Bottled or Tap?

Since I am now in the water industry, I will occasionally share articles or information about water. I have never understood people who purchase bottled water for everyday use. It always seemed like a ripoff to me, and it really isn't any healthier than tap water. This doctor writes an interesting article on bottled vs. tap water (although I would argue it is only convenient part of the time).

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthnews/4505/water-facts-bottled-or-tap/

Pig Recovered

Grand Junction's beloved bronze pig has been recovered.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_8367703

Oscar Predictions

Updated: Seven of Nine isn't too shabby...

Before the Oscars, I thought I would put up a guess at the winners for the major awards.

Best Picture - No Country for Old Men
Best Director - Ethan & Joel Coen (No Country For Old Men)
Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood)
Best Supporting Actor - Javier Bardem for (No Country for Old Men)
Best Actress - Julie Christie (Away From Her) Marion Cotillard
Best Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett (I'm Not There) Tilda Swinton
Best Original Screenplay - Juno
Best Adapted Screenplay - No Country Old Men
Best Animated Film - Ratatouille

The only pick that I am a little uncertain about is supporting actress. Tilda Swinton or Cate Blanchett will take this one.

Obama Link Dump

Ok, so I am being lazy and not posting anything original (plus, the title of this post leaves a little to be desired). But here are some links (a few are a little old) that a couple of my Obama friends have sent to me recently. Thanks to Jonathan and Dave.

Edwards, Clinton, Obama Debate
Obama's Edge: His Wife Michelle
Interviewer Picks the Wrong Obama Supporter to Railroad
Yes We Can Song
Can Mrs. Clinton Lose?

Mine Water

I ran across this article about a little discussed side effect of the high snowfall that Colorado has received this year. I worked on a project at my previous job with the EPA expert that is quoted in the story. On that project, there is a similar mine pool that has built up behind a collapse in the mine. It is located near Ward, Colorado, in an area with few homes. I also worked on a project a few years back that involved a surge of water from a mine subsidence (a collapsed mine that looks like an open pit). In that case, the mine had collapsed causing the pipe that conveyed the creek through the mine site to break. The creek then flowed directly into the mine and exited out of a mine pond that formed in a downgradient collapse. That year we had a heavy runoff and the subsidence pit started to fill up from the increase in stream flow entering it. After awhile, the pressure head increased causing enough pressure within the mine to "blow out" the collapsed mine entrance. This caused a nasty slug of water to enter Little James Creek, near Jamestown, resulting in a fish kill, but no human injuries.

Cabo

As I have mentioned here before, we recently returned from a trip to Cabo San Lucas with our friends John, Steph, Joe, and Sarah. We had an absolute blast. We spent the first few days relaxing on the beach or by the pool, drinking pina colodas and cervezas. I don't know why, but Cabo has the best limes that I have ever tasted. They are smaller and sweeter than the ones you can buy here, and boy do they taste good in an ice cold Corona.


Cabo San Lucas is located at the tip of the Baja peninsula, where the Cortez Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. One day, we took sea kayaks out to Land's End to check out El Arco and the beaches by it. It was very cool kayaking between the rock formations and having seals follow us around. Since it is currently whale watching season, we ventured out to open water and saw a few gray whales come to the surface to breathe. It was an awesome experience.


Another day, we went for a sunset cruise on a catamaran. While out on the ocean, the captain spotted a few more gray whales, which can grow up over 50 feet and 30 tons. We sailed along and watched as they came up to breathe every two to three minutes. Then we watched as the sun dipped into the pacific. On the way back, the captain, who we nicknamed El Capitan Urbach, let Sarah and Cherilyn helm the boat.


We also did lots of other fun stuff, like ride waverunners, play pool volleyball, go down the shamu slide, eat lots of great seafood, and hit the clubs in town. I wish more of you could have joined us.

Caucus

I went to my first political caucus this week. I headed on over to Erie High School a little early, as I figured I could get a good parking spot and sign in. As I approached the high school, I couldn't believe the traffic. There were hundreds of cars trying to get into the parking lot. The high school is brand new and normally has ample parking, but I had to search for a parking spot behind the school. I think their were 6 precincts total, split between the auditorium and cafeteria. Nearly 400 boulder county residents were placed in the auditorium, and about 200 Weld County residents were in the cafeteria. Our caucus organizer said that he couldn't remember more than a dozen people total showing up far a caucus in the past. Our precinct alone had 96 people.

Our precint has the most delegates (13) in Weld County, and we turned out strong for Obama. The vote in our precinct was Obama - 70 and Clinton - 26, which resulted in 9 and 4 delegates respectively. According to the Colorado Democratic Party website, in Weld County, Obama received 1,660 votes, and Clinton received 920. In Boulder County, Obama received 13,100 votes, and Clinton received 4,426. Statewide, Obama won by a margin of almost 2 to 1. The overwhelming turnout just goes to show the passion and desire that people have for change from the current incompetence, corruption, and cronyism of the current administration. I believe that Barack Obama is the candidate to lead that charge.

Life is Good

Sometimes life goes by so quickly that we don't have a chance to stop and assess things. We get so caught up with work, house repairs, activities, etc., that we forget to stop and smell the proverbial flowers. I was driving home from watching U2 3D (yes, for the second time) and I realized that my life is pretty good. The past couple of weeks, I went to Cabo, saw huge gray whales, watched U2 in psuedo concert, talked or emailed with some friends who aren't regularly in my life, and participated in my first caucus. I find it really helps to reflect on the blessings that most of us have been given. Yeah, we all have our trials and tribulations, but for the most part, we have it pretty good. I am so grateful for my family, friends, and health. So for those of you reading this that consider me to be a friend (or not), here is a big internet hug and kiss going out to you. Hope you are having a great week.

Another Dimension

Sorry for the lack of posts, but I managed to avoid computers for the last week, as I was on vacation in Cabo San Lucas (which I will write about later). Right now, I want to recommend that all of you go and see U2 3D. I went to a matinee on Saturday, and the Imax theater was sold out, which left a couple of friends I was meeting out of the show. I quickly forgot that I was on my own after the lights went down. As a huge U2 fan, the show actually brought tears to my eyes at one point. But, even if you aren't a huge fan, I still think that you would like it. The 3D technology is truly amazing. Thanks to advances in digital camera technology and memory storage, U2 3D is the first live action digital 3D movie ever, and after seeing it, I am sure it won't be the last. The 3D technology not only brings objects toward you, but also adds depth behind the screen. If you do see it and don't like it, let me know, and I will buy you a beer.