thought of the day

Part of my bulletin board at work.

This was my first attempt at using Utterz a site that allows you (as you can see) to upload to a variety of blogging sites or video sites from your cell. Upload video, picture, or text at anytime. Heck if I can do it, it must be easy.

I haven't been able to get into twitter, which is a similar social networking update service but it only has the capacity for text.

Thanks to the Okie Expat for the heads up on Utterz!

Mobile post sent by tanyalias using Utterz. Replies.

Happy Hour rethought

Seems like there is more to do on a Friday at 5 ...er 6 rather than get sloshed after a rough week in the office. The first Friday of every month, the Galleries of Dupont Circle open their doors and host an open house and discussions. While I may grab some wine first, it does sound like a good way to get to enjoy the neighborhood.

Is anyone unique?

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 6 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

A fun break in the middle of your day.

Probably the best idea ever

Microfinance projects have been getting a decent amount of press lately- since the Grameen Bank founder Muhammed Yunis won the Nobel Peace Prize in '06- but this project brings microlending into the average westerner's living room. Kiva has transformed microlending into a process where anyone can sign up to assist an aspiring business person in a developing nation to meet their financial needs in order to start their business and generate income for themselves.

This project is amazing for a few reasons:

1. Western donors love to know exactly to whom their funds go and this project gives plenty of detail on each entrepreneur in the developing world- how much money they need- what they plan to do with it- and photos.
2. It is easy. With an internet connection you can suddenly (from your office on K street) be helping a mother or group of women in Latin America, or Africa, or Asia achieve economic freedom and be given a chance to fulfill their dreams.
3. transparency/ accountability. The site clearly posts delinquency and default rates on each individual's page. Also Kiva takes no cut from the loan amount and instead asks for a small donation for their operating costs.
   
4. It is fun- With its social networking site set-up you instantly feel like you are helping achieve a goal- you can see other lenders who are on your project "team" if you will- and see how your small amount of money can add up with people from across the world to help change lives.
5. There are probably more things I haven't thought about that should go here-- but I'll let you comment and tell me what you think is cool about Kiva.
   

I just made my first loan of $25 to complete the funds needed for a women's group project in Senegal. I can't wait to see updates on how they do-- once the loan is repaid, I can then transfer the money over to another project. I can't say I've been this excited about a $25 purchase in a long time.

Is the wide blue yonder shutting down the Space Coast?

Caption: A rendering of a Taurus II rocket at Wallops Island, Va. Florida suffered a blow in February, when Orbital Sciences Corp. announced that it would launch a Taurus II rocket from Wallops Island, bypassing Kennedy Space Center. [Rendering: Orbital Sciences]


Growing up on Florida's East coast gives you an interesting life view. A trip to the ocean is never far off and the sun sizzles year round- but more importantly there is a connection to something beyond-- and it's not just the horizon line over that sparkling ocean.

Being a part of the Space Coast brings you closer to the amazement of wonder of the space outside our sheltered blue home. At least for me, I know I make a point to watch every launch and hold my breath- keeping track of their journey through space, and even watching the NASA channel (which if you haven't before it is horribly boring) but just to watch the shuttle image slowly blip across the globe and here random radio feedback between the station and maybe even some words from the astronauts. (So cool!- serious dork alert I know).

With private enterprises (literally) launching into space and the imminent need for a new space craft (the shuttle has been around ohhh 30 years)surely NASA and KSC would be ahead of the curve and ensuring the stability of the Space Coast's continued launch site and expertise in the whole space exploration line o' work.

Not so. Like any government contract, it seems KSC may soon lose it's princely hold the space industry with the next U.S. issued fleet. How about the private sector? It seems that other sites around the world are less expensive and have less red tape guarding launch procedures. A list of other launch sites are found in the article.

This is worrisome for my home county because of how it can impact the economy. This month's Florida Trend has a feature addressing the future of the Space Coast in the space industry. "The state’s most immediate concern is the 3,600 jobs along Florida’s Space Coast that will be lost when NASA retires the shuttle fleet in a little over two years. NASA estimates its economic impact in Florida topped $3.6 billion in 2006; the average Kennedy Space Center salary is $72,000."

Florida has a chance to jump at the private business of space flight. The shuttle will stop flying in 2010 and the next craft won't be ready for launch until 2015. There is too much talent, dependency, and history on the Central Florida coastline dedicated to this industry to simply close shop.

Fun to do!

Check out the Webby awards, where you "the people" can vote on the web's best (as well as categories in film, mobile, and ads). I saw some familiar sites on the list but definitely learned some new helpful databases for everything from travel, to social networking, to news.

Too easy to get away!

Between work and personal travel I have spent just as many days out of the district as residing here! (a point to which my d.c. friends love to point out and grumble).

With Bolt Bus though, a whole new world, aka the Big Apple is open to me after just 4 hours on a luxury bus. 4 hours? Why not take the train you ask. Well that is a whole lot more money. Using Bolt bus the trips are about $20 or under and you ride in style and comfort on a luxury bus. I use the time to read and zone out- which in itself is a mini-vacation! Depending on your bus driver, you may stop half way for a potty break and snacks-- the bus does have facilities, but let's be honest- you loathe anyone who actually uses it. Oh- and they have free wifi on board!

So yes I'm going to NYC via the Bolt Bus for a second time this weekend.