There are more organisms in a teaspoon of dirt than the number of humans on the planet.
The End
Monday, May 12, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Freaky atoms
There are more atoms in a teaspoon of water than there are teaspoons of water in the Atlantic Ocean.
The End.
The End.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Mother's Day
Sunday:
I got some lovely presents and cuddles in bed, then breakfast cooked by my husband (not in bed). It was kind of a struggle to appreciate it all because I was feeling pretty sick and really just wanted to be sleeping, but I enjoyed as much as I could then went back to bed for the rest of the morning. And another nap after lunch. In a lot of ways I am feeling much better today, I don't ache nearly so much. But I have a runny nose and a cough and can hardly keep my eyes open. But hopefully this new phase means I am on the mend.
I'm a bit cranky with Facebook today. The Eurovision song contest is on tonight, we watched the two semi-finals and I was really looking forward to seeing the final. But we see it more than a day behind the actual event which is on the other side of the world (Copenhagen this year, I think), and Facebook has a "trending news" stream at the side that gave away who won! So annoying! I was being careful not to watch the news on TV today, just in case, I didn't know stupid Facebook would give it away.
Eurovision is awesome. Every country in Europe (or most of them) put in an entry, an original song. And it is so so random. My favourite last year was a male Romanian opera singer, dressed basically like a vampire, who did most of the song in falsetto. There were little Russian grandmothers doing a song a couple of years ago, they came second. There are some atrocious performances and some really good ones, you never know what you're gonna get. People on trampolines, people whistling while playing violin and drums... This year the stand out for me from the semis was the bearded lady from Austria. She was clearly born a man, with a male voice and a beard, but in all other ways looked very female - the hair, the make up, the slinky dress. It was quite confusing to watch. But a great singer and song, a powerful performance, as well as being voyeuristically entertaining.
We were supposed to have a party tonight with people coming over to watch but of course I am too sick so we cancelled. And now I know who is going to win. Where is the dramatic tension?
NB I talked to my mum on the phone but I'll see her next weekend for her birthday.
I got some lovely presents and cuddles in bed, then breakfast cooked by my husband (not in bed). It was kind of a struggle to appreciate it all because I was feeling pretty sick and really just wanted to be sleeping, but I enjoyed as much as I could then went back to bed for the rest of the morning. And another nap after lunch. In a lot of ways I am feeling much better today, I don't ache nearly so much. But I have a runny nose and a cough and can hardly keep my eyes open. But hopefully this new phase means I am on the mend.
I'm a bit cranky with Facebook today. The Eurovision song contest is on tonight, we watched the two semi-finals and I was really looking forward to seeing the final. But we see it more than a day behind the actual event which is on the other side of the world (Copenhagen this year, I think), and Facebook has a "trending news" stream at the side that gave away who won! So annoying! I was being careful not to watch the news on TV today, just in case, I didn't know stupid Facebook would give it away.
Eurovision is awesome. Every country in Europe (or most of them) put in an entry, an original song. And it is so so random. My favourite last year was a male Romanian opera singer, dressed basically like a vampire, who did most of the song in falsetto. There were little Russian grandmothers doing a song a couple of years ago, they came second. There are some atrocious performances and some really good ones, you never know what you're gonna get. People on trampolines, people whistling while playing violin and drums... This year the stand out for me from the semis was the bearded lady from Austria. She was clearly born a man, with a male voice and a beard, but in all other ways looked very female - the hair, the make up, the slinky dress. It was quite confusing to watch. But a great singer and song, a powerful performance, as well as being voyeuristically entertaining.
We were supposed to have a party tonight with people coming over to watch but of course I am too sick so we cancelled. And now I know who is going to win. Where is the dramatic tension?
NB I talked to my mum on the phone but I'll see her next weekend for her birthday.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Missing out on meeting Thor
Saturday:
I am feeling very sad and sorry for myself right now. Tim and the kids have just left to go and meet our puppy Thor (but not bring him home for a few more weeks) and I couldn't go because I am too sick. Partly I couldn't face the hour drive each way, even full of cold & flu medication, but also I am always very conscious of trying not to pass on my germs. I would hate to give them to the puppies! (The internet jury was out on whether dogs could catch human flu.) Tim will take lots of photos for me. Not the same. I had a bit of a cry after they left.
Not being able to use my CPAP due to the runny nose, so therefore poor quality of sleep, probably isn't helping. I seem a bit worse each day. Of course I was very run down to start with after four months of terrible sleep. I have a very sore spot just in front of my right ear (is there a sinus node there?) and my face aches and even my hair aches. I wet my pants sneezing this morning.
It is Mother's Day tomorrow and we are supposed to be having a Eurovision party tomorrow night and then Monday is our wedding anniversary and I can't imagine enjoying any of it.
Ok, pity party over. It's the weekend so I have my husband home to look after me (after he gets home from cuddling our new puppy, I'll get to cuddle him lots soon, stop crying) and I can sleep or slump in front of the TV or play computer a little bit although I'm finding that a bit tiring, and just relax and get well.
I am feeling very sad and sorry for myself right now. Tim and the kids have just left to go and meet our puppy Thor (but not bring him home for a few more weeks) and I couldn't go because I am too sick. Partly I couldn't face the hour drive each way, even full of cold & flu medication, but also I am always very conscious of trying not to pass on my germs. I would hate to give them to the puppies! (The internet jury was out on whether dogs could catch human flu.) Tim will take lots of photos for me. Not the same. I had a bit of a cry after they left.
Not being able to use my CPAP due to the runny nose, so therefore poor quality of sleep, probably isn't helping. I seem a bit worse each day. Of course I was very run down to start with after four months of terrible sleep. I have a very sore spot just in front of my right ear (is there a sinus node there?) and my face aches and even my hair aches. I wet my pants sneezing this morning.
It is Mother's Day tomorrow and we are supposed to be having a Eurovision party tomorrow night and then Monday is our wedding anniversary and I can't imagine enjoying any of it.
Ok, pity party over. It's the weekend so I have my husband home to look after me (after he gets home from cuddling our new puppy, I'll get to cuddle him lots soon, stop crying) and I can sleep or slump in front of the TV or play computer a little bit although I'm finding that a bit tiring, and just relax and get well.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Virtual fishing
Wednesday:
Unless you want to hear about my aches and fatigue and runny eyes and aching teeth, I don't have a lot to talk about today.
I went fishing in the Jade Forest this morning. No, not real fishing. In World of Warcraft, a computer game with lovely graphics. Instead of having to deal with cold weather and cold water and nasty stinky flapping fish and dead worms, I sat in a warm room and stared at a rippling stream surrounded by willows and cherry blossoms and white cranes. And the virtual fish didn't flap or smell or actually die. And I didn't have to eat them in real life either, bonus!
I took some pretty screenshots but can't find them to post here. I really need to become more computer literate one of these days. So I can show off my pretend fishing spot in a peaceful corner of a violent world.
I also planted some virtual carrots and melons. Because you can't have too many pretend carrots as big as you are, even if you are a minotaur.
Unless you want to hear about my aches and fatigue and runny eyes and aching teeth, I don't have a lot to talk about today.
I went fishing in the Jade Forest this morning. No, not real fishing. In World of Warcraft, a computer game with lovely graphics. Instead of having to deal with cold weather and cold water and nasty stinky flapping fish and dead worms, I sat in a warm room and stared at a rippling stream surrounded by willows and cherry blossoms and white cranes. And the virtual fish didn't flap or smell or actually die. And I didn't have to eat them in real life either, bonus!
I took some pretty screenshots but can't find them to post here. I really need to become more computer literate one of these days. So I can show off my pretend fishing spot in a peaceful corner of a violent world.
I also planted some virtual carrots and melons. Because you can't have too many pretend carrots as big as you are, even if you are a minotaur.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Random purchases
Monday:
I'm down with the flu at the moment which is annoying but I'll get over it. I did the grocery shopping this morning, feeling yuck the whole time. There is an Agatha Christie story where the dénouement is based on the fact that if you are worried or sick you are more likely to do what you are used to, stay in your groove. But today I was the opposite. Leaning on my trolley handle, dragging myself around the aisles, I was grabbing random things. Oh, a tin of chicken soup. That sounds good. (We never eat tinned soup.) A new flavour of chocolate (lime twist) that sounds a bit nasty but lets try it. Silverbeet, how about some silverbeet!? (I've cooked it about twice before ever.) I bet my kids would like this new flavour of biscuits (yes, they probably will, I think I'm on a winner with this one). I like frozen raspberries best in my yoghurt but I think today I'll get mixed berries even though I don't like the blueberries...
It wasn't all unhealthy stuff, it was just random stuff. What do you do when you are sick? Stay in your usual rut, or branch out like I did today and probably regret it? I shop from a list so the core of meals are fine, but I got unnecessary things and some weird substitutions.
There is another Agatha Christie that flummoxes me because a key clue turns out to be that a woman named her son Evelyn after herself. Even granted that Evelyn is usable by both genders (although that is the only context I've ever seen it as a boy's name) would you name your opposite-gender child after yourself? Seems odd to me.
I read quite a lot of old-fashioned English books and I often find the names funny. Dick and Fanny. Beverley for a boy (I have an Aunt Beverley). But the racism! I probably didn't even notice it as a child. I felt guilty sometimes for re-reading old favourites.
I'm watching a lot of reality TV at the moment. Cooking shows, weight loss, singing, home renovation, dancing. Love them. Nowadays there is usually at least three things running so something on every night of the week (sometimes several on competing channels, and I have to choose my favourite and/or record one). My mum also loves them although she goes for different ones - Survivor and Race Around the World. My dad only watches sport which I find mind-numbingly boring. My husband barely watches TV at all, he plays computer games in the evenings. But he's just through the arch in the study, so we can see each other and speak to each other.
Urg, why do my teeth ache when I have the flu?
I'm down with the flu at the moment which is annoying but I'll get over it. I did the grocery shopping this morning, feeling yuck the whole time. There is an Agatha Christie story where the dénouement is based on the fact that if you are worried or sick you are more likely to do what you are used to, stay in your groove. But today I was the opposite. Leaning on my trolley handle, dragging myself around the aisles, I was grabbing random things. Oh, a tin of chicken soup. That sounds good. (We never eat tinned soup.) A new flavour of chocolate (lime twist) that sounds a bit nasty but lets try it. Silverbeet, how about some silverbeet!? (I've cooked it about twice before ever.) I bet my kids would like this new flavour of biscuits (yes, they probably will, I think I'm on a winner with this one). I like frozen raspberries best in my yoghurt but I think today I'll get mixed berries even though I don't like the blueberries...
It wasn't all unhealthy stuff, it was just random stuff. What do you do when you are sick? Stay in your usual rut, or branch out like I did today and probably regret it? I shop from a list so the core of meals are fine, but I got unnecessary things and some weird substitutions.
There is another Agatha Christie that flummoxes me because a key clue turns out to be that a woman named her son Evelyn after herself. Even granted that Evelyn is usable by both genders (although that is the only context I've ever seen it as a boy's name) would you name your opposite-gender child after yourself? Seems odd to me.
I read quite a lot of old-fashioned English books and I often find the names funny. Dick and Fanny. Beverley for a boy (I have an Aunt Beverley). But the racism! I probably didn't even notice it as a child. I felt guilty sometimes for re-reading old favourites.
I'm watching a lot of reality TV at the moment. Cooking shows, weight loss, singing, home renovation, dancing. Love them. Nowadays there is usually at least three things running so something on every night of the week (sometimes several on competing channels, and I have to choose my favourite and/or record one). My mum also loves them although she goes for different ones - Survivor and Race Around the World. My dad only watches sport which I find mind-numbingly boring. My husband barely watches TV at all, he plays computer games in the evenings. But he's just through the arch in the study, so we can see each other and speak to each other.
Urg, why do my teeth ache when I have the flu?
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Attractive celebrities with ugly partners
Thursday:
Today I clicked through to an article about attractive celebrities with ugly partners. I guess I was curious. One of the couples was someone (Pierce Brosnan, I think) with an overweight wife - she was thin when they married and had put on weight since then. The author of the article seemed totally astonished that not only were they still together (how noble of him to stay with a fat wife!) but that he publically claimed to not only still love her but still find her attractive! (Must have been lying, right? I mean, she wasn't thin any more.)
I looked at a few more of the pictures and I couldn't always tell who was supposed to be the attractive one in the couple, then I got to Matthew Broderick with Sarah Jessica Parker and I thought, well ok I used to have a bit of a crush on him and a lot of people think that SJP looks like a horse though it is a bit harsh to call her ugly ... then the caption made it clear that she was the "gorgeous" one and he was the "ugly" one! I gave up on the article and read a few comments and they all reflected my opinion that the author was an idiot and a bully who (probably) wouldn't go up to someone and tell them they were ugly but somehow thought it was ok to say it on the internet. And that the "ugly" people were generally pretty normal looking and some rather cute. Just not as glammed up as their famous partners.
Anyway, just thought I would share that.
So on Tuesday I was gambolling over the hills like Maria from the Sound of Music (I even sang a bit from the hilltop! No-one around.) but since then the TOM hormones have kicked in and gravity is too heavy and yesterday I cried when I couldn't get my laptop to behave and it's all too hard. Feeling a lot better this evening.
Not that I would have minded if anyone was around to hear me singing. I can be cripplingly shy in some situations but I love singing to an audience.
I should probably go and see my doctor and see if my newly-acquired high blood pressure needs any treatment. I've seen the sleep doctor guy a few times but we haven't talked about that (except that the sleep apnoea caused it) but I haven't seen my regular doctor. Does it go away now that I am getting better sleep? I'd rather not go on medication for it, my husband is (his high blood pressure is caused by stress, he is fit and not overweight) and it did have some side effects. But of course if I need to take medication that is better than having some kind of cardiac event. My local chemist lets me test my own blood pressure there, I haven't done it for a while.
One thing that has improved is having to get up to pee during the night. Apparently this was not just a matter of being awake so much I was more aware of needing to go. I didn't really take in the explanation but it was something to do with the heart struggling and trying to get rid of extra fluid so it could beat more easily? Causing me to get up to the bathroom more often. I've gone through several nights now without having to get up at all which is a really good sign. Definitely getting better sleep this week.
Today I clicked through to an article about attractive celebrities with ugly partners. I guess I was curious. One of the couples was someone (Pierce Brosnan, I think) with an overweight wife - she was thin when they married and had put on weight since then. The author of the article seemed totally astonished that not only were they still together (how noble of him to stay with a fat wife!) but that he publically claimed to not only still love her but still find her attractive! (Must have been lying, right? I mean, she wasn't thin any more.)
I looked at a few more of the pictures and I couldn't always tell who was supposed to be the attractive one in the couple, then I got to Matthew Broderick with Sarah Jessica Parker and I thought, well ok I used to have a bit of a crush on him and a lot of people think that SJP looks like a horse though it is a bit harsh to call her ugly ... then the caption made it clear that she was the "gorgeous" one and he was the "ugly" one! I gave up on the article and read a few comments and they all reflected my opinion that the author was an idiot and a bully who (probably) wouldn't go up to someone and tell them they were ugly but somehow thought it was ok to say it on the internet. And that the "ugly" people were generally pretty normal looking and some rather cute. Just not as glammed up as their famous partners.
Anyway, just thought I would share that.
So on Tuesday I was gambolling over the hills like Maria from the Sound of Music (I even sang a bit from the hilltop! No-one around.) but since then the TOM hormones have kicked in and gravity is too heavy and yesterday I cried when I couldn't get my laptop to behave and it's all too hard. Feeling a lot better this evening.
Not that I would have minded if anyone was around to hear me singing. I can be cripplingly shy in some situations but I love singing to an audience.
I should probably go and see my doctor and see if my newly-acquired high blood pressure needs any treatment. I've seen the sleep doctor guy a few times but we haven't talked about that (except that the sleep apnoea caused it) but I haven't seen my regular doctor. Does it go away now that I am getting better sleep? I'd rather not go on medication for it, my husband is (his high blood pressure is caused by stress, he is fit and not overweight) and it did have some side effects. But of course if I need to take medication that is better than having some kind of cardiac event. My local chemist lets me test my own blood pressure there, I haven't done it for a while.
One thing that has improved is having to get up to pee during the night. Apparently this was not just a matter of being awake so much I was more aware of needing to go. I didn't really take in the explanation but it was something to do with the heart struggling and trying to get rid of extra fluid so it could beat more easily? Causing me to get up to the bathroom more often. I've gone through several nights now without having to get up at all which is a really good sign. Definitely getting better sleep this week.
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