"Re: Absinthe" written by Jbeatty on estrip.org

12/12/07 10:06 - 33ºF - ID#42495

Re: Absinthe

Since there has been two posts regarding Absinthe I thought I might share the lesson I recieved last night on how to drink the stuff. So I guess you are supposed to take this leaf shaped spoon with holes in it, and place a sugar cube in the center. Pour the absinthe over the sugar, and then light the what hasn't dissolved on fire. It gets cloudy and actually tastes slightly less like lighter fluid.

Permalink: Re_Absinthe.html
Words: 76
Location: Buffalo, NY

12/10/07 07:39 - 32ºF - ID#42461

Throwing caution to the wind

The last week of my life has been devoted to studying for my bio tests that are over as of 10:40 this morning. It has been trying reading the same chapters and reviewing the same dissections over and over. So tonight I am rewarding myself with some delicious home cooked well somewhat cooked food. Tonights menu was Steak Tartar and Frites. I have never tried to make this before but it was pretty fun. Really the single most important part is to use fresh sirloin and fresh eggs considering they are both raw. I know, I know it's dangerous to eat this. But I love this dish so much that it is worth the risk. There are a lot of ingredients but they are all pretty cheap except for the Cognac. So in no particular order you will need beef, egg yolks, parsley, dijon mustard, ketchup, cornichons, capers, onions, worcestershire, hot sauce, cognac, black pepper, and anchovies. You could if you were so inclined to read a recipe and measure all of it. But I just mixed the wet ingredients with the chopped beef and added everything else till it tasted good. I served it with some Samuel Smiths Oatmeal Stout. Making fries at home is a terrible mess but they taste so freaking good. I guess there is a bit of irony that I cooked the one thing that wouldn't harm me if eaten raw. But who the hell wants to eat raw potatoes? There is something very attractive to me about eating something that could potentially have me in the fetal position for a week. It's time I step it up though, I really need to visit a licensed Fugu chef one of these days!

Permalink: Throwing_caution_to_the_wind.html
Words: 292
Location: Buffalo, NY

12/04/07 08:37 - 24ºF - ID#42393

Intelligent Design

This is really starting to piss me off. I can't find one bit of information on the subject that pertains to the actual theory. I seriously doubt that there is a real theory behind it. Everything I seem to find on the subject of ID is supporters trying to debunk Evolution. How is this the basis for a scientific theory? I think my favorite things to read are the Irreducible complexity and the watchmaker arguments. The creationists that are trying to get this crap taught in public school are either disturbingly misinformed or blissfully ignorant. I have watched two documentaries this week on this so it has really been on my mind. This semester I have been taking an Evolutionary Biology class and to be honest it wasn't my favorite subject from the start. But in the last month it has really become much more interesting. To study something that is amazingly still controversial is strange. I love to watch people walk forward to the professor to argue at the end of lecture. It seems odd, I have never witnessed someone question a physics professor on the validity of the theory of gravity, yet there they are arguing against Evolution because "it's just a theory". I guess I don't understand why some people of faith want so badly to insert hypotheses that are unable to be tested into the public school science curriculum. It is a dangerous thing to teach bad science to students. As an agnostic it actually wouldn't bother me to teach some sort of religion class in schools as long as it were and option and not mandatory. But keep it out of my science class!

jason writes at 01:55:47 12/05/07 - Comment #28884: Haha. Well done JBeatty. Our education system is already dumbed down enough without those assholes trying to inject ID into Biology class.

jbeatty writes at 10:14:45 12/05/07 - Comment #28877: Jason: Actually that was mostly what my rant session was about, the discovery institute without actually naming them. They readily admit that a good percentage of their funds are donated by a certain Christian fundamentalist. Also internal documents have been leaked that show they really have no theory behind what they are saying, only to "teach the controversy". People will have to make a decision for themselves and fortunately enough in at least two cases that I know of the public has voted out school boards that tried to teach this as science. I guess what irritates me most is there are groups that fund this nonsense, whereas acclaimed Evolutionary Biologists won't give these people the time of day to debate in a public forum. I suppose that some people will always choose simplicity over complexity in order to explain things in the natural world. Or they will choose only what their faith has dictated as the only possible explanation, never mind the phenomena that has been observed, recorded and tested. I'm frightened by the continuing dumbing down of our education system. I think George Carlin may have it right when he says "soon all you will need to get into college is a fucking pencil"

James: I agree, the "it's only a theory" argument really distorts what a scientific theory is.

carolinian writes at 09:49:10 12/05/07 - Comment #28874: "If you believe in the Legend of Davey Crockett, no proof is needed that he died a heroic death. If you do not believe, than he was just a man, and it does not matter how he died." -LT. Comander Worf

jason writes at 09:14:41 12/05/07 - Comment #28872: Haha. Guys, nothing is so sacred that we need to explode and get all offended like a Scientologist when he's asked about body thetans.

The thing about Evolution is that it IS a theory, James, and even still there are things under the umbrella that remain a mystery to us, and generate debate within the scientific community itself. Of course, the majority of what we know has been observed, recorded, and measured, and is very solid.

People who say it is only a theory and leave it at that are motivated by two things: Either they want to discredit everything under the umbrella, which is wrong, or they (like I have on occasion) want to agitate easy marks.

It is remarkably similar to people getting pissed because someone insulted their religion. For that matter, on this end it is remarkably similar to mocking a Mormon or an Evangelical. I don't think it's worth it anymore really.

JBeatty, the thing about ID is that it isn't scientific. The biggest proponents are with the Discovery Institute. Use their search and you will find many articles about ID.

:::link:::

When the Libs say that ID proponents are injecting religion-based pseudo-science into the classroom, they are right. ID proponents are not so much trying to convince people they are right than being a nuisance and trying to discredit Darwin.

They blur the line between theology and science. They have no business in a Biology classroom, trying to change something that all of the professionals in the field have already accepted, to fit their religious world view.

If they want to debate professors, that's fine I guess, but they need to be kept the hell away from trying to change the field of Biology to something it is not. In the end, no I don't believe we have all of the answers, nor will we ever, but science is the best tool we have, and we are doing pretty well.

jenks writes at 11:33:55 12/04/07 - Comment #28868: yeah... all i can say to that is don't get me started. I had someone once trying to sneakily convert me to ID by trying to get me to admit that 'it's all pretty amazing to be totally random.' Sure, I will admit that. But I'm not about to dismiss evolution. UGH.

james writes at 09:52:07 12/04/07 - Comment #28859: The thing that makes my head explode into fiery rage is when people say 'but evolution is ONLY a theory' showing of corse that they have no understanding of how science works.

You wont find a theory that meets any sort of scientific criteria because it is outside the realm of science. As such, it should be taught outside the science class. GHA!

Oh, this is one of those topics I can't calmly talk or write about.

Permalink: Intelligent_Design.html
Words: 279
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/29/07 11:23 - 41ºF - ID#42330

Interesting scam

So browsing through some airline forums yesterday I stumbled upon this little gem.

. If you don't feel like reading I will sum it up. Apparently there is an airline called Metis Transpacific and is based in Macau. They allegedly offer three flights a week from Vancouver to Macau. The only problem is they don't actually exist. Their website is complete with photoshopped pictures of their aircraft and incorrect data about them.

. You can purchase tickets through their website, however after you have made arrangements you can't pay by credit card, they want you to wire money to them. I can't believe there would be a rube dumb enough to fall for that. I guess wikipedia was initially fooled however.

.

Permalink: Interesting_scam.html
Words: 141
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/27/07 11:58 - 36ºF - ID#42303

Getting Antsy

Have I mentioned I can't wait for this semester to be over? I'm starting to get nervous about getting into this Nuke Med Tech program. Last year they had 44 applicants for 14 spots. Hopefully my enthusiasm and grades in everything else will make up for my bad grade in physics. I do think physics is interesting but I just don't think in mathematical equations.

So I should be more concerned with finals but really all I can think about is where the hell I'm going to go on vacation this spring. It's really a shame the dollar sucks right now, that has pretty much ruled out a big potion of Europe this year. The thing that really sucks is all the cheap flights are to places that are really expensive. Sure a flight to London can be found for under $500 if you look real hard, But I would be limited to a week considering the cost of getting around and sleeping and such. Anyway so far my travel destination hopefuls are down to Vietnam, India, Iran, Dominican Republic, Northern Spain, Mozambique, Seychelles, and Mexico. In all likelihood Spain and Seychelles will not happen unless I hit a massive windfall this spring. Also cost of flights to Iran and Mozambique may rule those out. Does anyone have any suggestions to really awesome places that are off the beaten path, that are relatively cheap to travel in/too?? Preferably they will have cheap beer as well.

Permalink: Getting_Antsy.html
Words: 243
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/17/07 11:24 - 35ºF - ID#42170

Lets eat sushi

Ok so I know (e:paul) was interested and (e:drew) said he could be dragged out if it was planned. So I'm thinking of going out for sushi on Monday if anyone else is interested. I would like to try Wasabi because I have heard its really good. Does anyone have an opinion of that place? But I would definitely return to Kibirashi again. O is definitely out, I think their food sucks. Let me know, because I am definitely going but I figured it would be fun with more people than just myself.

Permalink: Lets_eat_sushi.html
Words: 95
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/17/07 02:16 - 34ºF - ID#42169

Quote of the night

"That Tenderloin was so juicy I could have sworn it was Filet Mignon!" He tipped so well that I didn't have the heart to tell him.

Permalink: Quote_of_the_night.html
Words: 26
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/16/07 12:42 - 36ºF - ID#42163

Home for Christmas

Well not really my hometown, or my relatives for that matter. I just bought my tickets to go to Florida to see my family for Christmas. I was so excited to find nonstop tickets at decent travel times for $213. I am the self-proclaimed king of finding good airfare. But this is way cheaper than the usual jacked up rates around holidays. Let me tell you how excited I am to be flying my 10th airline and my 6th Boeing jet. Most people get on the plane and ignore it, but I love flying on different aircraft. After this I only have three Boeing jets left before I have flown all of their commercial production models. I have never flown Airtran before so I'm hoping it's a good airline. Has anyone ever flown them? Also on the subject when did Jetblue become so freaking expensive? They used to be the first place I looked because they were so cheap. Now they same flight dates would cost me over $500! I have no loyalty to airlines whatsoever, those frequent flyer programs are so lame anyway. Everything is restricted and sometimes you have to fly standby just to redeem your miles. I really hope Virgin US comes to Buffalo so we can have some nice price wars between them Southwest and Jetblue.

ladycroft writes at 03:27:28 11/16/07 - Comment #28119: airtran is ok. nothing remarkable, nothing terrible.

on my way to houston this summer i got to fly on a brand new jet and i was stoked. it was the first commercial flight. it smelled like a new car and i actually felt guilty that i left some pretzel crumbs in my seat.

jet blue does some really weird flight plans. i was looking at some for later in the year when i have to travel to the US and i think they wanted to send me from boston to jfk to chicago to buffalo instead of boston to buffalo. it was going to take 12 hours. eh.

just keep doing your own homework. it's takes more time but you eventually find that 'deal'.

james writes at 02:52:47 11/16/07 - Comment #28116: Jetblue has been the cheapest airline for me the past few flights I have had to take. But the options were really weird. Take my last flight for example.

I could
1)take the cheap flight direct to JFK for $100
or
2) Fly to Tampa direct and back to JFK for $1,080

wha?

janelle writes at 01:06:37 11/16/07 - Comment #28111: Airtran is so-so. What I don't like is that you usually have to fly through the Atlanta hub which is usually out of my way. But sounds like you're good with a direct flight. I also don't like that Airtran is simply the new name for an airline that had some serious accidents. The airline restructured themselves, renamed themselves Airtran and got a clean slate on the number of accidents they had because they were a "new" airline. Hopefully, they've dealt with the issues.

janelle writes at 01:03:19 11/16/07 - Comment #28109: Most of my airline and airplane model research has to do with researching safety records. I know the track record for various airlines and models of airplanes. I'm so terrified of being in a plane crash. I start dreading the flights to whatever the destination is weeks before the flight. Once I get to my destination, I usually feel okay on the flight back home. Although there have been times where I've seriously had to repress the urge to yell out "the plane is going down and we're all going to die" in mid-flight - however irrational it might be at the moment. I'd probably get kicked off the flight if it ever slipped past my lips! I still force myself to fly though because I like to travel.

On a side note, I'm so glad there's an airport in my hometown in central IL. It's very convenient for me and my family. But someone totally didn't believe me that there's an airport in my hometown. Like I'm going to make that up to impress people?

Permalink: Home_for_Christmas.html
Words: 218
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/15/07 01:54 - 49ºF - ID#42143

Two pump chump

Although I will not divulge the pathetic number of women I have slept with, I will divulge how pathetic the first time was. I was 19 years old and needed to beat the 20 mark. I think I did by maybe a couple of months. The moment was really ruined by my lack of preparedness. Stopping to walk to the quickie mart 1/2 a mile in freezing cold rain tends to do that. Anyway it was on my friends apartment floor in potsdam, and I believe it may have lasted all of 2 minutes, give or take a minute. What can I say? I was excited. I can imagine she was largely disappointed.

Permalink: Two_pump_chump.html
Words: 109
Location: Buffalo, NY

11/13/07 10:00 - 45ºF - ID#42102

Gross

So yesterday right before Bio Lecture I really had to blow my nose. So I went into the bathroom next to the lecture hall, even though there was a disturbing odor permeating into the lobby. As I was washing my hands, out from the stall stumbled my bio professor looking disheveled with his shirt untucked, I thought wow he is either sick or hungover. Anyway he made a beeline straight for the door bypassing the handwashing process. I couldn't help but snicker during lecture everytime his hand came anywhere near his face. Remind me to never shake that dudes hand.

Permalink: Gross.html
Words: 100
Location: Buffalo, NY

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