West is Best:

Should those of us on the left coast not already have a swelled head, this story in the New York Times will put the topper on it. Apparently, we are leading the nation in recycling and related green efforts. And we're making money at it too.

The larger picture is that the West Coast is a recycling bellwether, given the emphasis placed on it in Washington, Oregon and California. That includes legislation in California that requires 50 percent of waste statewide to be recycled.

“People are just a little greener on the West Coast,” Mr. Croll said.

But there is a more practical reason for recycling’s success in the West. Seattle and the rest of the West Coast have Pacific Rim ports at their disposal, and freighters plying routes to Asia have found a profitable cargo in recycled paper, particularly for the Chinese market. Waste paper is now commanding about $90 a ton throughout the United States, which makes it possible to turn a profit by loading it onto ships instead of dumping it into landfills.

Sending a Message? No More Western Union:

Western Union has quietly stopped sending telegrams after 145 years. The company's doing fine, by the way, having switched its business to money transfers years ago. But it still seems like we've lost a little something (via Kottke).

Natty Knitters:

Men are starting to knit, for a number of reasons. My favorite is "to meet chicks." Oh the lengths we will go (via Smoke and Ashes).

MenKnit.net.

NY Pee Pee:

The New York Press's list of the 50 Most Loathsome New Yorkers is the most juvenile, obnoxious thing I've read in a long time. I know the point of these lists is to brim with bile. Bile can be hilarious. But not when it's so nakedly culturally facist like this. Bitchslapping 50 Cent (#48) for "selling out" by appearing in Teen People? The guy has money in his stage name for pete's sake! Yelling at Chuck Klosterman (#38) for liking Steely Dan instead of the Sex Pistols? Knocking Sofia Coppola (#50) down a peg because she has a famous dad? Hating famous people and writing about it is one of our highest callings as a free society with lots of free time. But how about doing it with intelligence and wit, you self-righteous brats, instead of warmed over teenage vitriol, wasting away on the shelf since we all accused Kurt Cobain of "going hippie." (via Bookslut).

And the Gayest is...

The other night when Suzan and I were watching Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, we ranked the Fab 5 from least gay to most gay. They are...

Least Gay #1: Ted Allen (Food): The guy has horned-rim glass, a clipped, unflappable demeanor and works in food. In my mind that puts him only a few degrees of seperation from Anthony Bourdain. Plus he's from Chicago. Name me one famous gay person from Chicago.

#2 Thom Felicia (Interior Design). Yes, he works in interior design but he's also clearly Italian and wields a hammer. A mixed bag, with shades of straight.

#3 Kyan Douglas (Grooming). A dead heat. Kyan is the most overtly masculine in appearance of all the dudes (My friend Willo put a fine point on it) with that needle chin and steely gaze. But the guy does tend nose hair for a living and have several jobs called "colorist" on his resume. Too close to call.

#4 Jai Rodriguez (Culture). On the leyward side of nellie and is a male working in etiquette. Would take the crown if not for...

#5 Carson Kressley who makes Harvey Fierstein look like DMX.

Guv'nah:

So I don't much to say about the California gubanatorial race other than it's looks like the lunacy is already getting sucked out of it. Now pundits are saying that, should recall come, there's a real horserace on between Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante and The Kindergarten Cop. Which isn't nearly as fun as a battle royal between Ariana Huffington, Larry Flynt and Gallagher.

Incidentally, I'd like the dems to keep the Governor's House as much as everyone else in this town. Seems to me that if Davis stepped down then Bustamante becomes the Governor and the recall is meaningless because the guy who was getting recalled isn't in office anymore.

Right?

But of course that isn't going to happen. Davis is too proud and politics as usual dicatates that you get behind whoever is in office whether or not a) it's good for the future of the party and b) whether or not the person in office has any business being there or are simply a career political bureaucrat who climbed the ladder, didn't make trouble and now somehow "deserves" the office at the level they've ascended to. And then everyone complains about that person's "lack of vision."

Uh huh.

30 me...

Today is my birthday. I'm 30. Yes 30. I've been told that 30 is the new 21 which apparently is a theory that's been all over the place in the last few years and I missed completely. Elaboration is nowhere to be found.

Famous people I share a birthday with...

Garrison Keillor, Charlize Theron, David Duchovny, Billie Burke ("Glinda the Good Witch") and anthropolgy rockstar Louis Leaky.

Greed: My Amazon Wish List, just in case you think I need one more book.

Got home last night. Suzan and I are going to go hiking today and dancing with some friends tonight. Big party is this weekend.

Blogging for Buzz?

Mr. Dash has a post today about getting offered some cool products in hopes of them getting mentioned on his world-class highly read blog. His attitude, which I think is a wise one: There's nothing wrong with commerce as long as the shillee understands the medium of the shiller. Blogs are a one-person op-ed page and I don't know a single blogger who isn't a witch's cauldron of opinions waiting to spill. So fine. Offer us whatever you want. Just be prepared to have it labeled as garbage if it stinks.

And on that note, I'd like to say to all the marketers out there, Where's There's Smoke is taking bids. We're particularly fond of anything radio-controlled, bendable, or festooned with propellers.

Waste not, lunch much...

Ever seen the garbage cans after lunch period in a school cafeteria? You might as well start digging a landfill right under the swing set. That is, until a few million kids (I'll even take a few dozen) start using Laptop Lunches, an easy way to carry around your midday meal and not have to throw the carrying case away. What a great idea.

Do any parents read this blog? Maybe? Well, some of you bring your lunch to work/school right? How about trying one a these?

Marshalled...

Welcome to war. Wish we weren't here.