Lucky 7 (album)

Lucky 7 (album) is the seventh studio album released by the band Reverend Horton Heat. It was released in August 2002, and the single "Like a Rocket" was the official theme song of that year's Daytona 500.

According to Wikipedia, other singles on Lucky 7 include "Reverend Horton Heat's Big Blue Car," "Sermon on the Jimbo," and "You've Got a Friend in Jimbo." Reverend Horton Heat is a psychobilly band. Psychobilly music combines punk and rockabilly. Wikipedia says psychobilly lyrics often reference horror, violence, and lurid sexuality.


Jimbo plays bass.
Photo: PUNKassPHOTOS.com via Flickr (CC)

University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila

University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila is considered one of the best engineering universities in Pakistan. It's in Taxila, in the Punjab province, about 35 km from Islamabad. It was established in 1975, the same year my brother was born.

According to Wikipedia, UET Taxila offers all types of engineering degrees, including civil, environmental, electrical, and aeronautical, among others. The campus is well-equipped; there are several libraries, several mosques, several dorms, and several student common rooms where students can play basketball.

On May 7 of this year, UETians celebrated their Spring Festival 2009.


This girl is thinking very deeply about visiting Pakistan.
Photo: wazari via Flickr (CC)

Hobart Paving

Hobart Paving is a song about a sad woman. It was released in May 1993 by the British indie band Saint Etienne. You should listen to it now. Especially if it's rainy outside and you want to cry.

According to Wikipedia, the song conveys a melancholy tone through surreal lyrics like "rain falls like Elvis tears" and "just like a harpsichordist she moves." The title Hobart Paving has nothing to do with the song. Legend says it references a paving company from the band's hometown of Croydon, England.

The band Saint Etienne still exists. Current members include Sarah Cracknell, Pete Wiggs, and Bob Stanley. A different Bob Stanley is a former Boston Red Sox pitcher.


Lead singer Sarah Cracknell wears suits made out of comic books.
Photo: dexter_mixwith via Flickr (CC)

San Juan Skyway

San Juan Skyway is a 236-mile scenic highway in southwestern Colorado. San Juan Skyway is Spanish for Saint John Skyway. It has amazing views.

According to Wikipedia, the San Juan Skyway goes in a big loop, so theoretically you could go straight forever. Many people drive on it just for the sake of driving on it. Others drive on it to get to certain destinations along the way, like Durango, Telluride, and Mount Sneffels. Local residents drive on it to get to places like the dentist and Home Depot.


This is where drivers on the San Juan Skyway go to the bathroom.
Photo: J. Stephen Conn via Flickr (CC)

Peace Dividend Trust

Peace Dividend Trust is a non-profit organization. Originally dedicated to international peacekeeping, they've since expanded to economic development. Peace Dividend Trust is sometimes known as PDT. Other things known as PDT include Eastern Oregon Regional Airport, Potentially Dangerous Taxpayer, and the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Of all the PDTs, Peace Dividend Trust seems the most noble.

According to Wikipedia, Peace Dividend Trust's most successful project to date has been in Afghanistan, where its Peace Dividend Marketplace encourages people and companies to buy locally, thus helping Afghanistan's economy. Since 2006, the program has helped to generate more than 200 million USD for local Afghan businesses.


PDT is also working on new ways to simplify their flowcharts.
Photo: munir via Flickr (CC)

Mandy Aftel

Mandy Aftel has written three books about natural perfume and founded the Natural Perfumers Guild in 2002. Mandy advocates the use of natural ingredients in perfumes, and she has lectured on natural perfumes and aromas at various institutions all over the world. She also smells great.

According to Wikipedia, her most renowned book, Essence and Alchemy: A Book of Perfume, has been translated into seven languages. The book earned Mandy a top honor from the Sense of Smell Institute, whose website includes fun facts delivered by a giant nose.

I am similar to Professor Nosetradamus, as the site's cartoon nose is called; we both have larger-than-average noses. He and I aren't exactly the same, however; his nostril is also his mouth.


Smell canisters are not natural.
Photo: dogwelder via Flickr (CC)

Oeko-tex standard

Oeko-tex standard. This is an international testing and certification system that makes sure there aren't harmful chemicals in our textiles. It is unclear who or what or how.

According to Wikipedia, Oeko-tex standard testing is categorized into four classes, depending on how much the textile comes into contact with the skin. The classes are:

1) baby articles
2) articles which come into contact with large areas of the skin, or to which the skin is exposed for long periods
3) outerwear
4) furnishing fabrics

Furnishing fabrics is moved to class 2 for people who sit around naked a lot. Also, I just looked at my sweatpants, and there is no mention of Oeko-tex standard, which makes me nervous.


This man has lost faith in Oeko-tex standard.
Photo: vasta via Flickr (CC)