I know nothing about electricity distribution. However, with today’s technology, wouldn’t it be possible to use a low-voltage heating device to prevent power lines from freezing? I’m willing to bet those heating elements could be powered by solar panels or mini-turbines at the top of each pole or tower, with the power stored in batteries.
One thing about this tragic story I haven’t heard anyone mention is the tremendous guilt the teen driver of the Jeep must be feeling, and how he will probably carry it for life. The pessimist in me wonders if lawsuits will follow.
For the longest time, Dallas Cowboys fans would gripe about media bias regarding the Hall of Fame keeping so many Cowboys from getting enshrined. That media bias sure become evident now that Bill Belichick won’t be making it to the final round of voting.
Austin has a new concept grocery store that is pick-up or drive-thru only. I like the name of the place.
Goods is a pickup only grocery store powered by Pipedream.
Customers order on the app and pick up in minutes from our portals. pic.twitter.com/4viG4UJvPU
— Canon Reeves (@ReevesCanon) January 27, 2026
I finally watched John Carpenter’s The Thing for the first time. To be honest, I think this is the only John Carpenter movie I’ve seen, as I’ve avoided horror in my younger days. The movie was better than expected, and seeing an un-moustached Wilford Brimley was pleasand surprise.
My favorite obscure fact about Brimley is that he used to be a bodyguard for Howard Hughes.
Heads up, Central Texas (Feb 2–27): Planned GPS disruptions
My kid has a friend-of-a-friend type connection through sports to one of the girls from the Frisco sledding accident. One of the first things I said when my wife told me about it was about the teen driver that has to live with that the rest of his life.
I always enjoy a mention of Wilford Brimley, especially now that I’m approaching the Brimley-Cocoon line later this year.
We LOVE The Thing! The suspense of not knowing! The IMDB comments say that if you just understood what the Norwegians were saying at the beginning, you would have been safer. LOL
Goods might out Amazon Amazon. I’d shop there for the convenience if they ever built one on the Wise/Montague county line.
On heating power lines; heat is the enemy in power distribution. Heat means resistance.
Joule’s Law (\(H=I^{2}Rt\)): The heat (\(H\)) generated is directly proportional to the resistance (\(R\)), time (\(t\)), and the square of the current (\(I\)). Higher resistance creates more heat for a given current.
Applications vs. Losses: While this heat is useful in devices like toasters, electric heaters, and incandescent bulbs (resistance heating), it represents wasted energy in power lines.
They would be better off using inflatable anti-ice boots like aircraft.
You be you, KG. Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.
Also note that GMT (Z) time is six hours ahead of us in Central Standard Time. So subtract 6 to get it in our time.
Wilford Brimley was 48 when The Thing came out in 1982. Maybe it’s me (as I get older) but 48 in the 80s looks a lot older than 48 looks now. 🙂