Science Q&A

From my ThinkGeek newsletter, the greatest bit of science Q&A I think I have ever read:

Dear Timmy,

When I drink grape juice, and then I go pee, where does all the purple go?

Brandon
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, The blue and green planet


Dear Brandon,

I'm surprised no one has ever talked to you about this before ... what ever are they teaching you in high school biology these days? Basically, the process is very simple. The "purple", as you call it (the technical term would be "tannins"), is processed by your kidneys and broken down into its constituent reds and blues. The reds are injected into your arteries, which is what makes your blood red, and the blues are injected into your veins, which is why your veins appear blue under your skin. What's left over is basically white grape juice, which as we all know is pretty much the right color already.

As a side note, have you ever wondered why the blood in your veins will appear red once its outside your body, even though it was blue when it was under your skin? Well, the answer comes from a branch of physics called optics, which studies things like colors. Red, as it turns out, is water soluble, so the blood absorbs it. Blue, however, floats on top of the blood and ends up coating the inner walls of the veins. When you cut into a vein, only the red actually escapes.

Isn't science wonderful (and sarcastic)?

-- Timmy

Useless Waste of Time

...but I like it anyway.


(click to see the animation :])

More Prettys :]

1970 Nova SS recreation







1973 Datsun 240Z








1974 Ford Maverick





If only I had money!
[...I could pay for college and not a car]

Browsing Cars

I was browsing some cars (not like I have money to buy one) and came across this quiz.
I don't know about the description on this, but I like the way the car looks.
I have said that if I had enough money to buy a new car, I'd buy an old car. Perhaps this is what I need.

What kind of Muscle Car are You? 1973 Ford Gran Torino You are a 1973 Ford Gran Torino. You love Fords and hate Chevys....but you love seeing the look on their face when you smoke them on the road. Starsky and Hutch is your favorite show!

Good Music

I have tried numerous times to "realign" my musical tastes or find "substitutes" but the same thing always happens and I go back to what I enjoy (...makes sense right?)
Doom, death, black, melodic, atmospheric, gothic -- Metal.
Why is it that my favorite genres are comprised of things I feel I should not listen to??
The bands that describe themselves as "devilish" or "often cites Luciferian Saga as an important influence to the band." Names like Pagan Angel, Tiamat, Within Temptation . . .

My mom has a tendency to think the 'darker sound' itself is evil. I disagree.
However, I don't understand it. What attracts me so much? Why do the majority of these styles seem to be seeped in ancient religious lore?
I don't like attempting to make myself choose between a sound I like and themes that rot my brain.

This is just my rant for the day. However, I am curious of other's thoughts, feelings, and your take on good music.


[First posted on MySpace on Feb 25, 2008]

Chalk Art

Some intelligent individuals have been roaming campus with chalk (and eggs) in hand.
A few of their "creations":






"We're bleeding for nothing"











"Every time you vote republican... God kills a kitten. Think."

(I really wish this one was easier to read. It amuses me.)








"Mom"

:]










"Your mom goes to college!"







Such artistic talent. [insert sarcastic scoff here]