Sunday, September 30, 2007

Franconia Ridge


This weekend I went hiking with a neighbor on Franconin Ridge, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. This was by far the most demanding hike that I have ever been on. Starting at 9:00 am we hiked up the Bridal Path (2000 ft) about 3 miles to the AMC Greenleaf Hut (4070 ft) I ended up shedding a few layers and hiking in shorts and a long sleeve shirt. By the time we made up to to the hut the temperature had dropped from about 60 degrees to 40 degrees. A relatively sunny day at the parking lot had turned into to a foggy day at the mountain top, with strong gusting winds.

From Greenleaf (4070 ft) we set off to the top of Mount Lafayette (5260 ft) one mile away. This stretch was the most difficult of the hike. After being drenched in sweat from the previous leg of the hike, the cold and the wind went through your skin. Visibility at parts was reduced to about 50 yards. Needless to say it's disappointing when the only view from the top of the mountain is fog. At this point we began to ask each other, why are we doing this?

From Mount Lafayette (5260 ft) we hiked along Franconia Ridge, stopping at Mount Lincoln (5089 ft), and proceeding on to Little Haystack (4840 ft). Just before we reached Little Haystack the fog began to break up and we could see into the Franconia Valley. Beautiful, this is why we were there.

While on the ridge, we were able to watch as the fog would roll in from the west, travel up the mountain slope, over the peek an swirl around on the eastern side of the mountain. Then it would be clear for about 5 minutes and the it would repeat it's self giving us fleeting views of the mountains beyond. Although a clear day is by many, ideal conditions for hiking, that day we got a unique perspective that many don't get to see.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Biblical Living - Extreme Make Over Edition

If you have ever wandered what it would be like to follow all the rules in the bible literally, well,your are in luck. A.J. Jacobs new book, "The Year of Living Bibicilly" comes out October 9th.

You can read an interview with Jacobs at Newsweek. Find out what sin's were the hardest? Find out the difference between an agnostic and a reverent agnostic. There are also some good insights into freedom and choice.

Photo from Newsweek website.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

What is Green?

On my way to the office today I saw a billboard advertising 360 Vodka. The worlds first Eco-Friendly Vodka. Eco-Friendly Vodka?

After checking out their website, it appears that they have gone a long way to make the production of their product more energy efficient, and have used recycled bottles, labels, and packaging. Is that what makes something green?

As an Architect, I see a lot of what we call "green washing." That is when you take a product and talk about all it's good, and green, qualities, but don't tell the whole story. Although I applaud the Vodka manufacture for making there product's manufacturing process as green and efficient as possible there are still two things they are not addressing.

1) Transportation: I'm not sure where the factory(s) is(are) but I am sure that they are shipping their product all over the world amassing a huge carbon foot print in the process as they get their product onto store shelves.

2) Raw materials: Most Vodka is made from potato's or grains. In the distillation process you are taking a raw material that has many nutrients necessary to human life and producing a product that has little nutritional value.

As consumers we have to be cautious of the claims that manufactures make. Be willing to ask questions and dig a little deeper. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a teetotaler, but perhaps a better solution might be a locally brewed beer or wine.

Monday, September 17, 2007

I should just stay away from boats.

I went on a deep sea fishing trip with some co-workers on Sunday. I didn't get much fishing in though, as I got sea sick before we even got to the fishing spot. I spend the remainder of the trip lying down inside the cabin. I think I should just stay away from boats.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Do you hate paying income tax? Then don't!

There appears to be an underground effort to educate people on the Federal Reserve, and the income tax. Apparently an income tax is not allowed by the Constitution. Check out this video. There is a series of 10 videos on youtube.

It starts to feel a little "conspiracy theorist" when they talk about a Fascism but it interesting non the least.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Thinking Outside of the Box

I found this great video of a group in Portland that move people from house to house by bikes. They even moved a couch and a boat!!!! Check out the video.



Wouldn't it be great if next Sept first the streets of Boston were overflowing with people moving by bikes!!!!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Comics

I found this comic that a former roommate made. Enjoy!!!!