Humane treatment of vermin

This rather large sign asks for humane treatment of roaches and rodents, selling technology that allegedly annoys the vermin. Yes, “las cucarachas” means “cockroaches” and “roedores” means “rodents.” Hate to say this, but most humans just want them gone, and Continue reading Humane treatment of vermin

And it runs on batteries II

A previous tribute to a red BMW i3 noted that it runs on batteries. Very cool, and very rare. But in a single morning, this silver BMW i3 and a silver Honda Civic plug-in hybrid were spotted at the same charging station Continue reading And it runs on batteries II

Narrative arc of plumbing

Much has been written about how writers plumb the very depths of their souls in an attempt to construct a narrative. But far less attention has been devoted to the narrative arc of plumbing. You might say, “But plumbing is Continue reading Narrative arc of plumbing

Two photos, 26 seconds

These two photos, taken from my window at work, were taken 26 seconds apart: Just before the storm hit, the Emergency Alert on my iPhone went off (most smartphones today are set to receive local weather, Amber, and other emergency Continue reading Two photos, 26 seconds

Earth Day

The current Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970, as an “environmental teach-in” at two thousand colleges and universities and ten thousand elementary, middle school and high schools across the United States. It was a grass-roots response to Continue reading Earth Day

Welcome to nothing

Pullman, WA to Snoqualmie Summit, Wa After attending Sasquan, the World Science Fiction Society convention in Spokane, Washington, we took a trip 75 miles south to Pullman, Washington, home of Washington State University. Along the way, we admired the huge Continue reading Welcome to nothing

Tesla Supercharger Station

Tesla sells electric cars. These are not hybrids, with both a gas and an electric engine, but a pure, electric engine car. Traditionally, electric cars were limited to commercial operations in and around warehouses and other short-distance operations, or in Continue reading Tesla Supercharger Station

Naked 70% certified

Let us now turn our attention to this tube of moisturizing hand and body lotion. It claims some relationship to pomegranate and honey, which suggests it also might make a good dessert topping. It is called The Naked Bee, presumably a reference Continue reading Naked 70% certified

Definition of a bad day at work

This looks like an unremarkable view of an apartment building in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland: Not obvious: it is snowing. The air temperature is 33 F, and the wind is blowing at 12 MPH. And if you look in the Continue reading Definition of a bad day at work