Synaptic Misfires

I'm taking a bit of a hiatus for a few days. This week has been absolutely bonkers, plus my hard drive died on me. I'll try to post some life updates and then get back to science bloggin'!
Getting back in shape is harder with age! While I've been having good luck at my gym lately, becoming proficient at the finer points of slipping, bobbing and weaving, my stamina isn't what it used to be. Ergo I've spent a lot of time running hills and let's just say in this weather, it ain't a cake walk. My normal run is just under 3 miles, but the first mile is almost completely uphill. I've been timing myself on the first mile and I *just* missed my best time on it last Wednesday, (coming in at 7:39, 5 seconds over my best) which was the hottest day this year so far (104, 115 heat index…
I've been thinking about other science-type flicks, and for 2nd place I'd like to suggest a couple more: Gattaca, yes for sure. Wonderful dystopian flick. Absolutely beautiful to watch, a soaring overly melodramatic soundtrack. Crystal clear message about statistical vs individual outcomes, and the power of the human will in a genetically biased world. If you haven't seen it then you need to. The next nomination, Sleepy Hollow. This is, in my mind, Tim Burton's best flick. Johnny Depp does a wonderful job of taking on the role of bumbling citydwelling Constable Ichabod Crane, sent to…
Oh well. At least she has good taste in movies. In the meantime, I'll file this under "H" for "scooped". SEED asks us What movie do you think does something admirable (though not necessarily accurate) regarding science? Real Genius takes the cake. I must have seen that movie 10 times when it came out (back when movies were $2.50). When college rolled around, I could totally relate-- there was way too much brain power in our suite of 8 and our social circle; granted we had a number of people rotate in and out, but the 201/2F tradition spawned numerous physicians, at least 2 Ph.D.s, a CPA,…
Italy takes France 5-3 in a shootout. Consider it revenge for the 1998 semifinals. Now I'm gonna get DRUNK!!!!! Les Bleus, you did play an excellent game. I appreciate how you inspired your nation to come together in a time of racial turmoil.
Now I'm nervous. The closer we get to a shootout, the more Italy has to be concerned. I don't think they have the shooters that France does, even with having an edge in their goalie Buffon. Although they did substitute in Del Piero, so their chances of winning in OT have increased. Shit....
Italy comes back to tie with a LEGITIMATE header off a Pirlo corner. After the shitty French dive (I'm sorry but there was minimal contact there) leading to a penalty shot, the ref seems to have laid off a bit and is letting the game unfold naturally. This game is getting interesting.
The World Cup final has begun!!!! And not surprisingly, we have a penalty kick due to a FRENCH DIVE. Zidane's shot.... good. Yet another game lost to shitty refs.
I got tired of spending 30 seconds crawling around under the table to unplug the printer cable from my home computer every time I want to print something off my laptop. Logically, the solution is to spend an hour setting up a secure home network so that I can sit on my ass, ten feet away, and print without getting up. Except that I still have to get up and turn on the desktop so that I can access the printer from my laptop. Pathetic.
I put up a temporary banner until my custom one is done. What do you think?
...you might not know what to do you might have to think of how you got started sittin' in your little room --The White Stripes Welcome to the second incarnation of Neurotopia! The old incarnation can be found here, although lately it has just been a collection of posts where I complain about how Blogger stinks. But no more! Now I'm here on this slick new platform! The SEED overlords pulled a mean trick on me: they set up the new blog launch mere hours before I'm supposed to hit the road and celebrate my 8th anniversary by accompanying Mrs. Evil Monkey to Fallingwater for the weekend.…