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diff --git a/src/md/34_The_Basement_Window_Non-Miss.md b/src/md/34_The_Basement_Window_Non-Miss.md deleted file mode 100644 index 1b1be03..0000000 --- a/src/md/34_The_Basement_Window_Non-Miss.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,58 +0,0 @@ ---- -title: The Basement Window Non-Miss ---- - -It was as if the dark-side forces were really miffed that I had escaped -the shame of shattering a very expensive picture widow in my last -misadventure. They plotted to get even with me on a different occasion -not too far in the future. Lori and I now lived in the homestead house -on 29th avenue. My interest in rockets had not diminished. I still -dabbled in both fireworks and rocketry. I was a bit more cautious about -conducting tests, as least as far as trying to diminish the risk to -human beings. But the risks to houses and windows was alas, still -considerable, as you will soon see. - -My reputation as a firebug had grown within the circle of my -acquaintances in the Ridgefield Ward. I now had a young protege whose -name was Alex Zwingly. He was the 15-year-old son of good friends of -ours in the ward. I was quite delighted to take him under my wing and -teach him all the fascinating knowledge of the pyrotechnic arts I had -acquired over the years. I suppose the best lesson I taught him was that -the hobby is dangerous and perhaps not worth the consequences of the -inevitable accidents. - -On this occasion, we had planned to do yet another static test firing of -a black power rocket motor. I tried to be prepared for the unexpected. I -constructed a blast shield of sorts, behind which Alex and I would stand -as we ignited the rocket motor. The test stand was mounted on a table -placed in the back yard, a good 30 yards from the East-facing side of -the house. Our launch pad control center was located about 20 feet away -from the test stand. This was where the shield was located. It consisted -of a piece of plywood to which I had attached a piece of plexiglass. The -plywood was mounted vertically, with the plexiglass on the top edge, so -that Alex and I could view the test stand through the plexiglass window. -Thus, we would be protected from any deadly bits of flying debris in the -event that the motor over-pressured and exploded. Again, I was feeling a -tad-bit overconfident that my high-tech blast shield would prevent all -manner of consequences from any mishaps due to the test-firing. What -could possibly go wrong?? - -Well, Alex pressed the ignition button and the rocket roared into life. -All went well for about 58 milliseconds. Then, there was a nice loud -POW, followed by the unmistakable sound of breaking glass. The motor had -indeed over-pressured, but it didn't exactly explode. Apparently, the -clay nozzle of the rocket motor had been ejected out of the rocket motor -tube, just like a cannon ball. I suppose it was a good example of the -law of averages. All the incredible good luck I had had during past -disasters had finally run out. The clay nozzle managed to sail all the -way over to the house and took out one of the basement windows. At least -it only broke one of the outer storm-window panes. The inner windowpane -was still intact, so the damage wasn't so severe that the TV room in -the basement was exposed to the elements. The window is still broken to -this day, another testament to my lack of foresight. Who knew that I had -constructed a mortar shell instead of a properly functioning rocket -motor?? Oh, well.... Alex thought it was all great fun and excitement. -He will have a great story to tell his grandchildren someday. At least, -no one could say I was derelict in my efforts to protect life and limb. -Our high-tech blast shield worked perfectly to keep us safe during the -explosion. |