Sunday Morning Blog

August 31, 2005

Horrors of Natural Disasters

I am not sure that those who have viewed television coverage of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina have noticed, but the media coverage of this tragedy has been terrible. I have been limited to online stories and streaming media, so perhaps I was missing something in coverage elsewhere. Maybe I should clarify my perception of the coverage as terrible. I found the news reporting disrespectful of this storm's victims and downright cold in its focus. Yesterday, I watched an NBC interview with the governor of Mississippi and the line of questioning turned quickly from destruction updates and details of the rescue and cleanup efforts to the state's economic losses from the casinos. Am I missing something here? This disaster has killed many; it has destroyed countless people's homes, businesses and lives. We are more worried about casino incomes? Give me a break! The same goes for the concentration on oil refineries and the oil rigs in the gulf. There are more important things to be worrying about than prices at the gas pumps right now. Yes, this is an impact of the storm, but the real story with the oil should follow months down the road - after people have roofs back over their heads and the clean up has begun. The accurate and intelligent story about oil in the gulf should then be focused on our insane dependence on it. Were our national head where it belonged this problem would be addressed prior to natural disasters and fluctuations in foreign oil production.

Maybe I am overreacting, but the human and animal losses should be the story - not the economic impact and insurance risk analysis. We seem to measure everything today by economic losses. We should concentrate more on the natural world, our effect on it, and the human toll resulting each day from our ignorance. Money makes the world go round, but it is not what this story should be about.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 07:04 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 30, 2005

A New Beginning

One would think that one blog were enough, and I would have to agree with this premise. However, I have found that a blog takes on its own life, developing a tone and a path of its own. I woke up this morning with inspiration to begin publishing another blog, and I could not deny the urge to start right away. I have chosen to explore other ideas and open new lines of expression. I have no idea what the fruits of this new passion will be, but time will tell.

If you are interested in checking in, feel free to visit over at Dead Bloggers Society.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 10:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 29, 2005

Woodland Traffic Mishaps

The traffic habits of people on the streets are often carried with them into other areas of their lives. Take supermarket check out lines for example, or jockeying for position at the bagel shop, or the guy who won't hold on for a second on the phone, but hangs up and calls back (just to be bumped to the end of the line again). Impatience and total obliviousness seem to be the standard today. Yesterday, I encountered a passing lane traveler in the wilds of Falmouth. You know the type I am talking about - the ones who mosey down the highway at 55-60 in the passing lane and see no need to ever move right. Well, I am cruising along on my mountain bike and come upon a runner up ahead. I politely announce my approach, "on your left!" So, what does this guy do? He does a right left deke and then dodges to the left, I slow, braking hard and just as we are merging together, coming into a corner (my eyes on him rather than the trail) he jumps back into the trail blocking my path. I pulled the brakes hard and tried to cut inside of him, but the maneuver failed miserably and I ended up getting slammed to the ground as the bike kicked out from under me. "Are you all right?" "Yeah, I'm all right!" I wish I had the time and breath to counsel the guy on path etiquette, but it wasn't the time.

I was bloodied, I am in pain, and I was awake every time I moved an inch last night.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 07:08 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

There is No "K" in Team

Did you hear about the big league pitcher who named all is children with names that began with the letter "K," because "K" stands for strikeout? You know, the guy who doesn't travel with his team and then, when he has to, goes by himself? Yeah, that's him - "Rocket" Roger Clemens... the guy that as Red Sox fans we loved, but as Yankees foes we hated. It seems he has still got his stuff (his pitching stuff anyway) and has an ERA (earned run average) of 1.51 so far this year. Unfortunately, for him, he has gotten no run support. Funny that you should be above traveling with your team and get no run support. Blame it on the team Roger - it certainly has nothing to do with the lack of inspiration from your team spirit. Call me bitter from having to endure years of Roger in pinstripes, but I really can't stand the guy. I admire him for his talent, but his attitude sucks. I hope Houston doesn't support him with runs this year, the "Rocket" needs a reality check. Be a team player, or find a solo sport.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:51 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 28, 2005

Only the Facts

Have you noticed that people spewing anti-Iraq-war rhetoric often trumpet their own "intelligent research of the issue" as justification for being unquestionably correct? Are you one of these people? I try not to claim my views as gospel, more intelligently thought out, or better researched than other's. I welcome a good healthy debate. I often find those on the far right and the far left of the issues equally pompous and rude.

If you are one of those who has researched the war in Iraq and concluded it is unjust, would you consider a look back at the world before Saddam Hussein's removal? Would you agree to check out the evidence that drove us to this undertaking? Here you will find an analysis of Saddam's ties to terrorism, with commentary by Iraqi defectors, international weapons experts, former white house advisers, and others. This research was done prior to the war in Iraq and, consequently, lacks the liberal bias that likes to paint this as President Bush's personal, unsupported, and unjustified war. I apologize if this evidence does not support the popular President bashing that is now so prevalent. These are the facts that the world and President Bush were confronted with shortly after September eleventh.

PBS Frontline: Gunning for Saddam, 2001 November

Posted by capecodcyclist at 08:29 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 27, 2005

Sunday Morning Bloogle

[current state| google-eyed]

Hello, my name is Drew, and I am a Googleholic. I admit that I am powerless over Google and that this obsession has become unmanageable. Publicly exposing this weakness is the first step toward escaping this obsession. What are the rest of the steps for working through this addiction? I don't know, but let me Google that question. If you would like to join my discussion group regarding this problem, I can be reached via Gmail or Google Talk, which are just a click away in my Google Desktop sidebar. By the way, if I have trouble remembering that conversation or where I put that file, all of my email conversations, chats, photos and Openoffice documents are neatly indexed by Google - just a quick search away. Do you need directions to our next Googleholics meeting? Try Google Maps.

Yes, I have gone over the Google-edge. It began years ago when I began using Google instead of adding favorites. It was just as easy to type a couple of letters in a Google search bar as it was to save that link. Then, a month or two ago, I added the CustomizeGoogle extension to Firefox. During the past couple of weeks, it has all snowballed into this giant Google install frenzy. I refer to this as my Googleout; similar to a blackout only without the darkness... just swirls of Google colors. I have been searched, indexed, Gmailed, Google Talked, created a Google sitemap and became a purveyor of Google AdSense. Heck, a couple of weeks ago my wife-to-be and I even had our first Googlefight! That was shortly after I took her on a Google Earth tour of the Grand Canyon. Were there a way to make Google my operating system, I would. Who would need Windows Explorer when one could have GoogleView? If I could have a Google cell phone account I would. What would you like for dinner? I would be happy to Google that recipe for you. My dream is to create a Google Desktop add-on that will edit and publish blog entries, handle blog comments and index them all for future reference. I have joined Google forums and emailed suggestions on improvements to their various new offerings (drag and drop capabilities, etc.). What will be next?

For now, it is a lazy Saturday afternoon. The weather is beautiful, but there are 735,000 Google search results for "afternoon nap." 735,000 instances of why I should shut my eyes for a snooze instead of venturing outdoors. It is good to know I have Google on my side. For those in denial about their Google addiction, I hope my story empowers them to get the help they need.

If anyone has further questions about this growing problem, I would refer them to this site.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 05:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

America's Strength

Is President Bush accurate when he says that the terrorists in Iraq underestimate America's resolve? The sole purpose of terrorism and its hateful, inhumane acts is to rattle the nerves of their enemy. It seems that they may be making headway in that aim. The media and the "haters of America" as I like to call them use headlines and anti-Bush diatribes to further the terrorist cause. At each turn of the page, and click of the mouse we are faced with the anti-war rhetoric that is becoming so popular. That is what it is about too... popularity and ratings.

When this war began, the media was ablaze with support for our troops and expert analysis of the threat Saddam Hussein and his regime posed to the world (and rightly so). It was popular to support the war, because everyone accepted its importance. The horrors of September eleventh had not yet been forgotten. Here we are, many months later and that resolve is faltering. Being anti-war (and anti-Bush) is now the "in" thing. Those of us who care about America and support the war on terror should not be so complacent in allowing this anti-American sentiment to spread. We should be flying our flags, writing letters of encouragement to the troops defending our freedom and doing whatever we can to help military families with loved ones overseas. We, who love America and all it represents, should show that appreciation. We should be making every effort to make the fight for freedom not just popular but the most important ambition our nation can forward.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 07:41 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 24, 2005

Bicycle Blues

[mood| depressed]

I was up before the sunrise this morning (5:15 a.m.), in hopes of getting to cycle to work. Paying over $30.00 at the gas pump last night was some incentive, but my main purpose is to regain the stress relief and fitness I have lost with that part of my routine. Just getting out of the car and into the open air would be pleasure enough.

Unfortunately, It has been so long since I got on the bikes that I misplaced my helmet and gloves and burned 5 minutes looking for them. Getting it all together and packed for the ride took longer than usual (I am out of practice after all), and I ended up having to nix the whole thing. At 7am, I knew the ride would take me long enough that by the time I got there, the 15 minutes it would take me to get ready for work would make me too late. Nothing I did this morning would have changed this. It just took me running around in circles and getting the bicycle ready for me to realize.

I need a nine to five job where I can get in early and ready myself.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 07:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

The Choice

What simpler notion
Could there have been
But to go to the ocean
And harness the wind.

As tons of pollution
Fumed from power plant stacks
A clean, renewable solution
Lay in disuse at our backs.

Our children's lungs irritated
With the smog growing thick
Apathy and greed dictated
That our air quality would stick.

So who will take blame
For the poor state of our air?
Who bares the shame
For the callous lack of care?

Despite Cape Wind's intentions
An oil crisis in the news
They fought to keep their mansions
With their unblemished views.

The ways of wealth and ignorance
Most often go hand in hand
They'd rather erect a stockade fence
And draw lines in the sand.

Most people in opposition
Who fought Cape Wind so hard
Agreed with the proposition
Just not in their back yard.

So selfish and self-centered
It could have been you or I
The pleas for clean air entered
Allowed to wither and die.

There is time to make right
Our backward thinking past
We can stand up and fight
For power solutions that last.

Oil production will peak
We have all felt the sting
Our power choices will speak
Of what the future will bring.

So take up the call
And let everyone know
That clean air is for all
And the winds always blow.

What simpler notion
Could there ever be
But to go to the ocean
And produce clean energy.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 19, 2005

Criminal Justice in America

Criminal justice? Each day we read the headlines and the conclusions are obvious. Our system is in need of a serious overhaul. We have the likes of Martha Stewart under house arrest, while repeat offenders of every variety - capable of all types of heinous crimes, are free to darken our doorsteps. Don't get me wrong, the Martha Stewarts, Enron executives and inside traders of the world should get their due, but we need to do be more concerned about the dangerous criminals on our streets. In the ranks of these criminals (who warrant monitoring more than a Martha Stewart), I would include repeat drunk drivers, sex offenders and any criminal with a history of violence. The three strikes law should apply to any offense. At the very least, these criminals should lose the right to travel freely and should be monitored via ankle bracelet. I envision a systems that people could purchase and install that would alert them when a repeat offender walked into their home or business. A screen would allow us to view a public record of their criminal history when they come within our boundaries. Liquor stores and bars would be legally bound to deny service to repeat drunk drivers for example. At home, the system would alarm you if an offender came within a preset radius. I hate to admit defeat and allow these animals to alter our lives like this, but something needs to change. Our friends, families, homes and businesses deserve more protection than they are getting.

... and once these criminals are put in jail, don't get me started! They shouldn't even be allowed to communicate with each other while in prison without punishment. We need to make our prisons places you never want to return.

Off to work!

Posted by capecodcyclist at 07:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 18, 2005

Candlelight Vigils Support Sheehan

I have a difficult time swallowing the current Bush bashing related to the war in Iraq. I can understand strong feelings from those who have lost loved ones. In September of 2003, I attended the wake of a coworker who died in this war and mourned his loss with family and friends. This war was not undertaken without much intelligent debate beforehand. We all wish that we never came to this last resort in our efforts toward containing terrorism. However, it is all so very important to the safety and security of the world that these battles be waged. We can not sit back waiting for the next September 11th.

It is easy to forget that Saddam Hussein, by his own words, considered himself at war with the United States since before the Gulf War and thereafter. At every turn, Saddam Hussein gave cause for this war by his blatant disregard for all of the conditions set at the end of the Gulf War. His attacks on neighboring countries, ties to terrorism, repeated demonstrations of his willingness and ability to kill those in his inner circle that crossed him, to use chemical weapons on his own people - innocent men, women and children, etc. all reveal the loose canon this dictator was. It would be (and was) impossible for us to proactively fight terrorism and protect ourselves from the likes of the September 11th attacks, with someone of his ilk holding power in this volatile region of the world. In this case, offense was (and still is) our best defense.

Protesting this war totally disrespects those that have so gallantly given up their lives in their dedication to serve our country and protect our freedom. The animals we are fighting in Iraq have no regard for life. They continue to exhibit their cowardly ways in their attacks on innocent civilians throughout the middle east. There are those that argue we have forced them into these terrorist tactics by our own might and prowess. How ridiculous! These tactics and their complete disregard for human life is what brought us there - not the other way around. The ready willingness and determination of these terrorists to shed the blood of innocent men, women and children is not the result of our being in Iraq. This maniacal behavior is what we are up against with these religious extremists. They believe they have god on their side and that it is their duty to kill "the infidels." It is unfortunate, but our only answer is war.

As Americans who remain on the home front during this war on terrorism, our duty is to support our President, the troops that have been sent to fight these battles and the families they have left behind. We should be mourning the lives lost in this war, but we should never lose sight of their sacrifice and its purpose.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:26 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 17, 2005

Dream Comments

[current state| relaxed]

Since there were no dream analysts willing to take on my subconscious yesterday (it helps to have readers), I took it upon myself to find an accurate summary. I think Mark Twain said it best:

A dream that comes only once is oftenest only an idle accident, and hasn't any message, but the recurrent dream is quite another matter--oftener than not it has come on business.
- "Three Thousand Years Among the Microbes"

In the neighborhood: the squirrels have ruined it for the rest of the seed eating population in these parts. What was an overflowing feeder on Sunday was empty yesterday. I like to feed the wildlife, but with gas nearing the $3.00/gallon mark I am not sure I am willing to swallow the extra expense of these little bird feeder vacuums.

I don't do much driving (thank goodness), but I found a few interesting sites related to fluctuating fuel prices and peaking oil production:

Gas Price Watch: GasPriceWatch.com

Energy Information Administration: Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update

Newsweek Article: How to Live Without Oil

PDF Report: Peaking of World Oil Production

I predict cycling (along with hybrids and electric vehicles) will soon become more popular forms of transportation here. Well, I must be off to sell the parts that keep the oil flowing.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:54 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 16, 2005

In Dream Land

[current state| sleepy]

I need help interpreting this early morning dream:

I am at a yard sale(?) of sorts in a mini-mall parking lot. As I am getting ready to leave, I notice a large, odd shaped object wrapped in a tarp. I unwrap it, to find a hand made canoe. I instantly become giddy about my find. I inquire as to its balance and water-worthiness. The seller(?) tells me that he has not had a chance to spend much time getting the hang of it, but he had a hard time keeping the small craft upright. I ask about the price, and he tells me to make an offer. I fire off $200 as my first bid, which he readily accepts.

At this point, the dream takes an odd twist, as the scenery changes to a crowded indoor meeting place (a restaurant?).

I am now feeling guilty about my purchase and I am trying to be secretive about the expense (not sure why or who I am trying to hide it from). I am inside a glassed-in doorway, telling the canoe maker not to tell anyone how much I have purchased it for. As I am saying this, a full-size Ford Bronco pulls in the parking lot and the guy in the drivers seat mouths (I am reading his lips) "I heard that." I intuitively know that this guy is deaf and has read my lips as I asked the canoe maker to keep our secret.

The retelling of the dream is taking longer than the actual events. This all took place in a matter of minutes.

The dream scape now focuses back inside, where I am trying to work out the details of the $200. I am thinking that if I use this womans(?) debit card, I can transfer my money to her account. I am not sure how she became involved, but she readily hands me her money card as she is deeply involved in conversation with those around her. As I am waving her card over this ATM-like terminal, I realize that I must be confused. How can I use her card to put my $200 in her account? I then return her card, apologizing that I will just withdraw the cash from my account with my card.

End of dream. I know, I have a bizarre dream world. Any ideas? I think it all relates to the money transfer dilemma, and the invention of this ATM-like terminal where money might be transferred from one person's account to another's with the wave of each person's cards. Obviously, the "secret" purchase is critical to my emotions in the dream.

I must get to work. Have a great day!

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:56 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 15, 2005

Zempt

[mood| elated]

I am giving the blogging software client Zempt a try. So far, it seems easy to use, but this is my first post and I have just downloaded it. We shall see.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 08:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 14, 2005

Cigarettes: The Stanky-Assed Killers

[mood| surprised]

After many obituaries have been written of the recent premature death of Peter Jennings, it has been pointed out that there is rarely mention of his smoking as cause. Were we a little more open and honest about such cases, the best works of those who have died prematurely due to these types of abuses would be the education of those of us left behind. Were the headlines in the obituary section more accurate, we might find ourselves facing some hard facts about the lives we lead.

Example:

Harry Henderson, 67 Halifax

Harry Henderson, age 67, died quite expectedly Tuesday after 28 years of smoking cigarettes, drinking beer to excess and frequenting fast food restaurants for his daily lunch. Harry was an active member of the Halifax...

Yes, many of us can read between the lines. As good investigators, we scan to the last line of “memorial donations may be sent to:” and we recognize that if it is American Lung Association, the person probably died of a lung disease, or American Heart Association = heart disease, etc. You get the idea. However, if faced with the harsh reality of actual cause of death instead of the fluff and fiction, we might find that those of us who are still coming down for breakfast would be a little more careful about how we conduct ourselves. Knowing that a motor vehicle accident was caused by alcohol is critical to educating others to the dangers of drinking and driving. Similarly, we can increase awareness about heart, liver and lung diseases if we accurately report cause of death. Upwards of four hundred and fifty people die of lung cancer in the United States each day. Smoking is no joke, and take it from me... it is a tough habit to break. We should not be hiding the dangers of this horrible addiction.

QuitMeter Counter courtesy of www.quitmeter.com.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 08:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 13, 2005

Higher Oil Prices Hit the Gas Pumps

[mood| confused]

In between phone calls yesterday, I was keeping an eye on the rising price of a barrel of oil. At the same time, I was getting regular updates from our delivery drivers with increasing fuel prices at local stations. There were stations that raised prices more than five cents a gallon during the day yesterday! How is it that the price of fuel that had already been delivered to them - bought and paid for, could be rising as it sat there in their tanks? I don't get it. This whole oil pricing business smells rotten to me. It is all based on speculation about supply and demand in the future.

It is time we lived in the present, and showed what we think of the games played with oil production and price fixing. Purchase from those who rely primarily on domestic fuel supplies, and drive as little as possible. Ride bicycles or walk more. Consolidate trips and carpool whenever possible. These are things that we should be doing anyway, but this makes for a good wake up call for those of us who sometimes lose sight of these things - good for the environment and good for the pocketbook. I can't think of a better argument for people to get out there under their own power.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 03:09 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 12, 2005

An Idle-Free Zone on Cape Cod?

[mood| unsure]

With the high temperatures the past several weeks, having no air conditioning at work has become a real issue. Our air conditioning consists of our back door, our side door and the front doors. Yesterday, we matched our highest indoor temperature at 86 degrees. Not so hot you say? It was a stifling, give-me-oxygen type of hot. The air is already so hot and damp that there is no chance for you to sweat – it just evaporates off of you. Either that, or it is just merging with the already saturated air (you become one with the humidity). It is like standing fully clothed in a bath while somebody takes a day long hot shower. Even your breathing becomes something you are aware of.

Anyway, I have digressed from the point I was attempting to get to. On numerous occasions in the past several weeks we have had to close our front doors due to noise and fumes coming from delivery vehicles left idling in our parking lot. This truck driver habit, and watching the gas guzzling S.U.V.'s idling in the Starbucks drive-thru every day now have me thinking. So, I use my favorite tool and do a Google search for “idle free.” It seems that, for whatever reason, Canada is way ahead of us in the effort to squash unnecessary vehicle idling. I came up with many great Canadian sites outlining efforts to educate the public and pass by-laws to reduce this expensive and dirty habit. Here are but a few of these:

http://www.greencarcongress.com/

http://www.best.bc.ca/programsAndServices/idlefree.html

http://www.cleanairpartnership.org/idle/index.php

http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/idlefree

http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/idle-free-zone.cfm?attr=8

I think it is high time we get on the stick here with this issue. With fuel prices skyrocketing and air pollution at dangerous levels (Cape Cod often has the worst air quality in the country, as we did yesterday), we should be addressing this easily remedied problem. Companies with strict no-idling policies for their fleet vehicles see huge yearly fuel and maintenance savings, and the same applies to the average driver. It is as simple as turning your key to the off position and driving away immediately after starting your vehicle. Operating your vehicle under thirty to forty mph for the first few miles immediately after starting it is the most efficient way to warm modern vehicles – not idling for minutes in the driveway.

More to follow... I must get to work.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 11, 2005

Being Accountable for One's Views

[current state| sweaty]

The editor of the Cape Cod Times editorial page was kind enough to respond to my inquiry, so I felt I should share it here:

Thank you for your message. I think you may be referring to our editorials, as opposed to our columns. Editorials are unsigned because they represent the opinion of the newspaper and its editorial board. The names of the editorial board members are listed at the top of the editorial page. Currently, the editorial board consists of Peter Meyer, the publisher; William Mills, the editorial page editor; and Tim DeMarce, the assistant editorial page editor. If you would like to respond to an editorial, please send a letter to the editor at letters@capecodonline.com. Hope this helps.

Bill Mills
Editorial Page Editor

Well, I guess that answers my question - it could be any of three individuals spewing their stuff in the online editorial section of the Cape Cod Times. I appreciate the explanation, but I still think individuals' names should be attached to their writing and their views. Especially when "facts" are being used in these editorials that may or may not be accurate. Someone should be accountable for the views expressed.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Cape Cod Times Should Show Authors of Online Editorials

[mood| jittery]

I fired off a quick note to the editor of the Cape Cod Times editorial page today. On several occasions I have read articles via their online editorial page and found that linked items do not reference their authors. It is frustrating to get fired up about someone's misinformed opinion and not know who you are responding to. I requested that this oversight be remedied. We shall see if they wish to lay claim to their works or not.

Thanks Rebecca for noticing this, as I had, with the recent editorial regarding town bans of the "pit bull" breed.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 07, 2005

Driver Courtesy on Cape Cod's Roadways

A couple of recent editorial page letters to the Cape Cod Times have me a tad riled. In question, is whether or not “driver courtesy” does more harm on our local roadways than good. Granted, there are instances where waving a person out into traffic is inadvisable (when blind to oncoming traffic, or in multi-lane roadways). However, a little courtesy would not kill you people.

The anti-courtesy letter writer complained of nearly plowing into the rear of people stopping to let others out of side streets and parking lots. If you are nearly rear ending people you are either: (a.) following too closely, (b.) driving too fast for surrounding conditions, (c.) not paying attention to the conditions ahead of you, or (d.) all of the above. Put down your cell phone and pay attention.

A year and a half ago, I took a trip to Oregon. When I returned, I spoke of my amazement at the west coast drivers' courtesy toward pedestrians, cyclists and fellow drivers. In Oregon, as a pedestrian, you always have the right of way. Here on Cape Cod, the pedestrian only has the right of way if there is law enforcement present. I have had difficulty walking (or running) across Route 6A on numerous occasions. This is a forty-five mile an hour roadway at its safest, yet people speed up to fifty when they see that you may attempt to cross their paths. Cape Cod drivers are just plain self-centered and rude.

Speed limits are just as much for traffic flow as they are for safety. Here on the Cape, we habitually speed along in places that we have deemed safe straightaways. We fail to aknowledge that we are the first to complain when trying to pull out onto that same roadway from a parking lot or side street and the traffic is flying at us too quickly to safely enter. In the summer, in-town traffic is regularly moving along at stop and go pace, yet nobody wants to let anyone out. Drivers act as though that one car length will be the difference in their days. It is painfully obvious that nobody wants to give an inch. Patient and kind drivers are definitely in the minority here. What we need is a lot more courtesy and a little more enforcement of our safety laws. Unfortunately, it will take more than a few small voices to make this happen.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 03:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 05, 2005

Home Improvement Induced Insomnia (or, Hiii)

[mood| flipping out]

The Bathfitter guy was here until 2:00am this morning! That's right, you heard me... 2AM! You have got to admire the guy's dedication and perseverance. He was here from 10:30am Thursday, until the early hours of Friday morning. What a horrible night's sleep. We were beginning to consider it a good thing that we had recently furnished our guest bedroom, but he left... finally.

This most recent marathon adds to our string of bizarre and poorly managed home improvement fiascoes. The shower, which had previously been Bathfittered in a manner I can only describe as amateurish, now looks fantastic. It took him all day and night, because an overzealous manager told the first installer to come and tear out his work. In the process of ripping his work out, he created a day's repair work for the installer who came to redo the job yesterday (or today, or the last two days or whatever – you get the picture). I can only say that we are extremely lucky this has all happened while Jesse has had some time off – not that she intended this time off for babysitting contractors in our house.

Now, aside from the brand new carpet that was ruined by the first installer, we are nearing completion of the major projects planned for our new home. We are looking forward to a time that we are not haunted by strangers at odd hours on odd days. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think we need a vacation.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 04, 2005

Reel Blues Festival was a Fantastic Show

[mood| happy]

The Reel Blues Festival provided a great escape from the monotony last night, and a great first-ever concert for Jesse. The show began with the classic blues of David "Honeyboy" Edwards, who celebrates his 90th birthday this year! I can only hope that I am in his condition at that ripe old age. Next to take the stage, was The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Although the band's members have changed some over the years, these blues-rockers are tight as ever and appear to really enjoy playing with each other (always a great feature in a band). Kirk Fletcher, current guitarist for the Thunderbirds, was the stand out of the performance. I now plan to chase down some of his solo material. Wrapping up the show was the feature artist, Robert Cray. Cray has been one of my favorite artists since the eighties, although he has been performing for many years prior. His band has an extremely tight sound and they put plenty of energy into their performance. At one point, Robert described their next musical offering as "low down and funky!" The show was that and then some. Thanks to a comfortable ocean breeze, the tent had great air-flow and I had no complaints of that sweat-shop like feel I suffer at work. I was left feeling elated, which is where I expect any concert-going event to take me. Jesse especially enjoyed The Fabulous Thunderbirds, but wasn't sure about the middle aged women who chose to shake their booty? in the aisles. Some things aren't meant to be bounced about in public. Other than that, four thumbs up!

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 03, 2005

Research Shows We Need Less Research

[mood| confused]

How many health researchers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Hundreds of thousands apparently, and they are using our tax dollars to do it. I am amazed at some of the articles I read on a weekly basis that reveal to us these alarming research results regarding our health and well-being. Yesterday, it was research results regarding cigarette smoke and its link to metabolic syndrome in teenagers. The researchers claim to have found a link between cigarette smoke and “mid-section” obesity in teens. Umm... hello people! I can think of a thousand things these same teens have been exposed to that we can draw the same results from. How about young people who imbibe soft drinks, or watch hours of television, or play hours of video games? Or how about teens who eat Burger King and drink sweet drinks in a smoke den while playing video games for hours on end? A teen that has not been exposed to cigarette smoke has probably adopted better lifestyle choices, and is thus, not as likely to be overweight. There is research for you! I just came up with that too, and I spent none of your tax dollars coming up with it. Lets eliminate some research and get some common sense.

My own research tells me, that without all of the research results telling us how to live healthy lifestyles we would not be any worse off than we already are. A healthy lifestyle is a choice, and no amount of research is going to force people to change their poor habits. Unless we are willing to ban substances that harm people (i.e. - alcohol, cigarettes, fast food) there really is no point to sounding the alarms about their effects. Unless our heads have been in the sand, we know they are all bad for us. All we can do is try to live our own lives the best we can, and hope that example is good enough that others want to follow and that our kids will want to adopt similar lifestyles for themselves.

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 01, 2005

Interesting

Your IQ Is 125

Your Logical Intelligence is Exceptional Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius Your General Knowledge is Above Average

Posted by capecodcyclist at 05:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Favorite Place Hosts Major Northeast Polluter

[mood| concerned]

My favorite place for leisure and exercise activity in recent years has been the Cape Cod Canal. Imagine my dismay at discovering this very place plays host to one of our region's top three polluters. The Mirant Corporation's Cape Cod canal power station pumps out 1,680 lbs. of Carbon Dioxide per MegaWatt Hour (or per hour in laymen's terms). It is the third worst polluter in the entire northeast (that is Maryland to Maine)- right here on pristine Cape Cod. It is no wonder many of the children of Cape Cod suffer from asthma and other respiratory ailments. This kind of pollution is like living with a smoker 24 hrs a day, and we catch much more here than just what the canal plant pumps into our air. It is time to find someplace else to enjoy my leisure time (like indoors?). A good argument for clean energy producers? You bet!

Posted by capecodcyclist at 06:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack