Saturday, January 12, 2008

Sunday Morning Rolls Around

Book Drive. The Sunday Times(UK) has come out with its "best" books lists. Finally, a list that includes books I've actually read. It's interesting that the Brit version would contain names such as Patricia Cornwell, Maeve Binchy, and Terry Pratchett, while the American (yawn)...

Deer in the Headlights. President Bush has signed a law phasing out incandescent bulbs. Read article here. Flourescents, however, are extremely unkind to Cuban complexions. A passing glance in the bathroom mirror one day scared the bejesus out of me. I looked like The Ugly Geisha. My cadaveric pallor made of all sorts of life threatening possibilites dance before my eyes. After a few uneasy days, I realized it was the light bulb. I tell you: they can't do it. It's discrimination. By the bye, the new bulbs also contain mercury.

Wrong Turn? Wal-mart has been front and center in the drive to exterminate the incandescent bulb, according to this report as a form of societal expiation for their generally perceived sins. All this leads to Lee Scott being named one of the five worst CEO's of 2007 in this article, which distinction he shares with Jeff Immelt of GE. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. GE makes the incandescents. Also recognized for their contributions, the CEO's of BP, Pepsico, and Caterpillar. It all goes to show that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Detour. Speaking (metaphorically, of course) of Geishas, how about an article on the deleterious effects of cosmetics throughout history, the short form? Most seem to have arisen from the heavy metals in make-up. The article does hint that our lipsticks might not be quite as safe as they seem. Well, without makeup, being yellow in the new light will be the least of my problems.

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