The Perlan Glider Soars to New Record

      Residents of Tahoma often find themselves in Truckee for a variety of reasons(work, play, shopping).  Often they cruise by the Truckee Airport with its new tower and administration building.  Nearby is the glider port that hums with activity every summer season as advocates of soaring descend on the airport to take advantage of the Sierra Wave, that local phenomenon that provides uplift for these soaring 'eagles'.
     Towed to a higher altitude, the aircraft are detached and they glide/soar for awhile until they descend back to the airport.  A quiet, thrilling method of flying, usually alone with your thoughts as your only companion.  Haven't tried it as a pilot, but as a passenger only here in California and once in Hawaii on the island of Oahu(north shore) much of the flight over the ocean.
     So now Airbus, the aircraft mega builder, has entered the glider field with the help of Steve Forbes, the wealthy aviation enthusiast who has established a few records with his balloon ascents.  Now he wants the glider altitude record, again.
     Airbus has developed a carbon fiber model that has achieved new status in the world of soaring.  The Perlan 2 has reached 52,172 feet.  The old record was 50,727feet set in 2006 by Fossett and project founder Einar Enevoldson.
     The record was set in El Calafate, Argentina where the glider was towed aloft from an elevation of 669 from Tola International airport.  El Calafate is one of only a few places on the globe where mountain waves combine with a high-altitude polar vortex- a phenomenon critical to providing enough lift to take a glider into the stratosphere. The nearby Andes Mountains provide the wall that is needed for uplifted winds.  Truckee, California is also one of the locations that one finds the right combinations.  Another limitation is the weather patterns. The required atmospheric conditions only exist a few days a year.  Weather scientists are required members of the team.   Next goal: a record climb to 90,000' altitude.  The project team is working toward that goal.

Buying Firewood: Again

   It's that time of the year again to remind would-be buyers of their stock of wood for the winter season.  We all know there will be power outages to contend with this year, as always.  Last winter my friend Johnnie and his wife lost power for 4 days!  They almost froze to death inside their home- a home that's completely insulated.  How they survived is a miracle.  They couldn't leave because of too much snow blocked all access.
     So, here we go.  A cord of wood is measured by these dimensions:
  4' X 4' X 8'.  Got it?  Four feet by four feet by 8 feet.  A long rectangular stack, with little space between pieces-"tightly packed" is the term.  Looking at a 'cord' reveals that in a 3-row stack, each piece should be 16" long(3 x16= 48=4 feet).  Now wholesalers down the valley use bucks to cut their splits.  The bucks are usually 16" wide, so there's no mistaking the measurement.  However, however, however, the results are less than perfect.  OK.  But when the majority of pieces are 14"-15", that adds up to a lot of wood missing from the 'cord'.
    Most local dealers often show up with a truck load, piked high randomly, then they dump it off into your driveway.  Yes, they will stack it for a fee, a fee that can add 20% to the price.  Not worth it, and they know this, too.  So you stack it.  It looks like a lot of wood.   But, does it equal a cord?  careful measurement is in order here: 4'x4'x8'.  It's not a nominal figure, like a 2"x4" piece of lumber.  It means 4'x4'x8', net. or 128 cubic feet by volume(not weight).
     If your supplier won't guarantee the amount, find another source.  Most retail suppliers are lazy, quick buck artists.  As a buyer,, you have the responsibility to check their work .  If you are paying for a 'cord', make sure they provide same.
Good luck.

The End of Fall: 2017

    The latest weather forecast call for : S-N-O-W.   Yes, the white stuff is predicted to fall next weekend, Sunday to be exact.   So, my friends, time for your checklist to be dusted off for the winter season.
List-2017
1. propane tank full to 80%
2. firewood laid up, covered, accessible (at least 2 cords)
3. portable lighting appliances w/ extra batteries
4. generator fuel as req'd(diesel, kerosene, gasoline)
5. portable radios(2)
6. first aid kit well stocked
7. cell phone in good shape w/ charger
8. vehicle(s) serviced: include proper winter tires
9. packaged food stuffs, dry goods type, frozen foods
10. extra warm clothes, blankets, sleeping bags
11. emergency phone list
12.  emergency services contact number
13. pet food for animal(s)
14. know your nearest permanent resident neighbor and contact info for same

World Series Game 5

I'm speechless! And it's not over yet.  Astros 12, Dodgers 9, going into the 9th inning.  3 more outs for an Astros' victory.  (at 11:30pm).
We'll continue after the final out in Houston where it is now almost midnight.
  Update
     The wild game finally ended in the bottom of the 10th inning: the home team pulled it out, winning on a base hit that scored a runner from 2nd base.  After 5 +hours, the losers trickled into the dugout while the home team reveled with unrestrained euphoria.  They beat the vaunted Clayton Kershaw, who actually pitched well for awhile.  Then the parade of relief pitchers began, and it turned into a merry-go-round as both managers, Dave Roberts of the Dodgers and A.J. Hinch of Houston kept up pressure on opposing batters with new arms from the bullpen.  It became a contest of who would be the last man standing as both teams slugged it out, pumping homer after homer over the wall(s).  Outfielders began to look heavenward at the crack of the bat, jogging toward the fence, fully expecting the white sphere to clear the wall.
     Pundits speculate that there's something going on with the ball: flat stitching, more tightly wrapped leather; more or less center cushion, and other ideas.  Some write that the fact is more batters are swinging for the fences-everybody and anybody can hit a home run.   Strikeouts have risen as the number of homers has reached stellar levels.  The batting order is no more the accurate predictor of where a team's power punch is located.  The lead off man can do it, and so can the No. 9 hitter.   What's a pitcher to do: when can he relax as he rolls through the lineup?  That feeling of the "sure" out has evaporated, gone.  Every pitch must be thought about, discussed, and then thrown.  Late reliever Morrow, already tired after 4 previous efforts, came in and gave up 2 home runs and 2 more runs.  The Dodgers had nothing left to give, even after tying the game in the 9th with their own 3-run effort.
      Tonight, Game 6 in Los Angeles.  Watch it, Tahoma fans.

Robert Mueller to Provide Evidence for Charges/Indictments Monday.

     Special Investigator Robert Mueller has announced that he is ready for indictments related to the tampering with the US Presidential election of 2016.  His charge to investigate is finally bearing fruit after several months.  While not unexpected, it seems that many politicians felt that he would not return any indictments.  Surprise, here they come.
    This no doubt, will be just the beginning.  Can't wait.
     Indications are that former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort will be indicted.

World Series: Game 3

     Meanwhile, back in Houston, the Astros took on the Dodgers in game 3.  After a one day travel break, the 2 teams clashed on the Astros home field.  The teams were tied 1-1 after the Houston team prevailed in extra innings in Game 2 in LA.  That contest set a record for homeruns and drained the life out of both bullpens.  It also set the stage for Game 3. 
     The Astros started off with a quick 4 run lead.  Then the Dodgers started chipping away at the lead, getting the score to 4-3.  Then the 'Stros added a run, making it 5-3.  And after a few tense moments, the game ended 5-3.
    Today will a meaningful contest with the Dodgers hoping to even things up, and Houston hoping to add another win to give them of finishing the Series in Houston with out a return trip to California.
Watch it.

Catalonia: Madrid, We Have A Problem

      Mr. Rajoy of Spain has called aces on the regional government of Catalonia.  After the regional parliament declared for independence, Mr. Rajoy invoked Article 155 of the Constitution and dissolved the regional government, putting Madrid in charge of  the economy, legislation, and police.
Mr. Puigdemont has not been detained but his powers have been stripped.  He no longer represents any part of the regional government.  So, the separatists have their results: a confrontation with the federal government.  The long-simmering separatist movement will now deal with the new situation.  After holding an illegal referendum on separatism that passed according to the local counters, the parliament went along, at their peril.   What were they thinking in face of the fact that only 40% of voters turned out to vote in the referendum?  Did they think that would not matter?  Did they think that secession was on the table?  Did they think that the EU would support any secession?  Do those few Catalonians think that the federal taxes paid to Madrid don't come back in sufficient amounts?  This profound ignorance of a political system is not found in isolation.  Most taxpayers would like to pay less.  Most taxpayers know that there is waste in government, all governments everywhere, some more than others.  Unfortunately, in Catalonia, the various factions of sympathizers for independence, represent a minority of citizens in the province.  As had has in the past, a vocal minority causes immeasurable grief for the majority of citizens.  Hence, we have a centralized, constitutional government that speaks for all of Spain and all Spaniards.  Perhapsmore discussions will lead to pacification of the minority separatists, but that will happen if they give up their "tribal" instincts which serve the few and not the many.
      As the economy of Spain emerges from the recession of 2008-9,  prosperity can be coming just around the corner.  With unemployment still in double figures, the country is still laboring under difficult circumstances, with young workers still under employed.
Mr. Rajoy: good luck-you'll need it.

Kaspersky Labs Says They will Open Their System

      Mr. Kaspersky himself has gone public: "We will give out our codes to show we are not in collusion with the Kremlin".  Good luck with that.  His business is imploding and he's trying to stop the train overtaking his operations.  Hmmmmmm.  The horse has already left the barn; too late to lock the door.
     But he will try as clients around the globe take precautions to wipe their systems free of all things kaspersky.  Maybe he will learn something from this.  Maybe not:  he's Russyan after all.

World Series: Game 2

     They are calling this an instant classic.  "They"(self indulging media talking heads,etc) join fans across the spectrum who recognize all the aspects of a great game.  It started slowly, a solo home run.  Nothing happened for awhile; pitchers settled into their routine.   And then, things started to get interesting.  A wild pitch, a hit, and a game tying run.
     At this point, it's starting to resemble last night's contest-close until a tie-breaking hit.  Now the Astros are behind-3-1.  Then, another homer: 3-2 Dodgers.  More pitching changes.  NOw enter the dramatics of the late innings.  LA fans are getting anxious.  The closer gives up a game tying run.  Then another homer: back-to-back: 5-3, Astros.  Then, another homer, 5-4, Astros.  Then a game tying run, after the 'Stros were 1 strike away from a win.  Two more Dodger hits, game tied.  Extra innings.  No score in 10th.  Pitching changes: LA closer taken out after 6 outs.  New pitchers gives up some hits, more runs: Astros 7, LA 5.  More pitching changes.  Dodgers get 1 run back.  7-6, 'Stros.  More Dodgers reach base.  Astros finally prevail after 11 innings, 7-6.  They now travel to Houston for Games 3-4-and 5.
Enjoy.

Warriors prevailed a short time later over Toronto, scoring 10 points in the last 90 seconds, thanks to great defense and lights out shooting by Kevin Durant and Steph Curry.

World Series: Game 1

       The Houston Astros went to Los Angeles with high hopes, but not too high.  They were facing arguably the best thrower in the game today, Clayton Kershaw.  The fireballing lefty was masterful through 7 innings and got the job done.  he held the 'Stros to 1 run and only 3 hits.  The bullpen protected the 2 -run lead, and the final was 3-1, Dodgers.
     Although the Dodgers looked good, the Astros also won 100+ games.  They deserve to be there.  So, many more games to go.  Tonight Game 2 of the World Series, in Los Angeles.
Watch it.

Ian Frazier, Traveler of Russya

    Smithsonian Magazine has published an article by Ian Frazier that encapsulates the Soviet experience that began 100 years ago.  Mr. Frazier is a writer, publishing articles in various publications including the New Yorker.  He has spent quite a bit of time studying Russyan history of the 20th century and before.  But his strengths run to his experience in the 21st century after the fall of Soviet Russya in 1989.
      The current article details facts surrounding the revolution of 1917 and the end of the Romanov era.  While the Great War raged to its 1918 conclusion, the Russyan Army picked up their pieces and went home to help the czar.  To no avail.  The Bolsheviks, by luck and violence, carried the day, and introduced the whole world to collectivization, Communism, and mass murder.   The author traces the steps of many of the principal actors: Nicolas II, V. Lenin, Rasputin, and other members of socialist groups vying for power in a time of complete chaos.
      The article is lengthy, but filled with nuggets of history that comport to tday's situation not only in Russya, but in Western Europe, Ukraine, (Crimea), and the U.S.A.
     It is well worth the effort and will help readers understand the milieu of Mr. Putin and others from the St. Petersburg swamp.

Sorry, Your Visa Has Been Denied

       This was the message given by airport security personnel to prospective traveler to USA, Mr. Bill Browder.  Mr. Browder is an American/British citizen and a businessman of some repute.  His visa was revoked because of a request came from Interpol upon a charge placed by-------the Kremlin.  Now, how can this be?
       The story has deep roots, going back several years when Mr. Browder went to Russya after the collapse of the former USSR.  It was a time when privatization was the mantra of the new ruling class.  Old national assets were to be sold off.  Many businesses were liquidated; others were sold in stock offerings with the usual insiders among the first served.  Mr. Browder was an astute investor representing an investment fund with a commission to invest at that time.  He did well, well enough to catch the eye of some oligarchs who thought he was a bit too astute for their taste.  He was then charged with tax evasion after he was presented a tax bill for $250 million dollars.  He barely escaped the fate of others, many of whom had to languish in the local prison. 
     Mr. Browder wrote an informative book about his experiences, detailing the corruption that surrounds the Russyan government and the collusion of the politicians who approve of just who will be allowed to make money in the new post-Soviet era.  The new country is somewhat smaller than the soviet version, shedding a number of -Stans, Belorussia, and, of course Ukraine.  He joined other authors who chose to expose the dark underside of doing business in Russya after 1989.  The book, Red Notice, joined two others by Peter Pomerantz and Glenn Greenwald is producing names and places where the Kremlin took over businesses utilizing the power of the state.
     Mr.  Browder was also instrumental in canvassing the U.S. Congress to penalize those Russyans who were directly responsible for the death while in prison of Sergei Magnitsky.  The Congress passed the Magnitsky Act, which placed sanctions on a number of key Russyan officials who had Mr. Magnitsky arrested.  He was charged with a variety of crimes; but his real crime was blowing the whistle on insider corruption at the highest levels.   His death sparked members of the Obama administration to take a closer look at how the new Russyan economy was conducting business.  As international oil prices collapsed, the economy tanked.   Many Russyan nationals went abroad, not a few to the UK where they had stashed much of their coin.
     So, bottom line, Mr. Browder will have to back pedal a bit, and the MI5 Group will fix things with his visa.  It has been nothing more than an inconvenience, but it underscores the low level of harassment available to the Kremlin.
     What now, Mr. Putin?

Chinese Come calling in New York City

      Just when you thought it was Ok to answer the knock at the door, we have this story.  A Chinese tycoon, on the lam in NYC, was paid a visit recently by a number of Chinese government officials who were traveling on transit visas.  A transit visa allows a stopover for the bearer of said visa but prohibits any business activity of any kind, and also prohibits any official activity related to government action.  It seems that the group violated most of these restrictions.  The F.B.I. was eventually brought into the case and sought to arrest the party before they could escape to Beijing.  However, at the airport, the diplomatic entreaties of State prevented the arrests, but the agents were able to collect the cell phones of all members of the party.
      This action dovetails with other efforts by the Chinese government of Mr. Xi to restrict and restrain all criticism of the Communist regime that is ruling over the mainland Chinese.  Mr. Guo has been a sharp critic of the government and has released documents demonstrating corruption at the state level.  Mr. Guo is also a billionaire with ample funds to finance his positions and affords him the luxury of living in an expensive enclave that he reportedly paid in excess of $60 millions for recently.
     Ahhhhhh-China.

Let's Talk About Russya and Ukraine

   Well, how timely.  Several books have been released of late that discuss Russya's adventures in Ukraine and other exotic locales. 
     We begin with "Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine".  This modern examination of a political act of mass murder was written by Anne Applebaum, recently interviewed on NPR.  The experienced researcher, writer, and lecturer, has compiled the narrative story of how Stalin and his Politburo came down hard on the population of Ukraine in 1932 to 1935, depriving the agricultural farmers of the Ukraine with sufficient food to survive.  5 million Ukrainians died as a result of this political policy to subdue the opponents of collectivization of the economy.   Massed teams of enforcers were sent into even the smallest villages to take food from homes, thereby guaranteeing starvation.
    The name for this activity:  "Holodomor".  This literally translates as "hunger extermination", an artificial famine created by government order, ie. Stalin.
     Holomodor
     Holomodor
     Holomodor
     Robert Conquest's book brought the story to light in his book in 1986.   The British historian's book opened the door to other academics to study the documents that came to light after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989.   The story is hardly complete, but the initial efforts have managed to dispel much of the Russyan efforts to hide the truth.
    A book worth reading in today's toxic international landscape, and Mr. Putin's sleazy efforts to place his troops in foreign countries without anyone noticing his actions.
    Nice try, Vladimir, but we are on to you.

Minister Update: Manufacturing

      Tahoma's own Minister of Manufacturing, a key player in all of California, has updated the Mayor on the construction of the new forging press, the largest in the USA.
  The final pieces have been made and the final assemble will begin next week.

Kaspersky Swine Claim Ignorance

      Kaspersky Lab, the pseudo cybersecurity arm of the Kremlin, claimed ignorance of the Kremlin's use of their software as a spy tool for hacking into top state and commercial computer systems around the world.
     Who, might I ask, is surprised by:1) their claim of ignorance, 2) the Kremlin's denial of any hacking efforts, 3) that the spy activity was a combined operation orchestrated from the highest levels of the FSB.
    Warning:
        Do Not Use Kaspersky Lab virus detection software: it is loaded with worms designed to pickup  all items labelled "Top Secret".
        Anyone or any government that has not erased all Kaspersky Lab products is either a fool or a complicit party to a hack  attack.
Have a nice day

Catalonians Seek Arrest of Puigdemont

      Hundreds of thousands of Spanish citizens in Barcelona demonstrated over the weekend to support the government in Madrid claiming they are Spanish and Catalonia is also Spanish at its heart.  Many of the demonstrators called for the arrest of the provincial governor, Mr. Puigdemont who has been leading the separatist cause.  When the referendum vote was taken, indicating sympathy for a separate state of Catalonia,  Mr. Puigdemont took this as a 'mandate' to proceed with the separatist movement.  However, less than 40% of eligible voters turned out for participation in the illegal vote.
      Apparently, while there is some support for a separate state, the overwhelming majrity of citizens recognize Madrid as the federal government center, and that the population wants to remain part of the nation.  Several corporations have already decided to move from Barcelona to nearby Valencia to avoid European Union legal issues.  More businesses are thinking of relocating to adjust to an independent state of Catalon.
     Mr. Puigdemont has been served notice that the main body of voters wants to remain Spanish.  If he chooses to go forward with his plans, he will face Federal charges and no doubt be arrested.  As he should.   Leaders such as Mr. Puigdemont follow their own dreams and should be held accountable for their schemes and dreams.

Ann Applebaum Interview on NPR

     Distinguished author Ann Applebaum was interviewed recently and asked about her recent book, "Red Famine: Stalin's Genocide in Ukraine: 1932-1935".   Ms. Applebaum has written other books including two involving Russyan gulags, and Russyan Revolution.
     Her latest book delves into the actions of Stalin during his most paranoid stage when he perceived threats under every rock and in every nook and cranny.   He, Stalin,  felt that Ukrainians were not going to join his revolution and that they needed to be brought to their knees and Russified.  His method: mass starvation.  Famine often is understood as the result of forces of nature: weather and climate combine to destroy crops and the production of food stuffs.  This mass starvation was a political  move by the Politburo to respond to Stalin's dictate to expand the revolution into the breadbasket of the southern regions he needed to feed his 'new' revolution.  Much of his methods are being exercised today: disinformation, propaganda, armed agents moving against locals to force them to relocate.
      All of these actions led to the deaths of over 4 million Ukrainians.  4 millions.  4 millions without food.   Many Ukrainians were sent into Siberia into exile.  Their language was supplanted by Russyan; many jobs were taken over by imported Russyans; and Ukrainian culture was obliterated.
More later

Teotehuacon: City of Fire, City of water

shell art

mask figure w/necklace

almeno-house identifier

censor

censor

bird figure bowl

statues-various stone types

effigy figure

assembled figure

      The De Young Museum in San Francisco opened a new exhibition that displays important artifacts from MesoAmerica.  Teotehuacon is the ancient city on the high plain near today's Mexico City megalopolis.  Almost 2000 years ago, this thriving city was the center of the western hemisphere's civilization, incorporating various indigenous peoples into a cultural milieu that advanced its members to new heights in learning and the arts.  It lasted almost 500 years before revolution from within brought it down.  It is Mexico's most visited cultural site.
    It has been excavated and studied for many years, yielding incredible treasures from the era.  Despite knowledge of metallurgy and artistic talent, few pieces of gold or silver ornaments are displayed.   There are a few, and most are simple in design.   Stone carvings, ceramics, religious articles demonstrate the heart of the culture.
       The city center was anchored by two massive pyramids: the Pyramid of the Sun and at the opposite end, the Pyramid of the Moon.  It was only discovered in 2003 that an underground corridor connected the two.  It was here that many of the artifacts on display were recovered in 2010.
The exhibition will continue until early 2018.  Don't miss it.

Australia Launches New Ships

    A squaadron of new state of the art frigates was unveiled this week in Australia.  The Down Under Navy needed a new response system to thwart Chinese aggression in nearby waters.  result: new ships.

NATO Troops Report Cell Phones Being Hacked

     What?  My phone has been hacked?   What an outrage!  So, Russyan hackers are into the phones of NATO soldiers while on manuevers.  Hmmmm.  OK, boys, throw all phones into the truck, then, jump into the river with all your gear.  result:  no more phones on the front lines.

Kaspersky Labs Display Significant Improvements

      Official Russyan state hacking machine, Kaspersky Labs, has logged a large feather in its hat.  It has hacked the US N.S.A.'s computers that contain the codes used to penetrate other state computers.  THis is an embarrassment for the US security apparatus.  There is dancing in the Kremlin hallways.  This effort occurred in 2015 and has caused a shake up in the US.
     Now that it has become common practice in the "new" cyber war, computers represent the new front line.  Russyan hackers are dedicated, by Kremlin order, to hacking all manner of US networks.  Oh, well, somethings never change.
     The amusing thing is the Russyan effort to cozy up to Communist China.  This is a sad joke on its face.

George Shultz on Russya

       Veteran diplomat and U.S. Department leader during the Reagan years,, offered his insights into the current state of affairs in Russya, Vladimir Putin's playground and field of dreams.  In response to the interviewer's questions, Mr. Shultz replied that "Putin is playing the weak hand of Russya.  The economy of Russya is suffering deep malaise and does not appear to be able to grow itself out of this situation.  More seriously, the demographics of the country indicate a dismal future generation that continues to decline as the current fertile cohort does not feature any hope of population growth.  Matching and mismatching most of the West's declining birth rate, Russya will not be able to provide replacements for all the upcoming retirements across the economic spectrum.
The future is clouded by Putin's insistence of international forays and intrusions across the globe.  Some things never change.