Archive for July, 2006

The Big Crumble – a quiet weekend

The Big Crumble – a quiet weekend

| July 31, 2006 | Reply

Well, no new loose bolts or other failures have been disclosed over the weekend. Mostly, people are jockeying for position, to either take advantage of or avoid fallout from the Big Dig Crumble. Design News (via Slashdot) asks whether the Big Crumble is one of engineering’s biggest mistakes. A few of the folks on Slashdot […]

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Light blogging this weekend

Light blogging this weekend

| July 28, 2006 | Reply

I’m going to be traveling to Gunnison, Utah for my mother-in-law’s family reunion (the Sorensons of south central Utah). Then my wife’s mom and step-dad are coming back to stay with us for two weeks. Wish me luck! 🙂 ..bruce..

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The Big Crumble – Probes; evidence; memos

The Big Crumble – Probes; evidence; memos

| July 28, 2006 | Reply

While the State of Massachusetts has been carrying out its own investigations, the National Transportation Safety Administration has started its own separate probe into the causes of the Big Dig Crumble’s collapse earlier this month (via Andrew Miga at the Associated Press via Forbes): Federal investigators are looking into whether vibrations from nearby construction could […]

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You know that old saying…

You know that old saying…

| July 28, 2006 | Reply

…about how those who enjoy sausage and respect the law should watch neither being made? Well, you can add Chinese soy sauce (specifically Hongshuai Soy Sauce) to the list. Be sure to read the whole article to discover (a) what the secret ingredient is, (b) where it’s harvested (so to speak), and (c) what they […]

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Some perspective on Exxon’s profits

Some perspective on Exxon’s profits

| July 27, 2006 | 2 Replies

A lot of folks appear to be bothered that ExxonMobil had profits of $10.36 billion in the 2nd quarter of this year, or as CNN/Money reported it, $1,318 per second. That figure doesn’t bother me at all for several reason, including the facts that (a) 70% of those profits came from outside the United States […]

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Link o’ the day (video)

Link o’ the day (video)

| July 27, 2006 | Reply

A new toy set for that special annoying challenging young relative or neighbor:  Apocalypse Pony! Hat tip to Ace of Spades.  ..bruce..

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The Big Crumble – Amorello resigns

The Big Crumble – Amorello resigns

| July 27, 2006 | Reply

UPDATED (07/27/06): The Boston Globe has a section of its website dedicated to the Big Dig Crumble. Yesterday, MTA chief Matt Amorello lost his legal bid to block today’s scheduled hearing to remove him from his post. It’s no surprise, then, that Amorello resigned today before the hearing could take place (via the Boston Globe): […]

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E-ticket ride (video)

E-ticket ride (video)

| July 26, 2006 | 2 Replies

Ever wonder what it would be like to fall back to earth from 24 miles up? NASA attached a video camera to one of the Space Shuttle’s solid rocket boosters and recorded the booster’s entire flight, from pre-launch to splashdown. Hat tip to The Llama Butchers.  ..bruce.. Toss up for 10 points: how many of […]

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Big Crumble round-up (part VII)

Big Crumble round-up (part VII)

| July 26, 2006 | 1 Reply

UPDATED (07/26/06): Ken McCracken over at WILLisms has some futher observations and cogent comments (including about duct tape). He’s also got a great map of the Big Dig Crumble itself. Also, the Massachusetts Supreme Court has ruled that Gov. Romney can proceed with his hearing to fire MTA Chief Matt Amorello (via WCSH6.com). And now […]

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A fascinating deposition (video)

A fascinating deposition (video)

| July 25, 2006 | Reply

I’ve been deposed, oh, a dozen or more times, and I’ve attended at least another dozen depositions, ususally of opposing experts. Being deposed is my least favorite part of serving as an expert witness — somewhat like going to the dentist for 7 hours, with occasional breaks. (In fact, I plan to have a rather […]

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