Impaired clearance, not overproduction of toxic proteins, may underlie Alzheimer's disease
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Untitled
There's a thank-you card inside you, waiting to be written. Don't take someone else's contributions for granted. We all want to be appreciated. Send that note - you will have NO IDEA how much it will mean - to them, to you. Who knows what beautiful chain of events it will trigger as your gratitude goes out into the world?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Matthew Norman: How did this wastrel ever find his way to the White House? - Matthew Norman, Commentators - The Independent
A review of Bush's memoirs.
Only the British can make "scathing" seem like an understatement.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Healing is magical
“The tendency of nature is to restore the injured body to health, but in order for health to be maintained there must be a change in behavior or understanding. The burnt hand does not return to the fire. Healing includes not only ... the regrowth of damaged skin but the learning of a lesson which previously had been unknown.”
“In order to be healed, the patient must embrace something which was previously outside him or herself, while at the same time returning his or her organism to the care of nature. The intrusive, interventive element may come from God, the spirit, the supernatural, or the surgeon's scalpel, but at any rate it changes the patient intrinsically from the way he or she was before. Healing is magical.”
- Matthew Wood, “Vitalism”
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
By Little and By Little: A Girl Named Gia and A Blue Bicycle
By Little and By Little: A Girl Named Gia and A Blue Bicycle
Great story about how the Universe provides opportunities when we ask questions and are open.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
News Analysis - When Avandia and Other Drugs Cause Problems They Are Supposed to Prevent - NYTimes.com
News Analysis - When Avandia and Other Drugs Cause Problems They Are Supposed to Prevent - NYTimes.com: "The population is aging, many have chronic diseases. And companies are going after giant markets, huge parts of the population, heavily advertising drugs that are to be taken for a lifetime.
And the way drugs are evaluated, with the emphasis on shorter-term studies before marketing, is not helping, Dr. Carpenter said.
“Here is a wide-scale institutional failure,” he said. “We have placed far more resources and requirements upon premarket assessment of drugs than on postmarket.”"
Friday, October 08, 2010
DEAR SUGAR, The Rumpus Advice Column #52: Reach - The Rumpus.net
You MUST read this column. MUST. MUST, MUST, MUST.
Friday, October 01, 2010
Divided they ride - Canada - Macleans.ca
Physically separated bike lanes. So, so awesome. Hello, Toronto planners - are you listening????
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Every living thing yearns to be free
Every living thing yearns to be free
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
This is a photo I took in 2006 that I apparently didn't think was all that good, but when I looked at it today, it struck me for some reason. I cropped it a little and like it even more.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
This post has absolutely nothing to do with running… « In Pursuit of Happy Hips Part II
This post has absolutely nothing to do with running… « In Pursuit of Happy Hips Part II
This is one of the most beautiful, inspiring, life-affirming blog entries I've ever read, and I hope you make the time to read it.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A know-nothing strain of conservatism - Andrew Coyne - Macleans.ca
A know-nothing strain of conservatism - Andrew Coyne - Macleans.ca: "It isn’t just that the Tories habitually ignore the expert consensus on a wide range of issues—crime, taxes, climate change—it’s that they want to be seen to be ignoring it. It’s the overt antagonism to experts, and by extension the educated classes, that marks the Tory style. In its own way, it’s a form of class war.
You can see it in the sneering references to Michael Ignatieff’s Harvard tenure, in the repeated denunciations of “elites” and “intellectuals.” In the partial dismantling of the census, we reach the final stage: not just hostile to experts, but to knowledge."
Monday, August 16, 2010
Daily Kos: Judging Obama
Truly insightful, worth the full read.: "The debate on whether it is more appropriate to say that Obama has done a lot or that he has done too little regularly divides DailyKos, and I'd like to tackle it from a slightly different perspective, to say that this is not really about Obama, but about the perspective of the different groups about our civilisation.
I would like to propose that those who think that Obama has not done enough consider that the current system is profoundly failing, and that it is time for systemic changes, instead of the tinkering they see Obama doing, whereas those that tend to focus on what Obama has done think that the system is flawed, but mendable, and that Obama is doing just that, moving things back in the right direction.
And the fact is - we don't know yet what group is right, and we may not know for a few more years."
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Perseid Meteor Showers
Just back from an observatory where 100s of people sprawled out on the grass to catch the Perseid meteor showers. I only saw the occasional "falling star", but the experience of so many races & cultures coming together to peacefully enjoy this celestial display - and the spontaneous rounds of applause it elicited - were 100% worth it. I ♥ Canada.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Royalty Free Music
This quirky, sombre snippet makes me want to use it as the soundtrack for a movie I had no previous intention of making.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Another great quote
The use of force is a last resort. One aspect of violence is that it is unpredictable. Although your initial intention may be to use limited force, once you have engaged in violence the consequences are unpredictable. Violence always brings about unexpected results and almost always provokes retaliation.
- HH the Dalai Lama
Monday, July 26, 2010
Interesting quote
"Sometimes harsh words or physical intervention may be called for. Patience safeguards our inner composure: we are in a stronger position to judge an appropriately non-violent response than if we are overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions. It is the opposite of cowardice, which arises when confidence is lost as a result of fear. Being patient means we remain firm even if we are afraid." - HH the Dalai Lama
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Mahablog
The Mahablog: "I get an impression that some of the protesters are opposed to building mosques anywhere in the U.S. A google search showed there already are three mosques in Manhattan and more than 30 in the New York City area. How do we know they aren’t going to train terrorists? some ask. I guess the same way we know, or hope, they aren’t training pedophiles at Saint Patrick’s. If we aren’t going to turn into a police state, sometimes you have to give people the benefit of the doubt that they are what they say they are."
Excellent point, and I love the biting humour. Sorry.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Portrait of the ‘Barefoot Bandit’ reveals lonely, hungry child - thestar.com
A social worker’s report from the time he was first arrested, at 12, drew a succinct conclusion, at least from the boy’s point of view.
“Colton wants Mom to stop drinking and smoking, get a job and have food in the house,” the report said. “Mom refuses.”
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Friday, July 09, 2010
Thank you very much, British Petrol
Thank you very much, British Petrol: "Which means, of course, that no catastrophe will ever be large enough, and the only thing that will finally force us away from oil is, of course, when we run out. And as Alberta's disgusting oilsands prove, we're developing simple horrific, planet-raping techniques to ensure that doesn't happen for a long, long while. Hell, Texas's 'best and brightest' in the biz are already proposing, not ways to wean us off oil, but merely ways to develop better technologies for more efficient drilling. Sort of like saying of course we should never stop declaring wars; we should only develop better ways to kill people. Good thinking. Thanks, Texas. P.S.; Go to hell."
The Road Home : HONEY ROCK DAWN
An awesome story from one of my favourite bloggers about the serendipity of an irritation.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
A second chance or a boot in the face - The Globe and Mail
There's a REASON: why Margaret Atwood is both a Canadian icon and a force to be reckoned with.
"Two protests, seemingly miles apart, were about the kind of country we want to live in"
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Avaaz.org - The World in Action
Avaaz.org - The World in Action
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!! Almost 100000 people have already signed Avaaz's "petition" to send birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama. Imagine - around the world today, people are being unified in appreciation for this voice of compassion, perseverence, grace, and understanding. I just signed the petition, and now I'm seeing a constant flow of personal messages in various languages wishing the Dalai Lama well, and thanking him for his impact on the world.
Monday, July 05, 2010
The Killdares – Celtic. Rock. » Music
The Killdares – Celtic. Rock. » Music
Recommended by Dave and Tracy.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Saturday, July 03, 2010
Obama’s Winning Streak: Peter Beinart on His Historic Gains - The Daily Beast
Obama’s Winning Streak: Peter Beinart on His Historic Gains - The Daily Beast: "So he hasn’t plugged the leak, and his poll numbers are sagging. Truth is, Obama has exceeded in 18 months what Clinton and Carter achieved in a combined 12 years."
Friday, July 02, 2010
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
[In the U.S., drowning] is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and
under (just behind vehicle accidents) – of the approximately 750
children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within
25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings,
the adult will actually watch them ...do it, having no idea it is
happening (source: CDC).
!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
100% of S. Side school’s first class college-bound :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education
A glorious, wonderful story of idealism, commitment, love, and true success. Purpose-driven education.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
RealClimate: Leakegate: A retraction
When someone tries to tell you about fixed data regarding climate change, bring up this article.
So let's start addressing the issue finally, hmmm?
Fareed Zakaria: A Voice of Reason
Why it's taken so long for someone to talk like this is beyond me.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Q&A: Tony Robbins on his NBC reality show -- The Live Feed | THR
Q&A: Tony Robbins on his NBC reality show -- The Live Feed | THR
Interesting interview. I'm a big fan and hope to be able to catch this show.
Integrity
"When I'm not doing something that comes deeply from me, I get bored. When I get bored I get distracted and when I get distracted, I become depressed. It's a natural resistance, and it insures your integrity." -Maria Irene Fornes
My classmate Dimpi posted this quote on her Facebook profile a week ago or so, and I've thought about it a great deal since I first read it. I find the way Fornes describes her self-sabotage and relates it to her integrity fascinating. And I've wondered ... in what other ways could seemingly unproductive behaviour keep us from violating the deepest and truest selves?
Like maybe my awkward behaviour around that person I really really liked until I found out that he was a bit of a philanderer? Or the reserve I've felt around someone that I just couldn't shake off, and then I realized that they have a pattern of inappropriately crossing other people's boundaries, or betraying friendships? What if, deep inside, my instinct/intuition has done a fantastic job of sussing out the situation, but my head hasn't yet caught up? Wouldn't that conflict create some confusing/inexplicable thoughts and behaviours?
A conversation with a friend last night made me do a LOT of processing and thinking today (along the lines above), and I think I'm going to give my intuition more credit going forward. It's worked well for me in the past, in retrospect. Integrity has always been very important to me, but now (as a result of mulling over this quote) the meaning of the word is even richer - it includes being true to myself at my deepest core. And I can't do that unless I stop fighting that instinctual understanding and pay attention to what I may already know but haven't figured out.
Starting today, integrity doesn't just mean decency and keeping my word. It also means being patient enough to hear - and trust - that still small voice, and to live in congruence with my core.
I may not have fleshed out this discussion sufficiently, and I may revisit this topic in the future, but these are my thoughts for now. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this. Feel free to comment below. :)
Friday, June 11, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
You can tell where this is going, but you can hardly believe it when it gets there : Pharyngula
"Anti-feminist" asserts rape acceptable equalizer: "I'm also wondering now if the fact that we've got our oh-so-sensitive testicles dangling gently in a place just ripe for a savage kick isn't an example of cosmic justice, after all."
Dana Milbank - Republicans' new Web site not exactly what they hoped it would be
Quote of the day: "'A 'teacher' told my child in class that dolphins were mammals and not fish!' a third complains. 'And the same thing about whales! We need TRADITIONAL VALUES in all areas of education. If it swims in the water, it is a FISH. Period! End of Story.'"
Sunday, May 23, 2010
ADHD in kids tied to organophosphate pesticides | Reuters
ADHD in kids tied to organophosphate pesticides | Reuters: "www.pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/peds.2009-3058"
Back away from the bok choy, ma’am - The Body Odd - msnbc.com
A case of too much of a good thing. Brassica family only, people ...
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Stomacher - Untitled/Dark Divider on Vimeo
INCREDIBLE video. I am impressed and inspired. This was apparently his first effort at time lapse photography!!!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
If today were a symphony
If today were a symphony:
The first movement would be a lilting, bucolic scherzo of songbirds starting at 5AM;
the 2nd movement would be a long discordant adagio starting @ 7AM, featuring heavy machinery w/ jackhammer riffs;
& the final movement, starting sometime after dinner, would be an odd trio of indistinct dialogue from my roommate's TV, the murmur of airplanes flying in & out of airport a half-hour away, & the plaintive caterwauling of a feline companion whose appetite consistently exceeds her alloted portion.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Jian Ghomeshi interviews Al Green (archive)
qpodcast_20080901_7217.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)
I listened to this interview yesterday, and it really intrigued me. I especially like the portion that begins around the 28-minute mark, where he talks about his job being to "tell all the lonely people that there's LOVE in the world." Beautiful, really - how many people feel that they've been given this kind of mission in life? What would our world be like if more of us truly believed and trusted in this kind of a message?
Why ‘hooking up’ has become so prevalent on campus - thestar.com
Why ‘hooking up’ has become so prevalent on campus - thestar.com: "The new study, published in March, also helps explain why hooking up has become so prevalent. Trying to actually date seems too risky — put yourself out there, and you might get hurt.
'Men talk most about rejection,' Kahn says. 'When you're hooking up you're not going to get rejected, 'cause you're probably wasted anyway.' (Previous studies have shown that most hookups are preceded by alcohol consumption.)
Both genders said the potential for a broken heart is one of the biggest drawbacks to traditional dating."
Monday, May 10, 2010
First course of veggies may appeal to hungry preschoolers
First course of veggies may appeal to hungry preschoolers
Wow, this is an interesting study! Any parents of young kids wanna try it out and tell me how it works for their families?
Jigsaw Sudoku - Free Online Sudoku Game
Finally! I've found a sudoku puzzle I can win! LOL Jigsaw Sudoku - Free Online Sudoku Game
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Sex, Lies and Oil Spills
The Bush/Cheney legacy lives on.
This makes me want to swear, but there is no profanity that will scale to the level of this destruction and waste.
Tactical error
This conversation just happened:
Telehassler [with thick accent]: Hello, may I please speak with [my full name].
Me: Yes, speaking.
Telehassler: blah blah blah Mr. [last name] blah blah blah I should let you know, Mr. [last name], that this call is being recorded for quality control purposes.
Me [politely]: Oh, will they tell you that because I am female, you shouldn't refer to me as Mister?
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
86 percent of disadvantaged preschoolers lack basic motor skills
86 percent of disadvantaged preschoolers lack basic motor skills
Yet another reason why every child has a right to a good beginning in life.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Beautiful!
I'm Back !
Originally uploaded by Yoann Rigolleau.
Found on Flickr. I wish it were mine, but I'm studying, not playing with my camera. In France. Sigh. :)
Social networking helps hermit crabs find homes
Social networking helps hermit crabs find homes: "One previously identified strategy that apparently helps each hermit crab find the very best shell is joining a lively group activity known as a synchronous vacancy chain. When a new shell becomes available, crabs gather around it and queue up in a line from largest to smallest. Once the largest crab moves into the vacant shell, each crab in the queue swiftly switches into the newly vacated shell right in front of them. As a result, a single vacant shell kicks off an entire chain of shell vacancies that ultimately leads to many crabs getting new, and generally improved, housing."
This is truly awesome.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Children's cognitive ability can be affected by exposure to urban air pollutants
Children's cognitive ability can be affected by exposure to urban air pollutants: "A study by the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH) carried out in Krakow, Poland has found that prenatal exposure to pollutants can adversely affect children's cognitive development at age 5, confirming previous findings in a New York City (NYC) study.
Researchers report that children exposed to high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Krakow had a significant reduction in scores on a standardized test of reasoning ability and intelligence at age 5. The study findings are published today online in Environmental Health Perspectives.
PAHs are released into the air from the burning of fossil fuels for transportation, heating, energy production, and from other combustion sources."
NOW can we please get over the stupid "climate change is a hoax" spinning and just reduce our burning of fossil fuels?????
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
John McCain: U.S. Lacks A 'Coherent' Iran Policy
As opposed to "Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran"?
Just listen to his sick "heh heh heh" at the end and tell me you aren't deeply, passionately grateful that Obama's in charge instead.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Hébert: Groping in the dark in Ottawa - thestar.com
Hébert: Groping in the dark in Ottawa - thestar.com: "Taken together though, they make up the disturbing pattern of a government that would rather blindfold its critics and keep Canadians guessing as to its actions than be accountable for them."
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