 |
| Willet checking me out at low tide January 5, 2012 Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Moss Beach, CA |
 |
| Full moon over San Francisco, CA from the Wave Organ January 8, 2012 |
Sunday, January 15, 2012
This is what happens ...
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Relay Rides and Carsharing
I'm about to embark on a vicarious adventure of sharing my car as an Owner through Relay Rides, a company started in Boston to share your own private vehicle to Borrowers. This works just like your local carsharing company but instead of borrowing their company owned cars, you borrow someone's private vehicle often called peer-to-peer sharing/borrowing. This service can be seen to be part of the collaborative consumption movement whose followers subscribe to the idea that responsible consumers work to lessen their use of resources, especially resource intensive usage such as car ownership and use, through social networks often facilitated online. Just like carsharing companies, your hourly rental fee includes insurance and gas, and a great advantage is there is no monthly fee for the Borrower. As an Owner, I make money based on how much my car is available and how much I decide to charge per hour.
As an environmentalist, why I would do this?
As a thank you from me to you, here are promo codes:
Borrowers - No signup fees + $25 Driving credit: Borrow1
Owners - Free installation: Own1
Click here to Like on Facebook.
Click here to Follow on Twitter.
Oh yeah, want to know what kind of car I have? I have a 2011 Subaru Forester, a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV). Special shout out to the folks at Modesto Subaru!
As an environmentalist, why I would do this?
- My environmental work requires me to carry passengers, equipment, and supplies far from public transportation on sometimes muddy, hard-to-pass roads, and so my car serves as my company vehicle.
- When I'm not working and at home in central San Francisco, my car just sits in the parking lot, so why not let other folks use it? If you as a Borrower only need a car once in while, this keeps you from buying a car and maintaining it - payments, storage/parking, gas, maintenance, registration, and insurance.
- As someone who's been temporarily disabled and has not always been a car owner, I understand that sometimes public transportation is just not the best choice for getting around.
- Sharing the freedom with others: getting outside the city, traveling during hours with limited public transportation, moving stuff, transporting stuff (lots of groceries, furniture, sports equipment), hanging out with friends and family, etc.
- Last but not least, we all know as hard-working folks who aren't independently wealthy that living in SF is not cheap, but we love it here, so hopefully I can make a little extra towards maintaining and keeping a car (insurance, gas, and registration). Besides that, I make monthly and annual donations to my favorite non-profits, so the funds help in my own personal philanthropy/tithe department.
As a thank you from me to you, here are promo codes:
Borrowers - No signup fees + $25 Driving credit: Borrow1
Owners - Free installation: Own1
Click here to Like on Facebook.
Click here to Follow on Twitter.
Oh yeah, want to know what kind of car I have? I have a 2011 Subaru Forester, a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV). Special shout out to the folks at Modesto Subaru!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Cootie Catchers
My homegirl E. and I had an awesome day a few months ago where we treated ourselves to breakfast, shopping, and the spa. She has now coined it a "M.E. day," and we've had several since. While shopping, we saw some fancy cootie catchers with funny sayings. If anyone is buying these fancy cootie catchers, more power to whomever is making them, but why don't you make your own? Fun with friends, but possibly more fun if you just leave one lying around in a public place for anyone to discover her/his fortune. I've been thinking about that for awhile, and I think I will try it out tonight at the perfect venue - an 80s prom dance party at a hip club. Just for sh*ts and giggles.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Roller Skate!
I heart roller skating, but my few forays into outdoor skating in the past were not that fun, so I didn't do it again until last weekend when we were having 70 deg. weather in SF in January.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Ginger Tour
Prince Neville’s Ginger Beer: Best taste! Worst carbonation! Pluses for locally made (also I think not meant to be super carbonated like soda).
Trader Joe’s Ginger Chips (exact name?): Antithesis to candied ginger chunks. Cool way to have crisp, thin ginger awesomeness.
Reed’s: Way better choice than Canada Blecchhh, but I’m not fond of tasting the honey and pineapple; however, I do like the cherry ginger brew, but that one doesn’t have enough bite.
R.W. Knudsen: Good for what’s in a can. Pluses for sweetened with juice only.
Hansen’s: Eh. Just ok. Happened upon their diet green tea ginger ale drink. Not bad.
Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale: What green tea? BTW, what ginger, too?
Baron’s Ginseng Ginger Ale: Not the strongest bite, but dependable.
Regatta Ginger Ale: Would do in a pinch.
Ginger Altoids: Hot and good.
Tom’s of Maine Ginger Toothpaste: I really liked this, but someone told me not to buy Tom’s of Maine, and I don’t even remember why.
Ting Ting Jahe ginger candy: The illustration is reason enough to chew on these.
Ginger People: This stuff is good enough, but there’s no satisfaction in making a good find.
Ginger Newman O's: Um, yum. Satisfies my ginger cookie craving without having to suffer a cracked tooth from a too snappy ginger snap. I've never been too much a fan of hard, crunchy cookies.
Bi-Rite Ginger Ice Cream: You know my favorite saying, "You can never Bi-Rong when you Bi-Rite!"
Christopher Elbow Ginger Drinking Chocolate on Hayes: Mmm, believe it or don't, I'm not the biggest fan of chocolate covered candied ginger - probably because I don't like the little too gummy, little too fibrous texture of candied ginger chunks, but ginger in a quality chocolate drink? Dang, man! ArtisANAL.
Hot Ginger Boba at Sweet Delite on Clement: If you're sick, forget that weaksauce chamomile, lemon, and honey. That hot ginger will blow the roof off your sinuses, and chewing on hot boba will make you feel like you've accomplished something.
Vernor's: Like the heat, but not the sweet. I know it has an insane following, but not enough ginger flavor for me.
Ginger Cake at Park Chow: Wow, warm ginger cake served with a generous sauce and sorbet. The cake doesn't just have ginger flavor, but some heat and spice. 5 Jan 08
Hawaiian Ginger Ade: Organic ingredients, and no corn syrup. This stuff is great, but spendy. I don't even mind that there is no carbonation. Hot, spicy, and lemon juice makes it sour which is awesome. Just the right amount of sweetness, too.
Hawaiian Ginger Mate: If you like ginger and mate, you'll like this, but I prefer the regular ginger ade. I was hoping for the caffeine boost that I usually get from colas or coffee, but nary a sparkle. It has the mate flavor without the bitterness as well.
Hitachino Nest Real Ginger Brew (Beer): I would say it's an amber beer (as in alcoholic) with some ginger flavor. I had high expectations, but the ginger flavor wasn't as strong as I expected. Also, I thought it would be sweeter like cider but not so. Pluses for having a very cute bottle.
Candies Chimes Peppermint Ginger Chews: I got these from my co-worker plus the cool tin. I know lots of candies come in tins these days, because that automatically makes them fancy somehow, but this one is especially pretty. It's about the size of bandage tin, but the top slides to the side instead of acting as a flap. Must think of something to store in it. But about the candy - I loved it! A ginger chew that's just the right size and texture that you're not putting too much work into chewing on the same candy for too long, and you're not afraid that it will pull the fillings right out of your teeth. I like the combination of refreshing mint, and then the heat of the ginger building up after you first pop it your mouth. Definitely a thumbs up and buy it again wherever I saw it.
Maine Root Ginger Brew: My current favorite as of August 2009. Thanks, Reiko for buying it for me. It is Fair Trade and made from organic ingredients. Even if I didn't know all that, this one is still delicious. It has the right amount of heat for me, the right amount of sweetness as in not too much, and fairly bubbly. I'll have to ask her again where she got it and stock up.
Rondelli Deli Honey Pineapple Ginger Ale: (Aug. 13, 2009) Made in house at Rondelli Deli, a brand new lunch spot in Southeast San Francisco. Super pluses for being made in small batches and probably with organic ingredients. The chef tells me he doesn't add any refined sugar. This was super refreshing on a pretty warm day. I don't like the pineapple in Reed's, but the light pineapple in this brew added a tiny hint of the tropics. I liked the light sweetness of the almost floral ginger flavor. I usually like my ginger ale to be pretty spicy, but this is a great option for those who prefer flavor over heat or are just in a light mood. I liked the many tiny bubbles as well. Also, it was served over ice in a compostable cup.
Trader Joe’s Ginger Chips (exact name?): Antithesis to candied ginger chunks. Cool way to have crisp, thin ginger awesomeness.
Reed’s: Way better choice than Canada Blecchhh, but I’m not fond of tasting the honey and pineapple; however, I do like the cherry ginger brew, but that one doesn’t have enough bite.
R.W. Knudsen: Good for what’s in a can. Pluses for sweetened with juice only.
Hansen’s: Eh. Just ok. Happened upon their diet green tea ginger ale drink. Not bad.
Canada Dry Green Tea Ginger Ale: What green tea? BTW, what ginger, too?
Baron’s Ginseng Ginger Ale: Not the strongest bite, but dependable.
Regatta Ginger Ale: Would do in a pinch.
Ginger Altoids: Hot and good.
Tom’s of Maine Ginger Toothpaste: I really liked this, but someone told me not to buy Tom’s of Maine, and I don’t even remember why.
Ting Ting Jahe ginger candy: The illustration is reason enough to chew on these.
Ginger People: This stuff is good enough, but there’s no satisfaction in making a good find.
Ginger Newman O's: Um, yum. Satisfies my ginger cookie craving without having to suffer a cracked tooth from a too snappy ginger snap. I've never been too much a fan of hard, crunchy cookies.
Bi-Rite Ginger Ice Cream: You know my favorite saying, "You can never Bi-Rong when you Bi-Rite!"
Christopher Elbow Ginger Drinking Chocolate on Hayes: Mmm, believe it or don't, I'm not the biggest fan of chocolate covered candied ginger - probably because I don't like the little too gummy, little too fibrous texture of candied ginger chunks, but ginger in a quality chocolate drink? Dang, man! ArtisANAL.
Hot Ginger Boba at Sweet Delite on Clement: If you're sick, forget that weaksauce chamomile, lemon, and honey. That hot ginger will blow the roof off your sinuses, and chewing on hot boba will make you feel like you've accomplished something.
Vernor's: Like the heat, but not the sweet. I know it has an insane following, but not enough ginger flavor for me.
Ginger Cake at Park Chow: Wow, warm ginger cake served with a generous sauce and sorbet. The cake doesn't just have ginger flavor, but some heat and spice. 5 Jan 08
Hawaiian Ginger Ade: Organic ingredients, and no corn syrup. This stuff is great, but spendy. I don't even mind that there is no carbonation. Hot, spicy, and lemon juice makes it sour which is awesome. Just the right amount of sweetness, too.
Hawaiian Ginger Mate: If you like ginger and mate, you'll like this, but I prefer the regular ginger ade. I was hoping for the caffeine boost that I usually get from colas or coffee, but nary a sparkle. It has the mate flavor without the bitterness as well.
Hitachino Nest Real Ginger Brew (Beer): I would say it's an amber beer (as in alcoholic) with some ginger flavor. I had high expectations, but the ginger flavor wasn't as strong as I expected. Also, I thought it would be sweeter like cider but not so. Pluses for having a very cute bottle.
Candies Chimes Peppermint Ginger Chews: I got these from my co-worker plus the cool tin. I know lots of candies come in tins these days, because that automatically makes them fancy somehow, but this one is especially pretty. It's about the size of bandage tin, but the top slides to the side instead of acting as a flap. Must think of something to store in it. But about the candy - I loved it! A ginger chew that's just the right size and texture that you're not putting too much work into chewing on the same candy for too long, and you're not afraid that it will pull the fillings right out of your teeth. I like the combination of refreshing mint, and then the heat of the ginger building up after you first pop it your mouth. Definitely a thumbs up and buy it again wherever I saw it.
Maine Root Ginger Brew: My current favorite as of August 2009. Thanks, Reiko for buying it for me. It is Fair Trade and made from organic ingredients. Even if I didn't know all that, this one is still delicious. It has the right amount of heat for me, the right amount of sweetness as in not too much, and fairly bubbly. I'll have to ask her again where she got it and stock up.
Rondelli Deli Honey Pineapple Ginger Ale: (Aug. 13, 2009) Made in house at Rondelli Deli, a brand new lunch spot in Southeast San Francisco. Super pluses for being made in small batches and probably with organic ingredients. The chef tells me he doesn't add any refined sugar. This was super refreshing on a pretty warm day. I don't like the pineapple in Reed's, but the light pineapple in this brew added a tiny hint of the tropics. I liked the light sweetness of the almost floral ginger flavor. I usually like my ginger ale to be pretty spicy, but this is a great option for those who prefer flavor over heat or are just in a light mood. I liked the many tiny bubbles as well. Also, it was served over ice in a compostable cup.
Social Experiments ... hmmm
From Bookcrossing: "Welcome back to BookCrossing, where books have adventures of their own. BookCrossing is earth-friendly, and gives you a way to share your books, clear your shelves, and conserve precious resources at the same time. Through our own unique method of recycling reads, BookCrossers give life to books. BookCrossing books are not stagnant dust collectors, but living entities travelling the world as true BookCrossing emissaries. Our books find new readers and introduce them to the wonders of BookCrossing."
www.bookcrossing.com
From Wheresgeorge: "Do you ever wonder where that paper money in your pocket has been, or where it will go next? This is the place to find out. All you need to do is enter the denomination, series, and serial number of any US dollar bill, and your current USA ZIP or Canadian Post Code."
www.wheresgeorge.com
From Flashdance: "In November 2005, I started this crazy little experiment: free, outdoor dance parties done flashmob-style! The plan was that about once a month, I would send out an email for a specific night and a specific location to my FLASHDANCE email list so people would know where to go (& when). Then folks on the list would show up at the given location on the given night, & I’d bring my sound system & we all would dance dance dance to awesome dance music.
www.deeptrouble.com/flashdance
www.bookcrossing.com
From Wheresgeorge: "Do you ever wonder where that paper money in your pocket has been, or where it will go next? This is the place to find out. All you need to do is enter the denomination, series, and serial number of any US dollar bill, and your current USA ZIP or Canadian Post Code."
www.wheresgeorge.com
From Flashdance: "In November 2005, I started this crazy little experiment: free, outdoor dance parties done flashmob-style! The plan was that about once a month, I would send out an email for a specific night and a specific location to my FLASHDANCE email list so people would know where to go (& when). Then folks on the list would show up at the given location on the given night, & I’d bring my sound system & we all would dance dance dance to awesome dance music.
That was the plan. But I was filled with questions and worries:
Would anyone come? Would we immediately get shut down? Would it be fun?
Well, after doing a bunch of them, I can safely say WOOOOOOO! FlashDances ROCK!
The crowds have been GREAT, the response has been FANTASTIC, and the vibe is SUPER FUN!"www.deeptrouble.com/flashdance
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
