Google's plans- creepy, but helpful

Cool, but a bit big-brotherly creepy (and I don't mean my siblings)- using your location and what you are doing atm, google wants to send you info before you ask for it!

Checkit:

Google: We'll find info before you know you need it | Software | silicon.com

via slashdot.org

NASA=excitement fail

A good summary (comixed.memebase.com)

I don't know if the Australian mainstream media got wind of NASA's announcement about arsenic-based life last week or not (I heard from everyone's fav nerd news aggregator, slashdot.org), so here's the rub:

29 Nov: NASA releases this media alert, making it sound like they found something really awesome!

2 Dec: NASA Press conference/release explains that a bacteria in some lake in California apparently is using arsenic in a way the rest of life uses phosphorus.
The world is disappointed- the internets cry "Come on, NASA! :| Bacteria? On Earth? Surely you could do better" (just check out the comments on the slashdot page).

Now, the latest is a whole bunch of people are saying the study is crap! A good summary of criticisms can be found in this 7 Dec article from Slate.com.

Way to go NASA! Freaking awesome! First, you make us think you've found ET, then tell us it's only bacteria - and you didn't even leave the country?!? On top of that it was a really poor study?
Just go back to getting us on mars, ok?
BTW, where's my moon-city? It's late.

NMovember/early December 2010

Movember is over and Christmas is upon us! 

So far, the counted donations for our Movember Team have reached $730!! About $200 more is expected to clear the bank soon too. This is a great result. Thanks to all who donated! 

Not only did my team raise such a great figure, but almost all the information leaflets we made available have gone! The guide to what works for depression was the most popular, having only 10 copies they disappeared fast. Also going quick were the Beyond Blue flyers for Depression in Men.

My goatee is coming back well. I'll try and find some pics from Movember to post this week.

Study:

My Spring Semester uni results were released this week! I'm happy with the marks. For the 3 units I did, my marks were 72-73-73, all credits. Not too bad, since I felt like I bombed the exam for the 72 mark. This makes my GPA so far 5.333, which is just above a credit (4=pass, 5=credit, 6=distinction, 7=high distinction).

I hope I can keep it up- I've got chemistry this semester, which I've heard lots of people say is hard :( 

The other subjects I'm enrolled in for Autumn are Epidemiology and Science in Society, which look interesting.

That's all for now,

Andrew

An honest privacy policy?

Check out this link to possibly the first truly honest privacy policy.

Updates on Movember, studies and stuff to come soon!

September, October, Movember!

I've decided to participate in Movember this year.

If you aren't familiar with Movember here are the basics:

• People sign up to participate
• On November 1, all the guys shave their facial hair off
• For the month of November, men grow moustaches
• While doing this, everyone raises awareness and funds for men's health issues (especially prostate cancer and male depression).

I like my facial hair as it is, but this issue is important to me, so I'm doing it. I'm hoping to get a few guys to join me as a team. I'd like to have my team raise a few hundred dollars over the month. 

According to the Movember website, 3300 men will die from prostate cancer this year. That's tragic.

1 in 8 men will experience depression in their lifetime. Help is available. 

According to Lifeline Australia, suicide is the leading cause of death for people under 44 in Australia. That's unacceptable.

I urge you to participate. Do something. Anything to help.

You can donate through my 'mospace' page, or directly to The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Beyond Blue or Lifeline.

Know Your Herbs

From The Australian Cookery Club circa 1976.

Australian Cheeses

From The Australian Cookery Club circa 1976.

Know Your Cuts: Veal

From the Australian Cookery Club circa 1976.

Know Your Cuts: Beef

Last week I found some cool old books and recipe cards at the tip. Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting some of the posters, cards and ads from them all. 

To start, we have some posters that came with a recipe card set from the Australian Cookery Club. The set seems to be from around the mid-70s and is in quite good condition. 

Click for a closer look!

From The Australian Cookery Club circa 1976

Odds, ends and very odds...

I've been a bit busy over the last while, with assignments and trips to Sydney and what-not. Here's a rapid-fire of the posts I forgot to post:

1. Neat finds at the tip!

8mm film projector in excellent condition, with original box!

8mm film camera with original box, instructions and carry-case all in excellent condition too!!

The front of the projector.

2. We saw our baby (the other one)!

It's a girl, but no name yet.

3. I had a birthday!


4. I got my full licence!

5. Addie turned 1!
We had a party and presents and stuff.

Presents!

"Don't you love the big pink cake I made you, Addie? Addie?"

How about a very hungry caterpillar cake?

6. We went to Sydney!

Due to the distance Addie spent a lot of time in her car seat:

Asleep on the way home.

While we were there I decided to test my morning manliness capabilities:

Manliness: oozing from every pore!

...and Addie stuffed herself with cake and sweets where ever we went (Grandparents don't help):

7. We returned to peas!

Our pea plants were covered in ripe peas when we returned, and heaps of flowers had blossomed too!

Freshly picked

Those that made it to the bowl after being shelled.

8. Last but not least, Tab's looking Fab!

What a beauty!

Catch you all soon!