C James

I'll respond to the posts later (they're great!!!) but I just wanted to let y'all know; I'm back a few days early (and I didn't become bear chow). I've been driving all day so I'm exhausted and will be asleep soon, but I'm baaaack.

There is at least a #4; deuterium cavitation. Cavitation occurs when an object (such as a propellor) moves fast enough through a liquid to create vacuum bubbles. When the bubbles collapse, they do so with great force. In deuterium (heavy water) this is sufficient to cause a very tiny amount of fusion. Not enough to e useful, but it does occur. The problem with fusion is the break-even point; releasing more energy than it takes to cause the fusion. We haven't even come close yet. Even the "hydrogen bomb" is a bit of a misnomer; modern hydrogen warheads are called three-stage devices; fusion actually occurs in the first two stages; the first stage, a plutonium-implosion core, is usually "boosted" (yield-enhanced) via tritium (an isotope of hydrogen) which releases more neutrons, thus boosting the yeild. The main fusion occurs in the second stage, where the imense pressure and heat of the primary detonation is focused to achieve hydrogen fusion (often of lithium-6, transforming it into a tritium-lithium mix during detonation to avoid the short half-life of tritium, which is only a few years). The second stage fusion (there is also some fission in the second stage, the core of the holarum is usually a fissioning rod of plutonium) produces mainly high-energy neutrons (around 11MeV as I recall). These neutrons are energetic enough to cause fision of the third stage; the normally inert u-238 (often called depleted uranium). It is the fission of the third stage that releases about 75% (the percentage varies based on design) of the energy of a "hydrogen" bomb. There are may variants; a neutron warhead, for example, is essentially a very small hydrogen bomb lacking a third stage (though there are many design differences). There is also the "layer cake" design of much lower yield (no much seen since the 1960's) and almost all single-stage modern nuclear devices use a fusion-boost to both decrease the amount of plutonium needed, and also to boost the yeild. My own guess as to the road to fusion power is that it won't be a direct one. An intermediate fission/fusion reactor will be the stepping stone, and it will use small amounts of fusion to create the high-energy neutrons needed to fission u-238 (with is about 99% more abundant than u-235, which is what fissions in a conventional uranium reactor). Just a guess. One advantage of such a reactor would be a very high operating temperature, high enough to crack hydrogen from water, thus making for a great source of hydrogen for fuel. Currently, most of the hydrogen used to run hydrogen vehicles, etc, is catalytically converted from natural gas, a fossil fuel, so it is not "clean" energy at the moment, much the same way that electric vehicles, when re-charged from fossil-fuel generated electricity (such as by plugging them in) are far from "clean". OK, I'm rambling because I'm over-tired (I spent 15 hours on the road today) so I'll shut up now.

The goat might just be able to sneak online via an open wireless hotpoint at a passing hotel... But, fortunatly, goats have bad memories so I have no idea what you were talking about? :wacko: I should be back late on june 19th, just sneaking in here via an open wireless hotpoint at a hotel I'm passing. I've been 4-wheeling on some roads that would give an eagle vertigo, and for three days I was camped out 10 miles from the nearest trail (where I parked). I packed in, found a place, and camped. A grizzly came sniffing around in my camp one night, scared the heck out of me, but I scared him off (with intentional near-misses) and he didn't return. When the bear arrived I became very aware that I was probably the only person for 20 miles in any direction and no one knew where I was, so I had some trouble sleeping after that, LoL. anyway, I'll get going for now, and I'll reply to all the above messages (THANKS!!!!) when I return. Now, Now, Mr. Anonymous Beta Reader, Shadowgod... No breaking anonymity... Sheesh, these anonymous beta readers... Take care everyone! See y'all in a few days, unless I become bear chow.

Great Chapter! I agree with both Colin and Wildone (Steve): I think that mystery guest must be Jacob's father. I originally thought that he was just someone there for "scenery" but the "Jacob's Father" theory makes WAY too much sense. Hrmmmm.... Motercycles... Is Shadowgod that evil? Well, yes, he is, but will he in this case? I hereby propose my 1972 Volvo solution! Instead of a motorcycle, Jacob gets a 1972 volvo sedan (with a nearly dead engine) as a grad present. order to enact this change, we must keep the word "Volvo" on front of Shadowgod at all times. Chant it, mutter it, etc, etc.

Chapter 29, "Mixed Emotionsis up! BTW, I'm heading off on my vacation in a couple of hours, and I'll be gone just under two weeks, and I'm unlikely to have internet access while away. I'm going to miss all of you, take care! CJ Edit: I posted the WRONG VERSION for about 45 minutes. Sorry, fixed now!

I hope all goes well for you, Kevin!!! Don't worry about your blog lying fallow during your absence. When i return from my trip, I'll try and do my duty as the self-appointed fashion consultant of your blog, and do my best to educate your readers on the joys of Coors belt buckles, overalls, and clothes shopping at high-class joints like Wallmart. Embrace your inner redneck!

I'm looking forward to seeing the new chapters when I return from my trip. However, I will point out that the caffeine has been flowing in some recent chapters... Coincidence? I think not...

Just a reminder; due to my vacation beginning Wednesday night, I'll be posting Ch 29: Mixed Emotions, a double-length chapter, late Wednesday instead of today. Sorry for the delay. CJ

Wow, thanks everyone! BTW, just a note; I'll be away, starting tomorrow, for nearly two weeks, so if you submit an anthology entry, you won't get a reply confirming receipt until I return. CJ

Excellent chapter! Well, there goes my theory that Bobby and Jamie would become boyfriends! Poor Shane, hope things work out there... : Interesting parable there; Jamie found Alex, who had been under Vince's nose for years, due to being out.

Another post as penance for viewing this thread, LoL.

Wonderful news all 'round!!! I must say I'm a little surprised, though, that it costs $112 to adopt a kitten from the pound. I'd always assumed that animals from the pound are free? I take exception to charging money at the pound, as I'd think it would deter many potential adoptors.

Kevin, keep learning with the power tools; you'll be taking fashion advice from me in no time. This thread is like a flytrap; even a lurker like me has to post! It's diabolical, I say!

I'll sure miss you in eFiction, but your page looks fantastic!!! (yes folks, he did it himself, graphics and all! ) Speaking of Bourbon... Perhaps a chant of "5" would be in order?

Thanks Bondwriter!!! I'm still planning on posting the edited and polished version of this, plus ch. 1, to kick of the serial in a few weeks.

I agree with both Krista and Graeme; Reading, for me, is irreplaceable as a method of exposing oneself to new methods and ideas, along with the odd bit of inspiration.

Lol!!! Thanks Ieshwar!!! The contents of the data stick are revealed in full in Ch 29 (no tricks this time). Due to my upcoming vacation, I'm delaying the chapter posting by one day, to this coming Wednesday, and Ch 29 is a large one; about twice my normal chapter size. I'll be gone for about ten or eleven days after that, so hopefully doing it this way will avoid disrupting the posting schedule overly much.

Ch 15 is up! Ouch, talk about a close call! Good thing Charlie didn't listen! Glad to see Will and Zack look to be an item!

I agree, that last line is a classic, and fit perfectly. I'd also say the you-know-what is about to hit the fan!

But... but... but... I'm a lurker, not a poster! I think the only reason I know what "exfoliate" means is due to reading Kevin's blog! I keep telling, him that he should embrace his inner redneck, but he won't listen.

Happy Birthday!!!! :king: :king:

I thing I'll argue the first point: I very much liked the intros to "Falls Creek Lessons" and "Heart of the Tree". The original draft of the prologue above (the one you read quite some time ago) did indeed have some more hints as to where the story was going to go. That was the version I wrote several years ago, and it was an excerpt from Ch 1 instead of a prologue. I'm a little uneasy about prologues as many writers don't use them, but I like them, both as a reader and a writer, when they are used to "set the stage" a little. At the moment, I don't plan on adding much to the prologue (just a few minor things, plus of course Beta and Editing suggestions) but I will post it at the same time as Ch 1.

This was definitely spooky and haunting. The genre isn't one I normally read, but it was very well done, though not the happiest of endings.