Project Terra Incognita – High resolution video and photography from near orbit. This is a both a science and photography project being conducted by a group of six 6th grade girls in Bowling Green, Kentucky. They are requesting donations for a seemingly impossible but absolutely achievable project. Their goal is to send a payload into near-space, take measurements as well as high resolution pictures and video and re-acquire the payload after coming back to earth. The team humbly submits our project for your consideration knowing the only way we can accomplish our goal is with your help!

Go here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scifres/the-edge-and-back

The objective of the project is to:

• Place an object into the stratosphere (around 20 miles above the earth’s surface) via a weather balloon and return it safely back to earth without damaging any of the equipment from the fall or extreme temperatures and wind speed.
• Take both HD video and high resolution still photographs of the curvature of the earth and black of space from near orbit.
• Collect data measurements about the speed of ascent/descent and air temperature of near orbit.
• Exhibit the final photographic and video imagery of the teams work.
• Inspire others to challenge the idea that some things are impossible.

The project will take place over the summer months of 2012, and we expect to be able to fulfill rewards of donation contributions in August. The team believes they will need roughly $3,600 to purchase necessary equipment and supplies to accomplish this project, fulfill the rewards for donations and produce exhibit materials.

To follow their progress go to the project website at:

edgeandback.com

Okay, ya got me. I know its been 4 weeks since my last weight loss post. That is due in large part to a vacation and the large quantities of, oh so delicious, food I ingested and the associated weight gain. I couldn’t report that! I mean, you have to have a little fun every now and then right? It took me a week and a half to be back to 180 lbs. and I finally had to start exercising to break the 180 lb. barrier. It is really hard for me to get down below that level.

3.4 lbs. to go!!! So close. I’m going to make it. It might take me another 30 days but I will get to 175 lbs.

End Weight: 178.4
Previous Weight: 180.6
4 Week Loss: -2.2 lbs
Net Loss: -29.6 lbs
BMI: 22.9
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 89.70% Complete

Anna, Sarah and Leah thoroughly enjoyed Navarre Beach Florida this spring. The weather was amazing, with hardly a cloud to be found in the sky the entire week. I don’t think we have ever had that many green flags in one week.

Well, at least I didn’t gain. I’ve got to dig in this week and really buckle down if I am going to go under 180. So close, yet so far away.

End Weight: 180.6
Previous Weight: 181.2
Week 13 Loss: -.6 lbs
Net Loss: -27.4 lbs
BMI: 23.26
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 83.03% Complete

End Weight: 181.2
Previous Weight: 182.4
Week 13 Loss: -1.2 lbs
Net Loss: -26.8 lbs
BMI: 23.26
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 81.21% Complete

Well, nothing like a sinus infection or the flu to take some weight off. Fortunately it wasn’t anything some heavy duty antibiotics couldn’t fix thankfully.

End Weight: 182.4
Previous Weight: 186.4
Week 12 Loss: -4.0 lbs
Net Loss: -25.6 lbs
BMI: 23.42
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 77.58% Complete

End Weight: 186.4
Previous Weight: 188.0
Week 5 Loss: -1.6 lbs
Net Loss: -21.6 lbs
BMI: 23.93
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 65.54% Complete

End Weight: 188.0
Previous Weight: 189.2
Week 5 Loss: -1.2 lbs
Net Loss: -20.0 lbs
BMI: 24.14
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 60.61% Complete

Finally, under 190 for the first time in a while. This was actually my weight Monday and not Sunday. Had to celebrate getting under 190.

End Weight: 189.2
Previous Weight: 190.0
Week 5 Loss: -.8 lbs
Net Loss: -18.8 lbs
BMI: 24.29
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 56.97% Complete

The 2011 Adventure Book is complete and ordered. It wasn’t done until April last year so much more timely this year. This year’s version is slightly smaller than last year at 320 pages and 619 photos. Now, on to taxes, ugh.

I’ve definitely hit the tough lbs. to drop. 15 lbs to go.

End Weight: 190
Previous Weight: 190.6
Week 5 Loss: -.6 lbs
Net Loss: -18 lbs
BMI: 24.34
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 54.54% Complete

End Weight: 190.6
Previous Weight: 192.2
Week 5 Loss: -1.6 lbs
Net Loss: -17.4 lbs
BMI: 24.47
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 52.72% Complete

Not bad this week. I’m REALLY looking forward to getting down under 190 lbs. My metabolism is starting to push back a little so watching what I eat calorie wise continues to be very important. Losing a pound a week over the next month will be a achievable. My appetite has become more accustom to smaller portions so I fill up faster. That makes resisting larger portions that much easier. I’ve found it’s best to just not put too much on your plate to start with.

Today is cheat day and Caroline and I both hit our first milestone so we will be celebrating with a cheese and chocolate fondue meal – Yummy!

End Weight: 192.2
Previous Weight: 194
Week 5 Loss: -1.8 lbs
Net Loss: -15.8 lbs
BMI: 24.67
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 47.88% Complete

End Weight: 194
Previous Weight: 195.4
Week 5 Loss: -1.4 lbs
Net Loss: -14.0 lbs
BMI: 24.91
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 42.42% Complete

Thought this was an interesting piece of artwork mad from a rock and bundle of floral wire. I might have been able to get a little back light in there that could have made it a little more interesting. I’ll try that next time.

Settings: f/9.0, 1/6 sec, ISO 800, 100mm fixed lens at 1.3m.

I’ve got to get out of the house soon, I’m running out of stuff to shoot!

P.F. Chang’s frozen meals are fantastic. I’ve had several of them previously with no regard to calorie content. Anyway, now dieting, I thought to check them out for their appropriateness for my diet. The problem with most of the meals is that you want to serve them with rice and that really drives the calories through the roof. But with the noodles, the calories stay relatively low at 350 per serving.

Bottom line, you can’t beat the taste for calorie ratio of this dish. I did add small handful of peanuts right at the end and allowed it simmer the final minute.  Yummy!!

I’ve continued to make steady progress this week. Yogurt for breakfast and salads for lunch most days. I’ve discovered a pretty good lunch at Panera consisting of 1/2 a Smoked Turkey sandwich on wheat and a cup of Chicken Noodle soup. You can have them give you an apple instead of the baguette. Total of 280 calories. We have also been enjoying some tasty Talapia dinners. I’ll post that recipe sometime this week.

End Weight: 195.4
Previous Weight: 198.8
Loss: -3.4 lbs
Net Loss: -12.6 lbs
BMI: 25.09
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 38.18% Complete

Leah and her friend Sailor enjoy a pop-up book together during a sleepover tonight. The book is Dragons & Mosters by Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda.

I thought this came out really sharp. Are you thirsty now? I created black glass this week to shoot some of our product on for work and this was a favorite today. 4 second exposure ISO 100 @ f/22.

Found this @Junkyard Gypsies. Took a lunch time trip to the second had store today thanks to a tip from Caroline. Purchased an old camera and snapped a shot of this radio while I was there. It can be yours for $50.

It doesn’t get much better than this down home song on my Victrola. In case you have never heard this song, here is a very nice version by Allison Krauss and Lyle Lovett: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UxOcZgDOpc.Enjoy.

Yes, under 200 lbs. again and I already feel lighter. I’m about 6 weeks away from my skinny clothes, the fat bin is waiting for me to load it up and pack it away again. Unfortunately, all the easy lbs. are all almost gone and soon it will be time to settle in for the ground war with the remaining 20 lbs.

End Weight: 198.8
Previous Weight: 202.4
Loss: -3.6 lbs
Net Loss: -9.2 lbs
BMI: 25.52
Percent of Goal (175 lbs.): 27.88% Complete