Rube Goldberg would be proud

Too Many People in the World...cha cha cha.

Recently having been to Las Vegas, Denver Airport, Chicago Airport, I have decided that there are too many people in the world without courtesy or manners. I don't like it.

Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome

Have you heard of Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome? - Self cannibalism.

Listen to NPR Science Friday June 6th 2008, it's about half-way through. Interviewee is
Richard Preston with a new book "Panic in Level 4"

For more information visit:
Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome Information Page at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Quote from website: "Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is a rare, inherited disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). LNS is an X-linked recessive disease-- the gene is carried by the mother and passed on to her son."

Braincast - on the frequency of mind and brain

A great podcast aiming to explain difficult topics to uncomplicated people. This podcast is by Arvid Leyh and started in Germany in 2005. Thankfully, for those of us who only understand every third word in German, he has started a version in English. Thanks Arvid!
English version
German version

Gas Prices and European Tour

So, it seems everyday we hit a new record. Price per gallon is up a dollar over last year, and thirty-three cent over just last month. And our beloved President Bush is kicking off his farewell tour of Europe. Who the hell is he Cher? David Hasselhoff? Does Europe love him so much that he needs to tour around saying his goodbyes burning up extra jet fuel? Because you know he doesn't fly public; he's got the whole USAF to cart his sorry, lack-luster, butt around.

Guess who's invested heavily in oil...me? No, President Bush. What is he doing to
alleviate the plight, ney blight, of the common American? Tootling around the world shaking hands and rubbing shoulders.

Mommy and Daddy Bush are you happy with what your son has done? Are you proud? Can you look America in the eyes and say it?

Surprise, surprise, Rural U.S. Takes Worst Hit as Gas Tops $4 Average
Hey Prez, don't forget who grows the food...is it the big cities with ample public transportation who don't give a crap about gas prices? No. It's the farmers rural America. So fix it.

Puzzle Games

I have a new addiction--online puzzle games. I don't like jigsaw, or slide the tile, or get X# of gems in a row Connect Four type crap; I mean real mind bending puzzles that force you to think in three dimensions or more.
If you love great puzzles like me check these out on www. shockwave.com

Hyper Frame:
http://www.shockwave.com/gamelanding/hyperframe.jsp

Bloxorz:
http://www.shockwave.com/gamelanding/bloxorz.jsp

And this one combines puzzle-like thinking with destruction (bonus!)
Metalix Tower Defense:
http://www.shockwave.com/gamelanding/metalixtd.jsp

I've completed Hyper Frame and Bloxorz, and have gotten to level 20 on Metalix. Post a comment and let me know how far you get.
If Bloxorz drives you crazy, I've heard that there are solution videos on YouTube. But come on, the fun of puzzles is figuring them out without getting help.

Short Browser Rant

Why do web browsers have 'stop loading' buttons if they don't work? Have you ever typed an incorrect URL and hit enter before you realized you typoed and clicked stop and it didn't?
Arrgh!