I found this site (SweetScam.com) by accident the other day, and found it to be quite interesting. It debunks many of the myths surrounding sugar, and supports a lot of the beliefs I've had about sugar for years.
For example, there's no such thing as sugar "hyperactivity" as it concerns kids. Definitely a pet peeve of mine when I hear someone say "Yeah, Johnny is pretty wound up with all the candy he just ate!". The kid is more likely to be hyperactive after eating a french fry, than a piece of chocolate.
Another one that bugs me, is that a large amount of sugar can lead to diabetes. Being that my blog namesake comes from the high-sugar drink Mountain Dew, I am definitely bothered by this false conclusion. In fact, the American Diabetes Association says simply "No, it does not.". Type 1 diabetes is genetic, and type 2 diabetes is a combination of genetics and being overweight (for the most part). Sure, sugar can contribute to weight gain, but so can any number of food sources.
Anyway, you might not agree with what the site presents, but they do a pretty good job of following up with references that you can read yourself to draw your own conclusions.
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Are We Not Men?
"We are DEVO!"
DEVO is coming to play at a venue, relatively close to where I live (about an hour drive). I'm not sure I'm going to go, but it would be pretty cool if I could. Definitely one of my favorite bands, and I've never seen them live.
I was reading their history page (see venue link above), and was surprised to see that one of the band members (Gerald Casale) has worked with the band Rush in the creation of music videos. How's that for a tie-in with the previous post!
The venue look interesting:
View Larger Map
A friend of mine said it's a reasonable size location, but you are right there with the band on the dance floor. That almost makes it worth going. Now where did I put my Energy Dome....
UPDATE:
It appears DEVO has postponed their show, because Bob Mothersbaugh cut his right thumb to the bone with a piece of glass! Ouch!!! I guess the whole tour is on hold.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Jacob's Ladder
A couple Fridays ago, I was making my hour-long commute home, when something really quite amazing happened.
We had just come off a week-long run of super hot weather (110-115 degrees F), and then suddenly we had this day of thunderstorms. I mean ALL day, the sky was alight with lightning, the explosions of thunder, and torrents of rain. That day, there were several times where the lightning and thunder exploded directly overhead, and everyone went to the office windows in amazement, and a little fear.
When it was time to go home, I was certain the freeways would be clogged with traffic, and my normal hour commute would drag on to nearly two hours. I grumbled a bit as I climbed into my car, with the rain beating down, and the lightning crashing all around. I drove the short distance to the freeway, and as I merged into traffic, the song "Jacob's Ladder" by Rush started playing on my XM radio.
Though I would rank Rush as one of my favorite bands, I had never heard this particular song before. As I listened to the words, it became quickly apparent that the song was completely appropriate for the strange weather. In fact, the sky seemed to dance in tune to the song, and I found myself in surreal state of mind as I watched the sky, and listened to the music.
At the climax of the song it happened: a full rainbow appeared just as the sun was vanishing behind me. The sky got darker, and the rainbow got brighter. At one point, there was a single shaft of multicolored light apparently bursting from the ground, and shooting upwards into the night sky. I realized I had to capture the moment, if possible, and tried to snap pictures with my cell phone. (yeah yeah, I know, not safe, yada yada) Anyway, the picture doesn't do the sight justice, but for what it's worth, here it is:
Jacob's Ladder - Rush
We had just come off a week-long run of super hot weather (110-115 degrees F), and then suddenly we had this day of thunderstorms. I mean ALL day, the sky was alight with lightning, the explosions of thunder, and torrents of rain. That day, there were several times where the lightning and thunder exploded directly overhead, and everyone went to the office windows in amazement, and a little fear.
When it was time to go home, I was certain the freeways would be clogged with traffic, and my normal hour commute would drag on to nearly two hours. I grumbled a bit as I climbed into my car, with the rain beating down, and the lightning crashing all around. I drove the short distance to the freeway, and as I merged into traffic, the song "Jacob's Ladder" by Rush started playing on my XM radio.
Though I would rank Rush as one of my favorite bands, I had never heard this particular song before. As I listened to the words, it became quickly apparent that the song was completely appropriate for the strange weather. In fact, the sky seemed to dance in tune to the song, and I found myself in surreal state of mind as I watched the sky, and listened to the music.
At the climax of the song it happened: a full rainbow appeared just as the sun was vanishing behind me. The sky got darker, and the rainbow got brighter. At one point, there was a single shaft of multicolored light apparently bursting from the ground, and shooting upwards into the night sky. I realized I had to capture the moment, if possible, and tried to snap pictures with my cell phone. (yeah yeah, I know, not safe, yada yada) Anyway, the picture doesn't do the sight justice, but for what it's worth, here it is:
Jacob's Ladder - Rush
The clouds prepare for battle
In the dark and brooding silence.
Bruised and sullen stormclouds
Have the light of day obscured.
Looming low and ominous
In twilight premature
Thunderheads are rumbling
In a distant overture...
All at once, the clouds are parted.
Light streams down in bright unbroken beams...
Follow men's eyes as they look to the skies.
The shifting shafts of shining weave the fabric of their dreams...
Friday, August 20, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Magnetic Declination
I was trying to explain to a friend of mine why my compass watch had to be calibrated to work correctly in Southern California. I realized as I was explaining that I had forgotten everything the Boy Scouts taught me (well, I technically never made it past Webelo).
Go forth onto Google!!! Found a couple of neat entries on True North, and Magnetic Declination, but the best part was finding this cool animated gif:
The image depicts the change in the Earth's Magnetic Field Declination from 1590 to 1990. It should be noted that at the time of WWII, there was a -10 line sweeping quickly through Europe... (Random correlation, or cause/effect? YOU decide!) ;-P
Oh wait, there was something else that's almost cooler than that image above. True North Snacks!! Mmmmmmm, snacks!
Go forth onto Google!!! Found a couple of neat entries on True North, and Magnetic Declination, but the best part was finding this cool animated gif:
The image depicts the change in the Earth's Magnetic Field Declination from 1590 to 1990. It should be noted that at the time of WWII, there was a -10 line sweeping quickly through Europe... (Random correlation, or cause/effect? YOU decide!) ;-P
Oh wait, there was something else that's almost cooler than that image above. True North Snacks!! Mmmmmmm, snacks!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Best. Game. Ever.
I don't know how to say it, but this is the best game I've ever played. Ever! I swear! Make sure you have some extra time on your hands, because this game is... addictive...
Damn, I still can't get over this game. Play it! Now!
Damn, I still can't get over this game. Play it! Now!
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