Nature's fury as seen from space... This photo of the storm system that created the F-4 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma was taken by NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument aboard an Earth Observing System satellite. The image was captured earlier today, at 12:40 PM, Pacific Daylight Time (2:40 PM, Central Daylight Time) as the tornado began its deadly swath across Oklahoma terrain.


NASA / Goddard / Jeff Schmaltz / MODIS Land Rapid Response Team

U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy Does It Again... A few weeks after it was publicized that the U.S. Navy successfully shot down an unmanned drone using a ship-mounted laser weapon, the military branch revealed that it flawlessly launched an unmanned drone, Northrop Grumman's X-47B UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle), via catapult from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush. As recently as yesterday, the UCAV achieved additional milestones when it conducted touch-and-go landings and take-offs from the George H.W. Bush as she was deployed in the Atlantic Ocean. This historic feat comes almost 100 years since the Navy catapulted the first manned aircraft from a seagoing vessel...which took place in November of 1915 from the armored warship USS North Carolina. Awesome.




Timothy Walter / AP


Northrop Grumman / U.S. Navy


U.S. Navy / MC3 Kristina Young


Northrop Grumman / Alan Radecki

The Office... Just thought I'd post a few memorable quotes from tonight's 2-hour series finale (actually, make that one hour...unless you count that retrospective that allowed me to change channels and watch the season finale of The Big Bang Theory instead) of the long-running NBC show. Expect me to do the same when The Big Bang Theory, one of my other all-time favorite programs on TV, comes to a close a few years from now. (By the way— Raj sure can't catch a break, can he? Then again, his ability to finally talk to ladies without being liquored up should give him the courage to talk to prettier girls...like say, Sheldon Cooper's assistant, Alex.)

"I can't believe you came!" "That's what she said."
- Dwight Shrute's comment and Michael Scott's reply when the former boss of Dunder Mifflin makes a surprise appearance at the new DM manager's wedding.

"It's like all my kids grew up...and they married each other! It's every parent's dream."
- Michael Scott during Dwight and Angela's wedding reception.

"I wish there was a way to know that you're living in the good ol' days, before you actually left them. Someone should write a song about that."
- The 'Nard Dog' (a.k.a. Andy Bernard), during an interview following his embarrassing audition for America's Next A Cappella Sensation.

"There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn't that kind of the point?"
- Pam Halbert's final soundbite as the documentary film crew stops shooting The Office.

Jack Bauer is coming back... At least for a 12-hour special (titled 24: Live Another Day) on FOX next spring! It's too bad 'The Jack Bauer Power Hour' will apparently air after the second season of The Following would presumably come to an end in early 2014; I wouldn't mind taking work off (again) just to see Jack Bauer and Ryan Hardy pull an um, Jack Bauer on terrorists and cult members alike during the same night on Rupert Murdoch's network. It's all good.

I'm in love with an Arab girl at work. To be specific, she's Palestinian. Just thought I'd share this considering it's been ages since I posted personal (romance-related) tidbits on my Blog. It's the year 2000 all over again!

Mark Bonifacio / New York Daily News

The Freedom Tower is finally crowned... Earlier today, the final segment of the 408-foot (124 meters) high antenna spire gracing the rooftop of the 1 World Trade Center (1 WTC) was finally installed...bringing the skyscraper to a symbolic height of 1,776 feet (541 meters) and thus making it (controversy aside) the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. All that really needs to be done now is complete the installation of all the exterior glass panels around the 104-story-tall structure—and then outfitting it with all of the interior equipment and office furniture that will be used by its tenants once the 1 WTC officially opens for business by early next year. Good job, New York!






Julio Cortez / AP

Photos of the Day... Check out my Air & Space Wall of Fame (which has actually been up since...2005)—which is right next to my SoCal Sports Wall of Fame...

"The danger is very real. But fear is a choice." If there's one reason why I'm going to watch that Will Smith movie After Earth (even though it's directed by M. Night Shyamalan) later this month, it's because of that very awesome quote from the film that totally applied to how I felt about doing the HALO jump last month. Anyways— Check out my Youtube clip of the skydive below. Now if only if my computer didn't keep restarting every time I tried to burn this video to a DVD... Looks like it's time to buy a new comp.

Quote of the Day, Part 2...

"Sometimes it's a form of love just to talk to somebody that you have nothing in common with and still be fascinated by their presence."

-― David Byrne

Quote of the Day...

So for personal reasons, I felt like sharing this excerpt since it applies to how I'm feeling about a beautiful lady I recently met at work. This message by Bob Marley is quite cathartic.

For the full quote by the legendary singer, visit the Goodreads site here.

"Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you've never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you.

When something wonderful happens, you can't wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are."

-― Bob Marley