New beast in the stable

I got a used Honda Fit (Jazz) a few weeks ago. First tank was 34.6 mpg (6.80 liters per 100 km). Well actually with some mild hypermilling I can get 41.1 mpg (5.72 liters per 100 km)
Love it! If it was AWD it would be near perfect.

Map a course to Charity Navigator

Not sure if your hard earned cash you're about to send off to a pleading charity will mostly go to administration costs? Steer over to Charity Navigator

Wrap up the economist

Can't think of a reason why you love to read the Economist? Rap duo Psikotic explain with their eulogy about the Economist magazine.

Fear God

This photo was taken by amateur photographer Chris Messaros of Santa Clarita during the fires in October 2007

So long my faithful Subaru Impreza

I finally traded in my 98 Subaru Impreza this past weekend. I got 280,000 miles (to the moon and part way back) out of it. I used Mobil 1 0W30 engine oil from day one. I had the transmission rebuilt once, one clutch plate, and a few transaxle replacements, other than that it was all original equipment. I even got some trade value out of it.

Evolution of Space Junk

The European Space Agency has posted a gallery of the maps they have put together for man-made debris in orbit around the earth.

Anti malware software review

In-depth software review of anti virus, malware, spyware, adware, etc, etc,etc.

Can Cell Spam be Canned?

Consumer Reports has a few tips on reducing mobile spam. One of which was using the governments National Do Not Call Registry which works for mobile phones too.

News: More then 1 in 100 American adults is in prison, report finds

This rather alarming headline in the International Herald Tribune:

"Nationwide, the prison population grew by 25,000 last year, bringing it to almost 1.6 million. An additional 723,000 people are in local jails. The number of American adults is about 230 million, meaning that one in every 99.1 adults is behind bars."

Economist in mp3

A fantastic new way to get The Economist downloaded into your brain. Assuming you're already a subscriber. This week is about 175MB.

I give it a few thumbs up (4/4 magazines).

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http://www.economist.com/audioedition/
The audio edition contains word-for-word recordings of all articles
published in The Economist, read by professional broadcasters and
actors. It is ideal for anyone who wants to listen to
articles while travelling, exercising or just relaxing.

Review: 3:10 To Yuma

3:10 To Yuma (3/4)
I have to admit I'm a sucker for Christian Bale movies, and his acting carried this one. The plot had a few holes in it, but great movie. I would like to see the 1957 version to compare.

Review: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (0/4 stars)
If it was not for the extreme gore I'd give this movie 3/4, as an interesting story, with a great plot. Even the singing was not too obnoxious, I did not pay attention to it after a while. The critics disagree with me.

Take a gander behind you...

Courtesy of Daily Mail :
It's behind you: Great White stalks ocean canoeist
Alone in his tiny plastic sea kayak, marine biologist Trey Snow had hoped to stealthily track a great white shark. But he had the shock of his life when he spotted a giant fin and realized it was he who was being stalked - by surely one of the most feared killers in the world...

...This incredible picture was taken by wildlife photographer Thomas Peschak - who had to tie himself to the high bridge of a nearby vessel and lean precariously over the ocean before he could get his shot....

Driving blindspot free

I drive with no blindspots, no looking over my shoulder to change lanes, etc. I've been driving with my mirrors adjusted this way for years. It's a no brainer for me. The hilarious guys at CarTalk have an instruction sheet that makes it as easy as pie to set up.

They day the music died

The lead guitarist, Karl Messner, from my favorite band, ApologetiX, has left. Time to shuffle through all their songs on my MP3 player, reminiscing the good ol' days.

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After 15 years and nearly 1000 concerts, I left the band four weeks ago to focus on my family, and I'm planning to pursue other interests. The guys have done a bang-up job playing the last 10 concerts without me, and I'm sure a whole great new chapter is opening for the band.

Bill Hubauer has taken over as lead guitarist and producer, and he's well suited for both roles. I've told J. many times over the years, "If I ever die or leave the band, get Bill Hubauer to replace me."
[...]
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This too shall pass.

Breakout the outbreak

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has a database of foodborne illness outbreaks. You can search by pathogen (from Aerococcus viridans to Yersinia enterocolitica), food and state.

I love checking out their Food P0rn every month, here's September's.

Save a Tree

Stop all those annoying "You've been pre-approved for ...." offers. Stops companies trawling credit rating agency data for eligible customers. Go to OptOutPrescreen

Review: The Prestige

The Prestige (****/****)
Christopher Nolan is back in the game after a disappointing Insomnia. I've got to watch this again. Metacritic gave it a thumbs up.
I did go and watch it again the next day. Even better the second time around.

Very Short Stories

Really really short stories (6 words or less) over at Wired. A few gems:

Computer, did we bring batteries? Computer?
- Eileen Gunn

Automobile warranty expires. So does engine.
- Stan Lee

Wasted day. Wasted life. Dessert, please.
- Steven Meretzky

He read his obituary with confusion.
- Steven Meretzky

Check Out:Bluetooth Retro Handset

Way cool. An old fashioned bluetooth handset from the folks at ThinkGeek.