Hey there, Hi there, woah there, good golly it's been a long time! Music reviews have been taking
over my editorial life per se, and maybe an added 7 week trip to Europe, a college graduation, a full-time job search, oh yeah, and a lovely case of mononucleosis.
In case you didn't know...
"What is mononucleosis?
Mononucleosis, also called "mono," is a common viral illness that can leave you feeling tired and weak for weeks or months. Mono goes away on its own, but lots of rest and good self-care can help you feel better...
Mono can be spread through contact with saliva, mucus from the nose and throat, and sometimes tears. Because the virus can be spread through kissing, it has earned the nickname the "kissing disease." If you have mono, you can avoid passing the virus to others by not kissing anyone and by not sharing things like glasses, eating utensils, or toothbrushes.
Mono can cause the spleen to swell. Severe pain in the upper left part of your belly may mean that your spleen has burst. This is an emergency."
~http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/infectious-mononucleosis-topic-overview
Spleens are cool. But not when they are enlarged like mine! Oh yeah, I am no longer contagious, so you will not get mono from reading this.
But now that that is done, it's time to start a new day, and a new fervor for this bloggity blog.
First and foremost, let's have a chat about what is going on with biodiesel and the oil industry giants. In February of 2009, The California State Water Resource Control Board decided to announce that through their findings, biodiesel is a hazard when it is stored in tanks underground...alright, groundwater, leakage, biofuel contaminating...you get the idea. But wait a second...isn't gasoline, that stuff we put in the majority of our cars, stored in underground tanks also? YES IT IS. So what is the lovely Water Board really saying here? That sustainable biofuel is more dangerous to our groundwater and subsequential health than gasoline...and that some great small business owners have to be shut down across the state for promoting environmentalism and a different solution to a minority nonetheless.
Ok. Whatever. I mean seriously, whatever. Does anyone smell ahem the oil companies all over this? And if you don't now...
As of late, companies like Chevron, Shell, and BP are investing in the small algae biofuel companies based in northern California and Hawaii. Why? Like I have said before, I am a big proponent of algae as an alternative fuel. At the moment, the production cost is too high, coming in at around $20/gallon and the infrastructure is only just being built. But these lovely oil companies are having the foresight that their precious resource will someday dwindle, or be caught up in more of a political mess than it already is, and low and behold, they are investing in algae :).
What does this have to do with biodiesel and the Californa Water Board? Let's just postulate that the big oil companies don't want any other kind of biofuel out there when their algae is green and ready to go!
Thoughts anyone? I don't even really know what to think of this one myself. Dilemma:
1. Water Board making a faulty scientific conclusion or getting paid off...hmmm, not too far from everyday politics anyway.
2. Oil and Algae companies coming together...good, bad, neither?
More to come on what I will be calling "Algae takes over the world? and no, we probably won't die" Project
Green tip of the day:
In this drought we are having in southern California, use your dishwasher (if you have one) rather than the sink to rinse and clean your dishes. Make sure you put the energy saver drying cycle on as well! Wait to wash your dishes if possible once or twice per week rather than everyday. It doesn't look like rain for awhile :(
Onto new music! Band I like as of late:
"The Outline"
This electro, experimental, indie rock band hails from La la land and has been upping the ante on their show schedule as of late. The 3 boys started off together in high school at the ripe young age of 16, and have been living and playing together ever since.
Having toured in the UK and now releasing their Phantasmagoria record available on MySpace, they are worth checking out, both for your audio pleasure and for a quick fix at a live show. I personally have seen their 2 most recent shows, at Temporary Spaces, and at Spaceland with my personal faves, The Local Natives. They've killed it both times, with their energy, their stage presence, their amusing song about alcohol, their use of reverb, and their candor.
Here's the link to their myspace: www.myspace.com/theoutline
If I were you, I'd listen to all of their songs, but if you need to choose, "Dialed Down" and "We're Better Now" are rickety rockin.
They actually have a music release party esta noche at The Mandrake in culver city. You can come visit me there if ya like.
Alright folks, it's good to be back, enlarged spleen and more french speaking and employed and such...have a green and musical weekend!
:) peace
