The dumbest person....ever.

It's hot in Cali. It's been over 100 every day for two weeks. This, of course, is causing rolling blackouts. There is one area in West Hills that hasn't had power for three days. Tonight, on the news, a woman from that area, dressed in her Channel glasses and big straw hat says, "This is awful. This is just like Katrina all over again. Except we haven't lost our homes."

You'd better lava me now or lava me not!

There is visible lava at the Pu’u O’o vent, people. There is no lava that you can hike to, due to the potential for a large collapse but I’m hopeful, though, because this is my first lava check in over a year that has any pics. Maybe something will become visible before September 25. Keep your fingers crossed

Better news for world health.

Bill Gates has just committed $287 Million over the next five years to accelerate research and discovery of an HIV/AIDS vaccine. It’s a little ironic that the man consistently accused of monopoly is promoting global communication and partnerships in other areas, but I think this may make a difference for the world. At the very least, it should serve as an example to others. Highlights from the MSNBC article are pasted below:

SEATTLE - The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced Wednesday it’s awarding $287 million in grants over five years to create an international network of scientists to speed up the development of an AIDS vaccine.

Each of the 165 investigators in 19 countries who will get money in this series of grants had to agree to share their findings in real time and compare results with others — even if they had been working on competing projects in the past. Historically, HIV vaccine research mostly has been conducted by small research groups working independently, said Dr. Juliana McElrath, associate head of the infectious diseases program at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle and a lead researcher on one of the new grants. “While critical progress has been made, the HIV vaccine field has lacked a shared, focused strategy,” she said.

Mitchell Warren, executive director of the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, complimented the Gates Foundation on the approach it was taking, but warned against assuming that this is enough money to finish the work. “Funding for AIDS vaccine research is still short of what we need,” Warren said.

My First Political Rant

This one is for all my friends that are horrified that I’m a Republican (socially liberal, fiscally conservative):

It isn’t a politician’s duty to enact their personal agenda. It is their duty to act as a representative of the people. Public opinion polls have shown that the American public is in favor of Embryonic Stem Cell Research.

Science is poised to make great strides in the fight against Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, etc. and stem cell research may be the key. Despite the promise of medical advancement, and public support, the President has vetoed legislation that would allow federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

The article I’ve read about the bill in question did not specify, but I’d assume that it’s not like scientists are stealing embryos. In my opinion, the only embryos that should be included in such studies are those surrendered/signed over by couples finishing In-Vitro treatments or created with the sperm/eggs from donors willing to participate in such research. In fact, if it weren’t so painful and invasive, I’d be the first one in line to donate my own eggs for this type of research. Well, once I’m done using said eggs for the creation of gorgeous babies with my gorgeous husband.

What is it going to take to show politicians that the people of this country support this kind of research? And if the people support it our government should as well, and put funding toward it, despite personal opinions.

Seriously, W, WTF! It’s crap like this that makes me ache for the day when my generation’s representatives will take over, opening doors that to this point have been kept closed by the whims of a generation that refuses to see the direction in which this Country is going.

While I’m at it, where the hell is all the funding for space science? What, we want to go, but we don’t want to understand the environment out there or the forces at work that will affect whatever we do send out there?

Mike is gonna be so proud of me…

Midterm Book Report

One of my goals for 2006 was to read 12,000 pages I’m on track to meet or beat that goal, and thought I’d give a quick review of my books so far. They will be rated by Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down or just Eh. Sorry if it’s long.

• The Prizewinner of Defiance Ohio by Terry Ryan- Eh.
• Bee Season by Myla Goldberg- Thumbs up.
• Night by Elie Wiesel- HUGE Thumbs up. I have to agree when O when she says it should be required reading for everyone in the human race.
• Marley and Me by John Grogan- My favorite book of the year, thus far. Laughed until I cried, cried until I laughed, and wanted to adopt a puppy the day I finished.
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki- Thumbs Down. A lot of to-do’s but none of the “how” to accomplish the goals.
• Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt- Thumbs way up.
• My Friend Leonard by James Frey- Scandal or no, great writing style. Not as good as A Million Little Pieces but still good.
• YOU: The Owners Manual by Dr. Mehmet Oz- Thumbs up.
• Endurance by Caroline Alexander- Eh. Great story, great pictures, but could have been told in a more dynamic style.
• Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx- Thumbs up.
• Smart Couples Finish Rich and The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner by David Bach- Thumbs WAY up. Fiscal advice for everyone with not the “how” as well as the “why.”
• Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie- Thumbs up.
• Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich- Eh. Fluffy beach read.
• The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown- Thumbs still up on the third time around.
• Hello Mrs. Pigglewiggle by Betty McDonald- Thumbs Up. Kiddie-lit, BTW.
• Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld- Thumbs up.
• Perfect Match and The Pact by Jodi Piccoult- Thumbs up. My new author of the year.
• 700 Sundays by Billy Crystal- Thumbs Up
• A Spanish Lover by Joanna Trollope- Eh, leaning toward Thumbs Up
• The Devil Wears Prada and Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger- Thumbs up.
• The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve- Thumbs up, leaning toward eh, for a lack of ending.
• Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner- Eh leaning toward thumbs up. Stick with Chick Lit, and lay off the mysteries, Jen.
• Without You by Anthony Rapp- Thumbs WAY Up. If you’re a theater geek, you must read this…. And weep…. Numerous times…. I did. Tied for favorite book of the year.
• A Little Love Story by Roland Merullo- Thumbs up, but another lack of ending.

Now I’m on to The Trouble With Girls by my college professor Marshall Boswell. Love it so far. Buy it just to support the Bos. Love that guy. Loved his classes. I doubt he so much as remembers my name but I’m thrilled he’s doing so well. I also have his second book Alternative Atlanta which is on the To-Read list for later this year.

Doing a lot more for the world than me. . .

A fellow Rhodes Alum is making a lot of news. He's running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days to support the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast. I wasn't aware the human body could do such a thing. I wish there was more I could do. Hopefully building awareness will help- so if anyone reading this has access to a corporate sponsor- have them visit http://www.50in50in50.com/.

My own personal Hell...

So, I'm really horrible at this reliable writing on my blog thing. However, I have another excuse. My coworker, who happens to be the City's event planner is out on maternity leave. Her backup had a family emergency and had to step down (she later kinda stabbed me in the back, but I won't get into that), leaving me solely responsible for the City's 4th of July Show.

It was great, and I'm really proud, but I'm wiped out. Hubby is out at a show tonight, so I'm going to bed early. Hopefully, I'll have more interesting things to say by this weekend.