Atlanta at night.

Resting

Exceptionally tired today. Decided to lay down for awhile. Had some trouble falling asleep last night for no apparent reason. Probably won't sleep but will rest.

A Nice Place to Visit ending.

Do you remember Sebastian Cabot from A Family Affair?  Before that, he played in an episode of The Twilight Zone, some of which I have been watching again.  A small time crook is killed by a police officer, and he arrives in a place where he gets everything he ever wanted.  He thinks that he is in Heaven, but he quickly gets bored with having everything he could ever want ...

A Nice Place to Visit ending.

Creepy.

Fwd: Steffen in the news again

Jason Steffen is a P.H.D in Physics who used to sit in the cube next to me when I worked at L-3 Communications,  but he later took a job with NASA.  He has gained some minor fame for coming up with a better way to board passengers on airplanes.  This method was tested on a NOVA TV program, and I saw him on this program recently.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/11/theres-a-better-way-to-board-planes/383181/

 

​'I'm currently a research professor at the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA) at Northwestern University. My research includes exoplanets, experimental searches for axion-like particles, dark energy, gravitation, and some other odds and ends. I obtained my B.S. in physics and mathematics from Weber State University (Ogden, UT) and my Ph.D. in physics from the University of Washington (Seattle).'

 

http://theconversation.com/profiles/jason-steffen-143189​

I have this huge weakness for Peanuts

Teaser Trailer.

Official Trailer

Finishing up directing the Utah Amateur Chess Championship.

Family

Salt Lake Sunset from Pizza Hut.

Trying out my new iPhone 6 plus camera.

Top scientists react to the game "2048"

One of my favorite games ...

Top scientists react to the game "2048"

Fwd: response to Bob.

From: John Coffey

Date: Wed, Oct 22, 2014 at 1:26 PM
Subject: Re:
To: Robert.

Bob,

I am not certain.  I am thinking of trying to get another defense job within 18 months.  For me it would be desirable to move someplace in the Midwest.   Ft. Wayne is heavy on defense projects but has a cold climate.  The same thing can be said for Cedar Rapids, Iowa but that is about 7 hours by car from Indiana.

Yesterday I spent 2 hours with a retirement planner, and it appears that I might not need to work again.  Still, I would welcome a chance to work again to be more financially secure.  Nevertheless, I very much want to do my own thing (projects) for awhile.  It might just be that I will work independently for the rest of my life.  I like this idea.

If I don't seek another job, then my plan is to move closer to family in about 2 years.

John Coffey

Chess at Mad Greek

Best Smart Phones

http://www.businessinsider.com/best-smartphones-2014-10?op=1

I have the iPhone 6 Plus on order.

Peppermint Patty and the little redhaired girl.

http://kathrynwhiteauthor.blogspot.com/2013/09/peppermint-patty-i-cried-and-cried-and.html

... I just love Peanuts.

Two lovely people

Crossing the Ohio at Cincinnati

Fwd: Odd Sculptue Denver Airport

My sister's dog

May have sent this before.

.
​

Re: Visiting indiana first week September

Thanks Bob,

 

While on vacation in Indiana I got laid off on my job in Utah so I have decided to extend my vacation another week.  I will likely come to your Indianapolis chess club this Thursday.  It is at least an 80 minute drive from my Mom's house in North Vernon, Indiana.

 

John Coffey

 

Fwd: Layoffs

Hi John, it's been a pretty rough day here too.  Over the past 14 years, I've been on your side of the fence three times, so I can truly empathize.  Just know that in the end, all three times eventually led me to better opportunities and with all your talent, I know it will for you too.

It has truly been a pleasure working with you.  You've been a great co-worked and friend - not to mention that I put a lot of stock in your movie reviews.  I hope you'll keep in touch!

With best regards,
John Froelich

 

Fwd: Layoffs

I am so sad to hear that john, I'm really shocked actually. It was a pleasure working with you. thank you for training me and being so patient while doing it. Oh and thanks for helping me get hired as well. Hopefully you can find something closer to your hometown or in development so you can use more of your skills than scm can offer. Good luck, I wish you the best.

Emily

On Sep 4, 2014 2:30 PM, "John Coffey" <john2001plus@gmail.com> wrote:

I just got the call. I am out. 

 

The last 3 weeks have made me a little worried, but it has also caused me to reflect that I might want to do other things with my life.   I see this as an opportunity to expand my horizons and my skills. 

 

Still, L-3 has been a major part of my life for almost 14 years.  Hardly a day has gone by in the last year that I haven't learned something new. Therefore, I would welcome a chance to work with L-3 again should the opportunity become available. 

Best wishes,

John Coffey

Fwd: Layoffs

On vacation.  

From 4 PM today.  Email to coworkers:

I just got the call. I am out. 

The last 3 weeks have made me a little worried, but it has also caused me to reflect that I might want to do other things with my life.   I see this as an opportunity to expand my horizons and my skills. 

Still, L-3 has been a major part of my life for almost 14 years.  Hardly a day has gone by in the last year that I haven't learned something new. Therefore, I would welcome a chance to work with L-3 again should the opportunity become available. 

Best wishes,

John Coffey

Layoffs

Re: Layoffs

I just got the call. I am out. 

The last 3 weeks have made me a little worried, but it has also caused me to reflect that I might want to do other things with my life.   I see this as an opportunity to expand my horizons and my skills. 

Still, L-3 has been a major part of my life for almost 14 years.  Hardly a day has gone by in the last year that I haven't learned something new. Therefore, I would welcome a chance to work with L-3 again should the opportunity become available. 

Best wishes,

John Coffey

Beyond the Mind's Eye - 04 Brave New World

 Beyond the Mind's Eye was a video that came out in 1992 that featured the latest in computer animation.  I had it on VHS.  It is primitive by today's standards, but there was a 2 minute sequence that really impressed me then and it is still fun to watch today.   It starts about 93 seconds into the video below. 

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/8xE9H4NC-zY

Fractals The Hidden Dimension HD 1080p / Nova

I saw this video a few years ago on television.  I found the first 35 minutes to be very interesting.  The last 20 minutes not so much...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmxJ1KDR_s0

I learned about Fractals and the Mandelbrot set in the 1980's.   Back then I had friends who were experimenting with drawing the Mandelbrot set on computers.  In those days it would take a really long time to draw a single picture on a computer.

It might be sad, but I like reading my own movie reviews...

http://letsallgotothemovie.blogspot.com/2014/01/fruitville-station.html?m=0

It might be sad, but I like reading my own movie reviews...

http://letsallgotothemovie.blogspot.com/2013/05/star-trek-into-darkness-12.html?m=0

The Mom Song Sung to William Tell Overture with Lyrics

Still my favorite:

http://youtu.be/RxT5NwQUtVM

A bumble bee found my flowers

Playing chess at Applebee's

Utah Blitz Chess Championship Standings Top Section