30ish years ago (warning: slightly edgy video, but you have to click play first) and NRC docs for 2/11-2/18/2012....

There were plenty of things for which I had a large margin of improvement. I wasn't really fond of most physical activity and I loved food (plenty of it) and that resulted in a nearly inevitable status of ballooning up...

At 41ish, I am getting better at some of those things. As an example, I'm leaner and meaner (but not really mean) than ever before (post boot camp is a close second). I can run a fair distance and I'm looking to double that by the end of this year. I occasionally partake in some physical challenges of varying degrees of difficulty/silliness and areas of endeavor. Witness last weekend or the time I successfully completed the "gallon challenge". However, one thing I'm still fairly bad at is roller skating. I woke up to do an arm workout with an old high school buddy this morning. After chilling at home for a few hours afterward, I went out for a brief 4.5 miles just to keep the blood pumping. The same high school buddy and his family thought it would be fun to go roller skating in the afternoon. It definitely was, but...

I STILL SUCK AT SKATING!

If I practice, I'm sure I will improve. In the meantime, I had multiple (re)introductions to the floor. At least I'm pretty good at falling and I'm sure I provided some measure of comic relief...

Plus, I still have great taste (I know, totally subjective) in music...

Exhibit 1 - Armin van Buuren presents Gaia - J'ai Envie de Toi



Exhibit 2 (the slightly edgy one) - LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It

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NRC docs for Browns Ferry for the week of 2/11-2/18/2012

1. ML12040A283 - Notification of Potential Part 21 - Failure to Include Seismic Input in Reactor Control Blade Customer Guidance.
2. ML120440372 - Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant - Notification of Licensed Operator Initial Examination 05000259-12-301, 05000260-12-301 and 05000296-12-301.
3. ML12045A063 - IR 05000259-11-005, 05000260-11-005, 05000296-11-005; 10/01/2011 -12/31/2011; Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 and 3; Event Follow-up.

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Now looking forward to some P90X2 Yoga with Ric and Tony Horton in the morning...

Brief weekend recap; Happy Valentine's Day; Obligatory NRC ADAMS stuff from last week

So, I'll start by saying that this past weekend was MOST EXCELLENT! It all started on Friday with a fairly uneventful drive from here to Greensboro, GA. By the time we arrived, it was pretty much time to crash to be ready for what turned out to be the most physically challenging event I have ever particpated in. It was awesome to have someone else out there running. Thanks and congratulations, Shawn. Additionally, it was utterly cool to have someone else who ended up running along most of the course and taking some great pictures along the way (not to mention running in the half marathon the next day). Thanks (and also congrats), Tina. I won't go into too many specifics about how rough the TM course was. One of my biggest challenges was being VERY cold. Example?

Further Saturday Tough Mudder pix from Georgia can be viewed here.

After that was done, it was about noon GA time and we set out for Birmingham, AL. By the time we were all set up in the hotel room, it was dinner time. Tasty food. Beyond that, a few e-mails and it was time to crash again. Another early and colder morning (at least there was no water involved) set the mood for Sunday morning's little 2-2.5 hour romp through Birmingham. The women I was there to run with did a SUPERB job! Personally, I was just happy to have finished. My knee was killing me. Congrats and/or thanks to all parties involved in running/being there (Shawn, Tina, Sarah, Stephanie, Michael)!

After the drive home, I had to drive into Huntsville to meet Suzanne at her parents' house. We had planned to go have a nice dinner (early Valentine's since I have odd hours this week) at Bonefish Grill. Dinner was great and capped off by a serious dessert from their "Specials" menu. CHOCOLATE CREME BRULEE!!! That was truly some excellent dessert.

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Speaking of the above:

Happy Valentine's Day

A special Valentine's shout-out to Suzanne!

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On a drier note, here's what the NRC posted in ADAMS about Browns Ferry the week of 2/4-2/11/2012:

1. ML12037A092 - Public Meeting Summary for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Docket No. 50-259.
2. ML12038A028 - Failure of CRD Collet Retainer Tube/Outer Tube Weld.
3. ML12032A264 - LER 11-008-01 for Browns Ferry, Unit 1, Regarding High Vibrations on High Pressure Coolant Injection Booster Pump Thrust Bearings.
4. ML12032A265 - LER 11-009-01 for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 Regarding As-Found Undervoltage Trip for the Reactor Protection System 1A1 Relay that Did Not Meet Acceptance Criteria During Several Surveillances.
5. ML12032A240 - Notification of Potential Part 21 - 60-Day Interim Report Notification: Failure of CRD Collet Retainer Tube/Outer Tube Weld.

About to embark on one heck of a weekend...

Tough Mudder Georgia Saturday followed by the Mercedes Half Marathon Sunday...

Please wish me luck!

Last weeks additions to ADAMS for Browns Ferry; Bow Wow 5K

Not too much of import added to ADAMS regarding Browns Ferry last week:

1. ML120300351 - Browns Ferry - NRC Generic Fundamentals Examination Results.
2. ML120300576 - Confirmation of Requested Initial Operator License Examinations for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.

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Here are links to the results of the Huntsville Botanical Garden's Bow Wow 5K from 2/4/12. I thought it was kind of funny that they mangled my last name (Mefenlf - probably my bad since I filled out the entry form by hand) and made me 10 years younger...
Overall and By age group

Download 'Live Happenings - Part III' by Dead Can Dance

Top ten legislative items searched on THOMAS, compiled on 1/29/2012 from weekly usage statistics

1. H.R. 3261 - [112th] - Stop Online Piracy Act
2. H.R. 3012 - [112th] - Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act
3. H.R. 1981 - [112th] - Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act of 2011
4. S. 1867 - [112th] - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
5. S. 968 - [112th] - Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011
6. H.R. 1540 - [112th] - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
7. H.R. 1148 - [112th] - Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act
8. H.R. 3630 - [112th] - Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011
9. S. 570 - [112th] - A bill to prohibit the Department of Justice from tracking and cataloguing the purchases of multiple rifles and shotguns
10. H.R. 3699 - [112th] - Research Works Act

via http://thomas.loc.gov/home/topten/topten_20120129.html

NRC ADAMS documents for Browns Ferry 1/21 - 1/28/2012

1. ML12003A081 - Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 3 - Safety Evaluation for Relief Request 3-ISI-25, for the Third 10-Year Inservice Inspection Interval (TAC No. ME5400).
2. ML12018A376 - Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 - Request for Withholding Information From Public Disclosure for AREVA Fuel Transition Documents (TAC No. ME3775)(TS-473).
3. ML12017A161 - Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2 and 3 - Supplement to Technical Specifications Change TS-474-Request to Add a TS 3.7.3, "Control Room Emergency Ventilation (CREV) System," Action to Address Two CREV Subsystems Inoperable Due to...
4. ML12024A499 - IR 05000259-12-010, 05000260-12-010 & 05000296-12-010 and Notice of Violation on 09/23/11, Browns Ferry.
5. ML11241A166 - Tennessee Valley Authority Long-Term Hydrology Issues for Operating Nuclear Plants - Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3; Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2; and Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Unit 1.

Happy birthday Mom!

Happy birthday!

NASA - Day of Remembrance - #NASADayofRemembrace

NASA - Day of Remembrance

Columbia - Husband, McCool, Anderson, Chawla, Brown, Clark, Ramon

Challenger - Scobee, Smith, Resnik, Onizuka, McNair, Jarvis, McAuliffe

Apollo 1 - Grissom, White, Chaffee

State of the Union #SOTU

Whether it's Barack (or W or Slick Willy or George HW or the Actor (RIP), for that matter), a SOTU in an election year is just another stump speech full of grandiose visions without much of a basis in reality...

Top ten legislative items searched on THOMAS, compiled on 1/22/2012 from weekly usage statistics

1. H.R. 3261 - Stop Online Piracy Act
2. S. 968 - Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011
3. H.R. 1981 - Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act of 2011
4. S. 1867 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
5. H.R. 1540 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
6. H.R. 3012 - Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act
7. H.R. 3699 - Research Works Act
8. H.R. 2055 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012
9. H.R. 3630 - Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011
10. S. 1228 - Combating Military Counterfeits Act of 2011

Quick list of weekly NRC stuff for Browns Ferry, gotta get ready for night shift

1. ML120170091 - Press Release-II-12-001: NRC Schedules Meeting Jan. 26 to Discuss Inspection at Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant.
2. ML12017A098 - Annual Letter - Generic Fundamentals Examination (GFE) Section.
3. ML12010A164 - LER 11-001-01 for Browns Ferry, Unit 3, Regarding Loss of Shutdown Cooling (RHR).
4. ML120190050 - Requests verification of RB Pyle & LJ Ellis as attys of record & info re response to admissibility of petitioner late-filed contentions. (from 1981)

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Fortunately, SOPA and PIPA are on hold for right now. I don't engage in the voracious downloading that the RIAA or MPAA seem to have lobbied the sponsor and co-sponsors of these bills to try and put into law. However, I figure with as much as the industry has spent lobbying since pre-DMCA, they could have innovated and embraced technology to make it work more towards their own ends. By the way, here's a SOPA LOLcat...


see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

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Quick political stab here...

Some members of the right seem to be coming out in support of Gingrich although he's had a history of infidelity. I try not to judge much one way or the other, but let's not forget, Gingrich was one of the leaders in the impeachment proceedings against Bill Clinton based, at least in part, on his indiscretions.

Now There’s a Congressional Record App for That

The Congressional Record App is presented by the Library of Congress. It was an initiative of the House leadership under the guidance of the Committee on House Administration.

Visit our blog, In Custodia Legis, for more information on the new iPad app.

While I'm at it, say NO to PIPA! #StopPIPA #PIPA

Please tell your Congress member no to SOPA! #StopSOPA #SOPA

Stop SOPA and PIPA!

If you've checked out Wikipedia today, you have probably seen the blackout page. Wikipedia is not alone in the blackout or opposition to SOPA/PIPA. Here's the info page on why Wikipedia chose to engage in the black-out. Wikipedia and other sites have great write-ups on why SOPA/PIPA are so potentially harmful, so I don't need to bother writing why these pieces of legislation are CRAP!

Thought about running a 5K or a 10K but not sure how to start?

The Fleet Feet Huntsville's Next Steps 10K training program starts March 7. The training actually begins the week after and aims to have you ready for the Cotton Row 10K at the end of May. As described on the page where you sign up, the Next Steps training runs start at three miles. If you're not ready for that, check out the No Boundaries Program. This one aims to have you ready for a 5K. There are multiple events and available times associated with the No Boundaries program, so check it out...

Oops for teacher; "Bad foreign policy"; Gov spending; NRC stuff; A little fun...

First, just a quick story of silliness. I'm glad this teacher is no longer responsible for molding young minds.

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Now, further consideration of "dangerous foreign policy"...

I've said it here before and I'll probably say it again. I've heard multiple parties talk about Ron Paul and his "dangerous foreign policy" and I often disagree. I find it slightly disturbing that many of the current breed of Republicans either forget or are willing to look past a couple of things that happened during the Reagan era. The "State Sponsors of Terrorism" list began in December of 1979. Iraq was one of the inaugural states on that list. Several years later, Iraq was removed to make it eligible for US military technology. The same "devil in charge" when the list began was still in charge. The only difference? Iraq was in the midst of a war with those wascally Iwanians. OK, so we armed one dangerous party that presumably hadn't changed its MO very much. Cut to the mid-80s. I won't rehash the gory details. I'll just say two words and give a brief synopsis. First, the two words: Iran-Contra

Synopsis: Boland amendment said that we couldn't make funds for the Contras. Iran went on the "State Sponsors of Terrorism" list in 1984. Someone in the Reagan administration (presumably Bill Casey, then head of the CIA) comes up with the bright idea of sending arms to Iran via an intermediary and using the proceeds of the sales to fund the Contras. Ironically, the intermediary was Israel.

Personally, I find it more dangerous (to our national interest and frankly, that of Israel) that we armed two of the most dangerous countries in that region of the world just because both were problematic but killing each other and that one of the parties involved is still a serious problem for the region and the world and, if all the hype is to be believed, on the verge of attaining nuclear weapons.

On a tangent, but still applicable, there was much fear of what would happen back in the mid-90s when India and Pakistan proved they were nuclear states. We're still here...

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Now a little about government spending...

One, if not more, of our local media outlets ran the story a couple of days ago about a recent study that claims to show that smoking marijuana is not as bad for your lungs as smoking cigarettes. That got me wondering how much taxpayer money was used. Details?

Another interesting .gov website I found while running through various information outlets. http://www.usaspending.gov/ Note: Not currently loading as of 2119 1/14/12

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NRC items for Browns Ferry 1/7 - 1/14/12

1. ML11363A057 - LER 11-003-01 for Browns Ferry, Unit 1, Regarding Loss of Safety Function (SDC) Resulting from Emergency Diesel Generator Output Breaker Trip.
2. ML12009A148 - IR 05000259-11-501, 05000260-11-501 and 05000296-11-501, on 12/05/2011 - 12/09/2011, for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3, Exercise and Baseline Inspection.
3. ML11171A209 - Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 Revision to Response to NRC Request for Additional Information Regarding Extending Completion Times for Technical Specification 3.8.1, TS-468.

Reminder for anyone who might be interested, the NRC is having a public meeting at Browns Ferry on 1/26/12.

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see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Defender

NRC docs for Browns Ferry 12/31/11 - 1/7/12; Viva socialism; SR Butler Winter Homecoming 2012

1. ML11355A075 - 2011/12/20 NRR E-mail Capture - FW: TS-474 CREVS LAR (TAC No. ME4668)
2. ML11362A379 - Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2 and 3 - Response to an Apparent Violation in Inspections Report 05000259-11-011, 05000260-11-011, 05000296-11-011; EA-11-252.
3. ML11362A394 - Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2, & 3, Revision to Follow-Up Letter to 10 CFR 50.9, "Completeness and Accuracy of Information," Notification.
4. ML11362A380 - Browns Ferry, Units 1, 2 & 3 - Schedule for Supplement to Technical Specification Change TS-474.
5. ML12005A205 - 01/26/2012-Notice of Category One Public Meeting - Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, to Discuss Results of Second Phase of NRC Supplemental Inspections performed in Accordance with Inspection Procedure 95003.

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I popped this up on my Facebook wall earlier today. I figured I'd post it here just because it's so disgusting...

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Any of you SR Butler grads who haven't seen it on Facebook

Winter Homecoming 2012 - http://www.facebook.com/events/336103536408547/

Description: As part of the continuing celebration of 60 Years of Class at Butler High, the S. R. Butler High School Alumni Association partners with S. R. Butler High in hosting a winter homecoming for Butler High Alumni. The day of events include Alumni gathering for a Butler Rebel Basketball game and Fifth Period Social. The Alumni Pep Band will perform and Special Alumni will be recognized. Please set aside the evening in your calendar and stay posted for details. GO REBELS!!

Unfortunately, that's a hella run weekend for me! I can't go, but any Butler alumni reading this (who haven't seen it on Facebook) should check this event out...