Oh Hi Everyone!!
Sorry for the long wait between blog posts. It was one hellish week last week!
So, after being very stressed this past week and a depressing start to this week I decided to write. Writing to me is very soothing and is an outlet to all the feelings I'm keeping couped up inside. So, me being the nerdy person I am, I have a poem that I wrote while relaxing after the past week. It was actually based on this idea from a fiction book I read a couple years back. You see, in the book, it was a time before writing and this one girl was about to travel far from home. Her mother, having made the same trip before, had a song for her daughter, providing directions.
So this is my Travel Song. It's in ballad form and uses iambic tetrameter. Here we go!
Lay down the sweet sawed planks of Earth
Walk up the braids of rope
Push off the dock to fairly part
And pray for Sur’s new hope
Turn right for left and left for right
Beware of Mermaid’s Cove
You have left our Serpent’s Coil
Head East for Hoarder’s Drove
Swing West for open waves of sea
Sway North for biting ice
Row South for hidden Serpents Bay
Do not forget your Dice
Come back with treasures of renown
Laden down with heavy gold
Return with each sun silver haired
Lay not down in the cold
So far the weary traveler
Doth go to seek Brave
Fair thee well, oh travelers dear
We watch for Chaos Rave
Sail on! Do not look backwards for
So much to see ahead
Hands Aboard! Tie the ropes do down fast
To search for River’s Head
Lay down the sweet sawed planks of Earth
Walk up the braids of rope
Push off the dock to fairly part
And pray for Sur’s new hope
Monday, October 4, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Phobias Revisited!
Oh hi everyone!
So, this may be my last blog posting a for while since I have 4 tests, 1 essay, and 1 project all due next week! But int he spirit of the weekend, I took another look at the random and interesting words that you can find on the Internet when you are supposed to be studying.
Just about everyone in America has had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It doesn't matter what type of bread, peanut butter or jelly/jam. And what goes best with peanut butter and jelly? Well a glass of milk! The saltiness of the peanut butter and sweetness of the jelly all mushing together to into one big sticky blob on the roof of your mouth which is then pried off by the cool, silky smoothness of the milk.
But what if you are afraid on peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth? No, seriously.
And the phobia of the day is Arachibutyrophobia! Also known as the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.
So how does one develop Arachibutyrophobia? Although, I couldn't find anything specific I would assume that the person with Arachibutyrophobia had a bad experience with peanut butter when they were younger or heard about someone who had a bad experience.
I know I almost choked on a piece of bacon when I was little. I couldn't eat bacon for weeks. I'm good now though.
So that was the word of the day!
Peace
So, this may be my last blog posting a for while since I have 4 tests, 1 essay, and 1 project all due next week! But int he spirit of the weekend, I took another look at the random and interesting words that you can find on the Internet when you are supposed to be studying.
Just about everyone in America has had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It doesn't matter what type of bread, peanut butter or jelly/jam. And what goes best with peanut butter and jelly? Well a glass of milk! The saltiness of the peanut butter and sweetness of the jelly all mushing together to into one big sticky blob on the roof of your mouth which is then pried off by the cool, silky smoothness of the milk.
But what if you are afraid on peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth? No, seriously.
And the phobia of the day is Arachibutyrophobia! Also known as the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.
So how does one develop Arachibutyrophobia? Although, I couldn't find anything specific I would assume that the person with Arachibutyrophobia had a bad experience with peanut butter when they were younger or heard about someone who had a bad experience.
I know I almost choked on a piece of bacon when I was little. I couldn't eat bacon for weeks. I'm good now though.
So that was the word of the day!
Peace
Thursday, September 23, 2010
10 Weirdest Diseases
Hello Again!
So today's topic is on 10 of the weirdest diseases that can be found on the planet. Let the fun commence.
1) Elephantiasis: grossly enlarged members
Do you know the play the "Elephant Man"? Well it's based on this disease. The scientific name is Lymphatic filariasis and is best known from dramatic photos of people with grossly enlarged or swollen arms and legs. The disease is caused by parasitic worms, including Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B. timori. All can be transmitted by mosquitoes. Lymphatic filariasis currently affects 120 million people worldwide, and 40 million of these people are seriously diseased. When an infected female mosquito bites a person, she may inject the worm larvae, called microfilariae, into the blood. The microfilariae reproduce and spread throughout the bloodstream, where they can live for many years. Often disease symptoms do not appear until years after infection. As the parasites accumulate in the blood vessels, they can restrict circulation and cause fluid to build up in surrounding tissues. The most common, visible signs of infection are excessively enlarged arms, legs, genitalia, and breasts.
2) Progeria: the 80-Year-Old Children
Personally, I think this one is really sad.
Progeria is caused by a single tiny defect in a child's genetic code, but it has devastating and life-changing consequences. On average, a child born with this disease will be dead by the age of 13. As they see their bodies fast forward through the normal process of ageing they develop striking physical symptoms, often including premature baldness, heart disease, thinning bones and arthritis. Progeria is extremely rare, there are only around 48 people living with it in the whole world. However, there is a family that has five children with the disease.
When two year-old Abys DeJesus grew dark, hairy patches on her face, doctors said she has a condition known as Human Werewolf Syndrome. The disease is called werewolf syndrome because people with it look like werewolves - except without the sharp teeth and claws. In Mexico, a large family of men had hair that covered their faces and upper bodies. Two brothers were even offered a part in the X-Files but they turned down the offer.
4) Blue Skin Disorder: the blue people
A large family simply known as the "blue people" lived in the hills around Troublesome Creek in Kentucky until the 1960s. They were the blue Fugates. Most of them lived past the age of 80, with no serious illness - just blue skin. The trait was passed on from generation to generation. People with this condition have blue, plum, indigo or almost purple skin.
5) Pica: the urge to eat non-food substances
People diagnosed with Pica have an insatiable urge to eat non-food substances like dirt, paper, glue and clay. Though it is believed to be linked with mineral deficiency, health experts have found no real cause and no cure for this disorder.
6) Vampire Disease: pain from the sun
There are people out there who go to great lengths to avoid the sun. If they are caught in the sun, their skin will blister. Some of them have pain and blistering as soon as the sun touches their skin. Ok, so they're not actually vampires. They don't drink blood and sleep in coffins, but they do suffer from a rare disease that has vampire-like symptoms.
7) Alice in Wonderland syndrome: time, space and body image are distorted
Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS), or micropsia, is a disorienting neurological condition which affects human visual perception. Subjects perceive humans, parts of humans, animals, and inanimate objects as substantially smaller than in reality. Generally, the object perceived appears far away or extremely close at the same time. For example, a family pet, such as a dog, may appear the size of a mouse, or a normal car may look shrunk to scale. This leads to another name for the condition, Lilliput sight or Lilliputian hallucinations, named after the small people in Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. The condition is in terms of perception only; the mechanics of the eye are not affected, only the brain's interpretation of information passed from the eyes.
8) Blaschko's lines: strange stripes all over the body
Blaschko's lines are an extremely rare and unexplained phenomenon of human anatomy first presented in 1901 by German dermatologist Alfred Blaschko. Neither a specific disease nor a predictable symptom of a disease, Blaschko's lines are an invisible pattern built into human DNA. Many inherited and acquired diseases of the skin or mucosa manifest themselves according to these patterns, creating the visual appearance of stripes. The cause of the stripes is thought to result from mosaicism; they do not correspond to nervous, muscular, or lymphatic systems. What makes them more remarkable is that they correspond quite closely from patient to patient, usually forming a "V" shape over the spine and "S" shapes over the chest, stomach, and sides.
9) Walking Corpse Syndrome: they believe to have died
It is a syndrome of mental depression and suicidal tendencies, in which the patient complains of having lost everything: possessions, part of or entire body, often believing that he or she has died and is a walking corpse. This delusion is usually expanded to the degree that the patient might claim that he can smell his own rotting flesh and feel worms crawling through his skin. The latter phenomenon is a recurring experience of people chronically deprived of sleep or suffering amphetamine/cocaine psychosis. Paradoxically, being "dead" often gives the patient the nation of being immortal.
10) Jumping frenchman disorder: weird reflexes
The main characteristic is that patients are extremely startled by an unexpected noise or sight. It's not just twitching when someone sneaks up behind you. Patients with this disorder flail their arms, cry out and repeat words. First identified in some of Maine's lumberjacks of French-Canadian origin, the odd reflex has been identified in other parts of the world, too.
Well there you have it. The top 10 Weirdest Diseases I could find!
Peace
So today's topic is on 10 of the weirdest diseases that can be found on the planet. Let the fun commence.
1) Elephantiasis: grossly enlarged members
Do you know the play the "Elephant Man"? Well it's based on this disease. The scientific name is Lymphatic filariasis and is best known from dramatic photos of people with grossly enlarged or swollen arms and legs. The disease is caused by parasitic worms, including Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B. timori. All can be transmitted by mosquitoes. Lymphatic filariasis currently affects 120 million people worldwide, and 40 million of these people are seriously diseased. When an infected female mosquito bites a person, she may inject the worm larvae, called microfilariae, into the blood. The microfilariae reproduce and spread throughout the bloodstream, where they can live for many years. Often disease symptoms do not appear until years after infection. As the parasites accumulate in the blood vessels, they can restrict circulation and cause fluid to build up in surrounding tissues. The most common, visible signs of infection are excessively enlarged arms, legs, genitalia, and breasts.
 |  |
2) Progeria: the 80-Year-Old Children
Personally, I think this one is really sad.
Progeria is caused by a single tiny defect in a child's genetic code, but it has devastating and life-changing consequences. On average, a child born with this disease will be dead by the age of 13. As they see their bodies fast forward through the normal process of ageing they develop striking physical symptoms, often including premature baldness, heart disease, thinning bones and arthritis. Progeria is extremely rare, there are only around 48 people living with it in the whole world. However, there is a family that has five children with the disease. 3) Werewolf Syndrome: the wolf people
When two year-old Abys DeJesus grew dark, hairy patches on her face, doctors said she has a condition known as Human Werewolf Syndrome. The disease is called werewolf syndrome because people with it look like werewolves - except without the sharp teeth and claws. In Mexico, a large family of men had hair that covered their faces and upper bodies. Two brothers were even offered a part in the X-Files but they turned down the offer. 4) Blue Skin Disorder: the blue people
A large family simply known as the "blue people" lived in the hills around Troublesome Creek in Kentucky until the 1960s. They were the blue Fugates. Most of them lived past the age of 80, with no serious illness - just blue skin. The trait was passed on from generation to generation. People with this condition have blue, plum, indigo or almost purple skin.5) Pica: the urge to eat non-food substances
People diagnosed with Pica have an insatiable urge to eat non-food substances like dirt, paper, glue and clay. Though it is believed to be linked with mineral deficiency, health experts have found no real cause and no cure for this disorder.
6) Vampire Disease: pain from the sun
There are people out there who go to great lengths to avoid the sun. If they are caught in the sun, their skin will blister. Some of them have pain and blistering as soon as the sun touches their skin. Ok, so they're not actually vampires. They don't drink blood and sleep in coffins, but they do suffer from a rare disease that has vampire-like symptoms.
7) Alice in Wonderland syndrome: time, space and body image are distorted
Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS), or micropsia, is a disorienting neurological condition which affects human visual perception. Subjects perceive humans, parts of humans, animals, and inanimate objects as substantially smaller than in reality. Generally, the object perceived appears far away or extremely close at the same time. For example, a family pet, such as a dog, may appear the size of a mouse, or a normal car may look shrunk to scale. This leads to another name for the condition, Lilliput sight or Lilliputian hallucinations, named after the small people in Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. The condition is in terms of perception only; the mechanics of the eye are not affected, only the brain's interpretation of information passed from the eyes.
8) Blaschko's lines: strange stripes all over the body
Blaschko's lines are an extremely rare and unexplained phenomenon of human anatomy first presented in 1901 by German dermatologist Alfred Blaschko. Neither a specific disease nor a predictable symptom of a disease, Blaschko's lines are an invisible pattern built into human DNA. Many inherited and acquired diseases of the skin or mucosa manifest themselves according to these patterns, creating the visual appearance of stripes. The cause of the stripes is thought to result from mosaicism; they do not correspond to nervous, muscular, or lymphatic systems. What makes them more remarkable is that they correspond quite closely from patient to patient, usually forming a "V" shape over the spine and "S" shapes over the chest, stomach, and sides.9) Walking Corpse Syndrome: they believe to have died
It is a syndrome of mental depression and suicidal tendencies, in which the patient complains of having lost everything: possessions, part of or entire body, often believing that he or she has died and is a walking corpse. This delusion is usually expanded to the degree that the patient might claim that he can smell his own rotting flesh and feel worms crawling through his skin. The latter phenomenon is a recurring experience of people chronically deprived of sleep or suffering amphetamine/cocaine psychosis. Paradoxically, being "dead" often gives the patient the nation of being immortal.
10) Jumping frenchman disorder: weird reflexes
The main characteristic is that patients are extremely startled by an unexpected noise or sight. It's not just twitching when someone sneaks up behind you. Patients with this disorder flail their arms, cry out and repeat words. First identified in some of Maine's lumberjacks of French-Canadian origin, the odd reflex has been identified in other parts of the world, too.
Well there you have it. The top 10 Weirdest Diseases I could find!
Peace
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Social Correctness
Hello Everyone!
So I know that the past several blogs have been well...alright I wimped out. So right now I'm going to make it up to with a nice, heavy, load topic that I will probably regret later tonight.
Social Correctness. Also known as political correctness or racial sensitivity. Yes, I know this topic has been on the metaphorical hot plate more times than we can count. But, how many people have actually experienced it? How many of you can honestly say that they have never used a racial slur?
Not many most likely. Maybe it's the area that we live in or a joke passed between friends but we do not realize the impact it may have on the people who may over hear us.
So, social correctness. A term coined by my very good friend (he's basically the older brother I never had). Basically, it means that people need to watch what they say. Common sense right? Apparently it isn't because some people today think it is OK to use a slur in passing because "that type of person isn't in the room right now."
Coming from a mixed background, it's hard to understand why people think it's alright. And when trying to have a calm adult conversation ends up becoming something completely different because the other party feels "offended that someone wants to talk to them about it." I don't understand.
So, social correctness. It doesn't matter what you think, as long as it isn't said. Even if it's just for those around you.
Maybe I'm naive in thinking like this but as a country, haven't we progressed to the point where we shouldn't feel the need to say these things?
Just a thought
Peace
So I know that the past several blogs have been well...alright I wimped out. So right now I'm going to make it up to with a nice, heavy, load topic that I will probably regret later tonight.
Social Correctness. Also known as political correctness or racial sensitivity. Yes, I know this topic has been on the metaphorical hot plate more times than we can count. But, how many people have actually experienced it? How many of you can honestly say that they have never used a racial slur?
Not many most likely. Maybe it's the area that we live in or a joke passed between friends but we do not realize the impact it may have on the people who may over hear us.
So, social correctness. A term coined by my very good friend (he's basically the older brother I never had). Basically, it means that people need to watch what they say. Common sense right? Apparently it isn't because some people today think it is OK to use a slur in passing because "that type of person isn't in the room right now."
Coming from a mixed background, it's hard to understand why people think it's alright. And when trying to have a calm adult conversation ends up becoming something completely different because the other party feels "offended that someone wants to talk to them about it." I don't understand.
So, social correctness. It doesn't matter what you think, as long as it isn't said. Even if it's just for those around you.
Maybe I'm naive in thinking like this but as a country, haven't we progressed to the point where we shouldn't feel the need to say these things?
Just a thought
Peace
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Beauty of Writing
Hello Again Everyone!
So today I just wanted to talk about The Beauty of Writing. For the past four weeks I have been listening to TWO different teachers talk about writing, mainly its development and impact on the different cultures of the world.
Literally, our entire culture changed because of of the development of writing. Before writing, we depended on memory. The memorization of our villages past. There was no room for abstract thinking.
But with writing, we developed science, philosophy, so on and so forth. We were able to expand outside of villages and become more independent because our personal identities no longer depended on the memories of others to BE remembered.
Just wrap your head around that. Writing gave us the freedom to explore, to think, to discover.
How awesome is that?
Peace
So today I just wanted to talk about The Beauty of Writing. For the past four weeks I have been listening to TWO different teachers talk about writing, mainly its development and impact on the different cultures of the world.
Literally, our entire culture changed because of of the development of writing. Before writing, we depended on memory. The memorization of our villages past. There was no room for abstract thinking.
But with writing, we developed science, philosophy, so on and so forth. We were able to expand outside of villages and become more independent because our personal identities no longer depended on the memories of others to BE remembered.
Just wrap your head around that. Writing gave us the freedom to explore, to think, to discover.
How awesome is that?
Peace
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
What Type of Dog Would You Be?
Hello Everyone!
For all those dog lovers out there, this post in for you! As a dog lover/parent I understand how attached you can be to the silly, adorable, fluffy part of your family. But while you watch all of their adorable antics, have you ever wondered what type of dog you would be? Ever wanted to know what breed of dog suits your personality the best?
Well, I know I have so I have taken three separate quizzes that asses your personality and matches your traits to the perfect puppy!
Quiz #3
I found this quiz on quizmeme.com. Overall the questions were just OK. I did not feel like that they really took a good look into my personality.
And my dog breed was....Golden Retriever. Accurate...I don't think I'm completely a retriever.
Quiz #2
This next quiz I found on dogster.com. This was a very cute quiz and was more in depth than some other quizzes.
Dog breed....Border Collie. Now I do believe this more so than a Golden Retriever but I still don't think it encompasses all of who I am.
Quiz #1
The final quiz I took was from quizilla.teennick.com. This quiz was cute and did have some depth. I think it was my favorite quiz because of the dog breed that it picked for me.
BOXER!!! I love boxers and their sweet, fun, energetic personality.
That's all for now!
Peace
For all those dog lovers out there, this post in for you! As a dog lover/parent I understand how attached you can be to the silly, adorable, fluffy part of your family. But while you watch all of their adorable antics, have you ever wondered what type of dog you would be? Ever wanted to know what breed of dog suits your personality the best?
Well, I know I have so I have taken three separate quizzes that asses your personality and matches your traits to the perfect puppy!
Quiz #3
I found this quiz on quizmeme.com. Overall the questions were just OK. I did not feel like that they really took a good look into my personality.
And my dog breed was....Golden Retriever. Accurate...I don't think I'm completely a retriever.
Quiz #2
This next quiz I found on dogster.com. This was a very cute quiz and was more in depth than some other quizzes.
Dog breed....Border Collie. Now I do believe this more so than a Golden Retriever but I still don't think it encompasses all of who I am.
Quiz #1
The final quiz I took was from quizilla.teennick.com. This quiz was cute and did have some depth. I think it was my favorite quiz because of the dog breed that it picked for me.
BOXER!!! I love boxers and their sweet, fun, energetic personality.
That's all for now!
Peace
Sunday, September 12, 2010
21 Going On 10: A Manual on How To Be Your Inner Child
Hello Everyone!
So after my last post, I have determined that it is high time for something lighthearted. So Today's topic is How to Be Your Inner Child.
Inspirartion. Well two friends and I went to a lake nearby and I was wading around in the water while the two of them sat in the sun. Well, out of the corner of my eye I saw a very small fish darting around. Naturally, I wanted to catch it with my bare hands. Afterall, HOW COOL WOULD THAT HAVE BEEN?! Unfortunately I was unable to catch said fish, BUT I did touch it!
So my two friends decided that there was no way that I could have just turned 21 because no self respecting 21 year old would have been caught dead (especially in broad daylight) chasing a fish that they knew they wouldn't have been able to catch and then boast about how they were able to touch it. They determined that I was actually 10. Thus 21 Going on 10.
Personally, I believe that your inner child should never die. It's that part of you that has those little insane, inane, and harmless impulses that cause you and the people around entertainment and joy. So here is my guide on How to Be Your Inner Child.
1) Let Go
Stop worrying about being made fun of because you wanted to do something completely and utterly ridiculous. Like, if your at a lake and want to chase a fish, chase the damn fish even though you know you can't catch it. Chances are you will have fun and create a memory that both you and your friends can laugh at later. Laugh with them! Yes you made a fool out of yourself but if you can't laugh at yourself, what can you laugh at?
Which leads to my next point...
2) No Limitations on Laughing
Laughing happens to be the best thing you can do for your body and mind. You will notice that under circumstances of extreme duress, everything seems better once you laugh for a little bit. It is also extremely useful in diffusing tense situations.
3) Baby Talk
It works wonders and saves lives!
How too: Make a sound dictionary. Certain sounds apply to certain things. Note: Everyones' sound dictionary is different.
Personally, I use my "Baby Talk" to describe things that I cannot find the words to describe. Like, goobo. To me, it usually applies to something (usually small fluffy animals) that is being so incredibly adorable that an "aw" doesn't quite cover the extensiveness of the cuteness.
4) Be Happy
Yes it sounds so easy to just be "happy" but have you ever tried to define what is "happy"? It is almost imposible to create a definition that is more involved than this:
1. delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing: to be happy to see a person.
2. characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy: a happy mood; a happy frame of mind
(courtesy of http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/happy)
So here is my one little piece of advice: If it makes you happy why aren't you doing it?
And finally....
5) Be Silly
Yes silliness is probably THE most important way to be your inner child. Afterall, boys will always laugh at fart jokes, even when they're 55 (if they say that it's not funny they are either LYING of there's a 10ft golden rod shoved up their A$$).
And the above metaphor applies to everyone!
There you have it: The Manual on How to Be Your Inner Child.
Peace
So after my last post, I have determined that it is high time for something lighthearted. So Today's topic is How to Be Your Inner Child.
Inspirartion. Well two friends and I went to a lake nearby and I was wading around in the water while the two of them sat in the sun. Well, out of the corner of my eye I saw a very small fish darting around. Naturally, I wanted to catch it with my bare hands. Afterall, HOW COOL WOULD THAT HAVE BEEN?! Unfortunately I was unable to catch said fish, BUT I did touch it!
So my two friends decided that there was no way that I could have just turned 21 because no self respecting 21 year old would have been caught dead (especially in broad daylight) chasing a fish that they knew they wouldn't have been able to catch and then boast about how they were able to touch it. They determined that I was actually 10. Thus 21 Going on 10.
Personally, I believe that your inner child should never die. It's that part of you that has those little insane, inane, and harmless impulses that cause you and the people around entertainment and joy. So here is my guide on How to Be Your Inner Child.
1) Let Go
Stop worrying about being made fun of because you wanted to do something completely and utterly ridiculous. Like, if your at a lake and want to chase a fish, chase the damn fish even though you know you can't catch it. Chances are you will have fun and create a memory that both you and your friends can laugh at later. Laugh with them! Yes you made a fool out of yourself but if you can't laugh at yourself, what can you laugh at?
Which leads to my next point...
2) No Limitations on Laughing
Laughing happens to be the best thing you can do for your body and mind. You will notice that under circumstances of extreme duress, everything seems better once you laugh for a little bit. It is also extremely useful in diffusing tense situations.
3) Baby Talk
It works wonders and saves lives!
How too: Make a sound dictionary. Certain sounds apply to certain things. Note: Everyones' sound dictionary is different.
Personally, I use my "Baby Talk" to describe things that I cannot find the words to describe. Like, goobo. To me, it usually applies to something (usually small fluffy animals) that is being so incredibly adorable that an "aw" doesn't quite cover the extensiveness of the cuteness.
4) Be Happy
Yes it sounds so easy to just be "happy" but have you ever tried to define what is "happy"? It is almost imposible to create a definition that is more involved than this:
1. delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing: to be happy to see a person.
2. characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy: a happy mood; a happy frame of mind
(courtesy of http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/happy)
So here is my one little piece of advice: If it makes you happy why aren't you doing it?
And finally....
5) Be Silly
Yes silliness is probably THE most important way to be your inner child. Afterall, boys will always laugh at fart jokes, even when they're 55 (if they say that it's not funny they are either LYING of there's a 10ft golden rod shoved up their A$$).
And the above metaphor applies to everyone!
There you have it: The Manual on How to Be Your Inner Child.
Peace
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