Equals speed. Get the low-down at Ajaxian.

A report published by the BBC today details the horrific beating and death of an opposition activist in Zimbabwe.

His jaw was shattered, his knuckles broken, a bullet hole below his heart, many many stab wounds and a large hole at the back of his head which seemed to have been caused by a hammer.

This is “just another day” in Zim as the country leads itself up to the run-off presidential election near the end of June. And it appears Mugabe and his men are going to win, no matter who or what stands in their way. Activist Jimmy Chidakwa told the BBC, ”I know so many people now too frightened to vote with their hearts come the run-off.”

We just learned news of this proposed 41-mile commuter/light rail train from Denver’s Union Station to Longmont. One of the stops includes Gunbarrel, just down the hill from our new house. We couldn’t be happier.

Check out the details: http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/nw_1

I haven’t written much as of late because I’ve been working my ass off on I-don’t-know-how-many-projects. Plus my wife and I recently bought a new house, moved closer to ze mountains, traveled to Key West and are about to board a jet for Newport, Rhode Island in 48 hours. I’ve come across some stuff I’d really like to write about eventually, however, I didn’t want to miss the chance to pass these links on to you. Enjoy Wednesday’s linkage.

Photographing a Wedding and then an Earthquake

Can you imagine what it was like to have been photographing a wedding in Sichuan, China when 7.9 earthquake hit and shakes for three minutes? (via Kottke and un.be.lievable)

Zappos.com’s unique hiring price includes “The Offer”

“If you quit today, we will pay you for the amount of time you’ve worked, plus we will offer you a $1,000 bonus.” Zappos actually bribes its new employees to quit! (also via Kottke, The Master of the Setup)

Xcel Energy’s First Ever “Smart Grid”, right here in Boulder, CO

Fascinating.

Practical Traveler

It’s no wonder that a lot of travelers are talking about just staying home this summer.

AfriGadget.com

An entire website dedicated to African ingenuity… and how everyday problems are solved. Africans are the masters of making something entirely useful out of nothing at all.

American Airlines to charge $15 for checked luggage

An announcement today made by AA comes at a time when crude closes at an all-time high ($133), and the DOW is down 200 points two days in a row. Forget that it’s a fucking stupid idea to begin with… planes are over-crowded as they are and now everyone is going to carry-on hand luggage. The Times has more.