Month February 2009

Rumble in the Ruble

The ruble is cratering, Russia is about to default again on their debt, and Russian firms are using barter to purchase goods, not the ruble. Sounds like a currency that is circling the drain. The international currency speculators are no…

Bank bailout, Phase 2. The apocalypse cometh?

The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse Doug Henwood, in a fine rant, says the bank bailout announcement today might allow hedge funds to buy assets from the banks at cheap prices, guaranteed against loss by the government. I hope this…

Google PowerMeter

Google.org is working on an innovative new product, Google PowerMeter, that will track home electricity consumption in near real time, all part of their plan to have a smart grid with smart use of power. Studies show that access to…

Beijing Mandarin Oriental burns down

Um, why did it go up like a pile of kindling that someone had thrown gasoline on? Just wondering… BldgBlog says this marks a symbolic end to the grandiose mega-construction we’ve seen worldwide – buildings that were meant for use…

The Toilet Torcher strikes again

Someone has taken upon themselves to burn down Porta-Potties in San Francisco. Yesterday, he (because I severely doubt it’s a “she”) struck again – for the 22nd time. God, I love this city.