Well here we are again, gathered around the computer.  Warm ice tea in hand.

Hometown visits today – bring on the drama!

Gia first.

New York City.  Jake is “definitely falling for her.”

She dated a guy who was really bad – he cheated on her with all her friends.  So.  Maybe they wern’t your friends, hmmm?

So Gia’s Mom still looks like a dude.

Gia doesn’t want to get hurt again and she puts up a wall.  Gak!

Ahhhhhh!!!  Mom’s skirt is too short – almost had a Basic Instinct moment!!

And what the hell is going on with Gia’s brother’s hair??  Got gel?  And what was that about breaking legs?  And the Dad with the flowing pony tail?

After the family event, Gia reveals that she is falling in love with Jake.  He “loves this girl, loves this girl.”  Two loves.  That’s pretty serious.

Now Ali in Massachussets.

Gorgeous fall leaves and New England-y.

I have NEVER heard of making a wish on a fallen leave.  Weird.  Lots of hugging.

And now they are going to visit Ali’s dead Grandmother.  Awesome.  Look Jake!  She’s standing in that window!!

And they explore life and love and death.  Walking through dead Grandmother’s house.  Grandma is crying tears of joy that her little granddaughter is on a reality dating show.

Now they get to visit with the live relatives…and someone sneeks up the stairs behind them…ghost?

Wow!  Huge gold watch Ali.  I think her Mom seems very normal.  Good sign.  Wait.  Ali accepts his proposal…even though he hasn’t asked her yet…although for a minute, I thought he was going to whip out a ring.

And Ali is “falling in love with him.”  Tears.  And a sneak peek at more tears later in the show.  Interesting that Jake didn’t say that he loved her…

And now Tenley in Oregon.

Wet.  Of course.

She is definitely falling for him.  And wants someone to take the reins and be a man.  They go visit a dance studio…she’s a dancer.  And she is going to dance for him…

She gave him a gift.  Of dance.  Super.  And he danced with her.  Cute.

Posted by: Michele | February 8, 2010

The Koran is NOT a medical text.

For Pete’s sake.

The International Journal of Cardiology is publishing a review article entitled “The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth” by Marios Loukas and Yousuf Saad of the Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University, School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies, R. Shane Tubbs  of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Birmingham, AL, and Mohamadali M. Shoja of Clarian Neuroscience Institute, Indianapolis Neurosurgical Group, Indiana University Department of Neurosurgery, Indianapolis, IN.

For those who don’t know, a review article is typically an article which reviews all of the medical literature to date on a specific topic.  This article is more of an historical perspective or a liberal arts essay on a medically related topic.  The Koran is NOT a medical text.  It is a religious text.  It is not based on research.  It is based on myth.

These authors seem to have created a cottage industry of essays on historical theories of medicine (including 10 accepted by the Int J Cardiol).  How are they getting so many of these published?  The article linked above was accepted five days after it was received.  That’s not SOP for journals.

Their next article is “Illustration of the heart and blood vessels in medieval times” by Majid Khalili, Mohammadali M. Shoja, R. Shane Tubbs, Marios Loukas, Farid Alakbarli and Andrew J. Newman.

Abstract:  Throughout history, illustrations had played a key role in the promotion and evolution of medicine by providing a medium for transmission of scientific observations. Due to religious prohibitions, color drawings of the human body did not appear in medieval Persia and during the Islamic Golden Age. This tradition, however, has been overlooked with the publication of the first color atlas and text of human anatomy, Tashrihi Mansuri (Mansur’s Anatomy), by Mansur ibn Ilyas in the fourteenth century AD. Written in Persian and containing several vivid illustrations of the human body, this book gained widespread attention by both scholars and lay persons. In this article, a brief history of Mansur’s Anatomy and an English translation of selected sections from this book regarding the heart and blood vessels are presented.

What’s the end game?  Promotion of a Muslim-centered history of medicine?  Seems so.  I’m disgusted that a medical journal would print religious propaganda.  How can they use a religious text as proof?  I wouldn’t even let BIO 100 students get away with that nonsense.

I’m still reading the actual paper on the heart in the Koran.  The authors make a stab at being inclusive (and to distract from their Islamcentric POV) by mentioning the Bible, the Torah, etc.   This doesn’t mitigate anything.  The Bible is not a medical text.  The Torah is not a medical text.  Religious stories are not scientific literature.

Heh.  I don’t even need to dissect this paper.  Dr. Avijit Roy has already done an excellent job in a letter to the editors of the journal. Bravo!

Our scientific knowledge has moved beyond childhood. A scientific journal should not depend on imaginary fairy-tales or a ‘God in gaps’ to provide for our explanations or needs. Science proposes explanations about the natural world and then puts those hypothesis for repeated testing using experiments, observations and a creative and diverse array of other methods and strategies. The paper like ‘The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth’ , on the other hand, discourage skepticism or critical examination of cherished precepts.It is simply laughable that a reputable science journal of twentieth century would publish such a poorly argued paper – ‘The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth’! I sincerely believe, if you publish the article in your journal, you will loose all the credibility. I hope that your consciousness will return and your editorial board will realize that this paper is not worthy at all for publication.

Dr. Avijit Roy

Maybe, just maybe, the editors of the journal will reconsider before this joke of a “medical review” is actually published in the hard copy of the journal.  So far, it is only online.

Hmmm.  This is curious.  Elsevier, the publisher of the International Journal of Cardiology, has been known to create fake journals as advertisements for corporate sponsors.  Does anyone know if their cardiology journal is highly respected?  Or is it one of those journals which has rather low standards?  I’ll try to find out more.

h/t Panda’s Thumb

Posted by: Michele | February 7, 2010

Boring Super Bowl commercials?

As if it wasn’t bad enough that we miss all of the great Super Bowl commercials from the US because of the stupid CanCon rules, CTV subjects us to nonstop Olympics promotions.  Yawn.  I’m only anxious for the Olympics to start so that they will be over.

CTV broadcast short commercials for various Olympic sports featuring Canadian athletes and insanely boring music.  Ugh.  I think that it was the music from the song “I Believe” which is sung by Nikki Yanofsky.  It’s a nice song and properly inspiring for the Olympics but not really upbeat or exciting.  The bit that’s used for the commercials is so bland.  It made me wish that I had taped the Super Bowl so that I could fast forward through every time the Olympics symbol popped up.

Are you going to watch the Olympics?  I’ll probably watch a bit of figure skating and hockey.  Speedskating should be interesting but I’m watching the US station to maximize my chances of catching Stephen Colbert.

Posted by: Michele | February 5, 2010

Moderate Muslim Country?

Isn’t Turkey supposed to be a prime example of a moderate, modern Muslim majority country?

ORLY?

Turkish girl ‘buried alive’ in family garden

She had dirt in her lungs and stomach.  She was 16 years old.

Posted by: Michele | February 5, 2010

Facebook groups — funny but not news.

Facebook groups can be entertaining but they certainly aren’t newsworthy.

Onion ring batters PM in online popularity

On the plus side, the “reporter” didn’t actually have to leave his desk to fill a few column inches.  Yeah him!

Posted by: Michele | February 5, 2010

This does not add up.

The Saskatchewan provincial government is cutting spending because of a major huge revenue shortfall ($1.8 billion!).

The Saskatchewan temporary Olympic pavilion will cost $4.1 million.   Why is the government spending so much on the Olympics?  Actually, I have the same question for all levels of government.

Do you think that it would be possible to end the Olympics?  To just stop holding Olympics?  Or at least to get governments to stay out of it?  Leave it to the corporations and to private sponsors.  I am just disgusted by the amount of money spent on pavilions and security and venues and entertainment by government.  When did sporting events become the responsibility of our governments?

I want a smaller government.

Oh … but I do still like the clothing inspired by sporting events.

Posted by: Michele | February 5, 2010

Can anyone get Jim Pankiw some help?

Seriously.  Pankiw needs an intervention.  (If you don’t know who he is, check Wikipedia for a summary.)

I watched the press conference held today to announce that he ’s going to run for federal office again.   A reporter asked if he was sober but he refused to answer. He’s not well.  Perhaps he was drunk or maybe he’s a chronic alcoholic?  Maybe he has a psychiatric condition?  It’s difficult to know specifics but his behavior made it perfectly clear that he’s not well.  I felt almost guilty for watching.  He seems to have a tremor and his facial expressions were oddly exaggerated.  Add his physical mannerisms to his incoherent answers and I do believe that he needs help.  Is his family doctor watching this?

I hope that the media ignore any future press conferences which he might call.  I really don’t want to watch someone deteriorate on the evening news.

Posted by: Michele | February 4, 2010

Going to the US for healthcare.

I don’t blame Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams for going to the US for surgery.  If I needed any test or procedure which I couldn’t obtain in Canada in a timely manner, I would go to the United States.  The same is true for my children.  There is no way that I’m sitting around passively waiting for treatment here when I have a choice to go elsewhere.  Also, if the best doctor to perform a procedure is in another country, then I’m going to travel to that country.  Wouldn’t you?

Of course it looks horrible for a Canadian leader to run off to the US for anything health related.  Anyone who can’t afford to make the same choice will be resentful.  And anyone who can afford to pay for private healthcare and claims that they would never do so is lying.  Would they really let their child die waiting for a treatment here just on principal?

Dare we hope that this will be a learning experience for Premier Williams?  I would prefer to be able to obtain all healthcare close to home.  I would prefer to be able to access private clinics here.  I don’t want the government to decide what kind of care I can have and when.  I would happily pay for additional private health insurance to cover care outside of the public system.

Posted by: Michele | February 3, 2010

Dear John Gormley callers,

If you don’t want to debate an issue,

DON’T CALL INTO A TALK RADIO SHOW!

Also, don’t spout off with “facts” and then get all pissy when someone else points out that you are wrong.

Thank you.

A listener.

Posted by: Michele | February 3, 2010

I laughed out loud.

Please meet Brave Sir Cheeto of Mountain Dew.

Brought to you by the fine folks at Fail Blog.

Will people ever learn?  If you put it on the internet, everyone can see it.

Posted by: Michele | February 3, 2010

It’s who you know.

Anyone care to make a wager on whether President Obama’s illegal alien aunt will be allowed to remain in the United States?

She was ordered to leave in 2004.

I wonder what the odds are.  Apparently Obama has not intervened in her case.  As if he even has to do anything overt.

via Drudge Report

Posted by: Michele | February 2, 2010

It’s MMA. What did they expect?

An NFL coach, Rex Ryan,makes an “obscene gesture” towards fans of another team at a mixed martial arts event.  He’s smiling at the time.  I assume that they made some kind of comment to him prior to his reaction.  Did I mention that he was smiling?

It’s all kind of boring and unsurprising, no?

His team fined him $50,000!

Professional sports can be unintentionally quite entertaining.

Posted by: Michele | February 2, 2010

In his what?

A professional wrestler was arrested for public intox.  The police found a prescription drug (one pill … really) in his purse.

I did not see that one coming.

(This is the kind of story one finds very late at night when reading TMZ.com which is an addictive guilty pleasure and I really should go to bed.)

Posted by: Michele | February 1, 2010

Advice for job hunters.

Can you believe that a UK job center wouldn’t post an ad for “reliable workers” because it was discriminatory?  Insanity.  Being unreliable is probably considered a disability now.

An employer shouldn’t even have to state that he wants someone reliable.  That should be implicit.

A few hints for job seekers:

  • Use spell check on your resume.  Have someone else read it to check for mistakes.  This is especially important when you are applying for a clerical position.
  • Don’t use comic sans font on your resume.  Please.  Pretty please.
  • Don’t use colored paper for your resume.  I look at a resume as an example of how the applicant thinks a business document should be produced.  Script on purple paper is a major FAIL.
  • Do not brag on Facebook that you are going to abuse the benefits at your current place of employment.  This is especially important when you are going to re-enter the job market soon.  You just might turn off a potential employer without even knowing it.  (Yes.  I considered offering a job to someone until I read their Facebook update.)

And so we settle into another evening with Jake and girls.  I wonder what exciting hi-jinks will ensue.   I’m as happy as a little girl.

Catching the last few minutes of Wheel of Fortune – how can anyone watch this show??

Okay – yay!  Hear we go.  Rehash.  And tonight – San Francisco.  And again – I should really retouch my roots.

Jake – “He’s so confused” – great way to choose a wife eh?

End of the road trip.  Ali will be in her town.

Jake in a leather bomber.  Mmmm.  Beef.

Vienna is getting a lot of camera face time.

And one of the five girls never gets any face time.  The one with the glasses…who is she again?  Corrie?  She is so obviously not in the running.

Tenley gets the one-on-one date.  I still can’t see her as The One.

Oh – and LOST starts tomorrow!!!!!!!

Nice boots Tenley.  Cute coat.  Stupid scarf.

China town.  Tenley – she’s so playful.  Gag.  Window shopping.  Boring.  Awkward date.  Blah kiss.

“I want to know him so much more”

Jake is “starting to fall” for Tenley – are we still playing that drinking game?

Back at the ranch…things are getting really tense.   Ali and Vienna discuss the previous night – the rose ceremony.  And Vienna is right.  Ali was angry that Jake had kept Vienna.  Gia and Vienna are going on the next date I guess.  I’m not really sure why Ali is all about the anti-Vienna drama.  Why bother?  Is she (Ali) a super bitch in disguise?

Back on the date, dinner.  On the roof of some tower.  He pictures Tenley as his wife.  Really?  WTF.  Obviously he sees something that we don’t.  I could not stand her baby voice.  Jake wants respect from his wife.  And love.  These two are mindblowing.  And they don’t think cheating is good.  And they open  fortune cookies that say “Kiss Me”.  “…the woman I’m falling for today.”  Where is my beer?

The girls get a trunk delivered to the hotel room.  A chest full of sparkly clothes.  What the hell did Gia pick?  Fugley.  And Vienna has the scarf as noose.  They are at a Vineyard in Nappa that looks like a castle.  How many of these girls have their real nose?

Vienna decides to ignore Gia.  Oh – Vienna!  She’s bringing up Ali and cries.  It is all about her isn’t it?  Jake is being forced to focus on Vienna.  Wow – is Vienna a cow or what?  Look at the look on her face – spoiled rotten and a brat.

Gia gets a chance to talk to Jake – why does she still have a band-aid?  “Are you falling for me because I’m falling for you”  – where’s that beer?  I think that there is way more chemistry with Gia than there was with Tenley.  Vienna…exploring the castle – this is all so Scooby-Doo.

Vienna is lost…with a camera crew.  Interrupts Gia and Jake snorgling.

Again – the legs in Jake’s lap.  “I really am falling for you” she says.  And Jake is really acting distant and Vienna sees that.

Back at the ranch, Corrie finally gets a date.

Back at the castle…the girls have to share a bedroom?  OOOohh.  Money shot of Jake in his man-cave with a fur bed and everything.  And Vienna comes to visit neked man – bringing wine.  She wants to spend the night.  He sends her back upstairs…FAIL!

Corrie’s date…the “but” from Jake.  They are having a day in the park.  In high heels.  In a boat.  “It’s so fun”.  Uh oh.  This is really not fun.  Jake is trying to connect but it is so not happening.

Back at ranch – Ali gets the next date.  Wow – did you see that.  Body language 101 – Vienna sucks the tip of her tongue.

Corrie and Jake have an underwater dinner.  And they have a heart to heart about how slow their relationship is moving.  She is saving herself for marriage.  Jake liked that.  He likey the virgin.  Hmmm – things just stepped up for Corrie.  Maybe she has a chance now.  She does appear to be the most stable and mature of the girls that are left.  Maybe this is why the show has avoided her thus far?

Ali’s date now.  She is so pretty in blue.  Cute dress and boots.  Vienna whining – what a baby.

She has Barbie doll hands.  He buys her flowers.  I hate her.  Lunch.  Ali’s voice is annoying too.  This is really a rather boring date for the viewers.

After a walk on the beach, the classic blanket on the grass Ali giving a backrub, kissing.  Girl on top sex position.  And then Jake brings up the Rose ceremony and…Vienna, indirectly.  And…she’s falling for him.  Beer.

Holy crap – she went into the ocean with her boots!!!  Ack!  I hope the show reimburses her.

Rose ceremony – I’ve fallen for all of these women.  Beer.

Tenley – “a man I’m falling for” – beer.  Oh look – they are going to dance…but no music.

Corrie – what the hell is a “wardrobe consultant”?

Vienna’s hair is stupid.

Jake snorgles Gia – lots of chemistry.

Jake takes Vienna aside to tell her not to worry.  Jake wants to fall for her…beer.

I have no idea who he will get rid of tonight.  The editing of the show has skillfully made all the girls possible candidates for wife.  I still think that he might turf Corrie…but it is hard to tell.  All the dogs need to go out for a pee but the commercials are not long enough.  They will just have to cross their legs for a few more minutes.  Why is this show two hours long??  Okay – now we have the conference with Chris.  We get to learn how important the hometown visits are because we’re stupid.  Recap. ” Tenley can look at me and make me laugh”.  Gia is insecure.  Corrie is “sweet”.  Ali makes him feel safe.  Vienna…he’s done with the other girls’ opinions.

What?  Is he going to send Ali home?  Why did he pick her picture up?

One of you will be going home tonight…I have fallen for five women…if only I lived in the middle east…

Roses go to…Tenley, Ali, Gia, and…Vienna.  Ha!  Vienna is SO this season’s Melissa.

Jake is all teary.  Sad Corrie.  I can’t wait to see how crazy Vienna’s family has got to be.  Holy crap…Gia’s Mom looks like a dude.  And for the first time ever, there won’t be a rose ceremony next week…or something…and there’s some random opera singing.

Posted by: Michele | January 30, 2010

Obama’s “To Do” List

Where does “fix the Bowl Championship Series” rank on our President’s “to do” list?  Before or after eliminate the deficit, pay down the debt, and muck up healthcare?  Are all of the important things done and I just missed the memo?

Posted by: Michele | January 29, 2010

Our Founding Fathers were rather smart men.

Quote of the day:

I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology.

– Thomas Jefferson

(I found the above quote via Orson Scott Card’s column “Uncle Orson Reviews Everything” at his website hatrack.com.  He doesn’t actually review everything but he does review a great variety of things.  Kind of like this blog … he writes about whatever he wants to write about and that makes the column fun and interesting.  I highly recommend it.)

Posted by: Michele | January 29, 2010

An easy solution for global warming*?

Tin foil hats for everyone!

* If you believe in that kind of nonsense.

Posted by: Michele | January 28, 2010

Spend more on snow removal but don’t increase taxes.

Winnipeg spends 3.9% of its budget on snow removal ($31 million ÷$785.3 million)

Saskatoon spends 2.3% of its budget on snow removal ($5.5 million ÷ $234.3 million)

The NewsTalk650 poll a couple of days ago asked whether I would be willing to pay more for better snow removal.  This was another bad poll question because they should have offered the option of “no … the city should rearrange their budget priorities to make better use of the taxes we are already paying.”

That’s what I would have selected.

If Saskatoon spent the same percentage as Winnipeg, the snow removal budget would be $9.1 million and maybe then my street would actually be cleared.

OMG.

DavisW has an excellent idea!

Think about how much better we’d all get along if every car had its driver’s cell number posted in the rear window, and we could openly discuss constructive suggestions for improved motor vehicle operation.I could preload “you goddam moron :( ” into my Quick Notes and be ready to meet the world head-on.

Too funny.  Of course, I don’t want my phone number posted.  No need for that.

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