After today’s signing of the National Healthcare Slavery Act of 2010, you should know what to do in November, 2010 and two years after that . . .

Hat tip to DrJim and Old NFO for the slogan idea. Click image to enlarge.

Before I retired, I had the opportunity to work on a lot of very interesting and exotic aerospace projects. I worked on projects involving everything from Intercontinental Ballistic Missile systems to Airborne Multimode Radar systems to Geosynchronous Communications Satellite systems. I developed electronics for Electro-optical systems such as Forward Looking Infrared imaging, Laser Rangefinders, Target Designators and Guidance. I developed software for Automated Test Equipment, Cockpit Simulators, Global Communications Satellites and more. Hell - I even was co-inventor on the Barbie Piano project when I briefly worked at Mattel Toys.

Fewer things make me more proud than when a project I worked on gets some press for making a milestone. Although I had more to do with the avionics equipment for the Joint Strike Fighter than the flight systems, it still gives me pride to see the first flight milestone. This is a magnificent aircraft with a host of exotic systems and capabilities. I could tell you about them, but then - well - you know . . .

I found this panoramic image in the photo archives this morning . . .

During our visit to Joshua Tree National Park last year, we took the short drive from the main road to a place called Keys View. From that point, you can see the Coachella Valley and the Palm Springs area five thousand feet (1525 meters) below. You can also see the San Andreas Fault which has been the cause of many Earthquakes in California, including the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Although it is difficult to see through the haze, the Salton Sea is visible at the left and Banning Pass on the right. A spectacular view to be sure.

As I looked through the photo album this morning, I had the urge to book a trip to escape the cabin fever. Maybe soon, real soon. Click on the panoramic image above to enlarge.

After the visit to the Elite Sports Express firearms exhibit at Field Time in Westminster, CA, today, we went directly across the boulevard to the cemetery. It just happens that this is the place where my grandparents and step father are buried. We found their markers and left some roses.

Damsel took this picture of some of the roses we left on their markers. Click on the image to enlarge.

I took this shot at the Gun Blogger Rendezvous last September. Mike is familiarizing Damsel with the competition pistol he uses. We recently saw him in a sequence on Downrange TV using this gun. To the left you can see Kevin and Chuck enjoying the outing. We’re expecting to attend again this year and join bloggers like Kevin, Mike and Chuck in an excursion to the shooting range. Click on the image to enlarge.

For some GBR nostalgia, go here.

Courtesy of the Deem-o-crats and the Speaker of the House . . .

Via The Corner.

We never stopped missing Ronald Reagan. Via Captain Ed Morrissey on Hot Air.

“Welfare is another of our major problems. We are a humane and generous people and we accept without reservation our obligation to help the aged, disabled, and those unfortunates who, through no fault of their own, must depend on their fellow man. But we are not going to perpetuate poverty by substituting a permanent dole for a paycheck. There is no humanity or charity in destroying self-reliance, dignity, and self-respect … the very substance of moral fiber.” — Ronald Reagan

California Poppies have been blooming all over the area for a couple of weeks now, but the first one in our flowerbed just opened today. When spring begins next weekend, we expect to have many more of these. Click on the image to enlarge.

From Wikipedia:

The California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is native to grassy and open areas from sea level to 2,000m (6,500 feet) altitude in the western United States throughout California, extending to Oregon, southern Washington, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and in Mexico in Sonora and northwest Baja California.

I’m hoping that we can raise them in Arizona, but if not I’ll be happy with the Red Bird of Paradise that grows there and not here.