Jerry Pournelle...

...is a noted science fiction author ("The Mote in God's Eye", "Footfall", ect.), ex-Cold War policy wonk, and columnist for BYTE magazine. His website, Chaos Manor in Perspective http://www.jerrypournelle.com/, features what is probably one of the first blogs ever to appear on the Web, before the software for such things got so easy to use.

I like to read it, even if his politics veer towards the stridently libertarian (he thinks the US is no longer a Rebublican Democracy, but is evolving into a decaying Empire). It's almost frightening to see a man who makes it his business to understand how modern computing works become completely frustrated trying to get a reliable DSL or cable modem connection run to his house in LA.

Rising up for lower prices

I work on the sixth floor of a seven floor building. Every floor has a soda and/or snack machine, all of which presumably are serviced by the same company. The soda machine on my floor charges $0.75 for a coke, while the machine on the floor above me charges $0.65 (and offers snacks besides). So in order to save ten cents, I must march upstairs and then back down to my desk, thus satisfying my craving for cheap sugary drinks and alleviating the guilt thereof with a little exercise all in one swell foop.

Of course if I really wanted to save money, I would just bring an extra soda from home every day...