Sunday, July 26, 2009
Yes for Breakfast - Porridge & Cookies!
Raisin Buckwheat PorridgeSo in the past month we've jumped on the wagon and just agreed to make new traditions. We've been having Rawesome Sunday lunches with buckwheat porridge, biscuits or pancakes for Saturday or Sunday breakfasts, and a weekly/frequent Breakfast Cookie Snack. Also Rice Bowl Wednesdays, but that's not breakfast :)For our raw Sunday lunch, we often have Buckwheat porridge, and then something else raw to go with it (such as raw vegetable soups, salads, and raw 'tuna' salad collard wraps).Blueberry Porridge with Raw Creamy Tomato Soup'Oatmeal' Raisin Buckwheat Porridge (using raw wheat germ as 'oats')served with a Carrot Radish Salad(shredded carrots, diced radish, fresh anise herb, sesame seeds, and avocado dressing!)We also had an apricot buckwheat porridge (with dried apricots). SOO many variations that you can do (banana pudding, mango, apple spice, strawberry, fig...)! Definitely try the buckwheat porridge - it's so creamy, sweet, flavorful, filling, raw, and healthy!LK's Buckwheat Porridge (Adapted from Gone Raw)2/3 - 3/4 cup raw buckwheat groats, soaked in water overnight (or for a few hours), then rinsed and drained2 Tb raw buckwheat groats unsoaked (for crunch)1-2 fresh bananas2-4 dried dates (or other dried fruit)pinch of cinnamon or other spicesserve with - fresh berries, apples, raisins/currants, 1/4 cup shredded carrots, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, nuts, flaxmeal, and/or raw wheat germ.Prep your buckwheat (once soaked, rinse and drain).Cut up dried fruit into sizes more manageable for blending.Blend the soaked buckwheat groats, bananas, dried fruit, and spices (in Vitamix or other blender/food processor) to a creamy consistency - you may need to add water if necessary.Then add your toppings and the unsoaked buckwheat groats, and devour!Of course for an unraw version, use your choice of grains instead of buckwheat (ex - triticale meal, steel cut oats, quinoa, rice), add 1 cup non-dairy milk, and cook the grains or soak overnight. Then blend, along with the spices, banana, dried fruit, and more milk if necessary. You can serve with any toppings (including maple syrup, oat bran, nut butters, sweet potato or pumpkin puree).Along with many other breakfast enthusiasts, we are hooked on the Breakfast Cookie. So easy to whip up. Again sooo many possibilities for flavors. When we do use a 'nut butter', we use tahini, otherwise we sometimes leave it out and add a mashed date or dried fruit. We just prep it overnight and have it sit in the fridge, then breakfast is ready in the morning!Tahini Breakfast Cookie - Makes 2 Servings2/3 cup spelt flakes, rye flakes, barley flakes, or other 'oat' type flakes3 Tb tahini1 Tb hemp powder3/8 cup non-dairy milk1/2 tsp vanillabanana to serveoptional - 2 Tb wheat germ or flaxmealCranberry Orange Breakfast Cookie - Makes 2 servings1/2 cup grain cereal (such as Bob's Spice n' Nice Cereal or triticalle meal, kamut cereal...)1/2 cup spelt flakes1/4 cup oat bran1/4 cup non-dairy milk1/4 cup or more cranberry juice1 fresh date, mashed1-2 tsp orange zest2 tsp dried cranberries, choppedberries or more dried cranberries to serveBanana Cocoa Breakfast Cookie - Makes 2 servings2/3 cup spelt flakes, rye flakes, barley flakes, or other 'oat' type flakes3 Tb mashed banana1 Tb cocoa powder3/8 cup non-dairy milk - try chocolate!1/2 tsp vanillabanana slices to serveoptional - 2 Tb wheat germ or flaxmealWe are 100% in love with breakfast! For breakfast, lunch, dinner, and in between!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Psychology, Crime & Law
The latest issue of Psychology, Crime & Law (Volume 14 Issue 3) is one of those issues where almost all the articles look tempting. Given my particular interest in deception Ill be starting with Granhag and Hartwigs intriguing offering on mind-reading and deception detection, but the articles on how TV affects legal decision making and linking crimes in serial homicide will be next on the list.
Heres the line-up:
What judges know about eyewitness testimony: A comparison of Norwegian and US judges (Svein Magnussen; Richard A. Wise; Abid Q. Raja; Martin A. Safer; Nell Pawlenko; Ulf Stridbeck)
A new theoretical perspective on deception detection: On the psychology of instrumental mind-reading (Pär Anders Granhag; Maria Hartwig)
Perceptions of children during a police interrogation: Guilt, confessions, and interview fairness (Allison D. Redlich; Jodi A. Quas; Simona Ghetti)
Objection, Your Honor! Television is not the relevant authority. Crime drama portrayals of eyewitness issues (Sarah L. Desmarais; Heather L. Price; J. Don Read)
Behavioural crime linking in serial homicide (Pekka Santtila; Tom Pakkanen; Angelo Zappalà; Dario Bosco; Maria Valkama; Andreas Mokros)
What do prisoners want? Current concerns of adult male prisoners (Mary McMurran; Eleni Theodosi; Anna Sweeney; Joselyn Sellen)
Heres the line-up:
What judges know about eyewitness testimony: A comparison of Norwegian and US judges (Svein Magnussen; Richard A. Wise; Abid Q. Raja; Martin A. Safer; Nell Pawlenko; Ulf Stridbeck)
A new theoretical perspective on deception detection: On the psychology of instrumental mind-reading (Pär Anders Granhag; Maria Hartwig)
Perceptions of children during a police interrogation: Guilt, confessions, and interview fairness (Allison D. Redlich; Jodi A. Quas; Simona Ghetti)
Objection, Your Honor! Television is not the relevant authority. Crime drama portrayals of eyewitness issues (Sarah L. Desmarais; Heather L. Price; J. Don Read)
Behavioural crime linking in serial homicide (Pekka Santtila; Tom Pakkanen; Angelo Zappalà; Dario Bosco; Maria Valkama; Andreas Mokros)
What do prisoners want? Current concerns of adult male prisoners (Mary McMurran; Eleni Theodosi; Anna Sweeney; Joselyn Sellen)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Don’t Be Fooled by Inflation
By: Peter Schiff
Strike up the band, boys, happy days are here again! Recently released short-term economic data, including unemployment claims, non-farm payrolls, home sales, and business spending, which had been so unambiguously horrific in February and March, are now just garden-variety awful. With the Wicked Witch of Depression now apparently crushed under the house of Obamanomics, the Munchkins of Wall Street have sounded the all clear, pushing the Dow Jones up 25% from its lows. But the premature conclusion of their Lollipop Guild economists, that the crash of 2008/2009 is now a fading memory, is just as delusional as their failure to see it coming in the first place.
Once again, the facts do not support the euphoria. Over the past few months, the government has literally blasted the economy with trillions of new dollars conjured from the ether. The fact that this stimulus has blown some air back into our deflating consumer-based bubble economy, and given a boost to an oversold stock market, is hardly evidence that the problems have been solved. It is simply an illusion, and not a very good one at that. By throwing money at the problem, all the government is creating is inflation. Although this can often look like growth, it is no more capable of creating wealth than a hall of mirrors is capable of creating people.
We are currently suffering from an overdose of past stimulus. A larger dose now will only worsen the condition. The Greenspan/Bush stimulus of 2001 prevented a much needed recession and bought us seven years of artificial growth. The multi-trillion dollar tab for that episode of federally-engineered economic bullet-dodging came due in 2008. The 2001 stimulus had kicked off a debt-fueled consumption binge that resulted in economic weakness, not strength. So now, even though the recent stimulus administered a much larger dose, we will likely experience a much smaller bounce. One can only speculate as to how much time this stimulus will buy and what it will cost when the bill arrives.
My guess is that, at most, the Bernanke/Obama stimulus will buy two years before the hangover sets in. However, since this dose is so massive, the comedown will be equally horrific. My fear is that when the drug wears off, we will reach for that monetary syringe one last time. At that point, the dosage may be lethal, and the economy will die of hyperinflation.
As always, the bulls fail to understand that investors can lose wealth even as nominal stock prices rise. As a corollary, the bearish case is not discredited by rising stock prices. While there are some bears that mistakenly cling to the idea that deflation will cause the dollar to rise, those of us in the inflation camp understand that the opposite will occur.
In the meantime, stocks are not rising because the long-term fundamentals of our economy are improving. If anything, the rise in global stock prices is due to investors realizing that cash is even riskier then stocks. The massive inflation that is the source of the stimulus is essentially punishment for those holding cash. To preserve purchasing power, investors must seek alternative stores of value, such as common stock.
It is important to point out that despite an impressive rally, U.S. stocks have substantially underperformed foreign stocks. In the past two months, while the Dow Jones has risen 30%, the Hang Seng and the German DAX have risen by over 50% in U.S. dollars. Commodity prices are also rising, with oil hitting a five-month high. And gold is shining as well, with the HUI index of gold stocks up 30% during the past two months, and 2/3 of those gains occurring in the past month. If this rally really were about improving economic fundamentals, gold stocks would not be among the leaders. Further, during those two months, the U.S. dollar index fell by 7%, with commodity-sensitive currencies such as the Australian and New Zealand dollars surging 20%.
To me, the relative strength of foreign stocks and currencies indicates that perhaps the global economy is not as impaired as many have feared. It has been my view all along that after the initial shock wears off, the world will be better off - once it no longer subsidizes the American economy. The shrinking U.S. current account deficit is evidence of this trend in action. Renewed strength in foreign stocks and weakness in the dollar may indicate that not only is the world decoupling from the U.S., but benefitting as a result.
So let the Munchkins dance for now. But remember, the Witch is not dead, only temporarily stunned by an avalanche of fake money.
GoldSeek.com
Strike up the band, boys, happy days are here again! Recently released short-term economic data, including unemployment claims, non-farm payrolls, home sales, and business spending, which had been so unambiguously horrific in February and March, are now just garden-variety awful. With the Wicked Witch of Depression now apparently crushed under the house of Obamanomics, the Munchkins of Wall Street have sounded the all clear, pushing the Dow Jones up 25% from its lows. But the premature conclusion of their Lollipop Guild economists, that the crash of 2008/2009 is now a fading memory, is just as delusional as their failure to see it coming in the first place.
Once again, the facts do not support the euphoria. Over the past few months, the government has literally blasted the economy with trillions of new dollars conjured from the ether. The fact that this stimulus has blown some air back into our deflating consumer-based bubble economy, and given a boost to an oversold stock market, is hardly evidence that the problems have been solved. It is simply an illusion, and not a very good one at that. By throwing money at the problem, all the government is creating is inflation. Although this can often look like growth, it is no more capable of creating wealth than a hall of mirrors is capable of creating people.
We are currently suffering from an overdose of past stimulus. A larger dose now will only worsen the condition. The Greenspan/Bush stimulus of 2001 prevented a much needed recession and bought us seven years of artificial growth. The multi-trillion dollar tab for that episode of federally-engineered economic bullet-dodging came due in 2008. The 2001 stimulus had kicked off a debt-fueled consumption binge that resulted in economic weakness, not strength. So now, even though the recent stimulus administered a much larger dose, we will likely experience a much smaller bounce. One can only speculate as to how much time this stimulus will buy and what it will cost when the bill arrives.
My guess is that, at most, the Bernanke/Obama stimulus will buy two years before the hangover sets in. However, since this dose is so massive, the comedown will be equally horrific. My fear is that when the drug wears off, we will reach for that monetary syringe one last time. At that point, the dosage may be lethal, and the economy will die of hyperinflation.
As always, the bulls fail to understand that investors can lose wealth even as nominal stock prices rise. As a corollary, the bearish case is not discredited by rising stock prices. While there are some bears that mistakenly cling to the idea that deflation will cause the dollar to rise, those of us in the inflation camp understand that the opposite will occur.
In the meantime, stocks are not rising because the long-term fundamentals of our economy are improving. If anything, the rise in global stock prices is due to investors realizing that cash is even riskier then stocks. The massive inflation that is the source of the stimulus is essentially punishment for those holding cash. To preserve purchasing power, investors must seek alternative stores of value, such as common stock.
It is important to point out that despite an impressive rally, U.S. stocks have substantially underperformed foreign stocks. In the past two months, while the Dow Jones has risen 30%, the Hang Seng and the German DAX have risen by over 50% in U.S. dollars. Commodity prices are also rising, with oil hitting a five-month high. And gold is shining as well, with the HUI index of gold stocks up 30% during the past two months, and 2/3 of those gains occurring in the past month. If this rally really were about improving economic fundamentals, gold stocks would not be among the leaders. Further, during those two months, the U.S. dollar index fell by 7%, with commodity-sensitive currencies such as the Australian and New Zealand dollars surging 20%.
To me, the relative strength of foreign stocks and currencies indicates that perhaps the global economy is not as impaired as many have feared. It has been my view all along that after the initial shock wears off, the world will be better off - once it no longer subsidizes the American economy. The shrinking U.S. current account deficit is evidence of this trend in action. Renewed strength in foreign stocks and weakness in the dollar may indicate that not only is the world decoupling from the U.S., but benefitting as a result.
So let the Munchkins dance for now. But remember, the Witch is not dead, only temporarily stunned by an avalanche of fake money.
GoldSeek.com
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Black Gestapo
This is one of the more startling titles and posters in movie history. Let's take a look at the poster in question:Well! That's something you don't see every day.The movie is pretty bland, except for the occasional shot of the militant black army chanting "VENGEANCE! VENGEANCE! VENGEANCE!" with a soundtrack overlay of "SIEG HEIL! SIEG HEIL! SIEG HEIL!" At the beginning of the movie, Watts is under the sway of beefy, sunglasses-wearing white thugs, who force businesses to push drugs and gambling. So we get a round of scenes in which the business owners are roughed up for not having enough money to give to the white mob. Then we meet the People's Army, which is not really military. It's sort of a black Salvation Army. Except for the second-in-command, who wants to get real guns and start fighting whitey for real. The leader of the People's Army, General Ahmed, doesn't go along with it until his girlfriend gets raped by the beefiest and most sunglasses-wearing-est of the thugs. So Colonel Kojah gets the go-ahead to train a small group to fight back.So the next scenes involve Kojah's army shooting up the white guys when they try to pick up their ill-gotten gains. There's a fairly short war and the head of the white mob shrugs and decides to get the hell out of town and maybe try his luck in Harlem. And as soon as that happens, Colonel Kojah (who has renamed himself General Kiongozi) takes over the rackets, leaning on the local shopkeepers to sell heroin and push the gambling and so on. So you've got an Animal Farm situation, where the revolutionaries have become the new tyrannical masters, although it happens a lot faster here.So now General Ahmed has to invade General Kiongozi's compound, which is suspiciously like a country club, and take out the entire army by himself. First he liberates the tennis courts, then he tricks a squad into running down the road until they collapse, then he kills about forty people. Finally, he takes out Kiongozi and the movie's over. Pretty straightforward sleazy stuff.Now, it turns out there's a novelization from Holloway House, better known (if at all) for the Iceberg Slim books. Check it:This novelization is an attempt to make the story mean something. It follows the movie precisely, but it fills in a lot of inner details that the director and actors were unable to do:Kojah couldn't help but wonder if all great men felt as he did when they made their first stride toward greatness. He wiped his sweating brow and then slipped quickly across the carpeted bedroom to the doorway that led to the rest of the house. His team followed closely at his heels.Was it possible that Henri Christophe, L'Overture, and Nat Turner felt as he felt? He could hear a distant drum beating out a marching beat, the cadence for his army of liberation of conquest. They must have felt as he did as they set out to destroy the dreaded honkie. The beast that had cowered peoples throughout the world. But he would not run in fear. He would fight and win. Win and become a legend, a hero.The book is still pretty sleazy. I don't think it has a choice with this title. But it's much, much better than the movie it's based on.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Slate-ish Recycled Interior Design Tiles
If you're searching for something new -- maybe as a back splash, wall accent, or decorative element -- give Slate-ish a look. Slate-ish tiles come in seven colors and are made from reclaimed scrap from the fabrication of Richlite and PaperStone countertops. This is 100% post-industrial waste paper laminate cut into strips, squares, bars, and cubes. Slate-ish tiles are light, non-porous, and provide an interesting alternative to stone applications. 5-6-09 Update: Slate-ish tells us most tiles are under $20 psf loose, with a range of $15-40 psf. Backed tiles on pre-mounted panels run about $20 psf extra. Read more about Slate-ish ...
Photo credits: Slate-ish.
Photo credits: Slate-ish.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Planning a Caravan
Ok, now that CBR is over with, my next big Airstream outing will be our WDCU Caravan out to Madison, Wisconsin for the WBCCI International Rally that starts on 27 June and goes through July 4th. For that, I'll be leading a Caravan out and Frank Yensan will be my Wagon Boss making sure our stay-overs are good. I am looking for someone to work at bringing up the rear of the Caravan each day ensuring that all Caravanners on the route make it to each way point / layover and to collaborate with me and the WagonBoss. Our plan is to meet somewhere near Pittsburgh, Pa on the afternoon / early evening of the 23rd to have a check in around 530pm at a site soon to be identified. We will then travel on the 24th to Jackson Center to the Airstream Factory and the plan is to be there by 1pm to make the Factory tour. We will stayover at the factory that night and then get up and head for Elkhart, Indiana on the 25th where we will be staying at the RV/Motor Home Hall of Fame on the night fo the 25th, to get up and roll to Jefferson County Fairgrounds on the 26th to meet up with the VAC Rhendevous for the Parade of Vintage into the International on the 27th. I'm working on my CB installation for the Caravan as well as working up a roster of who is coming. I need to know if you are participating by the 15th of May to have good numbers of who is participating. It will be a good time. If you are looking at just caravanning out to the factory with us, you are more than welcome, or even if you want to Caravan out the hole way and turn around for a neat trip. Either let myself of Frank know if you are coming. My email is airstreamnut@gmail.com if you want to participate.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Milwaukee Brewers Team Report
INSIDE PITCH The Brewers on Sunday finished a stretch of playing 20 games in 20 days. Over that span, they went 14-6 to boost their record from 4-8 to 18-14. During that 20-game gauntlet, the Brewers went 5-0-2 in series play. Before that stretch, they lost their first four series of the season. "That was a nice run in that stretch," said manager Ken Macha. "I'm sure a lot of the guys will enjoy a day off (Monday) and come back and get 'em Tuesday." The Brewers had a chance to sweep the archrival Cubs over the weekend at home but lost the series finale, 4-2. They had plenty of chances to win the game but went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. "You get spoiled a little bit," admitted second baseman Rickie Weeks. "It was just one of those days." Winning series remains the club's goal, so the players were only mildly disappointed with the Sunday loss. "You're not going to sweep every team, every time," said third baseman Bill Hall. "We're focused on winning series, and that's what we did. That's the main thing we want to do."NOTES, QUOTESThe running game has not been a priority under new manager Ken Macha. The Brewers have stolen only 10 bases, ranking them only ahead of Atlanta in the National League. The Brewers have been caught nine times attempting steals.C Mike Rivera was scheduled to play with Class AAA Nashville for three games Monday-Wednesday as the final steps in his return from a sprained left ankle. Rivera is eligible to come off the 15-day DL Thursday and the scheduled pitcher that day is RHP Dave Bush, whom Rivera caught before getting injured.LHP Mitch Stetter appeared in 16 of the Brewers' first 31 games. Stetter is the only left-hander in the Brewers' bullpen, and manager Ken Macha said he is worried about over-using him. LHP R.J. Swindle provided a second lefty in the bullpen for a week in April before being returned to Class AAA Nashville.BY THE NUMBERS: 14-6 The Brewers' record in playing 20 games in 20 days before getting an off day Monday.QUOTE TO NOTE: "What a professional. He's putting his name in the lineup." Manager Ken Macha, on the contributions he has received off the bench from INF Craig Counsell.ROSTER REPORTLF Ryan Braun has been on an extended period of strong offensive production. Over his last 18 games, Braun is batting .431 (28-for-65) with seven home runs and 23 RBI. He ranks among the league leaders with 69 total bases.1B Prince Fielder, who was swinging a hot bat on the Brewers' last road trip, drew a blank over the weekend in a three-game home series against the Cubs. Fielder went 0-for-10, dropping his average from .280 to .255.C Jason Kendall is three hits shy of 2,000 for his career. He ranks eighth all-time among players who have appeared in at least 1,000 games as a catcher.LHP Manny Parra, who starts Tuesday against the Marlins, pitched much better in his last three outings than in his first three of the season. After going 0-3 with an 8.16 ERA in his first three starts, Parra is 1-1 with a 2.12 ERA in his last three starts. MEDICAL WATCH: C Mike Rivera (sprained left ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 29. He is expected to begin a rehab assignment as soon as May 11, and he could be activated May 14. RHP David Riske (right elbow tightness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 10. He will attempt to rehab the elbow through mid-May, but if he is unsuccessful, he might need Tommy John surgery. ROTATION: RHP Jeff Suppan RHP Yovani Gallardo LHP Manny Parra RHP Braden Looper RHP Dave Bush BULLPEN: RHP Trevor Hoffman (closer) RHP Todd Coffey RHP Carlos Villanueva RHP Seth McClung LHP Mitch Stetter RHP Jorge Julio RHP Mark DiFelice CATCHERS: Jason Kendall Carlos Corporan INFIELDERS: 1B Prince Fielder 2B Rickie Weeks SS J.J. Hardy 3B Bill Hall INF Craig Counsell INF Casey McGehee OUTFIELDERS: LF Ryan Braun CF Mike Cameron RF Corey Hart OF Chris Duffy OF Brad Nelson
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Best Duos
Scooter rounded up some of the TV bloggers for a Best Duos on TV list (as a sequel to last years Best Character list). It could be any duo from any show with new episodes since last June 2008. Just any duo that sparks up the screen, whether it be friends, enemies, lovers, family, anything. And if looking back at last year's single character list and this years duo list, it's that we bloggers really do love our Friday Night Lights. Plus, the buzz on The Big Bang Theory is really picking up this year.Here was the compiled list of the Top 25 Favorite Duos, along with my own Top 10 picks that I submitted at the end of the post:1. Coach Eric and Tammy Taylor (Friday Night Lights)2. Liz Lemon and Jack Donagy (30 Rock)3. Sheldon Cooper Ph.D. and Penny (The Big Bang Theory)4. Jim Halpert and Dwight Shrute (The Office)5. Patty Hewes and Ellen Parsons (Damages)6. Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan and Special Agent Seeley Booth (Bones)7. Emerson Cod and Olive Snook (Pushing Daisies)8. Blair Waldolf and Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl)9. Shawn Spencer and Burton “Gus” Guster (Psych)10. Chuck Bartowski and Special Agent Sarah Walker (Chuck)11. Sam and Dean Winchester (Supernatural)12. Marc St. James and Amanda Tannen (Ugly Betty)13. Barney Stinson and Ted Mosbey (How I Met Your Mother)14. Bill Adama and Laura Roslin (Battlestar Gallactica)15. Landry Clark and Tyra Colette (Friday Night Lights)16. Ben Linus and John Locke (Lost)17. John “J.D.” Dorian M.D. and Dr. Christopher Turk (Scrubs)18. Sookie Stackhouse and Bill Compton (True Blood)19. Jeff Patel and Lester Barnes aka Jeffster (Chuck)20. James “Sawyer” Ford and Juliet Burke (Lost)21. Homer and Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)22. Bill Adma and Saul Tigh (Battestar Galactica) 23. Richard Cypher and Kahlan Amnell (Legend of the Seeker)24. Earl and Randy Hickey (My Name Is Earl)25. Michael Westen and Fiona Glenanne (Burn Notice)Submitted by Voters: Dan, Ducky, Kath, Matt, Sandie, Scooter McGavin, TVFan, VanceAnd here's my list that I submitted, though I must say now that I've seen the results, I'm so ashamed of myself for completely forgetting about Pushing Daisies. I also had a few on my list that I was highly considering but at the last moment, switched off for other picks. 1. Tami and Coach Eric Taylor - Friday Night Lights2. Ben and Locke - Lost3. Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy - 30 Rock4. Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass - Gossip Girl5. Penny and Sheldon - The Big Bang Theory6. Bones and Booth - Bones7. Tyra and Landry - Friday Night Lights8. Amanda and Marc - Ugly Betty9. Dean and Sam Winchester - Supernatural10. Megan Smith and Charlie Hogan - PrivilegedI had also highly considered: Marshall and Barney (How I Met Your Mother), Michael Westen and Fiona (Burn Notice), Sawyer and Juliet (Lost), Cappie and Casey (Greek), Chuck and Sarah (Chuck), really any pairing on Friday Night Lights would have worked, and I seriously had to withold myself in picking a top 10 solely from this show alone. And I should have also considered: Earl and Randy (My Name Is Earl), Any pairing from Pushing Daisies.I also considered those from The Office but deemed it worked best in ensemble moments (and I got irritated by Michael and Dwight this season, which was my initial duo to pick)Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com
Hybrid Cars
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to propel the vehicle.[1] Power sources include:
* On-board or out-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS)
* Gasoline
* Hydrogen
* Compressed Air
* Human powered e.g. pedaling or rowing
* Wind
* Compressed or Liquid Natural Gas
* Solar
* Coal, wood or other combustibles
The term most commonly refers to Hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) which includes internal combustion engines and electric motors.
Hybrid types
Vehicle type
Single-wheeled vehicles
There were large Chinese wheelbarrows depicted with sails and masts.Likewise, there are the same Chinese wheelbarrows with sailing masts depicted in the Atlas of Gerardus Mercator (1512–1594 AD), as well as the 1626 AD book Kingdom of Chinay J. Speed.[2] The English poet John Milton (1608–1674 AD) popularized the Chinese sailing carriage in Europe with a poem written in 1665.
Two-wheeled and cycle-type vehicles
Mopeds and electric bicycles are a simple form of a hybrid, as power is delivered both via an internal combustion engine or electric motor and the riders muscles. Early prototypes of motorcycles in the late 1800s used the same principles.
* In a parallel hybrid bicycle human and motor power are mechanically coupled at the pedal drive train or at the rear or the front wheel, e.g. using a hub motor, a roller pressing onto a tire, or a connection to a wheel using a transmission element. Human and motor torques are added together. Almost all manufactured models are of this type. See Motorized bicycles, Mopeds and for more information.
* In a series hybrid bicycle (SH) the user powers a generator using the pedals. This is converted into electricity and can be fed directly to the motor giving a chainless bicycle but also to charge a battery. The motor draws power from the battery and must be able to deliver the full mechanical torque required because none is available from the pedals. SH bicycles are commercially available, because they are very simple in theory and manufacturing.
The first known prototype and publication of an SH bicycle is by Augustus Kinzel (US Patent 328842317) in 1975. In 1994 Bernie Macdonalds conceived the Electrilite SH lightweight vehicle which used power electronics allowing regenerative braking and pedaling while stationary. In 1995 Thomas Müller designed a Fahrrad mit elektromagnetischem Antrieb in his 1995 diploma thesis and built a functional vehicle. In 1996 Jürg Blatter and Andreas Fuchs of Berne University of Applied Sciences built an SH bicycle and in 1998 mounted the system onto a Leitra tricycle (European patent EP 1165188). In 1999 Harald Kutzke described his concept of the active bicycle : the aim is to approach the ideal bicycle weighing nothing and having no drag by electronic compensation. Until 2005 Fuchs and colleagues built several prototype SH tricycles and quadricycles.
Heavy vehicles
Hybrid power trains are used for diesel-electric or turbo-electric railway locomotives, buses, heavy goods vehicles, mobile hydraulic machinery, and ships. Typically some form of heat engine (usually diesel) drives an electric generator or hydraulic pump which power one or more electric or hydraulic motors. There are advantages in distributing power through wires or pipes rather than mechanical elements especially when multiple drives—e.g. driven wheels or propellers—are required. There is power lost in the double conversion from typically diesel fuel to electricity to power an electric or hydraulic motor. With large vehicles the advantages often outweigh the disadvantages especially as the conversion losses typically decrease with size. Presently there is no or relatively little energy storage capacity on most heavy vehicles, e.g. auxiliary batteries and hydraulic accumulators—this is changing.
Rail transport
An example of a typical hybrid is the new Canadian, Bombardier-built railroad engine called the AGC (Autorail à grande capacité, high-capacity railcar) which has dual mode (diesel and electric motors) and dual voltage capabilities (1500 and 25000 V) allowing it to be used on many different rail systems. [2]. The first operational prototype of a hybrid train engine with significant energy storage and energy regeneration capability has been introduced in Japan as the Kiha E200. It utilizes battery packs of lithium ion batteries mounted on the roof to store recovered energy.[5] In the U.S., General Electric introduced a prototype railroad engine with their Ecomagination technology in 2007. They store energy in a large set of sodium nickel chloride (Na-NiCl2) batteries to capture and store energy normally dissipated during dynamic braking or coasting downhill. They expect at least a 10% reduction in fuel use with this system and are now spending about $2 billion/yr on hybrid research.[6] Variants of typical diesel-electrical locomotives are like the Green Goat (GG) and Green Kid (GK) switching/yard engines built by Canadas Railpower Technologies. They utilize a large set of heavy duty long life (~10 yr) rechargeable lead acid (Pba) batteries and 1000 to 2000 HP electric motors as the primary motive sources and a new clean burning diesel generator (~160 Hp) for recharging the batteries that is used only as needed. No power or fuel are wasted for idling—typically 60–85% of the time for these type locomotives. Its unclear if dynamic braking (regenerative) power is recaptured for reuse; but in principle should be easily utilized. Since these engines typical need extra weight for traction purposes anyway the battery packs weight is a negligible penalty. In addition the diesel generator and battery package are normally built on an existing retired yard locomotives frame for significant additional cost savings. The existing motors and running gear are all rebuilt and reused. Diesel fuel savings of 40–60% and up to 80% pollution reductions are claimed over that of a typical older switching/yard engine. The same advantages that existing hybrid cars have for use with frequent starts and stops and idle periods apply to typical switching yard use.[7] Green Goats locomotives have been purchased by Canadian Pacific Railway, BNSF Railway, Kansas City Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad among others.
Railpower Technologies Corp. engineers working with TSI Terminal Systems Inc. in Vancouver, British Columbia are testing a hybrid diesel electric power unit with battery storage for use in Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes. RTG cranes are typically used for loading and unloading shipping containers onto trains or trucks in ports and container storage yards. The energy used to lift the containers can be partially regained when they are lowered. Diesel fuel and emission reductions of 50–70% are predicted by Railpower engineers. First systems are expected to be operational in 2007.
Road Transport, Commercial Vehicles
GM has launched hybrid versions of its full-size GMC Yukon (pictured) and Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs for 2008
GM has launched hybrid versions of its full-size GMC Yukon (pictured) and Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs for 2008
Early hybrid systems are being investigated for trucks and other heavy highway vehicles with some operational trucks and buses starting to come into use. The main obstacles seem to be smaller fleet sizes and the extra costs of a hybrid system are yet compensated for by fuel savings, but with the price of oil set to continue on its upward trend, the tipping point may be reached by the end of 2008. Advances in technology and lowered battery cost and higher capacity etc. developed in the hybrid car industry are already filtering into truck use as Toyota, Ford, GM and others introduce hybrid pickups and SUVs. Kenworth Truck Company recently introduced a hybrid-electric truck, called the Kenworth T270 Class 6 that for city usage seems to be competitive. FedEx and others are starting to invest in hybrid delivery type vehicles—particularly for city use where hybrid technology may pay off first.The U.S. military is investigating hybrid Humvees[13] and other vehicles.
Ships
Ships with both mast-mounted sails and engines were an early form of hybrid vehicles. Newer hybrid ship-propulsion schemes include large towing kites manufactured by companies such as SkySails. Towing kites can fly at heights several times higher than the tallest ship masts, capturing stronger and steadier winds.
Engine type
Hybrid electric-petroleum vehicles
Hybrid New Flyer Metrobus
Hybrid New Flyer Metrobus
Hybrid Optare Solo
Hybrid Optare Solo
When the term hybrid vehicle is used, it most often refers to a Hybrid electric vehicle. These encompass such vehicles as the AHS2 (Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, and the Saturn Vue), Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid and others. A petroleum-electric hybrid most commonly uses internal combustion engines (generally gasoline or Diesel engines, powered by a variety of fuels) and electric batteries to power electric motors. There are many types of petroleum-electric hybrid drivetrains, from Full hybrid to Mild hybrid, which offer varying advantages and disadvantages.
While liquid fuel/electric hybrids date back to the late 1800s, the braking regenerative hybrid was invented by David Arthurs, an electrical engineer from Springdale, Arkansas in 1978-79. His home-converted Opel GT was reported to get as much as 75MPG and plans are still sold to this original design, and the Mother Earth News modified version on their website.
Continuously outboard recharged battery electric vehicle (CORBEV)
Given suitable infrastructure, permissions and vehicles, BEVs can be recharged while the user drives. The BEV establishes contact with an electrified rail, plate or overhead wires on the highway via an attached conducting wheel or other similar mechanism (see Conduit current collection). The BEVs batteries are recharged by this process—on the highway—and can then be used normally on other roads until the battery is discharged.
This provides the advantage, in principle, of virtually unrestricted highway range as long as you stay where you have BEV infrastructure access. Since many destinations are within 100 km of a major highway, this may reduce the need for expensive battery systems. Unfortunately private use of the existing electrical system is nearly universally prohibited.
The technology for such electrical infrastructure is old and, unfortunately outside of some cities, is not widely distributed (see Conduit current collection, trams, electric rail, trolleys, third rail). Updating the required electrical and infrastructure costs can be funded, in principle, by toll revenue, gasoline or other taxes.
Hybrid fuel (dual mode)
In addition to vehicles that use two or more different devices for propulsion, some also consider vehicles that use distinct energy sources or input types ( fuels ) using the same engine to be hybrids, although to avoid confusion with hybrids as described above and to use correctly the terms, these are perhaps more correctly described as dual mode vehicles:
* Some electric trolleybuses can switch between an on board diesel engine and overhead electrical power depending on conditions (see dual mode bus). In principle, this could be combined with a battery subsystem to create a true plug-in hybrid trolleybus, although as of 2006, no such design seems to have been announced.
* Flexible-fuel vehicles can use a mixture of input fuels (petroleum and biofuels) in one tank — typically gasoline and bioethanol or biobutanol, though diesel-biodiesel vehicles would also qualify.
* Dual mode:Liquified petroleum gas and natural gas are very different from petroleum or diesel and cannot be used in the same tanks, so it would be impossible to build an (LPG or NG) flexible fuel system. Instead vehicles are built with two, parallel, fuel systems feeding one engine. While the duplicated tanks cost space in some applications, the increased range and flexibility where (LPG or NG) infrastructure is incomplete may be a significant incentive to purchase.
* Some vehicles have been modified to use another fuel source if it is available, such as cars modified to run on autogas (LPG) and diesels modified to run on waste vegetable oil that has not been processed into biodiesel.
* Power-assist mechanisms for bicycles and other human-powered vehicles are also included.
Fluid power hybrid
Hydraulic and pneumatic hybrid vehicles use an engine to charge a pressure accumulator to drive the wheels via hydraulic or pneumatic (i.e. compressed air) drive units. The energy recovery rate is higher and therefore the system is more efficient than battery charged hybrids, demonstrating a 60% to 70% increase in energy economy in EPA testing [16]. Under tests done by the EPA, a hydraulic hybrid Ford Expedition returned 32 mpg–U.S. (7.35 L/100 km / 38.4 mpg–imp) City, and 22 mpg–U.S. (10.69 L/100 km / 26.4 mpg–imp) highway.
UPS currently has two trucks in service with this technology.
While the system has faster and more efficient charge/discharge cycling and is cheaper than gaselectric hybrids, the accumulator size dictates total energy storage capacity and requires more space than a battery.
Plug-in Hybrid Electrical Vehicles (PHEV)
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The latest hybrid technology is the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). The PHEV consists of a gasoline-electric hybrid whose battery pack (usually Li-ion) is upgraded to a larger capacity, which can be recharged by either a battery charger hooked into the electrical grid or the gasoline engine (only if required). The car runs on battery power for the first 10 to 60 miles (16–100 km), with the gasoline engine available for faster acceleration, etc. After the battery is nearly discharged, the car reverts to the gasoline engine to recharge the battery and/or return the car to the charging station. This may get around the fundamental obstacle of battery range that has made nearly all pure electric cars impractical. Fuel costs (ignoring conversion costs), in principle, may be as low as 5 cents/mile. Its not clear yet whether converting an existing hybrid car will ever pay for itself in fuel savings. The biggest problem is finding a good, cheap, high-energy battery pack—the same problem that has plagued the pure electric car. If everyone plugged into the utility grid to charge up their car this would seem to be merely displacing the gasoline/diesel combustion problem to the typical coal powered electrical generating plant. But, if cars were recharged late at night this would allow the base load of the electrical system to be more efficient with a much more even base load and electrical power can also be generated by clean wind, hydro, tide power, etc. Since most travel is about 30 miles/day this may be the cleanest personal transportation system presently available. There is a cottage conversion industry for owners of existing hybrids, and several large auto industry groups (GM, Toyota, Mercedes etc.) as well as the US Department of Energy are investigating this system. No major car company (as of late 2007) offers PHEVs yet. The typical cottage industry conversion car is the Toyota Prius (cost of conversion $5k-$40k), since it is a full hybrid with enough power in its electrical system to maintain typical city speeds.
Hybrid vehicle engines and how they work
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Petroleum fuel engine assist
The first type can propel itself using only the electric motor at very low speeds. The gasoline motor also has the ability to kick in and help out the electric engine when more power is needed, such as when passing or climbing a steep grade. The Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape Hybrid fall into this category.
When a car like the Toyota Prius accelerates from a standstill, the electric motor gets the vehicle rolling and continues to drive it up to around 25 mph before the gasoline engine automatically starts up. Under hard acceleration from a stop, the gas engine starts immediately to provide maximum power. The electric motor and the gas engine also work in tandem when driving conditions demand more power, such as while climbing a hill or passing other vehicles. Because the electric motor is used so much at low speeds, the Prius and Escape get better mileage in the city than they do on the highway.
Electric assist
The second type uses the electric motor only to assist the gasoline engine when it needs extra boost, again during brisk acceleration or when going up a hill. The Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight fall into the second category.
When a car like the Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid, the electric motor assists the gas engine only when driving conditions demand more power, such as during hard acceleration from a stop, while climbing a hill or passing other vehicles. As with normal, gas-powered cars, these hybrids get better fuel economy while cruising on the highway, as that is when the gas engine is least taxed.
Environmental issues
Fuel consumption and emissions reductions
The hybrid vehicle typically achieves greater fuel economy and lower emissions than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), resulting in fewer emissions being generated. These savings are primarily achieved by four elements of a typical hybrid design:
1. recapturing energy normally wasted during braking etc. (regenerative braking) This is a mechanism that reduces vehicle speed by converting some of its kinetic energy into another useful form of energy, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
2. having significant battery storage capacity to store and reuse recaptured energy;
3. shutting down the gasoline or diesel engine during traffic stops or while coasting or other idle periods;
4. improving aerodynamics ; (part of the reason that SUVs get such bad gas mileage is the drag on the car. A box shaped car or truck has to exert more force to move through the air causing more stress on the engine making it work harder. Improving the shape and aerodynamics of a car is a good way to help better the gas mileage and also improve handling at the same time.
5. using low rolling resistance tires ; (tires these days are made to give a quiet , smooth ride but rarely is efficiency considered. These tires cause a great deal of drag, once again making the engine work harder , consuming more gas mileage. Hybrid cars use special tires that are more inflated than regular tires and stiffer, which reduces the drag by about half, improving fuel economy by relieving stress of the engine.
6. relying on both the gasoline (or diesel engine) and the electric motors for peak power needs resulting in a smaller gasoline or diesel engine sized more for average usage rather than peak power usage.
These features make a hybrid vehicle particularly efficient for city traffic where there are frequent stops, coasting and idling periods. In addition noise emissions are reduced, particularly at idling and low operating speeds,[23] in comparison to conventional gasoline or diesel powered engine vehicles. For continuous high speed highway use these features are much less useful in reducing emissions.
Hybrid Vehicle Emissions
Hybrid Vehicle emissions today are getting close to or even lower than the recommended level set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The recommended levels they suggest for a typical passenger vehicle should be equated to 5.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The three most popular hybrid vehicles, Honda Civic, Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, set the standards even higher by producing 4.1, 3.5, and 3.5 tons showing a major improvement in carbon monoxide emissions.
Environmental impact of hybrid car battery
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Though hybrid cars take in substantially less petroleum than conventional cars, there is still an issue regarding the environmental damage of the Hybrid car battery. Today most Hybrid car batteries are one of two types: (1) nickel metal hydride, or (2) lithium ion; both are regarded as more environmentally friendly than lead-based batteries (which constitute the bulk of car batteries today). Jim Kliesch, author of the Green Book: The Environmental Guide to Cars and Trucks told HybridCars.com, There are many types of batteries. Some are far more toxic than others. While batteries like lead acid or nickel cadmium are incredibly bad for the environment, the toxicity levels and environmental impact of nickel metal hydride batteries—the type currently used in hybrids—are much lower. .
Though substantially less toxic than conventional car batteries, nickel-based batteries are known carcinogens, and can lead to a wide array of other health problems (little testing has been done to show the effects of nickel on people but other possible side effects may include: xencephaly, everted viscera, short and twisted neck, short and twisted limbs, microphthalmia, hemorrhage, and reduced body size ).
Although companies are funding research to use these safer less toxic batteries, the fact of the matter is lead is so cheap, and money always plays a factor when dealing with mass production of an item.[clarify] According to a 2003 report entitled, Getting the Lead Out, by Environmental Defense and the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, Mich., an estimated 2.6 million metric tons of lead can be found in the batteries of vehicles on the road today. Theres little argument that lead is extremely toxic. Scientific studies show that long-term exposure to even tiny amounts of lead can cause brain and kidney damage, hearing impairment, and learning problems in children. The auto industry uses over one million metric tons of lead every year, with 90% going to conventional lead-acid vehicle batteries. While lead recycling is a mature industry, its impossible to rescue every car battery from the dump. More than 40,000 metric tons of lead are lost to landfills every year. According to the federal Toxic Release Inventory, another 70,000 metric tons are released in the lead mining and manufacturing process. [Jim Kliesch, author of the Green Book: The Environmental Guide to Cars and Trucks]
Raw materials shortage
There is an impeding shortage of many rare materials used in the manufacture of hybrid cars .
For example, the rare earth element dysprosium is required to fabricate many of the advanced electric motors and battery systems in hybrid propulsion systems .
Nearly all the rare earth elements in the world come from China, and many analysts believe that an overall increase in Chinese electronics manufacturing will consume this entire supply by 2012.In addition, export quotas on Chinese Rare Earth exports have resulted in a generally shaky supply of those metals .
A few non-Chinese sources such as the advanced Hoidas Lake project in northern Canada as well as Mt Weld in Australia are currently under development; however it is not known if these sources will be developed before the shortage hits.
Alternative green vehicles
Other types of green vehicles include other vehicles that go fully or partly on alternative energy sources than fossil fuel. Another option is to use alternative fuel composition (i.e. biofuels) in conventional fossil fuel-based vehicles, making them go partly on renewable energy sources.
Other approaches include personal rapid transit, a public transportation concept that offers automated on-demand non-stop transportation, on a network of specially-built guideways.
* On-board or out-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS)
* Gasoline
* Hydrogen
* Compressed Air
* Human powered e.g. pedaling or rowing
* Wind
* Compressed or Liquid Natural Gas
* Solar
* Coal, wood or other combustibles
The term most commonly refers to Hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) which includes internal combustion engines and electric motors.
Hybrid types
Vehicle type
Single-wheeled vehicles
There were large Chinese wheelbarrows depicted with sails and masts.Likewise, there are the same Chinese wheelbarrows with sailing masts depicted in the Atlas of Gerardus Mercator (1512–1594 AD), as well as the 1626 AD book Kingdom of Chinay J. Speed.[2] The English poet John Milton (1608–1674 AD) popularized the Chinese sailing carriage in Europe with a poem written in 1665.
Two-wheeled and cycle-type vehicles
Mopeds and electric bicycles are a simple form of a hybrid, as power is delivered both via an internal combustion engine or electric motor and the riders muscles. Early prototypes of motorcycles in the late 1800s used the same principles.
* In a parallel hybrid bicycle human and motor power are mechanically coupled at the pedal drive train or at the rear or the front wheel, e.g. using a hub motor, a roller pressing onto a tire, or a connection to a wheel using a transmission element. Human and motor torques are added together. Almost all manufactured models are of this type. See Motorized bicycles, Mopeds and for more information.
* In a series hybrid bicycle (SH) the user powers a generator using the pedals. This is converted into electricity and can be fed directly to the motor giving a chainless bicycle but also to charge a battery. The motor draws power from the battery and must be able to deliver the full mechanical torque required because none is available from the pedals. SH bicycles are commercially available, because they are very simple in theory and manufacturing.
The first known prototype and publication of an SH bicycle is by Augustus Kinzel (US Patent 328842317) in 1975. In 1994 Bernie Macdonalds conceived the Electrilite SH lightweight vehicle which used power electronics allowing regenerative braking and pedaling while stationary. In 1995 Thomas Müller designed a Fahrrad mit elektromagnetischem Antrieb in his 1995 diploma thesis and built a functional vehicle. In 1996 Jürg Blatter and Andreas Fuchs of Berne University of Applied Sciences built an SH bicycle and in 1998 mounted the system onto a Leitra tricycle (European patent EP 1165188). In 1999 Harald Kutzke described his concept of the active bicycle : the aim is to approach the ideal bicycle weighing nothing and having no drag by electronic compensation. Until 2005 Fuchs and colleagues built several prototype SH tricycles and quadricycles.
Heavy vehicles
Hybrid power trains are used for diesel-electric or turbo-electric railway locomotives, buses, heavy goods vehicles, mobile hydraulic machinery, and ships. Typically some form of heat engine (usually diesel) drives an electric generator or hydraulic pump which power one or more electric or hydraulic motors. There are advantages in distributing power through wires or pipes rather than mechanical elements especially when multiple drives—e.g. driven wheels or propellers—are required. There is power lost in the double conversion from typically diesel fuel to electricity to power an electric or hydraulic motor. With large vehicles the advantages often outweigh the disadvantages especially as the conversion losses typically decrease with size. Presently there is no or relatively little energy storage capacity on most heavy vehicles, e.g. auxiliary batteries and hydraulic accumulators—this is changing.
Rail transport
An example of a typical hybrid is the new Canadian, Bombardier-built railroad engine called the AGC (Autorail à grande capacité, high-capacity railcar) which has dual mode (diesel and electric motors) and dual voltage capabilities (1500 and 25000 V) allowing it to be used on many different rail systems. [2]. The first operational prototype of a hybrid train engine with significant energy storage and energy regeneration capability has been introduced in Japan as the Kiha E200. It utilizes battery packs of lithium ion batteries mounted on the roof to store recovered energy.[5] In the U.S., General Electric introduced a prototype railroad engine with their Ecomagination technology in 2007. They store energy in a large set of sodium nickel chloride (Na-NiCl2) batteries to capture and store energy normally dissipated during dynamic braking or coasting downhill. They expect at least a 10% reduction in fuel use with this system and are now spending about $2 billion/yr on hybrid research.[6] Variants of typical diesel-electrical locomotives are like the Green Goat (GG) and Green Kid (GK) switching/yard engines built by Canadas Railpower Technologies. They utilize a large set of heavy duty long life (~10 yr) rechargeable lead acid (Pba) batteries and 1000 to 2000 HP electric motors as the primary motive sources and a new clean burning diesel generator (~160 Hp) for recharging the batteries that is used only as needed. No power or fuel are wasted for idling—typically 60–85% of the time for these type locomotives. Its unclear if dynamic braking (regenerative) power is recaptured for reuse; but in principle should be easily utilized. Since these engines typical need extra weight for traction purposes anyway the battery packs weight is a negligible penalty. In addition the diesel generator and battery package are normally built on an existing retired yard locomotives frame for significant additional cost savings. The existing motors and running gear are all rebuilt and reused. Diesel fuel savings of 40–60% and up to 80% pollution reductions are claimed over that of a typical older switching/yard engine. The same advantages that existing hybrid cars have for use with frequent starts and stops and idle periods apply to typical switching yard use.[7] Green Goats locomotives have been purchased by Canadian Pacific Railway, BNSF Railway, Kansas City Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad among others.
Railpower Technologies Corp. engineers working with TSI Terminal Systems Inc. in Vancouver, British Columbia are testing a hybrid diesel electric power unit with battery storage for use in Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes. RTG cranes are typically used for loading and unloading shipping containers onto trains or trucks in ports and container storage yards. The energy used to lift the containers can be partially regained when they are lowered. Diesel fuel and emission reductions of 50–70% are predicted by Railpower engineers. First systems are expected to be operational in 2007.
Road Transport, Commercial Vehicles
GM has launched hybrid versions of its full-size GMC Yukon (pictured) and Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs for 2008
GM has launched hybrid versions of its full-size GMC Yukon (pictured) and Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs for 2008
Early hybrid systems are being investigated for trucks and other heavy highway vehicles with some operational trucks and buses starting to come into use. The main obstacles seem to be smaller fleet sizes and the extra costs of a hybrid system are yet compensated for by fuel savings, but with the price of oil set to continue on its upward trend, the tipping point may be reached by the end of 2008. Advances in technology and lowered battery cost and higher capacity etc. developed in the hybrid car industry are already filtering into truck use as Toyota, Ford, GM and others introduce hybrid pickups and SUVs. Kenworth Truck Company recently introduced a hybrid-electric truck, called the Kenworth T270 Class 6 that for city usage seems to be competitive. FedEx and others are starting to invest in hybrid delivery type vehicles—particularly for city use where hybrid technology may pay off first.The U.S. military is investigating hybrid Humvees[13] and other vehicles.
Ships
Ships with both mast-mounted sails and engines were an early form of hybrid vehicles. Newer hybrid ship-propulsion schemes include large towing kites manufactured by companies such as SkySails. Towing kites can fly at heights several times higher than the tallest ship masts, capturing stronger and steadier winds.
Engine type
Hybrid electric-petroleum vehicles
Hybrid New Flyer Metrobus
Hybrid New Flyer Metrobus
Hybrid Optare Solo
Hybrid Optare Solo
When the term hybrid vehicle is used, it most often refers to a Hybrid electric vehicle. These encompass such vehicles as the AHS2 (Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, and the Saturn Vue), Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid and others. A petroleum-electric hybrid most commonly uses internal combustion engines (generally gasoline or Diesel engines, powered by a variety of fuels) and electric batteries to power electric motors. There are many types of petroleum-electric hybrid drivetrains, from Full hybrid to Mild hybrid, which offer varying advantages and disadvantages.
While liquid fuel/electric hybrids date back to the late 1800s, the braking regenerative hybrid was invented by David Arthurs, an electrical engineer from Springdale, Arkansas in 1978-79. His home-converted Opel GT was reported to get as much as 75MPG and plans are still sold to this original design, and the Mother Earth News modified version on their website.
Continuously outboard recharged battery electric vehicle (CORBEV)
Given suitable infrastructure, permissions and vehicles, BEVs can be recharged while the user drives. The BEV establishes contact with an electrified rail, plate or overhead wires on the highway via an attached conducting wheel or other similar mechanism (see Conduit current collection). The BEVs batteries are recharged by this process—on the highway—and can then be used normally on other roads until the battery is discharged.
This provides the advantage, in principle, of virtually unrestricted highway range as long as you stay where you have BEV infrastructure access. Since many destinations are within 100 km of a major highway, this may reduce the need for expensive battery systems. Unfortunately private use of the existing electrical system is nearly universally prohibited.
The technology for such electrical infrastructure is old and, unfortunately outside of some cities, is not widely distributed (see Conduit current collection, trams, electric rail, trolleys, third rail). Updating the required electrical and infrastructure costs can be funded, in principle, by toll revenue, gasoline or other taxes.
Hybrid fuel (dual mode)
In addition to vehicles that use two or more different devices for propulsion, some also consider vehicles that use distinct energy sources or input types ( fuels ) using the same engine to be hybrids, although to avoid confusion with hybrids as described above and to use correctly the terms, these are perhaps more correctly described as dual mode vehicles:
* Some electric trolleybuses can switch between an on board diesel engine and overhead electrical power depending on conditions (see dual mode bus). In principle, this could be combined with a battery subsystem to create a true plug-in hybrid trolleybus, although as of 2006, no such design seems to have been announced.
* Flexible-fuel vehicles can use a mixture of input fuels (petroleum and biofuels) in one tank — typically gasoline and bioethanol or biobutanol, though diesel-biodiesel vehicles would also qualify.
* Dual mode:Liquified petroleum gas and natural gas are very different from petroleum or diesel and cannot be used in the same tanks, so it would be impossible to build an (LPG or NG) flexible fuel system. Instead vehicles are built with two, parallel, fuel systems feeding one engine. While the duplicated tanks cost space in some applications, the increased range and flexibility where (LPG or NG) infrastructure is incomplete may be a significant incentive to purchase.
* Some vehicles have been modified to use another fuel source if it is available, such as cars modified to run on autogas (LPG) and diesels modified to run on waste vegetable oil that has not been processed into biodiesel.
* Power-assist mechanisms for bicycles and other human-powered vehicles are also included.
Fluid power hybrid
Hydraulic and pneumatic hybrid vehicles use an engine to charge a pressure accumulator to drive the wheels via hydraulic or pneumatic (i.e. compressed air) drive units. The energy recovery rate is higher and therefore the system is more efficient than battery charged hybrids, demonstrating a 60% to 70% increase in energy economy in EPA testing [16]. Under tests done by the EPA, a hydraulic hybrid Ford Expedition returned 32 mpg–U.S. (7.35 L/100 km / 38.4 mpg–imp) City, and 22 mpg–U.S. (10.69 L/100 km / 26.4 mpg–imp) highway.
UPS currently has two trucks in service with this technology.
While the system has faster and more efficient charge/discharge cycling and is cheaper than gaselectric hybrids, the accumulator size dictates total energy storage capacity and requires more space than a battery.
Plug-in Hybrid Electrical Vehicles (PHEV)
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The latest hybrid technology is the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). The PHEV consists of a gasoline-electric hybrid whose battery pack (usually Li-ion) is upgraded to a larger capacity, which can be recharged by either a battery charger hooked into the electrical grid or the gasoline engine (only if required). The car runs on battery power for the first 10 to 60 miles (16–100 km), with the gasoline engine available for faster acceleration, etc. After the battery is nearly discharged, the car reverts to the gasoline engine to recharge the battery and/or return the car to the charging station. This may get around the fundamental obstacle of battery range that has made nearly all pure electric cars impractical. Fuel costs (ignoring conversion costs), in principle, may be as low as 5 cents/mile. Its not clear yet whether converting an existing hybrid car will ever pay for itself in fuel savings. The biggest problem is finding a good, cheap, high-energy battery pack—the same problem that has plagued the pure electric car. If everyone plugged into the utility grid to charge up their car this would seem to be merely displacing the gasoline/diesel combustion problem to the typical coal powered electrical generating plant. But, if cars were recharged late at night this would allow the base load of the electrical system to be more efficient with a much more even base load and electrical power can also be generated by clean wind, hydro, tide power, etc. Since most travel is about 30 miles/day this may be the cleanest personal transportation system presently available. There is a cottage conversion industry for owners of existing hybrids, and several large auto industry groups (GM, Toyota, Mercedes etc.) as well as the US Department of Energy are investigating this system. No major car company (as of late 2007) offers PHEVs yet. The typical cottage industry conversion car is the Toyota Prius (cost of conversion $5k-$40k), since it is a full hybrid with enough power in its electrical system to maintain typical city speeds.
Hybrid vehicle engines and how they work
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Petroleum fuel engine assist
The first type can propel itself using only the electric motor at very low speeds. The gasoline motor also has the ability to kick in and help out the electric engine when more power is needed, such as when passing or climbing a steep grade. The Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape Hybrid fall into this category.
When a car like the Toyota Prius accelerates from a standstill, the electric motor gets the vehicle rolling and continues to drive it up to around 25 mph before the gasoline engine automatically starts up. Under hard acceleration from a stop, the gas engine starts immediately to provide maximum power. The electric motor and the gas engine also work in tandem when driving conditions demand more power, such as while climbing a hill or passing other vehicles. Because the electric motor is used so much at low speeds, the Prius and Escape get better mileage in the city than they do on the highway.
Electric assist
The second type uses the electric motor only to assist the gasoline engine when it needs extra boost, again during brisk acceleration or when going up a hill. The Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight fall into the second category.
When a car like the Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid, the electric motor assists the gas engine only when driving conditions demand more power, such as during hard acceleration from a stop, while climbing a hill or passing other vehicles. As with normal, gas-powered cars, these hybrids get better fuel economy while cruising on the highway, as that is when the gas engine is least taxed.
Environmental issues
Fuel consumption and emissions reductions
The hybrid vehicle typically achieves greater fuel economy and lower emissions than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), resulting in fewer emissions being generated. These savings are primarily achieved by four elements of a typical hybrid design:
1. recapturing energy normally wasted during braking etc. (regenerative braking) This is a mechanism that reduces vehicle speed by converting some of its kinetic energy into another useful form of energy, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
2. having significant battery storage capacity to store and reuse recaptured energy;
3. shutting down the gasoline or diesel engine during traffic stops or while coasting or other idle periods;
4. improving aerodynamics ; (part of the reason that SUVs get such bad gas mileage is the drag on the car. A box shaped car or truck has to exert more force to move through the air causing more stress on the engine making it work harder. Improving the shape and aerodynamics of a car is a good way to help better the gas mileage and also improve handling at the same time.
5. using low rolling resistance tires ; (tires these days are made to give a quiet , smooth ride but rarely is efficiency considered. These tires cause a great deal of drag, once again making the engine work harder , consuming more gas mileage. Hybrid cars use special tires that are more inflated than regular tires and stiffer, which reduces the drag by about half, improving fuel economy by relieving stress of the engine.
6. relying on both the gasoline (or diesel engine) and the electric motors for peak power needs resulting in a smaller gasoline or diesel engine sized more for average usage rather than peak power usage.
These features make a hybrid vehicle particularly efficient for city traffic where there are frequent stops, coasting and idling periods. In addition noise emissions are reduced, particularly at idling and low operating speeds,[23] in comparison to conventional gasoline or diesel powered engine vehicles. For continuous high speed highway use these features are much less useful in reducing emissions.
Hybrid Vehicle Emissions
Hybrid Vehicle emissions today are getting close to or even lower than the recommended level set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The recommended levels they suggest for a typical passenger vehicle should be equated to 5.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The three most popular hybrid vehicles, Honda Civic, Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, set the standards even higher by producing 4.1, 3.5, and 3.5 tons showing a major improvement in carbon monoxide emissions.
Environmental impact of hybrid car battery
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Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2008)
Though hybrid cars take in substantially less petroleum than conventional cars, there is still an issue regarding the environmental damage of the Hybrid car battery. Today most Hybrid car batteries are one of two types: (1) nickel metal hydride, or (2) lithium ion; both are regarded as more environmentally friendly than lead-based batteries (which constitute the bulk of car batteries today). Jim Kliesch, author of the Green Book: The Environmental Guide to Cars and Trucks told HybridCars.com, There are many types of batteries. Some are far more toxic than others. While batteries like lead acid or nickel cadmium are incredibly bad for the environment, the toxicity levels and environmental impact of nickel metal hydride batteries—the type currently used in hybrids—are much lower. .
Though substantially less toxic than conventional car batteries, nickel-based batteries are known carcinogens, and can lead to a wide array of other health problems (little testing has been done to show the effects of nickel on people but other possible side effects may include: xencephaly, everted viscera, short and twisted neck, short and twisted limbs, microphthalmia, hemorrhage, and reduced body size ).
Although companies are funding research to use these safer less toxic batteries, the fact of the matter is lead is so cheap, and money always plays a factor when dealing with mass production of an item.[clarify] According to a 2003 report entitled, Getting the Lead Out, by Environmental Defense and the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, Mich., an estimated 2.6 million metric tons of lead can be found in the batteries of vehicles on the road today. Theres little argument that lead is extremely toxic. Scientific studies show that long-term exposure to even tiny amounts of lead can cause brain and kidney damage, hearing impairment, and learning problems in children. The auto industry uses over one million metric tons of lead every year, with 90% going to conventional lead-acid vehicle batteries. While lead recycling is a mature industry, its impossible to rescue every car battery from the dump. More than 40,000 metric tons of lead are lost to landfills every year. According to the federal Toxic Release Inventory, another 70,000 metric tons are released in the lead mining and manufacturing process. [Jim Kliesch, author of the Green Book: The Environmental Guide to Cars and Trucks]
Raw materials shortage
There is an impeding shortage of many rare materials used in the manufacture of hybrid cars .
For example, the rare earth element dysprosium is required to fabricate many of the advanced electric motors and battery systems in hybrid propulsion systems .
Nearly all the rare earth elements in the world come from China, and many analysts believe that an overall increase in Chinese electronics manufacturing will consume this entire supply by 2012.In addition, export quotas on Chinese Rare Earth exports have resulted in a generally shaky supply of those metals .
A few non-Chinese sources such as the advanced Hoidas Lake project in northern Canada as well as Mt Weld in Australia are currently under development; however it is not known if these sources will be developed before the shortage hits.
Alternative green vehicles
Other types of green vehicles include other vehicles that go fully or partly on alternative energy sources than fossil fuel. Another option is to use alternative fuel composition (i.e. biofuels) in conventional fossil fuel-based vehicles, making them go partly on renewable energy sources.
Other approaches include personal rapid transit, a public transportation concept that offers automated on-demand non-stop transportation, on a network of specially-built guideways.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Huge South American Drug Ring Busted - With Ties To Hezbollah
I've been writing for quite some time on narco-terrorism and how it helps finance jihad. And, if you take it one step further, there's not much of a problem smuggling jihadis into America as a side product to the trade via our porous Southern border.Here's a great example of one such tie in that's now out in the open:In cooperation with various other countries, Dutch authorities have rounded up a big cocaine gang that had links with Hezbollah. Seventeen suspects were arrested on Curacao, the biggest island of the Netherlands Antilles, the Public Prosecutor's Office (OM) has revealed.International cooperation between police and judicial services of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles, Belgium, Colombia, Venezuela and the US led to the arrest of the 17 suspects by the Curacao police. They are believed to be part of a drugs and money-laundering organisation with international branches, thought to be responsible for the import and export of at least 2,000 kilos of cocaine per year, according to the OM. "The organisation maintained international contacts with other criminal networks, which in the Middle East support Hezbollah financially".In this investigation, launched at the beginning of 2008, containers with cocaine were intercepted earlier in Rotterdam (300 kilos), the Spanish city of Valencia (20 kilos) and the Belgian city of Antwerp (140 kilos). Three Colombian suspects have for some time been in pre-trial custody for their involvement in the Rotterdam shipment, discovered in October 2008.The 17 suspects now arrested are from Venezuela, Colombia, Lebanon and Cuba as well as Curacao. The organisation shipped containers with cocaine from Curacao to the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Jordan. From Venezuela, drugs containers went to West Africa and subsequently to the Netherlands, Lebanon and Spain. Couriers smuggled cocaine from Curacao and Aruba to the Netherlands as air passengers.The suspects invested the drugs profits in property in Colombia, Venezuela, Lebanon, the Dominican Republic and in companies on Curacao. Large sums of money from the drugs trade have become available in Lebanon via underground bankers. From Lebanon, orders are also placed for weapons, which had to be delivered by the drugs organisation from South America. Keep in mind that Hezbollah's stronghold in Lebanon's Bek'aa Valley is a major drug producing area.Hezbollah are not merely couriers and financial partners but suppliers. And while the article doesn't say so, there's no doubt in my mind that part of the deal involves obtaining scare foreign exchange for Hezbollah's boss, Iran.As terrorism expert and best selling author Steve Emerson has documented, Hezbollah has cells of operatives already in America. Now you know one way they finance and sustain their infrastructure.These are the people Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton want to normalize as 'just another political party'. Unbelievable.Hat tip, the one and only Fausta..and an honorable mention to The Baron and Dymphna
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Japan exports fell 45.7% in Jan 2009, economic collapse and depression next
Japan's exports plunged 45.7% in Jan 2009 from a year earlier, resulting in a record trade deficit, as recessions in the U.S. and Europe smothered demand for the country's cars and electronics. The drop in shipments abroad eclipsed a record 35% decline set the previous month. Exports to the U.S. tumbled an unprecedented 52.9% from a year earlier as the global recession deepened. Shipments to Europe slid 47.4%, exports to China fell 45.1% and those to Asia dropped 46.7%. The collapse is likely to force Japanese companies to keep firing workers and closing factories. Japan's GDP shrank at an annual 12.7% last quarter, the most since the 1974 oil shock. Nissan said it will fire 20,000 workers. Toyota, which is forecasting its first operating loss in seven decades, will halve production in 2009 Q1. - As far back as Feb 2006, Japan's then-PM Koizumi had been talking about the shrinking middle class. Of course the Internet community saw this coming way before that but let's give some credit to a former PM. And now the middle class, not just in Japan but also elsewhere, is set to shrink further or, what was once unthinkable, perhaps even disappear altogether. Let's not kid ourselves here - falls in exports of 30%, 35% or more is not just another recession. These figures are more indicative of an economic depression. If the middle class were to disappear, there will only be the poor, and the rich. Guess what happens what extremes collide. So for our own sake, let's hope for some kind of recovery before the final stages kick in. See also : 1. Nissan to slash 20000 jobs in mass layoff, sees annual loss in 2009 2. Japan exports plummet record 35% as recession deepens 3. Toyota to cut production 54% in Q1 2009 as demand plunges 4. Japan GDP shrinks 12.7% in biggest dive since 1974 as exports collapse
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Times Square Dress Rehearsal
Last night I went to see the Broadway play Impressionism starring Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen.Many critics had mixed reviews but I loved it. My friend Mike G. joined me for what turned out to be a perfect evening. Mike G. and I have known each other since I returned to New York many moons ago. We met at work and became fast friends.He lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn and he spends a lot of time telling me that it is only a 30 minute trip from my place to his place. I enjoy laughing robustly at this tall tale. People in Brooklyn love to tell you that it only takes 15/20/25/30 (FILL IN) minutes to get to the East Village.And it is always a fantasy.Other than that, Mike G. is pretty much a perfectly fabulous and loving friend. He teaches seventh grade at a tough Brooklyn middle school and enriches a lot of lives every day with his creativity and humor. He is cute, smart and dives into all New York City has to offer. Of course, I will not rest until he finds a wonderful guy and I dance at his wedding.Both of us have crazy schedules but we try to carve out time every couple of months to get together. We decided a while ago that we are committed to signing up at the same assisted living facility and enjoy rehearsing the things that we'll be doing when we are 85 and the mini bus drops us off in the City to have a few hours of fun.Before the play, we decided to go to the MOST RIDICULOUS BAR/LOUNGE WE COULD THINK OF AND AGREED ON A CAMPY SPOT PLANTED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TIMES SQUARE.Yes, it was a risk. But when you are rehearsing your life as an assisted living day tripper, you laugh in the face of risk.The campy crazy bar/lounge was GREAT. We laughed and had a ball, lingering far too long over our drinks. Mike G. made me swear I would keep the location a secret or it would get overrun with even MORE tourists and freaky locals (like us). Luckily, we slipped into the theater a few precious minutes before the curtain went up. Afterwards, the clock struck 10 and being the nice Catholic boy that he is, Mike G. escorted me to the subway since EVI was pooped after a long work day. Not so for my beloved Mike G. - the night was still young with lots of the Big Apple left to bite.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
UPDATE: Israel Weingarten Sentenced To 30 Years In Federal Prison
MONSEY RABBI SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF DAUGHTER
By Akiko Matsuda • The Journal News • May 8, 2009
NEW YORK, NY - A Monsey rabbi was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for taking his daughter out of the country to sexually abuse her.
Rabbi Israel Weingarten, 59, represented himself during a weeklong trial in March in federal court in Brooklyn. He cross-examined witnesses, including the victim, now 27, the second-oldest of his eight children with his ex-wife, Feige. The childrens ages range from 13 to 29.
Weingarten yesterday told the court that he really didnt want to represent himself, but felt he had no choice because the two attorneys supplied to him were not satisfactory.
Federal Judge John Gleeson said the rabbi chose to defend himself in order to cross-examine the victim in an attempt to control her again. You seemed to enjoy yourself in a perverse sort of way, Gleeson said. Its hard to make a crime like this worse, but you did.
The jury convicted Weingarten on all five counts of transporting the victim in foreign commerce with intent and for the purpose of sexually abusing her during the spring and summer of 1997.
On each of the five counts, U.S. District Court Judge John Gleeson yesterday sentenced him to 10 years followed by three years of supervised release. The jail time for three counts will run consecutively and two concurrently, resulting in a 30-year imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.
Prior to the sentencing, the victim and her older brother, 29, read statements detailing the horrors of being physically and mentally abused by their father. They said their father brainwashed his children as well as his wife.
Your honor, I dont think I would ever be able to forgive what my father has done to my sister and to my siblings, the older brother said. Im not going to forgive him for causing great pain and suffering to me and my dear sister.
As she read her statement, the victim was shaking and choked up with tears. She said her emotional trauma because of her abused past still haunted her, sometimes making it difficult for her to control her anger and fear.
When she saw a father with his daughter at a camping site last year, for example, her heart raced because she thought she had to help protect the daughter from Weingarten.
I felt like you were just right there, the victim told Weingarten. I couldnt see the daughters father, I saw your face.
After the jurys verdict, later in March, Weingarten hired a new attorney, Demosthenes Lorandos of Ann Arbor, Mich. Lorandos filed a memorandum with Gleeson, seeking a motion to set aside the verdict and to grant a new trial.
Lorandos stated in court papers that Weingarten never waived his right to have an attorney and that he did not have a fair trial without adequate representation.
The motion was denied.
Weingartens younger six children are firmly supporting their father.
His daughter Chayeh Weingarten, 23, and her sister Chaneh, 20, testified during the trial that their mother was the one who had molested their older sister.
As Weingarten was making his final statement prior to sentencing yesterday, two of his sons, Yoil, 24 and Yakev, 18, cried out loud and were silenced by the judge.
Half of the courtroom was filled with Weingartens supporters from the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, including several rabbis.
Lorandos told the court that the entire truth did not come out during the trial.
Judge Gleeson said he will never forget the victim, now 27, begging him from the witness stand to order Weingarten never to speak her name again. If I live to 100, thats an image I will take to my grave.
After the sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Goldbarg, who led the prosecution, gave a long hug to the victim, celebrating the ending.
Weingartens supporters were upset with the outcome.
My father is not guilty, and we are not brainwashed, Chayeh Weingarten said. Were going to appeal.
Weingarten has 10 days to appeal
Poor Izzy. Thirty years in a federal pen. So sad, so sad. And, as I always enjoy pointing out, there is NO PAROLE in the federal prison system, so chances are the old diddling cocksucker will die in prison.
A big thank you goes to Ben Zona for sending us Izzys sentencing information straight from the Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn. Ben was also the person who originally tipped me off to Izzys story
-Max
Brought to you by People Youll See In Hell. The best reason to get a background check that just about anyone can think of.
By Akiko Matsuda • The Journal News • May 8, 2009
NEW YORK, NY - A Monsey rabbi was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for taking his daughter out of the country to sexually abuse her.
Rabbi Israel Weingarten, 59, represented himself during a weeklong trial in March in federal court in Brooklyn. He cross-examined witnesses, including the victim, now 27, the second-oldest of his eight children with his ex-wife, Feige. The childrens ages range from 13 to 29.
Weingarten yesterday told the court that he really didnt want to represent himself, but felt he had no choice because the two attorneys supplied to him were not satisfactory.
Federal Judge John Gleeson said the rabbi chose to defend himself in order to cross-examine the victim in an attempt to control her again. You seemed to enjoy yourself in a perverse sort of way, Gleeson said. Its hard to make a crime like this worse, but you did.
The jury convicted Weingarten on all five counts of transporting the victim in foreign commerce with intent and for the purpose of sexually abusing her during the spring and summer of 1997.
On each of the five counts, U.S. District Court Judge John Gleeson yesterday sentenced him to 10 years followed by three years of supervised release. The jail time for three counts will run consecutively and two concurrently, resulting in a 30-year imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.
Prior to the sentencing, the victim and her older brother, 29, read statements detailing the horrors of being physically and mentally abused by their father. They said their father brainwashed his children as well as his wife.
Your honor, I dont think I would ever be able to forgive what my father has done to my sister and to my siblings, the older brother said. Im not going to forgive him for causing great pain and suffering to me and my dear sister.
As she read her statement, the victim was shaking and choked up with tears. She said her emotional trauma because of her abused past still haunted her, sometimes making it difficult for her to control her anger and fear.
When she saw a father with his daughter at a camping site last year, for example, her heart raced because she thought she had to help protect the daughter from Weingarten.
I felt like you were just right there, the victim told Weingarten. I couldnt see the daughters father, I saw your face.
After the jurys verdict, later in March, Weingarten hired a new attorney, Demosthenes Lorandos of Ann Arbor, Mich. Lorandos filed a memorandum with Gleeson, seeking a motion to set aside the verdict and to grant a new trial.
Lorandos stated in court papers that Weingarten never waived his right to have an attorney and that he did not have a fair trial without adequate representation.
The motion was denied.
Weingartens younger six children are firmly supporting their father.
His daughter Chayeh Weingarten, 23, and her sister Chaneh, 20, testified during the trial that their mother was the one who had molested their older sister.
As Weingarten was making his final statement prior to sentencing yesterday, two of his sons, Yoil, 24 and Yakev, 18, cried out loud and were silenced by the judge.
Half of the courtroom was filled with Weingartens supporters from the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, including several rabbis.
Lorandos told the court that the entire truth did not come out during the trial.
Judge Gleeson said he will never forget the victim, now 27, begging him from the witness stand to order Weingarten never to speak her name again. If I live to 100, thats an image I will take to my grave.
After the sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Goldbarg, who led the prosecution, gave a long hug to the victim, celebrating the ending.
Weingartens supporters were upset with the outcome.
My father is not guilty, and we are not brainwashed, Chayeh Weingarten said. Were going to appeal.
Weingarten has 10 days to appeal
Poor Izzy. Thirty years in a federal pen. So sad, so sad. And, as I always enjoy pointing out, there is NO PAROLE in the federal prison system, so chances are the old diddling cocksucker will die in prison.
A big thank you goes to Ben Zona for sending us Izzys sentencing information straight from the Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn. Ben was also the person who originally tipped me off to Izzys story
-Max
Brought to you by People Youll See In Hell. The best reason to get a background check that just about anyone can think of.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sepember 2008 County Council Report
By Kay H.Greetings, 4-H members! Our last County Council meeting was held on September 16th, 2008 at the county extension office. A big welcome goes out to our new 4-H clubs, including the Boys and Girls Club and the Hawthorne Club. Call the Alachua County Extension Office at (352)-955-2402 if you are interested in finding out more, or joining one of these clubs. In the planning stage is a Shooting Sports Club. More information on this will be forthcoming closer to the opening of the club.National 4-H Week is Oct, 5- 11th. Proclamations have been issued at both the City Commission and County Commission meetings. You can help promote 4-H at the annual Literacy Festival on October 4th. Feel free to attend sporting your 4-H T-Shirts and share your wonderful 4-H experiences with anyone who asks!4-H's float for the UF Homecoming parade has been approved. The theme is "Road to the Swamp", and any help in building the float will be appreciated. There is a Homecoming Float Committee if you would like to get more involved in this project.An upcoming event that will be a great deal of fun is the Holiday Crafts Workshop. This will be held on November 15th from 9 am - 1 pm at the county extension office. All sorts of fun projects will be available for participants to complete and take home. These make great decorations or gifts! More details and information on cost will be forthcoming.I hope to see you at these fun 4-H functions! Our next County Council meeting will be October 21, 2008, at 6:30pm, at the county extension office.
Monday, June 22, 2009
I would put babies in a corner (and run away)
So its not enough that Jamie and I don't have kids. Most of the folks we know either (a) don't have kids, (b) have kids but we weren't nearby during the earlier days/ birthing of kids, or (c) have not added us to the mix for their baby showers, etc... So I'm never around babies or people having babies.Letty and Juan are due fairly soon, and as they're good pals who we see regularly, we're involved in a baby shower this weekend. Which... Jamie and I don't know anything about babies. I mean, I know they're small people with no bowel control and that people have created this whole fiction about the joys of a baby when the sleepness nights, added expenses and trips to the ER, etc... sort of seem to speak otherwise (Your Unkle League isn't here to mince words tonight), and that it usually means a major, major lifestyle change for the happy parents.creeps me out...But on a practical level... I don't know anything about babies. I don't think I'd ever been into a Babies 'R Us before this evening. I have no idea what the hell any of that stuff is in there. I literally have no idea what one of the items we bought for the baby is for, and there's a picture of it in use right there on the package. And that's more or less how I felt about 90% of the baby goods we looked at. I assume some of this stuff existed when I dropped into existence, but who knows?Most of the stuff seems like its based around trying to make the leaking fluids and other bio-byproducts from your bundle of joy under control, which is a noble reason to own stuff, indeed. Its also priced very reasonably. Mostly because your kid is going to outgrow it or somehow destroy it before too long, I guess.I did learn that Jamie and I would cross swords, were we to decorate a nursery. I mean, I know I'm right. Puppies are a better option than jungle animals, right? It is probably socially unacceptable to own a "puppy lamp" intended for a nursery. So, no, I did not buy it for myself. Even if it was adorable.Anyway, kudos to you people who do the whole baby thing. It still totally freaks me out.But I am very happy for Juan and Letty. They're a happily married couple, and I know they will raise a kick-ass kid. They really want to be parents, and I see no reason they won't do a phenomenal job. Should be a blast watching what they do, given a little mind to mold.And I will enjoy sleeping through the night. Except when Jeff the Cat wakes me up like he did last night.from LoM
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tell Me Your Dream
I'm interesting about the meaning of dream and quite sometime. I learn to reveal hidden thing from it. Dream could represent your deepest unconscious mind, your desire, or your sadness. If you experience the same dream every night it could indicate you have something deep in your mind want to be revealed. So, tell me your dream and I'll try to reveal it for you. But remember I'm not a psychic, I just a person who have interest to psychological science, including dream revealing.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Engagement: How long should it be?
I believe in long engagement because most of unhappy couple/married people came from a short period of time, or some, few days of engagement.
Long engagement is very important.
You will have a lot of time to know each other specifically when troubles/problems occurs. You will learn on how will you handle things or solve problems when it happens.
And lastly, a long enough time to make up your mind, it is either to continue living with that person or put an end to your engagement.
What do you think?
Long engagement is very important.
You will have a lot of time to know each other specifically when troubles/problems occurs. You will learn on how will you handle things or solve problems when it happens.
And lastly, a long enough time to make up your mind, it is either to continue living with that person or put an end to your engagement.
What do you think?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Pokey and the Bandit
So I'm driving across central Illinois yesterday with my wife. My sister and her husband and their big, fur-intensive dog are driving along about 10 miles behind us. We come up over a little rise and on an overpass I can see a black SUV. I tap the brake to shut off the cruise control and drift down to the speed limit. (I was going my normal five miles and hour over.) I assume the SUV is a cop using radar.We pass under the bridge and over another little rise and in front of us are a half-dozen police cars with lights blazing. It looks like there was a plane crash or something, but it's just a bunch of troopers ticketing anyone designated by the SUV on the overpass. We pass anonymously and politely through and call back to my sister behind us, telling her to look out.And we drive on for while before pulling off for gas and a 55 gallon drum of diet soda. When we get back on the freeway we call my sister and warn her that we're no longer in front of her, looking for police. We're now behind her, and she's on her own. A little while later, a black Volvo with Pennsylvania plates blows by us at about 90 miles an hour. I comment that he's probably thinking what we're thinking, which is that all the state police in the area are back working the speed trap, and it's smooth sailing. And then my phone rings, and my sister -- who is now five miles in front of us -- tells us there's another cop at mile marker whatever. I joke that we have nothing to worry about; some guy in a black Volvo just went by us at 90 and he'll clear out any cops in our path.When we get to mile marker whatever, there's the guy in black Volvo, pulled over while the cop writes a ticket. I looked at him in my rear-view mirror. He looked really pissed. I don't know why, but I got a huge kick out of that.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Or whatever.
In a rush this morning, because I stayed up an hour too late, and slept likewise. So, I'm making this short. No, I really am. No kidding. Shortish, at any rate.Yesterday, I finally found the beginning of "The Apprentice's Daughter" (new title to arrive ASAP), and wrote 1,101 words. And gods I hope it's not a false start. I can't afford one of those just now. The story has refused to be a vignette, insisting, instead, that it will be a short story. I remain skeptical about the whole endeavor, but Spooky likes it, and I hate it when that happens, when we have that sort of divided opinion over what I'm writing (though it's happening a lot lately). As it turns out, "The Appretice's Daughter" is set in Ulthar in Lovecraft's dreamlands, and yes, there will be a dragon. And yes, it will be erotica. Eventually. I hope this to be the story that Vince will be illustrating for Sirenia Digest #43.And there was this question from corucia:If you're hunting around for the next novel, might I suggest something? I'd love to see a novel connecting 'Derma Sutra', 'The Steam Dancer' and 'The Melusine' together, perhaps as a series of seemingly-unrelated stories wherein the underlying history of the world gets laid out in the background and interstitials between stories. I'm thinking of a 'Cannery Row' kind of book, where each story builds the world and moves things forward, without ever really directly addressing what would be major plot elements in other authors' hands. I think your writing style would lend itself wonderfully to such an oblique approach...Plus, I really like that world and want to see more of it!To which I reply, you will likely someday get your wish. Just not for the next novel. To date, I've written (I think) four stories set in Cherry Creek, Colorado (an alternate-history, steampunk version of Denver). The plan is to eventually write eleven of these stories, one for each year from 1890 through 1900 (to date, I've done 1891, 1893, 1896, and 1898). But it could easily be another two or three years before this project is finished, so you'll have to be patient. I still have seven stories to write before it can be a book. Maybe it can appear by 2012 or so.Spooky is beginning a round of eBay auctions to offset our ReaderCon 20 expenses in July. I'll be doing a solo presentation on Dr. Seuss as weird fiction, and another on the writing of A is for Alien, as well as numerous panels, and a reading, I suppose.The platypus says it's time to go, and we do not argue with the platypus (well, we do, but not today).
Friday, June 12, 2009
Greenhouse Gas Dynamics and Economic Development
On the day before Earth Day, the NY Times Joe Tienery gets politically incorrect and argues that economic development is a "friend" of fighting climate change. He throws a healthy punch at the I = P*A*T formula. But, as someone who has written an entire book on this issue, permit me to comment.Here are the energy facts for the United States over the last 60 years. Note that energy consumption per-capita increases and now has been flat for about 20 years. This is despite ongoing income growth. So, Tierney is right that energy consumption per dollar of output has declined BUT note that total energy consumption just keeps rising (population growth). Given that all Mother Nature cares about is total GHG, she would be upset. The data reveal that there is some truth to Tiernery's story but not enough progress has taken place during a century of growth to reduce our GHG emissions. Why? The short answer is incentives. Economic development is not sufficient for achieving environmental progress we all also need explicit incentives not to pollute.Economic development "solves" environmental problems under the following circumstances;1. the health and amenity consequences of the pollution caused by the status quo technology are immediate2. the growing middle class do not like the pollution3. on the supply side, economic development causes engineering triumphs that unbundle the pollution from economic activity.Under these conditions , a democracy will choose to regulate itself to enact incentives to fight off the annoying pollution. So, in the case of indoor air quality or urban lead emissions these 3 conditions hold.As Arik Levinson and Hilton have documented, as nations get richer --- yes they consume more gasoline but they consume higher quality gasoline and (lead per gallon)declines faster than gasoline consumption increases so in richer nations total lead emissions from driving declines ; in terms of the math total emissions = technique*quantity where technique = lead per gallonIn the case of Climate change, the 3 conditions do not hold. There is a latency to climate change. There is currently no private incentive for households to not drive that Hummer (free riding) and even President Obama appears to be unable to enact cap and trade so there is no market incentive to induce innovation (i.e the next Prius) to unbundle GHG emissions from miles driven. If our engineers could invent a car that gets 1 million miles per gallon, then GHG would shrink; but what incentive do they have to achieve that right now?Ehrlich would worry that Tienery's optimism will Lull Larry Summers into not enacting carbon regulation because our economy will just "magically" get green. While I am a Chicago economist, even I don't believe that. We need a credible carbon nudge from government and the Chinese need this nudge as well.
How do you handle criticisms or corrections?how do you react?
Me and my husband always have a discussion on how i handle his correction .
Its not that i dont like to be corrected but its how you corrected me. I know
its my pride that kicks in everytime i react when somebody criticise me or
corrected me and i know that is not good. I become defensive and my mood
change, i just keep quite and stay alone for a while. My husband said that
people that cannot handle criticism are insecure, have low self esteem and
that their defensive mechanism is to pull their self out of the situation or
retaliate reasons or excuses instead of just accepting the corrections and
make theirselves better or improve theirselves. How about you? do you think
insecurities has something to do with how you react to anybodys
criticism/corrections? or pride? or low self esteem? tell me how you feel
about it.
Its not that i dont like to be corrected but its how you corrected me. I know
its my pride that kicks in everytime i react when somebody criticise me or
corrected me and i know that is not good. I become defensive and my mood
change, i just keep quite and stay alone for a while. My husband said that
people that cannot handle criticism are insecure, have low self esteem and
that their defensive mechanism is to pull their self out of the situation or
retaliate reasons or excuses instead of just accepting the corrections and
make theirselves better or improve theirselves. How about you? do you think
insecurities has something to do with how you react to anybodys
criticism/corrections? or pride? or low self esteem? tell me how you feel
about it.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
My First Week At Beyond The Boxscore
Ive contributed a lot to my new home this week. If you havent been over there or havent created an account, what are you waiting for? I mean, youre reading this right now& What Ive written about this week: Carlos Delgado is so obviously not the NL MVP. Heck hes at best the fourth-best option from his own team. And Carlos Beltran, well, he actually a pretty good pick if you disqualify Albert Pujols for some dumb reason. What if RBIs measured real offensive production? Well, for one, you wouldnt see Ryan Howards name on the leader board. Im quite proud of this pseudo-study of pitchers who have posted low ERAs with crappy K/BB ratios over the past five years. As you might expect, its tough to do and even harder to repeat. Thats bad news for Edwin Jackson and Gregory Smith, and I would be shocked not to see Jackson traded this off-season (and maybe even Smith). One of my favorite activities is to pivot-table my way through Justins position player stats. Heres the September 5th version. The Padres pitchers are actually much more to blame for the teams struggles than the hitters. PETCO Park, anyone? And their offense has been just as productive as the Rockies. Bet you didnt expect that, huh? I tracked down five interesting football articles. As mentioned by others, Cliff Lees faced much easier competition this year than most other AL starters, including Roy Halladay. Share This
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Affordable Pet Health Options Have Not Gone to the Dogs in This Bad Economy
The economy is not only playing havoc with the lives of human beings, but with domesticated animals -- especially dogs and cats -- as well. Luv My Pet, a company that has been meeting the needs of these furry critters since 1976, is helping their owners get through the current financial crisis. Fountain Valley, CA (PRWEB) August 23, 2008 -- In an effort to ensure all pet owners can give their cats and dogs proper health care at affordable prices, a company dedicated to providing sensibly-priced pet vaccination clinics has set up shop in PETCO stores in 23 states to provide weekend immunization service.Luv My Pet, a PETCO partner, offers vaccination clinics operated by state-licensed veterinarians for dogs and cats eight weeks or older. Pet owners can choose value packages for $49 or less that include all the core vaccines aimed at immunizing pets against major diseases. "We don't want people to lose any four-legged member of their family," says Scott Chaness, CEO of Luv My Pet, Inc., a PETCO partner and the nation's largest provider of affordable pet vaccination clinics. "Luv My Pet is a reasonably priced option that will help ease the costs of pet ownership."In every state, rabies vaccines are mandated by law and a host of vaccines and preventative medications are recommended to keep pets healthy. "Maintaining this regimen, especially for multiple pets, can add up to a hefty bill. Yet proactively preventing diseases with these annual vaccinations is necessary to actually keep costs down, in the long run," says Luv My Pet's Medical Director, Dr. Frances Vaujin, DVM. "Our commitment is to provide affordable health services without sacrificing the high quality of care that these animals and their families deserve."Other preventative pet health medications, heartworm products, flea treatments, diagnostic testing, and pet microchipping are crucial to keeping pets healthy, comfortable, and safe. Luv My Pet also provides low-cost options covering a range of these products and services - and will match any price on pet medications. Jennifer Raiman, of St. Augustine, Florida, said "Luv My Pet has been such a help. Besides the good deals on annual vaccinations, I was able to purchase heartworm products at prices that were considerably lower than what was offered at our vet's office." For more information on Luv My Pet's services/products, prices, and schedule of clinics nationwide, view the website at: http://www.luvmypet.com Founded in 1976, Luv My Pet is the nation's largest provider of affordable pet vaccination clinics in local PETCO stores and clinics in 23 states. Specializing in dog and cat vaccines, Luv My Pet's state-licensed veterinarians serviced 320,000 pets and administered 770,000 vaccinations last year, in accordance with all state and local regulations. Luv My Pet's specialized focus on providing vaccinations and its partnership with PETCO are what enable them to provide these services at lower prices to consumers. If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with LuvMyPet, Inc., please call Julie Stern at 949-467-1642 or email Julie at julie.stern@luvmypet.com. See Also:How Does the Master Cleanse Diet Work?Review of Master Cleanse Secrets GuideRefreshing New Lingerie and Adult Costume Store Promises More Than Just an Intriguing NameWhat’s New For Osteoarthritis Of The Hip And Knee? Orthokine And Other Treatments& Do They Work?Remove Toxins With the Sea Salt Cleanse
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Wildlife Gardening Group Lesson Plan
I will be doing the following lesson plan with my girl scout troop this week. We aren't going to be earning a specific brownie try-it but I am going to look for some sort of fun patch to go along with the theme of Wildlife Gardening. Please note: all information is from National Wildlife foundation's Garden for Wildlife Page.Introduction to Topic:Read: The Missing Sunflowers by Maggie SternAsk:What things in Simon's garden attracted wildlife? (Answer: Sunflowers)Why did the squirrel want the sunflowers? (Answer: For food.)Food is just one of the things that animals need to survive. What are some of the other things animals need? (Answer: Shelter, space, water)Explain: Today we are going to talk about what things we can do in our own yards to attract wildlife. That means we will be looking at what we can do to offer different types of animals food, water, shelter and space in our own back yard.Activity 1:Ask: Where would an animal find food in our backyards? (Answers: Seeds from a plant • Berries • Nectar • Foliage/Twigs • Nuts • Fruits • Sap • Pollen • Suet • Bird Feeder • Squirrel Feeder • Hummingbird Feeder • Butterfly Feeder) Explain: Everyone needs to eat! Planting native plants or hanging feeders in safe places are two easy ways to offer food in your habitat.Make a bird feeder. We will make the bagel bird feeder and the strung cheerios feeder.Activity 2:Ask: What are sources of water for animals? (Answer: Lake • Stream • Seasonal Pool • Ocean • Water Garden/Pond • River • Butterfly Puddling Area • Rain Garden • Spring )Explain: Wildlife need water for drinking and bathing. The easiest water source to install in your garden is a bird bath. Be sure to change the water 2-3 times per week during warm weather when mosquitoes are breeding, so that any eggs laid in the water don't have time to hatch.Make clay pot birdbaths.Activity 3:Explain: Wildlife need places to hide to feel safe from people, predators, and bad weather. Ask: Where are some areas that animals find shelter? (Answer: Wooded Area • Bramble Patch • Ground Cover • Rock Pile or Wall • Cave • Roosting Box • Dense Shrubs or Thicket • Evergreens • Brush or Log Pile • Dead Trees or Hollow Logs • Burrow • Bird, Bat or Bee house • High Grass Areas like a Meadow or Prairie • Water Garden or PondActivity: Hang Mason Bee House in the backyard.Activity 4:Explain: Space is the amount of room an animal needs. The amount of space an animal needs depends on what type of animal it is. A bear needs a square mile or more, while a meadow mouse needs only a fraction of an acre. They need this space to be able to have enough food and water and to have a place to bear and raise their young. If there are too many of one type of animal in a certain area, the animals will have to compete for food. Many habitat features that serve as shelters are also an animal's space. For butterflies to live, they need to have a space to lay their eggs where the eggs can hatch into caterpillars and the caterpillars can survive. Then they also need plants nearby where butterflies can get nectar once the caterpillars go through their metamorphosis. Plant host plants for caterpillars and butterflies. (We will plant sunflower seeds and cosmos seeds as they are favorite plants and flowers for the American Painted Lady, one of the most wide-spread butterflies in the world and a common butterfly in NC, in the larvae and adult stages.)Concluding Activity:Hike-While on a hike we will look for areas that would make good habitats. We will look for sources of water, food, and shelter.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Cognition Nutrition
Food for thought, very elaborate, circular visualizations, cable ties and ghost towns, Knol and as always, ... things to do before you die. Cognition Nutrition -- Children have a lot to contend with these days, not least a tendency for their pushy parents to force-feed them omega-3 oils at every opportunity. These are supposed to make children brainier, so they are being added to everything from bread, milk and pasta to baby formula and vitamin tablets. But omega-3 is just the tip of the nutritional iceberg; many nutrients have proven cognitive effects, and do so throughout a person's life, not merely when he is a child. Circos: Visualizing the genome, among other things -- Circos uses a circular composition of ideograms to mitigate the fact that some data, like combinations of intra- and inter-chromosomal relationships (alignments, duplications, assembly paired-ends, etc) are very difficult to organize when the underlying ideograms (or contigs) are arranged as lines. In many cases, it is impossible to keep the relationship lines from crossing other structures and this deteriorates the effectiveness of the graphic. Art Students Build Massive Environment Using Only Cable Ties -- Students at the Academy of Arts in Munich spent over 16,000 hours weaving together an impressive environmental installation made entirely out of cable ties. The space was made using 1.3 million ties and has the look of a highly advanced plastic spider web. Knol is open to everyone -- Knols are authoritative articles about specific topics, written by people who know about those subjects. Today, we're making Knol available to everyone. 10 Most Amazing Ghost Towns -- The Kowloon Walled City was located just outside Hong Kong, China during British rule. A former watchpost to protect the area against pirates, it was occupied by Japan during World War II and subsequently taken over by squatters after Japan's surrender. Neither Britain nor China wanted responsibility for it, so it became its own lawless city. Its population flourished for decades, with residents building labyrinthine corridors above the street level, which was clogged with trash. The buildings grew so tall that sunlight couldn't reach the bottom levels and the entire city had to be illuminated with fluorescent lights. Things to Do Before You Die ... Yes, I know, but you too know what and why -- At least once in his life, a man should... There is no checklist. Nothing on this list is that automatic. Every element here is a matter of the choices you make, the chances you take, the courage you are willing to show. You can trick yourself into thinking bungee jumping somehow satisfies those criteria, but willfully falling off a crane in a mall parking lot is more or less a rite of passage by now, isn't it? Maybe you call that a big moment. The trick is choosing to experience them all that way. Once you participate in life, it really works. I'll see ya. Related Items Make it Personal There Are No Rules Free ebook Peer pressure, vanity and behavior, motivation tricks and hacks, success and pain, and how to excel, Celebrate Your Beauty.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Buy 1 free 1
Pendrive??Strap (in small print).Don't get cheated of your eyes.Looked like this time, all exhibitors or dealers had made a consensus to sell the 2G pendrive for RM20, 4G for RM30 and 8G for RM50, not one cent less. There was essentially no competition or bargain at all.Last fair, I bought a Kingston 4G for RM 23 (cheapest).Despite the economy uncertainty, that doesn't stop people from flocking the IT fair but what irritated me was, some of these exhibitors were so arrogant.Claimed a few salesmen, "Everywhere is the same if you don't believe me".So what bargain is there? What fair?This was the most shitty PIKOM PC fair for the beginning of the year, and of the last few exhibitions.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Stock Losses
Over Wednesday night I lost the worms in my 2 black worm farms. I haven't had a loss like this since 1999. The night just didn't cool down.Interesting thing is, the light coloured worm farm...worms are still going strong. I am sure it's due to the black trays attract and hold the heat.Once the heat wave is over with, I'll transfer worms across to the 2 black farms. I am wondering though...............Are worm eggs insulated from weather conditions, such as heat? If so, I am hoping the eggs will survive and hatch. If not, the worms will need to have lots of wild sex parties and breed like rabbits in a good season. Its amazing how many worms were in both farms........ 3 times the amount I was thinking there was and this will explain why they were eating through the food so quickly.I hope your keeping cool in this heat and your animals are coping.Until next time....hoo roo technorati tags: worms, weather, environment
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
If I Repeat It Often Enough ...
... I am pretty sure it'll be true. However, when a certain little grey kitten shows up at your door in the middle of a downpour crying his heart out, what can one do? Just keep repeating my new mantra I guess.This is not my cat on my kitchen counter. This cat still has his dingle balls. If he WERE my cat, they would be absent.This is not my cat sitting on top of my television after polishing off two, count 'em two, cans of Fancy Feast. My cats each get half a can of Fancy Feast twice a day. I also do not open a new flavor of Fancy Feast if my cats turn their noses up at the current offering. I may have done that with this cat, which is not my cat.This is not my cat standing on top of my television trying to catch the second hand of my wall clock. DeeDee is too fat to jump on top of the T.V. and Andy prefers to spend his time locking himself in the bathroom.There are some things that are mine though. This is MY loaf of Honey Whole Wheat Bread that I made today. And oh my goodness, it's some tasty stuff. Cookie made some bread a few days ago and that was all the inspiration that I needed. I hadn't made bread in a while and I'd forgotten how good it was. Here's the link to the recipe that I used. I highly recommend it. Mmm ... bread. By the way, that's not my cat in any of the pictures above.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
It's only TV, Parky.
Michael Parkinson: "Jade Goody has her own place in the history of television and, while it’s significant, it’s nothing to be proud of. Her death is as sad as the death of any young person, but it’s not the passing of a martyr or a saint or, God help us, Princess Di. When we clear the media smoke screen from around her death, what we’re left with is a woman who came to represent all that’s paltry and wretched about Britain today. She was brought up on a sink estate, as a child came to know drugs and crime, was barely educated, ignorant and puerile. Then she was projected to celebrity by Big Brother and became a media chattel to be exploited till the day she died.” Max Clifford rides to her defence: “What Michael forgets to mention is that Jade already has saved countless lives of young women through her battle with cervical cancer. And she has provided the best possible education for her boys and stressed the importance of that.”What neither the prosecution nor the defence can bring themselves to mention is the fact that Jade Goody was just a TV star. TV stars tend not to be a noble breed. Like all TV stars her fame was, by the standards of the wider world, undeserved. She was as fortunate as the next bozo who woke up to find they were the kind of person the camera happened to like. Along with her producers she arrived at a shorthand version of her actual personality and milked it for all it was worth. Pretty much like Michael Parkinson - a man who has spent forty years in the public eye playing upon his "roots" as if they were a banjo and as far as I can recall not doing or saying much that's been surprising or remarkable - has done. I don't mean that in a bitchy way. It's that very dullness and puppyish willingness to slavishly go along with the expectations of the audience that makes for long careers in TV. You'd have thought he would have known that and kept his counsel.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Spend Some Time Between Dodridge and Lane
Dudes,Hey, Columbus! It's really, really bumming me out the way the city is driving half of North-of-Campus out of business with the High Street construction. I'm hearing rumblings of lots of closings, and it's no good. It's really annoying to go anywhere between Dodridge and Lane. I know all about it. Do it anyway. This construction isn't gonna be done for another YEAR, and all those little local shops are suffering, even institutions like the Dube. It would make you sad if these places closed. Reasons to Take Your Ass to the Construction ZoneI'm already sad because I heard a rumor that Black Market is going under. Guys! Kelly Martin is our local fashion hero! Why aren't we buying all her dresses? She was just on freaking Project Runway! Go to her shop. Go there. Buy dresses. She's a cool girl and it's a cool shop.There's that new little restaurant, Sage, which is really good! And Clintonville needs restaurants. But they're going to die if we don't brave the construction and eat there. Did you know Taj Mahal has a bar in it? It's open til 1. Here's my review of Taj Mahal: Food: pretty good. Patio: excellent. Weird, unexpected lounge: RAD. You don't think about going there. It doesn't occur to you. But you should. I think no one is going there, so maybe you and your friends should. We went there Sunday night (Sunday is karaoke and ladies night in the Taj Mahal lounge. The ladies night drink specials are nuts--I got both KT and myself DRUNK for 12 bucks, girls. THEY'RE CRAZY FOR LOW PRICES. Take your titties in there and get some cheap drinks.) It's cool in there. It feels kind of like Inarra's whorin' shuttle on Firefly. I'm sort of obsessed with Firefly right now, though, so maybe it's just me. But it's all red and there's couches and stuff. It's like you're having drink in someone's really cool living room. We parked on Oakland. It was easy!You can go to our local hardware store, Schriener Hardware, where once the man who worked there gave me a huge discount on a knife because I told him I wanted to carry it for self defense. (Then this partially reformed Mexican gangbanger that I used to know (Where did you go, Isaac? Hope you're ok.) taught me all these knife tricks.)You can rent, like, any movie at North Campus Video, and yes, that old man with the pierced cheeks will be mean to you, but isn't that part of the charm? He's been being mean to me since I was 18. It's sort of comforting at this point. And Smoker's Haven! It smells so good in there, and even though I don't smoke I spent something like 20 minutes looking at cool pipes and smelling tobacco and talking to the nice man who worked there. He told me that it is cheaper to smoke a pipe than a cigarrette, and it's not addictive because you don't inhale on a pipe. Maybe I should smoke a pipe.I don't need to remind you about the Dube, right?Dick's Den. Why Not?Cazuela's! It's open AFTER THE BARS CLOSE on the weekends. You can go there for fourthmeal. A lot of places down there have parking lots. It's not so bad, it's just unpleasant on High. You can handle it. You do unpleasant things every day. Come on!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Nokia Maps on my N73
Inspired by Pradeep B V's comment on my earlier post, I went on to check if Nokia has any (updated) Maps for my Nokia Phone (N73). My phone does not have GPS like the Nokia Navigator, but nevertheless, Maps on mobile (with GPRS for Search) can still come in very handy. Also, my phone came pre packaged with a dumb local application (with maps), but it only used to show the outline of India. Now, I have seen that many times in my sixth class Geography and that level of map is not useful for any god damn thing, let alone Local Search.So, I started from here , downloaded and installed the "Nokia Maps" application over to my phone and then downloaded and installed a windows only (Infact, you won't even find the download link on firefox on windows. Visit the link on IE) application over to my PC. And then, after a few glitches, I downloaded the India data pack.The map data is from Navteq. And we all already know Navteq does not have the best data set for India. For instance, the data pack for China was about 190 MB whereas the India one was 21MB. (India is about a third in size compared to China).I was checking in and around Bangalore and they have all the major roads named and searchable. But more importantly, because you can download the data pack into your mobile, you don't need a network connection to search or view the Map. That is cool, because GPRS (or EDGE, 2.5 G) is real slow for Maps. Also, there is no connectivity in places where you generally tend to get lost.Now, the technology is also different when you compare this with Google Maps Mobile or Yahoo! Go. Nokia Maps is a vector map application. What that means is, the maps are rendered by an engine that understands shapes rather than showing images that have maps pre-rendered (aka raster maps ).So, the application is smaller, renders what needs to be rendered and ignores layers and shapes when it needs to, It is probably a bit slower because of all the bits it needs to flip/flop before rendering the shape. I may be wrong here, that is just my guess.I don't have GPS on my phone. Earlier, I tried to buy a bluetooth GPS receiver that I can hook up with my phone. But the pieces that I tried never worked with my phone and I gave up. So, I couldn't check if GPS worked well with the application and if the map is, infact, accurate.Anyway, If you have a Nokia big smart phone, go download the maps. It will come in handy.
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