Evolutionary Twist

The ancestors of humans and chimpanzees may have interbred and exchanged significant numbers of genes after the initial split between the species, scientist report in the May17th online edition of Nature

Chimpanzees and humans officially split up along the evolutionary path up to ten million years ago, but it seems they may have continued having sex with one another for a good four million years after that.


A detailed analysis of human and chimp DNA suggests the lines finally diverged less than 5.4 million years ago.
The finding, published in the journal Nature, is about 1-2 million years later than the fossils have indicated.

Commenting on the research, Daniel Lieberman, a professor of biological anthropology at Harvard, told the Associated Press: "It's a totally cool and extremely clever analysis.
"My problem is imagining what it would be like to have a bipedal hominid and a chimpanzee viewing each other as appropriate mates, not to put it too crudely."

From BBC

I'll let you make you own jokes for this one

Bad Blogger!

I have been a very bad blogger
I have not posted for ages and in fact have not posted half the things I wanted to.
It's largely due to being very hectic at the moment as I am moving shortly.
I've also had a few problems with my dear laptop Grace, my own fault as I have not been looking after her well enough.
The crazy thing is that I really have so much to blog about. This has already been a very full on year for me with loads happening.
I will have to do a quick catch up and bring things up to date.
Easier said than done!

So I promise to fill this space with lots of interesting stuff as soon as I'm able.

Those boys are at it again!

My clever friend Lorenzo and his equally clever brother Robin are going leaps and bounds in the world of comics.

"Everyone at Blink Twice is proud to announce that Malcolm Magic will hit double figures at this year's Bristol Comic Expo! After countless adventures, everyone's favourite drunken bunny has finally crossed over into the big time as the debut series from brothers Robin and Lawrence Etherington reaches the Magic number 10. Due to be released at the convention this bumper issue will contain more action, excitement and surprises than ever before!"

"The next big project to emerge from the studio of Blink Twice is the ongoing full colour series MOON!, set to launch in early 2007"

So pop along to the expo and imerse yourself in strange new worlds
or click on the links to the rightand head to the Blink Twice Studios or Malcolm Magic himself!

Also making his debut is another talented friend of mine MP, his first ever comic is being launched there. More details to come...

The comic is called "Violent" and my friend MP's strip is called "An Eye for an Eye", although the title may change, in issue 10 launched at the expo. Go and check it out and suport him, this is his first ever published work.
Congrats sweetie!

Night walk

Although this is a US thing I think it is a good thing and worth supporting.
Maybe we'll have one here someday.

"Out of the Darkness Overnight"
A 20-mile walk through the night to end the silence surrounding suicide

Every 18 minutes in the U.S., someone dies by suicide. This July men and women will come to Chicago from all over the country to do something bold in the face of this fact. They will walk together 20 miles through the night, from dusk until dawn.

It's called the Out of the Darkness Overnight and it's designed to help shed light on the issue of suicide. We're bringing together friends, family members and loved ones whose lives have been touched by suicide or depression, giving them a voice to issues that have previously been kept in silence.

Each walker commits to raising $1000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Net proceeds will help fund research and education on depression and suicide.

This person has committed to raising $2000 USD.

My Supporter ID: 58145716 if you want to make donations
Click on the link above


2005 Out of the Darkness Overnight raises over $1.3 million

Rebranding

Read this...

"Marketing bollocks gets everywhere.
now the american armed forces have been caught up in it as they rebrand the war on terror."

Thanks to Pat for this

McDonalds Partners In Illegal Rainforest Devastation

Thanks to WarrenEllis for this

New Greenpeace research shows that McDonald’s are partners in forest crime that is creating a trail of destruction right into the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

In the last three years 70,000 km2 of Amazon rainforest has been destroyed - that’s an area of forest the size of six football pitches every minute. Much of this destruction has been driven by the soya industry.

Now watch this...
(They had too much fun making this fucked-up flash-animation info piece.)

Triffids alive and on the move

"The humble sea lily, which normally remains rooted to the ocean bed by a stem, has been caught creeping away from predators in deep sea video footage. The footage (600KB, requires Quicktime) It shows, for the first time, a sea lily crawling slowly across the ocean floor on its fingers, dragging its broken stem behind it".
-New Scientist

Watch the footage, it's really quite creepy. This is a plant after all!
What an amazing world we live in.

Rasta Rats

Marijuana might cause new cell growth in the Brain

A synthetic chemical similar to the active ingredient in marijuana makes new cells grow in rat brains. What is more, in rats this cell growth appears to be linked with reducing anxiety and depression. The results suggest that marijuana, or its derivatives, could actually be good for the brain.
When the rats who had received the cannabinoid were placed under stress, they showed fewer signs of anxiety and depression than rats who had not had the treatment.
Zhang says more research is needed before it is clear whether cannabinoids could some day be used to treat depression in humans.
-New Scientist

Fingertip Heaven

I'm doomed!

I have now found a new "Toy" that I want!
And I really thought I was done with gadgets (for a while).
I've just got myself a great new handheld comp that I love and am still finding new and exciting things to do with it.
But the other day I had a go on the PSP and I am hooked!
I honestly thought that I wouldn't really like it (any of the handheld gaming consoles). What's wrong with me you say? What an idiot I am, I say!
I figured that the images wouldn't be that great for gaming and that it would be tricky to get the controls working well. How wrong I was.
It is wonderful, it feels great, looks great, the layout of controls works wonderfully (although my little hands have a slight difficulty with using the joystick and L button at the same time). The image quality is phenomenal, I'm crap at writing reviews so I'll just say that the PSP kicks ass, it is a thing of beauty and perfection. Oh, and I want one!
In my defense I hadn't really looked into them that much (partly to avoid wanting one). And now that I've had a go, I'm totally on board.
I will not be rushing out to get one however. They are still rather pricy, I have just spent a small fortune on my PDA and some stuff for the house and computer, and I already have loads of distractions that keep me from my work so I really shouldn't add to them.
So I will content myself with the use of this one for a week, but it' s gonna be a wrench giving it back!

Nautilus Unzipped

"Careful examination along the seam of a nautilus shell revealed a cunningly concealed zip"

By 2b2h
another talented Deviant

It's so fast...

So last night I finally got hooked up with Broadband-hoorah!
I am so happy, especially as for the last few weeks (since they upgraded the system!) my dial up has been running at 30k! Now it's 2.3m and I am a happy bunny indeed.
I can surf, chat and listen to the radio. I can do so many more things and at such speed, it's truly wonderful.
For those of your poor buggers out there still with dial-up (Jay), my thoughts are with you!
And for those of you who've had BB for ages take that smug, superior smile off your face!
The net is now designed for BB and without it there are many sites you can't visit or take full advantage of, and I can't wait to check out my list of "sites to see".
It does meen that I no longer have an excuse for not keeping up with my blog tho, hmm, better get surfing and thinking.

Dressed to inflate

Diana Eng

"Probably one of the most interesting people in fashion these days because she's pushing math and technology into fashion"
-igargoyle

Thanks to Warren Ellis for this
Always keeping me abreast of weird and interesting news in the wwworld

Translation needed

This is my friend Wabit’s “motto”

“Genius has it’s limitations Stupidity knows no bounds”

He would like a Latin translation for a coat of arms he plans to design (as all the best are in Latin), so if anyone can translate this then please do and post it as a comment (recognition will of course be given).

He claims originality for it, but if anyone has seen this used anywhere else please get in tough and let me know.

For those who think Newsnight's dull

“You see children, God is angry"

Among the usual serious items listed the last one was:

“Shock news, Chef leaving South Park”

-This is the new that Isaac Hayes is leaving the cartoon South Park because he objects to its "inappropriate ridicule" of religion.

What a shame, it just wont be the same

I finally did it...

"Out of the Dark"

The knife slipped silently out of the dark.
She felt the cold touch of metal against her neck, slim and razor sharp.
Then his breath from behind upon her skin...

Go to Tenebrous Tales for the rest

---

Ok, so I finally finished my short story and posted it in our Tenebrous Tales-Stories with a dark side

I can't believe I have been so nervous about doing this, especially as it's so short. I haven't written anything since school and then it was always part of the work and with guidence, never just out of my own head.
I worried that it would be rubbish, and I had no idea if I could write.
But after lots of persuasion (Thanks Cliff and Jay) I swallowed my fears and completed it.
So go check it out if you want and let me know what you think, if you want.
For those of you out there with similair fears-As Cliff would say "Just do it!".

New toy!

This is the Dell Axim X30
Or My New Toy!

The boots will have to wait.

I love my Palm pda but it is seriously outdated, more importantly I can't sync it with my laptop, so it's kinda useless.
I was lucky to get this for a knock down price and it is wonderful.

It has all the usual, plus integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a mic for recording voice notes, like a dictaphone, it's even got a media player!
And as it has an SD card slot I can add as much memory as I like, I can even have different cards for different things. For example, one with music, one with books, one with pictures and one with porn.
Portable porn is defiantely a plus side!
It also has GPS navigation, so I will never get lost.

It does have lots of other features, and as I can add software at any time it does loads.

Oh and I can personalise with my own themes and front page image

It's great!

I should add that although I call it a toy, I got it for very practical reasons. I used my old one every day and this will help my get more organised and do more.

Anyone looking for a pda can't go far wrong with this.

Oh and Cliff-I think this could give your new toy a run for its money!

Wish List

My Wishlist

Or "I wish" list

My birthday is approaching fast, too fast.
And it's the big three oh!
I'm not really freaked out by turning 30 or getting older, although I am annoyed that I can't have the big party I'd like, but circumstances and as I managed to lose a year of my life somehow instead of turning 29 this year with ages to organise a big bash, I'm turning 30 in just a few days.
And for once I decided to write a wish list, more for ideas and fun rather than actully expecting to get these things.
And besides I've left it far too late
For those that don't know me and have no intention of getting me anything this will give you a glimpse into my world and my interests

So first

Proper Kick ass boots

New Rock Malicia

These will be my pressy to myself



I don't have to extol the virtues of the digital camera, it speaks for itself.
And I need one! Preferbly this one as it's compact and not too pricy.
And suprisingly it's from Tesco!


Digi-cam


A few years ago it was pointed out to me that I had quite a collection of Tomb Raider figures as well as some other figurines and some cardboard cutouts. This is not something I planned, I was given one as a present and then another, before I knew it I looked like a complete Tomb Raider fetish, when in actual fact it's just a part time fetish!
Now I've decided to add to my figurines but want to keep the tradition going of getting them as presents, it makes sure I dont look too sad if someone else gets it!


Spike "Just Rewards"


Vampire Willow


Illyria

Sad or silly perhaps, but I like them and I think their fun!


To enable easier Tequila quaffing


Petrol pump dispenser

and for Tequila on the move...


Hip flask kit



For gaming fun...

Oxford Monopoly




Or Simpsons Cluedo



I have always collected boxes and have wanted this one since I saw it 18yrs ago
It's the king of puzzle box's



Puzzle Box



I love kite flying and this is great for instant fun as it's so small you can take it everywhere and whip it out if the weather's right




Pocket Kite



Those that know me know that I love bubbles and this buble machine is cute and I have to put it together so it's double fun




Bubble Blower





iDog
Now how cute is he!
You plug him into your tune player and he dances for you, he also grows a personality depending on what music you play and how you treat him.
I'm intrigued to see how my influence effects it.


Ok and now I'm really into the realm of fantasy
I came across this the other day and fell instantly in love




What is it?
It's a mini portable projector keyboard!
Oh yeah baby

Ok back to reality
Other things I would like are: a new mug (normal size not giant) with some suitable design and colour.
And a wine glass with equaly suitable colour ie purple or deep red

Any pampering stuff is always appreciated
as will nice chocolate
Or red earings

Hope that helps or inspires those who are stuck for what to get

Read this...

Some of these thoughts have been playing in my head recently.

"I'm 32 years old. That means I missed reel-to-reel. I never owned an 8-track. But I remember vinyl. In this modern world of MP3s and iPods, there's something romantic about records...
...I was only 10 and I knew these things were older than me. They deserved respect. Reverence."

Read Powazek's full thoughts here

Ps. Damn I'm jealous of his setup!

Stars eclipsing the Stars

What is the world comming to?
I was shocked to hear on newsnight that the London Planetarium is to close.
Especially as it is to make room for an extension of Madam Tousauds Clebrity show!

I'm lucky enough to live out in the sticks and so get to see the stars in all their glory, free from the orange glow of the cities.
I have always had a fascination and love of the night sky.

I remember as a child looking up and realizing how small and insignificant we are while at the same time are a part of an incredible and vast world. That every star is another sun like ours, many with orbiting planets, all coming together to form galaxy's and we are just one of thousands.
I also remember the feeling when, looking up at the milky way, I realised that I was looking out along the spiral of our own galaxy. It humbled me and inspired me.
How lucky we are that we have access to such knowledge.

So to hear that a wonderful beautiful and educational experience is about to be lost is awful, especially as so little is being said about it. Even the newsnight site had nothing listed about it, strange as they had said to go online and coment on it. The BBC did have a brief article, quoting Sir Patrick Moore as saying that it was "most regretable"-a prize goes to this as a major understatement, I doubt he was quite so reserved.
I found only one other mention here

So please, everyone, go out tonight and look up at the stars, see which constelations you can name, look for the milky way. And remember that just the other day a planet was found that could be very similair to ours.
Don't let us lose the Planetarium for us and future generations.
Especially not for more celebrity nonsense
Write in your blogs, write to the papers, the news and especially the governement. Don't let it slip away quietly, smothered by the lights of celebrity.
And if your in London get down to the Planetarium, you wont regret it.

I'm back...partially

I can not believe that it has been so long since my last post. What the hell happened?
Well I have been very busy, in fact pretty hectic.
Plus my computer was seriously under the weather.

I have so much to say and to comment on I don't know where to begin, or even wether to bother.
I think things to be neat and ordered.
For my writing to go in date order, but if I try to write up everything I want, in order I won't ever catch up with myself. And this is blocking me from writing.
So I've decided to just start writing again. This is just a quick hello and to let you know that there is plenty to come.
I will write about some of the more fun and interesting things that have happened, in my life and the world. so stay tuned.

There's my funtastic New Year filled with great company, tequila, flirting, corsets, laughter, psycho's and stalkers! And of course a little anxt.
There is definately a change in the air...
I've had Tow Miracles happen already this year, especially amazing as my life is usually filled with lots and lots of bad stuff.
Something lost has been found!
And something long buried is rising.
Oportunities abound
And I feel that fun is around the corner...

I hope that I can get back into some regular routines including keeping up to date with my blog. And some new technology in my life should help the situation.

Broadband is promised at the end of the month. I really hope it does get here, I can't stand dial up anymore, there's too much I want to do!

That's all for now folks

XXX