Jbeatty's Journal
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12/10/2007 19:39 #42461
Throwing caution to the windThe 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!
12/04/2007 20:37 #42393
Intelligent DesignThis 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 - 12/05/07 13:55
Haha. Well done JBeatty. Our education system is already dumbed down enough without those assholes trying to inject ID into Biology class.
Haha. Well done JBeatty. Our education system is already dumbed down enough without those assholes trying to inject ID into Biology class.
jbeatty - 12/05/07 10:14
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.
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 - 12/05/07 09:49
"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
"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 - 12/05/07 09:14
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.
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 - 12/04/07 23:33
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.
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 - 12/04/07 21:52
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.
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.
11/29/2007 11:23 #42330
Interesting scamSo 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. .
. 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. . fellyconnelly - 11/30/07 09:49
totally unrelated - it has started to snow down in ski country.... :)
totally unrelated - it has started to snow down in ski country.... :)
mrmike - 11/29/07 11:32
That noted authority Wikipedia got duped? Imagine my shock!
That noted authority Wikipedia got duped? Imagine my shock!
11/27/2007 11:58 #42303
Getting AntsyHave 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.
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.
metalpeter - 11/27/07 19:16
Cheap to go and cheap is why people in California go to Mexico. I remember when I was checking into going on some trips I ran into what you where saying. A flight (jet blue i think) to Nassu, Behamas was less then $200 round trip I think. But if you are going to stay at Atlantis it is really expensive. I saw just the opposite for Hiwai I think it was only like $300 or $400 dollars for 5 days in some decent hotel I guess of course you have to pay your own plane fare, from what I have heard it is very, very expensive. I don't know if this is true but I have heard the Dominican Republic is very nice and that they have some very nice all inclusive places and I guess you can find your own kind of fun and trouble if that is what you are looking for.
Cheap to go and cheap is why people in California go to Mexico. I remember when I was checking into going on some trips I ran into what you where saying. A flight (jet blue i think) to Nassu, Behamas was less then $200 round trip I think. But if you are going to stay at Atlantis it is really expensive. I saw just the opposite for Hiwai I think it was only like $300 or $400 dollars for 5 days in some decent hotel I guess of course you have to pay your own plane fare, from what I have heard it is very, very expensive. I don't know if this is true but I have heard the Dominican Republic is very nice and that they have some very nice all inclusive places and I guess you can find your own kind of fun and trouble if that is what you are looking for.
janelle - 11/27/07 13:21
I've heard countries in Central America/South America are cheap to travel into and around. Guatemala, Columbia, Bolivia, Peru are some that I've heard are cheap.
Let me know if you want to borrow our LP Vietnam book!
I've heard countries in Central America/South America are cheap to travel into and around. Guatemala, Columbia, Bolivia, Peru are some that I've heard are cheap.
Let me know if you want to borrow our LP Vietnam book!
11/17/2007 11:24 #42170
Lets eat sushiOk 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.
paul - 11/18/07 11:35
I am down with Monday. I will try and bring some people form work. Can we go to kiribaschi instead though because we only have an hour for lunch and I think going out to williamsville would take too long? I would gladly go with you to Wasabi some evening though.
I am down with Monday. I will try and bring some people form work. Can we go to kiribaschi instead though because we only have an hour for lunch and I think going out to williamsville would take too long? I would gladly go with you to Wasabi some evening though.
jenks - 11/18/07 06:41
hopkins and klein.
hopkins and klein.
jbeatty - 11/18/07 02:59
Im not sure exactly, I think Williamsville somewhere.
Im not sure exactly, I think Williamsville somewhere.
imk2 - 11/17/07 15:39
where is wasabi? i've never heard of it.
where is wasabi? i've never heard of it.
jenks - 11/17/07 12:06
Wasabi is good. The chef is from fuji grill, which I also think is decent. One of my japanese attendings says it's the best sushi in town, for what it's worth...
Wasabi is good. The chef is from fuji grill, which I also think is decent. One of my japanese attendings says it's the best sushi in town, for what it's worth...
yum
I'm going out of town this weekend?
Ooohhh...when I was little we went to this resort that had steak tartare. My mom freaked out that her 8 year old daughter was wolfing it down, but I couldn't get enough. Thank you so much! I am totally going to make this some weekend...when Drew is out of town...he won't be able to stomach watching me eat it!
Your journal is so delicious. It inspires me to be a better cook.
although when we make steak tartare we use fillet mignon, so that it can be the leanest cut and grind it through a manual meat grinder (the kind you attach to the edge of the table) twice.
i had a post like this!
:::link:::
I would have totally eaten this a month ago before my horrible stomach drama ruined my life. Sometimes I question if it is the insane amount of raw fish/seafood I eat that started this?