October 18, 2010
We Still Do Awesome Things
I often complain privately (often in reference to our pathetic excuse for a space program, etc) about humanity having given up on DOING SOMETHING AWESOME. Going to the moon may have been caused by competition with the Commies but no matter why it happened, it caused a billion people's jaws to drop with wonder at what we as a species could accomplish.
What was the last thing we did like that? American history was filled with the biggest this and the most amazing that because we had the drive to connect the Atlantic with the Pacific or the audacity to Dam the Colorado river.
Well, after 5 years one of the most amazing construction projects I've seen in recent memory is complete.
In mid November, the Hoover Dam Bypass will be open to traffic, substantially reducing the drive time from Las Vegas and California to Grand Canyon West, home of the world famous Skywalk glass walkway.
I travel through the area roughly once per year so I've had the pleasure of discovering this amazing project by accident (I believe my words were, 'holy shit, what the fuck is that') to its near completion this past year.
It may be just a bridge but having watched them build it, I can say the ambition of the men building it was well off the charts. The bridge absolutely TOWERS over the canyon and the engineering nearly overshadows the Dam.
Disclaimer: My dad is a civil engineer so this shit is probably way more awesome to me than it is to the average person.
Also, the reason this needed to be built is almost 100% 9-11 related. The (warranted) security precautions enacted for the Dam reduced traffic to a virtual standstill and a much higher capacity was needed, especially because your alternatives to that road are almost exactly zero.
Posted by: Moron Pundit at
10:38 AM
| Comments (13)
| Add Comment
Post contains 311 words, total size 4 kb.
1
I used to live in Las Vegas. Even before 9-11, getting across the dam sucked. It would have been fun if you were allowed to run over gawking tourists, or push extra-slow vehicles over the edge of the dam, but alas that was frowned upon.
The new bridge is freaking awesome.
Posted by: Hermit Dave at October 18, 2010 11:11 AM (sqGe2)
2
I remember when we first saw the construction, we had gone to see the dam and ended up looking at the bridge the whole time. It is THAT impressive in person.
When I see stuff like that, I wonder how many nation states can build something like that with their own talent pool. 3? 5? I wouldn't even think the entire G8 could do it.
Posted by: Moron Pundit at October 18, 2010 11:54 AM (OrTTr)
3
It is totally amazing. See, when Obama was talking about shovel ready jobs, I think most people assumed he meant shit like this.
Posted by: alexthechick at October 18, 2010 12:22 PM (bQ5xy)
Posted by: Hermit Dave at October 18, 2010 12:40 PM (sqGe2)
Posted by: alexthechick at October 18, 2010 01:21 PM (bQ5xy)
6
I was just out there in early September. Even though I'd read that they were building a bypass bridge, my reaction was completely of the "holy shit, that's awesome" variety once I actually was there to see it. It was almost a more impressive sight than the dam itself.
Posted by: Chainsaw Chimp at October 18, 2010 01:27 PM (k4bdL)
7
I live near the "Big Mac" bridge in Michigan, built in the Fifties. I often wonder if our State could muster the resources to do anything like that now- or ever again.
Posted by: Paul Moore at October 18, 2010 09:09 PM (jRyRj)
8
Fixing Michigan's economy is a really rough concept. I'm of the opinion they're going to have to almost entirely abandon standard manufacturing and retool for a more modern industrial base. The period between getting that started and now will be painful no matter what is done... hopefully as many people as possible can be educated into more modern skill sets.
Of course, this would all be a lot easier if the Unions had been bargaining for retraining funding and contingencies but they never cared about Michigan's economy or their members, just keeping control over as many people's careers as possible.
The goal of any advocate organization should always to be to obviate away its own existence. Sadly, most become honey traps for people in need where the low are kept just low enough to remain dependent. See also: Welfare, Affirmative Action, etc.
Posted by: Moron Pundit at October 19, 2010 08:29 AM (OrTTr)
9
Imagine my surprise when, instead of thick tights granny porn which I believed she always wore, my hands slipped smoothly animal sex up sheer silky stockings to the bare skin at animal tube the top. Hiding my surprise at this revelation, I slowly examined home made porn the outside and back of each thigh and was relieved to find mature fuck that although painful, it appeared she had only suffered bruising. free porn When she seemed sufficiently relaxed, I began caressing her thighs, mobile porn alternately switching from left to right. QDX903752A12
Posted by: jon at November 09, 2010 02:12 PM (yfZyq)
10
Doing something like the things that you want to do is fulfilling a new day. change these keywords
Posted by: fitnessgirl at March 11, 2011 03:21 AM (uOdEl)
11
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post. Valuable information and excellent design you got here!<a href="http://slycams.com">sexy adult web cam sex chat</a>
Posted by: bethcams at June 19, 2011 07:30 PM (GOhg9)
Posted by: appleaccessories at June 20, 2011 01:58 AM (3Iqcj)
13
fantasyclubwear mini dressesthe sexy lingerie shopsexy costumes for adultsWhile picking a formal dresshot swimwearvera wang lingeriecurvy full-figured plus sized women should look for outfits with strategically placed accents. In other words highlight those curves you would like to show off and cover up those areas which you rather were not seen. Try and pick outfits that define your waistline.
Opt for dresses that you think will make doubleplusundead
Opt for dresses that you think will make doubleplusundead
Posted by: sexy lingerie wholesalers at August 26, 2011 08:12 PM (I3t2p)
27kb generated in 0.0476 seconds; 67 queries returned 160 records.
Powered by Minx 1.1.4-pink.
Powered by Minx 1.1.4-pink.
