Take one female engineer, one who happens to be dissatisfied with her latest vibrator (of the “sex toy” variety). Add a bent for hacking, ownership of a 3D printer, and the know-how to do all this. What do you suppose you get? She calls it “hacking her vagina”. Some might call it the ultimate vibrator. To any geek, male or female, it's a fascinating read – mostly written in the same dry, detailed style another geek might have written up something like a voice-controlled lamp dimmer.
One thing that occurred to me as I was reading her post: unless she is incredibly naive (and her style makes me doubt that), posting this article took quite a bit of courage. Presumably Beth has a job, and colleagues...and most likely some of them read her blog. That ought to make for some coffee room conversations that are a bit, er, racier than the usual variety!
Showing posts with label Courage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Courage. Show all posts
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Tango Mike Mike...
Via my mom:
Some years ago I read a book about Master Sergeant Benavidez' actions that day in Vietnam. I don't recall, at this remove, the name of the book or its author. But I do recall being absolutely awed by the demonstrated courage.
I had not heard about the Special Forces' use of “Tango Mike Mike”. I couldn't verify it from sources online, but...I hope it's true.
Some years ago I read a book about Master Sergeant Benavidez' actions that day in Vietnam. I don't recall, at this remove, the name of the book or its author. But I do recall being absolutely awed by the demonstrated courage.
I had not heard about the Special Forces' use of “Tango Mike Mike”. I couldn't verify it from sources online, but...I hope it's true.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Doolittle Raiders...
On April 18, 1942 – just over 68 years ago – 80 American fliers in 16 B-25s launched from the decks of the carrier USS Hornet on a desperate mission to strike a defiant blow against Japan. Just four months earlier, Imperial Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor dragged the U.S. into war, and a series of Japanese conquests and victories, with no Allied successes, had lowered U.S. morale badly.
President Roosevelt wanted some action to turn U.S. morale around, and eventually his call to action translated into a mission for Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle. Very quickly he put together his team, training in secrecy on how to launch B-25s from carriers – something they were never intended to do. The plan was to launch from a carrier, bomb Japan, and then land on beaches in China. Every man on the team knew that their chances for survival were low, and for success even lower. They went anyway, on the mission that will forever be known as the Doolittle Raid.
After the raid, when Doolittle found out that all 16 planes were lost and that very little damage was done, he told his team that he thought the mission was a failure and that he was likely to be court-martialed upon return. Instead, of course, they were greeted as conquering heroes for having done something that every American wanted to do: figuratively punch Japan in the nose.
My introduction to the Doolittle Raid was Ted Lawson's little book 30 Seconds Over Tokoyo (Amazon: Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (Aviation Classics)
). I have since read much more, but none better.
Last month was the 68th reunion of the few remaining survivors of the Doolittle Raid, in Dayton, Ohio. To commemorate the occasion, someone arranged the largest gathering of flying B-25s in many, many years. The video below is from that event. The few scenes with the remaining survivors gave me goose-bumps, as did the scenes of those plucky planes flying over the airfield. At this remove, it's difficult to fully imagine what those flyers faced that day, flying such comparatively primitive machines into an implacably hostile enemy's home – but it's easy to admire them, and to be grateful for their unbelievable courage. I salute them!
President Roosevelt wanted some action to turn U.S. morale around, and eventually his call to action translated into a mission for Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle. Very quickly he put together his team, training in secrecy on how to launch B-25s from carriers – something they were never intended to do. The plan was to launch from a carrier, bomb Japan, and then land on beaches in China. Every man on the team knew that their chances for survival were low, and for success even lower. They went anyway, on the mission that will forever be known as the Doolittle Raid.
After the raid, when Doolittle found out that all 16 planes were lost and that very little damage was done, he told his team that he thought the mission was a failure and that he was likely to be court-martialed upon return. Instead, of course, they were greeted as conquering heroes for having done something that every American wanted to do: figuratively punch Japan in the nose.
My introduction to the Doolittle Raid was Ted Lawson's little book 30 Seconds Over Tokoyo (Amazon: Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (Aviation Classics)
). I have since read much more, but none better.Last month was the 68th reunion of the few remaining survivors of the Doolittle Raid, in Dayton, Ohio. To commemorate the occasion, someone arranged the largest gathering of flying B-25s in many, many years. The video below is from that event. The few scenes with the remaining survivors gave me goose-bumps, as did the scenes of those plucky planes flying over the airfield. At this remove, it's difficult to fully imagine what those flyers faced that day, flying such comparatively primitive machines into an implacably hostile enemy's home – but it's easy to admire them, and to be grateful for their unbelievable courage. I salute them!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Lt. Jason Redman, SEAL...
Secretary of Defence Bob Gates is uplifted by the courage of our wounded soldiers. Recently he cited an example: Lt. Jason Redman, a SEAL who was shot in the face and arms by a machine gun last year in Iraq. Lt. Redman, now recovering in the Bethesda Medical Center, posted a bright orange sign on his door with these words:
Attention to all who enter here.Sometimes it's hard to believe that our magnificent soldiers come from the same stock as the rest of us. How many people do you know who would – could – respond to a horrible would with such pluck?
If you are coming into this room with sorrow or to feel sorry for my wounds, go elsewhere. The wounds I received I got in a job I love, doing it for people I love, supporting the freedom of a country I deeply love. I am incredibly tough and will make a full recovery.
What is full? That is the absolute utmost physically my body has the ability to recover. Then I will push that about 20 percent further through sheer mental tenacity. This room you are about to enter is a room of fun, optimism, and intense rapid regrowth.
If you are not prepared for that, go elsewhere.
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