Pressure Schmessure

Recently I have pondered and drifted within the thought waves on the topic of volcanoes and their impact on everyday life. Normally one thinks of mount St. Helens or Krakatoa, inland or island, these vast mounds bring on a new level to the "Don't build on top of water" saying. Water or no water, lava is not exactly much better.

Consider every natural disaster movie you have ever seen, I am talking from Dante's Peak, (Which even James Bond could have stopped) to 2012, especially the last one. First of all you have John Cusack (had it been Downy Jr, we would Iron Man our way through the crisis) flying around in various plane throughout areas where there is clearly more than few particles of volcanic ash on its way into the atmosphere, which by the way is really impressive when you consider the force needed). But nowhere in the film does his plane go down.

Riddle me this. Would it not be just plain fair (no pun intended) to perhaps portay this film in a way slightly more realistic. Take what is happening throughout northern Europe as of yesterday. Left and right flights are not only being cancelled but airspace itself if closed off tighter than post 9/11 White House. No commercial traffice despite Norway being way far from Iceland. Modern radar and meteological reports which could aid in the navigation of some flights around the ash cloud are available. By all means I am not saying we should take air safety likely. But when not even the rescue helicopters can go out flying or the low level ambulance choppers, then we got a problem. But maybe 2012 isn't wrong. They were smart enough to create boats, but ofcourse they foresaw the shifting of land mass ultimately causing tsunamis, so why not. But coastal ferries have seen a massive passenger surge since yesterday, as well as busses and trains. It's a jungle out there.

But if we are seeing these kinds restrictions, especially in the prevailing climate, why not pour more research funds into developing engines that could operate in harsh in environments? I might be getting a bit ahead of myself, but best case scenario we get choppers and planes that can operate in sandstorms. Also, come doomsday apocalypse, we could airlift the lucky few (I foresee that the genetically superior will survive, much as Darwin predicted) without the fuss of all this volcanic ash getting in our way. Also, it should have occured to the good folks at JPL or NASA that eventually we might run into a habitable planet but with less than friendly atmosphere. Wouldn't it be find and dandy to have some sort of craft capable of thrusting through those little ash flakes.

Slow News Day

Been off the blogosphere for some time so figured it was time to post.

Nothing to write home about. Still wrestling with whether I should short change my next laptop purchase or go commercial for an ipad. Regardless, my current laptop is literally falling apart.

On the reading front I have again committed myself to another major book buy, which are for the most part for my self-development and work. But that never hurt anybody. Otherwise I am trying to get through the Cryptonomicon, a 900+ page novel recommended by one of my cadets, and though it is a superb piece of literature, I am a slow reader.

Otherwise my carreer has progressed a bit as I have been given the opportunity to be trained in a very specific type of language testing. After no further education the past 2 years, it is time to get back on the horse for an intermittent workshop. I think it is gonna be quite alright after the first few meetings.

Watching the Olympics has never been more exciting, but the media hype around some of our Norwegian competitors finds me hoping they crash and burn. But so far we seem to be heading for our, combined in the olympic games, 100th gold. Who will be the lucky one.?

2010, look out here I come!

After more contemplation on the past year's whims, much can be said and also unsaid for the undone and the much to be repeated. Autumn 2009 saw the emergence of a full social calendar which has been positive and awesome to say the least. Workwise, these past months have been truly fulfilling and I have worked hard to give it my all and not let anybody down. My efforts did not go unnoticed as I was presented with a token, on behalf of a couple of the classes, in recognition of my commitment to work and duty. It was perhaps one of the most unexpected and warmning moments of my professional life yet! Thanks Class 59&60.

Looking into the new year I am not sure what my resolutions should be. Perhaps be more daring in certain aspects of my life, perhaps not spread myself too thin. Definitely read more! I for certain would like to learn at least 3 new skills in the year to come. One is already lined up, two have yet to be realised. I'll let you know how it pans out.

Anyhew, a couple of more days of vacation time and then work starts, and I couldn't look forward to it more. New challenges are in the pipeline and I can already see they need to be prepared for well!

Here's to a new year, cheers guys!

The Weekend

This weekend has for all intents and purposes been rather good. The yearly MASH theme party at the Academy was outstanding. Many a good costume and generally good feeling all around.

Also had a nice dinner at the homestead with good friends. It certainly does put things in perspective, and especially in these dark Trondheim days before the snow, such gatherings are important. It is so easy to sink into a dark hole when the sun says bye-bye. Anyhew I have to put in a little writing time or else CW will have my head on a plate. Inspiration, NOW!

(you can't imagine the look on the taxi driver's face when he sees this guy with so much fake but realistic looking blood on his face, climb into his cab)

The RNoAF Academy 30 km equivallency march

Another good ol fashioned Air Force experience completed. On a beautiful Trondheim autumn day (and there are not many of them mind you) I weigh down my backpack with sand to about 11.4 kg. I board a perfectly good bus on a ride that consists of establishing possible route strategies with my seat neighbour. The race was on. Trudging through the slush and snow, up and down in the terrain, feels good. It is nice to get out once a the while and really feel the hate build up.

Having a very steep incline at the end of the course was especially pleasing. I tried to follow the Major as long as I could but found myself in the woods (luckily not in the dark) with nothing but silence around me. It is always more comforting to hear the bewildered footsteps of a fellow runner so you at least know you are in the ball park and not by, as I thought, the ticket counter. Eventually I began to notice the many possible shortcuts I "could have" taken. Must be true what the warfare theorists say, "war favours the bold".

I found it a really nice touch that the last stretch before the incline ski hill was basically flat and downhill which gave me a false sense of accomplishment and dare I say superiority. After Tine, who I thought I had left far behind, passed me at the top of Gråkallen, I knew that in a march like this neither the down hill slopes nor the flat stretches are your friend, they are Tine's! Well played, well played indeed!