TWSS #2

"These taste like old nuts" -Mom

called by Luke

Climate Soap Box

Because climate change will effect everyone.

This image comes from a post on one of my favorite blogs, Climate Progress. It demonstrates the 4 possible scenarios we face with climate change.
Because it seems hard to read, let me summarize the 4 scenarios:

1. Early and rapid decline starting in 2010. 47% decreases in current emissions levels. 2.1-2.8C temperature rise by 2100. NOTICE: this still results in a global rise in temperature
2. Early but slow decline starting in 2010. Emissions to 1990 levels by 2050. 2.9-3.8C temperature rise by 2100.
3. Late and slow decline starting in 2030. 76% increase in emissions by 2050. 4-5.2C temperature rise by 2100.
4. Business as usual. 137% increase in emissions by 2050. 5.5-7.1C temperature rise by 2100.

And as it is so eloquently put:

The consequences of 5.5°C warming by 2100, which Hadley says is "likely" on our current emissions path are all but unimaginable — mass extinction, devastating ocean acidification, brutal summer-long heat waves, rapidly rising sea levels, widespread desertification. But they are rarely studied or articulated by scientists who can’t imagine humanity would be so stupid as to let this happen. I have tried to piece them together from the scientific literature.

More to come!
[Climate Progress]

Shame, shame, shame

So in an effort to not only have posts about weed, masturbation, and sex in my first ten posts, my next... let's say... at least 4 posts will not contain such vulgar material and will instead steer towards the true direction of this blog.

I hope millions of Californians are out there questioning their vote on Election Day to ban gay marriage in our state. In an all to predictable move, the "Yes on 8" group has moved to nullify the 18,000 marriages performed during the short time they were legal. It makes me sick. I can't even begin to wonder who thought this was a good idea. If lines weren't drawn in the sand already -- they are now.

The Courage Campaign (if you live in CA and even if you don't and support gay marriage please sign their growing petition) collected and posted a number of pictures to put faces to the people whose rights will be violated should this legal maneuvering succeed. Check it out here.

Also, because he is much more articulate than I am, if you haven't seen John Stewart spar with Mick Huckabee on the Daily Show, check it out here.

[Courage Campaign]

Target Acquired

Too funny not to post:Because it seems difficult to read, it says "Help reform marijuana laws."
[ImageShack]

Overheard In DC

While a full update of my trip DC will be following shortly. Here is a brief snippet. This is in the same vein as "Overheard in NY", but it was too good a quote to pass up.

Tough looking black dude to his smaller, nerdier black hipster friend:

"You know what really sucks, when you think Lollipop is coming on but then it's the Lollipop Remix"

Drunken Ramblings

Watching The Dark Knight on Blue-Ray is like watching God masturbate!

Fitness

I just want to take a moment and say something positive about the Wii Fit. Being unbelievably lazy this morning, I reset my 8am alarm, for 9am, which I then reset for 9:15. After attempting to get going, including actually leaving bed -- I said screw it, I am not going to the gym this morning, and went back to sleep until 10. This is the very gym membership I bought last night for $49, and promised I would get the most out of.

After my alarm finally woke me up, I headed downstairs and started up the family's Wii Fit. After the set-up I did some yoga and general aerobics. Let me be specific -- I played the Hula Hoop game, knowing from previous experience the intense ab workout that comes with it. I am not joking. Intense ab workout. I then moved to the yoga position. Now for someone who has thought about joining a yoga group (for two reasons: 1) I am not a body builder and like the idea of yoga as an agent for toning muscle groups, and 2) to meet the women who participate in yoga) it was a nice introduction to starting positions and something I will continue to use while I am home. Especially if I am this lazy every morning.

Now off to DC!