Just one question.

What do steroids have to do with the state of the Union?

(no subject)

So two nights ago I spent about two hours trying to "improve" Tickletwist. What I ended up with was a monstrosity (which was mainly constructed underground, which was cool) that was so intense none of the sims would go near it. This coaster was appropriately named Titanic. I kept trying to tinker with the design and slow it down a little (as the top speed of the coaster approached 60 miles an hour), but nothing I did helped and/or would fit together in a closed circuit. So I ended up demolishing the new coaster altogether, then gave up for the night.

The next night, I reopened the scenario and tried a new coaster design, the steel coaster. It's called "Slowpoke" because it doesn't pick up speed until around the middle of the ride. Naming a coaster is like naming a poem: it's the final step in the process. Anyway, the problem I had was the novelty factor--I'd inadvertently opened the ride while I was constructing it, so by the time I'd made it available to the public, they weren't willing to pay new prices anymore. So I'm not making enough of a profit. I might tear it down and build the same design again.

I've learned a lot from these mistakes, but it'd be nice to have a success every once in awhile.

Friday will come too soon....

The bus driver I've gotten to know pretty well told me tonight that someone with more authority has bumped him from his route. Friday will be the last day on the 20A.

"Oh no," I said. "Now who will I talk to about all of these political issues?" Just a few days ago, I'd said I was hoping that Edwards would make a decent showing in Iowa; he said Edwards had no chance because he was a 'wuss'. It was fun watching him eat his words. ;)

We chatted about the State of the Union address (he said he couldn't stand to watch it after a few minutes) and other various subjects. We came to my stop, and again I expressed how disappointed I was that he had to take up a new route.

"Maybe we could go out for coffee or something," I said as the doors opened.

"Yeah, okay," he said, probably still processing what I'd just proposed.

"See you tomorrow," I called over my shoulder. As I walked home, I appreciated the fact that the news of his route transfer had been so sudden that I hadn't any time to agonize over the coffee question.

It's sad that this song is still relevant.

The Cure wrote this in 1979.


Killing an Arab

Standing on the beach with a gun in my hand
Staring at the sea, staring at the sand
Staring down the barrel at the Arab on the ground
The sea is in my mouth, but I hear no sound

I'm alive, I'm dead
I'm the stranger killing an Arab

I can turn and walk away or I can fire the gun
Staring at the sky, staring at the sun
Which terror I choose, it amounts to the same
Absolutely nothing

I'm alive, I'm dead
I'm the stranger killing an Arab

I feel the sliver jump--slap--smooth in my hand
Staring at the sea, staring at the sand
Staring at myself reflected in the eyes of the dead man on the beach

I'm alive, I'm dead
I'm the stranger killing an Arab

by way of eleri

Study confirms sleep essential for creativity

German scientists say they have demonstrated for the first time that our sleeping brains continue working on problems that baffle us during the day, and the right answer may come more easily after eight hours of rest.

The German study is considered to be the first hard evidence supporting the common sense notion that creativity and problem solving appear to be directly linked to adequate sleep, scientists say. Other researchers who did not contribute to the experiment say it provides a valuable reminder for overtired workers and students that sleep is often the best medicine.

[...] The study involved 106 people divided into five separate groups of equal numbers of men and women ages 18 to 32. One group slept, another stayed awake all night, and a third stayed awake all day for eight-hour periods before testing following training in the main experiment. Two other groups were used in a supplemental experiment.

The study participants performed a "number reduction task" according to two rules that allowed them to transform strings of eight digits into a new string that fit the rules. A third rule was hidden in the pattern, and researchers monitored the test subjects continuously to see when they figure out the third rule.

The group that got eight hours of sleep before tackling the problem was nearly three times more likely to figure out the rule than the group that stayed awake at night.

( Read more... )

as promised

Disgust. See Gust.

Gust, relish, taste. (Latin.) Latin gustus, a tasting; cf. gustare, to taste. Allied to choose.

disgust, v. (French = Latin.) Old French desgouster, 'to distaste, loath'. Cotgrave's Dictionary [circa 1660] = Old French des- (=Latin dis-), apart; gouster, to taste, from Latin gustare.

wordoftheday recently had gustatory. The blurb at the end read:

Gustatory derives from Latin gustatus, "taste," from gustare, "to taste, to take a little of." Other words that have the same root include disgust and gusto ("vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment").

(Doesn't that put this post into context?)

a CNN top story

Students launch site for complaints on left-leaning faculty

This is how CNN is describing "the Scream"

Dean's fiery speech to supporters at a post-caucus rally Monday night also has sparked questions among some political observers and Democrats about his temperament.

Dems Gear up in New Hampshire


In my office, we cackled our asses off.

Two days in a row.

(no subject)

Wow! What a neat post in philosophy!

Now this is news.

Israel's Sharon May Face Bribery Charges

An Israeli court charged a real-estate developer Wednesday with paying more than a half-million dollars in bribes to Ariel Sharon — a case that could force the prime minister to step aside.

While Sharon has not been charged, Justice Ministry officials say they are considering whether to indict the Israeli leader. The officials say the decision is expected in the coming weeks or months.

(no subject)

I literally have never seen a man eat so many chicken wings.

157??

*goes off to cue up South Park*