Winter restlessness. Cupcakes. Carpool. BJ. Big truck. Diane. Bloomin’ Onion.Leonhardt’s. Family. Love. Happy. Support. Decision.

Folks around the region are making plans for the upcoming conference in Seattle. We’ve been contacted by at least one advisor who’s looking for someone to share a hotel room with her (and split the cost, of course). Since one person asked, it was safe to assume others are thinking about the possibility as well. Let’s use this forum to connect potential roommates with each other.

Andrea Nelson from Western Oregon University would like to get the ball rolling on this. Please contact her (503-838-8428/nelsona@wou.edu) if you’re interested in a room share. If you’re looking to put yourself out there as well, post a comment to this thread. We’ll see if we can’t get some folks together for his cost-sharing connection.

This may be a good way to find potential carpool connections as well. Are you driving to Seattle? Is there room for a passenger? Let us know!

I usually walk home from UJ, but with 25 copies of a chapter book in my hands (5 more than I had ordered) and a torn bag to carry them in, I wasn’t up for the walk.

Outside the University of Jordan crowds assemble, awaiting taxis, buses and carpools. Waiting there, to me, is like flushing time down the toilet. So I generally walk downstream  of the (human) traffic (try not to think of the toilet metaphor here), pass major forks in the road and, if I must take a taxi, wait at some juncture where fresh taxis come in — ones not already laden with passengers.

But clearly I’m not the only one who thinks this way. Several girls were already standing by when I got there.

I took a post among them and waited my turn. But my turn came and went, and with it many other girls. Girls who would brazenly walk into a taxi and climb in, even though they just joined the crowd.

Anyway, another girl and I were the last of the bunch to go, though we were the first to come. The sun was setting and we were still standing on the sidewalk for the gawking pleasure of drivers-by. What’s worse, help was not necessarily on the way.

Empty taxi cabs waved us away — their salaries must be exceedingly high — and full cabs drove on the far side of the road to signal their disinterest.

If a cab ever did stop, I reasoned, I’d probably get shy and let her go ahead, which means I’ll have to wait alone on the side of the road at sunset. Or I could talk to her.

“Excuse me, where are you headed?”

She named an affluent neighborhood, south of my place. I told her where I lived.

“You’re not from here, are you?” She asked.

Do Jordanians not share? I wondered. Is it the way I dress? Talk? Carry books? Everything about me was suspect. So be it. Guilty as charged. I confessed my otherness.

“I’m not from here either.”

“Really?” A stranger in city where I’m estranged is my friend. “Where are you from?”

“Lebanon.”

“The US.”

“And you’re a teacher?” She asked.

“Yes! How did you know?”

“The books. When I saw you, I said, you don’t carry a stack of books like that unless you’re a teacher.”

“And you’re a teacher, too? What is it, science? I majored in science! And my mom’s a teacher. I think she teaches the same curriculum, actually.”

We were fast becoming acquainted. We were going to tag-team the next taxi. We were going home.

They say eed wahda ma bitsaffi‘ (one hand cannot clap), but, with books busying two of our hands, our two free hands hailed cabs on perpendicular streets, we eventually clapped down on a taxi.

In the cab, our similarities gave way to differences. She loved her native Lebanon and hated Jordan. I haven’t seen Lebanon and I like Jordan just fine.  She was three years married, with a one-year old girl. I am single and that’s that.

When the cab neared my place, she kindly refused my dinar. As I hurriedly prepared to jump out of the (slowly) moving vehicle (the driver wouldn’t come to a stop), it struck me that I might never see her again. It was that keen nostalgia I often felt when parting with friends, a nostalgia rarely renewed in their absence.

Then, to the impatient driver’s anguish, she asked for my number. I recited it in English (my default language setting) and the taxi sped away.

It’s been a week and she hasn’t called me, nor do I think she will. For all I know, she may have taken it down wrong, accidentally or deliberately deleted it even. And still, I’m happy she took it.

Giving (if not swapping) phone numbers or emails, the very existence of Facebook or Twitter — these make me feel as though, at will, I can throw a noose around someone who, otherwise, would have fallen off the face of the earth. (Alternatively, I could let them plummet to a painful and untimely death. I’m so self-important.)

While throwing a noose can be her salvation (or mine), nooses (and clingy whiny contacts) also have a reputation for strangling. So, let’s rethink the metaphor.

When I take an acquaintance’s contact information, I’m effectively plucking one of her feathers and stowing it away. It serves as a quill (an instrument for keeping in touch), an autograph of sorts (evidence of our overstated relationship, should she become wildly famous), a moneymaker (I can sell it on eBay, also when she becomes wildly famous), a source of DNA (in case I’d like to clone her; not sure why). Most importantly, though, it serves as a keepsake, reminding less of the person than of the times we shared.

So, in that taxi, I got plucked at the last moment. Apart from demoting me on the pecking order, this also means I don’t have her number.

But I’m not entirely plucked. I have something by which to remember that friendly stranger. I, too, have a feather from her, one that is longer than a number but easier to recall. I just showed it to you, didn’t I?

I came across this article in the Washington Post today about police in Northern Virginia stepping up enforcement of the area’s HOV lanes. What do you think? Should the police enforce the carpool lanes in Middle Tennessee? What would our roadways look like if they did? And, why are more people not making legal use of the HOV lanes here by riding to work with neighbors, friends, or co-workers?

Police to monitor HOV lanes

By Martin Weil

Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 15, 2009

In an effort to curb a practice that causes commuter frustration, police agencies in Northern Virginia will join forces Wednesday to ensure compliance with the HOV rules, authorities said.

Only last week, a state police HOV enforcement effort on Interstate 66 in Fairfax and Arlington counties resulted in driver receiving a ticket that carries a $1,000 fine, police said.

The $1,000 fine is imposed on fourth offenders of HOV laws. Earlier in the year, police had reported ticketing a four-time offender on a different road, but then said they had erred. However, on Thursday police said they had “double- and triple-checked,” and were confident a $1,000 ticket had been issued this time.

HOV enforcement will be stepped up Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Interstates 66, 95 and 395, and the Dulles Toll Road. Virginia State Police will be joined inside the Capital Beltway by Arlington and Fairfax County officers and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police, authorities said.

HOV lanes can save commuting time, and drivers who obey the rules have expressed frustration at those who do not.

HOV rules require at least three occupants on Interstates 95 and 395. For Interstate 66 and the toll road, the number is two, state police said. The first-offense fine, $125, doubles for successive offenses.

Boulder’s Green Climate Action Plan

By Michael Hughes  December 11, 2009

Boulder has been on the leading edge of Green since the late 1800’s.  Pretty innovative and forward thinking folks.  Boulder was the first community to tax itself and proceed to buy surrounding parcels of greenspace. Boulder wants to take it one step further by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Good !  In the residential sector the focus is on education and cutting back where we can, to conserve energy immediately; Change to cfl’s those odd new light bulbs that over time save about $30 per bulb (choose the “warm or brighter ones at 80 Lumens (not watts) or greater), or by walking, biking (map it at www.mapmyride.com ) or carpooling (find someone compatible to ride with at www.zimride.com) to work to save on gas money and emissions.  The city of Boulder offers its water customers rebates for installing new high efficiency toilets, washing machines, drip irrigation systems, programmable sprinkler controllers, and even soil amendments. Buy local organic produce. Don’t use the air conditioner every time the temperature rises above 72 degrees. Change out that old refrigerator that is sucking more energy than a fully loaded Hummer pulling a 42’ Airstream.

The second area of focus is on efficiency. One of the things that can be done here is to get an energy audit.  Free home energy audit (Microsoft Beta) http://www.xcelenergy.com/Colorado/Residential/SaveEnergy_Money/Pages/MicrosoftHohm.aspx

The third area is one of renewable energy.  We haven’t gotten to the point of sophistication (in Boulder at least) where we can choose the source of our energy production (either solar or wind generated) however there are great tax credits and energy credits from Xcel still available for the purchase and installation of photovoltaic systems.  I know several people that have had these installed and their electrical meters run backwards!  They are putting energy back into the grid and money back into their pocket !

Contact me today if you or anyone you know in Boulder or the surrounding area needs real estate help or for just a quick question
e-Mail michael.hughes@sothebysrealty.com Direct 303-359-6627

Website: www.bolderrealestate.com



Something From Nothing Party Flyer Coachella Valley Art Scene

Putting the ART back in PARTY:

SOMETHING FROM NOTHING
December 19, 2009
at SCRAP Gallery
46350 Arabia St. Indio, CA
7-12pm
All Ages
$6 general
$5 if you carpool, bike, or skate to the party
RSVP Here

The Coachella Valley Art Scene is celebrating their one year anniversary, and their most recent accomplishment, of becoming a member organization of the arts non-profit organization, the Coachella Valley Arts Alliance!

On December 19th we will be hosting our first ever solo show.
The art party will be a show down of what the hippest residents of the Coachella Valley are up to. We will feature musicians and artists not just from the desert, but also other artists from all over Southern California who continue to inspire us.

MUSIC:
Foot Village
(www.myspace.com/footvillage)

Gram Rabbit
(www.myspace.com/gramrabbit)

Alf Alpha
(www.djalfalpha.com)

Slipping Into Darkness
(www.myspace.com/slippingintodarkness1107)

MC Speak + Pheo
(www.myspace.com/octopusluck7)
(www.myspace.com/pheo)

Los Mumblerz
(www.myspace.com/losmumblers)

State Rec
(www.myspace.com/staterec)

Provoked
(www.provokedmusic.com)

ART:

Date Farmers
(www.datefarmers.com)

Steven Harrington
(www.stevenharrington.com)

Albert Reyes
(www.myspace.com/algive)

Phillip Smith III
(www.pks3.com)

Pesci One
(www.pescione.com)

Sean Tully
(www.seantully.com)

Demon Slayer
(www.demonslayer.net)

Brain Pescador, Kylie Knight, Carlos Munoz, Kara Iverson, Daikon Ekletick, ANTA, Motel, Planet Lunch, Eduardo Valadez, Steven Preston, Skys Falling Art Kult, and many many many more!

FUN STUFF:

Skate Ramp!! – anyone can skate

Screen Printing – everyone can screen print an image onto a shirt!

Photo Booth – free picture taken by Luisa!

Video Screening – independent videos streamed. curated by steven preston

Art Swap Meet – come see what artsy fartsy things people are selling

Dumpster Diving – dumpsters and free beer are involved in this one…

Tarot card Readings – for those interested, our friend Marcella will be doing readings all night!

And much more!!!!

Thank you for supporting this event:
Coachella Valley Arts Alliance
SCRAP Gallery
Epidemic Skate Shop
A & M Framing
Ghost Channel
Promo Xpress

(if you are interested in supporting this event or our organization, please contact us. we would love the help. we are now an official non-profit, and all can be a tax write off. thank you)

for more information, please visit:
www.thecoachellavalleyartscene.com

here is a link to a bigger size of the flyer:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=398507627&albumID=1878091&imageID=29998079

we hope to see you there!!!!!

Thanks,

The CVAS Blog
www.thecoachellavalleyartscene.com
thecoachellavalleyartscene@gmail.com

Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority offers a free online tool called “ShareTheRide” to help local residents track how much pollution their commute generates or find a carpool partner.  Using a Web application called RideShark, developed by Commuting Solutions of Ottawa, Canada, the ShareTheRide system incorporates the most current technology and mapping features so individuals can personally manage their commutes, track costs or pollution, and opt in and out of actively looking for carpool partners.  Ultimately, ShareTheRide also will allow users to join a vanpool, map the best bus or light rail route, or find a bike route.

Phoenix is the largest U.S. city to deploy this tool, according to Commuting Solutions.  “We know some people may want to change their commuting habits to save money or help the environment,” says David Boggs, executive director of Valley Metro RPTA.  “By offering a ride-matching and mapping system, those who are on-the-fence or unsure about how to use public transportation may find the assistance they need to try.”

The Boulder way to get green

By Michael Hughes  December 5, 2009

1. Choose gear made from recycled materials; found at www.coconafabric.com A few of the brands that utilize recycled materials are (a local Boulder company)  www.golite.com , www.marmot.com and www.newbalance.com There are several shoe companies touting biodegradable midsoles.  Brooks is one of them they are at www.brooksrunning.com .
2. Barter or trade.  Books, DVD’s, Paperbacks, there are several bookstores that carry previously utilized books, cd’s, dvd’s, etc.  Find them at www.paperbackswap.com or www.swapadvd.com to trade with other people for free.  Better yet borrow it from your local library branch.
3. You will always find great deals on workout equipment, machines, bikes at www.craigslist.org
4. Start utilizing a reusable water bottle, fill it with filtered water or better yet your favorite cleanse.  Don’t contribute to the 38 billion plastic water containers that end up in the landfill. McGuckins, Vitamin Cottage and Costco have these.
5. Set the proper temperature in your home with a programmable and affordable digital thermostat.  It can automaticaly adjust temperatures throughout the day and night.  Only about $36 at McGuckins Hardware.
6. Breathe Easy.  Get a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air filter) vacuum.  It filters out many allergens that normal vacuum cleaners spew back into the air.
7. Bike, walk,ride the bus, or carpool to work. If walking or riding your bike you can map your workout at www.mapmyride.com If carpool is the choice you can go to www.zimride.com to find people to carpool with and to select your preferences such as a non-smoker who has similar tastes in music.
8. Use less hot water.  Turn your water heater down to about 120 degrees.  Wash your clothes on cold cycle when possible.  Put detergent in before the clothes, you will find you use less.  Wash full loads of laundry only.  If you let the water run in your sink or shower to heat up catch it for watering your plants.  If you are thinking of installing a solar water heater I have a couple great people to refer you to-call me.
9. Change your light bulbs out to Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs.  Look for the brighter ones (Higher Lumens-Not Watts) with a Color Rendering Index over 80 (sometimes called “warmer lights)  This will save you about $30 over the life of the bulb.
10. Stop the Junk Mail. To avoid having your name added to print catalogs simply write in these words.  “Please don’t trade, rent or sell my name or contact information.” This will prevent having your name shared with companies and marketers who buy these lists. Do not fill out cards for additional information, drawings, or warranty cards. This will help avert junk mail.  You can learn more at www.ecocycle.org/junkmail.

Do you or anyone you know need real estate help? If the answer is yes. Call or write today.
e-Mail michael.hughes@sothebysrealty.com Direct 303-359-6627 Visit us at our Website: www.bolderrealestate.com

Last year in my Business 451 class, Product Development and Launch, we had to come up with a product or service that would make life easier for a college student. At first, my group brainstormed things that bothered us on or off campus and one thing that came to mind was parking.

We used Dialogr, an online brainstorming site, to ask our class what the biggest problems were. We posted our parking problem idea and people commented saying that the biggest problem was on campus.

So we decided that we would try and fix the parking problem on campus because the only places that students are allowed to park are very far away from classes. However, there are staff parking lots that are next to class buildings. We decided that using that land, we could build parking structures in order to fit more cars in a small space.

Another problem with parking on campus is the fact that there are so many people driving to school and not enough spaces. It takes forever to find a spot and it’s usually the furthest one possible. So, to encourage carpooling to keep cars off the road and help the environment, we decided that in order to use these parking structures closer to the classrooms, you need to be in a carpool.

In order to find out what the student body felt would be more helpful in terms of levels in the parking structure, how it would let people in, parking sizes, payment method, price, and name for the product, we used Sawtooth Software to do concept testing to ask our class what the best product would be.

At the end of all of our testing, we concluded that our new product would be a four level parking structure with different types of parking on each level. First level would be staff parking as was before, second level would be large spaces for larger cars, and normal sized spaces on the next 2 floors. To gain entry, there will be a guard at the entrance to make sure people are carpooling and a lever that has to be raised when it is confirmed. The permits would be only $100 per quarter which is much less expensive than the permit that are sold now.

Now that we found out what it is that the students need, will Cal Poly ever build these structures?

Whistling in tune is an art… Whistling in tune in harmony with strangers in an elevator is couragous and often results in strange expressions from the original whistler.

Ever walked by a group of guys and they made cat-calling or wolf-whistles? It really embarrasses them when you yell, “your mom says ‘hi’” as you gusture toward the cell phone at your ear.

Carpooling was always interesting when I was the passenger. Especially when I wore my plastic “bubba teeth” and flashed the grin at unsuspecting drivers on the interstate. One poor fellow was so shocked he sped away shaking his head… Only to be pulled by a state trooper 3 miles down the highway. I felt bad about that one.

It was to my fortune that saw the light and stopped when a flight attendant asked if I needed a soft-food selection.

My shinanigans are never mean spirited… And often mean more to me than anyone…. ~Fo~

I love Allah.

Michigan is not in good financial state right now. Most states aren’t, but as far as financial woes go, Michigan is at the forefront with many of its bread-winning companies (GM, Chrysler) struggling to survive, corruption in its government and other serious problems. The state is running in the red and has the highest unemployment rate in the nation– 15.1% as of 11/20. Michigan has issues, but one of those issues is not a lack of environmental awareness among new drivers. However, some representatives in Michigan seem to think this problem is pressing enough to pursue when entire towns are being boarded up and abandoned due to the economic crisis.

Driver’s education should be the place where teens learn how to drive. Unfortunately, this is hardly the case in America. Our standards for licensing are incredibly poor and this is reflected in the high number of fatal teen crashes in the nation’s roads. Teens learn more about how to pass the drivers test and how a yield sign works than how to actually drive. They are not taught how to avoid crashes and they are not taught safe driving practices to help ensure they are never in the place where they need to avoid a crash. Michigan also lacks solid graduated drivers license laws. So not only is the state not teaching teens how to drive, its not offering them adequate protection once they get their license. But instead of fixing these problems two legislatures would rather cultivate new tree huggers in an education model that will only cause more crashes and more deaths.

Now, let me get something straight. I’m not anti-environment. I’m not for raping the earth just for our consumption. I don’t go out and hug many trees, but I do my part. I buy local and organic, I use reusable shopping bags, I drive a car that gets pretty good fuel economy, I take public transportation. Oh, and I vote Republican. But I’m a moderate. So I’m not against things like carpool or public transportation, I’m just against using the precious few hours teens spend in drivers education talking about these things instead of talking about, oh, you know– driving.

Michigan lawmakers  Bert Johnson, D-Detroit, and Dan Scripps, D-Leland have put forth a bill that would require drivers education to teach about buying fuel efficient cars and the benefits of carpooling and using public transportation. On its surface this may seem rather benign, but it is far from that.

First off: fuel efficient cars. Ok, whats wrong with that? Well, many fuel efficient cars sacrifice handling, braking and safety for the sake of a few miles per gallon. We’ve had a tug of war battle between safety and fuel economy in this nation since both environmentalism and Nader’s car safety campaign began in the 1970s. The sad fact is that these two agendas conflict with each other.

The Untied State’s CAFE standards kill people every year. CAFE is the US standards on fuel economy that started in the 1970s.  Manufactures are fined for not meeting standards, pushing them to make more fuel efficient cars. But fuel efficiency doesn’t always equal safety. Simply physics is that more weight protects you in a crash. Safety systems such as airbags, ABS brakes, traction control, and crumple zones are all heavy. So are powerful motors, navigation control, and heated motorized leather seats that the consumer demands. Throw all of these things into a car and you have one heavy vehicle… and that weight decreases fuel economy. So to increase fuel economy, manufacturers started to use lighter materials to make cars. The effect: 46,000 fatalities since CAFE was inacted that would have been avoided with better made cars. That’s 7,700 deaths for every mpg gained.

Prius are heavy and narrow, they handle and stop poorly which can lead to crashes

I’m not advocating that everyone drives Excurions guzzling gallons of gas a minute, but I also don’t think that the Prius and other fuel efficient cars are good choices for most people. Michigan has pretty bad weather, by focusing on fuel efficiency you may put kids who should be driving higher clearance AWD cars for the conditions in FWD cars that can’t handle snow as well, increasing crashes. What if you play sports? A little hatch back may not be the best option to haul around your gear. By emphasizing fuel efficiency only you are ignoring the different needs of different drivers. You are also ignoring other points of consideration for new cars such as safety, price and maintenance needs. This is before you even consider the fact that the average 16 year old isn’t the one going out and buying their first car, it is usually mom or dad.

Second problem: carpooling. There is a very good reason why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that teens not be allowed to carry passengers until they’ve had their license for a year. Teen drivers with ONE passenger in the car are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal crash than a teen driver driving along. Twice as likely. They are distracting and the lead to peer pressure. Teens are more likely to show off when they have other teens in the car in order to look cool for their friends– a trait that has lead to many crashes. Michigan does not include passenger restrictions in their graduated drivers laws. Instead of asking why not, these two legislature are taking advantage in the flaws in the system to further their agendas. By encouraging carpooling they will kill kids.

Yes, carpooling saves gas, it keeps miles of the car, it makes Mother Nature sing a loving song right out of a Disney movie, but it is also dangerous. Ask any parent what is more important to them: saving a few bucks a month on fuel economy or having their child reach 17. I think we all know how that one is going to end.

Well what about public transportation? I think public transportation is great. I use the train myself quite a bit instead of driving. I don’t have any objection to teaching teens about public transportation… in another venue. Why teach drivers about not driving? Isn’t that like teaching math in history class? It doesn’t make sense to be in driver’s education at all. There is also probably a safety aspect here to teenage girls taking public transportation late at night too that I’m sure many parents would have issue with.

Our teens get precious little education when it comes to driving. It is a big problem that should be addressed. It has been said that if teen driving was a disease that killed 5,000 teens each year the nation would be in an uproar. Everyone would be trying to find a cure, there would be walks, donation drives, etc, but the fatal teen driving epidemic cannot be cured by a pill, it can only be cured by more and higher quality education. I feel there is a huge flaw in our system of government when it comes to setting laws. We entrust people without actual knowledge in issues to create laws for them. If either Bert Johnson or Dan Scripps of Michigan had any worthwhile drivers education and experience, or if either of them had just bothered to look at the NHTSA teen driving page, they would realize their law was a bad idea.

Stop taking driving out of drivers training! We need more in car education not less. Take your environmental agenda to a place that is more approrpaite and leave drivers training for drivers training!

2002 Honda Civic GX CNG w/commuter sticker $1.70/gge- $5950
2002 Honda Civic GX

110K miles

This vehicle runs on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Approx. 34 MPG on 3600psi cng tanks.

Current CNG prices are at $1.70/gallon equivalent.

NO BRIDGE TOLL UNLIKE CIVIC HYBRID OR TOYOTA PRIUS. DRIVE IN HOV/COMMUTER LANES BY YOURSELF!
COMES WITH COMMUTER DECALS AND RUNS ON CHEAP $1.70 per GALLON EQUIVALENT CNG.

+Cruise Control
+Tires about 75%
+Power Windows
+Power Mirrors
+Defrost
+Power Doors

Clean Interior and Exterior. HOV Decals!
$5950

CALL BEFORE IT’S GONE:
408-210-8304

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid HOV Carpool Stickers Drive Solo upto 48mpg

Smogged Report in hand. Clean title

Automatic Transmission.
The 1.3-liter gasoline-electric powertrain found in the Civic Hybrid boasts the best fuel economy figures of the Civic range upto 48 highway.

Honda Civic Hybrids – have HOV Decals:
130k miles (being used daily) – Metallic Baby Blue Exterior Color

The Honda Civic Hybrid comes equipped with power windows, power mirrors, CD Player, A/C, antilock brakes front-seat side and front airbags.

Call before it’s gone:
415-240-2884

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1485288470.html

Armistice,

I’ve been leaving earlier and earlier for work in the morning. You make me so nervous that walking into the building with you is almost painful. Exquisitely painful, but it is not the way to start my work day. I’ve been avoiding you. This morning you were waiting by my car when I walked out of my apartment. You can’t imagine the relief and the agony seeing you standing by my car made me feel.

“Would you like to ride with me?” You asked. Always at a loss for words around you, my response was less than articulate. That didn’t keep me from noticing that as much as you wanted me to say yes, there was a part of you what wanted me to say no.

“Um…hi…sure.” Why am I getting into his car? Did I learn nothing the summer after graduation?

Climbing up into the cab, I tried to clear my head. I mean I don’t have to embarrass myself in front of you every day, do I? Somehow when I twisted to put on my seat belt your face was already there, breathing calmly into mine. How can you be so calm? Why do you always look so amused?

Would it be too corny to say I got lost in your eyes? Probably, and really I was more like a deer caught in the headlights anyway. If I hadn’t been certain I was was leaning into you I would say I completely froze.

“Hi,” you said, in that voice. I could orgasm listening to you read one of our training guides. I think you knew that by the way you were watching my reaction. I couldn’t help but think about the last time we were in this position. I was drunk and confused about why you weren’t taking advantage. I wanted you to take advantage.

“Hi back,” I said. Am I still leaning?

“How are you, doll face?”

“I…I’m good.”

“You look nervous.” Damn you for that smirk.

“I am.” Damn me for my incessant honesty.

You could not have been sexier as you shifted in your seat, moving still closer to my face. You lips brushed mine so lightly that it could have been more accident than kiss.

“How badly do you want…”

“Yes?”

“…to go to work today?”

My head was still spinning from you even being there. At first I was disappointed you weren’t asking me how badly I wanted you. Then I realized the implications of what you were saying.

“What did you have in mind?”

“I’ve given up on seeing this place. Show me your new place.”

“Now?”

“Yes. Now.” Your lips were still just barely brushing mine as we spoke. Your eyes were still boring into mine. Would you just kiss me already?

“Really?” Please, don’t let this be part of the game. Kiss me.

“We are calling in?” Your lips were tickling mine, causing them to itch slightly. Without realizing I licked my lips. You were so close I licked yours too. It was careless. It was an accident. It was amazing. The groan you let out has been making me wet all day when I think about it, and I can’t stop thinking about it. It was such a sexy noise. It was so resigned. No, it was…broken. Something broke in you and you grabbed for me, your hand finding the hair at the nape of my neck and tangling in it, your mouth pressing against mine. Finally, a real kiss. So real, so passionate. I was taken aback at first. My head was swimming. Then something in me broke too, and I was a grasping just as desperately at you.

My left hand I wound around the back of your neck, my right moved down to your hip. I needed to touch your skin. I found the bottom of your shirt and worked my hand under it. I rubbed your side roughly and then pushed my way up to your chest. I had been curious about your nipple rings for far too long. Your reaction startled me. At first I thought you were pushing me away, until your fingers were suddenly in my bra torturing my own nipple.

We broke apart for a moment and just stared at each other.

“Fuck!” You uttered as you started the truck and squealed out of my parking lot. I suddenly had a feeling you really just intended to get me worked up and then send me on my way to work, and that your plans had now drastically changed. You seemed angry and excited all at the same time. You drove like a crazy man.

“You better start telling me where I’m going and the quickest way to get there,” you continued, still sounding angry. I probably should have been thinking about my safety. I had never been so out of control. You could have taken me anywhere. I would hardly have been able to stop you. My voice was shaking when I answered you.

I almost ran to my apartment when we arrived after what seemed like days. It felt like you were chasing me. My hands shook as I stabbed the key into the lock. What am I doing? He’s married! I walked in just ahead of you. I would have given you the grand tour but you didn’t let me get to the living room. You were on me suddenly and I was falling to the floor in the entryway.

It was obvious you were still angry. You ripped at my clothes as if they were 10 feet of snow coming between you and oxygen. I had no idea jeans could come off so easily without my help. It was terrifying. Just when I was wondering how far you would take this you ripped my panties off of me. I don’t mean that you removed them forcibly. I mean that you ripped them, destroyed them. They burned my hip where the fabric rubbed the hardest. I was focusing on that pain to avoid feeling the fear when a worse pain took its place.

You didn’t even check to see if I was ready. You just forced your way in. One hard, violent thrust and you were all the way inside me. I had never experienced so much pain and so much pleasure at the same time. Not caring about whether you hurt me, you thrust deeper and harder than most men have with me. You hit places that so needed to be hit. I pushed back against you, wanting you to hit them harder. I was sure I was bleeding and the pain was too much; I couldn’t keep it up. I tried to get away, but your arm was around the front of me, across my hips, pulling me into you. You wouldn’t let me go. You stopped thrusting and just stayed inside, just stayed in the most hurtful, pleasurable place.

I know you think I’m weak, but I started crying. I was so confused. There was no place I wanted to be more at that moment, and no place I wanted to get away from more. You moved your hips just slightly, accentuating the pain. Tears rolled down my face. If I struggled it hurt. If I stayed put it hurt. Then you did the worst thing imaginable. You reached around and started stroking my clit. Cumming was humiliation. You knew how badly you hurt me but you wanted more. You wanted me to hurt by feeling pleasure too. I have never felt like anyone took an orgasm from me. Kisses have been stolen. Heck, my virginity had been stolen. But no one had ever stolen that. I couldn’t have described how exposed I felt no matter how much you tried to torture it out of me. You would have to know how in control I always am to know how this pained me. And with you I never seem to be in control.

Finally you let me go. I fell forward on my hands, unable to extricate myself from you. My legs were shaking. I was on my hands and knees. I was still crying when you started thrusting again. Slower this time. You were reminding me you hadn’t finished. Fuck you! I tried to get away again. I may not be able to stop you, but I could stop you from getting it exactly the way you wanted. At this point I can admit that I was so turned around I had no idea what you really wanted. Fighting seemed like the way to go though.

I didn’t go very far. I turned over. My intent was to scoot away once I was in a less vulnerable position. The expression on your face told me I wasn’t getting away any time soon. What was that look on your face? I still don’t know. Not anger. Maybe frustration? Confusion? I still don’t know. Whatever it was that you were feeling it was clear you were about to take it out on me.

♣Infamy

At Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, one continual complaint by students, faculty and visitors alike is the nightmare of finding parking on campus.  In my Product Development and Launch Business class we conjured up possible solutions to ease the difficulty of finding a parking place.   The main complaints about the parking situation are: the lack of available parking in comparison to the number of students/cars and the distance from the parking lots to the campus core, and a trek lasting about 10 minutes.  Our solution exceeds all others because it tackles both of these issues and rewards people for being environmentally friendly.

Our solution involves creating a multi-level parking structure that would accommodate both compact and larger vehicles.  Special carpool passes can be purchased for $100 per quarter, which closely maintains the current system – except now multiple people will be contributing to that fee rather than forking out the money alone.  Then to ensure that people are not cheating the system, as well as for public safety the structure will be monitored by security guards.

Our process of establishing a solution uses surveys and discussions with students about the current parking situation and evaluating the concepts other institutions use.  The best way to reach a wide variety of students is through online brainstorming sites, like Dialogr, and situational concept tests to establish the best solution to this problem.

By combining a global issue (Global Warming and Carbon Emissions) with a local problem (the lack of parking on campus in general and close to classes, as well) we can create the best solution for all.  By giving incentives for each student to become more eco-friendly we in-turn provide a reason for Cal Poly to consider this solution, to reduce the university’s carbon footprint, hoping the combination of the two would create a seamless transition.  Wouldn’t you want to park in a parking structure called “Sustainable Solutions”?

Lockers Registration

·         Release of locker contracts November 9 @ MVP 101

·         Lockers registration

@ Colayco Pavilion, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

o   Nov 16 Kostka

o   Nov 17 Berch

o   Nov 18 SecA

o   Nov 19 SecC

o   Nov 20 Free for all

·         Nov23-27 late locker registration

·        ( First come first served basis)

Consigned Booksale

·         Release of consignment forms: Nov 9

·         Consignment period Nov 9-20

·         Booksale period for consigned books Nov 9 – Dec4

·         Claiming of revenue/unsold consigned books: Dec 7-18

@ MVP101 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Carpool Registration

·         Carpool sign-ups Nov 23-27

@ MVP101 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

DSWS is currently looking for students who have cars and are looking for carpool groups. Those without cars and are interested to find a carpool group are also welcome to sign-up.

Now’s your chance to enjoy the benefits of carpooling: get a reserved parking slot @ the Chinese Parking lot, gain new friends and save gas and money!

For more inquiries, visit the DSWS office: 1/F MVP Center room 101.

Thank you!

With Thanksgiving around the corner, there is no doubt that most of us are more than ready for the holidays.  Although you’re taking a mental break from school, be sure to stay mindful when it comes to your environmental impact.

There are some easy ways to stay green over the holidays without having to ruin your traditional Turkey Day.  Take charge of your family’s eco-responsibility and convince your family green up their holiday.  Hey, you may even get Grandma Doris talking about something other than the fact that you “still” don’t have a boyfriend.

Getting home
If you drive: Carpool with friends to save on gas money and minimize pollution.  Be sure you all time your travels so that you don’t hit traffic and waste unnecessary gas in gridlock.  Leave with plenty of time so you or the driver doesn’t have to speed down the freeway.  Reducing your speed from just 70 to 60 MPH can severely reduce the amount of money and gas your trip guzzles.

If you fly:  Pay the extra money for a direct flight, as takeoff and landing require the most fuel of any other part of the flight.  If you have the resources, buy carbon offset credits along with your flight in order to reduce your footprint.  Many companies, such as Continental, allow you to easily purchase carbon offset credits online before your flight.

Eating Dinner
Buying the bird:  If you just can’t bear a tofurky, you can still buy a real turkey that is relatively environmentally friendly.  All you have to do is buy from a local farmer.  Go to this site to find a turkey farmer in your area.  If for some reason local just doesn’t work for you, look for the labels mentioned in my last post such as grass-fed, cage free, or free range to slightly improve your turkey decision.

Hosting the dinner: Invite as many people over as you can!  More is not just merrier – it also reduces the work and money spent by your parents for a nice meal.  Plus, combining resources and energy can really decrease your environmental impact.

Dealing with the leftovers:  To reduce food waste and possible turkey overdose, give your guests some of the leftovers to take home.  Also, be sure to store your own leftovers in a reusable container like Tupperware so that you don’t waste plastic bags on one use.  If you don’t think you’ll be eating another bite of turkey for a while, you can also store it in the freezer along with your vegetables to use on a later occasion.

These are just a few examples of the many ways you can green up your Thanksgiving. There are always opportunities to be eco-friendly – get creative with your own traditions!  And of course, let us know what you do at home so we can all test it out this holiday season.

I really do hope you guys have been watching Robert Llewellyn’s ‘Carpool’ – the link is over there in the righthand column. What is interesting is just how much this thing is improving all the time. Before I dig a bottomless pit for myself here, I don’t mean it was crappy in the first place because it simply wasn’t.
What I do mean to say is the overall quality feel and interviews just keep improving all the time.
Robert (as far as I’m aware) funds all this himself and is passionate about it in a good way. Do take a look, and if you don’t recognise the person he’s interviewing, watch it any way, because you’ll probably know of them or there work at some point.