Thursday, December 02, 2004

Science is fun!

Well the pressure's on to see that this day turns out as a tribute to the ever-charming Michele.

Although she herself suggested I enquire as to book shopping practices — we devour far more books than groceries, don't we? — a more scientific venture springs to light today.

The Guardian talks about a list compiled by New Scientist magazine of 100 Things to Do Before You Die.

For example:

  • extract your own DNA
  • measure the speed of light with chocolate
  • swim in a bioluminescent lake



(See the article for more examples.)

While any science experiment involving chocolate holds vast appeal, I'm considering adding "spend an afternoon in zero gravity" to my before-I-die list. You?

J-F, meanwhile, convinced that last week's vomitorama was evidence of radiation poisoning, is in the market for a geiger counter. Ebay offers a number of affordable ones, but the labelling's generally in Russian — he'd at least like an instruction manual in a language he can understand. Any recommendations?

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh how unfair! So early in the day to attack my masculinity.

All I ever wanted to do was cross the seven seas, climb the highest mountains and love one like I have no other.

One out of three, so far. Not so bad, I think.

Shannin said...

I think it would be great to have a new species named after me, although having a diamond made out of the carbon from my cremated ashes would prove I was worth something....

Ah, yes, and our mutual friend, Michele, sent me...

Suzanne said...

Came over from Michelle's. Like your blog. I saw that same article on things to do before you go....
I keep wondering who in the world was the first to figure out that if you add blood into water and dish soap, that you can extract DNA matter? There's a blog post there somewhere i'm sure!

Aldon Hynes said...

Hi. Michele sent me.

There, with the formalities out of the way, let's get down to business. My wife is a molecular biologist. She holds a patent for some of her work at a major pharmaceutical company. Her mother was a science teacher. My wife recently ran for State Representative and spent time trying to get people to think a little more scientifically. We spend time talking about science with our kids.

My goal, to help instill a love of science in the people around me.

Enough for now.

MF said...

Michele sent me! How 'bout spending an entire afternoon in zero gravity while extracting your own DNA and measuring the speed of light with chocolate in a bioluminescent lake?

Jenniffer
http://ilitafire.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Just walk through Tiffany's or find a cure for heart disease.
http://orphicsoliloquy.blogdrive.com

Anonymous said...

I'd just like to be able to flip an omelet over without it looking like really bad scrambled eggs.

Nice blog! Michele with one "L" sent me!

Follow That Star

Amy said...

After Chernobyl I don't know if I'd want a Russian geiger counter.

Oh, and BTW, Michele sent me!

Great blog!

DementedPhotographer said...

Die? You mean I may die? I'm not immortal? Hmmmmm ... wish someone had told me before now.

This is all Michele's fault. She sent me.

-G

Anonymous said...

I never devour books before, how do they taste, Isabella? I don't think I would try to eat a book, fraid of paper cuts!

Have a nice day, Isabella, and one more thing, Michele sent me!

Rockchild
http://www.rockchild.com

Catherine Detweiler said...

Aren't I extracting my own DNA every time I pluck my eyebrows?

I'll add something to do with measuring chocolate--perhaps seeing if I can eat it faster than the speed of light?

BTW, Hello, Michele sent me!

Anonymous said...

J-F's condition may be a blessing in disguise.

If he is luminescent, in a radiological sense, you can consider that trip to the lake accomplished.

Also, you may want to consider a visit to the dentist's office, to pick up some of those radiation blocking bibs, etc.

I'm glad I came by by. Michele too, must be glowing.

Carl

Anonymous said...

What are groceries? Yep - count me in the camp that devours far more books than groceries. I've been enjoying your blog for a while now - actually thanks to Michele. But this time she told me to say hi. So, hi!

iliana
www.book-girl.info

Anonymous said...

Hello! Michele sent me.

A bioluminence lake sounds like lots of fun even though I have no idea what it is. Sounds kinky, though.

webmiztris.diaryland.com

Ben said...

Hi, Michele sent me! Nice to see another Canadian blog...

Mamacita (The REAL one) said...

Michele sent me this time, but next time I'll come on my own. Any word form of 'luminescence' reminds me of that old movie 'Journey to the Center of the Earth.' I loved that movie as a kid. And there was glowing stuff in it, as I recall. Yes, some kind of glowing stuff and they used your word to describe it. And dinosaurs. Only they weren't luminous, just smiley. Oh, and they found Atlantis. But nobody was home. Love your blog! Thanks for sharing!

Shooter said...

I don't have anything cute to say. My brain isn't working, but I do know Michele sent me.

Anonymous said...

Nobody sent ME! I arrived on the banana boat...

http://www.gammascout.com/ has a number of Geiger counters, it looks like. I was actually looking for those ID cards that turn black if you're exposed to too much radiation, although by the time they're black you can never have children again.

There are lots of physicists at McGill who could probably advise you on this. I only know Ken Regan and Dave... er... blanking on Dave...

--rachel

Anonymous said...

Hi.

Michele sent me.

~Easy
http://gloryroad.blog-city.com

Princess Wild Cow said...

Books...my favorite necessity! By the way, Michelle said hi.

Ogre said...

You know why we're here! "Hello, Michele sent me."