Anthocyanin. Xanthophyll. My favorite plastids make red and yellow.
*COOL* GIS applications on the web
I’ve been meaning to post on some of my favorite GIS applications on the web. Here are some of my latest favorites. Thanks to instructor AA for alerting me to the HealthMap app for iPhone.
HealthMap: Global Disease Alert Map – Map of the latest alerts on infectious disease around the world. The site uses information from a variety of sources including validated official reports (e.g. WHO), personal account, and news media reports. It has a user-friendly interface for searching by disease and by location. There is even a nifty companion iPhone app.
St. Louis Red Light Cameras
St. Louis SpotCrime Map
Potholes in Boston, Potholes in Detroit – user-generated maps showing potholes. FixMyStreet in UK (a site to report, view, or discuss local problems such as graffiti, fly tipping, broken paving slabs, or street lighting). Check out this NPR story on the growing influence of social media that highlights these pothole databases. This type of application is an example of new possibilities at the intersection of user-friendly GIS technology and social networking. This kind of thing could save $ for local governments and produce faster results for citizens.
Another example of a new application at the intersection of mapping and user-generated content is the site Urbanspoon that merges information on location, cuisine type, and price of restaurants with reviews and menus uploaded from restaurant-goers. The iPhone app has a really fun slot-machine search engine and I really like the simple percentage count of people who “liked it” or “didn’t like it” as a rating system.
Playlist: Still love these guys
I was jamming to The Rapture in the car the other day (as in 14 days ago now) and was reminded that I kind of love them. My favorite song and most favorite video is Get Myself Into It. The video is sweet and kind of hilarious and it makes me want to dance. On wheels that is.
The Rapture: Get Myself Into It
The Rapture: Pieces of the People We Love – mad towny shuffle and cocktails!
The Rapture: House of Jealous Lovers Live on Letterman – it’s like a Jane Fonda workout, for real
The Rapture: House of Jealous Lovers original – classique
Bloc Party: Banquet – better than the remix
Bloc Party: Hunting for Witches (ruckus roboticus remix) – better than the original
Bloc Party: Tulips – this is the slow song with lyrics I loved
Kasabian: L. S. F. – this song has been killing me for years. there’s something in one of the melodies or the whiney vocals in the background that reminds me of some song from the early 90s but I can’t put a finger on it. Something from Kula Shaker or spacey Charlatans or Happy Mondays? Drop me a line if you can peg it.
Continental Shoemakers: Krushgirlsaturdaynight By a friend in Athens who’s way ahead of his time. This song is amazing.
Sigh
Oh dear, it seems there is never enough time, is there. I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job of getting enough sleep, exercising a bit more, socializing, and exploring our new neighborhood. I’d like to be more efficient at work but I’m getting back on the productivity wagon and feel good about my plan for multi-tasking. Mostly there are all kinds of things I want to read or research or learn and so many blog posts I want to write and I don’t have time for those things. I have a growing list of books I want to read. I want to learn how to make resin jewelry pieces just for fun. I want to learn how to small-scale compost and maybe build a little composter. I want to attend boot camp exercise classes and run enough that I can run 45 minutes no prob. I want to try cooking more middle eastern food. So much to do!!!
Playlist: The Wildlife
The Wildlife are hard to google. They are a four man act from the Bay area that allegedly includes Mano Dio Gracias, Scotty RockNRoll, Daren Wilkinson, and Astral Navigator.
I was reeled in by the cowbell on Wraparound. Then I fell in love with Electric Slide, which is full of infectious wobbles, twangy riffs, and effects on Mano’s vocals, which ranges from melodic singing to indie sing-song yelling that makes me want to break out into the townie shuffle. It’s classy dance rock.
The Wildlife: Electric Slide Update: I adore this song. I love the twangy guitar and the vocals. It’s Verve + Dismemberment Plan + indie vibe + subtle groovy beat.
The Wildlife: Wraparound
Enough for now. I’ll add more to the playlist later.
Playlist: Favorite band of the summer
This is my new favorite band, hands down, and this was my favorite song this summer. In the car, in the field, strutting with my iPod. Ghostland Observatory is a duo from Austin that gives us the gift of electro, rock, soul, and funk. They have personality, moxy, infectious riffs and vocals, moves, and yes, capes on stage: Sad Sad City.
The title of this song pretty much describes it: Midnight Voyage. Upon first listen, it was instant *love*, then I questioned whether I really thought it was that awesome, and now I love it again. I think you have to give it awhile to sink in. It’s reminiscent of 70s rock and spacey drug music. Most importantly, it makes me want to kick.
I find this song to be catchy and uplifting yet introspective and reflective: Silver City. Me likee.
Update: Since seeing these guys kick it live last week, my new favorite song is Piano Man. Fast forward to ~2:15 for full effects of lasers, cape, and Aaron’s moves. There ain’t nobody else but us two, right here, okay.
I have a razorball of lightning
Last Friday we went to the big ass indie art & craft show at Mad Art downtown with the goal of seeing Mother Gem herself, Ms. Leslie Hall and the lovely Lys. We got front row seats and were treated to these delights: 
Wait, was that the Hebrew Hammer assisting Clownvis during the opening act?
Huffing and puffing
Today C and I ran for 19:55 including a 5 minute break after 16 minutes. My face was tomato red for at least an hour afterward. Ugh, the humidity kills. This is an accomplishment, though, because last week we had to walk-run and on Monday I only ran for 13.5 minutes. Goals: Get fit, feel better, sleep better. Side benefits: fit in pants better. Requirement: mucho water and paying money to enter some sort of organized fitness event that will motivate me to keep going.
Highlights from packing
Today I found a number of awesome things while packing.
Apparently I wore this under my wedding dress when I got married. It probably cost a small fortune. I like it better with green chacos. Is this a keeper or a tosser? I think KN would tell me it falls into the category of "dress up clothes" and that I have to keep it in case I have a girl.
Matching gym bags! I used to use the one on the right until I inherited the one on the left from my dad when he was cleaning house. It still has several dog tags with his name and address on it, so I like to use that one. Funnily enough, I'm pretty sure the gym bag on the right came from chrichp's dad. Thanks, dads!
Never get caught without your getaway outfits!
Chachi helps out
Tiger helps out
