Got my first MRI today. . .

The purpose of the scan today was investigating back pain, nothing serious.  In keeping with my tradition of publishing too much information, enjoy this animation of a flight through my spine.

The experience was actually much easier then I anticipated.  The machine did not move me as much as they show on medical television shows.  Not as loud either.  30 minutes in the tube was a bit much, by the end, i was ready to get out.

Defcon 2016 photos and videos

Close ups of my much coveted badge.  Some hardware and base stations of the wifi village.  Both Information Society and Berlin played on Saturday night!  Shot a video of an amazing demo from the Car Hacking Village.  A car modified to play games instead of driving.  Also, the best of my flight home.  Some great pictures of Hoover dam and some of the solar farms and mesas as we few home.

defcon 2016 badge closedefcon 2016 badge chipdefcon 2016 wifi villagedefcon 2016 wifi village 2 
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Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix!

The MIM is an amazing place.  I just scratched the surface of its unbelievable exhibits. They have instruments and recordings from some of the most influential artists throughout history.  They even have a room where you can play some instruments yourself.  I saw an incredible collection of eclectic and innovative instruments from around the world. It includes a 2 ton dance organ called Apollonia from the 1920s that is played twice a day and John Lennon’s Piano used to compose Imagine.  Here are just a few of the images I collected.

be3n bangs a gongMIM blues harmonica collectionMIM 3D printed orchestra MIM accordionsMIM ukuleles
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Ride though the forest on the steam locomotive Dixiana!

Departing from Roaring Camp to the summit of Bear Mountain, this was one of the most amazing train rides I have been on.  Certainly the most picturesque just beside Henry Cowell Redwood State Park.

Big Trees - Dixana be3n animation

This railroad has the distinction of having the steepest grade in North America!  The 9.25% grade didn’t seem so extreme when we rode it, however it did require the train to switch back and reverse direction in order to complete the journey.  I got a real education from the Brakeman on how a steam locomotive operates.  Enjoy my photographs.

Big Trees

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