Some years ago a fellow employee at my previous place of employment said to me “you would be bored if you ever went to work someplace else” and “there would not be enough challenges to meet your desire”.  Today, as I worked in my socks (no  shoes on the Teak deck) I found that statement more untrue than I would of ever realized. I have had the opportunity to work on some pretty amazing machinery through the years, and since I started with Grimstad I have seen even more new and exiting applications of fluid powered automation.  However today’s trip takes it to a new level. I was invited by Palmer Johnson Yachts up to Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin on board a Yacht that had just finished part one of it’s sea trials. My visit was to assist in developing new solutions for some of the boats hydraulic auxiliaries. This 150ft speed boat, yes I said speed boat; the thing will do 40 knots, is something to behold. It powered by two 1000HP diesel engines, has sleeping quarters for 12 guests, plus 7 crew, and a garage on the back for toys. The garage is where the two personal water craft, similar to the one seen on the dock in the foreground, and the tender is kept. The entire tail section of the boat opens to launch the craft through the use of hydraulic power, this is where I get involved. So I spent the day on Sturgeon Bay in the beautiful August weather taking photographs and making notes. Not a bad way to pass 8 hours. I look forward to working with PJ in the future, heck maybe I will get to do some sea trials next time.

Say hello to the man who single handedly destroyed the Greenbay Packers. That’s right, Ted Thompson. Say what you want about Brett Farve being a cry baby and too emotional, I hold this man responsible.

It was made apparent in many ways that when Ted Thompson took things over as Packers GM he wanted to do things his way. He wanted to prove to the NFL and Packer fans, that Farve or not, HE could build a winning team. On numerous occasions he made decisions to pass up key players that may of made a push to the Superbowl one play easier. Did his most recent decisions really ‘alienate’ Farve? Make him feal unwanted by the Packers? That is something we will never know.

That does not change the fact that the mishandling of Farve is destroying the team. Even if Brett Farve was not to play in Green Bay the whole incedent should of been handled differently. Now, no matter what the conclusion of this mess, the Packers can kiss any success good-bye. It will be a team divided and a record divided; 8-8 for the 2008-2009 season. Thanks ‘Terrible’ Teddy Thompson!

UPDATE 07AUG2008: Farve is now a NY Jet and the Pack is screwed. A story titled ‘ Packers make their choice with Favre; now they can wallow in it ‘ at ESPN.com sums my feelings up best.

Rhiannon is going to have a little sister. The results of our 18 week ultrasound indicate that kid 2.0 is going to be a girl. Rhiannon is pretty excited so far about her little sister on the way. The ultrasound indicated things are going well in the growth department, although the ultrasound mesurements show our daughter about 5 days younger then her due date. It is amazing how far technology has come that they can predict that. Speaking of technology check out the 4D ultrasound photo! She was not coperating too much during the whole procedure but if you look close you can see her smiling with her right hand over her eyes and her left hand tucked behind her ear.

Well not a real golden ticket, but just as good. 2008 Great American Beer Festival Tickets. Yes, it dos not happen until October, but I was not taking any chances this year. As soon as they where released I ordered mine, they usually sell out weeks, if not months in advance.  Then you end up paying a scalper big bucks to get in.

So once again for a mere $50, I get to enjoy all the beer I wish in a four and a half hour period. That’s right it was extended this year from 5:30 to 10:00PM. Good Deal! Just don’t drop the single tasting cup you get at the door, or your night will end early. Stay tuned for more in October, or check out last years excursion to Denver Colorado for the 2007 GABF.

Version 3.0 of the alternate browser Firefox as moved to full release status. I have long been a proponent of this browser, and so far 3.0 is a worthy upgrade. They said it’s faster; it is, they said it’s cleaner; it is, and they said add-ons will work with it; they do for the most part. I only had incompatibility with about 5% of the add-ons I had installed in Firefox 2. To be honest I only used one of the few that where incompatible currently.

To download go to getfirefox.com, if it is availible. With the rush to download it the servers have had a hard time keeping up. Here is a direct link to the ‘Firefox Setup 3.0.exe‘ file on the mozilla servers as an alternative.