Friday, December 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
I've tweeted this already, but I figured I'd embed it in my blog as well....
The pictures are scans of pictures I took when we lived in the northeast during the Winter (1990s vintage). The music is Coventry Carol as interpreted by yours truly....
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
As it happens....
I recently joined my daddy-o's channel @ ning.com. I've put up four of my "compositions" so far. Three are mine and one is a mix-up of a piece of my dad's. Here they are:
Find more music like this on Zzaj Energy Channel
Find more music like this on Zzaj Energy Channel
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate....
Just so you know....
I don't suppose that I have any great explanation why I gave my blog its title several years ago. I just figured that it kind of fit. This blog is about everything and nothing at the same time. Sometimes it is mundane and sometimes I might even have an interesting take on things. When you "enter here", I hope that you're not expecting a great deal of profound material. I blog about things that come to mind that are interesting to me. Often, I'll talk about music or politics. I might even talk about the latest and greatest sandwich that I ate. Hence, the idea of "abandoning hope".
http://etcweb.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/dante/campuscgi/mpb/GetCantoSection.pl?INP_POEM=Inf&INP_SECT=3&INP_START=1&INP_LEN=200&LANG=2
I don't suppose that I have any great explanation why I gave my blog its title several years ago. I just figured that it kind of fit. This blog is about everything and nothing at the same time. Sometimes it is mundane and sometimes I might even have an interesting take on things. When you "enter here", I hope that you're not expecting a great deal of profound material. I blog about things that come to mind that are interesting to me. Often, I'll talk about music or politics. I might even talk about the latest and greatest sandwich that I ate. Hence, the idea of "abandoning hope".
http://etcweb.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/dante/campuscgi/mpb/GetCantoSection.pl?INP_POEM=Inf&INP_SECT=3&INP_START=1&INP_LEN=200&LANG=2
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Weekend report....
Hmmm, where to begin? Friday was an off day, but I had to go in for several hours due to unforeseen circumstances. It's all good, I was only there for several hours. After that, the day was a VERY lazy day. I don't even think I ran on Friday. We did have a fine pizza that night...
Saturday started with a kickin' morning exercise hour and snow. After a good shower, we went out to Cheddar's for a pre-birthday birthday lunch for my wife and a friend of ours. The Cheddar's in town has just opened in the last month. Our best friends got there 20 minutes early and were seated by the time we got there. It's good they arrived earlier than we did, because the wait would have been a little while. For as busy as the joint was, the service was pretty good. The food arrived in a decent amount of time and was as tasty as I remember. On the negative side, the food could have been a little bit warmer. Other than that, the experience was great. We'll be going back again...
And then there was the Bama game....
I don't consider myself any kind of big fan or anything, but it was good to see The Tide win. We didn't even stick around the house to watch the entire game. I had brought up going to a fundraising event for Toys for Tots that was being put on by a friend from high school earlier in the day. It just so happens that the event was a number of dance acts by women specializing in belly/tribal/world fusion dance with the appropriate accompanying music. I had seen my friend's group perform at Panoply before. My wife actually thought the whole thing was pretty cool. We left a little early for some grub and a chance to stop by to see the Mother Unit (1 each).
This morning started with another hour of sweaty exercise. That's always an exhilarating way to start the day. After that, we had breakfast with friends. The monotony of shopping occupied the next couple of hours. It was a lazy enough afternoon until I decided to finally get up and run on the treadmill for five miles. The most exciting part was the catfight in/near our front yard. The run was very refreshing. After a little dinner, here we are: Watching Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Obviously not award-winning, but this flick is mildly entertaining....
Well, I think I'll run along now. Y'all have a great week! Peace!
Saturday started with a kickin' morning exercise hour and snow. After a good shower, we went out to Cheddar's for a pre-birthday birthday lunch for my wife and a friend of ours. The Cheddar's in town has just opened in the last month. Our best friends got there 20 minutes early and were seated by the time we got there. It's good they arrived earlier than we did, because the wait would have been a little while. For as busy as the joint was, the service was pretty good. The food arrived in a decent amount of time and was as tasty as I remember. On the negative side, the food could have been a little bit warmer. Other than that, the experience was great. We'll be going back again...
And then there was the Bama game....
I don't consider myself any kind of big fan or anything, but it was good to see The Tide win. We didn't even stick around the house to watch the entire game. I had brought up going to a fundraising event for Toys for Tots that was being put on by a friend from high school earlier in the day. It just so happens that the event was a number of dance acts by women specializing in belly/tribal/world fusion dance with the appropriate accompanying music. I had seen my friend's group perform at Panoply before. My wife actually thought the whole thing was pretty cool. We left a little early for some grub and a chance to stop by to see the Mother Unit (1 each).
This morning started with another hour of sweaty exercise. That's always an exhilarating way to start the day. After that, we had breakfast with friends. The monotony of shopping occupied the next couple of hours. It was a lazy enough afternoon until I decided to finally get up and run on the treadmill for five miles. The most exciting part was the catfight in/near our front yard. The run was very refreshing. After a little dinner, here we are: Watching Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Obviously not award-winning, but this flick is mildly entertaining....
Well, I think I'll run along now. Y'all have a great week! Peace!
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Mmmmm, Cheddar's....
We first tried Cheddar's in Newport News, VA back in the mid-90s. Much to our delight, we had one in the IL/IA quad cities (Davenport, IA) when we lived up there. There's a new one in Huntsville and we're headed there for lunch with friends (kinda for two looming birthdays). Hope the food's as good as I remember. More later....
in reference to: :::::Welcome to Cheddar's!::::: (view on Google Sidewiki)This ever so slightly snowy morning...
I will be out early to partake in one of Tony Horton's workouts from hell:
Plyometrics
Friday, December 04, 2009
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Just got done watching the latest installment of the X-Men franchise (in conjunction with a fine, fine pizza). I wouldn't say that it was the best of the four movies, but it was definitely good. I'm sure I'll watch it at least once or twice more when it comes on the movie channels...
in reference to: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) (view on Google Sidewiki)One of my holiday food downfalls.....
is eggnog. I can't fully explain why my tastebuds are so tantalized by the flavor. They just are. I can get into a store, buy a quart and down it VERY quickly. As in five minutes....
Anyway, I've had two varieties of the Hood EggNog. I've had the Pumpkin Eggnog and the Sugar Cookie Eggnog. I like both flavors, but of the two, I TOTALLY DIG the Sugar Cookie Eggnog. If, like me, you're an eggnog fan, find some. You'll probably love it.
The purpose of this post is twofold. I recently noticed a function of the Google toolbar called sidewiki. It allows you to:
-Publish helpful information about any web page right in your browser
-Read insights in context from Sidewiki entries added by others
-Share Sidewiki entries through Blogger, Facebook, Twitter and Google profiles
I'm checking out how the blog posting works with this post. Wanna give it a whirl?
http://www.google.com/
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Action packed day (after I finally woke up around 9 AM)....
I didn't turn on any alarms on purpose. After waking up and finishing the necessary first mug of coffee, I eventually got around to an hour on the treadmill. Felt pretty good after that...
Not necessarily sure that it was the best choice to run 10K on the treadmill before we went over to my best friend's place to do the P90X "Legs & Back" routine. Worked out OK, though.
After all the sweating, we all went out to eat at Jason's Deli. The folks behind the counter seemed a bit surprised that I went for a replacement bowl for their AYCE salad bar twice. What can I say? I was hungry...
Follow that up with a trip to the Huntsville Botanical Garden's Galaxy of Lights and (at the insistence of our best friends' kids) watching Merry Madagascar and it's been a fun day!
Well, it's approaching time to crash for the night. Peace y'all!
Not necessarily sure that it was the best choice to run 10K on the treadmill before we went over to my best friend's place to do the P90X "Legs & Back" routine. Worked out OK, though.
After all the sweating, we all went out to eat at Jason's Deli. The folks behind the counter seemed a bit surprised that I went for a replacement bowl for their AYCE salad bar twice. What can I say? I was hungry...
Follow that up with a trip to the Huntsville Botanical Garden's Galaxy of Lights and (at the insistence of our best friends' kids) watching Merry Madagascar and it's been a fun day!
Well, it's approaching time to crash for the night. Peace y'all!
Friday, November 27, 2009
BTW...
Check out my daddy-o's latest online presence and, heck, join up if you want...
And I don't believe that I ever posted a link to his Issue #96 of Improvijazzation Nation.
Last but not least, three of the most recent CRS reports now in the public domain from FAS.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I'm still recovering from food overload. Peace y'all!
And I don't believe that I ever posted a link to his Issue #96 of Improvijazzation Nation.
Last but not least, three of the most recent CRS reports now in the public domain from FAS.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I'm still recovering from food overload. Peace y'all!
OK, I'm sure that most people who read this blog have seen the SNL opening skit from 11/21/09...
If you haven't had the pleasure, here you go....
Classic!
Classic!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
I'm finally caught up on the two shows I wanted to catch up on....
V and FlashForward....
That's what happens when one works the night shift for most of a month. Thank God for the DVR! I'm almost caught back up on sleep. All just to work the night shift this week...
I enjoyed the time in Chattanooga. Got to eat at some good places and work with some cool folks! It is, however, great to be back home.
If you're a history buff, check out this online collection. There's a LOT of interesting reading.
Perhaps you're more into military gear/tech. One of the Federation of American Scientists recent editions of the Secrecy News newsletter discusses the 2010 Army Weapon Systems Handbook. Pretty slick stuff....
One day (last Tuesday I believe) this past week, I was listening to National Public Radio on the drive to work. One of the short segments I heard was a "conservative" (in quotes because I don't know a lot about the background of the author) book reviewer/blogger's take on Sarah Palin's recent book. I might eventually find this book in a library, but I'm certainly not in any rush to go out and donate my money to someone who is so seemingly apparent in trying to set herself up for a run in 2012 but so far from ready for the job.
That's what happens when one works the night shift for most of a month. Thank God for the DVR! I'm almost caught back up on sleep. All just to work the night shift this week...
I enjoyed the time in Chattanooga. Got to eat at some good places and work with some cool folks! It is, however, great to be back home.
If you're a history buff, check out this online collection. There's a LOT of interesting reading.
Perhaps you're more into military gear/tech. One of the Federation of American Scientists recent editions of the Secrecy News newsletter discusses the 2010 Army Weapon Systems Handbook. Pretty slick stuff....
One day (last Tuesday I believe) this past week, I was listening to National Public Radio on the drive to work. One of the short segments I heard was a "conservative" (in quotes because I don't know a lot about the background of the author) book reviewer/blogger's take on Sarah Palin's recent book. I might eventually find this book in a library, but I'm certainly not in any rush to go out and donate my money to someone who is so seemingly apparent in trying to set herself up for a run in 2012 but so far from ready for the job.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
One of the last nights in the Noog....
We wanted to go eat some pizza. The first place we were going to go was Lupi's Pizza Pies. I mentioned pizza at work last night and someone suggested a pizza joint called Crust Pizza. I had noticed Crust in my local pizza research the other day, so that's where we ended up going. We had a super-tasty pizza with rosemary chicken, roma tomato, onions, mushrooms and white sauce. Oh yeah, we split a "Ricky J. Leg" sandwich as well. I didn't figure this place could be bad since one of the co-owners also happens to own Aretha Frankenstein's. Top dinner off with a piece of one of the fine cakes from the City Cafe Diner (downtown Chattanooga) and you've had a GREAT meal. I just happened to have a nice size piece of the Baklava Cheesecake. YUMMY!!!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Fired for having a picture of a pint of Guinness?
It seems a Georgia teacher was asked to resign because her Facebook page included pictures in which she was hoisting a Guinness or having a glass of wine or uttering an occasional obscenity. Sounds like crap to me! I say hammer the Barrow County Board of Eduction Superintendent (rsaunders@barrow.k12.ga.us) with e-mails asking why a teacher would be asked to resign for such an innocuous act and/or picture (assuming no other personnel issues)...particularly in the absence of a policy regarding an issue of this nature.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
To all who have served, are currently serving and those to come - Happy Veterans Day!!!
Other stuff? Not too much. Staying quite busy with work for right now. That nifty picture above came from here. I did take time to go have a really good omelet with Suzy at The Bluegrass Grill this morning.
I'll be ending it there. I have to get ready for work. Be well, folks!
Monday, November 09, 2009
Elephants Gerald!
So, you might wonder what a "Belgian waffle topped with Vanilla Ice Cream, Pecans in Syrup, and dusted with Cinnamon" looks like...
I have to say that this tasted phenomenal!
Aretha Frankenstein's
 |
| From Blogger Pictures |
I have to say that this tasted phenomenal!
Aretha Frankenstein's
Sunday, November 08, 2009
After a fine dinner at Bea's on Sunday night....
Breakfast is gonna be at Aretha Frankenstein's. See more in a Food Network video ($40 A Day with Rachael Ray) about their "Waffle of Insane Greatness!" here...
I think I'll be getting the Elephants Gerald...
I think I'll be hitting the treadmill while I stay up all night! Peace, y'all!
I think I'll be getting the Elephants Gerald...
I think I'll be hitting the treadmill while I stay up all night! Peace, y'all!
OK, so most folks are familiar with the Japanese steakhouse seating arrangement where you could be sitting right next to the grill with strangers...
What about a similar setup applied to some good old Southern cooking? If you're ever up in Chattanooga and you're REALLY hungry for some good Southern food (pulled pork, fried chicken, roast beef in brown gravy, potatoes, cole slaw, potato salad, and more) AYCE-style, check out Bea's Restaurant!
View Larger Map
All of the food is set up on a lazy Susan in small serving dishes. You pick what you want and if you need more, one of the nice folks who work there will likely be out with it pretty quickly. The only readily available beverages are water or sweet tea. There are soda machines when you walk in the door if you have to get that fix. Plus, they offered coffee several times. Check this place out! It's been around since 1950. Keep it going for another 60 years!
View Larger Map
All of the food is set up on a lazy Susan in small serving dishes. You pick what you want and if you need more, one of the nice folks who work there will likely be out with it pretty quickly. The only readily available beverages are water or sweet tea. There are soda machines when you walk in the door if you have to get that fix. Plus, they offered coffee several times. Check this place out! It's been around since 1950. Keep it going for another 60 years!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Well.....
V was pretty good and it looks like it will get even better through through the rest of the season. I hope that it can live up to the hype. I haven't seen FlashForward recently. I need to change that. Been too busy to watch much television.
If you ever find yourself up in Chattanooga (especially near Hamilton Place mall) and you've got a hankering for some good Greek food, check out The Acropolis Grill. The food was great (and served amazingly quick). I've had slower service at fast food places. Plus, the baklava was some of the best that I have ever had!
I suppose that eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia FroYo afterward wasn't necessary. But it sure was tasty!
NRC documents from ADAMS regarding Browns Ferry for 10/19/09 - 11/01/09:
10/19/09-10/25/09
Unit 2
Browns Ferry, Unit 2 - Response to NRC Request for Additional Information for Third 10-Year Interval Inservice Inspection Program Plan, Relief Request 2-ISI-19, Revision 1.
10/26/09-11/01/09
Unit 1 and sitewide
Browns Ferry Release of OI Synopsis 2-2009-017.
LER 09-004-00 for Browns Ferry Unit 1, re: High Pressure Core Injection Found Inoperable During Compensate Header Level Switch Calibration and Functional Test.
License Amendment Request for Adoption of TSTF-511, Revision 0, "Eliminate Working Hour Restrictions From TS 5.2.2 to Support Compliance With 10 CFR Part 26" - Browns Ferry TS Change 469; Sequoyah Change 09-04; and Watts Change 09-19.
If you ever find yourself up in Chattanooga (especially near Hamilton Place mall) and you've got a hankering for some good Greek food, check out The Acropolis Grill. The food was great (and served amazingly quick). I've had slower service at fast food places. Plus, the baklava was some of the best that I have ever had!
I suppose that eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia FroYo afterward wasn't necessary. But it sure was tasty!
NRC documents from ADAMS regarding Browns Ferry for 10/19/09 - 11/01/09:
10/19/09-10/25/09
Unit 2
Browns Ferry, Unit 2 - Response to NRC Request for Additional Information for Third 10-Year Interval Inservice Inspection Program Plan, Relief Request 2-ISI-19, Revision 1.
10/26/09-11/01/09
Unit 1 and sitewide
Browns Ferry Release of OI Synopsis 2-2009-017.
LER 09-004-00 for Browns Ferry Unit 1, re: High Pressure Core Injection Found Inoperable During Compensate Header Level Switch Calibration and Functional Test.
License Amendment Request for Adoption of TSTF-511, Revision 0, "Eliminate Working Hour Restrictions From TS 5.2.2 to Support Compliance With 10 CFR Part 26" - Browns Ferry TS Change 469; Sequoyah Change 09-04; and Watts Change 09-19.
Friday, October 23, 2009
It's been a fairly busy week....
And I didn't have a great deal to say. Come to think of it, I still don't. However...
Just two documents covering Browns Ferry added by the NRC to ADAMS last week. Here they are:
Bellefonte and Sequoyah, Units 1 & 2; Browns, Units 1, 2, & 3 and Watts, Units 1 & 2 - Nuclear Quality Assurance Plan, TVA-NQA-PLN89-A.
Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2 & 3; Sequoyah, Units 1 & 2 and Watts, Unit 1 - Decommissioning Funding Assurance - Additional Information.
Heck, I think I'll make this an information link post. Check out the many thousands of pages of the Congressional Record for 2009. There's often a lot of interesting info available. At the top portion of the links by date section, you will see that you can search the publication or view the latest daily digest. I'll often search the record by the Congressional delegation for Alabama to see what they have been saying...
Perhaps a few recent CRS Reports are more up your alley...
Can't think of much else to say, so y'all have a blast!
Just two documents covering Browns Ferry added by the NRC to ADAMS last week. Here they are:
Bellefonte and Sequoyah, Units 1 & 2; Browns, Units 1, 2, & 3 and Watts, Units 1 & 2 - Nuclear Quality Assurance Plan, TVA-NQA-PLN89-A.
Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2 & 3; Sequoyah, Units 1 & 2 and Watts, Unit 1 - Decommissioning Funding Assurance - Additional Information.
Heck, I think I'll make this an information link post. Check out the many thousands of pages of the Congressional Record for 2009. There's often a lot of interesting info available. At the top portion of the links by date section, you will see that you can search the publication or view the latest daily digest. I'll often search the record by the Congressional delegation for Alabama to see what they have been saying...
Perhaps a few recent CRS Reports are more up your alley...
Can't think of much else to say, so y'all have a blast!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Not overly exciting for a couple of days off....
I'm just chilling and doing mundane stuff (e.g. laundry and such). I did get the equivalent of about 5k on the treadmill this afternoon. That, as always, was a blast....
Speaking of running....
I will find myself at work this weekend, but there's a run worth attending if you can. I am talking about The 6th Annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run. It should be dry but cool that morning. Check it out if you can.
It's been some time since I looked at what the Library of Congress had to offer in the way of RSS feeds. From what I remember the last time I looked, the amount of information that can be a click away for you has doubled. Some other interesting information funded by your tax dollars can be found at USA.gov's Reference Center and General Government portal. One nifty example? The FBI's 10 Most Wanted Widget:
OK, one last bit of information geekiness here. The NRC only had two submissions to its ADAMS system regarding Browns Ferry for the week of 10/5/09-10/11/09. Here they are:
Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2 and 3 - Acknowledgement Receipt of Letter Regarding Revised Schedule for Extended Power Uprate Review.
Brown Ferry, Units 1, 2, & 3, Response to Request for Additional Information (RAI) Concerning Fire Protection Three-Unit Operation Amendment and Exemption Request.
Peace, y'all!
Speaking of running....
I will find myself at work this weekend, but there's a run worth attending if you can. I am talking about The 6th Annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run. It should be dry but cool that morning. Check it out if you can.
It's been some time since I looked at what the Library of Congress had to offer in the way of RSS feeds. From what I remember the last time I looked, the amount of information that can be a click away for you has doubled. Some other interesting information funded by your tax dollars can be found at USA.gov's Reference Center and General Government portal. One nifty example? The FBI's 10 Most Wanted Widget:
OK, one last bit of information geekiness here. The NRC only had two submissions to its ADAMS system regarding Browns Ferry for the week of 10/5/09-10/11/09. Here they are:
Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2 and 3 - Acknowledgement Receipt of Letter Regarding Revised Schedule for Extended Power Uprate Review.
Brown Ferry, Units 1, 2, & 3, Response to Request for Additional Information (RAI) Concerning Fire Protection Three-Unit Operation Amendment and Exemption Request.
Peace, y'all!
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Random miscellanea for today....
I'm back on the schedule for working nights now. That starts tomorrow night. Hence, today has been a fairly lazy day. I'll do my sweating later on....
The afternoon began with a quick trip into Huntsville for a visitation. Y'all have our continuing condolences...
On the way home, my sweet tooth got the better of me. We stopped by the Cinnabon place in Madison Square Mall to pick up a post-dinner dessert. I really need to get my sweat on after eating one of these...
After dinner, we watched our standard complement of Thursday evening shows. ABC's (the network showing FlashForward) running a serious ad blitz for V. The show looks like it has promise. I remember watching V regularly back in the '80s....
Zzaj put out Issue 95 of ImprovijazzationNation recently. Check that out! Or this:
I was going to post last night, but I just didn't feel up to it. Yesterday was the 8th anniversary of American forces being in Afghanistan. There were a lot of mistakes made before we went in this time (all the way back to that putz Reagan). There were mistakes made in the implementation of us going in this time. And there have been plenty of mistakes made since then. I realize that folks are inclined to call my opinions "armchair quarterbacking" and sniping and griping (some of the nicer things folks can say or have said). Those folks are probably right, but sorry, they are my opinions. Most (if not all) of the mistakes are those made by the civilian leadership of the armed forces. To this day, I still believe that we never had the amount of force necessary to accomplish the nebulous mission we set forth for our troops in Afghanistan. That was partially a result of Iraq and partially a result of military transformation among plenty of other things. Some of those things were beyond the control of anyone. Others were not. I wish ALL of our military everywhere the best and hope that they can come home safely as quickly as conditions allow. I hope that those in charge can make more right decisions than wrong ones.
The afternoon began with a quick trip into Huntsville for a visitation. Y'all have our continuing condolences...
On the way home, my sweet tooth got the better of me. We stopped by the Cinnabon place in Madison Square Mall to pick up a post-dinner dessert. I really need to get my sweat on after eating one of these...
After dinner, we watched our standard complement of Thursday evening shows. ABC's (the network showing FlashForward) running a serious ad blitz for V. The show looks like it has promise. I remember watching V regularly back in the '80s....
Zzaj put out Issue 95 of ImprovijazzationNation recently. Check that out! Or this:
I was going to post last night, but I just didn't feel up to it. Yesterday was the 8th anniversary of American forces being in Afghanistan. There were a lot of mistakes made before we went in this time (all the way back to that putz Reagan). There were mistakes made in the implementation of us going in this time. And there have been plenty of mistakes made since then. I realize that folks are inclined to call my opinions "armchair quarterbacking" and sniping and griping (some of the nicer things folks can say or have said). Those folks are probably right, but sorry, they are my opinions. Most (if not all) of the mistakes are those made by the civilian leadership of the armed forces. To this day, I still believe that we never had the amount of force necessary to accomplish the nebulous mission we set forth for our troops in Afghanistan. That was partially a result of Iraq and partially a result of military transformation among plenty of other things. Some of those things were beyond the control of anyone. Others were not. I wish ALL of our military everywhere the best and hope that they can come home safely as quickly as conditions allow. I hope that those in charge can make more right decisions than wrong ones.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Hmmmm, where to begin?
So, I'm in the middle of a seven day stretch off of work. I've had a few chances to work OT, but I've been otherwise occupied. Friday and Saturday were right out. Suzy had business to attend to in Boaz on those days (btw, you can see her waaaay in the background in the first picture on page 11 of those pictures). We stopped to eat on the way home both nights. Friday night involved a fairly standard pizza buffet. Saturday night we tried Wintzell's Oyster House in Guntersville. I had heard some good and some bad opinions beforehand. Bad reviews notwithstanding, we liked it! Plus, Wintzell's is supposed to be coming to Huntsville in December. Yesterday was a day to work out. That started at 6 AM with my best friend. We all went to eat breakfast after that. Yesterday afternoon was reserved for time on the elliptical machine. Today has been mainly recovery time from a busy weekend. That was interrupted, of course, by an hour and a half of exercising. I really love to sweat...
We'll see what the rest of the week will hold. I know that I'm looking forward to trying something new for dinner tomorrow night...
Since I was slack about posting last week, the past two weeks of ADAMS info for Browns Ferry can be viewed by click "read more" below...
U1 & sitewide
1. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, & 3, Revised Schedule for Extended Power Uprate Amendment Request Review.
2. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3, Sequoyah, Units 1 and 2, Watts Bar, Units 1 and 2, Bellefonte, Units 1 and 2, Change to Correspondence Addressee and Service List Update.
3. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1, 2 & 3; Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 & 2; Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 & 2; and Bellefonte Nuclear Plant, Units 1 & 2 - Submission of Revision 20 to Tennessee Valley Authority Nuclear Quality Assurance Plan.
4. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3, Sequoyah, Units 1 and 2, Watts Bar, Units 1 and 2, Submittal of Report in Accordance with 10 CFR 26.719(c)(1) for Drug and Alcohol Testing Errors.
5. Browns Ferry Office of Investigations Case Number 2-2009-006 Synopsis Release.
6. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, & 3, Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding Generic Letter 2008-01, Managing Gas Accumulation in Emergency Core Cooling, Decay Heat Removal, and Containment Spray Systems.
U2
1. LER 09-005-00 for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Unit 2, re: Reactor Motor Operated Valve Board 2D & Residual Heat Removal Subsystem Inoperable Longer Than Allowed by the Plant's Technical Specifications.
2. Browns Ferry, Unit 2, Nine-Month Supplemental (Post-Outage) Response to NRC Generic Letter 2008-01: Managing Gas Accumulation in Emergency Core Cooling, Decay Heat Removal, and Containment Spray Systems.
3. Browns Ferry, Unit 2, American Society of Mechanical Engineers Section Xl, Inservice Inspection, System Pressure Test, Containment Inspection, and Repair and Replacement Programs - Summary Report for Cycle 15 Operation.
U3
Nothing additional
We'll see what the rest of the week will hold. I know that I'm looking forward to trying something new for dinner tomorrow night...
Since I was slack about posting last week, the past two weeks of ADAMS info for Browns Ferry can be viewed by click "read more" below...
U1 & sitewide
1. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, & 3, Revised Schedule for Extended Power Uprate Amendment Request Review.
2. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3, Sequoyah, Units 1 and 2, Watts Bar, Units 1 and 2, Bellefonte, Units 1 and 2, Change to Correspondence Addressee and Service List Update.
3. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1, 2 & 3; Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 & 2; Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 & 2; and Bellefonte Nuclear Plant, Units 1 & 2 - Submission of Revision 20 to Tennessee Valley Authority Nuclear Quality Assurance Plan.
4. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3, Sequoyah, Units 1 and 2, Watts Bar, Units 1 and 2, Submittal of Report in Accordance with 10 CFR 26.719(c)(1) for Drug and Alcohol Testing Errors.
5. Browns Ferry Office of Investigations Case Number 2-2009-006 Synopsis Release.
6. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, & 3, Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding Generic Letter 2008-01, Managing Gas Accumulation in Emergency Core Cooling, Decay Heat Removal, and Containment Spray Systems.
U2
1. LER 09-005-00 for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Unit 2, re: Reactor Motor Operated Valve Board 2D & Residual Heat Removal Subsystem Inoperable Longer Than Allowed by the Plant's Technical Specifications.
2. Browns Ferry, Unit 2, Nine-Month Supplemental (Post-Outage) Response to NRC Generic Letter 2008-01: Managing Gas Accumulation in Emergency Core Cooling, Decay Heat Removal, and Containment Spray Systems.
3. Browns Ferry, Unit 2, American Society of Mechanical Engineers Section Xl, Inservice Inspection, System Pressure Test, Containment Inspection, and Repair and Replacement Programs - Summary Report for Cycle 15 Operation.
U3
Nothing additional
Saturday, September 26, 2009
I hate to toot my own horn, but...
This is a milestone post. Number 500! That doesn't include the original blog I maintained.
Blasts from the past:
Check out a sneak peek of a retooling of the V miniseries from the 80s:
The new V begins on 11/3/09.
As for new shows, check out this clip from FlashForward:
I've never watched a lot of stuff from ABC (or CBS for that matter). However, this is a pretty cool new show!
We were entertaining the idea of checking out our best friends' boy's soccer game this morning. However, all games were canceled. It's all about the rain. We've had TOO much. See?
Last night, I was jonesing for something sweet. I didn't feel like going out to buy anything, so I improvised with ingredients that I had on hand. Here's a picture of the "bread pudding" I made last night. I put that in quotes because I didn't use any kind of recipe. Come to find out, most (if not all) recipes use eggs to make a custard-like consistency. Mine is just kind of a gloppy mess. But, it tastes REALLY good! It should with most of a stick of butter and about a cup and a half of sugar (a mix of brown and granulated). Check it out:
Blasts from the past:
Check out a sneak peek of a retooling of the V miniseries from the 80s:
The new V begins on 11/3/09.
As for new shows, check out this clip from FlashForward:
I've never watched a lot of stuff from ABC (or CBS for that matter). However, this is a pretty cool new show!
We were entertaining the idea of checking out our best friends' boy's soccer game this morning. However, all games were canceled. It's all about the rain. We've had TOO much. See?
 |  |
| From Blogger Pictures |
Last night, I was jonesing for something sweet. I didn't feel like going out to buy anything, so I improvised with ingredients that I had on hand. Here's a picture of the "bread pudding" I made last night. I put that in quotes because I didn't use any kind of recipe. Come to find out, most (if not all) recipes use eggs to make a custard-like consistency. Mine is just kind of a gloppy mess. But, it tastes REALLY good! It should with most of a stick of butter and about a cup and a half of sugar (a mix of brown and granulated). Check it out:
 |
| From Blogger Pictures |
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I don't watch a lot of TV....
But I love House. Last night's season opener was no exception. This is a great show. Who would've thought there would be a House wiki?
This past weekend was fun. We had a little neighborhood cookout on Saturday. I had the pleasure of attempting to smoke ribs for the first time ever. It was an experiment, but it turned out pretty well. I used this to baste the ribs for part of the last hour (of 5) that they were on the grill...
I've been slacking a little bit in posting, so I have the last two weeks (9/7-9/21) of stuff that the NRC has added to ADAMS regarding Browns Ferry. Just click "read more"...
Units 1, 2, & 3
1. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Request for Additional Information for Extended Power Uprate - Round 17 (TS-431 and TS-410) (TAC Nos. MD5262, MD5263, and MD5264).
2. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, And 3; Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 And 2; Watts Bar Plant, Unit 1, - Enclosure 1 Re: Summary of Conference Calls With Tennessee Valley Authority Regarding Decommission Funding Assurance.
3. 06/09/2009, 06/30/2009-Summary of Conference Calls with Tennessee Valley Authority Regarding Decommissioning Funding Assurance, Browns Ferry, Sequoyah, Watts Bar.
4. Tennessee Valley Authority, Notification of Primary Contact Change Update.
5. CDI Report No. 09-24NP, Rev. 0, "Stress Assessment of Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 1 Steam Dryer to 110% OLTP Power Level", Cover through Chapter 4 (Non-proprietary Version).
6. CDI Report No. 09-24NP, Rev. 0, "Stress Assessment of Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 1 Steam Dryer to 110% OLTP Power Level", Chapter 5 through End (Non-proprietary Version).
7. C.D.I. Report No. 09-22NP, Rev. 0, "Acoustic and Low Frequency Hydrodynamic Loads at CLTP Power Level to 110% OLTP Power Level on Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 1 Steam Dryer to 250 Hz" (Non-proprietary Version).
8. Browns Ferry, Unit 1 - Technical Specifications (TS) Change TS-431 - Extended Power Uprate (EPU) - Response to Round 24 Request for Additional Information (RAI) EMCB.208 Regarding Steam Dryer Analyses (TAC No. MD5262).
9. Browns Ferry, 1, 2, and 3, Sequoyah, Units 1 and 2, and Watts Bar, Units 1 and 2, Notification of Submittal of Latest Revision of TVA's Organization Topical Report, TVA-NPOD89-A on 09/14/09, Instead of the Originally Planned Date 08/29/09.
10. ER 05000259-09-301, 05000260-09-301, 05000296-09-301, 07/13-17/2009 & 07/22/2009, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Operator License Examinations.
11. Browns Ferry, Unit 1 - Submittal of Technical Specifications (TS) Change TS-431 - Extended Power Uprate (EPU) - Steam Dryer Reports.
12. Browns Ferry SRO Written Exam Package.
13. Browns Ferry RO Written Exam Package.
14. CDI Technical Note No. 09-12NP, Rev. 0, "Limit Curve Analysis with ACM Rev. 4 for Power Ascension to 120% OLTP at Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 1," Enclosure 7.
15. CDI Report No. 09-23NP, Rev. 0, "Acoustic and Low Frequency Hydrodynamic Loads At CLTP Power Level to 120% OLTP Power Level on Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 1 Steam Dryer to 250 Hz," Enclosure 6.
16. Calculation Package 0900833.302, Rev. 0, "Steam Dryer Hood Stiffener Stress Relief Modification Stress Reduction Factor (SRF) Computation," Enclosure 4.
17. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1, Summary of August 11, 2009, Meeting With the Tennessee Valley Authority To Discuss Proposed Extended Power Uprate Analyses Path Forward.
18. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Request for Withholding Information From Public Disclosure for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (TAC Nos. MD5262, MD5263, and MD5264).
19. CDI Report No. 09-25NP, Rev. 0, "Stress Assessment of Browns Ferry Nuclear, Unit 1 Steam Dryer to 120% OLTP Power Level," Enclosure 5.
20. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3, Sequoyah, Units 1 and 2, & Watts Bar, Unit 1, Decommissioning Funding Assurance.
21. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - NRC Response to Letter of Intent to Adopt Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 50, Section 50.48.
22. NEI Fire Protection Information Forum Plenary 2, Session 1, Jack Lewis, 1975 Browns Ferry Fire Event Presentation.
This past weekend was fun. We had a little neighborhood cookout on Saturday. I had the pleasure of attempting to smoke ribs for the first time ever. It was an experiment, but it turned out pretty well. I used this to baste the ribs for part of the last hour (of 5) that they were on the grill...
I've been slacking a little bit in posting, so I have the last two weeks (9/7-9/21) of stuff that the NRC has added to ADAMS regarding Browns Ferry. Just click "read more"...
Units 1, 2, & 3
1. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Request for Additional Information for Extended Power Uprate - Round 17 (TS-431 and TS-410) (TAC Nos. MD5262, MD5263, and MD5264).
2. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, And 3; Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 And 2; Watts Bar Plant, Unit 1, - Enclosure 1 Re: Summary of Conference Calls With Tennessee Valley Authority Regarding Decommission Funding Assurance.
3. 06/09/2009, 06/30/2009-Summary of Conference Calls with Tennessee Valley Authority Regarding Decommissioning Funding Assurance, Browns Ferry, Sequoyah, Watts Bar.
4. Tennessee Valley Authority, Notification of Primary Contact Change Update.
5. CDI Report No. 09-24NP, Rev. 0, "Stress Assessment of Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 1 Steam Dryer to 110% OLTP Power Level", Cover through Chapter 4 (Non-proprietary Version).
6. CDI Report No. 09-24NP, Rev. 0, "Stress Assessment of Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 1 Steam Dryer to 110% OLTP Power Level", Chapter 5 through End (Non-proprietary Version).
7. C.D.I. Report No. 09-22NP, Rev. 0, "Acoustic and Low Frequency Hydrodynamic Loads at CLTP Power Level to 110% OLTP Power Level on Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 1 Steam Dryer to 250 Hz" (Non-proprietary Version).
8. Browns Ferry, Unit 1 - Technical Specifications (TS) Change TS-431 - Extended Power Uprate (EPU) - Response to Round 24 Request for Additional Information (RAI) EMCB.208 Regarding Steam Dryer Analyses (TAC No. MD5262).
9. Browns Ferry, 1, 2, and 3, Sequoyah, Units 1 and 2, and Watts Bar, Units 1 and 2, Notification of Submittal of Latest Revision of TVA's Organization Topical Report, TVA-NPOD89-A on 09/14/09, Instead of the Originally Planned Date 08/29/09.
10. ER 05000259-09-301, 05000260-09-301, 05000296-09-301, 07/13-17/2009 & 07/22/2009, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Operator License Examinations.
11. Browns Ferry, Unit 1 - Submittal of Technical Specifications (TS) Change TS-431 - Extended Power Uprate (EPU) - Steam Dryer Reports.
12. Browns Ferry SRO Written Exam Package.
13. Browns Ferry RO Written Exam Package.
14. CDI Technical Note No. 09-12NP, Rev. 0, "Limit Curve Analysis with ACM Rev. 4 for Power Ascension to 120% OLTP at Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 1," Enclosure 7.
15. CDI Report No. 09-23NP, Rev. 0, "Acoustic and Low Frequency Hydrodynamic Loads At CLTP Power Level to 120% OLTP Power Level on Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 1 Steam Dryer to 250 Hz," Enclosure 6.
16. Calculation Package 0900833.302, Rev. 0, "Steam Dryer Hood Stiffener Stress Relief Modification Stress Reduction Factor (SRF) Computation," Enclosure 4.
17. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1, Summary of August 11, 2009, Meeting With the Tennessee Valley Authority To Discuss Proposed Extended Power Uprate Analyses Path Forward.
18. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Request for Withholding Information From Public Disclosure for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (TAC Nos. MD5262, MD5263, and MD5264).
19. CDI Report No. 09-25NP, Rev. 0, "Stress Assessment of Browns Ferry Nuclear, Unit 1 Steam Dryer to 120% OLTP Power Level," Enclosure 5.
20. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3, Sequoyah, Units 1 and 2, & Watts Bar, Unit 1, Decommissioning Funding Assurance.
21. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - NRC Response to Letter of Intent to Adopt Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 50, Section 50.48.
22. NEI Fire Protection Information Forum Plenary 2, Session 1, Jack Lewis, 1975 Browns Ferry Fire Event Presentation.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Where was Joe Wilson.....
in the wrangling over the "Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act" (MMA)? We were discussing the "health care reform" at work today and I pointed out that I didn't recall financial conservatives being as rabid in 2003 (regarding the aforementioned MMA) as they have been this go-around. There was definite debate over MMA, but it didn't seem like this. Add to that the fact that some folks in the Bush Administration covered the true costs up to appease the financial conservatives. The conservatives came around when promised that the 10-year costs of the measure wouldn't exceed $400 billion. At last glance, that number was nearer to $1.2 trillion.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
My silence is deafening.....
Hmmm, where to start?
In starting, I'd like to recall and remember the victims and families and generally the United States on the approaching 8th anniversary of 9/11.
Zzaj recently posted Issue 94 of Improvijazzation Nation. I don't remember if I posted the link to Issue 93 up here, so here it is.
I've been somewhat silent about politics here this year. My views still haven't changed (I'm still a raging Libertarian), but it really doesn't matter which of the two big parties holds power. They'll both still find a way to screw things up. That being said, I didn't vote for the individual in office right now. However, I find it sad that the right and left are so polarized that an innocuous "Do well in school!" message caused such an uproar. I find it sad that some parents were considering (and probably did) holding their kids out of school over THIS! This country is going to be consumed by extreme partisan politics....
The Secrecy News section of the Federation of American Scientists site had some new and interesting CRS reports on 9/1 and 9/10.
Not my video, but here's "Techno Viking vs. Feindflug":
In closing, I'll include the NRC postings to ADAMS for 8/31/09 to 9/6/09. If you're interested, click "read more" below to see this information. I'm including that info in the full post only so the main page you are reading isn't as cluttered.
NRC info added to ADAMS regarding Browns Ferry during the week of 8/31/09 to 9/6/09:
U1 & sitewide
1. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Withdrawal of an Amendment Request Concerning Extension of Emergency Diesel Generator Allowed Out of Service Time (TAC Nos. ME1515, ME1516, and ME1517).
2. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 - Request for Additional Information for Extended Power Uprate - Round 26 (TAC No. MD5262) (TS-431).
3. LER 09-003-00 for Browns Ferry, Unit 1 Regarding A Train Standby Gas Treatment System Inoperable Longer Than Allowed By The Technical Specifications.
4. IR 05000259-06-016 on 09/25-29/2006 for Tennessee Valley Authority, Browns Ferry, Unit 1, Recovery Special Program for Fire Protection.
5. Browns Ferry Inspection/Activity Plan 09/01/2009 - 12/31/2010.
6. Mid-Cycle Performance Review and Inspection Plan - Browns Ferry Nuclear Station Units 1, 2 and 3.
7. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 - Extended Power Uprate Steam Dryer August 7, 2009, Conference Call (TAC No. MD5262).
8. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant - NRC Security Inspection Report 05000259-09-403, 05000260-09-403 & 05000296-09-403.
9. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Request for Withholding Information From Public Disclosure for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (TAC Nos. MD5262, MD5263, and MD5264).
10. 08/07/2009 TVA Conference Call Presentation Slides on Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 Steam Dryer Analysis.
U2 & U3
Nothing additional
In starting, I'd like to recall and remember the victims and families and generally the United States on the approaching 8th anniversary of 9/11.
Zzaj recently posted Issue 94 of Improvijazzation Nation. I don't remember if I posted the link to Issue 93 up here, so here it is.
I've been somewhat silent about politics here this year. My views still haven't changed (I'm still a raging Libertarian), but it really doesn't matter which of the two big parties holds power. They'll both still find a way to screw things up. That being said, I didn't vote for the individual in office right now. However, I find it sad that the right and left are so polarized that an innocuous "Do well in school!" message caused such an uproar. I find it sad that some parents were considering (and probably did) holding their kids out of school over THIS! This country is going to be consumed by extreme partisan politics....
The Secrecy News section of the Federation of American Scientists site had some new and interesting CRS reports on 9/1 and 9/10.
Not my video, but here's "Techno Viking vs. Feindflug":
In closing, I'll include the NRC postings to ADAMS for 8/31/09 to 9/6/09. If you're interested, click "read more" below to see this information. I'm including that info in the full post only so the main page you are reading isn't as cluttered.
NRC info added to ADAMS regarding Browns Ferry during the week of 8/31/09 to 9/6/09:
U1 & sitewide
1. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Withdrawal of an Amendment Request Concerning Extension of Emergency Diesel Generator Allowed Out of Service Time (TAC Nos. ME1515, ME1516, and ME1517).
2. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 - Request for Additional Information for Extended Power Uprate - Round 26 (TAC No. MD5262) (TS-431).
3. LER 09-003-00 for Browns Ferry, Unit 1 Regarding A Train Standby Gas Treatment System Inoperable Longer Than Allowed By The Technical Specifications.
4. IR 05000259-06-016 on 09/25-29/2006 for Tennessee Valley Authority, Browns Ferry, Unit 1, Recovery Special Program for Fire Protection.
5. Browns Ferry Inspection/Activity Plan 09/01/2009 - 12/31/2010.
6. Mid-Cycle Performance Review and Inspection Plan - Browns Ferry Nuclear Station Units 1, 2 and 3.
7. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 - Extended Power Uprate Steam Dryer August 7, 2009, Conference Call (TAC No. MD5262).
8. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant - NRC Security Inspection Report 05000259-09-403, 05000260-09-403 & 05000296-09-403.
9. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Request for Withholding Information From Public Disclosure for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (TAC Nos. MD5262, MD5263, and MD5264).
10. 08/07/2009 TVA Conference Call Presentation Slides on Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 Steam Dryer Analysis.
U2 & U3
Nothing additional
Monday, August 31, 2009
Been a bit of silence here, eh?
I'll start with the material added to the NRC's ADAMS site concerning Browns Ferry over that past TWO weeks:
U1 & sitewide
Letter from R. M. Krich Regarding New Point of Contact for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - License Amendment, The Amendments Revise the Technical Specifications (TSs) to Adopt the Content of Technical Specification Task Force (TSTF) Change Traveler TSTF-448, Revision 3, Control Room Habitability.
Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Technical Specifications Changes TS-431 and TS-418 - Extended Power Uprate - Response to Round 25 - Request for Additional Information - SCVB-82 Through SCVB-86 and Replacement Documentation.
IR 05000259-09-006, 05000260-09-006 and 05000296-09-006; 5/29/2009 - 6/17/2009; Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 and 3; Biennial Inspection of the Identification and Resolution of Problems.
Browns Ferry Units 1, 2 & 3, Technical Specifications Changes TS-431 and TS-418 - Extended Power Uprate - Response to Round 25 - Request for Additional Information - SCVB-82 Through SCVB-86 and Replacement Documentation.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3, Technical Specifications Changes TS-431 and TS-418 - Extended Power Uprate - Response to Round 25 - Request for Additional Information - SCVB-82 Through SCVB-86 and Replacement Documentation.
Browns Ferry, Unit 1, Second 10-Year Interval Inservice Inspection Program Related to the Examination of Piping Weld Overlays.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1, Relief, The Second Ten-Year Interval Inservice Inspection Program Relate to ASME Code Case N-504-3, Alternative Rules for Repair Of Classes 1, 2, and 3 Austenitic Stainless Steel Piping ME0155.
Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2009-11, Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3, RAI, Generic Letter 2008-01, "Managing Gas Accumulation in Emergency Core Cooling, Decay Heat Removal, and Containment Spray Systems".
08/11-12/2009-Summary of Meeting re 2009 US NRC Initial Exam Development Workshop.
U2
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 2 - Relief Request 2-ISI-21 for the Third Ten-Year Interval Inservice Inspection Program Relate to the Examination of Piping Weld Overlays (TAC NO. ME1319).
LER 09-003-00 for Browns Ferry Unit 2 re: Main Steam Relief Valve As Found Setpoint Exceeded Technical Specification Lift Pressure.
LER 09-004-00 for Browns Ferry, Unit 2, Regarding Technical Specification Shutdown Due to Rise in Unidentified Drywell Leakage.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 2 - Request For Additional Information For Second 10-Year Interval Inservice Inspection Program Plan Relief Request 2-ISI-19 Revision 1 (TAC NO. ME0764).
Browns Ferry, Units 2 & 3 - Specifications (TS) Change TS-418 - Extended Power Uprate (EPU) - Supplemental Response to Request for Additional Information (RAI) Round 3 & 18 & Response to Round 20 Fuels Methods RAIs.
U3
Nothing additional
As noted, there wasn't anything additional for Browns Ferry Unit 3 over the past couple of weeks. However, Unit 3 did go offline a week ago. I was there when the unit went down. We were back up and running at the end of last week.
This past weekend was great. In addition to the standard exercising and hanging/dining out with friends and family, we went to a get-together with some friends in Tennessee. I'd like to say THANKS to them in this forum. We had a lot of fun. One takeaway:
When climbing a tree, it's best to make sure that the limb you are going to use is alive BEFORE you use it! No harm done. It was more shocking than painful. Plus, it'll make for good laughs years from now! Snap, THUD!!!
Speaking of laughs...
I got some out of the "Techno Viking" site. I'm closing with a video that I recently found. Totally cool!
U1 & sitewide
Letter from R. M. Krich Regarding New Point of Contact for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 - License Amendment, The Amendments Revise the Technical Specifications (TSs) to Adopt the Content of Technical Specification Task Force (TSTF) Change Traveler TSTF-448, Revision 3, Control Room Habitability.
Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Technical Specifications Changes TS-431 and TS-418 - Extended Power Uprate - Response to Round 25 - Request for Additional Information - SCVB-82 Through SCVB-86 and Replacement Documentation.
IR 05000259-09-006, 05000260-09-006 and 05000296-09-006; 5/29/2009 - 6/17/2009; Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 and 3; Biennial Inspection of the Identification and Resolution of Problems.
Browns Ferry Units 1, 2 & 3, Technical Specifications Changes TS-431 and TS-418 - Extended Power Uprate - Response to Round 25 - Request for Additional Information - SCVB-82 Through SCVB-86 and Replacement Documentation.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3, Technical Specifications Changes TS-431 and TS-418 - Extended Power Uprate - Response to Round 25 - Request for Additional Information - SCVB-82 Through SCVB-86 and Replacement Documentation.
Browns Ferry, Unit 1, Second 10-Year Interval Inservice Inspection Program Related to the Examination of Piping Weld Overlays.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1, Relief, The Second Ten-Year Interval Inservice Inspection Program Relate to ASME Code Case N-504-3, Alternative Rules for Repair Of Classes 1, 2, and 3 Austenitic Stainless Steel Piping ME0155.
Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2009-11, Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3, RAI, Generic Letter 2008-01, "Managing Gas Accumulation in Emergency Core Cooling, Decay Heat Removal, and Containment Spray Systems".
08/11-12/2009-Summary of Meeting re 2009 US NRC Initial Exam Development Workshop.
U2
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 2 - Relief Request 2-ISI-21 for the Third Ten-Year Interval Inservice Inspection Program Relate to the Examination of Piping Weld Overlays (TAC NO. ME1319).
LER 09-003-00 for Browns Ferry Unit 2 re: Main Steam Relief Valve As Found Setpoint Exceeded Technical Specification Lift Pressure.
LER 09-004-00 for Browns Ferry, Unit 2, Regarding Technical Specification Shutdown Due to Rise in Unidentified Drywell Leakage.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 2 - Request For Additional Information For Second 10-Year Interval Inservice Inspection Program Plan Relief Request 2-ISI-19 Revision 1 (TAC NO. ME0764).
Browns Ferry, Units 2 & 3 - Specifications (TS) Change TS-418 - Extended Power Uprate (EPU) - Supplemental Response to Request for Additional Information (RAI) Round 3 & 18 & Response to Round 20 Fuels Methods RAIs.
U3
Nothing additional
As noted, there wasn't anything additional for Browns Ferry Unit 3 over the past couple of weeks. However, Unit 3 did go offline a week ago. I was there when the unit went down. We were back up and running at the end of last week.
This past weekend was great. In addition to the standard exercising and hanging/dining out with friends and family, we went to a get-together with some friends in Tennessee. I'd like to say THANKS to them in this forum. We had a lot of fun. One takeaway:
When climbing a tree, it's best to make sure that the limb you are going to use is alive BEFORE you use it! No harm done. It was more shocking than painful. Plus, it'll make for good laughs years from now! Snap, THUD!!!
Speaking of laughs...
I got some out of the "Techno Viking" site. I'm closing with a video that I recently found. Totally cool!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Where to start?
I'll start with the mundane and usual stuff this evening. Here's what the NRC placed in its ADAMS system for Browns Ferry for the week of 8/10/09-8/16/09:
U1 & sitewide
Technical Specifications Change Request TS-466-T - Request for One-Time Extension of Completion Time for Emergency Diesel Generators; Extension of Time to Respond to NRC Request for Supplemental Information (NRC TAC Nos. ME1515, ME1516 and ME1517).
Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, & 3, Technical Specifications Change TS-466-T - Request for One-Time Extension of Completion Time for Emergency Diesel Generators; Withdrawal of Request.
Plants Transitioning to NFPA 805.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, & 3; Sequoyah, Units 1 & 2, and Watts Bar, Unit 1 - Decommissioning Funding Assurance.
U2
LER 09-002-00 for Browns Ferry, Unit 2 Regarding Leak In An ASME Class I Code Reactor Pressure Boundary Pipe.
U3
Nothing additional
Now for the real stuff!
My best friend told me about the HiWAAY Huntsville Sprint Triathlon in late June. It was a very miniature version of a triathlon but that made it that much more tempting to take part. We ended up participating in it this past weekend (8/15). I would have liked to beat the one hour mark, but this wasn't a bad start. I ended up being 160 out of 449 folks who finished. It was fun to run!
We tried a new recipe for dinner this evening. It was called "Thai Barbecued Salmon".
Thai Barbecued Salmon Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes
Shared via AddThis
Another friend of mine started a Facebook discussion (wishful) about the dinner fairy yesterday. Someone suggested that she order pizza for her family. As I understand it, she did, but she couldn't partake due to a wheat allergy. For those of y'all out there who fight that kind of problem, take a look around for these products...
One last bit of entertainment and food for thought. Check out Beloit College's Mindset List for the Class of 2013.
Peace y'all!
U1 & sitewide
Technical Specifications Change Request TS-466-T - Request for One-Time Extension of Completion Time for Emergency Diesel Generators; Extension of Time to Respond to NRC Request for Supplemental Information (NRC TAC Nos. ME1515, ME1516 and ME1517).
Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, & 3, Technical Specifications Change TS-466-T - Request for One-Time Extension of Completion Time for Emergency Diesel Generators; Withdrawal of Request.
Plants Transitioning to NFPA 805.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, & 3; Sequoyah, Units 1 & 2, and Watts Bar, Unit 1 - Decommissioning Funding Assurance.
U2
LER 09-002-00 for Browns Ferry, Unit 2 Regarding Leak In An ASME Class I Code Reactor Pressure Boundary Pipe.
U3
Nothing additional
Now for the real stuff!
My best friend told me about the HiWAAY Huntsville Sprint Triathlon in late June. It was a very miniature version of a triathlon but that made it that much more tempting to take part. We ended up participating in it this past weekend (8/15). I would have liked to beat the one hour mark, but this wasn't a bad start. I ended up being 160 out of 449 folks who finished. It was fun to run!
We tried a new recipe for dinner this evening. It was called "Thai Barbecued Salmon".
Thai Barbecued Salmon Recipe | Taste of Home Recipes
Shared via AddThis
Another friend of mine started a Facebook discussion (wishful) about the dinner fairy yesterday. Someone suggested that she order pizza for her family. As I understand it, she did, but she couldn't partake due to a wheat allergy. For those of y'all out there who fight that kind of problem, take a look around for these products...
One last bit of entertainment and food for thought. Check out Beloit College's Mindset List for the Class of 2013.
Peace y'all!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I just have to rave about a new recipe we tried for dinner this evening...
We recently tried quinoa for the first time. The first time we had it, we just boiled it in stock and added a bit of seasoning. It was good but somewhat bland. The second time, I just cooked it in water. After it was ready, I added minced garlic, salt, pepper and a confetti salad mix of radish, broccoli, cauliflower and red cabbage. The second attempt was definitely more flavorful. I did some more digging and found a "Quinoa Pilaf with Pine Nuts" recipe from Food Network. Tonight, we did that up with an old standard and the results were GREAT. I highly recommend the quinoa pilaf! If you're interested in quinoa, a few more recipes can be found here and/or here.
Items about Browns Ferry added to the NRC's ADAMS site last week (8/3/09-8/9/09):
U1 & sitewide
1. FRN: General Notice. Biweekly Notice Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Involving No Significant Hazard Condersidations.
2. Browns Ferry, Sequoyah, Watts Bar, Change to Primary Correspondence Addressee.
3. IR 05000259-09-003, 05000260-09-003 and 05000296-09-003, on 04/01/2009 - 06/30/2009, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 and 3, Maintenance Risk Assessment, Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas, and Event Followup.
4. Ack receipt of 961011 request for approval to change QAP description & informs that based on current review schedule, review will be completed within 60 days.
5. Forwards repts prepared by regions for Employee Concerns Program,per Temporary Instruction 2500/038.
6. Forwards policy endorsed by Commission,establishing expectations for NRC staff & licensee to have open & professional communication,due to alleged inappropriate regulatory actions taken by NRC staff against licensees.
U2 & U3
Nothing additional
Ending on a funny note (not my kitty):
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
Items about Browns Ferry added to the NRC's ADAMS site last week (8/3/09-8/9/09):
U1 & sitewide
1. FRN: General Notice. Biweekly Notice Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Involving No Significant Hazard Condersidations.
2. Browns Ferry, Sequoyah, Watts Bar, Change to Primary Correspondence Addressee.
3. IR 05000259-09-003, 05000260-09-003 and 05000296-09-003, on 04/01/2009 - 06/30/2009, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 and 3, Maintenance Risk Assessment, Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas, and Event Followup.
4. Ack receipt of 961011 request for approval to change QAP description & informs that based on current review schedule, review will be completed within 60 days.
5. Forwards repts prepared by regions for Employee Concerns Program,per Temporary Instruction 2500/038.
6. Forwards policy endorsed by Commission,establishing expectations for NRC staff & licensee to have open & professional communication,due to alleged inappropriate regulatory actions taken by NRC staff against licensees.
U2 & U3
Nothing additional
Ending on a funny note (not my kitty):
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Quickie here....
Just the stuff the NRC put up for Browns Ferry last week (7/26/09 - 8/2/09):
U1 & Sitewide
Analysis of NRR Response to ACRS Memorandum Concerning the Browns Ferry Nuclear Station 105% Power Uprate.
Meeting Minutes of the ACRS Subcommittee on Plant Operation and License Renewal Regarding Browns Ferry Unit 1 Restart and License Renewal Application, September 21, 2005.
U2
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 2 - Request For Withholding Proprietary Information From Public Disclosure (TAC MD5263).
Browns Ferry, Unit 2 - Technical Specifications Change TS-418 - Extended Power Uprate - Unit 2 Steam Dryer Analyses.
CDI Technical Note No. 08-13NP, Rev. 1, "Limit Curve Analysis with ACM Rev. 4 for Power Ascension at Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 2," Enclosure 6.
CDI Report No. 09-13NP, Rev. 0, "Stress Assessment of Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 2 Steam Dryer with Steam Dam, Outer Hood and Tie-Bar Reinforcements," Page 63 through 128, Enclosure 4.
CDI Report No. 09-13NP, Rev. 0, "Stress Assessment of Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 2 Steam Dryer with Steam Dam, Outer Hood and Tie-Bar Reinforcements," Introduction through Page 62, Enclosure 4.
CDI Report No. 08-05NP, Rev. 4, "Acoustic and Low Frequency Hydrodynamic Loads at CLTP Power Level on Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 2 Steam Dryer to 250 Hz," Enclosure 5.
U3
Nothing additional
U1 & Sitewide
Analysis of NRR Response to ACRS Memorandum Concerning the Browns Ferry Nuclear Station 105% Power Uprate.
Meeting Minutes of the ACRS Subcommittee on Plant Operation and License Renewal Regarding Browns Ferry Unit 1 Restart and License Renewal Application, September 21, 2005.
U2
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 2 - Request For Withholding Proprietary Information From Public Disclosure (TAC MD5263).
Browns Ferry, Unit 2 - Technical Specifications Change TS-418 - Extended Power Uprate - Unit 2 Steam Dryer Analyses.
CDI Technical Note No. 08-13NP, Rev. 1, "Limit Curve Analysis with ACM Rev. 4 for Power Ascension at Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 2," Enclosure 6.
CDI Report No. 09-13NP, Rev. 0, "Stress Assessment of Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 2 Steam Dryer with Steam Dam, Outer Hood and Tie-Bar Reinforcements," Page 63 through 128, Enclosure 4.
CDI Report No. 09-13NP, Rev. 0, "Stress Assessment of Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 2 Steam Dryer with Steam Dam, Outer Hood and Tie-Bar Reinforcements," Introduction through Page 62, Enclosure 4.
CDI Report No. 08-05NP, Rev. 4, "Acoustic and Low Frequency Hydrodynamic Loads at CLTP Power Level on Browns Ferry Nuclear Unit 2 Steam Dryer to 250 Hz," Enclosure 5.
U3
Nothing additional
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Navy News Service - Eye on the Fleet
The linked picture of 2 ships side-by-side by itself is pretty run of the mill. However, when you consider the airpower present on the flight deck of the USS George Washington, the old saying 4.5 acres of freedom is reinforced. The higher resolution picture is pretty good!
Navy News Service - Eye on the Fleet
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Navy News Service - Eye on the Fleet
Shared via AddThis
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday was an extraordinarily lazy day for me...
But that's just fine! It all started after getting home from dinner (at Papou's) on Wednesday evening. I had grandiose plans of staying up and running on the treadmill and going to WallyWorld and whatever else would keep me up. For whatever reason, I just couldn't stay up. It probably had a bit to do with the big dinner at Papou's. The last place we had access to good Greek food was in upstate New York. I noticed Papou's last year and we just now got around to trying it. Dinner was going to start out with a couple of orders of tyropita, but they were out. We opted for the spanakopita. Tasty! For the main course, Suzanne ordered tilapia "Papou's style". Here's how the dinner menu describes "Papou's style":
"Oven Baked in Zesty Tomato Sauce, Topped with Feta Cheese"
Very good! I opted for the Papou-tesera (or as the waiter noted, "all four"). I'm a fan of Greek food and I wasn't disappointed with the standard foods (moussaka, dolmades, spanakopita and pastitso) that were included. Yum! The huge bowl of ice cream at my mom's (we stopped by to say hi) probably didn't help much.....
Anyway, after all of that, I couldn't stay up much past midnight. Then 6 AM rolled around and I actually woke up early. That's not normal for me. I was going to go back to sleep for several hours, but didn't end up getting back to sleep until 11 AM because of technology issues. After getting back up around three in the afternoon, I tried to deal with the same techie issues that had perplexed me earlier. Still no luck. Fixing my problem took me dealing with it on and off (interrupted by the treadmill and dinner and laundry) until 9 PM. At least I'm persistent...
I did all of the stuff I meant to do early Thursday morning THIS morning. That included an hour workout, a hot shower, a trip to WallyWorld and one more load of laundry.
Yeah, not necessarily exciting (the food was, try Papou's!), but that's life sometimes.
One thing I heard about that DOES sound interesting is an upcoming series (5) of classes put on by the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Unfortunately, I won't have the time to check this out, but if you're interested and available for five Tuesday nights between September 8th and October 6th, here's where you register. Sounds kinda cool!
"Oven Baked in Zesty Tomato Sauce, Topped with Feta Cheese"
Very good! I opted for the Papou-tesera (or as the waiter noted, "all four"). I'm a fan of Greek food and I wasn't disappointed with the standard foods (moussaka, dolmades, spanakopita and pastitso) that were included. Yum! The huge bowl of ice cream at my mom's (we stopped by to say hi) probably didn't help much.....
Anyway, after all of that, I couldn't stay up much past midnight. Then 6 AM rolled around and I actually woke up early. That's not normal for me. I was going to go back to sleep for several hours, but didn't end up getting back to sleep until 11 AM because of technology issues. After getting back up around three in the afternoon, I tried to deal with the same techie issues that had perplexed me earlier. Still no luck. Fixing my problem took me dealing with it on and off (interrupted by the treadmill and dinner and laundry) until 9 PM. At least I'm persistent...
I did all of the stuff I meant to do early Thursday morning THIS morning. That included an hour workout, a hot shower, a trip to WallyWorld and one more load of laundry.
Yeah, not necessarily exciting (the food was, try Papou's!), but that's life sometimes.
One thing I heard about that DOES sound interesting is an upcoming series (5) of classes put on by the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Unfortunately, I won't have the time to check this out, but if you're interested and available for five Tuesday nights between September 8th and October 6th, here's where you register. Sounds kinda cool!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Plenty of stuff here...
In starting, please feel free to check out my daddy-o's latest opus, entitled "AC, not PC":
Here's what the NRC added to their ADAMS document system about Browns Ferry last week:
U1 & sitewide
1. 08/11/2009 Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 - Notice of Meeting with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) To Discuss Extended Power Uprate.
2. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Post-Exam Comments - No Comments.
3. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam FINAL RO/SRO Answer Keys.
4. Browns Ferry, August 2007-301 Exam Draft RO Written Exam.
5. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Final Simulator Scenarios.
6. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Final JPMS.
7. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Draft Written Outlines & ES-401-6.
8. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam DRAFT Simulator Scenarios.
9. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Draft JPMs.
10. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Administrative Documents.
11. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam DRAFT SRO Written Exam.
Here are the latest CRS reports available from the Federation of American Scientists. Regarding CRS reports, a new Senate resolution has been proposed to create a public access website making most CRS reports available. The resolution was sponsored by Senator Joseph Lieberman and co-sponsored by Senators Susan M. Collins, Russell Feingold, Tom Harkin, Patrick Leahy, Richard Lugar and John McCain. What's the status? The measure was introduced (and referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration) on 4/29/2009. If you are interested in this type of information being made available to the public (your tax money makes these reports possible), consider contacting one (or more) of the Senators on the committee. Here's a list:
Senators Charles E. Schumer, Robert Bennett, Robert C. Byrd, Daniel K. Inouye, Christopher J. Dodd, Dianne Feinstein, Richard J. Durbin, E. Benjamin Nelson, Patty Murray, Mark L. Pryor, Tom Udall, Mark Warner, Mitch McConnell, Thad Cochran, Kay Bailey Hutchison, C. Saxby Chambliss, Lamar Alexander, John Ensign and Pat Roberts.
We were unhappy when Mama Fu's closed its doors in Huntsville last year. It closed with little or no notice or reason given. There's a new restaurant in its place called Mei Wei. Mei Wei has just opened up in the past couple of weeks. The menu is VERY similar to that of the now defunct Mama Fu's. We ate there Saturday night and we'll be going back. I hope that this place can generate the traffic necessary to stay in business. Here's a slideshow of the menu with links to larger images of the menu on Picasa:
Here's what the NRC added to their ADAMS document system about Browns Ferry last week:
U1 & sitewide
1. 08/11/2009 Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 - Notice of Meeting with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) To Discuss Extended Power Uprate.
2. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Post-Exam Comments - No Comments.
3. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam FINAL RO/SRO Answer Keys.
4. Browns Ferry, August 2007-301 Exam Draft RO Written Exam.
5. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Final Simulator Scenarios.
6. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Final JPMS.
7. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Draft Written Outlines & ES-401-6.
8. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam DRAFT Simulator Scenarios.
9. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Draft JPMs.
10. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam Administrative Documents.
11. Browns Ferry August 2007-301 Exam DRAFT SRO Written Exam.
Here are the latest CRS reports available from the Federation of American Scientists. Regarding CRS reports, a new Senate resolution has been proposed to create a public access website making most CRS reports available. The resolution was sponsored by Senator Joseph Lieberman and co-sponsored by Senators Susan M. Collins, Russell Feingold, Tom Harkin, Patrick Leahy, Richard Lugar and John McCain. What's the status? The measure was introduced (and referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration) on 4/29/2009. If you are interested in this type of information being made available to the public (your tax money makes these reports possible), consider contacting one (or more) of the Senators on the committee. Here's a list:
Senators Charles E. Schumer, Robert Bennett, Robert C. Byrd, Daniel K. Inouye, Christopher J. Dodd, Dianne Feinstein, Richard J. Durbin, E. Benjamin Nelson, Patty Murray, Mark L. Pryor, Tom Udall, Mark Warner, Mitch McConnell, Thad Cochran, Kay Bailey Hutchison, C. Saxby Chambliss, Lamar Alexander, John Ensign and Pat Roberts.
We were unhappy when Mama Fu's closed its doors in Huntsville last year. It closed with little or no notice or reason given. There's a new restaurant in its place called Mei Wei. Mei Wei has just opened up in the past couple of weeks. The menu is VERY similar to that of the now defunct Mama Fu's. We ate there Saturday night and we'll be going back. I hope that this place can generate the traffic necessary to stay in business. Here's a slideshow of the menu with links to larger images of the menu on Picasa:
Friday, July 24, 2009
A couple of things...
As usual, the Federation of American Scientists recently posted some new CRS reports. The one that I've found most interesting in July (most are somewhat interesting anyway) is the first one at http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/secrecy/2009/07/070909.html#2. CRS reports are a product of YOUR TAX MONEY, but are often limited in distribution.
Locally, the Tennessee Valley Authority is beginning a study into how best to meet the Valley's future electrical needs. To that end, a series of "scoping meetings" will be held at various venues until August 6. There are four meetings left, so if you are an interested member of the Valley public, check check out one of these meetings.
Locally, the Tennessee Valley Authority is beginning a study into how best to meet the Valley's future electrical needs. To that end, a series of "scoping meetings" will be held at various venues until August 6. There are four meetings left, so if you are an interested member of the Valley public, check check out one of these meetings.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I can't believe I missed the chance last night.....
To give props to NASA for the 40th anniversary of man on the moon. Much of the future regarding manned space flight appears in flux at the moment, but I absolutely believe we'll continue to move forward into space. I truly love the fact that private companies have emerged in the quest to achieve more in space. Check out NASA's subsite for the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon missions.
I missed giving props last night to go see the Huntsville Arts Council's Concert in the Park. Olde Towne Brass and the Huntsville Concert Band did a good job. And I can't fail to mention that the Greek fast food we picked up from Taziki's was great!
Not much else to say, so here's what the NRC added to their ADAMS system about my nuclear plant last week:
U1 & Sitewide
Browns Ferry, Operator Licensing Written Examination Approval 05000259/09-301, 05000260/09-301 and 05000296/09-301.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3, RAI, Request For Supplemental Information Regarding Extension Of Technical Specification Completion Time For Emergency Diesel Generators.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3; Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2; Watts Bar Plant, Unit 1 - Summary of Conference Calls With The Tennessee Valley Authority Regarding Decommission Funding Assurance.
IR 05000259-09-007, 05000260-09-007 and 05000296-09-007; 04/20 - 24/2009; Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 and 3; Focused Fire Protection Baseline Inspection.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1, Request For Additional Information (RAI) For Extended Power Uprate - Round 25.
U2
Browns Ferry, Unit 2, Status of Decommissioning Funding Assurance.
U3
Nothing additional
I missed giving props last night to go see the Huntsville Arts Council's Concert in the Park. Olde Towne Brass and the Huntsville Concert Band did a good job. And I can't fail to mention that the Greek fast food we picked up from Taziki's was great!
Not much else to say, so here's what the NRC added to their ADAMS system about my nuclear plant last week:
U1 & Sitewide
Browns Ferry, Operator Licensing Written Examination Approval 05000259/09-301, 05000260/09-301 and 05000296/09-301.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3, RAI, Request For Supplemental Information Regarding Extension Of Technical Specification Completion Time For Emergency Diesel Generators.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3; Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2; Watts Bar Plant, Unit 1 - Summary of Conference Calls With The Tennessee Valley Authority Regarding Decommission Funding Assurance.
IR 05000259-09-007, 05000260-09-007 and 05000296-09-007; 04/20 - 24/2009; Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 and 3; Focused Fire Protection Baseline Inspection.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1, Request For Additional Information (RAI) For Extended Power Uprate - Round 25.
U2
Browns Ferry, Unit 2, Status of Decommissioning Funding Assurance.
U3
Nothing additional
Monday, July 13, 2009
It's Monday night!
The Huntsville Arts Council's Concert in the Park was pretty good and I had a chance to sweat it up kickin' the hacky sack for well over an hour. The Abstract Band and Toy Shop were good. Next week, it's Olde Towne Brass and the Huntsville Concert Band.
Not a whole lot else, so here's the weekly (and perhaps geeky, in a nuclear sense) roundup of what was put into the NRC's ADAMS system about Browns Ferry last week. Actually, the stuff about the Browns Ferry fire in 1975 is kind of interesting:
U1 & Site
1. CEB-75-12,"Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Units 1 & 2 Approximate Temperature Zones Derived From a Review of Physical Evidence Produced by the March 22, 1975, Fire."
2. "Fire at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant on March 22, 1975."
3. Tennessee Valley Authority - Submittal of Report in Accordance with 10 CFR 26.719 (c)(1) for Drug and Alcohol Testing Errors.
U2&3
4. ACRS Meeting with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, - June 4, 2009, Slides.
Not a whole lot else, so here's the weekly (and perhaps geeky, in a nuclear sense) roundup of what was put into the NRC's ADAMS system about Browns Ferry last week. Actually, the stuff about the Browns Ferry fire in 1975 is kind of interesting:
U1 & Site
1. CEB-75-12,"Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Units 1 & 2 Approximate Temperature Zones Derived From a Review of Physical Evidence Produced by the March 22, 1975, Fire."
2. "Fire at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant on March 22, 1975."
3. Tennessee Valley Authority - Submittal of Report in Accordance with 10 CFR 26.719 (c)(1) for Drug and Alcohol Testing Errors.
U2&3
4. ACRS Meeting with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, - June 4, 2009, Slides.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
These are a few of my favorite things....
• Enjoyed Mongolian grill-style food for a long time now. A new Mongolian grill joint recently opened in Huntsville and it's pretty good: Stir Fry Mongolian Grill
• CHOCOLATE! Found a new one at Wally World made by Chuao Chocolatier: Chuao Chocolate
• Liberty! Ask anyone who knows me and they'll probably tell you that I was not a fan of the last group of people to hold the reins of power in DC. Some things they did were right (in my view) or right-minded but plenty of others were not. Some of the things that Obama and company are currently doing are right or right-minded but, again, some are not. I enjoy reading a lot of the material from cato.org. They discuss plenty of things that seem right to me and do it far more eloquently than I could ever hope to: The Cato Institute
• Funny cats! 'nuff said: ICanHasCheezburger
• Concerts in big Spring Park: Huntsville Arts Council's Conerts in the Park
• CHOCOLATE! Found a new one at Wally World made by Chuao Chocolatier: Chuao Chocolate
• Liberty! Ask anyone who knows me and they'll probably tell you that I was not a fan of the last group of people to hold the reins of power in DC. Some things they did were right (in my view) or right-minded but plenty of others were not. Some of the things that Obama and company are currently doing are right or right-minded but, again, some are not. I enjoy reading a lot of the material from cato.org. They discuss plenty of things that seem right to me and do it far more eloquently than I could ever hope to: The Cato Institute
• Funny cats! 'nuff said: ICanHasCheezburger
• Concerts in big Spring Park: Huntsville Arts Council's Conerts in the Park
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
I'm a little slow this week...
I didn't figure that I had a great deal to say. The following are documents that were added to the NRC's ADAMS system for the week of 6/29/09-7/05/09:
Browns Ferry Unit 1 & site
1. Forwards TVA documents to be released to PDR.
2. Request encl N Markisohn 890821 & J Donohew 891106 ltrs be placed in PDR.
3. Forwards order modifying licenses to require preservation of integrity of original unexpurgated records,prohibiting removal of records & providing NRC access to original records for insp & copying.
4. Notification of rescheduled 860512 meeting w/util in Bethesda,MD to discuss util inspector general interaction w/employee concern program.Meeting rescheduled from morning to afternoon.
5. Notification of 851218 meeting w/TVA in Chattanooga,TN to discuss TVA proposed responses to questions raised by NRC 850917 ltr re 10CFR50.54(f).
6. Forwards transcript of 851212 meeting w/TVA in Bethesda,MD re progress on concerns described in NRC 10CFR50.54(f) ltr.
7. Order modifying licenses to prohibit removal of unexpurgated original records from employee concern program & providing notice of 5 working days before control of unexpurgated records relinquished.
8. Forwards encls to rept to Commission on status of staff actions re TVA.Staff actions will be discussed at next Commission meeting on 860207.
9. Meeting Announcement - Category 2 Public Meeting, 2009 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Initial Examination Development Workshop.
10. Browns Ferry, Initial Exam 2008-302 Post Exam Comments.
11. Letter from F. Godwin, TVA to NRC on Browns Ferry Proposed Request for Exemption from 10 CFR 50, Appendix R. Paragraph lll.G.2, Fire Protection of Safe Shutdown Capacity.
12. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3, Corrections to Amendment Nos. 274, 301, and 260 Regarding Control Rod Notch Test Frequency.
13. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Technical Specifications (TS) Change TS-466-T - Request for One-time Extensions of TS 3.8.1 Condition B Required Action B.4 Completion Time - Emergency Diesel Generators (EDGs) A, B, C, D, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D.
14. Browns Ferry, Initial Exam 2008-302 Final Administrative Documents.
15. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Final Simulator Scenarios.
16. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Final SIM/In-Plant JPMs.
17. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Final Administrative JPMs.
18. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft SRO Written Exam.
19. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft Simulator Scenarios.
20. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft Sim/In-Plant JPMs.
21. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft RO Written Exam.
22. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft Administrative JPMs.
23. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft Administrative Documents.
Browns Ferry Unit 2
10. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Unit 2 - Withdrawal of Relief Request (2-ISI-22) For Repair of Classes 1, 2, and 3 Austenitic Stainless Steel Piping (TAC No. ME1320).
Browns Ferry Unit 3
Nothing additional
Browns Ferry Unit 1 & site
1. Forwards TVA documents to be released to PDR.
2. Request encl N Markisohn 890821 & J Donohew 891106 ltrs be placed in PDR.
3. Forwards order modifying licenses to require preservation of integrity of original unexpurgated records,prohibiting removal of records & providing NRC access to original records for insp & copying.
4. Notification of rescheduled 860512 meeting w/util in Bethesda,MD to discuss util inspector general interaction w/employee concern program.Meeting rescheduled from morning to afternoon.
5. Notification of 851218 meeting w/TVA in Chattanooga,TN to discuss TVA proposed responses to questions raised by NRC 850917 ltr re 10CFR50.54(f).
6. Forwards transcript of 851212 meeting w/TVA in Bethesda,MD re progress on concerns described in NRC 10CFR50.54(f) ltr.
7. Order modifying licenses to prohibit removal of unexpurgated original records from employee concern program & providing notice of 5 working days before control of unexpurgated records relinquished.
8. Forwards encls to rept to Commission on status of staff actions re TVA.Staff actions will be discussed at next Commission meeting on 860207.
9. Meeting Announcement - Category 2 Public Meeting, 2009 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Initial Examination Development Workshop.
10. Browns Ferry, Initial Exam 2008-302 Post Exam Comments.
11. Letter from F. Godwin, TVA to NRC on Browns Ferry Proposed Request for Exemption from 10 CFR 50, Appendix R. Paragraph lll.G.2, Fire Protection of Safe Shutdown Capacity.
12. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3, Corrections to Amendment Nos. 274, 301, and 260 Regarding Control Rod Notch Test Frequency.
13. Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, and 3 - Technical Specifications (TS) Change TS-466-T - Request for One-time Extensions of TS 3.8.1 Condition B Required Action B.4 Completion Time - Emergency Diesel Generators (EDGs) A, B, C, D, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D.
14. Browns Ferry, Initial Exam 2008-302 Final Administrative Documents.
15. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Final Simulator Scenarios.
16. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Final SIM/In-Plant JPMs.
17. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Final Administrative JPMs.
18. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft SRO Written Exam.
19. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft Simulator Scenarios.
20. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft Sim/In-Plant JPMs.
21. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft RO Written Exam.
22. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft Administrative JPMs.
23. Browns Ferry Initial Exam 2008-302 Draft Administrative Documents.
Browns Ferry Unit 2
10. Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Unit 2 - Withdrawal of Relief Request (2-ISI-22) For Repair of Classes 1, 2, and 3 Austenitic Stainless Steel Piping (TAC No. ME1320).
Browns Ferry Unit 3
Nothing additional
Saturday, July 04, 2009
233 years ago.....
we held some truths to be self-evident! As we enjoy the holiday (and I guarantee that I definitely will), let's remember the blood, sweat and tears of those who have helped protect our freedom....
Here's a resource from the Library of Congress with more on the Declaration of Independence.
Happy Independence Day!
Here's a resource from the Library of Congress with more on the Declaration of Independence.
Happy Independence Day!
Friday, July 03, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Happy Iraqi Sovereignty Day...
Let's hope they're ready to take care of business!
Check out the latest edition of Secrecy News from the Federation of American Scientists. If that's not exactly your cup of tea, check out Issue #91 of Improvijazzation Nation.
And last, but not least, here's what the NRC posted about Browns Ferry last week...
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Unit 1 - Status of Decommissioning Funding Assurance.
Notification of Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant - Component Design Bases Inspection - NRC Inspection Report 0500259-09-008, 05000260-09-008, and 05000296-09-008.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Pant - Notification of Triennial Fire Protection Baseline Inspection While Transition to 10 CFR Part 50.48(c) is in Progress (NRC Inspection Report No. 05000259-09-009, 05000260-09-009, and 05000296-09-009.
06/29/2009 Cancellation of Meeting Notice, Meeting with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to Discuss Extended Power Uprate at Browns Ferry.
Browns Ferry, Unit 2 - Core Operating Limits Report (COLR) for Cycle 16 Operation.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 3 - Status of Decommissioning Funding Assurance.
Check out the latest edition of Secrecy News from the Federation of American Scientists. If that's not exactly your cup of tea, check out Issue #91 of Improvijazzation Nation.
And last, but not least, here's what the NRC posted about Browns Ferry last week...
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Unit 1 - Status of Decommissioning Funding Assurance.
Notification of Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant - Component Design Bases Inspection - NRC Inspection Report 0500259-09-008, 05000260-09-008, and 05000296-09-008.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Pant - Notification of Triennial Fire Protection Baseline Inspection While Transition to 10 CFR Part 50.48(c) is in Progress (NRC Inspection Report No. 05000259-09-009, 05000260-09-009, and 05000296-09-009.
06/29/2009 Cancellation of Meeting Notice, Meeting with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to Discuss Extended Power Uprate at Browns Ferry.
Browns Ferry, Unit 2 - Core Operating Limits Report (COLR) for Cycle 16 Operation.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 3 - Status of Decommissioning Funding Assurance.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
If the recent political scandals prove anything...
It's that members of any political party can make mistakes. John Ensign, Slick Willy, John Edwards, Mark Sanford....
Heck, I'm willing to bet that Socialists and Libertarians (and some members of all other parties) can do and have done the same stuff. The errors that folks make don't necessarily negate the views they have. They just prove that we're all human.
Check out the latest CRS reports available from the Federation of American Scientists Secrecy News newsletter. Topics include an analysis of selected Sotomayor opinions, the recent Iranian elections, and the FY2010 appropriations request for homeland security...
Speaking of the Iranian elections...
Much of the coverage we see has a western orientation to it. Unfortunately, it appears that the official mouthpiece of the Iranian state isn't currently serving up an English version. Here's Al Jazeera's Iran section. How about the Mousavi page on Facebook? Or Google's translation of Mousavi's news site? To end the streak, check out Mousavi on Twitter...
In closing, RIP to Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson!
Heck, I'm willing to bet that Socialists and Libertarians (and some members of all other parties) can do and have done the same stuff. The errors that folks make don't necessarily negate the views they have. They just prove that we're all human.
Check out the latest CRS reports available from the Federation of American Scientists Secrecy News newsletter. Topics include an analysis of selected Sotomayor opinions, the recent Iranian elections, and the FY2010 appropriations request for homeland security...
Speaking of the Iranian elections...
Much of the coverage we see has a western orientation to it. Unfortunately, it appears that the official mouthpiece of the Iranian state isn't currently serving up an English version. Here's Al Jazeera's Iran section. How about the Mousavi page on Facebook? Or Google's translation of Mousavi's news site? To end the streak, check out Mousavi on Twitter...
In closing, RIP to Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
This past Monday night...
We tried a new recipe from a Better Homes & Gardens special recipe magazine. Tonight, the wife unit decided to head out with the girls. That left me with the decision of what to make myself for dinner. Having enjoyed the "Greek-style quesadillas" (from the other night), I decided to experiment. I had actually decided what I would make well before I got home from work. Please pardon me for not including all the measurements of ingredients. I am HORRIBLE at measuring when conducting experiments. Here's what I made:
Mediterranean style tuna quesadillas
About 5 tbsp. kalamata olives
1 11 oz. foil package of tuna
3 tbsp. bottled Greek vinaigrette salad dressing
Diced tomatoes (to your taste/visual appeal)
Chopped red onions (to your taste/visual appeal)
3 oz. of Athenos basil & tomato crumbkled feta cheese
Two Toufayan wheat wraps
Olive oil
Combine all ingredients, mix well and marinate for at least one hour. Cover one half of each wrap with the tuna/veggie/dressing mixture. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in skillet (or grill) to about medium. Brush each side of wrap with oil (I used Hain's garlic infused oil). Heat for 6-8 minutes (flipping halfway through) until both sides are browned. Enjoy!
I only made two wraps and I think there's enough filling left for at least eight more. I believe I'll carry some more to work tomorrow or Friday. What would I do different? I'd probably add a bit more feta cheese. I definitely feel I had the wrong ratio of fish to feta. All in all, this experiment turned out to be fairly tasty. I'll be making this again (and maybe I'll measure better)!
In closing, there's some interesting reading below. I've included links to 20 recently added reports from opencrs.com.
Canada-U.S. Relations
Latin America and the Caribbean
U.S.-Iraq Withdrawal/Status of Forces Agreement: Issues for Congressional Oversight
Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options
U.S. Military Stop Loss Program
Ocean Acidification
Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress
Senate Rejections and Committee Votes Other Than to Report Favorably, 1939-2009
State, Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts
Cars and Climate: What Can EPA Do to Control Greenhouse Gases from Mobile Sources?
Tax Credit Bonds: Overview and Analysis
Cuban Migration to the United States: Policy and Trends
Airport Improvement Program (AIP): Reauthorization Issues for Congress
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Updated "Safeguards" and Net Assessments
Oversight and Related Issues Concerning International Security Agreements Concluded by the United States
Access to Broadband Networks: The Net Neutrality Debate
The Role of the Department of Defense During A Flu Pandemic
Military Installation Real Property and Services: Proposed Legislation in the 111th Congress
Greeenhouse Gas Legislation: Summary and Analysis of H.R. 2454 as Reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Military Aircraft, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Program: Background and Issues for Congress
Mediterranean style tuna quesadillas
About 5 tbsp. kalamata olives
1 11 oz. foil package of tuna
3 tbsp. bottled Greek vinaigrette salad dressing
Diced tomatoes (to your taste/visual appeal)
Chopped red onions (to your taste/visual appeal)
3 oz. of Athenos basil & tomato crumbkled feta cheese
Two Toufayan wheat wraps
Olive oil
Combine all ingredients, mix well and marinate for at least one hour. Cover one half of each wrap with the tuna/veggie/dressing mixture. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in skillet (or grill) to about medium. Brush each side of wrap with oil (I used Hain's garlic infused oil). Heat for 6-8 minutes (flipping halfway through) until both sides are browned. Enjoy!
I only made two wraps and I think there's enough filling left for at least eight more. I believe I'll carry some more to work tomorrow or Friday. What would I do different? I'd probably add a bit more feta cheese. I definitely feel I had the wrong ratio of fish to feta. All in all, this experiment turned out to be fairly tasty. I'll be making this again (and maybe I'll measure better)!
In closing, there's some interesting reading below. I've included links to 20 recently added reports from opencrs.com.
Canada-U.S. Relations
Latin America and the Caribbean
U.S.-Iraq Withdrawal/Status of Forces Agreement: Issues for Congressional Oversight
Strategic Arms Control After START: Issues and Options
U.S. Military Stop Loss Program
Ocean Acidification
Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress
Senate Rejections and Committee Votes Other Than to Report Favorably, 1939-2009
State, Foreign Operations Appropriations: A Guide to Component Accounts
Cars and Climate: What Can EPA Do to Control Greenhouse Gases from Mobile Sources?
Tax Credit Bonds: Overview and Analysis
Cuban Migration to the United States: Policy and Trends
Airport Improvement Program (AIP): Reauthorization Issues for Congress
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty: Updated "Safeguards" and Net Assessments
Oversight and Related Issues Concerning International Security Agreements Concluded by the United States
Access to Broadband Networks: The Net Neutrality Debate
The Role of the Department of Defense During A Flu Pandemic
Military Installation Real Property and Services: Proposed Legislation in the 111th Congress
Greeenhouse Gas Legislation: Summary and Analysis of H.R. 2454 as Reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Military Aircraft, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Program: Background and Issues for Congress
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
OK, this morning I tweeted a link to the Campaign for Liberty's petition drive to audit the Federal Reserve...
Here's the petition link and here's the tweet.
You might ask "What's the big deal?" The best explanation I have found so far is the short speech that Ron Paul gave when introducing H.R. 1207 just this past February. I will include the full text and a link to the GPO's pdf file. To read the full text of Dr. Paul's introduction speech (and the rest of this post), click "Read more!" below...
H.R. 1207 introductory remarks made by Dr. Ron Paul on 2-26-09
"THE FEDERAL RESERVE TRANSPARENCY ACT
HON. RON PAUL OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the Federal Reserve Transparency Act. Throughout its nearly 100-year history, the Federal Reserve has presided over the near complete destruction of the United States dollar. Since 1913 the dollar has lost over 95% of its purchasing power, aided and abetted by the Federal Reserve’s loose monetary policy. How long will we as a Congress stand idly by while hard-working Americans see their savings eaten away by inflation? Only big-spending politicians and politically favored bankers benefit from inflation.
Serious discussion of proposals to oversee the Federal Reserve is long overdue. I have been a longtime proponent of more effective oversight and auditing of the Fed, but I was far from the first Congressman to advocate these types of proposals. Esteemed former members of the Banking Committee such as Chairmen Wright Patman and Henry B. Gonzales were outspoken critics of the Fed and its lack of transparency.
Since its inception, the Federal Reserve has always operated in the shadows, without sufficient scrutiny or oversight of its operations. While the conventional excuse is that this is intended to reduce the Fed’s susceptibility to political pressures, the reality is that the Fed acts as a foil for the government. Whenever you question the Fed about the strength of the dollar, they will refer you to the Treasury, and vice versa. The Federal Reserve has, on the one hand, many of the privileges of government agencies, while retaining benefits of private organizations, such as being insulated from Freedom of Information Act requests.
The Federal Reserve can enter into agreements with foreign central banks and foreign governments, and the GAO is prohibited from auditing or even seeing these agreements. Why should a government-established agency, whose police force has federal law enforcement powers, and whose notes have legal tender status in this country, be allowed to enter into agreements with foreign powers and foreign banking institutions with no oversight? Particularly when hundreds of billions of dollars of currency swaps have been announced and implemented, the Fed’s negotiations with the European Central Bank, the Bank of International Settlements, and other institutions should face increased scrutiny, most especially because of their significant effect on foreign policy. If the State Department were able to do this, it would be characterized as a rogue agency and brought to heel, and if a private individual did this he might face prosecution under the Logan Act, yet the Fed avoids both fates.
More importantly, the Fed’s funding facilities and its agreements with the Treasury should be reviewed. The Treasury’s supplementary financing accounts that fund Fed facilities allow the Treasury to funnel money to Wall Street without GAO or Congressional oversight. Additional funding facilities, such as the Primary Dealer Credit Facility and the Term Securities Lending Facility, allow the Fed to keep financial asset prices artificially inflated and subsidize poorly performing financial firms.
The Federal Reserve Transparency Act would eliminate restrictions on GAO audits of the Federal Reserve and open Fed operations to enhanced scrutiny. We hear officials constantly lauding the benefits of transparency and especially bemoaning the opacity of the Fed, its monetary policy, and its funding facilities. By opening all Fed operations to a GAO audit and calling for such an audit to be completed by the end of 2010, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act would achieve much needed transparency of the Federal Reserve. I urge my colleagues to support this bill."
That pretty much sums it up. For more understanding of exactly what the Federal Reserve does, here's the Wikipedia article about the Federal Reserve System and here's a 6 page report from the Congressional Research Service (from 2005) entitled "Structure and Functions of The Federal Reserve System". OK, enough about that. If you feel that this bill has some merit, please sign the petition and contact your Congressman (particularly if they don't support HR 1207).
Want an interesting read? Check out what the Congressional Budget Office had to say about Obama's FY2010 budget just last week. I was never a fan of the last administration, but allowing the public debt (not the total debt) to reach over 80% of GDP (as estimated in the CBO post) is irresponsible.
Last but not least...
What kind of documents regarding my nuclear plant were added to the NRC's website last week?
Browns Ferry Unit 2 - Safety Evaluation For Relief Request 2-ISI-18R1 Associated With Inservice Inspection Examination Coverage.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Unit 2 - Verbal Relief Related to Instrument Line Weld Overlay (TAC No. ME1319) (2-ISI-21).
You might ask "What's the big deal?" The best explanation I have found so far is the short speech that Ron Paul gave when introducing H.R. 1207 just this past February. I will include the full text and a link to the GPO's pdf file. To read the full text of Dr. Paul's introduction speech (and the rest of this post), click "Read more!" below...
H.R. 1207 introductory remarks made by Dr. Ron Paul on 2-26-09
"THE FEDERAL RESERVE TRANSPARENCY ACT
HON. RON PAUL OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the Federal Reserve Transparency Act. Throughout its nearly 100-year history, the Federal Reserve has presided over the near complete destruction of the United States dollar. Since 1913 the dollar has lost over 95% of its purchasing power, aided and abetted by the Federal Reserve’s loose monetary policy. How long will we as a Congress stand idly by while hard-working Americans see their savings eaten away by inflation? Only big-spending politicians and politically favored bankers benefit from inflation.
Serious discussion of proposals to oversee the Federal Reserve is long overdue. I have been a longtime proponent of more effective oversight and auditing of the Fed, but I was far from the first Congressman to advocate these types of proposals. Esteemed former members of the Banking Committee such as Chairmen Wright Patman and Henry B. Gonzales were outspoken critics of the Fed and its lack of transparency.
Since its inception, the Federal Reserve has always operated in the shadows, without sufficient scrutiny or oversight of its operations. While the conventional excuse is that this is intended to reduce the Fed’s susceptibility to political pressures, the reality is that the Fed acts as a foil for the government. Whenever you question the Fed about the strength of the dollar, they will refer you to the Treasury, and vice versa. The Federal Reserve has, on the one hand, many of the privileges of government agencies, while retaining benefits of private organizations, such as being insulated from Freedom of Information Act requests.
The Federal Reserve can enter into agreements with foreign central banks and foreign governments, and the GAO is prohibited from auditing or even seeing these agreements. Why should a government-established agency, whose police force has federal law enforcement powers, and whose notes have legal tender status in this country, be allowed to enter into agreements with foreign powers and foreign banking institutions with no oversight? Particularly when hundreds of billions of dollars of currency swaps have been announced and implemented, the Fed’s negotiations with the European Central Bank, the Bank of International Settlements, and other institutions should face increased scrutiny, most especially because of their significant effect on foreign policy. If the State Department were able to do this, it would be characterized as a rogue agency and brought to heel, and if a private individual did this he might face prosecution under the Logan Act, yet the Fed avoids both fates.
More importantly, the Fed’s funding facilities and its agreements with the Treasury should be reviewed. The Treasury’s supplementary financing accounts that fund Fed facilities allow the Treasury to funnel money to Wall Street without GAO or Congressional oversight. Additional funding facilities, such as the Primary Dealer Credit Facility and the Term Securities Lending Facility, allow the Fed to keep financial asset prices artificially inflated and subsidize poorly performing financial firms.
The Federal Reserve Transparency Act would eliminate restrictions on GAO audits of the Federal Reserve and open Fed operations to enhanced scrutiny. We hear officials constantly lauding the benefits of transparency and especially bemoaning the opacity of the Fed, its monetary policy, and its funding facilities. By opening all Fed operations to a GAO audit and calling for such an audit to be completed by the end of 2010, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act would achieve much needed transparency of the Federal Reserve. I urge my colleagues to support this bill."
That pretty much sums it up. For more understanding of exactly what the Federal Reserve does, here's the Wikipedia article about the Federal Reserve System and here's a 6 page report from the Congressional Research Service (from 2005) entitled "Structure and Functions of The Federal Reserve System". OK, enough about that. If you feel that this bill has some merit, please sign the petition and contact your Congressman (particularly if they don't support HR 1207).
Want an interesting read? Check out what the Congressional Budget Office had to say about Obama's FY2010 budget just last week. I was never a fan of the last administration, but allowing the public debt (not the total debt) to reach over 80% of GDP (as estimated in the CBO post) is irresponsible.
Last but not least...
What kind of documents regarding my nuclear plant were added to the NRC's website last week?
Browns Ferry Unit 2 - Safety Evaluation For Relief Request 2-ISI-18R1 Associated With Inservice Inspection Examination Coverage.
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Unit 2 - Verbal Relief Related to Instrument Line Weld Overlay (TAC No. ME1319) (2-ISI-21).
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