Fuel Cells

So, where is my fuel cell? Ten years ago they were supposedly ten years away.

I could deal with the drought two ways with a fuel cell. I could (quietly!) generate electricity for my air conditioner, heat my hot water, and produce my own water (though probably not enough to whet my lawn’s thirst). Sadly, without using hydrogen as a fuel the cell would produce carbon dioxide in the process, so it wouldn’t otherwise help on the green front.

So, why aren’t residential fuel cells on the market yet?

Anita Roddick

Just found out that Anita Roddick, founder of the Wake Forest-based, eco-friendly Body Shop store chain, died yesterday of a massive brain hemorrhage. Roddick, dubbed the “Queen of Green,” was a long-time eco-activist who also maintained a frank and entertaining blog.

A few connections to Roddick and The Body Shop: I applied for an IT job at The Body Shop a few months ago, one of her books was published by Kelly’s former publishing company (Charlesbridge), and my mom once interviewed with Roddick for a job as Roddick’s administrative assistant. My mom called it a memorable interview and I can see why!

Roddick was quite a woman.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is my eight-year wedding anniversary. Life just keeps getting better.

Happy anniversary, Sweetie!

Back From VA

We got back this afternoon from Virginia and DC after a tremendously fun weekend. We visited Kelly’s parents, left our happy kids with them and then had a blast at the wedding last night. Kelly works as an editor and one of her long-time authors, Maya Ajmera, married David Hollander last night in an Indian and Jewish ceremony. Two weddings for the price of one! Kelly and I agreed it was the most fun we’ve had attending a wedding. The dancing and drumming was infectious, the food was fantastic, and the drinks were plentiful. It wasn’t long before everyone was enjoying themselves! It was fun to catch up with Kelly’s former Charlesbridge colleagues, too. I know now what made it such a great place to work.
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In Virginia

We’re spending the morning with Kelly’s parents in Warrenton before Kelly and I leave the kids with them and head to DC for a wedding this afternoon. We’ll stay overnight in DC at a fancy hotel before heading south again.

Been a while since we’ve been to a wedding, this one Kelly’s boss’s. Should be fun!

Cheap Thoughts: Craigslist

After responding to a few ads on Craigslist and receiving no response I’ve hit upon the fundamental problem with free ad services: the seller has no “skin in the game.” Since the seller’s cost to post is free, he or she has nothing at stake and therefore doesn’t feel as compelled to respond to queries as he or she might when using paid ad services.

Maybe the problem is that email is too easy to ignore. Perhaps if Craigslist offered a better way of contacting sellers this could be alleviated.