This is Why I Don’t Respond to E-Mails

8 Dec

Sad, but true. I do respond, but really slowly. Once again, The Oatmeal nails it.

China Recycles One Tenth of Cooking Oil

8 Dec

That figure comes from a recent report by the State Food and Drug Administration.  The investigation found that many people will look for oil discarded by restaurants and kitchens, harvest it (often times from sewers), and then resell it for additional use. Obviously, the practice has provoked health concerns.

State TV recently aired a report showing a factory in Shanghai where “waste” oil is stored. Apparently, there are no laws against storing oil like this. You can check out the report here.

Want Some Twitter Wine?

8 Dec

I’m not joking. In case you missed the launch in fall 2009 (I know I did), the company unveiled plans for “Fledgling Wine” as part of a partnership with Room to Read, a San Francisco-based non-profit that aims to boast literacy rates in poor regions of developing countries. Both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are available.

At the time of the launch, the co-founders of Twitter suggested the initiative was part of the “growing up” process for the company. Now, the wine goes on sale as part of a holiday auction. Get yours now!

Life in China Seems Kind of Crazy

7 Dec

In case you don’t believe me, take note of this video that a pair of tourists posted to YouTube. In the footage, their taxi driver drives down the highway going the wrong way. He seems blissfully content to do so.

It’s also crazy how much trash the Chinese generate. According to one report, Beijing alone produces 20,000 tons of garbage on a daily basis. The country produces more than 30 percent of all garbage around the world every single year. One of the largest problems, according to the article, is that the population pays no attention to sorting refuse. Proper education campaigns, instead of continued investment in new infrastructure, could help reduce the burden on the country.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is Dead

6 Dec

A Christmas tragedy unfolded this weekend in Richmond, Virginia. The holidays are ruined.

Somewhere in Virginia, a whole city of children are crying.