Friday Bits of Tid - USS Nautilus Edition

You're probably wondering why I called you all here. It's Friday, that's reason enough.

On this day in 1954, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, was commissioned. This was a technological and tactical triumph for America that greatly enhanced our national security. In addition, it was a slap in the face to Russia, our Cold War adversary, as it was designed by U. S. Navy Captain Hyman Rickover, a Russian. This machine was the state of the maritime art and was celebrated as such in the media, much like the Space Shuttle.

It's worth noting that today's nuclear submarines are more technologically advanced than the Shuttle, which was, at the time of its launch, the most complex machine ever designed and constructed. One can only speculate how many future geeks and geekettes were inspired to join the Navy by the simple existence of the Nautilus.

OK, boys and girls, let's get to tidding.

Yesterday was National Coffee Day, which I missed because I hadn't had enough coffee yet.

And nothing would go better with a cup of the Elixir of Life than a $16 muffin. Did I hear someone ask for a recipe? Here you go.

Out here in the real world, this statement would be called the truth. Inside the DC Beltway, it's considered a gaffe. Since it came from Vice President Biden, it's a big, effin' gaffe...

"Right now, understandably — totally legitimate — this is a referendum on Obama and Biden and the nature of the state of the economy,”

You don't say...

Life imitates art, or more specifically a Pink Floyd album cover. A pig flies over London. I'll wait while you explain to your kids what an album is.

If you only watch one French Star Wars disco ballet today, make it this one. I coulda swore I saw a very young Jodi Foster at the end, for a femtosecond or two.

And finally, there's a stunning revelation from the good people over at the CERN supercollider. It seems that there just may be a subatomic particle that can travel faster than the speed of light. If true, it pokes a black hole in Einstein's Theory of Relativity.

And, seemingly on cue, comes this joke: And the bartender says, "You'll have to leave. We don't allow faster-than-light particles in here." A neutrino walks into a bar. (h/t to the Moron Horde over at Ace's Place)

Also on cue in a cosmic way, since this song from Klaatu was recorded back in the '70's, Little Neutrino. If you have some good ear buds, or even those antique headphone thingys, plug 'em in for this one.



That's it for now. I'll be back yesterday.