Hitler vs. ESRI

Warning: this video is for GIS geeks only.

Woman worried about feral rabbits in Nevada

The only reason I'm posting this story, besides the fact that it's fascinating, is because it has a David Aalbers in it. It's not me either, apparently there's a David Aalbers working as a primary school principal in Carson City, Nevada. He also seems to be concerned about the outbreak of feral rabbits in the neighbourhood as there are some that live under his school. The "outbreak" might consist of "a dozen or more" rabbits. It's good to know there are David Aalbers' all over the world concerned about the issues that really matter.

I found this out using 123people.com, which will tell you everything the internet knows about you, or about people with the same name as you. Go ahead, give it a shot.

Safer communities together

If you live in New Zealand chances are you've seen this by now, but it may be one of the funniest and weirdest things I've ever seen on TV. Safer communities together, you keep working that positive PR NZ Police!

Creepy

This is a great illustration of how guys' minds actually work. From XKCD.

Priceless

I've now been home for almost a week. It's a sad thing to realise that you're no longer a celebrity, no longer that guy with the cool accent, no longer the intrepid adventurer so far from home. You're just another guy, making your way through the day at your 9 to 5 job like everyone else, but maybe with a few more stories this time. Well at least I have a job, I guess.

The last two weeks of my travels, in which I did a Trek America tour, were epic. Cost of the tour: $1300. Moments like this, watching the sunset over the Grand Canyon with the team: priceless. And I didn't even need Mastercard.

From Trek America

Amphibious van crosses Cook Strait

I can't believe I'm missing out on this crap. I need to get home.

Las Vegas and Provo

The thing that amazes me most about Las Vegas, is that it's built entirely on the law. If you weren't allowed to gamble in Nevada, and only in Nevada, it'd probably just be a small town you stop at on the way to the Grand Canyon, or when driving between LA and Salt Lake City. As it is though, Vegas has 37 million visitors a year, and they tend to spend a lot of money, keeping a vibrant entertainment-based economy turning.

The hotels are cheap to stay at, but to leave you have to work your way through a maze of gaming machines and tables, making it very easy to stay and gamble for another few hours. Did you really need that fresh air?

After three days in Vegas and still in need of that fresh air I never got to, I needed to get out of the city. I rented a car and visited a friend in Provo, Utah, just south of Salt Lake City. After a tour of the biggest Mormon university in the world (Brigham Young), a gripping soccer match and sleeping in the car due to university rules about sleeping in apartments, I was about to convert when it was suddenly time to go.

Three reasons I wouldn't get into BYU

On the way to Provo. Note the rental car is so new it doesn't have plates yet.

800 miles, 2 states and 36 hours later and I was back in Vegas. Next stop, LA.