text: Patent ReferencesReinforced carboxy nitrile polymer compositions containing particulate nickel Composition for blowout preventer Ram-type blowout preventer Shaped articles for use in the exploration for and/or production of petroleum and natural gas Fluorinated elastomeric materials Fluorination of articles molded from elastomers Fluorination of articles molded from elastomers Fuel-sorbing device using layered porous silica Resin-reinforced elastomer, process for producing same and pneumatic tire using same Aqueous elastomer coating composition and objects coated with the same InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 12827383 filed on 06/30/2010US Classes:251/1.1BLOW-OUT PREVENTERS (I.E., COOPERATING SEGMENTS OF ANNULUS)ExaminersPrimary: Lipman, BernardAttorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassE21B 33/06DescriptionBACKGROUND1. Technical Field Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate to methods and systems and, more particularly, to mechanisms and techniques for producing fluorinated elastomeric blowout preventer packers that better withstand harshenvironments than existing packers. 2. Discussion of the Background During the past years, with the increase in price of fossil fuels, the interest in developing new wells has dramatically increased. When drilling a well, for example, in oil and gas exploration applications, safety devices are put in place toprevent injury to personnel and damage to environment and/or equipment resulting from unexpected events associated with the drilling activities. Thus, well control is an important aspect of oil and gas exploration. Drilling wells in oil and gas exploration involves penetrating a variety of subsurface geologic structures, or "layers." Occasionally, a wellbore will penetrate a layer having a formation pressure substantially higher than the pressuremaintained in the wellbore. When this occurs, the well is said to have "taken a kick." The pressure increase associated with the kick is generally produced by an influx of formation fluids (which may be a liquid, a gas, or a combination thereof) intothe wellbore. The relatively high pressure kick tends to propagate from a point of entry in the wellbore uphole (from a high pressure region to a low pressure region). If the kick is allowed to reach the surface, drilling fluid, well tools, and otherdrilling structures may be blown out of the wellbore and the integrity of the well may be destroyed with grave consequences for the environment (e.g., uncontrolled oil spills undersea). These "blowouts" may also result in catastrophic destruction of thedrilling equipment (including, for example, the drilling rig) and substantial injury or death of rig personnel. Because of the risk of blowouts, blowout preventers ("BOPs") are typically installed at the surface or on the sea floor in deep water drilling arrangements to effectively seal a wellbore until active measures can be taken to control the kick. BOPs may be activated so that kicks are adequately controlled and "circulated out" of the system. There are several types of BOPs, one common type of which is an annular blowout preventer. Annular BOPs typically includes annular, elastomeric "packing units" that may be activated to encapsulate drillpipe and well tools to completely seal about a wellbore. In situations where no drillpipe or well tools are within the bore of thepacking unit, the packing unit can be compressed to such an extent that the bore is entirely closed, acting as a valve on the wellbore. Typically, packing units are used in the case of sealing about a drillpipe, in which the packing unit can be quicklycompressed, either manually or by machine, to effect a seal about the pipe to prevent a well from blowing out. An example of an annular BOP having a packing unit is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,609,836, ("Knox") and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, the assignee of the present invention. The packing unit includes a plurality of metalinserts embedded in an elastomeric body. Upon compression of the packing unit about a drillpipe, or upon itself, to seal against the wellbore pressure, the elastomeric body is squeezed radially inward, causing the metal inserts to move radially inwardas well. FIG. 1 is an example of a background art annular BOP 101 including a housing 102. The annular BOP 101 has a bore 120 extending therethrough and is disposed about a longitudinal axis 103. A packing unit 105 is disposed within the annular BOP101 about the longitudinal axis 103. The packing unit 105 includes an elastomeric annular body 107. The packing unit 105 includes a bore 111 concentric with the bore 120 of the BOP 101. The annular BOP 101 is actuated by fluid pumped into opening 113 of a piston chamber 112. The fluid applies pressure to a piston 117, which moves the piston 117 upward. As the piston 117 moves upward, the piston 117 translates force to thepacking unit 105 through a wedge face 118. The force translated to the packing unit 105 from the wedge face 118 is directed upward toward a removable head 119 of the annular BOP 101, and inward toward the longitudinal axis 103 of the annular BOP 101. Because the packing unit 105 is retained against the removable head 119 of the annular BOP 101, the packing unit 105 does not displace upward from the force translated to the packing unit 105 from the piston 117. However, the packing unit 105 doesdisplace inward from the translated force, which compresses the packing unit 105 toward the longitudinal axis 103 of the annular BOP 101. In the event a drill pipe 130 is located along the longitudinal axis 103, with sufficient radial compression, thepacking unit 105 will seal about the drill pipe into a "closed position." The open position is shown in FIG. 2 while the closed position is shown in FIG. 3. In the event a drill pipe is not present, the packing unit 105, with sufficient radialcompression, will completely seal the bore 111. An example of the packing unit 105 used in an annular BOP 101 is shown in FIG. 4. As before, the packing unit 105 includes an elastomeric annular body 107 and may include a plurality of metallic inserts 109. The metallic inserts 109 may bedistributed at equal radial distances from each other in the elastomeric annular body 107 of the packing unit 105. The packing unit 105 includes the bore 111. The traditional packing units use for the elastomeric annular body nitrile rubber (NBR), which is the work horse in BOP applications because of its good physicals and oil resistance. However, NBR exhibits accelerated chemical degradation whenexposed to zinc bromide (ZnBr2) fluid, which is a component of the "mud" used in the wells for various purposes. An alternative to NBR is the Fluorocarbon Elastomer (FKM), which has better resistance to chemicals including ZnBr2. However, FKMis not mechanically strong as the NBR and it is also expensive. Another approach to improve the chemical degradation is to surface fluorinate NBR molded BOP parts. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,214,102 and 5,274,049 (the contents of which are included by reference in their entirety herein) describe fluorination ofmolded elastomeric articles for reducing static and dynamic coefficients of friction and improving the wear life of the articles. Specifically, these two documents considered fluorinating elastomers as Kraton, Hytrel and other thermoplastic rubbers (amaterial that have both elastomeric and thermoplastic properties). Along the same lines, a paper entitled "Enhancement of the Chemical Resistance of Nitrile Rubber by Direct Fluorination" published in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 89,pages 971-979 (2003) (the entire content of which is incorporated in its entirety herein), investigates the addition of a fluorination layer on a nitrile rubber to prevent chemicals from penetrating inside the rubber and observing a retardation of lossof the mechanical properties. However, the NBR with the surface fluorination is still not good enough for the present applications, especially that it was observed that cracks appear in the elastomeric material when the fluorination is performed. Accordingly, it would bedesirable to provide systems and methods that avoid the afore-described problems and drawbacks. SUMMARY According to one exemplary embodiment, there is a packer unit to be used in an annular blowout preventer. The packer unit includes an elastomer body including a compound of a carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) base polymer having a polymerchain; and a quantity of fluorine atoms attached to the polymer chain. The compound includes between 50 and 60% XNBR, between 25 to 35% carbon black, and the rest includes other materials, and the quantity of fluorine atoms displaces at least an equalquantity of hydrogen atoms from the polymer chain when the elastomer body is fluorinated. According to another exemplary embodiment, there is an annular blowout preventer to be installed on a well. The annular blowout preventer includes a housing having a bore extending therethrough about a longitudinal axis; a packing unit disposedwithin the housing about the longitudinal axis; and a piston configured to move along the longitudinal axis and to squeeze the packing unit towards the longitudinal axis. The packing unit includes an elastomer body including a compound of a carboxylatednitrile rubber (XNBR) base polymer having a polymer chain, and a quantity of fluorine atoms attached to the polymer chain. The compound includes between 50 and 60% XNBR, between 25 to 35% carbon black, and the rest includes other materials, and thequantity of fluorine atoms displaces at least an equal quantity of hydrogen atoms from the polymer chain when the elastomer body is fluorinated. According to yet another exemplary embodiment, there is a device that includes an elastomer body including a compound of a carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) base polymer having a polymer chain; and a quantity of fluorine atoms attached to thepolymer chain. The compound includes between 50 and 60% XNBR, between 25 to 35% carbon black, and the rest includes other materials, and the quantity of fluorine atoms displaces at least an equal quantity of hydrogen atoms from the polymer chain whenthe elastomer body is fluorinated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, explain these embodiments. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional annular blowout preventer; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a section of a packing unit in an open position in an annular blowout preventer; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a section of a packing unit in a closed position in an annular blowout preventer; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a packing unit; FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate infrared spectrums for un-fluorinated samples of CP-N, CP-X, CP-H and CP-F, respectively, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS. 9-11 illustrate infrared spectrums for fluorinated samples of CP-N, levels L, M, and H respectively, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS. 12-14 illustrate infrared spectrums for fluorinated samples of CP-X, levels L, M, and H respectively, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS. 15-17 illustrate infrared spectrums for fluorinated samples of CP-H, levels L, M, and H respectively, according to exemplary embodiments; FIGS. 18-20 illustrate surfaces of the samples after fluorination according to exemplary embodiments; and FIG. 21 illustrates a distribution of fluorine atoms on a packer unit according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit theinvention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The following embodiments are discussed, for simplicity, with regard to the terminology and structure of annular BOP systems. However, the embodiments to be discussednext are not limited to these systems, but may be applied to other systems that require a certain elastomer with predetermined chemical and mechanical characteristics. Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matterdisclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristicsmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. According to an exemplary embodiment, various potential materials for making an elastomeric body of a packing unit of an annular BOP system have been surface fluorinated and then tested for chemical and mechanical features. The treated materialis compared to a baseline material. The traditional NBR polymeric matrix is used as the baseline material. Also tested is the FKM compound discussed above. Other tested materials are compounds based on the carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) and thehydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR). A brief discussion of the structure of these materials is now provided. NBR is actually a complex family of unsaturated copolymers of acrylonitrile and butadiene. By selecting an elastomer with the appropriate acrylonitrile content in balancewith other properties, the rubber compounder can use NBR in a wide variety of application areas requiring oil, fuel, and chemical resistance. Most NBR manufacturers make at least 20 conventional elastomer variations. NBR producers vary polymerization temperatures to make "hot" and "cold" polymers. Acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene (BD) ratios are varied for specific oil and fuelresistance and low temperature requirements. Specialty NBR polymers which contain a third monomer (e.g., divinyl benzene, methacrylic acid) are also offered. Some NBR elastomers are hydrogenated to reduce the chemical reactivity of the polymerbackbone, improving heat resistance (e.g., HNBR). Each modification determines uniquely different properties. Addition of carboxylic acid groups to the NBR polymer's backbone (XNBR) may alter processing and curing properties. The result is a polymer matrix with increased strength, measured by improved tensile, tear, modulus and abrasion resistance. The negative effects include reduction in compression set, water resistance, resilience and some low-temperature properties. From this description of the NBR, HNBR, and XNBR it is noted that these families include a large number of products having different properties. Thus, finding one or more components that after fluorination exhibit more desirable properties isnot obvious or simply. As zinc bromide brines have been used in some of the drilling muds and completion solutions for increasing fluid densities, the operators of the wells have observed that the traditional nitrile elastomers found in the annular BOPs shows adverseeffects to the zinc bromide fluids. Three BOP nitrile compounds (see Table 1) were fluorinated at three levels, i.e., levels L (low), M (medium), and H (high). The fluorination levels are characterized by, for example, a resultant concentration of fluorine atoms on thefluorinated sample surfaces, in terms of a fluorine/carbon ratio. This ratio may be determined by SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive System). For a set of samples fluorinated at the three levels L, M, and H, the followingratios of fluorine to carbon atoms were determined: 0.10 to 0.18 for level L, 0.18 to 0.26 for level M, and 0.26 to 0.34 for level H. The fluorinated samples were tested side by side with their corresponding un-fluorinated controls and an FKM compound. The fluid compatibility tests were carried out by soaking the samples in ZnBr2 brine as well as diesel at the elevated temperature of 185° F. for a number of days (e.g., seven days) as discussed later. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Base Carbon Compound Polymer Black (%) CP-N NBR 20-40 CP-X XNBR 20-40 CP-H HNBR 20-40 CP-F FKM 15-35 The components of the NBR, XNBR and HNBR compounds were obtained from commercially available production batches. For example, the CP-X component may include the base polymer (XNBR), carbon black, plasticizers, antioxidants, process aids, ZnObased materials, curatives (e.g., sulfur and accelerators), etc. In one exemplary embodiment, a sample of CP-X includes the above noted components in the following quantities: 100, 52, 5, 3, 4.2, 10, and 1.98 respectively. For this sample, the amount ofXNBR has been considered to be 100 and the remaining components are expressed as (mass or weight) percentages relative to the XNBR amount (100). According to another exemplary embodiment, the amount of polymer is between 50 and 60%, the amount of carbonblack is between 25 and 35%, and all the other components account together for the remaining percentage of the sample. In one application, the amount of polymer is 57%, the carbon black is 30% and the other components account for 13%. It is understoodin the following that the CP-X stands for any of the above noted compositions. The samples were compression molded into standard ASTM sheets (6×6×0.08 in) according to ASTM D3182. The cure time and temperature were, e.g., 15 minutes at320° F. The tensile, tear, and swelling samples were cut from the sheets by ASTM dies before fluorination to assure the cutting edges having been fluorinated during soaking tests. Fluorination was conducted under various fluorination conditions,such as time, temperature, and fluorine concentration. Levels L, M and H were applied by Fluoro-Seal Inc. of Houston, Tex. The physical tests such as hardness, tensile and tear were performed on samples of the following states and the percent changeswere determined as described below: Group-1: Un-fluorinated samples (Control or Level-0); Group-2: Fluorinated samples (Level-L, Level-M, and Level-H). Levels-L, -M, and -H correspond to Levels 2, 5, and 9 of Fluoro-Seal. Percent changes of Group-2 over Group-1 were calculated to determine the effect of fluorination on elastomer physicals. Group-3: Fluid soaked samples of "Control" and Levels L, M, and H. The samples of the Group-3 were soaked into the zinc bromide solution as well as the off-road #2 diesel for about 168 hours (7 days) at the elevated temperature of about 185° F. (85° C.). At the end of soaking, the soakedspecimens were removed from the fluids, and the physical tests were carried out on these soaked specimens in ambient following the same procedure as applied on Groups 1 and 2. Percent changes were calculated for the soaked (Group-3) samples over the unsoaked (Groups-1 and -2) samples to determine the fluid compatibility. FKM compound CP-F was tested in original and soaked states. The ASTM standards applied for thephysical tests are listed in Table 2. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Test ASTM # Hardness D 2240 Tensile D 412 Tear D 624 Volume Swell D 471 Anhydrous ZnBr2 and deionized water were obtained from Alfa Aesar Chemical Company. The ZnBr2 brine was made by dissolving 2.2 kg of ZnBr2 into 1.0 liter of deionized water (18.65 pounds ZnBr2 per 1.0 gallon water). FourierTransform Infrared (FTIR) tests (to be discussed later) were carried out using an ATR-FTIR spectrometer. Copies of the spectra are shown in the figures. The surfaces of the high-level fluorinated samples were observed via the Caltex 3D digital videomicroscope system. Table 3 shows the physical properties of un-fluorinated (control) and fluorinated (Levels-L, M and H) CP-N (NBR), CP-X (XNBR) and CP-H (HNBR) compounds. The percent changes of physical properties after fluorination over the original ones areillustrated in this table. The physical properties of FKM compound CP-F are also listed in Table 3 for comparison. The hardness changes after fluorination for CP-N and CP-H are within +/-2 points, which can be considered small. For CP-X, thefluorination of Levels-M and H made the samples softer (changing -5 points) than that of Level-L (-2 point). The losses of tensile and elongation for Level-L samples of CP-N and CP-H are about 30%, which increases to over 50% for Levels-M and H. Inother words, the fluorination of medium and high levels made CP-N and CP-H lose more than half of tensile strength and ultimate elongation. TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Physical properties of un-fluorinated (control) and fluorinated (Levels-L, M & H) NBR, XNBR & HNBR compounds, and FKM compound. Percent changes are based on the un-fluorinated (control) compounds. Percent Change afterCP-N (NBR) CP-X (XNBR) CP-H (HNBR) CP-F Fluorination Control L-L L-M L-H Control L-L L-M L-H Control L-L L-M L-H FKM Tensile (psi) 3675 2479 1201 1068 3291 3234 2765 2872 3519 2321 1588 1368 3526 Change in -33 -67 -71 -2 -16 -13 -34 -55 -61 Tensile (%)Elongation 584 358 221 212 368 419 445 470 708 620 375 347 305 (%) Change in -39 -62 -64 14 21 28 -12 -47 -51 Elong. (%) 100 Modulus 477 544 591 636 921 846 640 648 318 350 390 371 721 (psi) Change in 14 24 33 -8 -31 -30 10 23 17 100 Mod (%) 200 Modulus1173 1295 1157 1054 1844 1677 1259 1268 557 614 761 728 2153 (psi) Change in 10 -1 -10 -9 -32 -31 1 4 3 200 Mod (%) 300 Modulus 2030 2133 2703 2455 1883 1886 912 981 1277 1223 3476 (psi) Change in 5 -9 -30 -30 8 40 34 300 Mod (%) Hardness 80 80 78 78 8583 80 80 75 77 74 73 79 (Shore-A) Change in 0 -2 -2 -2 -5 -5 2 -1 -2 Hardness (Pts.) Tear (lb. in) 346 295 254 208 256 452 383 387 395 333 200 265 176 Change in -15 -27 -40 77 50 51 -16 -49 -33 Tear (%) For CP-X, fluorination decreases tensile strength but increases elongation, while either of these changes is less than 30%. For CP-N and CP-H, fluorination increases their 100 modulus (this is a known test that deforms the sample by 100% of itslength). However, for CP-X, 100 modulus decrease by fluorination, and the reduction is more significant by Levels M and H. The fluorination increases the tear strength for CP-X. For CP-N and CP-H after fluorination, the tear strength decreased. Whencompared with CP-N and CP-H, the effects of fluorination on elastomer physicals for CP-X are more desirable and more positive for potential BOP applications, especially on the ultimate properties like tensile, elongation and tear. Table 4 lists the physical properties of un-fluorinated (control) and fluorinated (levels L, M and H) samples after being soaked in zinc bromide solution for between 100 and 200 hours (e.g., 168 hours at 185° F. (85° C.). Thepercent changes are calculated based on un-soaked data listed in Table 3. FKM data are listed at the very right column of each table for comparison. TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Physical properties of un-fluorinated (control) and fluorinated (levels-L, M & H) NBR, XNBR & HNBR compounds, and FKM compound after soaking in ZnBr2 for 7 days @ 85° C. Percent changes are based on un-soakeddata listed in Table 3. Soaking in ZnBr2 for 7 Days CP-N (NBR) CP-X (XNBR) CP-H (HNBR) CP-F @ 85° C. Control L-L L-M L-H Control L-L L-M L-H Control L-L L-M L-H FKM Tensile (psi) 3404 2404 1074 997 3159 2608 2252 2379 4267 2824 1422 1260 3-568 Change in -7 -3 -11 -7 -4 -19 -19 -17 21 22 -10 -8 1 Tensile (%) Elongation 183 135 131 154 257 242 263 282 342 233 227 267 295 (%) Change in -69 -62 -41 -27 -30 -42 -41 -40 -52 -62 -39 -23 -3 Elong. (%) 100 Modulus 2237 1789 890 758 2013 1131 915884 1351 1175 619 473 703 (psi) Change in 369 229 51 19 119 34 43 36 325 236 59 27 -2 100 Mod (%) 200 Modulus 2852 2226 1805 1772 2934 2396 1264 973 2198 (psi) Change in 55 33 43 40 427 290 66 34 2 200 Mod (%) 300 Modulus 3939 (psi) Change in 332 300 Mod(%) Hardness 91 90 82 80 95 86 84 83 88 86 77 75 81 (Shore-A) Change in 11 10 4 2 10 3 4 3 13 9 3 2 2 Hardness (Pts.) Tear (lb. in) 307 212 144 165 393 240 242 246 356 265 191 186 160 Change in -11 -28 -43 -21 54 -47 -37 -36 -10 -20 -5 -30 -9 Tear (%)Volume 9.35 6.50 1.06 0.08 6.57 2.53 1.87 1.79 17.51 10.83 2.13 0.05 1.02 Change (%) After soaking in the ZnBr2 brine, the hardness of the un-fluorinated nitriles increased 10 points or more. Fluorination of levels L, M and H reduced the hardness Shore-A change of CP-X to 3 or 4 points. The low level fluorination improvedthe hardness retention for CP-N and CP-H slightly. However, the levels M and H reduced the Shore-A changes of CP-N and CP-H to 2 to 4 points. For the un-fluorinated samples (L-0), ZnBr2 brine caused a negligible change on the tensile of CP-N andCP-X, and increased the tensile of CP-H. For all of the three un-fluorinated nitriles, the ZnBr2 brine reduced their elongations and increased their moduli. The retention of tensile, the reduction of elongation and the increase of modulus made the samples more plastic-like, or in other words, reduced their elasticity, which is undesirable. These tension results are consistent with the hardnessresults, that is, ZnBr2 brine aging hardens or stiffens the unfluorinated nitrile samples (NBR, XNBR or HNBR). The loss of elasticity is a major root cause for a nitrile BOP packing unit to fail in zinc bromide environment, especially at elevatedtemperatures. Comparing the elongation after soaking in ZnBr2 brine between un-fluorinated (L-0) and fluorinated (Levels-L, M and H) samples, there is no significant difference. For CP-N and CP-H, the percent change of elongation after ZnBr2soaking reduced with fluorination, because the fluorination had reduced the original elongation, or in other words, had lowered the baselines. The 100% modulus change for un-fluorinated CP-N and CP-H are as high as over 300%. The low level fluorination reduced these changes but they are still over 200%. The medium level fluorination brought these percent changes down to 50% and thehigh level further decreased them to around 20%. The un-fluorinated CP-X has less percent change of modulus than its counterparts of CP-N and CP-H, but it is still as high as over 100%. The fluorination brought these changes to lower than 50%, whilethere is no significant difference among levels L, M, and H. The effects of ZnBr2 soaking on modulus are consistent with those on hardness. As both Shore-A hardness and tensile modulus represent the stiffness, the results in Table 4 indicate that ZnBr2 soaking at the elevated temperature madethe nitriles including NBR, XNBR and HNBR compounds harder or brittle, which is one of the major root causes of BOP elastomer failure in the zinc bromide environment. The surface fluorination improves the nitriles' resistance to zinc bromide brines,especially the capability of keeping their flexibility. The tear strength of the samples was reduced after ZnBr2 soaking. The tear in ZnBr2 is not improved by fluorination. The trend of the reduction in tear strength with increase of fluorination levels for all the three nitriles is verysimilar to that in tensile strength. Table 4 shows the swelling volume changes after ZnBr2 soaking. The fluorination reduced volume swelling for all of the three tested compounds. The reduction of volume swelling improves with the increase offluorination level, especially for CP-N and CP-H. Overall, as shown in Table 4, the ZnBr2 soaking had almost no effect on FKM compound CP-F. The change of any tested physical property for FKM after ZnBr2 soaking is negligible. Table 5 lists the physical properties of un-fluorinated (control) and fluorinated (levels L, M, and H) samples after soaking in #2 diesel for between 100 and 200 hours (e.g., 168 hours at 185° F. (85° C.)). The soaking in dieselis a standard test performed on an elastomer in the oil and gas field. Unlike ZnBr2 hardening of the nitriles, diesel softens the nitriles. While ZnBr2 brine chemically attacks nitriles so that the elastomers are hardened due to oxidation,the diesel is acting more physically like a plasticizer. Thus it is understandable the tensile and tear strengths decreased after diesel soaking and modulus decreased or remained nearly unchanged. Elongation decreased but the loss is not as severe asin ZnBr2. TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Physical properties of un-fluorinated (control) and fluorinated (levels-L, M & H) NBR, XNBR & HNBR compounds, and FKM compound after soaking in diesel for 7 days @ 85° C. Percent changes are based on un-soaked datalisted in Table 3. Soaking in Diesel for 7 Days CP-N (NBR) CP-X (XNBR) CP-H (HNBR) CP-F @ 85° C. Control L-L L-M L-H Control L-L L-M L-H Control L-L L-M L-H FKM Tensile (psi) 3139 1918 763 794 3274 2481 2316 2262 2742 2034 1174 1101 3322 Changein -15 -23 -36 -26 -1 -23 -16 -21 -22 -12 -26 -20 -6 Tensile (%) Elongation 434 269 149 141 304 289 344 360 701 715 329 311 382 (%) Change in -26 -25 -33 -33 -17 -31 -23 -23 -1 15 -12 -10 25 Elong. (%) 100 Modulus 434 492 602 652 910 715 553 492 224 250324 339 496 (psi) Change in -9 -10 2 3 -1 -15 -14 -24 -30 -29 -17 -9 -31 100 Mod (%) 200 Modulus 1220 1363 2062 1644 1299 1182 445 495 679 698 1827 (psi) Change in 4 5 12 -2 3 -7 -20 -19 -11 -4 -15 200 Mod (%) 300 Modulus 2202 2720 2521 2004 1857 762 8241103 1090 2874 (psi) Change in 8 1 3 6 -2 -16 -16 -14 -11 -17 300 Mod (%) Hardness 66 67 69 69 69 75 69 69 65 64 64 66 75 (Shore-A) Change in -14 -13 -9 -9 -16 -8 -11 -11 -10 -13 -10 -7 -4 Hardness (Pts.) Tear (lb.in) 237 172 133 126 210 184 189 196 275226 177 216 147 Change in -32 -42 -48 -39 -18 -59 -51 -49 -30 -32 -12 -18 -16 Tear (%) Volume 14.33 16.10 12.6 10.89 19.13 19.13 20.2 20.44 16.27 16.27 12.48 5.66 2.99 Change (%) Table 5 shows the volume change (%) after diesel soaking. For CP-X, the difference of volume change between the samples with and without fluorination is very small. For CP-N and CP-H, the fluorination of levels M and H significantly decreasedvolume swelling in diesel, which is consistent with the better retention of hardness and modulus. However, this did not translate into the retention of ultimate properties-tensile, elongation and tear. The volume change of CP-F in diesel is 2.99%, which is much lower than the tested nitriles, either un-fluorinated or fluorinated. However, the much less swelling of FKM in diesel does not bring much of benefits to the retention of physicalproperties, although the reduced swelling of FKM in zinc bromide brine does improve its properties. Meanwhile, fluorination of nitriles enhances their resistance to zinc bromide brine but not to diesel. Fluorination of polyolefin such as HDPE containers has been successfully commercialized to enhance their oil/fuel resistance. However, fluorination of nitriles is not able to provide significant improvement on diesel resistance as thecontrolled baselines are un-fluorinated nitriles, which are inherently oil/fuel resistant elastomers. An FTIR analysis has been performed to confirm the presence of flour atoms in the investigated samples. FIGS. 5 through 7 show the FTIR spectra of un-fluorinated CP-N, CP-X and CP-H, respectively. The IR bands in these spectra are typical onesseen in a spectrum of NBR, XNBR or HNBR compounds. For example, band 501 shown in FIG. 5 includes two peaks 500 and 502. These peaks correspond to certain chemical elements and the size of the peak is related to the amount of the corresponding chemicalcomponent. In all of the three spectra in FIGS. 5-7, the 3000-2850 cm-1 double bands are due to C--H bonds. Around 2235 cm-1 is a weak band which is from CN nitrile triple bonds. The bands of 1670-1640 cm-1 indicate the C=C bonds,which are from carbon-carbon double bond residuals of uncross-linked spots. CP-X has a unique band 504 at 1730-1697 cm-1 which is characteristic of its carboxylic groups as CP-X is a XNBR (carboxylated nitrile rubber) compound. FIG. 8 shows the FTIR spectrum of CP-F sample. The strongest and broadest band between 1270 and 1100 cm-1 is assigned to CF2 bonds. The bands between 1470 and 1320 cm-1 are due to CH2 bonds from the (CH2CF.sub.2)section of the FKM backbone. FIGS. 9 through 17 show the FTIR spectra of fluorinated CP-N, CP-X and CP-H, Levels L, M and H, respectively. The presence of C--F bonds is detected on the strong band around 1200 cm-1, which is not seen in FIGS. 5through 7 for un-fluorinated nitriles but is seen in FIG. 8 for FKM. In addition, the bands assigned for CH bonds (3000-2850 cm-1) and C=C bonds (1670-1640 cm-1), which are seen in FIGS. 5 to 7 for the un-fluorinated nitriles, havediminished in FIGS. 9 to 17 for all the fluorinated nitriles. Most likely, during fluorination, CH bonds are substituted by CF bonds, while C=C double bonds are broken and consequently CFCF bonds are formed. The IR bands at 2235 cm-1 (CN nitrile triple bonds) remain in the spectra of most fluorinated nitriles, indicating that at least some of the CN nitrile groups have not been fluorinated. The IR band at 1730-1697 cm-1 (carboxylicgroups) seen in un-fluorinated CP-X (FIG. 6) diminished in fluorinated CP-X (FIGS. 12 to 14), resulting in the carboxylic groups reacting with fluorine during fluorination. Although the exact resultant chemical structure of this reaction is unclearbased on this study, the uniqueness of fluorination of CP-X comparing with CP-N and CP-H is certain. This is consistent with their mechanical and fluid compatibility differences as discussed in the previous sections. In other words, the FTIR results show clearly the presence of fluorine element in all fluorinated nitriles. The FTIR spectrum of a fluorinated NBR, XNBR or HNBR compound is more like that of FKM compound than its un-fluorinated counterpart. The spectra presented here are obtained from an ATR-FTIR testing, which determines the characteristics of sample surface to a depth of a few microns. FTIR confirms that the fluorination has changed the surface of nitrile elastomers (NBR, XNBR and HNBR) into a layer very similar to FKM materials. This fluorinated layer acts as a barrier to block the zinc bromide attack and thus reduces theswelling volume change and enhances the retention of hardness and modulus in zinc bromide brine environments. FIGS. 18 to 20 show optical microscopic pictures of the surfaces of high-level fluorinated CP-N, CP-X and CP-H, respectively, with the amplifier fact of 300×. For NBR compounds, it has been reported that fluorination created small crackson the fluorinated surface. The cracks 180 were observed in the present tests on the surfaces of high level fluorinated CP-N(NBR) and CP-H(HNBR), as shown in FIGS. 18 and 20, respectively. However, there was not any crack seen on the surface ofhigh-level fluorinated CP-X(XNBR) as shown in FIG. 19. The micro-cracks seen in FIGS. 18 and 20 can be a key point to understand the common tensile behaviors of fluorinated CP-N and CP-H, and the unique mechanical performances of fluorinated CP-X. Asdiscussed with reference to Table 3, fluorination substantially reduced the ultimate tension properties, i.e., tensile and elongation, on CP-N and CP-H, but not on CP-X. The lower strengths of fluorinated CP-N and CP-H could result from the surfacemicro-cracks created in fluorination. Under tension stress, the cracks propagate and cause the catastrophic rupture at lower tensile and elongation. Thus, it was discovered that CP-X is an XNBR compound which has unique carboxylic group in its macromolecular chains. The introducing of carboxylic group improves nitrile elastomer's physical properties especially surface wear and abrasionresistance. The present tests show that the XNBR sample of CP-X has strong surface resistance to the chemical etching of fluorination. The smooth surface without micro-cracks as shown in FIG. 19 for high-level fluorinated CP-X is consistent with itsgood retention of toughness, e.g., good retention in tensile and elongation. Based on the above noted tests, it was determined that soaking in zinc bromide brine at elevated temperatures hardens and stiffens nitrile elastomers, including NBR (CP-N), XNBR (CP-X) and HNBR (CP-H). In other words, when exposed to ZnBr2fluids, the nitriles lose flexibility and elasticity, which is the major root cause of BOP elastomer failures in ZnBr2 environments. Fluorination chemically bonds the fluorine element to the surfaces of the nitriles to form a fluorocarbon layer. Thus, the formed fluorocarbon barrier reduces the diffusion of ZnBr2 brine into the nitrile matrix, e.g., reducing ZnBr2 swelling of the nitriles. This fluorocarbon protection layer improves the retention of nitriles' flexibility andelasticity in ZnBr2 exposure, e.g., the retention of their hardness and modulus. Fluorination creates micro-cracks on the surfaces of fluorinated NBR and HNBR samples, which results in lower tensile and elongation. There are no micro-cracks seen on fluorinated XNBR (CP-X) surfaces, attributing to its excellent wearresistance not only to physical abrasion, but also to chemical fluorine etching as found in this experiment, which results in better retention of tensile and elongation. The present finding indicates that the unexpected properties of the XNBR compounds,such as CP-X, may be the first choice to be fluorinated for BOP elastomer applications in zinc bromide environments. For fluorinated NBR and HNBR compounds such as CP-N and CP-H, the micro-cracks created in fluorination result in poor ultimate properties in the tension tests of ASTM dumbbell coupons. If the cracks propagate to initiate failure at lowerpressure or fewer cycles, the application of fluorination on NBR and HNBR would be limited. For the NBR and HNBR compounds, with the increase of fluorination levels, the compatibility with zinc bromide brine is enhanced but the toughness decreases. Anoptional fluorination level for the balance of these properties, i.e., level-M, may be used. According to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 21, a packer unit 200 to be used in an annular blowout preventer includes an elastomer body 105 (only a section of the whole body is shown in the figure) that including the CP-X compound of acarboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) base polymer having a polymer chain. A quantity of fluorine atoms is attached to the polymer chain and this quantity of fluorine atoms is shown as layer 202. It is to be understood that the fluorine atoms, areconnected to the individual atoms (C for example) in the polymer chain. The layer 202 of fluorine atoms may appear as coating the elastomer body 105, e.g., forms an interface between the elastomer body 105 and the ambient. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the quantity of fluorine atoms that attach to the polymer chain displace at least an equal quantity of hydrogen atoms (that are attached to the chain prior to the fluorination) from the polymer chain when the elastomer body is fluorinated. However, the quantity of fluorine atoms may be higher as double bonds between carbon atoms of the chain may be broken during fluorination and the fluorine atoms may attach to these carbon atoms without removing corresponding hydrogen atoms. Althoughthis application has been discussed with regard to a packer unit, it is noted that the fluorinated CP-X compound may be used in other devices used in the oil and gas industry, e.g., top seal, diaphragm, ram BOP, etc. The disclosed exemplary embodiments provide a packer unit and a blowout preventer that better resist to chemical degradation than conventional units. It should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the invention. On thecontrary, the exemplary embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which are included in the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Further, in the detailed description of the exemplaryembodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the claimed invention. However, one skilled in the art would understand that various embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. Although the features and elements of the present exemplary embodiments are described in the embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the embodiments or invarious combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein. This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the same, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scopeof the subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims. Other References


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Good morning. Here's a rundown of the news that's catching our eye this morning, from the London Olympics:
-- The women's eight rowing competition was won by the U.S. team, in an encore of their gold-medal performance in Beijing 2008. The team, which led from the start and stayed ahead of silver medalists Canada at the end, consists of Mary Whipple (coxswain), Caryn Davies, Caroline Lind, Eleanor Logan, Meghan Musnicki, Taylor Ritzel, Esther Lofgren, Susan Francia and Erin Cafaro.
Originally published on Thu August 2, 2012 11:57 am
The best Olympic images of the day include snapshots from swimming, judo, table tennis, fencing, gymnastics, and
Thursday is day seven of the Summer Olympics. Another big moment is on tap for American swimmers Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte. The host country looks to add to its suddenly growing tally of medals. And badminton marches on, its image battered by scandal. Renee Montagne talks to NPR's Tom Goldman about all things Olympics.
In women's archery at the Olympics, a sole American competitor remains. Khatuna Lorig beat many competitors, including the one holding up Bhutan's archery tradition, Sherab Zam. NPR's Mike Pesca reports a Bhutanese tradition may be the reason for its ranking.
New Zealand's Olympians have some extra motivation to win a medal: they are also competing for marmite. The country's only marmite maker was shut down in an earthquake, but one grocery chain found a stash and is awarding the jars to medal-winning athletes.
American swimmer Nathan Adrian's name hasn't been on everyone's mind, the way that Michael Phelps' or Ryan Lochte's has. But he did something that even Lochte couldn't do this week: beat Yannick Agnel in a head-to-head race.
Adrian's time of 47.52 seconds in the men's 100-meter freestyle gave him his first individual gold medal, as he also beat James Magnussen of Australia, who came in second, and Brent Hayden of Canada.
Decorated fencer Mariel Zagunis, who carried the U.S. flag into Olympic Stadium as part of the London 2012 opening ceremony, lost in the bronze medal match in the sabre Wednesday afternoon, falling to Olga Kharlan of Ukraine, 15-10.
The loss means that Zagunis, 27, will leave London without a medal — there is no team sabre medal at this year's Olympics (we'll post more about that situation soon).
U.S. gymnast Danell Leyva has won the bronze medal in the men's all-around competition in London. The gold was taken by Japanese star Kohei Uchimura, while the silver medal went to Marcel Nguyen of Germany.
With a final score of 92.690, Uchimura was nearly 2 points ahead of Leyva, at 90.698. And with his win, Uchimura vanquished the disappointments of his 2008 Beijing, when his struggles on the pommel horse cost him a gold medal.
Not using one's best efforts to win a match. Few Americans know much about the sport of badminton, but that rule will likely be the subject of a lot of discussion over the next few days. Today, badminton officials at the London Olympics disqualified eight players for tanking. Women's doubles teams from South Korea, Indonesia and China drew boos yesterday when it looked like they deliberately lost preliminary matches to engineer more congenial match-ups later in the tournament.
Weighing 400 grams, the Olympic gold medals that are being doled out at the London 2012 Summer Games are the heaviest ever, according to reports. But that doesn't mean they're the most valuable: at an estimated $620.82, they're nearly $590 short of the $1,207.86 value held by a gold medal from the Stockholm Games of 1912.
The discrepancy stems from the fact that the 2012 gold medals contain only 6 grams of gold; the rest is silver and copper. In fact, the London bling contains more copper than gold, which is only used to coat the medals with a plating layer.

subset: commoncrawl


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UTC junior Nick Soto won two matches earlier today and will wrestle in the championship round of 16 as that session starts at 5:45 p.m.
Soto defeated Austin Marsico (Army), 18-2, in the round of 64 and edged Tyler Keselring (Cental Mich.), , 4-0, in the round of 32.
Soto meets Brian Crutchmer (Oklahoma State) in the round of 16.
He is the only Moc wrestler to advance to the championship round of 16.
RESULTS: for all results go to: trackwrestling.com click on browser and tournaments and Scuffle icon is on the left.
Afternoon Consolation Matches:
Other UTC wrestlers are competing this afternoon in consolation matches.
141- Mike Pongracz won his second round consolation match, defeating Quentin Leadbeter (Navy), 3-1.
149 - Shawn Greevy majored Nick Montgomery (Cleveland State), 13-5
157 - Michael Hooker dec. Andrew Romanchik (Unattached, Ohio),5-3
157 - Alex Hudson dec. Nick Hall (Appalachian State), 5-2
165 - Trey Stavrum received a bye and will wrestler during the early evening session
UTC in 3rd Consolations
141 - Mike Pongracz (UTC) major dec. Xaviel Ramos (Duke), 12-3
149 - Shawn Greevy (UTC) dec. Gerald McInty (Air Force), 7-3
149 - Scott Sakaguchi (Oregon State) dec. Austin Sams (UTC)
157 - Tristan Warner (Old Dominion) dec. Michael Hooker (UTC), 4-0
157 - Brandon Kingsley Minnesota) pinned Alex Hudson (UTC), 1:55
165 - Alex Elder (Oregon State) pinned Trey Stavrum (UTC), 2:11
174 - Levi Clemons (UTC) dec. Eric Des Lauriers (Boston U.), 8-1
174 - Johnny Watson (Navy) dec. Barrett Walthall (UTC), 9-2
184 - John Lampe (UTC) dec. Ryan Tompkins (Army), 3-2
184- Devin Hightower (Air Force) major dec. Devaunje Franklin Smith (UTC) , 9-0
Afternoon Consolation Matches 1st and 2nd Rounds:
174 - Levi Clemons dec. Samson Imonode (Army), 7-1
174- Johnny Watson dec. arrett Walthall received a bye
184 -John Lampe dec. Ira Dent (UTC), 8-7
197 - Scottie Boykin tech. fall Cole Breigel (N. Colorado) 16-1
contact B.B Branton at email@example.com
March 9, 2014
Chattanooga women's basketball coach Jim Foster is a win away from making history as the first coach to qualify four teams for the NCAA D-I championship. Playing in this weekend's ... (click for more)
UTC took a big win over Elon (click for more)
CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Chattanooga Mocs softball team capped off the USF Under Armour Showcase in Clearwater, Fla., with a 2-1 win over Toledo Sunday afternoon. The Middle-Tennessee pitching ... (click for more)
Chattanooga women's basketball coach Jim Foster is a win away from making history as the first coach to qualify four teams for the NCAA D-I championship. Playing in this weekend's Southern Conference tournament in Asheville, N.C., The No.1 seeded Lady Mocs take on No.4 Davidson Monday at 5 p.m. (CSS and ESPN3) for the title and an automatic berth in the NCAA ... (click for more)
CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Chattanooga Mocs softball team capped off the USF Under Armour Showcase in Clearwater, Fla., with a 2-1 win over Toledo Sunday afternoon. The Middle-Tennessee pitching duo of junior Taylor Deason (Clarksville, Tenn.) and sophomore Rachel Albritton (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) held the Rockets to just one run and six hits over six innings. The two ... (click for more)
A memorial service will be held Sunday for a man who was robbed and shot in the head on Hooker Road. The service for Warren T. Ransom, 33, will be at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Advantage Funeral and Cremation Services on McCallie Avenue. Survivors include his mother, Edith Ransom; sons, Warren T. Ransom Jr. and Demond Ransom; and brother, Michael Dewayne Ransom Jr. Family ... (click for more)
The Securities and Exchange Commission has obtained a favorable verdict from a jury in the Northern District of Ohio finding that Andrew W. Jacobs of Lancaster, Pa., and his brother Leslie J. Jacobs II of Cleveland, Ohio, committed insider trading in connection with the December 2009 tender offer for Chattem Inc., a Chattanooga.-based distributor of pharmaceutical products. ... (click for more)
I live on Elder Mountain - have for over a decade - we love it - remote but close to all of Chattanooga. Last year at this time we would sit outside and listen to the birds - now we listen to the cannon blasts. Let me report what I think is happening. From our home we have a view of Lookout Valley - several churches, a day care center, the high school, and a lot ... (click for more)
The people who were born and live in the United States of America are accustomed to hearing both sides of an argument and then deciding the outcome, often with a vote. That is the democratic way. But in the last several months our German guests who now graciously operate the Volkswagen assembly plant in Chattanooga seem unable to grasp that wonderful way by which we live. Had ... (click for more)


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A visit to the hamlet of El Portal, just north of the City of Miami, is usually short and sweet, but for a recent Park Patrol column I spent a couple of afternoons there to soak in this village-wide bird sanctuary. After viewing the photos below, view the park review here.
Delicious dish at Miami's newest health center
How often does a Saturday night approach and you think to yourself, "I need to go somewhere for my sanity." The regular options of a mediocre dinner and a horrid movie don't cut it anymore, and you want some more, something with substance.
Enter the Tree of Life Center's dinner parties. The brainchild of yoga teacher Giancarlo Solimano and chef Kurt Schmidt, the new center combines the worlds of yoga and healthy eating into one palate-pleasing package. Along with the yoga studio, the twice monthly dinner parties launched in October.
"A fantastic, relaxing evening," said Lori Coorper-Rider of El Portal about the event on November 23. "It's just like having dinner among friends."
The homey atmosphere stems from sharing dinner in a quiet yoga studio with a small assembly of about 10 people–a very different experience than a typical restaurant. In addition to personal attention from Kurt and Giancarlo, local herbalist Victor Rivera shared his insights into health and displayed natural therapies from around the world.
Personal trainer Adam Wenguer was eating it up. "I've been getting into herbs more, because you're getting the energy frequency from the earth itself," he said. He felt the same way about dinner. "Kurt's food was incredible. It has a different energetic feel. It's like eating knowledge, and it tastes good."
The dinner party's theme was anti-inflammatory foods, and its five courses featured tangy salads and wild-caught salmon. Kurt, a practicing nurse for decades, throws his knowledge of physiology into his cooking. Before dinner,
he explained how inflammation is becoming widely recognized in medical research as the root cause of major diseases such as cancer and diabetes. By consuming anti-inflammatory foods, you reduce your risk for these diseases.
The five course event, including a glass of wine, costs $96. On this evening, the five courses included:
- appetizer of baked pear on arugula salad
- squash soup
- fennel citrus salad with goji berries
- wild salmon with Peruvian potatoes and greens
- dessert of bing cherries in coconut cream sauce
The leisurely event lasted from 7 pm to 10:30 pm. Reservations are required.
The Tree of Life Center is located in the lofts at 8101 Biscayne Boulevard. For details, call 503-705-6095.
Diana Nyad's two nights at sea
"I could see the lights of Key West."
On Labor Day 2013, September 2, Diana Nyad, age 64, walked ashore onto Florida after spending more than 50 hours and two nights swimming under her own power from Cuba. Watch these videos of her triumphant arrival.
She delivered three messages to the world, which I will simplify here:
- Never give up.
- You're never too old.
- It takes a team.
I want to recognize her incredible courage and take a moment, as a swimmer myself, to think about the two nights she spent swimming in the open ocean. In complete darkness. Out there, civilization is gone. There are no lights. There are no landmarks to inspire you and keep you focused in the right direction. It is a place that swallows people in silence, and left alone there, you will die.
But she was not alone, as she pointed out in message number three. She had her team on the kayaks and boats, she had her doctor, coach, navigator, and many other crew members urging her onwards. The team had to keep the water dark to avoid attracting sharks, and Diana wore a red light on her cap to be identified. In the water, Diana was guided by a thin, red strip of LED light trailed underneath her from a mount on the main boat, creating a sort of bioluminescent mermaid's tail, pointing "this way." But little red lights in the middle of the ocean do not keep you safe or alive. Diana had to trust her team completely.
The sun rose after day and night one, and she had not slept. Another day passed as she kept swimming and willing herself forward, and the sun set again. Night number two. She had been awake for a period that would make most mortals delirious–and she had been swimming the entire time. She was entering the darkest night.
I cannot imagine how she felt on that second night. Her body had to be in survival mode from a technical standpoint, but one organ was even stronger than her body. Her mind.
In an interview today with CNN, Nyad said that for the final 15 hours of the swim, she could see lights in the distance. She knew it was Key West, her destination. After many hours of wishing herself towards those lights, there came a much greater light.
On day three, the sun rose.
Can you imagine how beautiful it must have been? Can you see it slowly peeling away the fear of darkness and ushering in the hope of day?
I could go on and on, gushing about the symbolic victory as well as the technical triumph of Diana Nyad's swim. This feat was much, much more than a swimmer's Mount Everest. It was one person's dream that had died, gone into hibernation for more than 30 years, and then arose again. It was a foolish, fool's pursuit of a gold medal in history, in life. It was impossible.
Until now. Diana Nyad proved a lesson that seems to be hitting me over the head lately. Everything is possible.
The Wedding Surprise
How do you explain something that only happens in a movie–when it happens to you?
My family doesn't know. My friends didn't know until they checked Facebook. I'm still in shock. Today is Friday, August 16, and it has become the date of my wedding anniversary. Until about 11 a.m. this morning, I had no idea that I was getting married.
Thank you Yohandre, for giving me this dream. You have been my angel and my rock for the past 18 years, and I would do anything for you.
You didn't care about marriage, so I learned to let go of that idea. Actually I don't care that I got married–I care that I got married to YOU. You are a gift to this world and an unbelievable blessing in my life. In my perfect world, I would clone you 7 billion times and spread you across the planet.
I wanted to marry you so that I could stand up, tall and proud, and tell the world that I love you and that you are an amazing person and that you deserve to be respected and loved. I don't deserve you, but as sung by Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, "somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good."
Yesterday I had no idea that our vacation to Los Angeles would turn into a wedding, that our friend Claudia would turn into a witness, that our plans to have a "nice lunch" would take a detour to the courthouse in East L.A. You got me good.
I got the best surprise I could ever wish for. Everything is possible.
Surfers (and Discovery Channel) cause shark attacks
Let's get real — unlike the Discovery Channel, which just aired a FAKE documentary about a giant, attacking shark (see the fraud skewered by the Daily Show in "Sharks, Lies, and Videotape"). Sharks would starve to death if they depended on eating humans.
The humans most responsible for the increase of reported shark attacks are scientists and surfers — scientists, because they love to count things that were never counted before, and surfers, because they love to swim in torrid waves where sharks are hunting for fish. Put in more diplomatic terms, the authoritative International Shark Attack files states: "The numerical growth in shark interactions does not necessarily mean that there is an increase in the rate of shark attacks; rather, it most likely reflects the ever-increasing amount of time spent in the sea by humans, which increases the opportunities for interaction between the two affected parties."
Party of surfers, perhaps? It continues in its most recent annual report: "Surfers and others participating in board sports (60% of cases: 48 incidents) were most often involved in these incidents in 2012. Less affected recreational user groups included swimmers/waders (22%) and divers (8%). Surfers have been the most-affected user group in recent years, the probable result of the large amount of time spent by these folks engaged in provocative activity (kicking of feet, splashing of hands, and "wipeouts") in areas frequented by sharks, the surf zone."
Across the entire world in 2012, during the billions upon billions of times that people entered the water at the beach, a total of 18 swimmers were bitten. More people were bitten by dogs right now while you are reading this sentence! (And dogs and snakes kill vastly higher numbers, but where is Angry Dog Week? Snake Week?). Of the total 80 attacks worldwide last year, 7 people died. Seven. More people than that died this instant trying to cross the street.
If I were a shark, I would try to kill many, many more people as a Public Service Announcement to GET OUT OF MY BACKYARD.
The fact is that drowning is a huge risk and shark attacks are not. Locals in Miami do not believe me when I tell them that no person has ever been killed by a shark here. Think about it: Miami does not have large waves, therefore it doesn't have many surfers. It certainly has sharks — any part of the ocean does — it just doesn't have as many people doing "wipeouts" in a shark's dining room.
Our friends at the International Shark Attack File in Gainesville don't want to offend surfers, so they call them "Surface Recreationists." But let's get real. If you want to surf, you accept the risk that you are playing in a wild, dangerous environment, where many animals are just trying to survive. If they bite you instead of a fish, it's your fault.
But if you prefer fear over facts, watch the Discovery Channel.
P.S. To reduce your chances of a shark encounter, wear a dark or drab bathing suit. Or swim nude.
Sen. Nelson loses mind on Keystone
Why has Florida's senior senator Bill Nelson, who has a strong pro-environment record, changed his stance this year to favor the Keystone XL pipeline extension?
That mysterious switch is the current focus of a new club that has been meeting at my house, called 350 South Florida, and the group is the subject of my Going Green column this month in the Biscayne Times. In the article, several founding members express reasons for joining this grassroots group to address the climate crisis.
Solving the Sen. Nelson mystery is just the first of many efforts that the group is planning, with the intent to raise awareness locally and solve climate change issues globally. The group formed after an intensive weekend training in Coral Gables provided by 350.org, an international movement founded by Bill McKibben, a leading writer and activist against global warming. Within only a few years of existence, the movement has led some of the most visible and effective demonstrations to address climate change.
Getting back to Sen. Nelson, he was against the Keystone XL pipeline before he was for it, so something or someone influenced him within the past year. Money? Fame? A secret crush on Republicans? As a leading Democrat from a non-oil state–actually an anti-oil drilling state–his position makes little sense, and suspicions grow around such contradictions.
Recent comments from President Obama indicate that he is likely to kill the project. Even if that happens, supporters of the project will need to explain why they want to risk pumping dirty fuel through the heartland so that a port in Texas can send it overseas. The new pipeline from Canada offers very few jobs and benefits for Americans and a very, very high risk to the seven billion people of planet Earth.
Even ghosts struggle in ghetto
Last week I visited a haunted housing project in a lower-income neighborhood of Miami. The strange setting is the subject of August's Park Patrol column, which will be posted within the week at www.biscaynetimes.com. Not technically a park, the private property's managers have pledged not to re-disturb the dead on these two acres of grass (in Miami's concrete jungle, that's a park!).
The forgotten Lemon City Cemetery for black residents of early Miami, many from The Bahamas, was discovered in 2009 when construction began on the property and bones were unearthed. Stop the bulldozer! The discovery led to a historical scavenger hunt, legal battles, and eventually a settlement to reinter the bones and create a memorial to the forgotten dead–not by the city but by the developer. The City of Miami had claimed amnesia about the cemetery's existence. By allowing it to remain private, develop-able property, the city seems to be saying that it could care less.
It reminds me of the ancient Tequesta Indian bones discovered in the downtown financial district of Brickell, discovered in 2005 during a condo's construction, which were reinterred in a small park without the benefit of a plaque (I covered it a few years ago as part of the Miami Circle scandal of unmarked graves). This year a petition has been filed to name the area an official historic park of the city.
Guess what–the Lemon City Cemetery beat them to that punch and got that designation due to the persistence of a community activist (get details in my upcoming article).
It is strange to think that dead people are buried underneath your subsidized housing development or high-class condominium, but they certainly could be. Glossy real estate brochures don't try to sell that feature (inhabited by 23 ghosts!) and it seems that whole cemeteries can be forgotten.
Hardly recognized in life, the poor and landless dead get erased by concrete over their final resting places. Or do they rest? These two examples show that some forgotten spirits keep fighting to live again.


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Downtown Oklahoma City real estate experts say up to three new headquarters may be announced in the near future.
Even without the emergence of new high-rise office towers, downtown's skyline is set to see more low- to mid-rise buildings added in the next couple of years. New hotels include the 11-story Hilton Garden Inn in Bricktown, a six- to eight-story Marriott Springhill Suites at Russell Perry and NE 1 in Deep Deuce, and two more hotels, each six to eight stories high, on the south side of Sheridan Avenue at Byers Avenue. SandRidge Energy will build a five-story amenities building at 120 Robert S. Kerr Ave. and a building up to 14 stories high at Broadway and Robert S. Kerr Ave. A four-story apartment complex is being built at NE 4 and Oklahoma. A convention center will be built, likely two to three stories high, south of Myriad Gardens, and a three-story elementary will be built at Sheridan and Walker Avenues.
Devon Energy Corp. produced more oil than any publicly traded oil company in Oklahoma City last year, according to a review of recent earnings reports.
OIL AND GAS PRICES Oklahoma crude oil prices as of 5 p.m. Friday: Oklahoma Sweet: Sunoco Inc. — $99 Oklahoma Sour: Sunoco Inc. — $87 Oklahoma oil and gas drilling activity posted Feb. 13: COMPLETION Alfalfa: SandRidge Exploration & Production LLC; Patria 2711 No. 3-33H...
Devon Energy Corp. on Friday completed the merger of its midstream assets with Dallas-based Crosstex Energy Inc.
View two 360 panos below of the new Devon Energy Center.
Blog posts about Oklahoma City's changing skyline from Steve Lakcmeyer and OKC Central
Read more OKC Central


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Concordia is a really good school from what I heard. It would be awesome if you can make it in. I never heard of Centre NAD, but wow, only 12 people?! That's crazy.
I don't want to be school-less...
What other places did you apply to?
Maybe getting rejected is the best thing ever. I'm 21. Maybe I should find another way? But I lived with art for so long that I don't know any other way.
I feel like my insides are burning away. Maybe I need some comfort food too.
I don't know my score yet, so I'm not sure about getting an appeal. I don't think that my portfolio was all that good...
Should I try calling the school? Does anyone know if it's open tomorrow?
Well guys, I'm joining the 'refused admit' club :)
The funny thing is, I'm refused in both Illustration AND Animation, which doesn't make sense since I was sure that I could get into...
Sorry to hear about your refusal. Hopefully animation will be good.
Me too.
Yeah, nothing's happening. Maybe this is a good thing? Oh well. Good night everyone.
Alright, go team!
Answer us, Sheridaaaaan!!!!
Then we will stick by and wait!
10 more minutes till the wave starts again.
Hopefully I get something this time. I think I'm the only one here who didn't get the email/anything yet? Or anyone else?
It's not a bad idea. Heard some suggestions from few animation students who made it in. Make a few adjustments and it'll be okay.
Miek, I'm sorry to hear that. You really are a trooper.
I still got nothing from Sheridan. I'm still under consideration. No letters. Nothing. I live far away from Ontario so it might take a while for the letter to come here.
So many guests here...
Still no answer from Sheridan.
Well guys, it looks like the internet attack was global. Also there is such a thing as the cyber-police.
Third time's the charm :D
It makes me nervous to find out now. The average score is 3.12????!!!?!! Seriously how good are those who got in this year lol
Sorry to hear this, guys :(
Miraine is right. If you're still going to fight for animation or illustration, it's still worth a fight.
I'm still Under Consideration from both Animation and...
crashing site
crashing feels
Site is still crashing. Cannot access.
The access sheridan site crashed. They seem to crash at appropriate hours.
edit: Great portfolio, Uptown!
so much feels
i cant take it no more i cant i cant nooooo
Congrats! How did that happen?
Last year, it was 3.06.
This isn't looking good if 3.2 is true.
I doubt that it's that high.
No, it can't be 3.2. That's record breaking high.
I have to say that it's anyone's game. Sheridan judges have different expectations every year. The past portfolios that I looked at which I was sure that they wouldn't get in got in, and some that I...
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The 8 May Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released today reports new details about the swine flu outbreaks in Mexico and the United States, revealing much higher numbers of suspected and confirmed cases than previously reported. Among the highlights: Mexico as of 6 May had nearly 12,000 suspected cases, more than 1000 others confirmed; the United States had more than 600 confirmed and 800 probable, and testing was showing that more than 99% of the probable cases were proving to be positive for the A (H1N1) virus. The two countries show a "similar age distribution" in their cases, and the report notes that "the percentage of patients requiring hospitalization appears to be higher than would be expected during a typical influenza season."
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iMac G4 won't boot from FireWire HDD
The disc needs to a "retail" disc (the type sold separately for PowerPC Macs that can run Tiger), not a disc that came with another Mac model (including Intel Macs). Is the disc, and the source used for the FireWire attempt, a retail Mac OS X installation disc?
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Also, I vaguely recalled a problem with WD external FireWire drives being bootable. I found this...
and it has a LONG list of WD external drives that are NOT bootable over FireWire on PowerPC Macs. So that may or may not be a problem in your situation.
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Yes, the disc is the retail version, I purchased it years ago. The problem is the hard drive, since I found mine (MyBook Home Edition) in the "not be bootable on Power PC based Mac" list that you linked me. :( Thank you so much, now I know what the problem is. But I still need to install Tiger on the iMac. What can I do? I only have Intel Macs so I don't think I can install it on the iMac putting it into Target Disk mode..
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If the reason you cannot install directly using that disc is because the G4 iMac's optical drive is flakey, and you have some other Mac with an optical drive and FireWire, you can try it this way...
Start up the Intel Mac (not the G4 iMac) in FireWire Target Disk Mode
The G4 iMac should be started up normally, connected to the Intel Mac over FireWire. Insert the Tiger disc into the Intel Mac's optical drive. See if it appears on the G4 iMac's Desktop. If it does, see if the G4 iMac can use the Intel iMac's optical drive to run the installation.
NOTE: Depending on the Mac model in FireWire Target Disk Mode, its optical drive is not always accessible in this way to the "host" Mac.
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Yes, I have a MacBookPro with optical drive, but with a FW800 port only. Unfortunately, I don't have a FW400-to-FW800 adapter, I need to buy it. Do you think it will work through the adapter? Or I will have to wait a week or more for my father to come back with my old polycarbonate MacBook. Anyways, thank you very much for your help, you probably solved my problem :)
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It should work through an adapter, or with a cable that has FW800 (9-pin) on one end and FW400 (6-pin) on the other end. Like this one
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Unfortunately, it didn't work :( so the situation now is as follows: I bought a FW400-to-FW800 adapter on eBay, and it perfectly works; my mid-2010 MacBookPro (Snow Leopard) has a perfectly working SuperDrive; I have a copy of Tiger's retail DVD with some scratches and a copy of the same DVD I made from a disk image of Tiger that I made when I bought the disk some years ago.
So I connected the 2 Macs via the FireWire cable+adapter, I booted the MacBook in Target Disk Mode and put the DVD (I tried with both of them) in the SuperDrive, and then turned on the iMac on OS 9.2, but nothing appears on it's desktop. On the System Profiler, in the Devices&Volumes tab, in the FireWire section I only see a kind of code that I also see when there's nothing plugged in. I tried to change FireWire ports but nothing happens, apart from the iMac freezing sometimes. Am I doing something wrong? Or is it the case my MacBook is not suitable to do this job?
Thanks again
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This is what I see in the system profiler with the MacBook connected: [IMG]http://i39.tinypic.com/y2t0z.jpg[/IMG]
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Try it this way. With the installation disc in the MacBook Pro (which is in FireWire Target Disk Mode), connect it to the old iMac while it is powered off. Start it up while holding down the Option key, which should give you the Startup Manager screen
(the screen will look somewhat different on your older iMac)
If the Mac OS installation disk in the MacBook Pro appears on the list of choices, select it and try to continue startup.
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Thank you very much, this solution worked perfectly!! Finally I can use Tiger on my iMac! I could have become crazy without your help!! Thank you soooo much :)
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Excellent! Thanks for reporting back with the outcome.
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Art & Graft: Barclays "Life Skills"
Art & Graft craft a beautifully fluid animation for Barclays "Life Skills."
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Art & Graft craft a beautifully fluid animation for Barclays "Life Skills."
Conor Finnegan's delightful coming of age short dives into the troubled psyche of a bird with a problem of existential proportions: he's afraid to fly. To make matters worse, he's in love with a girl who's headed south for the winter. What to do, what to do.
In addition to an engaging storyline and endearing voice work, the animation technique is notable. Nearly all of the characters, sets and props were practically built. Conor and his team essentially puppeted the characters with rods. The rods were removed in post, and animated limbs were then comped on top of the footage. The result is naturalistic movement, complete with all the charming quirks you get from human-controlled motion.
Sound and music by Echolab.
NYC July Meetup Tuesday July 30th at Sweet and Vicious @ 8pm. Full details.
Stunning art direction in Shinjuku: The Film, an episodic short from the mind of Robert Valley (The Gorillaz and Aeon Flux).
Hat tip to Ash Thorp.
Created by Aaron Stewart with Tim Harrington, Metal Headzzz is a comedy short series animated by Mixtape Club with music and sound design from Huma Huma. Episode 3 literally made me LOL.
Lumbre brands Sol Música Channel with some good traditional animation.
"For me, the commercial space is very much about letting go of all of your vision, I guess, and giving people what they want. And not really, like, being precious about it.
Because it's not cool. Like, whatever you're doing, it's not cool. No matter how cool it is, it's still a commercial, right?"
— David Lewandowski, Wonderland
"Wonderland" looks at the often uncomfortable intersection of art and commerce manifested by commercial production. If you work anywhere near the commercial space, watch this. It's honest and conflicted and — because of that — powerful.
Filmmaker: Terry Rayment
Filmmaker: Hunter Richards
Assistant Editor: Scott Hanson
Additional Photography: Mike Berlucchi


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Long-delayed postcard arrives after 55 years
VIENNA, Va. (WTVR) – A Northern Virginia man finally received a postcard from his then-vacationing mother – only it was 55 years delayed.
WJLA interviewed Scott McMurry about his unusual mail that dates back to 1957. He says she was vacationing in Chicago – and even wrote that he would probably see her before he got the postcard. She was right.
The Postal Service says it does not know how the postcard got delayed for so long.
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Forget the downward-facing dog: How CATS are the original yoga masters
Cats invented the art of yoga, according to one feline expert.
Jeffrey Bussolini, founder of the Center for Feline Studies, told VICE that practicing yoga is a very natural experience for the animals.
In the latest episode of a series about cats, he explains: 'A lot of their movements are basically a form of yoga, because they're very limber.'
Scroll down for video
Downward-facing cat: In the latest episode of a VICE serious about cats, Jeffrey Bussolini, owner of the Center for Feline Studies, says practicing yoga is what cats do best
He continues: 'But then beyond that... they'll join in yoga with us as a kind of intersubjective, communicative experience.'
The video sees him doing a breathing exercise on his yoga mat. 'If we're lucky, Quattrina might hop up here,' he says as he points to his shoulder.
The cat does not take his cue, but she does sit down in front of him for a quick back scratch.
Mr Bussolini - who has lived with cats since he was a child - studies sociology, philosophy and the history of nuclear weapons development.
But because his teacher once told him he needed something 'funnier and more engaging' than nuclear war to occupy his thoughts, he took to studying cats and their behavior.
It comes naturally: 'A lot of their movements are basically a form of yoga, because they're very limber,' the cat expert explains
Doing yoga with his pets is one of the ways he observes their interactions with humans.
According to the New Mexico native, it is very likely that yoga and some forms of martial arts were developed based on careful observation of animal behavior.
'A lot of [cats'] movements are basically a form of yoga, because they're very limber'
'We as humans are formed by our interactions with cats, with dogs, with other kinds of animals,' he explains.
Mr Bussolini first became interested in cat yoga when his pets tried to join him on his exercise mat.
The cats apparently imitated some of the poses and even hopped onto his stomach and back to get involved.
In the video, however, the felines appear nonplussed as he beckons to them to join in.
'They're doing their own thing, I guess,' he says disappointedly.
The episode - which was filmed during the making of Lil Bubz and Friends, VICE's upcoming movie about an internet cat - also features an interview with feline lover Amy Kellner, who invented The Cute Show while working at the magazine.
Animal imitation: According to Mr Bussolini, it is very likely that yoga and some forms of martial arts were developed based on careful observation of animal behavior
The two feline experts discuss possible reasons why cats on the internet are so addictive to watch.
For Ms Kellner, it's due to the happy feeling that cute cat videos induce.
'It really is like a drug,' she says. 'It just makes you feel good. Just give me the cuteness!'
'We as humans are formed by our interactions with cats, with dogs, with other kinds of animals'
But according to Mr Bussolini, our obsession with cats runs much deeper than just a desire to observe the adorable.
His theory is that young animals have certain similarities to young humans, like larger eyes and a rounder facial structure.
Since humans possess 'an evolutionarily-developed capacity to sympathize with and protect young humans,' cute animals trigger the same reaction.
In any case, there's no denying that cats do seem to be taking over the cyber world, one video at a time.
'There's this underground notion that the internet is made of cats,' says Mr Bussolini. 'And that's a fairly persuasive notion.'
VIDEO: Cat yoga with feline experts
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here is another from the mid 90's where I grew up.
Interesting no doubt
Your post is incomplete it appears..
But then I noticed your avatar and mood with location! It all makes sense..!!!
Lesson being: if you see a ufo, don't bother the air force for answers. Even if they know, they won't tell you.
As I was reading this. I called my dad whom use to be based at GPIA greater Pitt. With the 112 fighter wing. I remember he and a former Col. A very close family friend. Telling me of this event as a child. And that jets were scrambled.
At the same time, Cramer and Whinnery, in the police station, heard what they believed to be the voice of a pilot, over the radio. "I'm going down for a closer look. . . . It's about 45 feet across, and it's trailing something "
NEWS MEDIA COMPLICITY AND THE TRUTH EMBARGO, with Terry Hansen
A mesmerizing account of his investigation into whether some of America's most influential news organizations, many having maintained close ties to the U.S. intelligence community, have willingly suppressed full and accurate news coverage of extraterrestrial related phenomena for a variety of "national-security" reasons. Hansen reveals the remarkable and persistent difference in UFO-related news coverage exhibited by local and national news organizations and reviews the history of censorship and propaganda during the twentieth century and the evidence for media-government collusion over the course of the half-century-long UFO controversy.
The Missing Times
I might have to ask some of the long-time locals here if they ever witnessed it themselves that day.
If I recall, and you may have mentioned it already, it inspired the UFO chase scene in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (remember the toll booth scene with "Ohio").
"It went PSSSSSHHEW, straight up; and I mean when it went up, friend, it didn't play no games; it went straight up."
Police Officer Dale Spaur
According to this witness, nearby observers gasped as the object shot through the clouds at high velocity, leaving a clear blue hole in the cloud layer.
link - en.wikipedia.org...
The GUT
Sure venus is "loud" and can appear to move when traveling twisting routes. But the details given by the participants are very consistent and absolutely seem to suggest a lower-flying anomaly with distinguishing characteristics. The humming noise especially of note imo.
The GUT
I also see some intriguing similarities with Cash-Landrum.
Michigan at the Millennium: Crowds turn out to chase UFOs near Milan
After a few days of sighting reports by civilians, on March 17 two Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputies, Sgt. Neil Schneider and Deputy David Fitzpatrick, said they saw three or four red, white and green circular objects oscillating and glowing near Milan about 4 a.m.
They called Willow Run Run Airport officials but radar could not confirm the report.
Two more Washtenaw deputies, Buford Bushroe and John Foster, chased the same types of objects three days later. Livingston and Monroe County residents also reported seeing the objects.
The Detroit News carried the police chase story and a drawing of a quilted football-like UFO with lights, dome and antennae.
When Dexter Patrolman Robert Huniwell saw the object at 9:30 p.m. at Quigly and Brand, Washtenaw County Sheriff Douglas Harvey ordered all available deputies to the scene. Six patrol cars, two men in each, and three detectives converged on the area. They chased the flying object along Island Lake Road without catching it.
have to say the thing that always strikes me with this is the ridicule factor and how many people got put off even reporting their own sightings.
"Behind the scenes, high-ranking Air Force officers are soberly concerned about UFOs. But through official secrecy and ridicule, many citizens are led to believe that unknown flying objects are nonsense."
Former CIA Director, Roscoe Hillenkoetter, public statement, 1960.
Hard to believe how these type of events can force men to have to change their lives.
The County Sheriff of Portage, PA, was even instructed to hide evidence including soil samples of the actual landing site from the officer, the public, and even Project Blue Book.
Condon, a scientist, was in charge of a UFO study conducted by the University of Colorado under the sponsorship of the Air Force. Springs, Colorado, as the site of the next grid point to be dealt with.
"Years later, I learned to my astonishment that he never turned over the case to his staff, and it gathered dust in his personal files," Hall said.
And so when the Air Force turned the Colorado report over to Congress, the Ohio-to-Conway incident wasn't mentioned.
The link I put up is an audio of the local police around the Youngstown area of Ohio. I was living in Charlotte at the time, and the wife and I happen to catch it on a tv program. It has become known as the Trumbull county incident.
Officers described the UFO as a huge, brightly luminescent object, with multicolored pulsating lights, and lit up the sky, and lit up the ground below it in an erie red light, as if it were daylight. According to officers and residents, the object made no noise, and was seen hovering above houses, and disturbingly low to the ground.
Karl 12, Thanks for the post. I am a big fan of this subject.
In the interest of accuracy please note at about 3 minutes into the video the US Air Force Officer is out of uniform.
His decorations are on the wrong side of his uniform.
"During Air Force Major Hector Quintanilla's tenure as Blue Book's director, the flag of the utter nonsense school was flying at its highest on the mast".
Dr J Allen Hynek, Chief Scientific Consultant for Air Force Investigations of UFOs from 1948 until 1969
The UFO Debunkery of Major Hector Quintanilla.


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Check out new images from Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, including stills of Jessica Alba, Mickey Rourke, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.


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Elkay Drinking Fountain, 15.5 GPH Deluxe Non NSF/ANSI 61 Lead Definition Floor - Stainless Steel
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Product Information:The Elkay Deluxe Non NSF/ANSI 61 Lead Definition Floor Cooler, 15.5 GPH - Stainless Steel (EFA16S1Y) is a self-contained, electric refrigerated, floor model water cooler and is a non NSF/ANSI 61 Lead Definition model. Capacity of 50°F drinking water, based upon 80°F inlet water and 90°F ambient. One piece stainless steel top, polished to a uniform Elkay bright luster finish. Exclusive Cascade basin, tested splash-resistant, features multi-level deck design with a built-in vandal-resistant strainer. Non-pressurized tank system is standard and is located after bubbler valve, so that tank is subject to line pressure only when valve button is pressed. Meets UL requirements and all sanitary codes.Additional Information: | |
Features:• No Lead Design-Water system free of lead-containing brass parts• Cascade basin • Flexi-Guard safety bubbler • Non-pressurized cooling tank • Removable front panel | Specifications:• Model: EFA16• Base Rate: 15.5 • Rated Watts: 510 • Full Load Amps: 5.5 • Ship Weight: 87lbs |
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The nation of Israel is constantly fighting international legal and public relations battles.
Twenty-three Regent University law and government students recently participated in a special program in Israel designed to give them an appreciation for the complex realities the Jewish State faces every day.
"We hope the students recognize that everything they hear on the news is not correct," Regent Law Professor Robert Ash told CBN News. "We also have the situation that we want them to understand what's actually going on over here. And we want them to understand the legal aspects of it."
The three-week program included classroom study at Jerusalem's Hebrew University where professors from Regent taught on international law and the doctrine of war.
"You know I couldn't believe - after reflecting on after what we learned - how ignorant I was of where came from, how it became a nation, why it became a nation - the Biblical basis for it as well as the legal basis for it, " law student Ernie Walton said.
"You actually experience what you're reading in the textbooks, and you see the experience not only in the field trips but you see it lived out when you do your tour. And it's not just the holy sites. It's many other things that relate to the culture of Israel," said Dr. Joseph N. Kickasola of Regent's Robertson School of Government
The students visited Sderot, the Israeli border town that has been targeted and struck by thousands of terrorist rockets from the Gaza Strip.
They heard about everyday life is like in the Jewish state from Israelis who are involved in government, politics and legal affairs.
"We've made some wonderful contacts," law student Faith Collins said. "We were able to go and sit in on an Israeli Supreme Court case and were addressed by one of the justices."
After a private briefing at Israel's foreign ministry, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said Israel values Jewish-Christian relations - especially with the students.
"I think it's very important to see that American students, especially from Regent University, who come here and then they can really advocate and really defend what they see here," Ayalon said.
"We really want to develop Christian leaders to go out and change the world," student Lacee Kee Badders said. "And I think that it helps to teach you the foundations of your faith in a way that you really can't understand without coming here and seeing and learning the history that's out there."
Founded in 1978 by Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson, Regent University is one of the nation's academic centers for Christian thought and action, with a multitude of on-campus and online programs available worldwide.
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Paint Abbas into a cornerDan Margalit
People are no longer ashamed to be anti-SemitesElie Wiesel


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Fairmont Acapulco Princess Golf Course
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> Manfrotto 055CX View Carbon Fiber 3-Section Tripod
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This 3-section tripod combines professional performances with essential design. The 100% carbon fiber tubes provide the best rigidity and an extreme light weight. |
centre column rapid Color black background Color column cross section three-faceted column tube diameter 28mm leg angles 23°. 47°. 66°. 89° leg cross section round legs tube diameter 29.2 . 24.8 . 20.4 mm material carbon fiber legs. aluminium column + magnesium. aluminium castings closed length 61.5 cm leg sections 3 number maximum height 177.0 cm maximum height (with centre column down) 136.0 cm minimum height 57.0 cm safety payload 8 kg weight 1.78 kg |


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Stenen Koe (street) in Maastricht Netherlands
xaluanin, CologneCobber, and 6 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Small Streets Collection - From A Central Perspective, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Beautiful street and nice shot