Apparently Liz had an affair while she was married. Her lyrics made me think that could never happen...
The girl can't help it
Friday, September 30, 2005
A Post for the Teachers and Collegians
CiteULike
The Cornell Note Taking Method
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The Cornell Note Taking Method
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Be a Believer... in the Cleveland Indians
What the... ? For some reason I did not know about this:
As is tradition, Cleveland Indians rookies dress in drag for the team's final trip home.
As is tradition, Cleveland Indians rookies dress in drag for the team's final trip home.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Ever Wonder Why NASA Flight Control is in Houston?
Read Chapter 3 of Suddenly Tomorrow Came... A History of the Johnson Space Center
Basically it can be because the Air Force decided not to close the preferred site, MacDill Air Force Base, and therefore Houston moved from second place to the preferred site.
Or it could've been because "...Texas undoubtedly exerted an enormous
political influence on such a decision. Lyndon B. Johnson was Vice President and head of the Space Council, Albert Thomas headed the House Appropriations Committee, Bob Casey and Olin E. Teague were members of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, and Teague headed the Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight. Finally, Sam Rayburn was Speaker of the House of Representatives."
If you want to know how Cape Canaveral evolved from a missle range into a SpacePort see The History of Cape Canaveral page.
Basically it can be because the Air Force decided not to close the preferred site, MacDill Air Force Base, and therefore Houston moved from second place to the preferred site.
Or it could've been because "...Texas undoubtedly exerted an enormous
political influence on such a decision. Lyndon B. Johnson was Vice President and head of the Space Council, Albert Thomas headed the House Appropriations Committee, Bob Casey and Olin E. Teague were members of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, and Teague headed the Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight. Finally, Sam Rayburn was Speaker of the House of Representatives."
If you want to know how Cape Canaveral evolved from a missle range into a SpacePort see The History of Cape Canaveral page.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Affordable Housing and Community Land Trusts
Taking the price of land out of the price of homeownership
This is similar to an idea I had as Traverse City housing prices continue to appreciate at double-digit rates and there are many local land conservancies. I thought why could a land conservancy and Homestretch get together to provide affordable housing?
Turns out this kind of thing is already being done. And to think I had naysayers...
This is similar to an idea I had as Traverse City housing prices continue to appreciate at double-digit rates and there are many local land conservancies. I thought why could a land conservancy and Homestretch get together to provide affordable housing?
Turns out this kind of thing is already being done. And to think I had naysayers...
Canine Flu
Canine flu worries U.S. dog owners
I'm not too worried about this as my boy is strong and healthy, but if he were sick I could imagine doing whatever it took to get him better.
[via NY Times]
The virus has killed racing greyhounds in Florida and other states, but is not as fatal to domestic pets, experts say. Early estimates are that it kills fewer than 5 percent of the dogs that catch it.
I'm not too worried about this as my boy is strong and healthy, but if he were sick I could imagine doing whatever it took to get him better.
[via NY Times]
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
The Cabin Show
Monday night was another
brilliant episode of Arrested Development.
Lucille: Well, apparently, mood-altering medication leads to street drugs. That’s what this very handsome, young doctor said on The Today Show.
Michael: That was Tom Cruise, the actor.
Lucille: They said he was some kind of scientist.
This is easily the most brilliant show ever on television. Granted, it does require active viewing. But if you don't like it you are on a "moran" [sic]. Go USA!
Conan O'Brien On the President's Potty Breaks
Most people have seen the photo of Bush asking Condi Rice if it is possible for him to go to the bathroom. What we didn't know but Conan's crack staff discovered, is the President went during his Katrina speech! [/parody]
[via Crooks and Liars]
[via Crooks and Liars]
Rush Has Lost All Credibility
I used to listen to (but hardly agree with) Rush Limbaugh until he admitted he was a drug addict. Since returning to the radio he's lost all connection to reality - I liked him better when he was on the Oxycontin.
Examples via mediamatters.org
Examples via mediamatters.org
Fresh Air Airs The History of Hip-Hop
Terry Gross' series of interviews with the old-school legends of Hip Hop.
Out of all the people interviewed (LL Cool J, Darryl Simmons, Grandmaster Flash, Ice Cube, Ice T, etc) in my mind Russel Simmons was the most influential and The Fresh Prince was the most engaging.
What is interesting is how many of them actually came from middle-class neighborhoods in NYC.
Out of all the people interviewed (LL Cool J, Darryl Simmons, Grandmaster Flash, Ice Cube, Ice T, etc) in my mind Russel Simmons was the most influential and The Fresh Prince was the most engaging.
What is interesting is how many of them actually came from middle-class neighborhoods in NYC.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Monday, September 12, 2005
New Balance Shoes Made in the USA
New Balance is the only remaining shoe manufacturer to still use USA factories for some of its shoes.
Here's a list of all the shoes still made in the USA.
Here's a list of all the shoes still made in the USA.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
"Frequently Asked Questions about Synthetic Fuels and Coal-to Liquids Technology"
From the State of Montana web site, Frequently Asked Questions about Synthetic Fuels and Coal-to Liquids Technology.
Interesting claim:
Interesting claim:
What are the benefits of synthetic fuel?
There are several. First, America is blessed with abundant resources for making synfuel. Montana's coal alone could produce enough fuel to power every American car for decades, giving us energy independence from foreign regimes that now supply the U.S. with 58% of our oil. Second, synthetic fuel requires no engine modifications, burns cleanly, and is made with clean coal technology, a process that removes impurities, toxins and greenhouse gasses. Third, military security would be increased by the use of synthetic fuel, which is why the Department of Defense recently began a synthetic fuel program.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Katrina Information Map
Katrina Information Map
Katrina Information Map - This map is intended for the use of people affected by Hurricane Katrina who have or are trying to find information about the status of specific locations affected by the storm and its aftermath. If you have information about the status of an area that is not yet on the map, please contribute by following the instructions below so that others may get that much needed information.
I zoomed in on Metairie and then used the Katrina overlay (red button) and it looks like everything East of Orpheum Ave. was flooded but everything to the West is dry, although the markers indicate a lot of wind damage.
In the tsunami region, disbelief over U.S. woes
What seems to be a common sentiment throughout the world:
"It's so heartbreaking to see how helpless America has become," she said. "You're not strong any more. You can't even save your own countrymen and there you are, out there trying to control the world."
My Dream Car Getting Closer to Reality?
Diesel power for Subaru?
Gosh darn it - in the 1980's and early 90's Subaru relished their quirkiness. I want a diesel-electric hybrid that gets 50+ mpg in the city and on the highway!!
Gosh darn it - in the 1980's and early 90's Subaru relished their quirkiness. I want a diesel-electric hybrid that gets 50+ mpg in the city and on the highway!!
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Indications of the Real Estate Bubble Bursting like it was 1989
Real Estate Review: Subdivisions
The Commerce Department reported sales of newly constructed homes rose 6.5% in July and 27.7% from a year earlier. But the median sales price dropped to $203,800, the lowest level since December 2003, from $219,500 in June.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Saving Gasoline
Michigan Gas Prices now range between $2.89 to $3.59/gallon.
These high prices could hurt northern Michigan tourism this Labor Day weekend. Although the Soo Evening News (SEV) begins the above article with the hyperbole “With the gas and oil industry gouging motorists for an additional 71 cents per gallon in the last three days…” What the SEV misses is that this really isn’t “price gouging” but what happens now that the world is in the era of Peak Oil.
For example, there were 15 million barrels more of gasoline around last year at this time. That is 630,000,000 gallons. This was a pre-existing supply shortage.
The Gulf of Mexico produces 1.4 million barrels of oil a day and that has been lost for the time being. After refining that is 73,684 gallons of gasoline per day.
Not to mention the refineries that are currently shut down.
The current gasoline prices are NOT the result of price gouging but the simple result of what happens when demand stays constant and supply goes down. It is very basic economics.
But there are things that people can do in order to bring demand more inline with the current supply.
This coming Labor Day weekend the AAA estimates 1.4 million travelers in Michigan; 82% are driving and 89% will drive over 100 miles.
If we assume an average distance of 150 miles that means a total of 172,200,000 miles will be driven.
Further, if the assumption is made that each vehicle averages 25 mpg then this means 6,888,000 gallons of gasoline will be consumed in Michigan and if the price is $3.50/gallon all of that gasoline will cost $24,108,000.
For each MPH above 55 fuel economy is decreased by 1%. To be conservative and to account for driving habits assume lowering the speed from 70 to 55 mph gives a 10% increase in fuel economy.
Therefore, 688,800 gallons of gasoline could be conserved across the state on just one day of travel. If gas is $3.50/gallon this saves $2,410,800.
So if travelers just in the state of Michigan drove 55mph instead of 70 on the highway then the loss of the Gulf of Mexico’s 73,684 gallons of gasoline per day could be made up.
Even better, if this 70 to 55mph change is extrapolated to all of the lower 48 states, but ratchet down the gallons of gasoline saved per day to 500,000 gallons, then a total of 24,000,000 gallons of gasoline could be conserved per day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you choose to not slow down on the highway or do most of your driving in town there are many things you can do – with the following changes I’ve been able to get 50 – 60 miles more per tank. Here are my tips for increasing miles to the tank.
1. remove roof racks/crossbars and take out unneeded weight (I’ve heard of Subaru drivers getting 2-3 mpg increase after removing the roof rack’s crossbars)
2. coast when going downhill
3. when going uphill avoid accelerating - maintain speed or slightly decrease speed – get up to speed before reaching the hill
4. accelerate very, very slowly – just to the point where people following do not get too pissed off
5. anticipate stops and coast into them – avoid coming to a complete stop whenever possible (it is more efficient to speed up a body in motion than to overcome the moment of inertia)
6. drive below the speed limit whenever practical
There are more efficient driving tips at fueleconomy.gov.
And the Michigan Public Service Commission has 20 Gas Saving Tips.
The State of Nebraska reprints some tips.
Finally, here’s someone (an engineer, no less) who has some thoughts and ideas.
These high prices could hurt northern Michigan tourism this Labor Day weekend. Although the Soo Evening News (SEV) begins the above article with the hyperbole “With the gas and oil industry gouging motorists for an additional 71 cents per gallon in the last three days…” What the SEV misses is that this really isn’t “price gouging” but what happens now that the world is in the era of Peak Oil.
For example, there were 15 million barrels more of gasoline around last year at this time. That is 630,000,000 gallons. This was a pre-existing supply shortage.
The Gulf of Mexico produces 1.4 million barrels of oil a day and that has been lost for the time being. After refining that is 73,684 gallons of gasoline per day.
Not to mention the refineries that are currently shut down.
The current gasoline prices are NOT the result of price gouging but the simple result of what happens when demand stays constant and supply goes down. It is very basic economics.
But there are things that people can do in order to bring demand more inline with the current supply.
This coming Labor Day weekend the AAA estimates 1.4 million travelers in Michigan; 82% are driving and 89% will drive over 100 miles.
If we assume an average distance of 150 miles that means a total of 172,200,000 miles will be driven.
Further, if the assumption is made that each vehicle averages 25 mpg then this means 6,888,000 gallons of gasoline will be consumed in Michigan and if the price is $3.50/gallon all of that gasoline will cost $24,108,000.
For each MPH above 55 fuel economy is decreased by 1%. To be conservative and to account for driving habits assume lowering the speed from 70 to 55 mph gives a 10% increase in fuel economy.
Therefore, 688,800 gallons of gasoline could be conserved across the state on just one day of travel. If gas is $3.50/gallon this saves $2,410,800.
So if travelers just in the state of Michigan drove 55mph instead of 70 on the highway then the loss of the Gulf of Mexico’s 73,684 gallons of gasoline per day could be made up.
Even better, if this 70 to 55mph change is extrapolated to all of the lower 48 states, but ratchet down the gallons of gasoline saved per day to 500,000 gallons, then a total of 24,000,000 gallons of gasoline could be conserved per day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you choose to not slow down on the highway or do most of your driving in town there are many things you can do – with the following changes I’ve been able to get 50 – 60 miles more per tank. Here are my tips for increasing miles to the tank.
1. remove roof racks/crossbars and take out unneeded weight (I’ve heard of Subaru drivers getting 2-3 mpg increase after removing the roof rack’s crossbars)
2. coast when going downhill
3. when going uphill avoid accelerating - maintain speed or slightly decrease speed – get up to speed before reaching the hill
4. accelerate very, very slowly – just to the point where people following do not get too pissed off
5. anticipate stops and coast into them – avoid coming to a complete stop whenever possible (it is more efficient to speed up a body in motion than to overcome the moment of inertia)
6. drive below the speed limit whenever practical
There are more efficient driving tips at fueleconomy.gov.
And the Michigan Public Service Commission has 20 Gas Saving Tips.
The State of Nebraska reprints some tips.
Finally, here’s someone (an engineer, no less) who has some thoughts and ideas.
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