So it's Fall 2010 Anime season and as I have been in Japan for a few weeks on work and this weekend's Grand Prix, I've been able to catch a number of the new season's shows.

Ever wonder what would happen if Genndy Tartakovsky was allowed to develop a show for Adult Swim (so he could add sex and other adult themes) and he then proceeded to drop ( Read more... )

 Yesterday we performed the "ultimate load" test on the 787's wings. This represents 150% of the greatest load we ever expect a 787 to undergo in it's entire service life.

The test passed without incident and at maximum deflection, the wing-tips were 25 feet above "level".

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has a nice high-resolution photograph of the

A friend brought my attention to this short (three chapter) manga from 2008 titled School Mermaids. It's a quick read and, IMO, well worth the time: link.

In other news, the first 747-8 freighter took to the skies on Monday.


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N787BA has successfully made her first flight.

Click to view

Update - Bad weather brought her home early, but she's now safe on the ground.

If all goes well, the first 787 Dreamliner will take to the skies this week. The window for first flight is expected to open at 10am on Tuesday, however the clear (but bitterly cold) weather we have...enjoyed...the past couple of weeks is giving away to clouds and occasional snow. Since the first flights are made under Visual Flight Rules, poor ( Read more... )

Celebrating it as usual with a Mystery Science Theater 3000 marathon.

*woof*

Back home after two months in Japan and one in Italy on work. I was able to take in the remainder of the Formula One season in person, including the amazing new track at the Yaz Marina in Abu Dhabi so it wasn't work every day - just most days.

But on the plus side, Top Gear Series 14 starts in a week. And in high-definition, no less!

Click to view

Now if ( Read more... )

The last episode aired in the UK about five hours ago and I've completed my second viewing. Not their best recent series (better than Series 11, but not as good as Series 12 or 9). They did, however, save their best episode for last. It was brilliant all the way through.

I'm not sure when BBC America will be showing it. They started Series 12 within ( Read more... )

It's now 39°C (102°F) which is the hottest temperature ever recorded in Seattle. And it's still only 2:00PM.

And to think all of last week I was curing the rain and mid-20's in Tokyo.

Fortunately, my condo has central air conditioning so I at least don't need to worry about melting. :)

Last week the Japanese DVD of the latest Hayao Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli film: Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (崖の上のポニョ, Gake no Ue no Ponyo) was released and my copy arrived last week.

I admit to the last decade of their work not really resonating with me like the first decade of their work did. Starting with Princess Mononoke, while I admired the ( Read more... )