Just kidding. ALthough, man have I been using "daylight savings time" for a LONG TIME.
Check it out.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
You're doing it wrong.
WSU Corrects YOUR English (Washington State University, not Weber State University.)
Just kidding. ALthough, man have I been using "daylight savings time" for a LONG TIME.
Check it out.
Just kidding. ALthough, man have I been using "daylight savings time" for a LONG TIME.
Check it out.
OH MY GOSH.
6 Die From Brain-Eating Amoeba in Lakes
By CHRIS KAHN, Associated Press Writer
PHOENIX - It sounds like science fiction but it's true: A killer amoeba living in lakes enters the body through the nose and attacks the brain where it feeds until you die. Even though encounters with the microscopic bug are extraordinarily rare, it's killed six boys and young men this year. The spike in cases has health officials concerned, and they are predicting more cases in the future. "This is definitely something we need to track," said Michael Beach, a specialist in recreational waterborne illnesses for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"This is a heat-loving amoeba. As water temperatures go up, it does better," Beach said. "In future decades, as temperatures rise, we'd expect to see more cases." According to the CDC, the amoeba called Naegleria fowleri (nuh-GLEER-ee-uh FOWL'-erh-eye) killed 23 people in the United States, from 1995 to 2004. This year health officials noticed a spike with six cases _ three in Florida, two in Texas and one in Arizona. The CDC knows of only several hundred cases worldwide since its discovery in Australia in the 1960s.
In Arizona, David Evans said nobody knew his son, Aaron, was infected with the amoeba until after the 14-year-old died on Sept. 17. At first, the teen seemed to be suffering from nothing more than a headache. "We didn't know," Evans said. "And here I am: I come home and I'm burying him." After doing more tests, doctors said Aaron probably picked up the amoeba a week before while swimming in the balmy shallows of Lake Havasu, a popular man-made lake on the Colorado River between Arizona and California.
Though infections tend to be found in southern states, Naegleria lives almost everywhere in lakes, hot springs, even dirty swimming pools, grazing off algae and bacteria in the sediment. Beach said people become infected when they wade through shallow water and stir up the bottom. If someone allows water to shoot up the nose - say, by doing a somersault in chest-deep water - the amoeba can latch onto the olfactory nerve. The amoeba destroys tissue as it makes its way up into the brain, where it continues the damage, "basically feeding on the brain cells," Beach said. People who are infected tend to complain of a stiff neck, headaches and fevers. In the later stages, they'll show signs of brain damage such as hallucinations and behavioral changes, he said.
Once infected, most people have little chance of survival. Some drugs have stopped the amoeba in lab experiments, but people who have been attacked rarely survive, Beach said. "Usually, from initial exposure it's fatal within two weeks," he said.
Researchers still have much to learn about Naegleria. They don't know why, for example, children are more likely to be infected, and boys are more often victims than girls. "Boys tend to have more boisterous activities (in water), but we're not clear," Beach said. In central Florida, authorities started an amoeba phone hot line advising people to avoid warm, standing water and areas with algae blooms. Texas health officials also have issued warnings. People "seem to think that everything can be made safe, including any river, any creek, but that's just not the case," said Doug McBride, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services. Officials in the town of Lake Havasu City are discussing whether to take action. "Some folks think we should be putting up signs. Some people think we should close the lake," city spokesman Charlie Cassens said.
Beach cautioned that people shouldn't panic about the dangers of the brain-eating bug. Cases are still extremely rare considering the number of people swimming in lakes. The easiest way to prevent infection, Beach said, is to use nose clips when swimming or diving in fresh water. "You'd have to have water going way up in your nose to begin with" to be infected, he said.
David Evans has tried to learn as much as possible about the amoeba over the past month. But it still doesn't make much sense to him. His family had gone to Lake Havasu countless times. Have people always been in danger? Did city officials know about the amoeba? Can they do anything to kill them off?
Evans lives within eyesight of the lake. Temperatures hover in the triple digits all summer, and like almost everyone else in this desert region, the Evanses look to the lake to cool off. It was on David Evans' birthday Sept. 8 that he brought Aaron, his other two children, and his parents to Lake Havasu. They ate sandwiches and spent a few hours splashing around. "For a week, everything was fine," Evans said. Then Aaron got the headache that wouldn't go away. At the hospital, doctors first suspected meningitis. Aaron was rushed to another hospital in Las Vegas. "He asked me at one time, 'Can I die from this?'" David Evans said. "We said, 'No, no.'"
On Sept. 17, Aaron stopped breathing as his father held him in his arms. "He was brain dead," Evans said. Only later did doctors and the CDC determine that the boy had been infected with Naegleria.
"My kids won't ever swim on Lake Havasu again," he said.
By CHRIS KAHN, Associated Press Writer
PHOENIX - It sounds like science fiction but it's true: A killer amoeba living in lakes enters the body through the nose and attacks the brain where it feeds until you die. Even though encounters with the microscopic bug are extraordinarily rare, it's killed six boys and young men this year. The spike in cases has health officials concerned, and they are predicting more cases in the future. "This is definitely something we need to track," said Michael Beach, a specialist in recreational waterborne illnesses for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"This is a heat-loving amoeba. As water temperatures go up, it does better," Beach said. "In future decades, as temperatures rise, we'd expect to see more cases." According to the CDC, the amoeba called Naegleria fowleri (nuh-GLEER-ee-uh FOWL'-erh-eye) killed 23 people in the United States, from 1995 to 2004. This year health officials noticed a spike with six cases _ three in Florida, two in Texas and one in Arizona. The CDC knows of only several hundred cases worldwide since its discovery in Australia in the 1960s.
In Arizona, David Evans said nobody knew his son, Aaron, was infected with the amoeba until after the 14-year-old died on Sept. 17. At first, the teen seemed to be suffering from nothing more than a headache. "We didn't know," Evans said. "And here I am: I come home and I'm burying him." After doing more tests, doctors said Aaron probably picked up the amoeba a week before while swimming in the balmy shallows of Lake Havasu, a popular man-made lake on the Colorado River between Arizona and California.
Though infections tend to be found in southern states, Naegleria lives almost everywhere in lakes, hot springs, even dirty swimming pools, grazing off algae and bacteria in the sediment. Beach said people become infected when they wade through shallow water and stir up the bottom. If someone allows water to shoot up the nose - say, by doing a somersault in chest-deep water - the amoeba can latch onto the olfactory nerve. The amoeba destroys tissue as it makes its way up into the brain, where it continues the damage, "basically feeding on the brain cells," Beach said. People who are infected tend to complain of a stiff neck, headaches and fevers. In the later stages, they'll show signs of brain damage such as hallucinations and behavioral changes, he said.
Once infected, most people have little chance of survival. Some drugs have stopped the amoeba in lab experiments, but people who have been attacked rarely survive, Beach said. "Usually, from initial exposure it's fatal within two weeks," he said.
Researchers still have much to learn about Naegleria. They don't know why, for example, children are more likely to be infected, and boys are more often victims than girls. "Boys tend to have more boisterous activities (in water), but we're not clear," Beach said. In central Florida, authorities started an amoeba phone hot line advising people to avoid warm, standing water and areas with algae blooms. Texas health officials also have issued warnings. People "seem to think that everything can be made safe, including any river, any creek, but that's just not the case," said Doug McBride, a spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services. Officials in the town of Lake Havasu City are discussing whether to take action. "Some folks think we should be putting up signs. Some people think we should close the lake," city spokesman Charlie Cassens said.
Beach cautioned that people shouldn't panic about the dangers of the brain-eating bug. Cases are still extremely rare considering the number of people swimming in lakes. The easiest way to prevent infection, Beach said, is to use nose clips when swimming or diving in fresh water. "You'd have to have water going way up in your nose to begin with" to be infected, he said.
David Evans has tried to learn as much as possible about the amoeba over the past month. But it still doesn't make much sense to him. His family had gone to Lake Havasu countless times. Have people always been in danger? Did city officials know about the amoeba? Can they do anything to kill them off?
Evans lives within eyesight of the lake. Temperatures hover in the triple digits all summer, and like almost everyone else in this desert region, the Evanses look to the lake to cool off. It was on David Evans' birthday Sept. 8 that he brought Aaron, his other two children, and his parents to Lake Havasu. They ate sandwiches and spent a few hours splashing around. "For a week, everything was fine," Evans said. Then Aaron got the headache that wouldn't go away. At the hospital, doctors first suspected meningitis. Aaron was rushed to another hospital in Las Vegas. "He asked me at one time, 'Can I die from this?'" David Evans said. "We said, 'No, no.'"
On Sept. 17, Aaron stopped breathing as his father held him in his arms. "He was brain dead," Evans said. Only later did doctors and the CDC determine that the boy had been infected with Naegleria.
"My kids won't ever swim on Lake Havasu again," he said.
"Childrens do Learn"
My buddy who draws for a living conjured up this lovely rendition of our Commander-in-Chief who so eloquently described the results of No Child Left Behind on the youth of our fine nation. I am not making this up
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
OK
I promise to stop blogging about my cats. I now know why people post 8 million pictures of their kids. But my grandmother sent me this (she is trying to be supportive as I have only given her grandkitties and not grandkiddies) and it is pretty funny. Especially if you have cats.
* Excerpts from a Cat's Diary*
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.
The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...
* Excerpts from a Cat's Diary*
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.
The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...
Monday, September 24, 2007
Congress... Hard at work
H.R. 2693 - Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. Woolsey / Education and Labor Committee)
This bill would require OSHA to issue an emergency standard to minimize worker exposure to diacetyl – the chemical used as a butter flavoring in microwave popcorn and in other products. The emergency standard applied to the food flavorings industry as well as popcorn manufacturing and packaging. OSHA would then be required to issues a final statement within two years that would apply to all locations where workers are exposed to diacetyl. The bill was approved in committee by voice vote.
This bill would require OSHA to issue an emergency standard to minimize worker exposure to diacetyl – the chemical used as a butter flavoring in microwave popcorn and in other products. The emergency standard applied to the food flavorings industry as well as popcorn manufacturing and packaging. OSHA would then be required to issues a final statement within two years that would apply to all locations where workers are exposed to diacetyl. The bill was approved in committee by voice vote.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Elizabeth vs. Rosie
You know, I don't watch The View - but apparently the other day it got interesting.
Oh my goodness.
Oh my goodness.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
In non-kitty related news
Commanding General Petraeus was on the Hill Monday reporting about the progress in Iraq. (Or lack there of.) Tuesday was 9/11. It was all an interesting confluence of events. I have started a class in my masters program about the theory of homeland security. I thought the class was going to be about the nuts and bolts of DHS, but it is more philosophy than org charts - very good.
So there I was on the first day of class on the 10th of September learning about how the United States has been attacked by foreign governments, individuals etc. numerous times before. Remember the War of 1812 - pesky British. Pearl Harbor, Puerto Ricans in the Capitol? 9/11 was nothing new, I mean it was bad and on a large scale, but every generation has feared something. Duck and cover drills for fear of Russian nuclear attacks... see what I mean.
So why did we rush to create the Department of Homeland Security? I'm not asserting that everyone doesn't need to work together, but is another government entity the answer.
Sheesh, I'm starting to sound like a Republican.
So there I was on the first day of class on the 10th of September learning about how the United States has been attacked by foreign governments, individuals etc. numerous times before. Remember the War of 1812 - pesky British. Pearl Harbor, Puerto Ricans in the Capitol? 9/11 was nothing new, I mean it was bad and on a large scale, but every generation has feared something. Duck and cover drills for fear of Russian nuclear attacks... see what I mean.
So why did we rush to create the Department of Homeland Security? I'm not asserting that everyone doesn't need to work together, but is another government entity the answer.
Sheesh, I'm starting to sound like a Republican.
Kitty Watch
So... Bianca (kitty little) is doing a bit better. She is so needy. I'll play with her and pet her and then when I leave and shut the door it's like bloody murder. She sticks both paws and half her face under the door and screams! I have taken to wearing her out before bed time and giving her a nice big meal so she will sleep.
Chloe got out of her room yesterday. She hid behind the washer for hours. I finally caught her and put her BACK in her room. I decided against clipping her nails as she had probably had enough drama for one day. I also bought her a scratching post so she would not have her way with my leather chair.
The drama continues.
Chloe got out of her room yesterday. She hid behind the washer for hours. I finally caught her and put her BACK in her room. I decided against clipping her nails as she had probably had enough drama for one day. I also bought her a scratching post so she would not have her way with my leather chair.
The drama continues.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Here kitty kitty
I just adopted two kittens. Big kitty is adjusting nicely. Big kitty is 4 months old. Kitty little (11 weeks) is having a hard time of it. The poor little thing won't stop crying. I spent the night in the bathtub with her so she would not be so traumatized. Oh man is a bathtub not a fun place to sleep.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
A list of things I would rather be doing other than work...
Painting
Surfing
Riding
Skating
Sleeping
Reading
Eating
Running
Spinning
Skulling
Kayaking
Nothing
Learning about oysters... oh wait, that is work.
Surfing
Riding
Skating
Sleeping
Reading
Eating
Running
Spinning
Skulling
Kayaking
Nothing
Learning about oysters... oh wait, that is work.
Work
As a general policy, blogging about work is not a good idea. But I don't want to blog about my job, I just feel compelled to blog about work in general.
It sucks.
Ok, much better now.
It sucks.
Ok, much better now.
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