When: Saturday, January 24, 2009 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
What: Free Yoga and Meditation
January 12, 2009
YogaDay USA @ West Hartford Yoga
When: Saturday, January 24, 2009 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
What: Free Yoga and Meditation
January 11, 2009
Unyogic
Even though it has set up an internal struggle (with the yogic Ahimsa, or prinicipal of non-harm and non-killing), I caught two mice last night. We've gone the humane route in the past (with various levels of success) but the last few times we tried that did not pan out. They seem to sneak in about this time of year (and between my allergies and our dogs, we're not a cat house)
Zippy has been kvetching about the mouse for a while, and though I dug the traps out of the basement, they did not get set up (typical Zippy, he was sure that peanut butter and cheese would not work, they seem to go for cereal and grain, so he just seemed to be dismissive of the whole mousetrap project)
How it came to be my role to be killer of rodents, I dunno. So I am excited by my success, cognizant of the fact that I am gonna need to go buy more traps (two mice might just be the tip of the iceberg, and I'll kill the mice but I will not clean their bodies out of the traps), and fairly repulsed by my unyogic murderous streak.
Zippy has been kvetching about the mouse for a while, and though I dug the traps out of the basement, they did not get set up (typical Zippy, he was sure that peanut butter and cheese would not work, they seem to go for cereal and grain, so he just seemed to be dismissive of the whole mousetrap project)
How it came to be my role to be killer of rodents, I dunno. So I am excited by my success, cognizant of the fact that I am gonna need to go buy more traps (two mice might just be the tip of the iceberg, and I'll kill the mice but I will not clean their bodies out of the traps), and fairly repulsed by my unyogic murderous streak.
January 10, 2009
Frost / Nixon
Finally got to see Frost/Nixon. Enjoyed it a lot. Nixon was the first president I remember getting elected, the first candidate I remember talking about in school where we lined up behind political candidates like non-football fans picking a team based on mascots or team colors.
Langella was pretty incredible as Nixon (a difficult role since those of us of a certain age remember Nixon so well, and he became such a caricature). I thought the playwright and filmmakers did a nice job of adding some depth and texture to the story And though the critics have had issues with the film's accuracy, I thought it was a good story, well told. A welcome flashback to the 70's.
My film buddy (Kimi, to those who follow the blogs) and I discussed the way Frost was presented - was he a gadfly, a lightweight who toughened up at the end? Was he a cagey interviewer who laid back for the first part of the interviews and then sprung a trap? Or was he over his head throughout and really let Nixon off the hook?
There is a political meme out there "Only Nixon could go to China". And maybe only someone perceived as a lightweight, someone holding out a pile of cash, could have brought Nixon to the interview.
Also, whoever cast this thing must have something against Diane Sawyer - while her involvement in the Nixon administration is a matter of record that perhaps Ms. Sawyer would be happy to have not brought back into the spotlight, Kate Jennings Grant is made up to be a most unattractive, nerdish version of the celebrity journalist.
Maybe we all looked kind of awkward in the 70s....I know I did.
Langella was pretty incredible as Nixon (a difficult role since those of us of a certain age remember Nixon so well, and he became such a caricature). I thought the playwright and filmmakers did a nice job of adding some depth and texture to the story And though the critics have had issues with the film's accuracy, I thought it was a good story, well told. A welcome flashback to the 70's.
My film buddy (Kimi, to those who follow the blogs) and I discussed the way Frost was presented - was he a gadfly, a lightweight who toughened up at the end? Was he a cagey interviewer who laid back for the first part of the interviews and then sprung a trap? Or was he over his head throughout and really let Nixon off the hook?
There is a political meme out there "Only Nixon could go to China". And maybe only someone perceived as a lightweight, someone holding out a pile of cash, could have brought Nixon to the interview.
Also, whoever cast this thing must have something against Diane Sawyer - while her involvement in the Nixon administration is a matter of record that perhaps Ms. Sawyer would be happy to have not brought back into the spotlight, Kate Jennings Grant is made up to be a most unattractive, nerdish version of the celebrity journalist.
Maybe we all looked kind of awkward in the 70s....I know I did.
Social Saturday
No yoga today. Instead, a fairly mad social schedule.
9:30 am - Meeting at the Avon Old Farms Hotel, where we are planning our balloon club's annual winter dinner (I'm on the planning committee, by dint of bitching about the unimaginative venues the past few years).
11:00 am - A late breakfast up at the Harvest Cafe and Bakery in Simsbury. A great place, the food was yummy, although when something says "shredded zucchini, asparagus, and leeks" I expected a layer or two of veggies. It was more like a thick quiche. Good, but I was in the mood for a little more fiber and green.
1:30 pm - Criterion Cinemas at Blue Back Square, to see Frost/Nixon. First time at the Blue Back cinemas, and I was less than blown away. The decor felt kind of dated, I actually commented to my movie bud that "it reminds me of the old Elm" (just a vibe) and I would have thought they would have gone with stadium seating (maybe some of the screens are) since the facility seems to be more build up rather than spread out. I'd just as soon go to Cinema City (atmosphere / history) or Bowtie on New Park (modern cinemas).
4:30 pm - Lucy, where I scored a bunch of yoga clothes at their 50% off (previous markdown prices). Three yoga tops, a tank top, and a long sleeved shirt for $56.
Got home around 5:00 pm as the roads started to get tricky from the snow. Relaxing night - some TV, some dinner, some laundry. Bound to be some shoveling tomorrow....
9:30 am - Meeting at the Avon Old Farms Hotel, where we are planning our balloon club's annual winter dinner (I'm on the planning committee, by dint of bitching about the unimaginative venues the past few years).
11:00 am - A late breakfast up at the Harvest Cafe and Bakery in Simsbury. A great place, the food was yummy, although when something says "shredded zucchini, asparagus, and leeks" I expected a layer or two of veggies. It was more like a thick quiche. Good, but I was in the mood for a little more fiber and green.
1:30 pm - Criterion Cinemas at Blue Back Square, to see Frost/Nixon. First time at the Blue Back cinemas, and I was less than blown away. The decor felt kind of dated, I actually commented to my movie bud that "it reminds me of the old Elm" (just a vibe) and I would have thought they would have gone with stadium seating (maybe some of the screens are) since the facility seems to be more build up rather than spread out. I'd just as soon go to Cinema City (atmosphere / history) or Bowtie on New Park (modern cinemas).
4:30 pm - Lucy, where I scored a bunch of yoga clothes at their 50% off (previous markdown prices). Three yoga tops, a tank top, and a long sleeved shirt for $56.
Got home around 5:00 pm as the roads started to get tricky from the snow. Relaxing night - some TV, some dinner, some laundry. Bound to be some shoveling tomorrow....
One out of Twenty-Four
24 bodies (with resident spirits) in my gentle yoga class yesterday. Not my biggest class ever, but a good sized crowd. However, one of those spirits belonged to the studio director, who NEVER goes to her teacher's classes. One of the other senior teachers was beside himself with surprise (and maybe a bit of envy?) when he realized she was in there. As some of my schoolteacher friends said later "It's like when the superindendent audits a class"
But really, it was not so bad. A few moments of nervousness, and a little bit of self-consciousness as I planned my sequencing on the fly (I rarely do more than plan out a general direction), moved through the room, mentally double checked my languaging. But she was one of my students, and I frankly spent more time thinking about the rest of the class.
Afterwards, positive feedback. No major issues noted (this is a woman who pulls no punches and is incredibly astute and intuitive when it comes to seeing into the soul). And a request for a copy of my music (I ordered her a disc of the one artist she is unlikely to have)....which made me feel pretty good.
I feel like I've passed a test or something.....pretty good.
But really, it was not so bad. A few moments of nervousness, and a little bit of self-consciousness as I planned my sequencing on the fly (I rarely do more than plan out a general direction), moved through the room, mentally double checked my languaging. But she was one of my students, and I frankly spent more time thinking about the rest of the class.
Afterwards, positive feedback. No major issues noted (this is a woman who pulls no punches and is incredibly astute and intuitive when it comes to seeing into the soul). And a request for a copy of my music (I ordered her a disc of the one artist she is unlikely to have)....which made me feel pretty good.
I feel like I've passed a test or something.....pretty good.
January 09, 2009
Bad Web Design
An open letter to whoever is designing the Alchemy website.
If you want me to call in a to-go order (which I am attempting to do right now) having your phone number SOMEWHERE on the website might be a good start.....
If you want me to call in a to-go order (which I am attempting to do right now) having your phone number SOMEWHERE on the website might be a good start.....
January 07, 2009
Roku Netflix Player
Our Roku player for Netflix arrived yesterday. Took maybe 10 minutes to install - power cord, a couple of video cables, and wireless internet. Did not take long to get it talking to the wireless (manually inputting the security password) and then to register the deice with netflix (a code input from the computer). And we were ready to go.
The biggest issue is inputs - we presently have an ancient Magnavox television with only a CATV input, so we have DVD -> VCR (Line In) -> TV inputs. For now, I swapped the Roku in for the DVD but I suspect I am gonna go find a low cost video switcher to hook it all up permanently. At least until the TV dies on us.
I demo'd it for Zippy (who I suspect, will not be able to work it without me, but we shall see) and watched an episode of All Creatures Great & Small - the video quality was fine, as good if not better than coming off CPTV / Comcast. We're not an HDTV or flat-screen house (and it will probably be a long time until we are) so the video quality is fine.....
Pretty excited - with an $8.99 / Month Netflix account we get unlimited downloads - and they have 12,000+ titles available. Not everything, but lots of old BBC television (Dibley, Appearances, Creatures, Ballykisssangel), lots of foreign films, lots of independents, and a smattering of recent hits and television series (I'm presently plowing through 30Rock)
Pretty amazing little bit of technology - integrating streaming video and the internet with existing television. I'm sold.
January 06, 2009
Bristol Adult Ed - Six Week Series
I will be leading two (2) six-week yoga series at the Stafford School, in Bristol, CT - through Bristol Adult Education. Information and registration here.
The classes are Wednesday, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm, and run from Feb 4 - Mar 18, and again from Apr 1 - May 13. $38 - a good deal!
The classes are Wednesday, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm, and run from Feb 4 - Mar 18, and again from Apr 1 - May 13. $38 - a good deal!
Intro to Yoga - Mondays from 7:15 pm - 8:30 pm
This new year, I will be teaching two Intro to Yoga series, at West Hartford Yoga. WHY offers a number of intro series - Monday through Thursday. I'm teaching a class on Monday from 7:15 - 8:30 pm. Info here. Classes start Jan 19th, and again in the spring (March 16).
So if you have been thinking about yoga, or know someone who would like to try yoga, it's a good time to take an intro series with someone you (kinda) know.
So if you have been thinking about yoga, or know someone who would like to try yoga, it's a good time to take an intro series with someone you (kinda) know.
January 04, 2009
Coda
Colin McEnroe says goodbye to his radio friends in his column this week. A lovely summing up.
I was one who listened from the beginning, when he had a morning solo show. I was just geting my consulting practice started - so I was around the house all day in the days before WNPR went to an all-talk format and there was a vast wasteland of classical music (not that there is anything wrng with that) between Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Colin kept me company.
And in these later years, as I tuned to the local Where We Live, and the national feeds of Day to Day or Talk of the Town, it would comfort me that Colin would be listening too - so often he wove stories and themes from these shows into his own afternoon broadcast.
There is this public radio thing called a "driveway moment" - when one is listening to an engaging story in the car, pulls into the driveway, but sits in the car listening until the end of a story - unable to pull away. It's one of those moments when one recommits to an annual donation. Colin had a different sort of memorable radio moment - he'd say something so funny that I would laugh out loud - in my office, the car, wherever.
Too bad there was no pledge drive for that.....
I was one who listened from the beginning, when he had a morning solo show. I was just geting my consulting practice started - so I was around the house all day in the days before WNPR went to an all-talk format and there was a vast wasteland of classical music (not that there is anything wrng with that) between Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Colin kept me company.
And in these later years, as I tuned to the local Where We Live, and the national feeds of Day to Day or Talk of the Town, it would comfort me that Colin would be listening too - so often he wove stories and themes from these shows into his own afternoon broadcast.
There is this public radio thing called a "driveway moment" - when one is listening to an engaging story in the car, pulls into the driveway, but sits in the car listening until the end of a story - unable to pull away. It's one of those moments when one recommits to an annual donation. Colin had a different sort of memorable radio moment - he'd say something so funny that I would laugh out loud - in my office, the car, wherever.
Too bad there was no pledge drive for that.....
Speaker of the House
Connecticut has a new speaker of the House, Representative Chris Donovan from Meriden. Story in today's Hartford Courant, here.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Donovan (and his wife) at an annual halloween party that Zippy and I have gone to over the years. If anything, Donovan's liberal bent (grass roots organizing, unions) was trumped by the crowd at the party (Unitarians and Librarians) - but he seems like the real deal - authentic, smart, heart in the right places. I'm a fan! (and not just of boomers playing in rock bands)
And his wife Elaine works in the health care field, so you can bet he has some insights and passion in the area of health care. Another big plus.
My political post for 2009. I return you now to your regularly scheduled blogging.....
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Donovan (and his wife) at an annual halloween party that Zippy and I have gone to over the years. If anything, Donovan's liberal bent (grass roots organizing, unions) was trumped by the crowd at the party (Unitarians and Librarians) - but he seems like the real deal - authentic, smart, heart in the right places. I'm a fan! (and not just of boomers playing in rock bands)
And his wife Elaine works in the health care field, so you can bet he has some insights and passion in the area of health care. Another big plus.
My political post for 2009. I return you now to your regularly scheduled blogging.....
January 01, 2009
2008 Wrap-up
One of the bennies of having a blog is that it provides a handy way to look back in time. So as 2009 clicks over, I'm looking back on what 2008 meant for me, personally. I usually get to this a bit earlier, but it's been a busy year....
Without doubt, 2008 was the year of yoga. I started out a "type A" yogi - with a strong and regular practice. In the first half of 2008, I survived 6 long weekends of yoga teacher training, and in the 2nd half of the year, I became a yoga teacher. Funny how that happened. I did *not* set out to teach yoga; I merely became aware that the bowl that is my self had been filling up with yoga the past few years, had begun to overflow, and yoga was spilling out of myself whether I willed it or not.
So I signed up for teacher training (expecting to deepen my practice, and perhaps have some teaching chops for the when the moments arrive, but NOT expecting to teach). But the first few times I stood in front of a class of students, well, it just kind of flowed. So here I am, teaching yoga. Pretty amazed and ecstatic about that. I've also become a bit more embedded down at the studio, between part time work and teaching.
Hard to really quantify much else about the past year. My engineering work continues - my biggest clients are still chugging along, I've picked up some new clients and industries, I have as much work as I need or want.
My IRA dropped about 40% this past year, but since it's not something I plan on using anytime soon, and it's not all that much at this point - that's OK. A paper loss that will hopefully be restored. In the meantime, I am trying to stuff it for 2008 / 2009 right now, taking advantage of bargain basement stock prices. With a new president and a new administration coming in - I am optimistic. The last time a Dem was in office the world and the economy went through a prosperous period, and while I do not expect any quick changes after 8 years of mismanagement, neglect, and criminal world policies under Bush, well - it can't get worse.
I signed up for Facebook and picked up (between Facebook and teacher training) a newish social circle.
And I explored moving out - finding my own apartment which woul dbe a huge life change (involving moving my personal life as well as my office into the new place) but that is, for the moment, on hold.
And so I head into 2009 pretty much on course. Continuing my yoga practice, my yoga teaching. Continuing my engineering. Working on my living arrangement.
The years spin by...faster and faster.
Without doubt, 2008 was the year of yoga. I started out a "type A" yogi - with a strong and regular practice. In the first half of 2008, I survived 6 long weekends of yoga teacher training, and in the 2nd half of the year, I became a yoga teacher. Funny how that happened. I did *not* set out to teach yoga; I merely became aware that the bowl that is my self had been filling up with yoga the past few years, had begun to overflow, and yoga was spilling out of myself whether I willed it or not.
So I signed up for teacher training (expecting to deepen my practice, and perhaps have some teaching chops for the when the moments arrive, but NOT expecting to teach). But the first few times I stood in front of a class of students, well, it just kind of flowed. So here I am, teaching yoga. Pretty amazed and ecstatic about that. I've also become a bit more embedded down at the studio, between part time work and teaching.
Hard to really quantify much else about the past year. My engineering work continues - my biggest clients are still chugging along, I've picked up some new clients and industries, I have as much work as I need or want.
My IRA dropped about 40% this past year, but since it's not something I plan on using anytime soon, and it's not all that much at this point - that's OK. A paper loss that will hopefully be restored. In the meantime, I am trying to stuff it for 2008 / 2009 right now, taking advantage of bargain basement stock prices. With a new president and a new administration coming in - I am optimistic. The last time a Dem was in office the world and the economy went through a prosperous period, and while I do not expect any quick changes after 8 years of mismanagement, neglect, and criminal world policies under Bush, well - it can't get worse.
I signed up for Facebook and picked up (between Facebook and teacher training) a newish social circle.
And I explored moving out - finding my own apartment which woul dbe a huge life change (involving moving my personal life as well as my office into the new place) but that is, for the moment, on hold.
And so I head into 2009 pretty much on course. Continuing my yoga practice, my yoga teaching. Continuing my engineering. Working on my living arrangement.
The years spin by...faster and faster.
December 31, 2008
The Ballad of Colin McEnroe
In tribute to my friend Colin McEnroe's last show, a bit of folk music whimsy. I would NOT do this for anyone less beloved and respected than Colin, mind you.....
The Ballad of Colin McEnroe (circa mid 90's). Wav file here
Words by Mike Russell (who?) and music by Bruce Springsteen. (it's based on the song "Youngstown" from the Ghost of Tom Joad" album)
Guitar and Vocals by Mike Russell, Mandolin and Vocals by Jon Lewis
Colin played this on his morning show back in the day. I think he called it tedious. Ah well. Art isn't easy.....
In retrospect, a lot of dated references. Squids in the sound. Dubey and all those Barbaras. Dr. Laura (who grabbed his morning time slot, back in the day, this is not the first time Colin has lost a slot on WTIC). Tick inspections. Rush Limbaugh's ties. And Colin McEnroe circa 2008 is anything but equivocating, and has quite the backbone (back in the 90's he was a bit less sure of himself).
The Ballad of Colin McEnroe (circa mid 90's). Wav file here
Words by Mike Russell (who?) and music by Bruce Springsteen. (it's based on the song "Youngstown" from the Ghost of Tom Joad" album)
Guitar and Vocals by Mike Russell, Mandolin and Vocals by Jon Lewis
Colin played this on his morning show back in the day. I think he called it tedious. Ah well. Art isn't easy.....
In retrospect, a lot of dated references. Squids in the sound. Dubey and all those Barbaras. Dr. Laura (who grabbed his morning time slot, back in the day, this is not the first time Colin has lost a slot on WTIC). Tick inspections. Rush Limbaugh's ties. And Colin McEnroe circa 2008 is anything but equivocating, and has quite the backbone (back in the 90's he was a bit less sure of himself).
Backlog
It's a golden word in the manufacturing sector - having a backlog of orders to be delivered is like money in the bank. No discussion of corporate financial health fails to mention the state of the backlog....
So to wander into the last day of 2008, with the global economy lying in tatters, with a backlog of about 30 hours of work for one client (30 hours is a decent month's billables for this particular client) - well, not too shabby a position to be in.
I have muchg to be thankful for. Now, back to work. See if I can knock 4 or 5 hours off the backlog today so I can bill them in December.....
So to wander into the last day of 2008, with the global economy lying in tatters, with a backlog of about 30 hours of work for one client (30 hours is a decent month's billables for this particular client) - well, not too shabby a position to be in.
I have muchg to be thankful for. Now, back to work. See if I can knock 4 or 5 hours off the backlog today so I can bill them in December.....
A Strong Desire for the Yoga
One of my long time clients sent a letter of recommendation to one of my future yoga teaching gigs:
Heh-heh. It's a nice letter and "A Strong Desire for the Yoga" is gonna become one of my favorite phrases, I suspect.
Jude is among the top rated electrical (power) engineering consultants in the global medical equipment market but she also has a strong desire for the Yoga
Heh-heh. It's a nice letter and "A Strong Desire for the Yoga" is gonna become one of my favorite phrases, I suspect.
December 30, 2008
You May Say I'm a Dreamer
I often make my way down Cedar Street in Newington. Looking off to the right (heading into Newington) - once can see the abandoned shell of a radio station, WPOP was one of the first stations to "get" the Top-40 / music format that has become ubiquitous, which it mined from 1958 through 1975. A brief history here. The station call letters are still affixed to the building, and a small tower is visible towards the back of the property.
Being a bit of a dreamer (ask Zippy, I have Mitty-esque plans for everything and anything - a gay bar, a coffeehouse, a yoga studio, a local publication to overthrow the gynophobes over at Metroline, you name it, I've pondered it), I've often thought (as I drove by) it would be fun to buy a small radio station and run it right. Nothing fancy, some leftist talk, local news, some music radio at night. An arbitron nightmare, to be sure, but a grand romantic venture.
Over the holidays, I had the chance to socialize with Colin McEnroe (who at the time knew his fate but was not talking) as well as Susan Forbes Hansen (another local radio legend, sadly stripped of her WFCR folk show some time ago). With all this great radio talent hanging out there (Susan, Colin, Stan Simpson, Diane Smith, and I am sure there are other and will be even more) wouldn't that be a cool thing to do?
Sad day for Hartford media, sad day for the local arts, culture, and tourism communities - right up there with the Tribune's stripping of the Courant news organization. I only hope all parties involved land on their feet, find something rewarding to do.....
End Times Alert II
Colin McEnroe, Diane Smith Laid Off By WTIC-AM
I've known this was coming for a few days - but the public announcement makes it all the more real. And while I can understand things like ratings and demographics and market share and all, it sucks nonetheless.
Colin McEnroe from 3-6 has been one of the shining lights of life in CT for a long while now.....I hope he lands somewhere local so we don't lose him to some more exciting, cultured, and left leaning locale.
Colin, you are loved and respected by many (despite what the rabble has been posting on your blog and the Courant website) - and will be missed! Hurry back onto the air!
I've known this was coming for a few days - but the public announcement makes it all the more real. And while I can understand things like ratings and demographics and market share and all, it sucks nonetheless.
Colin McEnroe from 3-6 has been one of the shining lights of life in CT for a long while now.....I hope he lands somewhere local so we don't lose him to some more exciting, cultured, and left leaning locale.
Colin, you are loved and respected by many (despite what the rabble has been posting on your blog and the Courant website) - and will be missed! Hurry back onto the air!
End Times Alert
Just in case you want something else to worry about this new years.....
Scientists eye unusual swarm of Yellowstone quakes
Yellowstone National Park was jostled by a host of small earthquakes for a third straight day Monday, and scientists watched closely to see whether the more than 250 tremors were a sign of something bigger to come. Swarms of small earthquakes happen frequently in Yellowstone, but it's very unusual for so many earthquakes to happen over several days, said Robert Smith, a professor of geophysics at the University of Utah.
I saw something on Discovery Channel a while back about "super-volcanos" - which identified the Yellowstone Caldera as the largest of such volcanoes on the planet. This website goes into some depth:
Scientists have revealed that Yellowstone Park has been on a regular eruption cycle of 600,000 years. The last eruption was 640,000 years ago…so the next is overdue. The next eruption could be 2,500 times the size of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption. Volcanologists have been tracking the movement of magma under the park and have calculated that in parts of Yellowstone the ground has risen over seventy centimeters this century.
Poking around online, I find a significant number of websites filled with prophesy and bible code predictions about a significant eruption in Yellowstone. Pretty scary. Am I messed up for taking some solace that (a) the bible code predictions seem to be in the past (2004, 2007) and (b) the scope of the cataclysm as described in these events is significantly less (mere global disruption) than that in the Discovery Channel series (end of life as we know it on the planet).
Of course, the way we humans have been treating the planet in recent years, I would not be surprised if a little karmic payback came our way.....
Scientists eye unusual swarm of Yellowstone quakes
Yellowstone National Park was jostled by a host of small earthquakes for a third straight day Monday, and scientists watched closely to see whether the more than 250 tremors were a sign of something bigger to come. Swarms of small earthquakes happen frequently in Yellowstone, but it's very unusual for so many earthquakes to happen over several days, said Robert Smith, a professor of geophysics at the University of Utah.
I saw something on Discovery Channel a while back about "super-volcanos" - which identified the Yellowstone Caldera as the largest of such volcanoes on the planet. This website goes into some depth:
Scientists have revealed that Yellowstone Park has been on a regular eruption cycle of 600,000 years. The last eruption was 640,000 years ago…so the next is overdue. The next eruption could be 2,500 times the size of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption. Volcanologists have been tracking the movement of magma under the park and have calculated that in parts of Yellowstone the ground has risen over seventy centimeters this century.
Poking around online, I find a significant number of websites filled with prophesy and bible code predictions about a significant eruption in Yellowstone. Pretty scary. Am I messed up for taking some solace that (a) the bible code predictions seem to be in the past (2004, 2007) and (b) the scope of the cataclysm as described in these events is significantly less (mere global disruption) than that in the Discovery Channel series (end of life as we know it on the planet).
Of course, the way we humans have been treating the planet in recent years, I would not be surprised if a little karmic payback came our way.....
December 29, 2008
The New Department of Motor Vehicles
Just renewed my auto registration via the web. It took about 90 seconds (including time to type in a credit card number).
The DMV has gotten a lot of bad press over the past years, much of it warranted. But the last few times I've been to the DMV offices, the wait was short, the lines well organized, and the amount of "stand in this line for 45 minutes only to be told I was in the wrong line" opportunities were minimal. In fact, I stopped the information desk person (who happened to be the supervisor that particular day) to say "good job".
Last time I renewed an automobile registration, I think ti was via mail. Which was handy enough. And now we can do it online.
Nice to see my tax dollars working efficiently and well!
The DMV has gotten a lot of bad press over the past years, much of it warranted. But the last few times I've been to the DMV offices, the wait was short, the lines well organized, and the amount of "stand in this line for 45 minutes only to be told I was in the wrong line" opportunities were minimal. In fact, I stopped the information desk person (who happened to be the supervisor that particular day) to say "good job".
Last time I renewed an automobile registration, I think ti was via mail. Which was handy enough. And now we can do it online.
Nice to see my tax dollars working efficiently and well!
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