Winner

Philip Johnson left an indelible mark on EVERYTHING

okay, this year is the first year without the same number repeated in a row since 1989
ie

1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009

2010

I think (nerdily enough) that this is cool

Which is why I'm looking forward to:
2013
The first year since the year of my birth that there will be 4 distinct numbers used in a date
ie

1987 no duplicates!

1988 durn 8 domin8s
1989 9 takes up half the space, will continue domination until peaking in 1999 then disappearing, making a cameo this past year
1990-2009 you know the story here, although I'll highlight...
1991 & 2002 when two numbers split the year evenly, as well as...
1999 & 2000 when 9 and 0 control 3/4 of the board respectively
2010 we have the 0s repeating again
2011 1 picks up half the year for the first time since 1991
2012 2s provide bookends to what some believe is the last year of existence...I hope not, because...

2013 no duplicates!

Anyway, you can tell that I am bored now that my plane has been delayed an hour, and my computer is the only useful thing on my personage

enjoy, I'll look for you in 2013

What would you do with...

Hi all, I am wondering...What would you do with the extra money if the state you currently lived in suddenly started receiving as much money as New Mexico, Alaska, West Virginia, etc?


Thank you Taxfoundation.org for this wonderful graphic, which you can click on to see fully.

The way you can calculate this is by going to this page then multiply the amount your state spends by the ratio one of these other states receives per dollar in taxes. Then subtract by the amount your state actually receives, then you can tell me how you'd spend that greenback.

ie:
Illinois Taxes (2005) NM Illinois federal funding (2005)
($ 99,776,000,000 x $2 ) - $80,778,000,000 = $118,774,000,000

I'd add another track to all passenger rail corridors where physically possible, and add two tracks on high speed corridors. Build the circle line, the yellow, red, blue and orange line extensions. Then spend the rest on a single payer state health plan & university scholarships.

but then again that is selfish.

because that extra money would be equal to about a fifth of social security costs, and half the national debt interest.

so, a more realistic calculation using a similar formula from that same info would be

IL taxes 2005 - IL fed. funding (2005)
$ 99,776,000,000 - $80,778,000,000 = $18,998,000,000

I'd spend it over 10 years on the same things, then once the infrastructure projects were finished, invest in replacing all power with renewable sources.

If I had more time on my hands I might actually budget it out, because I'm that big of a nerd. But, I have loads of work to get back to, so I'll just leave this theoretical, fun exercise.

Funky Proposals for Northerly Island

Courtesy of the poster BVictor on SkyscraperPage

funky plans for Northerly island:

Plan 1


Plan 2


Plan 3


Plan 4



Crazy Funky in my opinion, my thoughts:

• 1st image from the 1st project is gorgeous, this proposal could do really well in the long term, by setting up an armature around which natural systems could evolve
  

• The barrier reef idea is ambitious and would create a great respite from the city at that distance from the original shore, but cost makes this least likely

• The 3rd seems least costly, and large dunes could be mighty picturesque
  

• I love the "a" "g" "o" and the pier created by the "h", but not a cursive fan.

If someone correctly guesses which one was designed by Studio Gang, you don't get a prize, but get my R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

And maybe you'll find out what that means to me

also, what intrigues you/befuddles you about these ideas.
Seeing as the city has asked what would you like dislike about each, as no one proposal will be implemented solely

delete

I also have been working on one for Cincinnati.



This is no where near finished, but it basically thinks out the issues I've been trying to address.

And when I get something more concrete, and feel like discussing it further, I'll post it all here.