Cube of the Digits

There are four numbers, not counting the trivial examples of 1 and 0, where the sum of the cube of the digits equals the number itself.

153 = 1³ + 5³ + 3³

370

371

407

Thank you James Randi.

Diesel Truck Emissions

New diesel trucks (at least big, commercial ones) need to meet certain EPA emission standards.

One way some trucks are meeting the N-oxide specification is with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system that uses a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).  DEF is a 32.5% mixture of urea, (H₂N)₂,CO, and water.

The process is pretty simple.  The engine exhaust goes through a filter to remove the carbon particulates (AKA soot).  The exhaust is then sent into the SCR where it is mixed with the DEF, where the N-Oxides are converted to nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water.

I assume that the reaction would be:

2(H₂N)₂CO + 4NO + O₂ = 4N₂ + 2CO₂ + 4H₂O

If this works, it would be a pretty elegant solution to nitrogen oxide emissions.  I haven’t seen any data, though.

It seems like it’s an awful lot to ask of a pretty small reaction chamber.

Winter 2013/14

This has been a rough winter so far, with twice the average snowfall and cold weather.  It was -12 when I got to work this morning.

Tomorrow we may see 30F (and we might go to the zoo) but then it will turn cold.  The high on Sunday will be 6 and a low of -18.  Monday will be brutal with a high of -12!

I don't mind the cold that much.  If you're dressed for it, it's easy to deal with.

But I'm glad I'm not going to the packer game on Sunday!

Theater in 2013

Our last play of the year was Les Miserables at the Skylight Music Theater.  It was an outstanding performance.  Luke Grooms, who played Jean Valjean, did a phenomenal job.  That must be a hard role to play.  The musical director is Robert Linder, a colleague of Skylight's new artistic director, Vishwa Subbaraman, from his days in Houston (Opera Vista).

This is what we saw in 2013 (and where we ate):

1. Educating Rita at the Renaissance Theater – drinks at Swig
2. Mind over Milwaukee at the Stackner Cabaret – dinner at Wolf Peach
3. Clyburn Park at the Quadracci Powerhouse
4. Underneath The Lintel at the Milwaukee Chamber Theater
5. Ring of Fire at the Stackner Cabaret – dinner at Wolf Peach
6. Raisin in the Sun at the Quadracci Powerhouse – dinner at The Rumpus Room
7. Judgment of Midas at Helene Zelazo Center for the Arts – dinner at Nessun Dorma
8. Jeeves in Bloom at the Milwaukee Chamber Theater – dinner at The Wicked Hop
9. Porgy & Bess at the Skylight Music Theater – dinner at Tulip
10. I Left My Heart at the Stackner Cabaret – Dinner at Il Mito East
11. Ragtime at the Quadracci Powerhouse – Dinner at The Rumpus Room
12. Radiolab at the Pabst Theater
13. I Hate Hamlet at the Haylofter’s Theater in Burlington, WI – Dinner at the Charcoal Grill
14. Mildred Fierce at the Theater 80, NYC
15. Ghost Brothers of Darkland County at the Riverside Theater – Dinner at home
16. Forever Plaid at the Stackner Cabaret – Dinner at Wolf Peach
17. Noises Off at the Quadracci Powerhouse – Dinner at The Rumpus Room
18. The Cudahy Carolers at the In Tandem Theater – Dinner at Juniper 61
19. Les Miserables at the Skylight Music Theater – Lunch at Swig

Back in Action

I think that I'm going to start using this blog again.

Stay tuned for future posts.

This Blog Has Moved

Please go to my main website for my latest postings.

Or, go to my recipe website for the latest on what we've been cooking.

Floor Issues

The plumber put a large scratch in the floor when he moved the freezer, necessitating the entire floor to be redone. The work is not acceptable. Here are the latest correspondences.

Jill--

I don't think a spot repair will suffice. The more that I look at the floor, the less satisfied I am with their fix.

There are light areas by the 'fridge and ovens, by the entrance to the back hall, and near the dining room passage way. The dinnette area has some wide dark and light stripes running parallel to the grain.

The whole floor has a mottled look. I think that the entire floor needs to be redone.

The repair people are coming this Friday to replace the freezer door, so if they can't start today we should wait until next week.

Please call to discuss.

--Matt

----- Original Message ----
From: Jill Doss
To: Matthew Piette
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:09:55 AM
Subject: FW: details

Matt:

The floor technician will return tomorrow to perform a touchup on the area of the floor by the sink. Yes, I could see the area was lighter, as could the floor rep that was at the house with me.

They will tape off the areas in question and heat up the area with a heat gun to lift the polyurethane. The areas will then be restained. Should all be done when you get home tomorrow evening.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Jill



From: Jill Doss
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 9:42 AM
To: 'Matthew Piette'
Subject: RE: details


No, I wasn’t able to get into the kitchen when I stopped by, as the floor was still wet. I have contacted the flooring company; I will be meeting with them at 9:00 am tomorrow morning to take a look. I have told them that no one was in the house since they were there on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. I will let you know what I hear.

I hope you had a pleasant trip.

Jill


From: Matthew Piette
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 8:55 AM
To: Jill Doss
Subject: Re: details

The tile does look great, but there's a big white spot in front of the main sink. Did you notice that? I think it needs another coat of stain.

----- Original Message ----
From: Jill Doss
To: Matthew Piette
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 3:25:43 PM
Subject: FW: details

Hey Matt:

Here are some updates:

I stopped at the house yesterday—the floor has been refinished and looks great. John completed the tiling and that looks wonderful, also.

The exterior storm door is due the 6th of November. The interior door is due the 16th of November. Both may arrive sooner. We will schedule the installation once both are here. Any final touch up painting can be finished at this time.

I will have my sketch of the pot rack/shelves scanned and e-mailed to you.

Cheerio for now, enjoy you weekend.

Jill