.

Aurora, Texas is a small rural town with a population of only 293. The event in question took place on April 17, 1897. That morning a cigar-shaped flying object supposedly struck the windmill belonging to a Judge J.S. Proctor. Two days later, an article appeared in the Dallas Morning News written by Aurora’s own S.E. Haydon. He wrote Judge Proctor said that when he went to examine the wreckage, the craft’s pilot was lying dead amongst the rubble. He described the pilot as “not of this world”. An army officer from nearby Fort Worth reported the creature to be a “Martian” as well. Apparently the alien was given a Christian burial in the local cemetery, which today contains a Texas Historical Commission marker describing the incident.

Did you know?- What makes this account so interesting is that people describe a flying objects seven years before the Wright brothers made history at Kitty Hawk.

Purportedly, the wreckage was dumped into a well located under the damaged windmill. When a man by the name of Mr. Brawley Oates purchased the judge’s property in 1945, he cleaned out the debris from the well in order to use the water. He was only later to develop a severe case of arthritis which Mr. Oates blamed on the contaminated well water. In 1957, he sealed up the well with a concrete slab and placed an outbuilding around it. Since then no one has been given authority to examine the well’s contents or exhume the alien’s body.

The supposed encounter has been a feature on a few UFO documentaries; even investigated by the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON). The organization uncovered two new witnesses in a 1973 study who said they saw the crash. Mary Evans, who was 15 at the time, talked of how her parents went to the crash site while she was forced to stay home. They would later return with talk about the deceased pilot. Charlie Stephens, who was 10, said he saw the airship trailing smoke as it headed north toward Aurora. While he wanted to see what happened, his father made him finish his chores on their local farm.

MUFON also stumbled across a piece of metal which was later found to be comprised of 95% aluminum and 5% iron. It turns out that this combination of metals is very rare, especially a lack of zinc which usually accompanies iron. Further research found the metal to have been air-cooled on the ground. MUFON concluded that the “the sample could not be of terrestrial nature.”

I want to know…Do you believe aliens are already here on Earth? If so, what do you think their mission is? Leave a comment below.

Woodsman Competitions

2010-02-03T12:30:00.000-08:00

Nowadays, if you’re good at something, the chance to showcase your talent is pretty good. It doesn’t matter if you participate in the national fry-cook games or play video games for a living, you can glut your stuff in front of people who are actually interested in what you do. And lumberjacks are no different. Sure they’re a dying breed, but their traditions of hard work and good-old brute force are still alive in the woodsman of today.

Woodsman competitions like many professional sports started from contests made by workers in the industry; in this case bored loggers at milling camps. As they were paid more for performing tasks more quickly or with higher precision, all of the competitions were based on speed.

Large games have up to fifteen different events; I made it a point to describe three of my favorite categories for you below:

Horizontal (Underhand) Chop

This is an axe event where one cuts a bolt of wood set horizontally. The axer stands on top of the log until while chopping until it breaks.

Log Rolling (Birling)

Competitors stand on a log, rolling it with their feet for a set amount of time until someone falls off. If both remain standing when the time limit is reached, the contestants switch to consecutively smaller logs until a winner is declared.

Pole Climbing

Participants must climb to the top of a 60-90 foot tall, cedar pole and ring a bell. On the descent, they must touch the pole every 15 inches, or every marked section. The pole is typically the diameter of a telephone pole as the climber wears arborist’s spikes to climb.

I don’t recommend trying anything involving sharp objects of heights, but birling is an excellent game to break out when you’re bored in the summer. You can view the United States Logrolling Association official contest rules by clicking here, so you can organize little competitions for yourselves.

Did you know?- The Lumberjack World Championship located in Hayward, WI contains 21 events and awards up to $50,000 in prize money!

I want to know...If you were a lumberjack what would your name be? For some reason the name 'Al' keeps popping up in my head. Leave a comment below.

Tightrope Walking

2010-02-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

I was never a big fan of the circus. I think I’ve only been to a couple shows that were the whole shebang-a-bang. I never looked forward to the clowns, lion taming, or the bears on the unicycles. And as far as the trapeze artists were concerned, when you’re so far away that you can’t even see the swings, the whole scene appears a bit odd. But there is one circus feat I would love to try someday; risking my life with a walk on a tightrope.

The art of tightrope walking (or funambulism if you want to get fancy) is attempting to traverse along a thin wire or rope suspended at great height. Some performers may choose to use balancing poles and even perform without a safety net for added effect.

A new twist on this old sport is called slacklining. Instead of a highly taught steel wire, performers use nylon webbing stretched between two anchor points. Being made from nylon, the rope is very flexible reacting greatly to the slightest disturbance.

Did you know?- The highest slackline walked on record was by Christian Schou in 2006 at 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) high. It was later repeated by Aleksander Mork in 2007.

In an attempt to help you respect the intelligence of these brave souls, here’s a bit of science to understand how difficult it is to master the physics of tightrope walking. We all know that some performers use a pole for added balance. The main advantage of the pole is that it moves your center of mass (COM) outwards, away from the pivot point. This reduces angular acceleration because your COM is now swinging through a larger arc; i.e. it takes longer to create the same angle. This reduces tipping tendency and also gives the walker more strength to correct any mistakes.

Probably the most famous of highwire walkers to Americans like me would be Philippe Petit, the Frenchman who walked between the two World Trade centers in New York City in 1974. You can watch the official trailer below for the documentary that follows how a team of adventurists pulled off this insane stunt in the hit movie, Man on Wire.

While learning how to walk a tightrope can be dangerous, slacklining is a fun and safer way to start out. If you would like to give it a try, visit bugsbalance.com to see there premier slackline kit or visit slacklineexpress.com to choose from their multiple performance sets (If you have problems deciding which kit is best for you, click here for a product comparison guide).

Burning Man

2010-01-29T06:24:00.000-08:00

The best way I can describe Burning Man is that it’s like a combination between Las Vegas and Woodstock. And the saying, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” applies directly to this situation as well. What happens at Burning Man is mainly up to those who attend, though the event has ten core principles everyone must follow:

1. Inclusion- Anyone who can afford a ticket can come.

2. Gifting- Rather than using any currency, participants are encouraged to partake in a gift economy or sort of potlatch.
3. Decommodification- No money transactions are allowed except for a few vendors, purchasing fuel, or donating to the select charities.
4. Self-reliance- With the event’s remote surroundings, attendees are responsible for their own subsistence.
5. Self-expression- This is accomplished through art and various projects. Clothing is optional and public nudity is common.
6. Communal effort
7. Civic responsibility- Everyone is part of a civil society in which laws are obeyed.
8. “Leave no Trace”- Attendants strive to leave the area in better condition than when they left it.
9. Participation
10. Immediacy- Participants are encouraged to be active in the festivities and explore those around them as well as their inner selves.

Held in the Black Rock Desert, a dried out lake bed, the proceedings start on the Monday before and end on the American Labor Day. While in 2008 it was estimated that 49,600 people attended, this craze-fest originally began as a bonfire ritual on the summer solstice in 1986. Creators Larry Harvey, Jerry James, and a few friends met on Baker Beach in San Francisco to burn a 9 foot tall wooden man and smaller wooden dog.

Black Rock City is the temporary area built for the festival. After the event is closed, about 90% will be destroyed where it lies. Interestingly enough, most of the city’s layout and infrastructure is created by the Public Works Department. The developed portion of the city is arranged in a series of concentric streets in an arc composing two-thirds of 1.5 mile diameter circle. In the center stands the tall man waiting to be burned on the last night.

If you would like to see a list of events sponsored by the Burning Man Regional Network in your area, click here.

Pat's vs Geno's

2010-01-25T06:15:00.000-08:00

There’s a war going down in Philadelphia. While this area may hold rank as the “City of Brotherly Love”, there’s an underlying struggle waiting to break forth unto the national scene. Or perhaps, it already has.

Although not associated with inventing much in the world of food, there’s one tasty delight that bares the city’s name proudly; the Philly Cheesesteak. And two long time rivals claim to have the best in town.

For those of you who’ve never had a cheesesteak sandwich before let me break it down for you. You have your thinly sliced pieces of steak covered in melted cheese in a roll (That’s it.). Philadelphians Pat and Harry Oliveri are often credited with creating the sandwich when they started serving chopped-up steak on hoagie rolls in the early 1930s. The item became so popular that Pat opened his own restaurant still operating today as Pat’s King of Steaks. Yet his supremacy was soon challenged.

In 1966, Philadelphian Joe Vento opened Geno’s Steaks specializing in the now popular cheesesteak sandwich. The two restaurants are located right across from each other at the intersection of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue. While the two eateries have similar menus, there methods of production vary. Pat’s chops up its meat, Geno’s does not. Also, Pat’s sandwiches noticeably contain more meat and use melted Cheez Wiz, while Geno’s sandwich meat is tenderer and uses generic cheese.

Did you know?- Geno’s claims to sell up to 4,500 sandwiches daily!

I want to know…If you’ve had a cheesesteak sandwich from both of these venues, which one is better and why? Leave a comment below.

Siberian huskies

2010-01-22T16:49:00.000-08:00

With my mother operating a dog training business, I have slowly been transformed into a dog-lover. At the moment, our family has five dogs; four border collies (Xena, Rambo, Spice, and Thriller) and one bi-black sheltie (Whip). Currently, she picks dogs that will hopefully be good at the dog sport ‘agility’. Our dogs are considered work animals and this idea has led me to decide that if I ever get a dog it would be one with a working-class origin. And while I am against the domestication of animals as pets, when I break down and get a puppy for myself, there’s no doubt it’ll be a Siberian husky.

A medium sized working breed, originating out of eastern Siberia, this class of Husky is easily recognized by their thickly-furred double coat, sickle tail, erect triangular ears, and distinct markings. They are active, energetic, and extremely resilient to the cold. The breed was imported to Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush to be used as sled dogs but is now mostly seen as family pets and show-dogs. They can come in any color and can grow to be 60 pounds.

Did you know?- On February 3, 1925, Gunnar Kaasen was first in the 1925 run to Nome to deliver diphtheria serum from Nenana over 600 miles away. This group effort comprised of several sled dog teams and mushers inspired the creating of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race which reenacts that faithful run. In honor of this lead dog, a bronze statue was erected at Central Park in New York City. On it is inscribed:

Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the sled dogs that relayed antitoxin six hundred miles over rough ice, across treacherous waters, through Arctic blizzards from Nenana to the relief of a stricken Nome in the winter of 1925. Endurance--fidelity--intelligence

In 1930, the last Siberians were exported as the Soviet Union closed the land’s borders to external trade.

Did you know?- In 1933, Navy Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd brought about 50 Siberian Huskies with him on an expedition around the 16,000-mile coast of Antarctica. Labeled ‘Operation Highjump’, the journey proved the worth of the Siberian husky due to its compact size and greater speeds.

The dog’s coat is comprised of two layers: a dense undercoat and a longer topcoat of short, straight guard hairs. With this combination, the breed is able to withstand temperatures as low as −60 °C (-76° F). They are quite affectionate with people, but extremely independent and stubborn and get bored easily. So while they’re not suited to live in an apartment, if you have lots of wide open space and time to play, the two of you will form a loving relationship.

Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake

2010-01-20T07:21:00.000-08:00

There is a lot of worthless crap out there, and I’m not just talking about the Snuggie. There may be hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of what basically is a backwards robe sold in the U.S. But this latest installment of infomercial fever is absolutely absurd.

Now don’t get me wrong, if the product truly produces the results you see on the commercial, it’s a great idea. I can just see thousands of people getting this to lose their neck fat rather than trying to look younger. (You may have gotten rid of that double chin but your muffin top isn’t that easy on the eyes either.) Perhaps the only thing more stupid would be chasing a block of cheese down a 45° hill…WHAT?

The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an event held every year on the Spring Bank Holiday at Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester, England. The event is basically what I described; a round block of cheese is released from the top of a hill as contestants race after it. The first person to cross the finish line at the bottom wins the event along with the block of cheese. Though competitors are aiming to catch the cheese, since it has a one second head start and reaches speeds up to 70 mph (112 Km/h), anyone trying is out of luck.

While the origin of the event is unclear, people believe the festivity may date back to Roman times. The cheese itself is not bought at the local market but is a block of Double Gloucester, a hard cheese made named after the nearly extinct breed of cow its milk comes from. Since 1988, the cheese has been supplied by local cheesemaker Diana Smart.

the 'Cheese Master'

Did you know?- With the introduction of rationing in World War II, the race used a wooden replica with a hollow in the center where a smaller piece of cheese was placed from 1941 to 1954.

The fun part of these races is waiting for someone to injure themselves which doesn’t take long. Afflictions range from sprained ankles to broken bones to concussions. The large numbers of injuries have made the local first aid service, St. John Ambulance, a regular in attendance along with a volunteer rescue group that carries those who don’t reach the bottom.

Due to its growing popularity, more than one race is held to accommodate all contestants. In 2005, one race had to be delayed because all the ambulances were transporting casualties from the previous run to the hospital.

I want to know…If you could chase anything down a hill what would it be? Leave a comment below.

Cedar Point

2010-01-18T10:44:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of events that lead me to the lifestyle I’ve chosen. But as far as my need for adventure, there is one happening that clearly started it all. It was a trip I took to Cedar Point junior year of high school that put the wheels in motion for what I must honestly say has been an almost spiritual experience.

Cedar Point is a 364-acre amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio on a little peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. But saying Cedar Point is merely an amusement park does not do it justice. It holds the record for most roller coasters (17) and as of 2008 has 75 rides which is more than anywhere else in the world. The area also consists of a mile long beach, an outdoor and indoor waterpark (Soak City and Castaway Bay respectively), two marinas, and Challenge Park; a fun center which contains activities like go-kart racing and miniature golf.

Did you know?- Cedar Point has been voted “Best Amusement Park in the World” by Amusement Today for the past eleven years!

Opened in 1870, the park is the second oldest in North America. During the 1860s the peninsula’s indigenous landscape was replaced with housings for four artillery pieces to guard access to the Confederate POW camp on nearby Johnson’s Island. After the Civil War, the area returned to use as a public picnic area until Louis Zistel, a German immigrant, bought the land.

While I could fill an entire book describing every turn on every ride, I’ve selected the three most popular rides to wet your whistle.

#3- Raptor

Opened in 1994, the Raptor was the first steel inverted roller coaster to incorporate a “cobra role” in its design. While the Golden Ticket Awards rewarded it at 22nd place for best steel coaster in the world for 2009, this ride is too nostalgic to pass up.

SPECS:

• 137 feet high
• 57 mph max speed
• 119 foot drop
• 100 foot loop
• 2 cobra rolls
• Zero-g roll
• 2 corkscrews

#2- Millenium Force

Longest steel coaster in the United States coming in at 6,595 feet. The Millenium Force has been ranked number one in Amuesment Today five times since 2001, and has never been lower than 2nd since opening in 2000.

Did you know?- After 2007, the Millenium Force had given out more than 12 million rides!

SPECS:

• 310 feet high
• 300 foot drop
• 93 mph max speed

#1- Top Thrill Dragster

Opened in 2003, Top Thrill Dragster is a steel, hydraulically-launched roller coaster coming in at 420 feet tall. The tallest in the world, it has only been surpassed in speed by Kingda Ka at Six Flags Resort. This ride accelerates you to 120 mph in only 3.8 seconds!

The Overlook Hotel

2010-01-16T06:30:00.000-08:00

If you love reading novels, you no doubt like a good thriller every now and then. And there’s no one better at writing thrillers than the king of scary, Stephen King. (See what I did there, I made a joke.) You may have read some of his later works like the Cell series, but if you’re a true fan you’ve read the book that put him on the map; The Shining. And if you want to understand the insane and demented that is his book, you need to visit the place that inspired King’s greatest work.

The Overlook Hotel firstly is a fictional place. Actually known as the Stanley Hotel, this renowned building is claimed to be the most popular hotel in all of the Rockies. A 138-room Georgian in Estes Park, Colorado, its construction is responsible by Freelan O. Stanley of the famous Stanley Steamer Company.

Opened in 1909, its rooms have hosted countless numbers of celebrities including the Titanic survivor Margaret Brown, John Philip Sousa, Theodore Roosevelt, and the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The Stanley Hotel is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

While still a prestigious hotel, since The Shining’s releasing it has incorporated its newfound stardom into its everyday workings. For a simple fee of $15.00 per person, a group of 25 can be guided through the building’s seasoned halls looking for remnants of a world long gone. You will even be led into the book’s acclaimed Room 217 where the novel first takes off and the core of the book’s plot was created. However, you must be 5 years of age or older to enter.

Did you know?- The hotel shows the uncut R-rated version of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining continuously on Channel 42 on guest room televisions.

The notion of the hotel being haunted is not just founded in King’s work, but in the history of the surrounding land. Stanley built his masterpiece on land purchased from the English Earl, Lord Dunraven. Dunraven came to the area in 1872 while on a hunting trip. During his stay he built a hunting lodge, cabin, and hotel for his guests. He also illegally homesteaded up to 15,000 acres in an unsuccessful attempt to create a private hunting preserve. The Earl was finally run out of the area after trying to swindle folks out of their land and money.

Throughout the hotel’s one hundred year history, many supernatural happenings have been reported. Workers and guests have commented on hearing the piano in the Ballroom being played when no one is present. Employees believe that it is Mr. Stanley’s wife playing.

Although Room 217 is thought of as the epicenter of the appearances, rooms 407 and 418 have shown the most supernatural activity. Room 407 is said to sometimes be occupied by Lord Dunraven himself. Reportedly, he likes to stand in the corner of the room near the bathroom door. While Room 418 occupants have reported seeing a man standing in their room and then running into the closet. Others have said they saw someone standing in the middle of there room and then just disappearing.

Supposedly this pictures shows a boy standing at the window when the room was vacant.

In fact, it is believed the entire 4th floor is haunted with the sound of children playing in the halls being heard on a few occasions even though there were no children present

Did you know?- The Stanley Hotel has been the scene for many a Hollywood movies, most notably as "Hotel Danbury" in my favorite comedy of all time, Dumb and Dumber.

I want to know…Do you believe in the supernatural? Or perhaps just ghosts or spirits? Leave a comment below and TRY TO KEEP RELIGION OUT OF IT!

Card Throwing

2010-01-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

A while ago I described a method in which you could protect yourself with the ninja star. But let’s say that you want to start off with something a little less damaging. You know, perhaps something that won’t chop your finger off in the art of throwing it. Well just pull out a pack of playing cards and practice wording off your enemies.

Card throwing is the art of throwing standard playing cards. This practice finds its origins in Western stage magic as well as in Eastern martial arts legends and movies.

Did you know?- Rick Smith, Jr. holds the Guinness World Record for longest card throw at 216 feet and 4 inches, reaching a speed of 92 mph!

Earlier magicians would use thicker items known solely as throwing cards that were similar to modern business cards. Their increased mass and customized shape allowed them to be thrown farther and faster resulting in greater force upon impact. Ultimately, this allowed the performer to penetrate thick objects and put on a more entertaining show.

Word of mouth eventually led to the myth that a playing card cold kill. The theory was put to the test on the Discovery Channel’s MythBusters where the myth was busted. It was confirmed that playing cards lack enough mass to transfer sufficient energy to their targets on impact. Even when accelerated by an electric motor to over 150 mph, a card was barely capable of inflicting a paper cut.

Now that you’ve been briefed, let’s get to the fun part; throwing cards! Below I have described the two most popular throwing techniques, though there are countless variations out there.

Jay throwing technique

This technique was created by stage magician, actor, and writer Ricky Jay. His 1977 book, Cards as Weapons, showcases his technique. It involves gripping the middle of the card horizontally between the thumb and the middle finger, while the index finger rests on the corner of the card nearest the hand and away from the body.

The wrist is cocked inward at 90° then flicked briskly outward propelling the card. For distance and power, one adds motion of the forearm bending at the elbow straight outwards from a 90 degree angle simultaneous to the flicking motion of the wrist.

For a more detailed look at Jay’s method, click here to see an actual excerpt from Cards as Weapons.

Thurston grip

Howard Thurston was one of the first performers to introduce card throwing in Western stage acts. In his grip, the card is gripped between the first and second fingers, usually of the left hand. This grip is recommended for beginners because it is very consistent.

I don’t know if the video below is fake or not, but if it’s true then I’m truly afraid of someone armed with cards. Watch Ricky Jay chop a pencil in half with the flick of his wrist!

I want to know…With the invention of superheroes, there have been many villains and good-guys alike that have possessed the ability to throw seemingly ordinary objects with deadly precision. If your ability was to kill with playing cards, what would your superhero name be? Leave a comment below.

Bo Staff

2009-12-15T12:31:00.000-08:00

Self-defense is a crucial tool to have. As a child, my parents enrolled me into karate classes after being abused by bullies at school. For two years, I began to grow on this fighting style from China. But more important than learning how to protect myself, I learned self-discipline. Yet with all this new self- control, I couldn’t stop myself from wanting more out of the art. I can remember most notable the obsession to wield some sort of weapon like a lightsaber. But with hundreds of ancient weapons to choose from, how is one to choose? It’s simple. Just get yourself a bo staff.

The bo staff, properly known as the bo, was originally made from hardwoods, typically white oak or bamboo. A traditional bo is exactly 1.82 meters in length. Today, many are metal or plated with metal to enhance their strength. The most common shape, the maru-bo, is round while other polygon shapes exist (squares-octagons).

Did you know?- The first bo was called ishibo and was made of stone.

The Japanese art of wielding the bo staff is bojutsu. The bo is gripped in thirds, and when held horizontally the holder’s right palm faces outwards while the left hand faces the body. This enables the bo to rotate; its power generated by the left hand pulling back towards the body with the right hand used for guidance. When striking an opponent, the wrist is twisted, like turning the hand over when punching. The staff’s techniques include a wide variety of blocks, strikes, sweeps, and entrapments. It can even be used to sweep sand into an opponent’s eyes.

Like most weapons, the bo staff was once an everyday item. It was used to balance buckets or baskets; one at each end of the pole which was balanced behind the neck on the shoulder blades. But with all the advancements of modern technology, the weapon has become obsolete. If you are interested in learning the art of bojutsu, I encourage you to look for instruction. Please do not purchase this weapon without understanding its raw capability to harm. To learn what type of bo staff is right for you, go here to view a complete guide.

I want to know…If you could wield any human powered weapon in existence, what would be? Leave a comment below.

Race Across America

2009-12-11T08:44:00.000-08:00

Superstar athlete Lance Armstrong has boosted cycling’s popularity through the roof. Yet I’m disappointed that when people think of the bicycle race they say the Tour de France. And while I am in no way questioning the race’s difficulty, there is another event that makes the Tour de France look like a walk in the park. Don’t believe me? Yeah, well you try bicycling 3,000 miles in 10 days!

Arguably the hardest sporting event in the world, the Race Across America (RAAM) is no picnic. It was created in 1982 originally titled the ‘Great American Bike Race’. Competitors start somewhere on the East Coast and finish on the other side of the United States a little bit over a week later. And while the Tour de France is still 2,300 miles long it is divided into daily ride segments prolonging the race for three weeks. The coolest thing about RAAM is that there are no pit stops. In order to be competitive, one has to pedal at least 22 hours a day!

Most cyclists begin with an all out surge, sometimes pedaling in access of 40 hours before taking a sleep break. And during that time riding, they are only off the bike for about 10-15 minutes. They even pedal in the night, followed by their trusty support vehicle (with flashing lights on) providing mechanical and medical assistance, as well as much needed moral.

If you’ve ever witnessed this race, you have one man to thank for its creation; John Marino. In the race’s debut, there were only four competitors (John Marino, John Howard, Michael Shermer, and Lon Haldeman). Some of these competitors would literally train by riding across the U.S. back and forth solo with no assistance whatsoever. Lon Haldeman won the first race with a time of 9 days, 20 hours, and 2 minutes with an average speed of 12.57 miles per hour (mph).

Did you know?- More than half of the starting athletes end of up having to quit.

Since then, hundreds of competitors from around the world have come to take on this challenge. There are now 23 race categories including a separate class for woman and teams of multiple riders (2,4,8).

Did you know?- The fastest nonofficial race time was completed by Michael Secrest in 1990, in 7 days and 23 hours.

In closing this post, I leave you with some inspiration. Released this year, filmmaker’s Stephen Auerback’s Bicycle Dreams is a documentary of the 2005 RAAM. But for of those who aren’t into cycling, this movie is not about a sporting event. This is a classic example, if not the best I’ve ever seen, of man vs. self. The film is more of a window into the lives of ultramarathon athletes displaying their inner victories and defeats. Below is the movies official site description.

"They are seekers, madmen, and angels hell-bent on riding across America on a bicycle in less than ten days. But what begins as the adventure of a lifetime is transformed in an instant when tragedy strikes the race. These voyagers discover what is truly at stake as they pedal on, praying for the deliverance only the finish line can bring. By journey's end, some are saved, others are lost, but all learn that the fuel that takes a soul toward its own true destiny is desire."

To find out where to buy this piece, visit bicycledreamsmovie.com.

Festivus

2009-12-09T08:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a time to be thankful. But sometimes it seems like a corporate scam. With things like Black Friday and dollar limits on gift exchanges, the true joy of Christmas is been overseen. One could easily ignore this most mainstream of holidays, but some have decided to celebrate holidays of their own creation. And one in particular makes absolutely no sense to me.

Festivus is celebrated on December 23 annually. Created by writer Dan O’Keefe in 1965, the holiday wasn’t formally introduced to the world until 1998 when his son Daniel, a scriptwriter for the popular 90s sitcom Seinfeld, worked it into an episode’s story line. Festivus is affiliated with no religion and was created by the elder Dan in celebration of his new wife Deborah.

The holiday has three main components: the festivus pole, the ‘Airing of Grievances’, and the ‘Feats of Strength’. Right off, it’s important to know that there are no decorations. Only the festivus pole denotes this time of year; aluminum pole similar to a stripper’s. While the show displays a dinner of meatloaf, the original Festivus featured turkey and ham followed by a Pepperidge Farm cake decorated with M&Ms. It is also tradition to consume large amounts of alcohol, probably to make the following proceedings less painful.

After the family has eaten, each member goes around the table telling each other of all the ways they and the world have disappointed them over the past year. This process is what is known as the Airing of Grievances. This is followed by the Feats of Strength. Here, the head of the household challenges one person in the room to a wrestling match. The holiday does not come to an official end until the head of the household has been pinned. If the challenger loses, he/she is banished from the Festivus celebrations (normally just thrown outside in the cold for 10 minutes then let back in).

In Dr. Brian A. Krostneko’s book Festivus: The Holiday for the Rest of Us, he found the word “festivus” originated in ancient Rome originally referring to the ways people would misbehave on devoted religious holidays.

If you’d like to adopt Festivus into your life, visit festivuspoles.com where you’ll find everything you need to get your tradition started.

Happy holidays and have a Festivus for the rest of us!

Punkin' Chunkin'

2009-12-09T08:47:00.000-08:00

Halloween has always been in a league of its own. But as you get older and the more of an idiot you look dressed up each year, the holiday loses much of its appeal. So what do you get after a night of handing out candy? An empty bag of candy and some rotting pumpkins on your porch. Well, about twenty years ago, a couple of men in Delaware found a more enjoyable use for this fruit then just making scary faces.

I speak of the new art of “punkin’ chunkin’”, where one attempts to throw a pumpkin as far as possible with some mechanical device. Yet for the competitors who matter, there is only one place to throw pumpkins. The World Championship Punkin’ Chunkin’ contest is held every year on the first weekend after Halloween in Sussex County, Delaware. Here teams are divided into different classes including catapults, trebuchets, centrifugal machines, and pneumatic air cannons; only battling against those in their class.

trebuchet

air cannon

Punkin’ chukin’ may sound like a redneck paluza but this event is very popular. In 2007, the competition drew more than 20,000 people and $100,000 dollars in ticket sales of which over 60% was given to charities. And when pumpkins aren’t flying, there is a carnival holding amusement rides, and a pumpkin cooking contest.

Each machine enrolls in different contests including height, fan favorite, straightness, and range. The teams get three chances to hurl their specimens out of which only their best launch will be recorded. The association usually only fires white pumpkins because they have a thicker rind and better withstands the forces exerted upon them.

Did you know?- The current world record for longest pumpkin chuck is held by Young Glory III of the Adult Air division at 4483 feet!

Jet Packs

2009-12-01T11:44:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, I loved watching those old Warner Bros. cartoons; the days when violence was not yet strictly monitored on television as it is today. And characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester the Cat, and Tweetie Bird made animated shows popular. One of my favorite cartoons was Road Runner, where the coyote was always trying any new ACME product or other crazy idea to thwart the ever escaping road runner. A contraption that even I thought couldn’t be built was his jet pack. And while in this episode it worked (the coyote smashing into a cliff wall though), I later learned that this fictitious device had some real history to it.

Also known as rocket packs, jet packs attain liftoff from fast escaping liquid or gases that propel the pilot skywards. The first rocket pack was designed by (who would have guessed) the Nazi regime during World War II. Its user wore two shortened Schmidt-Argus jet pulse engines that were used to power Fieseler Fi 103 (V-1) flying bombs. The machine was called a Himmelsturmer (“Skystormer” in English). To take off, the flier ignited both engines simultaneously whose propulsions were channeled into a single, angled rear tube that provided lift and forward thrust. There was also a smaller tube mounted on the user’s chest that maintained a lower, constant upward thrust.

V-1 flying bomb

Sustained flights weren’t possible so only short jumps of up to 60 meters (180 feet) at an altitude of 15 meters (50 feet) were attempted. The device was intended to assist German engineer units across minefields, barbed wire, and wide waterways. As soon as the throttle was disengaged, the jet pack shut off. Surprisingly, there are no recorded casualties at the hand of this machine.

In the 1960’s the United States army began to hire companies to design a similar apparatus to be used by soldiers in combat. Most, if not all of these designs, used different types of compressed gases (i.e. hydrogen peroxide, nitrogen) to obtain lift.

Another application that came from this work was using similarly working device in space. One such design was the Bell Pogo, a small rocket powered platform that two people could ride on. In the 1980s, NASA demonstrated its Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) which later was replaced by the SAFER to be used in case of an accidental separation from the spacecraft or station.

Bell Pogos

While it may have been fun to ride, engineers realized that rocket packs would be able to traverse longer distances in they had some form of a wing. One of my favorite examples of such a device is Yves Rossy’s jet pack. His pack was built with rigid carbon-fiber wings spanning about 8 feet (2.4 meters) holding four small kerosene-burning jet engines underneath. After being lifted to a proper altitude by plane, he ignites the engines just before exiting the plane with the wings folded. The wings unfold while in free-fall, and he is then able to fly horizontally for several minutes, landing using a parachute. Rossy controls his flight by adjusting his body position and uses a hand throttle to maneuver. He and his sponsors spent over $190,000 to build the device.

A water-propelled jet pack, the Jetlev-Flyer, debuted in 2009 as a product that could be purchased by the public. Instead of gas, it uses two water jets for thrust. A small unmanned boat with a pump delivers pressurized water to the jet pack via a hose. This amazing idea has a MSRP of $129,000.

If you’re already thinking about building your own jetpack, I implore you to reconsider. Not only are your chances of success minimal, but there would be no truly safe way to test it. However, you’re likely to see someone else perform aerobatics on one if you go to a popular air show. Companies like Jetpack International and Martin Jetpack often perform stunts at large venues or can be hired to be at your own event.

Martin jetpack

Weightlessness

2009-11-30T08:21:00.000-08:00

As we were all kids at one point, it’s probable that every one of us has had the desire to become an astronaut; to ride the space shuttle, work on the International Space Station, and just simply to go into space. But what was it about space that stole our imaginations? It could have been interest in advance technology, visiting the Moon, making scientific contributions, or wearing those cool space-suits. However, we know it wasn’t any of those things. We just wanted to be weightless!

Weightlessness is a feeling experienced during free fall, normally under a galactic body’s gravitational force or in deep space. Also referred to as a “zero gravity”, this sensation of loosing, if not all, of your weight instantaneously is a simple physics problem. Weightlessness can occur when all forces acting upon a mass are equal or no forces are at work.

One might ask, “Then how come astronauts orbiting the Earth weigh nothing?” Well, the answer is not because our planet’s gravitational force is decreased by increased distance from its core, but because both the orbiting vessel and the astronauts inside have no difference in acceleration. It is the same law considered when launching satellites; if adjusted correctly, a satellites orbiting speed is so fast that it keeps circling the earth creating a centrifugal force equal to that exerted by Earth’s gravitational field.

The only way to experience weightlessness for yourself, short of becoming a fully trained astronaut, is to ride a specifically designed aircraft referred to as the “Vomit Comet”. These types of aircraft fly an elliptical path relative to the center of the Earth, or as it is better described, parabolic.

To begin each arc, the aircraft climbs at an angle of 45⁰, then reduces thrust while aligning to a zero angle of attack, and descends at a 30⁰ angle. Weightlessness is felt during the entire peak of the hump, but when you reach the valley, extra g-forces are exerted on the body doubling your weight. During these maneuvers, you will feel zero gravity almost a third of the time.

If you’ve read everything before this point, you can surmise that weighing nothing is going to cost you a pretty penny. The only company based inside the United States approved by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is Zero Gravity Corporation which offers flights to the general public where passengers can experience the force of both the Moon’s and Mar’s gravity as well as complete weightlessness. Each mission will consist of 12-15 parabolas, with each arc taking about 65 seconds. Yet for all that merriment, you’re still going to need to come up with about $5,000 to book a ride for yourself.

People have done a lot of crazy things in weightless environments, but this video below takes the cake.

Oktoberfest

2009-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

When it comes to drinking beer, I don’t have any experience. In fact, I have made a vow to never let any form of alcohol touch my lips. But drinking beer just isn’t about getting wasted; it’s about having a good time. And when you’re having a good time you’re normally partying with other people. Well in the drinking world, there’s no bigger celebration of culture and booze than the mighty Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest is a sixteen day festival held in Munich, Germany from late September to early October. It is the world’s largest fair drawing six million people annually largely based in Bavarian culture. The first such celebration was held in 1810 in honor of the marriage between Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen where a horse race was held.

The festival has been significantly altered since the 1950s. Every year there is the twelve gun salute and tapping of the first keg of beer at 12:00 by the incumbent Mayor of Munich crying "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!" in the Austro-Bavarian language). The mayor then gives the first beer to the Minister-President of the State of Bavaria.

Like any other outdoor festival, there are vendors and rides. The vendors reside under huge tents, of which there are 14, each containing a different atmosphere and festivities. Three of the most popular tents are described below.

Armbrustschützen

This tent’s main feature is its crossbow competition of which marksmen have been competing since 1895. Owner Peter Inselkammer insures everyone’s physical well-being. His tent offers roast chicken, knuckle of pork, or traditional sausages with sauerkraut. Of course, all these dishes go great with a mug of their Paulaner beer.

The Hippodrom

It's important to note that one shouldn't start looking for a place to sit too late, as the Hippodrom is somewhat smaller than the other tents. Mainly frequented by the younger crowd, it contains a stylish sekt (sparkling wine) bar and is recommended for singles.

Löwenbräu

Ornamental lions mounted on the roof let out ferocious roars every few minutes. This tent is the meeting point for fans of the TSV 1860 Munich soccer team as they are called ‘the Lions’.

Now as for the rides, Oktoberfest’s main attraction is the Olympic Looping, a portable steel roller coaster. It is the largest of its kind and the only one with five loops. The loops are arranged to resemble the Olympic rings and are more circularly shaped than most roller coasters resulting in higher g-forces exerted on its passengers (up to 5.2 g’s). The whole structure weights 900 tons and requires a housing space of 85 by 36 meters.

Did you know?- Especially drunk patrons are often called Bierleichen (German for "beer corpses").

Appalachian Trail

2009-11-23T08:09:00.000-08:00

There’s nothing like getting some fresh air. To be outside on a clear, crisp autumn morning with the sun in your face, birds chirping away, and colorful leaves slowly drifting to the ground. It’s going to get cold soon…you can feel it in the air and you know this will be your last time to enjoy nature for almost six months. So what can you do? Well, go for a hike. And if you’re 2/3 of the United States population, you’re within a day’s driving distance of one of the greatest wilderness trails in the world, the Appalachian Trail.

Extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, the Appalachian Trail is 2,178 miles long. And if that isn’t enough walking for you, there is an extension called the International Appalachian Trail (609 miles long) that extends into Canada ending in Belle Isle, Newfoundland at the North Atlantic Ocean. Along with the Continental Divide Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, these three systems form the trifecta of long distance hiking in the U.S.

The trail has more than 250 shelters and camp sites available for passing hikers. Most coverts are open, three-walled structures with a simple wooden floor while others are more elaborate.

But the trail is not only admired for its scenery, but for its animal life as well. The American black bear is the largest omnivore residing in all states the trail passes through, with deer, elk, and moose (most noticeably in Maine) also being seen. There’s no need to fear any of these animals since most choose to avoid human confrontation and are easily scared away by noise.

black bear

elk

As far as the animals to be afraid of, there is the Eastern timber rattlesnake as well as the copperhead. These two venomous snakes are normally found in drier, rockier portions of the trail in Connecticut up until New Hampshire.

timber rattlesnake

copperhead

Notable geographic features include Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia, and Mount Moosilauke in New Hampshire.

Great Smokey Mountains National Park

Grayson Highlands State Park

If you would like to find out how you can help conserve this trail, visit appalachiantrail.org for details.

Did you know?- It takes about 5,000,000 adult footsteps to hike the entire trail!

Streaking

2009-11-18T09:21:00.000-08:00

“So I’m at home watching TV; sitting on a bean bag chair, naked eating Cheetos.”

Admit it…we all like being in the nude every once in a while; whether you celebrate national naked hiking day or like to roam the empty rooms of your house as king. Being naked is completely natural. Trust me when I say embracing one’s figure is perhaps the most boldest and profound statement a person can send about their self-image. So it’s natural that every once a while people be reminded of the masterpiece that is the human form (no matter what you weigh), and bare it all for the world to see.

Streaking is a relatively new term that wasn’t recorded in use until 1973. The word as it’s known in modern context was popularized by a Washington D.C. news reporter while watching a “mass nude run” at the University of Maryland. As 500 students exited the dorm building the reporter was announcing “they are streaking past me right now. It’s an incredible sight!” The next day, the headline “streaking” was published on the cover of the Associated Press.

Streaking differs from naturism and nudism with the intent of the participant(s) to display themselves to a large audience. Sometimes purposefully committing the act just to be handled (I mean arrested) by the police. Yet it is also different from flashing, with most contributors not trying to traumatize anyone.

While streaking is most synonymous with sporting events, most streakers prefer to keep it a little more low key; baring it all in the dark, often running along roadways in the early hours of the morning.

Did you know?- The world record for the largest mass streak was made at the University of Georgia on March 7, 1974 where there were 1,543 participants!

Probably the most widely seen streaker off all time was 34-year-old Robert Opel who crossed the stage of the 46th Academy Awards in 1974 flashing the peace sign. Robert’s dashing performance can be viewed here.

Without a doubt, the most distinguished streaker of all time would be a British man by the name of Mark Roberts. His impressive resume of past performances along with some interesting photographs (no full frontal) can be found at his site thestreaker.org.

Mark Roberts

And after reading this you’re still craving more awkwardness, visit streakarama.org or streaking.org for more.

I want to know…Where would be the ultimate place and/or situation to streak. Leave a comment since I trust you’ll be clean.

Japanese Invasion of Alaska

2009-11-18T08:35:00.000-08:00

While I tend to post articles pertaining to happy times, ‘Firsts’ are also traumatic experiences. And I cannot think of a much more somber time than that of war. Among the few things that adults may remember from social studies class is World War II. Stories and images from the attack on Pearl Harbor, D-Day, and the Holocaust are ever present in our minds. But one battle of WWII has since been long forgotten, if people even knew of it in the first place. I will now recount the melancholy and epically frank tales of the “thousand mile war” when Japan invaded Alaska.

With a newfound enemy only 2,200 miles from Seattle, WA, the United States military sought to build air bases in the Aleutian Islands, a chain of more than 300 volcanic islands extending 1,200 miles west of the Alaskan Peninsula. The future battleground would consist of 70 of these islands from the peninsula to Attu, the U.S.’s most westward territory. Attu is only some 650 miles from Paramushiro, the northern most bastion of the main Japanese defenses.

After Pearl Harbor, Japan’s top naval strategist, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, believed that by defeating the Pacific Fleet at the island of Midway, we would be forced to consider peace terms. He decided that a diversionary attack would be made on Dutch Harbor on Unalaska Island at the same time to draw a percentage of the Pacific Fleet away from Midway. Ground force would then occupy Attu and another island, Kiska, establishing bases to shield their home land against further attacks.

On May 5, 1942, an armada of 200 ships, including five heavy and three lights carriers, and 700 aircraft headed towards Midway from Japan. Halfway there, carriers Ryujo and Junyo changed course towards the Aleutians under the command of Admiral Kakuji Kakuta. The now established Alaska Defense Command (later designated the Eleventh Air Force) had developed bases at Otter Point and Umnak Island for the defense of the naval installation at Dutch Harbor. Two 5,00 foot airstrips made from pierced-plank steel matting each held a squadron of Curtiss P-36s and P-40 Warhawks, Douglas B-18s, and Martin b-26 Marauders.

P-40 Warhawk

Navy patrol pilots began searching on June 1 as far as their fuel loads would permit. The carriers were soon spotted about 400 miles south of Kiska. At 4:30 a.m. on June 3, Japanese Zero fighter planes and Kate dive bombers attacked Dutch Harbor and nearby Fort Myers killing 78 men. Attacks continued through the next day with Japanese planes attacking fuel tanks, barracks, gun positions, and SS Northwestern, a barrack’s ship and power plant.

A landing party of 1,250 men went ashore on Kiska on June 7, along with 1,200 more the next day on Attu. A reconnaissance plane soon radioed that there were four Japanese troop transports and a destroyer lurking in Kiska harbor.

Japanese invasion fleet gathers in Kiska Harbor.

America’s first move was on August 26 when a fleet of 250 tugboats, barges and fishing scows put engineer troops ashore at Adak Island 250 miles east of Kiska to construct an airfield. On September 11, 1943, American engineer troops landed on Amchitka, 75 miles east of Kiska, constructing an airfield. Bombers could now make the flight from there to Kiska 4-6 times a day.

Though the enemy is also your biggest opposition during war, weather, especially In Alaska, took more lives than fighting. By the end of October 1942, 72 American planes had been lost, but only nine to enemy fire.

The only sea battle during the Aleutian campaign was the Battle of the Komandorskis in late March. The battle lasted 31 ½ hours and is noteworthy as one of the longest continuous gun duel in naval history.

American land forces did not enter Attu until May 11th on what was called “Operation Landcrab”. With 4,000 troops ashore, the island was soon under U.S. control. Thanks to Japanese suicide attacks, only 28 of their 2,300 soldiers survived. American losses totaled 549. Allied planes could now run bombing runs in the Kuriles, a string of islands running southwest from the Kamchatka Peninsula.

PBY Catalina over Alaska

After the fall of Attu, Japan realized that their time in the Aleutians was done and soon withdrew all their men from the island. Unaware that they had retreated, Allied hit the island with heavy shelling for 36 hours straight from battleships, cruisers, and destroyers along with 300,000 pounds of bombs. When the 34,000 strong combat force was assembled to go ashore, 5,300 men of the Thirteenth Royal Canadian Infantry Brigade was there to help. However, they were to find nothing except a dozen dogs the Japanese had left behind.

On September 11, 1943, B-24 and B-25 bombers dropped 12 tons of explosives on targets at Paramushiro and Shimushu. The Japanese managed their last attack on October 13, when nine heavy bombers dropped bombs in Massacre Bay and the nearby airfield. During the Kuriles campaign, six enemy ships were sunk, 29 planes were downed, and 155 Americans died.

Fewer than 10,000 Japanese troops tied up 300,000 Allied troops from June 1942 to August 1943. The last intelligence report of the Eleventh Air Force in 1945 summarized the war as thus: “The Aleutian Islands, on the Great Circle Route from North America to the Orient, may not have fulfilled their hope of becoming the ‘Northern Highway to Victory’, but they certainly are destined to be aerial highways to peace.”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL MOVIE.

Yodeling

2009-11-18T08:10:00.000-08:00

Yodeling is a form of singing that involves holding an extended note that repeatedly changes from the chest register to the falsetto/head register.

While the origin of yodeling is still unclear, it is believed to have been developed in the Swiss and Austrian Alps as a method of communication between mountain peaks.

Swiss Alps

The inner workings of yodeling are actually quite simple. All humans have at least two vocal registers, the “head” and “chest” voices, which result from different ways a tone is produced. Most people can sing tones within a certain range of lower pitch in their chest voice and a certain range of higher pitch in their head, or falsetto, voice.

Experienced singers can find the gap between these two extremes. Yodelers can switch between the two at high volumes several times in a few seconds. Going between these two extremes creates the synonymous “voice break” you hear from yodeling.

Yodeling is often heard in American bluegrass and country music.

If you’d like to learn how to yodel yourself or see some more bizarre yodeling videos, visit yodelcourse.com for more information.

Did you know?- According to the Oxford English Dictionary the word “yodel” came from the Bavarian word jodeln meaning “to utter the syllable jo”.

I want to know…Where do you think the most absurd place to start randomly yodeling would be? Maybe during the middle of a eulogy or perhaps an interview? Post a comment and let the discussion brew!

Caves

2009-11-18T07:52:00.000-08:00

When looking for excitement, we rarely think outside the box. For example, when I was trying to think of a topic for this blog post I kept going through places I wanted to travel to someday. I was thinking about mountains, oceans, and historic places, but then it hit me. I was only looking from the surface up, while there’s a whole other world underneath us.

Caves are technically defined as “natural underground voids large enough for humans to enter.” They are formed in a process known as speleogenesis, where erosion from water, tectonic forces, microorganisms, pressure, atmospheric influences, and animal digging all play a role.

Yet most caves are formed in limestone by another process titled dissociation where traces of carbon dioxide are mixed with water creating carbonic acid. This new chemical breaks down the calcium carbonate within the limestone.

Though they may look like barren hollows meant only for the likes of Satan, a unique diversity of animals make their homes in caves. Animal species that are limited to a cave habitat are called troglobites. The majority of these animals have developed certain characteristics, labeled troglomorfies, which either help with survival or are just happenstance from living underground. These include:

• loss of skin pigment
• loss of eyes or optical functionality
• elongated appendages

Aquatic troglobites (stygobites), such as the Alabama cave shrimp, feed on nutrients from detritus that flows into the cave along with assorted animal feces. Other stygobites include cave fish and salamander, and the Olm; a blind amphibian living in the caves of Southern Europe.

cave fish

Olm

Because caves tend to be isolated from one another, each cave has its own separate ecosystem. This causes many species that reside within their walls to be endangered, such as the tooth cave spider, the gray bat, and the trapdoor spider.

tooth cave spider

grey bat

Caves also hold historical importance as being used for shelter, burials, and spiritual activities by our early ancestors. The Great Cave of Niah, in Malaysia, contains evidence of human habitation dating back 40,000 years. Caves are, in fact, still being used in the preservation of wine and cheese; their constant temperatures and high humidity make them ideal environments.

Did you know?- The world’s longest cave is Mammoth Cave in central Kentucky. Known to contain 360 miles of passageway, this national park comprises 52,385 acres of Mississippian limestone strata covered with a surface layer of sandstone. Their park website can be found here.

Boomerangs

2009-11-17T08:36:00.000-08:00

If you’ve ever thrown one of these next items, you know how difficult it can be to learn and how painful it is if you don’t keep your eye on it. We’re going back to Australia for the ancient hunting weapon called the boomerang.

NOTE: This post does not cover anything about Boomerang the television channel. If you were looking for vintage cartoons instead, click here.

A boomerang is a curved piece of wood that was originally used for hunting. The most famous style of boomerang is the returning, which when thrown follows an elliptical path and returns to its starting point. Non-returning boomerangs make up the rest of the designs which have been referred to as throwing sticks and ‘kylies’. The weapons have been traced back to the Egyptians, Native Americans, and inhabitants of southern India.

However, some boomerangs were not thrown at all but used in hand-to-hand combat by Australian Aborigines. On this island, the oldest traceable boomerangs have been recorded at 10,000 years old.

It has been speculated the returning boomerangs could have also been used for hunting in help to the noise generated by their movement. Their wings could clip leaves in trees or scare birds lying in an open field into flight where they would be captured in nets managed by other hunters. Throwsticks were used mostly for larger game, such as the Kangaroo, that when thrown would strike the animal’s legs and prevent it from escaping.

Today, this sport is mostly just that. Competitive boomeranging has sprung up all over the globe and includes these contest types:

• Accuracy
• Endurance (number of catches achieved in five minutes)
• Fast Catch (time taken to throw and catch the boomerang five times)
• Trick Catch
• Consecutive Catch
• Maximum Time Aloft (MTA)
• Long Distance
• Juggling (a boomerang must be in the air at all times)

Boomerangs aren’t just a great physical activity for adults but kids too. With advances in technology, boomerangs can now be mass produced from lighter, less dangerous materials like foam and plastic. To find multiple designs for children, competition, and recreational purposes go to boomerangs.com for your perfect match.

I want to know?- If there was a villain who attacked his foes with a boomerang, what would his/her name be? Leave a comment.

Orcas

2009-11-11T07:59:00.000-08:00

Off all the places I wish to visit, large portions are simply areas where unique animals have chosen to make their home. With my mother operating her own dog training business, I have learned to love almost all animals as part of the family. And while the animal I am about to describe may not be the most rare I think it holds a place in almost everyone’s inner child’s heart. They are the prize of Sea Worlds across the United States and known by some as only “Shamu”. I speak of the killer whale.

Officially known as the Orca, or less commonly the Blackfish, this beauty of a beast is NOT A WHALE! It is actually the largest member of the dolphin family. They have been labeled as ‘killer whales’ because they have been known to hunt other whale species for food.

Created in five distinct types, orcas are highly social, forming family groups which constitute some of the most stable in the world. Pods usually consist of 5-30 whales, although some pods may combine to form groups of 100 or more. All pods are lead by females and each pod is thought to have its own form of dialect resulting in different languages from group to group.

All orcas have the distinguished black back, white chest and sides, and white patches above and behind the eye. Though newborns come out the womb with yellow/orange tint that eventually fades to white. While males range from 19-26 feet long and weigh in excess of 6 tons, females are smaller ranging 16-23 feet in length and 3-4 tons in weight. Unlike most dolphins, the killer whale’s pectoral fin is large and rounded with the male’s being twice as high and as well as narrower than the female’s.

Together, these characteristics make it one of the fastest marine mammals often reaching speeds in excess of 40 mph! Coupled with their need to travel sometimes 100 miles a day, the orca can stir up quite an appetite.

An apex predator, killer whales are known as the wolves of the sea for the reason of hunting in packs. On average, each whale eats 500 pounds of food each day. They have a wide diet and are known to consume sharks, squid, sea lions, seals, walruses, seagulls (?), penguins, and other fish.

?- A captive killer whale in Friendship Cove discovered that it could regurgitate fish onto the surface, attracting sea gulls, and then eat them. Other whales then learned the behavior by example.

Females bare a single calf every five years beginning at the age of fifteen. The sex lives an average of 50 years, with males only living 30, and those in captivity barely making it to their mid-twenties.

Like dolphins, orcas use echolocation (bouncing sound off of objects to determine their location) to hunt, and use a series of high-pitched clicks to stun prey. They are found most commonly in the Pacific Basin (where Canada curves into Alaska) as well off the coasts of Iceland and northern Norway.

In 2007, orcas were put on the U.S. Endangered Species List.

Killer Whales in National Parks

• Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
• Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska
• Olympic National Park, Washington

Free Running

2009-10-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wish you were Tarzan? How about instead of swinging from treetop to treetop, you could run, jump, and scale over any obstacle in the city? I do but I’m not sure I up to the challenge physically (if you know what I mean). Still, for those diehard athletes out there who can’t afford a bike or skateboard, the newest form of taming a city’s obstacles is upon us. Welcome to free running.

First off, free running has gone by several names so I hope to clear the air here by separating what exactly each term represents. Free running is a form of urban acrobatics where participants use city and rural landscapes to perform movements through its structures. People often confuse this sport with the following two alternatives:

• Parkour (PK)- A physical discipline of French origin in which participants run along a route, negotiating obstacles in the most efficient means possible.

o Pronounced in French as l’art du deplacement (English: “the art of moving”).

o Main characteristic is efficiency. Participants travel in the most direct way possible while free runners are keener to freedom movement and creativity.

o Unofficial motto is etre et durer (to be and to last).

• Tricking- A new underground sport that combines martial arts, gymnastics, and break dancing.

o Mainly incorporates back flips, 540 kicks from Taekwondo, butterfly twists from Wushu, and double legs from Capoeira.

After receiving attention from the film Casino Royale, militaries from different countries began looking for ways to incorporate parkour into their training. The British Royal Marines hired parkour athletes to train their troops and the art is slowly being introduced into the United States Marine Corps.

If you’re in good enough shape to learn this style of martial arts you should be proud of yourself for taking on this disciplined study. The websites club540.com and tricksession.com offer some decent quality tutorials with pictures and a couple videos. However, if you’re just looking for a place to watch some good parkour videos, parkour-videos.com pretty much says it all.

Lawnmower Racing

2009-10-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to get involved in racing but never had the money or advanced technical knowhow to get started? Well this recently born sport may be your lucky break to racing superstardom.

Lawnmower racing is a form of motorsport where competitors race modified, self-riding lawnmowers. The original engines are retained, but blades are removed for safety.

The sport was invented in 1973 in West Sussex, England by a group of men sitting in a pub complaining about the immense costs required to participate in any kind of motorsport. That quickly led to the first racing lawnmowers and the creation of the British Lawn Mower Racing Association.

The idea was later brought to the United States by the makers of a petrol, fuel-stabilizer called STA-BIL. Since then, organizations such as the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association (USLMRA) and the American Racing Mower Association (ARMA) have led the way in the sport since 1981.

Like any standardized sport, there are plenty of rules and regulations. Since USLMRA is the premiere lawnmower racing organization in North America, I have chosen to secure my information from them. The following has come directly from their website. There you can read their blog, find official machine regulations, yearly event schedules, and much more.

Below is their list of the racing classes:

• Stock- As delivered from the factory.
• IMOW- front engine, highly regulated
• Prepared- Modified drive train, engine, etc.
• FX- Major modifications allowed.
• JP: For kids age 10-15.

**All riders must be 18 years old to compete, although 16 and 17 year olds are allowed with parental permission.**

If you want to try this new sport out for yourself, please think it over carefully before you go out and splurge on the new Ferrari of lawnmowers. You should have an ample amount of technical knowledge and patience when facing the inevitable blockades (there are no instructions for you to follow). Although, this link on insturctables.com is one man’s account in pursuit of his dream machine.

The website heymow.com is an online forum where fellow racers can share their knowledge and answer your questions along the way. ARMA's website has a forum service as well that is only available to registered users.

Did you know?- While these lawnmowers go an average speed of 25 mph, most courses are 500-700 feet long laps. If you don’t think that’s fast, see for yourself below.

Buckingham Palace

2009-10-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

Britain…one of the most historically rich countries in the world. With so many attractions, you could spend a whole lifetime on the island and still not see everything. However, if I were to go to the United Kingdom today, there is only one thing I would want to do. I would want to see how much sh** the guards in front of Buckingham Palace could take before they assaulted me!

Originally named Buckingham House, the core of today’s palace was built as a townhouse for the 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby, Jeff Sheffield, in 1703. It was later acquired by George III, king of Great Britain and Ireland, in 1761 as a private residence for his Queen Charolette. During the 19th century, the palace was enlarged to form three new wings and a central courtyard.

Buckingham Palace is known today as the official London residence of the British monarch. This transition occurred in 1837 with the accession of Queen Victoria. The palace’s last major additions were made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries adding the East front which contains the well-known balcony on which the Royal Family traditionally congregates to meet crowds.

With 828,818 square feet of floor space, the title ‘palace’ seems very fitting. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms comprising of 19 staterooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms. It also employs 450 people year round. Three of the most notable areas of the palace are the Garden, the Royal Mews, and the Mall.

The Garden is located at the rear of the palace and is the largest privately owned garden in London. Containing an artificial lake, its huge size makes it look more like a public park. The Queen of England holds her annual summer garden parties here along with celebrations for royal milestones.

aerial shot of Buckingham Garden

Next to the Garden is the Royal Mews where the royal carriages, including the Gold State Coach, are stored along with the horses.

outside Royal Mews

inside Royal Mews

Gold State Coach

The Mall is a ceremonial approach route to the palace that was designed by Sir Aston Webb and completed in 1911, in tribute to Queen Victoria. All cavalcades and motorcades of visiting heads of state, as well as by the Royal Family use the route for the State Opening of Parliament and “Trooping the Colour” each year.

the Mall

The Queen’s Gallery contains pieces from the Royal Collection open for public view. The palace’s state rooms are open from late July through September.

Did you know?- If the flag is flying on the flagpole on top of the palace, the Queen is home.

Now…as far as the guards are concerned, the only time to see them is during a ceremony called “Changing the Guards”. A fact most people don’t realize is that these guards are also soldiers including some of the most elite fighters in the British Army. All palace guards come from the Household Cavalry Regiment, which includes:

• the Life Guards

• Blues and Royals

• Grenadier Guards

• Coldstream Guards

• Scots Guards

• Irish Guards

• Welsh Guards

These defenders will not move as a result of your actions, so be feel free to taunt away. However, I must insist that you do not insult the guards’ country and/or person through the use of profanity or any other threatening language.

For picture ideas with the guardsmen, watch Mr. Bean below.

I want to know…What’s the most outlandish uniform you’ve ever seen? Post a picture or link to one in the comments section, and thank you everybody for reading!

Blarney Castle

2009-10-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

“Yes...they’re always after me lucky charms.” We have all been exposed to some form of Irish culture. Whether it be leprechauns’ pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, getting pinched on St. Patrick’s Day (for committing the ultimate sin), or simply drinking too much beer. But I’m betting most of you have never heard of one of their most prestigious possessions. An item that when you are in its presence you are granted ultimate luck. Interested? Then you may have to plan a visit to Blarney Castle.

Rebuilt three times, the castle was originally constructed around 1210 A.D. It was later destroyed in 1446 but soon rebuilt only to be seized during the Irish Confederate Wars in 1646 by Parliamentarian forces. After the second restoration, the castle was endowed to Donough MacCarty who was named the 1st Earl of Clanarcarty.

Unfortunately (again), during the Williamite War in the 1690s, the castle was captured and sold a number of times before falling into the ownership of a Sir James St. John Jefferyes. Yet in an unexpected bout of bad luck, his family built a mansion overlooking the nearby lake that was soon destroyed by another fire.

The majority of the castle is no longer safe to venture into, but some rooms remain accessible for touring. At the top of the castle lies my true point of interest, the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone.

Stone of Scone (replica)

Built into the castle’s battlements, the Blarney Stone is a block of bluestone; a rock that goes by other names depending on its location of origin. These include: feldspathic sandstone, limestone, dolerite, and basalt. Legend states that the stone was presented to Cormac McCarthy by Robert the Bruce in 1314 in recognition of his support in the Battle of Bannockburn. There are many theories to the origin of the stone:

• Was part of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem brought to Ireland during the Crusades.

• Half of the original Stone of Scone (Stone of Destiny or Coronation Stone), a 336 pound block of red sandstone used in the coronation of Scottish and English monarchs in Scone Abbey, Scotland.

• Was the pillow Jacob used; brought to Ireland by the prophet Jeremiah.

To acquire the stone’s magical benefits, one must kiss it ever so gently; following the “strict ritual” that has been completed by millions. The kisser must ascend to the castle’s peak then lean over backwards on the parapet’s edge with some assistance.

The castle is also surrounded by an extensive framework of gardens. Various attractions on the grounds include several natural rock formations such as Druid’s Circle, Witch’s Cave, and the Wishing Steps. Also, the Blarney House (the reconstructed Jefferyes’ mansion) became open to the public after its restoration in 1874.

Wishing Steps

For more information about the castle, visit their website at blarneycastle.ie.

Did you know?- “blarney” has come to mean clever, flattering, or coaxing talk.

Didgeridoos

2009-10-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

As if the bagpipes weren’t noisy enough, you should hear their long-lost brother. Meet the strangely played, looking, and sounding didgeridoo.

The didgeridoo (also known as a “didjeridu” or “didge”) is a wind instrument occasionally associated with a natural wooden trumpet or drone pipe. Traditionally made from Eucalyptus, bamboo, and Pandanus trees that had their interiors hollowed from termite occupation or natural diseases, the instrument was developed by Australians at least 1,500 years ago.

Musicologists classify the didgeridoo in the same class as that of bagpipes (I told you they were related.) as an aerophone. Didgeridoos are cylindrical or conical in shape measuring 3-10 feet long. The longer the pipe, the lower the pitch or key of the device.

Modern didgeridoos are constructed out of PVC piping, hardwoods not native to Australia, fiberglass, metal, or agave. These designs typically have an upper diameter of 1 ¼” going down to a flared end ranging between 2”-8” in diameter. While traditional types have mouthpieces rimmed with beeswax for a better seal, modern varieties are more likely to be fitted to the individual user’s mouth.

wax mouthpiece

The instrument is played with the user vibrating their lips using a special breathing technique called “circular breathing”. This process begins when the user fully inhales and begins to blow into the pipe. When their lungs are almost empty, their last amount of air is stored inside the mouth, inflating the cheeks. Then the person must suck in enough air through the nose before the supply in the mouth depletes so continuous play can be sustained.

If you want to learn to do this, a good way to practice is to try to inflate your cheeks only by breathing in through your nose. If that sounds difficult, that’s because it is!

Did you know?- Musician Mark Atkins in Didgeridoo Concerto (1994) plays for over 50 minutes continuously.

Clapsticks (also known as pair sticks and “bilma”) traditionally accompanied didgeridoos as beat holders.

With the coming of the 20th century came the advent of many new modernized didgeridoo designs. The didjeribone (also known as a “slideridoo/slidgeridoo”) was invented in 1981 by Australian musician Charlie McMahon. Constructed of two pieces of plastic tube (one slightly less in diameter than the other), the smaller piece slides inside the larger tube similar to the process of a trombone. You can find the instrument’s official site here and Charlie’s personalized webpage here.

Marko Johnson from the United States invented the “DidjBox/DidgeBox” in 1995. This is a more compact and lightweight version of an original didgeridoo that still maintains its signature sound. Marko’s websites didjbox.com and the newly created rounddoor.com show a cornucopia of his magical didgeridoo and native drum designs respectively.

The keyed didgeridoo was invented by a U.S. didgeridoo player named Graham Wiggins (stage name is “Dr. Didg”). He built the instrument from a physics workshop at Oxford University where he later earned his Ph.D.

Did you know? (Again!)- A 2005 study in the British Medical Journal found that learning and practicing the circular breathing technique used in playing the didgeridoo helped reduce snoring and sleep apnea by strengthening muscles in the upper airway, reducing their tendency to collapse during sleep.

If you have family members and/or neighbors willing to put up with your beginner play, then you may find no reason to start looking towards acquiring your own didgeridoo. Didgeridoostore.com and didjshop.com are two sources that you will find incredibly useful.

Zip-lining

2009-10-12T07:13:00.000-07:00

As you can guess from previous posts, I love the extreme. And part of that fixation is rooted in my obsession with the world’s largest. So today, I introduce the world’s longest and fastest zip-lines in hopes that one day you’ll have the courage to face up to not-realistically-threatening feats yourself. But first, as always, a little background.

Most people assume that zip-lines are a recent trend; concocted by some drunken college student. But they’re not. This combination of ropes and pulleys is deeply connected to the Tyrolean traverse; system climbers employ to move between pillars, cliffs, and waterways. Originating out of the Dolomites, Kaisergebrige, and Tyrolean Alps, the traverse was developed by the Bavarian and Tyrolean climbers in the late 19th century. Since then, this method of transportation has been utilized by the inhabitants of the Himalayas, sending food and supplies over large rivers, and by the majority of navies in moving fuel to ships at sea allowing increased range.

In the 1970s, the technique was used by researchers in botany, zoology, and ecology to study forest canopies. The same techniques used by climbers were now being utilized for scaling trees. This soon resulted in the production of modern canopy tours when students realized that by angling their lines slightly, the ride down after a day in the trees was a lot more fun!

Zip-lines are known by many names throughout the globe, such as the “flying fox” (Australia, New Zealand), “aerial runway” (United Kingdom), “rip/death slide”, and more recently “footy slides” (Africa).

Longest in the World

Located in Hoonah, Alaska, is the longest zip-line in the world, the ZipRider. The line measures 5,330 feet long with a total vertical drop of 1,300 feet. With six cables in width, participants are harnessed in and released for the race to the bottom. Passing through thick woods you’ll later see Port Frederick and Icy Straight, Alaska on your 1.5 minute long descent.

But if that doesn’t interest you enough, you’ll still reach speeds of 60 mph! Riders must weigh between 90-275 pounds and not be pregnant or have back and/or neck problems. To find out how you can visit this isolated gem, visit icystraitpoint.com for more information.

Fastest in the World

The fastest zip-line in the world is located in Sun City, South Africa and is the ProNutro Zip Slide 2000; coming in at 920 feet high and 6,560 feet long!

Q: “Wait a minute! I thought you said that the ZipRider was the longest in the world?”

A: Technically it is because the Zip Slide 2000 isn’t a standard zip-line. One or two riders are supported on their stomachs inside a harness that they attach a crude rudder to at the end. (That’s right! You’re going so fast you need aerodynamic stabilization!)

You will reach speeds of 120 mph with an average speed of 57 mph! More information can be found at the company’s website, zip2000.co.za.

Also, for those out there who may be thinking, “Well, I could make one of those.” There are resources available to assist you. Ziplinegear.com is an excellently constructed website with any supply you could ever need. I also encourage you to read their blog for the latest “zip-line world” updates.

And if you’re looking for professional installation instruction, this site is perfect.

I want to know…What do you think of the idea of a haunted zip-line? We’re approaching Halloween and haunted houses are beginning to open their doors. I think it’d be a great idea because there is nowhere for you to escape (literally). Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Morse Code (-- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. .)

2009-10-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

-.-. .- -. / -.-- --- ..- / .-. . .- -.. / - .... .. ... ..--..

If you’re scratching you head, don’t worry. Not many people know Morse code these days despite it being a pretty easily learned mode of communication.

Morse code is a form of character encoding that transmits telegraphic information using rhythm. The language uses a sequence of short and long elements to represent letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and special characters. These elements can be made by sound, marks, or pulses in on/off keying where the elements are known as dots and dashes or “dits” and “dahs”.

In 1836, Samuel F.B. Morse and Alfred Vail created the electric telegraph which sent pulses of electricity to an electromagnet at the receiving end of a wire. When the first telegraphs went into operation in 1844 they made indentations on a paper tape when the electric current was transmitted. Morse code was developed so that operators could translate these indentations into readable text.

telegraph "switch" key

In turn, while the firsts telegraphs were making their indentations, they made an accompanying clicking noise. Operators soon learned to translate the clicks directly into text without the aid of the paper strips. It was quickly noted that learning Morse code as a language was more efficient. Subsequently, dots became “dits” and slashes became “dahs”.

The Modern International Morse Code was developed in 1848 by Friedrich Clemens Gerke. Morse code was utilized by aviation and navies until the end of the 20th century. Experienced operators can send 20-30 WPM (words per minute).

If you’ve got the time to spare learning a language that probably will have no practical use in your life, you’re in luck. After researching possible Morse code learning techniques, I’ve found that the most popular, free learning software is available a justlearnmorsecode.com. You can download it right from their site as a program on your computer. It is highly customizable but, I’ll admit, a little difficult to learn how to operate.

On the other hand, if you would just like a catalog of available teaching sources, this link will take you to a large index of helpful websites, products, and organizations.

I want to know…How does the first line read? First person to answer correctly will win a copy of Guns and Roses legendary Appetite for Destruction album. Rock on!

Blobbing

2009-10-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to cannonball into a large body of water but didn’t feel like moving? Do you want swimming in ponds and lakes to be at least a tiny bit interesting? Well now you can! Introducing the new summer sensation…blobbing!

First off, if one wishes to partake in blobbing, one must acquire a blob. A blob is a colorful, inflated air bag that is floated into water where one person sits on one end, while another jumps onto the opposite end from a risen platform. And if you’ve taken 3rd grade physics you can basically surmise what happens.

Like many great playthings before it, the blob once had a practical purpose. Originally a military surplus item, the blob was used as a floating fuel tank ships could tow. And since oil and gas float in water, it was a modest solution at one time.

Standard blobs are approximately 10 meters (33 feet) long, and 2 meters (6 feet) wide. The only maker of the rainbow blob in the United States is Springfield Special Products operating out of Springfield, Missouri. While the recommended jumping height is 15 above the water surface, I’ve seen much more radical displays.

If you’re already searching Google for a place to get one of these things you may not want to bother. Besides the necessary maintenance products needed, a brand new 35 foot blob is going to set you back $3,850! And if you don’t live that close, just imagine the shipping prices.

I want to know…Where do you think the most beautiful place to go blobbing on the entire Earth would be? There doesn’t necessarily have to be water around to use a blob (Although it’s got to be a whole lot safer.). Leave a comment and I’ll get back to you.

Firewalking

2009-10-07T09:50:00.000-07:00

That’s HOT!, THAT’S HOT!, THAT’S HOT!

Have you ever filled the kitchen sink with hot water to wash some dishes and when you stick your hands in the water it feels as if the flesh is being seared from your bones? If you purposely wait a good while after the dishwasher has finished its cycle before emptying it you, like millions of other normal people, are susceptible to being burned. All of us have learned to not touch the stove while it’s on, but apparently some people never learn. For even as you read this article, someone out there is walking over a raging bed of coals.

The art of firewalking has been practiced for thousands of years dating back to 1200 B.C. Countries such as Greece and China used firewalking as representations for healing, initiation, and faith. However, firewalking did not become popular in America until 1977 when author Tolly Burkan, initiator and owner of the Firewalking Institute of Research and Education, sought to explain how people could safely carry out the phenomenon. Firewalking has also been sought as a personal development tool, which fellow firewalker since 1976, Peggy Dylan, has provided to the public through her organization Sundoor.

So…what makes firewalking possible? There are many theories still surfacing to an explanation, but let me explain some of the known facts that make this at least theoretically possible:

•    Are bodies are 90% water. So the main aid is the difference between water’s and the coals’ specific heat capacity. Specific heat is the measure of the heat energy required to increase the temperature of a unit quantity of a substance by a unit degree. While water has a high specific heat, the coals have a much lower one. Therefore, your foot temperature changes less than that of the coals.

•    Your blood circulation carries heat to and away from your feet.

•    When the coals cool down, they dip below the flash point where they are no longer burning and no new heat is produced.

•    Firwalkers are walking, so their skin is only exposed to the extreme temperatures for a brief moment.

The main theory that continues to hold validity is the Conductivity Theory. It can be illustrated by the scenario of reaching into the oven to grab a baked dish. You can stick your bare hand into the oven and not get burned. But if you touch any of the metal inside you would be instantly burned. This is because air is a poor conductor of heat.

Yet, Mr. Burkan recently completed an experiment where he and some of his students walked across a red-hot grill. None of them received any injuries and they actually caused the grill cover to warp!

Tolly Burkan, I believe, has the most convincing argument of all. To explain his idea, Burkan recalls an experiment he saw in school as a child:

The teacher fills a paper cup with water and places it over a flame. The water boils and the cup does not burn. The reason for this is that the water can only reach a temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit before it turns to steam. Since the water is in constant contact with the paper cup, the paper cannot get any hotter than 212 degrees. However, in order for the cup itself to burn, it must reach a kindling point… which happens to be higher than 212 degrees. The water maintains the temperature of the paper at a constant 212.

Burkan claims that what makes our feet the exception is the fact that they are connected to a living being. We can create physical experiences simply by thinking of something that triggers similar sensations. As Tolly puts it, “It’s not ‘mind over matter’ but rather: ‘mind in matter’”.

While the ideal temperature for coals during a firewalk is 1,000⁰ Fahrenheit (F), people have
traversed coals ranging up to 2,200⁰ F for distances over 120 feet!

By the way…Engine blocks for cars are poured from molten metal at 1,100⁰ F!

Champ

2009-09-21T13:31:00.000-07:00

Many have heard of the lake monster “Nessie” lurking in the depths of Loch Ness. But have you heard about his American cousin? In Lake Champlain, lying between New York and Vermont, there may be another version of the beast nicknamed by its surrounding inhabitants as “Champ”.

To help one understand the nature of this animal, I believe it is helpful to start with these creatures’ origins. Champ and Nessie fall under a species classification titled “cryptozoological creatures”. Champ is believed to be somewhere between 15-25 feet in length and dark green in color. Both individuals are thought of as shy and timid, often being scared away by nearby boats.

Native American tribes of the Abenaki and Iroquois believed that a large, horned serpent occupied the lake. Samuel de Champlain, whom the lake is named after, is credited as being the first European to see Champ in 1609. Though by the description of the text it seems that he may have just seen a large garfish instead.

There are many theories as to what exactly Champ may be:

• A dinosaur that managed to escape extinction.

• A surviving zeuglodon, a primitive form of whale with a snake like body.

• A lake sturgeon; its single dorsal fin running along its spine is synonymous in many sightings, while its shark-like tale does not meet any descriptions.

• Skeptics have pointed out the existence of an underwater wave called a seiche, which can throw debris from the bottom causing items to protrude through the surface.

• A relative of a plesiosaur, a prehistoric water dwelling reptile with a long snake-like head and four flippers. Since fish were believed to be their primary diet, the Lake Champlain’s diversity of aquatic life could easily suite the creatures. They have been dated back to the Triassic period (200 million years ago) through the Cretaceous period (65 million years ago), where all dinosaurs were thought to have gone extinct.

I know what you’re asking yourself right now, “But even if there have been over 300 recorded sightings, wouldn’t there have to be more than one to continue the population?” Yes, in fact, scientists speculate at least 50 adult Champs would be needed to sustain a breeding population, while 500 specimens would allow the species to sustain itself for a longer period.

While these numbers seem daunting, Lake Champlain would be a suitable environment for such a creature. The lake is 120 miles long, reaches depths of 400 feet, and has been in its present condition for around 10,000 years.

The first official sighting of Champ was in 1819 in Port Henry, New York, where a railroad crew reported seeing a “head of an enormous serpent sticking out of the water and approaching them from the opposite shore”. Around this time, farmers reported missing livestock and drag marks leading towards the lake’s shore. The New York Times even published an article about an incident in 1873 where another railroad crew, this time located in Dresden, New York, spotted a head rising from the water with silvery, reflective scales.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, efforts have been made in investigation of Champ. Former social studies teacher, Joseph W Zarzynski, formed the Lake Champlain Phenomenon Investigation sixteen years ago and has published multiple books on Champ. The best evidence to this day is the below photograph taken by Sandra Mansi in 1977. Her account of that day can be found here.

Whether a floating tree branch or an oddly shaped rock, the legend of Champ will continue to live on in the small towns of Vermont and New York; even in the city of Port Henry where its citizens have made the creature their mascot.

The Big Texan Steak Ranch

2009-09-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

Located in Amarillo, Texas, this gem of the south opened in 1960 on the once popular U.S. Route 66. Launched by Midwesterner, R.J. “Bob” Lee, its creator grew up on stories and movies about the old West. Lee eventually moved his family out to the Texas panhandle only to be disappointed to find there was no first-class steakhouse in this area best known for its cattle. In a flash of ingenuity, Bob decided to risk his family’s savings to open what was to become one the world’s most famous steakhouses.

R.J. "Bob" Lee

The restaurant later moved to its present location on Interstate 40 in 1970 for increased traffic. As a steakhouse and hotel, the restaurant has gathered world acclaim for its signature 72 oz. steak challenge called “The Big Texan.”

In case you didn’t read that right, that’s 4.5 pounds of pure American beef! The contestant is given one hour to finish the meal which besides the steak consists of a bread roll with butter, baked potato, ranch beans, shrimp cocktail, and salad. The meal costs a staggering $72, but if finished the contestant is refunded and the meal is free. Though by that point, you’ll probably be wondering why they didn’t pay you to go through this torture.

The Big Texan challenge was born when hungry cowboys would come in for dinner claiming they could each “eat the whole, darned cow.” After seeing one mighty cowboy shovel 4.5 pounds of steak into his stomach, he decided to let anyone who could perform the feat again receive the meal on the house (or maybe that’s more like 4-5 meals).

Since then everyone from a 11 year-old boy to a 69 year-old grandmother have completed the challenge, along with a professional wrestler by the name of Klondike Bill who consumed two of the meals within the time frame. Competitive eating champion, Joey Chestnut, holds the record for the fastest completing of The Texas King at 8 minutes and 52 seconds on March 24, 2008.

Klondike Bob looking a little stuffed.

The steak is cooked to your preference, and participants are placed on a raised seating platform in the middle of the dining area for everyone to view.

Open 365 days a year, with thousands of visitors a month, it looks as if The Big Texan Steak Ranch has cemented its place in food history. You can view the contest table LIVE! from here or you can watch Adam Richman from the Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food try his luck here.

I want to know…What’s the biggest piece of meat you’ve ever eaten? How much did it weigh and what were the circumstances? Leave a comment or post a picture.

Auroras

2009-09-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

I realize the majority of my posts have focused more on activities you can go out and experience, but the other half of this blog is designated for traveling. If you have read my profile, you know that in a little more than six months I will be leaving for my bicycle tour around the world. Seeing as much of the natural beauty of the world is one of my highest aspirations. For as long as I can remember, I have been entranced by one phenomenon of nature in particular. Of course, I speak of what I know as the Northern Lights.

Though there have been many theories in the past, these happenings are caused by an interaction between Earth’s magnetic field (magnetosphere) and solar wind. Occasionally there is a collision of charged particles between those from the magnetosphere with plasma particles accelerating from the Sun. These superheated particles are also magnetic and reach the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of 350-400 Km/s. The solar winds compress the sunward facing side of our planet which compresses its magnetic field ultimately powering the aurora.

Sun emitting plasma particles into the Earth's magnetosphere.

These actions tend to excite the electrons into taking quantum leaps, where the electron’s kinetic energy is converted into visible light. Most auroras are green or red from the presence of oxygen, while nitrogen molecules produce some light red/pink and blue/violet demonstrations. The level of solar wind activity from the Sun can influence the color and intensity of auroras.

Auroras are a common occurrence in the north and south poles while occasionally being seen in temperate latitudes due to the presence of a strong magnetic storm. These storms normally coincide with the peak of the eleven-year sunspot cycle.

Other planets within our solar systems, such as Jupiter and Saturn, exhibit aurora activity as well.

Jupiter Aurora

Ninja Stars

2009-09-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

We all wish we were a ninja right? To have the stealth, cunning, strength, and diverse technology to kill any opponent. While there are many tools in a ninja’s arsenal, today I wish to highlight perhaps their most renowned weapon to date, the ninja star. Or to the overly devoted, the sacred skuriken.

A traditional Japanese weapon, the shuriken (literally meaning “sword hidden in the hand”) is concealed during the majority of battle but revealed for throwing and occasionally stabbing and slashing. Used mainly as a secondary weapon to the katana (sword) or yari (spear), they were used for means of distraction.

Targets included the face, hands, or feet where a samurai’s (the ninja’s ultimate foe) flesh was exposed. There have been unverified reports of ninja stars’ tips being dipped in poison as well as being buried in dirt or fecies to rust. If an enemy was cut deeply enough, they would be infected with tetanus which was then incurable.
While mostly associated as a throwing star, there are actually two main types of shuriken:

1. Bo-shuriken: Consists of a straight, iron or steel spike, usually four sided but can also be round and octagonal in shape. Normally single-pointed but have been seen with both points sharpened, they range from 5”- 8 1/2” in length and weigh about a quarter of a pound. They were made of everyday items such as nails, needles, and knifes. Other items were also thrown in this fashion including the kogai (ornamental hairpin), kogata (utility knife), and chopsticks (What good that’ll do you!?).

2. Hira-shuriken: Thin, flat plates of metal made from coins, carpentry tools, and washers. They typically had a hole in the center; inherit from their constructed materials that allowed for storage on string, as well as yielding aerodynamic benefits. Temporary ninja stars are made of stainless steel. Average width is 11 cm, thickness is near 3 mm, and number of tips can range from 3-20.

Hira-shuriken were also known to be embedded into the ground to injure advancing soldiers or wrapped in fuse and lit to cause fire. The art of throwing these weapons is known as shurikenjutsu. Shinobi in origin, its ways are very secretive as schools are difficult to locate.

If you’re thinking about purchasing some of your own ninja stars, whether for real use or aesthetic purposes, PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY!!! You will normally find shuriken for sale in knife stores and in most states need to be 18 or accompanied by a guardian to buy some. If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, the websites http://www.gungfu.com/ and http://www.themmazone.net/index.php?pr=throwing_stars contain a vast selection of stars and related equipment such as target boards and ninja apparel.

I want to know…What martial art weapon do you want to learn the most? Do you wish you had advanced numb chucks skills or an expert wielding of the longbow? Leave a comment and stir up some discussion.

**watch this classic scene for South Park**

Unicycling

2009-09-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

Whether you like it or not, here’s another sports article. Everyone can ride a bicycle (at least those over the age of five), but how good are you on just one wheel? Are you willing to take the unicycle challenge?

Firstly, I would like to give you a small history lesson on the advent of the unicycle. It is said that the contraption is an improvement of the old penny-farthing (or “Ordinary”) in the 19th century. Since the crankarms that transformed the power in your legs into movement were directly connected to the drive wheel, the rear wheel would normally rise into the air. Eventually some mad-man decided to whack off the latter half of the frame and just leave the front wheel and handlebars. Thus the unicycle was born.

However, before I lose anymore bored listeners, I want to inform you that unicyclists aren’t just for bowling pin juggling clowns these days. Below are the innovative variations of the standard machine:

Offroad unicycle (MUni or muni)- Mountain unicycling that requires larger wheel diameter (usually 24”-26”) permitting the rider to more easily traverse varying terrain. The seat is thicker and more comfortable (for obvious reasons guys), and sometimes brakes are applied for use in descents.

Ultimate wheel- Two pedals attached to a wheel. Extremely difficult to learn.

Giraffe unicycle- Taller version of a standard unicycle mostly used for entertainment purposes.

This one-wheel wonder has gained so much notoriety that sports based off the device have sprung up everywhere including basketball, hockey, and handball.

Common brands are Kris Holm, Nimbus, and Torker. For an even more geeky description on the art of unicycling visit http://www.unicycle.com/. Thanks for reading and be safe out there (trust me…you’ll fall a LOT before you start to get the hang of it).

**watch this amazing unicyclist**

Bagpipes

2009-09-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to strap on your skirt laddy and play your heart out? Well, whether you’re ready for the screeching that follows or not, here is my explanation of the bagpipes.

Bagpipes are a musical instrument belonging to the aerophones family that uses enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. A set of bagpipes will normally include an air supply, a bag, chanter, and drone.

• Air supply- Most common source of air is supplied by the instrument’s user by means of a blowpipe. Alternatively, some variations called ‘coldpipes’ use bellows to provide air.

• Bag- Traditional designs are made from various animal skins including: goats, dogs, sheep, and cows. The majority of current bags are constructed from synthetic materials, most notably Gore-Tex.

• Chanter- The melody pipe played by one or both hands. It is usually open-ended making it difficult to suddenly stop the pipe from sounding, so grace notes are played to create the illusion of articulation and ascents.

• Drone- Most bagpipes have at least one of these. A cylindrical tube with 1-2 reeds designed in two parts with a sliding joint called a ‘bridle’ that adjusts the instrument’s tone. You will see they are located in various places such as lying over the shoulder, across the arm opposite the bag, or parallel with the canter.

Recent history of the bagpipes starts with the expansion of the British Empire, where the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe became known worldwide. Popularity increased as a result of large numbers of pipers being trained for military service in the two World Wars. The most well known versions include the Turkish Tulum, the Northumbrian smallpipes, and the gaita de boto.

Turkish tulum Northumbrian smallpipes

gaita de boto

Police forces in Canada, Scotland, Australia, China, and the United States have adopted the tradition of pipe bands.

If you are so eager to start huffing and puffing, you may want to visit http://www.gibsonpipes.com/ and http://www.dunbarbagpipes.com/ for either the real thing or a practice model called the ‘practice chanter’ for about $125. Also, if you ever have the urge to hear some good old-fashion Scottish music, the website http://www.bagpiper.com/ is a professional network of bagpipers where you can search for one in your area to perform at an event of your choosing.

I want to know…What song do you think would sound the best on the bagpipes? Perhaps the Flying Seagull’s I Ran, or Metallica’s Enter Sandman? Leave a comment with your choice and I’ll post a video (if I can find one) of the most bizarre musical stint with your song.

Thanks again for reading and always ask yourself, “Do I dare disturb the universe?”

Autogyro

2009-09-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

What the hell is that thing? It looks like a half plane, half helicopter, half glider! This mad-scientist’s twist on aviation is called the autogyro.

Invented by Juan de la Cierva in 1919, the autgyro made its first successful flight in 1923. Similar to helicopters, autogyros use a rotor to develop lift. Yet while a helicopter’s rotor is rotated by an engine, an autogyro’s rotor is self-driven by aerodynamic forces in a process called autorotation.

The aircraft derives its propulsion from an engine driven prop similar to that found on an airplane. You may also hear autogyros called by names such as gyroplanes, gyrocopters, or rotaplanes.

Today’s autogyros appear in two styles:

1. Pusher- More common where the engine and attached prop are located rear of the pilot, while in the latter they are located in the front.

2. Tractor- Earlier autogyros were of this style until the advent of the helicopter but have lately gained popularity due to their unique appearance.

The aircraft carries historical significance when multiple countries utilized the technology in World War II. Germany invented a smaller gyroglider, the Focke-Achgelis Fa 330, which was towed by U-boats to provide aerial surveillance.

Focke-Achgelis Fa 330

The Japanese developed the Kayaba Ka-1 used in reconnaissance and small, coastal submarine attacks. Each autogyro would carry a pilot and a spotter where their only weapons were small depth charges thrown by hand. There was only one recorded submarine kill by an autogyro in all of World War II.

Autogyros can be widely seen in today’s culture with appearances in H.G. Well’s Things to Come and most notably in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice.

My question today is, “What’s the craziest flying contraption you’ve ever seen?” Describe it in the comments box or leave a link to a video/picture somewhere else on the web. See you all later and hooray for French ingenuity!

P.S.-- If you’re really intrigued by how these machines function but don’t have the money to dish out for one, visit this page for information to their workings and/or http://www.autogyro-rc.com/ remote controlled products.

Sandboarding

2009-09-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

From sky to land. Today’s topic is a newly created sport yet to be exposed to the mainstream of extreme athletes. A recreation immediately identified with snowboarding, yet its diehard fans will tell you, you can’t even begin to compare the two. Of course, I’m speaking of sandboarding.

As you can speculate, sandboarding is to sand as what snowboarding is to snow. The major reason this sport has yet to catch on to the masses is because locations aren’t present in wide areas of the globe. Plus, for those overweight shlubs, there are no ski lifts to take you back up hills. So you can imagine the workout that follows if you wish to repeat.

So where does one sandboard? The sport is mostly seen in desert areas and coastal regions with beach dunes. Ica, Peru has some of the best quality sand for the sport with hills reaching heights of 2 Km. It has also gained popularity in South Africa where the majority of national competitions are held. Interestingly enough, evidence has been found that Egyptians may have made planks from pottery and wood to ride its countries dunes going back to the days of the pharaohs.

If you’re interested in giving this a try, I’m sad to say that your typical snowboard just isn’t going to cut it. The main difference between the two boards is that a sandboard’s base is much harder. Their undersides must be applied with specialty sandboard wax after each run to eliminate drag. Standard boards are constructed from hardwood-ply, while longer, racing boards are made of wood, fiberglass, and plastic composites.

So where I can learn to do this and end up with a mouthful of sand? Well Sand Master Park in Florence, Oregon is the world’s first sandpark with 40 acres of private sculpted sand dunes and a full-time pro shop. If you want to learn anything else about the sport, the website http://www.sandboard.com/ is just for you. There you can find nearby locations, purchase gear, see links to similar sites, and find out if this alternative action is just for you!

WHO KNEW?! -- Erik Johnson, a professional snow and sand boarder, holds the world record for speed on a sandboard at 51 mph.