It is great to see the first fruits in my garden. I had disastrous season with pumpkins. Pumpkins plants were destroyed by bugs. Within days the whole pumpkin plant died. The chili pepper plants earlier flowered but did not produce any fruits as were not getting enough sun shine. The sun rays were blocked by pumpkin vines. The death of pumpkin plants allowed more sun rays to reach the chili pepper plants and we have wonderful chili peppers :)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Gardening Update: lettuce
A couple of lettuce plants died. They can't handle too much of wind or burst of rain. They needed to be supported.
Gardening Update 1: Dill Plant
This Dill plant is from store bought seed. This was later on transplanted to a bigger plastic pot
Gardening Update 1: Sage Plant
That is a Sage plant sprouted from seeds and then transplanted to a plastic pot
Gardening Update 1: Chilli Pepper Plant
It has blossomed for the first time and we can see a tiny white flower at the center.
Gardening Update 1: Potato Plant 1
This potato plant is from one of the potatoes we bought from the grocery store.
Gardenig Update 1: Potato Plant 2
This potato plant is from one of the potatoes we bought from the grocery store
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Countdown to $200 Crude (9)
Another Friday and another new oil high. It crossed $140/barrel mark. Light, sweet crude for August delivery rose as high as $142.99 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange before pulling back sharply in a spate of late-day profit-taking to settle up 57 cents at a record $140.21 on 06/27/2008.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Water water everywhere but not a drop to drink
Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink ;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.
~Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born on 21 October 1772 in the rural town of Ottery St Mary, Devonshire. He is best known for his long poems, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Christabel. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner relates the supernatural events experienced by a mariner on a long sea voyage. These quotes are from the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Two centuries have passed since this poem was crafted by Samuel Coleridge. They have become so much more meaningful in today's world with global population of over 6.5 Billion.
The freedom to collect rain water a.k.a rain water harvesting is slowly disappearing in US.
"
Do I Really Need a Permit for My Rain Barrel?
Not for a traditional residential rain barrel but maybe for a larger cistern. The difficulty in defining the permitting requirements for rainwater collection lies in differentiating between the systems that cause little, if any, hydrologic impact (the vast majority of small systems) and those systems that could cause impairment to other water right holders (including streams), notably in closed basins where no new water rights are being issued. Rainwater collection for consumptive use (irrigation) could potentially cause impairment of other water rights by limiting the amount of water that would otherwise flow into freshwater streams with their own water right or streams that supply other water right holders.
"
In the State of Colorado the installation of rainwater collection barrels is an offense.
Bolivia: Bechtel and the fight for public water
Bechtel in their efforts to privatize ALL water, tried to regulate the collection of rain water in Bolivia. It lead to riots, and the people took over from "The Corporation
Saudi Arabia: Shoura demands explanation for ongoing water crisis
RIYADH: Outraged by the aggravating water crisis in the Kingdom, several Shoura Council members demanded that the concerned minister and the top official of the water desalination corporation should be called to the council.
Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen and Governor of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) Feheid Al-Shareef had appeared before the council in similar circumstances months ago. After that the water crisis eased but the situation deteriorated and even worsened with the coming of the summer season.
The members, who described the water situation as catastrophic, made the demand while discussing a report submitted by the council’s Water and Electricity Committee on the ministry’s performance in its last meeting presided by Assistant Chairman Abdul Rahman Al-Barrak, Al-Eqtisadiah daily reported yesterday.
Various cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif and Abha, have been suffering water shortages and people have been made to wait for several hours for a truck of water in front of water distribution centers. Some had to get water from the black market after paying as much as SR400 for a tanker, which normally costs SR114. Sometimes, the price goes up as high as SR800.
There have been reports of people waiting more than 10 hours at the center to obtain a delivery truck.
In Jeddah, Saudis are reportedly being given preference at the main distribution center. Marginalized neighborhoods in the port city can go up to 45 days without water in the main lines, while other neighborhoods receive water in the lines once or twice a week. Water lines feed into buildings’ cisterns. When those cisterns dry up, building residents must obtain water by delivery trucks until the next time the lines fill the reservoirs.
“Immediate solutions to the water shortage should be found and implemented without being complacent with time-consuming plans and projects,” the council advised the ministry in a statement. “The minister had made a promise on the floor of the council to bring about radical solutions to the water crisis last summer. But the problem has raised its ugly head again and the ministry has not made any effective move to contain it. On the other hand, the problem has spread to more cities.”
Shoura members stressed that it was quite logical to call the minister and the SWCC chief again to the council for an explanation as the water crisis remained unresolved despite their promises a few months ago.
Expressing his disappointment at the dismal performance of the ministry, a member went to the extent of demanding to take away the task of solving the water crisis from the ministry and entrusting it to an emergency committee.
“The Shoura Council has received complaints from citizens in various cities about the disappointing manner in which water officials have been handling the crisis,” he said.
The committee in its report on the performance of the ministry urged the ministry to speed up formulating transparent regulations regarding privatization, as it did before privatizing the electricity sector. It urged the ministry to give due consideration to social issues while privatizing the water sector.
The committee also recommended that the ministry should take necessary steps to complete the water and sewage water projects on schedule and avoid delays by removing obstacles faced by contractors.
Several steps have been taken to alleviate the water crisis in the Kingdom. The latest is the introduction of two floating water desalination plants near Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest producer of desalinated water and accounts for 29.2 percent of the total world desalination capacity, according to a recent statement by Al-Hussayen.
And all the boards did shrink ;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.
~Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born on 21 October 1772 in the rural town of Ottery St Mary, Devonshire. He is best known for his long poems, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Christabel. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner relates the supernatural events experienced by a mariner on a long sea voyage. These quotes are from the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Two centuries have passed since this poem was crafted by Samuel Coleridge. They have become so much more meaningful in today's world with global population of over 6.5 Billion.
The freedom to collect rain water a.k.a rain water harvesting is slowly disappearing in US.
"
Do I Really Need a Permit for My Rain Barrel?
Not for a traditional residential rain barrel but maybe for a larger cistern. The difficulty in defining the permitting requirements for rainwater collection lies in differentiating between the systems that cause little, if any, hydrologic impact (the vast majority of small systems) and those systems that could cause impairment to other water right holders (including streams), notably in closed basins where no new water rights are being issued. Rainwater collection for consumptive use (irrigation) could potentially cause impairment of other water rights by limiting the amount of water that would otherwise flow into freshwater streams with their own water right or streams that supply other water right holders.
"
In the State of Colorado the installation of rainwater collection barrels is an offense.
Bolivia: Bechtel and the fight for public water
Bechtel in their efforts to privatize ALL water, tried to regulate the collection of rain water in Bolivia. It lead to riots, and the people took over from "The Corporation
Saudi Arabia: Shoura demands explanation for ongoing water crisis
RIYADH: Outraged by the aggravating water crisis in the Kingdom, several Shoura Council members demanded that the concerned minister and the top official of the water desalination corporation should be called to the council.
Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen and Governor of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) Feheid Al-Shareef had appeared before the council in similar circumstances months ago. After that the water crisis eased but the situation deteriorated and even worsened with the coming of the summer season.
The members, who described the water situation as catastrophic, made the demand while discussing a report submitted by the council’s Water and Electricity Committee on the ministry’s performance in its last meeting presided by Assistant Chairman Abdul Rahman Al-Barrak, Al-Eqtisadiah daily reported yesterday.
Various cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif and Abha, have been suffering water shortages and people have been made to wait for several hours for a truck of water in front of water distribution centers. Some had to get water from the black market after paying as much as SR400 for a tanker, which normally costs SR114. Sometimes, the price goes up as high as SR800.
There have been reports of people waiting more than 10 hours at the center to obtain a delivery truck.
In Jeddah, Saudis are reportedly being given preference at the main distribution center. Marginalized neighborhoods in the port city can go up to 45 days without water in the main lines, while other neighborhoods receive water in the lines once or twice a week. Water lines feed into buildings’ cisterns. When those cisterns dry up, building residents must obtain water by delivery trucks until the next time the lines fill the reservoirs.
“Immediate solutions to the water shortage should be found and implemented without being complacent with time-consuming plans and projects,” the council advised the ministry in a statement. “The minister had made a promise on the floor of the council to bring about radical solutions to the water crisis last summer. But the problem has raised its ugly head again and the ministry has not made any effective move to contain it. On the other hand, the problem has spread to more cities.”
Shoura members stressed that it was quite logical to call the minister and the SWCC chief again to the council for an explanation as the water crisis remained unresolved despite their promises a few months ago.
Expressing his disappointment at the dismal performance of the ministry, a member went to the extent of demanding to take away the task of solving the water crisis from the ministry and entrusting it to an emergency committee.
“The Shoura Council has received complaints from citizens in various cities about the disappointing manner in which water officials have been handling the crisis,” he said.
The committee in its report on the performance of the ministry urged the ministry to speed up formulating transparent regulations regarding privatization, as it did before privatizing the electricity sector. It urged the ministry to give due consideration to social issues while privatizing the water sector.
The committee also recommended that the ministry should take necessary steps to complete the water and sewage water projects on schedule and avoid delays by removing obstacles faced by contractors.
Several steps have been taken to alleviate the water crisis in the Kingdom. The latest is the introduction of two floating water desalination plants near Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest producer of desalinated water and accounts for 29.2 percent of the total world desalination capacity, according to a recent statement by Al-Hussayen.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Movie Review: Garbage Warrior
Garbage Warrior is an amazing life story of Architect Mike Reynolds spanning over 35 years. The warrior who fought one battle after another with one goal in mind. The goal is self sufficient, sustainable habitation for humanity using garbage. If "garbage" is a taboo word then we can use "recycled material" :)
It is an awesome movie. Words can not describe this movie. I literally felt the struggle that Mike went through in his 35 year of expedition of self sufficient homes.
He believes that progress evolves through making mistakes.
Nothing comes in or goes out these houses. No water lines, No sewer lines, No electric lines. Sewage is internalized. Family of four can easily survive without going to a store. That's what I call "freedom" :)
Movie time line
4:20 - He says, we are running out of oil. He is peak oil aware :)
4:30 - Population is exploding - That's Malthusian theory :)
12:20 - Cities cannot support themselves. He sees them getting abandoned and people going out there to mine out the goods. I agree with this.
13:20 - Beating dirt into tires and creating thermal mass. Thermal mass stores heat.
54:17 Renni 'Zee' Zifferblatt (Bill Analyst Judiciary Committee) looks gorgeous with long black hair. :) She has a very deep voice. Love her black dress :p
1:00:00 Mike and 7 crew members respond to an urgent call for help for the tsunami hit Andaman Islands in India (We may end up a similar devastation, when post peak oil hits the world)
01:13:00 Mike says: "It was great to see something happen in 14 days in India when in 3 years it could not happen in a developed country (US)."
01:16:10 August 2005: Hurricane Katrina slams into the Gulf Coast of America
01:19:00 Renni says - "you do not want to scare people so much that they are paralyzed by their fear" This is a very important message for peak oil educators.
01:19:30 Mike mentions oil shortage again
01:20:20 Senator Leonard Lee Rawson says: "you can not prove global warming"
01:23:20 Mike says: "American dream in my opinion is in the toilet. It is history. It is gone. The American dream is now how do we survive in the future. It is not having eight bedroom home or eleven bathrooms. It is not having a career and a lawn and all the amenities.It is simply how does our children and children's children even have a chance at life."
Time Line of events in Mike's Life:
1969: Graduated from the University of Cincinnati
1972: Thumb House (Used beer cans wired together into "bricks," which were mortared together and then plastered over )
1976-1986: Castle Compound, Taos, New Mexico, USA. A decade of evolution.
1988: First earthship for himself and his future wife in New Mexico. There is no heating or cooling.
1990: Greater World Community, Taos, New Mexico
Late 1990: He surrendered his state architect's license to avoid prosecution for malpractice. His national license was revoked a year later.
2004: Mike drafts a new law to allow for easier testing of sustainable building
47th Legislative Session, Santa Fe, New Mexico. The bill dies due to filibustering. This will make you wonder if the representatives are really doing their job.
2005 April: Mike and 7 crew members respond to an urgent call for help for the tsunami hit Andaman Islands in India
2005 August: Hurricane Katrina slams into the Gulf Coast of America. Mike is back in US
2006 January: New Mexico State Legislature Mike re-presents his bill
2006 February: Mike's second attempt to introduce new legislation failed.
2006 October: U.S. Board of Architects learns of Mike's work in the Andaman Islands, India, they invite him to reapply for architect's license. A poetic justice :)
The section of the movie which covers earthship building in India has so many stories to tell and leaves us with so many open questions
(1) Sometime it takes a tragedy for humans to wake up
(2) It is remarkable that a community can rebuild itself in such a short time even after massive destruction.
Time is running out as we pass peak oil. Humanity can still survive and there is hope.
At a personal level, it brings back my memories of growing up in India. I used to be that boy who used to shower with a mug and a bucket of water, 20 years ago. I got spoiled with hot showers and 24/7 running water in US for almost a decade. If post peak oil situation demands me to shower with a bucket of water and a mug, I will do it again :)
You can buy this DVD from http://www.garbagewarrior.com/
I bought it from Amazon.com. It is few bucks cheaper at Amazon.com
It is an awesome movie. Words can not describe this movie. I literally felt the struggle that Mike went through in his 35 year of expedition of self sufficient homes.
He believes that progress evolves through making mistakes.
Nothing comes in or goes out these houses. No water lines, No sewer lines, No electric lines. Sewage is internalized. Family of four can easily survive without going to a store. That's what I call "freedom" :)
Movie time line
4:20 - He says, we are running out of oil. He is peak oil aware :)
4:30 - Population is exploding - That's Malthusian theory :)
12:20 - Cities cannot support themselves. He sees them getting abandoned and people going out there to mine out the goods. I agree with this.
13:20 - Beating dirt into tires and creating thermal mass. Thermal mass stores heat.
54:17 Renni 'Zee' Zifferblatt (Bill Analyst Judiciary Committee) looks gorgeous with long black hair. :) She has a very deep voice. Love her black dress :p
1:00:00 Mike and 7 crew members respond to an urgent call for help for the tsunami hit Andaman Islands in India (We may end up a similar devastation, when post peak oil hits the world)
01:13:00 Mike says: "It was great to see something happen in 14 days in India when in 3 years it could not happen in a developed country (US)."
01:16:10 August 2005: Hurricane Katrina slams into the Gulf Coast of America
01:19:00 Renni says - "you do not want to scare people so much that they are paralyzed by their fear" This is a very important message for peak oil educators.
01:19:30 Mike mentions oil shortage again
01:20:20 Senator Leonard Lee Rawson says: "you can not prove global warming"
01:23:20 Mike says: "American dream in my opinion is in the toilet. It is history. It is gone. The American dream is now how do we survive in the future. It is not having eight bedroom home or eleven bathrooms. It is not having a career and a lawn and all the amenities.It is simply how does our children and children's children even have a chance at life."
Time Line of events in Mike's Life:
1969: Graduated from the University of Cincinnati
1972: Thumb House (Used beer cans wired together into "bricks," which were mortared together and then plastered over )
1976-1986: Castle Compound, Taos, New Mexico, USA. A decade of evolution.
1988: First earthship for himself and his future wife in New Mexico. There is no heating or cooling.
1990: Greater World Community, Taos, New Mexico
Late 1990: He surrendered his state architect's license to avoid prosecution for malpractice. His national license was revoked a year later.
2004: Mike drafts a new law to allow for easier testing of sustainable building
47th Legislative Session, Santa Fe, New Mexico. The bill dies due to filibustering. This will make you wonder if the representatives are really doing their job.
2005 April: Mike and 7 crew members respond to an urgent call for help for the tsunami hit Andaman Islands in India
2005 August: Hurricane Katrina slams into the Gulf Coast of America. Mike is back in US
2006 January: New Mexico State Legislature Mike re-presents his bill
2006 February: Mike's second attempt to introduce new legislation failed.
2006 October: U.S. Board of Architects learns of Mike's work in the Andaman Islands, India, they invite him to reapply for architect's license. A poetic justice :)
The section of the movie which covers earthship building in India has so many stories to tell and leaves us with so many open questions
(1) Sometime it takes a tragedy for humans to wake up
(2) It is remarkable that a community can rebuild itself in such a short time even after massive destruction.
Time is running out as we pass peak oil. Humanity can still survive and there is hope.
At a personal level, it brings back my memories of growing up in India. I used to be that boy who used to shower with a mug and a bucket of water, 20 years ago. I got spoiled with hot showers and 24/7 running water in US for almost a decade. If post peak oil situation demands me to shower with a bucket of water and a mug, I will do it again :)
You can buy this DVD from http://www.garbagewarrior.com/
I bought it from Amazon.com. It is few bucks cheaper at Amazon.com
Monday, June 9, 2008
Garden: Vine Support Structure using PVC pipes
Yesterday, I was thinking about ways to support the pumpkin vines.
I came up with a design today. I went to local Lowes store and bought
(1)3/4" X 5' PVC Pipe Plain X 6
(2)3/4" SCH40 Tee
(3)3/4" SCH40 Cross
I used my hacksaw and miter box to cut these pipes to 18" and 9" sections
I came across a good DIY on working with plastic piping
http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_3d_index.asp?page_id=35749959
At the end of the evening, it was a satisfying experience.
This structure can be expanded in both horizontal and vertical directions.
I came up with a design today. I went to local Lowes store and bought
(1)3/4" X 5' PVC Pipe Plain X 6
(2)3/4" SCH40 Tee
(3)3/4" SCH40 Cross
I used my hacksaw and miter box to cut these pipes to 18" and 9" sections
I came across a good DIY on working with plastic piping
http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_3d_index.asp?page_id=35749959
At the end of the evening, it was a satisfying experience.
This structure can be expanded in both horizontal and vertical directions.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Garden Prototype Progress (1)
After over a month's work, it is nice to see some veggies growing.
Lessons:
(1) There have been germination issues with some of the seeds.
(a)Only 2 out of 6 carving pumpkin seeds sprouted.
(b)Only 2 out of 6 onion seeds sprouted
(c)No success with spinach, pie pumpkin & parsley
(2) There were couple of stray animal attacks in the first few
weeks and that ruined the first set of transplanted carrot and chili
pepper. A cage type was structure was built to reduce animal attacks.
Ever since the caging, there has been no animal attacks.
This just the beginning. This is a prototype garden. There is long
way to go in order to achieve food self sufficient.
Yes, thats lettuce at the center!
The pumpkins are growing fast and I need to build a structure to support their vines.
Lessons:
(1) There have been germination issues with some of the seeds.
(a)Only 2 out of 6 carving pumpkin seeds sprouted.
(b)Only 2 out of 6 onion seeds sprouted
(c)No success with spinach, pie pumpkin & parsley
(2) There were couple of stray animal attacks in the first few
weeks and that ruined the first set of transplanted carrot and chili
pepper. A cage type was structure was built to reduce animal attacks.
Ever since the caging, there has been no animal attacks.
This just the beginning. This is a prototype garden. There is long
way to go in order to achieve food self sufficient.
Yes, thats lettuce at the center!
The pumpkins are growing fast and I need to build a structure to support their vines.
Planting Potatoes
I got three regular potatoes from grocery store almost a month ago
just for growing purposes. I let them sit in kitchen for a month
for the buds to sprout. Two out of three looked ready for planting
and one looked rotten. I got rid of the rotten potato.
I bought:
(1)55 lbs of Moisture Control Potting Mix from Costco for $10.50
(2)Two green plastic pots for $15 each for gardening section of a store.
Potting Mix
Potatoes with buds
Pot
Pot with a layer of gravel
just for growing purposes. I let them sit in kitchen for a month
for the buds to sprout. Two out of three looked ready for planting
and one looked rotten. I got rid of the rotten potato.
I bought:
(1)55 lbs of Moisture Control Potting Mix from Costco for $10.50
(2)Two green plastic pots for $15 each for gardening section of a store.
Potting Mix
Potatoes with buds
Pot
Pot with a layer of gravel
Friday, June 6, 2008
Countdown to $200 Crude (8)
My last entry in series was over two weeks ago.
Oil futures surged $10.75, or 8 percent, to $138.54 a barrel on the NYMEX.
Here is what New York Times has to say:
Oil Prices Skyrocket, Taking Biggest Jump Ever
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/business/07oil.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1212783157-jpsCNQJ4JKCCOCbF3zLqiw
Oil prices had their biggest gains ever on Friday, jumping nearly $11 to a new record above $138 a barrel, after a senior Israeli politician raised the specter of an attack on Iran and the dollar fell sharply against the euro.
The unprecedented gains on Friday capped a second day of strong gains on energy markets, and fueled suspicions that commodities might be caught in a speculative bubble.
DOW JONES industrial index tumbled today by almost 400 points
Oil futures surged $10.75, or 8 percent, to $138.54 a barrel on the NYMEX.
Here is what New York Times has to say:
Oil Prices Skyrocket, Taking Biggest Jump Ever
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/business/07oil.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1212783157-jpsCNQJ4JKCCOCbF3zLqiw
Oil prices had their biggest gains ever on Friday, jumping nearly $11 to a new record above $138 a barrel, after a senior Israeli politician raised the specter of an attack on Iran and the dollar fell sharply against the euro.
The unprecedented gains on Friday capped a second day of strong gains on energy markets, and fueled suspicions that commodities might be caught in a speculative bubble.
DOW JONES industrial index tumbled today by almost 400 points
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Seeds
I found some seeds selling at 50% discount and bought 17 packets of them for $14.68
Seed Type
Balsam Camellia Flowered Mixed Colors
Bean Scarlet Runner
Beet Detriot Dark Red
Broccoli Early Dvidend Hybrid
Carrot Tendersweet
Cilantro Longstanding
Garden Bean Royal Burgundy
Garden Bean Tendergold
Garden Bean Romano
Garden Bean Cherokee Wax
Garden Bean Improved Tendergreen
Garden Bean Kentucky Wonder
Marjoram
Pea Alaska
Pea Early Perfection
Pea Dwarf Grey Sugar
Thyme
I will vacuum them and store them in refrigerator.
Seed Type
Balsam Camellia Flowered Mixed Colors
Bean Scarlet Runner
Beet Detriot Dark Red
Broccoli Early Dvidend Hybrid
Carrot Tendersweet
Cilantro Longstanding
Garden Bean Royal Burgundy
Garden Bean Tendergold
Garden Bean Romano
Garden Bean Cherokee Wax
Garden Bean Improved Tendergreen
Garden Bean Kentucky Wonder
Marjoram
Pea Alaska
Pea Early Perfection
Pea Dwarf Grey Sugar
Thyme
I will vacuum them and store them in refrigerator.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Google Trends on "Peak Oil"
Google Trends is an interesting indicator for search patterns on internet
There is a spike in News Reference Volume of "Peak Oil" in last 30 days
US consumer 25% of global oil and it is at #3 in Google Trend Region
There is a spike in News Reference Volume of "Peak Oil" in last 30 days
US consumer 25% of global oil and it is at #3 in Google Trend Region
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Countdown to $200 Crude (7)
Crude Oil prices have gone crazy today. Crude futures surged to a fourth straight record, up $4.19, or 3.3%, to $133.17 a barrel in New York.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121136745978710341.html?mod=hpp_us_whats_news
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121136745978710341.html?mod=hpp_us_whats_news
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Countdown to $200 Crude (6)
Third successive day oil prices jumped. Today, the jump was $2.02. It is relatively big jump.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/24715573
Oil Prices Set Another Record, Closing Above $129
U.S. light, sweet crude futures closed at $129.07 a barrel on the Nymex.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/24715573
Oil Prices Set Another Record, Closing Above $129
U.S. light, sweet crude futures closed at $129.07 a barrel on the Nymex.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Why build more warehouses and increase inventory in US?
I saw cnbc.com today this newwire:
Amazon to open new facility in Hazelton, Pa., creating 1,100 jobs
http://www.cnbc.com/id/24713947/for/cnbc
Amazon to open new facility in Hazelton, Pa., creating 1,100 jobs
http://www.cnbc.com/id/24713947/for/cnbc
I have been an Amazon Prime customer for several years. They give me 2-day free shipping. My average transactions per year is in double digits
I have noticed that starting this year even a 2-day shipment takes only one day. UPS is Amazon's carrier. I tracked UPS orders and found that recently they have increased the number of warehouses (these are either Amazon's warehouses or third part warehouses).
I became so confident about 2-day delivery getting delivered overnight, that I ordered mother's day gift on 8th May. It was delivered on 9th May.
This may look like a bullish news on surface.
I have an alternate theory behind this one. Just in Time (JIT) has been the corner stone of supply chains for over two decades. It is built around the assumption of cheap oil prices. With rise in gas prices, JIT world is slowly collapsing.
This means retailers (regardless of online or brick & mortar) needs to build more warehouses and stock up goods and supplies.
When I look at last quarter's GDP numbers, inventory played a vital role.
Why should companies stock up when they are aware of US consumer's
reduced purchasing power?
It makes sense when warehousing cost is smaller than shipping cost.
Pain at the Other Pump: Shoe Prices Rise
One more factor, China has increased minimum wage and this also adds up to cost.
Here is a crude example:
Lets say I can sell 100 pairs of shoes (each $50 today) in next 2 years and I also know that in next 2 years
shoes prices will $100/pair. It makes sense to stock up 100 shoes today even if I can't sell them in next
quarter.
If my theory is correct, then we will see significant upside in inventory numbers in next quarter's GDP report
In 2006, Apple shipped an iPod from Shanghai in 2 days via FedEx. I seriously doubt if Apple is still mailing
iPod from Shanghai directly. It would make more sense for them to stock up iPods at local Apple store
instead.
Countdown to $200 Crude (5)
Start of brand new week and we have a new record for crude oil $127.05. It crossed $127 for first time at the closing of trading on Nymex
http://www.cnbc.com/id/24698484
Nymex-traded oil finished Monday at yet another record high, hitting $127.05, after a seesaw trading session that saw crude prices hit alternately by profit-taking and supply concerns.
OPEC President Chakib Khelil reiterated recent comments from the cartel that despite record prices, oil markets were well supplied and blamed high prices on speculation, a weak dollar and geopolitical problems.
Qatar oil minister Abdullah al-Attiyah also insisted there was no need to boost oil supplies to global markets. "The market doesn't need more oil," he said, pointing to a cut in forecast oil demand growth by the International Energy Agency.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/24698484
Nymex-traded oil finished Monday at yet another record high, hitting $127.05, after a seesaw trading session that saw crude prices hit alternately by profit-taking and supply concerns.
OPEC President Chakib Khelil reiterated recent comments from the cartel that despite record prices, oil markets were well supplied and blamed high prices on speculation, a weak dollar and geopolitical problems.
Qatar oil minister Abdullah al-Attiyah also insisted there was no need to boost oil supplies to global markets. "The market doesn't need more oil," he said, pointing to a cut in forecast oil demand growth by the International Energy Agency.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Countdown to $200 Crude (4)
Another Friday and another new crude record. It settled at $126.29. That is $0.33 higher than the record set on last Friday. This is not a big jump but a new record nevertheless.
CNBC says Oil Prices Finish at Record Above $126 a Barrel
http://www.cnbc.com/id/24656461
Oil prices shot to new highs again Friday as traders, unimpressed by U.S. and Saudi efforts to boost supply, kept buying on the belief that prices had more room to rise. Light, sweet crude for June delivery jumped $2.17 to settle at record close of $126.29 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier in the session, prices surged to $127.82 a barrel, also a new high. It was the eighth time in the past 10 sessions traders rewrote the record books, and the first time prices topped $127 a barrel.
CNBC says Oil Prices Finish at Record Above $126 a Barrel
http://www.cnbc.com/id/24656461
Oil prices shot to new highs again Friday as traders, unimpressed by U.S. and Saudi efforts to boost supply, kept buying on the belief that prices had more room to rise. Light, sweet crude for June delivery jumped $2.17 to settle at record close of $126.29 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Earlier in the session, prices surged to $127.82 a barrel, also a new high. It was the eighth time in the past 10 sessions traders rewrote the record books, and the first time prices topped $127 a barrel.
Investors shrugged off news from Saudi Arabia's oil minister, Ali Naimi, that the country increased its production by 300,000 barrels a day last week in response to requests from customers. The market also had little reaction to the Energy Department's announcement said it would cancel shipments into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for six months beginning July 1.
Oil industry observers questioned whether either move would have a significant effect on soaring energy prices.
"It's ridiculous because I don't think this is going to bring the price down," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Alaron Trading, of the Energy Department's move.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
What would $120 oil mean for the Global Economy
Wescott Report is from April 2006. A little over 2 year old.
Robert could not foresee the following factors:
Robert could not foresee the following factors:
(1)Plateau of global oil production
(2)Federal Reserve going on a US$ printing binge
(3)Limitation of global refining capacity
(4)Speculation
There has been no coordinated terrorist attacks in last 2 years and yet oil is over $120/barrel.
Some of us maybe thinking that, there will be no negative consequences on Global Economy due to $120/barrel of oil
and it is just another number. Robert F. Wescott thinks otherwise. His thoughts are:
Stock market valuations would likely fall more than they did after the Kuwait invasion or after 9/11. Given the negative confidence effects and negative supply effects,the global recession would likely be severe.
What would $120 oil mean for the Global Economy
http://www.secureenergy.org/reports/westcott_report.pdf
http://www.secureenergy.org/reports/westcott_report.pdf
Info about SAFE:
Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) works as a nonpartisan,
not-for-profit organization committed to reducing America's
dependence on oil and improving U.S. energy security in order
to bolster our national security and strengthen the economy.
not-for-profit organization committed to reducing America's
dependence on oil and improving U.S. energy security in order
to bolster our national security and strengthen the economy.
The Wescott Report
This report gives an overview of the broad economic effects of
a scenario in which oil prices surge to $120 a barrel due to
coordinated terrorist attacks on global oil transportation
infrastructure. It is not intended to be an exhaustive analysis.
This scenario was the basis for a simulation exercise conducted
by Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) at the World Economic
Forum Annual Meeting 2006 in Davos, Switzerland.
This report gives an overview of the broad economic effects of
a scenario in which oil prices surge to $120 a barrel due to
coordinated terrorist attacks on global oil transportation
infrastructure. It is not intended to be an exhaustive analysis.
This scenario was the basis for a simulation exercise conducted
by Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) at the World Economic
Forum Annual Meeting 2006 in Davos, Switzerland.
Summary
If oil increased to $120 a barrel and stayed there for a year because of coordinated
terrorist attacks on oil facilities, the world's oil bill would be about 8% of
world GDP (even assuming some reduction in the quantity of oil demand) - higher than
at any time in modern history. Such oil prices would almost certainly precipitate
a global recession. In addition to negative demand effects, there would be large
negative supply side effects, policy effects, and confidence effects. Meanwhile
financial markets would likely judge these attacks on global energy supplies more
seriously than Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait of the 9/11 attacks, because of
their continuing disruptive effects. Stock market valuations would likely fall
more than they did after the Kuwait invasion or after 9/11. Given the negative
confidence effects and negative supply effects,the global recession would likely be
severe.
terrorist attacks on oil facilities, the world's oil bill would be about 8% of
world GDP (even assuming some reduction in the quantity of oil demand) - higher than
at any time in modern history. Such oil prices would almost certainly precipitate
a global recession. In addition to negative demand effects, there would be large
negative supply side effects, policy effects, and confidence effects. Meanwhile
financial markets would likely judge these attacks on global energy supplies more
seriously than Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait of the 9/11 attacks, because of
their continuing disruptive effects. Stock market valuations would likely fall
more than they did after the Kuwait invasion or after 9/11. Given the negative
confidence effects and negative supply effects,the global recession would likely be
severe.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Garden: Plant Protection
Last week I had a bad experience of freshly sprouted chili pepper plants nibbled by birds. The birds also pecked the soil in the pot. They must be looking for worms. I had to do something to prevent future mishaps like this one.
I went to the local hardware stores "Home Depot" and Lowe's today and bought a bunch of stuff to give some protection to my plants from birds:
Lowe's
Code Item Cost(US$)
215893 1-1/2"X1 - 1/2"-1FT (14GA) 15.88
4@3.97
Home Depot
Code Item Cost
030699182206 Zinc Plated Slotted Angle 3' 31.92
4@7.98
099713032064 40 in. X 25 ft Garden Fence 8.88
728494139302 Cable Ties (500) 6.97
030699032211 5/16 1" Bolts (3/pack) 3.92
4@0.98
030699075546 5/16 Hex Nuts 3.38
030699076642 5/16 Washers 3.60
Total Before Taxes $74.55
I prefer metal slotted angles for frames:
Pros:
(1) Results in a sturdy structure
(2) Faster to assemble and disassemble
(3) Metal is a good investment against
a falling US$
Cons: High initial cost
Final Assembled Product: Plant Protector (Hopefully this will work)Friday, May 9, 2008
Countdown to $200 Crude (3)
TGIF! It is another summer day here, nice and warm. Crude prices reached another new height today. It was $125.96 on the NYMEX. Here is what CNN had to say about the gas prices:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/09/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm?postversion=2008050916
http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/09/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm?postversion=2008050916
Commodity prices surge: U.S. light crude oil for June delivery settled at a record $125.96 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, after hitting a trading record of $126.20 per barrel earlier.
The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas rose to a record $3.671 from $3.645 the previous day, according to AAA.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Little Giant MegaLite Aluminum Ladder
I bought two of these ladders from Costco today.
The cost of ladder is $200.
Why buy Ladder?
(1) They are useful tool around home, workshop
and farm
(2) The cost of aluminum commodity has gone up in last several years and it will continue to go up in near future. Aloca (AA) last quarter was not that good as they lost their margins on higher price of aluminum. US$ will continue to get weaker and it is better to invest in hard assets than keeping US$ in bank. The spot price of Aluminum today is 1.3/lbs Just the aluminum in these ladders is worth $40
(3) I will debit $400 from anticipated stimulus check
Features:
* Meets or exceeds all of OSHA & ANSI standards
* Heavy-duty construction
* Slip-resistant rubber feet
* 1.12" square rungs for better foot comfort and more stability
* Folds to a compact size for storage and portability
* Maximum capacity: 300 lbs.
* Extension Height: 15'
* Storage height: 4’ 7”
* Step ladder height: 4' – 7’
* Scaffold height 4'
* Weight: 31 lbs.
Countdown to $200 Crude (2)
Another brand new day and another new record.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/24510436
U.S. crude oil futures ended at a record high on Thursday, fueled by yet another rally in
heating oil futures, which hit a new peak.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/24510436
U.S. crude oil futures ended at a record high on Thursday, fueled by yet another rally in
heating oil futures, which hit a new peak.
On the New York Mercantile Exchange, June crude settled up 16 cents, or 0.13 percent, at $123.69 a barrel. It traded from $121.58 to $123.90 in regular floor trading hours.
"The heating oil price strength is providing evidence of a global tightening in gasoil/diesel supplies that hasn't been fully priced into the market," said Jim Ritterbusch, president
of Ritterbusch & Associates in Galena, Illinois.
World oil markets have enough supply now, but OPEC is willing to pump more if needed to keep pace with demand, Abdullah al-Badri, the group's secretary-general, said in a
statement on Thursday.
OPEC exports, excluding Angola and Ecuador, will rise 220,000 barrels per day in the four weeks to May 24 on Asian demand and a recovery in Nigerian supplies after a strike that crippled output, said Roy Mason, an analyst at British consultancy Oil Movements.
Saudi Arabia has booked eight supertankers to carry 16 million barrels of crude to the United States through May and early June, the highest number of spot cargoes this year,
according to a shipping industry source.
Countdown to $200 Crude (1)
Crude futures closed at an all-time settlement high of $123.53 a barrel Wednesday (05/07/2008). I think we will hit $200 by 2010. This is my first post on this series.
I will have a new post every time Crude hits a new high.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/08/news/economy/gas_prices/index.htm?postversion=2008050806
Retail gas prices soar to fresh record
With nationwide prices at an all-time high of $3.645 a gallon, drivers now pay 20% more than they did last year.
I will have a new post every time Crude hits a new high.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/08/news/economy/gas_prices/index.htm?postversion=2008050806
Retail gas prices soar to fresh record
With nationwide prices at an all-time high of $3.645 a gallon, drivers now pay 20% more than they did last year.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Retail gasoline prices have jumped to new record high, auto group AAA's Web site showed Thursday. The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline rose to $3.645, surpassing the previous record set May 1. Gas prices have been marching steadily higher since the start of the year. Drivers now pay 20% more than they did a year ago, when a gallon of gas cost on average $3.034. The price of gas has been pushed up by record high crude prices. Crude futures closed at an all-time settlement high of $123.53 a barrel Wednesday
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Bank of America increased overdraft/return item fees by 25% from 4.18.08
I was going through my BofA account statement and I saw a notice at the bottom:
"
Changes to overdraft and returned item fees effective 4.18.08: For the 1day your account has an occurance (occurrence is a day with at least one overdraft or return item), the fee for each overdraft item and each returned item changes from $20 to $25. For each subsequent day your account has an occurance during the current month and prior 12 months, the fee for each item remains $35. The fee applies to a maximum of 7 items per day. These changes amend your Personal
Schedule of Fees.
Schedule of Fees.
"
This must be an offshoot of liquidity and credit crisis in financial institutions.
Are other banks also increasing overdraft/return item fees?
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