Kim Jong Il's presence is felt in series of images (AP)

PYONGYANG, North Korea ? It's hard to imagine a North Korea without Kim Jong Il, who led the nation for 17 years until his death in December.

His portrait hangs in every building, his visits to factories and shops are commemorated with signs in his honor. The song book at the hotel at Mount Kumgang features a full page of tunes with his name in the title, and the airline hostesses in lacy gloves give their thanks to him as Air Koryo flights cross into North Korean airspace.

Kim's death on Dec. 17 marks the end of an era for North Korea, which has known only two leaders: Kim and his father, Kim Il Sung. Already, a new era has begun under the leadership of his young son, Kim Jong Un.

Still, Kim Jong Il's presence is felt in every frame of these images made by Associated Press photographer David Guttenfelder over the course of our visits during the last months of Kim's life.

The white gloves on a table outside the International Friendship Exhibition Hall at Mount Myohang belong to the young guide in traditional Korean dress who eased them on before opening the front door to the museum housing gifts to the late leader.

Doctors and nurses laugh as they huff and puff their way past mountains carved with Kim's sayings and signature.

Young men in bumper cars bash each other gleefully at an amusement park that Kim ordered renovated as part of a bid to "improve the people's daily lives," one of the goals he left unfinished when he died at age 69.

Brush in hand and paint can tucked between his feet, an artisan colors in the letters for a propaganda poster from his precarious perch.

The date printed across the top of the poster reads "June of the year Juche 100 of Great Leader Kim Jong Il" ? or, to the outside world, June 2011.

___

Follow Jean H. Lee on Twitter at twitter.com/newsjean and photographer David Guttenfelder at twitter.com/dguttenfelder.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/asia/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111230/ap_on_re_as/as_kim_jong_il_s_north_korea

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Clean Energy in 2012: Geothermal progression

In this series, the RGJ examines key economic indicators for the region in 2012. Find previous stories in the series at rgj.com/business.

BY JASON HIDALGO
jhidalgo@rgj.com
It was good to be green for Northern Nevada in 2011.
Despite high unemployment and challenges in the real estate market, the renewables sector posted several positive milestones in the last year.
Geothermal had an especially good showing. The University of Nevada, Reno snagged the first-ever National Geothermal Academy program in the country, bringing people from around the world to UNR this summer. In August, Reno became the site of the Geothermal Energy Association's first National Geothermal Summit, further increasing the area's profile.
As of early 2011, Nevada's 21 operating geothermal power plants comprised a total operating capacity of 441.8 megawatts. However, more than 80 potential projects in the exploratory, planned or construction phases could boost capacity as high as 3,686 megawatts in the state. This would eclipse California's more than 2,500 megawatts of installed capacity. Total U.S. geothermal capacity currently is a little over 3,000 megawatts.
Add plans by Truckee Meadows Community College to add curriculum for geothermal, solar and wind, along with the ongoing research being done in the state, and renewables are expected to continue their strong showing in 2012.
"Ten of the innovative and cutting-edge geothermal research and demonstration projects are located in Nevada," said Paul Thomsen, public policy manager for geothermal company Ormat Technologies. "These projects will create 350 high-quality drilling and research jobs once the research and demonstration projects are fully executed."
Key challenges include a more difficult funding environment due to federal budget cuts and the global financial crisis. This is especially impacting geothermal projects, which are considered more high risk than solar or wind projects. Nevertheless, the area is on the right track for renewables, said Jason Geddes, City of Reno environmental services administrator.
"The economy continues to be a challenge overall," Geddes said. "But I think we have an opportunity to attract more (renewable) companies here."

EXPERT OUTLOOK
Our area has seen significant improvement in renewables in the last few years. Reno, for example, was named one of the greenest communities along with San Francisco and Portland, largely due to our energy efficiency and use of geothermal. ? The economy continues to be a challenge overall, but I think we have an opportunity to attract more companies here, especially with geothermal, and expand that cluster. We already have 12 different geothermal companies here so that has certainly raised awareness about our area. Northern Nevada alone will have five more geothermal plants opening up in 2012 for another 200 megawatts of energy. The school district is also moving forward with an additional 1 megawatt worth of solar, and you've got wind turbine projects within the city as well. I expect more renewable development to go on in 2012.
?"? Jason Geddes, Environmental services administrator for city of Reno

2011 was a banner year for the geothermal industry in Nevada. Ormat continued to develop projects that will generate approximately 120 megawatts of clean, renewable electricity that will assist NV Energy in meeting its renewable energy portfolio requirements. I believe new geothermal power projects will continue to be placed in service, and we expect a significant number of new projects will be completed before the December 31, 2013 production tax credit deadline. ... Key challenges for the sector include long lead times for geothermal projects, which increase developer risk, increase project and consumer costs, and delay geothermal power project timelines. Streamlining the geothermal permitting process without compromising environmental integrity will enable the industry to expedite the construction of many geothermal plants, while affording an opportunity to create jobs, build partnerships and foster innovation across a number of sectors.
"? Paul Thomsen, Ormat Technologies public policy manager

This past year we saw a lot of forward movement for renewable energy companies in Nevada, from the production of energy, manufacturing and education. ? The Legislature didn't make any changes to programs and incentives that help lure developers to the state, sending a positive message that when it comes to renewable energy in Nevada, we're open for business. I think we will continue to see a lot of homes and businesses look to renewable sources for their energy needs. If we can prove to manufacturers that there is a viable market in Nevada, they will look to locate here and bring good paying jobs and research and development dollars that are key to a successful green economy. The biggest barrier to further proliferation of development is transmission. We must find ways to deliver the energy to our biggest and best customer, California.
"? Tom Clark, Holland & Hart renewable energy lobbyist

Source: http://www.rgj.com/article/20111230/BIZ/112300326/1071

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Richard's most-used Android apps of 2011

Over the course of the last 12 months, I've lost count of the sheer amount of applications that I've downloaded, tried, deleted, and in some cases tried again. When all is said and done though, there's a select group of apps which I use a whole lot more than others to the point that they've become part of everyday life. Here's a little list of what's been getting me through the week.

Also: Phil's picks, Jerry's Picks, Chris' Picks

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/0VfcA9-iEQw/story01.htm

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Make a "Walking Taco" in a Bag of Fritos for an Easy, Portable Snack [Food Hacks]

This crazy, ingenious food hack turns a bag of corn chips into a filling Mexican meal or snack. Your bag of Fritos (or Tostito tortilla chips, perhaps) serves as a bowl for the mixture of taco fillings.

Just take a single-size serving bag, add your ingredients, and go.

The comments on the Craft blog where this recipe is found note that this is actually a traditional Mexican snack or street food known as "tostilocos" (which I think means crazy toast).

Tutorial: Walking Taco | Craft

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/rb69KjQMgpE/make-a-walking-taco-in-a-bag-of-fritos-for-an-easy-portable-snack

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Obama sees approval rating rise. Is it the economy or something else? (The Christian Science Monitor)

President Obama has enjoyed a rebound in popularity, putting him in a stronger position to defend his presidency in next year's election campaign.

Of course, there's a long way to go between now and a 2012 vote that's still more than 10 months away.

But for Mr. Obama, the important thing for now is that his job approval ratings are moving generally up rather than down, despite attacks by Republican rivals and a still-weak economy.

The latest sign: Gallup polling shows the president garnering 46 percent approval from American adults, the highest level since July and a big run-up after starting the month of December at 41 percent.

RECOMMENDED: Six boosts and six liabilities for Obama's reelection bid

Various polls of Obama's job approval, averaged by the website RealClearPolitics, show the same recovery over the past month.

Why the reversal of fortunes, after a summer downdraft in public support?

One big factor is that presidential ratings can be, in part, a mirror of how people feel about the economy and their own prospects. And on that front, the consumer outlook is that the economy is weak but improving.

On Tuesday, a widely watched index of consumer confidence, released by the Conference Board in New York, rose for December to 64.5, up from 55.2 a month earlier. (A reading of 100 on the index would equal the optimism seen in 1985.)

"After two months of considerable gains, the Consumer Confidence Index is now back to levels seen last spring," said Lynn Franco, director of research at the Conference Board. "It is too soon to tell if this is a rebound from earlier declines or a sustainable shift in attitudes."

The revival of consumer confidence, in turn, has come as the job market has shown signs of progress, the stock market stabilized, and European nations have made progress toward quieting a financial crisis.

Another reason the Obama brand name has gained ground, political analysts say, is the partisan fight over renewing a payroll tax cut for US workers. Amid a partisan stand-off, the president appears to have successfully cast himself as standing for middle-class interests.

House Republicans have supported the idea of a full-year extension for the tax break, but until recently looked unwilling to strike a compromise on a plan moved by Democratic-controlled Senate.

Assuming an extension of the payroll tax cut comes through, Obama can tout a win for average Americans ? something he fought for and delivered that affects their bank accounts.

But if Obama is back in competitive territory, he remains vulnerable. As of the latest Gallup numbers (an average of its latest three days of polling), his disapproval rating is two points higher (48 percent) than his approval rating (46 percent).

Typically, sitting presidents who win reelection have had approval ratings above 50, Gallup says.

A lot will depend on where Obama's presidency heads from here, how the Republican campaign against him shapes up, and how the economy performs. For now, the race for president looks like it could be close.

A mid-December matchup by Gallup's shows voters opting for Obama over Mitt Romney as a Republican nominee by a 50-to-48 margin. The poll got the same result for another hypothetical matchup, Obama versus Newt Gingrich.

RECOMMENDED: Six boosts and six liabilities for Obama's reelection bid

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Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/obama/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20111227/ts_csm/442228

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Daily Desired: A Watch That Makes It Really Hard to Tell Time [Video]

I hate everything about time. Being on time, looking at time, adhering to time. EVERYTHING. My hate for time is a big reason why I never wear watches because then, I would be handcuffed by time. AND WHO WANTS THAT. I'm a free spirit! Don't change me world! Or I can just wear this Kisai On Air Watch that looks more like a faceless watch than a timecuff. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/SwaXGK8oO-8/daily-desired-a-watch-that-makes-it-really-hard-to-tell-time

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Video: Never on a Friday in Samoa

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Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/45801465#45801465

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