NASA confirms reports of intoxicated astronauts

NASA officials on Friday confirmed that on at least two occasions astronauts were intoxicated immediately prior to missions as the agency said it was taking steps to investigate and remedy the situation.

I don't drink alcohol but thinking about it if tomorrow I was going to put on a big orange space suit that weighs, oh 50 lbs? Get into what amounts to a huge firecracker, strap myself in and then feel the sensation of being thrust out of Earths orbit at a couple of G's knowing full well that I'm one malfunction from being blown to bits, I'd probably get smashed too. I'm just sayin'. I understand.

NASA confirms reports of intoxicated astronauts

Law is 'unjust' for unwed couples?

The BBC is reporting that:

It says the current law is "unjust" and the 2.2m co-habiting couples in England and Wales should have more protection if they split up.

The report says the majority of couples who live together wrongly believe they are protected by what is known as "common law" marriage.

But it has denied its proposals will undermine marriage.

Ummm Yeah yes it does. If you've been living together for ages without getting married it ain't an accident. You know full well that you have an out that does not include judges, lawyers, lawyers bills or alimony. Given the divorce rate in the US (not sure if it holds up in the UK) THAT is a heck of a deal.

For example, if a partner has given up a career to bring up children, they should receive compensation in the event the couple separates.

Compensation? For what? You knew you weren't married. You knew full well that the relationship could basically end on a whim and you ought to be compensated for what could have amounted to a dumb decision while knowing the risks? If you wanted to "compensation" you should have gotten married. What they hell is wrong with people? They don't want to play the game, but want all the benefits.

You want legal cover for your relationship, get married. Want an easy out: Shack up.

Debt Free

On a related Financial note, Deb Price shares her story:

We set a date -- February 2008 -- to be debt-free and made all money decisions based on that shared goal. Quick examples: Joyce loves to travel, so we took up tent camping -- and found ourselves happily cooking lobsters over an open fire and walking the beach alongside wild Assateague ponies. We swapped golf for tennis, a far cheaper sport.

Most importantly, we prioritized debts, putting every extra nickel toward erasing first one car loan, then the other. Once they were gone, we immediately doubled up on house payments. Each time one loan was wiped out, the pace of our progress picked up. Why? Less was being lost to interest.

Yep.

Pay Cash for that Next Car

the NY Times has an informative article on people who pay cash for cars. The most important statement made here was (IMHO):

For Matthew Galloghy, 30, who lives in Batavia, Ohio, outside Cincinnati, it is simply saving money. He recently paid about $20,000 for a Honda Accord, and plans to drive it for about 10 years.

Mr. Galloghy takes his thrift to another level. He said he would make a monthly deposit equal to a car payment, or about $300, in a money market account. “And now I certainly have a cushion for emergencies or anything else that may come up,” Mr. Galloghy said.

Do the math on that.

Texting While Driving

Chris Case in an entry at the Huffington Post does something I despise: Texting while Driving.

I want you to know that I do not feel good about myself. I do not feel good that I had to tell you in this way that your keys are too sensitive, that I tried to use you while driving and almost killed myself because I had to look down to use your "intuitive" keyboard.

Not cool at all. I've been rear-ended 3 times by mofo's paying attention to their phones. I will sue the retirement account off the next one to hit me.

BMW 1 Series Coming to America

I have and immensely enjoy a 1998 E30 convertible. The 3 series has gotten kinda big since then. Here comes the 1. I've signed up for a test drive.




The 1 series may be the vehicle that gets me to actually take on a car note again.

iPhone v N800

I have a Nokia N800. I purchased it not long after the iPhone was annoued. It's kind of amusing to read about the limitations and 'new' abilities that the iPhone supposedly brings to mobile computing when in most cases the N800 has 'been there and done that.'

This brings me to this post over at the Maemo blog :

I have a surprise for you, Andrew: it's called the Nokia N800, and today it can function as a basic laptop replacement. It even supports VOIP phone use via Skype, Gizmo or Googletalk. And you were saying...?

Yeah. Nuff said. Oh yes, this was posted from my N800 thank you very much.