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Ever since Bush's mention of money for fuel cell research in his State of the Union address, I've been thinking a lot about whether fuel cell vehicles can really improve our quality of life. Hydrogen fuel cells don't pollute. Great. But even though hydrogen is the most abundant element and it's all around us, how do we get it in usable form? Two words: Fossil Fuels. To quote the Dept. of Energy: "Today, nearly all hydrogen production is based on fossil raw materials. Worldwide, 48% of hydrogen is produced from natural gas, 30% from oil (mostly consumed in refineries), 18% from coal, and the remaining (4%) via water electrolysis."
Even if we start producing hydrogen from a renewable source, like water, you can be sure that fossil fuels will be burned to produce the electricity needed to get the hydrogen out of the water. Where in that equation are we decreasing our use of fossil fuels? Wouldn't it actually be more efficient to burn a fossil fuel in a car than to use a fossil fuel to make hydrogen, and then put the hydrogen in the car? Unless we're using a renewable energy source to produce the hydrogen, we might as well forget the whole thing. With Bush and people like him running this country, we might as well forget the whole thing. Some efficiency numbers (from How Stuff Works): Hybrid cars are smart engineering. Regenerative braking (using a hybrid car's electric motor as a generator to slow the car and recharge a battery bank) is absolutely brilliant. Someone needs to produce a model with storage space, but this is a good start. Biodiesel appears to be another great alternative, if you're willing to put forth a little effort. Using 100% biodiesel doesn't seem practical for drivers in cold climates because the fuel turns to slush, but blending biodiesel with regular diesel can fix that. Of course, all this is only important if you drive. We made the drive to the coast yesterday for some fun in the sun, then the rain, then the sun again. I love the fact that you have to wear winter clothes on Oregon beaches, even in the summer. The cold really keeps the crowds small. NPR is telling me, as I type, that women over 65 are the smallest group using computers and the internet. I'm proud to say that my grandmother is one of the few of that group that is using the internet. She even reads this page. Nice work, Grammy. { Sunday, February 23, 2003 | Comment # } Dan and Ann called and left us a message at 9:20, "very sensible" east coast time. At least I think Ann said sensible. We're still trying to crack the code. We were out eating pizza and not able to answer the phone. Now I have to take out the garbage and put the empty bottles by the curb for the Crazy Can Man. I think I hear the rattle of his shopping cart approaching... I must make haste! { Friday, February 21, 2003 | Comment # } Remember how I was tutor of the month back in November or December? Well, the kid is reading like a pro now. One week he couldn't read Clifford the Big Red Dog, and the next week he read a chapter of a real book like it was no big deal. Then yesterday we played chess for a little after-tutoring fun, and he put me in check-mate with three moves. This kid went from dunce to genius in about a month. Can any one explain how that happens? You know, besides my incredible tutoring skillz. { Wednesday, February 19, 2003 | Comment # } We have used the long weekend to discuss, at great length, what we are going to do with ourselves. Around midnight last night we decided that I am going to quit my job in June and we'll move back to the East Coast at the end of July. We're about 90% sure. Maybe 95%. I'm applying for a teaching certificate in the state of Maine, and that's where we'll be setting up residence. This feels like the right thing to do, even though it is going to be so sad to leave Portland and the friends we have here. Now we need to decide how we're going to spend June and July. Drive to Alaska? Spend a month in Hawaii? Any suggestions? { Monday, February 17, 2003 | Comment # } On Tuesday I was so into my book that I rode the bus 17 blocks too far. I really wasn't too mad about it because the book is really good and I was able to read for 3 more minutes, and it was a really nice night for a walk. I took the photo you see above during the walk home, and I guess that's the point of the story. By the time I got home it was time to leave for our weekly tutoring appointment, but before we left I whipped up some grilled cheese real quick so Beth wouldn't pass out. { Thursday, February 13, 2003 | Comment # } Dude, Joe Millionaire (if you haven't seen this web site, be prepared for a laugh) wasted an hour of my life on Monday, making me think I would hear the final decision and then not delivering the goods. Now there's a big twist that I have to be worried about for next week and waste another two hours of my life. The twist is that Sarah is pregnant, but Evan is still going to pick Zora. Mark my words. And then, last night, American Idol sucked. Why are they all singing horrible easy-listening ballads? Even the one guy who was pretty good sang that "baby baby baby oh baby" song. I don't know how he figures he's representin', singing a song like that. I need these shows to end so I can go back to not watching TV. { Wednesday, February 12, 2003 | Comment # } Yesterday it was actually warm enough for rock climbing. I've been going to the climbing gym from time to time with a friend of mine and it has been a lot of fun. I really can't see myself getting serious about it, but it is a fun sport. We climbed two routes in the Columbia River Gorge on Sunday. Both were simple enough that I could climb them without falling, yet hard enough to be pretty damn scared. There's a certain security level in the gym, with the padded floors and marked routes, that doesn't exist outside. Anyway, it was a great day spent outside. Beth spent the day quilting with some friends. Cute. { Tuesday, February 11, 2003 | Comment # } Sometimes I just get bored. I figured if I was bored with the old page, all of you must have been too. Now our faithful readers will get to see photos from our day-to-day life in addition to the text. The right hand column probably speaks for itself, but I'll keep all that stuff changing as appropriate. I'll probably be making little tweaks over the next few days. Our friend, Calvin, is getting ready to go to the UK for a month and I'm going to lend him a backpack for his trip. Calvin once gave a speech at work that involved him saying "ass" upwards of twenty-five times. { Friday, February 07, 2003 | Comment # } I've been pretty busy these days with traveling, fixing other people's web pages, being sick, and being the wonderful husband that I am. But I assure you that Beth and I are working on bigger and better things for our web page, and we might actually have it ready by the end of the weekend. I know you will all wait with bated breath. Today I only work until noon so I'll be going over to Powell's Bookstore to spend a $10 gift certificate I got for my birthday. I will be accepting advice on what I should purchase until 1130 (that's military time, baby) PST. If you suggest a book that you haven't read I'll send it to you when I'm done. And one more thing: if any of you are ever thinking of buying a new computer, get an iMac. Ours is, by far, the best computer I've ever owned. Beth might have a different opinion because of the amount of time I spend on it (see good husband comment above). She does enjoy using the little cleaning cloth that came with it, even if she doesn't get to use the computer itself that often. Did I say one more thing? I meant two more. According to a poll, most teen girls choose steak as their favorite type of beef to eat with their friends. { Friday, February 07, 2003 | Comment # } Sorry for the lack of updates, but I was back in Arkansas for a week. I don't know if there is a more depressing state anywhere in the country. The two dams I visited were, naturally, way out in the middle of nowhere and I did a lot of driving through small towns. Nearly every main street I saw was completely boarded up. Even the gas stations were closed. The only buildings still in operation were schools and churches, and those churches all have billboards offering clever quips of faith. God wants the fruits of faith, not religious nuts. Tonight we're having dinner with Jeff and then going out with some of Beth's friends from work. I think I might be the only boy at girls night out. { Saturday, February 01, 2003 | Comment # } |
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