utilizes a solar water heating system, a fresh air ventilation system, and a geothermal heat pump. Furthermore, energy efficient practices such as advance framing and spray foam insulation were employed during construction. The house is also equipped with recycled tile, high performance windows, and energy efficient appliances. This impressive list of features makes the home capable of producing more energy than it uses.
Tonight I went to listen to some stories from John Wood, the founder of a non-profit called Room To Read. He was sharing some stories about some experiences he's had in setting up schools in developing countries, and what kind of impact education can have. One of their main goals is to provide scholarships for young girls who would not otherwise get an education. By teaching girls, they not only improve their lives in the short term, but it makes them less likely to be subjugated later in life by their husbands. Also, educated women are likely to educate their children, which means the impact grows exponentially. Mr. Wood recently published a book about his journey, from a Microsoft exec to a nonprofit leader, and we received free copies. I'm looking forward to reading some inspiring tales of doing good, and would encourage everyone to check out Room to Read.
None of the buildings is more than eight storeys high. Turf and vegetation cover the roofs, a natural form of insulation that also recycles waste water. The town has six times more space for pedestrians than Copenhagen, one of Europe's airiest capitals. Pollution-free buses, powered by fuel cells, run between neighbourhoods. An intranet service forecasts travel times and connects people who want to share a car. Traditional motorbikes are forbidden, replaced by electric scooters or bicycles. The roads are laid out so that walking or cycling to work is quicker than driving.
Up to 80% of solid waste is recycled. Organic waste is burned in an incinerator, catering for part of the town's electricity requirements. Other burners consume rice husks, which produce a lot of heat and are plentiful in China. On the outskirts giant windmills, driven by the sea breeze, produce electricity too. Each building is fitted with photovoltaic panels and its own, smaller windmill.
-Jean-Pierre Langellier and Brice Pedroletti
Guardian Weekly
After the Walk for Hope, we payed a visit to the Seva Cafe, which is an experiment in "pay it forward" taking place in Long Beach. It is a really interesting dining experience, where there are not prices on any of the menu items. The staff is made up of volunteers who are serving you, cooking the food, cleaning the dishes, etc.. and when your bill arrives it is for $0, since your meal has already been paid for by someone who ate there before you. You can then pay as much as you choose to buy a meal for the next group of people to eat at the cafe.
This weekend a bunch of us drove down to LA for the Be The Cause Walk for Hope which was a 5k walk through a park with inspiring quotes, thought provoking activity stations, and amazing people. It was a really fun time, and we left with tons of inspiration and warm feelings. Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who helped put on such a great event! Pictures from the event are HERE
Christopher Ricks, who has also penned books about T. S. Eliot and John Keats, argues that Dylan's lyrics not only qualify as poetry, but that Dylan is among the finest poets of all time, on the same level as Milton, Keats, and Tennyson. He points to Dylan's mastery of rhymes that are often startling and perfectly judged.
Dylan has been nominated for a Nobel Prize in Literature every year since 1996, and the lyrics to his song "Mr. Tambourine Man" appeared in the Norton Introduction to Literature.
From the TED blog I read about this new magazine called "Good", that is not only full of "Good" articles, but they full amount of the subscription price goes towards a nonprofit of your choice! How cool is that? You donate money to a great non-profit like Room To Read or Unicef, and then you get a subscription to an interesting magazine. I'm siging up right now.
Our first night at Ruby lake was a pretty eventful one as Shveta got pretty sick from something she ate. We were pretty unsure as to whether we would be able to continue. The fortunate thing was that we had two doctors in the group who really helped out with the situation.
Early the next morning we woke up and Shveta decided that she wanted to continue. She is such a tough girl, I don't think I would've wanted to continue after a night full of vomiting. We had our toughest hike of the trip ahead of us. We would need to climb up and over Mono Pass at around 12,000', back down 1000', and then back up another 1200' to our campsite at Pioneer Basin. It was a grueling 8 miles, everyone in the group was totally exhausted by the time we hit camp, but the views and scenery were amazing. Shveta somehow made it through all that hiking, and we were booth looking forward to a well earned layover day.
ONE.... The Movie weaves the novice film-makers' remarkable adventures with the answers to life's ultimate questions in a journey that just may transform you way of seeing the world as One.
