Reminder: NWSFS Social this Saturday (Oct 10th)
Shawn Marier
Please join us for the October NWSFS Social at Michael Ormes' house,
beginning at 5 P.M. and ending at 10 P.M (or when he kicks the last
remaining guest out or loans them sleeping space). 14437 NE 11th Place,
Bellevue; phone: 425.653.7456.
This is the *Mad Scientist* Social, so present your favorite experiments,
inventions, gadgets, creations, discoveries and curiosities.
NOTE: Please limit yields and power requirements to something appropriate
for a residential area.
Bring your favorite videotapes or DVDs, as there is a separate room for
viewing. There will also be a variety of board and card games available, or
you can bring your own favorite.
As usual, this is a potluck, so bring your contribution of a main dish
(occasionally have enough), side dish (rarely have enough), beverage,
munchies (usually have enough), or dessert (often have enough, but then
really, who could object to too much dessert).
Based on popular demand (despite limited participation last year), A
Challenge for the build-ahead-of-time crowd has again been included. So, for
those who prefer time-to-think, and your-own-choice-of-materials:
*Build a Prototype Space Elevator*
The winner is the device which can climb its tether in the shortest time.
The fine print:
Contestants can supply their own “tether” which can be a ribbon, cord, rope,
cable, chain or other similar material.
Tethers must extend from the provided attachment point to below the starting
level.
The attachment point will be at least 2 meters above the starting point and
no more than 5 meters above the starting level.
The starting level will be at least 20 cm above the ground.
The device and tether must be of a reasonable size and mass for a small
indoor prototype. (i.e. the attachment point is going to be a temporary
structure of limited capacity.)
The elevator must be a multi-use device with no external connections (except
with the tether), beginning completely below the starting level and
finishing the test run at the level of the attachment point.
In the event no contestant reaches the attachment point, the winner will be
the device which attains the greatest altitude.
Only components and materials available in the contestant’s lab or from
their normal suppliers are to be used (i.e if you don’t typically have
access to nuclear-energized microwave power transmission systems then you’re
not allowed to use them in your creation).
Destruction of anything (or anyone) will disqualify your entry – and perhaps
negatively impact your Mad Scientist Insurance (assuming that any
respectable Mad Scientist’s insurance hasn’t already been canceled early in
their career).
Despite the above requirement, innocent bystanders are encouraged to choose
their cover early and to use it to best effect.
As usual, the sponsors of this event assume no liability for damaged egos.
A Challenge, in a form similar to previous years, will also be presented for
those who desire the satisfaction of solving a problem using limited time
and constrained resources. (i.e. you get the details when you arrive –
assuming I can devise a suitable contest before the event).
Logistics: There is plenty of parking on the street. The driveway is a bit
steep. The only pets are fish, and they are expected to remain in their
appropriate habitat. NOTE: If you need test subjects, please make other
arrangements. Smoking is acceptable outside only, please. There is a covered
breezeway available, with seating, for smokers.
*Directions:*
From I-405 (both directions – or take the SR520 route):
Take the NE 8th St exit Eastbound (not the SE 8th St exit).
Travel East on NE 8th St towards Crossroads Mall
Take a Left (North) on 140th St NE (there is a Walgreen's on
the corner)
Take the first Right on NE 14th St, before the Fairweather
Building.
After some large speed bumps, this road will make a
90-degree right turn and become 144th St NE
Take a Left on NE 11th Place
This road again takes a 90-degree Right turn
As you turn, the house is on the inside corner, around the
corner. The house is brown, and the drive goes up a small hill, pointed back
the way you arrived.
From SR520:
Take the 148th St exit
Travel South on 148th St NE
Turn Right (West) on NE 10th to 145th St NE. It looks like a
driveway until you are right there.
Take a Right (North) on 145th St NE
Continue to 11th. The house will be on the left, with the drive pointed up
the hill, in the direction you were going.
From I-90: DON'T try to go partway and then follow the directions from SR520
because there is a left turn that you can't make.
Take the 148th St exit
Travel North on 148th St NE
Go West on NE 8th to 140th St NE
Take a Right (North) on 140th St NE (there is a Walgreen's
on the corner)
Take the first Right on NE 14th St, before the Fairweather
Building
After some large speed bumps, this road will make a
90-degree right turn and become 144th St NE
Take a Left on NE 11th Place
This road again takes a 90-degree Right turn As you turn, the house is on
the inside corner, around the corner.
The house is brown, and the drive goes up a small hill,
pointed back the way you arrived.