Thought of the Day #293 - Meteor

Last night about 12:15ish, I was heading to bed. With fresh underwear in my hand, sitting on the edge of the bed in a dark room, I was trying to figure out which side of the undies was front or back. The front is narrower than the back, you know. I was feeling the seamlines when all of a sudden I could see them...plain as day. Literally as plain as day -- the light streamed through my window like a gently pulsing electric explosion. I looked behind me to see the house next door lit up brilliantly. As soon as it began, it was over.

I got up and exclaimed, "Oh my god, what was that?! Did you see that?!"

Ivan jumps out of his slumber and we look out the window. Nothing. No sound. No traffic on the street. Nothing. I told him I wasn't sleeping. (There are times I *see* things while sleeping. *ahem*) We continue to look out the window and nothing is on fire, and there are no little green men wandering around -- both of which were definite possibilities at that point. Ivan heads back to sleep and I continue to look out..."What was that?! Maybe a cop car shining his light on the house? I mean it was brighter than anything I've seen from them...I really thought electrical explosion, but there was no sound...It was a really cool toned light...but with red...maybe it was..."

It was so unusual that it sent me into full-on chatterbox mode. After a few minutes I quieted down, jumped into bed and continued to think of the possibilities. I seriously thought that *it must be* something someone else had seen.

I'm happy to report this morning...that it was. From KSL.com: (http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8714738)

SALT LAKE CITY -- A fast moving meteor lit up the night skies over most of Utah just after midnight Wednesday. KSL News has been receiving hundreds of calls from southern Utah to southern Idaho. There also are reports of people seeing it from Wyoming, Las Vegas and areas of California. People are reporting a flash so bright it lit up the entire sky for a couple of seconds. Some people are also reporting a slight rumbling sound a few seconds after the flash. One caller told us it knocked a few items off her shelf. One resident who lives in Cedar City said she could see the mountains and her grass for a few seconds. Another resident in Bountiful said the sky was so bright, it shut off the light-sensored street lights for a few seconds. Patrick Wiggins, who is a NASA ambassador living in Tooele County, says the bright light is most likely a bolide meteor.

I'm happy I wasn't alone in seeing this. :-)

Bodies the Exhibition - Part 2

Way back in November of 2005, I was writing about this exhibit in my blog (see this link). I was dreaming of possibly being able to see it. Well, I actually got to see it a few weeks ago. Yay!

I don't think it has come to Utah yet, but luckily for me, a quick weekend trip to Vegas in mid-December paid off big. No, I didn't win any money, but as I mentioned, I got to have a little gross-out fascination tour at the Tropicana.

When you first see the full bodied display, there's a "ewwww" factor, but for me, it quickly turned into pure fascination. Bodies are really quite the groovy machine. A vessel that carries us for quite a long time all the while growing, changing and moving with great precision. Seeing the innerworkings in all their glory was -- to use my overused term -- awesome.

I did wonder, too, about whether or not it was ethical to use prisoners for this, and whether or not anyone really granted permission, but when I thought about it, what a great way to leave this world. Sure, your bits are on display, you've been cut to shreds, but how fortunate to be able to give to humanity in this way. We all should be so lucky.

Bottom line, GO if you get a chance to see the show in your neck of the woods.

To my friends...I'm so, so, sorry!

I know I've influenced you in this life's journey. Little did I know that I made you fat. I understand if you don't call or write anymore. *sniff* *pout* I hope that when I see you again, you will be at the weight you were intended to be. Clearly, you won't be bloated anymore by our friendship. *sniff* *pout* Read more on why I've caused you such a fat fate, here.

To my so called "friends" who are thin. Bitch, I knew you didn't like me...and it clearly shows in your waistline. *hmph* ;-)

Glacial Lake Vanishes in Southern Chile

A five-acre glacial lake in Chile's southern Andes has disappeared. (Surf to your local news site for more information on this story.) Scientists are stumped, but I have my own theory as to where all of the lake went. Las Vegas. The overbloated, water-sucking, fun-time, desert oasis is constantly searching for potable water. It found it in Chile. A few pipelines here, a few pipelines there and you've got a moistened desert hot spot...and one large missing glacial lake.

On a more sensible, serious note, shouldn't there be a limit as to how large Las Vegas can grow? It is a really dry desert for gosh sakes. There was a time, not that long ago really, when settlers moved west and stopped to take up residence in spots where water was plentiful. You see, back then, they realized that water was essential to life.

Now, 21st century settlers just *expect* water to appear through the tap without giving it a second thought that it has to come from *somewhere*. Vegas is trying to buy water from Utah and other areas, too. Do ya think that maybe, just maybe there should be a limit on development? Nah, that would be too logical and against good old American bloatishness.

Even here in the Salt Lake Valley a mountainous desert area, we're reaching critical mass as to how many people can be supported by the mountain run-off. In the days of 1847, the Mormon settlers who came were brilliant, really. There was lots of water availble for the small settlements. They built irrigation canals which are still being used today. Unfortunately, with the bloat of housing developments, secondary canal water is rarely used to water our desert-lawns. No, all those lush lawns are watered with precious clean water. The very same water that is slowly, but most assuredly, running out. Given the rate of population growth and the potential for global warming changes, I give this area 50 years, tops, before it's buying water from Montana...or just closing up shop entirely.

Birth Certificates for Stillborns?

As you've probably heard, there are many states trying to pass legislation which would allow parents to request birth certificates for stillborn babies. I'm torn on this. Probably because it is such an emotionally charged issue -- how horrible would it be to carry a baby to full term only to have it born dead? From the statistics I reviewed, about 25,000 babies a year are born dead. A much larger number than I would have imagined.

Currently, from what I've read, parents receive a death certificate, but not a birth certificate. Here's where I can see the line is already being crossed. If the parents receive a death certificate, they should certainly receive a birth certificate, too, as the implication of the death certificate is that the baby was alive.

Removing the emotional constraints, I would say that there are two realistic options: 1. a birth & death certificate issued 2. Neither certificate should be issued.

This brings to mind also at what point should the birth/death certificate be issued? Most of the states are considering 20 weeks. Why not less? When I had a miscarriage several years ago, the fetus developed to 8 weeks. It was the size of a lima bean when I passed it. It had two eyes...granted they were on oposite sides of the head, but still. It was living tissue prior to coming out of me, right? What if it's only 1 week along, and I pass it just as a heavy period? Should I get a certificate then? Oh, and you know if fetuses prior to full term will be allowed to have birth certificates there will be HUGE issues opened up with regard to abortion rights. I don't need to go there. I'm guessing they are picking 20 weeks because there are fetuses that have survived being born prematurely at 21 weeks. Of course that's not a common thing. Most fetuses need to be older in order to be viable, so I think they're dreamin' up that number.

In my bean, I'm guessing that to be a viable fetus, they would need to be 30 weeks old for the majority to surivive with today's technology. So, going back to my conclusion -- again removing the emotional constraints -- I would say that there are two realistic options: 1. a birth & death certificate issued for fetuses older than 30 weeks OR 2. Neither certificate should be issued.

What do you think?

Firmicutes - I'm full of 'em!

You'd think they would have called the bacteria "flabby-cutes". :-) Apparently...(well, you know, according to one study, probably brought to you by bacterial culturists or anti-biotic manufacturers) fat people carry more firmicute bacteria than our thin counterparts. Either it causes obesity or fat people just produce more. Either way, it's festive firmicutes to the rescue in third world countries. In any event, go here for more info: http://www.nature.com/nature