Clipmarks | Perkalicious11's clips

When You Can't Even Keep Your Job at Burger King...

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:34:54 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: wow!

A Burger King employee decided to take it upon himself to have some fun on his birthday, as he decided to take a bath in the sink at the fast-food restaurant

The Burger King is located in Xenia, Ohio, as the teen had the whole bath captured on video.

He has been referred to as “Mr. Unstable” when he took the bath, stating “It’s my birthday and i’m taking a bath in the sink at Burger King. Somebody bring me a beer!”

The sink is used in the kitchen to wash equipment, which is reportedly used for cooking.

While he was taking the bath, other workers either looked at him, or continues working.

The video, which was posted on the social networking site mySpace, has garnered a great deal of attention.

Since then, Burger King has stated that all of the employees who were involved with the video have been fired.

The fear is that this act could have caused the spread of germs, viruses, etc.

There have yet to be any illnesses reported though.

Common Sense 1, Republicans 0

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:09:05 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11

Clip Source: www.time.com

How out of touch is Barack Obama? He's so out of touch that he suggested that if all Americans inflated their tires properly and took their cars for regular tune-ups, they could save as much oil as new offshore drilling would produce

Gleeful Republicans have made this their daily talking point; Rush Limbaugh is having a field day; and the Republican National Committee is sending tire gauges labeled "Barack Obama's Energy Plan" to Washington reporters

But who's really out of touch?

The Bush Administration estimates that expanded offshore drilling could increase oil production by 200,000 bbl. per day by 2030. We use about 20 million bbl. per day, so that would meet about 1% of our demand two decades from now

Meanwhile, efficiency experts say that keeping tires inflated can improve gas mileage 3%, and regular maintenance can add another 4%

Many drivers already follow their advice, but if everyone did, we could immediately reduce demand several percentage points. In other words: Obama is right.

Tags: obama, oil, fuel, gas, inflation, savings

7- and 9-year-olds Angered By Gas Prices

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:36:21 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: pretty amusing

Clip Source: news.yahoo.com

SALT LAKE CITY - Sadie and Pyper Vance have had just about enough of high gas prices. The sisters are still years away from being old enough to drive, but that doesn't mean the $4 per gallon price tag isn't hitting them as hard as anyone else.

Cable TV was one of the family's budget-cutting casualties, leaving Sadie, 9, and her 7-year-old sister without their favorite cartoons and shows.

"Gas prices are too high," Sadie said. "I just decided to come and protest so they'd go down."

The girls marched through downtown Monday chanting and carrying signs made from old campaign signs.

"All of my mom's monny goes to the gas tank!" Pyper's sign read. Sadie carried a sign asking drivers to honk to lower gas prices — adding that her mom had to cut "cabel."

The girls got some waves and a few thumbs-up to show support.

"I think it's great," said Hamid Tayeb, who was walking past on his lunch break. "It's unfortunate that kids are doing it before we do."

Tags: gas prices, protests, children, change, girls

Potential Downsides for Teens & Summer Jobs

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:31:08 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11

Clip Source: www.parents.com

the 6 million American teens who hold jobs reap multiple benefits

learning to manage money, developing time-management skills, gaining a sense of responsibility, and becoming efficient at problem solving

230,000 teen workers are injured yearly, in incidents ranging from burns and cuts in restaurant kitchens to accidents with power tools and falls from roofs in construction and landscaping jobs

Deaths, fortunately, are rare, but they do happen -- between 60 and 70 each year

Close to half of those are in agricultural jobs

other hazards that don't threaten life but can still inflict emotional damage, including sexual harassment and encounters with hostile coworkers, managers, or customers

American teens average about 16 hours

80 percent of them work after 7 p.m. on school nights and over half of them are still toiling away after 9 p.m.

for most teens -- and their parents -- the payoffs of working far outweigh the risks

Tags: employment, parenting, summer, jobs

What the Dating Rules You Set For Your Kids Say About You

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:22:25 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11

Clip Source: online.wsj.com

The limits you place on your teenager's dating may say more about your own love life than your teen's needs

parents' satisfaction with their own life roles shapes the kind of rules they set

Parents who are involved in stable romantic relationships with spouses or partners tend more than other parents to set rules limiting teen dating behavior, such as curfews, minimum ages for dating, limits on places teens can go and explicit rules against sexual activity

Ironically, in what other researchers have called the "Romeo and Juliet" effect, such rules may tend to drive teenage lovers closer

Parents who are unhappy, dissatisfied or insecure in love, however, go beyond limits and try to dictate or control how their teens treat their dates

A better way

setting "supervisory" rules, or keeping up a free flow of communication without intruding too much. This means asking teens to disclose plans, check in by phone and inform parents when plans change

drawing a line between supervision and meddling

Tags: dating, childhood, adolescence, parenting

Has Banking Hit Rock Bottom?

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:01:13 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: an outlook on what's in store for the banking and housing industries.

Clip Source: www.thestreet.com

Bargain hunters have been probing for a bottom in the financials for some time. It's possible we are approaching a bottom for the housing crisis, evidenced by good news in certain regions where large homebuilders have taken drastic action to reduce the inventory of newly-built homes.

But as we are seeing with regional banks, pain caused by construction loan delinquencies, which are trailing home mortgage delinquencies, has yet to fully manifest. Even if we are close to the bottom, total loan delinquency numbers are likely to continue increasing through the end of 2008.

Clip Source: www.thestreet.com

If you are adverse to shorting individual bank stocks, then Kevin Baker, TheStreet.com Ratings' mutual fund analyst, points out that you may want to consider investing in the exchange-traded funds that sell short large portions of the financial sector.

Here are the largest positions in the long version of the fund, as of June 20:

Clip Source: images.thestreet.com

Clip Source: www.thestreet.com

Click here for larger image.

Tags: banking, housing, mortgage, stocks, mutual funds, investing, money, finance

Make It Work-Work, Make It Work!

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:20:33 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: Hidden functionality on your Canon Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera

Clip Source: lifehacker.com

If you're using a consumer grade point-and-shoot Canon digital camera, you've got hardware in hand that can support advanced features way beyond what shipped in the box. With the help of a free, open source project called CHDK, you can get features like RAW shooting mode, live RGB histograms, motion-detection, time-lapse, and even games on your existing camera. Let's transform your point-and-shoot into a super camera just by adding a little special sauce to its firmware.

Enhanced Image Capture:

Additional Information On-Screen:

Additional Photographic Settings:

Support for Small Programs/Scripts:

What You'll Need

Automatically Running CHDK

Once you've gotten comfortable with CHDK, you may want it to load automatically whenever you turn on your camera. The CHDK wiki explains how.

Tags: photography, canon, raw, jpg, image, hack, trick, enhancements

10 Myths About Green Living

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:47:47 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: each link gives brief supporting information

Clip Source: www.bankrate.com

Sometimes it's difficult separating green facts from green fiction and that often results in inaction. Don't let these 10 myths stop you.

Myth No. 1:	Small changes don't matter.
Myth No. 2:	"Green" choices are painful and expensive.
Myth No. 3:	Keeping old appliances is "greener" than buying new.
Myth No. 4:	The U.S. needs more power plants for energy needs.
Myth No. 5:	The cost of your commute is a fixed expense.
Myth No. 6:	At the grocery store, eco-friendly options are expensive.
Myth No. 7:	If an appliance is off, it's not using power.
Myth No. 8:	Hybrid vehicles are automatically better than nonhybrids.
Myth No. 9:	There are millions of vehicles running on ethanol.
Myth No. 10:	There's only one "right" answer to your eco-dilemma.

Tags: sustainable living, green, lifestyle, myths, facts, tips

Greening the Not-So-New House

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:15:21 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: Happy Earth Day!

tips with varying costs and payoffs. See original article for classifications.

Clip Source: www.greenhomeguide.org

45 tips to green any home, rent or own

you don’thave to buildfrom scratch to turn your not-so-newhouse into a dwelling that’s eco-friendly and more economical to run

cleaning your clothes dryer’s lint trap before every load

using human-powered appliances

washing full loads instead of partial loads

washing and rinsing clothes in cold water

turn off computers and peripherals at night

Recycle your old cell phones

Think globally, buy locally

Nix the night lights

try not to overdry your clothes

composting food scraps

install weatherstripping

sell or Freecycle

use your bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans

programmable thermostat

Audit it

Check out great bamboo alternatives for floors, cabinets, built-ins and furniture

Energy Star-qualified appliances

Plant deciduous trees

Solar-powered attic fans

beefing up insulation

choose double-pane windows

Radiant floor heating systems

living roofs

Harvest the sun

Solar electric systems can offset some or all of your home’s electricity use

install dimmer switches

Tags: home improvement, construction, renovation, green, sustainable living, tips, earth, planet

Wal-Mart Going Green

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:59:30 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: who would have thought this retail giant gave a damn?

Clip Source: greensource.construction.com

Wal-Mart committed to efficiency benchmarks for new and existing stores and on-site renewable power installations.

These stores feature integrated hydronic heating and cooling systems and use recovered heat from refrigeration to heat domestic water for the restrooms and kitchen areas

A daylight-harvesting system equipped with sensors dims lights

motion sensors turn on the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the stores’ refrigerated cases when a customer approaches

Wal-Mart is opening the second generation of high-efficiency stores

The first of these, opened in January 2008 in Romeoville, Illinois, is expected to be 25% more energy efficient than a conventional store

Wal-Mart works with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to offset each acre it develops by providing funding for wildlife preservation programs

For more information:

Wal-Mart Sustainability Report
www.walmartstores.com/sustainability/

Wal-Mart High-Efficiency Stores
www.walmartfacts.com (click on “Sustainability”)

Tags: wal-mart, green, retail, sustainable living, shopping, efficiency

Technological Advances --> Sustainable Living Made Easier

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:42:55 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: a great example of how the increased technological assistance can help in designing the greenest buildings possible.

The whole article (a bit long) is amazing!

Clip Source: continuingeducation.construction.com

Evolving software for modeling energy dynamics makes it easier for architects and engineers to design green buildings

Architects have long relied on engineers to perform the complex energy consumption estimations and select mechanical systems. This reliance is now transforming into collaboration as engineers are being invited into early design phases to help the team with decisions about orientation and massing

Simulation software supplies a nuanced view of a building’s dynamic thermal performance that enables engineers to select and size equipment that is smarter, smaller, and often less expensive than the norm

Optimizing building performance can often result in significant construction cost savings due to smaller systems and mechanical rooms.

Tags: green, building, engineering, architecture, construction, sustainable living, earth

Greenify Your Mass Transit...and Upgrade Too!

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:01:18 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: this could definitely be a draw for our increasingly technological generation while reducing our carbon footprint

Clip Source: www.treehugger.com

"No one wants to pay for public transportation, because they think only the poor use it."

like any business, if you provide good customer service you attract a customer base.

In San Francisco they are trying out the connected bus, a hybrid with high speed internet, live updates with route information and wait times at the bus stops, and a "green Gauge" describing the environmental impact of the bus.

What transit customers want the most is consistent, reliable service,

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which launched the one-year trial in February

MUNI also promises better maintenance, enhanced rider experience, reduced waiting time and enhanced safety and security

Tags: green, bus, transit, wi-fi, san francisco

Drinking Green Isn't Just For St. Patty's Day...

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:55:38 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: baby steps towards a better earth

Clip Source: ecoscraps.com

Parducci Wine Cellars announces the company’s conversion to 100% solar and wind power becoming the nation’s first carbon neutral winery.

Clip Source: ecoscraps.com

One Comment

Megan said on April 14th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

Why does it not surprise me that this winery is in my own Mendocino county? Seems like I’m in the right place for green drinks! There’s also a solar-powered brewery and several other organic wineries in the area.

Tags: green, wine, winery, parducci, alternative energy

Postage Rates to Increase 12 May 2008

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:56:31 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: It makes sense, but if they keep rising I'm guessing we'll have more and more people turning to electronic payment.

Clip Source: www.digitaljournal.com

US Postage Stamps to cost a penny more

Beginning May 12, 2008, the cost of a U.S. first class stamp will rise to 42 cents. The price of Forever stamp will also increase by one cent, but existing Forever stamps can be used without paying more.

The price of the Forever stamp will also increase by one cent. But previously purchased stamps will still be usable without having to pay more.

due to the changes in the law the USPS can increase rates depending upon the rate of inflation.

The USPS will adjust the rates annually each May.

For every additional ounce of weight, the rate increases by 17 cents, same as before.

• The cost to mail a post card will also go up a penny, to 27 cents
• Large envelope, 2 ounces, $1, up 3 cents.
• Money Orders up to $500, $1.05, unchanged.
• Certified mail, $2.70, up 5 cents.
• First-class international letter to Canada or Mexico, 72 cents, up 3 cents.

• First-class international letter to other countries, 94 cents, up 4 cents.

Tags: postage, money, usps, mail, postcard, letter, send, communication

Bye Bye Tripod!

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:55:23 GMT

clipped by: Perkalicious11
clipper's remarks: so simple it's revolutionary!

Clip Source: www.xs4all.nl

The string will of course not totally replace a real tripod. But it can give you just that extra stop. This is the luxury model. - Thanks John for modifying the 1/4 bolt. The basic model is a simple piece of string with just a loop at each end. Put one loop around your camera and put your foot in the other. If you pull it tight, you win up to three stops.
Cheaper than IS and so low-tech that it exists almost as long as photography itself.
Now I think of it: did anyone ever try to shoot a gun with this as a stabilizer?

The one on the right is the one I always have in my bag. Even with a 300mm it can give me 2 stops extra.That may just save my day.

Dutch star photojournalist Theo van Houts once used a contraption like this to capture a candid shot of the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm. (He did not invent it, as the article in Dutch suggests.)