Poison Ivy loves CO2

No, not this Poison Ivy, this "leaves of three, let it be"vine. Poison ivy is in peak bloom right now, although the dead ones in late autumn still have plenty of urushiol (the oil that cause skin irritant) and will cause the same itchy blistering effect. Imagine that effect (photo on the right) all over my face and legs two years ago. More than 80% of people (that's about 40-50 million in this country) are allergic to the urushiol in poison ivy. Everyone has a different sensitivity. Most people don't have a reaction the first time they touch poison ivy, but they develop an allergic reaction after repeated exposure. Two years ago, at about this time of year, I had direct contact with the plant's leaves -- at first accidentally, and I had no allergic reaction for days. So I thought I was invincible, the almighty Trynn Diesel is indestructable against urusiol. I started pulling the vines ferociously at the tree nursery like a mad woman. Well, let's just leave the little details out. It turns out I suffered from a delayed hypersensitivity, days after the exposure. The doctor gave me some medications and several tubes of topical cortizone (anti-itching cream). Despite all that blistering on my face, I managed to attend a semi-formal reception, a graduation and a local concert. I just wanted to tell my idiotic story.

At any rate, this post was supposed to be about a fascinating study done by Dr. Jacqueline Mohan and her colleagues on the fast growth effects of Toxicodendron radicans to global warming.

Global warming may spell bad times for polar bears but it seems to be a boon to poison ivy. A six-year experiment to find out how increased levels of carbon dioxide affect forests uncovered a surprising result: In the area used for the experiment, poison ivy grew like crazy. Melissa Block talks with ecologist Jacqueline Mohan is a scientist at the Ecosystems Center in Woods Hole, part of the Harvard Forest in central Massachusetts.

Listen to this NPR report. I also like the closing song by the Rolling Stones, classic!

Can you imagine my evil laughs (Bwah hah ha ha) when the vines go after the politicians who think global warming is a myth? I wish each and everyone of them could experience the agony I was in, then I can happily point and laugh and do a little "told you so" dance.

No Politics Day

Happy Memorial Day, everyone. Thank you veterans for your services and thank you for those who gave their life for what we have. Thank you. I know a few Vietnam Vets, and I'd like to bow my head and say cám ỏn (KC, BS, WL, DC).

Enjoy the much needed break and a relaxing Monday.

Wedding, (not mine) woo hoo!

This weekend is Ty and Tuan's wedding. There'll be dancing, good food and fun. I don't have a date, and I don't care. Weather looks promising, only 10% chance of precipitation! My schedule (and everyone else's) is gonna be pretty jam-packed: Get up extra early to pick up the boys (ring bearers/altar boys/tray bearers); drive to Baltimore for the morning church ceremony; drive people back to Silver Spring; change in the car for the evening reception, haha; pick up my niece and nephews and head to the restaurant in Wheaton; try really hard not to cry (out of happiness), then finally God forbids, I WILL have some fun.

Much congratulations, T&T. One day, you're gonna look back on this happy day and chuckle a bit. Happy! happy! happy!

Up-to-date (5/29/06):

What a beautiful wedding. Quite luxurious. The "Just Married" vehicle was a red Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with 500 or so hp. I wanted to pop up the hood just to see the superchargers and tubes and wires, but the doors were locked. The groom's parents' car was a silver Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG equipped with a V8 engine (5.5 L or 5400 cc). I was afraid to ask about the fuel economy because I may have to egg the luxury roadster. Let's say the consequence would've been that I would be in deep shit. Anyhow, I took pictures with my cheap camera named Cassidy, but my silly compooter could not load them. Don't know why, maybe flickr is down at the moment -- wait until the next update. Great wedding. I had loads of fun. Congrats! I apologize for my cheesy toast; it was definitely an impromtu speech -- I don't do well with impromtus, hands get shaky and sweaty, and I come up with the silliest rhymes (in Vietnamese). Best wishes you guys!

Hamilton riding the waves

Whoa! Check out the Tahiti wave in the video below. I'm ready for the beach (cook-out and barbeque)! The smell of a three-day weekend is quite soothing (except that I have to work tomorrow, damn!)



That's Laird Hamilton surfing the world's most dangerous waves. No thanx. I'm not gonna venture that (haha). I did several damaging somersaults on a meesly three foot wave. No way am I gonna ride out in that unforgiving waters. Besides, I've already picked my poison: sky-diving.

Anacostia wetlands threatened by rCg

I mentioned about the problem created by the rCg (resident Canada geese) against the Anacostia wetlands, and now I've finally found a well-written coverage from the City Paper that I'd like to share. (Thanx BN) Please read on.

(1) The gun hunting idea never went through. PETA (people eating tasty animals, haha) opposed to the lethal control of rCg, bummer. All proposed options have issues. We just can't win (not yet though). (2) Replanting wild rice is not tenable because it gets mowed down. (3) Dogs and noisemakers is only a temporary showdown because dogs get tired and noisemakers annoy the tourists more than the rCg. (4) Egg addling/oiling will keep the population in check, but it will not lead to a significant decrease for some time. The results of the count support this idea. I like idea no. 1: lethal control. Come on, people (PETA!). This option will reduce most rCg and will keep the population in check. Step back from the ethical viewpoint a bit and look at the big picture. Man makes mistakes, how do you suppose we learn from them if you won't let us?

It took 750,000 plant seedlings and $6 million to re-create Kingman Marsh. Shredding it was quick work for the resident geese.

For months after the planting, the marsh did beautifully—so well that the Army Corps, the National Park Service, and the D.C. government decided to remove the fencing during the winter of 2001. That decision proved to be an expensive lesson: Never underestimate the appetite of the resident Canada goose. In the words of Dick Hammerschlag, who monitored Kingman annually from 2000 to 2004, “the geese came in and shredded the marsh” that spring, eating all the newly accessible soft young plants as they emerged. The area lost approximately 80 percent of its vegetation cover, as well as species richness and diversity, according to a report written by Hammerschlag, who works for the U.S. Geological Survey. In areas without enough plants, water flow washed away the silt, lowering the marsh floor by a couple of inches. Wetland plant seeds have a low tolerance for flooding: If the water is too high, they won’t rebound. “It was a vicious cycle,” Hammerschlag says. “The marsh couldn’t outgrow the geese.”[...]

Steve McKindley-Ward, a horticulturist with the private, nonprofit Anacostia Watershed Society, has been trying to cultivate wild rice and other plants in Kingman Marsh. He and others have recreated a field of anti-goose fencing consisting of circular wire “exclosures,” each 30 feet across. Every man-made attempt to tinker with nature has its drawbacks, and in the case of the fencing, says McKindley-Ward, the wild-rice plants end up being too well-protected. The fencing keeps out not only geese but all grazers, including beavers, muskrats, and herons. Subject to no grazing, the plants grow too thick—a problem that causes disease in wild rice.[...]

Perhaps that’s because there’s a lot to debate. Start with the fact that the goose quandary is a man-made problem; activists opposing goose kills invoke the argument that the current situation is not the goose’s fault. “Because of the way we manage landscapes, there are more geese, and many that aren’t migratory. But it’s all our doing, all our making,” says John Hadidian, director of the Humane Society of America’s Urban Wildlife Program. Killing geese to save wetlands is “convoluted and tortuous logic that doesn’t speak well to our ecological wisdom and certainly doesn’t speak well of our humane treatment of animals.”[..]

Although the formal assessment process started more than a year ago, the need to address the problem was evident long before that. “I began discussions with NPS on this back at the end of 2002. I’m not exactly proud to say that over 3.5 years has passed without any real action, but this is not due to my lack of trying,” wrote the D.C. Watershed Protection Division’s Pete Hill in an e-mail.[...]

Goose reduction requires a weapon more powerful than vegetable oil, a fact that places ever more pressure on the Park Service’s ongoing deliberations on the goose boom.

I don't know what's going to happen with the marsh restoration project. Anacostia is part of the Chesapeake watershed. It's the only local river where I kayak on. It needs to be rebuilt back to better water quality. How are we gonna do this with all the bureaucracy and the "oh they're (giant rGg) eating the wild rice, how cute" mentality!? Ugh, bureaucrats grind my gears.

(Fight on, you guys. How's your back, SMW?)

American Idol 5 finale

Based on performances, Taylor rocks! I almost cried when he sang Do I Make You Proud, loved the transition from the grindy-sound to clear note in the middle, and then the last key change made me shiver. I called ten times to vote but only got through to two counts, which meant a lot of people were voting, so Taylor is gonna win. Who's Katherine? Dial Idol also predicts a win for Taylor by a huge margin of error. Tonight will be my TV night, ya'll. I need it, after what had happened in the past few days, I really need it! If a t-storm comes tonight, I'm gonna curse the heavens!

Up-to-date (22:30):

Omigosh. Prince on American Idol. Yaayyy! The world stopped its revolutions, and I could not blink. It was so cool. Everyone knows that Prince is the greatest musical genius of our time. It was a fantastic finale. Lost was unreal. I'm getting the DVD set (or you could buy it for me, tee hehe); I need to slo-mo some scenes to catch up what is going on before the next season starts.

Da Vinci Code film, what's the big diggly deal?

"So dark the con of man". I know I'm a bit late on this movie debate, but so what? Back in October '05, I saw protesters against the production of this Da Vinci Code film. They're saying that it's blasphemous and that it ridicules the Catholic Church and Jesus Christ. WTH? (ok, that's the wrong choice of my response) The book itself is a work of fiction with a lot of real research. Come on, lighten up. I read the book, (although I enjoyed Dan Brown's Angels and Demons more) and it was entertaining. According to the protesters, if I go see the movie, I'm doomed to hell. Not a good way to discourage me, people. I'm not too serious about seeing the movie either because I'm sure Hollywood won’t do the book justice. I tried to explain to the kids (ages 9-20) the other day about the significant of Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings and its implications of Jesus' personal life, and they gave me wicked nasty faces. Obviously, these kids were raised strict Catholics, so I quickly redeemed myself and said: it's ok to not believe in that. Toward the end of the shindig, I was hit in the head with a semi-deflated kick ball, several times. I'm sure it was totally unrelated to what I said. (Of course my explanations were in Vietnamese, so a few of my points weren't clear, but hey, I didn't deserve the abuse). I did feel unwelcome (because of past family dramas and what not).

At any rate, those kids don't scare me. I'm actually envious of them for having that much faith. I want that kind of strong faith. It will make me a much more happier person, don't ya think? Of course Chị Nguyệt declined my invitation to see the flick after I told her what it was about. I think her faith would be strengthened if she sees the movie. By no means am I trying to dissuade her faith. I told you I was jealous. I wonder if they have the book translated in Vietnamese. Back to the movie, here's a review by an Opus Dei member. And here's a hilarious take on the silliness of the protests.

The painting (fresco in 1498) above is (part of) Da Vinci's The Last Supper. The arrow points to the mysterious hand with a knife and the "lady" on the right is Mary Madeline, Jebus' wife. To learn more, visit Dan Brown's official website. I particularly enjoyed the attempted rationalization of the Mona Lisa, the Vitruvian Man and the number "phi". Fascinating!

Up-to-date (5/29/06):

Chị Nguyệt finally reasoned with me that Cha Long (Father Long from Our Lady of Vietnam Roman Catholic Church) forbid the church members to go see the movie. He said it's "bất kinh và có hàm Ý báng bổ". Well, one church goer was listening. I offered her the book to read, but she quickly declined. *head shake* I offered to read one excerpt to her, she quickly went to her room. (Disclaimer: The passage I was gonna read was on the number "phi" since she's a math teacher and all.) Oh well. Why must you make enemies, trynn diesel? I thought you were for peace and love!? I think Chị Nguyệt is ok. She must be proud for overcoming my devious blasphemous temptation. Seriously Cha Long, you won't be able to keep your church members in the long run if you prohibit them without reading the book (did you?). I mean, it's not the greatest book ever written -- the greatest ones are JRR Tolkien's LOTR trilogies, hehe. Anyhow, for what it's worth, I guess you're just doing your job. I like your church. I like the programs you have for the youngsters. I like the way you present yourself during services, very disciplined. [Off in a tangent] I wonder how you sleep at night when your sermons are based on gossips from people's personal lives? Again, why must you make enemies, trynn retardo diesel!?

Happy Graduation c/o '06

This year, Gettysburg has chosen (or successfully invited) Bruce S. Gordon to be the c/o 2006 commencement speaker. After an eye-opening Bill Cosby’s speech at a predominately black women’s college, Spelman, I’m curious what Gordon has to say. Don’t get me wrong, graduates, I’m there to cheer you on. Just some quick recap what Bill Cosby said:

ATLANTA - Bill Cosby challenged Spelman College's graduates "to take charge" Sunday, adding those leaving the historically black college for women have no choice but to lead.
"You have to know that it is time for you all to take charge," Cosby said. "You have to seriously see yourselves not as the old women where the men stood in front and you all stood behind, because the men, most of them are in prison."
Added Cosby: "It is time for you to pick up the pace and lead because the men are not there. They're not there and every one of you young women know it."

My favorite part:

Cosby told the graduates that the same male students who are dropping out of high school "have memorized the lyrics of very difficult rap songs."
Added Cosby: "And they know how to send their sperm cells out and then walk away from the responsibility of something called fatherhood."
Cosby said he acknowledged that his criticisms are not meant for all black males, but he said 70 percent of black graduates this year are female.
"Who's running the show?" Cosby asked. "It appears that the male is, but I have news for you. It's your turn.
"We want you to lead in business. We want you to lead in medicine. We want you to lead in everything."

Though, he exaggerated a bit, but his point is well-taken. Haha, "send their sperm cells out". Can you imagine if he was giving this speech in Gettysburg? Or at Harvard? Also, Cosby gave Spelman College $20 million. Wow! Speaking of money, the cost to go to Gettysburg is:

Tuition: $33,700
Telecommunication Fee: $280
Student Activities Fee: $70
Room (regular dorm room): $4,380
Board (unlimited access): $3,880
Total: $42,310

Now, multiply that total by four, and that, my friend, explains why I’m hovering just above the poverty line. Notice I didn’t include the cost of weekend beer runs and school textbooks. I love you, my Alma Mater. Seriously, graduates, make the best of your education. In the words of Shel Silvertein:

Put Something In

Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-grumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
'Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain't been there before.

Happy graduation! See you folks this weekend and beyond. Wait, wait, don't tell me. I'm gonna take a wild guess that the groovy Valedictorian is ND :-) Congratulations graduates!! Come join the real world. The doors won't be open; the beds won't be made; you're gonna have to do it yourself. Lots of possibilities and amazing prospects.

Up-to-date (5/22/06):

Still recovering from c/o 06 commencement. My ears are still ringing from the extremely loud air horns. I don't why, I always seem to gravitate toward the people with the air horns. It was a windy graduation, literally. I was sleep-walking through most of the ceremonies. We stopped by the Ragged Edge coffee shop for lunch (so glad they're open). Thanx KL, ND, "Gi" and MN! And much congratulations!!

Now where are my happy pills?

Up-to-date #2(5/23/06):

ND is moving and working in the DC area as a consultant. Watch out, world. He's wicked savvy.

Unsolved oil pollution, whodunit

I care very much about ecotourism and clean tourism (because one day I'm gonna take over the world, and I'd like it to be sustainable and biologically and culturally diversed :-). The Int'l Ecotourism Society, defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." In addition, it should increase awareness of the environment and cultural settings. The local culture, flora and fauna should be the main attractions. That being said, whenever there's a problem, the indigenous people and the local communities should participate in the management. I stumbled on this report about an oil-like residue on the resort beaches of Hàm Tiến - Mũi Né (Ninh Thuan province) in Saigon, Vietnam. Authorities have no idea where the oil gravels came from or the origin of the black objects. The gravel could be crushed easily leaving a sticky residue, kind of like hot asphalt.

Dù đã chập choạng tối 15-5 nhưng anh Nguyễn Văn Chi, trưởng bộ phận ẩm thực khu resort Sài Gòn - Mũi Né, vẫn nhiệt tình đưa chúng tôi “khảo sát nóng” và ghi nhận tình trạng từng vệt đen như bụi than pha lẫn vào cát đang hiện diện ở khu vực bờ biển này... Đặc biệt, nhóm chúng tôi nhặt được không ít những viên mềm mềm màu nâu đen, to cỡ đầu ngón tay cái (tạm gọi là “sỏi dầu”) bị sóng biển đánh dạt vào bờ.[...]

Cũng qua khảo sát, kết quả đánh giá bước đầu cho thấy những viên dầu có thể là dầu thô. Tỉnh chúng tôi hiện chưa có điều kiện phân tích xác định nguồn gốc dầu nên sở đã đề nghị Tổng công ty Dầu khí VN hỗ trợ khảo sát, xác định nguồn gốc dầu; đề ra các biện pháp phòng, chống và xử lý hiện tượng ô nhiễm do dầu...”

How could the investigators not know the source of the spill? They should start asking the oil plants nearby. They should look under the water for sunken freighters or oil tankers. Has there been an oil spill in history that went unsolved? Enlighten me. It's not that I don't care about the resorts (cuz they put up hotels to detriment the ecosystem), but what about the fish people, who's going to save the little fishies? Be vigilance and try harder with the investigation, do it for the fish-es.

Job, why bother?

Directly stolen from grrlscientist. It doesn't scare me because I can show up at the interview and point and laugh at their stupid proposals. Then, I'll give them the evil eye and tell 'em to go to hell.

When confronted with job ads like this, is it any wonder that people give up on their job searches?

Highly competitive postdoctoral position available in the Department of Evolutionary Biology at [name elided]. Applicant must hold a PhD in molecular biology or evolutionary biology with a cumulative grad and undergrad GPA of 4.0. Graduates of MIT or Stanford preferred. Minimum ten years' postdoc experience required, the candidate must also possess an IQ of 160, perfect spelling and grammar, and be prepared to write a 150-page "demo" grant application describing why you want to work for us. Must be fluent in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Finnish as well as having a keen knowledge of Excel, Powerpoint and Access. In fact, you should be prepared to demonstrate that you have mastered every piece of software on the market. Candidate must pass background and credit checks, as well as drug and alcohol tests. Excellent health required -- and you will be required pass a stringent physical exam. Must be a motivated, passionate self-starter with excellent "lab hands" and people skills, combined with the ability to think outside of the box. Automatic disqualifiers: gap(s) in employment history, use of curse words, ACLU membership, keeping a messy lab bench.

The successful candidate should expect to attend 20 individual interviews, including one all-day panel interview with the entire research group, pay for your own parking, and buy lunch and snacks for everyone in our research group.

Compensation: $10/hour, 10-15 hours a week with the possibility of increasing to 20 hours per week if you're exceptionally good. No more than that, though, or we may have to start paying you some benefits.

Please send letter of interest, CV, and 15 letters of recommendation to;

[contact information removed]

Haha, "lab hands", I wonder what they look like?

Did you flush?

Omigosh. Who would want that toilet in their bathrooms. So tacky. How would one go and use number 2? Plus, who will keep the dead fish count due to the ummm, flatulency.

Maybe for entertainment purposes, my niece and nephews would just stare at the fish and forget they have to use the toilet. I can visualize disasters in the air. Although, with this kind of toilet in your bathroom, you will never have to worry about them not flushing the toliet. As a matter of fact, you may never get them out of the bathroom. If I feel sick, I may forget to gag because the fish will glare at me and giving evil looks. Geesh, the things people would improvise and invent.

Yup, the goldfish in the tank are real!!! The poor little fishies. (Thanx for the pic, AU)

What kind of soul are you?

The forecast calls for rain all week. I have a sore throat, and my cough is dry. My appetite has severely decreased, and I feel like crap. Cooked a whole dinner meal, and I can't seem to eat it. So what I decided to do instead is take this blogthings online quiz.

You Are a Seeker Soul

You are on a quest for knowledge and life challenges. You love to be curious and ask a ton of questions. Since you know so much, you make for an interesting conversationalist. Mentally alert, you can outwit almost anyone (and have fun doing it!). Very introspective, you can be silently critical of others. And your quiet nature makes it difficult for people to get to know you. You see yourself as a philosopher, and you take everything philosophically. Your main talent is expressing and communicating ideas. Souls you are most compatible with: Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Hmm...I kinda agree with what this quiz says about me. Then again, it could be side effects of the high fever I'm experiencing. Tell me what kind of soul you have.

!Feliz Día De la Madre!

Happy Mother's Day Taking some time off from the festivities to post this blog. Have a great one, everyone.

Maxims and dualism

Maxims to ponder:

Better an honest enemy than a dishonest friend.

For every complex problem there is a simple solution - and it's wrong.

Have a great weekend everybody!

When a trial is postponed...

I found out, on my own, as to why the trial of Donta Allen, accused of murdering our Linda Trịnh, was cancelled this past April 25. I am a quiet observer of Maryland justice system and am quite disappointed thus far. I, in particular, don't ask the family what's going on, who's the attorney or what's the prosecutor's name. It's just too painful. When a trial is delayed, the victim's family grows impatient and hope for justice begins to decline. I don't have access to the archives and details of the trial, but as an honest tax-payer, I would like to follow this rough journey to the end. There's no hate in my heart, just bitterness to the whole ordeal.

Donta Maurice Allen, [now] 28, was scheduled to stand trial yesterday in the killing of Linda Trinh, 21, who was found dead in the bathtub of her Charles Street high-rise apartment near the university. Warren A. Brown, Allen's attorney, has said his client is not guilty.[...]

Police and prosecutors have given no motive for the killing.

The city state's attorney's office requested the postponement yesterday because the prosecutor, Twila C. Driggins, is on another murder trial.

Allen's new trial date is Sept. 6 before Circuit Judge Roger W. Brown.

Latest published report is here. My prayers continue to go out to Linda's family and friends.

Prison Break, 24, Blaine, ugh!

Many hours were wasted last night in front of my TeeVee. Aside from the frequent adjustments of my antennas, I had to squint in disgust with the programs last night. Three words: so.damn.slow. So slow that I'm going to keep this post extremely short. They've finally escaped after 21 epidsodes. No wait, they just climbed over the wall to another section of the prison. Next week, they'll be hunted down by a whole bunch of prison guards and secret services. Yup, the government wants these "cons" dead.

24. I'm disappointed. Quite underwhelmed by last night's epidsode. Logan and Myles, two Brutus-es and douchebags on cell phones. Heller is alive (impossible!) Sloppy prisoner transfer. With only three epidsodes left, I hope Bauer will be full of actions instead of celebrating his love for Audrey.

Stunt man David Blaine fails to break underwater record. Not that I cared if he did, but it was the right outcome that he failed. What an idiot. I'm glad he didn't blackout and die, but what a stoopid stunt.

Medium guest star Kelsey Grammer as the Angel of Death, really creepy. I need to read a book. Too much TV and talking on the phone is bad! bad! bad! By the way, is Lost new this Wednesday? Last week was awesome!! American Idol all the way, baby! So disappointed that Paris is gone. Go Elliot!!

The End.

Minh Tuyết strip teasing.

Minh Tuyết is one of my favorite Viet singing artists. I went to see her at Diamond Club, and she actually looked good off-camera! This observation is quite rare for Viet pop vocalists. No offense.

The illusion of Minh Tuyết floating in the air while grabbing on the red velvet curtain is booty-licious. To pull this stunt off, they have four strong hands/arms behind the curtain supporting her bottocks. FOUR! How many hands would it take to support J.Lo's? Eh. Strip pole is old school, I guess. Below is the lyric.

Đã Không Yêu Thì Thôi

Lời nói đầu môi, anh ơi trót lưỡi đầu môi
Phải xa đành thôi, sao anh gian dối người ơi
Vì sao tình tôi chân thành bên anh đã lâu
Vì sao anh... tôi không hiểu vì sao

Dù biết tình yêu xưa nay vẫn có hợp tan
Phải đâu đành quên bao nhiêu yêu dấu thời gian
Nhìn mưa rơi ngoài hiên, nghe tình tôi lao xao triền miên
Một ngày kia... anh có quay về?

Đã không yêu thì thôi ta gặp nhau làm chi
Thêm bao xót xa mình tôi anh ơi tình si
Anh như áng mây trên trời và hoài xa xôi
Cho dù tôi đã cố níu giữ (lấy) tình anh

Đã không yêu thì thôi anh cần chi gian dối
Thêm bao trái ngang cuộc tình ngập ngừng đầu môi
Mưa giăng mắt trên môi sầu tìm nhạc đơn côi
Dù xa nhưng trong tim tôi mình anh thôi

If you can't open YouTube, try this wma player link. It's a cool song. Do not ask me to karaoke this! Not unless I 've had a drink or so.

Happy birthday Mum! (you too Brother in Black)

Mum and Brother in Black's birthdays are one day after the other, though decades apart. In the spirit of celebrating environmentalism, I'd like to congratulate mum and Brother in Black for walking, biking, jogging and carpooling to get to places these years. They would score favorably in the League of Conservation Voters. Hooray! At least mum would. Now that both of them have driver's liscences, we'll see how this celebration will fair out. [Disclaimer: I have nothing against people with cars. I love the automobiles. It's just that if you think your car is your santuary, then you're, uhh, doomed (?).]

In other news, congratulations to these grassroots winners.

A Liberian man who uncovered evidence that warlord Charles Taylor raped forests to finance civil war was among six grassroots environmentalist "heroes" honored in San Francisco on Monday.
Silas KpananAyoung Siakor was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize along with Tarcisio Feitosa da Silva of Brazil, Yu Xiaogang of China, Anne Kajir of Papua New Guinea, Olya Melen of the Ukraine, and Craig Williams of the United States. [...]

Anne Kajir, 32, was praised for uncovering "widespread corruption and complicity" by the Papua New Guinea government that has allowed illegal logging of tropical forest, the statement said.

A Ukrainian, Olya Melen, 26, was awarded the prize for her legal battle against construction of a massive canal cutting through the Danube Delta. Melen secured a temporary halt to completion of the dam but her legal campaign continues.

Craig Williams of the United States received the award for persuading the Pentagon to stop plans to incinerate old chemical weapons.

R.I.P Earl

Mr. Earl Woods, father of Tiger Woods, has passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer. He relentlessly taught, helped, encouraged his child so that he could succeed in life as a golfer as well as a person. That is what a father is supposed to do!! What a great loss. Unconditional love to his child(ren) no matter the circumstances. I am no expert on this matter, but I know I will get in trouble if I continue my rant on parents-children relationship...

My condolences go to Tiger and his family.

My eyes! ears! Ahhh.

This has to be the worse music video ever made!

WTH? Who's the video editor? Hasselhoff, you silly brave Knight. I hope you realize that getting hooked on a feeling was a bad idea to start with. Haha.