Blogging from a small part of the Internet linked to NYC.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

What year century is this?

"Accused Witch Gives Birth While Hanging From Tree"

Oh my goodness! Yes, that is true headline. It actually happened. No, not 20 years ago. JUST THIS MONTH! FEBRUARY 2008!

And it's not like this is some ultra-remote, deep-and-hidden-in-the-forest location. As you can read, the article mentions how they have a medical examiner and a police force. I will always say, you can never be sure what people are capable of doing. Especially when logic is removed from the picture.

Un-freaking-believable!

Friday, February 22, 2008

Watchmen ends shooting!

They closed the set of Watchmen. NOT because there's a problem. But because THEY FINISHED SHOOTING!!! I AM SO HAPPY!!

Now, post-production starts. I've been waiting for a "Watchmen" movie since I first heard mention of one about 20 years ago. And this looks like it'll live up to the story.

Here are the main characters:



Here is an image from the comic book:



Now, the related scene in the movie:



Yes... it'll be HOT! See you on the ticket line.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

TEP's Biggest Loser 2

TBL2!

We're back again for another competition. Which frat fatty will lose the most fat?

Tonight I went to do the stairs on 187th Street. I thought I would die. Exercising in the cold sucks! When you're sucking in that cold air, your lungs want to refuse the cold invasion, but your body is desperately SCREAMING for oxygen.

I met up with Roach and Fido, and we barely squeezed out three sets. That's SO bad compared to doing about twice that towards the end of TBL1.

We're supposed to meet up again on Tuesday. When I typed that, my legs screamed a little. I'm already scared.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Myths and Legends

I just read these articles about the factual basis of certain myths. The articles discuss how certain aspects of myths and fairy tales are, or could be, based on real life.

"The Science of Fairy Tales" discusses how Rapunzel could have used her hair to allow a prince to climb up to her tower prison, and the science behind a floating carpet.

In "The Science of Sea Monsters" we read that a Narwhal's tusk was the basis of unicorn myths, and other creatures (such as the Giant Squid) were perceived as sea monsters.

And in "The Surprising Realities of Mythical Creatures" we learn that, after a closee encounter with a "sea maiden", Columbus wrote in his journal that they were "not as pretty as they are depicted". It's funny that anyone would think a manatee was any kind of "maiden".

And there are many other animals that were the actual basis of many other legendary monsters. King Kong was based on actual gorillas. Dragons were based on MUCH smaller lizards. Just imagine, how you would perceive a tarantula, if one fell on your face after a scary trip and fall in the dark. An exceptionally strong man might easily have been the basis for Hercules, Samson, etc..

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Mini Blizzard

I had just come from doing some shopping, when a neighbor says "Wow, look at the snow." Sure enough, it's snowing. Must have started the second after I walked in.

I look out the window of my apartment, there's the snow. Just a few flakes.

As I'm putting some things away, and I hear the wind pick up. I look outside, and it's like a friggin' blizzard! I can barely see the building down the street.

Vilma, the kids and I are looking outside, admiring the snow. I go to get something to drink, I come back, look out the window, and... nothing. It's clear outside! IT ALREADY STOPPED SNOWING! It only lasted about ten minutes.

Wild. Just... wild.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

BSG Last Supper



I was looking at this picture, and realized that there is no "Christ" in the photo. They try to make it seem as if Caprica Six is the central figure, but notice how she's just off-center. Also, there are only twelve people shown. The "Last Supper" image shows twelve apostles in four groups of three, with Jesus as the 13th and central figure.

The "Christ" figure must be absent. Maybe the character hasn't the character hasn't appeared on the show yet? It's said that the missing character is the last, unrevealed Cylon. Not to sound religious, but could it not also mean that there's no "savior" in BSG?

Also, the missing character might be someone Lee Adama betrays (since he's in the "Judas" seat).

Friday, February 08, 2008

OH... MY!

I had a "Fat Cat" flashback today.

The Wolf over at Word of the People, posted something about a bacon-wrapped hot dog which was just outlawed in California. The picture ALONE made my mouth water.

DAMN, I'm seriously considering going out to Jersey to find one... or three.

C'mon, honestly... Just LOOK at it and say you don't want one. Don't lie!



But I can't. I'm starting a weight-loss competition with the guys. (will post soon about that)

NOTE: I once ate FIVE Fat Cats in less than a day. Yes, I thought I was gonna die. But in a good way.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

An observation

Just a little while ago, a girl passed out in the hallway here at the college. I was just down the hall and half saw her fall and heard her land HARD. I ran over to make sure she was okay, and guy claiming to be her friend said "She's okay, just give her some room." He picked up her phone, stood up and started saying her name, to get her to wake up.

I'm telling my own students, who are crowding around, to go to their classroom, but they just want to gawk. Hey, it's human nature.

Then I realize that the guy hasn't even bent down to even see if she's okay! He's just saying her name, like she's taking a nap! I say "Let me make sure she's breathing okay." He says "She's okay, this happened to her before." I'm thinking he's not too bright, because she fell on her face HARD! I don't want to move her, but I check to see that she's breathing, she is. I ask her a couple of questions to see if she's alert, but she out. Her eyes are fluttering. I call security and ask them to get help up here, they're on their way. Cool.

Then come "people". ugh.

There are a couple of sayings I'm going to apply here, the first from the movie "Men in Black", "People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." The second, "You can tell a lot about a person by how they react in a crisis."

There are people in the hallway saying "Why hasn't anyone called 9-1-1?", "Can't someone make sure she's breathing!", "I think she's having a seizure. Someone should put something in her mouth!"... People are just standing around looking, someone calls.. somebody, who tells them to turn the girl on her back. I say "Be careful! She could have something broken!" The person answers "But he told me to turn her over!" Suddenly, it feels like there are 6-7 people on my back rushing to get a better look. The college's Volunteer Emergency Squad, who are first responders, show up start taking vitals, someone says "Did they call 9-1-1!? Do they even know what they're doing? Tell them to call 9-1-1!" A few more security officers show up... to apparently just stand there. They're not even stopping students from walking by. By the time the EMTs show up, there's a nice murmur of "unprofessional opinions" going on. And even then, they're still criticizing what's going on. "Shouldn't they put the collar on first?" While the EMTs are asking the girl questions, people are calling, answering for her. "Yes, she fell!", "I think she's on medication.", "That guy said she had a seizure!"

AGH!

People are so quick to panic, so ready to act out of fear. It simply amazes me sometimes. I take out my phone and snap a picture to capture the moment if even for myself. This is right before the EMTs carted her off.



Now, I'm not saying I don't gawk at an accident. I can gawk with them best of them. But damn, if there's an emergency, either do something to help, or get out of the way. ESPECIALLY when someone with ANY more training than you is on the scene. And... shut up, no one cares what you saw 5 minutes AFTER the fact, and what you heard someone else say. Calm down, take a breath, try to think rationally.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Could Our Universe Be A Virtual Reality Processed By Other Intelligence?

ā€œIf Iā€™m in a virtual reality, the graphics are great, but the plot sucks.ā€
- Anonymous student

Monday, February 04, 2008

Super Bowl 2008


MAN! That was a good game! Woo! Baby! Woo!

Just the last three minutes alone were good. A catch against a helmet, a Hail Mary throw... God must love the Giants! and New York! and me!

I am SO out of shape! The frat brothers played a football game that same day, "old guys" vs "young guys". We "old guys" rocked them 5-2! I was dying. I REALLY need to do something. Midway through the game, I was exhausted. I needed oxygen! BADLY! I was dizzy and everything had that "fading to brightness" like I was going to die. I survived, somehow. Woo!