Is the Environment a Moral Issue?

I continue to believe that the environment--and the way in which we interact with it--is a moral issue. But sometimes I get tired of hearing my own thoughts. What do you think?

Perhaps this article is a good place to start: Toxic Waters.

Murder investigations have come into a whole new era:

"Fiore's teeth had been pulled out and her fingers cut off, apparently to impede her identification. Investigators used the serial numbers on her breast implants to identify her, according to the Orange County district attorney's office."

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/08/23/world/AP-CN-Reality-Contestant-Slaying.html?hp

Companion Goldfish

I just returned from a brief trip to Baltimore, where I was sitting in on research meetings related to a multi-university research project I've been working on since starting the program here. Interesting stuff, with lots of great collaborators. Makes me realize just how much I don't know, which is probably a good thing. Anyway, one of the highlights of the trip was our hotel, called Hotel Monaco, which just opened 2 weeks ago in downtown Baltimore.

Here is what this hotel offered:
1) Free wine in the lobby from 5-6pm. Major points.
2) I gave the staff my name and flight number, and they printed off my boarding pass the night before I checked-out.
3) Robes in all sorts of animal prints. We'll talking leopards, zebras, and cougars, people!
4) An iPod-docking stereo.
5) A companion goldfish.

Yes, that's correct, a companion goldfish. It's not a standard in every room, but you can request upon your check-in that a companion goldfish be sent up to your room. Since I was traveling by myself, I thought it'd be nice to have a friend, and Michelangelo ("Mickey") was promptly delivered to Room 908. There he was, watching and swimming as I watched TV, ironed my clothes, and tried on my zebra-print robe. I think it may just be the greatest amenity I've ever experienced.

Unfortunately, Mickey didn't live until the end of my stay. Maybe he was sad because I was gone in meetings all day, or maybe the cleaning staff just forgot to feed him. Either way, I was struck with horror when I came home from a late dinner at McCormick & Schmick's and saw Micky resting peacefully at the bottom of his bowl.

What's the protocol for a dead companion goldfish in luxury hotels? Do I flush him myself in my marbled bathroom? Deliver him to the front desk? See if they can personalize the seafood salad available for room service?

I chose to simply go down to the desk and let them know of the little goldfish death. They quickly apologized, and asked if I would like a new companion sent up to my room. Tough decision, given my early track record, but I said it seemed like a good idea. DaVinci ("Vince") came in a freshly-colored bowl and things went swimmingly until the moment I left. I think his survival was intricately linked to the fact that he didn't see me in any animal-print robes. Something for the hotel management to consider.

Bing vs. Google

It's no surprise that Microsoft's Bing is trying to take on Google as the world's best search engine. Most people I talk to love Google. The quick start-up, student-started brilliance-that-is-Google is easily a fan-favorite. Juxtapose Google against the behemuth-that-is-Microsoft, and it's easy to see why most people simply don't want there to be a competitor to Google's fortune and fame.

Don't get me wrong, I too love Google. The multi-colored logo is great (particularly the lower-case "g"), and Google Scholar has become one of my graduate school best friends. So why even think about an alternative to Google? Well, I know little about finance and business, but I hear that competition pushes competitors to new heights. And despite the fact that Microsoft is usually playing catch-up with the true innovators out there, I thought it was worth giving Bing a shot, particularly since it got its official debut on my birthday this year. All of this amidst the recent news that Bing is going to be powering Yahoo! Search, making its entry into the world of search engines particularly noteworthy.

I've been using Bing for about a month now, and I actually like it. I certainly haven't tested everything that Bing has to offer (and there is no Bing Scholar...), but I am committed to giving it another month and then providing a review for you here on my blog. I encourage you to do the same. For one month, try Bing instead of Google, and then give me your thoughts.

To get you started in comparing the two, try www.bing-vs-google.com

Napping

"Napping should have the status of daily exercise"
--Cornell sleep expert James B. Maas
(according to the NYTimes; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/us/30nap.html?em)

Colby Swimming

My parents were in town for the last couple of days, and yesterday we went for a great picnic at a nearby state park. Colby of course came along for the fun, and after our hike and eating in the sun, Colby was hot and panting. Thankfully, we were right next to the lake, so we started to play some fetch in the water. Here are some pics and a video...







This one is definitely my favorite...Colby is staring so longingly at that stick before I throw it:

We even taught my mom how to use the video feature on her camera. Here's the video she took:

Being a Homeowner: The Top Five

Most of you already know this, but Joy and I bought a condo in Oxford, and we've been moving in these last few weeks. We love the new place, and we'll post some pictures once we get more settled. Some of the early highlights:
1) Having only one step instead of three flights in order to take the dog out.
2) Having our very own washer and dryer. Now I can keep all those quarters for the parking meters.
3) Fireplace...haven't tested it out in the heat of July yet, but I'm already excited for the fall and winter. Sweaters, hot tea, a good book, and a fire will be an amazing combination.
4) Walk-in closet, although Joy got in there first one day, and let's just say she took up more than her half.
5) Two bathrooms. I even suggested that we have one bathroom where I can leave the seat up. Joy said no, but I think she may compromise when I repeatedly show her the closet disproportionality.