Peak Oil

With oil prices seeming to settle in around $100 a barrel - an alarming number, but not all that surprising when you consider the dollar’s weakness - perhaps it’s time for some contrarian thinking on the arrival of the so-called “Peak Oil” state.
“The World Has Plenty of Oil.” Mr. Saleri’s conclusion:
Sufficient liquid crude supplies do exist to sustain production rates at or near 100 million barrels per day almost to the end of this century.
His strongest point, beyond the straight recitation of statistics on what we know is in the ground and how much we actually consume, is that high oil prices will tend to create incentives for alternatives, both alternative fuel/energy sources, but also alternative extraction techniques. Oil that was not profitable to extract at $50 a barrel may be quite profitable at $100 barrel, and if oil prices remain high, previously untapped sources of oil will come on line. (A 2005 study by the RAND corporation said that a “surface retorting complex” for extracting oil from shale “is unlikely to be profitable unless real crude oilprices are at least $70 to $95 per barrel (2005 dollars).”)
All in all it’s a rather different message than what you might read in your daily fishwrap or what you’ll hear from any environmental group. Oil will run out eventually, but it’s not likely to happen in our lifetimes

Baltimore Inner Harbor Trip/ Eats

The gf and I took a trip to Baltimore on Saturday, having not been in a while I was interested in Baltmores development as a major metropolitan area. Our obvious starting out point was the aquarium, a bit touristy yes, but definitely the most solid value outside an orioles game in the area. We got the 4-D experience package which included our standard aquarium and a 4-D show the show was definitely the filet of the trip it was educational and fun, albeit too brief. The aquarium offers solid to above average shark exhibits, and some interesting fish and snakes overall I rate the aquarium and 8.0 out of 10, the lack of hammerheads brought it down a point. Next we went on a readers reccomendation to the Wharf Rat, according to their website the Wharf Rat is a brewery that offers standard British pub fare, I had my heart set on a sheppards pie, but it wasnt offered, nor was bangers and mash. In fact the only traditional pub item was the fish in chips. I settled on the shrimp salad wrap, the salad was bland no seasoning, and a complete lack of depth of flavor. Hillary went with the Veggie Burger her standard choice, she also said it was below average and im not sure but I dont think you find veg burgers at Traditional British Pubs either. There was an abundance of restaurant choices, a lot of them chains ie. California pizza kitchen, the cheescake factory, Ruth Chris, all the usual suspects, I wanted to do something non turisty though perhaps next time we will try Little Italy. The area overall has developed dramatically, with a great overall ambiance, with an emphasis on the arts. I would reccomend Baltimore as a day trip, or even maybe a weekend trip in the summer, I cant say it offers enough value to garner a full vacation right now but its on its way.

I eat weird foreign food: Head cheese

The eyeless hog's head staring at me would probably have been enough to send most Americans running back toward the door. I bit my tongue and avoided any Lord of the Flies references since most of the staff at this particular restaurant seemed to speak perfect English. This was not the sort of place where you receive menus, pick and choose your meal, and select a wine. Essentially, you sit down, they bring you out food, and then they charge you. The only paper involved is your cash. No bills, no menus. We were immediately brought a mezzo of wine and our own plates of prosciutto. Our table was then brought two plates, one with a thick slice of salami (house cured, like all the other meats) and the other was a slice of head cheese. Head cheese is not a cheese but rather the olive loaf of meats. It is prepared by boiling a pig's head after all of the organs have been removed. The meat (among other things) is then removed and put into a mold and left to cool till it becomes gelatinous.
I must say, it is as appetizing in its appearance as its preparation makes it sound. My friend who is studying in Italy insisted that I try it and I agreed to, but I implored him to not tell me what it was or what was in it. I had one bite and could not do anymore. I was bombarded with 3 different textures: gel-like, chewy, and whatever word best describes the texture of cartilage. The taste was a bit off, not quite ham but ham-esque. But the clear offender here was the texture. My friend, who is usually quite adventurous when it comes to food (he had ordered tongue the night before) had to spit his bite back out on to his plate. I would only recommend head cheese to people who have a high tolerance (perhaps if you enjoy ham hocks or pigs feet?) or as a dare.

Cheesesteak tour

Our bloggers will be ranking the areas best cheesesteaks next week, any ideas for places are appreciated will will rank the top 5. Were trying to keep it somewhat local, philly, and the immediate south jersy area.

I hate Dane Cook

I just dont understand why people think Dane Cook is funny, I mean he just runs around and is energetic and stuff but is that funny, I dont know I need more from a comic, perhaps some half decent material or funny jokes. His movies are also terrible and honestly uncomfortable to watch. I really dislike everything about I mean he just talks about regular stuff and not even in a funny way. I hate Dane Cook.

Mount Rapmore

Standard blog stuff here, but I figured we should get it out of the way. If there was a Mount Rushmore style monument for rappers who would be on it,& Heres my list and why.

Tupac- He's the Abe Lincoln of the list without question the most influential and important rapper ever. Hes a mortal lock and really not up for debate.

Dr.Dre- After Pac the list is really a free for all I like Dre because 1) NWA 2) He ushered in the whole era of gansta rap. Plus he introduced the world to Snoop and Eminem.

Eminem- Probably my most debatable obviously em is gifted with a sic flow, he didnt have the impact or importance of the first two rappers on the list, but his talent is undeniable. If he has one more great record and produces a couple of more great tracks hes a lock, but tenatively Ill put him on for the time being.

Russell Simmons- the last choice was the hardest, Ill talk about who I excluded first. Notorious B.I.G Biggie was great but I dont think he did enough one great album and one solid album dont warrant a spot among the greats for me. Most will argue that if I have pac I have to have biggie, I just dont see it that way. I will add the caviat that if biggie's life hadnt been cut short he had the talent to be on the list. My next exclusion was Jay- Z to me I just never got it with him, being the richest and most corporate rapper doesnt make you the best, some may disagree but I just cant shake the thought of em murdering him on renegade. To me Jay came along at the right time with the right gimmick to make an impact, but hes not one of the all time greats. I went with Russell Simmons the man meant more to rap then everyone else on my list combined, he completely changed the game, shining the spotlight on artists like Rakim, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys and so many more, I relize he cant rhyme a lick, but its unfathomable to have a list of important figures in rap and not have Mr. Def Jam on it.

Link

This is a funny article from our friend Rob Neyer over at espn http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=neyer_rob