Ice Cream Assassin

10:29 pm - Government claims immunity from lawsuits

I just read this article and wanted to share my concern: http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2009/04/06/obama/index.html

In summary, when Congress granted immunity to telecom companies for illegal wiretapping, they implied that if anyone was offended they were welcome to sue the government responsible for said wiretapping. The Electronic Freedom Foundation (EFF) took them at their word and filed a lawsuit. Recently, they got this response from Obama's Department of Justice:

"the Obama DOJ demanded dismissal of the entire lawsuit based on (1) its Bush-mimicking claim that the "state secrets" privilege bars any lawsuits against the Bush administration for illegal spying, and (2) a brand new "sovereign immunity" claim of breathtaking scope -- never before advanced even by the Bush administration -- that the Patriot Act bars any lawsuits of any kind for illegal government surveillance unless there is "willful disclosure" of the illegally intercepted communications."

This is an insane new application of the Patriot Act that effectively legalizes massive government spying on U.S. citizens, since no one can hold the government accountable for these actions. This administration promised a new era of government transparency and accountability, and indeed they've made some bold moves in that direction. However, some of their actions make me wonder if those moves are merely symbolic, while government retains every ability to spy on and suppress anyone it might deem threatening. In my view, erosion of civil liberties was the worst excess of the previous administration and one of the major reasons I voted for this one. I've been e-mailing whitehouse.gov about these issues and encourage anyone else who feels strongly about them to do the same.

08:28 am - A note on breakfast

I have discovered that regular oats taste better than quick oats, and they both take the exact same amount of time to cook.

08:25 pm

At the gym this evening I walked past a huge muscly guy, the sort whose shoulders are so big it looks like he has no neck. He was wearing a shirt that said "Hugs not drugs." Ehehe...

05:36 pm - Geekiness

Waves of rain and hail wash across the roof of the library, where I am working on my thesis. Water pours out of the downspout draining the gutters. I wonder about the possibility of measuring rates and amounts of precipitation using an auditory index. Could you make a regression to calibrate rainfall to the sound it makes on a particular surface, and thus turn an oscilloscope into a rain gauge? It's probably much more complicated than it's worth, but it would be so frickin' cool...

10:44 am

Today's Wondermark made me chuckle:

10:08 pm - More crafting

My parents gave me some cushioned folding chairs when I moved into my own apartment so that I'd have something to sit on while getting settled. I recently decided to cover the cushions with new fabric to update them a little. Here's the before and after:

before:


after:



The pattern on the fabric is small black flowers. I got it on sale for $2 and have also made a rice pillow and two skirts from it so far. The chairs now look like they'd be great extra outdoor seating for a tea party or something of the sort. The reupholstering wasn't difficult, but my thumbs are really sore now from pressing in all those thumbtacks.

03:57 pm - Men: scary deranged beasts? I think not.

I'm TAing a class called Biology of Women this semester; it's cross-listed in the Biology, Anthropology, and Women's Studies departments. We cover specific biological processes in development and reproduction as well as more controversial topics such as the basis for sexual orientation and political and societal issues.

The variety of student backgrounds can make it difficult to grade their assignments, some of which can be very opinionated. Today, I responded negatively to one student's assignment, in which they claimed that men are programmed by evolution and society to want to have sex with as many partners as possible from adolescence onward. According to the student, men who fail to be promiscuous will be looked down on by their peers.

Now, in addition to this student's misinterpretations of evolutionary theory, I have a problem with the view that guys are slaves to instinct and unable to control their actions. I got a second opinion on the grading for this particular assignment, because I want to be fair to other people's opinions, but it really bothers me that so many people have negative views of men and their ability to, well, control themselves and be decent. Most of the guys I know are really great people who think (and sometimes overthink) about the consequences of their actions and try to make good decisions.

Anyway, I'm posting this because I want to say thanks to all the great guys I know who've contributed to my positive opinion of humanity and of men. Thanks, guys; I love you.

09:23 pm - Crafty

I've been planning to build a coffee table for a couple months now, and the drill I got for Christmas enabled me to follow through. I think it turned out pretty well:







The top is a piece of particle board that I got for free from a giveaway event at the University of Idaho's college of natural resources. The map that checkers the top is from the same place. The legs are transplanted from a stool I bought at a thrift store, which is also where I got the paint. I painted the bottom with two coats, screwed the legs on, painted the top, cut out squares from the map (of the Coeur D'Alene area) and attached them to the top with Mod Podge. I think I'll get some clear acrylic sealer to spray over the top as well. Cost of materials was about $5. Not bad, except that the color clashes with my red couch. I've never built anything resembling furniture before, and this makes me want to do more. Ehehe...

10:14 pm - Dentistry

I barely got in to see my dentist over winter break; my mother is currently working in their office and called me when they had a no-show. One of the things that is most frustrating to me about visiting the dentist is the lack of background information. You sit in your chair, they lean you back, make obscure measurements in your mouth, and then sternly inform you that, while you have lovely teeth, more flossing is in order (with the implication that if this warning is not heeded, dire diseases will be your fate). Without any specific information about the benefits of flossing or the demerits of the diseases, how is one to discern between an overzealous dentist who delivers the same warning to every patient, and an actual health concern?

Asking a lot of questions helps, though this can be difficult when your mouth is clogged with sharp metallic instruments. After my dental hygienist took my x-rays, she looked at them worriedly and went through the standard "more flossing" fare, but when the dentist himself came in for his brief consult, I asked to see what specifically was wrong with my teeth and why flossing would help. The two of them showed me what look like tiny dings on the sides of both teeth surrounding two of the spaces in the back of my mouth. Because the dings do not extend all the way through the enamel, which is the hard white substance on the outside of the teeth, they don't need to be filled. If the indentations get deep enough to eat through the enamel and into the softer dentine, the cavity will spread rapidly and need an immediate filling. Flossing removes bacteria that build up between teeth and on residual food particles, but the bacteria themselves aren't the main enemy facing the teeth. The body's own immune system fights the bacteria, causing inflammation and cavities and breaking the bonds between the teeth and the gums. By removing the bacteria daily through flossing, they are prevented from building colonies large enough to trigger much of an immune response. Apparently fluoride can sometimes trigger remineralization of the tooth and reverse the process, so there is hope for my neglected teeth.

I thought it was interesting, and so far it's been far more motivational than the standard fare: I've been flossing my teeth every day since. Mostly because I have my own medical insurance now, and cavities are expensive.

01:55 pm - Scary things

There has been a lot of new research about substances affecting human health recently, and I thought I'd share. Some of these articles are frightening, and if reading such things is likely to make you stressed and paranoid, then you should avoid reading them. Stress is bad for you. However, if you're interested in ways to make better choices about health and can avoid getting too stressed about the things you can't control, you may find this helpful.

Melamine: Melamine, the chemical that has been linked to infant deaths in China recently, is used in many fertilizers in the U.S. and has recently been detected in certain baby formulas. Levels that the FDA approves are calculated for a 132-pound person, which may put children and some adults at risk.
Our Home-grown Melamine Problem: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/17/opinion/17mcwilliams.html
Test Results for Baby Formula: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/melamine/testresults.html

Parkinson's Disease: A UCLA study found exposure to the fungicide Ziram was a common factor in 400 cases of Parkinson's disease in the San Joaquin Valley in California. Ziram is commonly used on grapes, and agricultural workers were at especially high risk.
http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1016795.html

BPA: BPA is a chemical found in many plastics, including Nalgene water bottles, baby bottles, and microwave-safe food containers. It was recently banned in Canada due to health concerns. Studies have found that even at extremely low levels, BPA causes neurological, behavioral, and birth defects in laboratory animals and possibly breast cancer. A recent study showed that amounts that cause damage in laboratory animals commonly leach from plastics heated in microwaves and ovens, even when these plastics are labeled microwave-safe.
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/34532034.html

Teflon: Inhaling the fumes from heated non-stick pans coated with teflon can cause flu-like symptoms.
http://sundaygazettemail.com/News/200812050678

Cancer: Eating processed meats has been linked to increased incidence of colorectal cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research claims that any amount of processed meat (which includes sausage, salami, pepperoni, ham, etc.) increases your risk, and they recommend you only eat them for special occasions.
http://www.aicr.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=12898&news_iv_ctrl=0&abbr=pr_

The Media: A cumulative look at many studies shows that increased exposure to television, music, and movies in youth is correlated with childhood obesity, drug and alcohol use, and early sexual activity. The article also claimed that these risks are highly correlated with what type of programming is being viewed. They didn't look at internet or social networking use.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/01/AR2008120102920.html?hpid=sec-educat

And some positive news:

In the San Francisco area, a group called Food Runners will pick up leftovers from farmer's markets and even private parties and take it to the hungry. If you live in that area, you can even call them and they'll give you an address of people to take your food to.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97360726&ft=1&f=1053

Health insurance companies near Madison, Wisconsin are giving members cash rebates for investing in local community-supported agriculture (CSA) farms. The idea is that those members are making an effort to eat healthy food.
http://www.madisoncommons.org/?q=node/563

Anyway, hopefully this didn't depress you too much.

04:24 pm

Sometimes real things are so crazy-looking that it's difficult to believe that the world isn't photoshopped.



Tonight's sunset, though the photo doesn't do it justice.

11:00 pm - elections

Tuesday evening, I watched the election coverage with a group of friends, and we toasted when Obama was announced as President elect. I don't expect any presidency to be as perfect as their campaign makes them sound; even giving the presidency enough power to keep all their campaign promises would be a frightening departure from the system of checks and balances imposed by our constitution. I know the new presidency will disappoint me at times, but right now all the signs are pointing to a much more hopeful world.

One of the most heartening signs is President elect Obama's commitment to involving people. I was heartened by the sentiments he expressed in his victory speech Tuesday night:

"There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people."

10:04 pm - Update

I haven't been posting much lately, so here's a brief update:


-Fish are eating my snails. This was the result I was hoping for. Yay!
-Smurf, Josh and I went friend-visiting in Seattle last weekend. We also spent some time looking at the Lucy exhibit and early hominid fossils in the Pacific Science Center there, which was quite awesome.
-Went to a movie last night called 'For the Bible Tells me so,' which is a documentary about religious families with homosexual children. Highly recommended, but bring tissues. I wonder how some of my family members would react to this.
-If you missed unofficial International Cephalopod Appreciation Day (OCTOber 8th), you need to acquire some calamari and belatedly celebrate.
-I haven't done laundry in weeks.
-Don't ever agree to do multiple time-intensive experiments at a time. It really sucks.
-It is far too cold outside.

06:40 pm - Spider

Spider III
Originally uploaded by leisurelyviking

11:56 am - Western Spaghetti

This is a beautiful little stop-motion film about making spaghetti using somewhat unusual methods.

09:01 am - McCain video

This video, while obviously very one-sided and probably containing many things out of context, is one of the scariest things I've seen lately.

12:43 am - Codifying nature's rights

Ecuador is holding a vote this month to determine whether to accept a new constitution which would codify specific rights for nature.

Not only would the new constitution give nature the right to "exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution," but if it is approved, communities, elected officials and even individuals would have legal standing to defend the rights of nature.

Chapter: Rights for Nature

Art. 1. Nature or Pachamama, where life is reproduced and exists, has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution.

Every person, people, community or nationality, will be able to demand the recognitions of rights for nature before the public organisms. The application and interpretation of these rights will follow the related principles established in the Constitution.

Art. 2. Nature has the right to an integral restoration. This integral restoration is independent of the obligation on natural and juridical persons or the State to indemnify the people and the collectives that depend on the natural systems.

In the cases of severe or permanent environmental impact, including the ones caused by the exploitation on non renewable natural resources, the State will establish the most efficient mechanisms for the restoration, and will adopt the adequate measures to eliminate or mitigate the harmful environmental consequences.

Art. 3. The State will motivate natural and juridical persons as well as collectives to protect nature; it will promote respect towards all the elements that form an ecosystem.

Art. 4. The State will apply precaution and restriction measures in all the activities that can lead to the extinction of species, the destruction of the ecosystems or the permanent alteration of the natural cycles.

The introduction of organisms and organic and inorganic material that can alter in a definitive way the national genetic patrimony is prohibited.

Art. 5. The persons, people, communities and nationalities will have the right to benefit from the environment and form natural wealth that will allow wellbeing.

The environmental services are cannot be appropriated; its production, provision, use and exploitation, will be regulated by the State.

01:18 pm - lonely

I am in Portland until Thursday and in need of fellow adventurers to wander the streets/parks/libraries/sellers of delicious things with me. If you're around and interested, drop a line.

03:21 pm - steampunk earrings

I've been feeling crafty lately, and made these earrings yesterday from pieces of a broken watch. I think they're awesome.

04:07 pm

Some yellow jackets are building a nest right above my front door so that I almost hit them when I open it. I noticed them when one stung me as I brought my groceries in. Now I must attempt to relocate or kill them without suffering any more stings.

Update: Yay! My awesome landlord came over and killed the yellow jackets a few hours after I called him.