Features: Musical note sends gator into bellowing ecstasy
Two tuba players play the B-flat below middle C to see if it really makes alligators bellow. Guess what? It does. They get turned on.
Interesting story.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Scientists have found a way to make skin cells act like stem cells...
...thereby enabling people to use stem cells without the ethical issues of using discarded embryos. Yay! It's a win-win.
Another fingers-crossed permalink...
Another fingers-crossed permalink...
News on ovarian cancer...
...Scientists have found that ovarian cancer *does* have symptoms, after all. Check out what to look for.
Allegedly I have the 'permalink' so let's see if it doesn't go away once it gets archived. Fingers crossed.
Allegedly I have the 'permalink' so let's see if it doesn't go away once it gets archived. Fingers crossed.
Monday, June 11, 2007
New research on sunscreen and sun exposure
Sunscreens - and ratings - may improve - Yahoo News
Key quote:
Shade your kids. Strong new evidence suggests overall sun exposure in childhood, not just burns, is a big key to who later develops deadly skin cancer.
Who knew? When I was a kid sunblock was just for burn prevention. And I didn't burn. I was slathered with it at the beach, but nowhere else. Nobody knew this stuff in the 70s and 80s, though.
The government has decided to step in and change its rules on sunscreens, considering that the old rules only test UVB blockers, not UVA blockers (which are newer, if I'm not mistaken--I know I never used to see them on sunscreen bottles):
Key quote:
Shade your kids. Strong new evidence suggests overall sun exposure in childhood, not just burns, is a big key to who later develops deadly skin cancer.
Who knew? When I was a kid sunblock was just for burn prevention. And I didn't burn. I was slathered with it at the beach, but nowhere else. Nobody knew this stuff in the 70s and 80s, though.
The government has decided to step in and change its rules on sunscreens, considering that the old rules only test UVB blockers, not UVA blockers (which are newer, if I'm not mistaken--I know I never used to see them on sunscreen bottles):
The news comes as the government is finishing long-awaited rules to improve sunscreens.
The Food and Drug Administration wants sunscreens to be rated not just for how well they block the ultraviolet-B rays that cause sunburn — today's SPF rankings — but for how well they protect against deeper-penetrating ultraviolet-A rays that are linked to cancer and wrinkles.
Good for the FDA! I for one am not a fan of cancer or wrinkles. Although I more actively fear wrinkles at this point, being olive-skinned....rightly or wrongly.
The proposed rules are undergoing a final review and should be issued in weeks, FDA policy director Jeff Shuren told The Associated Press. Still, sunscreen bottles won't look different any time soon: The proposal will be followed by a public comment period before going into effect.
Another reason to start doing yoga...
Yoga May Help Treat Depression, Anxiety Disorders - Yahoo! News
Key quote:
"I am quite sure that this is the first study that's shown that there's a real, measurable change in a major neurotransmitter with a behavioral intervention such as yoga," said lead researcher Dr. Chris Streeter, assistant professor of psychiatry and neurology at the Boston University School of Medicine.
The neurotransmitter to which she refers is GABA, which zaps anxiety and depression.
Key quote:
"I am quite sure that this is the first study that's shown that there's a real, measurable change in a major neurotransmitter with a behavioral intervention such as yoga," said lead researcher Dr. Chris Streeter, assistant professor of psychiatry and neurology at the Boston University School of Medicine.
The neurotransmitter to which she refers is GABA, which zaps anxiety and depression.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
shout-outs to folks
Congrats to my classmate Aleksa Pavichevich on his upcoming ordination to the diaconate on July 1st! Way to go, Alex! :) He is also soon to be a father, around the same time if I'm not mistaken. Talk about your multiple life changes. Congrats to Alex and Emily!
And a big thank you to Matthew Davidson for linking to my blog--I've reciprocated. Your blog Traveling East is now in the Orthodox links section.
Likewise, a big thank you to WriterDude for linking to my blog! :) I know you must have the right url, or else you wouldn't have been able to post a comment here. Look for WriterDude's blog under Bloglit Links.
Nothing much here going on that bears public report...got to see my nephew this weekend, who is SO CUTE!!! and wants to do whatever his Daddy does. So Daddy (ie, my brother) got him to eat a piece of corn on the cob by eating one side and having my nephew take bites from the other. The nephew saw his daddy take huge bites so he took the biggest bites he could. It was simultaneously cute and hilarious.
And a big thank you to Matthew Davidson for linking to my blog--I've reciprocated. Your blog Traveling East is now in the Orthodox links section.
Likewise, a big thank you to WriterDude for linking to my blog! :) I know you must have the right url, or else you wouldn't have been able to post a comment here. Look for WriterDude's blog under Bloglit Links.
Nothing much here going on that bears public report...got to see my nephew this weekend, who is SO CUTE!!! and wants to do whatever his Daddy does. So Daddy (ie, my brother) got him to eat a piece of corn on the cob by eating one side and having my nephew take bites from the other. The nephew saw his daddy take huge bites so he took the biggest bites he could. It was simultaneously cute and hilarious.
Friday, June 8, 2007
the blogspot to wordpress switch...
So Kafaleni is saying--Everything from blogspot goes to wordpress?---All your archives and everything?
hmmm. So I should delete the old blogspot blogs for people then?
Interesting.
Now, why is everyone switching? If you switched from blogspot to wordpress, give me a shoutout here and tell me why. I'm curious.
hmmm. So I should delete the old blogspot blogs for people then?
Interesting.
Now, why is everyone switching? If you switched from blogspot to wordpress, give me a shoutout here and tell me why. I'm curious.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
That kind of day
Do you ever have a day where it seems you are running around all day busily, but then, at the end of the day, it feels like you haven't done anything?
It's been that kind of a day.
It's been that kind of a day.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
The bloglit blog links are up!
That is all. You may go about your regular business now, my 3 readers.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Links, links, links
Hello, 3 people who read my blog!
Today, I tried to get all my funny go-to sites and bloglit sites down on this here blog. For the bloglit blogs, the most obvious source was, well, other bloglit blogs. Mad props to Kaf for having both the longest and the most current list! [cheers, applause]
The only reason I quit when I did--when I only had a few more to go, really--was that Blogger had decided not to open the window any more. The internet is running slow right now. I have a theory about that. Theory being someone might be poaching our wireless broadband that my mom just set up the other day but neglected to get the information needed to get to the setup page so I can make sure the security configurations are in place. So I'm planning to be on the phone with our phone company that rhymes with horizon for a couple hours tomorrow morning. Yay.
I don't feel so bad now about having started, then abandoned The Restaurant at the End of the Universe and then Seminary Chick before getting here, since there does seem to be a stop-then-abandon-blog trend--although admittedly, usually people are going from one blogging medium to another (like xanga to blogspot, blogspot to xanga, or blogspot to wordpress--which seems to be a current trend). I may eventually do that myself, but I like what they've done with blogspot during my months of ignorage. Like labels. We never had labels before. They also made it a lot easier to set up links in categories without knowing much HTML (that would be moi).
I still haven't figured out how to post a picture here, but that's not the highest thing on my priority list.
Actually right now the highest thing on my priority list needs to be this paper that I have due in two weeks. It was actually due a while ago but I got a major extension due to, well, pity. I have a largish pile o'books to skim my way through. Wish me luck, O Readers Three. :)
Today, I tried to get all my funny go-to sites and bloglit sites down on this here blog. For the bloglit blogs, the most obvious source was, well, other bloglit blogs. Mad props to Kaf for having both the longest and the most current list! [cheers, applause]
The only reason I quit when I did--when I only had a few more to go, really--was that Blogger had decided not to open the window any more. The internet is running slow right now. I have a theory about that. Theory being someone might be poaching our wireless broadband that my mom just set up the other day but neglected to get the information needed to get to the setup page so I can make sure the security configurations are in place. So I'm planning to be on the phone with our phone company that rhymes with horizon for a couple hours tomorrow morning. Yay.
I don't feel so bad now about having started, then abandoned The Restaurant at the End of the Universe and then Seminary Chick before getting here, since there does seem to be a stop-then-abandon-blog trend--although admittedly, usually people are going from one blogging medium to another (like xanga to blogspot, blogspot to xanga, or blogspot to wordpress--which seems to be a current trend). I may eventually do that myself, but I like what they've done with blogspot during my months of ignorage. Like labels. We never had labels before. They also made it a lot easier to set up links in categories without knowing much HTML (that would be moi).
I still haven't figured out how to post a picture here, but that's not the highest thing on my priority list.
Actually right now the highest thing on my priority list needs to be this paper that I have due in two weeks. It was actually due a while ago but I got a major extension due to, well, pity. I have a largish pile o'books to skim my way through. Wish me luck, O Readers Three. :)
Monday, June 4, 2007
Bismuth posted these questions, so here are my answers!
1. Can you cook?
Yes, arguably. Not that I've had much opportunity. I've got a handful of good recipes. I'm looking forward for a chance to try out my cooking skills on a regular basis in RL.
2. What was your dream growing up?
To be a medical missionary-- a world-traveling doctor. Also, and I'm not sure how I would have managed this at the same time, I wanted a stable of horses. I read a lot of horse books as a child. Blame Misty of Chincoteague. :)
3. What talent do you wish you had?
Mathematical ability. Spatial relations (puzzle-working, etc.) Am lamentably bad at both, wish I were good at either.
4. Favorite place?
Yerevan, Armenia. I spent a week there in June of '05 and it was fantastic. Everything's cheap and the people are friendly--and nobody locks their doors! Doesn't hurt that I'm also half-Armenian (not that I can speak more than a tiny bit of the language).
In the States? Seattle, Washington. I just loved the atmosphere there. So unlike the uptight East Coast I'm used to.
5. Favorite vegetable?
Avocado.
6. What was the last book you read?
On God and Christ: The Five Theological Orations and Two Letters to Cledonius by St Gregory of Nazianzus (among many like it). The last fiction book I read was Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich.
7. What zodiac sign are you?
That would be Gemini.
8. Any Tattoos and/or Piercings?
Both ears. There are 2 piercings per ear, but that's just because the first piercing closed and I had them repierced. I only wear earrings about once a year on special occasions, since every time I wear them my ears swell up and ooze. I try to avoid swelling up and oozing of any body part, generally.
My cousin, who is a tattoo artist, promised me a free tattoo a couple years ago. I finally gave him a tattoo design to work with (resize, play around with, whatever it is that they do), so it looks like this summer I'll get it tattooed to my ankle. I'm looking forward to it! I know it's going to hurt like he\\ though.
9. Worst Habit?
I bite my nails.
10. Do we know each other outside of Livejournal?
Yes--from the MOAT. :)
11. What is your favorite sport?
Martial arts, especially kung fu/wushu.
12. Do you have a Negative or Optimistic attitude?
I sort of oscillate between those two poles. I am, however, reliably cynical, especially about politics. :)
13. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
Trade jokes and funny stories, and then, when we run out of those, talk about our life stories, since what else is there to do. Play hangman, I guess, if there are scraps of paper in my purse. :)
14. Worst thing to ever happen to you?
I'm not putting it here.
15. Tell me one weird fact about you.
I have Morton's toe, where the 'big toe' is actually shorter than the toe next to it. It's why I can't wear Birkinstocks.
16. Do you have any pets?
My parents have a dog, whom I love dearly. :)
17. Do you know how to do the Macarena?
No idea.
18. What time is it where you are now?
1:22 am.
19. Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
Depends on the clown.
20. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
Nicer chin. Bigger ramparts (cough).
21. Would you be my partner in crime or my conscience?
Depends. Are we TP-ing a house or robbing a bank? partner for the first, conscience for the second.
22. What color eyes do you have?
I'm too paranoid to answer that here.
23. Ever been arrested?
No. I have gotten speeding tickets and parking tickets.
24. Bottle or Draft?
Bottle. Unless it's Guinness.
25. If you won $10,000 dollars today, what would you do with it?
Pay off my student loan debt.
26. What kind of bubble gum do you prefer to chew?
A whole pile o' Chiclets in different colors. :)
27. What's your favorite bar to hang at?
Tryst, in DC.
28. Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes. Don't think they're actually dead people, though.
29. Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Read books or read things online.
30. Do you swear a lot?
I am currently coming out of my cussing novitiate and am becoming seasoned; but my powers of cussing do not reach the level of Samuel L. Jackson's.
31. Biggest pet peeve?
Probably a tie between people leaving the TV on when they leave the room (and/or go outside, leaving it on), and people misspelling things on the internet they REALLY should know how to spell by now.
32. In one word, how would you describe yourself?
Intellectual.
33. In one word, how would you describe me?
Math-nerd.
34. Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?
There ya go, Bis!
Yes, arguably. Not that I've had much opportunity. I've got a handful of good recipes. I'm looking forward for a chance to try out my cooking skills on a regular basis in RL.
2. What was your dream growing up?
To be a medical missionary-- a world-traveling doctor. Also, and I'm not sure how I would have managed this at the same time, I wanted a stable of horses. I read a lot of horse books as a child. Blame Misty of Chincoteague. :)
3. What talent do you wish you had?
Mathematical ability. Spatial relations (puzzle-working, etc.) Am lamentably bad at both, wish I were good at either.
4. Favorite place?
Yerevan, Armenia. I spent a week there in June of '05 and it was fantastic. Everything's cheap and the people are friendly--and nobody locks their doors! Doesn't hurt that I'm also half-Armenian (not that I can speak more than a tiny bit of the language).
In the States? Seattle, Washington. I just loved the atmosphere there. So unlike the uptight East Coast I'm used to.
5. Favorite vegetable?
Avocado.
6. What was the last book you read?
On God and Christ: The Five Theological Orations and Two Letters to Cledonius by St Gregory of Nazianzus (among many like it). The last fiction book I read was Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich.
7. What zodiac sign are you?
That would be Gemini.
8. Any Tattoos and/or Piercings?
Both ears. There are 2 piercings per ear, but that's just because the first piercing closed and I had them repierced. I only wear earrings about once a year on special occasions, since every time I wear them my ears swell up and ooze. I try to avoid swelling up and oozing of any body part, generally.
My cousin, who is a tattoo artist, promised me a free tattoo a couple years ago. I finally gave him a tattoo design to work with (resize, play around with, whatever it is that they do), so it looks like this summer I'll get it tattooed to my ankle. I'm looking forward to it! I know it's going to hurt like he\\ though.
9. Worst Habit?
I bite my nails.
10. Do we know each other outside of Livejournal?
Yes--from the MOAT. :)
11. What is your favorite sport?
Martial arts, especially kung fu/wushu.
12. Do you have a Negative or Optimistic attitude?
I sort of oscillate between those two poles. I am, however, reliably cynical, especially about politics. :)
13. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
Trade jokes and funny stories, and then, when we run out of those, talk about our life stories, since what else is there to do. Play hangman, I guess, if there are scraps of paper in my purse. :)
14. Worst thing to ever happen to you?
I'm not putting it here.
15. Tell me one weird fact about you.
I have Morton's toe, where the 'big toe' is actually shorter than the toe next to it. It's why I can't wear Birkinstocks.
16. Do you have any pets?
My parents have a dog, whom I love dearly. :)
17. Do you know how to do the Macarena?
No idea.
18. What time is it where you are now?
1:22 am.
19. Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
Depends on the clown.
20. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
Nicer chin. Bigger ramparts (cough).
21. Would you be my partner in crime or my conscience?
Depends. Are we TP-ing a house or robbing a bank? partner for the first, conscience for the second.
22. What color eyes do you have?
I'm too paranoid to answer that here.
23. Ever been arrested?
No. I have gotten speeding tickets and parking tickets.
24. Bottle or Draft?
Bottle. Unless it's Guinness.
25. If you won $10,000 dollars today, what would you do with it?
Pay off my student loan debt.
26. What kind of bubble gum do you prefer to chew?
A whole pile o' Chiclets in different colors. :)
27. What's your favorite bar to hang at?
Tryst, in DC.
28. Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes. Don't think they're actually dead people, though.
29. Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Read books or read things online.
30. Do you swear a lot?
I am currently coming out of my cussing novitiate and am becoming seasoned; but my powers of cussing do not reach the level of Samuel L. Jackson's.
31. Biggest pet peeve?
Probably a tie between people leaving the TV on when they leave the room (and/or go outside, leaving it on), and people misspelling things on the internet they REALLY should know how to spell by now.
32. In one word, how would you describe yourself?
Intellectual.
33. In one word, how would you describe me?
Math-nerd.
34. Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?
There ya go, Bis!
Monday, April 2, 2007
Pascha is almost here!
I only have a couple more exhausting days to go. This is how it goes here. Starting at 9:30 am, there's 3rd hour, 6th hour, and 9th hour. Around 11 am, presanctified liturgy starts. That goes til around 12:30. It only seems to last longer since you've already been in church all morning. Then there is brunch. Which would be fine if I could handle vegetarian food without going hypoglycemic. So I'll eat what I can eat, and then, whatever. The next service (bridegroom matins) starts at 8 pm, with choir practice at 7 pm. I missed choir practice today since my back was killing me all day. Dinner is at 5 pm, which is ridiculous when you last ate at 12:30. But whatever.
There are a variety of things I can do with that time between services.
I can:
-knit
-get hospital hours done
-actually get some homework done
-read Dionysius the Areopagite
-go to the gym
-do yoga in my room
-take a post-liturgical nap (PLN).
The one thing I absolutely have to do tomorrow, though, is get the mail sorted. If I don't go to the hospital I'll probably take a PLN.
The hymnography tonight was beautiful. And of course the music was also stunning. Gorgeous voices. I meant to post a snippet of one but I can only recall the beginnings to them. I didn't sing tonight since I missed choir practice and my back was killing me.
I wish every one who celebrates it a great Holy Week and a glorious Pascha/Easter.
There are a variety of things I can do with that time between services.
I can:
-knit
-get hospital hours done
-actually get some homework done
-read Dionysius the Areopagite
-go to the gym
-do yoga in my room
-take a post-liturgical nap (PLN).
The one thing I absolutely have to do tomorrow, though, is get the mail sorted. If I don't go to the hospital I'll probably take a PLN.
The hymnography tonight was beautiful. And of course the music was also stunning. Gorgeous voices. I meant to post a snippet of one but I can only recall the beginnings to them. I didn't sing tonight since I missed choir practice and my back was killing me.
I wish every one who celebrates it a great Holy Week and a glorious Pascha/Easter.
Friday, March 2, 2007
FAFSA update
I think the FAFSA deadline is actually APRIL 1st, not MARCH 1st. Either way, I couldn't finish it, since my taxes aren't done yet. My taxes aren't done yet since they're sent to a tax dude, who crunches the numbers in his magic number-crunching way. Honestly? I have enough to worry about without doing my taxes too. Wish the tax dude could do my FAFSA too. But anyhow, long story short, I can't finish the FAFSA without the numbers from my tax forms, which aren't done yet. Ergo.
In other news, I have a paper for Matthew class due Monday, several overdue patristics reflections, a paper for my liturgical theology class that was due Tuesday and didn't happen due to a personal crisis I cannot relate here--and I'm behind on my hospital (visitation) hours. Sigh. And then next Friday I have a patristics paper due.
Yes, it's paper season once again. Is it a coincidence it coincides with tax time? I think not.
Patristics: We've just been learning about the conflict between Nestorius and St Cyril of Alexandria, 'our gangster among the saints'. Unfortunately for Nestorius, Cyril was both a better church politician and a better theologian--but notice the politician part. He didn't play fair. He stacked the deck against Nestorius and THEN called the council of Ephesus. Started our earliest schism with a church that's still in existence (The Assyrian Orthodox Church, also called The Orthodox Church of the East). When Cyril died Nestorius wrote a letter to his friend saying 'the villain is dead' and that they should stick a big rock on his grave in case hell doesn't want him and sends him back.
The more things change, the more they stay the same...
Anyway, theologically speaking, we have sort of shifted gears. We've been dealing with Alexandrian theology (Origen, the Cappadocians, St Athanasius) and now we've switched to Antiochene theology (St John Chrysostom, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Diodore of Tarsus), which is quite different. Alexandrian (or Alexandrine, as my veddy British teacher puts it) theology emphasizes that Christ is God BECOME man. Antiochian theology places more emphasis on the humanity of Christ, but can certainly make it sound like there are two of him--the human Christ and the divine Christ. But really, you're speaking of the one subject (Christ) in two ways.
Anyhow, I'm about to nod off, so I'm calling it a night. Hugs to my peeps.
In other news, I have a paper for Matthew class due Monday, several overdue patristics reflections, a paper for my liturgical theology class that was due Tuesday and didn't happen due to a personal crisis I cannot relate here--and I'm behind on my hospital (visitation) hours. Sigh. And then next Friday I have a patristics paper due.
Yes, it's paper season once again. Is it a coincidence it coincides with tax time? I think not.
Patristics: We've just been learning about the conflict between Nestorius and St Cyril of Alexandria, 'our gangster among the saints'. Unfortunately for Nestorius, Cyril was both a better church politician and a better theologian--but notice the politician part. He didn't play fair. He stacked the deck against Nestorius and THEN called the council of Ephesus. Started our earliest schism with a church that's still in existence (The Assyrian Orthodox Church, also called The Orthodox Church of the East). When Cyril died Nestorius wrote a letter to his friend saying 'the villain is dead' and that they should stick a big rock on his grave in case hell doesn't want him and sends him back.
The more things change, the more they stay the same...
Anyway, theologically speaking, we have sort of shifted gears. We've been dealing with Alexandrian theology (Origen, the Cappadocians, St Athanasius) and now we've switched to Antiochene theology (St John Chrysostom, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Diodore of Tarsus), which is quite different. Alexandrian (or Alexandrine, as my veddy British teacher puts it) theology emphasizes that Christ is God BECOME man. Antiochian theology places more emphasis on the humanity of Christ, but can certainly make it sound like there are two of him--the human Christ and the divine Christ. But really, you're speaking of the one subject (Christ) in two ways.
Anyhow, I'm about to nod off, so I'm calling it a night. Hugs to my peeps.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
FAFSA, flan, and White Castle
The FAFSA deadline is in...oh, about 2 hours. So I'd better get cracking.
Unfortunately, when stuff goes down around here, I can't really post about it. This is why my blog has kind of been limping along.
I suppose one thing I can tell you guys about is a hilarious (ok, hilarious for around here!) conversation comparing the flan we'd just had (made by a fellow student) to the Trinity. The flan is eggs and custard and caramel and yet is one flan. The flan has one source (the student who made it, A.), and is known through the dinner crew.
OK, I guess you just had to be there.
Today we did our annual White Castle run. It's organized by fellow student R., a third-year. They've been collecting money for it from fellow students all week. There were 2 vanloads of us. We got Pathmark brand sodas, chips, Twinkies, and Hostess cupcakes, and then went to White Castle and got 400(!) burgers, and then en route to the homeless shelter we put all those in brown bags. Then we got to the homeless shelter and gave them away. They were all gone less than 10 minutes, and they were really grateful. It was AWESOME! Talk about the true spirit of Lent.
Unfortunately, when stuff goes down around here, I can't really post about it. This is why my blog has kind of been limping along.
I suppose one thing I can tell you guys about is a hilarious (ok, hilarious for around here!) conversation comparing the flan we'd just had (made by a fellow student) to the Trinity. The flan is eggs and custard and caramel and yet is one flan. The flan has one source (the student who made it, A.), and is known through the dinner crew.
OK, I guess you just had to be there.
Today we did our annual White Castle run. It's organized by fellow student R., a third-year. They've been collecting money for it from fellow students all week. There were 2 vanloads of us. We got Pathmark brand sodas, chips, Twinkies, and Hostess cupcakes, and then went to White Castle and got 400(!) burgers, and then en route to the homeless shelter we put all those in brown bags. Then we got to the homeless shelter and gave them away. They were all gone less than 10 minutes, and they were really grateful. It was AWESOME! Talk about the true spirit of Lent.
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