@ Ali: We're currently studying a certain transepithelial sodium transport channel - zapping them creates action potentials that would ruin the data. Standard procedure is to double pith the frog, run the experiment, and then preform a thoracotamy.

@ Alex: Our university's unmarked door on the top floor is where the human corpses are kept.

At least they peel the skin off. My current research involves frogs and I've had nightmares about having to eat the skin (it's simultaneously slimy, leathery, and crunchy for those of you who've never dealt with live/newly dead frogs). Not to mention, frogs are hard to kill properly. Smashing them against a table doesn't strike me as an effective euthanization method. Those guys are probably half alive when they go in that blender.

I think every drag queen in the greater L.A. area should protest the WBC's demonstration. I'm game to put on a pair of trousers and a fake mustache if it'll make a crazy, disrespectful zealot go berserk. Kinda like a sequel to the KKK/clown incident in Tennessee, but with more sequins...

They're planning on coming to Los Angeles to protest the memorial service. I get the feeling that, if they make it here, it won't work out well for them. What they're planning has been all over the news - people know what their leaders look like, and I doubt it will be tolerated. There's a fine line between freedom of speech and defamation. The WBC is a good 50 meters on the wrong side of that line.

I think it's important to note that these photos haven't been photoshopped... That model's really got her torso buried underground. I can't wait to get a look at these up close on the 2nd. The Helnweins are a family of incredible artists, but Cyril is proving to be my favorite. It's probably the very rock-and-roll feel of his photos that gets my attention.

"Jason Says:
January 6th, 2008 at 6:03 pm

MSG is not only bad for you, its a neurotoxin = that means its toxic to the BRAIN. Epecially in children who are still developing.

Google “MSG hidden names” and read all about this. Check out Truthinlableing or msgmyth or any of the various other sites who detail this information."

- Neurotoxin doesn't necessarily mean something is harmful to the brain. A neurotoxin is a toxin that acts on neurons, not always associated the soft tissue that is the brain. In the case of MSG, research is being conducted to see if the regular consumption of MSG leads to unhealthy increases in excitotoxicity (over-presence of glutamate in the synaptic cleft triggers apoptosis. In this case, the brain is the locale). Thus far, no large-scale scientific research has concluded that MSG is harmful for normal human consumption, even in infants. Just to put it all in perspective, even soy protein is being researched as an excitotoxin. Certain people have been shown to have severe adverse reactions to MSG, but, in general, weekly dinner from the greasy Chinese place around the corner isn't going to kill you. At least not through glutamate... I agree that correct labeling is important, but unless you're 100% certain that the company is mislabeling products (just because it says spices on the label, doesn't mean they're sticking MSG in it), you might want to lay off the caps lock... Just a thought...

I used to love Trader Joe's, but I've switched to Whole Foods in the last few years. Whole Foods is just more convenient for me. They've got all of the specialty foods (being a vegan that's allergic to soy makes shopping an interesting experience) and a massive selection of fresh foods as well.

It saddens me slightly that I already knew how to do this... A better trick for picking up girls in bars is getting the bartender to give you a small glass of 151, soaking a hundred dollar bill in it and lighting it on fire. It won't burn (test this first if you've never done it, just in case) and, even if she's not impressed by your useless chem knowledge, she'll know you have enough money in your wallet to cover her tab for the night...