LED Christmas lights in action

Christmas tree, no ambient light
Originally uploaded by HotblackDesiato

I wrote last week about the tree at Rockefeller Center being lit with LED lights, and went out this weekend and bought some for my tree.

The initial cost of the lights is very high compared to regular lights, so there is a little sticker shock (I paid $11.99 for a 60 bulb string. I think 100 bulb stings of standard lights go for $2-3.) However, the energy usage is about 50-60% less and they also last much longer than regular lights, so I imagine over time they will pay for themselves. They are much brighter than regular lights and the colors are probably a little jarring if you're not a geek and used to the colors that LED's throw.

In the grand scheme though I think they look very nice and it's nice to have a Christmas tree again.

Rockefeller Center Christmas tree goes LED

Engadget reports that the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is going to be lit by energy-efficient LED lights this year. This will reduce the energy consumption of the tree by approximately 65%. I am very impressed by this, and thankful as well, because I never knew there were such things as LED tree lights, and I will definitely get some to put on my tree this year.

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Wired blurb on xkcd creator

A friend at work turned me on to the great web-comic xkcd, which is consciously low on artistry but high on humor, science, programming, and artful statements about life and love. Wired Magazine features a short blurb on xkcd's creator Randall Munroe.

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Last DC power connection in NYC cut

This story from the New York Times (who by the way appear to have stopped their irritating registration policy) details the termination by Con Ed of the last DC power connection in Manhattan. This is one of the things that absolutely fascinates me about New York City - that there was still a customer using DC transmission from Con Ed. New York City is so vast, so populated, so diverse, I am constantly amazed that the city is able to function every day.

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20 Things Encountered in Rome by Heidi Swanson

My hope is that one day I will get the opportunity to travel to Europe, and especially France and Italy. This gives me some things to look forward to.

Iraq war cost visualized in Beer

This is in British figures, but still compelling. Make beer, not war!

Tonight's dinner

The attempt: a home-made pasta dish featuring very simple ingredients.

The ingredients:
Two roma tomatoes
1/4 onion
three cloves garlic
about two tbsp fresh basil
salt/pepper
a splash of sangiovese wine
3 oz dry pasta

The result: Generally good, but too much tomato taste. Either need more garlic and basil, need to add tomatoes later, or need to cook sauce longer.