January 2005 Archives
What's the matter with Long Island?
I was watching Capturing the Friedmans recently on DVD (which, by the way, I highly recommend, even if you saw the film, because of all the interesting extra footage on the DVD) when I realized I have seen, over the past year, a string of films that take place on Long Island, NY. Together they seem to make Long Island out as the Orange County of the East Coast, that is strange things abound (but without all the sex).
It all started with the chauffeur's daughter who runs off to Paris and returns to watch two men duke it out for her. Luckily she never bumped into Speedo while driving around, or her Rolls Royce certainly would have been damaged. And watch that you don't get caught between crazed citizens dueling with day laborers, you wouldn't want to set off the waiting time bomb.
I knew New York City was unruly, but figured Long Island for a quiet, peaceful sort of place. I guess next time I fly into JFK I'll pay more attention instead of sleeping on the LIRR.
Consumers to Car Companies: Innovate, Don't Litigate
I wrote an email to several auto manufacturers regarding their lawsuit against California's latest greenhouse gas emissions law:
As an industry you have resisted law after law that does not immediately provide an increase to your profits, from seat belts to increased fuel efficiency standards. Please take a moment to consider yourselves human beings that must survive not only from corporate profits but from the preservation of humanity itself. After all, in the future you will need some humans left to purchase your products in order to continue to make those profits that you seek.
Read more at Environmental Defense.
Into Thin Air
Only 6 or so years late, I finally read Into Thin Air. Wow was this ever hard to put down. And wow have I changed my mind for even visiting Everest Base Camp. Sorry Jeff & Sofia, I'm out!
Saudi PR campaign
Speaking of full-page ads, the government of Saudi Arabia has been running full-page ads in The New Republic for months, which I find quite interesting. Also interesting are the full page ads by Exxon Mobil and Shell, but those are a whole different story...
Icelandic democracy in action
I've wanted to visit Iceland for quite some time, mostly from the perspective of exploring the fantastic landscapes. The Icelandic people have taken the time to place a full-page ad in the New York Times explaining their view on their government's participation in the war in Iraq. It's nice to see democracy in action. You go, Iceland!
Ostrander Ski Hut
Last weekend Minette & I joined up with some friends and ran out to Yosemite to snowshoe to the Ostrander Ski Hut out in the wilderness above the Yosemite Valley. We lucked out with some awesome weather (especially considering the weather in California lately) which made the 10 mile hike rather enjoyable.
Maybe we'll gather the courage to try this trip again, but on skis. Being out there certainly made me want to take up telemark skiing, especially when telemark skiiers glided by!
Don made his photos available here.
What to Do with Old Electronics
Found a handy page with info about what to do with old electronic gear.
Food Grows Where Water Flows
These signs are scattered up and down the California Central Valley. If you've read (or seen the documentary) Cadillac Desert, you know how true those words are!
Dismantling America's weapons of mass destruction
I finally got around to reading an article on tearing down an anthrax production facility on Fort Detrick, Maryland, in 2003. "Between 1954 and 1965, Army scientists there turned out more than three tons of the microbes that cause anthrax, tularemia, brucellosis, and other deadly diseases -- some of the same types of pathogens the United States was planning to remove from Iraq."