CSI Camp, a beautiful day and too much air conditioning.
Today is the first day of a week-long summer camp for my oldest daughter. The camp is being held at UAB- University of Alabama, Birmingham (or the University that Ate Birmingham). It is a big campus with a strong medical program that is really holding a lot of life in downtown.
Downtown Birmingham continues to see signs of recovery not just from the most recent economic downturn but from years of transition from the iron and steel industry into modern business. Like many cities old buildings are being turned into loft apartments and supporting businesses are starting to open.
Back at the camp. The camp is actually called Camp CSI and is run by the Department of Justice Sciences “Camp CSI: Birmingham is designed to show high school students, grades 10-12, the reality behind the forensic science depicted in such television dramas as CSI, CSI New York, and NCIS; to develop their interest in science and the scientific method, and provide them information on forensic science education and career opportunities.”
The program involves collecting samples and testing them in the labs and using the equipment that the full-time students in the forensic evidence courses use. Students and undergrads from the course are assisting as well.
The details of the Camp can be found HERE
My daughter previously discussed this type of career and having just finished Grade 10 it’s a good time to see if it’s a good fit.
As I am spending the day in Birmingham with my other two daughters we decided to spend some time at the library. They wanted to read some books and they have free wifi. After about 2 hours it was time to go get some lunch and get some feeling back into my body. I’m pretty sure there was a side of beef hanging in the corner behind the cookbook section.
Recently with the cost of utilities and other factors, I have noticed many malls and businesses have increased the temperature in their buildings by a few degrees. Six or seven years ago when I went to see a movie I would put on a long sleeve shirt so I wouldn’t get cold in the two hours I was there. When the temperature outside is 85 and up and humid not too many people are wearing jackets so being inside a building at 75 with low humidity is not too bad.
Now as we all know the library is not a privately owned building so some costs are just considered to be “normal” and the thought of reducing expenses by cutting utilities has probably never been brought up. The kids run into some of the same issues in school. They take a sweater to class so they don’t get too cold.
I moved from the Great White North to Alabama and I can’t say that I miss the cold. Don’t get me wrong, I have no desire to live in a house here with no air conditioning and I run it in my stores but there is a temperature in most places that is a good mix between being cool enough and not feeling sticky.
We moved into our house a couple of years ago and had normal, southern insulation. After changing a few lights and exhaust fans I added about 16″ of insulation to the attic and brought it up to about R-50. Our power bills dropped in half the next month. So now we keep the house at a comfortable temperature and we don’t need to cover up with blankets to watch TV.
Now that we have taken a walk, finished lunch and spent some time in the park it’s time to go back into the deep freeze so the kids can finish their books.
If you have any comments please post them below.
Play Safe
Ken
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