Archive for June, 2009

I love LA’s metro. Unfortunately, the nearest station is a 20-25 minute walk away, and it’s the most unpleasant walk under highway overpasses and garbage-strewn streets. I’ll take the bus downtown, as it’s an easy 10-15 hop, but forget about taking it to Santa Monica—city buses are not a pleasant, comfortable means to cross a city has large as Los Angeles. Metrolink is great to go to Orange County and the Inland Empire, but it only runs weekdays . . . at rush hour.

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Finland is the quiet sibling amongst the Scandinavian family of nations.  Bordering Russia, it doesn’t have the “brand” recognition that Sweden (Ikea and ABBA), Norway (fjords), and Denmark (Maersk).  In the renewable energy debate, you don’t hear about Finland’s policies to the extent you hear about Germany’s solar, France’s nuclear, or Sweden’s biofuels. (more...)

Who would have thought South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford would become the latest joke on the talking head shows?  Isn't it bizarre that he took off for a few days, his wife didn’t know where he was (didn’t anyone learn from John Edwards?), and that he went away on Father’s Day?  Oh yeah, not to mention hiking on National Go Hiking Naked Day.  Oh wait, I started writing this post before the truth came out,  and well, it turned out he was in Argentina, seeing the coast of Buenos Aires, which is about 3 kilometers long--and was enjoying a view very much like this photo--well, I don't know if he bothered with the view, but anyway-- (more...)

One theme I want to make clear in this site is that nerds are cool.  There’s nothing wrong with learning about technology, the world, politics, and giving a darn.  Remember Bill Gates?  He made mod-nerd-ity cool.

 There’s another nerd who deserves mention.  She recycles, she buys scrap, and she has, by some accounts become the richest individual in China.

 Who?  The pirated DVD magnate?  Nope.  The chopstick maker?  No—grr—more on that later.  The one who makes all those zippers or elastic bands on clothing?  Nice try. (more...)

No matter what you think about fossil fuels, you have to admire Norway’s management of their gas and oil fuels. Unlike the squandering of oil fortunes in countries like Venezuela and Nigeria, Norway has used many of their oil revenues to prop up their welfare state. Since the 1960s, oil has allowed Norway to provide one of the highest standards of living in the world for its citizens. This Scandinavian country has been able to keep its currency, avoid joining OPEC, and maintain steady economic growth. (more...)

Sorry, I always loved that Saturday Night Live line at the end of their TV commercial spoofs. I've become a gardening addict.  Composting is critical for your gardening success, not to mention reducing waste, but too many of us don't do it cause 1) we're lazy 2) the "gross!" factor. Well, what about some designer composters for your kitchen?  Skip the toaster and help that new married couple become more green!  And what do you know, it's available at Crate and Barrel!

I won’t go through the statistics detailing how much energy and water that livestock producers need to produce a pound of beef; you can look that up easily online. 

 What I will tell you that if you think there’s no interest in taste between grain-fed and grass-fed beef, go to a high end butcher, or drag yourself to Argentina for a week—the Argentine diet of their grass-fed beef and creamy gelato will mean you’ll have to be dragged back home. (more...)

Some of the best American cities are in the Midwest.  Chicago happens to be my favorite city in the US, and Minneapolis, Kansas City, and St. Louis can hold their own.  And even Cleveland—I’ve only been there once, downtown during a 4 hour layover, but the architecture was beautiful, the people friendly, the history everywhere.

Cleveland’s had a rough ride.  It has a huge foreclosure problem, and symbolizes the struggles of the rust belt.  And it used to be worse.  Forty years ago on this date, the river caught on fire. (more...)

Unless you’re completely apathetic, it’s painful to see what’s going on in Iran.

 What was once one of the world’s most powerful and important powers is now a tragedy.  Years of plundering by the shahs’ regimes, and the rigidity and incompetence of the Islamic Republic has left this nation of over 70 million in economic shambles and a world pariah. (more...)

Okay, having worked and lived in Silicon Valley, I really hate that term. I know what it means, but it ranks up with cliché’s such as “Don’t go there,” “Do you have the bandwidth,” “I’m so over it,” etc.

So I bring it up because there’s a debate going on as to what is better . . . buy organic? Buy local? Buy local organic? Organic is okay, even if it’s hauled from Peru or New Zealand? Free range? Cage free? Free range and cage free? (more...)

Sorry PETA, but dogs make great pets.  They are wonderful at so many levels.  They teach kids responsibility and time management, they guard the house (the stats show you’re less likely to be burglarized if you have a pooch), they keep you company without conditions, and they may even be beneficial for your health (blood pressure, exercise, etc.).

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Funny of the week:  I went to a “Green” event last night, and was surprised at how good it was.  People were friendly, there were folks from all walks of life, and people were normal.  Even the vegans were nice.  There was a table where one could put his brochures and business cards.  And then there it was.  I’ve seen it all. Green Special.  Botox!  15% off.  10% for maintenance shots.  Does that mean I have to pay the 5 cent CRV for the needle?