ypsi~dixit

Next meeting, D. is making a "surprise" presentation and F. volunteered to start finding out information about how AA uses its dams to generate electricity.

Y. marveled at the creativity expressed by group members. So many ideas were batted about that I never would have thought of on my own. I took notes like a madman and can't wait for the next meeting.

Sorry I couldn't make it; friend in town from Austin got priority for my evening. Sounds like fun, though.

Can you clarify "homebrew evaporation cooling unit"? Homebrew is hardwired to beer in my mind, which makes me think, "Well, you can just let it sit there to cool from the boil," but I expect this is more in the general diy sense of homebrew, rather than the beer sense? In which case, I should dig up for whomever the plans some other Austin friends made for low/no-electricity air conditioning...

The good news:

The peninsular dam is already wired for hydroelectric power- the mill used it for many years, and that's what the old detroit edison building was for. It hasn't been used in some time, though, so would require quite a bit of work.

The bad news:

You can't use it. When oil peaks and we begin sliding towards barbarism, that dam will quite obviously belong to those of us fortunate enough to live here in the greater LeForge Road region, and the rest of Ypsilanti better not wander over here expecting free electricity, unless they want to catch a bullet from the gun turret we'll have installed atop the peninsular chimney by then.

You had your own dam at the woolen mills, and you got rid of it. Deal.

Murph: Yep, I meant DIY. I'm excited to see how it works, since I have no AC myself and have had a few sweltering days.

Brett: Not so fast there, mister.

Don't forget, the folks who'll be dropping by are beef-jerky-tough post-apocalyptic survivalists honed to physical perfection from year-round biking and weed-eating.

Advancing upon the Peninsular Dam, each one of us will be carrying one panel of Lisa's (multi-functional!) solar cooker as a shield to ward off ill-aimed BBs from any ineptly-built gun turrets in the neighborhood.

And we are legion.

(well, nine, anyways).

By my estimation, I believe the most common weapon of choice here would be a 9-mm automatic- so although more powerful than a b-b, possibly not great for long-range effectiveness. Regardless, the roving packs of pit bulls will get you long before can reach the dam.

As for your being "Beef-jerky-tough", well, I understand that this is precisely what my meat-eating neighbors are counting on.

LOL. All who are interested in this continuing discussion, please send me your email to be added to our newly created Google Group, Sustainable Ypsilanti.

It was a facinating meeting last night, especially appreciated the wide age-range and the enthusiasm to discuss plans for greater sustainability, from the individual to the city-wide and beyond.

Many great ideas were discussed that could have some local impact. One I particularly liked was a "Triple-B card," (think AAA Card), which could be distributed to those who register their bikes and ride them within the city, and bring perks to the cardholder. Of course, it's just a seed of an idea that needs much seasoning. We are ruminating on this and other thoughts until the next meeting. Please bring your ideas!

Oh, jeez. Must it always come to violence?

(Brett - Tradeja some beer for some electricity?)

Lisa: I've not got your address to send mine to, but put together "murph", "commonmonkeyflower", and "net" in some logical fashion and add that to the list, please.

People perched on chimneys shouldn't mock reflector-toting legions, at least not on a sunny day...

(ominously) Yeah.

one more innovation for SPAY: pottery to keep your food cool in the hot summer months without electricity. invented in Nigeria

http://www.rolexawards.com/laureates/laureate-6-bah_abba.html