At the risk of angering the Volcano Gods again...

I do have to let you know...

Yesterday, I caught something out of the corner of my eye, outside my office window directy outside the Casa Aloha. Something unusual, and big was hanging in the sky. I looked out, and had to take a Gjoddang picture, because this shit is starting to get unbelieveable. Seriously. (clicking will embiggify to a horrifying extent!)

Seaplanes and Flying Boats

I dunno why, but I have quite a fascination with flying boats. In fact, my home is mostly decorated with vintage travel posters for the Pan Am Flying Clippers from the 30's...like this one.














Anyhoo, while casting around to find some daytrip destinations around my fair burg, I discovered there was a seaplane base out in Long Beach, which led me to this super great site for amphibious planes that went from L.A. to Catalina Island (which is...I dunno 15 or 20 miles off the Southern California coast) back in the day. Some really neat stuff over there if you like the old-timey glamour of air travel.

Here's some extra shots of a Pan Am Clipper I found somwhere on the webmonster a while ago, and then forgot I had until just now.

Veekend Video Extra

Flight of the Conchords




And this one about basketball...from a ways back.

Since I'm not positive that's the last thing I wanna leave you with

I'll just re-post this one that might have gotten lost in the multi-media extravaganza over the last week or two. It is super great.

Great Moments Are Far Between

"That is the real problem," Friday said, "There are too many moments."
"What?" Said Wednesday.
"Moments." Friday repeated, "There are too many of them."
"Well," Tuesday said, his head popping down from a concrete tunnel above them, that joined the larger storm-drain pipe where the weekdays were walking. "For an immortal weekday, that's sort of irrelevant." He swung himself down to land in a splash in the dirty water in front of the gathered weekdays. "Anyways," he continued, "Like we thought that tunnel just goes to a surface drain."

They continued walking - each had small headlamps which cast beams of light crazily about the tunnel. Occasional rats scurried out of their way. As they moved forward, the concrete tunnel joined a much older drain made of ancient moss covered brick.

Thursday noticed something. "Thank Gjod, a walkway. I'm glad the invitation suggested a change of shoes and socks!" He pulled himself up out of the shin-deep water, and was quickly followed by the others. There was a slightly amusing scene as five immortal weekdays took off their shoes, and socks, reached into packs and bags, and replaced them with fresh and dry footwear. Thursday had finished the act before the others, and picked up the original conversational thread. "I don't think the problem is too many moments. I'm pretty sure the problem is too many of those moments suck."

"Yeah." Said Tuesday, "And how long exactly is a moment?"
"No more than a half-hour." Said Wednesday.
"Half-hour!" Exclaimed Friday, putting the finishing touches on the bow of the laces on a stylish pair of Stacy Adams shoes.
"What? " Said Wednesday with some force, "That's the most common smallest time increment. Are you really saying people measure time in quarter-hours?"
"No." Friday said, standing up. "But moments are faster than time can measure."
"Or slower." Monday added.
"Or slower." Friday agreed.
"Pearl Harbor happened in a moment...I'd guess it was longer than 15 minutes." Thursday stated.
"Probly seemed a lot longer than that for the guys getting bombed and torpedoed."
"And the 9-11 attacks on the trade towers..." Quipped Tuesday, "Pretty fast. But was that a moment? I guess it probably was."
"Titanic sank in a moment..." Stated Monday.
"200,000 people died in the '05 Tsunami...in just a moment."

Wednesday began moving down the walkway, tired of the banter. "Come on, we've still got to get to find this party, and it could be miles from here."

"Not according to the flyer." Tuesday said hopefully, playing his headlamp onto a crumpled piece of paper in his hands. He read the text outloud. "Seven hundred meters from the drain opening at the river...it says."

They all began following.

Friday spoke. "See that's what I'm talking about."

"What? That we've travelled four hundred meters down a dirty stormdrain pipe in just moments?" Snapped Monday.
"No, all those moments you just brought up are bad moments!" The tunnel echoed with his voice and their footsteps as they continued their journey. "But what about all the good times? Those just lasted moments too - but nobody brings up the time we jumped the Pacific Ocean in rocket cars, wiped out a bunch of evil time controlling scientists, or met a talking rhinoceros in a bar!"

"Hang on." Said Wednesday in front of them. "There's a junction up here!"

The Weekdays all crowded around the end of the tunnel, which ended sharply at a huge chamber, where a number of huge tunnels converged, dumping trickles of water high above a massive pool of water twelve feet below. From across the room, on the water, a zodiac motored towards them, disturbing the water with crazy wakes, that sent a kaleidoscope of reflections across the chamber roof from their headlights. In a moment the zodiac was underneath them, and a man at the motor called up.

"Are you here for the party?"

"No." Spat Monday, "We just decided we'd walk down a stinky storm drain for fun and..."

He was cut off by Thursday.
"Yeah we are! Couldn't miss the Subterranean Catacomb Fiesta!"

"Okay then. Follow those steps down to water level - and I'll get you there." He pointed to a staircase carved into the wall, that disappeared into the water. They all began descending as the man moved his boat closer."

"I'm not knocking moments..." Friday said, finishing his thought before they got to the bottom step, "I'm just knocking the fact that the bad ones always seem so memorable."

Thursday stopped with a moment of realization. "And why are there so few...really good moments?!"

"Huh." Said Wednesday, getting into the boat. "It's almost like they hardly happen at all."

"That's what I'm saying," Said Friday, waiting for the rest to get into the boat. "Unless you're ready to live, expecting bad things to happen, you're going to be disappointed...a lot. That's pretty fjucked up."

"But..." Said Tuesday, sitting in the boat, "If you're always looking for a bad moment to happen, might that imply you're overlooking anything that happens that's good?"

"Yes." Said Friday, stepping onto the zodiac. "That's why I say there are too many moments. I choose to look for the good ones, and am constantly disappointed."

"You won't be disappointed." Said the man at the outboard engine of the zodiac. He turned the boat away from the brick wall, and sped across the chamber. He shouted more to be heard over the motor. "In fact, I'm pretty sure you'll find tonight...a moment to remember.



Happy Friday

deet deet...deet deet deet...Fjordnews...deet deet...

Ohmygodomygod...OH MY GJOD!

It's what I've suspected all along!















Great tits cope well with warming





(The author remains firmly behind the headline...the story...not so much)

A Unique Response

To finding yourself on the wrong end of government authorities, proven innocent, yet still on their watchlist because it's impossible to get off.

Here's a brief clip from the Colbert Report, which, while funny, actually gives the deets.



There's something just too strange about this...yet, there's something super great about it too. Like, along the lines of "Fjuck you authority...here's where I've been THE WHOLE TIME"

You can gaze in wonder where Hasan Elahi is, and was, and at the powers of self surveillance at his site right here. It does sort of fulfill yer standard blogger's wet dream of making their whole live viewable for judgement from their commenters...but the sad thing is, it's kinda' really fjucking serious. I'd prefer to have this kind of information available for me to look at, in regards to my elected representatives. After all, they're supposed to be working for me.

Blogger Complaints

I have very few complaints when it comes to the blogger publishing system. They made some up-grades over the last couple of years which has really made it a solid system. I used to loose a post or two every couple of weeks. Now...it never happens. That's pretty good. However, after the last couple of picture-heavy posts, that is the one thing that I still have a gripe about.

Formatting where your pictures will go on the page, and how text will appear next to-or around said photos, is still amazingly cumbersome, and almost never publishes in the way you expect. That being said, it's possible to work around these layout shortcomings, but it would be nice if someone somewhere did a little work to improve this problem, that appears more often than you'd suspect.

Okey, back to your regularly scheduled Fjordcast...

Why...OH WHY DID I GIVE INTO THE MADNESS?!??

What with all the blimp madness, I appear to have angered the VOLCANO GODS! Crap crap crap. What do I have to do to appease thee!?!?

There's a nice gallery with more over here.

Just Giving Into The Blimp Madness

Well why the hell not? Here's some shots I got whilst visiting the Goodyear Airship Operations Center just a little while ago.

(Clicking should embiggen...if you like that sort of thing)

Some Coyote News

This really isn't very high on the "wow that's crazy" meter, but I needed to post this quote.

"People cannot be ambivalent about coyotes," said Harry Morse, spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Game. "When that coyote starts toward you, it's not coming to be nice."

Good advice people...remember it for later.

More Blimps??!!?? What the #*%@?

So in perusing the local Craigslist for potential new moneymaking endevors, I came across this. Since this is bound to evaporate into the webmonster after too long, here's the text for future generations.

Feel free to skim...it's only amazing with the bizarre blimp mojo I'm dealing with at the moment.

Airship Pilot (Los Angeles, CA (Gardena, CA))

Be a part of the famous Goodyear tradition.

Are you an aviator who is passionate about flying? Are you an excellent communicator who is comfortable speaking to groups of people and the media? Do you have the outstanding management skills required to oversee the airship team? If this sounds like you, this could be your chance to pilot one of the world's most recognized symbols, the Spirit of America! This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a dedicated aviator to experience the control and handling of an aircraft as unique as the Goodyear blimp. Not only that, you will have the opportunity to earn your “Lighter-Than-Air Certification” as a Goodyear Blimp Pilot! Even if you already have it, you've got to admit that the chance to pilot one of the world's most recognized icons is just too great to pass up.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is as famous for our blimps as we are for our tires and other automotive products… if not more so. We launched our first airship, the Pilgrim, in 1925 and now all three Goodyear icons - the Spirit of Goodyear, the Spirit of America and the Spirit of Innovation - fly year-round throughout the US. There's a certain magic that goes along with the challenge of being professionally involved with a Goodyear airship. You can discover that feeling yourself when you join us at our Los Angeles, California-area blimp airfield as a Pilot.

As a Goodyear Blimp Pilot, you will operate an assigned airship safely, effectively and efficiently to assure optimum utilization of that aircraft for favorable exposure of the Goodyear name. In concert with the Pilot-in-Charge, the Pilot accomplishes public relations assignments by planning, organizing, directing, operating, maintaining and administering a specific airship operation which includes airship, personnel and ground support equipment. The pilot also acts as the Goodyear Blimp Spokesperson, speaking to the public and the media, fielding questions and ensuring that the Goodyear reputation for excellence and professionalism is never compromised. As the sole pilot aboard, the Pilot commands and is responsible for the aircraft and functional operation during take-off, flight and landing. Assists and assumes command in the absence of the Pilot-in-Charge in the supervision of operations personnel in order to fulfill operations' missions in compliance with FAA regulations and company policy.

Activities requiring outside contact include conferring with vendors, news media, airport management, motel managers (travel and tour arrangements) and the public, customers and potential customers. The Pilot assists in forward planning of airship mission requirements with respect to travel accommodations (airports and motels) and movement of the airship and ground support service vehicles and airship personnel. Additionally, the pilot assists the Pilot-in-Charge in ensuring compliance with all company standard practices and policies.

While flying the airship, the Pilot will obtain maximum exposure of the company name by achieving optimum flight time of the airship through pilot and crew efforts. Note: Optimum flight time to meet public relations requirements within the safety and operations parameters of airship design.

The pilot assists in reviewing, evaluating and controlling airship operations functions in order to maintain and operate an efficient, safe and professionally staffed flying operation.

Traveling up to 180 days per year with consecutive extended periods, the Airship Pilot guides the Goodyear Blimp to a variety of venues throughout the United States that can include NFL, NBA, MLB, college football and NASCAR events, as well as the Academy Awards.

Requirements include:
Current Commercial Pilot with instrument rating (airplane or helicopter rating) with minimum 500 hours
Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent
Minimum second-class medical certificate
Willingness to travel for extended periods of time
Preferred, but not required:
Commercial Lighter-Than-Air Airship rating
A & P certification
Certified Flight Instructor
FCC license
CDL
College degree

Goodyear, with marketing operations in nearly every country around the world, offers a highly competitive compensation package commensurate with education and experience, as well as the opportunity to work with an industry leader. Please note that this position does not offer relocation assistance.
If you meet the above criteria and are interested in working in a rewarding, yet challenging environment, please apply online at https://goodyear.recruitmax.com/eng/candidates/, select the “search” button under the Job Search section to view the Pilot position.

Man - whadda job! If I only stuck with my original plan, and got my Commercial lighter-than-air Airship rating. Oh well, maybe next time.

Does anybody know who now controlls Max Headroom?

Because I'd love to see him pop back. I really would.

Hell - I'd love to write the words coming out of his mouth!

The last post was done on a whim...seriously

I did not know that today was the day...in 1937, the Hindenburg Zeppelin blew up!

Here's a couple more shots of it not blowing up...

How about some blimp action?

Sure, why not.

Here's something old...



And something new.




And then there's this...

The Next Level

Pretty coo...

Pretty Funny.

A guy describing a car accident on the phone to a friend.

May 5th? No! Cinco de Mayo!

We get a lot of the Latino vibe here in Los-Angeleeze, and I for one, welcome any holidaze that make any excuse for drinking mexican beer. (or any kind of beer, actually) But, this was the first time I actually looked up what happened May 5th in Mexico. Here's a brief rundown, and over here's a little different take from the online encyclopedia.

Anyhoo getting back to Mexican beer...I prefer Sol to the other usual suspects. Why? Because magical things like this happen!



However, that being said, I don't mind supporting the Corona people, even tho their stuff isn't as good. Just because I like seeing things like the following on my teevee, Corona commercials stand out because they are so amazingly calm and quiet. The difference It always reminds me how desperate the television people are to keep your attention. Advertising like this works much better for me.



As well, their products are pretty cool. If any of you have a cool $500 and wanna get me a Cinco de Mayo gift. This would be sweeeeeet.

Ahhh, Pirates...

How many times has your news saved me from actually writing a new post?

Well, here's one that's pretty dry, but it's got video!

It's not as good as this one, which was from last month...but is a lot more interesting, plus it also has smugglers!

***Update***

Here's an amazing map of pirate activity off of the coast of Somalia! There's a ton of information on here - it's worth the PDF download...promise.

Mr Pigglesworth and Mr Gimpson VS The Evil-Eye!

"I say Gimpson," asked Mr. Pigglesworth, "do you place any weight to the notion of the evil eye?"

Mr Gimpson put down his newspaper, and shifted his slippered feet on the ottoman, looking at his friend. "You mean those with a power over dark forces, with which they might becurse a man who crosses their path with an unsavory look?"

"The very same."

"I don't give any weight to it whatsoever. Why do you ask Pigglesworth?"

Mr Pigglesworth walked to the fireplace, which now held only glowing embers, placed a new log upon the grate, and used a poker to summon a small tongue of flame licking over the new wood. "You remember my pocketwatch had recently stopped?"

"Of course, you complained about it last weekend." Gimpson frowned, "Since you hadn't mentioned it, I had assumed you had taken care of it."

"Well, after mentioning it, I felt I shouldn't bring it up again. However, earlier today I went to the watch repair shop, to have it seen to."

"What was the problem?" Gimpson asked.

"A gear had broken a tooth, which had become lodged in another, preventing it from moving. It took all of five minutes to fix." Pigglesworth watched the fire, which was now happily cracking, and moved to sit upon the sitting chair opposite Gimpson.

"Well that's a relief." said Gimpson.

"Yes. However, outside the watch repair shop, I was accosted by five Gypsy urchins who wanted money."

"Not an uncommon occurrence for a dweller of a metropolis."

"Of course." Said Pigglesworth. He squirmed in his chair for a moment, then rose to fix himself a drink. He looked over at Gimpson as he poured scotch from a crystal decanter, "But as I was pushing my way through the rabble, and knocking their hands away from my pockets and other valuable items, an old Gypsy hag emerged suddenly from around the building, and in my haste, I stepped on her foot!"

"I say!" Exclaimed Gimpson.

"Quite." Said Pigglesworth as he took a sip of his drink. "So the woman says, "'Ere Govn'a, shouldn'a treat my youngins as tha they was the plauge! Alls they wanna is a Shillin'." Well, I responded by begging her pardon for stepping on her foot, but stated that I wasn't about to give anyone my money, especially after being molested in such an uncouth manor."

"Then what happend!?" Gimpson asked excitedly.

Mr. Pigglesworth continued his tale. ""Uncouth!" She spit at me, which she really did, as she had no upper teeth, "I'll show ye uncouth! 'Ave a gaze 'ere at my evil-eye!" at which she gave me the most foul look I have ever seen on a human's face."

"My word old chap," said Gimpson, "has anything unfortunate befallen you since then?"

Pigglesworth Moved back to his chair, settled down more comfortably than the first time. "Well, I was nearly run over by a dogcart near Trafalgar, a load of roofing slate fell from the top of Lloyds and crashed practically at my feet, and as I went to the shed for more firewood, I discovered a nest of possums, three of which made for my ankles! Luckily I wasn't wearing loafers."

"It does seem as if you've had your share of near things today. Do you give weight to this Gypsy woman's evil-eye?"

"Against my better judgement, I would guess there may be something to it." Pigglesworth stood up, refilled his glass, and had another sip. He stood by the fire for a moment, then drew himself up and spoke in a more defiant tone. "Now Gimpson, you know I'm a rational man, I believe in science and technology, and won't be drawn into believing in curses! But I daresay I see the old hag's look each time I blink. It's unnerving."

"Pixies!" Gimpson said.
"Pixies?" Pigglesworth looked over confused.
"Pixies. Gimpson stated as if he was done speaking about it.
"Gimpson," asked Pigglesworth, "what do you mean, Pixies?"
"You remember when I used to rent rooms out of the old Holdenhurst Mannor?"

"Of course, they were quite stately...gave you quite a respectable front I might add."

"Yes. But did I ever tell you why I left those stately rooms to take up diggings with you?" Gimpson asked knowingly.
"No."
"Old Holdenhurst Mannor was haunted will all manner of spooks. There was one horrifying apparition which frequented my rooms, which appeared in spectral form with a bloody stump for a neck, and carried it's head under an arm. The head would then hurl a huge vocabulary of insults at me, and then laugh madly."

"My god Gimpson, how often did this happen!?"
"Nightly!"
"You lived there for nearly two years! How did you maintain your sanity!?"

"Pigglesworth, it is why I mentioned Pixies. Whenever I saw things which I think should shake me, I knew that they were impotent in the material plane. However, they did scare me. But that's when I remembered the Pixies, small mischievous fairy creatures which mean no good to mortal man, but really capable of only small tricks. Each time I was faced with such things, I would just think to myself, it's only Pixies playing tricks. And that's how I mastered that! You should try it for yourself."

"You're saying, this old Gypsy hag who gave me the evil-eye was nothing more than a trick played on me by three-inch fairy creatures?"

"Yes! If you're believing in Gypsy curses, you may as well believe in Pixies. And if you believe that, I'd say a Pixie trick is a lot easier to deal with than a Gypsy curse."

Pigglesworth looked at his friend, pondered for a few moments, and without thinking drained the rest of his glass. It appeared that he had made up his mind, because he smiled slightly.

"Pixies!" He laughed, "Who would have thought I'd run into Pixies in the middle of London, right outside the watch repair shop! Gimpson, you've made me much happier. I am in your debt for your take on this affair."

"Not at all, my good man, not at all. Now then, either we spend the rest of the night making some manner of Pixie trap, or we could go to the billiard hall, and see if we can overcome Pixie mischief with the logical physics of solid balls being struck with a stout cue!"

"Capital idea Gimpson. I'll fetch my cloak."



Happy Friday

***Update! Incase you haven't seen the previous adventures of Mr. Pigglesworth and Mr. Gimpson, you can find them directly below!***

Episode One

Episode Two

Episode Three

Episode Four

Episode Five