ATLANTA - A weedy sea dragon at the Georgia Aquarium has something to celebrate this Father's Day. One of the rare creatures is pregnant for only the third time ever at a U.S. aquarium, aquarium officials said. But don't look for the expectant mom — dads carry the eggs in this family.
The aquarium's sea dragon has about 70 fertilized eggs — which look like small red grapes — attached to his tail. He is expected to give birth in early to mid-July, said Kerry Gladish, a biologist at the aquarium.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Endangered sea dragon pregnant - Yes, HE is! Kinda.
Wii: LINK'S CROSSBOW TRAINING
Tried a new game out while using the Wii Zapper, and I captured it on video with some first-timer talk on what and how to do stuff: The Wii Zapper is a gun peripheral that allows the user to insert a Wii Remote and Nunchuk, both sold separately, into either end and play a compatible game. The control stick on the Nunchuk controls player movement (on stages that allow player movement), while aiming the Wii Zapper moves the targeting reticule on the screen. The Zapper comes with Link's Crossbow Training, which helps to familiarize the player with the Zapper in a shooting gallery style game.Link's Crossbow Training contains three game styles: target shooting, defender and ranger. Features:
BYE BYE MICROSOFT, HELLOOOOO GOOGLE!
Yahoo + Google = True Love.
Yahoo said its efforts to revive takeover talks with Microsoft have reached a dead end, and the Internet pioneer is entering a a non-exclusive partnership on search advertising expected to add as much as $800 million in annual revenue with rival Google.
Click here for the article.
'Uncharted territory' as city floods in Iowa
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Flooding rivers across Iowa forced more residents to evacuate, with at least 10,000 people in Cedar Rapids among them as the rising Cedar River burst its banks Thursday.
Rescuers had to use boats to reach many stranded residents in the city of 120,000, and people could be seen dragging suitcases up closed highway exit ramps to escape the water. It wasn't clear just how high the river had risen because a flood gauge was swept away by the swirling water.
"We're just kind of at God's mercy right now, so hopefully people that never prayed before this, it might be a good time to start," Linn County Sheriff Don Zeller said. "We're going to need a lot of prayers and people are going to need a lot of patience and understanding."
Click here for the rest of the article.
Peak in gas prices in sight
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/366729_gasprices12.html
$5.05 in Mono County, CA, yikes!!!
Toyota to make plug-in hybrid by 2010
Get ready for the next, and seemingly mindblowing wave of "green" cars
from Toyota! Where do I sign up?
Toyota Motor plans to produce lithium ion batteries next year for a plug-in hybrid vehicle available in 2010.
The company on Wednesday said that the plug-in hybrid will be "geared toward fleet customers in Japan, (the) United States, and Europe."
A joint venture between Toyota and Panasonic EV Energy plans to begin production of lithium ion batteries next year and move to full-scale production in 2010.
Click here to read more.
FCC to hold hearing on early termination fees | Tech news blog - CNET News.com
Want the iPhone but stuck in a contract? Want out of your contract
because AT&T and Apple hosed you when you bought the first generation
iPhone? Well, help might be on the way.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9966452-7.html?tag=nefd.top
Who won Top Chef?
Only click the link if you want to know!
http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2008/06/top-chef-and-winner-is.html
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Marine expelled over YouTube puppy video - Military - MSNBC.com
We should hope and expect better. Sad.
A HUGE SPIKE IN DEMAND FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Transportation experts who have pushed mass transit since the 1970s are getting their wish as soaring gas prices persuade Americans to abandon their cars for buses and trains in record numbers. But as the adage says, be careful what you wish for.
Mass transit ridership is at its highest point in 50 years, according to research by the American Public Transportation Association. For many riders, it just got too expensive to drive.
"I do it to save gas whenever I can," said Cody Nunez, a student at Pasco High School in Kennewick, Wash. "I don't want to be paying $50 every week."
The story is the same everywhere: In Seattle, commuter rail ridership recorded the biggest jump in the nation during the first quarter, with 28 percent more riders than during the same time last year. Ridership in Harrisburg, Pa., rose 17 percent. In Oakland, Calif., it rose 15.8 percent.
Check out the rest of this article.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Townhouse solutions could uglify instead of beautify
Seattle developers, city planners and neighborhood activists agree many recently built townhouses are ugly.
But some say the solutions planners have come up with are just a start, while others insist they'll make a bad situation worse.
Townhouses sit on individual lots, like traditional Seattle houses, but the lots are smaller, and the houses share at least one wall and usually a driveway with neighboring homes.
City officials see townhouses as a way to generate more affordable homes. And builders like that they don't have many of the insurance and liability problems associated with condominium projects.
"There's nothing intrinsically wrong with the townhome," City Councilwoman Sally Clark said Saturday at a forum. "But I think we all agree that, as a community, we're seeing some things that we think we could do better."
Planners expect to send proposed rules for multifamily developments, including townhouses, to the council within about a month. Councilman Tim Burgess roused cheers Saturday by suggesting a repeal of the code that allows the creation of townhouse lots until the council changes the rules.
But that idea did not seem to get much traction.
The current crop of townhouses is largely formulaic, with driveways through the middle of sites, leading to garages on the first floors of homes lined up on either side. Small yards are accessed from tiny guest rooms or offices opposite the front doors, with main living areas on the second floors and bedrooms on the third.
"To me this is not a civil way to live," said Greg Hill, a longtime community activist and member of the Wallingford Community Council. "I don't think you can expect people to be happy living in this kind of environment."
City planner Mike Podowski noted that multifamily zoning, which allows townhouses, apartments and condominiums, covers just 7 percent of city land, although many people who live in single-family houses in some of these areas do not realize that the zoning has been in place for years.
The layouts of townhouse projects, and even the sloping neo-Craftsman rooflines, result largely from city setback, yard and height rules, Podowski said.
Monday, June 9, 2008
SMART CAR TEST DRIVE - VIDEO
Here's the skinny: I would probably only buy one if I needed space, if I only had $15k, if I loved being stared at on the road, or just was in love with the cuteness of it. Otherwise, I might still have to wait for the Prius.
THE NEW IPHONE - STRONGER, FASTER, CHEAPER!
Apple’s new iPhone — faster, cheaper and with more features — is winning praise from analysts who say the device has already more than earned its place in cell phone history.
The company, aiming to make its goal of selling 10 million iPhones by the end of this year, Monday slashed the price of the phone by half from $339 to $199 on its least expensive model, and said it will have faster 3G networking speed, as well as GPS.
“Whether or not they make their goal of selling 10 million iPhones by the end of the year doesn’t matter,” said David Chamberlain, principal wireless analyst for In-Stat Research.
“Apple has absolutely succeeded in this market, whether they hit that number,” he said. “The iPhone has forced all the major handset manufacturers in the same direction.”
That direction includes having a touchscreen and combining smartphone features, like calendar-keeping and e-mail, with entertainment uses, including music.
The new phone, which will go on sale July 11 in the United States and 21 other countries, is being called the iPhone 3G, a reference to the faster Internet surfing and e-mail access that it will get from AT&T Wireless’ third-generation cellular network.
3G speed means the phone is capable of more quickly processing data, at rates of up to 2 megabits per second. The original iPhone was 2.5G, which generally transmits data at a rate of between 144 and 384 kilobits per second.
Click here for the rest of the MSNBC article.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
TOMORROW: TEST DRIVE OF THE SMART FOR TWO!
We'll be test driving the Smart Car at 1pm tomorrow, Sunday. I'll keep you posted!
APTERA: A CAR OR A MOTORCYCLE?
Plug it in for 2-4 hours and drive 50 miles.
Drive further and the generator turns on to recharge the batteries. At 350 miles of driving the generator will keep the batteries charged enough for unlimited driving at about 130 mpg. 75 mile trips are about 400 mpg.
At $27,000 - $30,000, Aptera is expected to be safe as any auto. Plug in for 50 mile trips for $1-$2. Want to learn more? Go to Aptera's website and have a gander.
Here's a commercial it was featured in. Could you drive one?
(Thanks for the article Toby)
BELLEVUE IS GROWING UP AND UP AND UP - THE (L)EASTSIDE NO MORE?
George and Kim Brace were pioneers in 1996 when they moved from Medina into a downtown Bellevue high-rise.
"For the first four years, we were the only people on our floor," George Brace, 67, said. "Downtown living just wasn't the thing to do."
The Braces liked the view, the convenience of condominium living and being able to walk to downtown amenities such as restaurants and movie theaters. These days, they have more and more attractions to walk to and many more fellow residents with whom to walk.
"Downtown Bellevue has, relatively speaking, come alive in the past few years," Brace said.
With 2 million square feet of offices, 403,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, and 3,300 apartments and condominiums under construction right now, Bellevue is shedding its traditional role as Seattle's demure younger sibling.
Businesses are moving there to be closer to Eastside employees, and residents see it as getting the urban experience without the Seattle edginess. But some longtime residents do not like what they see the city becoming. Meanwhile, the uncertain financial climate nationally might spell trouble for some development plans.
"For the first four years, we were the only people on our floor," George Brace, 67, said. "Downtown living just wasn't the thing to do."
The Braces liked the view, the convenience of condominium living and being able to walk to downtown amenities such as restaurants and movie theaters. These days, they have more and more attractions to walk to and many more fellow residents with whom to walk.
"Downtown Bellevue has, relatively speaking, come alive in the past few years," Brace said.
With 2 million square feet of offices, 403,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, and 3,300 apartments and condominiums under construction right now, Bellevue is shedding its traditional role as Seattle's demure younger sibling.Businesses are moving there to be closer to Eastside employees, and residents see it as getting the urban experience without the Seattle edginess. But some longtime residents do not like what they see the city becoming. Meanwhile, the uncertain financial climate nationally might spell trouble for some development plans.
BUNDLE UP, IT'S JUNE IN SEATTLE
Typically in June, the temperature would be up to 68 degrees, I knew it was colder than normal, that explains my grouchiness! Yeah, that's it.
But the chilly, rainy and overcast Friday prompted her and her friends to quickly pop up jacket hoods and head to a waterfront restaurant hours after they showed up.
"We want to get chowder and cocktails to warm up," joked Speed, a Cocoa Beach resident.
Was it June or Jarch? Is that the summer or winter solstice two weeks away?
After all, Friday's rain, cloudy skies and chilly breezes capped a week of unusually cold weather for, gulp, the first week of June. The temperature got all the way to an October-like 54.
In the mountains, snow was falling as if winter never left.
The weather was so odd that carving Halloween pumpkins might have been more fitting, given the fall colors and cold-weather gear spotted on Seattle's streets.
"We're up here for the nostalgia of winter," said Charles Goodman, a tourist from Northern California.
This week, his hometown of Cupertino lavished in 75-degree, sun-filled days, he said.
In contrast, people in Seattle saw temperatures never get any higher than 62 degrees. And that was way back on Monday.
Here's more of the associated article.
Friday, June 6, 2008
THE FLIP MINO - COME TO DADDY!
Flip Video Mino Takes Aim at the Cool Set
When Pure Digital Technologies Inc. introduced its Flip point-and-shoot camcorder a year ago, it dramatically simplified video recording. The Flip measured the size of a small digital still camera, cost less than $150 and its videos could be emailed in one quick process. Consumers gobbled up the tiny, nonintimidating device.
But to the style-conscious set, the Flip looked like a clunky Fisher-Price toy — especially when compared with a sleek, new iPod or more-sophisticated digital cameras — and was too thick to comfortably slip into a pocket. Last fall, Pure Digital introduced an enhanced version: the Flip Video Ultra, but its biggest aesthetic difference was new orange, pink and green colors.
Today, the company will begin sales of its $180 Flip Video Mino (pronounced “minnow”), the hippest offering yet from Pure Digital. This 60-minute Flip includes many firsts for the company: rechargeable batteries; touch-sensitive buttons rather than old-school, push-down buttons; and a thinner build that measures 40% smaller, overall. The Flip Mino is also the first one in the family to enable publishing to MySpace (NWS); prior software limited Web-site sharing to YouTube (GOOG) and AOL (TWX) Video.
I’ve been using a glossy, black Flip Mino (it also comes in white) for the past two weeks and it looks much cooler than older models. Its newly positioned USB adapter pops up from the top of the camera like something from a Swiss Army Knife. The Mino offers features such as the ability to lock the delete button, so no one accidentally deletes your videos, and mute all camera sounds, so as to record silently during quiet moments like wedding ceremonies or speeches. Click here for the rest of the Wall Street Journal article.
But to the style-conscious set, the Flip looked like a clunky Fisher-Price toy — especially when compared with a sleek, new iPod or more-sophisticated digital cameras — and was too thick to comfortably slip into a pocket. Last fall, Pure Digital introduced an enhanced version: the Flip Video Ultra, but its biggest aesthetic difference was new orange, pink and green colors.
Today, the company will begin sales of its $180 Flip Video Mino (pronounced “minnow”), the hippest offering yet from Pure Digital. This 60-minute Flip includes many firsts for the company: rechargeable batteries; touch-sensitive buttons rather than old-school, push-down buttons; and a thinner build that measures 40% smaller, overall. The Flip Mino is also the first one in the family to enable publishing to MySpace (NWS); prior software limited Web-site sharing to YouTube (GOOG) and AOL (TWX) Video.
I’ve been using a glossy, black Flip Mino (it also comes in white) for the past two weeks and it looks much cooler than older models. Its newly positioned USB adapter pops up from the top of the camera like something from a Swiss Army Knife. The Mino offers features such as the ability to lock the delete button, so no one accidentally deletes your videos, and mute all camera sounds, so as to record silently during quiet moments like wedding ceremonies or speeches. Click here for the rest of the Wall Street Journal article.
Mine, along with the action attachment so I can attach it to my bike, and the tripod, was shipped today, so stay tuned!
GOP blocks Senate's global warming bill - Climate Change - MSNBC.com
Senate Republicans on Friday blocked a global warming bill that would have required major reductions in greenhouse gases, after a bitter debate over its economic costs and whether it would substantially raise gasoline and other energy prices.
Democratic leaders fell a dozen votes short of getting the 60 needed to end a Republican filibuster on the measure and bring the bill up for a vote. The 48-36 vote failed to reach even a majority, a disappointment to the bill's supporters.
Majority Leader Harry Reid was expected to pull the legislation, in all likelihood pushing the congressional debate over climate change to next year with a new Congress and a new president.
Click here for the rest of the article.
Of course, of course.
Agency Calls for ‘Energy Revolution’ - NYTimes.com
Must become independent from oil, but will the oil companies allow
that? There lies re question, because oil kazillionaires aren't
exactly struggling to survive? Nor are the people with ties to them
behind closed doors. Wink wink.
BBC NEWS: DAY IN PICTURES
Beautiful shots for this Friday. It's rainy here and I'm still sick,
but I must try to recognize the beauty in the world, cause life is good.
BBC NEWS: Unemployment rate reaches 5.5%
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7440104.stm
Fears of a recession? Don't fear the present because we are already in
one people! And as Suzie Orman says, now is the time to try keep your
wallets closed. Must. Remember. This.
OVER THE RAINBOW...
Set to Ben Rudnick and Friends' "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".
I know what's at the end of the rainbow, it's a litter box ok!
SEX AND THE CITY HOTTIE
If you thought the next door neighbor was hot, click here to see a few pics of him. Yes, him. Nice to see equality on the nudity front huh? Obviously, it's not safe for work (NSFW)!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
TRUE COLORS TOUR - TALK ABOUT INSPIRATION
Taken by Rosie when they all performed at Radio City Music Hall.
Police release chilling video of hit-and-run - Crime
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24989558/
Would you stop to help? This news is very disturbing, watch the video
if you can bear it.
Lesbian kiss at Seattle ballpark stirs up gay-friendly town
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110ap_lesbian_kiss.html
It's heating up! I see the challenge as being this: with homophobia
still being rampant, a simple kiss between two men or two women will
feel less appropriate to a larger number of homophobic people, and
therefore will be targeted, even if not intended to be! I suspect the
complaining woman wouldn't have complained if it were a hetero couple,
proving my point. A gay kiss might equal straight groping in some
people's eyes.
Once being told of the "complaint", the Safeco staff should have
evaluated the behavior and treated it equal to similar behavior by
heteros. I highly doubt a straight couple would have gone to the next
level of being warned.
Hidden and open homophobia are equally damaging y'all.
SARAH MCLACHLAN: WTF HAPPENED?
I have always been a huge, I mean big-time fan, but lately I've been
burned on a purchase, her newest "B-sides" or whatever. Usually she
can take almost any song and make it into a sleepy, glorious, and
poignant velvety song, but here comes the but. As I was listening to
her latest I hear a song quite familiar and if you can imaging a
record screeching to a halt, that's how I felt inside when I start
hearing "The Rainbow Connection". Yes, the fucking Kermit THE Frog song.
Come on Sarah, let's have some new material! I might just have to move
on to someone who is actually interested in making original stuff.
All this from listening to music on my bus ride. Gotta love shuffling
your music. Oh, onto Marilyn Manson!
HRC UPDATE
Read this very important message from Human Rights Campaign and learn how you can help with equality for all. The fight must continue even as progress is made.
All gifts matched until June 16th!
Dear Christopher,
After news broke of the right-wing backlash against the California marriage decision, I got a call from a friend—HRC board member Bruce Bastian.
He had just watched a video on our website and was inspired by everything at stake this year... He said he understood full well what lies ahead of us, and wanted to do anything he could to help.
At the end of our call, Bruce issued a challenge: he will DOUBLE every online contribution up to $120,000 before midnight on June 16th, in honor of the same-sex marriages that will be performed in California starting on the 17th!
We can't seize this amazing opportunity without you.
This couldn't have come at a better time. In the past few weeks, 2008 has become an even more extraordinary election year.
It's still a historic chance to elect a pro-equality President and Congress at once. It's still a year to knock down barriers to equality in workplaces, hospitals, schools and communities. It's still a year with major anti-GLBT ballot initiatives brewing in Florida, Oregon, Arizona, and elsewhere.
But now, on top of all that, we face a front-page fight over marriage equality in California—and a revived attempt by the radical right to amend the U.S. Constitution.
HRC has committed an additional $500,000 to Equality for All to defend the right of GLBT couples to marry in California. That's on top of $100,000 and 6 full-time staffers already contributed.
With so many resources going toward efforts in California, our ability to fight other deeply important battles across the country is on the line. So much is at stake this year, and with our resources stretched thin by our commitment to California, your support is even more critical. GLBT, straight, married, single—we all have a stake in this one.
Our board member, Bruce, understands that we can't afford to put any of HRC's other election-year work on hold because of these unprecedented challenges. That's why he's made a commitment to match every dollar you give.
We can continue to march towards full equality this year—but not without your help.
Thank you for supporting HRC in the Year to Win.
Warmly,
Joe Solmonese
President
This link is specific to you, so please make your donation to this campaign before you forward to your friends. Having trouble clicking on the links above? Simply copy and paste this URL into your browser's address bar to take action today: https://secure.ga3.org/03/p_junematch
Human Rights Campaign | www.hrc.org
1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-3278
Phone: 202/628-4160 TTY: 202/216-1572 Fax: 202/347-5323
If you would like to unsubscribe from a specific Human Rights Campaign list, or update your account settings, you can visit your Subscription Management Page. Click here to remove yourself from all Human Rights Campaign lists.
POMEGRANATE SORBET
my hope for today.
Continental cuts 3,000 jobs, grounds 67 airplanes
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The crisis facing the airline industry, propelled by out-of-control fuel costs, claimed another victim on Thursday. Continental Airlines said it is eliminating about 3,000 jobs, or 6.7% of its staff, and grounding 67 mainline aircraft in an attempt to cut costs amid record oil and fuel prices.
The airline - the nation's fourth-largest by miles flown by paying passengers - said it was facing the worst industry conditions since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. "The airline industry is in a crisis: Its business model doesn't work with the current price of fuel and the existing level of capacity in the marketplace," said Larry Kellner, Continental's chairman and chief executive officer, and President Jeff Smisek in a letter to employees. "We need to make changes in response."
In recognition of the company's crisis Smisek and Kellner said they would not be paid the remainder of their 2008 salaries and will refuse payment under the company's annual incentive program.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Clinton to Suspend Campaign, Endorse Obama Friday - The Caucus - Politics - New York Times Blog
Check out this article from the New York Times.
Please let Obama choose Hillary as his V.P. and my fears will be
alleviated. Let's put ego aside and unify the Democratic Party with
what I (and many others) consider to be the dream ticket. His ideas
and smarts with her savvy, I love it. Bye bye McCain!
SEVEN SALON
If you don't mind haircuts starting at $55 and a tad bit of pretense,
this could be the place for you. It is located in Pacific Place.
For me, a guy who gets his haircut every 3-4 weeks, there's not a
chance I want to pay that much for the "experience". Give me 20
minutes and a decent cut and I'll be happy. But maybe that's just me.
If you are interested, here's their site.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
LIGHT RAIL IS ALMOST HERE SEATTLE!
Sound Transit officials today made the final connections joining more than 14 miles of continuous light rail tracks.
“For the first time we have an unbroken stretch of light rail track from downtown Seattle to the Sea-Tac International Airport area,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels as he led Board members in fastening the final track bolts. “We’re one major step closer to testing trains in Rainer Valley later this summer and running them all the way to Tukwila.”
Today’s connection finishes the track that southbound light rail trains will travel on between Westlake Station in downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac International Airport when the line opens in 2009. Crews will continue work on the northbound track and the last portion of track leading into Airport Station.
Central Link light rail construction began in late 2003 and recently passed the 90 percent completion mark and remains on schedule to begin service between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac International Airport in 2009.
Light rail trains began making test runs between Sound Transit’s Operations and Maintenance Facility in SODO and the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel last fall. With those rails now connected to the tracks running through Beacon Hill and into the Rainer Valley, light rail trains can stretch their test run further south through Rainier Valley all the way to Tukwila Station by the end of this summer.
More than 6.5 million work hours have gone into light rail construction since the project broke ground – work performed by union laborers, equipment operators, carpenters, ironworkers, masons, bricklayers, teamsters, electricians, plumbers and painters.
Each weekday Sound Transit carries more than 50,000 riders on ST Express regional buses, Sounder commuter rail and Tacoma Link light rail. That number will more than double by 2020 following start of Link light rail service between Downtown Seattle and the airport in 2009.
Expansion of Link light rail between downtown and the University of Washington is slated to begin this year and be completed in 2016. University Link is projected to nearly triple the regional light rail system’s ridership to more than 114,000 a day by 2030.
Voters will determine future growth of Sounder and other regional transit services through a future mass transit ballot measure. The Sound Transit Board is currently considering the priorities and timing for a future ballot measure to continue expanding the regional transit system with more Link light rail, Sounder commuter rail, and ST Express bus service. Sound Transit is seeking public input on system expansion options through a series of public meetings and web and phone questionnaires. Please see www.soundtransit.org/future for more information.
(SOURCE: Sound Transit)
TIMES ARE CHANGING
G.M. Closing 4 Truck Plants in Shift Toward Cars
Responding to a consumer shift to more fuel-efficient vehicles, General Motors said Tuesday that it would stop making pickup trucks and big S.U.V.s at four North American assembly plants and would consider selling its Hummer brand.
The moves, announced Tuesday by the company chairman, Rick Wagoner, will slash 500,000 units from the automaker’s overall production, and pave the way for increased investment in smaller cars and passenger vehicles. Within three years, he said, trucks will account for less than 40 percent of the vehicles that G.M. produces in North America, down from about half today.
Mr. Wagoner said that rising gasoline prices had forced a “structural shift” by American consumers away from truck-based vehicles built by G.M.
“These prices are changing consumer behavior and changing it rapidly,” Mr. Wagoner said in announcing the cuts before G.M.’s centennial shareholders meeting in Wilmington, Del. “We don’t believe it’s a spike or a temporary shift. We believe it is, by and large, permanent.”
In what he called “difficult” decisions, Mr. Wagoner said that G.M. would close plants in Janesville, Wisc.; Moraine, Ohio; Oshawa, Ontario; and Toluca, Mexico by or before 2010.
The cuts will affect about 8,000 workers at the four plants, although not all of those people will lose their jobs. Some will be able to fill spots created when other workers leave because of early retirement and buyout offers.
The actions follow previous moves to cut shifts at two truck plants in Michigan.
“This is tough stuff,” Mr. Wagoner said after the meeting. “It’s not about we like this plant better than that one. It’s about that the market has radically changed and we have to adapt to it.”
Mr. Wagoner said it was “unlikely” that the plants would reopen at any point with new products, but declined to provide details about relocating workers to other plants.
Both Detroit automakers have been hit hard by rising fuel costs that have dramatically curtailed demand for pickups and full-sized S.U.V.s like the Chevrolet Tahoe. The shift toward smaller and lighter vehicles with better mileage is a problem for Detroit automakers because they offer fewer such models than Asian carmakers like Toyota and Honda.
G.M. had been expected to slash its truck production after similar moves were announced by the Ford Motor Company. Ford recently eliminated a shift at each of four truck plants in Michigan, Wisconsin and Ontario and extended the summer shutdown at several truck plants to reduce inventories. The company also announced last week that it would build its new subcompact car, the Fiesta, at a Mexican factory that assembles full-size pickup trucks.
While G.M.’s production cuts were deeper than anticipated by industry analysts, the decision on the Hummer brand underscored the painful reality G.M. is facing.
Once considered an iconic brand with global market potential, the Hummer has become a symbol of the decline of the large, gas-guzzling sport utility vehicle.
Mr. Wagoner said that G.M.’s directors had approved a “strategic review” of Hummer that could include “a partial or complete sale of the brand.”
Over all, G.M. will reduce its North American production to 3.7 million vehicles from 4.2 million. The moves should add $1 billion in cost savings to an existing target of reducing costs by $5 billion by 2011.
Besides slashing truck and S.U.V. production, G.M. will place a bigger bet on its passenger cars and lighter-weight crossover vehicles.
Mr. Wagoner said G.M. will add third shifts to its plants in Lordstown, Ohio, and Orion Township, Mich., to increase their output of Chevrolet and Pontiac cars.
He said the G.M. board also approved next-generation versions of two small Chevrolet passenger cars, as well as a new fuel-efficient, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine.
The automaker also set a firm schedule for production of the extended-range, electric-powered Chevrolet Volt. Mr. Wagoner said the Volt, which is powered by batteries augmented by a small gasoline engine, will be available for sale no later than the end of 2010.
“In other words, the Chevy Volt is a go,” he said. “We believe this is the biggest step yet in our industry’s move away from our historic, virtually complete reliance on petroleum to power vehicles.”
“From the start of our North American turnaround plan in 2005, I’ve said that our goal is not just to return G.M. to profitability, but to structure G.M. globally for sustained profitability and growth,” the chief executive, Rick Wagoner, said in a statement announcing the restructuring.
“Since the first of this year, however, U.S. economic and market conditions have become significantly more difficult,” he said. “Higher gasoline prices are changing consumer behavior, and they are significantly affecting the U.S. auto industry sales mix.”
G.M. shares were up 1 percent in late afternoon trading.
CHOOSE GOOD
I was standing at my usual bus stop but it was pouring rain so for just a couple of minutes, I stood under the awning in front of the Key Bank doors. This woman came walking up and snottily says, "Can I please get by to get in our doors?" I said, "Of course."
My first response was to be snotty back and say something like, "Of course, but only because they're YOUR doors you stupid hag. Have a great fucking day and I hope you continue to represent Key Bank in such a sunny and delightful way." But I chose the light, I chose to understand that maybe her foot hurt her, or maybe she hated her job, or maybe she was unhappy with her weight. Either way, I just absorbed the negativity and for me, this was a lesson learned. If I weren't ranting at all, that would be real accomplishment, but baby steps ok?
On a related note, right after her spew she tripped just slightly on a crack in the cement of the doorway. Instant karma perhaps? I'm just sayin'!
Monday, June 2, 2008
NEED MADONNA CONCERT TICKETS?
StubHub, the world’s largest ticket marketplace, is now the Official Fan-to-Fan Ticket Marketplace for Madonna’s Sticky & Sweet North American Tour.
This new partnership, the first of its kind, provides fans a convenient and secure venue to buy and sell tickets to any Madonna concert - even if it’s sold out.
Oct 4 - Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ
Oct 6 - Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
Oct 7 - Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
Oct 11 - Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
Oct 15 - TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA
Oct 18 - Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON
Oct 19 - Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON
Oct 22 - Bell Centre in Montreal, PQ
Oct 23 - Bell Centre in Montreal, PQ
Oct 26 - United Center in Chicago, IL
Oct 27 - United Center in Chicago, IL
Oct 30 - BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC
Nov 1 - Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA
Nov 2 - Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA
Nov 4 - Petco Park in San Diego, CA
Nov 6 - Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA
Nov 8 - MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV
Nov 11 - Pepsi Center in Denver, CO
Nov 16 - Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX
Nov 20 - Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA
Nov 22 - Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ
Nov 24 - Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA
Nov 26 - Dolphin Stadium in Miami, FL
Oct 6 - Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
Oct 7 - Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
Oct 11 - Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
Oct 15 - TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA
Oct 18 - Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON
Oct 19 - Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON
Oct 22 - Bell Centre in Montreal, PQ
Oct 23 - Bell Centre in Montreal, PQ
Oct 26 - United Center in Chicago, IL
Oct 27 - United Center in Chicago, IL
Oct 30 - BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC
Nov 1 - Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA
Nov 2 - Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA
Nov 4 - Petco Park in San Diego, CA
Nov 6 - Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA
Nov 8 - MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV
Nov 11 - Pepsi Center in Denver, CO
Nov 16 - Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX
Nov 20 - Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA
Nov 22 - Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ
Nov 24 - Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA
Nov 26 - Dolphin Stadium in Miami, FL
FEMA MIGHT USE THE TRAILERS AGAIN
I ran across another article on MSNBC and this one is about the FEMA trailers used after Hurricane Katrina. See, after Katrina, nearly 1 million people were displaced because of the hurricane, and thousands were sent to emergency trailers and there are still approximately 500 families living in trailers, despite the high levels of formaldehyde. Now keep in mind, FEMA previously promised that they would no longer and never again use those trailers but now, as long as they are shown to have lower levels they would use them as an option again. The problem is, they don't know what "lower levels" really means. It seems nobody does!
But have no fear, they are working to provide money for these people so they can get doctor exams - similar to how the World Trade Center heroes were provided care. We all know how that turned out right?
I need to know how I can help, I need to know what I can post, what I can do. I hate just making people aware of the problem without even knowing how to help with a solution. Any ideas?
PEOPLE FOOD THAT CAN KILL YOUR PETS
Here's a must-read from MSNBC:
Bad news foods
- Avocados: They contain a toxic component called persin, which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals. This fruit is very toxic to dogs, cats and most animals.
- Beer: Alcoholic beverages can cause the same damage to an animal's liver and brain as they cause in humans. But the effects can be deadly on animals since they are much smaller than us. The smaller the animal, the more deadly the effects can be. Even a small amount of alcohol may cause vomiting and damage the liver and brain.
- Nuts: Walnuts and macadamia nuts are especially toxic. Effects can be anything from vomiting to paralysis to death. Within 12 hours of eating the nuts, pets start to develop symptoms such as an inability to stand or walk, vomiting, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), weakness, and an elevated heart rate. These symptoms can be even worse if your dog eats some chocolate with the nuts. The effect can cause kidney failure, often leading to death.
- Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which can kill your pet if eaten in large quantities. Dark and unsweetened baking chocolates are especially dangerous. Giving your pup a piece of chocolate cake or even letting him lick the chocolate icing on the cake could cause him to become ill. Theobromine can also cause a dog or cat's heart to beat very rapidly or irregularly, which could result in death if the pet is exercising or overly active.
- Candy: Candy or anything containing Xylitol (a common sweetener found in some diet products) can cause a sudden drop in an animal's blood sugar, loss of coordination and seizures. If left untreated, the animal could die.
- Caffeine: Coffee, tea or any product that contains caffeine stimulates an animal's central nervous and cardiac systems. This can lead to restlessness, heart palpitations and death, depending on how much the animal consumes.
- Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill them. And the effects are cumulative, which means that even if a dog eats just one or two grapes or raisins regularly, the toxin that builds in his system will eventually kill him.
- Onions: Onions are another common food that can be highly toxic to pets. They can destroy an animal's red blood cells and lead to anemia, weakness and breathing difficulties. Their effects are also cumulative over time.
- Medicine: Hide medicine from your pets just like you would from your children. The most common cause of pet poisoning is from animals ingesting a medicine or drug normally prescribed for humans. And this is not just because furry pals are getting into their pet parent's medicine cabinets. In many cases, pet owners give their feline and canine friends an over-the-counter medication to ease an animal's pain. But acetaminophen and ibuprofen, the active ingredients in many common pain relievers, are extremely toxic to dogs and cats. They can cause gastric ulcers, liver damage, kidney failure and sometimes death.
Some of these I knew about, some of these I did not. So pass this along, for the love of your pets, ok?
Thanks Jill and Joe for the tip!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
SEX AND THE CITY - MY REVIEW!
OK, I went and saw SATC this afternoon and I loved it. I was shocked at how well the actors and actresses inhabited their roles after 4 years away. You know how some TV shows start back in the fall and it seems to take them a little bit of time to get back into the nuances of their character? Not so much here, it was just like yesterday and isn't that how good friendships really are? I also have to say that if you're a fan, you will LOVE this. If you weren't a fan, you might still really like it - it is a good standalone piece, even if you haven't seen the series. It does help though if you have, definitely.
Anyway, I won't spoil any major plot points but I can tell you that Charlotte is still very Charlotte but funnier here than I've seen her in quite some time, kudos to Kristin Davis on that point. She nearly stole the whole show with her quirkiness and neuroses, and I loved her for it.
Miranda is still struggling with life and work, and I have to say, that Cynthia Nixon has never looked better, EVER. Stunning really. She's still the cynic of the group, with a soft core way down inside. She has one scene in particular with one line that just moved me, I could feel it in how she delivered it - it's outside of a dinner.
Samantha has been "neutered' a bit here, which was my only disappointment. What I mean is that she is much more fun when single and on the prowl, and I think most fans would agree with me on this point. Having said that, seeing a more toned down version does show depth of character. Kim Cattrall is just beautiful, well-preserved, and has balls of steel - she tells it like it is and without her in this movie, it wouldn't have been the same. Not even close.
Carrie, ah Carrie, she's such a romantic and I love that about her. She still borders the line of fashion icon and fashion victim, and I wouldn't have it any other way. There are a few scenes in which I saw a different Sarah Jessica Parker in a whole new light, with the emotions being very very raw. One scene in particular, involving flowers, was pretty riveting to me. Oh yeah, I wanted to say to all of those naysayers out there that say she's ugly, she is quite the contrary. And anything she lacks in "traditional" beauty she more than makes up with an inner glow you just can't buy.
So that's about it, I don't want to ruin the experience for anyone, nor do I want to build it up so high that you ultimately can't help but feel disappointed. But like they said on Oprah, it was created with the fans in mind and that truly couldn't be more true. It made me want to visit New York again and like always, it made me sad at the notion of never seeing these ladies again. After approximately $56 million at the box office this weekend, I hardly suspect this is the last time we'll see this wonderful bunch again. Tick tock, I'm counting the days.
AN ALL-TIME CLASSIC: MADONNA ON SNL
Spoofing Marilyn Monroe but at Bill Clinton's inaugeration, as well as performing "Fever" and "Bad Girl". Love it.
TWO MORE LITTLE VIDEOS: SUNSET AND CRAZY WILBUR
I can't seem to find a way to set my Flip Videos to music, they aren't friendly with Macs unfortunately. I tried a recommended application yesterday but alas, it did not work.
Anyway, below is a video of Wilbur, riveting stuff I know.
WTF, EWWWWWWW...
Click here if you are on the vomit diet plan. And yes, you can zoom in on those things.
SHORT AND SWEET MOVIE REVIEW : SWEENEY TODD
Yesterday I watched Sweeney Todd, I ordered it from Amazon Unbox and it was sent to my Tivo for easy-viewing. I was pretty excited because I (like most people) love Johnny Depp along with the imagery that Tim Burton consistently presents. You know, the underlying menace to a seemingly whimsical situation?
So, I start watching it and I am kind of digging it, until the first song. Then I get a little worried because I didn't get the "musical gene", but I decide to muster up the energy to overlook the typical Stephen Sondheim music, where the notes jump all over the place but people stand up and cheer it? Anyway, then another song, then another song, and another song. ARGH, I'm a dumb fuck because hello, it's a musical. I thought maybe it was mostly movie with some music thrown in. No, this was a musical.
In short, I made it through the movie in about 13 minutes. Yes, I saw the ending and everything leading up to it. I hit fast forward and didn't stop. It was the best 13 minute musical I've ever seen and for 30 cents per minute, it wasn't too painful from a cost perspective either.
CELINE DION, THE WATER GUZZLER
I love Celine Dion, not so much her music but rather, who I have seen in interviews and stuff - she's just the right amount of crazy and for me, that contrasts nicely with her schmaltzy music. But this morning I read an article from the Palm Beach Post that talks about who uses the most water in their area, and Celine and her fath...I mean husband were right at the top. Keep in mind, she doesn't even live there yet. Here's an excerpt:
While most residents use fewer than 10,000 gallons a month, utility records show that some of the Treasure Coast's most water-hungry residents use more than 15 times that amount.
The biggest users live along Martin County's coastline, including wealthy Jupiter Island, where homeowners use up to 1.6 million gallons a month - more than 250 times the average amount used by residential customers served by Martin County utilities.
For the 12 months that ended in March, the title of top water-guzzler went to Renlec Management, the Montreal-based company of Canadian singer Celine Dion, who owns 5.7 acres in the island town. In a year, the property used about 6.5 million gallons of water, or enough to fill a 50-gallon bathtub about every four minutes.
Now Celine, for the love of the children, and their parents (inside joke there), can you please use some rock gardens or something?
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