July 28, 2012

64 Comments

Spotting Trains With Olympic Slumdogs

I don’t usually watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, but it worked out rather conveniently this time around, and even if it hadn’t, Danny Boyle – the director of the ceremony – is one of my favorite directors and I was really, really curious to see what he’d do with it.  Something loud and […]

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July 26, 2012

80 Comments

Putting The “Land” Back In “Greenland.” Possibly Also The “Green,” I’m Not Sure.

As you may have seen, on July 8, Greenland’s ice sheet had melted to the point that it generally melts by the end of a hot summer. Four days later, NASA satellites took another scan and thought their scanner was on the fritz: 97% of the remaining ice sheet had melted.  Now, many are quick […]

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July 24, 2012

78 Comments

Confusing Gasoline Laws Made Simple

The other day I happened to mention that it’s illegal in Oregon, where I live, to pump your own gas.  This was inconceivable to a few people, seeing as how it’s a law that, you know, makes no sense and protects nobody from anything.  This was compounded when I explained that it’s illegal to pump […]

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July 23, 2012

47 Comments

Running Out of Alternatives

It’s always easiest to point to something. To say, ‘there – there’s the problem. Here’s how to fix it.’  It’s easier because it absolves us; it’s easier because it makes something impossible to comprehend make sense; it’s easier because it assigns blame.  And it’s easiest because these thing we point to, they’re not wrong.  But […]

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July 22, 2012

88 Comments

Putting YOU (you! you!) In The Action! (action! action!)

Today, something a little different.  In the midst of this summer slump, as our site stats plummet (it’s not just me, right?  Ha ha!  Right?), I thought it might be nice to open things up.  Move on to Phase 3 of the Weekly Question of the Week – which may include running a question only […]

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July 21, 2012

25 Comments

Freedom Fighting Leads To Voting. Voting Leads To Not Having To Water Tomato Plants

Oh, boy, I’m going to get myself detained more often!  Not only was it relaxing, but I got to see the awesome creativity of people rallying around a non-cause!  I’m actually back from the orchard, so whatever you did worked.  Hopefully you used the opportunity to impress someone with your heartfelt concern (while making sure […]

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July 19, 2012

171 Comments

Second Byronic Husband, Chipmunks! Uh… Sorry, Wrong “Me”

Chances are pretty good that you’re familiar with Jules, over at the terrific blog, Go Jules Go.  Odds are really good that you’re familiar with me and my blog, what with you reading this sentence and all.  Also this one.  And this one. Et cetera. Finally, there’s a decent chance that you have a fair […]

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July 17, 2012

108 Comments

Rage, Rage Against The Dying of the Dark.

First thing’s first: I have returned from exile!  In what can only be described as a global grassroots movement, the governments of the world have been forced to take notice, and I am home from my forced labor.  Also, my step-father-in-law just got tired of cleaning.  The tomatoes remain now, only in my dreams.  By […]

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