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So I’m reading some recent posts on Matt Yglesias’ eponymous blog tonight and he mentions a new book that he’s been working on. Apparently the legal working title for the as yet unnamed project is, The Untitled Matthew Yglesias Foreign Policy Project. Through a Jonah Goldberg mashup of sorts, Matt produces the subhead, A Very Serious, Thoughtful Argument that has Never Been Made in Such Detail or with Such Care. Funny.

A few lines down in the comments, readers Jackmormon and JP link to a conversation that suggests the best title ever. Seriously, game over - the search is done. Mr. Yglesias you have your book title, and I’ve taken the liberty of creating the dust jacket for it. Let me know where to send the artwork

It perfectly sums up the unrewarding work the country faces in the post Bush era.

How do we unshit the bed?

Global Inheritance introduces the Feed Your Roots composting initiative at the 4th annual Roots Jam pre-Grammy party at the Key Club in Hollywood.

Today’s LA Times has an interesting article about a recent surge of interest in generating electricity from the sea. Like most renewable energy alternatives, this is an idea that has existed for quite a long time, but has been all but ignored domestically while European interests have developed and installed the technology.

The big upside to this article is that it appears in the Business section, which means there is finally some movement on research and development here in the States. There are some good statistics in the article, but this is the point I wanted to focus on:

Although wave power doesn’t create pollution, that doesn’t mean environmentalists and others don’t have concerns. Questions have been raised about potential harm to marine life, the coastline, fishing and boating operations and ocean views. (emphasis mine)

It just brings to mind the Cape Cod wind energy project that sent the Kennedy family, and neighbors from the surrounding estates, into a shameful hissy fit of NIMBYism masquerading as environmental concern. While I appreciate that environmentalists will have legitimate concerns regarding the impact of any project that will alter what is essentially “undeveloped land”, lets agree to call bullshit where it’s appropriate.

When “Option A” is burning more fossil fuels, relying on aging nuclear plants, exporting money to regimes that are best not supported, etc. - all of which adversely effects the entire planet, and “Option B” is a small localized group of private land owners having a wind farm 8 miles out to sea “obstruct” their views , the latter is the only patriotic choice.

Suck it up Malibu - it’s your civic duty.

Considerably more ambitious than the standard plywood sheet nailed to a strong branch, no? An inspired designer on Vancouver Island is manufacturing these candy-like orbs of sitka spruce…

Aesthetically, somewhere between Sid Mead’s work on 2001 and the forest moon of Endor, these spheres are certainly visually striking. The high end Eryn models are crafted from bent laminated spruce wood that is layered with woven fiberglass, covered in epoxy and finished with luxuries like a cast bronze door, and the trappings of a motel kitchenette. For the budget minded, a cast fiberglass version is available sans amenities.

Speaking of budget, expect to part with $150,000 to live amongst the trees in luxury, or $45,000 if you’re not keeping up with the Jones’. Seems expensive until you consider real estate prices in LA. Although with a 126″ diameter, when you consider square footage - that probably is LA prices… Better still for $150 a night ($275 for 2 nights), the Eryn Sphere is about as much as decent hotel room - with a better view.

Free Spirit Spheres

Like stumbling upon an undeveloped roll of film you thought had been lost on vacation years ago, here is a clip of Social Distortion playing at CBGB in NYC circa 1992. The show was filmed and simulcast live to the “big screen” in Times Square - back before the entire corridor morphed into one big continuous television.

True story - after the show, I came out of CBs, hailed a cab right away - no problem, hopped into the back seat and the driver say he just saw me on the JumboTron in Times Square. Friends called from California who saw it picked up on MTV news.

And now, some 15 years later - i finally get to see the clip. I love you internet.

Crap quality, but if you look closely, I’m the tall long hair in a sea of rockabilly punks

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fpiaz3nfpw]