| Prime minister promises support for the war.... |
[Apr. 17th, 2006|01:15 pm] |
In the house today the PM took floor to announce that, "This war of words will not fight itself. If we are to have any chance of carving a place for ourselves in this turbulent and changing universe we must take action. With matters of domestic concern, education, economics, and culture under control we can now redouble our efforts in this war."
The PMs statement was met by thunderous applause from the members of the House. Even so, after his four point plan was revealed, the opposition still had concerns. The leader of the Official Opposition had this to say, "It's all well and good to lay out new plans, but we all know plans and commitments can be quickly ignored for more pressing concerns. I will believe the PM when he puts actions to words...or I suppose in this case, words to the page."
Time will tell what will become of the Government's promises, but for now the Government insists that it will ensure:
1. More direct time funding for War initiatives. That means more writer-computer time, putting actual words to page
2. More committment to global initiatives. That means subscription to a workshopping group, and active participation therein
3. More R&D funding. That means spending more time on the three important branches of research: Actual reading of published work; Exploration of scientific basis; and reading on the craft of writing.
As of yet there is very little in the way of actual reportable results to back the governments claimed conviction. Nevertheless pundants remain optimistic by the detail in the report, and the obvious practicality of it. What remains to be seen as a real commitment to time budgeting, and follow through.
Associated Press |
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| SF Writing & Real Science |
[Apr. 9th, 2006|08:46 pm] |
I just had a thought.... Sometimes when I'm sitting in my basement writing SF, like the nerd that I am.... I think it would be cool if I could ask some other people who know something about the issue what they think, and then get some dialogue on the science. Eg. If I theorize that we could build an artificial gravity well and use it to clean up trash, I'd be interested to hear what some physics students might have to say on the issue. Or just other nerds who have already looked into the issue.
To this effect, I wonder if there is a community for discussing the science of science fiction in LJ, and if not, why not? |
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| Universal Relativism, Swarming MicroComms, and the Weekend |
[Apr. 7th, 2006|07:18 pm] |
Some thoughts....
Universal Relativism
In my lowly undergrad studies of Philosophy I am trying to develop my own grand unifying theory of everything (hey, half-measures are pointless). On that line I think that the key is relativism. I think that reality exists only in so much as one thing relates to another, and that our knowledge is really the understanding of how things relate, and that morality is driven by the relationship between our ideas of good and just. Ultimately there appears to always be overlap in the set of all things, such that Cody agrees they are Good, and the set of all things such that Danielle agrees they are good. So long as Cody and Danielle stay in that overlap while dealing with eachother they will both consider eachother good. Anyways.....it's a start.
Swarming MicroComms
A SF problem for me is the idea of stealth and preventing DFing(Direction Finding) by the enemy when armoured soldiers are broadcasting between themselves. Solution, a swarm of robots similar in size to insects that start with a soldier, then branch out in a random search algorithm till they find another. By targeting a communication spot on each soldier, they could pin-point each with laser comms, and thus use directional communications rather than open broadcast to prevent DFing. I think these robots (let's say they are like flies), could use variations in the splashback pattern from the receiver to determine the speed and direciton of movement of a soldier and thus maintain their aim. They should also be able to communicate amongs themselves by direct beam, but I'm not sure how they would know where each of them were without scanning, or open broadcasting.....Another starting point.
The Weekend
..................ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh the weekend. :) Time to make starts. |
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| Happy Fiscal New Year |
[Apr. 2nd, 2006|07:00 pm] |
Hi everyone,
April 1st for most people is April Fools, but for me and other people foolish enough to work in the same place, it's the beginning of a new Fiscal Year. What does that mean? All kinds of things...
New Forms
New Budget
New Files
New ......well that's mainly it.
Anyways Happy Fiscal New Year Everybody! |
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| Some values |
[Mar. 5th, 2006|05:05 pm] |
| Your Values Profile | 
Loyalty:
You value loyalty highly.
You're completely devoted to your friends and family.
Even if they totally screw up, you're still there for them.
Just make sure they're equally loyal to you!
Honesty:
You value honesty a fair amount.
You're honest when you can be, but you aren't a stickler for it.
If a little white lie will make a situation more comfortable, you'll go for it.
In the end, you mostly care about "situational integrity."
Generosity:
You value generosity a fair amount.
You are all about giving, as long as there's some give and take.
Supportive and kind, you don't mind helping out a friend in need.
But you know when you've given too much. You have no problem saying "no"!
Humility:
You value humility a fair amount.
You tend to be an easy going, humble person.
But occasionally your ego takes over.
You have a slight competitive streak - and the need to be the best.
Tolerance:
You value tolerance a fair amount.
You are open to new cultures, beliefs, and ideas.
You have very few prejudices that you're aware of.
And while you are tolerant, you do stand true to what you believe. |
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| In the future..... |
[Mar. 3rd, 2006|09:12 pm] |
| [ | Mood |
| |  creative | ] |
| [ | Score |
| | La isla bonita | ] |
"The wars of the future will not be fought on the battlefield or at sea.
They will be fought in space, or possibly on top of a very tall
mountain. In either case, most of the actual fighting will be done by
small robots. And as you go forth today remember always your duty is
clear: To build and maintain those robots. Thank you."
-- Military school Commandant's graduation address, "The Secret War of Lisa Simpson"
Check it out.....
Crisis in Zefra |
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| TV Cyberspace Interface. |
[Feb. 28th, 2006|08:33 pm] |
| [ | Mood |
| | Resigned | ] |
| [ | Score |
| | Umbrellaterm's Weird Techno | ] |
Earlier today I sat down at my computer with the intention of writing something. It has been a busy day, and an evening see ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) umbrella_term comment about wedding commissioner. I was momentarily distracted by wondering if Grampa Simpson's site www.oldcoot.com was a real website. It isn't. I was dissapointed. I decided to also check out some other URLs I'd seen on TV. I went to find out if I Vongo, but because I live in Canada, I can't Vongo. I proceeded to go check out www.nigelblog.com where Nigel a character on the hit TV series Crossing Jordan keeps a blog. Unfortunately Nigel must be too busy being fictional because his blog now redirects to the network page.
I decided that there was nothing left to do but join murray, so I went to www.joinmurray.com and was relatively amused by the Murryan propaganda in support of Solo Mobile. Kudos to solo mobile for lending some amusement to my TV net surfing.
To cap it off I went and signed up for an email at www.whatthefuck.com, just cause I thought it might be the tool I needed to express myself in certain email communication situations. Regrettably the email at www.whatthefuck.com doesn't work anymore. I think you can guess what I had to say to that.
I just thought you all should know. :) |
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| Mid-twenties crisis |
[Oct. 3rd, 2005|06:19 pm] |
| [ | Mood |
| |  determined | ] |
| [ | Score |
| | Inspirational | ] |
Reading the posts of many of my friends and looking around the 'so called' real world I find that there seems to be a thread of sadness, regret, loss, anger, confusion and frustration. An ill-fated cocktail of emotions that breed in darkness and multiplies like rabbits. My own ill-humour is no doubt a semi-sympathetic response, furthered by my own selfish wishes to be free from having to be reminded of such things.
I find that these days emotions tire me. I have been wishing for peace, and silence, hoping ot drown whatever discomforts exist in a warm blanket of routine. I see that some people are hurting, and wish they didn't hurt, I wish I could help them to feel better, and to make reparations with themselves. Then I look to myself and I feel powerless to make those changes, powerless to affect others, when I have not been able to meet my own goals. In my mid-twenties I feel like I have failed in not spending more time writing the wonderous stories that dwell in my mind, and again that I have failed in loosing some of the excitement and lust for success in my career. I look to the past and I remember the excitement and vitality of a young me, filled with hope and promise, and ideals.
But what seperates the past from the present and the present from the future? I examine my beliefs and I find minor contradictions. The axioms that have raised from themselves from the kernals of what I thought was hard-won wisdom, do not always march in step. I am torn between the idea of re-examining these thoughts either by in depth review of current standards, or by a question of core beliefs that found them and a test of their strength in the newly codified rules of order that govern my life, or the thought that this is just emotional talk that drags in doubt to undermine an otherwise strong foundation of reason and right.
On one hand I know I am not myself, having recently suffered a car accident I am on medication that makes me less rational. On the other hand that may be the impetus neccessary to evaluate and consolidate, review and revise, and research a better way ahead. Certainly if I asked myself five years ago if I would wish for peacefullness and routine, I would have said never. Why is that so different today? Is it the slow ebb of the tide of those unpleasant emotions that drags me down to say I would rather indifference than any emotion at all? That is a depressing thought.
I think the answer must lie in the direct opposite path to the one earlier percieved. I think we are so busy commiserating over our wounds and sorrows that we forget to celebrate our joys and successes. I know that sometimes people are depressed or anxious, or angry, but sometimes they are joyfull, and excited, and content. I wonder what words would be appropriate to inspire those good feelings amongst the bad. There is a sentiment that it is bad to feel good in the midst of those who feel bad, for it is disrespectful, and I do see how it is. But by that logic, no-one would ever feel good, we would all remain depressed. How then do we escape?
I am going to take the time to ponder on those values I used to hold so dear, that I would champion them as ideals, and that I would never forget. I am going to take time to think about all of the really great things that are happening for me and those around me. And I'm going to get a little bit excited about it. And I'm going to stop trying to have fun to forget my problems, and I'm gonna have fun because it is fun! And I'm going to hope like hell, that some of you find some good too, because I don't want to be the only jolly optimist fool tromping around this place!
'Kings rule the world, fools enjoy it' |
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| ........................... |
[Sep. 5th, 2005|11:22 am] |
| [ | Mood |
| |  troubled | ] |
| [ | Score |
| | Silence | ] |
I would comment further, but dinner is at hand. I remain
concerned, but hopeful that everything can be corrected before we arrive in
Farkeep.
The last words of HMD Persistance’s Captain’s log,
transmitted as part of the overall data parcel for backup prior to her
departure into hyperspace. The words
hung suspended in the air, held there for her eyes only, part of the thin
overlay that set a protective border between the real world and it’s
inhabitants.
She took in
a deep breath of the icy morning air and felt it strip the warmth from her
throat. Beyond the pale words now
fading as her attention passed, a cool mist enveloped the morning, swirling and
eddying about the bottoms of thin snow covered birch trees, as it swam in
languid circles upon the thin ice covering the wishing pond. This was a place for summer solitude, and
quiet mediation to the sound of a babbling brook, but the winter had taken away
that comfort and replaced it with an eerie stillness, as though everything had
been frozen in place like a photograph except the wandering mist that cloaked a
darker purpose.
The
icy stillness was what she needed today, as she tried to make sense of the
latest news. It was possible that the
disappearance of Persistance was just another coincidence. An untried Captain, an idle crew, hyperspace
travel although routine was still fraught with peril for the unwary. Still the story was missing a piece, almost
like a bad play where things line up too well to be convincing. A straight and narrow road that is very
rarely travelled outside of passion plays and cheap novels. She frowned as a gust of wind whipped by
sending her hair into a wild array of strands |
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| Dear Diary #2 |
[Sep. 5th, 2005|11:05 am] |
| [ | Mood |
| | determined | ] |
| [ | Score |
| | Loud howling of the wind | ] |
Dear Diary,
The howling drone of the wind will not be tolerated today. I was not born to live imprisoned by tired old men teaching lectures on ancient dead men who were too stupid to realize the folly of their ways and have since perished in a dismal fire. I am sick to death of the very soul of this desolate place, and shall loose my mind if I remain here another day.
It is for this reason I have no choice but to commandeer a shuttle and depart on my own. Any terrible adventure would be better than this hellish boredom, and I'm sure that my wits and steel are match fthe or any I could find in such a place as this.
Do not mistake to think I have forgotten my contempt for you, dearest diary, but only know that I want them to find you, and these last few words in case I fail to return.
In desperation,
HRH Princess Loris |
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| Dear Diary #1 |
[Jun. 14th, 2005|06:30 pm] |
| [ | Mood |
| |  frustrated | ] |
| [ | Score |
| | Wind howling | ] |
Dear Diary,
They say that it is the thought that counts in any gift, and this gift is no exception. I am certain that the gifter had every intention of drinking a fine wine and laughing with friends over the contemplation of me sitting in a cold empty room in the corner of the galaxy, shedding sad tears into a little girls diary, brought on by dark lonely bored thoughts.
With deepest comtempt
Loris |
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| Log Entry # 7 - Plans |
[Jun. 14th, 2005|05:50 pm] |
Things around the ship have been very busy, and there are several areas that bear mention in the log. I myself have been too busy putting out fires, thankfully only figurative ones, to get them down until this point.
The engineering investigation is complete and six other significant safety infractions have been catalogued and corrected. According to the Chief Engineering Officer these infractions are the result of long overdue drydock work. I find that unlikely. His report suggests that a lack of detailed inspection, and overhaul of regularly wearing parts has resulted in quick fixes that do not meet the full code of the safety regulations. I have entered his report into the ship’s record. I believe that the solution to this problem lies in broader policy, and I will address it below.
The Master at Arms has concluded his investigation. According to him there was a criminally negligent lack of attention in the repair of the overhead junction box in the main control room of Fusion 2. While his investigation does not suggest malice, or sabotage, it does suggest that the repair-work itself was done to a standard that was not in accordance with the Kings Regulations and Orders for safety in Shipboard Engineering Practice. He also found that the quality of supervision exercised by the team foreman was insufficient and that control checks were not maintained in accordance with the standards and practices associated with shipboard engineering. He has recommended that both personnel be charged under section 29(6) of the Royal Disciplinary Code, that is to say, “A failure to perform military duties, or neglicence in the performance of military duties, resulting in damage to Royal property, and/or death or injury of other persons.” I have not yet decided whether to proceed with the charges.
The section heads briefing was not encouraging. While there is no one point of dereliction, or lacking that spawns concerns, there is an overall candour and lacklustre glossing that implies failure. Of note amongst the deficiencies: the tactical section has a startling lack of qualification in counter-insurgency, and boarding party tactics, and only two hands qualified as assaulters; systems does not have a current set of ECM solutions, the latest dating back six months; engineering does not have a regular inspection and maintenance schedule in place other than that required by regulation; medical has not conducted any periodic health and safety reviews for over six months; operations has allowed significant debt to accumulate to the ship’s account without seeking the applicable grants to reimburse accounts, nor has an audit been conducted in the past ninety days; operations maintains a poor stock of expendable resources and is below minimum stocking levels of various key items; additionally there are only three qualified officers of the watch including myself, and we have three juniour officers without a bridgekeeping certificate.
I have been drafting and redrafting my orders. It is my intention to switch the shift system, and shake up the currently existing relationships in the departments. We need to get fresh perspectives so that the same problems are not being continuously overlooked. I also plan to create rotational inspections in the various departments to ensure the entire ship is fully inspected at least every month. Captain’s rounds have not been instituted, but I hope to have rounds once a week to perform a cursory inspection of main areas, and a Captain’s inspection at the end of the month and every month afterwards until the ship meets my requirements. The junior officers and ratings need a training and development schedule and the whole ship needs to start combat drills, but that will have to wait until the shifts have settled. Too much at once may negatively impact the morale of the crew.
I have planned personal dinners with each of my officers starting with the XO and carrying down through seniority to the Helms third. I have also reviewed the case of our man in cells. It is my opinion that the ship is undermanned and would benefit more from his presence in department than in cells. His loss of any possible station or shore leave during our downtime should be sufficient deterrent. I have assigned him double shifts for the remainder of his sentence and freed him from the brig.
I would comment further, but dinner is at hand. I remain concerned, but hopeful that everything can be corrected before we arrive in Farkeep. |
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| Log Entry #6 - Fire |
[Jun. 13th, 2005|01:30 am] |
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At 1630 hours a chemical fire was ignited by an insecure cabling truss in Fusion 2. Emergency systems isolated the fire, and with the aid of Emergency Crew the fire was extinguished at 1745 hours. Two hands were injured, a Petty Officer Second Class Jeremy Watson, and a Leading Crewman Dana Alvarez. Both are in stable condition in SickBay, and anticipated full recovery. The damage to Fusion 2 were primarily cosmetic, with additional extensive damage to the control systems. Emergency shutdown of the fusion plant was required and the ship is running on three quarter power. We have reduced our acceleration and instituted energy saving protocols. Engineering estimates that we should be able to repair the damage within the next 48 hours. I have decided not to return the vessel to dock, and have made it clear that I expect the ship fully operational by the time we make hyper translation. I have also ordered a safety investigation to be carried out by the engineering department, and a service investigation to be completed by the master at arms. Regrettably this emergency has voided my dinner appointment with the XO, and incidentally my dinner. I sincerely hope that tomorrow’s section head report will bring good news. |
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| Log Entry #5 - Departure |
[Jun. 12th, 2005|03:30 pm] |
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The Chief Engineering Officer Lieutenant Commander Daniel Westborne declared the vessel spaceworth at 1130 hours, and HMD Persistance left dock at 1200 hours 12 June 2005, and cleared Mandrogora Station control at 1330 hours. I have ordered a section heads briefing at 1600 13 June 2005, with detailed reports on all departments with a focus on operational capability. It is my intention to use the information from that briefing to draft my official orders to the crew. In the meantime I am looking forward to dinner with the XO and a preliminary recokoning of ship’s function with points of concern. My initial impression of this vessel is that it has been run idle in garrison. The slow speed of preparations, lacklustre appearance of the crew, and the lack of readily available reports suggests that the previous Captain may have allowed too much leniency. Perhaps that was appropriate on the last mission, but if Persistance is to perform patrol and courier tasks in FarHold, as I suspect she will be assigned, it is imperative that the crew be prepared for action. |
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| Log Entry #4 - Clearances |
[Jun. 12th, 2005|09:00 am] |
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All accounts have been cleared through operations, and off ship debts cleared. Switch to internal functions is complete and there is no sign of any problems. Engineering has estimated space worthiness at 1130 hours, on completion of final tests to the insystem drive. The XO reports that we are operating five hands short due to unanticipated personnel issues. I have also been advised that we have one rating confined to the brig for inappropriate conduct, a case I hope to review at my earliest opportunity. Our course to Veyhold has been finalized based on our confirmed departure time. If we don’t experience significant hyper shift we should arrive 20 hours in advance of our due date. |
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| Log Entry #3 - Preparations |
[Jun. 12th, 2005|02:00 am] |
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All crew reported on board. Provisioning complete. Engineering still has not estimated spaceworthiness, but it is imperative that we begin clearance procedures. The ship’s accounts have been reported, and are being reckoned by Operations. The transfer to internal functions will begin at 0300 hours, with final severance at 0900 hours. Three hours is less than I would prefer for testing internal function, but I have no reason to believe that there should be problems. The shift of command functions is complete. |
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| Log Entry # 2 - Orders |
[Jun. 11th, 2005|09:05 pm] |
| [ | Mood |
| |  optimistic | ] |
Having assumed this my first command later than anticipated I find that we are pressed for time on departure. I should wish that there were more opportunity to provide for the minor details of this log, but that shall have to wait till we are under way. For the record the orders I have received are read into the log below:
Captain HMD Persistance
HMD Persistance will transit to Veyhold for crew refurbishment, resupply, and packet synchronization. HMD Persistance will then transit to Farkeep Garrison and report to Farkeep Garrison Commander for further orders. HMD Persistance is reassigned to operational control of Farkeep Garrison effective arrival in Aris System.
Success and Comfort on your First Transit
Lady Noble Rear Admiral Emilia Maress Newhart
Commander Western Watch
Preparations for departure have begun. Our expected arrival time in Veyhold is 1400 hours 26 June 2005. To meet that deadline we must depart within 24 hours. I have ordered all crew returned to the ship, and commenced the final provisioning. Station control has authorized our departure at 1200 hours 12 June 2005. The engineering department has not yet estimated the space-worthiness of our vessel, but no major repair or refit was conducted and I assume it will not be an issue.
On taking command I had hoped to spend at least a week reviewing the section reports, interviewing my officers, and meeting the members of the command department. Given our orders that will not be possible. It is my hope that we can catch up for lost time during the thirteen day voyage to Veyhold. |
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| Log Entry # 1 - Assuming Command |
[Jun. 11th, 2005|06:00 pm] |
| [ | Mood |
| |  excited | ] |
At 1300 hours on the bridge of His Majesty’s Destroyer Persistance I, Captain Lord Benjamin Damian on commission from the King, and by order of Lady Noble Rear Admiral Emilia Maress Newhart, assumed command of HMD Persistance from Captain Lord Andrew Dugwell, on this 11th of June 2005 in the current reckoning.
I would like to express for the official record my honour and pleasure to serve as Captain of this prestigious vessel. It is with the utmost conviction and excitement that I take on the sacred role of Command. |
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| More to follow |
[Jun. 10th, 2005|07:34 pm] |
| [ | Mood |
| |  blah | ] |
| [ | Score |
| | Elevator | ] |
Please stand by for uplink..... |
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