Hope for curing cancer

Australian scientists kill cancer cells with "Trojan Horse" is the headline of this really interesting article on Reuters that came out yesterday. They have tried using nanotechnology to fight cancer with a 100% kill rate.

They have injected and grown human cancer cells in mice, then use this technology to fight it. 100% of the cases has shown to kill the cancer completely without touching good, healthy cells in mice.



Here is the link.

It is very interesting. This is the type of thing I love to read. Politics, Race, Religious beliefs aside, this is where we come together. Making progress for the human race.

I guess for a county entirely populated with criminals, they finally did something worthy of praise.

(That last sentence was a play on a line from the movie The Princess Bride....some of you are not quick enough to catch the humor, or know the reference and I thought I might save some nasty notes or emails about it.....take it as a joke and smile.)

1:49:19

What do those numbers mean? 1:49:19?

They mean I have a lot of work to do. That is how long it took me to finish the triathlon Catey and I did yesterday. She came in with a great time of 1:45:04...she beat me, however, she didn't pass me and that was my goal the whole race is to not let Catey pass me.

Our other friend Maryanne (who is borderline professional runner) smoked us both with a finish time of 1:35:38.



It was more fun than anything, I can't wait for the next one.

Here is a list of my overall results:

Bib number: 128
Gender: M
Location: Eagle Mountain, UT
Overall place: 126 out of 140
Division place: 13 out of 14
Gender place: 74 out of 78
Time: 1:49:19
Swim: 15:27
T1: 3:35
Bike: 1:00:37
T2: 1:18
Run: 28:24

Admittedly they are not great numbers.....but with some practice I should have nowhere to go but up. There is another one scheduled at the same place on August 22nd 2009. The link is here. Please sign up and tell me. It is so much fun with more people.....and you can play...beat Aaron's first time. It'll be great fun.

This is one thing I could do over and over and try to better myself. It is the ultimate test of endurance and personal fortitude. I learned a lot about myself out there. From a sporting perspective, I have no pride, but I am willing to learn. From a personal perspective, I am not as pleased with myself as I would like to be.

I love that my wife and I have something we can do together that is just us....even if she beats me at it, it is just us.




This next pic is for Maryanne. Since she smokes everyone at everything, I thought I would post this embarrassing photo.



Here are some others for your humorous enjoyment.

Memories of Michael

The first time I remember hearing his name was on the radio. I was listening to Power 99 to their top ten countdown of the week. My favorite song at the time was Mr. Roboto by Styx. I was anxious to make sure that my listening would assure Mr. Roboto would be the number one song.....it was beaten by a song I hadn't heard before....by a guy I didn't know....'Beat It'.

I was not an instant believer, I was so upset. How could this lame song beat out Mr. Roboto?

It was played, played and played again and I started to like it. My best friend bought the album and introduced us to Thriller....our lives changed. We practiced his signature, read the lyrics, played the album front to back over and over until we thought we couldn't get enough. We tried to dance like this guy (we failed) we tried to sing like him (we couldn't) and we dreamed of being the star he instantly seemed to become. We bought his 'Victory' album. We could name all his siblings, we wrote reports about him in elementary school....he was truly captivating.

Being as young as we were at the time, we thought he was a 'new' thing. My parents kept reminding me that this guy had been around for years. I didn't believe them. I thought they just wanted to be cool like all of us.

He did commercials for Pepsi (We liked Coke, but we noted that he liked to drink 'Tab' in the Thriller video. It is a Coke product so we gave him a pass.) He came in concert and tickets were an unbelievable $30 a piece....we didn't get to go. His hair caught on fire filming a commercial. He liked Webster. He wore a white sparkly glove and matching socks. He could 'Moonwalk' which I tried to do in my socks on the linoleum over and over with my first Sony Walkman. He wore jackets with no less than 50 zippers going nowhere. He wore huge sunglasses. He had Eddie Van Halen play the guitar solo for 'Beat It'. He made the world feel like it was just a bit smaller. His songs were happy, upbeat and fun and because of that he swept the Grammys.

That is how I like to remember Michael Jackson.

Things got weird after that and he became the punch-line of thousands of jokes, late night mockeries, endless plastic surgeries, strange albums and accusations of misconduct with minors. I feel bad this is what most will probably remember. The court cases, the baseball gear, fingertip band aids, gold thongs, babies over the railing, black umbrellas, mass media hype, 'Wacko Jacko'... I felt bad for him.

He was so talented and changed so many things about pop culture, its no wonder (even with the weirdness) he was dubbed the 'King of Pop'. The title was not an understatement. I don't think there will be another like him. He was as Iconic and influential as Elvis or The Beatles ever were. With the large expanse that music has become I don't think someone like that will ever have a hold (or as much influence) on the entire industry the way he did.

I would like to just say thanks Michael. You introduced me to music other than what my parents listed to. You introduced me to Rock, Rap, Dance, Hip-Hop and Pop music. I hope you have truly found rest to your troubled world.

Unwritten rules of the Mens room

I have thought about this blog several times before and decided to go ahead and write them down. This is not funny, this should be taken very serious as the rules are the same everywhere.

I have never seen them actually written down and for those who are unfamiliar to the rules they should be followed strictly. There is no order to the importance, because they are ALL important.

The unwritten rules:

#1 - Never talk on the phone.
This is just silly. Who wants to be on the phone with you or stand next to you while you are letting the garbage man do his job. Seriously....don't call anyone and if you get a call, let it go to voicemail. You can however, take this time to read txt messages or play games on your phone...both are acceptable. Yelling when you win your game is not.

#2 - Talking is strongly discouraged.
This is a lesser known rule and is often discarded or forgotten, I could be listed as one of the guilty parties. Talking in the men's room isn't cool and if it MUST be done, it should be quiet. Men don't want to talk while peeing or "other".....especially the "other". You don't talk in the stalls at all under any circumstances. If you are out of TP and want to ask the neighbor for some.....don't. Just wait until they leave and move to the next stall.

#3 - Don't eat in the Men's room
Even if you have a 'free' hand, don't eat. This is gross.....do I really need to explain this? Keep the muffin outside.

#4 - Urinal stall etiquette
Don't stand next to someone. When entering the 'relief zone' one of the end stalls should be chosen. This gives plenty of space for others to choose stalls not directly next to you.

example



If you walk in the restroom alone, and there are 3 stalls, never choose 2 (middle). 1 or 3 are acceptable choices because that leaves the opposite end open for someone who might come in. Only when there is NO OTHER OPTION should you stand next to someone else.

Personally I like to choose 2 just to confuse others.

#5 - Please use both hands, don't put your hands on your hips or the stall walls and 'free fly'. You never know when control might be compromised which would result in an 'accident'.

#6 - Wash your hands.
Please don't adjust your tie, fix your name tag, brush your hair or pop a zit before washing your hands. Soap, water, towel. You should mentally sing 'Happy Birthday' in your head while you wash, this will remind you how long you should scrub. (Do not audibly sing or hum, this could result in a public beating)

#7 - When leaving, keep a towel in your hand to open the door.
Not everyone follows #6 and therefore have left their 'junk' on the door handle. You however, ALWAYS follow rule #6 and just cleaned your hands. Don't contaminate the clean fingers, use a towel to open the door. There should be a trash can right next to the door, if there isn't, throw the towel there anyhow. If the janitor sees 400 paper towels on the floor, the trash can will be quick to follow.

OK....there they are folks. If there are others, please feel free to let me know.

These just cracked me up....I don't know if I could use them with a straight face.

Post 201 - Funny things kids say

This post is funny....I know, I've read it. My wife sent the following funnyness to me and I thought I would share. I didn't write this one, but it made me smile.

Sorry about post 200. I wanted to do something totally different but that whole drunk driving thing made me lose my mind.....sorry.

This is much more fun.

1st Grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first-graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!

1. Don't change horses -- until they stop running.
2. Strike while the -- bug is close.
3. It's always darkest before -- Daylight Saving Time.
4. Never underestimate the power of -- termites.
5. You can lead a horse to water but -- How?
6. Don't bite the hand that -- looks dirty.
7. No news is -- impossible
8. A miss is as good as a -- Mr.
9. You can't teach an old dog new -- Math
10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll -- stink in the morning.
11. Love all, trust -- Me.
12. The pen is mightier than the -- pigs.
13. An idle mind is -- the best way to relax.
14. Where there's smoke there's -- pollution..
15. Happy the bride who -- gets all the presents.
16. A penny saved is -- not much.
17. Two's company, three's -- the Musketeers.
18. Don't put off till tomorrow what -- you put on to go to bed.
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and -- You have to blow your nose.
20. There are none so blind as -- Stevie Wonder.
21. Children should be seen and not -- spanked or grounded.
22. If at first you don't succeed -- get new batteries.
23. You get out of something only what you -- See in the picture on the box
24. When the blind lead the blind -- get out of the way.
25. A bird in the hand is -- going to poop on you.

And the WINNER and last one!
26. Better late than -- Pregnant


Hey, Thanks for reading. I am always skeptical when I read these types of emails....they sound too manufactured....but manufactured or not....these were funny.

Gripe #12 - Furious beyond belief

This post is an all-out verbal brawl with American Society. I am seriously beside myself with white hot irritation and I don't have words to communicate my hostility toward our fellow Americans. Before I get started, just imagine sweat beading down the bald chrome dome and falling into my bloodshot eyes which are squinted in anger with my teeth bared and a guttural growl passes through the seething teeth.

Ready?

Here goes.

First off Michael Vick...remember him? Very talented NFL Quarterback and star of the Atlanta Falcons? Ring a bell? On Monday December 10, 2007 he is convicted and sentenced to 23 months in prison (take note, this is important later) for arranging and participating in the illegal and brutal fighting and torture of dogs.

Yesterday....Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was sentenced 30 days in jail for manslaughter for a DUI. The article stated that a 'confidential financial settlement' with the family has helped him avoid a lawsuit.

******WARNING******
This is where I loose it.
**********************


WHEN DOES KILLING A BUNCH OF DOGS WARRANT A GREATER SENTENCE AND PUBLIC OUTCRY THAN SOME IDIOT, DRUNK BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A CAR, KILLING AN INNOCENT PEDESTRIAN? HONEST TO PETE PEOPLE ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

{breathe}

ouhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm (trying to calm down)

ok, ok, ok.

{Sigh}

Now that I am through that, let me clarify a few things.

#1 - I love dogs, I own a dog. What Michael Vick did was illegal and immoral and should be punished to the full extent of the law. However, even though I feel this way, we need to bring ourselves back to Earth when thinking about animals. Dogs (cats, cows, chickens..etc...)are property, not people. They are owned. They are animals and should never fall on the same line as a human life. Humans are above dogs (some more than others), they are more important and no dogs life is more important than the life of a human.

#2 - Drunk driving is a social disease and should be punished severely. If I took a loaded gun and just started randomly shooting in downtown [insert city name here] and killed someone I could get the death penalty. DRUNK DRIVING IS NO DIFFERENT!!!!! This yahoo killed someone....(I repeat) KILLED SOMEONE.... A person is dead because this moron was drunk beyond the legal limit, and slammed his car into some random pedestrian and what does he get? 30 DAYS!?!?!?!?!?

Dogs = 2 years
Pedestrians = 30 days

(I need to breathe again)

{Siiiiiiigggggggghhhhhhhhhh}

I get that he has the means to 'pay off' the family so they can now mourn with their millions but what does that do for the rest of us? Nothing. NOTHING!!!!!
What message does that send to others drunk behind the wheel?

Dang I am so white hot angry about this. Drunk driving should be:
1 - A second degree felony for attempted manslaughter
2 - Automatic impounding of the car (don't care if the car belongs to them or not)
3 - Automatic loss of your licence for life
4 - $10,000 fine
5 - Automatic 5 year minimum prison sentence hard labor, with a possibility of a year added for each 10th of a point over the legal limit.

And what for the bartender that kept passing you drinks....a Class A misdemeanor with a $2,000 fine and possible loss of liquor license.

If you start hitting society really hard where it hurts, maybe they will get the message.

I couldn't believe my ears and eyes when I saw the report, sitting in Chilis with my wife watching ESPN when the commentator was saying something to the effect of "He took full responsibility for his actions, will serve his 30 days and pay the family...what a great guy"

{Blank stare....eyes blink twice}

I tried to rub out my eyes and ears because I KNOW I didn't just hear that. Don't get me wrong. He stopped, called the police, didn't run and did the right thing. No excuse for WHAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED!!!!!!

This Nation is full of idiots that believe it is a RIGHT to drink and a RIGHT to drive and a RIGHT to do either whenever they want.

If you are one of these idiots, you are wrong and you make me sick. A car in the hands of someone drunk is just as dangerous as a loaded weapon being shot randomly.

Drinking is a privilege, don't abuse it.

Driving is a privilege, not a right.

Never mix the two.

This is NOT a moral stand against drinking. If you want to get smashed out of your mind and drink yourself into oblivion, fine. Do it in the comfort and privacy of your own home or get a cab. Don't put me and my family or anyone else at risk.

Unbelievable.

Ready for some staggering stats?

Between 1982 and 2008 (26 years) Total vehicle deaths due to drunk driving is 547,444. 'Alcohol related' means one or more drivers in the accident was over the legal limit.

I could go on for days about these numbers, can I put a bit of perspective on that staggering statistic? With all the yelling, protesting and moral bashing about war that is so prevalent today....

547,444 Americans have died due to drinking and driving over the last 26 years.

1,309,781 Americans have been killed in all US wars over 234 years. That number includes those who have died due to combat or friendly fire or accident during wartime.

Want the full breakdown?.....ok...here it is.

(The 2,819 Americans that died on September 11, 2001 are not included in the total stats)

2003 - Present - Iraq War - 4,312
2001 - Present - Afghanistan - 677
1999 - Kosovo - 20
1995-2004 - Bosnia Herzegovina - 12
1994-1995 - Haiti - 4
1992-1993 - Somalia - 43
1990-1991 - Gulf War - 299
1989 - Invasion of Panama - 40
1987-1988 - Persian Gulf escorts - 39
1983 - Invasion of Grenada - 19
1982-1984 - Beirut deployment - 266
1980-1992 - El Salvador Civil War - 20
1957-1973 - Vietnam War - 58,209 (barely more than one year of drunk driving fatalities)
1950-1953 - Korean War - 36,516 (less than one average year of drunk driving)
1941-1945 - World War II - 405,399
1917-1918 - World War I - 116,516

(**NOTE** Combined US fatalities in WWI and WWII is 521,915. That would be LESS than drunk driving fatalities in just the last 26 years)

1900-1901 - Boxer Rebellion - 37
1898-1913 - Philippine-American War - 2,446
1871 - Korean Expedition - 3
1861-1865 - Civil War total (North and South) - 625,000 (approx)
1855-1858 - Third Seminole War - 26
1846-1848 - Mexican American War - 13,283
1835-1842 - Second Seminole War - 1,500 (approx)
1817-1818 - First Seminole War - 30
1812-1815 - War of 1812 - 20,000 (approx)
1800-1900 - US Actions against pirates - 10
1801-1815 - Barbary Wars - 35
1798-1800 - Quasi War - 20
1775-1783 - American Revolutionary War - 25,000 (approx)

At this rate rate total deaths by drunk drivers (only since 1982 mind you) will surpass total casualties of war in a little more than 25 years.....2034. Remember I have not included Drunk driving deaths prior to 1982....which I am sure are just as staggering.

{sigh}


{breathe}


{sigh}



Drinking and driving deserves more than 30 days in jail, a public apology and money to the family.

Here are some visual reminders......











**********************
PS
**********************

I think I should note, this 'Gripe' comes partly from being indirectly related to those on BOTH sides of the issue.

I have friends and family that have DUI's on their record, I am plainly aware that my harshness includes them.

I also have friends and family who have lost loved ones because of the poor choices of others.

Statements made in the blog are not out of haste but are part of an ongoing problem that has effected me negatively in more ways and more often than anyone should ever experience.

Getting even with Brian

Brian is not only my cousin but my co-worker. He sits a few desks away and we chat and converse and have quite the time. Brian has a reputation at work of being somewhat of a prankster, joker. For example, one thing he likes to do is use his photoshop skills. He takes pics of people from the office and puts their faces in other pictures. He thinks its funny....you be the judge. (Here are some samples)

First we have one of my good friend James.



Then we have a couple shots of one of our former co-workers Janet. (Unfortunatley for us, she no longer works here.....we miss Janet)




I took a trip with a co-worker to New York and Brian thought we had too good of a time. Drawing off the "Brokeback Mountain" craze he made this little lovely of Mike and I.



Here is another co-worker Ron...who has become Nacho Ronbre.



Finally one with a few guys on the team....can you guess which one is me?


And now....to the point. Brian went out of town for two weeks to Sunny (and rainy) Orlando to spend time in Disneyworld with his family. They had a great time. Two weeks is a long time to be left to us here at work. Loving Brian the way we do, we started a project that we thought would let him know just how much we love him. Behold....the masterpiece. I was not the mastermind, however, I was a willing participant.




I had some video, but the file was too large to load. In keeping with Brian's ever-happy attitude....guess what he has done with all the foil?




This puppy is solid as a rock. He applies sheet after sheet, hammering it in tight. I love that guy.