Undead Astronauts

Somehow I missed this for years. Huntsville was rated #9 worldwide on a smartest cities list back in 2009. The criteria included infrastructure, livability and economic fundamentals. Singapore and Hong Kong were 1 and 2 respectively. Heady company. Unfortunately, that was then and the economic fundamentals (defense) that kept Huntsville flying high for years is crumbling as we speak. A government job or a government contracting job is something to be wary of these days as you could get your job axed by a whim of congress.

Kiplinger’s has ratings for cities for every life stage. Mid-career professionals should head to DC, Durham, Huntsville, Anchorage and Fayetteville.

Not an entirely surprising result.

Sigh… another good reason to live in Huntsville. In terms of salary value, Huntsville ranks #2 in the nation behind New London, Conn and ahead of Baltimore. The “interestingness” of the city leaves a great deal to be desired, but at least there’s a silver lining. Hyuck hyuck.

1. The B-W achievement gap rears it’s head in Huntsville school system. It’s actually worse here than elsewhere in the state. Not only is the gap larger, it goes in the wrong direction where blacks are scoring worse than the state avg rather than whites scoring much higher. (data here)
2. Link between dance and madness. Interestingly, it mentions how dancers have put themselves into a trance-like state since time immemorial and how serotonin based drug usage correlates with that aspect of dance.
3. Ah, the wonders of technology… brings new meaning to the word jigglypuff. (source)

What the hell is going on over here? Snow is making ppl crazy. Rumors of 10 ppl being taken to the hospital from the UAH shooting. this is the 2nd school shooting in two weeks. the first one happened at a middle school.

Update: 3 dead. Shooter was a faculty member who may have been denied tenure this morning. Victims all faculty.

Kiplinger, in all of their wisdom, has chosen a city we all know too well as their best city.  Any guesses?  :)

Kiplinger 2009 Best City
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