The Quabbin Reservoir in Western Massachusetts

Upon moving to Massachusetts in the late 1990's, we were introduced to the Quabbin Reservoir. 

At the time, to me, it was just a very big lake in the area I was moving to. A big lake indeed. over 190 miles of shoreline, the reservoir (not really a lake), has an average depth of over 50 feet to a maximum of about 150 feet, running 18 miles long.

In the late 1920's,legislative action authorized construction of the reservoir as a water supply for the Boston area. Today it supplies clean, fresh water to about 2.5 million residents. The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was built between 1930 and 1939. In many ways, it makes me think this could have been a predecessor to construction of Lake Mead and the Hover dam in Nevada.

I am no history buff, but since moving here, to Athol in 1997, at the north end of the Quabbin, followed by purchasing a home in New Salem on the northwest end, I have leaned a few things about the construction. Most importantly, 4 former Massachusetts towns are now under the Quabbin. Most recently, I found a WGBY documentary "Under Quabbin", made in 2001, but it is new and interesting to me.... I hope you enjoy it as well.

Take a peek at: http://www.pbs.org/video/2365046325/

This is True Rocket Science

NASA 

a lackluster picture was taken with an
iPhone 5s zoomed as much as it can

A few weeks ago I heard on the news that the International Space Station would be passing over my neck of the woods and would be visible with the naked eye.  I went out at 11:35pm as the newscasters had suggested and a few seconds after 11:37pm (the exact time they said it would pass), there in the sky was a tiny starlike dot, screaming across the sky.  It sort of reminded me of an airplane flying overhead in the darkness of night, but there were no red flashing lights like are often seen on an airplane, just a dot, moving very fast.

I've been mesmerized.

I think most of us know there is an International Space Station, launched November 20, 1998, the ISS continues flying circles around the earth about every hour and a half, travels about 17,150 mph.  That's about 4.7 miles per second!

It was suggested I download an app for my iOS smartphone called "goisswatch".  It's pretty cool and provides a ton of information including the exact times the ISS will fly by my location so I can get an eyeful, where to look in the sky with a sky map and lots more.  It's available for iOS, Android and others.  There is a widget below for you to check out your geographic location, anywhere in the world.

Check out NASA for interesting facts and figures...  and gain an understanding how important getting a great education is...  true rocket science.

I Pledge Allegiance

This writing is quite simple, it is a reminder that within borders of the United States of America, and its territories, and to live here is a privilege.  It is also a reminder of Title 4 of the United States Code, Chapter 1 in particular, the United State Flag Code.  To live in this country and enjoy the freedoms, protections and opportunities offered to those living here, carry with it the need to support that for which you are enjoying life, an allegiance to this country.

This is not about heritage.  It's not about where our forefathers came from nor where we may have moved here from.  It is all about living in this country and honoring its values, traditions, beliefs, tolerance and any other description term you'd like to add.  

To begin with, even before becoming a citizen, all living here should pledge an allegiance for the right to even be here.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 

Section 4 of the Flag Code states: The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute."

As Americans, we allow others to bring many of their traditions and beliefs with them when they come to live in this country.  That should be under the condition they do not oppose any American belief and tradition and live here as Americans would.  You don't have to partake in American traditions, but you are not allowed to oppose them.  

For the rest of us, it's time to get back to basics, every classroom in every school starts the day with a Pledge of Allegiance.  We allow those who choose to, pray in schools and around the flag poles on school grounds.

If there are things you do not like about living here, including an unwillingness to Pledge Allegiance to our flag, you should leave, today.

Has Your Cell Phone Battery Failed?

Damaged iPhone 5s battery on the left,
new battery on the right

Have you ever had problems with your cell phone battery that "just doesn't last as long as it used to"?  Most of us have had that experience, you're not alone.  Experience says there are 3 basic reasons for battery failures:

1. least likely is a manufacturing defect
2. next, the battery has overheated, maybe because of the last, and most likely reason, 
3. the battery has been overcharged or charged too long

A manufacturing defect is possible but unlikely.  Have you ever felt your cell phone "get hot"?  Despite the actual cause of overheating, heat damages the battery.  Let's just jump to the most probable cause - over charging.  Why is this the most probable cause?  Most of us are likely using inferior, aftermarket chargers and cables because we don't know where the original charger and cable are that came with the phone.  The originals are the best to use and "shouldn't" cause overcharging, but could if they have failed or are damaged.

In my opinion, the "best" option is to use the cable and charger that came with your phone and not one you purchased at the local grocery or pharmacy, you just don't know how good they really are.  Here is a great Apple article on  "Maximizing Battery Life and Lifespan".   Lifehacker also has an excellent write up on the proper charging and care of Lithium Ion batteries.  Remember, Lithium Ion batteries are not the same as the old style batteries some of us, if you're old enough to remember, used in flashlights and other electronics.

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Don't forget to check out my page on Facebook as the "PhoneFixer".  I'm a certified iTech, mobile device repair specialist.

When You're Down, Remember "The Power of the Dream"

In August 1996, almost 20 years ago from this day, was the first time I ever heard Celine Dion sing.  From the closing ceremonies of the Atlanta Summer Olympic games, I forever became her fan.  Not only because she was an amazing singer, but because from within the song she sang, was a message like I had never heard in a song before.  I've never been a connoisseur of music, I don't know the words to songs, who sings most songs or even that most songs told a story...  but, that day, I heard her message and it has been my favorite, ever since.

I've always thought of myself as a student of leadership, management, and lifelong learning.  If I had a theme song, this would be it...  the inspiration to keep going, The Power of the Dream



The lyrics...
Let the resonate within you, let them inspire you to believe

Deep within each heart
There lies a magic spark
That lights the fire of our imagination
And since the dawn of man
The strength of just " I can "
Has brought together people of all nations

There's nothing ordinary
In the living of each day
There's a special part
Every one of us will play

Feel the flame forever burn
Teaching lessons we must learn
To bring us closer to the power of the dream
As the world gives us its best
To stand apart from all the rest
It is the power of the dream that brings us here

Your mind will take you far
The rest is just pure heart
You'll find your fate is all your own creation
And every boy and girl
As they come into this world
They bring the gift of hope and inspiration

Feel the flame forever burn
Teaching lessons we must learn
To bring us closer to the power of the dream
The world unites in hope and peace
We pray that it will always be
It is the power of the dream that brings us here

There's so much strength in all of us
Every woman, child and man
It's the moment that you think you can't
You'll discover that you can

Feel the flame forever burn
Teaching lessons we must learn
To bring us closer to the power of the dream
The world unites in hope and peace
We pray that it will always be
It is the power of the dream that brings us here

Feel the flame forever burn
Teaching lessons we must learn
To bring us closer to the power of the dream
The world unites in hope and peace
We pray that it will always be
It is the power of the dream that brings us here

The power of the dream
The faith in things unseen
The courage to embrace your fear
No matter where you are
To reach for your own star
To realize the power of the dream
To realize the power of the dream
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I share with you to perhaps give you the positive thoughts to get past any negative times you are having, the belief that we have the power within what we can dream.