Eli, a 12-year-old gorilla, watches her baby daughter in Prague Zoo as they are shown to the public in the Czech capital for the first time.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Monday, December 20, 2004
Freezing my ASS off in NYC...
Current Conditions for New York, NY (10031)
13°F
Fair
Feels Like 0°F
13°F
Fair
Feels Like 0°F
| UV Index: | 1 Low |
| Dew Point: | -5°F |
| Humidity: | 35% |
| Visibility: | 10.0 miles |
| Pressure: | 29.84 inches and falling |
| Wind: | From the West at 10 gusting to 25 mph |
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
A cure for AIDS???
From The Globe and Mail
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| Associated Press |
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Piscataway, N.J. — Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a trio of drugs they believe can destroy HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, according to a published report.
The drugs, called DAPYs, mimic the virus by changing shape, which enables them to interfere with the way HIV attacks the immune system.
Tests conducted in conjunction with Johnson and Johnson have shown the drug to be easily absorbed with minimal side effects. It also can be taken in one pill, in contrast to the drug cocktails currently taken by many AIDS patients.
“This could be it,” Stephen Smith, the head of the department of infectious diseases at Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark, said. “We're all looking for the next class of drugs.”
A research team led by Rutgers chemist Eddy Arnold pre-published details of the most promising of the three drugs, known as R278474, last month in the electronic edition of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. Full details will be published in the journal in early 2005.
Dr. Arnold, 47, has worked at dismantling the AIDS virus over the last 20 years. He uses X-ray crystallography, a technique to determine the structure of molecules, the smallest particles that can retain all the characteristics of an element or compound.
The research has targeted reverse transcriptase, a submiscroscopic protein composed of two coiled chains of amino acids. It is considered HIV's key protein.
“Reverse transcriptase is very important in the biology of AIDS,” Dr. Smith said. “If you can really inhibit reverse transcriptase, you can stop AIDS.”
The optimism about R278474 stems from its potential to interfere with an enzyme that the virus needs to copy and insert itself into a human cell.
“We're onto something very, very special,” Dr. Arnold said.
Dr. Arnold established his lab at Rutgers' Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine in 1987. His current 30-member research team is partnered with Johnson and Johnson subsidiaries Janssen Pharmaceutica and Tibotec-Virco NV.
An important advancement in Dr. Arnold's research came in 1990 when Belgian scientist Paul Janssen was added to the collaboration. Dr. Janssen, considered a drug pioneer, published a paper that year that described a new drug that blocked reverse transcriptase but caused resistant strains of the virus to pop up too quickly.
Dr. Janssen sought out Dr. Arnold, who used crystallography to detail the structure of RT. Their work ultimately led to the RT inhibitors.
“We may eventually win the war against HIV/AIDS. That would be an extremely rewarding and satisfying outcome,” Dr. Arnold said.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Friday, December 10, 2004
An Ideal Night at the Theatre...
Call to prosecute over 'gay Jesus'
Friday, December 10, 2004 Posted: 5:26 AM EST (1026 GMT)
From CNN
LONDON, England (Reuters) -- A group of Christian protesters in Scotland has called on police to prosecute a theater company for blasphemy because it is putting on a play about a gay Jesus.
"If there is a blasphemy like this, Christians have to stand up," said Stephen Green of Christian Voice who protested outside a theatre showing Terence McNally's controversial play "Corpus Christi" at St Andrews University.
"Jesus Christ is being portrayed here as a foul-mouthed, drunken, promiscuous homosexual and that is an insult to my faith," Green told BBC Radio.
But the play's director, Zsuzsi Lyndsay, defended the production: "He is not portrayed as a drunken foulmouth. He doesn't say one bad word throughout the play."
Christian Voice was not placated. It has formally lodged a complaint with police, arguing that the American playwright's work was blasphemous. No decision has been taken yet.
THE ORIGINAL SUCKA!!!
From the BBC...
Friday, December 10, 2004 Posted: 5:26 AM EST (1026 GMT)
From CNN
LONDON, England (Reuters) -- A group of Christian protesters in Scotland has called on police to prosecute a theater company for blasphemy because it is putting on a play about a gay Jesus.
"If there is a blasphemy like this, Christians have to stand up," said Stephen Green of Christian Voice who protested outside a theatre showing Terence McNally's controversial play "Corpus Christi" at St Andrews University.
"Jesus Christ is being portrayed here as a foul-mouthed, drunken, promiscuous homosexual and that is an insult to my faith," Green told BBC Radio.
But the play's director, Zsuzsi Lyndsay, defended the production: "He is not portrayed as a drunken foulmouth. He doesn't say one bad word throughout the play."
Christian Voice was not placated. It has formally lodged a complaint with police, arguing that the American playwright's work was blasphemous. No decision has been taken yet.
THE ORIGINAL SUCKA!!!
From the BBC...
Thursday, December 09, 2004
JINGLE BELLS...
So now you can email Santa your Christmas wish. Nice. Apparently he'll reply back too...sounds like some fun is about to be had kiddos!!! I think Santa's gonna get a request for some S&M gear this year...Mwuahahaha..
It's supposed to start snowing soon. I can't wait. I'm gonna whip out my snowboard and shred down my hill. I can't wait to see the reactions I'll get.
Current Conditions for New York, NY (10031)
44°F
Light Rain Feels Like
41°F
UV Index: 0 Low
Dew Point: 40°F
Humidity: 85%
Visibility: 6.0 miles
Pressure: 30.08 inches and falling
Wind: From the East Southeast at 6 mph
Be a Billionaire .
It's supposed to start snowing soon. I can't wait. I'm gonna whip out my snowboard and shred down my hill. I can't wait to see the reactions I'll get.
Current Conditions for New York, NY (10031)
44°F
Light Rain Feels Like
41°F
UV Index: 0 Low
Dew Point: 40°F
Humidity: 85%
Visibility: 6.0 miles
Pressure: 30.08 inches and falling
Wind: From the East Southeast at 6 mph
Be a Billionaire .
RUMMY GETS PLANTED QUESTIONS!!!
At least now we KNOW there's a member of the media who's not pissing in his pants every time the Bush administration talks... if only more would step up.
The Millau bridge in France emerges through the fog..from the BBC.
The Millau bridge in France emerges through the fog..from the BBC.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Rudolph the Red Nosed Faggot
Is Rudolph Gay? My friend Steve Wieking seems to think so...
And for those of you who will undoubtedly get all touchy about that, GET OVER IT. It's a joke, people!!!!
And for those of you who will undoubtedly get all touchy about that, GET OVER IT. It's a joke, people!!!!
Your daily dose of Bush bashing....
"George Bush and the Rise of Christian Fascism"
From a church, nonetheless...Trinity United Methodist Church
And OH MY GOD! DID YOU HEAR? Like, President Bush, is like TOTALLY The New Antichrist!
From a church, nonetheless...Trinity United Methodist Church
And OH MY GOD! DID YOU HEAR? Like, President Bush, is like TOTALLY The New Antichrist!
Interesting...
Cancer Horoscope for week of December 9, 2004
One of my favorite prophets, John Hogue, thinks you Crabs can get lost in your dreamy visions at the expense of your commitment to the real world. Your karmic lesson, he says, is to "transcend your attachments to sweet but isolating illusions." I believe the coming months will offer you an excellent chance to accomplish this. If you're open to the truth, the real world will actually be more fun and interesting than your fantasy world. And the week ahead will provide you with a vivid opportunity to start the transition.
What does your horoscope say? Find out with Free Will Astrology.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Smelly rides and martinis.
"I like to have a martini, two at the very most, three I'm under the table, four I'm under my host!" Dorothy Parker
Man oh MAN what a night. Work sucked ASS! If anyone ever asks you to watch a show called "Rides", don't fucking do it.
Of course after work I have to haul ass to the 1 train to get home. Fucking thing doesn't come until nearly 12:30, so I just now get home around 1:15. Not only that, but the fucking train has like 5 bums on it, smells like complete horse shit, and is crowded as fuck.
From now on, I'm calling it the Bum train.
Man oh MAN what a night. Work sucked ASS! If anyone ever asks you to watch a show called "Rides", don't fucking do it.
Of course after work I have to haul ass to the 1 train to get home. Fucking thing doesn't come until nearly 12:30, so I just now get home around 1:15. Not only that, but the fucking train has like 5 bums on it, smells like complete horse shit, and is crowded as fuck.
From now on, I'm calling it the Bum train.
Ann Coulter, Wanda Sykes and a Seagull
So yesterday ended nicely. After work (which remained slow till the end), I went to my audition at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Surprisingly, I think it went really well. We shall see in two weeks or so. I performed a cold read of a monologue from Chekov's "The Seagull", which was surprisingly fun. I am so used to hearing all this nonsense about it being so difficult to do and such a drag, but I rather enjoyed it. Perhaps one day I will end up in one of his plays.
After the audition, I called Brian and arranged to meet up near Union Square at a diner called the Chat 'n' Chew. I wouldn't recommend it, the food is awful and way overpriced. After dinner, we decided to go see a flick at the nearby Regal cinema...National Treasure was the choice, and I can't say it was a very good one at that. What the hell is with Hollywood creating these preposterous movies that make little if any sense? I mean in the first 10 minutes, these "scientists" find an American ship from the 1700's buried in the Arctic. Not only that, but the fucking thing is 6 inches beneath the surface!!! The main character literally digs a hole the size of my fist and finds the ship. Ridiculous.
Anyway, after the movie we parted ways and I took the long route home. Decided to start the Prozac again, as I've been depressed as of late. Whatever, though, hopefully things will get better soon and I can cut it out.
On a sad note, I finished Buffy the Vampire Slayer last night. Unfortunately, the ending wasn't as good as I hoped. Guess that's life.
Oh, so today I woke up at the usual time, but got to work about 40 minutes late. Whatever, I don't care...just a temp, remember? Did all kinds of crap and really accomplished nothing (at least nothing personal). FOr lunch I ate a salad at my desk, which was boring as fuck. The weather here has been so shitty that it makes me want to vomit. After work, went straight to the subway, got home at like 6:30, changed, hopped on another subway, and here I am at work again...this time Reward TV. I have some stupid ass car show to do AGAIN tonight, and I don't want to at all...
Man, it's a good thing no one reads this, cause I'm just bitching away. lol.
I probably will get home around 12, pass out, then start the day YET AGAIN!!! WHOO HOO!!!
Oh, I got an email from Chad today. Miss him bunches. HOpe he comes to visit...that would be real fun.
And on another note, Ann Coulter is a cunt. I realize she's trying to be funny frequently, but jesus lady, YOU'RE NOT FUNNY!!!
Wanda Sykes is.
After the audition, I called Brian and arranged to meet up near Union Square at a diner called the Chat 'n' Chew. I wouldn't recommend it, the food is awful and way overpriced. After dinner, we decided to go see a flick at the nearby Regal cinema...National Treasure was the choice, and I can't say it was a very good one at that. What the hell is with Hollywood creating these preposterous movies that make little if any sense? I mean in the first 10 minutes, these "scientists" find an American ship from the 1700's buried in the Arctic. Not only that, but the fucking thing is 6 inches beneath the surface!!! The main character literally digs a hole the size of my fist and finds the ship. Ridiculous.
Anyway, after the movie we parted ways and I took the long route home. Decided to start the Prozac again, as I've been depressed as of late. Whatever, though, hopefully things will get better soon and I can cut it out.
On a sad note, I finished Buffy the Vampire Slayer last night. Unfortunately, the ending wasn't as good as I hoped. Guess that's life.
Oh, so today I woke up at the usual time, but got to work about 40 minutes late. Whatever, I don't care...just a temp, remember? Did all kinds of crap and really accomplished nothing (at least nothing personal). FOr lunch I ate a salad at my desk, which was boring as fuck. The weather here has been so shitty that it makes me want to vomit. After work, went straight to the subway, got home at like 6:30, changed, hopped on another subway, and here I am at work again...this time Reward TV. I have some stupid ass car show to do AGAIN tonight, and I don't want to at all...
Man, it's a good thing no one reads this, cause I'm just bitching away. lol.
I probably will get home around 12, pass out, then start the day YET AGAIN!!! WHOO HOO!!!
Oh, I got an email from Chad today. Miss him bunches. HOpe he comes to visit...that would be real fun.
And on another note, Ann Coulter is a cunt. I realize she's trying to be funny frequently, but jesus lady, YOU'RE NOT FUNNY!!!
Wanda Sykes is.
Monday, December 06, 2004
SCARY!!!!
I think this is what I'd look like if I wore zombie makeup. Only, this is what I look like normally, which is even scarier.
On your marks...get set...
And here is my first post. Originally this was put on livejournal, but I think blogger is better. here we go!!!
Another day, Another dream
Waking up at 7:30 in the morning is not my idea of a fun time. So one can imagine how I felt when the most annoying sound in the world rudely interrupted my illustrious dreams of happiness. Thus is how my morning began. Strike that. Thus is how my morning has begun since I moved to New York. I jumped in the shower, threw on some clothes (and by that, I mean threw on a pair of 6 year old slacks and a short sleeve blue shirt that I am none too happy with, but can't afford anything else at the moment). Then I popped in a copy of The Eminem Show into my CD player (don't ask) and barely made the 9:05 1 train. After the 35 minute commute, I ran into Au Bon Pain and grabbed a muffin along with some juice, just cause I know that I will DIE of starvation if I don't eat SOMETHING. Then up the elevator (after waiting a bit, cause the elevators here SUCK ASS) and sat down in my chair, where I have been for the last 3 hours.
Highlights of the day thus far: Read a great NY Times article about hating christmas. It made me laugh out loud, which I'm sure is another strike to my case for sanity in this office (people tend to distrust you when you burst out in laughter for no apparent reason). Check the article out here:
Check it out here
On another note, JoJo Ripley sent me an email with a chuckling joke. here's that one for you:
REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.
Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.
We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat-ass man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.
I told her that Santa's reindeer are MAGICAL. That's why they can FLY. Therefore, the rules of typical reindeer don't apply and they MUST be male, since they have male names. She countered with "Are you high ? Since when did magical reindeer exist apart from in your head.... lol". I love that woman.
What else? So far I have been recommended a movie by my thirty something coworker Jules. It's called "Fear of a Black Hat" and sounds pretty funny. Although a review on IMDB said it was exactly like "This is Spinal Tap", except with a black cast. Interesting. I'm sure I'll find it hilarious. After the recommendation, Jules and I had a smoke on the back stairs, which was interesting. I somewhat felt like I was breaking the rules, like a high school kid smoking in the bathroom. But then I remembered I'm an adult now...rules don't apply to me. Yeah right. Don't I wish.
Plans for the rest of today...lunch in a bit, then another 4 hours of sitting here wasting my time. At 6:30 I have an audition for the AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts) for their evening program. Hopefully that will go well...we shall see. Afterwards, I'm meeting Brian for dinner. Then I will head home and watch the very last episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That's gonna be hard to do. Kinda like closing a chapter in my life. Wait, what the fuck am I talking about? It's a fucking television show. Jesus christ, I am really lame these days.
And here's a picture of Saturn.
Waking up at 7:30 in the morning is not my idea of a fun time. So one can imagine how I felt when the most annoying sound in the world rudely interrupted my illustrious dreams of happiness. Thus is how my morning began. Strike that. Thus is how my morning has begun since I moved to New York. I jumped in the shower, threw on some clothes (and by that, I mean threw on a pair of 6 year old slacks and a short sleeve blue shirt that I am none too happy with, but can't afford anything else at the moment). Then I popped in a copy of The Eminem Show into my CD player (don't ask) and barely made the 9:05 1 train. After the 35 minute commute, I ran into Au Bon Pain and grabbed a muffin along with some juice, just cause I know that I will DIE of starvation if I don't eat SOMETHING. Then up the elevator (after waiting a bit, cause the elevators here SUCK ASS) and sat down in my chair, where I have been for the last 3 hours.
Highlights of the day thus far: Read a great NY Times article about hating christmas. It made me laugh out loud, which I'm sure is another strike to my case for sanity in this office (people tend to distrust you when you burst out in laughter for no apparent reason). Check the article out here:
Check it out here
On another note, JoJo Ripley sent me an email with a chuckling joke. here's that one for you:
REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.
Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.
We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat-ass man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.
I told her that Santa's reindeer are MAGICAL. That's why they can FLY. Therefore, the rules of typical reindeer don't apply and they MUST be male, since they have male names. She countered with "Are you high ? Since when did magical reindeer exist apart from in your head.... lol". I love that woman.
What else? So far I have been recommended a movie by my thirty something coworker Jules. It's called "Fear of a Black Hat" and sounds pretty funny. Although a review on IMDB said it was exactly like "This is Spinal Tap", except with a black cast. Interesting. I'm sure I'll find it hilarious. After the recommendation, Jules and I had a smoke on the back stairs, which was interesting. I somewhat felt like I was breaking the rules, like a high school kid smoking in the bathroom. But then I remembered I'm an adult now...rules don't apply to me. Yeah right. Don't I wish.
Plans for the rest of today...lunch in a bit, then another 4 hours of sitting here wasting my time. At 6:30 I have an audition for the AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts) for their evening program. Hopefully that will go well...we shall see. Afterwards, I'm meeting Brian for dinner. Then I will head home and watch the very last episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That's gonna be hard to do. Kinda like closing a chapter in my life. Wait, what the fuck am I talking about? It's a fucking television show. Jesus christ, I am really lame these days.
And here's a picture of Saturn.
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