Truck Powered Energy

ENGADGET.COM -- Here's an interesting idea... freeways generate wind. Whether it's a flat, smooth stretch carved through an otherwise forested or mountainous area, or by the large non-aerodynamic trucks that drive on it, a byproduct is wind. Some new ideas suggest that we ought to harvest this wind to create power. More...

Road to Riches

MSNBC.COM -- Apparently the new investment opportunity is concrete. Or more specifically, buying or leasing roads, bridges, airports, etc. (and possibly one state's lottery system?), believing you can run it better (or charge higher tolls) than the government can. Whole new stocks, trusts and funds are opening up for people who want to get in on it, even. In one case, a private company invested $3.8 billion to build a toll road which they then lease from the state for the next 75 years. It'll take 15 years to make the money back, but from then on, it's mostly profit (minus maintenance and upkeep). Critics contend that it hurts the the general population, but moreso the lower class and that there's no guarantee that these companies won't later turn around and sell the infrastructure to someone else who won't manage it as well. More...

Caveman's Crib

An amusing website, wandering around Caveman's Crib as he's getting ready for a party. Thanks to Dave for this one. Sure, it's a massive tool Geico ad, but still, well done. I switched from Allstate to Geico when I was in college. But when I moved to California and called them, the guy punched it into the computer and it came back as $8,000 for 6 months on a car I had paid $3,000 for. I said "I guess Geico doesn't want me as a customer anymore." He lowered his voice and said, apologetically, "I guess not."

In Middle Eastern News...

MSNBC/REUTERS -- Iran has banned "Western" haircuts, plucking of men's eyebrows by barbers and the wearing of makeup by men. Apparently the metrosexual craze was sweeping Tehran? But on the topic of Western haircuts, what does this mean for their President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who looks like he just stepped off the bus from Anytown, USA, circa 1986?

In other news, a tribe in Saudi Arabia held a beauty pageant for camels.

Star Trek runs Windows?

Click through to funny short on Dan's website.

What is that?

Maps and views from satellites and low flying planes are great, but sometimes you're still left wondering "What is that???!?"

Thanks to Dave for this link to http://www.wikimapia.org/ which lets you identify what things really are, all by drawing squares around them on the satellite map and then adding some text.

Just another way the world is becoming smaller and more well known.

Dead Tree

Ok, we've been here 13-1/2 months. We've received 14 phone books. Honestly, who still uses printed phone books?