30 years and a brand new beginning.

Recently the news has been flooded with articles describing the death of NASA and the United States domination of human space flight. It's true that the iconic symbol of America's triumph over much of the world is being retired after 30 years of service but I don't think it should be considered the end of an era. While at work I have a lot of down time between calls that can be filled with random web surfing or some actual reading. I have found that it's about 50/50 regarding the recent events with NASA. Half are upset and angry exclaiming that this is the end and that no longer will the US lead the world in human exploration of outer space while the other half accept the end of this three decade long journey but see it as a wonderful opportunity. I tend to agree with the latter.

I read an article this morning that expressed appreciation for the shuttle program but was elated to see it end. I hadn't really thought about this side of the argument but it really makes sense. My parent's generation remembers the excitement and proud moments of witnessing the achievement of sending a human being to the moon. For the first time in the history of the world mankind had visited another celestial body. It was captivating and brought forth a new era of dreamers and greater interest in the cosmos. In the late '70s the shuttle program inspired new confidence and solidified the United States' place as leader of the world in human spaceflight. The idea of building a machine that could be launched into space, recovered and reused was extraordinary. I know that shuttle inspired myself to study mechanical engineering with a devout focus on updating and expanding space technology and I know I am not alone in this endeavour. 

Despite all the good that the shuttle has done for our country and the rest of the world we cannot deny that it had become rather routine to see a few well trained people strapped to 1.6 million pounds of rocket fuel escape the gripping force of gravity and leave the planet. We have become so jaded to the complete process and no longer appreciate what is actually happening. I myself admit that this had become so commonplace that I never made an effort to at least follow the mission or the launch until recently. I would, of course, hear of a shuttle launch and have a slight desire to see it on TV but nothing ever so pressing as nearly willing to dump several hundred dollars on a ticket to Florida to see one of the two last launches this year. It's only after something so amazing and familiar is threatened to come to a close when we renew our interest and try to hold onto it. But perhaps it's time to let it go? The space shuttle had become a bus or a delivery van supplying the ISS with necessities and new technology. I think that it's lackluster purpose really falls in the shadows of the former Apollo missions. Is it time to leave the mundane operations of supplying the International Space Station to other countries or even better, the private sector.

Doesn't it seem more productive to give NASA the mission of exploring new technologies and reaching further out into the stars and leave basic logistics to a collaborating outside company? With NASA focused on bigger projects like putting up a brand new space telescope that would effectively put the Hubble to shame or solidifying and enacting a mission to put humans on a distant world. Discoveries made with new technology would bring back that feeling of excitement and pride that my parents felt watching the moon landings. It would give yet another generation of young children something to aspire to. Perhaps my future children and I will have the opportunity to sit together and watch a fellow human being make the first steps on Mars.

Update and New Blog

Hello! Just a quick update before programming class. I found out there was already a company named EON Industries so I had to change the name, no problem check out http://eoniindustries.blogspot.com/ for posts directly related with the company. I put up some info regarding the name and will post the rest of the pictures of the final project later tonight.

Well, school has stared once again. This semester is going to be a little less stressful than the last but it'll still be pretty difficult. I've got either my last or second to last Japanese class before my minor is finished. Calculus..the never ending math classes. A programming class and another engineering class fill my schedule. I'm also in the process of trying to get a work-study job, we'll see how that pans out. I'm also going to be starting the p90x program shortly. I'm a little nervous about it, but I think that it'll take something pretty intense to get me to change habits and the way I'm living now. Wish me luck and endurance! Class is going to start shortly so I'll continue later!

Okay so programming class is over. There's not a whole lot else that's different or new for me...although my brother is currently serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He's doing great and loving Arizona. I miss him lots but know that he's doing so much good. My room mate may be leaving next school year which is a little scary of an idea. I'm not sure what I'll do for somewhere to live because right now there's no way I can afford entire rent for this place. Something to think about I guess. I think it'd be a great experience for him and I'm sure he'll have a lot of fun where he's going!

I've been considering saving money so that when I finish my current degree I can take a little bit of a break and go to a design school in Singapore. I've always enjoyed drawing and coming up with new designs, characters and environments. I did recently get a Wacom tablet to facilitate my drawing and painting projects. When I get some ones finished I'll post them here.

EON Industries Part One

Hey, so it's been a while for sure. I may post something later that is for updates to life. Today I wanted to show the projects I've been working on.

The first thing: I wanted to create a company that I could base a lot of my projects out of, so... I think I finally narrowed down EON Industries (c). I'll just split different divisions as I go. This first project I was asked to complete for a local haunt for Halloween and is part of my Tech Div. I was brought in to assist mostly with construction and electrical work plus lighting and effects advisory.

The project was to design and build a control box that would house all the switches and dials and do-dads to control effects and lights. So...I present to you my project titled "Switch-IE".

I know...awesome comforter :P

So this first picture if just of the basic frame for the top panel which I had already constructed. This one was a huge pain because the gang boxes were so close to each other which made the center brace difficult to place...

The one to the right is the front panel attached and the back one up in the background. As is visible, I did wire one switch up to 1st switch gang and used 12ga....turns out it's incredibly difficult to mold to where you want it.

This one...yeah it's coming together. Got the back panel attached, guess what's next?!

I chose to go with 14ga because it's still to code and will also bend and mold to where I want it to go. Putting all the switches in was a breeze.

Here's all the outlet gangs wired up. Each, aside from power in (at far left), are separate and are controlled by a single switch on front panel

Here's the inner guts of the project as it looks now. I should have the dimmer switches tonight so I can wire those guys up. Also, I need two more terminal blocks for common and possibly another for "hot." The current block may be a little overloaded.

If all goes well, I should be able to test it come Thursday this week. If things test well, then comes the awesome paint job I've envisioned. I'll throw some more info up this weekend. Ja ne!

All pictures are Copyright (c) 2010 and property of Myka Rangel

Finally some pictures from the wreck!

So it took me a little while to actually get these pictures up... I didn't want to put them up on facebook because that would just be a little weird! Anywho, here they are!

John and I in the waiting room (Seth has camera)

It had been a few hours so the bandage was stuck to my arm...
A little saline will do the trick!
Ta-da!Cleaning it upWhat a buddy!Up close...ER doctor numbing up my armOh yeah...the inside of my flesh!

So there ya go, everything's all healed up now in an awesome scar!
Bone is also healing up quite well.

Updates and random statements...

As I'm quite new to this whole idea of having a "blog" or space where I can rant about random things... I'm not sure what will be said here for a little while.

Moving out is quite an adventure. I never really understood or had a good idea of what it was going to be like to move out and move away from my family. Needless to say I was quite taken back when it all came down to it. Moving really just came out of nowhere and hit me pretty fast to force me to choose. I was presented with an opportunity I could not really refuse. I have so many good friends here in Pocatello and one very kind and generous one offered to let me live in his grandparents house with him. Seeing as how it was free rent and a place to stay... I took it up! I'll always be very appreciative of John and his generosity for allowing me to stay there. Recently I moved into an apartment with a friend and boy do things just keep getting weirder for me. So many things have been running through my mind in the past little bit and my brain's not used to processing them and I find that getting advice from other people is helpful yet also...

It's something interesting when you move out and you get all of these new feelings and find out how much you are actually missing out on back home. I've started to change a lot of those feelings though and keep telling myself, this is your place now, you're life is starting now. I love my family more than anything and am so appreciated of everything that they have done and continue to do for me.

Aside from all the weirdness life is going really well right now. I'm in school and I love it! Though it is going to take some serious studying and determintation to get good grades, I'm really enjoying it. Japanese classes and Calculus are going well so far albeit classes have only been in session for nearly two weeks. Other than school...work is okay. Life is going smoothly right now and that's just perfect for me.