Donald E. Westlake, RIP

Donald Westlake, the prolific mystery novelist, died on New Year’s Eve while on vacation in Mexico. These are sad tidings for those of us who enjoyed his books. The man wrote something like a hundred under his own name as well as several pen names. He also wrote the screenplay for the movie, The Grifters, adapting it from the Jim Thompson novel. Westlake preferred to write his books using a manual typewriter. Given that he wrote an incredible number of pages, his fingers must have been ready for the Olympics.

Well, rest in peace, Mr. Westlake. Your books will be around for years to come.

Published in: on January 2, 2009 at 2:29 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Kite Powered Ships?

Who would have thought that sailing ships would come back into style? I mean, isn’t that how the first ships were powered? Yes, wind and human power at the oars. However the Sky Sails company has taken sailing to a new level. They use a kite, which is actually a sort of wing, that is tethered to the ship. The kite is flown up to 300 meters above the ship, a place where the winds are stronger and more reliable. They’ve been doing some test runs and fuel savings are better than 10% when compared to normal operations and are on the way to 20% or more. That’s better than $1000 per day for a 10,000 ton ship. Mucho dinero as my Spanish speaking friends would say.

Check out this video for some good footage of the system in action: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QUyetrs3MQ0&feature=related.

Thus, there are smart people doing great things out there to protect the environment and make money at the same time. Best thing we can do is let them continue their good work unmolested.

Published in: on October 20, 2008 at 1:21 pm  Leave a Comment  
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A Quote For The Times

“The control of the production of wealth is the control of human life itself.” – Hilaire Belloc

Think about the above quote in the context of the government and those wanting to hold office. The talk of controlling the markets, of intervening, of bailouts and rescues obfuscates the reality that once these measures are in place, the government will control the lives of its citizens.

Enough said. For today.

Published in: on October 14, 2008 at 6:30 pm  Leave a Comment  
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What Goes UP…..

What goes up may come down and go up and down many times. Of course, I’m talking about the stock market. Be careful out there. Don’t panic. Have discipline and goals.

Published in: on October 13, 2008 at 9:18 pm  Leave a Comment  
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