Hello All;

Here's an update from Sunny (well, not so much) California. Basically things have settled down a little here at Boeing, but myself and my venerable companions are still reaping the benefits of being around very smart, successful people.

This week we worked more on our Android Apps, trying to create an autonomous umbrella program in SOSCOE so that it would be a lot easier to add more simple reports like Medevac and CBRN for future programmers. We also are adding a feature through SOSCOE's TIN (Task Integration Network) so that our App's reports directly connect to the FBCB2. The program's GUI's for the Medevac and CBRN reports pop up all filled up automatically with the data inputted from the phone. All of that logic flow is coordinated through TIN, so that the operator can send out the information quickly, without the middle steps. We are close to finishing, more on that later!

Yesterday, we visited the Maritime branch of Boeing to take a tour of the facility and see their robotics program. When we arrived (after a sticky-palmed, intense, action-packed drive on the interstate where a rule-abiding driver of one vehicle (Me) tried to follow a slightly crazed, NASCAR hopeful (Maj. M) on the new i-phone 4 GPS) it was almost 1500 already. We were told that the tour could go no later than 1700 - Something about a previously promised office morale meeting over margaritas.. the EECS dept should take notes...-so we got started right away. In the conference room the Director Tom Jones, and the Deputy Director Dan Tubbs walked us through the history and legacy of the Maritime program. What was really funny was the fact that the whole thing looked and sounded like Swiss Cheese. It was something like this :

 1965: New underwater autonomous vehicle, 1971: Blank- Secret Program, 1980: Sonar testing, 1983: Secret Project etc.

But what they could tell us was fascinating. The advanced technologies of underwater imaging + computer coding + basically AI learning technology + fluid dynamics + Deep Water pressure and temperature specifications+ fuel cell advanced energy storage + antennas that interpret almost every kind of radio wave known to man = the Echo Ranger. Their premier UUV and the pride and joy of the dept. We got to see it, and touch it, but it was a no-play zone. The facility had its own pool (for those geeks out there: The pool was created in a hyperbolic shape for the testing of sonar) in a building that is rated for Top Secret projects (security-wise). There was even a pontoon boat. That concluded our tour, but we were told that the Maritime ISR dept. were interested in working with and supporting cadets interested in these types of robots. HEEELLLLOOOO multi-major capstone project?

As always I try and garner little tidbits of philosophy, so here are some of my life lessons I learned this week:

1.  The badge office will always, always get your badge wrong- its the black hole of Murphy's Law.
2. Always walk up the stairs last- that way when you inevitably trip no one will see
3. Never go grocery shopping when you are hungry and only have a mini-fridge
4. If its important, your computer will die and you will lose it, so save every three minutes.

Some additional comments that don't fit in above:

• The Angels beat the Rangers in baseball, ironically their entire batting line-up's average was at least .100 below the Rangers. (We sat right above the Dugout, my first MLB Game!!!)
• My computer is swelling, literally. The plastic around the monitor is bowing and the keyboard has a small hill in the center. It is a conundrum.