Vikings Exibit at the Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum exhibit on Vikings was very impressive. I, my wife and a friend all enjoyed the comprehensive look at the peoples who through a similar culture and religion became known as vikings (even though it means to travel or go somewhere). Although I had a strong basic knowledge of this culture I still learned more and was pleased.

The exhibit leaves Victoria on the 12th of November 2014. Go or be left behind.

Vigil at the BC Legislature Memorial

A grassroots organized vigil across Canada's cenotaphs and memorials happened yesterday. This was to honour the sacrifice of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, who died at the Ottawa tomb of the unknown soldier, and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who died near the Canadian Forces recruit school in St Jean Quebec.

There were people of all ages. People who are or did serve in the Canadian Forces and those who were not. There was a sense of why these men died and why they were targeted by mentally disturbed Canadian citizens. All who came wanted to do something to show they didn't like what happened and for the hope it never happens again.

What we and the officials that represent us do in the coming days ahead will shape us as a country for the future.

Postcard of the Interwebs - 22 Oct 2014

Life Exists in Space: Iso-Propyl Cyanide, a life giving molecule, has been found in a nebula nearby. Vinyl alcohol and ethyl formate have also been detected in space but this larger molecule gives more weight to the argument that life can exist outside of Earth.

WW1 Week by Week: An ambitious project with a an under 10 minute video for each week of WW1.

Cheap Hydrogen Fuel from Common Materiels and Sunlight: Using perovskite and common materials, EPFL laboratories have made a much cheaper solar cell.

Solar cell Coupled with a Battery: From Ohio state university, comes another solar stride forward in solar technology. Since the battery and solar panel are so tied to one another there is a lot less energy loss. A very novel way of using the sun, with titanium "grass".

Atlas Obscura: Very cool and quirky website of odd and interesting things and places.

Hybrid Solar Materiels using Inorganic and Organic Substances: This University of Cambridge development could mean that there may be a revolution in solar technology using the methods they have researched.

New Bone Grafting Methods extremely decrease Recovery Time:The use of PTCy combined with IV Bu/Flu myeloablative conditioning (no idea what these are but the effect is what is cool), reduces recovery time and reduces rejection of the graft.

Thanksgiving in Okanagan...with Moose

My wife and I went to the Okanagan to spend it with her parents. The drive up was pleasant and light on traffic. Probably because we both took Friday off of work.

We stopped in Hope and our old standby cafe was closed down so we drove around and discovered a super good place called Blue Moose Cafe. Their atmosphere is great and food is very delicious. Their Chai tea latte and rooibus drinks are also delicious but the rooibus is heavy on the honey. Gas was also quite cheap in Hope this weekend. The rest of the drive up was uneventful and with a quick stopoff at Quantum Games in Kelwona we arrived at my wife's parents place in record time.

Over the weekend we talked, watched movies, saw some friends, water-skied (not me as I just watched in the boat) and relaxed.
 

For Thanksgiving dinner Saturday we also had Moose that my father-in-law was involved with hunting it. I had only had moose a few times in my life and this was the best tasting one yet. It was a roast and was cooked perfectly with the meat being so tender we could have used butter knives to cut it. No horseradish needed for this moose!


The drive back was also uneventful and we made such good time that we made record time coming back.

Noodlebox Southeast Asian Noodle Bar

On Friday my wife and I got takeout from an old favorite, Noodlebox. They started with noodle cart in Victoria and have grown into a chain of seven in Victoria, four in Vancouver and two in Calgary. My wife and I have gotten food from them for about a decade.

You order what protein you want (tofu, chicken, beef, pork), your spiceyness level and what stirfry you want. There are lots of extras and I choose extra veggies normally. They also have lots of specials that change often. I normally order the spicey Thai peanut.

Very tasty and friendly staff makes for great filling food.

Postcard of the Interwebs - 01 Oct 2014

Scientists Increasing Efficiency of Plants: Rubisco, the protein that converts CO2 to sugars is very inefficient. Now scientists beleive that they can increase the efficiency and have crops that give more energy which will decrease the amount required by the body. This will greatly benifit third world counties.

40 Pictures of Abandoned Places: Very well taken pictures of old unused places.

On/Off switch for Aging: Vicki Lundblad, senior author of the paper from Salk Institute, has found out the mechanism for continuing regrowth of cells after long life. Generally the telomeres, which rebuilds the cells, deplete over time and the telemerase enzyme rebuilds it. Eventually the telemerase cannot keep up, the telemeres stop, the cells die off, parts of the body stop repairing and the body dies. Her team has discovered not only that turning off the telemerase until it needs to be used could keep the body healthy in old age but also stop the spread of cancer as cancer uses unfettered telemeres to reproduce quickly so the body cannot fight it off.

Do Stomach Bacteria Determine Appetite?: An interesting study that suggest that not only does our gut microbiome influence our immune system to demand certain foods but the opposite can occur by injesting other foods to make the microbiome have to change in order to digest the new food better.

A gif of a dog and a deer racing. Puts a smile on my face.

 

 Beef Cuts and what to do with them: Yum!

Fray Tormenta, the Real Life "Nacho Libre": Very inspiring story overcoming adversity in order to help others. The story is actually more interesting than the Jack Black movie.