Where Were You?

This may sound a bit melodramatic, but I really do think this latest discovery about stem cells could easily be historic to the degree of the moon landing. It could change how modern medicine is practiced. Granted, there is still a good bit of research left in order to perfect the method, but the researchers interviewed seemed to think it would only be a matter of a few months before they were able to create the cells in a more reliable way, without retroviruses. If that is true, the entire debate over the use of discarded embryos to retrieve stem cells would be over. Done. Finis. The potential use of stem cells is unlimited. Imagine a world without heart disease, liver disease, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, tranplant lists, organ donors, kidney dialysis. The list goes on. And on. And on. Right now, it's still just potential, and I realize that stem cells won't simply be a cure-all, but man... Wouldn't it be something if they even fulfilled half the uses that we imagine they could?

Happy Birthday Katy!

Well, today is my friend Katy's birthday (she's the one over in England). My friendship with Katy is probably my second longest (after Rob, who was my Best Man). We met in the 9th grade (25 years ago!) at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. Probably in Jose Irrizary's 1st period class ("You know how long three inches is, don't you Chong?"). Aye yi yi... Long time ago. Anyways, Happy Birthday, Katy!

Bamse

Well, Chrissy and I found an actual animation of the bear that was referred to in the bizarre music accompanying an adorable video of a horse and a cat. If you re-read the lyrics before watching the video, it actually follows.

Chrissy and I have not only become addicted to this strange music, but we are obsessed with all things Bamse. It's weird, I know.

The Redskins have once again played great for three quarters then blown a lead. We should be 8-1 now, but instead we are 5-4. After this weekend, we'll most likely be at 5-5. I am still rooting for my boys, but will be surprised if we beat the Cowboys this weekend. We've just got too many injuries and are playing too erratically. Not to mention, not being able to play a 4th quarter to save our lives! Ah well. They're still my boys. Hail to the Redskins!

The Contender

Congratulations to Sakio Bika, winner of the third season of The Contender. In what turned out to be the best fight I've seen this year (Sugar Ray agreed), Bika TKO'd Jaidon "The Don" Codrington in the eighth round of a scheduled ten. Each of the fighters knocked the other down in the first round. But they each got back up and made it through the rest of the round. The rest of the fight see-sawed back and forth, each fighter landing punches hard enough to knock out 90% of the other boxers in the sport. By the eighth round, Bika finally delivered enough cumulative punishment for the referee to stop the fight. It was an amazing fight... it was what boxing is all about.

They're Baaaaaack!

I guess Clinton Portis is feeling a little better about himself after last week's 196-yard game. After a long conspicuous absence, he appeared to the press this week in character. He's so crazy. It's nice to see that swagger back. Now, if we can just back it up with a few wins. We should be able to beat Philly this week. Cowboys will be tough next week and the last week. And the Giants will be tough in mid-December. Other than that, we should be good. I'm predicting a 5-3 record through the 2nd half of the season, finishing 10-6.

Lyrics to Bamse Song

Ok, according to Emma, a fan of Cute Overload (the site where I got the video), the following is a rough translation of the song about Bamse:

Bamse (the bear) and Lille Skutt(the rabbit) were jumping out to the forest.
Along came Skalman, tampeli svamp, tripped over a cat.
Bamse said, "Come here, come here kitty kitty kittycat.
I will give you a meatball as soon as we arrive."

Soon they saw Grandma's house far up on the mountain.
Lille Skutt ran all he could, all the way there.
And then Bamse said: "You are running waaay to fast, wait for the rest of us.
We dont have any long legs, and Skalman (the turtle) is tired...tired."

Come in come in to my little cottage and I will give you something to eat,
meatballs and lingonberries and lots of icecream.
Don't you want any hunny, big strong Bamse?
No thanks, no thanks not right now, because I am full.

And then the Husmus (the mouse) said: "The hunny is stolen!"
Bamse starts to run fast, so fast, catching Jansson's cat.
Bad bad little kitty, you can get stomach ache. Don't do tricks on us.
Run to Grandma's house. And so the story eeennnndss...

Thanks, Emma!

This Is a First...

Ok, this is going to sound a bit strange, but this post comes with instructions. To really get the full effect of this video, I would recommend watching it the first time without sound. It is absolutely adorable! So. Let's say you've done that, but you're looking for something more. Watch it a second time with sound. It is so friggin' bizarre, and completely and totally random, but it's really hilarious. After that, then come back and read the explanation after the video.

Apparently, this is a video posted on YouTube by someone in Sweden. The accompanying music references a cartoon about Bamse, the strongest bear in the world (and the kindest!). How does he get so strong, you ask? Why, by eating a special honey made by his grandmother! This honey, called dunderhonug (or "Thunder Honey"), gives him super strength. Naturally, as we can't have superpowered bears running around everywhere, the honey only works on Bamse. If anyone else eats it, they get a tummy ache for three days. The song is apparently a homemade song about Bamse encountering a cat that wants his Thunder Honey, and he tries to tell said cat that if he eats it, he will get a tummy ache.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You can't make this shit up!