you know it's bad when...

Even Intel is avoiding Windows Vista. And one NH computer shop advertises "we remove Vista".

But they say that XP is finally being phased out. What next?

flower and garden show will return to Navy Pier

Good news! Next year's flower & garden show will be back at Navy Pier (3/7-3/15). Rosemont has never been a good location. It was always second rate compared to the previous shows at Navy Pier, so I'm really glad it will be back.

recycling compact fluorescent bulbs

Home Depot now accepts CFLs for recycling.

laughably out of place

John Barleycorn is one of my favorite Lincoln Park places. But would I want to see one in Bridgeport? No waaayyyy!!!! The idea is
replacing Jimbo's with John Barleycorn is too ridiculous to contemplate. Let the Sox fans have Jimbo's. We Cubs fans have
Barleycorn – on the north side.

funky Friday

Ryan Shaw is playing Taste of Chicago on Tuesday 7/1. Here's a taste of his fine tunes. Reminds me a bit of a young Stevie Wonder - lots of talent and energy.

Do the 45 (fun video)
Over and Done
Nobody

on your left

More people are getting out and riding their bikes and walking - on streets, on paths, everywhere. We need to do better at sharing these common spaces, co-existing safely. Some are strong believers in using some sort of signal, whether verbal (such as "on your left") or other sound. Others want everyone to slow down. Being more aware of one's surroundings would seem to be a good start. What's your $0.02 on this? Please leave comments.

CFLs, energy and mercury

I got an e-mail from a friend with a link to this video, featuring Rep. Ted Poe of Texas. I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at how determined this guy is to be clueless about the big energy picture. He trots out any possible fact on the CFL issue, ignoring the fact that using one CFL for its lifetime generates far less mercury (from the generation of the energy to power the bulb) than the bulb contains and that opportunities for dropping and breaking one are fairly rare, because the bulbs last so long. He sticks his head in the sand about America's "abundant natural resources," insisting that more be done to make use of them. Wake up, moron! Those resources aren't so abundant anymore. Of course, he's from Texas and he doesn't want to admit that the freewheeling days of the oil boom are nearly over for his state.

I'm aware of the EPA clean-up protocol for broken CFLs. However, they are fairly sturdy, much harder to break than a conventional light bulb. I've been using them for years and have never broken one.

What's your $0.02 on this?

safer pedestrians?

Will this effort to raise driver awareness keep pedestrians safer? What's your $0.02 on this? Please leave comments.

playing the building

David Byrne keeps amazing me with the cool, creative projects he's done. "Playing the Building" is a current one in NYC. I hope I get a chance to check this out while it's up.

cheers!

This new museum in Wisconsin sounds like a good excuse for a road trip.