July 31, 2007
Posted at: 11:29 pm by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Rants and Randomness
As most of you know, I received the rank of Eagle Scout on January 13, 2003 from Troop 44 in Cambridge, MA. This was an amazing achievement considering that I started in Boy Scouts when I was 14 and most people start at age 11 or younger (cub scouts). I completed the requirements in only 4 years, turning in the final packet the day before my 18th birthday.
The following is a copy of my Certificate verifying that I became an Eagle Scout on January 13, 2003.
Here is a picture that I took of my Badge (left) and the Eagle Scout Award (right).
eagle scout, eagle, scouting, scout, boy scouts, boy scouts of America, badge, award, certificate
July 30, 2007
Posted at: 11:29 pm by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Tech and Web
My friend Matt informed me about an extension to firebug called YSlow that was developed by Yahoo. Before you can install YSlow, you must install Firebug if you don’t have it already.
It is a great tool that helps developers to analyze their site statistics on performance/speed. YSlow will give you a “Report Card” including a final grade and individual grades on each test. It checks JavaScript, CSS, HTTP requests, etc… and will give you their recommendations on how to adjust your grade.
For more information on YSlow, check out the docs section.
developers, firebug, firefox, yslow, yahoo, web, programming
July 29, 2007
Posted at: 12:02 am by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Rants and Randomness
What would you do if your bank credited your account every morning with $86,400, but every night canceled whatever you failed to use during the day? You would draw out every cent, Wouldn’t you? You have such a bank. Every morning God credits your account with 86,400 seconds. Every night He cancels whatever you failed to use. You can’t buy time and you can’t save it. If you don’t spend it, well you waste it. Yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note.
Today is all the cash you have.
Spend it wisely!
I received this while I was on PACE and I think it is a great statement. I hope others enjoy it as much as I do.
God, bank, money, 86400, credits
July 28, 2007
Posted at: 6:23 pm by Timothy Haroutunian
Categories: Sports and Leisure
A few years ago, I accomplished a lifelong goal which was to go skydiving. I know to some people that it not a life long goal, but for me it was. If I decide to skydive again, I am going to make sure that I get a DVD of the jump.
After a training session, we were taken into the plane and we flew up to 14,500 feet where they told us to get ready. Since I was jumping tandem, the instructor was attached to me and we would jump together. I was really nervous and told him that I wasn’t sure if I could jump and he told me that we had a problem if that was the issue. He informed me that he doesn’t like to land INSIDE planes. I realized at that moment that I wasn’t going to be landing with wheels on the ground. I looked outside and saw how high up we were and my stomach dropped. He asked me how I wanted to jump and I told him, “A back flip”. He agreed and we got in the position next to the door. He counted 1, 2 and before he got to 3, I was no longer IN a moving object, I was the moving object.
Speaking of moving objects, when a single skydiver is in free fall, they are moving at a speed of 124 mph (200 kph). However, when there are two people in free fall, the speed increases to about 180 mph and that is not safe to be falling at if you are jumping for your first time. Due to the safety risk, after you exit the plane, you pull the “Drogue Parachute” which is about 6ft wide and slows the two people down to the safe 110-120mph.
While sailing down in the open air and the force pushing and pulling on my body, I felt as if I was lying down not going anywhere. (I’m not an expert but) Since air was flowing equally above and below me at terminal velocity, the feeling that results is an amazing rush. When it was time to pull the rip cord at 4500 feet, the instructor let me pull it, but the only problem was that I didn’t realize it wasn’t attached and almost dropped it. It is a strange feeling after your parachute opens because all of a sudden you get jerked up and then after about 2 long minutes, you finally get your stomach out of your throat. 
In the air floating down, you could see a long ways to the nearest city. However, I do not know which city that was, Portsmouth (NH), Concord (NH) or even Boston (MA) depending on how far I was looking. When I landed on the ground, I was very relived, but sad as well. I would highly suggest going skydiving if you have the chance.
skydiving, skydive new england, plane, parachute, jumping