Feathers268

Having worked on a profesional pyro crew for over 15 years, I can give a little insight. Black powder fireworks are very sensitive to static charges something so minor as sliding a box across a truck bed can set off a shell. Once one goes off, the whole lot goes up in a chain reaction. Usually if you here of a crew meeting with disaster, it is due to mishandling of a box leading to disaster. Because of this, DOT has strict guidlines about the transport of fireworks as to how the are boxed and even what major bridges they can be carried over. In 2006, while eating breakfast in Beijing, I watched 2 men unloading gas cylinders from a flatbed truck. They would let the cylinders drop off the side about 5 feet, bouncing off the pavement. I cringed everytime I watched this happen. I can't say how the fireworks were stacked for transport, but if care wasn't taken it would be easy to create a hazard. As for my comment on the bridge failures, as Mick stated, yes there are many bridges in bad shape here, but we are talking about much older struckures. Here in NYC bridges range up to over 100 years old. The subway is over 100. Is SF, both the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge are 75 years old. If these are not maintained properly you will have problems. Much of China's infrastructure is much younger than that. If structurs are failing only after say 10 years or 20 years, there is something more wrong than just poor maintanance.

True enough fireworks going off together can be quite destructive. I know we always took great care setting up the 4th displays, but 14 bridges in little over 5 years? China's infrastructure is relatively young I'd be more concerned the bridge quality throughout the country.

http://news.yahoo.com/untold-story-columbia-shuttle-disaster-mysterious-day-2-135349666.html Here is another report on an object the military unknowingly tracked on day 2 of the mission. Looks like more evidence of what happened and could have been a warning of the problem. Fortunatly, NASA did learn from this and implimented better tracking procedures for the remaining shuttle flights. Hopeully this will continue with Orion.

Funny Jim, I remember at 9 years old getting up really early to watch Allen Shephard blast straight up and then straight down in a Mercury rocket. Every morning I say Shepard's prayer, "Oh Loard, please don't let me F**K UP!"

I saw a documentary on those tiles. They were an amazing bit of work that at the time was the only way to make it reusable. I was in 7th grade when they launched for the first time and got up before 5am 3 days in a row before they got off the ground. I was a senior when Challenger happened. I loved that thing. I is incredable it worked at all. My problem was the fact that NASA had to scrap the Saturn rockets to make way for it. Without the lifting capability of the Saturn V, Ifeel we stepped backward a little.

http://news.yahoo.com/space-shuttle-doomed-tell-crew-144338380.html This caught my attention. 10 years ago, not long after getting my first email from Jen, I was saddened with the news of the Columbia burning up on reentry over Texas killing the team of astronauts on board. This story is a report on that accident and mistakes and assumptions made by NASA about the cause and dissmisal of the problem at the time. What struck me was the idea that NASA could have recieved additional pictures from military sattelites but had already classified the foam strike as not critical. After Columbia burned up, they concluded that nothing probably could have been done and the crew was better off not knowing. My question is, would you want to know? The former director said that he advises future controlers move Heaven and Earth to do anything and everything possible to try to get them home. In 2003, nothing might have been able to be done to save Columbia but I wish they would have realize the damage and tried. I would have rather known and given the chance to come to terms with the situation. Besides, who knows, Apollo 13 also was damaged in space and was cast into a dire situation. The nation was able to mobilize then and got them home.

Zodiac might also have something to do with it. Jen mentioned that the upcoming year of the Serpent is a good sign to have a child under.

I think a lot will depend on what state you are in. I know that California had programs for many stages through pregnancy and young children. I don't know for sure how much the affidavat would play into it, but the way most state programs seem to work, I am willing to bet that agencies would never talk to each other and nothing would be done to try and collect. Besides, with the number of people unemployed right now, I don't see the government spending money to investigate individual cases too closely.

I'll go with some of the usualls, nice card and some sweets followed up with dinner out someplace. It's always fun being that Valentine's Day falls exactly 0ne week before my birthday. e word of advise to all those with a new Valentine here in the states. ey might not hve e too much inchina, but they learn quickly! Talkining with Jen one year, I thought we had established in order to save money we wouldn't do anything. That lead to that day Jen saying to me, "You gon't get me very cute."

I don't have too much to add here, the others have explained things very well. Hopefully to help you relax a little, in my case, I traveled to China only once for about two weeks before filing for K-1. The next time I was in China was for Jen's interview and everything worked out fine for us. Try to keep confident things are fine and make sure she feels the same. It's going to work out fine.

If you are relatively new to this site, you may not know me. For those who have been here I apologize for rambling a bit, but, I was irked a bit when I had a thread shut down because someone could not help themselves and throw comments in where they are not needed, or welcome. In 2008 this forum did not exist. I sent a message to the powers that be about having a forum to concentrate on all things American. Up to that point other forums looked at the unique relationship we all have chosen to pursue as well as forums showing perspective behind the Great Wall and introducing us Americans to Chinese culture and a hopeful understanding of the land of the Middle Kingdom. What was missing was a place to talk about the history and society of the United States, a culture much younger than China, but for most of us, would be the place where our loved ones would be traveling to and living. For many, my wife included, would actually become a citizen. Now, I’m not going to claim responsibility for the forum’s creation. I received word back from the mods that others had also asked for this forum and not too far after, here it was with one major rule, NO POLITICS! In the months that followed, we had discussions about things like past Presidents, patriotic music, and even had a good discussion about the history of and current state of racism here in the US. Used correctly, this forum can be a valuable tool in helping our loved one acclimate to life here and just maybe help them understand us crazy Americans just a little bit better. In short, I love my wife and her home country of China. I also love my home country and I admire the institutions that make up our government and society. I will never forget the pride I felt as I watched Jen raise her hand, along with a few hundred fellow immigrants, and take the oath of citizenship. I will continue to post here and on other forums when something pops up in my head, and I invite anyone to chime in. If you can’t seem to keep from running into politics or being disrespectful, send me a message or get in your car or hop on a plane and come here to NY and we can talk about it in person.

" The true test of the United States was not with the election of her first President, but with the election of her second" President George Washingtion Once again, the world stops to take a look at how it is done. After all of the shouting from both sides from the past election, President Barack Obama was reaffirmed as the 44th President of the United States. It does not matter if you voted for him or not. You don't have to agree with his positions. This post is not about any politics, nor shoud this day. It is instead about the peaceful transition or reaffirmation of of the highest office in the land. Around the world, people are taking notice today. Through all of our bickering, we do get some things right. As Americans, we should all be proud today.

It is so nice to get such feedback on my little story. Drop a line any time Tsap. If we're around we'd be happy to hop across the river for the day. Back in the day I started a little thread to get the ball rollin for a get together in sunny California. Not only did it take on a life of its own, be Jen and I found some very good friends to the point that it was worth driving over 6 hours to LA a few times. Perhaps we might soon try to get the Tri-state residents to unite. We can even throw in Penn. and parts north if folks are interested. Oh, I was handed a mission from a friend to find the BEST pizza in NYC. Suggestions?

Thanks Carl, not too stray too far from the topic, but I am so happy about the Niners! I have had fun showing my colors all season long here and will have even more fun tonight. WHO HAS IT BETTER THAN WE DO? :happydance:

Now that we have been here in Flushing for a few months, here are some thoughts about life in the big city. First off, Day to day life in Flushing, you can almost forget you are in NYC. It is only an occasional glimpse of the Empire State Building ore Freedom Tower off in the distance the can remind you. Also, the local media helps you remember as well. Living in California, there was a perception than New Yorkers believed they were the center of the universe. Living here now, I can say that is true. They do believe they are the center of the universe. I have to laugh when I hear things like NYC truly is Middle America, or how Washington might be the capital of the US, but NYC is the capital of the world. Really? And the other perception is true as well. Of all the paces I have been in the US, NYC drivers are by far the worst. Here in Flushing you throw in the fact that most of the drivers probably learned to drive in China or Korea and well… Now as Panda tours starts research for places to see here, one place you can scratch off the “must see” list is Rockefeller Center. I took Jen down there on New Year’s Day to see the big tree. (Local media states it is a must see at Christmas time) Both of us had the same thought, “that’s it?” Times Square is a much better bet. Once you figure it out, the subway is a wonderful way to get around. Just watch out for crazy people. They seem to like to push folks onto the tracks when you stand too close. Now back to Flushing, the food here is outstanding. The combination of Chinese and Korean places is real good. I have some leads on finding the great pizza places around, but that makes for traveling to the Bronx or Brooklyn. Here in Flushing, NYC could easily fund the government by simply putting police on the corners of the intersections on Main Street and hand out tickets for J-walking. I have not seen such blatant ignoring of walk signals since, well, China. But then, I’ve almost been hit a few times by MTA busses while walking with a walk signal. But I can’t knock the city. They have important work to do like protecting New Yorkers from the evil Big Gulp. I hope I don’t cross the political line here, but it seems so silly to me that as of March, most places will be banned from serving a soda over 16 ounces, while you can find a Dunkin Doughnuts every 100 feet. The last thing I’ll mention this time around, I’m not sure if this is a cultural, thing or a city thing, or a youth thing. When I was in the sixth grade, I, like so many children, entered the world of wearing prescription glasses. In the years that followed, I lived through all of the usual taunting that goes with the glasses. Imagine my surprise, when I start seeing younger girls wearing glasses, with no lenses. Did I miss something? Are glasses now so cool that young folk desire to wear them even when they don’t need them? I even saw a girl wearing contacts to color her eyes, and then frames with no lenses. Oh well, maybe I’m getting to the point when I have to start saying things like, “kids these days.” Well before I ramble on further, I must go. There are things to do and more observations to make. In all, I think the move east will turn out to be a good one for Jen and I. We are still adjusting, but in the end, I think we will do fine here.

Today is also another anniversary. December 7, 1972, with the launch of Apollo 17, for the last time men from the planet Earth were on the way to the Moon. It is very sad to think that in the past 40 years, nobody has returned.

I think we would granted the situation was the same. 9/11 was complicated by not having a very clear idea of who the enemy is where in 1941 the lines were clearly drawn with entire nations were concidered the enemy. When you see images of the Empire of Japan rolling over island after island or German tanks crashing through France doing what ever it takes to stop them is easier. Even in the age of TV and internet.

Last March, Jen and I shared an almost perfect "redneck" weekend. We went down to SoCal to meet up with another couple. On the Sunday, it was NASCAR and the Auto Club 400. Saturday, it was shooting out in the desert. On the way south, I mentioned to Jen that going out shooting was suggested thinking she would not be interested. To my suprise, here responce was,"REALLY? You can do that?" She loved it so much, we even stopped on the way back from the desert at a Pro Bass Shop so she could look at guns. Oh yeah, the only part that strayed from the redneck theme was the outstanding sushi dinner we had Saturday night.

Don't look at me, I didn't do it.

Over 80 views and no other opinions. It's official! San Francisco is the greatest city in the nation!

Not to nit-pick at all, but we were not puting time in the bank. It's Daylight Saving Time, not "savings".

Now to get things started. I could talk about New York but I just got here. I’ve been to Vegas and to Portland, they are nice, but there is only one city I can truly give justice, the city by the bay, San Francisco. SF came into prominence in the 1800’s seeing its boom after gold was discovered in the mountains outside of Sacramento. A natural inland bay, San Francisco Bay made a wonderful refuge from the treacherous waters of the North Pacific Ocean and made San Francisco the gateway to the “Golden State”. In 1906, a major earthquake struck the area and the following fire destroyed much of the city. Much of the waterfront today is on top of the ruins of the former city that was dynamited to form fire breaks to stop the fire. Coit Tower is shaped like a fire nozzle as a tribute to the firefighters who helped save the city. In 1937, a world class landmark opened with the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. Built during the depths of the Great Depression, today, it’s one of the most photographed structures in the world, its color was picked to contrast against the natural colors of the surrounding landscape and channel for which it was given its name. Much like the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge was a symbol for many immigrants of their arrival into the United States. For safety reasons, the military wanted it painted black with yellow stripes. Most people hope for a sunny day, but I think it looks better when the fog is coming in around the bridge almost like it reaches all the way to heaven. Hollywood has had a love affair with SF. You have seen Jack Nicholson try to tame “Chinatown”. Carl Malden and Kirk Douglas used to fly over the hills of “The Streets of San Francisco” and who could forget “Dirty Harry”. Even Superman and James Kirk have been here. If you plan on going to California, San Francisco must be on your itinerary. Come to ride the cable cars down to Fisherman’s Wharf for some fresh crab. Venture out to the Presidio or Golden Gate Park. Head over to AT&T Park to see the Giants or out to Candlestick to catch the 49ers. The best kept secret is to go in late September or October for the best weather. Mark Twain once wrote, “The coldest winter I’ve ever spent, was summer in San Francisco.” As the song says, “if you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.” But be careful because you too, might leave your heart in San Francisco.

Making our move across the country, I started thinking about the places I have been as well as where we were going. I remember the first time I travelled to China to meet Jen and thought of Shanghai, how could any place in the USA compete with this place. When I came home and the plane flew right over the Golden Gate Bridge and right in front of the San Francisco skyline, I realized that YES we can compete with China, and for that matter, anywhere else in the world. As I drove across the US, I thought about the different cities here I’ve been to. Los Angeles, the City of Angels, sprawled out from the beaches to well inland, Portland, OR seeming to spring right out of the forest, or Las Vegas, sin city, with all of the lights of the Strip and the never ending party I sort of remember well. As you travel east, you find places like Dallas, Salt Lake City, Cheyenne, Denver, of Phoenix. There are smaller places like Iowa City or Buffalo, much like my former home town of Sacramento, and much larger places like Chicago and the never ending metropolis of New York City. Some places, I’ve seen and know well, others I have never been. So, why have I written this? I was thinking it’s time for a roll call of sorts. You familiar with a certain city here in the USA? Let’s hear about it. Is Chicago your kind of town? You frequent Atlanta or Miami? In your mind, what make Boston o San Diego special? Let’s hear about it.

It is quite an experience. Every shot, you feel when it's fired. One problem, I usually don't see much of the show. We are too busy to just stop and look up.

"The bombs bursting in air"! So, you like fireworks? Some of you may know that I have the fortune of being able to work setting up professional displays.( I am allowed to play with some big ass boomers) On last night's show I placed a camera right in the middle of the pit, looking staight up. This is what I got. You will hear voices as this is hand fired event. Near the end, you will hear the operator call out my name. That is the que for me to take over and finish it. It is in HD so, go full screen and turn it up, and... ENJOY.