Sunday, September 23, 2007

Blackle.com - Saving energy one search at a time

Are you using Blackle? I read about this recently and I have started to use it. Blackle was created by Google to help save energy. It works the same way as Google, only it has a black background rather than a white background on the main screen. Here is some information on Blackle - Give it a try!

How is Blackle saving energy?

Blackle was created by Heap Media to remind us all of the need to take small steps in our everyday lives to save energy. Blackle searches are powered by Google Custom Search.
Blackle saves energy because the screen is predominantly black. "Image displayed is primarily a function of the user's color settings and desktop graphics, as well as the color and size of open application windows; a given monitor requires more power to display a white (or light) screen than a black (or dark) screen." Roberson et al, 2002

In January 2007 a blog post titled Black Google Would Save 750 Megawatt-hours a Year proposed the theory that a black version of the Google search engine would save a fair bit of energy due to the popularity of the search engine. Since then there has been skepticism about the significance of the energy savings that can be achieved and the cost in terms of readability of black web pages.

We believe that there is value in the concept because even if the energy savings are small, they all add up. Secondly we feel that seeing Blackle every time we load our web browser reminds us that we need to keep taking small steps to save energy.
How can you help?

We encourage you to set Blackle as your home page ( set ). This way every time you load your Internet browser you will save a little bit of energy. Remember every bit counts! You will also be reminded about the need to save energy each time you see the Blackle page load.

Help us spread the word about Blackle by telling your friends and family to set it as their home page. If you have a blog then give us a mention. Or put the following text in your email signature: "Blackle.com - Saving energy one search at a time".

Have a look at our energy saving tips page for ideas on steps you can take to save energy.
There are a lot of great web sites about saving energy and being more environmentally friendly. They are full of great tips covering the little things that we can all do to make a difference today. Try Blackling "energy saving tips" or visit treehugger.com a great blog dedicated to environmental awareness.

I'm just as guilty...

So my last blog post was officially a month ago - and it was in reference to a friend not updating his blog! Well isn't that the pot calling the kettle black! Sorry Tony! And thanks for updating your blog. I loved all of the pictures! You guys have an awesome home!
http://tonyvreal.blogspot.com/2007/09/suspend-your-disbelief-house-pictures.html
Sorry I don't know how to put the actual link in - you need to copy and paste this if you want to see it...

Things have been incredibly busy....

To follow up on my former posting of random thoughts, I am happy to report that my sister did get a new job - working as a recruiter in an HR department for a very large local company. Thanks for keeping your fingers crossed for her. She is doing great and very happy with the new job and the extra cash!

In other news, my friend Nic also got a new job - After many years of loyalty he was offered an opportunity that was too good to turn down. Congratulations Nic!

Other wonderful news - our friends Jen and Nathan are expecting their first baby! We are so happy and excited for them. They have gonepublic with the announcement so we can now publically congratulate them! It's hard to believe that in 6 short months they will be welcoming their little one into the world and learning all about the wonders of parenthood.
http://jenhaselhorst.blogspot.com/2007/09/annoucment.html
(again - copy and paste please)

We continued to explore the car options - we finally have the money and we are still considering a new car purchase, we are starting to think about saving it to spend on other things - landscaping, a deck, a fence, etc. So the verdict is still out. Since I just spent $400 last week for a new cam shaft gear, I am thinking of trying to hang on to my car a little bit longer.

The bacheloretter party was a success. On September 1st, we all went out to celebrate my best friend, Christen's, last days as a single woman! We started off at one of the bridesmaid's houses for gifts, food and drinks. We were then picked up by a big white stretch limo and taken downtown for a male review and then to a dance club. The place we originally planned to go was closed for remodeling! Unbelievable! BUT, we got a great deal going somewhere else and everyone had a great time. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment....

Before the night begins - from left to right we have Christen (the BRIDE) in the front. In the back we have Julie, Jen N, Sandy, Lisa, Jen V, Cory, Geri (mother of the bride), Courtney, and Chris M. Our limo driver was named Chris and he was 100% German! He spoke broken english but he got us from place to place and was a lot of fun.

Inside the limo, some of the girls have fun with their boas....a few of them were snatched by guys on motorcycles and bicycles riding by us.


A mother-daughter - dancer sandwich - Christen and her mom pose with one of the men.

And at the next club there was a lot of dancing. From left to right we have Cory, Lisa, Geri, Christen, Jen, Courtney, and Danielle.

And here's our ride home - just kidding - this lamborghini was parked in front of the last club we went too. Unfortunately we didn't get a ride in it...


In an annual tradition, Christen and I went to Long Grove this September. Lisa tagged along as well. Since Christen's fiance was busy with his bachelor party we decided to go on September 8th We had a great lunch, did a lot of shopping, and of course we brought home a couple of pounds of those famous chocolate covered strawberries. I didn't take any pictures on our trip to Long Grove this year, except for this one of this cute squirrel who was really not afraid of us at all.


Thursday, September 13th was the rehearsal dinner for Christen and Mark's wedding. We started out a Meyer's Castle and went on to Sanfratello's for dinner. Here are a few pictures from the evening.


Bride's family


Friends


More of bride's family (and bride!) - some of them were here from Florida!



Groom's family and friends (including flower girl and ring bearer)

My hubby giving me some love (yes the curls continue to grow!)


And the big day arrives! Saturday, September 15th!!! It was a Beautiful day! The weather was perfect and the bride was stunningly beautiful! The wedding was outside in the garden area at Meyer's Castle. The "bouncing" bride and groom shared their wedding vows, followed by a dove release, and were then announced as husband and wife. I am sure my pictures aren't nearly as great as the photograhers, but here are some from the day.

In the morning, the girls all got ready at the "Chop Shop" and most had their makeup done courtesy of Gina at Christen's house. Here are some pictures from the morning....


Megan, Danielle, and Lisa - before enjoying some mimosas

Jr. bridesmaid - Alex - Christen's youngest sister

Gina - doing Kim's makeup

The bride - how beautiful!

The bride with her middle sister Sam - junior bridesmaid

The limo arrives - Kim, lisa, Megan, Sam, Alex, Christen, Julie, and Danielle - ready to ride to the castle and get dressed!

WOW - that's quite a kick!

Jr. bridesmaid - Al - sister of the bride


Jr bridesmaid Sam - sister of the bride

The bride is dressed!


Christen passes out all of the flowers, orange tiger lillies, red roses, blue hydrangeas,
and purple irises....

The bride gives her mom a wristlet corsage.


Christen with her bouquet - she is ready to go and get married! whoo hoo!

waiting, waiting, waiting - with her grandma - in the bridal suite

The ceremony begins! Christen's cousins walked her down from the bridal suite. Her mom walked her down the aisle and handed her off to Mark. They proceeded up the stone pathway through the garden to be surrounded by their friends for the remainder of the ceremony.


Here they are - husband and wife! YAY!


Me and D - we both went with the curls today -


Me and my dad - at the reception


The ultimate Creme Brulee wedding cake! It was awesome!


At the head table - Jen, Danielle, and me

The card castle


The very loooong head table


The bride and groom with their friends Danielle and Mike - a great end to a great evening! And off to the Dominican Repbulic they went to celebrate their honeymoon.

So that about covers it all!

I promise I won't wait another month until I post again. :)