Here's a fascinating little article about the impact that air conditioning has had on the american economy and society, with the expected consequences for energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions ( Read more... )

I took a digital storytelling workshop a while back, and used a piece of copywritten music in it. I didn't really plan on publishing the piece, so it didn't seem like a bid deal. Now I'd like to web-publish it, and I have no idea how to go about getting permission to use the piece. It was recorded by a relatively local folk artist, so I hope ( Read more... )

Cute Overload is such a perfect introduction to a work day. I saw these kittens this morning, and had I been drinking a cup of hot beverage, would have snorted it. I love the "stupid human" look on their faces. Hee!

So, we're having a plague of tent caterpillars around here, and yeah, they're really gross. I have a high tolerance for a lot of "gross" things in the outdoors, but these freak even me out. Sylvantechie and I went on a hike yesterday, and had to walk along swinging a stick in front of us, knocking down the 'pillars and their webs in order to not ( Read more... )

First, the outdoor outfitter here in town is having their big spring tent sale this weekend. It's a hodgepodge of stuff, but in the past, they've had some pretty amazing deals. I think it's Saturday, Sunday, and Monday during their normal hours ( Read more... )

( Vain hair color questions )

And all of the other necessary parts. We finally have our very own car again ( Read more... )

( From akaba: 5 things you have learned about life in the last 10 years )

shideem and I both got our black tips on Friday. That's the belt that a lot of other dojangs call brown: one step below black. On Saturday, we decided that that meant we were baby ninjas, not yet full ninjas, and that perhaps we had little ninja booties ( Read more... )

Background: The Environmental Non-profit helped a school that we have close ties with install solar panels on the school. As part of that project, I went to every class in the school, and did an "Introduction to Solar Technology" lesson where students explore solar panels, attach them to motors, and get the motors to spin ( Read more... )