This evening I just won my 100th game of online chess. Hooray!
Now that I've firmly established my nerdiness, I'm headed to bed. The last two nights I accumulated a grand total of seven hours of sleep and I fell asleep twice in class today. I'm such hard partying undergrad.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Car Work
About two months ago my car started acting up. It wasn't running smoothly and would "miss" every so often. I lived with it for a couple weeks, but realized it was exactly the same symptoms my last Mazda Protege had at about the same mileage. Last time the shop put in new spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, and rotor and it solved the problem. This time, rather than take it to the shop, I rolled it over to my neighbor's garage and we went to work.
First off, my neighbor is awesome. He helps me fix all kinds of things and explains a host of other things. He's one of those guys who knows something about everything. A true renaissance intellectual, something I admire. I digresssssss...
After an hour or so of work and a couple trips to the parts store (the wires I originally bought didn't fit) the car was running great. Hooray!
Then, out of nowhere, a coolant leak developed. Have no fear, neighbor is here! Tonight, after identifying the leak, we cut the existing hose and reattached it. Cost: zero. Wasted parts: zero. So satisfying.
It made me think: This is the first time I've done any real work on my car. I know there are hobbyist out there, but as cars become more computerized, is working on one's car fast becoming a lost art? When we are flying around in hover cars are we going to tell stories to our enraptured grandchildren about how when "we were kids" people fixed their own cars. Anyone out there work on their car or am I just the man?
First off, my neighbor is awesome. He helps me fix all kinds of things and explains a host of other things. He's one of those guys who knows something about everything. A true renaissance intellectual, something I admire. I digresssssss...
After an hour or so of work and a couple trips to the parts store (the wires I originally bought didn't fit) the car was running great. Hooray!
Then, out of nowhere, a coolant leak developed. Have no fear, neighbor is here! Tonight, after identifying the leak, we cut the existing hose and reattached it. Cost: zero. Wasted parts: zero. So satisfying.
It made me think: This is the first time I've done any real work on my car. I know there are hobbyist out there, but as cars become more computerized, is working on one's car fast becoming a lost art? When we are flying around in hover cars are we going to tell stories to our enraptured grandchildren about how when "we were kids" people fixed their own cars. Anyone out there work on their car or am I just the man?
Saturday, July 26, 2008
A New Feature
I've decided a new feature of this blog will linking to interesting articles that I read accompanied by a brief summary by yours truly. First up:
"Heat Is Power. Let's Stop Throwing It Away!" by Thomas Blakeslee
Summary: Just about everything we do when producing electricity and using vehicles creates lots of wasted heat. Coal-fired power plants and nuclear facilities have huge cooling towers and our cars have cooling systems. That heat represents wasted energy. In fact, coal-fire power plants only use 1/3 of the power from the coal and the rest is sent up the cooling tower. I was told by the bike mechanic that only 4% of the energy in gasoline goes to moving the person down the road and the other 96% moves the car, breaks wind, overcomes friction, etc. The author concludes that we could drastically improve our energy efficiency by using all that wasted heat.
Apparently government policies do not encourage efficiency, but as energy prices rise and technology improves, use of wasted heat becomes more economically viable. The bottom line: wasted heat in the form of hot water and steam should be used to heat buildings and turn turbines that create electricity. Makes sense to me!
"Heat Is Power. Let's Stop Throwing It Away!" by Thomas Blakeslee
Summary: Just about everything we do when producing electricity and using vehicles creates lots of wasted heat. Coal-fired power plants and nuclear facilities have huge cooling towers and our cars have cooling systems. That heat represents wasted energy. In fact, coal-fire power plants only use 1/3 of the power from the coal and the rest is sent up the cooling tower. I was told by the bike mechanic that only 4% of the energy in gasoline goes to moving the person down the road and the other 96% moves the car, breaks wind, overcomes friction, etc. The author concludes that we could drastically improve our energy efficiency by using all that wasted heat.
Apparently government policies do not encourage efficiency, but as energy prices rise and technology improves, use of wasted heat becomes more economically viable. The bottom line: wasted heat in the form of hot water and steam should be used to heat buildings and turn turbines that create electricity. Makes sense to me!
McCain... Still Crazy
Turns out John McCain isn't finished being crazy (surprise, surprise). A couple weeks ago he said that knowing what we know now--that there were no WMDs in Iraq, that there were no terrorists in Iraq, that there were no terrorist ties to Iraq, that Iraqis would not embrace us with open arms, that we did not have enough troops for the job, etc etc etc--knowing alllllll that, he would still support the start of the Iraq War.
Seriously? This guy is crazy. Even after knowing that the war would be a failure, that thousands of troops would die and thousands more would be permanently disabled, that thousands of Iraqis would die and thousands more would be displaced, that Iran would grow in power, that worldwide terrorist recruiting would go up, that we wouldn't have enough troops in Afghanistan, that we would spend more than a trillion dollars in Iraq as our schools deteriorate, national infrastructure falls apart, and energy prices goes through the roof... after all that he would still support the war.
The mind reels.
Please tell your friends, John McCain is not fit to be president.
Seriously? This guy is crazy. Even after knowing that the war would be a failure, that thousands of troops would die and thousands more would be permanently disabled, that thousands of Iraqis would die and thousands more would be displaced, that Iran would grow in power, that worldwide terrorist recruiting would go up, that we wouldn't have enough troops in Afghanistan, that we would spend more than a trillion dollars in Iraq as our schools deteriorate, national infrastructure falls apart, and energy prices goes through the roof... after all that he would still support the war.
The mind reels.
Please tell your friends, John McCain is not fit to be president.
Most Amazing Golf Ever
Yesterday I played the third round of a little tournament at the local club and it was phenomenal. It's a long story that gets weirder and weirder as it goes. Enjoy in bullet form:
*I was playing a guy named Mel and I had to give four strokes.
*On the third hole we were tied. He hit his ball on the side of a hill with two foot long grass and his ball went all the way to the dirt. He proceeded to get up and down for par and we stayed tied.
*On the sixth hole hit his ball right next to the creek, within the hazard, but made bogey. I also made bogey after missing a one foot putt. On the next tee he assessed himself a penalty stroke so I won the hole anyway. He had won the fourth hole, so now we were tied again.
*On the ninth hole we had to consult the rule book, the first time I've done that in years. He was out of bounds and I won the hole with a birdie.
*The 11th hole I hit the best drive I've ever hit there, but after a three putt it was a par. I'm still one up.
*After failing to get up and down on 12 and 13, I was one down.
*14th hole I birdied and the match was tied.
Here's where it gets weird.
*15th hole: I added yards to the total distance rather than subtract--something I've never done--and hit the ball over the green. After the chip I was walking to the green and while tapping my putter on the ground the club head broke off. Clean off. We consulted the rule book again (second time in one round!?!?) and got an interpretation from the club pro. Turns out I couldn't replace it and had to putt with another club. I lost 15 and was 1 down with three holes to go.
*16th hole: Long par 5 and I bombed my drive but a little right. My ball was in the junk, but I hit a good 6 iron on the fringe and made the putt with my sandwedge for eagle. I won the hole and we were even.
*17th hole I won with a par. I'm one up.
*18th hole I hit a terrible approach, but a great bunker shot to a foot and a half. Putting with my sandwedge... I missed. He parred so it was on to extra holes.
*First extra hole: We both drove the green and made birdies.
*Second extra hole: It's a par 5 and I had to give him another stroke. I hit my drive 350 yards and stuck my 9 iron to eight feet. He missed his birdie putt and then I made my 8 footer, again with my sandwedge, for the win... or so I thought.
This morning I received a call from the club pro who said that yesterday my handicap updated and changed from +.28 to +.5 which meant I had to give the guy an extra stroke. After looking at the card it turns out the meant he won the 5th hole and thus the match. Unbelievable, weird, and a little questionable. Still, the most amazing and weird rounds of golf I have ever been involved with.
UPDATE (Tuesday the 29th): I just received a phone call from the course pro and he said I actually won the match due to a couple rules that he found out about after calling the United States Golf Association. We're going national baby!!!!
*I was playing a guy named Mel and I had to give four strokes.
*On the third hole we were tied. He hit his ball on the side of a hill with two foot long grass and his ball went all the way to the dirt. He proceeded to get up and down for par and we stayed tied.
*On the sixth hole hit his ball right next to the creek, within the hazard, but made bogey. I also made bogey after missing a one foot putt. On the next tee he assessed himself a penalty stroke so I won the hole anyway. He had won the fourth hole, so now we were tied again.
*On the ninth hole we had to consult the rule book, the first time I've done that in years. He was out of bounds and I won the hole with a birdie.
*The 11th hole I hit the best drive I've ever hit there, but after a three putt it was a par. I'm still one up.
*After failing to get up and down on 12 and 13, I was one down.
*14th hole I birdied and the match was tied.
Here's where it gets weird.
*15th hole: I added yards to the total distance rather than subtract--something I've never done--and hit the ball over the green. After the chip I was walking to the green and while tapping my putter on the ground the club head broke off. Clean off. We consulted the rule book again (second time in one round!?!?) and got an interpretation from the club pro. Turns out I couldn't replace it and had to putt with another club. I lost 15 and was 1 down with three holes to go.
*16th hole: Long par 5 and I bombed my drive but a little right. My ball was in the junk, but I hit a good 6 iron on the fringe and made the putt with my sandwedge for eagle. I won the hole and we were even.
*17th hole I won with a par. I'm one up.
*18th hole I hit a terrible approach, but a great bunker shot to a foot and a half. Putting with my sandwedge... I missed. He parred so it was on to extra holes.
*First extra hole: We both drove the green and made birdies.
*Second extra hole: It's a par 5 and I had to give him another stroke. I hit my drive 350 yards and stuck my 9 iron to eight feet. He missed his birdie putt and then I made my 8 footer, again with my sandwedge, for the win... or so I thought.
This morning I received a call from the club pro who said that yesterday my handicap updated and changed from +.28 to +.5 which meant I had to give the guy an extra stroke. After looking at the card it turns out the meant he won the 5th hole and thus the match. Unbelievable, weird, and a little questionable. Still, the most amazing and weird rounds of golf I have ever been involved with.
UPDATE (Tuesday the 29th): I just received a phone call from the course pro and he said I actually won the match due to a couple rules that he found out about after calling the United States Golf Association. We're going national baby!!!!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Obama Legitimized
In this year's presidential race we have Barack Obama, someone who is wildly popular with the Democratic base, against John McCain, someone who does little to inspire conservative Republicans and leans hard on his supposed foreign policy know-how. In the last couple months, however, McCain's strongest issue has slowly eroded from beneath him. He's confused Shiites and Sunnis (whoops), said Vladimir Putin is the President of Germany (not President and definitely not Germany), referenced events in long-ago-defunct Czechoslovakia as though it is still a country (it's been a few years buddy), incorrectly identified troop levels in Iraq (by 20,000), and said that Iraq and Pakistan share a border (nope). There's even more stuff he's confused, misunderstood, misstated, etc, etc, etc.
Already McCain is looking shaky (that's the understatement of the day!) on foreign policy. Last week it got worse for McCain. The Prime Minister of Iraq, Nuri al-Maliki, endorsed Barack Obama's timetable for withdraw--a removal of troops over a 16 month period--saying that it was right for Iraq.
To make matters worse for McCain, the current administration has begun negotiating with North Korea and is getting positive results, and is doing the same with Iran and Syria. It was Barack Obama who, months ago, said we needed to engage diplomatically with rogue nations. Now we know Obama's view is right.
So, Obama was right by opposing the Iraq War in the first place, was/is right about engaging rogue nations in diplomacy rather than ostracizing them, and has the plan that is being endorsed by the top Iraqi politician. As a reminder, John McCain supported the Iraq War in the first place, endorsed the current administrations views on diplomacy (or lack thereof), and believes we may be in Iraq for up to 100 years. Yeesh.
Already McCain is looking shaky (that's the understatement of the day!) on foreign policy. Last week it got worse for McCain. The Prime Minister of Iraq, Nuri al-Maliki, endorsed Barack Obama's timetable for withdraw--a removal of troops over a 16 month period--saying that it was right for Iraq.
To make matters worse for McCain, the current administration has begun negotiating with North Korea and is getting positive results, and is doing the same with Iran and Syria. It was Barack Obama who, months ago, said we needed to engage diplomatically with rogue nations. Now we know Obama's view is right.
So, Obama was right by opposing the Iraq War in the first place, was/is right about engaging rogue nations in diplomacy rather than ostracizing them, and has the plan that is being endorsed by the top Iraqi politician. As a reminder, John McCain supported the Iraq War in the first place, endorsed the current administrations views on diplomacy (or lack thereof), and believes we may be in Iraq for up to 100 years. Yeesh.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Big Sporting Weekend
It was a big sporting weekend for me. On Saturday Brian and I, both members of Team Oregon Trail Racing, went down to Boise to race in the Boise Twilight Criterium. I placed 7th and Brian got 11th, so we were just a hair out of two top 10 finishes. The big up was that neither of us crashed, so it was a success!
Today I had a second round golf match in my course's Club Championship. It's really not a club championship because it is handicapped, it's more just match play, but still fun for a little competition. Today was a heck of a match. I was four holes down with seven to go and ended up winning on the 18th. On to the next round!
Today I had a second round golf match in my course's Club Championship. It's really not a club championship because it is handicapped, it's more just match play, but still fun for a little competition. Today was a heck of a match. I was four holes down with seven to go and ended up winning on the 18th. On to the next round!
Something To Think About
I heard this quote while listening to a speech today on TED.
Credited to Jonah Sulk:
Credited to Jonah Sulk:
If all the insects were to disappear from the earth, within 50 years all life on earth would end. If all human beings disappeared from the earth, within 50 years all forms of life would flourish.Makes you think.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Priceless
Are you better off now than you were seven years ago when Bush entered office?
They don't think so.
DAMN! I can't get the video to embed properly, so click here to see it.
Hat tip to Aguanomics.
They don't think so.
DAMN! I can't get the video to embed properly, so click here to see it.
Hat tip to Aguanomics.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Bike!
All you loyal readers know I've been building a bike. The goal was to build a bullhorn style bicycle cheaply, under $50 if possible. I started with a donated frame which I painted. Since then I collected a set of free wheels, a crank, and brake levers, but then construction ground to a halt... until today!
I took all my components down to the bike shop where I know the mechanic and we went to work. After a tire, chain, derailure, shifter, brakes, housing, wheel true, seat post tightener, handlebar tape, and peddles, the bike is fully operational and looks great!!!!
The good news is that it is a super comfortable ride and turned out looking fantastic. The bad news is that I went wildly over budget:
Painting: $20
Bottom Bracket: $18
Today's costs: $118
Total: $156
I thoroughly busted my idealistic budget, but I learned a lot (especially from today's session) and have a great commuter bike. I hope you all like it!
A HUGE thanks to Whit, the mechanic down at The Mountain Works. He gave me a great deal on parts and labor and let me hang around and learn a bit about his trade. If you're a La Grande local or passing through I highly recommend their shop!
I took all my components down to the bike shop where I know the mechanic and we went to work. After a tire, chain, derailure, shifter, brakes, housing, wheel true, seat post tightener, handlebar tape, and peddles, the bike is fully operational and looks great!!!!
The good news is that it is a super comfortable ride and turned out looking fantastic. The bad news is that I went wildly over budget:Painting: $20
Bottom Bracket: $18
Today's costs: $118
Total: $156
I thoroughly busted my idealistic budget, but I learned a lot (especially from today's session) and have a great commuter bike. I hope you all like it!
A HUGE thanks to Whit, the mechanic down at The Mountain Works. He gave me a great deal on parts and labor and let me hang around and learn a bit about his trade. If you're a La Grande local or passing through I highly recommend their shop!
Elgin Stampede
Last weekend was the Elgin Stampede, a regional rodeo with all sorts of cowboy things. For those of you that know me, you know that means I'm there. For those of you that really know me, you know that the previous statement was ridiculous. That said, I really enjoy going to the rodeo because it's entertaining, fun, and exciting. We attended the bull riding, but there were two other events: Barrel Racing and Wild Cow Milking.
A little background. The PA announcer kept saying, "Sign ups for the wild cow milking are still open, anyone can join." You are supposed to do it in teams of two and, because I was with Garron, I tried to convince him to do it with me. When he declined I tried to get my friend Matt to do it. He said no. It was probably a good thing.
When the Wild Cow Milking event began a bunch of legit cowboys ran out there with the intent to milk some cows (see below). One partner was on a horse roping while the other wrestled the cow into submission and then milked. I have plenty of heart... but no skill... or hat... or belt buckle. So when I saw real farmers/ranchers struggling I realized it would have been quite the spectacle to have me out there. While I'm sure the few thousand spectators would have loved it, it's probably a good idea that we passed.
There was also barrel racing and bull riding, both of which you can check out below. Only three guys made the entire eight seconds and one was carted off my ambulance. I'm not sure if that's what you call a "good night."
I should mention that the rodeo clown's prop was named Hillary Clinton and there was always a good laugh had by all when the bull would crush it. Pretty stereotypical. It's disappointing on so many levels.
A little background. The PA announcer kept saying, "Sign ups for the wild cow milking are still open, anyone can join." You are supposed to do it in teams of two and, because I was with Garron, I tried to convince him to do it with me. When he declined I tried to get my friend Matt to do it. He said no. It was probably a good thing.
When the Wild Cow Milking event began a bunch of legit cowboys ran out there with the intent to milk some cows (see below). One partner was on a horse roping while the other wrestled the cow into submission and then milked. I have plenty of heart... but no skill... or hat... or belt buckle. So when I saw real farmers/ranchers struggling I realized it would have been quite the spectacle to have me out there. While I'm sure the few thousand spectators would have loved it, it's probably a good idea that we passed.
There was also barrel racing and bull riding, both of which you can check out below. Only three guys made the entire eight seconds and one was carted off my ambulance. I'm not sure if that's what you call a "good night."
I should mention that the rodeo clown's prop was named Hillary Clinton and there was always a good laugh had by all when the bull would crush it. Pretty stereotypical. It's disappointing on so many levels.
Woah.
I sat down to blog while watching today's Tour de France stage. That was awesome, but like all awesome things it came to an end. Being lazy (the remote is across the room) I just left the TV on and up came the World's Strongest Man Competition. Observations:
- The guys are dead lifting so much weight that their noses start to bleed.
Garden Update
We had a big pea harvest last week. I had four friend over and we ate the first haul. The next day I picked and preserved (froze) a bunch more. Fresh peas are fantastic!
Below are two community garden photos. You may notice that there are two raised beds. That is because a few days ago I built and planted a second bed, this one with sweet corn. Fresh sweet corn is one of the most fantastic treats, however for us to enjoy this we have to have a fairly late first freeze this fall. That's the case because I planted late! I have my fingers crossed it will work out, but today was a good sign: they started to come up!
The second photo is of a small plot I started because there were some unused plants laying around and I didn't want to see them die. There are squash and the plant that produces the green part of green salsa. I feel like an adoptive parent.
Below are two community garden photos. You may notice that there are two raised beds. That is because a few days ago I built and planted a second bed, this one with sweet corn. Fresh sweet corn is one of the most fantastic treats, however for us to enjoy this we have to have a fairly late first freeze this fall. That's the case because I planted late! I have my fingers crossed it will work out, but today was a good sign: they started to come up!
The second photo is of a small plot I started because there were some unused plants laying around and I didn't want to see them die. There are squash and the plant that produces the green part of green salsa. I feel like an adoptive parent.
The Open Championship
Tomorrow professional golf's third major championship of the year begins as players tee it up at the British Open. Tiger, however, won't be there due to a totally doodled knee. The last time Tiger was not present at one of golf's major championships was at the PGA Championship in 1996. That year the "Macarena" was #1 and Bill Clinton was busy beating down Bob Dole in the presidential race. Will anyone be watching the Tigerless golf tournament?
Monday, July 14, 2008
Schooooooooool
My journey toward becoming a teacher took its first baby steps this morning. After a meet and greet with lots of delicious foods, we started classes toward obtaining a Masters in Teacher Education.
You'd think I'd have some commentary about how weird it is to be back in class, go through orientation, yadda yadda, but to be honest it feels pretty normal and good. I guess that's a good thing though. So the ship has set sail, let's hope the winds keep blowing strong.
You'd think I'd have some commentary about how weird it is to be back in class, go through orientation, yadda yadda, but to be honest it feels pretty normal and good. I guess that's a good thing though. So the ship has set sail, let's hope the winds keep blowing strong.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
SUVs and Trucks
I generally loath SUVs and heavy trucks that are used for commuting rather than their intended use: work. Vehicles are for moving people and with environmental and financial concerns what they are, people should use the most efficient vehicle that fits their needs. For every extra gallon of gas used because folks drive an oversized vehicle (or walk/ride) there are extra greenhouse gases emitted, increased smog in the air, and more money in the coffers of extreme regimes around the world.
Read that again: Every extra gallon you use sends more money to places like Saudi Arabia and, eventually, into funding extremist organizations. Eventually our soldiers and taxpayer dollars are expended fighting those very organizations we fund.
I was reminded of this when I read a great slogan that was pasted across a billboard depicting a hummer. It read:
On that note, I've always wanted to paste stickers on SUVs that read, "Osama loves your SUV."
Read that again: Every extra gallon you use sends more money to places like Saudi Arabia and, eventually, into funding extremist organizations. Eventually our soldiers and taxpayer dollars are expended fighting those very organizations we fund.
I was reminded of this when I read a great slogan that was pasted across a billboard depicting a hummer. It read:
Real soldiers die in their Hummers so you can play soldier in yours.Exactly.
On that note, I've always wanted to paste stickers on SUVs that read, "Osama loves your SUV."
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Tour de France, Part Deux
Anyone use the info from the previous Tour de France post to get a date with the cute guy/girl at the bar? Hope so.
Here's some updates:
Now, back to watching the race!
Here's some updates:
- Juan Mauricio Soler, a favorite to compete for the King of the Mountains jersey*, crashed in the first stage and withdrew after crashing in the first stage and breaking bones in his hand.
- If I'm not mistaken, the overall leader--the guy who wears the Yellow Jersey and is leading the race--has changed every day. As of today, however, Kim Kirchen, a rider from US-owned Team Columbia, has led two consecutive days. It's been a wild race so far with many lead changes.
- Yesterday's stage was the first with big mountains and I saw something that incited a Google Field Trip: At the top of a mountain climb a rider grabbed a handful of newspaper from a spectator and stuffed it into the front of his jersey. Apparently at the top of a climb the riders are incredibly sweaty and use this low-tech method to protect and insulate their body from cooling off too fast as they fly down the mountain.
- Speaking of going downhill, the riders will reach speeds of 90 km/h (55 mph) while descending some mountains.
- Finally, there are only four American riders in the race, but one, Christian Vandevelde, sits in fourth place overall and is considered a contender for the overall win.
- Yellow Jersey: Overall leader based on time.
- Green Jersey: Points leader based on winning designated sprints that are spread throughout the race.
- Polka Dot Jersey: My favorite, the King of the Mountains jersey is given to the rider who demonstrates the best climbing ability.
- White Jersey: Best Young Rider jersey given to the highest ranked rider under 25 years old.
Now, back to watching the race!
Friday, July 11, 2008
This Makes Me Proud
I'm poaching this from Sarah, a blogger over a Beastcorps.
This. Is. Unreal.
I love Pac-Man and have played my fair share of hours at this game, but to achieve this kind of perfection doesn't seem possible. In fact, at about level 10 I found it difficult to simply eat just one of the Bad Blob Guys (not their official name) before they stopped flashing, much less all four.
It goes to show what a person can do if he puts his mind to it.
This. Is. Unreal.
I love Pac-Man and have played my fair share of hours at this game, but to achieve this kind of perfection doesn't seem possible. In fact, at about level 10 I found it difficult to simply eat just one of the Bad Blob Guys (not their official name) before they stopped flashing, much less all four.
It goes to show what a person can do if he puts his mind to it.
Yuck
It doesn't happen very often, in fact I cannot think of the last time, but when it does it's really really really gross.
Yesterday I picked the first bunch of raspberries from our bushes and sat down to enjoy them in a bowl of shredded wheat. I plopped down at the table, poured in the cereal and milk, added the raspberries, pulled up a newspaper, and took a bite.
Then took another bite.
Something was wrong.
Up to this point I was concentrating on reading the newspaper, not looking at the cereal. Then I looked... and saw floaties. The milk was curdled.
I stopped eating, but I must admit that I picked out the raspberries and ate them. I couldn't bear the thought of wasting the first "crop." Judge me if you will.
Yesterday I picked the first bunch of raspberries from our bushes and sat down to enjoy them in a bowl of shredded wheat. I plopped down at the table, poured in the cereal and milk, added the raspberries, pulled up a newspaper, and took a bite.
Then took another bite.
Something was wrong.
Up to this point I was concentrating on reading the newspaper, not looking at the cereal. Then I looked... and saw floaties. The milk was curdled.
I stopped eating, but I must admit that I picked out the raspberries and ate them. I couldn't bear the thought of wasting the first "crop." Judge me if you will.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Shrinkage?
No, not that kind of shrinkage. Today we're talking about the downsizing of food products at the grocery store. While listening to NPR today I heard an interview with Ben Popken, the editor of The Consumerist, a blog about stores, consumer products, and anything where consumer things go wrong.
Today on "All Things Considered" they were discussing how food products available at the grocery store are getting smaller while prices are staying the same. Ice cream containers are getting smaller, cereal boxes have fewer ounces, margarine tubs are shrinking... all without announcing this to the consumer and keeping prices steady. I'm not sure how I feel about this, but my gut tells me it's wrong.
If packaging remains the same then it is deceptive. There are two schools of thought here: 1) The consumer needs to be aware and protect herself or 2) Producers should make ethical decisions that provide consumer protections. Thankfully we do not live in a black and white world and the reality is some of each philosophy is true. Blogs like The Consumerist help counterbalance big corporations when they pull this type of move.
All that being said, I'm convinced that M&M bags are smaller. Period.
Today on "All Things Considered" they were discussing how food products available at the grocery store are getting smaller while prices are staying the same. Ice cream containers are getting smaller, cereal boxes have fewer ounces, margarine tubs are shrinking... all without announcing this to the consumer and keeping prices steady. I'm not sure how I feel about this, but my gut tells me it's wrong.
If packaging remains the same then it is deceptive. There are two schools of thought here: 1) The consumer needs to be aware and protect herself or 2) Producers should make ethical decisions that provide consumer protections. Thankfully we do not live in a black and white world and the reality is some of each philosophy is true. Blogs like The Consumerist help counterbalance big corporations when they pull this type of move.
All that being said, I'm convinced that M&M bags are smaller. Period.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
80.43
Question: What is the distance traveled, in miles, by Zachary and Brian by bicycle this morning?
After a little more than eighty miles, three thousand vertical feet, and about four hours on the bike, I'm beat.
After a little more than eighty miles, three thousand vertical feet, and about four hours on the bike, I'm beat.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Balloon Man
Last year Kent Couch tried to travel from Bend, Oregon to Idaho... via air... specifically a flying lawn chair... powered by big balloons. Awesome. Last year he made it Union, Oregon, a small town just 15 minutes from my hometown.
I didn't take the picture, thanks to Pete Erickson for the fine shot from last year's attempt. Pretty spectacular, right?
This year he tried again and, lo and behold, he made it! It's pretty incredible. Not only is it a long ways, but the mountains he crosses are a bunch of 8,000 foot peaks. Anyhow, cool stuff happening here in Oregon.
I didn't take the picture, thanks to Pete Erickson for the fine shot from last year's attempt. Pretty spectacular, right?
This year he tried again and, lo and behold, he made it! It's pretty incredible. Not only is it a long ways, but the mountains he crosses are a bunch of 8,000 foot peaks. Anyhow, cool stuff happening here in Oregon.
Deposits: Part Deux
After writing this about can deposits, talking to folks at the community garden last night about the giant floating trash heaps in the oceans, reading this post by my friend about half marathons and plastic bags (Catchy tagline, eh? Click the link for the story.), recalling how my hometown ships our trash 45 miles to a neighboring town because we filled our dump up, and after receiving 3 cents off my groceries at Safeway because I brought my own bag, I got to thinking more about deposit programs. The basic premise: put a deposit on everything.
What if cardboard or newspapers were worth 10 cents a pound? How about plastic packaging running a cool 25 cents a pound? What if all things used for packaging and consumer goods had a deposit you paid up front but could recoup if you brought it back to a recycling center?
The philosophy is simple: put a value on everything so it creates a market for that waste. If companies had to pay the money to dispose of returned packaging then they would be incentivized to reduce, recycle, and reuse old packaging.
Currently that cost is on you and me: we buy a product, in the products price is the cost of the packaging, then we have to pay the garbageman to dispose of that trash. Instead, with a deposit system, the price for all of that would shift to the producer. If they used less packaging they would have a lower price, thus improving their competitive edge.
Living green means much more than emitting fewer greenhouse gases. It means eating food that has fewer chemicals applied to the land, it means using less water so rivers and aquifers don't run dry, and it means using less stuff--plastic, paper, etc--so as to create less trash. Wouldn't creating a value for what is currently considered waste do a lot to move us in that direction?
What if cardboard or newspapers were worth 10 cents a pound? How about plastic packaging running a cool 25 cents a pound? What if all things used for packaging and consumer goods had a deposit you paid up front but could recoup if you brought it back to a recycling center?
The philosophy is simple: put a value on everything so it creates a market for that waste. If companies had to pay the money to dispose of returned packaging then they would be incentivized to reduce, recycle, and reuse old packaging.
Currently that cost is on you and me: we buy a product, in the products price is the cost of the packaging, then we have to pay the garbageman to dispose of that trash. Instead, with a deposit system, the price for all of that would shift to the producer. If they used less packaging they would have a lower price, thus improving their competitive edge.
Living green means much more than emitting fewer greenhouse gases. It means eating food that has fewer chemicals applied to the land, it means using less water so rivers and aquifers don't run dry, and it means using less stuff--plastic, paper, etc--so as to create less trash. Wouldn't creating a value for what is currently considered waste do a lot to move us in that direction?
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Can Deposit
In Oregon there is a 5 cent can deposit. For those of you not familiar with the process, whenever you buy qualifying beverage products--currently aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastics pop bottles, and, starting next year, bottled water--you pay 5 cents per can/bottle up front and when you bring it back to the recycling location (usually the grocery store) you get your 5 cents back. It's a cost neutral incentive program designed to increase recycling.
The problem, however, is that 5 cents may not be enough. While riding a bicycle on country roads I see dozens of cans and bottles coloring the ditch. The other day I asked my two fellow riders what they thought about increasing the can deposit from 5 cents to 25 cents. It is still cost neutral--the 25 cents up front are returned when you bring it back--but with a higher deposit people have an even greater incentive to return their cans and bottles.
Brian and Tim (the cyclists) argued that that would cause people to stop buying as many beverages, but I'm not convinced. I think about how gas has tripled in cost yet people continue to drive all the time. Would an additional few dollars in up front cost, the equivalent of one gallon of gas, cause people to slow their consumption of beer and pop, especially when they get that money back?
How about you all? What are your thoughts about increasing the can deposit? Anyone out there reading this in a state where it is 10 cents (Michigan)?
UPDATE: From Mike in comments, here is article from NYTimes Magazine that has more info about deposits. It also answered one of my questions about if a higher deposit induces higher recycling rates. In Michigan (I originally said Maine, but corrected it above) the deposit is 10 cents and there return rate is the highest in the country at 97%. Good to know.
The problem, however, is that 5 cents may not be enough. While riding a bicycle on country roads I see dozens of cans and bottles coloring the ditch. The other day I asked my two fellow riders what they thought about increasing the can deposit from 5 cents to 25 cents. It is still cost neutral--the 25 cents up front are returned when you bring it back--but with a higher deposit people have an even greater incentive to return their cans and bottles.
Brian and Tim (the cyclists) argued that that would cause people to stop buying as many beverages, but I'm not convinced. I think about how gas has tripled in cost yet people continue to drive all the time. Would an additional few dollars in up front cost, the equivalent of one gallon of gas, cause people to slow their consumption of beer and pop, especially when they get that money back?
How about you all? What are your thoughts about increasing the can deposit? Anyone out there reading this in a state where it is 10 cents (Michigan)?
UPDATE: From Mike in comments, here is article from NYTimes Magazine that has more info about deposits. It also answered one of my questions about if a higher deposit induces higher recycling rates. In Michigan (I originally said Maine, but corrected it above) the deposit is 10 cents and there return rate is the highest in the country at 97%. Good to know.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Le Tour de France
I'm blogging from The Tour!!!
Well, I'm blogging from my couch as I watch The Tour on TV. Nearly the same?
My guess is most of you aren't intricately interested in The Tour, so instead of boring details, this blog can serve as your source of talking points, or bits of news, in case you find yourself at the bar or some party talking with a cute guy/girl and the subject comes up. Rather than go drop-jawed "uhhhhhhhhhhh" you can sound interested and knowledgeable thanks to my blog! Here goes:
A) The first stage* was today, a 197.5 kilometer stretch from Brest to Plumelec.
B) In the past the race started with a week of flat stages that favored sprinters, but this year they have eliminated those flat stages in favor of more grueling hills.
C) As a result of doping charges the team favored to win, Team Astana, was banned from the race.
D) Last year's leader, Alberto Contador, is part of that team and therefore won't be able to defend his title.
*The race is 21 days long (plus a couple rest days) with each day's race called a "stage." Each stage all the riders start and finish at the same points and the leaders are determined by how much time they gain by by the end of a stage.
I've always loved watching the race, but now that I've been racing I think the viewing experience will be different. I know the feeling of riding in the peloton, the pain of dragging you and your bike up the side of a mountain, and the thrill of moving down the road at 25-30 miles per hour (or faster).
Unfortunately professional cycling has become synonymous with performance enhancing drugs. Team after team, individual after individual have been caught sticking needles in their asses. Just yesterday while riding with a former semi-pro rider from Colorado, she told me that there was significant doping by her male and female counterparts who were only semi-pro.
Still, with all the scandal, I love watching the cycling and sightseeing as they meander through France.
Well, I'm blogging from my couch as I watch The Tour on TV. Nearly the same?
My guess is most of you aren't intricately interested in The Tour, so instead of boring details, this blog can serve as your source of talking points, or bits of news, in case you find yourself at the bar or some party talking with a cute guy/girl and the subject comes up. Rather than go drop-jawed "uhhhhhhhhhhh" you can sound interested and knowledgeable thanks to my blog! Here goes:
A) The first stage* was today, a 197.5 kilometer stretch from Brest to Plumelec.
B) In the past the race started with a week of flat stages that favored sprinters, but this year they have eliminated those flat stages in favor of more grueling hills.
C) As a result of doping charges the team favored to win, Team Astana, was banned from the race.
D) Last year's leader, Alberto Contador, is part of that team and therefore won't be able to defend his title.
*The race is 21 days long (plus a couple rest days) with each day's race called a "stage." Each stage all the riders start and finish at the same points and the leaders are determined by how much time they gain by by the end of a stage.
I've always loved watching the race, but now that I've been racing I think the viewing experience will be different. I know the feeling of riding in the peloton, the pain of dragging you and your bike up the side of a mountain, and the thrill of moving down the road at 25-30 miles per hour (or faster).
Unfortunately professional cycling has become synonymous with performance enhancing drugs. Team after team, individual after individual have been caught sticking needles in their asses. Just yesterday while riding with a former semi-pro rider from Colorado, she told me that there was significant doping by her male and female counterparts who were only semi-pro.
Still, with all the scandal, I love watching the cycling and sightseeing as they meander through France.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
New Fuel?
While I much prefer the idea of car free towns where people are transported by bicycles, public transportation, and their two good feet, the reality is people are addicted to cars. The fact is that gas prices are going up and it's due to nothing more than simple economics: demand keeps going up but supply is not. The bottom line is that cheap oil is thing of the past.
So, we can either keep emptying our pocketbooks buying oil from countries like Iran, Saudi Arabi, and those dastardly Canucks, or we can search for alternative sources of fuel that will decrease pollution and keep money in the United States. Of the Big 3 alternative fuels they all have significant limitations:
Want one?
So, we can either keep emptying our pocketbooks buying oil from countries like Iran, Saudi Arabi, and those dastardly Canucks, or we can search for alternative sources of fuel that will decrease pollution and keep money in the United States. Of the Big 3 alternative fuels they all have significant limitations:
- Biofuels: Use lots of water, cost a lot, and (some argue) drive up the price of food
- Electricity: Batteries aren't quite good enough to do what most people expect from a car
- Hydrogen: Bad, terrible, and worse. Lots of reasons why hydrogen isn't the future.
Want one?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Bad Friend
I've never had this happen.
While on my big East Coast swing I borrowed a book from a friend's boyfriend: Kurt Vonnegut's Timequake. The plan was to read it along the way and mail it to him when I finished the book. Everything went according to plan until I received this:
*In an attempt to protect the identity of those involved I have covered The Boyfriend's name with an old dirty ear plug.
Evidently the book exploded out of Packaging Jail and escaped. Oh no! In my book (pun intended) one of the major Friend Sins is borrowing something and losing it, no matter where the fault lies. Ugh.
I'm supposed to fill out some forms in hopes that they find the lost contents or, perhaps, I can recoup the loss financially. It goes for $.29 on Amazon, but the sentimental value is priceless. Oh my.
My apologies J-Dizzle and M-Flow (identities protected!!!!).
While on my big East Coast swing I borrowed a book from a friend's boyfriend: Kurt Vonnegut's Timequake. The plan was to read it along the way and mail it to him when I finished the book. Everything went according to plan until I received this:
*In an attempt to protect the identity of those involved I have covered The Boyfriend's name with an old dirty ear plug.Evidently the book exploded out of Packaging Jail and escaped. Oh no! In my book (pun intended) one of the major Friend Sins is borrowing something and losing it, no matter where the fault lies. Ugh.
I'm supposed to fill out some forms in hopes that they find the lost contents or, perhaps, I can recoup the loss financially. It goes for $.29 on Amazon, but the sentimental value is priceless. Oh my.
My apologies J-Dizzle and M-Flow (identities protected!!!!).
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