The Best Documentaries

Kevin Kelly just released the third edition of True Films. This book has one page reviews of 200 of the best documentaries available. Each review has a few screen captures and an indication of where to rent or buy the films. With a Netflix subscription you can probably rent 80% of these movies.

I've watched many of the films he lists in the book; they are all awesome. Some are even life-changing. None of them have been boring.

Happily, Kevin is testing out an free, ad-supported version of the book. You can download this version from his site as a pdf.

Link.

Find Walkable Neighborhoods

Are you looking for a new place to live? Before you commit, check out the walkability score at Walk Score. Plug an address into the website. Out pops a map of the neighborhood. It gives a score measuring how many businesses, services, schools, parks, libraries, and more are within walking distance.

The walkability of your home and place of work can have a big impact on your quality of life. Having to drive will discourage you from getting out of your house as much, increase your stress levels, and reduce your opportunity for exercise.

Link.

Via Joel on Software.

Disney Cover Songs

Do you like Disney songs? Do you like cover songs? Then Covering the Mouse is the blog for you. Why they even stream samples of the songs!

Link.

Via BoingBoing.

Oil Plug Gaskets

Since buying a used 2006 Honda Element to replace my Jetta and Econoline, I've decided to start changing my own oil again. I'm tired of waiting in grimy rooms, paying too much, and always wondering if the shop is going to make a mistake. Unfortunately, it turns out that auto part stores also can screw up and waste your time.

The oil pan drain plug on my Element has a little aluminum crush washer which ensures a tight seal to the drain pan. According to the manual, you're supposed to change these washers (also known as oil drain plug gaskets) with every oil change. The manual for my Gold 1994 Eagle Vision never mentioned changing a washer, so this is a new thing for me.

You wouldn't think finding a washer at the auto part store would be a problem.
It was. I located a section labeled "oil plugs" which had a small section of expensive washers. Although Auto Zone has a big book which tells you what oil filter to buy for your car, there was no book for the washers.

I walked to the front desk and asked what washer I needed for the oil plug on my Honda Element. Instead of consulting a book or a computer, the clerk walked directly to the washer section and started poking boxes of parts. He handed me a box of M12 Nylon washers and told me this is the kind of washers the factory installed. That seemed fishy, so I asked if he was sure. He was.

I purchased my overpriced washers and went home. Still skeptical, I googled around for what size washer I needed. All I could find was one page mentioned 14mm washers. Mine had about a 12mm inside diameter. I felt quite happy that I had not drained the oil from my vehicle.

Inspecting the box of wrong parts, I discovered that the washer manufacturer had a web site. Even better, Dorman Products has an online parts guide which lets you search by vehicle. Consulting the guide, I learned that I needed an aluminum M14 washer.

I returned my Nylon M12 washers to Auto Zone where a more helpful clerk double-checked the part numbers and exchanged my purchase. It seems to be the correct part: it fit perfectly.

Lessons learned: even simple home maintenance can be fraught with peril and waste lots of time. Also, you reach the nearly-invisible Element oil filter through the passenger-side wheel well (turn the steering wheel hard to the left). Finally, there are still bits of data out there that Google has difficulty finding. I'm amazed that more cars don't disintegrate on the road.

Listen to the Drabblecast

I always laugh when I listen to The Drabblecast. There aren't many podcasts out there that can do that.

The Drabblecast is about 80% flash fiction -- one to two thousand word stories. The tales are generally weird, sometimes gleefully repulsive. Norm Sherman performs all the narration himself, which is part of the appeal. His voices and sound effects are great.

Norm's commentary makes up the remaining 20% of the show. Following the theme, the commentary is also about the weird and absurd. Norm's take on "current events" is a riot, as are his reenactments. My favorite segment of all time has to be his coverage of the gruesome death of a duck in the lobby of an Embassy Suites. Listen to episode 35.

If you cherish the absurd and strange, give the show a listen. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Link.

Is Your Doctor Dangerous?

I enjoy learning facts that destroy popular beliefs. This entry on Overcoming Bias explains how many medical doctors are a danger to their patients.

Link.

Fight Corruption with Lawrence Lessig

Larry Lessig has an entertaining new presentation on Corruption. My brain was bent several times by the clarity of his points. I wish I was half as good at presenting as the professor is.

Link. Via Boing Boing.

Here is a link to the Sunlight Foundation, mentioned in the presentation.