Driving the 106 miles and over two hours per day that I average gives me many NPR listening opportunities. During my trip home Wednesday, January 28, 2009 I had the pleasure of hearing three pieces each of which made me call Linda with note taking requests.
 
First was Marketplace's story about how homeless activists are helping Miami's homeless inhabit vacant homes. As I listened to this story I was stuck with the recognition that this was a model solution, as I posted in this comment on Marketplace's website:

Both as a self-described "slightly to the right of Attila the Hun" Republican and self-employed businessman equally responsible for the well being of others I listened to this story with fascination. Not only is this a valid stop-gap measure that solves the immediate problems of multiple parties, but some insightful entrepreneur could build this kernel of civil disobedience into a gem of an industry. Image a business model that both does good and sustains value for equity holders... this is a very American ideal.

Following Marketplace is one of my favorite (and oft cited) shows, Fresh Air. Terry Gross compiled the three interviews she did with literary legend John Updike in memoriam of his death from lung cancer on January 27. True to form the website offers both this compilation as well as each of the individual interviews in their entirety.
 
Finally came news review that always starts PRI's The World. Leading the news was discussion of our current economic crisis, as has been the case for some time. Catching my ear was the following quote from my favorite political wackjob, Ohio's 10th Congressional District Representative Dennis Kucinich, who said:

What we are doing here is like using battery cable to jump-start a car with a dead battery. We are not buying a new battery. We are not buying a new car. We are simply jump-starting the battery of a dead economy. We are still going to have to buy a new battery and eventually we are going to have to buy a new fuel-efficient car. Right now if we want to move forward, we better get out those jumper cables and put them on the battery.

You can read his official version of here. I've always thought Dennis had a way with words, and the literate populace didn't fail me by casting… ummm, almost no votes for him in the 2008 presidential election. I guess the fact that he keeps trying is a testimonial to the power of faith, conviction or self-delusion.
 
All three helped me pass the time to my final destination: venison steaks and wine with my wife at Jeff McKeown's house. I hope Jeff will post the marinade recipe here soon as it is certainly one of the best I've tasted! Until then I'll have to be satisfied with working on turning this business plan, or one of the three other strong contenders in my stable, into the next big (or simply profitable) thing. Talk about the power of faith, conviction or self-delusion…