Solar Wind Concept Bridge

Solar Wind bridge concept could power 15,000 homes, grow vegetables

By Donald Melanson posted Feb 7th 2011 1:48AM

As a kind of spin off of my previous post, I recently found this article. This concept bridge looks incredible. I love the modern design contrasting with the natural landscape. It obviously has some serious potential flaws but imagine the resources we would save if we could build bridges to fuel our towns.

Why just use solar power or wind power when you can use both? Designed by Francesco Colarossi, Giovanna Saracino and Luisa Saracino as part of an Italian design contest to re-imagine a decommissioned bridge (for which it placed second), this so-called Solar Wind concept would have solar cells embedded in the roadway (an idea that's already catching on) and an array of 26 wind turbines underneath, which the designers say could produce enough energy combined to power 15,000 homes. To make the design greener still, the designers have even included a "green promenade" that would run alongside the road, which they suggest could be used to grow fruits and vegetables that'd then be sold to folks driving by. Incidentally, while it's less focused on technology, the design that placed first in the contest (a so-called "vertical village") is pretty impressive in its own right

By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

***SPOILER ALERT***

Finished today

This book was not what I expected. I knew it would be a story with a strong message about bullying and although I was sad for Daelyn I didn’t really feel for her. I expected this book to tug on my heartstrings but it kept me at a distance, which ironically is what Daelyn does with everyone in her life

As you read you find out that she went through some hard things and has attempted bullycide (suicide to escape bullies) at least twice before. Because of this and her determination to be successful in her third attempt, Daelyn refuses to engage anyone. She constantly pushes out any feelings or emotions and very few things get through her barricade

There is one bright spot in the book, which is Santana. I like his character, he is someone who fights to live. I like that he loves life and I like that he’s persistent with Daelyn. He pokes a couple small holes in her wall and I think his character is there to show that no matter what you’ve been through, there are still kind, trustworthy people in this world.

Now on to the ending and here’s where most of the spoilers come in…

Did Daelyn commit bullycide or did she decide to make a new life for herself? Who knows?

The ending is one major cliff hanger! I’m sure the author meant it to be that way so you could draw your own conclusions but it was very disappointing to me. Throughout the whole book I was waiting to see if, in the end, if she would go through with it or decide to fight to live. As much as I wanted to fill in my own happy ending, I really just wanted closure.

**Bullying is a rampant epidemic and I don’t believe schools/parents are doing enough to prevent it. I once met a teacher and even he/she admitted that their school’s bully prevention was a joke. I think it’s time for the adults in this world step up and find a way to protect those who need protecting.**

The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires, #2) by Rachel Caine

 Finished Today

Another great book! Just like the first in the series, this book just sucks you in from the beginning and ends on a cliff hanger...can't wait to see what happens next.