The REAL Valkyrie

I thought it was a Honda

Wikipedia, Gomera-b

... and, Adolph thought it was his generals...

"In Norse mythology, a valkyrie (from Old Norse valkyrja "chooser of the slain") is one of a host of female figures who choose those who may die in battle and those who may live. "...

I think I prefer the Norse version, just not in person, as these are fearsome creatures who do Odin's bidding.

I thought they chose who were to be carried off to Valhalla, to feast and fight and kill and die, only to wake up the next morning for another pre-fight feast, until they were needed for Ragnerok; and who were to be left to languish with Hel in the underworld, denies the glory of fighting in the grand battle that would be the end of this world, the death of most of the Norse gods, and result in the beginning of the next world.

Not all who die in battle make it to Valhalla, only the valiant. Not those driving the Valiant. Dying while making a stand to defend one's comrades is probably a good way to be chosen.

Exactly, they were the 'taxi service' for the Valiant Fallen. They made no decisions in who lived and who died. They were nor 'fearsome' as in 'fear-inspiring,' they were dressed and armed in 'warrior chic.' Seeing one heading for you was not only good news (in that you got to party and fight until the end of the world), they were also smokin' HAWT! A modern equivalent would be entering the afterlife to find your guide to the What Comes Next is the St. Pauli girl, with an ice cold 2 gallon mug of your favorite brew in each hand, and showing an impressive amount of cleavage in that low-cut Bavarian blouse. Knowing that she's leading you to an endless Octoberfest (where she and her sisters will be there serving beer all day, and sticking around for the nightly 'after-party') only makes the sight of her even more of a joyful event.

Or, if that is still a bit esoteric, another analogy would be the righteous being led to the promised land by an angel who looks EXACTLY like the person the recently fallen considered the most beautiful in the world, dressed and decked out in gear that enhances his/her beauty almost past reason.

You appear to be trapped in a St. Pauli nightmare. Keep livin' the dream!

I don't think this is all that much off-topic. After all, we are discussing, pretty girls, beer, and combat, all of which the Valkyries are familiar with.

We aim to please here. You aim too, please. Oh wait, that was just a saying from a urinal stall somewhere.

Now repeat the Lord's prayer with me lest we be led off into temptation. A thing of beauty is a gift to behold, enjoy, savor even, but let it go, whether it be brew, a woman, or a fish (unless you are totally in need of a fish).

If all us Viking Americans were to go a-plundering what would be the ideal place to raid? I am thinking Vancouver, B.C., just saying, although I understand the gents up there in that part of Canada are well-heeled. Might not be the easy beer run.

In my defense, this video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsHT9aAkAK8

The best is that I was watching this and thought "wow, this is slow" and then the guy comes into the frame and I realized "oh, this video is sped up!"

NASA Robotics!

Meanwhile at Boston Dynamics...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVlhMGQgDkY

Unlike humans, robots are generally built for specific purpose....so you're comparing apples and oranges if the robots are built for different purposes...and I might add at the degree of completed developmental goals...while it's true these robots are likely to be continuously upgraded in one way or another, there is a time when the robot goes into service...out of beta testing so to speak...these are still mostly industrial type machines, the semi-autonomous types we are watching so closely have yet to come into widespread practical use as of yet...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6feEE716UEk

Let's hope you're right. It just seems like robotics have moved far beyond what they are demonstrating. Don't get me wrong, I love NASA and think they do amazing things...this just doesn't strike me as one of them.

That last one (the later part of it) is precisely why the rise of the machines will spell the doom of humankind! Cruelty to robots, or hostile work environment laws are probably already on the way....LOL, not.

Bubba sliding around on the snow sort of reminded me of myself, on an early winter morning.

It looks better in its transformations:

(Yes, this is also a Valkyrie, from the old Macross anime (Robotech in the US.)