I recently spent some time in Panama City, Panama. It was INCREDIBLE!!! The people, the city, the country, all are fantastic, and I am quite excited to be returning in late February.

A full post (or posts) on my visit follow, but in the meantime, checkout a building (one of many) with incredible architectural detail I managed to snap from the car.

I thought the use of color, in addition to the asymmetric angles of the balconies was a fantastic detail in a country full of color and vibrant life! Of course, I am no architect nor designer, but I likes what I likes…

I just returned from a week in Panama City (the Canal – Central America – NOT Florida!) to be greeted by snow.

I am glad someone likes it!

I love the beast – hate the snow…

In a hilarious legal strategy, apparently Pepsi has confirmed that science experiment we conducted in 7th grade. You know, the one where the science teacher had you fill beakers with various soda/pop, and immerse objects in them to ascertain the affects of the corrosive nature of the liquid.

According to ABC News a guy sued Pepsi (the makers of Mountain Dew) after finding a mouse in his can of yellow sticky caffeinated delicious goodness (for the palate, not ones health.)

These types of suits are apparently quite common, and mostly result in a settlement with a few coupons for more product.

However, in this case, Pepsi has decided to litigate, with their legal case hinging upon the theory that the poor fellow could not have possibly found a mouse in his can of ‘Dew, as according to Pepsi food scientists – had the mouse been in the can from the time of bottling until the date of (near) consumption – the mouse would have been dissolved by the chemicals (acids?) in the Dew!!!

Pepsi quote of the day (no, not their stock quote,) “it would have become “a jelly-like substance.””

My personal pseudo science maintains that the chemicals in beef jerky counteract the chemicals in Dew – making the combined binary solution, a complete and nutritious meal suitable for any road trip of great import.

I am experimenting with a new iPad 2, and actually typing this post on it. What can I say, while I am technically savvy, I generally do not fetishize gadgets – but this thing… Oh WOW!

The acronym “EDC” stands for Every Day Carry, or the detritus that we take with us just about everywhere, just about all the time. Of course, women have it easier when it comes to sheer volume, using a purse or handbag, instead of bulging pockets like the guys are forced into.

The trick to EDC is eliminating what is extraneous, multi-purposing what is left, and having just enough to get us out of any situation we might commonly experience. EDC as such, is a highly personal decision. Yes, we all know the guy with a wallet stuffed to the size of a burrito. We all know the guy who is always without whatever vital thing is necessary. For the rest of us, I want to review my new EDC pocketknife – which after two months of testing I am in LOVE with…

Meet the Gerber EAB pocket knife, with replaceable box cutter razor blades. It has completely (for day to day use) replaced my large Spyderco, the alternative CRKT, and even the Benchmade, but not the emergency necker I once in a while carry depending on circumstances.

Pros:
I like the fact that is half or even smaller sized, in comparison to the others I have. I love the fact that I use the blade for a few days, then flip it to the sharp side, and then a few days later toss it out to be replaced by a new razor sharp blade. I love the fact that it is CHEAP. I love that the replacement blades are also CHEAP (7.99 for 200 at Home Depot last week.) I love the fact that it is flat in my pocket. I love that when I pull it out to use with other folks around, they are not intimidated immediately (try that with a police model shiny stainless Spyderco!)

Cons:
Not a defensive blade at all, the user immediately gives up reach length. The clip is flimsy, and prone to breakage from repetitive use (I overlook this due to the overall cost of ownership being so low.) The point is SO sharp and narrow, one does not use it (as we might abuse other knives) for anything other than cutting.