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I can’t believe I’ve made it through 27 years of my life without being forced to have a thorough understanding of economics. Today that streak has come to an end. I spent the morning reading my glossy new textbook and gobbling up the theories like a kid in a candy store. So THIS is what I’ve been reading about in Adbusters! Sure, I have understood most of the concepts before, but what I’ve been trying to figure out on my own is how to get everyone ELSE to understand the relationship between limited resources and infinite demands….

I arrived to class almost excited to jump into economics — only to sit through a half hour introduction by our professor all about his experiences at London School of Economics (a school that’s becoming quite familiar to me as of late). Stories about him, McJagger and his other classmates. I’m always glad to hear any news from LSE students — especially Jessica — but never thought I’d get a 30 minute LSE history session from my Prof. Luckily, he seems to be pretty cool and I’m ever so thankful that his opinions sway towards goodwill, not corporate greed.

I’ll be back to write more later, ceteris paribus.

J.

The new year has arrived sooner than we thought (by a few millionths of a second or so), and apart from compassion there is certainly no reason to be unhappy should all your family and friends be safe and in good health.

It is quite amazing how proximity to those we care about can provide such comfort. I suppose it depends on how you define proximity, or perhaps on how much faith you have in the technologies available to get us to those people should it be necessary.

For instance, I trust that my health, energy and legs can get me to most family and friends should it be required. I also love driving and am familiar enough with a vehicle & gas engine that getting to anyone over land certainly doesn’t worry me (especially since I know some people who are willing to kill for oil to keep the motor running). Sailing or flying does not bother me either, but sails and jets are just a bit less familiar so I worry a bit more when they are my only tools to decrease the aforementioned proximity and thus increase my own personal comfort.

Is this proximity issue solved when you own a jet? I know that getting around San Andreas is a lot easier when you have a jet and parachute…

For me, the weirdest part about all of this is that I don’t have to be in line-of-site to be comforted by these people. During the Christmas holidays I spent one evening at home alone and was thrilled that so many people I admire were nearby. Tonight may be another quiet night, but for some strange reason I cannot rest as easy — even though the same people are just as safe and happy (if not safer and happier) now that they’ve returned to their homes.

-Blammo- that’s a lot to handle after a long night of ringing in the New Year. Right now I’m sitting down flipping between “Suzuki Speaks” (a documentary about the future of our planet and our interconnectedness) and “The Rose Bowl Parade” (grow flowers, cut flowers and build a pretty float for your sponsors). I wonder how many Rose Bowlers know that air pollution helps preserve fresh cut roses? (PDF, 360KB)

Lastly, all this writing about jets during David’s kick-ass show made me think of something I read a while ago about how the exhaust from planes (contrails) effects the atmosphere by crystallizing and shading some areas (lowering temperatures) or rising and blocking uv rays and heat in others (raising temperatures)

Regards,

J.

We took the long road and drove it. For six hours. I don’t know how we could have possibly made the trip last that long (with only two stops) but we did. Along the way we ironed out a few details of a new business venture, listened to the new U2 and The Killers albums [repeatedly], and photographed much more road.

Arrived at the Graham’s early. Did you know that everyone in the Pontiac defines their house by the colour of their outdoor Christmas lights? It works better than we thought.

The party lasted well into the early hours of the morning. I doubt that Judson even realized he had been pumping out live music for over 5 hours straight! Ronda’s cooking was spectacular, as always, and the spread was unbelievable. Greg even made up some fresh breakfast with the morning’s harvest although it was probably only an attempt to get back on my good side after spending the night reminding me about how my tender feelings for a woman can be used against me in a game of 10lb quoits.

But I suppose that’s the great thing about a public journal… I can just post stuff whenever I get the notion and if someone should want to read it that’s fine. However, the vision behind the madness is to take advantage of the “ease of posting” and create some dynamics to my current static web presence.