Sunday, March 29, 2009

A review of "Quantico"

by Greg Bear

Bioterrorism has sort of dropped off the radar, it’s been so long since the last anthrax scare. Greg Bear’s Quantico (2005) reminds us that we’re probably in a lull.

This is not exactly science fiction, it’s more speculative fiction focused on bioterror. What the world could be like in a few years, or tomorrow, I’m not sure which. Disturbing, but as a novel I didn’t find it engrossing (although it’s certainly an easy read). The characters were kind of dry and boring – maybe too close to reality for my taste. If I’m going to read about international paramilitary operations, I much prefer reading about Nick Stone.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

compare and contrast: theo bars

 

I haven't been able to find Theo Caramels at my local Whole Foods, anymore. Instead, I found a few Theo chocolate bars.

I was intrigued, in particular, by two bars that are both 75% cacao, but the cacao originates from different areas. One says "Ghana Panama Ecuador 75% cacao" (a mix of beans from Ghana, Panama, and Ecuador) and the other says "Ivory Coast 75% cacao" (all Ivory Coast beans). I bought both, and I'm going to sample them at the same time and see if I can tell the difference. For the moment, I'm just appreciating how nice their wrappers look, practically works of art.

I also bought something called "bread & chocolate", which has French bread in the ingredients. That should be interesting!
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Thursday, March 19, 2009

Tank seventy-five

Total miles: 26921. Trip miles: 282.4. Gallons: 8.088. Price per gallon: $1.899.

Screen mileage: 42.6 mpg. Tank mileage: 34.9 mpg.

One 2 hour drive, plus short commutes. Strangely low tank mileage.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

A story about "Eye in the Sky"


I’m revisiting the classic Eye in the Sky, by The Alan Parsons Project. My favorite track is Old & Wise, by far. The rest are pretty good too.

Tank seventy-four

Total miles: 26639. Trip miles: 399.0. Gallons: 7.594. Price per gallon: $1.969.

Screen mileage: 51.7 mpg. Tank mileage: 52.5 mpg.

About a week of short commutes, plus two long drives taking about 3.5 h each. It's still pretty cold, in the twenties.