applznorngz

http://www.mnstories.com/error.php?type=video_missing

Rated Feb 08 2009 • 0 reviews • videos, minnesota • mnstories.com

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Pearl Fisher Games

Rated Feb 05 2009 • 0 reviews • online games • pearlfishergame.com

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Ts Contrapunctus

Rated Feb 05 2009 • 1 review • music, sound • blogspot.com

Well now, here's an interesting blog for anyone interested in Music as Sound.
Description from the page: "I try to treat music the way photographers treat the world: Depending on the angle, depending on what you can do with it, there's lots of amazing things you can capture in all sorts of music. This is an attempt at sharing music that can be enjoyed, respected, and learned from... no matter what style of music you prefer."
I found it while googling info about the "Postal Workers Canceling Stamps" work song that is making the rounds. (Which I'll post in the next item.)
He covers anything relating to sound as music or music as sound.  Random sampling of his entries include the Men's Shouting Choir of Finland (MIESKUORO HUUTAJAT --surrealism at its very best), Evelyn Glennie (deaf soloist-percussionist), and similarities in chord progressions in top 40's hits. Lots to learn here... Have fun. (Be sure and try out Ben Franklin's Armonica.)

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Minnesota's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Start to Decline |...

Rated Feb 04 2009 • 1 review • environment, minnesota • solveclimate.com

Minnesota's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Start to Decline

It's not much but it's going in the right direction.    Three reasons are cited and they're all state legislated. 
1.  "The first is the Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) that requires the state's utility companies to dedicate a portion of their revenues for projects that reduce the consumption of electricity and natural gas. The CIP program was stiffened in 2007 so that starting in 2010 utilities must reduce consumption annually by 1.5 percent of the utility's annual retail sales."
2.  "The second large source of reductions is Minnesota's Renewable Energy Standard. Established in 2001 and ratcheted up in subsequent years, the standard has brought clean energy to the state at a fast pace. Minnesota now ranks No. 4 in the nation in installed wind capacity. By 2020, Xcel, the state's largest utility, must deliver 30% of its power from clean sources; other utilities must deliver 20%. Thornton says renewables will be a major contributor stabilizing and reducing the state's emissions going forward. "
3.  "The third source of reductions that is highlighted in the report is the biggest. Called MERP for Metropolitan Emissions Reduction Project, the program essentially makes it easier for utilities to retire, replace, or improve dirty coal-burning power plants and thereby substantially reduce emissions. The MERP program allows utilities to propose emissions reductions projects to the state. If, after scrutiny, they get the green light, they can go ahead with the project knowing they can pass on the cost of improvements to ratepayers without going through rate case hearings. "

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Obama Lays Out Limits on Executive Pay - WSJ.com

Rated Feb 04 2009 • 1 review • business, economy • wsj.com

Yes! Enough of welfare to Corporations! The Republicans should be Happy! But, they're not.
From page: "Under the new rules, companies that receive "exceptional assistance" from taxpayers may not pay any top executive more than $500,000 a year, an administration official said. Any additional compensation would have to be in restricted stock that will not vest until taxpayers have been repaid, the official said.

This goes beyond current rules, which bar such companies from taking a tax deduction for compensation above half a million dollars.

Moreover, all banks receiving help will face tougher restrictions, including new rules limiting "golden parachutes" and requirements that shareholders have a say on compensation for top executives, so-called "say on pay" policies. Specifically, senior executive compensation plans and rationale must be submitted to a non-binding shareholder resolution.

All banks will face tougher disclosure rules, which will affect spending on matter such as aviation services, office renovations, entertainment and holiday parties, conferences and events, and golden parachutes."

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Obama: I screwed up - First Read - msnbc.com

Rated Feb 04 2009 • 1 review • politics • msn.com

from page: "Obama later added, "I'm here on television saying I screwed up, and that's part of the era of responsibility. It's not never making mistakes; it's owning up to them and trying to make sure you never repeat them and that's what we intend to do." He also offered one more mea culpa: "[S]o, did I screw up in this situation? Absolutely and I'm willing to take my lumps, you know that's part of the job here. But I think it's important not to paint a broad brush here, because overall, not only have we gotten in place a -- functioning government in record time -- but overall the quality of [the other appointments] are outstanding."
Expanding on Obama's apology. Really, this is no big deal to me... that's why these guys get looked at before they're confirmed. They still get to keep their jobs in Congress. Apparently the moral bar is set lower over there.
And what about the Republicans. If Bush was still prez, he would be pushing the same "stimulus packages", except there would only be corporate aid. And there would be screaming that the Dems were dragging their feet.

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MI Chief: Hamas upholding cease-fire, but...

Rated Feb 03 2009 • 1 review • middle east, gaza • haaretz.com

Just what happens every time. I find it unsurprising that Hamas is unable to stop every little group from blowing off a few rockets. If Israel was serious about negotiating for a peaceful settlement, they would continue to negotiate in good faith. But, they will take this as their reason to quit and instead kill 500 to a thousand more civilians. That should get rid of the terrorists once and for all.

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http://www.aarp.org/family/caregiving/gail_sheehy/intro_gs1/

Rated Jan 31 2009 • 1 review • aging, labyrinths • aarp.org

just adding this to my labyrinth collection.

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