Glowing

Tonight's the night. It's the annual balloon glow down at Forest Park before the big race tomorrow. I don't know why, but this is one of my favorite things in St. Louis to do (so does about a million of other people in StL because it has gotten really crowded). I think it's because I love a casual Friday night activity that cost nothing. I love a crisp evening that is cool, but not cold. I love walking around and appreciating the city and not just sitting inside doing not-so-much. If you are in StL, pack a picnic, grab the Metro and I will see you down there tonight.

Vert Tips

Here are some quick tips that shouldn't cost you anything (it should save you money).

1. Change your margins and always print preview: try to have your documents fill the page before you print with one small adjustment to make your margins smaller, you can cut back your paper consumption by almost 20% over a year.

2. If you change your font and text size, you can easily proof on screen. The change in layout gives your eyes a new perspective to see errors.

3. Please give up disposable cups and bags. You will never be able to give up disposable things 100%, there is a time and place for them. If you can cut your consumption by 80-90%, think how much you will save from a landfill in one year (and manufacturing pollution, waste, etc). The average person uses one plastic bag per day. Don't forget, this goes for paper towels, paper napkins, swiffers, paper plates, QT cups, individually wrapped items.

4. Be conscious of your water. Don't let your water run while you are brushing your teeth, filling the dishwater or running water to get cold (keep cold water in the frig). Also, turn down your water heater.

5. Use your programmable thermostat. This is a must. Stop what you are doing and march into your local True Value and buy one today. BUT on days like today in St. Louis, turn it off. It is beautiful outside. You house smells great with fresh air. Take a step back, slow down and open a window. There's a great world outside, let it in.

Hurricane Ike

Our construction team at work has been on hurricane watch for the past few weeks, little did they know they would have hurricane damage in Florissant. The above pictures are the center of my universe for about the first 16 years of my life. The handyman hardware in the pic is where my brother Jeremy works and you can also see the Walgreens and there is also a Save-A-Lot attached (hence the construction team I referenced earlier). This is crazy. Just to let you know there is a major street in between the hardware store and walgreens. Also, thanks to the Dierbergs, their chicken grease trap was picked up by the water so everyone is cleaning up water, debris, and chicken grease. This is so surreal. I was across town when this happened (about 7 miles), so I was dealing with other flooding. It took my an hour to go less than 4 miles because I had to keep turnging around to find higher ground. Crazy day.

Bad day

It's been 7 years and I still can't get this day out of my head. Take time to hug your family today.

Public Enemy #1

Wow, corn growers are getting nervous. Have you seen the pro-high-fructose corn syrup commercials? It's good to know the "facts." The point of the commercial was that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is ok in moderation. Well, sort of yes, but that's the whole point. Most Americans don't know what contains high-fructose corn syrup and most Americans have a hard time with moderation. HFCS is mainly in unhealthy highly-processed low nutrition food. Our sugar consumption has more than doubled since the 50's thanks to HFCS; pair this with our activity level diminishing over the last 60 years. This equals up to one large country.

Don't be fooled. Stay away from it because you will still be consuming it without knowing it. It took a real effort to find bread without it.

The commercials claim that HFCS is made from natural ingredients. Just to keep the record straight, the FDA does not allow HFCS products to be called natural.

Don't believe the commercials. I am frightened to think of the people who will be convinced by them (well, they are the same people that think Palin will advance women's rights too, sorry, I digress). We are all in this together and we need to make a real effort to limit our HFCS consumption. This will lead to healthier lives, healthier futures, and be happier people.

My friends are da cooooolest

Just some pics of good times with my friends.

San Fran

Sorry, I am too tired today to figure out how to rotate a picture.

San Francisco was great. I got in Thursday evening. Sarah and I enjoyed a glass of wine and then tucked in for the night. On Friday I walked down to Fisherman's Wharf and enjoyed some touristy activities. Mostly people watching and reading. In the afternoon Sarah and I did some shopping. Friday night I had the best guac in my life (and I don't even really like guac) at a Mexican restaurant and then a great glass of wine at a wine bar. 2 thumbs up on both establishments. Yum. Saturday we went out to the 'burbs and layed by the pool, then came back into the city and grilled out. On Sunday we headed out to Napa. We stopped by Tiburon and Sausalito too.

Overall it was a great trip. Great town, great company, excellent weekend. Sarah was very generous to put up with me for 3 days and then drop me off at the airport at 4:30 am. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING SARAH!