Why is it so hot here?

So I think this is only my second blog post ever. I apologize but I assume for y'all, me talking about school can only be just so interesting...
But now it's the summer and I'm actually doing stuff worthy of a blog post (and Claire and I are both writing posts at the same time. Guess who's idea it was).
Of course I'm still living in Houston. Apparently it's impossible for me to leave this city, but this is where the jobs are. I think by the end of this year, this will be the longest length of time I've ever stayed at one address. But that's ok, because if you've got to live in Houston, Rice is the place to be.

I got a fellowship for the summer to do environmental research with the Houston Independent School District. Essentially I'm developing a conservation program for them that won't require any initial capital. Schools would be rewarded for reducing their energy consumption through behavioral changes only. So say if Bastian Elementary use 1000 kWh per month in August of 2010, and they only used 900kWh during August 2011, then they would receive additional funding based on that savings. Say 50% of it back. And then they can spend that additional money on whatever they want. Basically we're bribing people to conserve. It's a really interesting project (for me at least, for most people it's probably as interesting as watching paint dry) and it has the potential to save the school district a ton of money. The main Philadelphia school district implemented a similar program and its saved them seven million dollars a year.
Otherwise it's been a great summer. I've got a bunch of friends in town, so we hang out on the weekends and go swimming. I'm 21 finallllllllllllyyyyy so I'm discovering all the great bars in Houston (my liver and stomach are hating me right now).

Other than that though, life is pretty much the same as it has always been. Claire is visiting right now on her way to NC. And in about a week I'll be up visiting her and then on to DC to visit my sister. Millie is working for the State Department and is getting shipped off to the DRC in September. So this is my last chance to see her before she heads out. After that I'll be in Houston for the rest of the summer finishing up my research (It's hopefully going to last for years after this, so finishing probably isn't the right term). Then the crazy mess that is senior year begins. As sad as I am to leave Rice, I really can't wait to get out into the real world.

I hope everyone is having a great summer!

Robo

P.S. Sorry I don't have any interesting pictures... Stalk me on fb instead.