Photo of the Week 6

Each week, I pick one photo from my Flickr account. This week's photo was taken at the peak of Bald Knob, near Pembroke, VA at the Mountain Lake Hotel.

(Sorry it's late... again)

We got Street View!!

I was on Google Maps yesterday, when I noticed that the "Street View" button was in the navbar, although I was looking at downtown Columbia... Apparently, they got most of the suburbs, too, going all the way up to Blythewood and Chapin, west to Lexington and Gilbert, east to Elgin and Eastover, and south to Gaston. That's a pretty big area, especially because they still don't have Seattle up! We also now have traffic functionality.

Woot! Shirt Purchase

I bought this shirt from Woot! Shirt on Tuesday, with one difference: The spelling of iceberg was corrected from iceburg.

Neglect...

I'm sorry, blog. I've neglected you. Here's why:

* Online Class! I'm taking AP US Government and Politics with Apex Learning. It's going at a faster pace than I had counted on, with an essay, essentially, every other day. For example, today I had due: 1 test, 1 essay, and 2 quizzes.

* Cub Scout Day Camp. This week I've done ~5.5 hours of volunteering daily, which, in the summer heat of SC, has an uncanny ability to drain energy.

Sorry for the lack of posts this week, everyone. I'll try to post more this weekend and next week.

Photo of the Week 5

(Sorry it's a few days late)

Every week I pick one picture from my Flickr account. This photo was taken while sailing in Maine.

Pepsi's "SmartSpot"

While some of Pepsi's explanations are at least somewhat legitimate, a lot of them seem like Pepsi trying to make their junk seem healthy... like this:

Frito Lay® brand Nuts and Seeds

SmartSpot Explanation: "When choosing a snack FRITO LAY® brand nuts are a smart choice because 'scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as almonds, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.'"

Calories per serving: 280

Fat per serving: 24g

Could someone explain how 24 grams of fat can be justified as healthy?!

Veepstakes: Bill Richardson

(Source: topnews.in)

Richarson has a compelling case for Obama's veep choice that rests on these points:

* He is Hispanic and can draw Latino voters, which represent the fastest-growing voting bloc, to Obama's side.

* He is the governor of New Mexico, a key swing state, and is well-liked in the state. The primary purpose of a running mate in the campaign, after all, is to win their home state.

* Foreign policy experience is a moot point this campaign, and with Richardson's extensice experience, he can quell concerns of Obama's inexperience.

* Richardson's Hispanic background helps solidify the one-America image, a key theme in the campiagn.

* If nothing else, he endorsed Obama far before any of the other primary veep 'candidates.'

If you have any thoughts on the veepstakes--or other compelling cases for any of the veep possibilities, please post a comment to this post.

Boy Scout Camp

Sorry for the lack of post over the past few days. I was at Camp Barstow for my troop's annual week of Scout Camp. It was generally fun, though relatively uneventful. Book reviews, a look at the Veepstakes, and a post about the family reunion I'm at now to follow.

Photo of the Week 4

Every week, I select a photo from my Flickr account. This photo was taken on Isle au Haut, ME.

Kung Fu Panda Review

My Rating: * * * .5 (3.5)

Rotten Tomatoes: 87%

Despite the poor review in our local newspaper (* * .5) and mediocre reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, I went to see the movie at the request of my sister. Nonetheless, the graphics were amazing, and the story line, though a bit lacking, was strong enough to make the film congeal and enjoyable. For its great graphics and cohesive and enjoyable plot, I'm giving it 3.5 stars.

Signs of Summer's Arrival

* I suddenly have a lot of spare time--and nothing to do with it.
* Highs--and afternoon temperatures--are in the high 90s and low 100s consistently.
* Thunderstorms are a daily ritual.
* No more primaries...
* I'm doing community service with my school's outdoor program--primarily belaying on the Alpine Tower.
* Sunburn
* I have WAY more time to read.

Photo of the Week 3

Every week, I select a photo from my Flickr account. This photo was taken at the Jamestown Settlement.

Dem Primaries Analysis

First of all, sorry for the utter lack of posts of late; my computer has all but died, and I've been consumed with, well, summer. There isn't too much analysis to be done on the Dems' last three primaries... Barack sealed the deal and is up against McCain for the general. Clinton will be dropping out officially on Saturday. Following this long and drawn out race has been great fun for me and has morphed me, somewhat, into a political junkie. I know, though, that all involved are looking forward to a break, however short. Until then, my analyses are on hiatus.