Robin Smith
@geonuc.bsky.social
150 followers 110 following 360 posts
Retired nuclear plant engineer, ex-US Navy submariner, blue dot in a blue state. geonuc.com
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geonuc.bsky.social
I’m in favor of electrification but during a winter power outage, the gas furnace is superior provided the home owner has a small generator (if they don’t then they’re screwed either way). I measured the power requirement of my gas furnace’s blower: 4 amps, easily powered by a generator.
geonuc.bsky.social
Went out past Santiam Pass to check out fall colors. Great weather once over the pass. Colors were nice but not Appalachian Mtns nice. I stopped in at Fish Lake historical site just off 126. I had no idea it was there! Very cool and I need to go back and hike the lake bed, which is dry now.
geonuc.bsky.social
I’m definitely not a person. So there’s that.
geonuc.bsky.social
Pacific Power implemented fire avoidance protocols with their line relays this year (maybe last year?) in response to concerns about wildfires caused by power lines. I’m sure you’re aware. The result is more outages and longer outages as PP determines the cause. I’ll accept that over more wildfires.
geonuc.bsky.social
As to outages, I’ve lived in a lot of places and I think Pacific Power is as reliable as any. We rarely have an extended outage, unlike our previous experience with Georgia Power, for example.
geonuc.bsky.social
We have a small 2000W generator (Honda) so we can’t power a lot. But it’s enough to power the gas furnace, the fridge & freezer. Plus a few LED lights. That will do for a winter outage.
geonuc.bsky.social
This weekend I installed a pass-through power connector for use with the portable generator. Improves on the previous plan of running an extension cord outside through a propped open door.

Winter is coming.
geonuc.bsky.social
I know little of bike racing. Why is the rider positioned that way on the bike?
geonuc.bsky.social
Maybe it's time to move the weekly protests back to the Tesla dealerships.
geonuc.bsky.social
One of the proverbial giants on whose shoulders future researchers will stand. RIP
geonuc.bsky.social
Not much longer, I’d say. South Korea is at risk as well.
geonuc.bsky.social
Good points. I could change my mind on that. Certainly it’s important for community leaders to know how their decisions affect everyone.
geonuc.bsky.social
It is odd I guess, but I’m ok with restricting public comments to citizens. If I moved to another country, I wouldn’t expect to have much say in how things are run. It’s a little like voting really. That said, I wouldn’t expect a need to prove citizenship before stepping to the microphone.
geonuc.bsky.social
We live with wildfire danger in Oregon so it’s interesting to venture into a burn area (after the firefighting is done!) to experience closeup the destruction. I’m particularly amazed at the layer of fine dust left behind. Like moon dust, I imagine. Photo of the Flat Fire north of Sisters, OR.
geonuc.bsky.social
Got a Covid and flu shot Friday. Saturday was a bit rough but I pulled through. Needless to say (but I will anyway) any temporary discomfort is totally worth the protection you get from vaccines. All vaccines. Yay medical science.
geonuc.bsky.social
I’m a golf fan and used to like watching the Ryder Cup. Not anymore. Because of the American fans’ continued boorishness, I’m not only not watching but I’m rooting for the Europeans to win.
geonuc.bsky.social
We’ll know November 2026.
geonuc.bsky.social
Today - Sept 25, 2025 - is a square day. The day, month and year are all perfect squares. Next one is in 91 years so celebrate accordingly.
geonuc.bsky.social
It’s Fat Bear Week!
geonuc.bsky.social
That’s the way forward. I don’t even know how to go about changing a Trump voter’s opinion. That has to happen within their own experience. But it’s not all that hard to convince a non-voter to vote. Probably?
geonuc.bsky.social
I’m going to disagree. We don’t need to redefine violence to include non-violent acts. We have words to describe such things as denial of rights or healthcare.
geonuc.bsky.social
The mango Mussolini has threatened to invade Afghanistan if the Taliban don’t return control of Bagram air base to the US. For those currently serving in the military that still support this pos, is that what you voted for? You want another deployment to Afghanistan?
geonuc.bsky.social
Exactly. What’s different is the fear corporations have of illegal retaliation by the administration if they don’t comply. That wasn’t the case before.