Events

New Scientist is reporting this hour on findings published today in the journal Nature, showing a 30% reduction in warm-water flows in the Atlantic Gulf Stream. This is a long-predicted effect of global warming, similar to changes in the flow that may have caused the so-called "mini ice-age" of the 14th and 15th centuries—and the major ice age of 110,000 years ago. Not to be alarmist or anything, but this news is the climatic equivalent of seeing fifteen "for sale" signs on your block. It shows that...

I just got a voice message from the National Republican Campaign Committee, asking for survey input. As a matter of fact, I do have some ideas for the 2006 campaign... Heh.

The National Hurricane Center just a few minutes ago released this report: ...TROPICAL STORM EPSILON...THE 26TH NAMED STORM OF THE 2005 ATLANTIC SEASON...FORMS OVER THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC OCEAN... AT 11 AM AST...1500Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM EPSILON WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 31.6 NORTH... LONGITUDE 50.4 WEST OR ABOUT 845 MILES...1360 KM...EAST OF BERMUDA AND ABOUT 1395 MILES...2245 KM... WEST OF THE AZORES ISLANDS. For those of you keeping score at home, this means we've seen 7 more named storms...

Anne writes: I told the credit card woman that it was because I was boycotting J. Crew because they sell fur. She actually had the nerve to say, "I can assure you that the fur that we sell comes from reputable breeders and not from animal destruction." I think that was off-script, huh? I just said, "I think by definition it comes from animal destruction." I encourage everyone who is getting J. Crew's catalogs to call (800) 562-0258 and ask to be taken off their lists--and be sure to tell them why. I...

I just finished Garbage Land, leaving only about a dozen books on my reading stack right now. Highlights: Why is this in the Software category? Because better wetware means better software. It's important to read widely in order to write better, whether your language is English or C#. Read as much as you can, about anything that interests you. Limit your professional reading to 50% of your total no matter what (but shoot for 25%). The more you know about things outside your profession, the more you can...

The owners of this property in Carmel, Calif., wanted to build a starter castle. The California Coastal Commission generally doesn't allow new building in coastal communities, especially ugly starter castles. So the dude decided to "remodel" his existing home: Apparently, this fits the definition of "remodeling" in Monterey County, believe it or not. The CCC, however, required him to take 4 m (12.5 ft) off the top of his proposed refit, so it will wind up being only 3 stories tall. Gotta draw the line...

What I'm reading right now (and what Anne can't wait to borrow):

It appears we're finally going to have an impartial, thorough investigation into the run-up to the Iraq war, conducted by an governmental organization with the power and motivation to do it right: the U.K. House of Commons. That's what happens when you have a 36% approval rating.

Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn writes today that we should move Thanksgiving into October: Major holidays, like meals and vacations from work and school, should be as neatly spaced as practical. As it is, Thanksgiving both crowds the Christmas season and creates a long slog of days for most of us from early September until the end of November. Thanksgiving in October would mean no need to surf the Web fretfully on Saturday evening wondering if you'll make it back home the next day or if you'll...

Yesterday in Chicago: Today in Carmel, California: I should also point out the current weather in both locations: Chicago: -8°C (18°F) but the 52 km/h (33 mph) wind gusts make it fee colder than -18°C (-1°F) Carmel: 11°C (51°F) but the gentle onshore breeze makes it a little foggy at the ocean This is why I love traveling.