Gongol.com Archives: December 2007
Brian Gongol


December 18, 2007

Aviation News Ghost of the past: Hong Kong's famous checkerboard landing guide
When Hong Kong still used the Kai Tak airport, pilots had to take a bizarre approach involving a last-minute right-hand turn in order to hit the runway without hitting the nearby mountains. The checkerboard pattern was mounted on a hillside to give them an intermediate target to line up with before changing course for the runway on final approach.

Humor and Good News A capella cover of Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger"
(Video) Given that the original is a landmark techno track (which has lasted long enough to be remade by its own creators and somehow turned into a "jazz hands" performance, it really shouldn't come as a surprise that some college kids would've turned the song on its head.

News Are we missing a big story in Bolivia?
Apparently 35% of the country's population has declared a sort of independence. That would be big news, and if we're not hearing about it, there's a good chance it's related to our long-standing ignorance of Latin America.

Agriculture How to raise hydroponic plants at home

Water News Grand Island diver becomes city hero

News "It Can't Happen Here" ought to be required reading in high schools

News Northern Ireland drivers' license authority loses discs containing 6,000 identities
And yet there are still people in the US and the UK actively pushing for more centralized identity-card programs, as though that would somehow make us magically more secure

Humor and Good News "While there have been 1,500-pound men, none have been proportionally built in a way that would fill a hockey goal"

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