That's Not a Seat

Look: the gator is sitting on top of a turtle. I think they were both trying to sun themselves and there wasn't much rock space.

Sugoi Helium

I just ordered the full length Helium jacket from Sugoi. I guess I'll write a review after I wear it a couple times. Check out the specs and see how awesome it looks.

I got it because it's better than a poncho for riding my bike home in the rain. It won't get caught in my spokes and it packs down way smaller (smaller than a soda can) than my poncho. It's only 3oz...not like weight's a problem for me. The jacket is also ventilated and has reflectors instead of the non-breathable camouflage poncho. Oh, did I say camo? I might mention here that I got the "Supernova" color aka safety yellow for visibility, not style.

I can also take it running. I'm looking forward to getting a lot of use out of it.

Shave Pounds Off Your Legs

There's an article in Slate about Oscar Pistorius and his artificial legs. It's a good, quick read.

I think it's a cool idea to have the Paralympic Games for athletes with disabilities. I have personally raced against handicapped individuals and I think it's awesome that they have the drive to train and compete against able-bodied athletes. I guess I usually beat them, but I think that my attitude toward them wouldn't change if they beat me. Maybe it's a moot point since we're both (me and disabled athletes) in the middle of the pack. If there were higher stakes than placement in your age group, then maybe my opinion would change.

Fun Fact #10

The blue whale's tail can generate 500 horsepower.

Let My Money Do Something

Since the interest rate is low right now, I decided that I might as well get a return off some of my money by purchasing consumer durables. As I noted last Wednesday night, I just got a new digital camera. I plan on getting utility out of it for a couple years.

I know theory tells us that investment (in the business sense, not the stock market sense) will pick up when interest rates are lowered. This is why lowering the interest rate is supposed to stimulate the economy. However, I'd like to share some ideas that might make you even more willing to take some cash out of your savings account.

If you buy something that can make you a return, like CFL bulbs or high efficiency appliances, then you are investing in consumer durables. The CFLs will save more than their cost over their lifetime. Each month, you get a small return from them which is the difference between what your electric bill would have been with incandescents and your new bill with CFLs. One REALLY nice feature about this dividend on your investment is that it's tax free. Same goes with appliances. If your new fridge saves you $10/month, then it's earning you $120/year of tax-free income. Also, if you're thinking about replacing the washer/dryer with the high efficiency models, consider the yearly return in energy (and water and time) savings and add in the trade-in value of your current washer/dryer.

Those stimulus package checks should be coming pretty soon and they might be just the thing you need to push you over the edge to buy some consumer durables that will go to work for you.

Pick #76

Dashboard Confessional - Hands Down

Old People Who Shouldn't Drive

Upon leaving Publix today, we passed these 2 old ladies in the parking lot who were obviously not in shape to drive. Neither of them could remember where they had parked...I mean, not even in the vicinity. The Publix employee asked what kind of car they were driving and one of the ladies replied "it's a Chevrolet." Can you believe that?? These same geezers are going to forget to stop at a red light and might not see the little kids playing in the street. They certainly won't have time to react to someone slamming on their brakes in front of these old hags.

Which brings me to the test you must administer to anyone who is old and driving: Say "hey grandpa!" and immediately throw a NERF (NOT a regular) football at him. If he doesn't even turn around, then take his license. If he turns and looks and makes a fumble for the ball, retest in about a year. If he catches it, throws it back at you, and asks what's the big idea, then he's good for another 5 years or so.

I am against age limits for privileges. I think that people should have to earn their right to partake in a particular privilege. Sixteen my ass...just make sure that someone can operate a motor vehicle competently. If there is a lower age limit, then why not have an upper age limit? Instead of an upper limit, I'd rather see the above test (or something similar) performed.