I Lost My Internet Connection, and some miscellany

I had kind of a wild day yesterday, covered quite a bit of ground. I found myself climbing metal rungs up the inside of the campanile tower, then later up in the organ loft in the chapel. I spent the afternoon doing research in the archives, trying to understand what I had just seen. There’s a lot to tell, but when I got home and sat down to write a post about it, I discovered that our cable was out. No television, no <gasp> internet! It was pretty sad, but I wound up sitting and having a fun conversation with my daughter and her friend, Zoe, so I guess it is possible to have a meaningful life without cable access. Still, I was glad to find it back on this morning.

I’ve overslept and have got to get going here, so I’ll save my fabulous post about the organ and carrilon for this evening. In the meantime, here are a couple of short items:

First off, in my earlier post about LBJ landing on campus with no warning, I wondered whether

Is this taking off or landing? I think it's taking off, but I don't have a reason for that.

the helicopter in this picture was taking off or landing. At least one reader was actually paying attention, took the trouble to make an inquiry, and sent me this a few days later:

“Melissa,

I forwarded your question about the helicopter photo to my helicopter friend, guru        and consultant.  Also holder of the speed record for flying around the world in a helicopter.  Twice, once in each direction: www.bowerhelicopter.com/

As usual with Ron, you get a little more than you pay for which, of course, is nothing.  Hope this resolves the age-old issue…coming or going?

Mike

MIKE – THE HELICOPTER SHOWN IS A SIKORKSY (S-3 OR H-3), ACTUALLY OF THE SAME MODEL CURRENTLY STILL IN USE, SOME 50 YEARS LATER.  THESE WERE USED IN VIETNAM AS RESCUE HELICOPTERS IN THE EARLY PART OF THE WAR BY THE USAF AND USN.  THESE HELICOPTERS COULD LAND ON EITHER LAND OR WATER.  I UNDERSTAND THAT ONE REASON THEY STILL  REMAIN IN SERVICE AS THE PRESIDENTIAL HELICOPTER IS THE NEWER, MORE POWERFUL HELICOPTERS BLOW OVER THE POTTED PLANTS IN THE ROSE GARDEN WHEN THEY COME IN TO PICK UP THE PRESIDENT.

I BELIEVE THE SECOND PICTURE IS LIKELY ON-TAKE-OFF BASED ON THE NOSE AND ROTOR SYSTEM BEING TILTED FORWARD TO INCREASE FORWARD THRUST.

NORMALLY ON LANDING THE NOSE WOULD BE HIGHER, AND THE ROTOR DISC TILTING AFT.  IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT THE HELICOPTER IS JUST HOVERING TO FIND THE BEST (SMOOTHEST AND FLATTEST) LANDING SPOT.

HOPE IT HELPS – REMEMBER YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR IN CONSULTING.

RON

As always, I’m grateful for the help! 

Second, when I was back in the Woodson yesterday afternoon, I was looking at the (very few) pictures of the chapel that we have when our pals Bill and Smitty, the electricians who take care of the library, came in. In a strange coincidence,  just last Friday they had been up in the attic space over the organ loft. (There were multiple weddings in there this weekend, and they had to change some of the bulbs up in the ceiling in preparation. There were still flowers in the chapel when I was there.) We talked about the attic space for a while, but then Smitty noticed something strange in the pictures. Here’s an older photo of the interior:
 And here’s one I took yesterday:
 Notice anything odd? I mean, besides the flower arrangement. You have to look hard.
Here’s what’s missing in the first one:
I’ve looked all over and I can’t figure out when the chandelier was added or where it came from. It’s not really all that big, but it’s quite ornate. If anyone has any idea, please let me know.
 
And thanks to the always alert Smitty!
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3 Responses to I Lost My Internet Connection, and some miscellany

  1. Gary Chiles says:

    Melissa,
    My wife and I were married in the Rice chapel on May 7, 2005. I looked at our wedding pictures today and saw that the chandelier was in place on that day.

    Thanks for all the posts! I really enjoy them.

    Gary

  2. Kathy says:

    I can help a little more re: the chandelier. I just checked our wedding photos, and it was there in February, 1977.

    Also, I sent this page to my brother-in-law, who was a helicopter pilot during Vietnam, since I knew he’d enjoy the chopper stuff. He definitely agrees with Ron that the craft is taking off. As he said, “If it was is still hovering trying to find a better spot, I doubt the nose would be so low.”

    I really enjoy the blog!

  3. Philip Montgomery says:

    I heard a crusader’s cross was embedded in that lamp. I never tracked down the source of that information.

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