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I love roundabouts! It's an elegant solution that works. Glad to see others agree! -ralph  Aug 9th 2007 IN DEEPEST Washington state, trooper Dusty Pierpont stands in front of a roundabout trying to persuade motorists to like them. Washington started building roundabouts in 1997. By 2001 there were 17; now there are over 100, according to Brian Walsh of the state's transport department. But trooper Pierpont is still needed to soothe those first-time (or even tenth-time) nerves. America may be sluggardly on general road-building, but it is experiencing a boom in modern roundabouts, which (for those who have not yet met them) do the job of any ordinary four-way, stop-sign or traffic-light crossroads. They are more efficient and safer than the old traffic circles, such as Columbus Circle in Manhattan, which have been built in America for the past century. (Modern designs include mechanisms for slowing traffic down as it nears the roundabouts, for example, and do not allow pedestrians onto the centre of the circle). Although exact statistics are hard to come by, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that America has 1,000 modern-style roundabouts. Britain has 10,000, Australia 15,000 and France 20,000. Nowadays America is adding perhaps 150 to 250 new roundabouts a year, not counting mini-ones in suburbs. Even the Alaskan town of North Pole is building three new roundabouts, one at the corner of Santa Claus Lane and St Nicholas Drive. The arguments for roundabouts are strong. There are no costly traffic lights to build or maintain. Unless something is coming round, cars need not stop, so congestion is reduced and fuel is saved. Most important is safety. About 45% of all crashes in America occur at crossroads, often because of misjudged left turns. At a roundabout, outside Britain and other countries that drive on the left, drivers can only turn right. A 2001 study by the IIHS found that roundabouts have 80% fewer crashes with injuries than ordinary intersections. Other research also points to big reductions. So roundabouts may be a small reason why America's roads are slowly getting safer. Last year injuries in motor-vehicle crashes were down an estimated 6%. Even so, drivers are often sceptical. “We lose far more roundabouts that could have been built, because of city councils or a trucking company,” says Mr Walsh. There are also plenty of doubts in North Pole, according to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. After all, who wants Rudolph prancing round in circles? Tags: news clipping
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Ken just called to remind me vertigo is playing at the alabama this weekend. It's a good thing too; I had remembered it was next week. It's on my short, short list of films that includes dr strangelove and brazil. Kennen and I love Vertigo and have used it as an excuse to visit many of the filming locations: Mission Dolores, Mission San Juan Bautista, Cypress Point, Coit Tower, etc. Needless to say I'm excited to see it projected. This morning started strange. At 135 lbs and 32" waist I'm trim and yet kennen has the gaul to continually call me fat. I got fed-up with it last night and lashed back that he's vain, egotistical twit and I was tired of hearing about it. What he didn't know, and I'm now too frustrated to share, is for the past weeks been trying to schedule time with my company's staff trainer. The idea is introduce people to a healthy workout and provide encouragement. I had my first appointment this morning and it was ok. Perhaps he didn't work me hard but the soreness quickly faded. Probably the harder part is adjusting my own self image; I'm not a gym bunny. So I've caught myself singing john denver thoughout this week. Monday was charity BAO BINGO and the DJ was spinning some good music. Along came "country road" and the entire room of some 200 people came to halt as we all sang along. Very odd because I thought my childhood complete with my parent's colorado worship was unique. Seems everyone knew the song. Odd timing too because my parents are in colorado again this month; vail last week and now breckenridge. Tags: gym, movie, san francisco, travel
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So kennen and I are fortunate and receive LOGO on our DirecTV. Last night we watched the Presidential Debate hosted by the Human Rights Campaign Fund and, thanks to tivo, the two hour program lasted four. Kept pausing and talking, then rewind, discuss candidate some more, etc. Tonight I've re-watched mostly straight-through without the commentary. Hillary continues to impress. She keeps thing personal, engaging, and on-target. Obama somehow misses it for me although I love his "let each religion choose to call it marriage" because it's a brilliant compromise that america will stand behind. Edwards doesn't do anything for me and kennen isn't the only one to take offence to the repeated livestrong armband wearing. Kucinich is still a nut but for once he had a receptive audience. Richardson continues to perplex me. If only he had an ounce of charisma I'd vote for him; alas he's a talented bureaucrat. He'd make an excellent vice-president but I'd doubt he would ever make the ticket. Oh, about that "foot in mouth" comment about homosexuality being a choice: well, I don't think he knows what it's like to be gay because, duh, he's not gay. He's not pandering like most, his gubernatorial record proves he gets it, and he wants to grow further. So yea, cut him some slack. 
Tags: politics, tv
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Three movies in three days? Now that's entertainment. I'm sure everyone has seen the simpsons and hairspray so instead I'll focus on a little irish film called "Once." Let me start by saying i don't get people. Like many I live in my little world with personal hopes, fears and dreams; it's so easy to forget about other people. Well, have you every wondered about the guy you may have passed on the street? What gets him out of bed? Keeps him going? Is everyone's story interesting? Even a street performer? Ok, first what this film isn't is a sappy love story where two kindred spirits find the other. Granted, the poster tag line reads: How often do you find the right person? Well, maybe it's good schmaltz but I took it for a love affair of another sort. So the protagonist repairs hoovers by day and at night sells his heart-felt songs on the street. Yes he meets a girl but somehow avoids cliches as they make sweet music. Literally. For me the film's love affair was with creation; the birth of beautiful things. My mood is melancholy and I'm remembering back to high school and collage when I "did" something. I created art, synthesized idea, inspired the soul. Seems now all I do is make stuff happen, and sure it takes some creativity, but it's not beautiful. Guess where I'm going with this is the film for me was a mirror. I saw myself, decisions I've made, paths selected, and alternate outcomes. I'm curious if others have the same response. 
Tags: creativity, movie
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