Why golden retrievers are awesome.
Although let's face it... if I was choking, Abbey would probably have just stared at me with a confused look on her face.
Still. Dogs rule. As much as Polar Bears even.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
On the Road Again
So really, why is it that Highland Park drivers want to run down cyclists?
Before it started raining, I got the bike that I "borrowed" from my dad out, tuned it up, got it adjusted, etc. and rode it to class. I took a wrong turn in a neighborhood and tried to find my way back to University. Now there was this silver box-ish car thing following me through most of the neighborhood. I was signalling, I was staying far to the right side of the road, and generally doing my best to not be an annoying bike rider.
Yet for some reason, after a few minutes, this middle aged women drove up beside me, rolled down her passenger side window, and squealed like an angry pig at me. I kid you not. No words. No human sound. Just "MWEEEAAAHH". This of course, scared the heebie-jeebies out of me, as I was busy checking to see if the parked car in front of me had a guy in it who might have opened the door and clothes-lined me into the curb. Being the skittish young man I am, I jumped at the sound, and very nearly fell into the curb anyway.
Luckily I re-caught my stride, angrily pedalled behind this woman right up to a drive way (where I believe she lives) and let out an angry "HEY-" but then cut short the next two words, and their accompanying sign language at the sight of an 8 year old girl across the street. I left it at that.
I have had several suggestions to call the police, and have an officer give the woman a talk about reckless endangerment etc. But the moment has passed. I figure I gave her a good scare too, which is enough. However I very well could've been taking a trip to the dentist after looking for my teeth somewhere in a Highland Park lawn. I guess I'm lucky though. At least I wasn't the guy who was run down by a former law professor.
So to all you Highland Park-ers out there: I'm bringing my cell phone with me. The next time somebody screams at me from a car because they think as a cyclist I just move too slow, and they don't have the good sense to just pass me, or WAIT: I'm calling the cops. And if they won't do anything about it, expect a few eggs on that nice shiny car of yours.
Great to be on the bike again :)
Before it started raining, I got the bike that I "borrowed" from my dad out, tuned it up, got it adjusted, etc. and rode it to class. I took a wrong turn in a neighborhood and tried to find my way back to University. Now there was this silver box-ish car thing following me through most of the neighborhood. I was signalling, I was staying far to the right side of the road, and generally doing my best to not be an annoying bike rider.
Yet for some reason, after a few minutes, this middle aged women drove up beside me, rolled down her passenger side window, and squealed like an angry pig at me. I kid you not. No words. No human sound. Just "MWEEEAAAHH". This of course, scared the heebie-jeebies out of me, as I was busy checking to see if the parked car in front of me had a guy in it who might have opened the door and clothes-lined me into the curb. Being the skittish young man I am, I jumped at the sound, and very nearly fell into the curb anyway.
Luckily I re-caught my stride, angrily pedalled behind this woman right up to a drive way (where I believe she lives) and let out an angry "HEY-" but then cut short the next two words, and their accompanying sign language at the sight of an 8 year old girl across the street. I left it at that.
I have had several suggestions to call the police, and have an officer give the woman a talk about reckless endangerment etc. But the moment has passed. I figure I gave her a good scare too, which is enough. However I very well could've been taking a trip to the dentist after looking for my teeth somewhere in a Highland Park lawn. I guess I'm lucky though. At least I wasn't the guy who was run down by a former law professor.
So to all you Highland Park-ers out there: I'm bringing my cell phone with me. The next time somebody screams at me from a car because they think as a cyclist I just move too slow, and they don't have the good sense to just pass me, or WAIT: I'm calling the cops. And if they won't do anything about it, expect a few eggs on that nice shiny car of yours.
Great to be on the bike again :)
Monday, March 26, 2007
Nostalgia for Thatcher
So the Iranians have taken UK naval officers hostage for "violating Iranian waters", and its being sent around that they did this to send a message, but avoid outright confrontation with the US which might react more harshly.
As far as the UK not reacting too "harshly" when their pride, territory, or citizens are threatened... is anyone else itching to sing "Don't Cry for Me Argentina?" Yeah... that wasn't a harsh reaction at all.
Update: As BBC.com points out, the Iranians first position they gave for where they apprehended the sailors was actually within Iraqi waters. When the UK pointed this out to the Iranian government, they changed the location. Yeah... that'll help the old credibility.
As far as the UK not reacting too "harshly" when their pride, territory, or citizens are threatened... is anyone else itching to sing "Don't Cry for Me Argentina?" Yeah... that wasn't a harsh reaction at all.
Update: As BBC.com points out, the Iranians first position they gave for where they apprehended the sailors was actually within Iraqi waters. When the UK pointed this out to the Iranian government, they changed the location. Yeah... that'll help the old credibility.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Knut is Cute
Just to give y'all an "awwwwwwwwwwwe" moment for the day.
By the way, it's 70, cloudy, and chance of rain in Texas. Perfect weather. Hehehe. Enjoy.
By the way, it's 70, cloudy, and chance of rain in Texas. Perfect weather. Hehehe. Enjoy.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Eating the Dead Horse
Alright, I noticed this is post 100, so I'll leave a short fun linguistical situation.
During a class presentation, I sort of hammered on the same topic over and over in the presentation with various examples. On the last example around the end of the presentation I said, "Look, I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but this is very important to the presentation..." and I got a few laughs. Even from the foreign students. Hey, that went over well. Right?
Then one of the Chinese students came up to me after class and asked:
"Excuse me, but what is 'eating a dead horse'?"
... :| *sigh*
HAPPY 100 EVERYBODY! WOOHOO ("WUJU" para los lectores del sur... hm... o lectora del sur.)
During a class presentation, I sort of hammered on the same topic over and over in the presentation with various examples. On the last example around the end of the presentation I said, "Look, I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but this is very important to the presentation..." and I got a few laughs. Even from the foreign students. Hey, that went over well. Right?
Then one of the Chinese students came up to me after class and asked:
"Excuse me, but what is 'eating a dead horse'?"
... :| *sigh*
HAPPY 100 EVERYBODY! WOOHOO ("WUJU" para los lectores del sur... hm... o lectora del sur.)
Friday, March 09, 2007
Of Cane and Ears
Some of you already know about my ire with the American Agricultural sector already, and some of you may know my scoffing nature at the perpetuation of the myth of the "American Farmer" (best seen in car commercials, and heard to the tunes of Mellencamp).
But let me just offer up a quick post to support it, with an example of the tyranny of the American Agricultural industry, which only accounts for a paltry .9% of our GDP, and employs a total national work force that is barely the size of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex (not to mention the fact that according to US census data, a small percentage of farmers actually own something to the tune of 80% of the land).
Brazil has for forty years produced sugar cane ethanol, a cheaper more environmentally friendly version of the corn ethanol that Iowa Senators would have us believe will save the world (despite the fact that it takes about as much oil to make corn ethanol as it saves). Cane sugar ferments better, and its cheaper. And the US can import it from people who have experience with it. The Brazilian ethanol industry faced a crash in the 80's and 90's due to lowering oil prices, but has made a come back to the tune of 45% of car fuel use in Brazil. So its survived boom and bust. Its a solid industry, and its back on the rise.
Bush, in the course of his Latin America trip, has come under fire from Latin American groups who plain just don't like him (although the 6000 who came out to protest in Sao Paolo seems a small number for such a huge city), and of course the Farming Lobby in the States which wants to keep the absurdly high tax on Brazilian ethanol oil. Oh come on, Quijote. How high can it be?
54%, according to the economist. That's right. 54%. And it's still cheap enough to where the Brazilians are finding it profitable to ship some anyway. Imagine what would happen if we lowered the protectionist barriers and let an EFFICIENT ETHANOL SYSTEM come into the market. Imagine making manufacturing deals with Brazilian firms with forty years experience making the transition that much easier for the United States. But NPR reported that when asked by a Brazilian reporter if Bush will lower the tariff...
"Absolutely not. That will not be happening."
:|
Dadgummit George, grow a pair when it comes to something other than invasion. You really think the farmers are going to hurt you that badly with one and a half years to go, or are you honestly so ignorant about trade that you think protectionism is a good thing?
We left the manufacturing sector to twist in the wind against the Japanese, why is it we're so up in arms about protecting an even smaller part of the population who is in all honesty costing us! (opportunity cost of buying cheaper foreign grown food).
Granted, sugar cane ethanol is not a magic bullet, but there are advantages. First of all we would buy less oil from Venezuela and the Middle East. Bonus. We could help bring industry to Central America and Caribbean, creating jobs, and helping stem the tide of immigration that is causing so many senators and cable TV talking heads to get crawdads in their shorts. It could actually help to turn the US on to ethanol without expensive research into making corn ethanol more efficient, which will cost time and money. Obviously it has its drawbacks, from the corrupt and monopolizing Brazilian farm families gaining more wealth and power, to deforestation issues. But those are issues that Brazil must deal with, and hopefully is dealing with.
So, yes. Thank you, American Farmer and your strangely powerful congressional lobby. Due to protectionist tariffs and general jackassery in the face of the inevitable globalization of trade, you are aiding in the flood of immigrants you in general oppose (when you aren't trying to hire them for low wages), you're keeping the US an oil based economy, and you're helping Hugo buy those nice fancy red berets.
Back in T-town for a bit, then off to Boston to La Ardilla. I'm excited. My presentation in microeconometrics went well, as did my Labor Econ presentation. So far I have to acceptances into doctoral programs, and hopefully there will be more to come. Other than that, just studying, wishing Ardilla was here, and killing time by writing silly posts about sugar and corn. Fun stuff.
But let me just offer up a quick post to support it, with an example of the tyranny of the American Agricultural industry, which only accounts for a paltry .9% of our GDP, and employs a total national work force that is barely the size of the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex (not to mention the fact that according to US census data, a small percentage of farmers actually own something to the tune of 80% of the land).
Brazil has for forty years produced sugar cane ethanol, a cheaper more environmentally friendly version of the corn ethanol that Iowa Senators would have us believe will save the world (despite the fact that it takes about as much oil to make corn ethanol as it saves). Cane sugar ferments better, and its cheaper. And the US can import it from people who have experience with it. The Brazilian ethanol industry faced a crash in the 80's and 90's due to lowering oil prices, but has made a come back to the tune of 45% of car fuel use in Brazil. So its survived boom and bust. Its a solid industry, and its back on the rise.
Bush, in the course of his Latin America trip, has come under fire from Latin American groups who plain just don't like him (although the 6000 who came out to protest in Sao Paolo seems a small number for such a huge city), and of course the Farming Lobby in the States which wants to keep the absurdly high tax on Brazilian ethanol oil. Oh come on, Quijote. How high can it be?
54%, according to the economist. That's right. 54%. And it's still cheap enough to where the Brazilians are finding it profitable to ship some anyway. Imagine what would happen if we lowered the protectionist barriers and let an EFFICIENT ETHANOL SYSTEM come into the market. Imagine making manufacturing deals with Brazilian firms with forty years experience making the transition that much easier for the United States. But NPR reported that when asked by a Brazilian reporter if Bush will lower the tariff...
"Absolutely not. That will not be happening."
:|
Dadgummit George, grow a pair when it comes to something other than invasion. You really think the farmers are going to hurt you that badly with one and a half years to go, or are you honestly so ignorant about trade that you think protectionism is a good thing?
We left the manufacturing sector to twist in the wind against the Japanese, why is it we're so up in arms about protecting an even smaller part of the population who is in all honesty costing us! (opportunity cost of buying cheaper foreign grown food).
Granted, sugar cane ethanol is not a magic bullet, but there are advantages. First of all we would buy less oil from Venezuela and the Middle East. Bonus. We could help bring industry to Central America and Caribbean, creating jobs, and helping stem the tide of immigration that is causing so many senators and cable TV talking heads to get crawdads in their shorts. It could actually help to turn the US on to ethanol without expensive research into making corn ethanol more efficient, which will cost time and money. Obviously it has its drawbacks, from the corrupt and monopolizing Brazilian farm families gaining more wealth and power, to deforestation issues. But those are issues that Brazil must deal with, and hopefully is dealing with.
So, yes. Thank you, American Farmer and your strangely powerful congressional lobby. Due to protectionist tariffs and general jackassery in the face of the inevitable globalization of trade, you are aiding in the flood of immigrants you in general oppose (when you aren't trying to hire them for low wages), you're keeping the US an oil based economy, and you're helping Hugo buy those nice fancy red berets.
Back in T-town for a bit, then off to Boston to La Ardilla. I'm excited. My presentation in microeconometrics went well, as did my Labor Econ presentation. So far I have to acceptances into doctoral programs, and hopefully there will be more to come. Other than that, just studying, wishing Ardilla was here, and killing time by writing silly posts about sugar and corn. Fun stuff.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)