Thursday, July 02, 2009
"Unknown Lifeform in North Carolina Sewer!" the latest viral video to hit the intertubes sounds like the title of a B-movie (you can read the initial account here) but Gizmodo, the gadget blog, finally posted a report about the findings as released by DeepSeaNews.com who sent the video to Dr. Timothy S. Wood (an expert on freshwater bryozoa and an officer with the International Bryozoology Association) who had this to say, to quell the panic:
Thanks for the video – I had not see it before. No, these are not bryozoans! They are clumps of annelid worms, almost certainly tubificids (Naididae, probably genus Tubifex). Normally these occur in soil and sediment, especially at the bottom and edges of polluted streams. In the photo they have apparently entered a pipeline somehow, and in the absence of soil they are coiling around each other. The contractions you see are the result of a single worm contracting and then stimulating all the others to do the same almost simultaneously, so it looks like a single big muscle contracting. Interesting video.
Ok, so they're Tubifex worms (said to inhabit organically polluted waters). But what if it's a ruse? What if it's really one growing mass of unknown lifeform that escaped the government's clutches? When will we start calling Mulder and Scully?!
Labels: awesome, cool, curios, discovery, nature, new, uh-huh
@ 1:10 PM ---> Saturday, January 03, 2009
Movie FAIL. That's what happened tonight. I was supposed to go with the 'rents to watch Shake, Rattle & Roll X in Megamall, I searched a suitable schedule and cinema and went ahead to buy some pet supplies while they were waiting for the availability of the driver. It was getting late and I had to go ahead of them so everything would be smooth sailing, with no time being wasted. But when I had bought everything I needed, I waited. And waited. And waited.
I tried calling my mom's cellphone twice. Nobody's answering. I called the landline at home expecting they decided to call it quits. Nobody was answering. A couple of minutes later I received a text message from my mom sending her apologies for not hearing her phone ring and ton inform me that they were already inside the movie theater.
That sucks.
Then again, I thought, I didn't have any right to be angry about what happened, "Consider it a privilege if they decided to watch the movie with you." I already watch the movie anyway, so I decided to kill some time in Powerbooks till closing time. After the mall closed I decided to kill more time before having a late dinner by walking all the way though EDSA Central.
I didn't know they created a huge lawn in place of the old jeepney parking lot on the left side. Hooray for them. Wonder when that will open? I stopped by this small eatery we used to pass by but never entered to see how much a meal costs. A viand plus rice costs 2/3 less than what a burger meal in one of those fastfood chains usually costs. They're one of the series of small eateries open 24/7 in the area serving mostly employees of call centers nearby. After that small meal I walked the rest of the way home crossing over the recently constructed footbridge for the third time.
The chill in the air remains making the journey more bearable, at least, tonight.
I tried calling my mom's cellphone twice. Nobody's answering. I called the landline at home expecting they decided to call it quits. Nobody was answering. A couple of minutes later I received a text message from my mom sending her apologies for not hearing her phone ring and ton inform me that they were already inside the movie theater.
That sucks.
Then again, I thought, I didn't have any right to be angry about what happened, "Consider it a privilege if they decided to watch the movie with you." I already watch the movie anyway, so I decided to kill some time in Powerbooks till closing time. After the mall closed I decided to kill more time before having a late dinner by walking all the way though EDSA Central.
 |  |  |
I didn't know they created a huge lawn in place of the old jeepney parking lot on the left side. Hooray for them. Wonder when that will open? I stopped by this small eatery we used to pass by but never entered to see how much a meal costs. A viand plus rice costs 2/3 less than what a burger meal in one of those fastfood chains usually costs. They're one of the series of small eateries open 24/7 in the area serving mostly employees of call centers nearby. After that small meal I walked the rest of the way home crossing over the recently constructed footbridge for the third time.
The chill in the air remains making the journey more bearable, at least, tonight.
Labels: reminiscing, uh-huh, whatever
Friday, November 14, 2008
Do any of you remember that animated segment in Sesame Street where a small girl holding a balloon narrates her daydreams with, "What would happen if...?"
Now imagine what would happen if Adobe Photoshop came in a box and you'd have to set up everything manually?
Yeah. It looks crappy but what if the package comes with an undo button too?
Now imagine what would happen if Adobe Photoshop came in a box and you'd have to set up everything manually?
Yeah. It looks crappy but what if the package comes with an undo button too?
Labels: art related, awesome, cool, cute, funny stuff, pang-asar, uh-huh
Friday, October 17, 2008
After all, a blog with posts about abandoned pups can't be all that bad.
Labels: aaahh, cool, discovery, funny stuff, uh-huh, whatever
Saturday, September 13, 2008
I'm not one to discuss politics both local and international, in person and in writing because 1.) We'd just never see eye to eye, 2.) No one wins in the discussion, and 3.) It's very tiring. But I have to take exception with this one because I like Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin since she comes across as someone real, who doesn't look tainted by traditional politics going on in Washington, she's like a refreshing breath of fresh air on the old landscape, and she's not afraid to voice out her conservative views on things no matter how unpopular it's become, most especially her Christian faith. In contrast to this is the one who's being interviewed here and giving his opinions was someone I admired, in a way respected, someone who would have done a lot of good if he practiced non-partisan politics who also said before, "For a lot of actors, our biggest fear is that we're going to start talking about things we don't fully understand and sound like idiots. In the long run, I'll do much more good if, when I open my mouth, I have something worth saying."
Apparently, he thought he was doing good with this one casting huge boulders (not rocks) on hockey moms, Walt Disney pictures, small folks, the people of Wasilla in Alaska, and Creationists.
Matt. Matt. Matt... Dinosaurs and nuclear codes? You should have taken your own advice.
Apparently, he thought he was doing good with this one casting huge boulders (not rocks) on hockey moms, Walt Disney pictures, small folks, the people of Wasilla in Alaska, and Creationists.
Transcript: "I think there is a really good chance that Sarah Palin could president. And I think that's a really scary thing because I don't know anything about her. I don't think in eight weeks I'm going to know anything about her. I know that she was a mayor of a really, really small town. And she's governor of Alaska for less than two years. I just don't understand... I think the pick was made for political purposes but in terms of governance it's a disaster.
"You do the actuary tables and there's a one out of three chance, if not more, that McCain doesn't survive his first term and it will be President Palin. And it really...we were talking about it earlier...it's like a really bad Disney movie. The hockey mom. "I'm just a hockey mom from Alaska." And she's the president. And it's like she's facing down Vladimir Putin and using the folksy stuff she learned at the hockey rink. It's absurd. It's totally absurd. And I don't understand why more people aren't talking about how absurd it is. It's a really terrifying possibility. The fact that we've gotten this far and we're that close to this being a reality is crazy, crazy.
"I need to know if she really thinks dinosaurs were here 4000 years ago, that's an important...I want to know that. I really do. Because she's going to have the nuclear codes. I want to know if she thinks dinosaurs were here 4000 years ago. Or if she banned books or tried to ban books. We can't have that."
Matt. Matt. Matt... Dinosaurs and nuclear codes? You should have taken your own advice.
Labels: aaahh, embarrassment, entertainment, funny stuff, interview, politics, sad news, uh-huh, whatever
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Just got tagged by Reno. Been a long time since someone tagged me and since I do miss answering these things, here it goes:1. What do you want for your birthday?
A month-long celebration, a big budget for it, and old friends to share it with (especially those I haven't seen for a long time).
2. Who will be your next kiss?
My cat, Thoreau, or my yellow lab, Rocko. Probably.
3. When was the last time you went to the mall?
Last night. Then again I always hang out at the mall.
4. Are you wearing socks right now?
Nah.
5. How did you spend your summer?
Same as everyday, though we did go to Davao this year during the Holy Week.
6. Have you been to the cinema in the last 5 days?
Yup. Saw WALL•E twice in a row
7. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Ice tea and chocolate shake from McDonald's.
8. What are you wearing right now?
Blue plaid polo and khaki slacks.
9. What was your last purchase?
The SKP roster book
10. What was the last food you ate?
Quarter pounder with cheese and the aforementioned drinks above.
11. Who would be the person you would call if you were up in the middle of the night and couldn’t sleep?
I can't think of anyone. Does it have to be a person?
12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
No. I have to start prioritizing these.
13. Do you have a pet?
I have a small zoo here at the house.
14. What made you laugh in the last 5 days?
General silliness from watching the Pixar short, Presto
15. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
Probably a friend's house or Greenbelt (or somewhere like it) where I could just observe people do their own thing and not order anything.
16. What is the last thing you purchased online?
I forgot what it was but the most unforgettable thing would be an original full costume from the 1995 TV-movie, A Streetcar Named Desire, by my fave actor, John Goodman, from ebay (he got third billing after Alec Baldwin and Jessica Lange). To give you a general idea of the cost, I could have used the amount to buy a round-trip ticket to the U.S. Heck yeah, it's very much worth it but suffice to say I'm not bidding on any more item from ebay.
17. One thing you hate about yourself?
My depressive tendencies.
18. Do you miss anyone?
I miss all of my old friends from high school, I miss the old times mostly.
19. What are your plans for the day?
Clean the cat cage.
20. Last person you msg’d?
Probably my friend, Ray. I don't really keep track of these things.
21. Ever went to a camp?
Boy scout camping in Cavite when I was in grade 3.
22. Are you a good student in school?
The academic subjects bored me, so I guess not.
23. What do you know about the (your) future?
I do know that it'll still all end happily ever after.
24. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
No.
25. Where is/are your best friend/s right now?
They're all in the U.S. although there's a smattering of some here in the Metro.
That's it.
Labels: aaahh, curios, discovery, reminiscing, uh-huh
Sunday, January 06, 2008
This is a curious picture I took with my phone. It's a small print of what looks to be a 18th century painting hanging above the sink inside the bathroom of the bar/resto me and the rest of the people were hanging out last night during the birthday of my friend. The picture I took is only half of the painting, the other half showing another couple being lovey-dovey to each other.This is curious because of the nature of the prank being played on the lady. It was curious only at first though. Initially I thought the painting played on a racist theme with the guy putting on a blackface to scare the wits out of the girl. The period of the time being so "innocent" people usually frowned upon those who weren't as fair skinned and readily associated those with darker complexions as someone associated with the ones living in the netherworld (if you're familiar with history you'll know what I mean so I don't to spell it out). It was in this context that I saw the picture.
I only realized now upon doing research, while writing this thing at the same time, that, based on the guy's costume, he was a harlequin (the ancient equivalent of clowns) and harlequins put do put on blackfaces. As to why they do what they do, I found out that I uh... wasn't too far off with my earlier assumption. The guy really was scaring the wits out of the lady because he was playing the role of someone from the netherworld. I forgot what the point of this whole thing was anyway.
