This morning Jen and I went to Liberty High School's track for a pleasant morning run. I jogged a warm-up mile then ran eighteen eighteens. Upon further thought and calculation, I realized that in order to run a 4:00-mile I would have to maintain my sprinting pace for a full mile. Even then, I would be in the upper four-minute range. One more mind-boggling statistic before I move on, a four-minute miler runs at an average of 15 miles per hour.
We also went to Whole Foods and the Tanasbourne Farmer's Market (held in the Whole Foods' parking lot). Their pineapples taste like a juicy celebration. Got some more of my favorite milk (non-homogenized, local, organic) and already drank two glasses.
On a similar note, try eating food that only has ingredients you can pronounce. I've cut a majority (possibly 100%) of my high fructose corn syrup consumption. (I realize high fructose corn syrup rolls off the tongue rather nicely, but its just as nasty as all those things you can't say.) High fructose corn syrup's digestion creates a huge release of insulin to aid in its uptake, over time this overproduction leads to the development of Type II diabetes. If the your health doesn't provide the necessary incentives to cutting HFCS, consider: the most highly subsidized crop in America is corn. I'm all for helping provide our country with the food necessary to feed 300 million people. But, the production of corn has been so over-subsidized that its now showing up everywhere from livestock feed to yogurt to gasoline and beyond. If you like corn, eat corn; but do you really need it as a part of every meal?
Also, soy sucks. By now, most the nation's soy crops are a genetically modified seed which holds Round-Up resistant properties. (Farmer's can now do their "weeding" by crop-dusting with Round-Up.)
Intrigued? Watch either (or both) Food Inc. or Killer at Large: Why Obesity is America's Greatest Threat.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The New Daily Scott
Through much thought and discussion I've decided to remove the limits of "The Daily Scott." My day-to-day activities shall supply topics for examination and sharing. So, without further ado, The (New) Daily Scott.
A few weeks ago while running on Dick Road, I spotted an owl landing and perching on a telephone pole. I "who'd" at her or him and she or he flew away. Notice I said who, owls don't hoot.
Who says getting older means no fun? On my way home I drove along the coast, discovering a nuclear power plant west of Tacoma (which smells rancid...Tacoma that is). I stopped at Butte Creek Campground where my mind started playing tricks on me. The kind of tricks that make you think something's after you.
After the Jamie Cullum concert at the zoo (good show indeed), I was departing the zoo premises when the lion started roaring. I love nature. Especially when its caught and penned up for my personal enjoyment. Tonight the wolves were howling as Jen and I sat on a bench in Hoyt Arboretum. And, tigers watch you very closely when you're the only person in the park. Also, I would like to note the free-roaming animals which one might find at the zoo (in order of increasing size) : sparrows, mice, chipmunks, gophers, rabbits, crows, raccoons, and rats.
I think we're mostly caught up now. Bye
A few weeks ago while running on Dick Road, I spotted an owl landing and perching on a telephone pole. I "who'd" at her or him and she or he flew away. Notice I said who, owls don't hoot.
Last week I took Jen's Laura to Seattle and went to dinner with Kevin at an Italian restaurant called Bizzarro. I had gnocchi (pronounced n-yo-key) and Kevin had a sugar-snap pea carbonara. Both delicious. I went to the space needle and had fun taking photos (for other people). Ha ha. They provide a "complimentary" (pronounced $18) photo shot in front of a green screen.
Who says getting older means no fun? On my way home I drove along the coast, discovering a nuclear power plant west of Tacoma (which smells rancid...Tacoma that is). I stopped at Butte Creek Campground where my mind started playing tricks on me. The kind of tricks that make you think something's after you. |
| Its poop again! |
Then I almost stepped in bear poo. And I knew something was after me. I walked back to the car thinking, "No one knows where I am." combined with, "I'm too young to die!"
Then I got home. Jen fixed my shark tooth necklace as a nice surprise for my arrival home. Then I slept.After the Jamie Cullum concert at the zoo (good show indeed), I was departing the zoo premises when the lion started roaring. I love nature. Especially when its caught and penned up for my personal enjoyment. Tonight the wolves were howling as Jen and I sat on a bench in Hoyt Arboretum. And, tigers watch you very closely when you're the only person in the park. Also, I would like to note the free-roaming animals which one might find at the zoo (in order of increasing size) : sparrows, mice, chipmunks, gophers, rabbits, crows, raccoons, and rats.
I think we're mostly caught up now. Bye
Thursday, June 10, 2010
World Cup!
What get me out of bed at 6am? Work? That's laughable. Workout? Not quite. Only the greatest sporting event in the world. That's right, the World Cup! At 6:30pt tomorrow morning Mexico kicks off against host South Africa on ESPN. I can't wait.
When asked which team I favor to fare well this year, I realized I hadn't thought about it much. But, I'll take a shot. Argentina - I hate that their coach cheated numerous times (think steroids and "Hand of God"), but they'll at least make the final eight and probably advance further. Netherlands - I've always had a soft spot for their orange jerseys (and can't resist their style of play) and see them advancing.
USA - not unless American soccer's favorite child can stop choking. Since Japan/Korea Donovan has been worshiped, but has lost his ability to come through in the clutch. Howard provides the star keeper that's a must for a run in the Cup, unlike '06 and '98 when Keller manned the box. While goalies don't win you games, they keep you in them, and advancing to the elimination round can be as simple as riding a hot keeper.
Spain - an little-noticed, highly-talented squad that just last year ran up a streak of fifteen consecutive international victories. Who's in the final you ask? Argentina and the winner of Group G (either Brazil or Portugal).
When asked which team I favor to fare well this year, I realized I hadn't thought about it much. But, I'll take a shot. Argentina - I hate that their coach cheated numerous times (think steroids and "Hand of God"), but they'll at least make the final eight and probably advance further. Netherlands - I've always had a soft spot for their orange jerseys (and can't resist their style of play) and see them advancing.
USA - not unless American soccer's favorite child can stop choking. Since Japan/Korea Donovan has been worshiped, but has lost his ability to come through in the clutch. Howard provides the star keeper that's a must for a run in the Cup, unlike '06 and '98 when Keller manned the box. While goalies don't win you games, they keep you in them, and advancing to the elimination round can be as simple as riding a hot keeper.
Spain - an little-noticed, highly-talented squad that just last year ran up a streak of fifteen consecutive international victories. Who's in the final you ask? Argentina and the winner of Group G (either Brazil or Portugal).
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Primary Elections
In California, a single primary saw over $100 million spent by two candidates in an attempt to reach the governor's seat. Meg Whitman reportedly spent $71 million of her personal fortune in her battle to win the primary. The final hurdle of winning control of the state still exists in the general election this fall.
The money that Americans earn legally should be spent as they wish. But, here's what $70 million could have done to help the state: paid 1000-1400 annual salaries of policemen for one year, paid 100-140 annual salaries of policemen on a continued basis, paid .17% of the state's debt, or boosted the nation's largest higher education system (which faces cuts). Essentially, she could have helped the state tremendously.
One must wonder, if a candidate carelessly spends $70 million getting into a position, how careful is he or she really going to be with a full state's resources?
The money that Americans earn legally should be spent as they wish. But, here's what $70 million could have done to help the state: paid 1000-1400 annual salaries of policemen for one year, paid 100-140 annual salaries of policemen on a continued basis, paid .17% of the state's debt, or boosted the nation's largest higher education system (which faces cuts). Essentially, she could have helped the state tremendously.
One must wonder, if a candidate carelessly spends $70 million getting into a position, how careful is he or she really going to be with a full state's resources?
Monday, June 7, 2010
Mandrill Mania
One of the zoo's volunteers has developed an odd relationship with the male mandrill living there. Somehow, she has become part of the troop. When anyone approaches this woman, the mandrill runs to the front of the cage, looks at the offending party, then bears his teeth does a move that looks like headbanging, then bounces up and down. I wouldn't believe it unless I had seen it myself. Its quite a spectacle. If you're in the Portland area on a Tuesday or Saturday stop by the zoo and see the mandrill that seems to think the volunteer belongs to him.
Friday, June 4, 2010
40-Something and Counting
In an effort to increase the fine imposed by the President on BP for its Gulf crisis a movement to protest BP products must be enacted. This effort becomes somewhat strenuous when considering BP's reach. To simply avoid BP oil products (never-mind any other fields) one must stop visiting/using: ampm, Arco, Aral, Castrol oil products, and generally anything with BP in the name. After 40-some days of blasting oil into the ocean with no end in sight, the least we can do is find an alternative to BP.
The deep-sea disaster alone provides motive to wave while passing by these stores. Additionally, the cavalier attitude with which they have approached this massive mishap should convince the toughest of juries; BP does not deserve your business! It may be true that everyone was doing it (drilling in deep water). There's also a small chance other companies ignored the signals of a corrupted well. But, the fact remains that BP's rig exploded while others either utilized sound judgment (likely) or got lucky. Let BP know how you feel by speaking in the only terms oil knows, send your money to greener pastures.
The deep-sea disaster alone provides motive to wave while passing by these stores. Additionally, the cavalier attitude with which they have approached this massive mishap should convince the toughest of juries; BP does not deserve your business! It may be true that everyone was doing it (drilling in deep water). There's also a small chance other companies ignored the signals of a corrupted well. But, the fact remains that BP's rig exploded while others either utilized sound judgment (likely) or got lucky. Let BP know how you feel by speaking in the only terms oil knows, send your money to greener pastures.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
New Format/Perfect Gamers
So with the issues that I appear to be having writing articles about specific topics each day, I'll be writing on different topics each day, with no set list of topics.
This year in baseball could prove to be an historic one. Already, two perfect games have been pitched within a matter of three weeks and a third perfecto was stolen from Armando Galarraga last night. The announcers' reactions in this clip express the disbelief and amazement felt by all at the poor call.
However, it appears as though Bud Selig will be changing the call and this could be the catalyst for instant replay in baseball. The true major American sports already contain some sort of replay.
Another interesting note comes from the Florida Marlins, now selling tickets to last week's perfect game pitched by Roy Halladay. Want to be included in the attendance for the 20th perfect game ever? They may still be available.
Finally, let's consider the occurrences within the MLB over the last month. In a matter of a month, two (probably three) perfect games have been pitched. In the previous 100 plus years, this happened only eighteen times (and only once has it happened twice in a season).
This year in baseball could prove to be an historic one. Already, two perfect games have been pitched within a matter of three weeks and a third perfecto was stolen from Armando Galarraga last night. The announcers' reactions in this clip express the disbelief and amazement felt by all at the poor call.
However, it appears as though Bud Selig will be changing the call and this could be the catalyst for instant replay in baseball. The true major American sports already contain some sort of replay.
Another interesting note comes from the Florida Marlins, now selling tickets to last week's perfect game pitched by Roy Halladay. Want to be included in the attendance for the 20th perfect game ever? They may still be available.
Finally, let's consider the occurrences within the MLB over the last month. In a matter of a month, two (probably three) perfect games have been pitched. In the previous 100 plus years, this happened only eighteen times (and only once has it happened twice in a season).
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