Member since Nov 8, 2012

Favorites:

Contributions:

  • Posted by:
    VerusX on 08/07/2017 at 6:41 AM
    Re: “Pleasantly Punjab
    I live nearby but review doesn't sound like the restaurant we went to at that location. The restaurant is not very clean and the food obviously preprepared from a food service or Lee Lee's. the food is bland and not well prepared with inferior ingredients. The staff often seems completely oblivious to the customers.

    They have the most yelp reviews disputed I have ever seen for a restaurant. The reviews where customers complain about being sick after eating there have mostly been removed. I know mine and my wife's were.
  • Posted by:
    VerusX on 07/12/2017 at 5:37 AM
    This issue is more complicated than most of the discussions about it. There is no question that renewable engery sources are the future and possible large job creator in The countries that act positively to promote. The US can be the Saudia Arabia of wind power and the west is a natural source of solar power. Solar Power is the source of all power on the planet and is available in quantities that far exceed our future needs. However, transition to renewable energy is a complicated process that completely transforms our electric utilities. There will always be a need for a backup engery source and electric utilities provide that and will provide that for the foreseeable future. The problem utilities face is that renewable energy sources are not continuous and availableability usually does not match demand. The current system is a real time system with very little energy storage capability to shift energy availableability to times of peak demand. The technology for this is developing but not proven and very expensive.

    The reliability of roof top generation at this time is quite questionable, very few of us can live off of roof top generation.

    The result is redundant generation and transmission capabilities until a newer renewable based system can be implemented. This is going to be a very expensive but necessary process. Yes, like in most situations the consumer will be paying and that is not an easy sell even if Utilities were willing to take on the task.
  • Posted by:
    VerusX on 05/20/2016 at 6:23 AM
    In Tucson, for some Summer reads are like winter reads in New England. If you are one of those, two hard and heavy reads are Chernow's Washington and Hamiliton. These books tell the story of the founding of our country with a depth of understanding that converts the myths we have learned into the reality of brilliant people trying to find a way in tumultuous time and with values that are not those of our time. The word democracy is anathema and there is no feeling of inevitability that we attribute to the events. As Washington rides to Boston to assume leadership of the Contential Army, he is sure he has signed his death warrant.

    Chernow captures and helps us understand what was accomplished by the flawed, like all people, but driven main characters of these times. Men who would never have been great under English rule but who's talent lets them rise to fit the needs of the time. The first successful session of a colony from a European power, a revolution that is unique because after the revolution the leaders do not kill each other as happens in France, Russia, and China. An event that will lead to session of all lands in the the Americas except Canada and much of Africa.

    Not easy or light reads, but life events that will change how you see the world.
  • Posted by:
    VerusX on 05/20/2016 at 5:58 AM
    If you are a mystery fan, CJ Sansom's Shardalake series are mysteries set in the time on the English Reformation. The characters are compelling and Sansom has done his historical homework. He understands not just the history but also the politics of the time. The main character is a lawyer caught in the politics but far enough away to be a keen observer. These books are addictive so be warned. So much better the the highly praised Wolf Hall. Here the Wiki link:

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shardlake_… Enjoy!!!
  • Posted by:
    VerusX on 05/20/2016 at 5:44 AM
    If you haven't read it yet, Cartel by Don Winslow is a powerful and moving read. Here's the NYT review:

    http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/books/re…

    NYTimes: Review: ‘The Cartel,’ by Don Winslow, Continues a Drug Saga
  • Posted by:
    VerusX on 05/20/2016 at 5:38 AM
    How about Bad Country by CB MacKensie, winner of Hillerman Award and Edgar finalist set in Tucson. I think you'll like:

    Bad Country https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206135…

    Also got a good review from Kirkus.
  • Posted by:
    VerusX on 10/05/2015 at 11:48 PM
    I'm beginning to think the reason gun owners are so concerned about having their guns taken away is because they believe that is the only way to fix the gun violence problem. Most of that kind of rhetoric is certainly coming from gun owners.