Sayang Central

Cat cloning for $50k

Found an article about a company in the Bay Area offering a cat cloning service.

Is it time to clone Skye?

posted by Paul @ 4/15/2004 12:59:44 PM

Can apeing around resolve workplace conflicts?

Came across this study while "working".

Animal behaviour experts at ZSL are asking volunteers to 'talk chimp' in everyday life and see how primate patter can resolve workplace conflicts, express emotions and strengthen human bonds. The results of this major study will be published later in the year to see just how 'talking chimp' can help in everyday life.

They want you to use chimp mannerisms and expression in normal everyday contact, and note how they are received. For example: "A simple hello when greeting friends should be replaced with an extended arm and throaty "huh huh huh" pant.".

I think we should try this in our group, perhaps during a poker game or dinner some time this week. It'll be fun!

... what's really scary is that Minli and I had already adopted some of these mannerisms between ourselves, yes with some variations, substituting a squawk for a grunt or something, but nonetheless strikingly similar. I know a certain couple that has replaced grunts with meows, and am wondering if a certain other couple has adopted anything of this sort.

posted by Paul @ 4/07/2004 04:36:46 PM

Anti-Bush Help

Okay... so I was chatting with my Mom and found out that my Dad is going to vote for Bush, and that she doesn't know who to vote for. She says Kerry is constantly waffling and thoroughly uninspiring. My efforts to convince her that Bush was the devil incarnate and a retard didn't sway her. Any good ideas out there for simple, easy to read commentary explaining why Kerry is a better choice than Bush?

posted by Paul @ 4/05/2004 12:27:39 PM

GoKart Racing

Just got back from GoKart Racing with Adam and a bunch of his high school friends.
It was quite fun, as the carts go very fast (40 km/h top speed), and the track is indoors with extremely tight turns. It's remarkable how hard it was to dispel the good-driver instincts and slide around turns, floor the pedal in the straightaways, and not hit the brakes except as a last resort. Moreover, simply because the race monitors have the authority to evict you from the match for breaking rules, they filed away in my mind as "cops" and thus I had this incredible urge not to speed in front of them... it's a race, you damn fool!

posted by Paul @ 4/04/2004 12:04:38 AM

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

Just got back from watching Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind.

Fantastic movie -- laugh out loud funny at times, yet incredibly thought provoking. I love movies where the screenwriter creates a handful of strong characters, places them together in an intricate setting, and just lets them figure things out. Not unlike Lost in Translation you really get to know and understand the characters by the end of the movie. Yay for pseudo-non-mainstream movies!

Anyway, go out of your way to see this one... but who the hell am I talking to? Just about everyone who reads this blog was sitting next to me in the theater. If you haven't seen it yet, check out the trailer on the movie's web page, then go see it!

posted by Paul @ 4/02/2004 12:27:49 AM