On The Fly

In this episode - Macy’s Day Parade . . . Thanksgiving in America is known for traditions like turkey dinners, football games, and Black Friday sales. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a long-standing tradition that captures millions of hearts. For nearly a century, the parade has been a source of joy for people of all ages, attracting millions of viewers in person and on television. The parade features giant balloons, marching bands, Broadway musical casts, and celebrity performers, making it America's biggest Thanksgiving Day spectacle. It is hard to imagine Thanksgiving morning without this iconic parade. But how did it all begin? And how has it become a beloved tradition that people look forward to every year? It was 1924, and Macy's held its first Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade featured store employees, entertainers, floats, marching bands, and animals from the Central Park Zoo. Santa Claus concluded the parade by riding into Herald Square. Over a quarter mill...

In this episode - The Man in the Glass . . . The Man in the Glass By – Dale Wimbrow (published 1934)   When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day, Just go to the mirror and look at yourself And see what That man has to say.   For it isn't your father, or mother, or wife, Whose judgment upon you must pass. The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass. Some people may think you a straight-shootin’ chum And call you a wonderful guy, But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum If you can’t look him straight in the eye.   He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, For he's with you clear up to the end, And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test If the man in the glass is your friend.   You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years, And get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartaches and tears If you'...

In this episode - Santas Address – Update . . . Can you feel the holiday spirit in the air? It's all around us! You can see it in the numerous Christmas specials in our inboxes, the stores that have been twinkling with decorations since September, and the jolly old man, Santa, who's popping up in TV commercials everywhere. Speaking of Santa, don't forget to address this year's letter correctly as you prepare your wish list. But first, let's take a trip down memory lane and learn some fascinating history together. Did you know children have been sending letters to Santa for longer than the United States Postal Service (USPS) has existed to deliver them? However, today, they’re far more likely to get a response if you include the correct address. In early America, children’s holiday wish lists were often written out and left by the fireplace or burned in hearths, with the belief that the ashes would rise through the chimney and out to the holiday helper himself. Today...

In this episode - The EV of the Future . . . Have you noticed the number of electric vehicles currently on the market today? But realistically, the electric vehicle (EV) landscape is still in its early stages. According to a recent article in the How-To Geek newsletter, electric vehicles will soon be faster, have extended ranges, and wireless charging capabilities. For those who follow the EV market, we’ve witnessed substantial advancements in electric car technology, specifically performance and range, in recent years. Yet, major automakers such as Tesla and Ford have only scratched the surface, with game-changing features and innovations on the horizon. Here's a glimpse of what lies ahead. Imagine an electric car that can go over 700 miles on one charge and can recharge in under 10 minutes, just as fast as filling up at the gas station. This is what everyone is hoping for. Solid-state batteries could make it happen! Solid-state EV batteries are often regarded as the holy grail o...

In this episode - Introducing The Adventures of Peridot . . . A peculiar collaboration unfolds in the dimly lit chambers of Professor Alister Peridot, that eminent sage whose keen intellect rivals the most illustrious minds of our time, a confluence of wisdom and youthful exuberance. Permit me, dear reader, to illuminate this curious partnership that embarks upon a global pursuit, unraveling the mysteries as elusive and enchanting as the very gemstones they seek to unveil. In the halls of academia, Professor Peridot, a man of revered learning and profound insight, found an unexpected companion in Adamas Bontemps—a name as rare as the jewels they endeavor to fathom. Young Mr. Bontemps, a burgeoning gemologist of fervent curiosity, embarked on a journey into the intricate tapestry of global intrigue and hidden mysteries. With his silvered hair and piercing gaze, Professor Peridot exudes an air of timeless insight: his mind, an intricate maze of deductive prowess, rivals even the great Sh...

In this episode - The Miller Effect . . . The sun hung high in the sky, casting shadows across the desolate landscape of Huron, California. Dr. Vo, a brilliant yet witty electrical engineer, stood before the main breaker box of a massive 1.4 MW-DC solar array that had confounded everyone who had dared to diagnose its persistent issue. It had been six long months of head-scratching and ten failed attempts by others before the desperate call came into Dr. Vo's office. As the sun's rays bathed the vast array in an orange glow, Dr. Vo stepped up to the Main breaker box, his sharp eyes shaded by his green Cenergy cap. He wore his North Face jacket that billowed in the light breeze, and his presence exuded an air of mystery and intrigue that was as pervasive as the problem at hand. The solar array was a colossal assemblage of panels, wires, and inverters, but the main breaker kept tripping, sending the entire operation into chaos. The workers at the site were on edge, muttering, “We’...

In this episode - A Good Cry . . . First, thank you all for your warm, heartfelt wishes and kind words of encouragement about the loss of our dear family member, Junior, the cat. I realize with all that’s happening in the world, the war in Israel and Ukraine, the ridiculous amount of school shootings and gun violence, and in general, the Bad News you hear about every night on the television news, the passing of one cat may seem quiet trivial in perspective. However, I’m afraid our television (TV) generation of violence and killings has calloused our emotional system. Somehow, we’ve become the automatons we fear in the AI sector of our world. Allow me to clarify: in my humble opinion, when you lose a family member, that “force field” surrounding you disappears completely, and if you are human at all, you can’t help but break down suddenly at any given moment into a blubbering mass with a flood of tears and uncontrolled sobbing. In a recent article from the Interesting Facts newslette...

First of all, we want to thank you all for your warm, heartfelt wishes and kind words of encouragement about the loss of our dearest member of the family, Junior. I realize with all that’s happening in the world, the war in Israel, and Ukraine, the ridiculous amount of school shootings and gun violence, and in general, the Bad News you hear about every night on the television, the passing of a cat may seem quiet trivial in perspective.  However, I’m afraid our TV generation of violence and killings has calloused our emotional system, and somehow, we’ve become the automatons we fear in the AI sector of our world. Allow me to remind you of something: when you lose a family member, that shield disappears completely, and if you are human at all, you can’t help but break down suddenly at any given moment into a blubbering mass with tears and uncontrolled sobbing. Thank God for our pets, family, and friends and for building into the human spirit that emotional thermostat. In a recent ...