a fun, cheap, green project with the kids...

for just a couple of bucks, you can make a small solar cooker--think easy-bake oven using the sun.  a cool project to work on with your kids, fun for a green and do-it-yourself project.  plus, you get to make some tasty cookies to enjoy afterwards! 

The $5-$6 Solar Oven - More DIY How To Projects

i bike a good deal

in the past 5 years, i have cycled over 23,000 miles.

a good portion of which is bike commuting to and from work, and to and from meetings.

my trusty steed, a '98 gary fischer mountain bike, is a chunky beast that can take the daily beatings and still maintain solid time in the finesse shifting needs.

a couple of weeks ago, i starting having some issues unlocking my kryptonite u-lock.

occasionally, this is due to a wee bit of precipitation getting into the tumbler and either freezing in the cold months or corroding the moving parts a tad--therefore needing a shot of oil.

so i oiled and the remedy did not take. humph.

by deductive reasoning, i started to think that the tumbler itself may be broken or dislodged, as i found that if the key were shimmied back and forth while attempting to turn the lock it would take on occasion. perhaps i dropped the lock and it hit the pavement, causing the dislocation of the tumbler, i thought.

i traced my memory and did not recall any such event that was out of the ordinary to cause such a malfunction.

so, i then started to think about the key itself. maybe it was the culprit to the dilemma.

i dunno, upon inspection, it still had teeth and the appearance of a key. it did have a bit of wear, but could this really be the problem?

i located the spare key for the lock and made a comparison...

eeigh! the key was indeed the problem-maker. and the whittling down of this steel served as a small feather of merit in my cycling cap. i love wearing out gear, due to use. a very satisfying feeling.

simple actions to save money and gain efficiency

a solid article in the new york times on the small investments in energy efficiency to gain huge return on investment and cost savings. an arra stimulus program that works in many ways.

drop of water in slow-motion

discovery channel video slowing down a droplet of water to reveal how the meniscus is like a trampoline for the water droplet.  fascinating.

make cheap vodka into quality vodka at home

entertaining and instructional video of how to take your cheap plastic-bottled vodka and raise it up a few shelves in quality...

awesome water-powered rocket

you can make one of these at home by reusing plastic soda bottles.  this video awakens the 8-year old inside...

what are your rebates and incentives for energy efficiency and renewables

a comprehensive list of all currently available rebates and financial incentives, broken down by each state in an easy to navigate map.

a solid base of information to help you to the tipping point of how you are going to make your home more comfortable, energy efficient, and save money.

reclaimed building materials interview

interviewed in cooking light magazine about reusing building materials on home projects.