Merry Christmas from the Beach!

What you see below is not only a California sunset in December, it’s in the town of Capitola, where I’ll be taking up residence in the new year.  Not bad, huh? 

I hope the new year brings me many sunny days on the sand and in the water!  New Year’s Resolutions?  None yet, but I’ll let you know if I come up with anything good.

Stupidity in the Senate

I usually don’t care about the stupidity of our elected officials, I was raised to expect it.  This time, I’m a little taken aback. 

If you’ve read some of my rants on it in the past, you’d know that I’m a big fan of solar energy.  Solar power plants are no longer a thing of the future, huge plants powered by the sun have been popping up all over the place… especially in the Southwest.  They utilize the greatest renewable energy source, they have an extremely small carbon footprint over their lifespan, and they feed our power grids the most during our peak hours (daytime)!  What a great step for us to be taking towards sustainability and preserving our environment (in the private sector nonetheless)! 

I just read the article, Desert Vistas vs. Solar Power, in the NYT and was appalled with Senator Dianne Feinstein’s drive at “scuttling some 13 big solar plants and wind farms planned”  for the Mojave Desert.  She’s pushing a bill to create national monuments in approximately 1 million acres of Mojave Desert land.  Land that was supposed go to those 13 plants.

California has been a leader in renewable energy, currently vowing to reach a 30% benchmark of energy production coming from renewable resources by 2020.  Those 13 plants were a big part of reaching this goal.  While I hope that they will all be able to relocate and eventually be built, the legislation has pushed back progress.  Several plans have already been tossed because of her actions.

I can’t get past her reasoning: the immediate preservation of recreational and pretty landscape is more important than halting humankind’s persistent destruction of the globe.  I, for one, think that solar power plants are beautiful in many ways. 

A quote from Senator Feinstein’s Website:

During my time in the Senate, I have worked to preserve these and other natural resources in California and across the country for the enjoyment of future generations.

And today, global warming is my number one environmental priority. That is why I am working on a comprehensive package of legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy.

I am also working hard to promote a balanced energy policy that will meet the needs of California , while ensuring that our Nation’s natural treasures are protected.

Thank you Mrs. Feinstein.  I guess preserving your pretty desert is more important than preserving my beautiful country (both fiscally and environmentally).  I hope you got some campaign funds out of this one; why else would you disregard your number one environmental priority? 

The Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/business/energy-environment/22solar.html?pagewanted=1&ref=business&adxnnlx=1261468870-aFvCesLERqzHfxCCKiEQEQ

Wow to the Woes of Unemployment

Out of all the states I could choose to move to in this economy, California was a risky bet.  Thankfully, I’ve been able to scrape along and beat the odds thus far.  Folks down in El Centro, however, aren’t fairing so well.  30% unemployment!  That’s just nuts!

CNN sent out a photographer to check out the town and give the rest of us a visualization on the state of the town.  An interesting little piece:  http://us.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2009/12/21/natpkg.el.centro.jobless.cnn 

And you thought your town was doing bad, huh?

Rapping Economists

I have to share this gem.  PBS did a special on John Maynard Keynes and his lasting influence on our economic theory, policy, and now our musicians.  There is coverage on the merits of economic stimulation vs. its demerits, but I paid more attention to the young economic rappers. 

Check out the video at: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/july-dec09/keynes_12-16.html#

What’s the scale of my curiosity?

It is hard to put a perspective on the size of an atom, let alone a molecule or the H1N1 virus going around these days.  If you want to check out a cool site that gives you a cool way to visualize small things put next to each other, click on the link below.  Thanks to my Grandfather for forwarding this site to me!

Link:  http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/scale/

Mt. Diablo, View 1

Well, It’s been a hectic few weeks here and I haven’t been good about keeping up my posts. Sorry. But, after my Thanksgiving vacation, I was able to shoot a picture of Mt. Diablo from the Walnut Creek BART station. I don’t think this will be a quick project, but I plan on getting several shots up here before the project completely falls off into the background.

If you’re wondering what this is about, see my previous post: 36 Views of Mt. Fuji

What Does “Building Green” Mean?

I’ve always been curious about folks that live off the grid and have super efficient homes.  This isn’t something that’s had a lot of publicity in the past, but things have changed.  I stumbled across a cool TV Program that follows a contractor that decided to build his home in as green of a manner as possible. 

The series: http://www.hulu.com/building-green

I’ve never really been into those home improvement shows, but this really fascinated me.  It’s worth a watch especially if you’re thinking about building in the future.  Ever. 

Ever Lost your Luggage in Phoenix, AZ?

I can’t believe somebody could succeed for so long, yet seem so dumb.  Criminals never cease to amaze me.

Read this one: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/11/03/phoenix.stolen.bags/index.html?eref=igoogle_cnn