From the Inside Out

Many believe the sound barrier is similar to an invisible wall in the sky, but it is really invisible? When a plane gets close to the speed of sound, a unique visual phenomenon occurs.

Check out these new pictures released by the US Military showing an Air Force F-22 Raptor during a supersonic flyby.

A spectacular spray of vapor often accompanies the breaking of the sound barrier. It has also been witnessed during space shuttle launches and nuclear explosions.

Experts say there is no visual sound barrier, but why does this stunning cloud occur? It’s called a vapor cone or a shock collar, and, if you’re a scientist, you probably call it a Prandtl–Glauert singularity.

According to Live Science, “the visual phenomenon is caused by a layer of water droplets trapped between two high-pressure surfaces of air. In humid conditions, condensation can gather in the trough between two crests of the sound waves produced by the jet.”

The effect doesn’t always occur with the breaking of the sound barrier, but it often does. Even if this cloud isn’t the physical representation of the sound barrier being broken, it’s still pretty cool.

Plus, it gives you a great idea of what it might look like if a wall of sound actually existed in the sky for us to pass through.

We lost two icons today — one was a music legend and the other a famous actress. Farrah Fawcett lost her three-year battle with anal cancer this morning.  She was 62. Her best-selling poster and “Charlie’s Angels” stardom made her one of the most famous faces in the world. Although her death was not surprising (her health had declined in recent months), it was sad to see another life snuffed out by cancer.

Today’s shocking news was the sudden death of Michael Jackson, the “king of pop.” At only 50 years old, he collapsed at his residence, suffering cardiac arrest. He died soon after at UCLA Medical Center. The exact cause of death is not yet known, but new sources are reporting that an autopsy will be conducted on Friday.

These deaths, along with the recent passing of Ed McMahon, serve as a not-so-subtle reminder that life is fragile, fleeting, and altogether precious. Every moment should be savored.

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14 KJV

Times like these should force us stop and think about our priorities. There’s more to life than work, responsibilities, and duty — so much more! Take time to smell the flowers and gaze at the stars. Hug your family members and tell them you love them. You may not get another chance.

Life doesn’t come with guarantees. It’s a time limited offer — here today and gone tomorrow. Don’t miss out on its joys while you are still here. Try to make a difference, and be sure to develop a relationship with the first person you will meet when you pass to the other side. A friendship with Jesus not only makes this life amazing, but it continues onward through eternity. Don’t put it off. You never know what the next day may hold.

It’s a sad day for employees and former employees of Nortel. Today, the company announced that it will liquidate and sell its businesses, ending its efforts to restructure in bankruptcy court.

After 114 years in business, it’s a sobering end to a company that once had so much life. At one point, the company was valued by investors at $250 billion, but that was before the dot-com bust and accounting scandals. The company is forced now to liquidate in order to pay its creditors and ex-employees to whom it owes severance and pensions. The first piece of the business to be sold off is its lucrative carrier networks division and a wireless research unit. These are being picked up by Nokia Siemens for a bid of US $650 million.

I spent nearly 15 years working at Nortel, starting in college as a paid intern in the corporate communications group. During my tenure there, I managed customer and community relations, enterprise public relations, and product marketing for contact center solutions, mobility, and unified communications solutions. Nortel offered many outstanding learning opportunities and enabled me to develop valuable skills which helped to advance my professional career long after my departure from the company.

I have many fond memories of my time at Nortel. The good times were amazing. The people were top notch. In fact, I have many life-long friends that I met during my time at Nortel.

Even though I’ve been gone for a few years now, I mourn the loss of a company that was once a bright shining star in the industry — a company that brought much joy and career growth into my life.

Although Nortel will continue to exist until its businesses are sold off, this story is quickly coming to an end…goodbye, my friend. You will be missed.

It’s 2:45 a.m on Wednesday. You’re alone. You need money and cigarettes. What do you do?

Why not grab a sword, dress in black and rob a 7-Eleven?

Sound like a bad idea? Well, Phong Nguyen didn’t think so. He robbed a McKinney 7-Eleven while wielding a sword and dressed in black. Very “Ninja” of him, don’t you think?

Too bad he wasn’t as smooth or stealthy as a real ninja. Just minutes after the robbery was reported, the police stopped his Nissan Altima near the store. He still had his sword, the money and stolen merchandise with him.

Perhaps he should stick with something like “Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox” and lay off the cigarettes.  Real ninjas don’t smoke anyway.

I know Jesus can appear anywhere, at any time and in any form, but the “Jesus sightings” are getting out of control. Seriously, do you think he chooses to reveal himself on a rock, in wood paneling, a tree, planter, fish stick, mug, pumpkin, spoon, grilled cheese sandwich, window, telephone pole, cat, cloud, frying pan, sink, moth, sonogram, french fry, or turtle shell?

C’mon…really?

What are these people smoking? Is it an attempt to get 15 minutes of fame, or are they crazy? What’s even more disconcerting are all of the people who come out to see it or take pictures. Some are emotionally moved by the experience — crying and saying it’s Jesus talking to them or giving them a sign.

Now, if someone finds deep meaning by seeing Jesus in a frying pan, who am I to judge? God does work in mysterious ways; however, I am, and will always be, skeptical.

I groan each time I hear about one of these “sightings” because I don’t think God creates images of himself on rocks, screen doors or grilled cheese sandwiches.

Why, oh why, do the news stations continue to cover these crazy stories? It’s beyond me. I just don’t get it.

The latest claim is from a North Texas family who says they discovered Jesus in a bag of 99-cent Cheetos. Dan Bell and his wife have lost their minds and claim that a two-inch tall figurine with extended arms is “Cheesus.” They aren’t the first family to make this claim, and they probably won’t be the last. Another family found “Cheesus” last year too.

So, what do you think: is it Cheesus or just plain Cheesy?