This week's compendium

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…

1. I saw on treehugger.com some amazing bus stop shelters [1]. None is in Australia. Ho hum.

2. Microsoft published guides to ‘How to shop online more safely’ [2a] and ‘How to use third-party payment services’ [2b]. I doubt we can ever know too much about these matters.

3. the despoiling of parts of the Great Barrier Reef by a cargo ship makes this catalogue of corporate villainy apposite [3]. Ho hum (again).

4. this item from the Rocky Mountain Institute [RMI] explains how cars can, and must, be made lighter without compromising safety [4]. Yes we can.

5. adjunctively, this ‘Winning the oil endgame’ Ted Talk by the RMI’s Amory Lovins, a hero of mine, was released [5]. The sooner the better.

6. if you’re in a viewing mood, this film Tarkine: Saving the Last of Gondwana graphically shows what’s best and worst about Tasmania [6]. And Tasmanians.

7. Sweetheart Vivienne and her Dad featured on the Age’s ‘2 of us’ page [7]. Congrats to them both.

8. darling Jarrah lost a BIG front tooth [8]. I hope the tooth fairy took note it was a BIG tooth.

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.

farmdoc's blog post number 608

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…
1. Federal environment Minister Peter Garrett used emergency powers to heritage list the Tarkine Wilderness in north-west Tasmania because it’s a place of outstanding natural and cultural heritage value [1]. The moronic Tasmanian government still wants to build a A$23M tourist road through it.
2. it was announced that biodegradable plastic bags will be used at the 2010 Australian F1 Grand Prix and will help make it a ‘Green Event’ [2]. What’s that hot, brown, steamy stuff that comes out of the back end of bulls?
3. the Medical Journal of Australia [MJA] reported that some people are more violent and exhibit `werewolf' tendencies during a full moon [3]. The next full moon’s on New Year's Eve, so it won’t be a true test.
4. the MJA also published research showing that the faster you tear off a Band-Aid, the less it hurts. Also women reported less pain so doing than men. [4] Doesn’t bother me because my wife and daughters have made me an honorary woman.
5. in yet more medical news, a Queensland study reveals that using sunscreen is cost effective in preventing cancer [5]. Yep.
6. the Australia Institute reported that in 2009, Australia’s big four banks made a combined profit of A$35.1B. In other words, for every dollar spent in Australia, three cents went into bank profits. [6] Yet the banks have the temerity to raise interest rates on their loans by almost double the recent Reserve Bank’s 0.25% rise. Bastards.
7. Grammar Girl reminds us that the ‘X’ in ‘Xmas’ has a religious origin, and is not merely replacing Christ with an X [7]. Ho hum.
8. happy 42nd wedding anniversary today to my Sweetheart Vivienne (and me). Also to Gavin and Orly on your 7th.
Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.