Mentos Commercial in Singapore

Hilarious

steeplechase victory dance

True

"There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey." - John Ruskin

Did the Du

Okay, time for a little recap of the duathlon. The weather was perfect. Absolutely perfect. When I left the house at 6am the temperature was 60 degrees and there was no wind. And sunrise is a beautiful time of day. I always tell myself I should better aquaint myself with this time of day, but it never seems to happen. I biked at a leisurely pace along the river road into downtown. I found a good spot for the Brave Arrow in the transition zone: Georgia. This was the name printed on the large banner above the bikes in my section. When participants enter the transition zone, they use fifty state banners to help locate their bikes. After a short warm up I joined the first wave.

It wasn't long after the start that I found myself in the top ten. The first 5k was very relaxed. I should mention that I didn't take splits during the race, which is unusual for me. I like to go by the watch but this time I went by feel. The first 5k was probably a little too relaxed, at 18:41. Nonetheless, I came through in 5th place. My first transition was smooth and quick.

I felt good on the bike and was able to maintain a slightly faster pace than I anticipated, about 21 mph. Three people passed me right away. I wasn't passed again until a lone cyclists passed me at mile 8. Then a large group passed me at mile 10. This was enough to induce panic and despair - and rage against the chain ring. I cranked away in a vain effort to hang on. The group soon disappeared. I wasn't passed again until near the end of the ride, when three more people passed me. The second transition was going well until I realized I had identified the wrong exit. I asked a volunteer for directions and then I was on my way out of the parking lot. It was still a quick transition.

I passed nine people in the first mile of the run. After that point, the runners from the first wave were interspersed among the crowd of runners from later waves who were running their first 5k. It was difficult to pick out those I needed to chase. The mind needs targets as motivation when the body is tired. I would have prefered an open road with only those from the first wave. Then I could have squeezed out every ounce of energy. My second 5k was 17:48.

My total time was 1:28:12. I didn't know where I placed until I looked at online results later in the day: 5th place. Better than expected. It was fun to try something different. It was good to race and feel competitive. Could I have gone faster? Maybe. The first 5k could have been faster, but then it may have been detrimental to the bike.

So who does duathlons? Runners. Cyclsits. People who think triathlons sound exciting but don't like to swim. It seems like duathletes are predominantly cyclists. I have never had the impression that many runners cross over into the cycling scene - with notable exceptions of course.

On a final note, here was my brunch meal after the race: breakfast burrito, tall stack of buttermilk pancakes, one Bell's Two-Hearted Ale.

5k - 18:41 (5th)
T1 - 1:34
bike - 48:38 (61st)
T2 - 1:34
5k - 17:48 (2nd)
Total - 1:28:12 (5th)

Is there an Indian way of thinking?

I just finished reading India Calling. It led me to this.

Last few deposits

Saturday one week ago I did a 27+ mile bike ride at 19.2 mph and then hopped off the bike and ran a 17:40 5k. The legs have been a little fatigued for the past week. Yesterday I simulated the duathlon again: 18:41 5k, 1:54 T1, 18 miles at 20.0 mph, 1:37 T2, and a 18:13 5k. So that's it. Now I will let the legs recuperate and hope for a good showing next Sunday. It's a pleasure to be fit, mostly because I really enjoy the scenery of long runs. Of course, it's also nice to go at a good clip without feeling strained. Back to yesterday's workout. I just remembered that I ate Indian buffet for lunch on Friday and started my Saturday workout at 7am. Nothing bad happened. I will not try my luck again this week. As for race strategy, I would be happy with the splits above. But even with the self-awareness to know what is best, I can see myself getting caught up in the competition. I will probably run the first 5k too fast. Then lots of people will start passing me on the bike, which will enrage me. I'll attempt to dance on the pedals and the last 5k will be a crawl. It will still be fun.

Duathlon Training

I signed up for the Minneapolis Duathlon just before Memorial Day and my training started with a 10-mile run over the windswept and sun-baked rolling hills in Omaha that holiday weekend. Hot. Parched. Enervated. My fitness has since progressed. In general, I run three days per week and on the fourth day of training I run and bike. I also bike to work, which has to count for something, right. Here's a look at last week.

Sunday - long run of 14 miles
Tuesday - run over lunch, 3 mile tempo + 4 x 200, total 6 miles
Thursday - run home from work, 2 x mile tempo, 2 x 1200 interval, 4 x 200, total 10 miles
Saturday - run, bike, run duathlon simulation

This summer has been incredibly hot by Minnesota standards, with many days in the 90s. But the accompanying humidity created an overbearing, oppressive heat. MSP set a number of records: for consecutive hours with a dew point above 75 degrees (over four days), for the highest dew point (82 degrees), and for the highest heat index (118 degrees). Usually there is relief for a few days or at least at night. This summer there was no succor. For weeks runners were left slinging pinky sweat at the sunset and greeting the sunrise with gleaming thighs. Canada, why have you forsaken us! Well, at last the cool air has come. Low 80s and 60s. And what a difference it makes, especially for me because my weekend workouts are from 1:30-3:30pm while the little guy naps.

Here are the splits from my last du workout (84 degrees, 57% humidity, ahhh).

5k: 18:52
T1: 1:55
18 mile bike: 53:30 (20.19 mph)
T2: 2:05
5k: 18:27
1:34:49

My running is finally showing some improvement. For the longest time, perhaps because of the heat, my breathing felt taxed. I was working too hard for too little. My obvious weakness is on the bike. I just don't have enough strength to really crank it. I don't think I will be able to go much faster than 20.2 mph. During the race I won't have to stop at stop signs or stop lights, so that should shave off a little time. On the other hand, my transition will probably be slower on the real course. And the 7am start time will add at least 5 minutes. August 28 is fast approaching.

Ideology

"Ideology is inevitable; we all have an ideology, whether we are aware of it or not. First of all, ideology is about values, and we can't decide how we wish to solve policy issues without having a firm grasph on the values we are seeking to advance. Second, the world is too complex for us to make informed judgments about all of the issues that confront us. We need a philosophy to serve as a north star. One way I've been enriched by reading the great works of conservatism is that I've come better to appreciate how central ideology is to thiking about matters of governance and public policy."

Buckley: William F. Buckley Jr. and the Rise of American Conservatism
-by Carl T. Bogus

Conservative Books
The Unmaking of a Mayor by William F. Buckley
The Road to Serfdom by Hayek
God and Man at Yale by William F. Buckley
Witness by Whittaker Chambers
The Conservative Mind by Russell Kirk
The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater
Freedom and Capitalism by Milton Friedman
Memoirs of a Superfluous Man by Albert Jay Nock
Edmund Burke: A Genius Reconsidered by Russell Kirk

Liberal Books
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
The Other America by Michael Harrington
The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan
Unsafe at Any Speed by Ralph Nader
The Vital Center by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
The Affluent Society by John Kenneth Galbraith

Quality

There is hardly anything in the world, that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey.

John Ruskin
1819-1900

Papal Encyclicals

Pope Benedict XVI recently released his third encyclical, Charity in Truth. He commented on human development, fraternity, economic development, civil society, the financial crisis, business ethics, the environment, the cooperation of the human family, technology, social justice, the common good, and more – egad, the pope is getting into it: circular, circle, with the music, the flow, all good things.

The pope’s other encyclicals include God is Love and Saved by Hope.

The "Crisis of Confidence" Speech

Jimmy Carter delivered this televised speech on July 15, 1979. It is now known as the malaise speech and a symbol of Democratic defeatism.

Here are a few excerpts...

Why have we not been able to get together as a nation to resolve our serious energy problem?

It's clear that the true problems of our Nation are much deeper -- deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation or recession.

The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence.

We've always believed in something called progress. We've always had a faith that the days of our children would be better than our own.

Our people are losing that faith, not only in government itself but in the ability as citizens to serve as the ultimate rulers and shapers of our democracy.

In a nation that was proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns. But we've discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning. We've learned that piling up material goods cannot fill the emptiness of lives which have no confidence or purpose.

We are at a turning point in our history. There are two paths to choose. One is a path I've warned about tonight, the path that leads to fragmentation and self-interest. Down that road lies a mistaken idea of freedom, the right to grasp for ourselves some advantage over others. That path would be one of constant conflict between narrow interests ending in chaos and immobility. It is a certain route to failure.

All the traditions of our past, all the lessons of our heritage, all the promises of our future point to another path, the path of common purpose and the restoration of American values. That path leads to true freedom for our nation and ourselves. We can take the first steps down that path as we begin to solve our energy problem.

Energy will be the immediate test of our ability to unite this nation, and it can also be the standard around which we rally. On the battlefield of energy we can win for our nation a new confidence, and we can seize control again of our common destiny.

In little more than two decades we've gone from a position of energy independence to one in which almost half the oil we use comes from foreign countries, at prices that are going through the roof. Our excessive dependence on OPEC has already taken a tremendous toll on our economy and our people. This is the direct cause of the long lines which have made millions of you spend aggravating hours waiting for gasoline. It's a cause of the increased inflation and unemployment that we now face. This intolerable dependence on foreign oil threatens our economic independence and the very security of our nation. The energy crisis is real. It is worldwide. It is a clear and present danger to our nation. These are facts and we simply must face them.

Every act of energy conservation like this is more than just common sense -- I tell you it is an act of patriotism.

Every gallon of oil each one of us saves is a new form of production. It gives us more freedom, more confidence, that much more control over our own lives.

ASICS

This is worth a post... I just found out what ASICS stands for. Anima sana in corpore sano, which means a sound mind in a sound body. Nice.

Defense

In general, a war must pass three tests to be justified. A country must first have exhausted all other means of defending itself. The attack should be proportionate to the objective. And it must stand a reasonable chance of achieving its goal.

New Year

We spent over a week at my parents' home in Nebraska during the Christmas holiday. It was good to see their newly constructed house, which replaced the one that I have known for the past 29 years. No work and no school meant a lot of time for eating, relaxing, and catching up on reading The Economist. Unfortunately, we were a sad bunch because everyone got sick. It was Levi's first illness. He was very congested and had trouble sleeping. A guy that little can't tell you what is wrong and he certainly can't do the farmer blow to rocket the snot out of his nose. We took Levi to the doctor to make sure the crud hadn't moved into his lungs. It hadn't, but the doctor discovered an ear infection in each ear. Anyway, he's better now.

We drove back to Minnesota in time to visit with Kofi & Kate and Soren & Emily on the eve of the new year. Kofi & Kate are moving to Accra, Ghana! Professor Anderson starts teaching econometrics at Michigan State and Emily is truly a chocolate connoisseur. Later that evening Marye & I made it to midnight in Bermuda. Happy new year old folks.

I am about to begin the spring semester at the Hamline University School of Business. The next two classes in my Master in Public Administration cohort program are Organizational Theory and Human Resource Management for Government. Cheers.

Sabbath

As the Economist said, blogging is no longer what it was, because it has entered the mainstream. This does not explain the dearth of contributions to my online oeuvre. I wonder if I have run out of vitriol. Have I become a safely dull professional with insipid opinions? I surely have not run out of curiosity. I have become a consumer – not a creator, not even a repeater. I am a gravitational singularity. What happened to posting a picture here and an article there? What happened to highlighting and synthesizing? What happened to descriptive observation?

More than neck roles

Did someone poop their pants?

Yup, over here, that was me.

The Art of Management

Staying at the top
Mao and the art of management
Dec 19th 2007
From The Economist print edition

... The disparity between Mao's performance and his reputation is instructive, for behind it are four key ingredients which all bad managers could profitably employ.

1. A powerful, mendacious slogan

2. Ruthless media manipulation

3. Sacrifice of friends and colleagues

4. Activity substituting for achievement

Sound Policy Criteria

It is a universal if dispiriting fact that most people vote with their guts, forming their views on policy on the basis of character judgments rather than vice versa.

The 11 Best Foods You Aren't Eating

1. Beets
2. Cabbage
3. Swiss Chard
4. Cinnamon
5. Pomegranate Juice
6. Dried Plums (Prunes)
7. Pumpkin Seeds
8. Sardines
9. Turmeric
10. Frozen Blueberries
11. Canned Pumpkin

Way to Go Matt!

USA Olympic Trials
5k Finals

1 Bernard Lagat Nike 13:27.47
2 Matt Tegenkamp Nike 13:29.68
3 Ian Dobson adidas 13:29.76
4 Bolota Asmerom Oregon TC Elite 13:31.24
5 Chris Solinsky Nike 13:32.17
6 Robert Curtis Reebok 13:35.00
7 Stephen Pifer Colorado 13:37.46
8 Matthew Gabrielson Reebok 13:38.06
9 Brent Vaughn Nike 13:39.15
10 Thomas Morgan ZAP Fitness 13:47.76
11 Kyle King ZAP Fitness 13:51.03
12 Ryan Vail Oklahoma State 13:54.77
13 Jonathon Riley Nike 13:57.58
-- Adam Goucher Nike DNF
-- Galen Rupp unattached DNS
-- Josh Rohatinsky Nike DNS

Seven Dirty Words

"Shit, Piss, Cunt, Fuck, Cocksucker, Motherfucker, Tits. "
— George Carlin

What's Obscene? Google Could Have an Answer

Judges and jurors who must decide whether sexually explicit material is obscene are asked to use a local yardstick: does the material violate community standards?

That is often a tricky question because there is no simple, concrete way to gauge a community’s tastes and values.

The Internet may be changing that. In a novel approach, the defense in an obscenity trial in Florida plans to use publicly accessible Google search data to try to persuade jurors that their neighbors have broader interests than they might have thought.

In the trial of a pornographic Web site operator, the defense plans to show that residents of Pensacola are more likely to use Google to search for terms like “orgy” than for “apple pie” or “watermelon.” The publicly accessible data is vague in that it does not specify how many people are searching for the terms, just their relative popularity over time. But the defense lawyer, Lawrence Walters, is arguing that the evidence is sufficient to demonstrate that interest in the sexual subjects exceeds that of more mainstream topics — and that by extension, the sexual material distributed by his client is not outside the norm.

Carbon Neutral Beer

East Green – the UK's first carbon neutral beer

High yielding barley, grown and malted in East Anglia
English Boadicea Hops are naturally aphid-resistant, reducing need for pesticides
Adnams energy efficient brewhouse
Adnams lightweight beer bottle
Tiny amount of remaining CO2 will be offset

Fair

"Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal rather than religion-specific values," Obama said. "It requires their proposals be subject to argument and amenable to reason."

Delicate Sensibilities

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (a UN treaty that came into force in 1976) states that “any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law. Is that justification for curtailing freedom of speech?

How, if at all, can freedom of speech be reconciled with the Muslim demand for a ban on public statements or cultural products that offend Islamic sensibilities.

Comparative Statements

I can never accept that freedom of speech is morally right when it offends my faith.

I can never accept that freedom of speech is morally right when it offends my atheism.

* * *

We need some formal, internationally agreed restriction on the defamation of religion.

We need some formal, internationally agreed restriction on the defamation of atheism.

* * *

There is a Muslim demand for a ban on public statements or cultural products that offend Islamic sensibilities.

There is a atheist demand for a ban on public statements or cultural products that offend atheism's sensibilities.

* * *

Imagine that. The example of atheism is a little extreme, but instructive. Or imagine the italics substituted with Christians, Hindus, Chinese Universalists, Buddhists, ethnoreligionists, neoreligionists, Sikhs, Jews, Spiritists, Baha'is, Confucianists, Jains, Shintoists, Taoists, or Zoroastrians.

Picture

Surly Open

Marye and I played in the 2nd Annual Surly Open at Hyland Park in Bloomington on the summer solstice. To begin the day we signed in and selected a Discraft Surly Open disc of our choice. I chose a red putter/approach disc. Then we played 18 baskets over a long course with significant elevation changes. Surly was on tap for $1. Mmmm. At the end of the round we ate lunch and stayed for the raffle. I won a gift certificate to the Muddy Pig and Marye was deemed the only participant worthy of receiving the Surly onesie. I look forward to next year.

Dyson Airblade

Has anyone used this to dry your hands?
Best. Dryer. Ever.

Gravlax Recipe

Ingredients

1 (3- to 4-pound) salmon, weighed after cleaning and beheading, skin on
3 tbsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp black pepper
1 good-size bunch dill, roughly chopped, stems and all
1 tbsp spirits: brandy, aquavit, lemon vodka, etc.

Preparation

Fillet the salmon or have the fishmonger fillet it for you; the fish need not be scaled.

Lay both halves, skin side down, on a plate.

Sprinkle with the salt, sugar and pepper, spread the dill over them, and splash on the spirits. Sandwich the fillets together, tail to tail, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Cover the sandwich with another plate and something that weighs about a pound -- an unopened can of coffee or beans, for example. Refrigerate.

Open the package every 12 to 24 hours and baste, inside and out, with the accumulated juices. On the second or third day, when the flesh has lost its translucense, slice thinly as you would smoked salmon -- on the bias and without the skin -- and serve with rye bread or pumpernickel, and lemon wedges.

Yield: 12 or more appetizer servings

Legal Empowerment

Report of the Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor
Making the Law Work for Everyone

A new report launched today found that four billion people – the majority of the world’s people – are excluded from the rule of law. The report, by the Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor, a group co-chaired by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto, called on governments, international institutions and civil society to make legal empowerment a top agenda item in the fight against global poverty. As the global food crisis wreaks havoc on nations across the globe, the new report proposes solutions that focus on the core of the problem...

Hymenoplasty

RARELY has a judicial verdict in a civil court set off so much argument. But the annulment of the marriage of two French Muslims in Lille, granted because the bride falsely claimed to be a virgin, has prompted an outcry, culminating in a riotous parliamentary debate on June 3rd. The verdict touched a raw nerve in France, mixing complex questions of sexual equality, secularism and Islam.

* * *

In Europe, Debate Over Islam and Virginity

The operation in the private clinic off the Champs-Élysées involved one semicircular cut, 10 dissolving stitches and a discounted fee of $2,900.

But for the patient, a 23-year-old French student of Moroccan descent from Montpellier, the 30-minute procedure represented the key to a new life: the illusion of virginity.

Like an increasing number of Muslim women in Europe, she had a hymenoplasty, a restoration of her hymen, the vaginal membrane that normally breaks in the first act of intercourse.

Sexy Beast

El Padre

From the right: Simon, Ziyad, Kofi, and man
wearing thawb, shumagh, and igal.

Saturday Stimulus

On Saturday afternoon Paul arrived via bicycle at our house bearing the following items: salad (garnish), radishes, strawberries, chips, bread, and ribs & BBQ sauce. We sat in the backyard for a while and then we decided to play frisbee golf at Hansen Park in New Brighton. Good times. After chucking the disc, we stopped at the nearby Barley John's Brew Pub, where I bought two growlers, Wild Brunette & Belgian Witbier, for $38.85. Then we progressed to Cafe Latte and I picked up a party-size German chocolate cake and one slice of cheesecake for $22.95. The next stop was Whole Foods. Time for a list...

Pork Tenderloin Caprese
(pork tenderloin, fire roasted tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, pesto sauce, basil, and bacon)
Herbed chicken with parmesan
2 bags of chips
raspberry spritzer 6-pack
3 avocados
4 kiwis
applesauce
$38.42

As if we didn't have enough already, Paul suggested a stop at Thomas Liquors. He bought a 12-pack summer sampler of Summit. Alliteration at it's finest.

Then Paul's high school friend Pat showed up with a watermelon, chips, and veggie burgers & buns. A feast to be remembered.

McCain at the National Small Business Summit

McCain also gave a speech about the economy.

Problems

* tax increases
* secret ballot for union votes
* minimum wage
* corporate tax loopholes
* special interest
* corporate welfare

Causes

* big-spending Republicans and Democrats

Solutions

* low taxes for families and employers
* tax reform for wage-earners and job creators
* reduce the corporate tax rate to aid international competition
* break down foreign trade barriers
* free trade
* aid for displaced workers
* permit first-year expensing of new equipment and technology
* keep the low rate on capital gains
* double the size of the child tax exemption
* phase out the Alternative Minimum Tax
* keep the estate tax low and predictable
* create a simplified alternative tax system
* keep low dividend and capital gains taxes
* low income tax to protect sole proprietorships filing individual income tax
* keep Social Security earnings cap to limit tax on employers
* allow personal, portable health insurance
* provide tax credits to buy health care
* hold big business to the same standards as small business
* prevent and punish corporate abuse
* extravagant salaries and severance deals of CEOs
* veto every bill with earmarks
* thorough review of federal budget
* one-year pause in discretionary spending increases

Quote

My goal, however, is not to denigrate government but to make it better, not to deride it but to restore its good name. Government should be on your side, not in your way. It will be hard work, but it is a cause worthy of our best efforts. And if we do it well, in the right spirit, it will be because we have again put our country's interests before the interests of parties, bureaucracies and self-interest. And then we will finally reclaim the confidence of the people we serve.

Obama Delivers Speech on Economy

On June 8, 2008 Obama gave a speech in Raleigh, N.C. that focused on the economy. Let's divide the speech into three parts: problems, causes, and solutions.

Problems

* Iraq
* climate change
* unemployment rate
* house foreclosures
* price of oil
* cost of health care
* cost of college
* cost of food
* wage stagnation

Causes

* George Bush
* tax breaks for big corporations and wealthy CEOs
* lobbyists
* special interest favors
* corporate loopholes

Solutions

* expand affordable health care coverage
* subsidize education (community or national service for tuition)
* invest in renewable energy
* invest in infrastructure
* invest in science and technology, research and innovation
* another round of fiscal stimulus (tax cuts)
* expand unemployment benefits
* create a foreclosure prevention fund
* create a home score system to increase mortgage transparency
* reform the tax code
* create a credit card bill of rights
* reform personal bankruptcy laws in consideration of medical bills

I am a stimulator

Good news. The economic stimulus package arrived in the mail yesterday. We didn't receive any money for our baby, who was conceived in fiscal year 2007, had a heart beat, had fingerprints, knew Jesus, etc., etc. Isn't Bush pro-life? Doesn't anyone from Congress read billboards?

Anyway, I'm excited to stimulate the American economy. Paul, Tim, and I have tentatively planned a 'Blow Your Stimulus' party for this coming Saturday, which is conveniently Flag Day. USA! USA! I will begin by stimulating a fine local brewery by purchasing a growler. I will visit the butcher at Whole Foods and buy some excellent meats. I will also indulge in a chocolate cake from Cafe Latte. At the end of the day, I will have a life-sized bald eagle tattooed on my back. And that's only the beginning.

I plan on documenting this stimulation and eventually writing to the President and my representatives in Congress, thanking them, and showing them how I volunteered in service to America.

Stuff White People Like

A blog devoted to stuff white people like.

Jimmy Kimmel

From time to time I look at the Dutch newspaper called de Volkskrant. In March there was an article about the success of YouTube, particularly the success of a few Jimmy Kimmel skits.

Matt Damon on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Sarah Silverman's surprise to Jimmy Kimmel

I'm Fucking Ben Affleck

Try clicking refresh a couple of times if it doesn't load at first; it's worth it.

Here's the story... Comedian Jimmy Kimmel often says: "Our apologies to Matt Damon, we ran out of time" near the end of his ABC television show Jimmy Kimmel Live, a gag lampooning instances where shows cannot feature their last guest due to time constraints. On September 12, 2006, after a segment highlighting the running gag and a lengthy introduction by Kimmel, Damon finally appeared on the show, only for Kimmel to apologetically cut his interview and head to credits, as Damon cursed him. Kimmel later confirmed to USA Weekend that the skit was entirely planned and Damon willingly played along. Kimmel's girlfriend, comedian Sarah Silverman, also used this line at the end of the 2007 MTV Movie Awards. This gag was also used again when Guillermo interviewed Damon at the Ocean's Thirteen premiere, with Damon asking "Are you with Kimmel?" Silverman also aired a clip of her singing a song entitled "I'm Fucking Matt Damon" on January 31, 2008 on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Damon appeared in the song with Silverman and at the end when she is apologizing to Jimmy, Damon interrupts her saying, "Jimmy, we're out of time. Sorry." Kimmel himself later responded by showing a music video in which he announced, through song, that he is "Fucking Ben Affleck". The video aired on February 24, 2008 and featured Affleck along with celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, Cameron Diaz, Joan Jett, Macy Gray, Robin Williams, Don Cheadle, Pete Wentz, Perry Farrell, Benji and Joel Madden, Lance Bass, Huey Lewis, Josh Groban, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Christina Applegate, Rebecca Romijn, Dominic Monaghan, Meat Loaf and various others.

Unfortunately, I think Google is purging unofficial videos of the ABC broadcast because of copyright issues. This message appears on many of the YouTube clips: We're sorry, this video is no longer available. If the link above don't work, visit the ABC website.

Consumer Demographics in Business

The Smiling Curve made me think of the Long Tail...

The phrase The Long Tail was first coined by Chris Anderson in an October 2004 Wired magazine article to describe the niche strategy of certain business such as Amazon.com or Netflix. However, the concept of a frequency distribution with a long tail — the concept at the root of Anderson's coinage — has been studied by statisticians since at least 1946. The distribution and inventory costs of these businesses allow them to realize significant profit out of selling small volumes of hard-to-find items to many customers, instead of only selling large volumes of a reduced number of popular items. The group of persons that buy the hard-to-find or "non-hit" items is the customer demographic called the Long Tail.

Smiling Curve

Alf introduced me to the Smiling Curve a few years ago... It is an illustration of value-adding potentials of different components of the value chain in an IT-related manufacturing industry. The concept was first proposed by Stan Shih, the founder of Acer, an IT company headquartered in Taiwan, around 1992. According to Shih’s observation, in the personal computer industry, both ends of the value chain command higher values added to the product than the middle part of the value chain.

The concept of value-added is very important.

Here's a good article from 2004 about China in transition.
For Whom Does the Smiling Curve Smile?

And lastly, check out some of the slides from this PDF about business growth strategies for Asia Pacific, specifically those starting on page 8.

Hole in the bucket?

In economics, the current account is one of the two primary components of the balance of payments, the other being the capital account. It is the sum of the balance of trade (exports minus imports of goods and services), net factor income (such as interest and dividends) and net transfer payments (such as foreign aid).

The current account deficit should not be confused with the budget deficit, which accumulates as the national debt.

I recommend reading this short essay called A Hitchhiker's Guide to the U.S. Current Account Problem by Owen F. Humpage from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. I read it several years ago, but the fundamentals still apply.

Ethanol Fermentation

glucose => pyruvate => acetaldehyde => ethanol

Check out the Renewable Fuels Association for diagrams of the dry milling and wet milling processes. And if you want, peruse the propaganda... Ethanol creates jobs. I can create a job by paying someone to shit in a bucket, but what good is that.

Nuclear-Powered Ships

When I was in San Diego last October, I saw a nuclear-powered Nimitz class aircraft carrier in the bay.

• Nuclear power is particularly suitable for vessels which need to be at sea for long periods without refuelling, or for powerful submarine propulsion.
• Over 150 ships are powered by more than 220 small nuclear reactors and more than 12,000 reactor years of marine operation have been accumulated.
• Most are submarines, but they range from icebreakers to aircraft carriers.
• In future, constraints on fossil fuel use in transport may bring marine nuclear propulsion into more widespread use.
• So far, exaggerated fears about safety have caused political restriction on port access.

Check out these links on Wikipedia:
Nuclear Navy
Nuclear Reactor

Puerto Vallarta

Marye and I recently spent five nights at the Vallarta Palace in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. We were there to honor and celebrate el matrimonio entre Kofi and Kate. It was great to see so many old friends. Pictures and experiences will be posted in the upcoming weeks. For now, I can't help but turn my focus to a few of the poolside conversations. Me traigo mas tequila? Si, por supuesto.

Rebuilding the Brave Arrow

I took my bicycle into the Hub back in February.
The overhaul was costly, but easy to justify: it's my vehicle.
Check out the new components:

• one tube & tire
• two wheels
• chain
• chainrings
• cassette
• spacer kit for shifting purposes

Out

I had three of my wisdom teeth removed by an oral surgeon today. I also had a lingual frenectomy. I have nothing to compare it to, but I feel pretty good. Hopefully the quick recovery continues so that I can get back to good eating.

What It Is

Nice.

Cruising While We Can

Last Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day that we started by eating Breadsmith treats while lounging outside of Dunn Brothers. Though many may scoff at the intensity of the early April sun, I do not underestimate the yellow dwarf star once the vernal equinox has passed. Such is the life of the pale force. I can stick my head outside to check the weather and be burned.

With bellies full of carbohydrates, we cycled down the Greenway superhighway, to the Lakes, and back along Minnehaha Creek. It was a leisurely 17-mile ride. Back in the yard, I dragged the table & plastic chairs out of the shed. I set up the rain barrels and checked on the grill.

Marye made a delicious lasagna, which was followed by vanilla icecream and mango. We played two games of Settlers of Catan with Jose, Tim, and Paul.

Employable

Hairs Cut

Shake your head back and forth with brain-jarring speed.
Then take a picture.

Amish Brother

It Began in November

And culminated with this...

Lessons from TV

"If there were no rules, we'd all be living in trees flinging crap at each other. "

Red Forman
That '70s Show

Papa Murphy's

I ate half of a family size pizza last night.

We're going to win Twins...

Monday March 31 was the Twins home-opener against the Angels. The game was held in the Metrodome, but opening day in 2010 will be held in the new outdoor stadium, which is next to the building where I work. The sky dropped 4-6 inches of wet, sloppy snow on Monday. The new stadium will not have a retractable roof, but May through September will be a baseball fan's delight.

This picture is taken from the floor where I work. No zoom is necessary. The stadium is starting to rise from the ground.















This picture was taken from 5th street as I was walking to work in the morning. The large, tan-colored structure on the right-hand side is HERC, the Hennepin Energy Recovery Corporation. HERC burns garbage to generate electricity and reduce landfilled waste. It smells good.

Product Stewardship

Product stewardship is a principle that directs all participants involved in the life cycle of a product to take shared responsibility for the impacts to human health and the natural environment that result from the production, use, and end-of-life management of the product. The greater the ability of a party to influence the life cycle impacts of a product, the greater the degree of that party’s responsibility. The stakeholders typically include manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and government officials.

Minnesota Electronics Recycling Law

What should I do with my old, dusty, analog TV sitting in the garage? And what should I do with my obsolete computer?

Hennepin County operates two permanent drop-off facilities where residents may dispose of their electronics, among other things. After the electronics are collected, they are transported to a recycler under contract with the State. A cooperative purchasing venture allows Hennepin County to use the State contract. The entire cost of the program is borne by the County.

During last year's session, the Minnesota legislature passed the Electronics Recycling Law, which attempts to codify product stewardship of household TVs & computer monitors (video display devices). To meet their obligations under the law, electronics manufacturers will be required to make arrangements for the collection, transportation, and recycling of an amount equal to 80% of the video display devices they sell.

The advent of the new statutes adds value to the collection, transportation, and recycling of video display devices. Now Hennepin County will expect to be offered at least free recycling in exchange for the collection and transportation of electronics.

Netherlands 2008

The renovated chicken shed.














Bicycles at an Amsterdam train station.















De Mug Biercafe

What it was...

New Year

Pimpin' Ain't Easy

We were on our way to Nebraska for Christmas when saw the magic blue bus. I couldn't identify the driver but there is a chance he was a bearded Soren wearing a NASCAR cap. No one ever said it would be easy.

Entertaining Spam

So, I was scanning my spam email. There are many emails about pharma pills, herbal supplements, cheap luxury goods, and requests for my bank account #, but the funniest pertain to penis enlargement. My favorite is the last one. In light of this information, perhaps I should get into the business of selling nostrums to decrease the size of a woman's vagina.

shock the shit out of her when your big cock slams her...
you've waited this long to enlarge your cock?
your prays to have big dick finally came true. Simply follow this metho...
yes it gets big, yes it gets strong, yes you can do it
its no good thinking your dicks big when it aint
if your sick of the girls leaving, enlarge your pole
failed on your first date, because your "friend" was small enough?
remember, everything comes up to a size in this world!
1, 2 oh no 3 orgasms! WOW you can have them too, its simple.
a night on the town? dont get caught out with a wee winky! get a gorill...
hello, I am pretty russian girl, bored tonight. would you like...
its super easy to make your dick big, reap the benefits
your new you will be the dream of all women
want to have true manpower, look in Khamsone maple...
make your lassie tremble in your arms

Football and Marathon

This morning Marye and I cycled into downtown Minneapolis and arrived at The Local just before 7:30am. We watched a dramatic match between Arsenal and Manchester United. Although I prefer to sleep longer on Saturday mornings, the level of play and atmosphere were worthwhile. Then we ate at Hell's Kitchen. I had the bison bison benedict.

Now I'm surfing the world wide web. I looked at the Olympic trials marathon results. Ryan Hall had an incredible day in a race full of talent. Huge props to Jason Lehmkhule in 5th place. NBC showed a half hour of race coverage at 1pm. Wankers.

Surly Darkness

Marye and I cycled to the Blue Nile last Tuesday evening for the purpose of sampling the Surly Darkness, a Russian Imperial Stout. First we ate dinner with our fingers, using the Ethiopian injera bread as utensils. We saw Tim S. and his girlfriend, also there for dinner & Surly. My co-worker John met us there too. I enjoyed 2 of the Darkness and 1 Bell's Batch 8000, which can best be described as an Imperial Witbier. Whoa.

MIAC

Last Saturday we watched the MIAC cross country championships at Como Park in St. Paul. The weather was sunny and about 50 degrees. Macalester was hosting the meet and several of us volunteered to help with the race. But only two of us were assigned the most prestigious duty: assistant starting official. Tim was at one end of the starting line and I was at the other. When the start blew his whistle, we raised a yellow flag and verified all the runners were set. Then we lowered the yellow flag and raised the white flag. Peace dudes. Then the gun sounded and the ground rumbled.

I don't know any of the runners, but it's always fun to watch a cross country race in late October. A Bethel runner went out fast, followed by a Johnnie. Then the Johnnie took the lead and proceeded to annihilate the field. I've never seen a lead like that open so early, and get bigger. I think he won by 53 seconds. St. John's won the team race. Macalester was 8th; I imagine the men are a little disappointed.

After the meet we gathered at Tim's house for the soup cook-off. There were five entries: Tunisian chili, Oma's tomato soup, southwest chicken tortilla soup, beer cheese soup, and the Liz Connor's special pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, cheese tortellini soup. God damn. It was a feast. There was also bread and scotcheroos. And I brought a growler of the remaining Witbier. So full. Need a bigger stomach. Then we played the phrase-pictionary-telephone game. Always good times. Next year I'm having a steak cook-off at my house ; )

Ethics & Self-Interest

"If we are to make properly considered ultimate choices, we must first become more aware of the ethical ramifications of the way we live. Only then is it possible to make ethics a more conscious and coherent part of everyday life." - Peter Singer.

The Economist was first published in September 1843 to take part in "a severe contest between intelligence, which presses forward, and an unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress."

Peter Singer and the Economist. Neither advocates ignorance.

San Diego

I flew to San Diego on Sunday October 7 to attend the North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA) 2007 conference for one whole week. I stayed at the Bahia Resort Hotel. Very nice. The hotel is situated on a little peninsula extending into Mission Bay. And it's only a short walk to to Mission Beach, Pacific Ocean! Before I write about the conference, I have to mention the Monday night sports at the Sandbar: mad drama as the Cowboys defeated the Bills and Cleveland fired the Yankees. So, Monday consisted of a maritime tour. San Diego Bay is home to a United States Naval Base. I saw two aircraft carriers: the Nimitz and Ronald Reagan. I saw many other navy ships being repaired and several being built. San Diego Bay is also a busy port for enormous cruise ships. I also toured the Star of India, the Surprise, and an old school Soviet submarine. The Star of India was built in the 1800s. It carried cargo all over the world and help populate New Zealand. The Surprise was like a Royal Navy frigate; it was actually used in the movie Master and Commander. Our guide was fountain of historical knowledge. After learning more about the life of sailors, it was especially pleasing to imagine Joseph Conrad on the high seas. On Tuesday I toured two household hazardous waste facilities and two electronics recycling facilities. The conference sessions started on Wednesday. I presented on Thursday and festivities wrapped up on Friday. The conference was stellar. I met many intelligent, motivated people who help act as our Earth's immune system. I learned of several initiatives and experiences that I can apply to my job. Good times. Marye and I cycled around on Friday afternoon and Saturday. We toured La Jolla and were almost as lazy as the seals we watched. We also followed a bicycle route into downtown San Diego and visited the Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park, and Old Town. San Diego is a place where men and women can coexist in thermal harmony. Warm sun & cool air. Not too hot - not too cold. Big ups. Now I'm back in Minneapolis, dealing with the October monsoon.

21st Century

For the first time in my life I am paying $$$ the world wide web. Amazing. Now I am virtually guaranteed access through the apparatus attached to the light pole on the corner of our lot. We signed up for Minneapolis wireless through USI Wireless. The cost was $179 for one year. We reluctantly chose the slowest speed, but the megabits stream fast enough to watch Conan clips on YouTube. In the year 2000 Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will become a porn star known as Dwayne "The Johnson" Johnson. Anyway, it's good to have internet. I feel empowered.

Extinction Level Event

Gorillas head race to extinction: Gorillas, orangutans, and corals are among the plants and animals which are sliding closer to extinction

What a sad news story! I am definitely not going to do anything about it.

Lake Street USA

Last week Marye and I went to the opening of the Lake Street exhibit at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. Paul, Mary, and Liz were there too. The exhibit, called "Right on Lake Street," will run through March 9, 2008. It is a collaboration of Macalester College and In Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT). It contains historic photos of Lake Street going back to 1892. Lake Street spans six miles between Minneapolis and St. Paul, covering a busy commercial area and wandering into 14 neighborhoods. HOBT has helped to make the exhibit interactive using its papier-mache techniques. Macalester contributed by having students from 12 classes do projects on various aspects of Lake Street. Go Mac!

The rhythms of Sowah Mensah's African drum ensemble carried four stories and filled the hall with fresh beats.

We listened to the spoken word of Roy McBride. Roy walked us up and down Lake Street over time, shaking a thousand grains against a shell, stroking the prominent spine of a frog with a piece of wood, whirling a tube to produce a winter wind, striking metal, bending the sound quickly and slowly, and reading poems while his companion played the conga drums.

lake street, lake street
it's a great street
straight street
lake street

Then we took a look at the exhibit. It's always good to see historical photos. Who knew there was an amusement park at Lake and Hiawatha back in the day? Wooden rollercoaster anyone?

The finale of the evening was a performance by Kevin Kling, who presented an abbreviated version of his one-person play, 21A. The 21A is a bus line that beings in Uptown where Lake intersects Hennepin, continues across the river, becomes Marshall, detours around the Midway, and goes east on Selby into downtown St. Paul. Kevin Kling portrayed six different people on the bus, one at a time. The audience marveled at the freaks and weaved each singular character’s words into flowing conversations and events.

Enjoining God

This is good...

Nebraska State Sen. Ernie Chambers is suing God. He said on Monday that it is to prove a point about frivolous lawsuits.

Chambers said senators periodically have offered bills prohibiting the filing of certain types of suits. He said his main objection is that the constitution requires that the doors to the courthouse be open to all.

"Thus anybody can file a lawsuit against anybody -- even God," Chambers said.

Chambers lawsuit, which was filed on Friday in Douglas County Court, seeks a permanent injunction ordering God to cease certain harmful activities and the making of terroristic threats.

The lawsuit admits God goes by all sorts of alias, names, titles and designations and it also recognizes the fact that the defendant is omnipresent.

In the lawsuit, Chambers said he's tried to contact God numerous times.

"Plaintiff, despite reasonable efforts to effectuate personal service upon defendant 'Come out, come out, wherever you are,' has been unable to do so,'" Chambers said.

The suit also requests that the court, given the peculiar circumstances of this case, waive personal service. It said that being omniscient, the plaintiff assumes God will have actual knowledge of the action.

The lawsuit accuses God "of making and continuing to make terroristic threats of grave harm to innumerable persons, including constituents of Plaintiff who Plaintiff has the duty to represent." It says God has caused "fearsome floods, egregious earthquakes, horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes, pestilential plagues, ferocious famines, devastating droughts, genocidal wars, birth defects and the like."

The suit also says God has caused "calamitous catastrophes resulting in the wide-spread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth’s inhabitants including innocent babes, infants, children, the aged and infirm without mercy or distinction."

Chambers also says God "has manifested neither compassion nor remorse, proclaiming that defendant will laugh" when calamity comes.

Chambers asks for the court to grant him a summary judgment. He said as an alternative, he wants the judge to set a date for a hearing as expeditiously as possible and enter a permanent injunction enjoining God from engaging in the types of deleterious actions and the making of terroristic threats described in the lawsuit.

New Posts

I suppose it is time for me to start posting again after my summer sabbatical.

Mass Wasting

Mass wasting, also known as mass movement or slope movement, is the geomorphic process by which soil, regolith, and rock move downslope under the force of gravity. Types of mass wasting include creep, slides, flows, topples, and falls, each with their own characteristic features, and take place over timescales from seconds to years. Mass wasting occurs on both terrestrial and submarine slopes, and has been observed on Earth, Mars, and Venus.

When the gravitational force acting on a slope exceeds its resisting force, slope failure (mass wasting) occurs. The slope material's strength and cohesion and the amount of internal friction between material help maintain the slope's stability and are known collectively as the slope's shear strength. The steepest angle that a cohesionless slope can maintain without losing its stability is known as its angle of repose. When a slope possesses this angle, its shear strength perfectly counterbalances the force of gravity acting upon it.

Mass wasting may occur at a very slow rate, particularly in areas that are very dry or those areas that receive sufficient rainfall such that vegetation has stabilized the surface. It may also occur at a very high speed, wuch as in rock slides or landslides, with disastrous consequences. Factors that change the potential of mass wasting include: change in slope angle; weakening of material by weathering; increased water content; changes in vegetation cover; and overloading.

Wedding and Vacation

Marye and I were in Berkeley over the weekend of June 23 for the wedding of Kevin Shively and Renee Shank. Andrea, Tim, John & Jo, and Brandon & Emily were representing the Macalester familia. We also visited with Pete briefly while we were in town. Then we rented a car a drove eastward to Yosemite, joined by Tim and Andrea for several days. Spectacular. We arrived back in Minnesota Sunday morning on the red eye. This weekend we will be traveling to Hastings, Nebraska, for my ten-year high school reunion. Sweet. If I had been thinking ahead, I would have grown a huge skanky mustache.

Sperm Stoppers

In a commercial for Trojan condoms that has its premiere tonight, women in a bar are surrounded by anthropomorphized, cellphone-toting pigs. One shuffles to the men’s room, where, after procuring a condom from a vending machine, he is transformed into a head-turner in his 20s. When he returns to the bar, a fetching blond who had been indifferent now smiles at him invitingly.

Fox and CBC rejected the commercial.

Fox said “Contraceptive advertising must stress health-related uses rather than the prevention of pregnancy.”

“It’s so hypocritical for any network in this culture to go all puritanical on the subject of condom use when their programming is so salacious,” said Mark Crispin Miller, a media critic who teaches at New York University. “I mean, let’s get real here. Fox and CBS and all of them are in the business of nonstop soft porn, but God forbid we should use a condom in the pursuit of sexual pleasure.”

Amen.

Most Emailed from BBC Website

If you guessed people were busy emailing stories about the chaos in Gaza or the seven men jailed for key roles in an al-Qaeda-linked plot to kill thousands of people in the UK and US, then you were wrong. Here are the most emailed stories from the BBC website when I looked today.

Woman jailed for testicle attack
'Aftershave drink' kills Russians
Men suffer from phantom pregnancy
Condoms 'too big' for Indian men

And my favorite which periodically finds its way to the top of the most-emailed rankings even though the story was reported many months ago: Sudan man forced to 'marry' goat.

High School Reunion Questions

The Hastings Senior High class of 1997 reunion is the weekend after Independence Day. Here are the questions we should answer:

I am currently living at...
I work at...
My family...
Since I graduated High School 10 years ago I have...
My biggest achievement or my biggest mistake in the last 10 years is...
If I knew in High School what I know now I would or would not...
Who from our class have you connected with since HS that you did not know well 10 years ago?
What was one thing you thought so important that makes you laugh now?
The craziest place you have been in the last 10 years?
Additional comments or something I want to share...

I am open to fictitious suggestions.

Maillot a Pois Rouges

This summer will mark the debut of a new road race: The Jersey with Red Peas 8K+. This year the race will commence at the lowest point in Minneapolis, where the Minnehaha Creek pays tribute to the Mississippi River, and finish at the highest point in Minneapolis, where the witch's hat water tower sits atop Prospect Park. The winner will have the chance to set the course record. Participants will receive Coke and Little Debbies after the race. The date of this event has not been established yet. Please leave a comment to register for the race.

Fin de Semana

We went to the Minneapolis farmers' market on Saturday morning and loaded the car with:

• tomatoes (regular, cherry, and roma)
• cucumbers
• bell peppers (red & green)
• thai dragon pepper
• anaheim pepper
• rhubarb
• herbs (cilantro, basil, rosemary, mint, etc.)
• plants for the window box and urn

Rain Barrel

I bought a 55-gallon rain barrel from the City of Minneapolis for $45. The purpose of the rain barrel is to reduce stormwater runoff and conserve the water to irrigate plants and the yard. Urban areas are characterized by impervious surfaces. Rain lands on your roof, sidewalk, garage, driveway, etc. Water collects debris, chemicals, shit, dirt, pollutants, and even small babies. These are not things we want flowing down the storm sewer into our rivers and lakes.

City Cruisers

About one month ago Marye and I bought two used bicycles from Sunrise Cyclery. These bikes are old school. The joy of riding an old school bicycle is the upright posture, the thicker tires, the large, forgiving seat, and the overall sense of leisure imparted by the feel and design. My light blue Schwinn Collegiate is in excellent condition and was only $100. It features a left handbrake, a back-pedal brake, and is equipped with a rack for my panniers. Why do I have two bicycles? One is for biking to work at high speeds on narrow tires and a light frame, risking genital numbness while jockeying with drivers of internal combustion engines. The other is for running errands, visiting friends, going to restaurants, and urban exploring. The general idea is to use the city cruisers in lieu of the car during this hospitable season in Minnesota. Similar to running, there may be reluctance to get out the door, but there are rarely regrets.

Amputee Sprinter

An Amputee Sprinter: Is he Disabled or Too-Abled
Manchester, England

from the New York Times

Oscar Pistorius was born without the fibula in his lower legs and with other defects in his feet. He had both legs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old.

Sprinting on a pair of j-shaped blades made of carbon fiber and known as Cheetahs, Pistorius has run the 100 meters in 10.91 seconds, the 200 meters in 21.58 seconds, and the 400 meters in 46.34 seconds.

As a result, Pistorius is a searing talent who has begun erasing the lines between abled and disabled, raising philosophical questions: What should an athlete look like? Where should limits be placed on technology to balance fair play with the right to compete? Would the nature of sport be altered if athletes using artificial limbs could run faster or jump higher than the best athletes using their natural limbs?

Disc Golf

I played disc golf at Bryant Lake Park in the prairies of eden last Saturday with Marye, Liz, Christina, and Paul. The 12-hole course offers varied terrain and good views. The most dramatic hole is number 11 where the tee is atop a massive hill facing a sweeping valley. The idea is to launch your disc over the road at the foot of the hill and watch it float down, down, down onto the grass. Marye had a huge drive. Simply huge. Paul's second shot hit the pole beneath the basket and the group ahead of us voiced their accolades. 'Nice'. I shot from the same area and smashed up the chains with a super long strike. 'That was better', according to the group ahead. It is by far the longest shot I have ever made.

I used the round on Saturday to experiment with my throwing technique. I'm a big fan of the forehand, which seems to require less balance and coordination, but in an effort to improve my backhand, I used the ole rusty backhand the whole round.

The plan for this summer is to visit a few different disc golf courses around the metro area. I made a Google map of the courses. Also, check out this website. It's incredible. There are pictures of each hole.

Fietsen

From mid-October through the end of April my mode of transportation to work is a bus and train combo. On May 1 I pumped up the tires of the Brave Arrow, sprayed a little 'Water Displacement-40th attempt' on the chain, fastened the panniers to the rack, donned my helmet, and sped northwest on the river road into downtown. I enjoy biking to work, and not just because I derive great pleasure from keeping pace with traffic or swiftly passing idling cars. My bicycle is a green exercise machine! Gaia is thankful, I am fighting terrorism, and my legs are, without a doubt, sexier. These are all important.

At this point I would like to recognize our neglected 1996 Ford Escort. Good job. We bought petrol yesterday for $3.29 per gallon, our first purchase since April 22. The Escort traveled 322 miles on 10 gallons. That's right, 32 mpg.

My ride to work is about 5.8 miles and it almost always takes less than 20 minutes. Then I take a shower in a makeshift locker room. Including the shower as commuting time, the bike ride is faster than public transit. In general, transportation to my work building is becoming more and more difficult as the construction season progresses. The new Minnesota Twins baseball stadium will be built next to our building. In addition, the Light Rail Train track is being extended past our building and the new North Star commuter train line will terminate by our building. Chaos.

Fermenting

Yesterday I brewed a Witbier, started a Chilean Merlot, and bottled my Irish Draught Ale, which should be ready in two weeks. The Witbier and Merlot are sitting next to each other in the guest room, an effervescent duet as CO2 escapes from the airlocks. The descriptions of the ales and wine are below.

Irish Draught Ale

Irish ales fall somewhere in between English and Scottish brewing traditions—mildly fruity and often brewed with sugar adjuncts like English bitters, but malty and lightly hopped like Scottish ales. Like Irish stouts, they're sociable session beers with a low alcohol content but substantial body. Inspired by beers like Caffrey's and Smithwick's, our Irish Draught Ale pours with a deep red color and tan head over a caramel-like malt character with roasty and fruity notes. As a bow to Ireland's meadmaking past, clover honey lightens the body and boosts the gravity of this recipe, while a small dose of oats adds creaminess to the mouthfeel and a hint of grain to the flavor. Serving our Irish Draught Ale on a Homebrew Nitrogen system (KX10 or KX11) will enhance this beer's satiny, mouth-filling drinkability so much you'll swear you're hiding from the wind and rain inside a cozy pub in Ireland.

Witbier

Literally, "white beer," this wheat beer originated near Louvain and got its name from its extremely pale, cloudy haze. Witbier was originally made by blending hopped wort with unhopped, bacterially infected wort, which gave it a tart, acidic taste. Fortunately, the Wyeast culture in this kit gives you all of the tartness with none of the bacteria. Light in color and extremely quenching, Witbier's unique flavor is also enhanced by coriander and bitter orange peel.

Chilean Merlot

Originating from the world famous Maipo Valley wine region in Chile hails this great addition to our Passport Series. This reputable Merlot is a soft and supple variation with powerful fruit and spicy flavors. Renowned for its ripe cherry character, the Merlot is a perfect partner for red meats, lamb, and hearty stews. A must have on those crisp autumn evenings.

Better by Design

An Innovation Guide: Using Natural Design Solutions

“The core idea is that nature, imaginative by necessity, has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with. Animals, plants, and microbes are the consummate engineers. They have found what works, what is appropriate, and most important, what lasts here on Earth. This is the real news of biomimicry: After 3.8 billion years of research and development, failures are fossils, and what surrounds us is the secret to survival.”

— Janine M. Benyus, author Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature

Landfills

Landfill

Landfill Basics: How They Are Constructed and Why They Can Fail

EPA: Landfills

Minnesota Landfills

Zero Waste: Landfills

Fresh Kills Landfill

Elul

Elul is the twelfth month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year and the sixth month of the civil year on the Hebrew calendar. It is a summer month of 29 days. Elul usually occurs in August–September on the Gregorian calendar.

The month of Elul is a time of repentance in preparation for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In Aramaic (the language spoken by Jews living at the time that the months were given names), the word “Elul” means “search.” In Hebrew, Elul is an acronym that stands for "Ani L'dodi V'dodi Li". Elul is seen as a time to search one's heart in preparation for the coming Day of Judgement, Rosh Hashanah, and Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.

Mazel Tov

Mazel Tov is a Hebrew word meaning "good luck" but is often used in place of "congratulations." The expression comes from the Akkadian language manzaltu, mazzaztum, "position of a star," from izuzzu, "to stand." This descended to the Mishnaic Hebrew mazzal, meaning "constellation" or "destiny." Adding the word tôb, meaning "good," a direct English translation would be "good destiny" or "good fortune."

Like other blessings it is often said frequently and sometimes loudly at Jewish weddings as well as Bar Mitzvahs. It is commonly used within the Jewish community.

The Chuppah, and breaking the glass

The couple are joined in matrimony under the chuppah, in the ceremony of nissuin, symbolizing their setting up house together. Very often the chuppah is made of an outstretched tallit (Jewish prayer shawl), but it can be any sort of canopy.

The ceremony reaches its climax with both the bride and groom drinking wine. The groom then steps on the wine glass to break it. The origin of this custom is shrouded in mystery, and various understandings of this custom exist:

The oldest source seems to be from the Babylonian Talmud, tractate Berakhot 31a; it has a story about the wedding of Rav Ashi's son. When the celebrants began to get carried away, Rav Ashi brought out and broke a crystal glass in front of them. The interpretation by the Tosafot (early medieval Talmudic commentators) is that even during moments of great celebration, one must maintain proper decorum. It may be related to the belief that it is best to temper one's joy, in order to avert inviting bad fortune.

The breaking of the glass represents the Jewish community's continuing sorrow of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem; no celebration is totally complete without the Temple.

Among Kabbalists (adherents of Jewish mysticism), this custom is said to be a reminder of the broken fragments of Creation, and our need to engage in Tikkun Olam, the repairing of the world on a spiritual level.

*

Chuppah (also spelled huppa, huppa, chupah, or chuppa - plural chuppot) is a canopy traditionally used in Jewish weddings. It consists of an embroidered cloth -- sometimes a tallit ("prayershawl") -- stretched or supported over four poles, and is often carried by attendants to the location where the ceremony will take place. It is meant to symbolize the home which the couple will build together.

A traditional Chuppah, especially within Orthodox Judaism, recommends that there be open sky exactly above the Chuppah. If the wedding ceremony is held indoors in a hall, sometimes a special opening is built to be opened during the ceremony. Many Hasidim prefer to conduct the entire ceremony outdoors.

The word chuppah originally appears in the Hebrew Bible (Joel 2:16; Psalms 19:6). The chuppah represents a Jewish home symbolized by the cloth canopy and the four poles. Just as a chuppah is open on all four sides, so was the tent of Abraham open for hospitality. Thus, the Chuppah represents hospitality to one's guests. This "home" is also initially devoid of furniture as a reminder that the basis of a Jewish home is the people within it, not the possessions.

Historically, in Talmudic times, Jewish weddings in the past comprised two separate parts. The first of which was the betrothal ceremony. The second part was the actual wedding ceremony. These two ceremonies usually took place about a year apart. The bride lived with her parents until the actual marriage ceremony, which would take place in a room or tent that the groom had set up for her. Later in history, the two ceremonies were combined and the marriage ceremony started to be performed publicly. At this new ceremony, the chuppah, or the portable marriage canopy, was included as a symbol of the chamber in which the marriage originally took place.

In a spiritual sense, the covering of the chuppah represents the presence of God over the covenant of marriage. As a man's kipa (skull cap) served as a reminder of the Creator above all, (also a symbol of separation from God), so the chuppah was erected to signify that the ceremony and institution of marriage has divine origins.

Highlights from Past Weekends

dinner with Tim, Groveland Tap with Jose, Tim, and Lucy
lazy times at John & Jo's
run, brew Cream Ale, first grilling of season, bocce

run, dinner @ John & Jo's, Risk, Mason Jennings @ First Ave
bought city bikes, dinner at Laura's
rain
Seder @ John & Jo's (they must be tired of us)

Chicago

Jose, Marye & I drove to Chicago on Friday afternoon. Then the festivities began at the house of Kofi & Kate (who are engaged, if you didn't know). We relaxed, watched March Madness, ate Giordano's Pizzeria from Logan Square, and generally enjoyed the reunion. On Saturday we went to Anne Sather's for brunch. Damn. Then we rode the train from Argyle into downtown (State Street). We saw the green river and then after assessing the lines of 20+ people at every bar, we decided to go back to Andersonville where we engaged in the democratic process of electing the best beer at the Hopleaf Bar. For me, Pauwel Kwak. Then we received a call from Ziyad and Jenny, who had made the drive from Madison. Rendezvous. Good times. We ate Ghanaian food for dinner, briefly lapsed into a food coma, and then progressed down Armitage to the cuban restaurant Cafe Laguardia for drinks. We talked about Castro and cigars rolled on the thighs of virgins. Then walked down the block to the Map Room, a source of tremendous beer diversity. While micturating in the bathroom at the Map Room I noticed the room was lit with a compact fluorescent bulb. Go green. I also noticed bathroom stall graffiti: Love + Herpes = Problems. We capped the night with a conversation of great gravitas, as one could have expected. In an age of self-interest, how are we to live? On Sunday we ate brunch at Hot Spot. I had the Segundo Primo Breakfast Burrito. Then we drove Kofi to the airport for a business trip to Atlanta and continued on our way back to Minnesota. The End.

How can you be moral

Human morality may be severely limited by having evolved as a way of banding together against adversaries, with moral restraints being observed only toward the group, not toward outsiders.

The profound irony is that our noblest achievement -- morality -- has evolutionary ties to our basest behavior -- warfare. The sense of community required by the former was provided by the latter.

Morality is a sense of right and wrong that is born out of groupwide systems of conflict management based on shared values.

Household Hazardous Waste

EPA: HHW

Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be "household hazardous waste" or "HHW." Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides, that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them.

Improper disposal of household hazardous wastes can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash. The dangers of such disposal methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health. Many communities in the United States offer a variety of options for conveniently and safely managing HHW.

Turkish court bans YouTube access

Access to the popular video-sharing website YouTube has been suspended in Turkey following a court order. The ban was imposed after prosecutors told the court that clips insulting former Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had appeared on the site.

According to Turkish media, there has been a "virtual war" between Greek and Turkish users of the site, with both sides posting insulting videos.

The clip prompting the ban reportedly dubbed Ataturk and Turks homosexuals [gasp].

Insulting Ataturk, the founding father of modern Turkey, or "Turkishness" is an offence which can result in a prison sentence.

The offending videos sparked a storm of complaints to YouTube and the clips were removed, but the court order goes further, blocking all access to the site.

Freedom of speech

Turkish visitors to the site are now greeted with a message in English and Turkish reading "Access to www.youtube.com site has been suspended in accordance with decision no: 2007/384 dated 06.03.2007 of Istanbul First Criminal Peace Court".

Paul Doany, the head of Turk Telecom, the country's largest telecoms company, said that they had blocked access to the site as soon as the court order came through.

"We are not in the position of saying that what YouTube did was an insult, that it was right or wrong," Mr Doany told Anatolia news agency. "A court decision was proposed to us, and we are doing what that court decision says."

Mr Doany said that for its part Turk Telecom will continue to enforce the ban as long as the order stands.

The European Union, which Turkey is hoping to join, has long called for an easing of Article 301 - the law which prevents insults to Turkish culture - arguing that the law places severe restrictions on free speech in Turkey.

About 50 writers in the country have been put on trial for allegedly contravening the rule, including Nobel prizewinner Orhan Pamuk, though most cases have eventually been dismissed by the judge.

Headlines

This would have been more humorous:
General Stands Behind Stance Against Gay Troops

NAHHMA

North American Hazardous Materials Management Association

NAHMMA is a professional organization dedicated to pollution prevention and reducing the hazardous constituents entering municipal waste streams from households, small businesses and other entities that may be exempt from local, regional or national regulations.

Our hope is to create a membership-based, professional organization that unites the diverse entities that influence or have an interest in hazardous components of municipal waste streams (product manufacturers, government regulators, provincial, state and local waste management programs, waste handling businesses, non-profit environmental organizations and others) in an active, engaging association that promotes information sharing and cooperative problem solving. We strive to build consensus and foster public/private cooperation.

Feb to present rekapp

Moti Mahal
Orchestra - Sibelius, Beethoven's 5th (more punch than a 5th of jack)
Hexagon Bar
Nordkapp (by Tofte on the North Shore)
Dulonos
Midtown Global Market (Andy's has supreme malts)
The Departed
Weisman Bob Dylan exhibit
Longfellow Grill
sledding (down Town and Country golf course hills)
Khyber Pass
Finding Neverland
Wisconsin with the Klinkers
North Carolina vs. Duke
and...
Great Waters Brewing Company
* Golden Prairie Blonde
* Saint Peter Pale Ale
* Brown Trout Brown Ale
* Imperial Wit
* Sun Dog Pilsner
* Great Waters House Ale
* Black Watch Oatmeal Stout
* Mr. Smooth