Powell endorses Obama for president

Colin Powell is a respected figure in America and in American history. I have always felt that Powell has been the social conscious in the Bush Administration, at best under the circumstances.

Powell tells it straight, with honesty, and with great concern for the conscious and future of America.

I almost weeped with pride for Mr. Powell. I hope that those who maybe undecided look at this as a sign to do the right thing for America.

30 Day Carbon Footprint Challenge

For 30 days I'm going to significantly reduce my carbon footprint by doing the following:

1. Walk to local places around the community within 4 miles. (Markets, etc)
2. Use local transit for distances more than 4 miles.
3. Use regional tranist (Metro rail) to get to places more than 8 miles.
4. Cutting plastic bag use from market shopping.
5. Requesting recyclable materials from establishments I frequent.

At the end of the 30 days, I will total the miles walked, travel using public transit, use of recyclables and calculate my carbon footprint.

"The Sounds of the Smiths". Compliation Release

I was always reluctant to purchase compilation releases, especially unsanctioned. However, I'm certainly going to acquire this Smiths compilation and possibly the box set.

I grew up with the Smiths. As my karate students and karate peers in the 80s would attest, the dojo was filled with Smith tunes before classes. I was in about 8th grade when I was introduced to the Smiths by my elder brother who was attending Whittier College and active with college radio. All my formats where on tapes and I had warn the hell out of them till they stretched and winned.

The sounds of my youth!

From Manchester United to Westham to Millwall: Where's your Hooligan Pride?

Moz cant be loyal to one crew? May the best hooligans win.

No One Likes Us, No One Likes Us, No One Likes Us – We Don't Care! (Millwall)

Yosemite National Park via Amtrak

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint trekking to Yosemite via Amtrak is an excellent way to do so. Conscious if the many motor vehicles that burn fuel and spout exhaust throughout the beautiful national park, I wanted to reduce my own carbon footprint. Amtrak.

The Route
With backpack gear and all, Norwalk Metro Greenline Station (Blueline to Redline) to Union Station Downtown Los Angeles. Board Amtrak thruway bus (spacious I might add) to Bakersfield. Board Amtrak Train to Merced. Merced board YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transit) to Curry Village where the adventure really begins. Lou from YARTS was very cool and friendly. I missed my bus back at Curry Village (coming down from the backcountry) but Lou picked me up and gave me a ride to the Lodge where I met my bus. Thanks Lou!

The connecting Train and busses are cordinated well and no worry in missing connections because Amtrak assures that (they own the busses, to from Bakersfield and LA). Very smooth.

I offset my carbon footprint. By car I would have burned 0.200 tonnes: 772 miles.

By rail burned 0.075 tonnes of carbon: 772 miles

If it were up to me, I would close access to motor vehicles and restrict access only to busses and shuttles. If.