""We warn the enemies who intend to threaten us with military exercises and empty psychological operations that our hand will always be on the trigger and our missiles will always be ready to launch," [Iran Revolutionary Guards air force commander Hossein Salami] said, according to ISNA news agency."
Oh crap. My dad said this is what is called "saber-rattling."
Reuters: "Iran tests missiles, heightening tension with West"
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Hey I know them! - nytimes article
A popular church in town with the 20-something set is The Journey. My brother and his wife used to attend when they lived in town, and it's super hip with people my age. It was recently in the New York Times and I went to high school with the Mr. Beckemeier they mention and my other brother dated his sister. And the place in the picture is Schlafly Bottleworks in town, which has very very good beer. Whatev, it's a good article:
nytimes.com: "Taking Their Faith, but Not Their Politics, to the People", (June 1, 2008)
nytimes.com: "Taking Their Faith, but Not Their Politics, to the People", (June 1, 2008)
Costco vs. Sam's Club Throwdown
A new Costco recently moved in close to where my parents live. I have heard a lot of good things about Costco, and it always impresses me when a brand (or TV show, or whatever) creates rabid fans. Costco, Apple, the Wire (TV), LOST (TV)...I think I might just follow the cult fans around and enjoy what they like.
So, my parents are Sam's Club members and have been for as long as I can remember. I have heard that Costco has a great ethnic foods section and are more ethical towards their employees, so I am in the process of creating a PowerPoint presentation for my parents on why they should switch. In case you are wondering about this epic battle of the wholesellers, here's a killer article on Costco vs. Sam's:
USA Today: "Costco wins loyalty with bulky bargains" by Julie Schmit, (Sept. 2004)
So, my parents are Sam's Club members and have been for as long as I can remember. I have heard that Costco has a great ethnic foods section and are more ethical towards their employees, so I am in the process of creating a PowerPoint presentation for my parents on why they should switch. In case you are wondering about this epic battle of the wholesellers, here's a killer article on Costco vs. Sam's:
USA Today: "Costco wins loyalty with bulky bargains" by Julie Schmit, (Sept. 2004)
Interesting Idea: Investing in Bands
Wired.com article: "Put Your Money Where Your Indie Rock Is" by Eliot Van Buskirk
"With CD sales declining and labels whining, it might seem crazy to view recorded music as fertile ground for investment. But for thousands of fans-turned-music-investors on SellaBand and Slicethepie, it makes perfect sense to gamble on a favorite band's future.
"I don't see anything wrong with the music industry in terms of artists being discovered, financed and released," said Slicethepie founder David Courtier-Dutton. "The problem is [the labels'] economic model. It just costs way too much money to get to the point where they find whether or not anyone likes the music."
...The idea is to tap a band's online fan base to generate cash for recording and production costs, and in the process help musicians that are hot on MySpace move to the next level. The model is so intriguing that Amazon.com wants in on the action, although regulatory hurdles could keep music-investment sites from taking off in the United States.
...Anyone can become an investor in a SellaBand artist by buying an advance copy of an album and a single share in the recording for $10. The site has raised more than $1.5 million from more than 25,000 investors. They've deposited an average of $50, but investments have run as high as $25,000.
Out of 6,500 bands, 14 have reached the $50,000 mark, which is when SellaBand helps find a studio and a big-name producer to record the album. (SellaBand artist Cubworld got paired with Gwen Stefani's producers.) Advertising revenue and sales revenue are split between SellaBand, the artists and investors. (Both SellaBand and Slicethepie keep the float: interest on fans' money in the time between collection and disbursal to the bands. If a band doesn't raise enough to record an album, the money is returned to investors.)"
"With CD sales declining and labels whining, it might seem crazy to view recorded music as fertile ground for investment. But for thousands of fans-turned-music-investors on SellaBand and Slicethepie, it makes perfect sense to gamble on a favorite band's future.
"I don't see anything wrong with the music industry in terms of artists being discovered, financed and released," said Slicethepie founder David Courtier-Dutton. "The problem is [the labels'] economic model. It just costs way too much money to get to the point where they find whether or not anyone likes the music."
...The idea is to tap a band's online fan base to generate cash for recording and production costs, and in the process help musicians that are hot on MySpace move to the next level. The model is so intriguing that Amazon.com wants in on the action, although regulatory hurdles could keep music-investment sites from taking off in the United States.
...Anyone can become an investor in a SellaBand artist by buying an advance copy of an album and a single share in the recording for $10. The site has raised more than $1.5 million from more than 25,000 investors. They've deposited an average of $50, but investments have run as high as $25,000.
Out of 6,500 bands, 14 have reached the $50,000 mark, which is when SellaBand helps find a studio and a big-name producer to record the album. (SellaBand artist Cubworld got paired with Gwen Stefani's producers.) Advertising revenue and sales revenue are split between SellaBand, the artists and investors. (Both SellaBand and Slicethepie keep the float: interest on fans' money in the time between collection and disbursal to the bands. If a band doesn't raise enough to record an album, the money is returned to investors.)"
Vespa laws, FYI
So my brothers chipped in and gave me a very old Vespa for my graduation present. It has been in the shop since May 18th, but I might possibly be able to get it this week. I've been reading up on Missouri laws for motorized bicycles/scooters (under 50cc engine) and whether I need insurance or a license or what have you.
- No person shall ride a motorized bicycle upon a sidewalk.
- 307.180. Bicycle And Motorized Bicycle, Defined
As used in sections 307.180 to 307.193: (1) The word bicycle shall mean every vehicle propelled solely by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, or two parallel wheels and one or two forward or rear wheels, all of which are more than fourteen inches in diameter, except scooters and similar devices; (2) The term motorized bicycle shall mean any two or three-wheeled device having an
automatic transmission and a motor with a cylinder capacity of not more than fifty cubic centimeters, which produces less than three gross brake horsepower, and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than thirty miles per hour on level ground. A motorized bicycle shall be considered a motor vehicle for purposes of any homeowners- or renters- insurance policy.
- it is illegal to operate motorized bicycles on public streets and highways unless the operator has a driver’s license.
- Motorized bicycles and mini-motorcycles that have a motor with a cylinder capacity of more than 50cc and/or the ability to travel faster than 30 mph on level ground are--by law--defined as motorcycles. As such, these types of vehicles must abide by all of the state laws pertaining to motorcycles.
What are the licensing requirements for motor scooters or mopeds (under 50cc)?
Licensing for a scooter or moped depends on whether the vehicle meets the definition of a motorized bicycle. The Missouri statute definition of a motorized bicycle is as follows:
"Any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having an automatic transmission and a motor with a cylinder capacity of not more than fifty (50) cubic centimeters, which produces less than three (3) gross brake horsepower, and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground."
A motorized bicycle does not have to be registered with the Missouri Department of Revenue. However, you must have a valid driver license to operate a motorized bicycle (though no motorcycle endorsement is required).
Missouri statute does not require a helmet to be worn when operating a motorized bicycle. Please contact your local law enforcement agencies for any county/municipal codes that deal with helmets and motorized bicycles.
Keep in mind that no motorized bicycle may be operated on any public thoroughfare located within this state that has been designated as part of the federal interstate highway system.
Monday, July 7, 2008
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