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Epigenetics

Submitted by ardith on Sat, 2010-06-12 21:15

One of my favorite podcasts, Stuff You Should Know, covered a very interesting topic this week: Epigenetics.

Did you know that stuff that your grandparents did can effect your development? Apparently, your body can adjust to environmental changes. Those tagged changes may be passed down through your descendants, even though the egg and sperm are supposed to be wiped clean of them. 

How interesting (and scary) is it that things such as abuse can pass through to the fetus. So apparently you are what you eat, drink, and smoke. Beware because what you do can have ramifications well into future generations.

With that thought, I'm thinking about becoming a vegetarian.... You know, just in case.

True Blood Season 1 and Season 2

Submitted by ardith on Fri, 2010-06-11 15:09
True Blood, based on the Southern Vampire Mystery/Sookie Stackhouse novels, fulfills my love for campy vampire joy. As many people have noted, True Blood is an anti-Twilight. Sex abounds, but it's great because of the characters.

With actors like Anna Paquin and Nelsan Ellis, the series is just so fun to watch. The series looks to be following the trajectory of one book per season. The 10th novel was just released. I'm not sure if the tv series will get as high as that, but I enjoyed how the characters have grown and changed with each book.

The show balances horror, humor, and camp in one of the most entertaining series around. Twitter lights up with #trublood posts as soon as an episode stars airing. I really can't help but enjoy the fun.

The third series will introduce new characters, expanding the shifters (werewolves, etc.). And of course, the delicious Alexander Skarsgård exudes hot vampire sexiness as Eric. He's my favorite part of the series.

It's Spring! Time for Babies!

Submitted by ardith on Sat, 2010-05-08 23:59

Two of my really good friends just had kids in the past two months. I'm so happy for them. Both of the kids are girls and both are super adorable!

And once the babies get plump enough, I can bite them!

Wait, what?

I have a confession. I love to kind of gum on babies. Their fat, tender arms are perfectly tender.

Newborn babies are great to hold, but it's the 3 month plus time that babies are great to nibble on.

Congratulations, my friends. You and your spouses have done good.

FIXIT Magazine - Pledge some money! Support some awesome artists!

Submitted by ardith on Mon, 2010-04-19 11:06

Like illustrations & comic art? FIXIT Magazine is trying to launch, but these awesome artists need some support to get it started.

Click on the widget and you can get in on some amazing art on the ground floor.Fawn Lau is one of the fabulous artists and she's amazing, talented, and one of my favorite people!

Time is running out and they really need to get funding. That's where you guys come in. Please pledge some money!

Doctor Who Series 5 - Get Ready!

Submitted by ardith on Wed, 2010-03-31 23:05
New TARDIS

The new series of Doctor Who starts in April. Matt Smith takes the reins from David Tennant as the new Doctor. Joining him in the new, swanky, steampunkish TARDIS is a new redhead, Amy Pond (played by Karen Gillan).

If she's as fun as the last ginger, it's going to be a great season! I'm looking forward to a nice romp through time and space.

Jo Beverley's Early Novels - Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed - The Stanford Secrets - The Stolen Bride - Lovers & Ladies

Submitted by ardith on Sat, 2010-03-27 23:37

Jo Beverley is one of my favorite novelists. Her romance novels have always been complex and her characters are always interesting. She has written Medieval, Early Georgian, and Regency romance. I've loved most of them.  

How to Train Your Dragon 3D IMAX

Submitted by ardith on Sat, 2010-03-27 21:49

To be honest, I wasn't very interested in watching How to Train Your Dragon. I'm so glad that I read the tweets of /Film's Dave Chen .

This movie is a must see. It's beautiful, moving, and so fun!

The 3D elements work well within the film and the animation is amazing. And it should be! The directors also are responsible for Lilo and Stitch. From the character (and dragon) designs to the story, everything about this animation is wonderfully executed. You really feel for the Hiccup, the main character. He is a Viking teen who is not quite part of the group because, well, he's more of a dreamer than a dragon slayer. Even though he desperately wants to please his father, he is more of a hindrance than a help.

Believe me, the movie offers a lot to both adults and children.

I went to a 11:30 AM showing today that was filled with children and the room was quiet through the film! They were totally engrossed in the story. Or I was just so engrossed in it that I didn't hear any fussing.


Since the movie may not be in 3D for too long (with Clash of the Titans coming out next week), so please go watch it while you can. It is worth the extra 3D fee.

I Hate Lines

Submitted by ardith on Fri, 2010-03-19 23:20

I've been to or worked at San Diego Comic-Con for over 15 years. That's a super long time, though there are lots of multi-generational geek families who have gone for even longer.

But honestly this year I don't think I'll be attending. At least not for fun. I'm always up to give a hand to friends or for work, but running around as a Fan? I just can't take it.

Comic-Con has been growing every year. It's great! Exciting! But also tiring. Especially since I really, really don't like crowds. Spending hours pressed against people in line is just not my cuppa.

I spent hours in line last year trying to go to two panels: True Blood and Doctor Who. Now, getting in line 3 hours before my target panel is just NOT my idea of a good time.

Dear Chase Bank, Your Customer Service Sucks. Oh, and I'm a bit pissed off.

Submitted by ardith on Wed, 2010-01-27 20:35

So I found a discrepancy on my pending transactions. I contacted Chase Bank like a good, suspicious netizen. They canceled my card and told me a new one was on the way within 4 days. The lady on the other line never said anything about 10 days. 

I called today asking about my card only to find out about the 10 day thing. They then said that if I wanted a new card, it would cost another $5 to send me it.

I explained about the initial conversation and how I was told it would be this week. I was then transfered to another individual (Jim?) who listened to my rant and then said it would still be $5 to cancel the card and expedite a new one.

Now, here's the rub. 

  1. If they had told me about the 10 days initially, I would not have been upset. I would know what was going on with my card.
  2. If they offered to send me a new card and waive the $5 fee, they would have kept a customer who pays attention.

People may think I'm overreacting. Maybe I am. But I am also a really good customer. Looks like I'll be going to a new bank.

Any suggestions? 

Assassin's Creed II

Submitted by ardith on Wed, 2009-12-30 00:09

UBISOFT's Assassin's Creed series is kinda like an RPG, but with ye-olde prostitutes.

The series features a man who is kidnapped for his DNA. A nefarious group is searching through time for something. The only way to do this is to tap into microbial memories buried in the DNA of the descendants of certain people. The first game sent this man back into his ancestral memories to a time during The Crusades.

Assassins Creed II takes place in the memories of another ancestor. This one in Renaissance Italy. Ezio Auditore is handsome (which is great if you're playing for hours!) and athletic. And he is not only willing to spill blood. He is eager. For vengeance!!!

The traditional RPG's I'm used to have things like conversations with the villagers and searching the grounds for treasure.

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