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Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
The Unforeseen Revisited Redux
The documentary "The Unforeseen" came up at dinner last night. I have also been noticing over the past several months that a new mega-strip (large scale strip development - my terminology) development is being built on South Mopac.
Just what we need, more big-box pharmacies and big-box liquor stores. Actually, I'm not sure who/what the tenants will be, but it really doesn't matter.
Actually, here's a list of everything I've been aware of down here in Hays County and southwest Travis county:
:: Widening of two major roads from Wimberley east to the I-35 corridor.
:: Widening of Elder Hill Road - the secret back short-cut from the Salt Lick BBQ to Wimberley.
:: New primary high-voltage power lines along (future) Toll 45 SW.
:: PEC (Pedernales Electric Co-Op) performing a large scale (hundreds of trucks) electrical upgrade of some sort throughout their service area.
:: A new mega-convenience store/gas station at 45 & 1826.
:: Development Notice signage at 1826 & Nutty Brown Road. Rumor has it that another mega-convenience store/gas station will be going in here.
:: A high-rise pole mounted billboard on RR 1826.
:: New model homes popping up in the formerly foreclosed development "Avana" along 45.
:: New golf course water permits being issued by the Hays-Trinity Water Conservation District.
:: New DFC (Desired Future Condition) issued by the Texas Water Development Board allowing a thirty-five foot (35') draw down of the aquifer.
:: A new report indicating that at current growth and use rates, the Colorado River (and Barton Springs and basically all the other rivers in Central Texas) will be DRY AS A BONE by the year 2060 - in fifty years.
It appears that everything is progressing according to plan.
Here's the original "Revisited" post from August of 2008 - in its entirety:
Well, that was a first. It was the first time I have ever cried watching an environmental documentary. Perhaps it hit home for me because it was all so close to home for me. Austin, Barton Springs, Barton Creek, The Edwards Aquifer, The Texas Hill Country. My roots there pre-date the Alamo. My roots go back in Texas before there was a Texas, before there was The Republic of Texas. Deep, deep roots. Deeper feelings, or rather, emotions, about it all.
So, I just finished watching the documentary "The Unforeseen" (on the Sundance Channel), mostly about development, urban sprawl, growth and water in one particular area of Austin, Texas. It carries a much bigger message though, a broad and deep message about all that is facing us these days. It goes not to our standard of living, but to our quality of life. Not quality as in "how good is it?", but quality as in what is the depth, breadth, character, texture, taste, and feeling of our day-to-day lives as individuals, families, social circles, as communities, cultures, societies and nations.
Following are some things, key points, key words that stuck out for me. At the end of the post are some links for you to find out how to purchase or rent the DVD. Or, just be on the lookout for it and watch it when you can.
::
Developers defined as the "classic American character", reshaping the future and getting rich in the process...
::
On golf courses: "I find them repulsive, so uniform and so green, the earth whipped into submission for these men..."
::
Developers, they know the cost of everything, but they know the value of nothing...
::
A conservative lobbyist, speaking, apparently, on "liberals" who enjoy swimming and leisure time along Barton Creek..."these self-indulgences will catch up to you eventually..."
::
"If the people will lead, the leaders will follow..."
::
Robert Redford: "...quick return on short term investment, with long term damage...a scar is all that is left..."
::
A private citizen on private property rights: "...don't want a bunch of sumbitches telling us what to do with it (our land)...."
::
A private citizen shouting and waving a placard: "People are number one! Bugs and birds are at the bottom of the list...Save people first!..."
::
Economists have set up this meter of economic activity...that all growth is good...that ANY economic activity that involves money changing hands is good for the economy...and does not take into account any down side or long term unforeseen costs...
::
There should be honest accounting...the true cost...the long term cost...
::
People are making choices that damage other people...that damage everyone...that damage nature and the environment...that damage the world...and humanity...
::
We should be living in harmony with nature, not in opposition to it...
::
Add quality to the housing stock, without actually expanding housing...housing for everyone...affordable housing...use what's already there...it's not all about size and quantity and gargantuan scale...improve the landscape until we run out of opportunities to improve it...
::
Something about "the pursuit of the almighty dollar"...
::
If you don't act on the gift (of the natural world), then you are part of destroying it...
::
Growth itself is not the enemy...it is the nature of that growth...the quality and character within it...
::
"...where all the land has not been consumed by intention..."
::
We should have a stronger, more mature regard for the future, unwilling to leave a mess behind us...
I was struck by the title "the unforeseen" - that today, we are actually living and reaping the unforeseen consequences of multitudes of actions and directions - paths and choices - individually and collectively - both societal and economic. Are we evolving or devolving?
We are reaping the unforeseen.
The Unforeseen Film Site
The Unforeseen on IMDB.
The Unforeseen on Treehugger.com
The Unforeseen on PBS
Pre-Purchase the DVD :: Release Date September 16, 2008
The Unforeseen on NetFlix
Here's my original post :: On the universe, life and water :: The Unforeseen
Just what we need, more big-box pharmacies and big-box liquor stores. Actually, I'm not sure who/what the tenants will be, but it really doesn't matter.
Actually, here's a list of everything I've been aware of down here in Hays County and southwest Travis county:
:: Widening of two major roads from Wimberley east to the I-35 corridor.
:: Widening of Elder Hill Road - the secret back short-cut from the Salt Lick BBQ to Wimberley.
:: New primary high-voltage power lines along (future) Toll 45 SW.
:: PEC (Pedernales Electric Co-Op) performing a large scale (hundreds of trucks) electrical upgrade of some sort throughout their service area.
:: A new mega-convenience store/gas station at 45 & 1826.
:: Development Notice signage at 1826 & Nutty Brown Road. Rumor has it that another mega-convenience store/gas station will be going in here.
:: A high-rise pole mounted billboard on RR 1826.
:: New model homes popping up in the formerly foreclosed development "Avana" along 45.
:: New golf course water permits being issued by the Hays-Trinity Water Conservation District.
:: New DFC (Desired Future Condition) issued by the Texas Water Development Board allowing a thirty-five foot (35') draw down of the aquifer.
:: A new report indicating that at current growth and use rates, the Colorado River (and Barton Springs and basically all the other rivers in Central Texas) will be DRY AS A BONE by the year 2060 - in fifty years.
It appears that everything is progressing according to plan.
Here's the original "Revisited" post from August of 2008 - in its entirety:
Well, that was a first. It was the first time I have ever cried watching an environmental documentary. Perhaps it hit home for me because it was all so close to home for me. Austin, Barton Springs, Barton Creek, The Edwards Aquifer, The Texas Hill Country. My roots there pre-date the Alamo. My roots go back in Texas before there was a Texas, before there was The Republic of Texas. Deep, deep roots. Deeper feelings, or rather, emotions, about it all.
So, I just finished watching the documentary "The Unforeseen" (on the Sundance Channel), mostly about development, urban sprawl, growth and water in one particular area of Austin, Texas. It carries a much bigger message though, a broad and deep message about all that is facing us these days. It goes not to our standard of living, but to our quality of life. Not quality as in "how good is it?", but quality as in what is the depth, breadth, character, texture, taste, and feeling of our day-to-day lives as individuals, families, social circles, as communities, cultures, societies and nations.
Following are some things, key points, key words that stuck out for me. At the end of the post are some links for you to find out how to purchase or rent the DVD. Or, just be on the lookout for it and watch it when you can.
::
Developers defined as the "classic American character", reshaping the future and getting rich in the process...
::
On golf courses: "I find them repulsive, so uniform and so green, the earth whipped into submission for these men..."
::
Developers, they know the cost of everything, but they know the value of nothing...
::
A conservative lobbyist, speaking, apparently, on "liberals" who enjoy swimming and leisure time along Barton Creek..."these self-indulgences will catch up to you eventually..."
::
"If the people will lead, the leaders will follow..."
::
Robert Redford: "...quick return on short term investment, with long term damage...a scar is all that is left..."
::
A private citizen on private property rights: "...don't want a bunch of sumbitches telling us what to do with it (our land)...."
::
A private citizen shouting and waving a placard: "People are number one! Bugs and birds are at the bottom of the list...Save people first!..."
::
Economists have set up this meter of economic activity...that all growth is good...that ANY economic activity that involves money changing hands is good for the economy...and does not take into account any down side or long term unforeseen costs...
::
There should be honest accounting...the true cost...the long term cost...
::
People are making choices that damage other people...that damage everyone...that damage nature and the environment...that damage the world...and humanity...
::
We should be living in harmony with nature, not in opposition to it...
::
Add quality to the housing stock, without actually expanding housing...housing for everyone...affordable housing...use what's already there...it's not all about size and quantity and gargantuan scale...improve the landscape until we run out of opportunities to improve it...
::
Something about "the pursuit of the almighty dollar"...
::
If you don't act on the gift (of the natural world), then you are part of destroying it...
::
Growth itself is not the enemy...it is the nature of that growth...the quality and character within it...
::
"...where all the land has not been consumed by intention..."
::
We should have a stronger, more mature regard for the future, unwilling to leave a mess behind us...
I was struck by the title "the unforeseen" - that today, we are actually living and reaping the unforeseen consequences of multitudes of actions and directions - paths and choices - individually and collectively - both societal and economic. Are we evolving or devolving?
We are reaping the unforeseen.
The Unforeseen Film Site
The Unforeseen on IMDB.
The Unforeseen on Treehugger.com
The Unforeseen on PBS
Pre-Purchase the DVD :: Release Date September 16, 2008
The Unforeseen on NetFlix
Here's my original post :: On the universe, life and water :: The Unforeseen
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Once upon a time you dressed so fine...
Happy Birthday to Bob Dylan...
Like a rolling stone
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you ?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but know you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And say do you want to make a deal?
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
Like a rolling stone
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you ?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but know you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And say do you want to make a deal?
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you'd better take your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.
How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Nunca hay lluvia...
This thunderhead swept by in a glancing blow the other day, dropping only 150,000 drops on us, hustling off to the north and east in short order. In the photos below, the anvil head is about 30-40 miles away, roughly 20 miles east of Austin, more or less on top of Bastrop, Texas.
It hasn't really rained since September of 2010, with no end to the drought in sight.
This storm was at the very tail end of the system that swept through the southeast spawning all the tornadic activity of biblical proportions over the past two to three days. Rough times for those poor folks in the path of destruction in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. The death toll is now passing 300, and they are saying there are another 400 folks "unaccounted for".
It hasn't really rained since September of 2010, with no end to the drought in sight.
This storm was at the very tail end of the system that swept through the southeast spawning all the tornadic activity of biblical proportions over the past two to three days. Rough times for those poor folks in the path of destruction in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. The death toll is now passing 300, and they are saying there are another 400 folks "unaccounted for".
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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