CDC Report on Very High Lead Levels

The Center of Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia issued a report on Very High Lead Level still found in the Occupational exposure to LEAD (Pb).  This is a heavy metal that is absorbed through a variety of routes, inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption and even oral exposure.  This most recent study measured blood lead levels in a variety of industries, like manufacturing, construction, mining, and even non-occupational exposure, such as sport target shooting. (A sport I have participated in !) Another interesting fact is that Home Remodeling, Renovations, Painting, and using "Alternative Medicines" containing Pb were the most common non-occupational exposure to Pb. (ie, Ayurvedic medicines)

For the link to this report please see the following link:

CDC Reports Very High Blood Lead Levels

Ex- Industrial Indemnity Loss Control Reunion

On a much more lighter subject. This past week was the Reunion of some Northern California Industrial Indemnity Loss Control Managers and Representatives.  The most "senior"  was Len Kruwell, Loss Control Manager in San Francisco,  Dave Wilcox, Loss Control Manager in Stockton.  The others attending were John McCullough Loss Control Walnut Creek, Chorliss Heildback (Schaffer) Loss Control Stockton and the yours truly.  

Industrial Indemnity's Loss Control Department

There were funny stories shared, and good times remembered.

Earthquake Where ?

Hint- it is NOT in California !

This is being reported as a 3.5 magnitude earthquake in  Nelsonville, Ohio.

Yes, this is approximately 1 hour outside of Columbus, Ohio.  This is NOT a joke ! I have listed the link below from the US Geological Society (USGS) website.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usb000l2y3#summary

This earthquake in NOT making the local news in either the SF Bay Area, or Hawaii.  The Loma Preta Earthquake that caused part of the SF/Oakland Bay bridge to collapse was a 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake

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City of Foster City Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

I will post photos of this event.  As of 1 hour prior to the event it is currently predicted to rain on this ceremony.

http://www.fostercity.org/pressreleases/pedwayribboncutting.cfm

More photos and information to follow.

Mirrorless Cameras Article

Mirrorless Cameras 

I have had the love of photography since I was shooting my Kodak Brownie.  

Golden Gate Bridge Oct 2013
Photographed by Neil Tsubota

This photograph was taken with my Canon G-9. This can be considered a 12.3 Megapixel Point-and-Shoot digital camera.  

I have been watching the development of Mirrorless Cameras being sold in today's modern society.

This is a very good summary from B&H Photography.

Enticing and Popolar Mirrorless Cameras

More information on Photography and Cameras.

Collision Avoidance Systems

After spending 20 years in the 'insurance industry' as a Safety/Loss Control Engineer. This type of technology would not even be possible if it was not for development of the semiconductor and high speed processors. The other major component is the development of digital sensors that will automatically apply the brakes when these systems are activated.

Please remember that before this technology was developed, in the US it was not unusual for 'insurance safety professionals' to say that it was generally accepted that for a Million hours of driving, there would be One Death. ( This sounds heartless. )

What does the future hold ? 

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/iihs-issues-first-crash-avoidance-ratings-under-new-test-program-7-midsize-vehicles-earn-top-marks-for-front-crash-prevention

Conscious Capitalism  by John Mackey and Raj Sisodia

My 'latest' read !

I have heard so much about this book I decided to check this out of the library.  This is listed as a "NEW" book.  It was published in 2013. From the 'inside cover'....

"...We believe that business is good because it creates value, it is ethical because it is based on voluntary exchange, it is noble because it can elevate our existence, and it is heroic because it lifts people out of poverty and creates prosperity. Free-enterprise capitalism is the most powerful system for social cooperation and human progress ever conceived. It is one of the most compelling ideas we humans have ever had.  But we can aspire to something even greater." -From the Conscious Capitalism Credo

Here is a link to the website:

http://www.consciouscapitalism.org

More information to follow.

10,000 Hours

The title of this comes from the book, titled "Liars & Outliers: Enabling Trust that Society Needs to Thrive".

One of the 'very first' Scout law is that a Scout is "Trustworthy".  Do I think that most boys in America know what being Trustworthy means ?  I think that some Adults don't understand the word, Trust !  

More information on my personal beliefs of the 12 Scout Laws in the future.

I may try to read this book from my local library using Safari Online Book service.  This is NOT the browsing software that Apple Computers use, but it is an online reading service that allows me to read science and technology books from my local library at no charge.

McKinley Elementary School Burlingame, California 100 year Celebration

I was part of the McKinley Elementary School Centennial Celebration.  

This Elementary School is part of the Burlingame School District in San Mateo County.  The students from this elementary school district will attend Burlingame High School, or one of three high schools in San Mateo, California.

I was performing with the  Westbay Community Band.  This is a  'all' volunteer Community Band that is made up of members who enjoy playing symphonic music.  There are currently approximately 66 members of this group.  The sound of a 66 member band is "tremendous" !  

What instrument do I play ? (jokingly I respond by saying that I they let me play the "radio"....)

I really am the timpani, and bass drum player.

 Westbay Community Band Concert

McKinley Elementary School 9/22/13

Typekit

The most important feature of ANY blog or website is the font.  These fonts can make or break what the viewer perceives. 

One of my favorite ways to change the look of photos, is to change the Fonts.

Check this link:

https://typekit.com

Photo

Veteran Rock Truckee, Ca

High Volume Low Pressure-HVLP

High Volume Low Pressure is a term that I learned back in 1970's.  This was first used on a large scale in "industrial ventilation" designs.  They used this basic principle in an effect to save energy. Local Exhaust Ventilation to save energy when gasoline was $ 0.25 per gallon. 

HVLP technology is now used in spray guns used for finishing wood.

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/editors-blog/eco-series-hvlp-spray-system

Photo # 1

Lodgepole Pine

Tahoe Donner

 

Fort Myer's Airport Lobby

Fort Myer's Airport Lobby

This was clean, well lit, Airport Lobby.

http://www.slickpic.com/s/yOxOODUMDNGTLM/Sanibel2013/photo?view=5547948#5547948

Checking on my Bookmarks

Today is going to be action=packed-day.

I happen to be checking my wireless trigger Bookmark.  I found this gem of a website.

Check this out. More to come on this topic.

http://jerryphpics.blogspot.com/2011/01/pocket-wizard-ac3-for-nikon.html

My Disease-Gear Acquisition Syndrome-aka GAS !

Ok, now I finally have a scientific explanation for my DISEASE.

It is known as Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Also known as GAS ! Yes, gas, just like on of the physical states of matter. Solid, Liquid, or GAS !

I will have to look this up on the CDC website. In the mean time here is the link.

http://petapixel.com/2013/08/03/the-fear-to-photograph-and-the-gear-acquisition-problem/

Flying With my Photo Equipment

My most recent travel journey takes me across the United States of America.  This trip took one entire day, and another to 'Rest-N-Recupperate'. (RnR)

I this that this is the "best" summary of my dealings with traveling with my Photo Equipment. Get BOTH PDF files. There are some good tips on packing and traveling safely.

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/airport-confirmation.aspx

Arduino Video Training

I am a "BIG" supporter of the Arduino Board.  If you don't know what a Arduino Board is, in a nutshell it is prototyping board for anyone to 'build' electronic circuits.  Here is an excellent tutorial on how to get 'started' building your FIRST circuit, using a red LED (light emitting diode), a resistor, and a simple push button switch.

http://blog.arduino.cc/2013/07/30/arduino-starter-kit-video-tutorials/

High Speed Internet Connection

After 3 service calls, and replacement of the ATT modem and adding a wireless access point.  This little transmitter/receiver looks like a little ATT modem I am finally getting the high speed internet connection that I was paying for ! You don't want to see my "monthly" ATT Uverse bill. OUCH !

My blog

att.net/uverse

Obesity and Fitness Bands

For those of you who know me. I have been struggling with "Great American Disease" that afflicts OVER 35% of the US Population. This crosses all State Lines, and even is found in Alaska, and Hawaii. 

Check out this link from the Center of Disease Control. (Yes obesity is a disease !)

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db82.pdf

What to do about this disease ?

I have NOT found a cure-all for obesity! But I have found that increasing my daily activity has help me drop a few pounds, and decrease my ever expanding waist line.  My current method of monitoring my activity level is to use my Garmin Forerunner 407.  This is a GPS/Watch combination.  I will write about the pros and cons of this unit in the future. 

I am always looking something better !

My current search is to look for a better method of monitoring the calaries (or kilocalories) that I am burning.  My search has led me to this website with the title of ...

The Great Fitness Band Shootout.

Here is the link:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/07/the-great-fitness-band-shootout/

After watching this video, which one are you going to buy, try, or don't buy ?

Twelve Gauge

When "I" think of of the words, "twelve gauge'. My first thoughts are "shot gun" should follow.  Not this time. Yes, I am a 'card carrying member' of the National Rifle Association.  (You read into 'my decision' to be an NRA member, in your own mind.)

National Rifle Association

But today I am going to show you the "twelve gauge" I spent most of my day with.

I am talking about 12 Gauge wire.  I am re-wiring my kitchen. I am now behind the refrigerator.  That was 6-12 gauge wires into one conduit.  Don't tell anyone.  YES ! I do have a building permit from the "city" and I even have an electrical permit.

Enough said.

View photos at SlickPic.com

http://www.slickpic.com/s/NjZN2D0NwDEjDj/MuscioElectric/photo?view=5271662#5271662

My 'New' LP 180 Quad Sync Manual Flash

http://mpex.com/lumopro-lp180-quad-sync-manual-flash.html

This is my recent Professional Manual Flash purchase in a "very" long time.  To give you some idea how long it has been.  I plan for this unit to replace my aging  fleet of Vivitar 285 and 283 units.  The LP 180 is powered by the same AA batteries.  This unit also has a "High Voltage" behind a door.  

I am a BIG fan of the "strobist" know has David Hobby.  His Off-Camera Flash Blog has a very high number of followers. http://www.strobist.blogspot.com  His advise, tips, and trick have been useful to me over the last several years.

If you want more information on my evaluation you will have to wait. This is an impressive piece of professional photography equipment. Check out the link at the top.

Neil

NASA Family Preparedness

This is good message of "Family Preparedness ".  

After the recent Tornado Devastation in Moore, Ok.  This is a timely topic.

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=18319280

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=18319280