On The Fly

In this episode, Decoding Doyle & Deduction–Legacy of Sherlock Holmes . . . This week, fiction fans, we explore the story of the world's most famous detective – Sherlock Holmes! But to understand Holmes fully, we need to crack the code of his creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Side note: Today's episode was inspired by my study of the science of deduction and how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle developed his character. I intend to revive my fictional character, Alister Peridot, and expand my series of stories, The Adventures of Peridot by Adamas Bontemp. These stories documented  my travels with GIA and provided a simplified way to teach gemology while incorporating a challenging and fun Sherlock Holmes-style twist. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wasn't always spinning tales of mystery. Believe it or not, he started as a medical doctor! But even during his rounds, Doyle harbored a passion for storytelling. He was heavily influenced by the works of Edgar Allan Poe and the emerging detecti...

In this episode – Happy Accidents; The Power of Serendipity . . . Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, we're exploring the delightful world of serendipity—those happy accidents that can lead to amazing discoveries and experiences. Have you ever had one of those moments where you stumbled upon something incredible, completely by chance? Maybe you found a hidden gem of a restaurant while getting lost or ran into an old friend you haven't seen in years. That, my friends, is the magic of serendipity. The term "serendipity" was coined by an 18th-century author, Horace Walpole. He derived it from a fairy tale about three princes who consistently made fortunate discoveries during their travels in a land called Serendip, an old name for Sri Lanka. Up until 1972, Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon. Serendipity is the act of finding good things by chance. However, it's not just luck; it's also about being open to new experiences and possibilities. In today's fast-paced...

In this episode – Power For the People . . . People often ask me, "You work for a solar company; don’t you have solar on your home?” Nope! “With an astonished look, they exclaim, “Why not?” Here’s the short answer: "I monitor our yearly electricity consumption, which totals approximately 2,500 kWh.” For comparison, a Walmart Supercenter could use about 10,000 kWh daily on average. Okay, I get it. Most people might not be familiar with this terminology; they only care about how much they're billed monthly. Welcome back to On the Fly! Today, our virtual assistant, Professor Watts, will join us to discuss a program called Community Choice Aggregation, or CCA , that helps Californians choose a cleaner energy future with better rates. San Diego County is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant community. Now, the cities of Solana Beach, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, and Vista are leading the way in sustainability thanks to their participation in a C...

In this episode – That’s Funny . . . My boss said, “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” So - I went to work as Batman. This week, we tackle a topic that (hopefully) tickles your funny bone: What makes something funny? Have you had a good laugh recently? Why not? In today’s critical, cynical world of stupid politics, with Trump on the news day after day and protests at many Universities, we need a break from all this strife and tension. I’m here to say we need a good laugh. Lately, I've been rolling with laughter while watching stand-up comedians like Jim Gaffigan, Jerry Seinfeld, Jeff Foxworthy, and Trevor Noah on Netflix. Laughter has been hailed as the best medicine, but not everyone finds the same things funny. What one person finds hilarious, another might find dull. For example, check out the new Netflix movie Unfrosted, directed by Jerry Seinfeld . My listening friends, there is hope for those seeking comic relief. Let’s face it: humor is a fascinating part of...

In this episode – Powering the West . . . Welcome back to On the Fly, your podcast for curious minds exploring the unexpected. Today, we're soaring across the Pacific Northwest down to sunny California, tracing the fascinating history of the Pacific Northwest–Pacific Southwest Intertie. Imagine a massive power line stretching over 800 miles, carrying electricity from the mighty Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest to the sun-drenched valleys of California. This is the Pacific Northwest–Pacific Southwest Intertie (Intertie) , a marvel of engineering that revolutionized power transmission in the Western United States. Professor Carl Magnusson from the University of Washington had a vision as early as 1919 to create a high-voltage network that would connect the Pacific Northwest, rich in hydroelectricity, with the energy demands of the Southwest. This vision gained momentum during the droughts in California during the 1940s, highlighting the need for a reliable power source beyond ...

In this episode – What Time Is It . . . In the era before smartphones, let’s say we’re on a telephone call, and you ask me, “What time is it?” As a five-year-old, my reply is, "The big hand is on the two (2) and the little hand on the eight (8).” You would then say, "Alright, it's ten minutes after eight o’clock or eight-ten, right?" This is how we learned to tell time as children–remember? Well, what happened . . . During dinner last week in Westfield, NJ, a retired high school teacher told our group, “Did you know that children today cannot read the time on a traditional watch with an analog face?” “Why not?” we asked. “Because of smartphones and the proliferation of digital clocks.” “Wow! That’s hard to believe.” Welcome to this week's episode of "On the Fly." Today, we'll compare classic mechanical watches to modern quartz watches and explore an unexpected social shift. To begin with, let me take you back a few days. I’m a traditionalist and pre...

In this episode – It Runs on Steam . . . If you’ve seen Back to The Future III, you may remember Doc Brown's line, “It Runs on Steam !” Recently, I visited my good friend Billy in Westfield, New Jersey. Among his many other hobbies, Billy is a steam engine enthusiast. He proudly fired up his miniature steam engine and confidently explained its workings, which got me thinking . . . (Sound effect of Billy's steam engine whistle) Have you ever considered how environmentally friendly a steam engine powered by renewable energy could be? There would be no need for gasoline, batteries, diesel fuel, or Uranium-234. Imagine an engine powered by water—yes, water. I can hear the naysayers: "But . . .” Welcome back to On the Fly, where we dive into one of history's most fascinating inventions. Today, we're firing up a revolution – the Industrial Revolution, that is – with the mighty steam engine! For centuries, people relied on muscle, wind, and waterpower to get things do...

In this episode –  Big Apple, Big Charge  . . . Welcome back to On the Fly, your weekly dose of quirky observations and unexpected trends. Today, we're fresh off a trip to the Scaffolding/Plywood jungle, where we witnessed a phenomenon that will make you rethink your relationship with the humble wall socket. That's right, we're talking about New York City, and it's . . . wait for ­­it — Free, ubiquitous electric outlets! New York constantly buzzes with traffic, jackhammers, honking horns, and helicopters. But what struck me most was the sheer volume of people glued to their devices while commuting and navigating the streets with hundreds of construction obstacles. It's like everyone's “plugged into” some invisible grid—phones, tablets, watches, headphones, earbuds, e-bikes—you name it. And that's where things get interesting. But, unlike our quiet suburban life, free outlets in NYC aren't exactly abundant. So, how do these New Yorkers keep their gadgets...