Dropouts!

Digital dropout has become more noticeable a problem of late. The first obvious signs came during an episode of "Weeds" in which, no sooner had I expressed a wish to replay a scene than the scene repeated itself – without any physical input from me. More recently, in TiVo-ing an HD showing of "The Jerk" I experienced digital dropout that was equally evident in the recorded version. This suggests interference from the transmission media, and are determined, at this time, to be random occurences involving transmission rates, richness of data, and conversion algorithms. We'll soon see who is going to take the hits and who is getting the strikes for the latest output. Letting a program director at Viacom pre-select options for my viewing enjoyment is only a safe path one can choose to follow, or not.

Booger Flicking and Broccoli Farting

I would like to suggest that the newly designated "high density residential development district" be designated to raise funds necessary to cover costs associated with maintenance and upkeep of public facilities. Improvements to existing materials may be made at the discretion of the Manager of Operations. Road repairs are a crucial part of this sceme. Camara Circle was an early example of "dead-end routing" of suburban streets, leading fleeing suspects into a continuously looping street plan, with only one way in or out of the "neighborhood" (with the emphasis on "hood!" So it was really a wonderful visit with my good friend Susan. Let's assume that her brisk departure was due to a life-changing transformational revelation experienced in the presence of Pure Pug. What was the slime factor that repulsed Ed so? In between picking and flicking his ear, eye, and nose boogers.

Block Offshore Drilling

As an argument for opening the coast of the continental United States for oil extraction, pressures to lower prices on gasoline at the pumps seems low energy.

If we are to manage our energy resources while we become more acutely aware of the importance we place on energy to maintain our comfortable lifestyles, we can attenuate our demand for carbon fuels while supplementing our energy supply from an ever-expanding renewable energy field.

There is no need for off-shore drilling at this time. We have producing oil fields currently in operation throughout the South Midwest to Southwest. If we focus our extraction efforts on existing wells, then prices for crude oil and gas can be maintained. The revenue stream generated by charging consumers of the energy produced from these resources a metered fee for use could be used to finance development of advanced off-shore drilling rigs.

If more oil is pumped than can be accomodated by the refineries, and consumed by the inhabitants of the world, where is it stored? Pity the resident of the small oil-rich nation where there's always an oil field and storage tanks nearby. Block off-shore drilling for now - we might as well keep that oil reserve safe and sound and stored in the ground than risk dragging it up here to the surface only to be burned up into our atmosphere or poured out into our seas.

Once we have depleted our oil resources on land AND proven that we can do so without inflicting significant harm to the land and its flora and fauna, we will be ready to develop the technologies that we have perfected in the laboratory and select field sites while responsibly harvesting resources from areas of dry land.

Millionaire

So today my cash holdings crested one million dollars.   U.S. Treasury Bonds are essentially War Bonds.   My second thought was, "Now I can get a job at Best Buy, to research the equipment I want to buy and install. Once I've learned enough, and earned enough, I'll retire."

Memories!

If most of sensations are memories transposed on current conditions, then would it be possible for an individual to control which memories of sensations are sent through the brain, thus simulating and satisfactorally replacing any new, "analog" experiences with digital retakes from the memory bank.

Weeds Rocks

Isn't it all about creating successive seasons of programs to be syndicated? Why keep spending money to stay at the bleeding edge of the art when you can relax the artsy fartsy and pull in returns as the bleeding edge of ROI? There are many, many "lessor" markets. As providers repackage pre-existing content, shows reach new eyeballs and an ever growing audience. As subscribers we fund these creative efforts. We are supporting the "start-up fees" for creating this great show. By the time we get the chance to watch the show, we're reduced to watching them in syndication.

Dry Brush

So every time the environment is disrupted, whether it's civilizations crumbling or forest fires consuming vast acres of wooded land, it will be up to the inhabitants of that land to thrive or fail.   I was horrified to discover that there is a pile of cleared shrubbery, approximately the size of this house, sitting at the edge of a freshly-cleared field which focuses and strengthens even the faintest coastal breeze which, years ago, would have been absorbed by a thick forest of old-growth redwood trees.   I would like to propose that neighboring property owners be notified in writing, with return receipt as acknowledgement and subsequently a confirming text message, before a significant "burn event" take place.   Any occasion that features open flames shall be considered a significant "burn event," or "S.B.E." There was a horrible moment when an unattended burn pile burst back to life late on a Sunday. The weekend had been beautiful and relaxing, watching my neighbors working over their burn pile. Perhaps, had I offered to mind the fire they might have not left the area without attempting to speak with the neighbors.   "Is there anybody sleeping in there? 'Cause we're going to be burning some dry brush over herel Yes, this pile of stuff we cleared from the land next to your house. it was home to over 500 species, some not very nice to wake up with, and they'll all be eager to find a new place to live once we light up this mess.