twas fun!
http://earthquake-report.com/2012/01/27/earthquakes-list-january-27-2012/
Just look for “Northern Italy”…that’s our one…
I also updated the last post with an semi-related but interesting (and funny) podcast.
bigger, badder, longer, more!!!!!
January 27th, 2012 twas fun!
Good (and long) article on the economics of manufacturing…. (updated)
January 26th, 2012My impression is that a lot of americans think manufacturing is the key to america being “on top”…If I agreed with that premise (I don’t think american should be on top of anything) I don’t think manufacturing is their path forward…
I wish people (and the discussion, politics etc) would move on – and besides I think America already makes more “stuff” (shit, junk etc) than any other country…
I’m not a fan of protectionism (that’s not what the article is about, but those were the dots I connected)…Probably for different reasons than a lot of people (at least people in the states). I see it as the quickest route to worldwide equality…and in 200 years we can all have the same opportunities, education, culture, and language 
UPDATE: By complete chance I heard this today…Fills in the story a bit more. Funny and interesting about an american storyteller who went to some of the apple factories in China to talk to people. I don’t mind child labour in third world countries (as noted at towards the end), but he seemed to. Anyways, if you actually read that article you might find this interesting to get yet another piece of some puzzle.
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/454/mr-daisey-and-the-apple-factory
You can either click listen to stream the podcast or click download to save it for later or listen on your MP3 listening device…
the trucks…makes trouble!!!
January 25th, 2012Yesterday morning went to the commune to change my residence…Found out that my vespa had expired tags, and then went to ACI (the automotive agency thing) to pay for 2 years worth. Had a low tire, so had to get some air…Always a crappy day when you have to be so productive before you even get to work.
Today the trucks are on strike (see subject for the Italian explanation), so there are no gas stations open. My alimentari (small store) is a bit empty…I guess we’re all hoarding now 
.
and….today there was an earthquake. I guess it was about a richter 5, but it was a couple hundred kilometers away…We only felt it for about 10 seconds, but it’s always fun and a bit surreal. It’s been a few years since I’ve been through one…My thoughts immediately turned to a tsunami…I’ve got an escape route planned if it ever happens at home (The plan is…drive with the sea at my back and nose towards the mountain – I’m really clever), but since I was at the office there was no tsunami fear…
well, I don’t throw around the word superstar THAT often….
January 22nd, 2012Ok, so I don’t know where that one above came from…The one below is the real Chong…my favourite street performer in Frankfurt (make sure you watch all of it!!! Until he solos at least)….This was across the river from where I lived…You can see the Döm in the beginning….
Ah…I miss Frankfurt!!!!
Tinker. Tailor. Soldier. Spy.
January 21st, 2012Anyways, brit cold war spy film (I guess one could say). If you’re in a quiet mood for an espionage talky film (it’s not an action movie) you will probably like this!
Etta James – I’d rather go Blind
January 21st, 2012some pics that aren’t mine…
January 20th, 2012
supercoolKuangKuang!
January 18th, 2012(This is what I tell myself while I’m losing feeling in my hands on the way to work!).
So I’m recommending music to a chinese friend and I love it cuz she’s like a clean slate. She doesn’t know any of the bands or even styles that I’m rattling off. I’m deciding to post some here….
Good geek discussion…
January 13th, 2012I had nothing to do at work this afternoon, so I took the opportunity to just take half a day off…and the reward for dear reader is that you get to hear me talk about the weather (and also read that link)…
Uhhh…It hasn’t really rained since October. We had massive flooding then, and several dead bodies that floated their way to France. It’s been absolutely great since then. A colleague told me this has been the driest winter in 20 years (that’s purely anecdotal – I have no way to confirm that). There is no snow on the mountain (there was this time last year).
I guess the jet stream will change or is changing…after writing this boring entry I need a nap
Except that’s it’s almost 5 now, and I am wondering when the pizzeria opens…Might be time to go scavenging!
speak n’ spell
January 11th, 2012Did they ever make a speak N’ spell for Italians?
Boing Boing
GeekSpeak
Some angry guy…and all around good bloke.
This American Life podcast
Unhappy Hipsters