AUGH WHAT

I keep forgetting this crap exists! I mean really is it so hard for me to remember something so simple as having a diary? Or journal or "web-log" or whatever? Yes, it is too hard. I don't remember things like that.

Amber is playing sing-star, but i have no idea what songs she's singing. Oh well. I think she wants me to, but I can't sing and I don't know any of these songs so no I don't think I'll be doing that.

Also i think i'll use my other twitter account more, like for when i'm feeling introverted (which is basically all of the time) so i don't have to unfollow people and then have them hate me forever and kill me with a hook that looks like the blue oyster cult logo.

Toxoplasma gondii / Toxoplasmosis

This is the coolest parasite ever. It spends its life cycle in cats, but can live in other animals. It spends time in other animals mostly in brain tissue and is pretty clever about it. It's mostly harmless (a healthy human or cat can easily keep it completely at bay,) although may be harmful to fetuses, so it's a concern for pregnant women.

It lives and reproduces in a cat's stomache, and, like most parasites that do, it spreads through feces. But, here's the problem: cats avoid feces. Some other animals (like rats and mice) do not and since fecal matter is good fertilizer, it could end up in humans via plants.

Here's the awesome part: rats and mice are instinctively afraid of the scent of felid urine. This helps them to avoid cats and cat territory. Toxoplasmosis selectively alters their brain chemistry to make them attracted to this scent. It doesn't change any of their other fears (if the rat dies from something else, so does the parasite.) So now that rats are attracted to cats, T. gondii is suddenly and happily back in a cat's stomache!

Sinister, eh?

T. gondii has also been shown to have effects on humans, basically raising estrogen production in women and testosterone production in men.

Meh

no

ALLEZ CUISINE!

     I love Iron Chef. It's the best show ever.  It's almost campy, but ends up being completely genuine.  After all, we have contests of trying to put balls in holes that we take seriously, why not cooking?  I love everything about the show.  The food, the music, the commentary, the theatrics/story: it's wonderful.

     But Iron Chef America sucks.  There isn't the same rivalry they have in the original: even when they have some competitive spirit, there's no real pride or honour, there's no respect.  It seems like they don't take cooking as seriously. It's not their profession, it's their job.  Overall, the commentary isn't as insightful, though Alton Brown is certainly a fantastic commentator (I'd say as good as the originals.)  They put no effort into the story, or presentation: the food is supposed to stand alone.  And, how can it?  Frankly, the chefs on ICA aren't of the same caliber as the originals.  The creations never look (or even sound) as good, and don't show the same skill or creativity.  It ends up typical of boisterous-America: loud, irritating, and without substance.

     So, it's time to make a new version; a truly world version of Iron Chef.  Nine chefs chosen from around the world: Japanese, Chinese, Thai, French, English, Italian, Mid-Eastern, Bavarian/Russian, and Latin.   Each from the region of their cooking, and each a true master of cuisine.  Judges would also be internationally chosen, as to avoid a 'home-taste advantage.'  The stadium would be as grand as CS-I, but have the professional appliances of CS-II. Costumes would of course be required, to keep with the grandiose nature of the program.  Commentary would be done in the original style (a host and color commentator joined by one or two judges, with a floor-commentator to provide details,) but would involve Alton Brown (by kidnapping if necessary.)  CS-III will be high in the mountains in an undisclosed location.  To compensate, the battles will be lengthened to 90 or 120 minutes.  I haven't decided whether to use the score from Blackdraft, or an original.  The story will be as grand as the original, with the chairman frequently traveling by stagecoach, always beginning stories with "If memory serves..."

Good idea!

Stephen Colbert had a good idea: send Max Baucus your healthcare bills. Since he wants to help Americans with no health insurance, but not, you know, do anything about it, he clearly just wants to pay it himself!! He can just take it out of the $1,196,463 the insurance industry has contributed to his campaigns!

SO! Send all of your unpaid healthcare bills to:

Max Baucus
511 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510

Ugh

"For god's sake, democrats, they're countering your arguments with nonsense, and crushing you."
-Jon Stewart

Oh right!

I got a third interview set for next friday, and the apartment is held until then.