Urban Puddle

Hey, Buyindie just released Podcast #5. This one is on the glorious city of Chicago so if you're a resident or a potential visitor this is a show you don't want to miss. We talked to a concierge in Chicago named Jeff Matheis whose job it is so be in the know. Check it out here.

This weekend I finally got around to integrating basic Paypal e-commerce with Buyindie. At this stage I don't do enough in sales online to justify using Authorize.net or any comparable online credit card processing systems. But Paypal let's you buy with a credit card so hopefully nobody hates this. If you do, you can always send me a check and I'll post you a shirt. Email buyindie at gmail dot net if you're interested otherwise, just head over and buy a shirt online!

Buyindie is a work in progress. Before this version even got out of beta along came Restful rails and changed everything. The re-write is *almost* done (maybe a few weeks away) but in the meantime, the podcast just launched. You can grab it directly from our host, libsyn, here. In a few days you'll probably also be able to find it in iTunes. The RSS feed is at http://buyindie.libsyn.com/rss in case you don't want to use iTunes.

I've maintained that cars are one of the most dangerous inventions ever given to the mass public. Not only do they cause pollution and take up natural resources, but they have several other negative effects as well:

Journalism is a profession. The Press has been sometimes referred to as the 4th branch of government due to the amazing influence they have over the political process. Recently, the press used this power on two occasions. First, by ignoring Marie Johns' campaign completely instead choosing to name only Fenty, Cropp, and 'other candidates'. (Do they think Americans can't process more than 2 choices? Can we?)

Then yesterday, Marketplace conducted an 'interview' with Joseph Vranich about a new Amtrak CEO being hired. Coincidentally Mr. Vranich has a new book out calling for the dismantling of Amtrak. Again, coincidentally he is pushing his own private rail initiative.

Some people here may know that I frequent Mumbai. So I'm devastated about the bombing that happened today. This is the train that I take back and forth from work and the bombing happened close to the time I'm usually on the platform. The phones are all busy and I can't get through to anyone I know but I am praying that they're ok.

The Wall Street Journal is running an article today on how Beijing is getting overwhelmed by cars which in turn is increasing traffic, making pollution worse, but lining the coffers of those in government and industry who benefit from the taxes and sales. (The city owns Beijing Automotive Industry Corp, a JV with a foreign car maker.)

I've been coming to Bombay about 3 or 4 times a year since 2001. In that time not much had changed. Every once in a while a new building would go up but for the most part the status quo was the norm.

This year, however, changes are afoot.

I've just come back from a week touring a few of the Irish provinces. First stop: Belfast!