Gripping Book "Full Black" A (fiction) Thriller in the Scot Harvath Series by Brad Thor

 "Full Black" by Brad Thor was another gripping thriller.The book's main character Scot Harvath was a former Navy Seal who now works for a private company to help eliminate threats to the U.S. and helps combat terrorism. The story is fast-paced  and in the first 5 chapters you meet a lot of characters so read carefully because they all come into play. 
   I did like the new character, Luke Ralston, a former Delta Force operative now working security for television/movie productions. He also had an interesting back story. Maybe the author will use him in a series of his own. Regardless, this is one book that you'll want to keep reading once you start.  - Rob
   
 ABOUT THE BOOK:  #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor delivers his darkest and most intriguing thriller yet—a terrifying story of espionage and betrayal—brilliantly paced with superb nonstop action.
   Born in the shadows and kept from heads of state, some missions are so deadly, so sensitive, that they simply don’t exist. When one such mission goes horribly wrong, only former Navy SEAL Team 6 member turned covert counter-terrorism operative Scot Harvath can carry out an audacious plan to prevent one of the biggest terrorist threats the United States has ever faced: complete and total collapse. But as the identities of the perpetrators are laid stunningly bare, Harvath will be left with only one means to save America. Unable to trust anyone, he will be forced to go FULL BLACK.

Dumbarton Oaks Museum Part 8: Who is the Mayan God of Corn?

Sculpture of the Maize God

In August we visited the "Dumbarton Oaks Museum" in Washington, D.C. This is the last in a series of blogs that highlights some artifacts we found interesting there. In this blog we'll introduce you to the Mayan God of Corn (Maize) called "Hun Hunahpu."

WHAT IS MAIZE? 
Maize is a type of corn eaten by the Mayan people. Maize is a large grain plant first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago.
  
MAIZE GOD APPEARANCE
There is a Maize God with headdress in the form of a stylized ear of corn and hair in the form of the silk of the corn. He is shown as a youthful, handsome man. 
MAIZE GOD MYTHOLOGY

Maize

In Mayan mythology, the maize god was decapitated at harvest time but reborn again at the beginning of a new growing season. Myths about the death and rebirth of gods helped explain the cycle of the seasons and the return of maize, on which Mayan civilization depended. 
HUMANS MADE FROM CORN
The Popol Vuh, a sacred Maya book, describes how the gods formed the first humans from a dough made out of yellow and white maize after their attempts to use clay and wood had failed.
  
THE FOOD SOURCE

Mayans cooked Maize in water and white lime

For thousands of years the Mayans worshiped the maize god and believed that their ancestors were made from maize dough. Maize was the Mayan's most important food source. Today maize still forms a large part of the Central American diet in the form of tortillas.


WHERE WAS THE STATUE FOUND?
The statue at the museum was found in a pyramid-style temple in Copan, now modern-day Honduras. It was surrounded by many other maize god statues. 


LISTEN: Click to hear a BBC History about the Maize God and ancient agriculture: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/b00q2p6d


We hope you've enjoyed looking at some of the interesting things from the Dumbarton Oaks Museum in Washington, D.C.  Go visit and see much more! 

Dumbarton Oaks Museum Part 7: The Transforming Figures

Olmec transforming figures

In August we visited the "Dumbarton Oaks Museum." This is one in a series of blogs to highlight some artifacts we found interesting at the museum. In this blog we'll introduce you to the "Transforming Figures" of Mesoamerica.

WHERE IS MESOAMERICA? - Mesoamerica was a region and cultural area in the Americas that included central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica. In those areas pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 15th and 16th centuries

WHO MADE THE ARTWORK? The mysterious Olmec civilization was located around the southern Gulf Coast of Mexico area (today the states of Veracruz and Tabasco) - further south east than the heart of the Aztec empire. The Olmec culture developed in the centuries before 1200 BC (BCE), and declined around 400 BC. Their civilization was generally considered the forerunner of all subsequent Mesoamerican cultures such as the Maya and Aztecs. 

WHAT DOES "OLMEC" MEAN? -The name "Olmec" means "rubber people" in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztec.  


WHAT WERE OLMECS KNOWN FOR?  Olmecs were best known today for their carved colossal heads. Most colossal heads were sculpted from spherical boulders but two from San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán were re-carved from massive stone thrones.
WHAT ARE TRANSFORMING FIGURES?   These figures represent nahualism. That is, individuals who through the consumption of hallucinogenic drugs, had the ability to transform into their supernatural animal counterparts. In animal form they traveled in a spiritual world and could intercede for the well-being of their community.

NEXT: WHO IS THE GOD OF CORN?

Dumbarton Oaks Museum Part 6: Owls, China and Wine

In August we visited the "Dumbarton Oaks Museum."  This is one in a series of blogs to highlight some artifacts we found interesting at the museum. In this blog we'll introduce you to something that ties together China, Owls and Wine! 

All three of those things combined make an owl-shaped wine bronze vessel! 

WHY AN OWL - Animal motifs were widely used in early Chinese art, showing significant cultural influence of the Northern Steppes.  The symbol of the owl has its roots in ancient mysteries, but it also a symbol in reverence to ancestors.

WHEN IS IT? It was created in the 11th to 10th century BC in the Zhou Dynasty. Lasting from the 11th century BC to 771 BC, the Western Zhou Dynasty was established by King Wu and was the longest-lasting of China's dynasties.

NEXT: The Mystery of the Central American Transforming Figures

Dumbarton Oaks Museum Part 5: Who is Haphaestus?

In August we visited the "Dumbarton Oaks Museum."  This is one in a series of blogs to highlight some artifacts we found interesting at the museum. In this blog we'll introduce you to Haphaestus and show you an ancient statue of him.

DISCLAIMER - Okay, we love Greek and Roman Gods. What gay man wouldn't? They're all handsome, well-muscled and wearing very little (if anything - as in the case of Haphaestus here). 

WHO WAS HEPHAESTUS? (also spelled: HEPHAISTOS) was the Olympian god of fire, smiths, craftsmen, metalworking, stonemasonry and sculpture. He was depicted as a bearded man holding a hammer and tongs--the tools of a smith--and sometimes riding a donkey. 

ABOUT THE STATUE - The arms of the statue are raised, and it's apparent he was holding something - which was a hammer, according to the placard

HOW OLD IS IT? The statue was created in bronze in 460 B.C. in Greece.  

STORY OF HEPHAESTUS - As it turns out, there are about 5 slightly different versions of the story of this Greek God. Here's the one that I found was easiest to understand: 
"Zeus threw him [Hephaistos] from the sky for helping Hera when she was in chains. Zeus had hung her from Olympos as punishment for setting a storm on Herakles as he was sailing back from his conquest of Troy. Hephaistos landed on Lemnos, crippled in both legs, but saved by Thetis.
   There are actually many other stories involving Haphaestus the include Pandora, Zues, Athena and Prometheus. You can find them all here: http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hephaistos.html


NEXT: WHAT DO OWLS, WINE AND CHINA HAVE IN COMMON?

Side A: Thetis receives a set of armour for her son Achilles from the divine smith Hephaestus. The god stands polishing the new shield which is decorated with a small Gorgoneion (Gorgon's head). A pair of greaves, helm and the smith's tools hang from the wall. This painting illustrates a scene from Homer's Iliad.  Credit: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Dumbarton Oaks Museum Part 4: The Bronze Horse!

The incredible Bronze Horse from the 2nd Century

 In August we visited the "Dumbarton Oaks Museum."  This is one in a series of blogs to highlight some artifacts we found interesting at the museum. In this blog we'll explore the BRONZE HORSE.  

FAST FACT: This horse sculpture was found in 80 pieces in Yemen.

ABOUT THE HORSE - It was about feet long and 2 feet high (estimation). It was Romano-Arabian and created in the late 2nd to 3rd Century! 

WHY MADE OF CAST BRONZE? According to the placard, the wealth of southwestern Arabia derived from vigorous trade along the land routes between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The connections with the Roman Empire fostered a taste for cast-bronze sculpture, a revered medium in the Mediterranean culture.

IMPORTANCE OF HORSES IN YEMEN, 2ND CENTURY- Horses symbolized status of the elite. Horses were also associated with Alexander the Great and the Roman Gods Castor and Pollux.

NEXT: Who was Hephaesteus?

Dumbarton Oaks Museum Part 3: Ares Greek God of War

Ares 4th century Ivory

 In August we visited the "Dumbarton Oaks Museum."  This is one in a series of blogs to highlight some artifacts we found interesting at the museum. In this blog we'll explore Ares, the Greek God of War.

THE MUSEUM PIECE
     We found a small figure of Ares behind one of the museum cases. It was carved from ivory and was actually a late Roman piece that dated back to the 4th century. Romans fashioned their gods after the Greek gods.

WHO IS ARES? - Ares  is the Greek god of war. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera In Greek literature, he often represents the physical or violent and untamed aspect of war, in contrast to his sister the armored Athena, whose functions as a goddess of intelligence include military strategy and generalship.
He is well known as the lover of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who was married to Hephaestus, god of craftsmanship.
  The union of Ares and Aphrodite created the gods Eros, Anteros, Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, and Adrestia.

APPEARANCE: Ares was usually pictured wearing a helmet and carrying a sword or a spear, as well as riding a chariot.

ARes

PERSONALITY: Ares was an aggressive and dangerous god, and was not well liked among the other gods or mortals. He was often ridiculed and was known as a coward, as he reacted to any injury with fury. He also fought with Athena and Artemis frequently, this became particularly obvious during the Trojan War.
ROLES:: Ares was not well liked, and had a throne on Mount Olympus that was made of human skin. He was often accompanied by Eris (the goddess of discord), and did not have many important roles to fill in society.
(Courtesy: Paigeentwistle.com)


WHO IS ARES' COUNTERPART IN ROMAN MYTHOLOGY? 
The counterpart of Ares among the Roman gods is Mars,  who as a father of the Roman people was given a more important and dignified place in ancient Roman religion as a guardian deity.

Tyler Recommends Earth Rated Biodegradable Poo Bags!

Tyler is glad we use biodegradable poo bags

If you're into recycling, saving the environment from too much plastic, and being a good dog parent, Tyler the Dachshund recommends using biodegradable poo bags by Earth Rated.   
     Not only do they have 2 small handles, but they have a nice scent, too, so that you don't get reminded about what you picked up and are carrying. It makes for a nicer experience and it's good for the Earth!
You can get them on-line like we did or they're available in stores.
The facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EarthRated/

Tyler reminds you to pick up after your dog!

About Earth Rated:

Call (888) 354-2818 or Email:  info@earthrated.com  Website: http://www.earthrated.com

MORE INFO  Earth Rated® is a lifestyle brand for dog lovers, by dog lovers. Making great products for pooches and their people is what we do best!

Products

Earth Rated® dog waste bags. The industry leader for quality and affordability, they come in unscented and lavender-scented, and all packaging (even the roll's core) is made from recycled materials.
They also have a NEW Stain & Odor Remover, in unscented or lavender, and NEW Outdoor Scooper **BENEFITS SHELTERS: They support of local rescues and shelters, too.

Dumbarton Oaks Museum Part 2: The Egyptian Cat

In August we visited the "Dumbarton Oaks Museum."  This is one in a series of blogs to highlight

some artifacts we found interesting at the museum.In this blog we'll explore the Egyptian Cat and you'll learn the importance of cats in Egypt and the 2 cat goddesses.

SOME OLD CATS!
The cat statues we saw dated back from 944 to 528 BC (during Egypt's 22nd to 26th Dynasties)

DID YOU KNOW? Egyptians Worshipped Cats! 
The ancient Egyptians held cats in the highest esteem, the penalties for injuring or killing a cat were severe. They worshipped a Cat Goddess, often represented as half feline, half woman, whom they called Bastet. The main center for the worship of Bastet was in northern Egypt at the city of Bubastis.

Why did people worship cats?

Thousands of years later, the peoples in what would later be Upper and Lower Egypt had a religion centering on the worship of animals, including cats. Praised for controlling vermin and its ability to kill snakes such as cobras, the domesticated cat became a symbol of grace and poise.

WHO ARE THE 2 CAT GODDESSES?  
1) THE GODDESS MAFDET
One of the earliest deities of ancient Egypt was the goddess Mafdet, who was highly revered by people seeking protection against venomous animals like snakes and scorpions. She was shown with a variety of fierce, feline forms, most often as a woman with the head of a lion, cheetah, or house-cat (though sometimes she was shown as a cat with a woman's head). Because cats could protect against the tiny monsters that made Egyptian homes unsafe, Mafdet was regarded as the protector of the home-- and of the kingdom itself!
2) THE GODDESS BASTET
Later in Egyptian history, the goddess Bastet (sometimes just "Bast") replaced Mafdet as the feline goddess of choice. Like Mafdet, she was regarded as a fierce protector of the home (and especially of children and royalty), largely because of cats' renowned ability to kill snakes, scorpions, and other vermin. Her followers called her the "Eye of Ra," the sun god, and believed that she fiercely watched the world and guarded Egypt against invasion.   (Source: www.petcentric.com) 

Image of Bastet

NEXT ARES THE GREEK GOD OF WAR

Our Eclipse Experience! - and a Cool video from a NASA space instrument

Rob's pic of about 5%

Since we both work at NASA, we had the special eclipse glasses so we could witness the Partial Solar Eclipse on Monday, August 21 in Maryland. It was about 80% totality (that means that sun was about 80% totally covered by the moon).

This is how it the eclipse looked from Maryland

   It was a very busy day at NASA, and there were over 1,400 people at the Visitor's Center, and literally hundreds of employees on the open grassy areas watching the eclipse. The 80% totality occurred at 2:43 p.m. EDT.
   Tom was busy with meetings but he did manage to walk out of his office and stand in his parking lot to look up. When I asked him about his experience he said "I'm glad I didn't have to drive 500 miles." LOL. That's Tom

This was soon after it started

It was variably cloudy...

   I was busy in the office and took a 5 minute look outside at 1:30pm EDT, which was about 2 hours after it started (it ended by 4:01 p.m. when the sun was 100% visible again). I made sure I went out at 2:43 p.m. for a couple of minutes and looked up through the glasses. I also took a couple of pictures with the cell phone, holding the glasses up in front of the lens. They didn't come out so good, so I provided photos from professional photographers here. I thought it was pretty cool. 
  Of course, when I was watching the shadow of the moon move across the Earth, my eyes kept getting drawn to the Eastern Pacific Ocean and Hurricane Kenneth, because I had just written an update about the storm. So, yes, the eclipse was cool! But I still think Hurricanes are cooler! :) Once a meteorologist, always a meteorologist I guess.
   Anyway, if you missed out, you now have 7 YEARS to find eclipse glasses!     Another total solar eclipse will be visible in the United States on April 8, 2024.

Traveling a different path from the 2017 eclipse, the total eclipse will be visible in Mexico, the central US and east Canada, with a partial eclipse visible across North and Central America.

More about how NASA studies eclipses: www.nasa.gov/eclipse
VIDEO:   NASA's EPIC View of 2017 Eclipse Across America
 From a million miles out in space, NASA’s Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) captured 12 natural color images of the moon’s shadow crossing over North America on Aug. 21, 2017.  EPIC is aboard NOAA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), where it photographs the full sunlit side of Earth every day, giving it a unique view of total solar eclipses.
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/pm7tfLvHmXA
 

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What's in Dumbarton Oaks Museum Pt1: The Medieval Music Room

The museum Music Room

Earlier in August we visited a museum that we had never heard of before in Washington, D.C. called "Dumbarton Oaks." This is one in a series of blogs to highlight some artifacts we found interesting from various cultures. In this blog we'll explore the significane of the music room and tell you about the museum and gardens.

Fence outside the closed garden

THE MUSIC ROOM
On view in the Music Room, the only display space that is part of the former residence, is a collection of Western medieval and Renaissance art and furniture. A meeting there actually led to the formation of the United Nations!

CONCERTS - They also have Sunday Concerts (but they're Pricey!)
Performances take place Sundays at 7:00 p.m. and Mondays at 8:00 p.m. The cost of a full-season subscription is $350. Additional seats may become available for single concerts. Individual ticket sales may be arranged by contacting the Music at Dumbarton Oaks office. The ticket price is $54 per person

History of the Music Room

WHAT IS DUMBARTON OAKS? Now a free museum, Dumbarton Oaks is a historic estate in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It was the residence and gardens of Robert Woods Bliss and his wife Mildred Barnes Bliss. The Dumbarton Oaks Museum is known for its specialized collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art. Sixteen acres of the property were transferred to Harvard University in 1940 to establish a research institute for Byzantine studies, Pre-Columbian studies, and studies in the history of gardens and landscape architecture.
For more info and how to get there: https://www.doaks.org/visit/museum

IT ALSO HAS AN AMAZING GARDEN (that was closed when we were there) -In 1920, after a long and careful search, Mildred and Robert Woods Bliss found their ideal country house and garden within Washington, DC. They purchased a fifty-three-acre property, described as an old-fashioned house standing in rather neglected grounds, at the highest point of Georgetown. Within a year, the Blisses hired landscape gardener Beatrix Farrand to design the gardens. Working in happy and close collaboration for almost thirty years, Mildred Bliss and Beatrix Farrand planned every garden detail, each terrace, bench, urn, and border. 

How to See the Eclipse: Create a Pinhole Viewer, Watch On-line, etc

Since the first total Eclipse that traverses the U.S. from west to east happens today (and it's the first time in 99 years), here are some resources to help you experience it.
This graphic shows the BEST TIMES to experience the eclipse across the USA
The eclipse enters the United States at 10:15 a.m. PDT off the coast of Oregon and exits the U.S. at approximately 2:50 p.m. EDT in South Carolina.
WATCH IT LIVE  online at: https://www.nasa.gov/eclipselive. 

Eclipse path of totality across the USA on August 21, 2017

 FOR EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW: https://www.nasa.gov/eclipse

RULES: Never look directly at the Sun without proper eye protection. You can seriously hurt your eyes and even go blind.

Projecting the Sun through a box projector, or using binoculars or telescope, or simply 2 pieces of card is a safe and easy way to view a solar eclipse.

DIY: Simple Card Projector:  The simplest and quickest way to safely project the Sun is with a projector made from only 2 pieces of card or paper.

You Need:  2 pieces of stiff white cardboard, e.g. 2 paper plates; alternatively, 2 sheets of plain white paper;  a thumbtack, a sharp pin, or a needle

What to Do:

Using 2 pieces of cardboard or paper you can project an image of the Sun that does not hurt your eyes.

©timeanddate.com

1. To make a quick version of the pinhole projector, take a sheet of paper and make a tiny hole in the middle of it using a pin or a thumbtack. Make sure that the hole is round and smooth.
2. With your back towards the Sun, hold 1 piece of paper above your shoulder allowing the Sun to shine on the paper.
3. The 2nd sheet of paper will act as a screen. Hold it at a distance, and you will see an inverted image of the Sun projected on the paper screen through the pinhole.
4. To make the image of the Sun larger, hold the screen paper further away from the paper with the pinhole.

A box projector works on the same principles, it requires a little more time and a few extra items to construct, but it is more sturdy.

 

VIDEO: 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Tips - Narrated by George Takei

On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This video, narrated by actor George Takei, provides a few viewing tips for the public.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/7apSAxXbmg0 

In the News: Swiss Couple Missing For 75 Years Found Frozen In The Alps

An inspector examines the belongings found alongside the couple.

If you didn't hear about this story, you'll likely find it interesting. Since I recently finished reading a story about scientists finding Woolly Mammoths frozen in ice, it's no surprise that people have been found in the ice. This couple had been missing since World War 2.

In the News:  Swiss Couple Missing For 75 Years Found Frozen In The Alps
   A Swiss couple who disappeared from their farm in the Alps during World War II have finally been found, 75 years later, mummified in a glacier.

Marcelin, 40, and Francine, 37, Dumoulin went missing on August 15, 1942, after leaving to milk their cows in a meadow near their home. They never returned to their family, including their six children.

  A worker found the frozen bodies of a man and a woman last week during routine maintenance. The corpses were preserved in the receding Tsanfleuron glacier, near a slew of trendy ski resorts at 2,600 meters (8,500 feet)

Francine and Marcelin Dumoulin went missing from their Swiss farm in 1942.

When he got closer, he noticed a collection of frozen accessories -- backpacks, watches, mess kits, a glass bottle and boots -- all of which dated back several decades.

Decked in World War II-era clothing, the duo was frozen close together. Their bodies have since been airlifted from the Alps.

The couple's youngest daughter, 79-year-old Marceline Udry-Dumoulin, told Swiss paper Le Matin their children had never stopped looking for them.

MORE and Source: http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/19/europe/swiss-alps-couple-frozen-75-years/index.html?ncid=newsltushpmgnews__TheMorningEmail__071917

Stop the Violence against Police! Teach kids to Respect Them!

    Feeling disgusted by our society. Today we learned that 6 police officers were shot: 1 killed. 2 in PA, 4 in FL. 
   We have several friends who are police officers. 
   I'm also outraged that our "president" who encourages violence (listen to his rallies) and claimed to support the police says nothing but a stupid tweet about ridiculous, useless "Thoughts and prayers." 
    Trump said more in support of the KKK and neo-nazis marching than he did against shootings of police officers. And those right-wing groups are anti-police and anti-government. 
    What's also infuriating is that police officers were scammed to vote for Trump (who obviously doesn't care about them). 
     We as a nation need to support our police regardless of political party. We need to TEACH our children to RESPECT POLICE as I was taught.
   As a side note, the Democratic party always votes to increase funding for police. The Republican party typically votes to cut police funding, as Trump has done in his proposed budget. If you support the police, then you will vote to provide them with more funding. 

Did you Know? (retired) Home Depot Co-founder Endorsed Trump - Triggers Boycott

Since one of us is an architect and we're always doing home projects we spend a lot of money in home improvement places like Lowes and Home Depot. Well, in lieu of the  news that the Home Depot Co-Founder Bernie Marcus is a Trump supporter there was a boycott announced. Although the company said they don't endorse political candidates, he's still the co-founder and still makes a big profit off the chain, so we don't shop there (and haven't for a year) and we refuse to support him.
 The Home Depot company DID disassociate themselves from the co-founder in a statement (below).


In the News (from June 2016): Home Depot Billionaire Cofounder's Endorsement Of Trump Triggers Call To Boycott The Retailer
SOURCE: Forbes Money Magazine 6-12-16

 Billionaire Bernard Marcus,  The Home Depot cofounder, probably never thought that his public endorsement of Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump for President would turn sour for the home improvement and construction products retailer. But it caused boycotts.

The Home Depot took the unusual step of disassociating the company from its cofounder's endorsement of Trump. "Bernie Marcus retired from the company 14 years ago, so he is not speaking on behalf of The Home Depot. The company does not endorse Presidential candidates," Stephen Holmes, Director of Corporate Communications at The Home Depot, told me.

FACT CHECK FROM SNOPES.COM: http://www.snopes.com/home-depot-cofounder-endorses-donald-trump/

(Satire) Wrong Cruise to be on! Plane accidentally empties toilet tank over cruise ship

*This story was published on a satirical website, so the story is false, but it was funny enough to share and give us a chance to share our cruise experiences*
   If' you've ever taken a cruise and had something go wrong you should read this (fake) but somewhat funny story. It's really unusual to be knocked out with a frozen chunk of poo, but in this story, people on this particular cruise line experienced that.
  OUR EXPERIENCES:  Fortunately, on the cruises we've been on, we've just 1) been stuck going in circles for hours when an anchor fell off a cog, and they finally cut it loose and 2) had drunken party goers making noise every night and 3) Rob got sea sick (like many others when we ran into very rough weather. The bottom line is that it can always be worse!  



Here's the FAKE NEWS STORY that has been going around. -

Plane accidentally empties toilet tank over cruise ship, 23 injured

A Boeing 777 airplane belonging to the Taiwanese airline EVA Air, dumped human excreta midair while traveling from Japan to Hawaii. Unfortunately, the content of the toilet tank was jettisoned into the sky while the plane was flying over the cruise liner Lady of the Pacific, which was hit by “large chunks of blue ice”.

Hundreds of passengers were standing on the top deck at the time, and many were hit by ice projectiles weighing up to 10 lbs.

Janis Garrison, a passenger who witnessed the whole incident, says the ice appeared very suddenly and took everyone by surprise.

25-year old Jason Matthews was hit by a 12-lb chunk of ice, suffered a severe concussion.

Five passengers were critically injured and 18 more were severely hurt, but the ship’s medical staff intervened rapidly and was able to stabilize all of the victims.

25-year old Jason Matthews was hit by a 12-lb chunk of ice and suffered a severe concussion. He still has no memory of the incident.

The ship was rapidly redirected to Hawaii to undergo some repair and to allow the injured passengers to obtain better medical care. Some of them could need weeks of care before they can go back to their regular life.

According to international law, dumping of lavatory waste is illegal, so EVA Air could also face some major fines. Despite regulations, many Asian airliners continue to jettison the content their toilet tanks over the Pacific Ocean, and even over land.
Source: http://worldnewsdailyreport.com/plane-accidentally-empties-toilet-tank-over-cruise-ship-23-injured/

Home Building: What is Butt Glazing for Glass?

Example of butt glazing on glass

Recently at work, Tom had to explain how to seal two panes of glass in a process called "butt

glazing." During the meeting several people snickered and giggled, and didn't listen to the explanation of the process, then of course, questioned what it meant. Nothing like dealing with juveniles.  Of course, if you've got your mind in the gutter, we don't want to know what you think "butt glazing" means.
  For those who want to know what it really means, and don't know how to do this process, here's the explanation and a short video of the glazing procedure.

What is butt glazing?

Butt glazing is an installation where the glass is retained at the head and sill, with no

This is NOT butt glazing, it's butt showing

structural support on the vertical edges. In exterior applications, the vertical joints between the glass panes are typically weather-sealed with silicone. In interior applications, the vertical joints may feature exposed edges, often requiring a glass edge specification.

Video: https://youtu.be/Ab2esbCAseQ