Thursday, March 22, 2007
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.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, March 12, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, March 09, 2007
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
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
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Weekend Update
Here's a quick recap:
On Friday evening we ate burritos with Liz and chatted. On Saturday we ate brunch at the Birchwood, camped out on the fourth floor of the Minneapolis central library, and watched Inspector Morse. On Sunday we watched the Super Bowl at our house, joined by Meghan & Dylan, Eric & Chanda, and Paul & Mary. Paul and Mary brought pulled pork and coleslaw. Nice. On Monday, we joined Liz at the Kitty Cat Klub and listened to JoAnna James and Chris Koza.
The average temperature so far in February is -2.7 degrees. This limits one's resolve to leave the house and partake in any activities that require exposure to the cold. Once the temperature reaches 15, I will be wearing short sleeves.
Related to the cold, Paul informed me of a story he heard on the radio. There is a Minnesota family who commemorates the occasion of the Super Bowl by running around the block while wearing only boxers and a t-shirt. This year, the reasonable members of the family concluded it would not be in the best interest of their bodies to participate in this tradition. However, the member of the family having 17 years of age and little regard for his feet decided to uphold the hoary rite. He returned to the house with gloriously severe frostbite on his bare feet.
On Friday evening we ate burritos with Liz and chatted. On Saturday we ate brunch at the Birchwood, camped out on the fourth floor of the Minneapolis central library, and watched Inspector Morse. On Sunday we watched the Super Bowl at our house, joined by Meghan & Dylan, Eric & Chanda, and Paul & Mary. Paul and Mary brought pulled pork and coleslaw. Nice. On Monday, we joined Liz at the Kitty Cat Klub and listened to JoAnna James and Chris Koza.
The average temperature so far in February is -2.7 degrees. This limits one's resolve to leave the house and partake in any activities that require exposure to the cold. Once the temperature reaches 15, I will be wearing short sleeves.
Related to the cold, Paul informed me of a story he heard on the radio. There is a Minnesota family who commemorates the occasion of the Super Bowl by running around the block while wearing only boxers and a t-shirt. This year, the reasonable members of the family concluded it would not be in the best interest of their bodies to participate in this tradition. However, the member of the family having 17 years of age and little regard for his feet decided to uphold the hoary rite. He returned to the house with gloriously severe frostbite on his bare feet.
Economist Picks
Climate change
The greening of America
Green America
Waking up and catching up
Health care
The right medicine
India's special economic zones
A peasant surprise
Iraq
May the government at last curb Shia militias?
Mobile phones in Africa
Roaming wide
Electricity in South Africa
Power struggle
Pharmaceuticals
Billion dallar pills
The greening of America
Green America
Waking up and catching up
Health care
The right medicine
India's special economic zones
A peasant surprise
Iraq
May the government at last curb Shia militias?
Mobile phones in Africa
Roaming wide
Electricity in South Africa
Power struggle
Pharmaceuticals
Billion dallar pills
Friday, February 02, 2007
Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much.
Good article from the NY Times magazine by Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore's Dilemma.
Easy Chickpea Curry
I added a new recipe to our website.
It's called Easy Chickpea Curry.
By the way, I'm not at work today.
It's called Easy Chickpea Curry.
By the way, I'm not at work today.
Economist Picks
AIDS in China
Blood debts
Afghanistan and Pakistan
They walk the line
The Palestinians
It’s the little things that make an occupation
Special report: Executive pay
Global terrorism
On the march, not on the run
Microsoft
Peaks, valleys and vistas
Vista and Office
An end to that blue screen of death?
University endowments
The ivory trade
Blood debts
Afghanistan and Pakistan
They walk the line
The Palestinians
It’s the little things that make an occupation
Special report: Executive pay
Global terrorism
On the march, not on the run
Microsoft
Peaks, valleys and vistas
Vista and Office
An end to that blue screen of death?
University endowments
The ivory trade
The Minnesota We Know
We are in the midst of the coldest days of winter right now. Cold is a week where the high temperature will not reach 10 degrees. Cold is a week where the low temperature will reach at least 14 below. Cold is a week where I look at the weather in Yakutsk. Here's the warmest day in Yakutsk over the next ten days: high -32 / low -41. Yeah baby. It's hot in Minnesota.
In related news, I used the thermometer I acquired when I purchased my brewing equipment to measure the temperature of the tap water. Any guesses? 35 degrees. That is refreshing tap water from the mighty Mississippi.
In related news, I used the thermometer I acquired when I purchased my brewing equipment to measure the temperature of the tap water. Any guesses? 35 degrees. That is refreshing tap water from the mighty Mississippi.
Humanity
At times I think humanity can be explained by this headline:
Bear Determined to Defacate in Woods.
Bear Determined to Defacate in Woods.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Weekend Update
Friday was one of those nights where the work hangover renders you useless. By useless, I mean somebody else cooked for us, we stared at the TV, and then we went to bed.
On Saturday we went to church, which was followed by fellowship at our house with Tim, Paul, and Mary. In addition to the human element, fellowship included eggs, potatoes, bacon, and donuts. Later in the day my parents arrived and we spent the rest of the day at our house.
On Sunday we toured the state capitol. Very nice. The capitol designed by Cass Gilbert and completed around 1905 at a cost of $4.5 million dollars. The structure features marble from Vermont, Georgia, Italy, France, Greece, and Egypt. If the capitol were built today I imagine it would somewhat less extravagant; the tour guide would be telling you about the craftmanship of the joint compound spread over the drywall. The capitol has a rathskeller, which is a cool word for a basement restaurant/tavern. Literally it means cellar council. After exploring the capitol we visited Garrison Keillor's bookstore called Common Good on Selby and Western in St. Paul. I bought a book of poems by Alex Lemon called Mosquito. Marye's mom joined us and we went to dinner at the Barbary Fig on Grand Avenue, where we saw Lucy. As if dinner were not satisfying enough, we ate cake at Cafe Latte.
On Saturday we went to church, which was followed by fellowship at our house with Tim, Paul, and Mary. In addition to the human element, fellowship included eggs, potatoes, bacon, and donuts. Later in the day my parents arrived and we spent the rest of the day at our house.
On Sunday we toured the state capitol. Very nice. The capitol designed by Cass Gilbert and completed around 1905 at a cost of $4.5 million dollars. The structure features marble from Vermont, Georgia, Italy, France, Greece, and Egypt. If the capitol were built today I imagine it would somewhat less extravagant; the tour guide would be telling you about the craftmanship of the joint compound spread over the drywall. The capitol has a rathskeller, which is a cool word for a basement restaurant/tavern. Literally it means cellar council. After exploring the capitol we visited Garrison Keillor's bookstore called Common Good on Selby and Western in St. Paul. I bought a book of poems by Alex Lemon called Mosquito. Marye's mom joined us and we went to dinner at the Barbary Fig on Grand Avenue, where we saw Lucy. As if dinner were not satisfying enough, we ate cake at Cafe Latte.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Economist Picks
Chinese business
Truth from facts
Israel and the Jews
Diaspora blues
Second thoughts about the Promised Land
Venezuela
With Marx, Lenin and Jesus Christ
Health care
Pyramid power
Chinese accounting
Cultural revolution
Buttonwood
Oil's not well
America's money-transfer business
Check for cheque-cashers
Economics focus
How good is the World Bank's research
Neuroeconomics
The triump of unreason?
(my nucleus accumbens made me do it)
Truth from facts
Israel and the Jews
Diaspora blues
Second thoughts about the Promised Land
Venezuela
With Marx, Lenin and Jesus Christ
Health care
Pyramid power
Chinese accounting
Cultural revolution
Buttonwood
Oil's not well
America's money-transfer business
Check for cheque-cashers
Economics focus
How good is the World Bank's research
Neuroeconomics
The triump of unreason?
(my nucleus accumbens made me do it)
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Weekend Update
It was an eventful weekend. I bottled 27 1/2 bottles of Italian Pinot Grigio. It tastes good. And apparently the isinglass helped clarify the wine nicely. Isinglass is made from the air bladders of fishes, such as the sturgeon. The word comes from the Dutch word huizenblas, which I think literally means house of the bladder.
Marye and I watched our first movie of the year: Apollo 13. Before the movie, we ate dinner at the Town Talk Diner on Lake Street. I ate a half-pound burger, garlic fries, and a chocolate shake. Yes.
On Saturday we went cross country skiing in Minneapolis for the first time ever. We completed two 4.1km loops at the Hiawatha public golf course, which is next to Lake Nokomis. The cost to ski is $3 or $15 for a season pass. Hiawatha is flat, a good place for me to become more acquainted with my big feet. I always enjoy being outdoors in the winter when the sky is blue, the sun warms your body, the wind is calm, and the temperature is around 17 degrees. After skiing, we stopped at a Baker's Wife and bought many tasty pastries. Good times. In the evening we had people over for a chili dinner. Then we progressed to the Town Hall Brewery, where I consumed a sampler: Black H2O, Masala Mama IPA (cask and keg), Bright Spot, Wee Heavy, and Retreating Darkness. We culminated the night by visiting the Nomad World Pub. The three bands we heard were the Casados, Brass Kings, and Chris Koza. The Casados were a young married couple from Champaign, Illinois. The husband played guitar and sang and the wife played the harmonium - sweet. They were very honest and provided me with a dose of contrast, which is good. The Brass Kings consisted of a fiddle, washboard, steel guitar, and wash tub bass. The wash tub was turned upside down and had a piece of rope extending from the bottom of the tub to the top of a mop that served as the back of the instrument. The bass player wore work gloves, plucked the rope, and pressed the rope against the mop handle to change the pitch. Awesome. Then, in an effort to remind me I am old, Chris Koza started after midnight. It was fun.
Sunday was all about being lazy, which naturally included watching several hours of football americano and reading the Economist during commercials. Before indulging in one of the seven deadly sins, I went to church and then Marye and I went to the Longfellow Grill for brunch.
Marye and I watched our first movie of the year: Apollo 13. Before the movie, we ate dinner at the Town Talk Diner on Lake Street. I ate a half-pound burger, garlic fries, and a chocolate shake. Yes.
On Saturday we went cross country skiing in Minneapolis for the first time ever. We completed two 4.1km loops at the Hiawatha public golf course, which is next to Lake Nokomis. The cost to ski is $3 or $15 for a season pass. Hiawatha is flat, a good place for me to become more acquainted with my big feet. I always enjoy being outdoors in the winter when the sky is blue, the sun warms your body, the wind is calm, and the temperature is around 17 degrees. After skiing, we stopped at a Baker's Wife and bought many tasty pastries. Good times. In the evening we had people over for a chili dinner. Then we progressed to the Town Hall Brewery, where I consumed a sampler: Black H2O, Masala Mama IPA (cask and keg), Bright Spot, Wee Heavy, and Retreating Darkness. We culminated the night by visiting the Nomad World Pub. The three bands we heard were the Casados, Brass Kings, and Chris Koza. The Casados were a young married couple from Champaign, Illinois. The husband played guitar and sang and the wife played the harmonium - sweet. They were very honest and provided me with a dose of contrast, which is good. The Brass Kings consisted of a fiddle, washboard, steel guitar, and wash tub bass. The wash tub was turned upside down and had a piece of rope extending from the bottom of the tub to the top of a mop that served as the back of the instrument. The bass player wore work gloves, plucked the rope, and pressed the rope against the mop handle to change the pitch. Awesome. Then, in an effort to remind me I am old, Chris Koza started after midnight. It was fun.
Sunday was all about being lazy, which naturally included watching several hours of football americano and reading the Economist during commercials. Before indulging in one of the seven deadly sins, I went to church and then Marye and I went to the Longfellow Grill for brunch.
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