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**Books I'm Reading**
Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice, and Sustainability
by Lierre Keith
Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes
The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason - by Sam Harris
Contents Copyright © 2003-2010 by Brent Zupp — All Rights Reserved.
Wii Tennis - Cheats, Tips, Hints
Nintento Wii Tennis Cheats, Tips, Hints from various sources...
Power serve - Some serves will have a trailing streak behind them and are difficult to return. These are power serves. To do one, time a quick swing to coincide with the top of the ball's arc. Controller angle is important. If your serving motion mimics an overhead tennis serve, then the controller needs to be angled forward and down, like in a true tennis serve or overhead smash. BTW, there's no way to aim the serve.
Self-Made Man Norah Vincent - Journey Into Manhood
Two Sides of Norah Vincent
Norah Vincent was a gender spy.
To write her book Self-Made Man: One Woman's Journey into Manhood and Back, she transformed herself into a male alter-ego she named "Ned." To look the part, she got a haircut, added fake stubble to her face and 15 lbs. of muscle to her upper-body. She bound her chest, wore a suit and tie, and inserted a fake penis into her male briefs.
Norah Vincent pretended to be man for 18 months.
During that time she went to strip clubs, joined a bowling league, attended a men's monastery, and went out on dates -- all the while pretending to be a man named Ned.
In the end, Vincent suffered a nervous breakdown, angered some of those she deceived, and learned a lot about the culture of BOTH genders.
REAL Myers-Briggs Personality Types
Myers-Briggs Personality Types - Here's a hilarious version of the famous Myers-Briggs Personality Types. Totally loved the often comic book perspective. It's a lot of fun to guess where where you and others fit into this personality universe....I'm either an idealist or conspiracy theorist.
The Median Is NOT the Message - by Stephen Jay Gould
Stephen Jay Gould
Powerfully persuasive piece that helped me gain a "healthy" perspective on the statistics thrown out by doctors, researchers, other medical professionals--and the media. No understatement to say, this essay made a huge difference in my life and health.
The Median Isn't the Message
by Stephen Jay Gould
My life has recently intersected, in a most personal way, two of Mark Twain's famous quips. One I shall defer to the end of this essay. The other (sometimes attributed to Disraeli), identifies three species of mendacity, each worse than the one before - lies, damned lies, and statistics.
How American Indians Should Have Handled Illegal Aliens
Ear of My Heart - Most Inspirational Blog
Ear of My Heart - Most Inspirational Blog - This is my wife's blog, and as her worst critic, I can honestly say it contains among the most inspirational writing I have ever read. As an avid reader, that's saying something. Just look at her comments from other (less biased?) readers. LaRonda's Ear of My Heart blog is awesome!
Magic Bullet Blender - Honest Review
Magic Bullet Blender Review - After seeing the infomercial and doing a little investigation, I bought a Magic Bullet Blender through Amazon (cheaper shipping rates w/ Amazon). Reviews I read by others have been mixed (pardon the pun), though generally positive.
I use the Magic Bullet Blender almost every day for smoothies. It's become a morning ritual, made very easy with the Magic Bullet Blender. Here are the pros and cons I've found so far.
A.I. - Spielberg Directs for Kubrick
A.I. Movie poster
AI - Artificial Intelligence - Haley Joel Osment portrays a "mech" (robot) child who forms a unique, unbreakable obsession (love?) for his human "mommie." Steven Spielberg directed this emotional sci-fi story. Stanley Kubrick co-produced the film, but died before shooting started. Heard a rumor Kubrick was slated to direct; not sure that's true. Surely, it would have been a different story with Kubrick at the helm.
Frances O'Connor plays Osment's "mommie." It's a terribly emotional role. Programming a machine to "love" a human is one thing. But will the human love the machine? What happens if the human can't?
These are the questions posed in this film. I was quite stirred up by the end. Is love between a human and machine possible? Is hate? Are we prepared for such relationships?
Bush Butt Probed - Cheney in Charge
Perfect Happiness Requires Perfect Ignorance - Cartoon
Heaven is Where the Police are British...
Heaven is where the police are British,
the chefs Italian,
the mechanics German,
the lovers French,
and it's all organized by the Swiss.
Hell is where the police are German,
the chefs are British,
the mechanics French,
the lovers Swiss,
and it is all organized by the Italians.
Heaven, 1963 - by Kim Noriega
Heaven, 1963
by Kim Noriega
It's my favorite photo--
captioned, "Daddy and His Sweetheart."
It's in black and white,
it's before Pabst Blue Ribbon,
before his tongue became a knife
that made my mother bleed,
and before he blackened my eye
the time he thought I meant to end my life.
He's standing in our yard on Porter Road
beneath the old chestnut tree.
He's wearing sunglasses,
a light cotton shirt,
and a dreamy expression.
He's twenty-seven.
I'm two.
My hair, still baby curls,
is being tossed by a gentle breeze.
I'm fast asleep in his arms.
Young Boy Receives Flag...at Father's Funeral
No words....
Seven Blunders of the World - by Mahatma Gandhi
Seven Blunders of the World
- Wealth without work
- Pleasure without conscience
- Knowledge without character
- Commerce without morality
- Science without humanity
- Worship without sacrifice
- Politics without principle
Earth Conservation Corps - Making a Difference in DC
Earth Conservation Corp - Watched an inspiring story on Bill Moyer's NOW program about the Earth Conservation Corps in Washington D.C. The story has been covered by a lot of news outlets, including 60-Minutes' Bill Bradley. The Earth Conservation Corps is a non-profit on a mission to save both a polluted D.C. river and the disadvantaged teens that live in a violent D.C. neighborhood.
I was weeping by the end. Diamond Teague's death. The fate of others, especially Darius and Jerome, just hit me at my core. Some of the lives of these teens were cut short, which is especially tragic and unfair given the changes their participation in the Earth Conservation Corps started. But those that survive often change the direction of their lives in huge ways. And, perhaps even more important, their success inspires others to do the same.
Woman at St. Peters Square - by Michael Ging
Woman St. Peters Rome - Michael Ging - The more I looked at this photo of a woman in St. Peters, Rome, the more moved I felt. Michael Ging has created quite a stunning effect. Reminds me of photos by W. Eugene Smith. Had to share it here:
Kinoki - Detox Foot Pads
Kinoki Detox Foot Pads - What a bizzare idea...foot pads to remove toxins from inside your body.
A more plausible product would be detox anal pads.
I don't see how the Kinoki Detox Foot Pads could possibly work. But for $19.95 plus shipping, I can get all the pads I want FOR LIFE!
Yes! All I have to do is pay $9.95 shipping and handling for each additional set of pads. $10 bucks for S&H. Amazing Randi fans was not convinced by claims about Kinoki Detox Foot Pads. One reader had this explanation of how the pads "work".
I wonder how long this company will last. Below are some detox foot pads offered via Amazon that are cheaper.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb - Investment Advice
In Fooled by Randomness, Nassim Nicholas Taleb teases us with the idea that we can take advantage of black swan events in our life and in our investments. I say tease because he's very short (pardon pun) on specifics in my reading. I want to try to flesh out the ideas as best I can.
Butt Out! - Apply Directly to the Forehead
Butt Out! - I heard about this bizzaro product or tool on reddit. After some investigation, I discovered the product is named Butt Out -- which describes exactly what the tool does. To learn more, have a look at the picture below.
It sure isn't a "pleasuring device" as someone suggested...
Robert Kowalski - Heart Healthy Supplement Regimen
Found this in Robert Kowalski's website. Lists in detail the cholesterol fighter's current regimen of vitamin, mineral, and other supplements.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb - Interview by Russ Roberts
My notes from interview Russ Roberts had with Nassim Nicholas Taleb.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb & Russ Roberts - Listened to a fascinating interview on EconTalk between Nassim Nicholas Taleb and Russ Roberts. Roberts (the interviewer) does a terrific job drawing out Taleb and clarifying the randomness expert's unconventional ideas and arguments.
Listening to Taleb is like watching a magician. His thought experiments and arguments seem like a slight of hand, and I'm often surprised by their conclusions. Makes for a wonderfully satisfying discussion. Roberts, again, doesn't let anything pass without getting clarity from Taleb.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Had Nassim Taleb been born in any other period, he would have certainly been put to death.
~ Carine Chichereau, co-translator of TBS.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb is one fascinating guy. His two books Fooled by Randomness and The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable have been sooooo thought provoking AND entertaining.
I read both in the span of a couple weeks (way too fast) and am now reading each again. The concepts are deceptively simple on the surface...and then so deep. Their counter-intuitive nature makes it hard to grasp their significance in a 30-second sound bite.
Jump Start Your Business Brain - by Doug Hall
Unusually Placid Doug Hall
Jump Start Business - Doug Hall - Entertaining and provides a great, easy-to-remember model for evaluating a business idea, product, or service. At Hall's consulting firm at Eureka! Ranch, he offers workshops that focus on answering the following three questions: What is your product's...
- Overt Benefit
- Real Reason to Believe
- Dramatic Difference
BTW, Hall was a judge in the first season of American Inventor.
Bridge to Terabithia - A REAL Children's Story
Bridge to Terabithia
An enemy is one whose story we have not heard.
~ Gene Knudsen Hoffman
Bridge to Terabithia - What a wonderful and deep children's story - a real children's story. I say real because the story illustrates how relationships and people change and are not set in stone. This is so refreshing.
Most kids stories -- most stories in general -- seem to follow a rigid formula where the good guys remain good, and bad guys remain bad. In contrast, in the Bridge to Terabithiam some of the bad guys (or gals) turn out to be real people; real people who changed and who turned out to have the same vulnerabilities as anyone else. Try to find that in a typical TV show, movie, or novel. So refreshing!
What the Buddha Did NOT Teach
What Buddha Did NOT Teach - This is a brilliant review by Geoff Hunt of "the difference between the right (simple) and wrong (complicated) view of the Buddha's teaching."
Geoff Hunt's words are lucid and grounded. Nothing superfluous, abstract or spiritual, really. It's all about the individual practice that relieves suffering. That's it.
Hunt emphasizes that Buddha didn't theorize or philosophize. Others did that later. Buddha simple taught a practice that helps set one free from pain and suffering.
This practice MUST be an individual journey and discovery. Buddha can teach a method, but the individual must experience and observe the practice and its effects for him or herself.
First Aid Myths - Useless or Dangerous?
First Aid Myths - Do NOT try these at home. Some first aid tips cause more harm than good.
- Myth - Pee on jellyfish sting - Since you are far more likely to suffer a jellyfish sting than a shark bite, know this: Peeing is not proven to help jellyfish stings (though testimonials abound). Instead, apply vinegar.
- Myth - Slather butter on a burn - Besides the obvious risk of infection, putting butter or any kind of grease on a burn can TRAP heat and cause scarring.
- Myth - Ice minor burns - Another bad idea. The sudden temperature change will cause more pain. Instead, apply cool water to clean and soothe the area.
Snow Falling On Cedars - Cinematography Masterpiece
Snow Falling on Cedars
Saw an absolutely beautiful film last night, Snow Falling on Cedars. The cinematography by Robert Richardson is simply exquisite -- every frame a fine photograph. And masterful editing by Hank Corwin knitted the abstract poetry of images into a compelling storyline, which included many flashbacks and dream sequences. It could have been a disaster, but the level of craftsmanship on this film was extremely high. Director Scott Hicks (Shine) orchestrated a nuanced work of art that deserved its 5 Oscar nominations and many other awards.
The acting in this movie was equally magnificent, with delicate, subtle performances by Max von Sydow, James Cromwell, Richard Jenkins (Six Feet Under), Ethan Hawke, and Yauki Kudoh (Memoirs of a Geisha). I particularly like Kudoh's performance, and that of Anne Suzuki who played her Hatsue character at a younger age. Sydow was also fantastic, and I love Richard Jenkins -- would like to see more of this guy.
Adapted from the international bestselling book Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson, the film is an experience in itself. Definitely worth viewing.
Buying the War - by Bill Moyers
Bill MoyersHow did the mainstream press get it so wrong? How did the evidence disputing the existence of weapons of mass destruction and the link between Saddam Hussein to 9-11 continue to go largely unreported?
~Bill Moyers
Buying the War by Bill Moyers is a fascinating report of how mass media was co-oped by the Bush administration to hammer home Bush's talking points: Iraq has WMDs, and Hussein was involved with 911. It's a devastating account of the media betraying their responsibility.
Leading Cause of Death in US ... Medical Treatment!
Death by Medicine - According to a review study, more deaths are caused annually in the U.S. by medical treatment and diagnostic procedures than by heart disease or cancer.
WTF!
| Condition | Deaths | Cost | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adverse Drug Reactions | 106,000 | $12 billion | Lazarou(1), Suh (49) |
| Medical error | 98,000 | $2 billion | IOM(6) |
| Bedsores | 115,000 | $55 billion | Xakellis(7), Barczak (8) |
| Infection | 88,000 | $5 billion | Weinstein(9), MMWR (10) |
| Malnutrition | 108,800 | ----------- | Nurses Coalition(11) |
| Outpatients | 199,000 | $77 billion | Starfield(12), Weingart(112) |
| Unnecessary Procedures | 37,136 | $122 billion | HCUP(3,13) |
| Surgery-Related | 32,000 | $9 billion | AHRQ(85) |
| ANNUAL TOTAL | 783,936 | $282 billion | |
| Heart Disease | 699,697 | ||
| Cancer | 553,251 |
And these numbers are based on reported deaths, which suggests the true death toll from medical treatment is much higher.
Is American Medicine Working? Here is the reviewers' reply...
Beyonce "Bidet" CD
Beyonce Bidet CD - What the hell were Beyonce's marketing people thinking? B' Day?
- Bidet - bi-'dA
- A bathroom fixture used especially for bathing the external genitals and the anal region
About the last thing I think about when admiring Beyonce is...well, actually...
Who is Anya Major? - Truth About Apple's 1984 Commercial
Anya Major
Anya Major Apple 1984 Commercial - Remember Apple Macintosh's 1984 Super Bowl commercial, the one with the gorgeous, sledgehammer-hurling woman dressed in red track shorts and white tank-top? The 60-second piece, which aired as a commercial only once, basically launched Apple's Macintosh computer.
Yes, but....
10 Water Park Survival Tips - Raging Waters
Water Park Survival Tips - Raging Waters - We spent our second Father's Day in a row at Raging Waters water park in San Jose, CA. A wonderful visit made even better because of these survival tips I learned during my first visit:
- Wear flip flops or water shoes - Don't let the rough walking surface turn the soles of your feet into hamburger. NOTE: Some rides/slides don't allow footwear. I either leave them at the foot of the ride, or stuff them in the back waistband of my swim shorts ;)
- Wear polarized sunglasses - Glare from the sun can be overwhelming at water parks. Polarized lenses reduce the glare much better than non-polarized sunglass lenses.
Pachelbel Rant by Rob Paravonian
Pachelbel Rant by Rob Paravonian is totally hilarious! Wonderful video!
MythBusters Show Lost Experiments - Kari Byron Bonus
MythBuster Kari Byron
I absolutely LOVE the Discovery Channel's MythBusters show. I get such vicarious pleasure out of watching Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman abuse each other (and their staff) in figuring out inventive ways to test both well-known and "lost" myths. Speaking of lost myths, Discovery Channel has released some clips of MythBuster's Lost Experiments.
Here's a summary of each experiment or clip, which should help you decide which clips are worth watching...
Match Stick Airplane Instructions Using Flies (the insect)
Building a matchstick airplane is one thing. Building a matchstick airplane powered by flies is another.
Totally hilarious. I wish I had the patience to actually attempt these instructions; however, they are worth a look, if only for their entertainment value. Funny stuff.
Here are some highlights...
Nerves Communicate by Sound - NOT Electricity
Fascinating new theory about how nerves talk with each other. New idea was "stimulated" by the fact we don't understand how anesthetics work, and that current theories of an anesthetic mechanism do not seem compatible with popular "electricity" theories of how nerves work.
But substitute sound for electricity, and things start to make sense. Fascinating idea. Below are some notes and quotes:
Flickr Batch Download Utilities
I love flickr. It's great for sharing my photos, and for finding some wonderful imagery to support my posts (per creative commons licensing in most cases).
But I was bummed that I couldn't batch download my flickr photos to my local machine--until I found these utilities:
Review of "Cabin Pressure" by Josh Wolk
Cabin Pressure: One Man's Desperate Attempt to Recapture His Youth as a Camp Counselor - The title got my attention; after the first page, I was hooked. Josh Wolk has written a totally hilarious book. Highly recommended.
 | Cabin Pressure: One Man's Desperate Attempt to Recapture His Youth as a Camp Counselor by Josh Wolk |
No More Wallet Butt - The ALL-ETT - World's Thinnest Wallet
ALL-ETT - No More Wallet Butt!!
No More Wallet Butt - ALL-ETT - Thinnest Wallet - Recently found and bought this extremely thin wallet -- the ALL-ETT.
- Weighs less than half an ounce.
- Has an empty thickness of about 1/32 of an inch.
I love my ALL-ETT! It's not a minimalist wallet by any means--it holds all the credit cards, cash, receipts, and other crap I routinely carry.
Fully loaded, the ALL-ETT is about as thick as my old wallet was empty.
Hooters "Breastaurants" - Got NO Milk!
Hooters Breastaurants - Got NO Milk! - I pulled into a motel late one night, and had this craving for a bowl of Cheerios. I had the cereal, but no milk. The front desk referred me to the Hooters Breastaurant next door -- the only eating establishment within walking distance. So I march in, trying not to ogle at the Hooters girls attending homesick businessmen. I finally get the attention of a Hooters waitress and make my request...
Pan's Labyrinth - The Purpose of Myth
Director Meets Myth
Watched Pan's Labyrinth by Mexican director Guillermo del Toro. The hype about this film is deserved. It's truly an adult fairy tale. Truly a work of art. Truly mesmerizing.
As I think over my experience of watching Pan's Labyrinth, I am struck by tone of the acting, the set and costume work, the story...and the purpose of myth.
