JimmieJoe / KC6YRU

Geek Space: Shuttle Enterprise October 26, 1977

October 26, 2014

Jim Reeves geek, Pictures Enterprise, geek, shuttle landing test, space, Space Shuttle, STS Leave a comment

enterprise_102677

On October 26, 1977, NASA’s Space Shuttle Enterprise completed its fifth and final Approach and Landing Test free flight. Enterprise was released from the back of a modified NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and had a two-minute glide back to the runway at Edwards Air Force Base.

The Approach and Landing Test program demonstrated the orbiter’s capability for safe approach and landing after an orbital flight from space. It also validated crucial onboard control systems necessary for the Shuttle Program’s next step: the launch of Shuttle Columbia into orbit on April 12, 1981.

To learn more about Space Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests , visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/flyout/approach_landing.html

Monday Beefcake

October 13, 2014

Jim Reeves Gay, Pictures beefcake, denim 1 Comment

Denim. Damn.

Source: Tumblr Jacktwister

Alternating Currents Archive

October 13, 2014

Jim Reeves commentary, Personal alternating currents, Community Blogs, Visalia Times Delta, Wordpress Leave a comment

I’m building an archive for my blog posts that appear at the Visalia Times Delta’s Community Blogger pages. I’m in the process of copying the existing blogs to this site in order to preserve them. Some have already been lost in “updates” by the VTD and Gannett, so from now on I’ll be posting a copy of each Alternating Currents blog to the new site.

The Wayback Machine strikes. 1966 vs 2014

October 12, 2014

Jim Reeves Personal nostalgia, Reeves, visalia, wayback machine Leave a comment

1966, Visalia, California. (left to right) Kristeen not yet 3, Sherry 6, Jimmie 9. Behind us, Dad, Jimmie Sr. 28.

Same house, in 2014.

Keep those doggies rollin’

October 3, 2014

Jim Reeves 9-1-1, Humor, Personal 9-1-1, 9-1-1 stories, cattle, goodbye broadcast, last shift, texas, whaley Leave a comment

Tonight we gave Sgt. Whaley a proper radio send-off, as he leaves us to begin a new career as a cattleman in Texas.

Good luck and best wishes in the Lone Star State!

The Facebook “American Challenge”

September 30, 2014

Jim Reeves commentary, Personal American Challenge, Bible, Facebook, flag, gaytheist, god, guns 1 Comment

Seems there’s a new “Challenge” thing going around Facebook, called the “American Challenge”. You’re supposed to show the world how ‘murican you are by taking a picture with the flag, a gun, and the Bible. Never one to want to miss out on the latest trend, here’s my contribution.
The Flag, of course. This one flew over the United States Capitol on September 5, 2004. The gun? A BB gun I bought at KMart 25 years ago, for $12. Don’t mess with me, I’m pack’n! The Bible was given to me by my maternal grandparents as a Christmas gift in 1968. I was 11 years old. In less than 2 years, I was a confirmed atheist. I don’t think that was my grandparent’s intentions, but there you go. The whole gay thing came later.
Just remember, “American Challenge” takers, this land is my land, too.

I think his name was Murphy

September 27, 2014

Jim Reeves 9-1-1, commentary, Personal 9-1-1, dispatcher stories, murphy's law 3 Comments

Sometimes the universe conspires to bring together a multiplicity of situations, each of which would be a minor problem on it’s own, but when combined create potential for deadly mayhem. Last night I experienced that perfect storm, and it could end badly. Here’s a list of the things that could go wrong, and did: He didn’t call on a 9-1-1 line, and he didn’t speak English. Once a translator was on the line, he didn’t mention the single most important fact of the situation, or the translator failed to properly understand the emergency. He started off asking to speak to a particular officer, but mangled the name so badly that I had no clue who he was referring to, and wasted precious time trying to figure out who he might have meant. After much too much time was wasted on what would turn out to be unimportant details, he got around to explaining the problem. I about fell out of my chair once I understood what he was trying to convey. I was yelling for an ambulance to start, getting deputies responding code 3, and basically cursing him and the translator (to myself, never out loud) for beating around the bush when speed was of the essence.