I don't even have to initiate an explanation of the phenomenon that is Harry Potter. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, all the way to the finale': Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; the aptly named genious J.K. Rowling has kept us mystified for years.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (SS) was introduced when I was in High School. It seemed the dorkiest of the dorky were the few with their noses burried in the binding. I deemed it as something silly and didn't want a part of it. It progressed to mainstream "Popular culture" status and I still didn't want a part of it. Even now, I look for ways of only using Paris Hilton's iconic personallege for SEO. That way, maybe SOMEHOW...I might get a better ranking and a larger reader base. Has it worked yet?
When I first saw the preview for SS at some other peckless movie, I immediately fell in love with the suspense, dark heebe-jeebies, and overall the majestic cinematography. I didn't start reading the books until after I had watched the 2nd (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets [CoS]), I conformed and read Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban (PoA). A heroing tale, daunting to say the least. I was amazed by how involved I became!
With each title, the charismatic world enveloped me into the magically non-Muggle world. Every plot twist, and the development of each character enchanted me.
With the quarter-life crisis of trying to identify who I am, I've tried to (excuse the cliche' or banality) "read between the lines." Most of which has been to identify the caracteristics of the characters - Who they are, what they did, how they react, etc. I've been amazed at the depth each character (main, and even peripheral), and what virtues they embrace.
My goal in the next couple weeks is to identify what each character has to teach us about the Muggle world.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
DCA for the BODy (How to cure cancer?)
I came across this tidbit that I found interesting! A non-corrosive salt of Dichloroacetic Acid (DCA) was found to stimulate the mitochondria of cancer cells.
Why is this good??
Cancer cells use glycolysis and not oxidation as a source of energy. Usually cancer cells have damaged mitochondria (used by normal healthy cells for energy through oxidation). This is bad, because the body's mechanism for destroying damaged cells (Apoptosis) is linked to mitochondria, and renders this function useless. So, cancer cells live and divide freely to form tumors.
Univ. of Alberta scientists found that DCA restores midochondrial funtion (which in-turn restores Apoptosis). This is found to reduce the size of tumors in vitro and in rats.
For further reading - New Scientist.
Why is this good??
Cancer cells use glycolysis and not oxidation as a source of energy. Usually cancer cells have damaged mitochondria (used by normal healthy cells for energy through oxidation). This is bad, because the body's mechanism for destroying damaged cells (Apoptosis) is linked to mitochondria, and renders this function useless. So, cancer cells live and divide freely to form tumors.
Univ. of Alberta scientists found that DCA restores midochondrial funtion (which in-turn restores Apoptosis). This is found to reduce the size of tumors in vitro and in rats.
For further reading - New Scientist.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Ominous Bereavement
Distant thunder ripples through his skull: relentlessly supple pounding in his ear pressed against the haloing grass slows to a dribble. He gasps for precious oxygen as tepid blood congeals down his upper lip. His strength dissolves as atrophy embodies his deteriorating body and lightening prickles his vision from gasping asphyxiation. A dark silhouette glides creeping toward as he loses the battle over death.
Blackness surmounts.
“CHARGE!”
Hooves crushed earth to hasten beyond capacity. Snorts and resonating thunder from trampling enveloped the distant battle horn. Adrenaline shrouded his surroundings as his sight channeled. Glistening armor, swords, shields – all beamed sunlight into his eyes and temporarily blinded. His steed pounced ahead of the others entranced and coveting the desires of his master, as if part of his soul.
“JAYDEN!” echoed behind but deafly falls.
The steed sprinted with increasing ferocity. Jayden’s gaze honed to his mark, the single black rupture in the shimmering sea ahead. The black hole lacked definition, the only characterization was silhouette and those eyes.
Arrows blanketed the sun.
Jayden’s eyes squinted to view what he was to extinguish: the belligerent ruby couplet mountaining far above their expected stature. The Eclipse began to pucker all surrounding light, engulfing reflection, seemingly all matter.
Jayden struck the preliminary line. Clank, pang and clash of metal resulted. Bounding farther, cutting deeper, the stallion took the burden. Swords and spears infiltrated its hide. Impervious to pain, the horse sustained its fervor.
Jolts of blue lightening belted from the Blackness. Instantaneously the horse fell as if it ran into a wall. Jayden was flung over its neck and flipped, losing consciousness.
He awakens to moonlight with blood trickling from his nose. Beating of his own heart is all Jayden hears. Trying to grasp on to the strings that hold his life, the rubies drift effortlessly closer until life departs. The Entity fells a sword into Jayden’s chest. Fluently, the demonic blade penetrates without resistance, assuring no opportunity to endure.
Blackness surmounts.
“CHARGE!”
Hooves crushed earth to hasten beyond capacity. Snorts and resonating thunder from trampling enveloped the distant battle horn. Adrenaline shrouded his surroundings as his sight channeled. Glistening armor, swords, shields – all beamed sunlight into his eyes and temporarily blinded. His steed pounced ahead of the others entranced and coveting the desires of his master, as if part of his soul.
“JAYDEN!” echoed behind but deafly falls.
The steed sprinted with increasing ferocity. Jayden’s gaze honed to his mark, the single black rupture in the shimmering sea ahead. The black hole lacked definition, the only characterization was silhouette and those eyes.
Arrows blanketed the sun.
Jayden’s eyes squinted to view what he was to extinguish: the belligerent ruby couplet mountaining far above their expected stature. The Eclipse began to pucker all surrounding light, engulfing reflection, seemingly all matter.
Jayden struck the preliminary line. Clank, pang and clash of metal resulted. Bounding farther, cutting deeper, the stallion took the burden. Swords and spears infiltrated its hide. Impervious to pain, the horse sustained its fervor.
Jolts of blue lightening belted from the Blackness. Instantaneously the horse fell as if it ran into a wall. Jayden was flung over its neck and flipped, losing consciousness.
He awakens to moonlight with blood trickling from his nose. Beating of his own heart is all Jayden hears. Trying to grasp on to the strings that hold his life, the rubies drift effortlessly closer until life departs. The Entity fells a sword into Jayden’s chest. Fluently, the demonic blade penetrates without resistance, assuring no opportunity to endure.
Arrrrrggg!
So, I still can't get a connection with my laptop...Is it about time to call comcast and buy my own connection? Phewy I say! Well, I guess you're going to have to wait for the good stuff! Sorry.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Hang Over-ology
Last night while drifting into the nether-reaches of insomnia, I came across a thought. I believe this zombie-fied reverie was induced. But a recollection of a project from Analytical Chemistry 450 involving Gas-Chromatography/Mass-Spectrometry and certain “Adult Beverages” brought up an interesting idea that you’re probably accustomed to.
“Ah, yes!” you say? That pesky little headache and spinning when you awake for Sunday morning church. It’s caused by acrimonious buggers (a.k.a. congeners and fusel alcohols) made by your body, or consumed the previous night.
Caution: if you are a Geek, read on. Otherwise skip these paragraphs!
You digest alcohol (ethanol) that is in said “Adult Beverages” into acetaldehyde with an enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase). Acetaldehyde is mildly toxic. There is another byproduct from trace amounts of methanol that exists from the fermentation process. Methanol alone is very toxic, and can lead to blindness in large amounts. But the methanol can be broken down by dehydrogenase as well to form Acetone (that stinky stuff that’s in nail polish remover) – another very toxic chemical. Einsteinism: the darker the alcohol = more congeners (i.e. red wine as opposed to white; scotch vs vodka).
Dehdration is key too.
Ethanol is broken down to water and carbon dioxide (do you get the toots when you drink?!). Ethanol inhibits ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) in the kidneys. ADH signals the kidneys to absorb water. So if ADH is inhibited, the kidneys would release the water from the broken down alcohol, plus whatever water was originally in the beverage to begin with (This might be why you wait in line for the bathroom at bars!).
Non-Geeks: You may read on now!
Next time you play Beer Pong or Flippy Cup, mind your congeners and fusel alcohols!
“Ah, yes!” you say? That pesky little headache and spinning when you awake for Sunday morning church. It’s caused by acrimonious buggers (a.k.a. congeners and fusel alcohols) made by your body, or consumed the previous night.
Caution: if you are a Geek, read on. Otherwise skip these paragraphs!
You digest alcohol (ethanol) that is in said “Adult Beverages” into acetaldehyde with an enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase). Acetaldehyde is mildly toxic. There is another byproduct from trace amounts of methanol that exists from the fermentation process. Methanol alone is very toxic, and can lead to blindness in large amounts. But the methanol can be broken down by dehydrogenase as well to form Acetone (that stinky stuff that’s in nail polish remover) – another very toxic chemical. Einsteinism: the darker the alcohol = more congeners (i.e. red wine as opposed to white; scotch vs vodka).
Dehdration is key too.
Ethanol is broken down to water and carbon dioxide (do you get the toots when you drink?!). Ethanol inhibits ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) in the kidneys. ADH signals the kidneys to absorb water. So if ADH is inhibited, the kidneys would release the water from the broken down alcohol, plus whatever water was originally in the beverage to begin with (This might be why you wait in line for the bathroom at bars!).
Non-Geeks: You may read on now!
Next time you play Beer Pong or Flippy Cup, mind your congeners and fusel alcohols!
Intellectual Bonbons
Well, I decided that I didn't want just a solemnly boring blog.
For those that don't know me go here for the solemnly boring blog!
This is a little exodus from the norm for me. Not only am I going to try to inject a little humor and stupidity into my writing, but I'm also using a hosted format.
So...I dedicate this blog to brain candy, or other things you might find interesting (well, at least I find them interesting). Just throw back the recliner and dabble into the brain of an inane intellectual.
For those that don't know me go here for the solemnly boring blog!
This is a little exodus from the norm for me. Not only am I going to try to inject a little humor and stupidity into my writing, but I'm also using a hosted format.
So...I dedicate this blog to brain candy, or other things you might find interesting (well, at least I find them interesting). Just throw back the recliner and dabble into the brain of an inane intellectual.
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