Bike World | 3 April 2013

<div id="posttext" style="text-align: justify;"><b>World 1363</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghupB1IQ4YEToRLH3iMAUbUj1OodKq49p9DISV-MfFBrjij415daEFcgfyBDC2_bY71b6wXgucZQ7CriSytJOkufyDkwdHcKPWxe3X41k1qMoA4GmQs9cJsAazMQTmbFyGgvGS_tgTu8I/s1600/20130322_0005-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghupB1IQ4YEToRLH3iMAUbUj1OodKq49p9DISV-MfFBrjij415daEFcgfyBDC2_bY71b6wXgucZQ7CriSytJOkufyDkwdHcKPWxe3X41k1qMoA4GmQs9cJsAazMQTmbFyGgvGS_tgTu8I/s1600/20130322_0005-1.jpg" width="853" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9AaBGY5NgkpP2MNmcThg-LdyddAKUMK1mN2v3-ZAiIZubH-nLGyryki4R5v2ea0GABnU7bo-DwbNGEdNCIpybPu-EssZp11a_LilP0iABYObTmx-Ktv0zIK2VqhnqR711wjG7kWwmQ4/s1600/20130322_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9AaBGY5NgkpP2MNmcThg-LdyddAKUMK1mN2v3-ZAiIZubH-nLGyryki4R5v2ea0GABnU7bo-DwbNGEdNCIpybPu-EssZp11a_LilP0iABYObTmx-Ktv0zIK2VqhnqR711wjG7kWwmQ4/s1600/20130322_0011.jpg" width="853" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5Nyl1-C7DqLTp9XAeU7P2N_RkuW7JO8MHePUY3w4CbgmVQ2M7FOAm-Gt8YW8T7P80u4CRROn_v9c3ouKAr_mClhvo5RHTlihBJjsdvxDjeUfDBbUAZJZlyrKxzBlZK1P9VaGywrkqnk/s1600/20130322_0003-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5Nyl1-C7DqLTp9XAeU7P2N_RkuW7JO8MHePUY3w4CbgmVQ2M7FOAm-Gt8YW8T7P80u4CRROn_v9c3ouKAr_mClhvo5RHTlihBJjsdvxDjeUfDBbUAZJZlyrKxzBlZK1P9VaGywrkqnk/s1600/20130322_0003-1.jpg" width="853" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hpdEv_6Xsq0P0SaFqtqMtjsmroipnOAngBhhjEqnNjGkVhR13IiFAmvbpl4nnC7TdEO7N3hWGzSsgR1PWQK0fI9p6mW474563kbnXcrW3Z688m4a51JjJxqNRFcEFyEbQ7n1YeJXyb4/s1600/20130331_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hpdEv_6Xsq0P0SaFqtqMtjsmroipnOAngBhhjEqnNjGkVhR13IiFAmvbpl4nnC7TdEO7N3hWGzSsgR1PWQK0fI9p6mW474563kbnXcrW3Z688m4a51JjJxqNRFcEFyEbQ7n1YeJXyb4/s1600/20130331_0012.jpg" width="853" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlu-V2u2zloLjKnxpCwSZkX5u5ogmeZ93mJKq4dYT4N500OP2hDoX4Sh_2k2SIg3NqWjEnMdN5DJMWsbKXko39ZOFc2UQzVYIwFaBe9WGtjAGc0zNVO5NUM_OU4Tj0hTlCe9sFtlFk_4/s1600/20130403_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlu-V2u2zloLjKnxpCwSZkX5u5ogmeZ93mJKq4dYT4N500OP2hDoX4Sh_2k2SIg3NqWjEnMdN5DJMWsbKXko39ZOFc2UQzVYIwFaBe9WGtjAGc0zNVO5NUM_OU4Tj0hTlCe9sFtlFk_4/s1600/20130403_0004.jpg" width="853" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8jQfPLAwjtjMgepzVxPzVLsFqw4IX2PpqkCAhrk9E323atxWiqaFtz2S0stOhMIrEXxPUmoIkdNZlAoAUqPXBS7dWweybvd7_43ZSumxL__xaK3J-IDlZknkWSGAnDh74xnqAvfe9uo/s1600/20130331_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="853" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8jQfPLAwjtjMgepzVxPzVLsFqw4IX2PpqkCAhrk9E323atxWiqaFtz2S0stOhMIrEXxPUmoIkdNZlAoAUqPXBS7dWweybvd7_43ZSumxL__xaK3J-IDlZknkWSGAnDh74xnqAvfe9uo/s1600/20130331_0003.jpg" width="853" /></a></div>

Bike World | 3 April 2013

World 1363 …

Read more »

Now You See Me

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CNfiXZzmhjw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Now You See Me

…

Read more »

The Science of Cats

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PoGXr6hUTD4?rel=0" width="853"></iframe><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/AsapSCIENCE?feature=watch" target="_blank">AsapSCIENCE</a></div>

The Science of Cats

AsapSCIENCE …

Read more »

Trash Police

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xy3vUj6KfWc?rel=0" width="853"></iframe><br /><br /><div id="posttext" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2000566/Smile-Youre-bin-cam-The-snooping-device-record-throw-away.html" target="blank"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Daily Mail</span></b></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">H</span><b>ave you ever done through someone else’s trash? <a href="http://di.ncl.ac.uk/bincam/" target="_blank">BinCam</a> uses camera phones fixed to the inside of kitchen bin lids and equipped with sensors so they take a picture every time the lid is closed.</b><br /><br />The pictures are posted on Facebook so that others taking part in the experiment can see what their neighbours have thrown away.<br /><br />A weekly score is calculated for each bin, and as the amounts of food waste and recyclable materials in the bins decrease, households earn gold bars and leaves.</div>

Trash Police

Daily MailHave you ever done through someone else’s trash? BinCam uses camera phones fixed to the inside of kitchen bin lids and equipped with sensors so they take a picture every time the lid is closed.The pictures are posted on Facebook so that others taking part in the experiment can see what the…

Read more »

Bitcoin Booms

<script src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.js?embedCode=xuMW9jYTroA2NwzzdEGpKMU179n2QcTy&playerBrandingId=8a7a9c84ac2f4e8398ebe50c07eb2f9d&width=853&deepLinkEmbedCode=xuMW9jYTroA2NwzzdEGpKMU179n2QcTy&height=480&thruParam_bloomberg-ui[popOutButtonVisible]=FALSE"></script><br /><br /><div id="posttext" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/04/the-future-of-bitcoin.html" target="blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The New Yorker</span></b></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span> <b>number of panicked Europeans appear to have reckoned the wildly volatile, vulnerable, and tiny bitcoin market a preferable alternative to their own banking system, even if temporary, this signals a serious widening of the cracks between the northern and southern E.U. countries in the wake of the euro-zone debt crisis. It also illustrates the broader collapse of trust that is threatening the world of global banking and fiat money.</b><br /><br />The weakness in existing currencies stems from lack of faith in institutions—particularly central banks, which are often in league with commercial and investment banks. When a government bails out a failed bank or insurance company—in essence, by printing money—the net effect is that the currency as a whole is debased, in favor of a few and at the literal expense of everyone else, which amounts to a fair description of today’s global financial system. Hence the sudden appeal of bitcoins, which appear, for the moment, at least, to be immune to the machinations of inept or crooked bankers and politicians. Continue reading at <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/04/the-future-of-bitcoin.html" target="blank">The New Yorker</a>.</div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_t39jCXXIrY?rel=0" width="853"></iframe>

Bitcoin Booms

The New YorkerA number of panicked Europeans appear to have reckoned the wildly volatile, vulnerable, and tiny bitcoin market a preferable alternative to their own banking system, even if temporary, this signals a serious widening of the cracks between the northern and southern E.U. countries in th…

Read more »

EWICON | Bladeless Wind Mills

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tqksCHWROBU?rel=0" width="853"></iframe><br /><br /><div id="posttext" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.mecanoo.nl/Default.aspx?tabid=116&DetailId=847&pcode=A498" target="blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Mecanoo</span></b></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span><b>he EWICON (short for Electrostatic WIndenergy CONvertor) is a wind mill without moving parts, designed by Mecanoo. The result: greatly reduced wear and tear, lower maintenance costs and zero noise pollution or shadow casting. The EWICON can be installed on land or sea, and can also be integrated on to the roof of a tall building.</b><br /><br />The EWICON has an abstract appearance with a flowing steel frame in the shape of a squared -0- supporting a framework of horizontal steel tubes. Within this framework, electrically charged water droplets are created and blown away by the wind. The movement of the droplets creates an electric current, which can be passed on to the grid.<br /><br />While traditional wind mills are not feasible in cities, EWICONs can be installed near or on existing buildings.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu49pNr3-anQQFegC7dT9KqV8yZWOdeWb447jMaDu1v6Dr2PyDsV0R5XVF6PRcFSDEET4a4491jVKclCl45FyNvX6HgFgEPvzflPq_CUaCW8SW2uHDC65anWlxq8VmfPvKME7PEV0NCc/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu49pNr3-anQQFegC7dT9KqV8yZWOdeWb447jMaDu1v6Dr2PyDsV0R5XVF6PRcFSDEET4a4491jVKclCl45FyNvX6HgFgEPvzflPq_CUaCW8SW2uHDC65anWlxq8VmfPvKME7PEV0NCc/s1600/1.jpg" width="853" /></a></div><br />

EWICON | Bladeless Wind Mills

MecanooThe EWICON (short for Electrostatic WIndenergy CONvertor) is a wind mill without moving parts, designed by Mecanoo. The result: greatly reduced wear and tear, lower maintenance costs and zero noise pollution or shadow casting. The EWICON can be installed on land or sea, and can also be integr…

Read more »

Awkwafina | My Vag

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z726OPwCnjE?rel=0" width="853"></iframe>

Awkwafina | My Vag

…

Read more »

Fountain Pen Purchase: Real-Time Thoughts, Part 3

This is Part 3 of a series of posts related to the engaging topic of a new fountain pen that I'm planning to acquire. Part 1 is <a href="http://dailyacquisition.blogspot.com/2013/03/fountain-pen-purchase-real-time.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and Part 2 is <a href="http://dailyacquisition.blogspot.com/2013/03/fountain-pen-purchase-real-time_7878.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />I've decided to get the Sailor Professional Gear Matte Black version rather than the Imperial Black version, for the following reasons:<br /><br />1. Unless I'm mistaken, the nibs are identical other than the final plating scheme. So the actual real-world writing experience should be identical with both pens.<br /><br />2. Although I really like the "none more black" color scheme of the Imperial Black version, I fear that it may be a passing phase and that I'll grow to dislike the black plated nib in a few years or decades. In contrast, the standard two-tone nib that comes with the Matte Black version is more traditional, and I'm sure that its aesthetics will hold up over time. Plus, my son prefers the two-tone nib over the black plated nib of the Imperial Black version, and he's a smart kid.<br /><br />3. Cost. I believe that the Matte Black version has a lower acquisition cost than the Imperial Black version. Yeah, I know that the Imperial Black version is a special "limited edition" and all that, but see Reason 1 above. I'm struggling with the idea of paying more for the purely ornamental design features of the Imperial Black. It doesn't seem practical (although, buying another fountain pen at this time is far from practical).<br /><br />OK, so a Sailor Professional Gear Matte Black fountain pen will be in my possession soon. I just need to decide on a nib size/type. This is NOT an easy task for me because Sailor makes a wide variety of <a href="http://www.sailorpen.com/nibs.html" target="_blank">standard nibs</a> and a number of crazy <a href="http://www.sailorpen.com/nagahara-story.html" target="_blank">specialty nibs</a>. I'm leaning toward a standard Medium or Medium-Fine nib, and I'm intrigued by the Naginata Togi specialty nib (but am not seriously considering it). I have learned enough about fountain pens to know that the actual line width of a "Medium" size nib can vary quite a bit from one manufacturer to another. Moreover, a general rule of thumb is that a given sized Japanese nib will be smaller than the same sized Western nib. For example, a "Medium" size nib from Pilot, Platinum, or Sailor (the big three Japanese brands) will be close to a "Fine" size nib from Pelikan, Kaweco, or Waterman.<br /><br />I own or have used the following: Lamy Vista (Extra Fine); Lamy Vista (Fine); Pelikan M205 (Extra Fine); Pilot Custom Heritage 91 (Fine); and Pilot Varsity (Medium). Although I usually prefer narrow line widths, I love how smooth and wet the Pilot Varsity nib writes. For this reason, and for the sake of variety, I'm not really looking for another Fine or Extra Fine nib for the Sailor Professional Gear. If I can find a vendor with a reasonably priced Matte Black in Medium-Fine, then it's a done deal. Otherwise, I'll probably just get the Matte Black in Medium and hope that the nib size is a winner.<br /><br />I better wrap up this post before I change my mind and start looking at the Nakaya Piccolo again.<br /><br /><a href="http://dailyacquisition.blogspot.com/2013/03/fountain-pen-purchase-real-time_7878.html" target="_blank">Back to Part 2</a>; <a href="http://dailyacquisition.blogspot.com/2013/03/fountain-pen-purchase-real-time.html" target="_blank">Way back to Part 1</a>

Fountain Pen Purchase: Real-Time Thoughts, Part 3

This is Part 3 of a series of posts related to the engaging topic of a new fountain pen that I'm planning to acquire. Part 1 is here, and Part 2 is here.I've decided to get the Sailor Professional Gear Matte Black version rather than the Imperial Black version, for the following reasons:1. Unless I'…

Read more »