"In 2008, 24 global cities will participate in Earth Hour at 8pm on March 29. Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut their emissions on an ongoing basis. It is about simple changes that will collectively make a difference – from businesses turning off their lights when their offices are empty, to households turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby."
To celebrate the 100th post of this fine blog I invite you to join Earth Hour or just switch off the lights for one hour completing Thing #26 for your own 101 Things.
For more information visit: http://www.earthhour.org/
PS: This is the 101th post!
Friday, 28 March 2008
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Happy Birthday to me!
Boring: I will never be that, but I admit.. I am getting older. In fact, on Tuesday I will be.. 25! It's a nice round number; 1/4 of a century. Sounds impressive eh?
I thought you would have liked to wish me Happy Birthday with many healthy blogging years to come. So, I am posting this, in order for you to leave a message (please make me feel better for getting on the wrong side of 25)! You know what you have to do!
PS: If you are a member of the secret society don't forget to organise a surprise party for me. I promise to look surprised. Thank you.
I thought you would have liked to wish me Happy Birthday with many healthy blogging years to come. So, I am posting this, in order for you to leave a message (please make me feel better for getting on the wrong side of 25)! You know what you have to do!
PS: If you are a member of the secret society don't forget to organise a surprise party for me. I promise to look surprised. Thank you.
Saturday, 22 March 2008
Thing #94: See your name in print
I have seen my name in print many times (and yes I am modest for those who don't know me!). I have published a number of articles and book chapters, wrote a thesis many pages long, even saw articles about me in local newspapers. Getting something though in a national paper was a first and by achieving it I can happily claim Thing #94 done and put to bed. Next step will be to get in Wired (if the editor reads this please leave a comment and I will get back to you - Thank you).
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Time capsule revisited
It just occurred to me that my Wired collection is a time capsule in its own right. OK, it's not 25 years old, but still it provides a window to the past (...12 months - I am still struggling to keep up with the last issues). Anyway, I am now in February 2007 so some progress has been achieved.
I thought to share a few of my favourite stories of the past few issues:
Do I Know You?Some people can see your eyes, your nose, your mouth – and still not recognize your face. Now these prosopagnosia sufferers may help scientists unlock the mysteries of the brain. By Joshua Davis
The Perfect Man Dean Karnazes ran 50 marathons in 50 days. He does 200 miles just for fun. 12 secrets to his success. By Joshua Davis
The Secret World of Lonelygirl15 How a 19-year-old actress and a team of struggling Web filmmakers took on TV. A Wired exclusive. By Joshua Davis
Edifice, Complex Billowing glass, rippling titanium, swooping stainless steel. Onsite with the engineers who turn the most ambitious architectural plans into reality. By Karrie Jacobs
Raging Boll Uwe Boll, the worst movie director ever, challenged his Web critics to a boxing match. Four idiots actually met him in the ring. By Chris Baker
I thought to share a few of my favourite stories of the past few issues:
Do I Know You?Some people can see your eyes, your nose, your mouth – and still not recognize your face. Now these prosopagnosia sufferers may help scientists unlock the mysteries of the brain. By Joshua Davis
The Perfect Man Dean Karnazes ran 50 marathons in 50 days. He does 200 miles just for fun. 12 secrets to his success. By Joshua Davis
The Secret World of Lonelygirl15 How a 19-year-old actress and a team of struggling Web filmmakers took on TV. A Wired exclusive. By Joshua Davis
Edifice, Complex Billowing glass, rippling titanium, swooping stainless steel. Onsite with the engineers who turn the most ambitious architectural plans into reality. By Karrie Jacobs
Raging Boll Uwe Boll, the worst movie director ever, challenged his Web critics to a boxing match. Four idiots actually met him in the ring. By Chris Baker
Monday, 10 March 2008
Thing #26: Help save the planet
Every little helps! So I am going to recycle a sealed lead-acid battery.
Lead-acid batteries, invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté, are the oldest type of rechargeable battery. Despite having the second lowest energy-to-weight ratio (next to the nickel-iron battery) and a correspondingly low energy-to-volume ratio, their ability to supply high surge currents means that the cells maintain a relatively large power-to-weight ratio. These features, along with their low cost, makes them attractive for use in cars, as they can provide the high current required by automobile starter motors. They are also used in vehicles such as forklifts, in which the low energy-to-weight ratio may in fact be considered a benefit since the battery can be used as a counterweight. Large arrays of lead-acid cells are used as standby power sources for telecommunications facilities, generating stations, and computer data centers. They are also used to power the electric motors in diesel-electric (conventional) submarines.
And they are used in my portable hand held vacuum cleaner. So, by sending for recycling this battery (increases recycling hassle/convenience rate) I claim this Thing as done!
Lead-acid batteries, invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté, are the oldest type of rechargeable battery. Despite having the second lowest energy-to-weight ratio (next to the nickel-iron battery) and a correspondingly low energy-to-volume ratio, their ability to supply high surge currents means that the cells maintain a relatively large power-to-weight ratio. These features, along with their low cost, makes them attractive for use in cars, as they can provide the high current required by automobile starter motors. They are also used in vehicles such as forklifts, in which the low energy-to-weight ratio may in fact be considered a benefit since the battery can be used as a counterweight. Large arrays of lead-acid cells are used as standby power sources for telecommunications facilities, generating stations, and computer data centers. They are also used to power the electric motors in diesel-electric (conventional) submarines.
And they are used in my portable hand held vacuum cleaner. So, by sending for recycling this battery (increases recycling hassle/convenience rate) I claim this Thing as done!
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
Thing #40: Take care of an animal
I used to have a goldfish many years ago. A clever one! It may have left this world, but it did leave many good memories behind!
No animal testing took place while writing this post.
Monday, 18 February 2008
Thing #38: Make a time capsule
I received an email a few minutes ago that made me think (not that I was not thinking before or that I will not think later on) of how many time capsules we make for other people.
A friend had kept all the letters I had sent 15 years ago. Yes, for those of you who are not yet old and boring, that was before email. It's rather scary to be able to narrate stories that took place 15 or 20 years ago, but what can you do about it (other than invent time travel)?
Looking back, it is "strange to notice how we were obviously less experienced in life, yet how little our characters and ideas have changed since then. 15 years ago, imagine... We're getting old", but not boring!
As this blog is not just about me, but those close to me too and as it seems that it has made a really good job of turning 'insignificant random events' to things worth sharing, I would like to put forward my friend's time capsule and declare Thing #38 done.
A friend had kept all the letters I had sent 15 years ago. Yes, for those of you who are not yet old and boring, that was before email. It's rather scary to be able to narrate stories that took place 15 or 20 years ago, but what can you do about it (other than invent time travel)?
Looking back, it is "strange to notice how we were obviously less experienced in life, yet how little our characters and ideas have changed since then. 15 years ago, imagine... We're getting old", but not boring!
As this blog is not just about me, but those close to me too and as it seems that it has made a really good job of turning 'insignificant random events' to things worth sharing, I would like to put forward my friend's time capsule and declare Thing #38 done.
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Thing #75: Watch a tadpole grow into a frog
February to March is the best time to find frogspawn (apparently), so this is ideal time for me to watch a tadpole grow into a frog. So I could go to a lake and wait for a few weeks/months until I get to see the product of the final transformation: the frog. Now that's interesting, I am sure, but, there are other more extreme transformations that can be observed.. not at the lake, but on YouTube. Try watching the video below and see for yourself! This is as close I will get to watching animal transformations!
Saturday, 9 February 2008
Thing #37: Write Lyrics for a Song
No, I am not going for a Grammy, but I had to have a go at writing a few lyrics for a song. The good news is that I don't have to write the music too. If you can, then feel free to have a go at it and send me the MP3 to post here. Oh, the lyrics are released under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 UK: England & Wales licence.
Keep up
Moments like this you feel alone,
you think of the past,
and those things...
that are yet to come,
uncertainty all around,
deep breaths come out.
You know there is a start,
there is even an end.
You are somewhere in between,
in a journey, straight ahead.
Time passes by,
without you on my side,
and I have, I have to wonder why...
why, are you not on my side?
Emotions are tangled,
thoughts and actions too.
I am not tired of keeping up,
I am just tired of being away from you.
Keep up
Moments like this you feel alone,
you think of the past,
and those things...
that are yet to come,
uncertainty all around,
deep breaths come out.
You know there is a start,
there is even an end.
You are somewhere in between,
in a journey, straight ahead.
Time passes by,
without you on my side,
and I have, I have to wonder why...
why, are you not on my side?
Emotions are tangled,
thoughts and actions too.
I am not tired of keeping up,
I am just tired of being away from you.
Friday, 1 February 2008
Thing #96: Glue coins to the floor
I went to a house the other day and outside, on the steps, there were two coins. I could not be bothered to pick them up. So, said to a friend who was near by: "It's your lucky day, 15p!" She tried to pick them up, only to find out they were glued! Now for this thing I was supposed to glue the coins myself, but still by indirectly tricking someone, I accidentaly managed to complete this Thing!
Thing #4: Learn how to tell if someone fancies you
Internet, such a wonderful thing! It can actually provide a much-sought solution to an ever-lasting problem: find if someone fancies you. Well, since I marked this as done, I came across a nice way of figuring this out.
Just try: http://www.loveanalyst.com, but use it at your own risk ;)
Just try: http://www.loveanalyst.com, but use it at your own risk ;)
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Thing #16: Done
For two weeks I have counted the number of bad words and I am happy to report that paying yourself the princely amount of 10p per bad words does help towards reducing your swear footprint on this planet. On average I used half of my available quota and with an average of 6.4 bad words a day I should award myself £19.2 pounds for the whole month. It seems I shot myself on the foot as this is £14.2 less than the average pocket money. So I propose (and I am sure you agree) that for Thing #51 I should give myself a bonus and double the difference, i.e. spend in one go 14.2x2+19.2=£47.6. I now need to decide what I will be getting for myself!
Saturday, 19 January 2008
The brain: a powerful thing
The brain is a powerful thing - that can make you or break you. You get to learn to think in a certain way and that may often may be very different to how others think. Your experiences, the environment you live in, the people around you or away from you, will affect you, either contradicting or more often re-enforcing how you think. It's all in the process and bias. Bias gives you the building blocks: assumptions and 'rationale'; process puts them together, like the scaffolding that creates the structure for the bricks to follow or like puzzles pieces that come together to create a picture. Why all this totally unscientific and fascinating simplistic approach to neuro-science?
Well, it's been a long week of counting swear words. I estimated 11 a day and to my surprise I found that on average I use(d?) fewer words than that. This is good news, as I have to put 10p in my swear box for each one of them, but still... it got me thinking. Is it really the absolute number of words that matter. Is really my set target of 11 words a day that difficult to achieve? 'Yes and no' is my answer.
For example: assume you sleep 8 hours on average that leaves you with 16 hours with a quota of 1.45 words each. That's sounds difficult, especially if you take into consideration that when we use bad words they are more than one in a phrase!
What about the % that bad words represent of our total spoken words a day. I found a page that concludes that males use about 6000 words per day and females use 8800 per day. I am sure you were not surprised! There are other estimates that show the same trend, albeit with a larger gap. In anyway lets assume females use more words than men. With 300 words per page, that's 20 pages for a male and 29.3 for a female. With an average of 4-6 characters a word and 70 years of average talking life-span one can easily calculate the amount of storage space required to transcribe everything one said in a lifetime and save it on a PC, which I roughly calculated to be less than a gigabyte of data. Sad - my phone has enough memory to keep everything I've said so far and will say in my remaining days. Anyway returning to my previous argument 11 words a day is only about 0.2% of what males say and even lower for females. That makes you feel better eh? Perhaps, but this should not be an excuse to start using more bad words. In fact, that reminds me of a song that says "those who swear do so, because they have not learnt to talk".
Returning to the actual Thing in hand I've tried to count as accurately as possible and I found that counting was a good obstacles to using bad words. Often I found that I started replacing them with something less 'offensive'. You could perhaps use something totally irrelevant, like apples or oranges. That can even be a good ideas as saying oranges so many times a day may create the desire to eat one. Vitamins are good after all.
I will keep counting for another week - more counting will increase the validity of my experiment and perhaps will help me rewire the hardware in my brain and prevent me from using bad words in the future.
Well, it's been a long week of counting swear words. I estimated 11 a day and to my surprise I found that on average I use(d?) fewer words than that. This is good news, as I have to put 10p in my swear box for each one of them, but still... it got me thinking. Is it really the absolute number of words that matter. Is really my set target of 11 words a day that difficult to achieve? 'Yes and no' is my answer.
For example: assume you sleep 8 hours on average that leaves you with 16 hours with a quota of 1.45 words each. That's sounds difficult, especially if you take into consideration that when we use bad words they are more than one in a phrase!
What about the % that bad words represent of our total spoken words a day. I found a page that concludes that males use about 6000 words per day and females use 8800 per day. I am sure you were not surprised! There are other estimates that show the same trend, albeit with a larger gap. In anyway lets assume females use more words than men. With 300 words per page, that's 20 pages for a male and 29.3 for a female. With an average of 4-6 characters a word and 70 years of average talking life-span one can easily calculate the amount of storage space required to transcribe everything one said in a lifetime and save it on a PC, which I roughly calculated to be less than a gigabyte of data. Sad - my phone has enough memory to keep everything I've said so far and will say in my remaining days. Anyway returning to my previous argument 11 words a day is only about 0.2% of what males say and even lower for females. That makes you feel better eh? Perhaps, but this should not be an excuse to start using more bad words. In fact, that reminds me of a song that says "those who swear do so, because they have not learnt to talk".
Returning to the actual Thing in hand I've tried to count as accurately as possible and I found that counting was a good obstacles to using bad words. Often I found that I started replacing them with something less 'offensive'. You could perhaps use something totally irrelevant, like apples or oranges. That can even be a good ideas as saying oranges so many times a day may create the desire to eat one. Vitamins are good after all.
I will keep counting for another week - more counting will increase the validity of my experiment and perhaps will help me rewire the hardware in my brain and prevent me from using bad words in the future.
Poll
The poll is now closed and the results are:
- Old 1 (4.34%)
- Boring 4 (17.39%)
- Old and boring 4 (17.39%)
- None of the above 14 (60.86%)
Many thanks to all 23 of you who voted. For those 14 of you who voted none of the above - mid-life crisis is yet to come!
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