This is an interesting article that looks at social networks in a squirrel colony. Another hint for me to update my research. Thanks.

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/03/21/squirrel-social-network.html

On a side note, squirrels are totally awesome.

Dear Legislature,

After reading an article in the Economist about a debate on food prices, and poking fun at the comment of one legislature, I just can’t wrap my brain around why you would need more than $50 USD to buy a meal. Then I thought,

“Perhaps, I am wrong in my assessment. Perhaps, these legislators need to eat a lot. Perhaps, they like to drink wine with their meals.”

Whichever way I thought about it, it still did not make sense. So, now, I have created a list of suggestions- based entirely on assumptions of what I think you are eating, or like to eat- to help you cut down the cost of your meals.

1. Do you really need a glass of wine with your meal?
2. Instead of going out for lunch or dinner, try meeting sometime for drinks or coffee.
3. Pass on the four/five-star restaurant when it is offered.
4. Breakfast is sometimes more affordable
5. If you know there is a spending limit, insist on paying for anything over the limit.
6. Skip desert
7. Go to a buffet
8. Suggest to your host that you make it a potluck, and insist on bringing something.
9. Some restaurants have large servings, perhaps you can split a plate
10. When you go out to eat, and you know someone else is paying for your meal, ask yourself, “How much would I want to spend on a meal and what can I afford to spend if I had to pay for my meal and for my friends’ meal?”
11. Every now and then, eat at Taco Bell.

Though the list is not comprehensive, I will try to update it when new ideas come to mind. If you have one that I haven’t thought of, please let me know and I will add it to this list.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Citizen
—
Also known as: Constituent
Better known as: Voter
Sometimes remembered- but especially during election years- as: The Guy Whose $50 You’re Spending

“during the debate on the bill limiting meal-tabs to $50, one New Orleans legislator complained that such a low ceiling was going to limit her to free meals at Taco Bell.”

Source: http://www.economist.com/world/na/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10809134

Food prices have gone up.

This is bullshit! ‘How I’m-a eat now?!

Seriously, dear legislator, what are you eating that costs more than $50 USD? Are you sprinkling diamonds on your mashed potatoes? Or do you prefer gold flakes?

…Not what I hoped for, but it’s a start.

NASA puts a giant robot into space.

It looks like R.O.B. from the NES days.