FINEST KIND CLINIC AND FISHMARKET.... Discussing medicine, culture, and the joys of cooking Pansit.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Science News you can use
according to the BBC:
Smaller animals hit the ground with a force proportionally lower than their weight.
That is why falling out of an aeroplane is fatal for humans, but hamsters live and spiders don't even feel the impact.
-----------------------
“Coordination Modes in the Multisegmental Dynamics of Hula Hooping”from Improbable research...:
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Stuff below the fold
ancient Germany did have cities (and some German cities might be 1000 years older than thought) if this map is right.
from DerSpiegel
Graphic: Ptolemy's map of Germania
--------------------------------
Celtic gold in Germany, and Viking meeting place/tomb in Sherwood forest.
headsupSunken civilization.
--------------------------------
another article about Cancer in the ancient world.
--------------------
SavageMindsBlog (an anthropology blog) links to a Psyorg story about using Avatar faces on robots to teach Korean children English.
the problem?
"...The robots, which display an avatar face of a Caucasian woman, are controlled remotely by teachers of English in the Philippines -- who can see and hear the children via a remote control system. Cameras detect the Filipino teachers' facial expressions and instantly reflect them on the avatar's face, said Sagong Seong-Dae, a senior scientist at KIST."
---------------------
TopGear: equal opportunity "insulter"
not very daring, guys: Monty Python was there first.
------------------
BBC reporter being held by a Hamas related group...in Gaza?
and of course, everyone is pretending that Hamas isn't running a police state there and probably knows where he is being held.
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Wednesday, December 29, 2010
UFO reports
The National Archives in the UK has lots of podcasts, including some on history LINK
But one you might want to check out is this one on UFO sightings.
But one you might want to check out is this one on UFO sightings.
Stuff below the fold
The Top Gear guys made it through Alabama VIDEO with only a few threats and stones, (what did they expect when they painted "down with NASCAR" on the side of their car?)
but their Burkha antics are causing quite a ruckus in the UK.
-----------------------------------------
The Russians pulled down the house where the last Tsar and his family was executed, but the Russian church now has built a chapel there. More at Atlasobscura.
-----------------------
Was living in ancient Egypt exotic? No, says Archeoblog
most were hardworking farmers/construction workers/weavers etc.
And here is a link about Ahkhnatan's bathing room.
and one on ancient people with cancer.
you know, the Nile is full of Shistosomiasis, yet one rarely hears about that disease plaguing their workers. Yes, it was a major problem, and seen in mummies, but since mummies tend to be upper class, their contact with the contaminated river water would be less intense, hence fewer infections.
another pdf here.
---------------------
attention world: The Chupacabra monster is dead.
next step: finding Bigfoot and the Jersey devil...
but their Burkha antics are causing quite a ruckus in the UK.
-----------------------------------------
The Russians pulled down the house where the last Tsar and his family was executed, but the Russian church now has built a chapel there. More at Atlasobscura.
-----------------------
Was living in ancient Egypt exotic? No, says Archeoblog
most were hardworking farmers/construction workers/weavers etc.
And here is a link about Ahkhnatan's bathing room.
and one on ancient people with cancer.
you know, the Nile is full of Shistosomiasis, yet one rarely hears about that disease plaguing their workers. Yes, it was a major problem, and seen in mummies, but since mummies tend to be upper class, their contact with the contaminated river water would be less intense, hence fewer infections.
another pdf here.
---------------------
attention world: The Chupacabra monster is dead.
next step: finding Bigfoot and the Jersey devil...
Michael O'Brien interview
Catholic countercultural artist/novelist Michael O'Brien is interviewed on Croatian TV.
A rejection of the utopias of both socialism and capitalism, with an emphasis on stewardship (aka ecology) has deep roots in Catholicism, but few who embrace these things as a trendy fad like the nuances of the pope or O'Brien or Chesterton...sigh...
A rejection of the utopias of both socialism and capitalism, with an emphasis on stewardship (aka ecology) has deep roots in Catholicism, but few who embrace these things as a trendy fad like the nuances of the pope or O'Brien or Chesterton...sigh...
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Merry christmas snowflake
a bit long and technical, but in this video, they etch "Merry Christmas" on a piece of a snowflake.
but for the smallest writing, try this video, which writes at a subatomic level.
but for the smallest writing, try this video, which writes at a subatomic level.
Insomnia download of the day
How to stop a war: Ancient Greek style.
don't anyone tell Andrew Sullivan that the ancient Greeks weren't all gay, as some modern scholars try to insist.
don't anyone tell Andrew Sullivan that the ancient Greeks weren't all gay, as some modern scholars try to insist.
Craft item of the day
from SeremeresBlog: a tutorial on how to make a bacon Christmas tree ornament.
you have 361 days left to finish it.
stuff below the fold
One of the most worrisome thing about the Health bill was the "death panels"...now they are back, and to make things worse, they will now be done yearly as part of your "wellness visit" (aka yearly physical).
More HERE and HERE.
I'm not big on high tech care for the dying myself, but I don't trust the "one size fits all" living will.
Pick a loved one, preferably one who has some background in medicine or nursing, talk to him or her, and get a health care proxy document. They can judge your wishes a lot better than an ER doc or (worse) the local EMT who misreads the document.
------------------------------
The UK rationing board, which has the Orwellian name N.I.C.E., will no longer bully people on their lifestyle choices.
but they still can deny you medicine that costs too much, at least until 2014...
-------------------------
The phrase "death panels" was coined by Sarah Palin, and it's not the only phrase or word she has contributed to the English language:
"...in November the New Oxford American Dictionary editors announced "refudiate" as the word of the year. The definition of refudiate now reads in the dictionary: "refudiate verb used loosely to mean "reject": she called on them to refudiate the proposal to build a mosque. [origin -- blend of refute and repudiate]"...."
---------------------------------
Capehart at the WAPO tells Obama he needs to be seen going to church more often to convince folks he is a "christian".
Right. Just like the philanderers Kennedy and Clinton.
----------------------------------
Stem cells might work to help a man walk again...stem cells from his own bone marrow.
and artificial corneas might help many people.
----------------------------
not just oil but water might be behind the politics of the Southern Sudan vote: the fight over using the Nile's irrigation waters could start fights in central Africa.
North Africa has been drying up over the last 10 thousand years, so things could get nasty.
Strategypage has a discussion on what could happen when the south seceeds and northern Sudan tries to stop it.
-------------------------------------------
Hangover cures from the real experts.
... the editors suggest try a bacon sandwich instead.
Bacon, it makes life worth living.
More HERE and HERE.
I'm not big on high tech care for the dying myself, but I don't trust the "one size fits all" living will.
Pick a loved one, preferably one who has some background in medicine or nursing, talk to him or her, and get a health care proxy document. They can judge your wishes a lot better than an ER doc or (worse) the local EMT who misreads the document.
------------------------------
The UK rationing board, which has the Orwellian name N.I.C.E., will no longer bully people on their lifestyle choices.
but they still can deny you medicine that costs too much, at least until 2014...
-------------------------
The phrase "death panels" was coined by Sarah Palin, and it's not the only phrase or word she has contributed to the English language:
"...in November the New Oxford American Dictionary editors announced "refudiate" as the word of the year. The definition of refudiate now reads in the dictionary: "refudiate verb used loosely to mean "reject": she called on them to refudiate the proposal to build a mosque. [origin -- blend of refute and repudiate]"...."
---------------------------------
Capehart at the WAPO tells Obama he needs to be seen going to church more often to convince folks he is a "christian".
Right. Just like the philanderers Kennedy and Clinton.
----------------------------------
Stem cells might work to help a man walk again...stem cells from his own bone marrow.
and artificial corneas might help many people.
----------------------------
not just oil but water might be behind the politics of the Southern Sudan vote: the fight over using the Nile's irrigation waters could start fights in central Africa.
North Africa has been drying up over the last 10 thousand years, so things could get nasty.
Strategypage has a discussion on what could happen when the south seceeds and northern Sudan tries to stop it.
-------------------------------------------
Hangover cures from the real experts.
... the editors suggest try a bacon sandwich instead.
Bacon, it makes life worth living.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Video of the week
according to Wikipedia:The film is cited on a 10-worst list in The Book of Lists, in The Fifty Worst Films of All Time, and in the 2004 DVD documentary The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made.[3] It is also known for starring a very young Pia Zadora. Cinematic Titanic released a production of the movie in November 2008.
BUT NOW YOU CAN ENJOY IT ON LINE!
BUT NOW YOU CAN ENJOY IT ON LINE!
Happy Boxing day
probably more folks in the world celebrate "boxing day" than Kwanza.
and no one is really sure why it got that name.
About.com explains it this way:
What is Boxing Day? Or, Why is it called Boxing Day?
Here in Britain and Ireland we are greedy, it’s not enough for us to have Christmas Day celebrations we have added on another day called Boxing Day. Boxing Day is a national holiday and another day to spend with family and friends and eating up the leftovers...
Boxing Day is also a time when the British show their true eccentricity taking part in all kinds of silly activities like swimming the English Channel - not the warmest place on December 26th - fun runs and charity events....
(such as) Fox Hunting:
Until 2004, Boxing Day hunts were a traditional part of Boxing Day but the ban on fox hunting has put an end to the hunt in its traditional sense. Hunters will still gather dressed resplendently in red hunting coats to the sound of the hunting horn but it is now forbidden in law to chase the fox with dogs, so the dogs now follow artificially laid trails.
The New Boxing Day Sport - Shopping:....
Food and Drink on Boxing Day:
With guests often popping in for a snack and quick drink, the food and drink on Boxing Day is more relaxed than Christmas Day. Lunch will usually be a buffet or leftovers from Christmas lunch. Baked Ham is a popular Boxing Day meat and of course, Mince Pies with Brandy Butter or a slice of Christmas Cake are almost obligatory.
and no one is really sure why it got that name.
About.com explains it this way:
What is Boxing Day? Or, Why is it called Boxing Day?
Here in Britain and Ireland we are greedy, it’s not enough for us to have Christmas Day celebrations we have added on another day called Boxing Day. Boxing Day is a national holiday and another day to spend with family and friends and eating up the leftovers...
Boxing Day is also a time when the British show their true eccentricity taking part in all kinds of silly activities like swimming the English Channel - not the warmest place on December 26th - fun runs and charity events....
(such as) Fox Hunting:
Until 2004, Boxing Day hunts were a traditional part of Boxing Day but the ban on fox hunting has put an end to the hunt in its traditional sense. Hunters will still gather dressed resplendently in red hunting coats to the sound of the hunting horn but it is now forbidden in law to chase the fox with dogs, so the dogs now follow artificially laid trails.
The New Boxing Day Sport - Shopping:....
Food and Drink on Boxing Day:
With guests often popping in for a snack and quick drink, the food and drink on Boxing Day is more relaxed than Christmas Day. Lunch will usually be a buffet or leftovers from Christmas lunch. Baked Ham is a popular Boxing Day meat and of course, Mince Pies with Brandy Butter or a slice of Christmas Cake are almost obligatory.
Terrorism in perspective
rant moved to BNN.
I often post links on a theme here, knowing that I might not get around to making it into an essay, or the internet might crash. But I don't want to bore you with it.
I often post links on a theme here, knowing that I might not get around to making it into an essay, or the internet might crash. But I don't want to bore you with it.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Stuff below the fold
"where stars are born"....
This mosaic image is the sharpest wide-angle view ever obtained of the starburst galaxy, Messier 82 (M82). The galaxy is remarkable for its bright blue disk, webs of shredded clouds and fiery-looking plumes of glowing hydrogen blasting out of its central regions. Throughout the galaxy's center, young stars are being born 10 times faster than they are inside our entire Milky Way Galaxy, which results in a huge concentration of young stars carved into the gas and dust at the galaxy's center.
--------------------
compare and contrast:
Bristol Palin's first house, $172 thousand
Chelsey Clinton's wedding, $3 to five million.
of course, my last home in the US was only $35,000 for a one bedroom house in rural Oklahoma, and my wedding was after work and the wedding supper cost $120.
-------------------------
The Tolkien professor's first Simarillion podcast is up.
I finally finished reading the book...and still can't remember which one is Finrod and which one is Fingolfin.
----------------------------
Zombie Video instruction video (via blackfive)
Family news
we went to Dr. Angie's party last night...yum.
Lolo was well enough to go, and ate okay. But this morning, he was running a low grade fever so I kept him home from church and he slept in until 9am.
After lunch, he went to see Chano, who is sick with a bad back, and was bit by one of his dogs. He hasn't been bitten before, but there is a puppy up there, so maybe the mother dog was upset. He's mad at that.
Otherwise we are fine.
Lolo was well enough to go, and ate okay. But this morning, he was running a low grade fever so I kept him home from church and he slept in until 9am.
After lunch, he went to see Chano, who is sick with a bad back, and was bit by one of his dogs. He hasn't been bitten before, but there is a puppy up there, so maybe the mother dog was upset. He's mad at that.
Otherwise we are fine.
Happy tiny tiny christmas
Nanotechnology experts have unveiled a Christmas card so small that more than 8000 of them could fit on a first-class stamp
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Recipe of the day
Via Dave Barry:wise men and Christmas.
And remember: gingerbread houses are for wimps: this is what "real men" eat:
well, at least you'll die happy.
-------------------------
here in the rural Philippines, we don't use bacon or beef.
We eat it fresh from the hog:
/
.
And remember: gingerbread houses are for wimps: this is what "real men" eat:
well, at least you'll die happy.
-------------------------
here in the rural Philippines, we don't use bacon or beef.
We eat it fresh from the hog:
/
.
podcasts and recipe links
Podcast: The science of Chocolate.
----------------------
Epilog suggests some Christmas songs, and the holiday recipes that go with the songs.
------------------------
Decadent eggnog recipe
via the gurglingcod.
--------------------------------
The Car guys suggest some "gifts for guys" here.
-------------------
Insomnia download of the week: Bunny Brown and his sister Sue at Chrsitmas tree cover
=======================
Christmas foods here include Ham on Buena Noche and queso DeBola (a round ball of cheddar cheese surrounded by red wax).
Tonite we dine at Dr. Angie's, and Chano and family are eating lunch with Joy's family, so for lunch we are having adobo.
----------------------
----------------------
Epilog suggests some Christmas songs, and the holiday recipes that go with the songs.
------------------------
Decadent eggnog recipe
via the gurglingcod.
--------------------------------
The Car guys suggest some "gifts for guys" here.
-------------------
Insomnia download of the week: Bunny Brown and his sister Sue at Chrsitmas tree cover
=======================
Christmas foods here include Ham on Buena Noche and queso DeBola (a round ball of cheddar cheese surrounded by red wax).
Tonite we dine at Dr. Angie's, and Chano and family are eating lunch with Joy's family, so for lunch we are having adobo.
----------------------
Family news
Lolo spiked a fever last night, maybe a virus because he didn't hurt anywhere.
He is better now, but I didn't let him go to church for midnight mass.
Today he seems better.
I let him sleep late (we usually get up at 5) and again I told him to skip the crowded and long church this morning. But he is feeling well enough for the "important" part of the day: Saying hello to many visitors (and giving them small "gifts"...all the neighbors and neighborhood kids come to get a few pesos) and if he doesn't get another fever, I'll let him go to Angie's party tonite.
Chano is still in bed, Joy is busy with preparing food etc.
He is better now, but I didn't let him go to church for midnight mass.
Today he seems better.
I let him sleep late (we usually get up at 5) and again I told him to skip the crowded and long church this morning. But he is feeling well enough for the "important" part of the day: Saying hello to many visitors (and giving them small "gifts"...all the neighbors and neighborhood kids come to get a few pesos) and if he doesn't get another fever, I'll let him go to Angie's party tonite.
Chano is still in bed, Joy is busy with preparing food etc.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Family news
Florinda came over with one of her specialty (Pineapple pie).
She moves to the US in February.
Lolo is okay.
We are cleaning up the place for tomorrow.
The last puppy gets given away today... they were all young, but weaned already so they are getting new homes.
She moves to the US in February.
Lolo is okay.
We are cleaning up the place for tomorrow.
The last puppy gets given away today... they were all young, but weaned already so they are getting new homes.
Stuff below the fold
"The Lies of Science".
when you use common concepts to try to explain complicated science, it's not literally true.
The same problem can be found in religious imagery.
-----------------------------
Article by Tom Shippey on the difficulty of translating AngloSaxon poetry, which uses alliteration not rhyming.
modern examples of the Anglosaxon style HERE.
------------------------------------
How December 25 became Christmas.
----------------------------
ZDNet explains net neutrality, and I'm still confused
----------------------------
There was a huge landslide of coal slurry in Tennesee awhile back, and Mother Jones discusses how the EPA is dragging their feet on cleaning it up or preventing other slag heaps from collapsing.
-----------------------------------
US State Department changes overseas birth certificates for children both to US citizens to be gender neutral.
Hint: The one whose uterus carried the baby is the mom, unless the kid is adopted.
in adoption, it's more complicated: My adopted kids' birth certificates put "unknown" in the place of "father" since I adopted as a single mom, and didn't want their birth father's name there.
when you use common concepts to try to explain complicated science, it's not literally true.
The same problem can be found in religious imagery.
-----------------------------
Article by Tom Shippey on the difficulty of translating AngloSaxon poetry, which uses alliteration not rhyming.
modern examples of the Anglosaxon style HERE.
------------------------------------
How December 25 became Christmas.
----------------------------
ZDNet explains net neutrality, and I'm still confused
----------------------------
There was a huge landslide of coal slurry in Tennesee awhile back, and Mother Jones discusses how the EPA is dragging their feet on cleaning it up or preventing other slag heaps from collapsing.
-----------------------------------
US State Department changes overseas birth certificates for children both to US citizens to be gender neutral.
Hint: The one whose uterus carried the baby is the mom, unless the kid is adopted.
in adoption, it's more complicated: My adopted kids' birth certificates put "unknown" in the place of "father" since I adopted as a single mom, and didn't want their birth father's name there.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
When a child is born
by artist Joey Velasco
When A Child Is Born"
A ray of hope flickers in the sky
A tiny star lights up way up high
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass, when a child is born
A silent wish sails the seven seas
The winds of change whisper in the trees
And the walls of doubt tumble tossed and torn
This comes to pass when a child is born
A rosy hue settles all around
You start to feel you're on solid ground
For a spell or two no one seems forlorn
This comes to pass, when a child is born
It's all a dream, an illusion now
It must come true, sometime soon somehow
All across the land, dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass, when a child is born
A ray of hope flickers in the sky
A tiny star lights up way up high
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass, when a child is born
Musical interlude of the day
the point of Christmas is not presents and buying stuff, but a reminder that a little child is the most important person in the world, and a sign of hope to all of us.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Headlines that make you go "Huh"?
Janet Napolitano: We’re Working “24/7, 364″ To Keep The American People Safe
StrategyPage discusses TSA screening HERE.
-------------------------------
There's a mini ice age coming, says man who beats weather experts
This is according to expert who predicts weather from solar activity.
---------------------------------
Good news: You now can get the Philippine Inquirer on your Kindle.
Bad news: no Kindle in the Philippines.
----------------
I don't know enough about the NetNeutrality debate to comment, but I think this editorial's point that the courts said the FCC can't do it, and that they did it any way, is interesting.
-----------------
StrategyPage discusses TSA screening HERE.
-------------------------------
There's a mini ice age coming, says man who beats weather experts
This is according to expert who predicts weather from solar activity.
---------------------------------
Good news: You now can get the Philippine Inquirer on your Kindle.
Bad news: no Kindle in the Philippines.
----------------
I don't know enough about the NetNeutrality debate to comment, but I think this editorial's point that the courts said the FCC can't do it, and that they did it any way, is interesting.
-----------------
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Prayer links
An interesting podcast on prayer for beginners at PeterKreeft's page:
LINK
just in case you have some spare time between decorating the tree and going to parties.
LINK
just in case you have some spare time between decorating the tree and going to parties.
How to decorate a Christmas tree
HomeQn tells you how to decorate your Christmas tree.
Image Credit
Actually here in the Philippines, most of the trees in the malls etc are artificial...but in the city square, there are lights cascading from all the trees.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Mr. Ed comes out of the closet
Mr Ed, the talking horse, was actually a...trained female zebra named Amelia.
according to Snopes:
During the filming of the pilot episode, production costs mounted as the
recalcitrant horse cast as Mister Ed refused to perform on cue ...
The producers of the show were ready to throw in the towel and write off the venture when one of the putativeMister Ed's trainers came up with a solution: the nearby Jungleland animal park in Thousand Oaks, California, had a trained Grevy's zebra that was being used in live shows for the park's daily tour visitors. The zebra (a female, called "Amelia" by its Jungleland handlers) was trained to perform many of the same actions (e.g., opening and closing its mouth, stamping its feet on cue) required in the Mr. Ed role, and Jungleland consented to lend her out for a few days' filming.
Amelia worked out fantastically well, exceeding everyone's expectations, and the pilot was quickly wrapped up and sold to the syndication market. The producers made a generous donation to Jungleland in exchange for continued use of Amelia, and she appeared in all the syndicated episodes as well as all the shows comprising the series' entire five-year run on CBS.
(headsup theJawas)
according to Snopes:
During the filming of the pilot episode, production costs mounted as the
recalcitrant horse cast as The producers of the show were ready to throw in the towel and write off the venture when one of the putative
Amelia worked out fantastically well, exceeding everyone's expectations, and the pilot was quickly wrapped up and sold to the syndication market. The producers made a generous donation to Jungleland in exchange for continued use of Amelia, and she appeared in all the syndicated episodes as well as all the shows comprising the series' entire five-year run on CBS.
(headsup theJawas)
Musical interlude of the day
performed by the Indianapolis Children's Choir during the Angels Sing concert December 19, 2008
Sunday, December 19, 2010
The war against Christmas
ILBlog repeats a Leno joke
Al-Qaida is planning Christmas attacks in the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. government sprang into action and told al-Qaeda, “Hey, you cannot call them Christmas attacks, you have to call them holiday attacks.”
(headsup Instapundit)
actually, even in Japan and China, you say merry christmas.
Here in the Philippines, decorations went up in October.
But some employers, including at our airport, are forbidding staff to say "merry Christmas". Why? Because that greeting will be interprested by visitors as asking for a small tip, and soliciting for money is forbidden.
Al-Qaida is planning Christmas attacks in the U.S. and Europe. The U.S. government sprang into action and told al-Qaeda, “Hey, you cannot call them Christmas attacks, you have to call them holiday attacks.”
(headsup Instapundit)
actually, even in Japan and China, you say merry christmas.
Here in the Philippines, decorations went up in October.
But some employers, including at our airport, are forbidding staff to say "merry Christmas". Why? Because that greeting will be interprested by visitors as asking for a small tip, and soliciting for money is forbidden.
Lyrics HERE.
Christmas has arrived
Let us sing
beautiful hymns
because God is Love
When Christ was born
There were Three Kings who visited
And each one
offered their respective gifts.
Chorus:
'Tis New Year so we must reform our lives
so that glad will be our nation/people
Let us strive that achieve we may
Prosperity!
Let us sing
Whilst the world is silent
The Day has arrived
of the Child brought about of Heaven.
Let us love each another,
Let us follow the Golden Rule
And from this moment forth
though it not be Christmas, let us share
Ang Pasko ay sumapit
Tayo ay mangagsiawit
Ng magagandang himig
Dahil sa ang Diyós ay pag-ibig
Nang si Kristo'y isilang
May tatlong haring nagsidalaw
At ang bawat isa ay nagsipaghandog
Ng tanging alay
Koro:
Bagong taon ay magbagong-buhay
Nang lumigaya ang ating bayan
Tayo'y magsikap upang makamtán
Natin ang kasaganaan
Tayo'y mangagsiawit
Habang ang mundo'y tahimik
Ang araw ay sumapit
Ng sanggol na dulot ng langit
Tayo ay magmahalan
Ating sundin ang gintong aral
At magbuhat ngayon
Kahit hindi Pasko ay magbigayan
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Where's Gloria?
headline from the Inquirer:
Arroyo ‘disappears’ from new P200 bill
she has been replaced with a Tarsier monkey.
they also added Cory's photo with her husband on the 500P bill.
Musical interlude of the day
tired of soulful carols and choirs that sing like angels?
Well, let's hear it for Liberace!
Well, let's hear it for Liberace!
Stuff below the fold
The Morong 43 are free...but five are still in jail for other serious charges...
awaiting the freedom of Trillanes and Garcia.
----------------------------------
StrategyPage discusses why PNoy didn't send someone to the Nobel Prize ceremony:
The government agreed to keep its representative away from the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony. They did this in payment for handouts of military equipment from China and to obtain clemency for five Filipinos sentenced to death for drug smuggling in China
------------------------------
StrategyPage has an essay on that Roman DNA in China, and an account of the conquering nomads of central Asia(Indo/Aryans) were stopped by the northen nomads ( Mongols/Huns)....and how this embarassing history is ignored by China...
-----------------------
Burgess, Malthus, and Huxley: How they predicted a world with Breeders as the enemy...
-----------------------------------------
The ten top Archeological discoveries of 2010.
Most interesting story: This past year will always be remembered as the year we found out that the Neanderthals survived and they are us.
-----------------------------------
Top Ten sacred Christmas songs LINK
awaiting the freedom of Trillanes and Garcia.
----------------------------------
StrategyPage discusses why PNoy didn't send someone to the Nobel Prize ceremony:
The government agreed to keep its representative away from the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony. They did this in payment for handouts of military equipment from China and to obtain clemency for five Filipinos sentenced to death for drug smuggling in China
------------------------------
StrategyPage has an essay on that Roman DNA in China, and an account of the conquering nomads of central Asia(Indo/Aryans) were stopped by the northen nomads ( Mongols/Huns)....and how this embarassing history is ignored by China...
-----------------------
Burgess, Malthus, and Huxley: How they predicted a world with Breeders as the enemy...
-----------------------------------------
The ten top Archeological discoveries of 2010.
Most interesting story: This past year will always be remembered as the year we found out that the Neanderthals survived and they are us.
-----------------------------------
Top Ten sacred Christmas songs LINK
Friday, December 17, 2010
RIP String theory?
Slashdot notes:
CERN has released a statement for the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment. The short of it is simply that as far as they could tell "No experimental evidence for microscopic black holes has been found." The long statement indicates that since the highly precise CMS detector found no spray of sub-atomic particles of normal matter while LHC smashed particles together, the hypothesis by String Theory that micro black holes would be formed and quickly evaporated in this experiment was incorrect.
so bye bye string theory...or maybe not...
Does this mean CERN won't destroy the earth?
---------------------------
in a related item: the Hadron Rap:
CERN has released a statement for the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment. The short of it is simply that as far as they could tell "No experimental evidence for microscopic black holes has been found." The long statement indicates that since the highly precise CMS detector found no spray of sub-atomic particles of normal matter while LHC smashed particles together, the hypothesis by String Theory that micro black holes would be formed and quickly evaporated in this experiment was incorrect.
so bye bye string theory...or maybe not...
Does this mean CERN won't destroy the earth?
---------------------------
in a related item: the Hadron Rap:
Snowflakes!
Instructables has a whole list of different snow flakes for you to make, with photos for each step.
or you can check out this on youtube:
or how about a 3D origami star for your tree?
or, if you are secular, just make this beautiful origami bucky ball
,
or make a Origami Icosidodecahedron from Curler Units...
or you can check out this on youtube:
or how about a 3D origami star for your tree?
or, if you are secular, just make this beautiful origami bucky ball
,
or make a Origami Icosidodecahedron from Curler Units...
Insomnia alert
Lots of audiobooks at Librivox
How about book 6 of the Oddessey...in Greek?
or Die Huldigung der Kunste in German?
that should put you to sleep.
or if you need some holiday cheer, there is also an entire list of christmas related books. Not only the Christmas Carol, by Dickens, but his short story the Chimes.
or try Magic Words: A tale for Christmas time
or The Bird's christmas carol
or, if you just want to escape the holiday cheer, check out EE (doc) Smith's classic, Skylark of Space.
How about book 6 of the Oddessey...in Greek?
or Die Huldigung der Kunste in German?
that should put you to sleep.
or if you need some holiday cheer, there is also an entire list of christmas related books. Not only the Christmas Carol, by Dickens, but his short story the Chimes.
or try Magic Words: A tale for Christmas time
or The Bird's christmas carol
or, if you just want to escape the holiday cheer, check out EE (doc) Smith's classic, Skylark of Space.
Headlines and the back stories no one wants to discuss
Mao's "Great Leap Forward" killed 45 million...But why do many academics remain Marxists? Instapundit has a discussion here.
the point is that if you are doing it for an idealistic cause, those who oppose you belong to the devil's league and can be killed at random, be they heretics or just ordinary farmers who stand in the way of a Marxist utopia.
-----------------------------------------
A lot of worry out there about an atomic attack, or a dirty bomb. NYTimes article here. More HERE.CDC site HERE. and Military handbook on handling radiation casualties in pdf form HERE.
Be afraid...be very afraid...
Luckily, I'm in rural Luzon, so I only have to worry about ordinary bombs, kidnapping, earthquakes, typhoons and dengue fever....
-------------------------------
Keeping Catholic hospitals Catholic...there is an agenda here, which is for a secular takeover of Catholic hospitals.
Why do I say this? Because there is no logical reason that a Catholic hospital had to do the abortion (and yes, despite their protests, it was not an "emergency"...).
Medically you had three choices: 1)The patient could have been carried to 28 weeks and delivered; 2) a routine transfer to another hospital by her request could easily have been done and they could decide to abort her or not. 3)if she was so sick neither of these options could be considered, she would be a candidate for heart lung transplant without aborting her. The prognosis for the kid would be low, but not zero...
I probably would leave it up to the patient, and transfer her to someone who can give her ALL options... In my experience of medically dangerous pregnancies, half abort...Logically, you would think all would abort, but there are a lot of moms who will risk death to have the kid: more than you would think...One of these moms used to show me her kid every time she brought him to baby clinic, and would tell me: See you were wrong.
--------------------------------
Amelia Earhart found again.
real or another "discovery channel special" hoax?
------------------------------------
Attention hackers and homeland security: our emails are protected by the 4th amendment.
does this include emails stolen and released by new organizations? If so, does this mean you can sue the NYTimes if they publish your email?
--------------------------------
WhiteHouse bioethics panel okays synthetic life research.
this goes way beyond "frankenfoods"...essentially they recommended no gov't regulations on such research...even though there is a lot of questions about safety...
-----------------------------
StrategyPage discusses recreation in the military when local gals and alcohol are off limit.
"...The alcohol prohibitions apply on or off base, as do the prohibitions on sex, marrying locals or even gambling. Troops are encouraged to spend more time in the gym, or with their video games, or praying. Troops having sex with each other is generally tolerated, although that can cause trouble as well. Only about ten percent of the troops in combat zones are female, and not all are single or in the mood..."
this is the problem that no one wants to discuss in the DADT legislation.
-------------------------------------
You heard about child soldiers, but what about Baby Basij (Religious police thugs)?
the point is that if you are doing it for an idealistic cause, those who oppose you belong to the devil's league and can be killed at random, be they heretics or just ordinary farmers who stand in the way of a Marxist utopia.
-----------------------------------------
A lot of worry out there about an atomic attack, or a dirty bomb. NYTimes article here. More HERE.CDC site HERE. and Military handbook on handling radiation casualties in pdf form HERE.
Be afraid...be very afraid...
Luckily, I'm in rural Luzon, so I only have to worry about ordinary bombs, kidnapping, earthquakes, typhoons and dengue fever....
-------------------------------
Keeping Catholic hospitals Catholic...there is an agenda here, which is for a secular takeover of Catholic hospitals.
Why do I say this? Because there is no logical reason that a Catholic hospital had to do the abortion (and yes, despite their protests, it was not an "emergency"...).
Medically you had three choices: 1)The patient could have been carried to 28 weeks and delivered; 2) a routine transfer to another hospital by her request could easily have been done and they could decide to abort her or not. 3)if she was so sick neither of these options could be considered, she would be a candidate for heart lung transplant without aborting her. The prognosis for the kid would be low, but not zero...
I probably would leave it up to the patient, and transfer her to someone who can give her ALL options... In my experience of medically dangerous pregnancies, half abort...Logically, you would think all would abort, but there are a lot of moms who will risk death to have the kid: more than you would think...One of these moms used to show me her kid every time she brought him to baby clinic, and would tell me: See you were wrong.
--------------------------------
Amelia Earhart found again.
real or another "discovery channel special" hoax?
------------------------------------
Attention hackers and homeland security: our emails are protected by the 4th amendment.
does this include emails stolen and released by new organizations? If so, does this mean you can sue the NYTimes if they publish your email?
--------------------------------
WhiteHouse bioethics panel okays synthetic life research.
this goes way beyond "frankenfoods"...essentially they recommended no gov't regulations on such research...even though there is a lot of questions about safety...
-----------------------------
StrategyPage discusses recreation in the military when local gals and alcohol are off limit.
"...The alcohol prohibitions apply on or off base, as do the prohibitions on sex, marrying locals or even gambling. Troops are encouraged to spend more time in the gym, or with their video games, or praying. Troops having sex with each other is generally tolerated, although that can cause trouble as well. Only about ten percent of the troops in combat zones are female, and not all are single or in the mood..."
this is the problem that no one wants to discuss in the DADT legislation.
-------------------------------------
You heard about child soldiers, but what about Baby Basij (Religious police thugs)?
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Christmas music
Celtic Music podcast has their Christmas edition up HERE. and HERE.
if you like it, you can subscribe at iTunes.
----------------------------
if you are into polyphony, try these offerings at the Vatican website.
----------------------
makesuseof.Com has links to places that have free christmas music downloads(I haven't checked them out, so take care).
and they have eight sites with streaming music, if you have a good internet connection for listening.
if you like it, you can subscribe at iTunes.
----------------------------
if you are into polyphony, try these offerings at the Vatican website.
----------------------
makesuseof.Com has links to places that have free christmas music downloads(I haven't checked them out, so take care).
and they have eight sites with streaming music, if you have a good internet connection for listening.
Voyager leaves home
It's not official. The Voyager spacecraft has left the solar system.
Trivia question: which movie made it famous? Answer.
Trivia question: which movie made it famous? Answer.
Dawn Treader
I reviewed the film, which is in town, at BNN.
I give it 3 out of five stars.
Trivia question of the day: Who played Reepicheep in the BBC version of the books?
Warwick Davis, aka Filius Flitwick, aka Willow,
I give it 3 out of five stars.
Trivia question of the day: Who played Reepicheep in the BBC version of the books?
Warwick Davis, aka Filius Flitwick, aka Willow,
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Musical interlude of the day
Monday was the feast of St. Lucy, patroness of the blind.
so here is the famous song about her and Naples.
lyrics HERE.
so here is the famous song about her and Naples.
lyrics HERE.
Video of the week
Selling merchandise is old hat for Disney, but nevertheless, here is their 1982 Christmas special via Youtube...
Stuff that makes you say: Huh?
Putting a fake cop at a dangerous traffic area is known to cut down accidents...unless the fake cop is this one:
quote of the day:
One driver involved in a crash denied he was ogling the cut-out, saying: "I admit I was looking at her, thinking what the hell is she wearing a miniskirt for in this weather?"
------------------------------
Remembering when the religious right banned Christmas.
--------------------------------------
They found the head of French king Henry IV...
I'm sure you're thrilled by that news.
------------------------
and the headline of the day:
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Musical interlude of the day
skip to 50 second mark, turn up speakers and enjoy!
a Colombian christmas song:
Vamos, pastorcitos,
Vamos a Belen!
A ver a la Virgen y
Al Nino tambien.
Al pequeno Nino
Que ha nacido ya,
Con alegres cantos
Vamos a arrullar.
Vamos, pastorcitos,
Vamos a adorar
La Rey de los cielos
Que esta en el portal.
English Translation: Hasten Now, O Shepherds
Hasten now, O shepherds,
Go to Bethlehem!
There to see the Virgin
And her infant Son.
Such a tiny Infant,
Born this holy day!
Cheer Him with your singing
Of a lullaby.
Hasten now, O shepherds,
Hasten to adore
Jesus gift to Heaven,
King forevermore!
Stuff below the fold
PNoy orders the Morong 43 charges to be dropped.
Sometimes good things happen...
--------------------------------------
Call centers, good.
cyberSex call centers that exploit young teenagers bad.
-----------------------------------
ObamaCare's mandate unconstitutional?
duh. maybe they should have just read the dang thing before they passed it...
---------------------------------------
PersianPardox discusses how the Tehran city council is trying to fight pollution.
And TehranLive has photos of the smog.
Sigh....I remember pollution like this in US cities before the clean air act...and Manila has the same problem...
-------------------------------
And CIC at strategyPage has an amusing story about no one knowing why a certain cleat was on a modern combat ship....the captain couldn't find the answer until an elderly cook came up with the answer....
(it was to tether the cow in the days before refrigerators when meat was left on the hoof until eaten).
this is only funny if you have worked with a bureaucracy that mandates things without asking why.
Sometimes good things happen...
--------------------------------------
Call centers, good.
cyberSex call centers that exploit young teenagers bad.
-----------------------------------
ObamaCare's mandate unconstitutional?
duh. maybe they should have just read the dang thing before they passed it...
---------------------------------------
PersianPardox discusses how the Tehran city council is trying to fight pollution.
And TehranLive has photos of the smog.
Sigh....I remember pollution like this in US cities before the clean air act...and Manila has the same problem...
-------------------------------
And CIC at strategyPage has an amusing story about no one knowing why a certain cleat was on a modern combat ship....the captain couldn't find the answer until an elderly cook came up with the answer....
(it was to tether the cow in the days before refrigerators when meat was left on the hoof until eaten).
this is only funny if you have worked with a bureaucracy that mandates things without asking why.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Latest theory on the great pyramid
No, not anti gravity, but using internal ramps may be the solution to how they built the great pyramids.
from Bob Brier and the BBC:
from Bob Brier and the BBC:
Craft item of the day
Bored at work?
Make one of these:
see more Monday Through Friday
or for those who prefer Klingons, go here to make one of their ships.
Make one of these:
see more Monday Through Friday
or for those who prefer Klingons, go here to make one of their ships.
Gift items of the day
Gizmodo has a list of gifts for cat lovers.
such as:
.
1. Dyson's DC23 Animal, $500: Granted, being gifted a vacuum cleaner is not the most thrilling unwrapping experience. But a shiny new Dyson DC23, made especially for picking up cat (and dog) hair? It'll revolutionize their home. Brits with longhaired docile could try the £40 Groom tool too, which actually sucks up hair straight from the animal's back. It's intended for dogs, but if the cat's docile enough... [Dyson]
Cat item of the day
from Improbable research:
“Housing and Allergens: A Pooled Analysis of Nine U.S. Studies,”
“We pooled… data from nine asthma studies… to identify those housing conditions and occupant behaviors that were associated with clinically significant allergen levels.
RESULTS. … mouse allergen was associated with rodent control or signs of rodents and inversely associated with presence of a cat.”
PhotocreditStuff below the fold
Heh. strategypage says that Jack Bauer is popular in Iran (via NewsCorps' Farsi One via satellite).
Rupert Murdoch and friends, countering propaganda one Korean soap opera at a time.
-------------------
Minneapolis Metrodome collapses.
Guess that "air supported roof" won't support snow.
It snows in Minnesota? Who wudda thot?
-----------------------
Archeoblog writes about "lost" civilizations under water in the Persian Gulf...
Of course, the US Navy is now calling that area the "Arabian Gulf", but never mind...
--------------------
Filipinos sailing replicas of ancient boats along ancient trade routes of SE Asia are back home.
"Balangay DIWATA NG LAHI" crew member MARK LIM of the Philippine Coast Guard ...
butuanglobalforum.org
Photolink and more info here.
..
.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Ten most overlooked mysteries of history
the karnac stones, the Eastern Island script, why the Minoan and Indus valley civilizations fell...
Headlines you might have missed
How I killed Pluto, and why it had it coming.
scientific explanation also found in this video
photocredit
-----------------------
Giant storks may have fed on real-life hobbits
artist Inge van Noortwijk
The extinct giant stork Leptoptilos robustus would have dwarfed the "hobbit" Homo floresiensis living on the Indonesian Island of Flores. (artist's impression)
----------------------------
Italy: Totalitarian regimes using 'disinformation' as method of control say experts
Presumably, the Italians just figured this out.
-----------------
Obama milestone: Nine months without a cigarette
why does that headline remind me of this?
--------------------------
Snickerdoodles!:
epicurious writes"...Snickerdoodles, adapted from the recipe I use from my mom's 1957 Betty Crocker cookbook, to yield about 5 dozen:
Blend 2 sticks of softened butter with 1 1/2 cups sugar and 2 large eggs, then stir in a whisked-together mix of 2 3/4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Roll the dough into walnut-size balls and roll into a bowlful of 3 tablespoons sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Arrange 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets and bake at 400 degrees until puffed, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool to a crisp.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
It's Deja Vu all over again
Headline on Drudge:
PRESIDENTOBAMA CLINTON
NYTimes:"
“I have reviewed this agreement that the president reached with the Republican leaders,” Mr. Clinton told reporters who assembled quickly for the hastily called remarks. “The agreement taken as a whole is, I believe, the best bipartisan agreement we can reach to help the most Americans.”
The image on the television screen – of Mr. Clinton at the White House, behind the official podium – had a time-warp quality to it....after Mr. Clinton began taking questions, the current president excused himself, saying that his wife, Michelle, expected Mr. Obama’s presence at one of the many holiday parties that presidents host during the month of December.
Sigh. And most of us thought Hillary would be the next Clinton running the country.
-------------------
Headline 2 comes from the UKIndependent:
Doctors shocked by spread of swine flu – and its severity
I probably had it in 1968, and again had a mild case last year, as did Lolo, so we're safe. But those who didn't have it last year might have a nasty illness.
-----------------
and then there is this report:
youtube video HERE.
and if it sounds familiar, it's because Penn and Teller already did a skit on that chemical
PRESIDENT
NYTimes:"
“I have reviewed this agreement that the president reached with the Republican leaders,” Mr. Clinton told reporters who assembled quickly for the hastily called remarks. “The agreement taken as a whole is, I believe, the best bipartisan agreement we can reach to help the most Americans.”
The image on the television screen – of Mr. Clinton at the White House, behind the official podium – had a time-warp quality to it....after Mr. Clinton began taking questions, the current president excused himself, saying that his wife, Michelle, expected Mr. Obama’s presence at one of the many holiday parties that presidents host during the month of December.
Sigh. And most of us thought Hillary would be the next Clinton running the country.
-------------------
Headline 2 comes from the UKIndependent:
Doctors shocked by spread of swine flu – and its severity
I probably had it in 1968, and again had a mild case last year, as did Lolo, so we're safe. But those who didn't have it last year might have a nasty illness.
-----------------
and then there is this report:
Global Warming Scaremongers Sign Petition Banning Dihydrogen Monoxide
youtube video HERE.
and if it sounds familiar, it's because Penn and Teller already did a skit on that chemical
Headline of the week
Frog Bladders Hold Surprises
via Dave Barry
although this one comes in second:
Piranhas get Christmas turkey
photolinkAlso fromDaveBarry
Craft item of the day
Make some no melt Sparkleballs from instructables.
You'll need 50 soft 9 oz. tumbler-style plastic cups, a hole-puncher, a drill with a 1/2" bit, a string of mini-lights (100-150), and 200 small zip-ties . (recycled clean cups will work perfectly as will an old string of mini-lights.)
Family news
I am having to blog from the office since Joy borrowed my laptop for her class in Manila.
Lolo is better.
Lolo is better.
Pray for peace
Jim Dunnigan at Strategy page is hinting there might be a war in Korea. The others at the page don't agree, but you might want to check out their stories also HERE
Creeping fascism stories of the day
China's clampdown on religion and bullying other countries has gone unnoticed by the MSM in the US: More here. and HERE.
----------------------------
Philippines claim they didn't attend the ceremony because of prior commitments. ... Tell the truth?
-----------------------------
Whistleblowers now asking for protection after a few witnesses of the Maguindanao massacre were offed.
At least PNoy is trying to get the charges against the Morong 43 lifted.
-------------------------------
TedTurner's comment that the world needs a one child policy was reprimanded, not because it was fascist but because a lot of folks agreed with him but didn't want it to be publicized for fear of bad publicity...
former Irish president Mary Robinson, ... said, "If we do it the wrong way, we can divide the world...A lot of people in the climate world could communicate this very badly."
----------------------------
Philippines claim they didn't attend the ceremony because of prior commitments. ... Tell the truth?
-----------------------------
Whistleblowers now asking for protection after a few witnesses of the Maguindanao massacre were offed.
At least PNoy is trying to get the charges against the Morong 43 lifted.
-------------------------------
TedTurner's comment that the world needs a one child policy was reprimanded, not because it was fascist but because a lot of folks agreed with him but didn't want it to be publicized for fear of bad publicity...
former Irish president Mary Robinson, ... said, "If we do it the wrong way, we can divide the world...A lot of people in the climate world could communicate this very badly."
Friday, December 10, 2010
A Girl Potato and Boy Potato had eyes for each other,
And finally they got married, and had a little sweet
Potato, which they
Called
'Yam.'
Of course, they wanted the best for Yam.
When it was time, they told her about the facts
Of life.
They warned her about going
Out and getting
Half-baked, so she wouldn't get accidentally mashed, and
Get a bad name for herself like 'Hot Potato,' and
End up with a bunch of tater tots
Yam said not to worry, no Spud would get
Her into the sack and make a rotten potato out of her!
But on the other hand she wouldn't stay home and become a Couch Potato either.
She would get plenty of exercise so as not to be skinny like her shoestring cousins.
When she went off to
Europe , Mr. And Mrs. Potato told Yam
To watch out
For the hard-boiled guys from Ireland and the greasy guys from France called the French fries.. And
When she went out West, to
Watch out for the Indians so she wouldn't get scalloped..
Yam said she would stay on the straight and
Narrow and wouldn't associate with
Those high class Yukon Gold's, or the ones from the other side of the tracks who advertise their trade on all
The trucks that say,
'Fri to Lay.'
Mr. And
Mrs. Potato sent Yam to Idaho P. U. (that's
Potato University ) so that when she graduated she'd really be in the Chips.
But in spite of all they did for
Her, one-day Yam came home
And announced she was
Going to marry Tom Brokaw.
Tom Brokaw!
Mr. And Mrs. Potato
were very upset.
They told Yam she couldn't
Possibly marry Tom Brokaw because he's just......
*
*
*
A
COMMONTATER
(Your email of the day from TiaMaria
And finally they got married, and had a little sweet
Potato, which they
Called
'Yam.'
Of course, they wanted the best for Yam.
When it was time, they told her about the facts
Of life.
They warned her about going
Out and getting
Half-baked, so she wouldn't get accidentally mashed, and
Get a bad name for herself like 'Hot Potato,' and
End up with a bunch of tater tots
Yam said not to worry, no Spud would get
Her into the sack and make a rotten potato out of her!
But on the other hand she wouldn't stay home and become a Couch Potato either.
She would get plenty of exercise so as not to be skinny like her shoestring cousins.
When she went off to
Europe , Mr. And Mrs. Potato told Yam
To watch out
For the hard-boiled guys from Ireland and the greasy guys from France called the French fries.. And
When she went out West, to
Watch out for the Indians so she wouldn't get scalloped..
Yam said she would stay on the straight and
Narrow and wouldn't associate with
Those high class Yukon Gold's, or the ones from the other side of the tracks who advertise their trade on all
The trucks that say,
'Fri to Lay.'
Mr. And
Mrs. Potato sent Yam to Idaho P. U. (that's
Potato University ) so that when she graduated she'd really be in the Chips.
But in spite of all they did for
Her, one-day Yam came home
And announced she was
Going to marry Tom Brokaw.
Tom Brokaw!
Mr. And Mrs. Potato
were very upset.
They told Yam she couldn't
Possibly marry Tom Brokaw because he's just......
*
*
*
A
COMMONTATER
(Your email of the day from TiaMaria
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