Dates on the cheap

A handy list next time you're trying to figure out where to take a (prospective) girlfriend out.

Props to Canada for encouraging saving

Canada introduced a new type of savings account - you can deposit up to $5000 a year into an investment account and you won't pay any taxes on investment returns. In the age of profligacy I give Canada props for having a long view and trying to encourage saving, rather than spending.

"Ancient bat flew without 'sonar'"

Disappointingly little is said of why it makes a difference whether flight or sonar developed first, but an interesting article nonetheless. Perhaps a good starting point for further personal research into the possible impacts of this find - someone must have a good explanation of why this is important. I hope it's not just because "it's cool" - that would be slightly disappointing.

YouTube - How to Build an Igloo

Great video shot by the government of Canada back in 1949 of Unuit building an igloo. I so wanna build one!!

"McCain surges ahead in primaries"

Go McCain!!

Venice Carnival

Wow, OK... I am so tempted. Tickets are actually not that bad ($700). Maybe next year... :-)

Surviving (and thriving) on $12,000 a year

Props! Seems slightly unnecessary as having to work so hard at saving money is energy expending; precious energy that could be better spent studying or having fun (also known as stress reduction for those who need a good excuse). After all that's what loans are for. However, definitely points for trying.

Some of the spin seems unecessary (are you really thriving, and if you are why are you planning to do this just temporarily, i.e. until you finish college), but it is good to explore the possibility of living life differently. I like the general idea, but it's not quite my thing. I do enjoy the finer things in life. And you have to be on a mission in order to force yourself not to be able to. Or just poor I guess; where choice is close enough to smell, but usually just out of reach.

If you were a poor father/mother would you sacrifice the time with your children in order to provide them a better future?

Can money buy happiness?

Interesting article. To comment later on...

Space causes bacteria mutation

They sent some salmonella into space and at the same time kept it under the same conditions on Earth (actually, pretty amazing the lengths they went to in order to produce the exact same environment - good science) - the space salmonella mutated and became more virulent. Way too cool!

Persistence against odds

Let's try this. Ew, it's sour. Maybe if I try again. How about now? Maybe this side will be different? No, maybe if I try again? Now? Let's try again.

I think we've all done this with a few things in our lives up to this point. :-)

Photography links

I've been interested in photography for a long time, but always on the sidelines. Partially, because of a lack of focus and partially due to lack of time/funds.

I randomly ran into a page listing someone's photo setup (link) and also showcasing a great illustration of how much difference lighting (= good flash) can make (link). So, to avoid random icons on my desktop or bookmarks I will most likely never use I'm posting it on here (which is really one of the purposes of this blog).

Gender perceptions in the modern world

Generally speaking when I find a fascinating book I add it to my Amazon Wish List. In this case I do not think the book is actually worth obtaining, but I did find the following observation (from the Amazon.com review) fascinating:

"Turkle shows how playing with gender in cyberspace can shape a person's real-life understanding of gender. Especially telling are the examples of the man who finds it easier to be assertive when playing a woman, because he believes male assertiveness is now frowned upon while female assertiveness is considered hip, and the woman who has the opposite response, believing that it is easier to be aggressive when she plays a male, because as a woman she would be considered "bitchy." Without taking sides, Turkle points out how both have expanded their emotional range."

While these observations are by no means universal I do think they reflect some of the unease and inferiority people can feel in their own gender.