You Know You're In Heat Transfer Class When...

1) It's not strange to ask your professor for his mass, density, surface area, and specific heat for a problem

2) It's amusing when the professor relates electrical circuits to somebody catching hypothermia

3) Solutions are always more complicated than the problem

4) You use the Greek alphabet more than the English one

5) It's no longer possible to find the exact right answer; just approximations

6) You find yourself posting about Heat Transfer class as though it was one of the most exciting things happening in your life

What If? - Atlantis Part II

So sorry this is late... but nonetheless...


All of Atlantis stretched before us. The entire continent was amazingly flat, so I could see from coast to coast from my vantage point.

The four rivers flowed in a general southwest direction. They sprang from the Fountain of Youth, which originated in the Garden of Everlasting Light. Now that was a topic that could generate discussion at a feast. You see, our oldest traditions say that a god guards the entrance to the garden, barring our entrance to it. However, when the Great Ones came, they claimed to be greater than the god that guarded the entrance, and that as a result, we ought to listen to them on all matters spiritual and religious. In physical strength and stature, there were definitely greater than those of us who were native Atlanteans, but the Nephilim, as they call themselves, seemed to have few answers.
East of the garden was the land of Nob, where the herdsmen, the Jabaleans, live. They are as protective of their knowledge of animals as we are of our knowledge of metals. Only their animals are considered “clean”, all other breeds being inferior in health and quality; they enjoy a relatively high status as a result.I clicked to Enta again and we flew west. We crossed two of the rivers, Gihon and Hiddekel, and landed on the far side of Hiddekel.

There was quite a crowd assembled who came, they said, to dissuade the Preacher, but in reality, I think they were interested to hear what he had to say… and to see the “project”.
It was huge. Utterly massive - an enormous wooden box that stretched hundreds of paces in every direction, including up. It was not its sheer size that astonished people, for many of our temples were just as big or bigger, but its construction and its alleged purpose. It was entirely of wood, save where metal attachments were required. Its purpose was what fascinated people.
“Beware, my friends!” came a voice. I recognized that the Preacher had momentarily stopped his work to respond to the jeerers. “God’s judgment is coming! This is the only safety!”

“Which god?” Called one person, with snickers and laughter surrounding his comment. “We’ll just get the other ones to protect us from it.”
“Like the Nephilim said!”
The Preacher opened his mouth again, but he was cut off.
“What are you going to save us from in your little wooden box? Dragon fire would incinerate it, rams would crash through it, and an orichalcum axe would hew a timber in half!”
The Preacher’s response was drowned out by laughter. I dropped off the clasps with one of the workers and went back to Enta. The crowd was dispersing now, the midday meal coming on, and many of them passed me as I mounted. I caught random comments from the different spectators as they walked by.
“He’s crazy.”
“He can't know what he’s talking about.”

“Yeah. Crazy old Noah.”

What if? - Atlantis Part I

“Athryntos!”
I shook my head, clearing the dizzying nothingness that hinted of sleep, and ran to where my master stood, tapping his foot impatiently.
“Yes, master?” I inquired.
“Falling asleep again, weren’t you?” He queried.
“No, of course not.” I replied.
Tyvros shook his head, obviously not believing me. “Young fools. You always stay at the feasts late and expect that there will be no repercussions the next morning. Don’t lie to me again.”
“But master, I – “
I got no further as he cuffed me on the side of my head, sending me sprawling to the ground.
“In all of Atlantis, there is no lad as thick-headed as you.” He sighed, still shaking his head. “Take the clasps to the “preacher” and hurry back here. There’s a lot to be done.”
I nodded and went to the back room, where a new set of clasps had just been made. I picked one up an inspected it, marveling. It was made of orichalcum, the precious metal considered to be second only to gold. Only those of my clan, the Kan-Tubaleons, know how to work it. Yes, between orichalcum and iron, our position in society is secured; few others have learned our secrets, and as far as I know, few ever will.I replaced the clasp in the wooden box and closed the lid. Carrying it out back, I whistled loudly, calling for Enta. After a few moments, he came flapping down from some unknown roost, of which there were many in the city. Enta was a simple flying dragon that Tyvros maintained to deliver orders. As our craft was required throughout the entire continent, it was good to have a swift mount on hand. Enta was not as strong as the battle-dragons, which walk on two feet.But he was not as feared as leviathan, the massive sea-dragon that few legends spoke about, but everybody knew about. He breathed fire, swam swiftly through the water, and could defeat a dozen warriors with ease. Even weapons made from our precious orichalcum could not penetrate his scaly armor. These were only a few dragon breeds among hundreds, but by far the most well-known. I strapped the chest to Enta and climbed onto his back. Picking up the reins, I clicked to him.
“Up Enta, let’s go.”
Enta warbled and lifted his massive wings, 30 cubits from tip to tip. With a few flaps of his wings, we were airborne, circling above the city to gain altitude. We dodged the spire of one of the temples, and I briefly had Enta land on its roof before we continued.