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September 30, 2005

FOUR FOR FRIDAY

Q1: If you were given the opportunity to use a syringe full of sodium pentothal (truth serum) on any two or three people in the world (they can be either dead or alive, by the way), who would you choose to use it on and what questions do you think you might ask?

Q2: Do you have a favorite childhood memory (by childhood, think ages 3 to 18-years-old)? If you don't or would rather not share it, what was your favorite part of yesterday?

Q3: If an impending natural disaster was forecasted for your town or geographical region, how confident would you be in your own ability to evacuate to a safe location? Along the same lines, how confident are you in your own city or town's evacuation plan and capabilities?

Q4: When was the last time you spent en entire morning or afternoon (4 hours or more) exclusively out-of-doors, and what was it that you did during that period of time?

Posted by Mikal at 6:32 AM | Comments (9) | TrackBack

September 27, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS STINKS, PART II

The Indianapolis Star is finally reporting what those of us who live and breath in the Circle City have suspected for years... mainly, that our wastewater treatment plants are increasingly becoming overwhelmed, allowing billions of gallons (yes, I said allowing BILLIONS of gallons) of "bypass sewage" to openly flow into nearby waterways. In short, untreated sewage has been flowing in open locations all across our fair city for years, and it poses a significant threat to just about everything. From this morning's article in the Star:

State law requires cities and towns to notify residents of overflows from combined sewers--when pipes that transport both raw sewage and storm water spill into waterways--but there is no such requirement for overflows from sewers designed to carry only sanitary waste. Until now, the public usually didn't know about those spills. ....The combined sewers in Indianapolis overflow more than 60 times a year and dump about 6 billion gallons of untreated wastewater into waterways in older parts of the city.

According to the Indy Star, the State of Indiana's Department of Environmental Management is now posting records of sewage overflows on its web site, and will continue to do so every Friday for the foreseeable future. Click Here to see for yourself.

The city's Administrator of Environmental Engineering, Carlton Ray, is quoted in the article as saying that the city is "moving as quickly as it can to fix problems and has begun investigating sources of water infiltration." The Star also reports that a program is being developed to educate Indianapolis' residents about disconnecting sump pumps and downspouts from sewers.

I hope that the Indianapolis Star and concerned citizens like myself will keep the pressure on the City of Indianapolis to fix the problem with our sewers. Of my first post on this subject, the Indy Star's own RiShawn Biddle recently mused on the Star's editorial blog:

Mikal Belicove has some interesting thoughts on the state fair at his eponymous site. He also notices the odors that plague the city:

[quoting from my 8/1/05 post on this subject, Biddle goes on to quote me as saying] "...someone needs to do something about the smell of raw sewage that permeates our air. It's particularly strong on hot and humid days (but not exclusively), and can be found by rolling a window down while driving along Fall Creek Parkway (between Meridian and 38th Street), as well as up around Broad Ripple Park (near Evanston Avenue and 65th), and downtown between Pennsylvania and Meridian on Washington and Maryland streets."

He wonders if he's the only one to notice. Not a chance. I feel like grabbing a gas mask every time I commute along 96th street, home to malodorous operations as Carmel's waste treatment plant and the various aggregates operations.

If you too are sick (perhaps literally) and tired of the smelliness in Indianapolis, consider contacting your locally elected official (click here for an easy way of determining who exactly represents your part of Indianapolis on the City-County Council). It's not enough for the City and State to post overflow information on some web site. Something has to be done to actually fix the problem, now!

Posted by Mikal at 8:18 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

September 24, 2005

PART ONE: Time & Date... 11:56 PM, Last Night

Directory Assistance: What city and listing please?
Me: Yes, in Indianapolis, may I please have the telephone number for Urban Element; it's on 9th & Pennsylvania.

Directory Assistance: One moment please while I connect you.
Me: Thank you.

Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring...

Marc at Urban Element: Good Evening, Urban Element.
Me: Hi Marc, this is Mikal Belicove from across the street.

Marc: Oh, Hi Mikal... are you calling about the music; is it too loud?
Me: No, I'm not calling about the music. I can't even hear the music, and that's only because of all the people standing outside and directly in front of the restaurant making all that noise.

Marc: Oh gosh, I'm really sorry. I'll go outside and see if I can quiet them down.

Me: Thanks. Marc, I just gotta tell ya, and I don't mean to be a prick about this sort of thing, but this noise is ridiculously excessive at this time of night... it's so lound that it sounds like all of your customers are standing in my living room...
Marc: Uh huh, well, we're having a private party and I'll see if I can get it quieted down...
Me: ... and if it doesn't stop within the next five minutes I am going to call the Police to report what I believe is a noise violation.

Marc: Well, okay; I understand.
Me: Yep, thanks, Marc.

PART TWO... Time & Date: 12:16 AM, This Morning:

911: Hello. What's your location and emergency?
Me: Yes, hello. I'd like to report what I believe to be a noise violation.

911: Okay, what's your location.
Me: On the corner of 9th & Pennsylvania; the noise is coming from a restaurant on that corner. The restaurant's name is Urban Element.

911: You said, "Urban Element" on 9th & Pennsylvania?
Me: Yes, that's right. Right on the corner of 9th & Pennsylvania.

911: Okay, what seems to be the problem there.
Me: Well, I across the street from there, and there are a bunch of people out in front of the restaurant being loud. They're talking loud, some are shouting at one another, and at this time of night I think it's excessive, especially with people trying to sleep in their nearby homes.

911: Okay.
Me: I called over there about 15 minutes ago and asked the owner if he could get his customers to quiet down, and he said he'd try. I told him I'd give him 5 minutes before calling the Police to report what I believe to be a noise violation. Now, 10-15 minutes later, its only gotten louder.

911: Okay, well we'll send a squad car over to see what's going on.
Me: Thanks. So is there a noise code/ordinance for Indianapolis?

911: Yes, there is. Between the hours of 11:00 PM and 7:00 PM the noise has to be kept at a level that's significantly quieter than at other times.
Me: That's what I thought. Well, thanks.

911: That's no problem. Like I said, we'll send a car over to 9th & Pennsylvania to see what the problem might be. Would you like to leave your name and telephone number?
Me: Sure, it's yada, yada, yada, yada....

September 23, 2005

Q1: If you were offered an opportunity to travel free of charge to any destination on earth for just a 30 minutes visit, where would you choose to go and why?

Q2: Have you ever taken a cooking class? If so, was it fun and worthwhile, or did you feel it was a waste of your time and money? If you've never taken a cooking class, would you like to enroll in one? If so, what cuisine or techniques would like to learn?

Q3: With Category 4 and 5 hurricanes dominating the news, how prepared would you say you are to successfully ride out a major storm like Katrina or Rita? Said differently, do you have enough supplies on hand to be able to cope with the fallout that accompanies power outages and the like? If not, are you now thinking about stockpiling supplies such as drinking water, food, gasoline, medicines, batteries, etc.?

Q4: The average automobile stands still 23 hours a day. How about yours... how many hours a day would you say your car sits idle (not counting being caught in stop-and-go traffic)?

September 19, 2005

My birthday always reminds me of the many things I have to be thankful for. Whether it's the freedom I enjoy, the insights I've gained, the peace of mind I've learned to find, or the wonderful jobs I've had, Iím eternally grateful to the powers that be that have seen fit to allow me to exercise my talents and learn from my mistakes. Oh, and let's not forget my family and all of the wonderful friends and colleagues I've made along the way.

Tradition states that we're to receive gifts on our birthday, which of course isn't half bad; but I'm of the opinion that on one's birthday we should thank the people we value, look up to, and/or have learned something from. With that very simple thought in mind, please know that on this, my original date of birth, I give thanks to all of the people who have allowed me to be a part of their lives, including...

...my entire family (but especially my Mother and Brother), Melissa, Jerry C., Roman, Matt H., Ford, Renee T., Luke S., Christoph, Rick E., Kimberly L., Cathy & Jerry, Lori & Jeff, Kate R., Bradley W., Brad & Bryan B., Erika & JJ, Rob, Lee McD, Ret, Dave M., Bob & Christina, Hanna S., Erin A., Bobby M., Ami S., Jozet, Deb P., Leigh F., Koan G., Hara M., Senor Pez, Tripp, AJ, Ben W., Joe & Cecie, Shelia H., Scott & Jay, Simon P., Mark H., Deb J., Alvin, Gaby, Jim M., Elaine, Bliss, Ian P., Ken & Jan, Keith H., Lisa, Mikey V, Erik, Courtney, Susan M., Danna K., Barbara T., Brian D., Patricia C., Mike L., Kevin G., Megan D., Alex H., Tammy A., Diane, Christy B., Beth, Tiffany R., Dave S., Shiladitya P, Kathy C., Ruben C., Paul F., Sya, Andy, Mark, Zoe, Georgette B., Traci C., Kristin D., Bill, Stefan, Kim S., Laura G., John J., Bob K., Tina, S. Jordan, Josh B., David & Arlene, D. Lee, Kim, Becca, Farrell, P-Biddy, Jeremy H., Buck T., Ava, Shantanu, Chris, Big Daddy Rick, Tina C., Vanessa B., Angela, Mike S., Melody L., Shea & Maurice, and Katie F., (along with a bunch of other great people who I'm sure I've missed).

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I truly believe that we are a part of all of those who have touched us, and I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for making me a part of your life and for touching mine on a daily basis by just being who you are.

I can't believe I ate the whole thing... 40 years and counting... Thanks Mom!

September 16, 2005

Q1: Would you be willing to cut off all communication with everyone in your immediate family for one year if it meant by doing so you'd be saving the lives of 10 innocent people whom you do not know? If your answer is no, what if the scenario changed, and instead of 10 people, your action would save the lives of 100 of 1,000 complete strangers?

Q2: How often do you wash your hair?

Q3: Last night, in a nationally-televised address carried by all four major television networks here in the U.S., President George W. Bush promised a massive federal effort aimed at rebuilding the lives, levees, and communities along Louisiana's, Mississippi's, and Alabama's Gulf Coast. In your opinion, should the city of New Orleans be rebuilt in its current location?

Q4: What, if anything, is on the outside of your refrigerator?

September 12, 2005

Earlier today, I entered The Daily Camera's "First & Last Snow" contest... a simple contest in which you guess the date and time of Boulder, Colorado's first measurable snowfall of at least 0.1 inches. My entries for 2005-06 look like this...

Date of First Snow: Monday, October 17, 2005
Time of First Snow: 6:28 AM

Date of Last Snow: Tuesday. May 2, 2006
Time of Last Snow: 10:28 AM

Here, according to The Daily Camera, are the dates of Boulder's first snow of the season for each of the last 15 years:

2004-05: October 31
2003-04: October 30
2002-03: October 22
2001-02: November 8
2000-01: September 23
1999-00: September 28
1998-99: November 7
1996-97: September 25
1995-96: September 20
1994-95: September 21
1993-94: September 13
1992-93: November 2
1991-92: October 4
1990-91: October 7
1989-90: September 12

The winner of this year's contests receive a $200.00 gift certificate to the largest privately owned hardware store in the country-- McGuckin Hardware in Boulder.

Click here to enter Boulder's First & Last Snow contest for yourself (you don't have to live in Boulder to enter, and you certainly don't have to live there to win).

September 9, 2005

Q1: What's the last item of clothing you ironed? Do you enjoy ironing? If you never iron--opting instead to bring your clothes to a cleaner--do you use a 'green' cleaner or a traditional dry cleaner?

Q2: How many doors do you open over the course of a typical day? Which door do you look forward to opening the most?

Q3: How important are 'the arts' in your life? Are you the type of person who just has to go to the museum in order to stay sane or make sense of life, or could you care less about what people commonly refer to as ëthe artsí?

Q4: If you had the budget to do so, what benefit would you add to your employerís benefits plan?

September 4, 2005

I don't know about anyone else, but I for one am becoming increasingly disappointed that television, radio, and newspaper reporters are choosing to refer to New Orleans' displaced and evacuated citizens of as "refugees." By definition, a refugee is a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social or political group. International humanitarian law defines refugees more broadly; including displaced persons who have fled their homes during armed conflicts but have not left their homeland. Last time I checked, none of these definitions applied to the residents of New Orleans, who, as a result of a massive flood triggered by Hurricane Katrina, are evacuating--forced or otherwise--to other parts of the country.

If you think language is a small matter to be quibbling over, consider for a moment the plight of a group of 11-year-old boys and girls from New Orleans who have been evacuated to Houston, Texas. After spending a week-and-a-half cooped up in the Astrodome with no word yet on the status of some of their own relatives, they're finally enrolled in one of Houston's many inner-city grade schools. While all of the other 5th graders have homes--complete with their own rooms, beds, and toys--and they all know each one another (or have at least had a chance to interact with one another since school began two to three weeks ago), the kids from New Orleans--who the media are still referring to as 'refugees'--are completely overwhelmed by the prospect of starting school in a new city under these sorts of circumstances. Still dealing with the experience of being stuck in the Big Easy without food, water, shelter, and adequate space, they're now thrust into the position of having to assimilate into a completely new environment... an environment that, regardless of which part of the country you're in, is full of kids who can be cruel and unforgiving to newcomers, regardless of stern instructions they've received from their teachers beforehand telling them otherwise. I can just see it now... itís the first day of school in Houston for kids from New Orleans, and hereís what happens out on the playground during morning recess:

Houston 5th grader #1: "Hey, whoís the new kid?"
Houston 5th grader #2: "I dunno."
Houston 5th grader #3: "Oh, him... he's a refugee'"
Houston 5th grader #1: [shouting] ìHey, refugee!

While there's no denying that the images we're being shown on television resemble those often associated with refugees (such as this one from Borneo and these from the Sudan), it does a great disservice to our own citizens to refer to them as such. These people are our own people. They are U.S. citizens, taxpayers, and they deserve our respect.

STOP CALLING THEM REFUGEES!

September 2, 2005

Q1: What role, if any, do you feel race and socioeconomic status have played in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing crisis along the United States' Gulf Coast?

Q2: If for one reason or another you were unable to evacuate from your city or town before, during, or immediately after a major natural disaster, and you found yourself without any food, water, or shelter, would you break the law by entering a grocery store and taking food (or a department store to take some new underwear and clothing)?

Q3: From what you've seen on television or heard first- or second-hand, what do you think of the U.S. government's response thus far to Hurricane Katrina and the affected regions in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama? If you were in charge, what would you do differently?

Q4: Do you plan on making a financial contribution to aid in the recovery efforts along the Gulf Coast? If so, will your contribution be higher, lower, or around the same as your contribution to aid in the recovery of other natural or man-made disasters, i.e., the 2005 tsunami, 2001's 9/11, etc.?