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Monthly Archives: July 2008

Lion Love - Just Big Ole Pussycats

Thursday, July 31, 2008

This video has recently been making the rounds on the Net, but if you have not seen it yet, here is the clip of Christian the Lion. You can read the whole story at The Born Free Foundation.

In 1969, John Rendall and his friend Ace Bourke legally bought a small lion cub from Harrods pet department store in Australia.  ‘Christian’ was kept in the basement of a furniture shop on the Kings Road in Chelsea.  The lion was loved by all, the affectionate cub ate in a local restaurant, played in a nearby graveyard, and was growing very fast.  The young men realized that they could no longer keep Christian.

A chance encounter with Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna led to a new life for Christian.  He came to live in a caravan at their Surrey home.  Then in 1972 he was flown to Kenya, his ancestral home, and returned to the wild in the Kora Reserve by lion-man George Adamson. 

Christian left the Kora Reserve in 1973 and settled in his new territory along the Tana river.  However, when the Wakamba herdsmen kept bringing their livestock to his hunting ground, he moved on. George Adamson said in his autobiography, “I used to count the days on which we hadn’t seen Christian, but when they reached 97, I gave up recording them in my diary.”  Although a lion can live from 12 to 15 years in the wild, Adamson believed that Christian had died in the Meru National Reserve only a few miles up river.

Nine months later in 1974, John and Ace visited Kenya.  Christian had not been seen for nine months but appeared the day before them, seemingly to know of their arrival.

It was an emotional reunion: “He ran towards us, threw himself onto us, knocked us over and hugged us, with his paws on our shoulders.”

Below is another example of how loyal and affectionate the King of the Jungle can be.  This African Lion looks as if it is about to attack a zoo visitor, however it is actually hugging and kissing his former rescuer. 

Jupiter, an African lion, was saved from a travelling circus over six years ago by Ana Julia Torres.  Ana had formed a special bond with Jupiter while nursing him back to health at her animal shelter.

“This hug is the most sincere one I have received in my life,” she said.


Lion amoureux
by NY182

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So Sad… First Tesla Wreck in the Wild

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Ouch, that does not look good.  Apparantly customer #6 drove his car into the back of a Mercedes while fighting traffic in San Francisco.  As expected, folks are already blaming the lack of “noise” generated by the car as being a factor.  Huh?  This was not a pedestrian getting hit, this was just your classic rear-end collision, almost always caused by aggressive tailgating.

While the damage does not look too bad, as most Lotus owners can tell you, this is not an inexpensive vehicle to repair.  Both front and rear “clams” will need to be replaced at a cost of approximately $10,000.  In addition, the suspension is very fragile, and often even low speed accidents will require replacement of some suspension pieces.  Heaven-forbid if a suspension mount is damaged, because the aluminum chassis is “non-repairable”, and has to be swapped out if bent or damaged in any way.

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Wireless Power Part II - Was Nikola Tesla Right?

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

A couple weeks ago, I posted that a small company named PowerMat had created a mat that delivered power wirelessly to small appliances like cell phone, shavers, etc.  Because the device and the mat still needed to be in contact, I claimed that this was not true wireless power delivery, and declared myself the winner in a bet between myself and friend who we know as Tim.   He had claimed that we would soon have wireless power delivery, while I felt that sending power will-nilly through the air was a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Well today, I came across a few new articles.  Ok, I did not come across them, Tim sent them to me after realizing that I had claimed victory.  Apparently some researchers at MIT lit a 60-watt light bulb by transferring energy through the air from the power delivery base to a device attached to the bulb.  The researchers have dubbed their invention, “WiTricity”.

Essentially they have extended induction’s reach by projecting a magnetic field from a length of coiled wire that has two ends almost touching, which forms a gap.   This gap forces electrons to travel back and forth through the coil, creating a magnetic field that oscillates at a specific frequency. The device attached to the light bulb has a similar gap with the exact same frequency, thereby allowing it to “pickup” the energy.

Backing my claim, theoretical physicist Douglas Stone of Yale University commented, “The big showstopper for this, would be if people, entities or devices that are not supposed to absorb the radiation do absorb it.”  In layman’s terms, that means if you got in the way of a couple hundred watts, you would feel like you stepped into a microwave oven.

Tim also cited several articles, including Pinpoint microwave resolution could lead to wireless power transfer and a Biography of Nikola Tesla which you can read at your leisure.  So what do you think, is Tim right and we will soon have wireless power delivery, or am I right and we should just stick to wires?

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Texans Tilt at Windmills - Take Care Cries Sancho!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Don Quixote beware, West Texans are erecting giant wind farms as quickly as they can.  In order to move the electricity that is being generated, more than $4.9 billion is being spent on an ambitious plan to set up transmission lines to carry the wind power generated  to surrounding urban areas.

The newly installed lines will be able to handle 18,000 MW, currently more than three time the amount of power currently being generated through existing wind farms.  The new capacity will provide the infrastructure to greatly increase the number of windmills, and get that energy to customers who are located far from the actual power production.  The Public Utility Commission will pay for the expansion with a $3-$4 surcharge on customer’s existing electric bill.

Texas estimates that they could produce over 500,000 MW solely on wind power.   That type of capacity would equal almost 5 times Texas’s current electrical usage.  If all goes as planned, the excess capacity could be sold off to other neighboring states, or even into Mexico.   New windmills are being installed at a rapid rate, and has more than tripled in the last three years.

Boone Pickens is driving the charge in Texas, as the former oil man is investing over $10 Billion in the Mother of all Wind Farms.  He recently claimed, “”I have the same feelings about wind, as I had about the best oil field I ever found.”   This new wind farm would consist of over 2,00 turbines spread across 200,000 acres, and would have a capacity of between 2-4,000 MegaWatts.

The quaint windmills of Don Quixote’s time are now being replaced by giant turbines that stand as high as 20-story buildings.   Although Sancho’s cry of warning would now be best heeded by the local birds and bats.   However, the National Research Council, the research arm of the Academy of Sciences, recently has reported that wind turbines barely have any effect on bird populations.  They claim very small numbers of deaths, but have warned that bats may be more at risk.  Apparently these animals seem to be attracted to the windmills, although the reason why is unknown.

Once this project is completed, Texas will become the largest generator of clean, renewable, wind power.   Not only will this project create thousands of new jobs here in the US, it will also be used as an example of what can be accomplished in a short time frame.  It may take Texans a little time to get used to wind mills out in the field instead of oil wells, but this is great for Texas and for the US.

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Lightning strikes twice!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

My friend Pete sent me an email about the new Lightning GT from the Lightning Car Company based in Britain.   This Telsa competitor has over 600HP on tap, courtesy of individual electric motors mounted in each wheel hub.  The projected 0-60MPH is in less than 5 seconds, and claims a top speed of over 130 MPH.  That is similar performance as the Telsa, but surprisingly has similar range estimates of over 200 miles to a charge, while being much heavier.

The NanoSafeTMLi-ion battery system that is utilized can be recharged in as little as 10 minutes when connected to a 3 phase electrical system.  The battery systems uses nano titanate structures instead of traditional graphite, which are claimed to greatly increase safety and longevity. That type of recharge time is currently unheard of, however most homes are not equipped with three phase power.  Perhaps this is a way for traditional gas stations to stay in business.  Plug in, get your latte and newspaper in the morning, and by the time the clerk is done with you, your Lightning should be recharged.

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Lotus Evora - Cool Name, Cool Car

Wednesday, July 23, 2008
2010 Lotus Evora

Lotus officially announced the new Evora, previously known by the code name Eagle. This is the first all new Lotus since the Elise made its debut in 1995. Currently, this is the world’s only 2+2 mid-engine sports car. Although, Lotus is careful to warn that the back seats are only suitable for children or those with very small legs.

This Lotus still retains its sporting heritage, however much attention has been made to make it a more practical and comfortable car. Those familiar with the Elise/Exige are familiar with the contortions required to enter and exit the vehicle. The new Evora has wider and taller door openings, and the sills are narrower, making it easier to slide over.

Similar to other Lotus, it is mid-engine, and lightweight, although at 2976 pounds, it tips the scales at almost 1000 pounds more than the svelte Elise/Exige. To help propel that increased weight, a Toyota 3.5-liter V-6 is stuffed behind the passenger cabin. This engine churns out 276 horsepower and 252-lb-ft of torque. That is enough to push the car from 0-60MPH in five seconds with a top speed of around 160MPH.

While clearly not as sporting as the Elise/Exige, which are essentially street-legal race cars, the Evora will help lure those who are used to comfortable sports cars such as the Porsche Cayman. The classy styling, lower price (~60K), and exclusivity may help steer younger would-be Porsche customer into a Lotus.

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Terrorist Screening Database - The Terrorist Watch List

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

I am one of the unfortunate many who’s name is in the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database, also known as the Terrorist Watch List.  What this means is that when I travel, my name is flagged and I have to be properly identified before I am allowed to get a boarding pass.  In addition, I also am more likely to be singled out for random screening during the normal screening process as you go through security.  When traveling with others, like my family or business associates, they are also more likely to be randomly searched, and often require additional identification at the check-in counter.

Am I a terrorist you ask?  No, I just have the bad luck of having a very common name.  Someone with the same name as me is apparently wanted by the FBI, and I get flagged since our names match. 

The Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) maintains the consolidated database of the names for all known or suspected terrorists, which is known as the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB).  The Terrorist Screening Center was created on Dec 1, 2003 by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 6 which directed that a center be established to consolidate the government’s approach to terrorism screening and to provide for the appropriate and lawful use of terrorist information in screening processes.  At this time, over 400,00 names are contained in the database, with 5-6% of that number being US Citizens.

Am I upset?  Not really, usually this only causes a short delay (5-10 minutes) when checking-in, and at most airports, the random screening is often faster than waiting in the long security line.  In general, I respect what the government is trying to do, and I subscribe to the motto, better safe than sorry.  I have recently heard that registering with a slightly different variation of your name, like using full middle name, can help prevent getting flagged.  I am going to try that the next time I fly and will comment if it is successful. 

Has anyone else found that they are on the list?  What are your experiences, and are you upset you are on the list?

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Hemingway, Polydactyl, or just the Six-Toed Cat?

Monday, July 21, 2008
Six-Toed Cat

Six-Toed Cat

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is home to over thirty polydactyl cats.  Often called Hemingways, but what you and I would call a six-toed cat.  Most cats have extra toes on their front feet and sometimes on their back feet as well.

Polydactyly, or extra digits, is a common trait among cats, particularly it seems, among Celtic cats, cats on parts of the U.S.’s Eastern coast, as well as in South West Britain.  Despite some claims to the contrary, polydactly is not a product of bad breeding.  It is simply a naturally occurring genetic variation, it is even found in fossil reptiles, which means that a regular five-toed cat might be the abnormal form! 

Six-Toed Cat

Six-Toed Cat

 The form of polydactyly most commonly seen in cats is a dominant trait which does not affect the cat adversely and is not associated with other abnormalities.  Despite suggestions of “natural snowshoes” there is no real evidence that polydactyly has any significant natural selective advantage or disadvantage.  If it was disadvantageous, polydactyl cats would quickly have died out. It is simply an endearing anomaly…

If you have one of these cats, I would love to hear about them, please post a comment and share your story.  If you also know of any that need adoption, please pass that along as well.

Cat Water Fountain

Cat Water Fountain

At the Hemingway House, the cats are very well taken care of, just as they were when old Papa Hemingway ruled the joint.  Nestled into the backyard is the most famous cat drinking fountain in the world; Papa had it specially built for his pets.

The top of the fountain is an old Spanish olive jar that was brought from Cuba. The overflow from this jar spills into a urinal, that serves as a drinking spot for the Hemingway 6-toed cats. The story goes that the urinal came from Sloppy Joe’s Key West bar. Hemingway told him, “I might as well put one of these in my backyard since so much of my money has gone down it already.”  

Don’t tell anyone, but I know what he meant…
Cat Water Fountain
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Who Killed the Electric Car

Sunday, July 20, 2008

EV1

EV1

We watched Who Killed the Electric Car last night on the Tivo.  I am surprised that I have not watched before, but I guess I figured it would just be a rant.  Surprisingly, I felt they had a very balanced message, rightfully placing the blame on pretty much everyone.

 

  • Consumers - wanting huge SUV’s instead of smaller efficient vehicles
  • Car Companies - Too addicted to ICE (Internal Combustion Engine)
  • Gas Companies - wanting to preserve current profits $$$
  • Government - Not mandating change
  • CARB - Switching from a mandate for electric to hydrogen at the last minute

The funny part is that if Toyota, GM, and Ford all had continued production of their EV’s, they would be selling like hot cakes today.  Toyota had a very usable RAV EV, GM had the EV1, and Ford had the Th!nk, which they have since sold to a European firm.  All of these cars were in production, and could be sold today.  And, with the advances in battery technology (imagine a EV1 with LiON batteries!), they would be even better, and cheaper.

Let’s hope the car companies can get their EV’s back into production, and start getting practical PHEV’s into production.

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Z-Car Forum

Sunday, July 20, 2008

I want to remind folks about the fine Z-Car Forum.  It is a small forum that has been slowly acquiring members over the past month or so,  The main topics include Alternate Fuel Vehicles, Energy Independence, and Public Energy Policy.  Please take a minute to register and leave a message.  I am sure you will find some interesting thoughts and conversation.

Thanks

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