New Species

 

Some photos of new species.

New Face

Is it racist of me to think (or hope) that because Barack Obama is black that more focus will be made towards the African continent in the next four years? It may be a land of no-opportunity based in part on geography and resources, but as I read that rapes are on the rise and child soldiers are being recruited in the Congo that it's just stunning to me that the cruelties of this continent have been allowed to go on for as long as they have.

And with China then raping the continent of its resources, it just seems like in the long run, things will only get worse. (This is, by the way, a really long, but a really good read.)

I want to hurt for these people in their conditions -- which I recognize that I cannot even comprehend -- but I'm instead filled with anger towards the rest of the world that turns a blind eye as country after country on that continent does stupid things to its own people. Which in turn, in my opinion, makes us just as complicit as the person who seems someone being mugged and turns their head, more firmly gripping their cell phone in their pocket and walks on, doing absolutely nothing. And I'm not talking about giving money to help (which I would recommend as employee of a major non-profit that does provide aid to some of the poorest on this planet) but I'm talking about special forces assassinations of cruel dictators and warlords and helping good and earnest leaders to build a stable and lasting government structure that empowers people to improve their own lives and in turn prevents them from continuing to be passive victims, unwilling or unable to realize that their life can and must be better. (Yeah, we need to remind them all of the fact that there are far more ants than grasshoppers but now I'm aimed towards a tangent.)

I Have No Words

I had a really rough night. I lack the verbal ability to adequately express my feelings. They are much better now, but yeah. Pain, anger, frustration. Bad night's sleep. Admiration, gratefulness, awe. How Lori dealt with it, even before you compare it to me. I have to go to the office for a full days' work. Lori will be here dealing with two children, one of whom is apparently unwell, for that same length of time plus the extra hour when I stop for lunch (or however much of it I take).

Dear Mother-in-Law

Dear Mother-in-Law,

Every time I think I'm having a good day, you ruin it.

Good show.
James

P.S. Get out.

Architecture as Special Effects

Most of you know that I have a hobby-level interest architecture.  Here's a TED talk that I watched tonight about architecture.  The very first thing they did with fog was weird, but the stuff after it was really cool.  My limited knowledge had previously just thought of architecture as a good looking building.  And good architecture as a really good livable/workable environment that respected the environment (trees or city or houses) in which it was situated.  This video just blew my mind with the concept of of architecture as "framing" or "allowing" or "denying."



Not quite clear on what "lenticular glass" was, I searched on Google. The results immediately came back with information on the building she was talking about.

Two Things That Ought To Be Good But Aren't

Airborne Carmel Apple Chews - I like Airborne. I think it helps me to recover from colds sooner. The last time I had a cold, I had those lemon-lime ones you had to disolve. (Sierra Mist Free worked well for that.) This time, I saw the chews. Slightly less expensive and certainly more convenient. The product fails because it's the shape of those caramel squares mom used to buy as a kid. But instead, you get this waxy block of blech. And you chew and chew and chew for what seems like forever. They do have other chew flavors.

Pringles Restaurant Cravers Onion Blossom - I guess they're supposed to remind you of a Bloomin' Onion or something.  Either they fail miserably, or they put the wrong chips in the container.  These taste mostly of mustard.  If you like foods with a little kick that make you wince, these would be great with a large coke with ice in a chilled glass. 

I think both products fail because they set your expectations really high by making you draw on past experience as a starting point and then really underdeliver.

SNL Election Coverage

Yeah, massive touch-screens are cool.