zach.e53.org - work in progress » Life

Uforbeholden Subway

zach — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:18:33 +0000

IMG_2195, originally uploaded by e53.

I was scrolling through some photos looking for an image to use in the header of this new template and I came across this photo from the e53:immortal in NYC trip last summer. I can’t believe its coming up on a year since we took that trip. Hands down one of the greatest times I’ve ever had.

In this photo you can see a bit of Zeman (also taking a photo of something), a semi-posing Torin, Emily, and Brandon. With any luck maybe some of us will be heading off on another epic journey in 2009. *crosses fingers*

Perspective on Gas Prices

zach — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:33:21 +0000

Gas took a flying leap today here in Cedar Rapids with prices ending up between $3.41-$3.55 per gallon. An article I was reading regarding one gas station having an influx of customers right before the spike had an interesting little chart generator for gas/oil price data. I created a chart that shows 60-months with of gas (per gallon) and oil (per bbl) in relation to each other.

In the statistical world the chart above shows a that the price of gas has been almost directly linked the price of crude oil. I have added combined the above chart with a straight line chart below which should help emphasize the relationship and point out an interesting variance.

Notice that in April of 2007 the price of crude and the price of gasoline went off on two different paths. The price of gasoline has remained relatively flat from April 2007 to now while the price of crude oil has continued on an upward path. Another interesting item that is shown in these graphs is that there has been a growing separation in the price of gas compared to the price of oil. Back in 2003 the price of each product was very nearly 1 to 1 and you can see that over the last 60 months there has been a growing gap between the cost of the two products.

Bottom line: Yes, it hurts to pay $50 to fill up your tank but the answers to the problems aren’t as easy as some may think. You can’t attack a problem like this with your feelings you have to attack it with your mind and common sense. Also keep in mind how much of the price of a gallon of gas is made up of taxes. There’s Federal, State, and Local taxes to add to the mix. John McCain is suggesting a Federal Gas Tax Holiday this summer. That one thing could do more for the economy in the long run that any other idea being floated. Then again you could opt for the redistribution of wealth mentality and tax the hell out of the oil companies but you wouldn’t want to steal Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton’s ides now would you?

2-Wheels

zach — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:56:21 +0000

I finally picked up my new bike this afternoon. It’s a Cannondale F4 mountain bike. I doubt it will ever make it to an actual mountain.. then again anything is possible. I took it for a short test ride when I got it home and I can only say that I severely underestimated the level to which I am out of shape.

The bike has all sorts of gears and stuff that I’m not used to. Just to note.. I haven’t been on a bike for more than a minute or two in roughly 10 years. The last time I was really on a bike I was jumping ditches in a Huffy outside Milligan, NE population 308.

Good things should come from this. Despite the fact that I know my legs will probably hurt in the morning after the shortest of rides I am still looking forward to getting out and riding a bunch this summer. The one thing that I have to do before I go for any lengthy rides is get a new seat … preferably one that fits my big ass. Anyway, I know Zeman and Putz will probably go for some rides but the more the merrier.