Sunday, December 28th, 2008
I just got off the phone with my brother. It’s like talking to myself. No, he doesn’t always copy me, he’s just a lot like me. Or, I’m a lot like him. He’s a few years older, but I’m taller, so I call him “little brother.”
Anyway, we were talking about how damn dark it is outside. I almost screamed. He gets an extra half hour of light at the end of the day, but that wasn’t what I was getting mad at. I was hating the dark - period. What is up with this? Why don’t the “people in charge” just give us daylight savings time all year round? I mean, seriously, who would care?
I was telling him that my ideal situation would be mowing the lawn at 9PM. Now, that’s what I’m talking about. I want it to get dark at around 10PM. I want to be drinking a beer, watching the sun go down when all the little kiddies in the town have been asleep for an hour already.
These days feel so short. I know they’re not, but what in the world am I supposed to do with all this darkness? My logical mind tells me to find something to do in the dark. Yeah, right. What does everyone else do? That’s what I’d like to know. What in the world does everyone in this world do during winter? Is it me, or is the vast majority of our population sitting on the couch from 6PM to 11PM watching TV to only fall asleep a few minutes later? Does it feel like ground hog day all winter for everyone?
Boy, I’m on a tear tonight. I think it’s because when I got off the phone, the clock read 9:56PM. I thought it was around 7PM. Almost 3 hours of my life just disappeared. I’m not going to get those hours back folks, and I blame this darkness for it.
Sunshine, I know I cursed you in the summer, but I’m sorry. I want you back. Please give me another chance.
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Posted in Ramblings, Winter | 7 Comments »
Friday, November 7th, 2008
The World’s Largest Concentrated Solar Project
Earlier today, concentrated solar company SolFocus announced that it has signed a deal to install over 10 MW of its systems in Spain for EMPE Solar. Upon its completion in 2010, the $103 million, multi-site project will be the largest concentrated solar deployment in the world. Provides energy for 40,000 homes.
New Coating= Solar Panels Harvest 96% of Available Sunshine
A new type of reflective coating can make solar panels far more efficient, soaking up nearly all available sunlight from nearly any angle. Current solar panels — which convert energy from the sun into electricity — absorb only about two-thirds of available sunlight.
Solar Cells Set New Performance Mark
Researchers are reporting the highest efficiency ever for one type of solar cells in a breakthrough that could lead to more widespread use of solar energy.
Trees Are Nature’s Climate Air Conditioners, Study Finds
If you’re reading this, I probably don’t need to waste my time trying to convince you that trees are great. They absorb carbon dioxide, they can be used to power small remote sensors and they’re pretty darn nice to look at too. Now a new study by a team of scientists from Germany and the UK has discovered another beneficial property…
Millennial Youth to Take Over America’s Environment?
Generation We is new to me. Have you heard of it? It’s the Millennial Generation of Americans born between the years 1978 and 2000. They are being hailed as the next “greatest generation.” I take just a liitle offense to that statement, being GenX myself.
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Posted in Current Events, Environment | No Comments »
Monday, October 13th, 2008
I must say, it really is.
I was driving up to Manchester this afternoon when I noticed how brilliant the trees looked. It’s mostly the Maples, Birches and Hickorys. Their leaves are really getting bright. I see mostly orange, red and yellow. The Oaks are still green.
After I got back, I took a little stroll up the driveway. I even took a few pictures for you.
Now, those are some pretty leaves, right?
Ok, I will admit the nice leaves aren’t the only reason I am writing this post. The new pile of fire wood is.
For the past few days, I have been working to build a new pile of fire wood. I took three piles out from under the porch and moved them next to my other pile, out in the sunshine. Having the wood stacked under the porch wasn’t doing it any favors in the way of drying out. I compared the older fire wood that was under the porch to the newer (greener) fire wood that was stacked outside and the outside wood was much dryer. I also took down an Oak tree to add to the pile.
I know, I know, I did a lousy job at stacking the right side, but it was a bit tricky. Part of the tree wasn’t available to go right up against because the other pile was there. I did my best.
I really like the wood when it’s split, no matter how small it is. It dries faster and burns better. The only problem is my ax. It is too big. It’s more like a maul than an ax. It is quite heavy and better for splitting larger pieces of wood with a full swing.
With this in mind, I went out and grabbed a thinner ax. Something that will slice right through the smaller pieces of Maple, Hickory, Birch and Oak. Here is my new ax…
Ax with fiberglass handle
You might notice that I have already used it a few times. These things get beat up pretty fast.
Well, there you have it…my morning events.
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Posted in Autumn, Home Improvement | No Comments »
