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If that's right, I don't want to be wrong



Elm City sunset

Come out come out wherever you are

Remember way back in 2010 when a HUGE deal was made about census participation? Results may seem dubious, but methods seriously suspect.

NYC? Despite setting a record for its population, the Big Apple feels under counted. So New York.

Nationally, the neon sign outside check-in blazes VACANCY at (mostly secondary) homes all over this land. Overall, 13% of US homes are vacant, with the states of Vermont (20.5%), Florida (17.5%), Arizona (16.3%) and Alaska (15.9%) propping up that average.

Crushingly for TCD, Maine lead all states with a vacancy rate of 22.8%. However, that figure is misleading, as are many in the final results. The census lumps together second/summer/ski/beach homes with all others, including homes that have been sold but not occupied, empty homes for sale or rent, and homes used by migrant workers. Basically, anything other than a primary residence is considered vacant and thus counted in the same way, regardless of the difference between a foreclosed property and one that simply isn't someone's permanent residence.

When the second home phenomenon is adjusted for, Maine is reasonably on par with the least vacant state (Connecticut at 6.1%) at 7% vacancy. The left tail is comprised of California, Iowa, Illinois, Virginia and Washington, all at 9.2% or lower.

Interesting article on it all here. And if you think Maine has it bad, check out the story from a little place called Asssssspen.

When Stealing a Cab Goes Wrong

Because usually it works out pretty well.

Photo submitted by TCD correspondent Thos. Pink Crustaceans (and good vibrations). WSJ story here.

All the rage

According to an article in the Personal Journal section of today's Wall Street Journal (side note: has there ever been a publication more obsessed with self-reference? The NY Times doesn't even call their sports section Sports Times.) pedestrian rage - the "road rage" of sidewalk travel - is real and gripping the nation. According to U Hawaii psychologist Leon James, signs of a sidewalk rager include muttering or bumping into others; uncaringly hogging a walking lane; and acting in a hostile manner by staring, giving a "mean face" or approaching others too closely. The full article is available here.

Below, a guide of who to avoid and who to potentially follow if in a hurry or prone to rage whilst walking the streets of NYC. Thanks to NYC's Department of City Planning and their April 2006 study 'Pedestrian Level of Service Study, Phase I' for this invaluable data.



Key: 1. Tourists walk 3.79 feet per second; 2. Smokers: 4.17 feet per second; 3. Cellphone users: 4.20 feet per second; 4. Headphone listeners: 4.64 feet per second; 5. Large pedestrians: 3.74 feet per second; 6. Men: 4.42 feet per second; 7. Women: 4.10 feet per second; 8. People with bags: 4.27 feet per second

Thanks to LtGen Perez, Ret. USMC for the look...