Another Awesome Engadget Post

I try not to steal too much content from other providers, but this is TWO days in a row that Engadget has been brining the Smackdown! Enjoy this tidbit:

---

If you thought a solar-powered ferry was far out, get a load of this. Reportedly, a 132-meter long vessel will be making its maiden voyage next month, but rather than chugging copious quantities of diesel while traversing the Atlantic, it'll be sipping down fuel and receiving a good bit of help from the computer guided kite attached to its bow. The $725,000 device will be tethered to a 15-meter high mast and will fly some 300 meters above the ship in order to catch enough wind to actually aid in its movement. It's suggested that the SkySails kite propulsion system will slash fuel consumption by "up to 20-percent," saving the operator some $1,600 per day and reducing carbon emissions all the while. 'Course, all the company has to do now is make sure the January trip is a success and it'll have a list of to-be owners a mile long.

Found on Engadget

This is one of the coolest concepts I've seen in a while; thought I'd share.

---

"We've seen quite a few next-gen nav device concepts, but none with as much potential as the Virtual Cable, from a New Jersey company called Making Virtual Solid. The system uses a laser, a set of lenses, and a moving mirror mounted in the dashboard to project a 3D route-guidance line above the road ahead, as though it's actually out in front of the driver. Besides making driving that much more like a video game, the company says mass-produced versions will cost somewhere around $400 as a factory-installed option, and can be easily interfaced with existing GPS systems. Sadly, there don't appear to be any live videos of the system in action, but judging from the number of patent applications and incredibly detailed schematics and explanations on the website, the vapor factor seems pretty low. Check the read link for a set of video mockups of the system in action."

OH MY GOSH! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

News Flash: Baseball players use steroids.


My opinion: Big Whoop.


Reality check: If your multi-million dollar paycheck depended on being better than the next guy you might find yourself in a similar situation. And, oh yeah, given the number of Baseball players using Steriods that don't seem to erupt in roid rage or die unexpectedly... maybe steriods aren't the deadly killer we've been led to believe?

That's Gonna Leave a Mark

Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: that's the prognosis with my ankle. In order to fix this not-so-small problem they're recommending an Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation which is your basic fancy speak for removing part of a cadaver's ankle and replacing it in my own. Of course, where they need to put this is hard to get to, so they are going to have to cut the bone away from the ankle, prep the repair site, and then install the bits and pieces. Then after this they will replace the piece of bone and reattach it to the leg with a nice big titanium screw. This is pretty gruesome stuff, but you can see some pictures here, here, and here, if you're interested in how it will all look (warning: not for the squeamish).

The much more pleasing graphical representation, shown here, demonstrates the problem with the ankle in a less gooey manner.

So, the military doctor here in Japan is referring me to a specialist in Hawaii, which was very reassuring that they would make such a recommendation. Only problem is that as long as I'm on foreign soil I'm treated with all the benefits and courtesy of a military member in uniform... but the second my toes touch American Soil I'm outta luck... which means that I can't get it done at a military hospital. I guess they are going to refer me to a specialist in the states and I will get the surgery done some time next year. When, where, etc., I don't know; but I'll keep you posted.

:j