Sunday 31 July 2016

Frequent nut consumption associated with less inflammation

Frequent nut consumption associated with less inflammation

In a study of more than 5,000 people, investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital have found that greater intake of nuts was associated with lower levels of biomarkers of inflammation, a finding that may help explain the health benefits of nuts. The results of the study appear July 27 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. "Population studies have consistently supported a protective role of nuts against cardiometabolic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and we know that inflammation is a key process in the development of these diseases," said corresponding author Ying Bao, MD, ScD, an epidemiologist in BWH's Channing Division of Network Medicine. "Our new work suggests that nuts may exert their beneficial effects in part by reducing systemic inflammation."
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-07-frequent-nut-consumption-inflammation.html

Watching Stranger Things on Netflix, dogs are keeping me company.


Watching Stranger Things on Netflix, dogs are keeping me company.

It goes in some scary places.

Looking for a B-I-G storage box? I found a Jardin 20 cu.ft. box at Home Depot.

Looking for a B-I-G storage box? I found a Jardin 20 cu.ft. box at Home Depot.

We needed something to hold all our kayak stuff, including the sail. I also wanted room to store stuff over winter - so all our PFDs, and wet suits has to fit as well. The box came as a flat pack so it easily fit in the Macan. It was mostly click together with a few stabilizing screws. The directions were clear and I popped it together quickly. It doesn't seem super sturdy but a box this size will have a lot of flex unless there are internal braces.


Monday 25 July 2016

Two beaches, the one we were at with the dogs is only accessible by boat.

Two beaches, the one we were at with the dogs is only accessible by boat. 

By the way, this is Stave Lake again.


This is why we got the Macan. The Porsche takes us places so we have fun.

This is why we got the Macan. The Porsche takes us places so we have fun.

It was a beautiful place to paddle. We had gone part way up Stave Lake last week and drove up to paddle further up. Both dogs ended up on my kayak and we stopped by a beach for the dogs to have a swim. They both ended up in my boat.

The only bad thing was it was very gritty dirt so there was a lot of clean up after. From the car to the kayaks. 

#Porsche


Sunday 24 July 2016

A simple way to integrate fitness into your day is to tighten your abs when you walk through a doorway. My brother has upped the ante by installing a pull-up bar in the doorway to his basement. Before you go downstairs you do a pull up. I've been doing a lot more upper body work since my accident. As a result, I could do a few. Fred said he didn't believe me so I showed him. I think my form was ok too.


A simple way to integrate fitness into your day is to tighten your abs when you walk through a doorway. My brother has upped the ante by installing a pull-up bar in the doorway to his basement. Before you go downstairs you do a pull up. I've been doing a lot more upper body work since my accident. As a result, I could do a few. Fred said he didn't believe me so I showed him. I think my form was ok too.

Saturday 23 July 2016

Another update for this month for my S6.


Another update for this month for my S6.

Now I have to redo some permissions. Kind of painful since I have Twilight installed.

Amazing fan artistry.

Amazing fan artistry.

Mad skills by these cosplayers.
http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-most-spectacular-cosplay-of-comic-con-2016-day-two-1784173916

Recaptures the positivity of the original Star Trek.

Recaptures the positivity of the original Star Trek.

Enjoyed this almost as much as Road Fury. Just enough character development, we know this crew, and tons of action. Some of the camera work was disorienting - I'm motion sensitive. Yorktown was amazing. Once again, the trailer chops up the story, and there is one, way too much.
https://youtu.be/Rdg-Zad2BAU

Friday 22 July 2016

If you don't want to open your phone to the police, restart it to invoke the password unlock.

If you don't want to open your phone to the police, restart it to invoke the password unlock.

I would also make sure I remove any email accounts with confidential information when traveling but that's just me. I don't do any of that because problematic content would be a simple reflection of a problematic me- outspoken, irreligious woman.
http://www.androidcentral.com/police-look-unlock-smartphone-using-3d-printed-fingerprints?amp

Thursday 21 July 2016

Beautiful day in the Wigeon Wildlife Area by Pitt Lake.

Beautiful day in the Wigeon Wildlife Area by Pitt Lake.

We went out early and beat the rush. There was something being shot in the area so it was hard setting up but by the time we got back the kayak back the area was available.

As an aside I really really hate Swiftkey in flow mode.


Why all my Corporate messages go I to a separate folder. I tend to error to other way and forward later. Some people may feel less prioritized but oh well.

Why all my Corporate messages go I to a separate folder. I tend to error to other way and forward later. Some people may feel less prioritized but oh well.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/email-clinton-office-1.3687064

Enjoyed as much as the first one. Actually more because the b plots were better.

Enjoyed as much as the first one. Actually more because the b plots were better.

Instead of sleazy Venkman we had Holtzmann and instead of the EPA we had a bitter nerd-who actually hadn't been treated any worse than Abby or Erin.

I'm going to agree with the Ebert site on this one. The only rewatchable movie I've seen this summer is finding dory.

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ghostbusters-2016

Wednesday 20 July 2016

Afternoon paddle on the Alouette River.

Afternoon paddle on the Alouette River.

Perfect weather, it got sunny and warm and the tide was running the right way. Gets very busy around 4. We were the only ones wearing PFDs.

Tuesday 19 July 2016

*Does this go with microagressions? Just wearing us down with options so we don't care about the bigger picture.*

*Does this go with microagressions? Just wearing us down with options so we don't care about the bigger picture.*
https://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice?language=en&utm_source=plus.google.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tedspread

Rich world building, ~175 pages.

Rich world building, ~175 pages.

I started reading this quite awhile ago. Very dense, descriptive writing so I put it off until I had time to read... only to find it's novella length. That's the problem with ereading, no visual cues on book length. Another post apocalyptic world reminiscent of 'the 100' in terms of the after effects. And there were zombies. Quinn is viewed through the lens of a 12 year old boy, the next story involves as young woman wanting to fix tech so it will be interesting to read as well.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26883552-the-emperor-s-railroad

Sunday 17 July 2016

Do you like ceramics? Like a chance to win free stuff? Well, here's your opportunity to fulfill both those desires.

Do you like ceramics? Like a chance to win free stuff? Well, here's your opportunity to fulfill both those desires.

On June 1st, I released my 6th novel: DREADNOUGHT AND SHUTTLE. In support of the release, friends and colleagues loaned me space on their blogs to talk about my work and my process.

I put together a 10 question multiple-guess quiz, based on the information in those posts. Answer all 10 right, and be entered to win one of 3 ceramics prizes.

Links to the blogposts and the questions can be found here:

http://goo.gl/forms/qBan7EPsn8yPOebk1

Deadline is August 1, 2016.

Good luck and have fun!

Wednesday 13 July 2016

You shouldn't have to make an extra effort to not eat junk food in a hospital.

You shouldn't have to make an extra effort to not eat junk food in a hospital.

Why have a bag of Doritos in the first place? A sandwich, fruit and cookies is a reasonable late night meal if you must have one. Don't know why people expect gourmet meals when sick. Nothing tastes good but unless you've been ill a long time or emaciated there isn't really any reason to tempt taste buds. Last time I was in hospital, for the first 3 days I didn't get a menu choice because they weren't sure if I would be going into surgery. After 5 (the kitchen was closed) I would get offered a sandwich and fruit cup which was lots. If you can start complaining about hospital food, you are well enough to leave.
http://www.weightymatters.ca/2016/07/hospital-rds-defend-patient-meals.html

Saturday 9 July 2016

Another "step away from social media for at least part of the day" day. Took the dogs kayaking at Clear Lake.

Another "step away from social media for at least part of the day" day. Took the dogs kayaking at Clear Lake.


Typical prairie lake, not too deep and no visible inlet or outlet. In an aside, I asked what the difference is between a lake and a slough. No clear answer on that. Houses all around the shore. Took about an hour to get around. I don't know that Duffy will ever really enjoy it although Milo likes looking at bubbles and reflections. Duffy doesn't like going in the car either unless he's in a kennel. I really don't want to take him in a kennel.

We are getting better at folding and packing up after. quicker and not so much argument with the case. Canola is looking great. We saw Flax as well. It's perfect crop weather.

[Poll] What size is right for you for your phone or tablet?

[Poll] What size is right for you for your phone or tablet?
The other day Samsung sent me their latest Galaxy Tab Pro S to play with and give my thoughts on it.  And so far it's pretty neat.  12" is too big for a tablet, but just about right for a laptop.  I'm getting used to it. borrowed from GSMDome But that made ...
http://www.androidcoliseum.com/2016/07/poll-what-size-is-right-for-you-for.html

Wednesday 6 July 2016

Do you recognize the signs of a stroke?

Do you recognize the signs of a stroke?

They can seem like drunkeness as your brain is more and more affected by restricted circulation. Many medical conditions emulate intoxication. There is a reason first aid looks at the mechanism of injury.
http://www.refinery29.com/2016/07/115958/stroke-symptoms-death

Got the notice this morning. Very good with the updates Samsung.


Got the notice this morning. Very good with the updates Samsung.

Tuesday 5 July 2016

How do you feel about your life. Do you make achievable goals or just fester that someone seems to have it better than you.

How do you feel about your life. Do you make achievable goals or just fester that someone seems to have it better than you.

I think this anxiety is from sense of lack of control in our lives - a feeling that things are good for now. Certainly employment has changed from work hard and (at least) keep your job to why put anything more than you feel like in because tomorrow you may be cut for company profits. People seems to buy into the corporate stakeholder overriding government and social stakeholders (in the US) which only makes lives less settled. Even at work things have moved to a more diffuse responsiblity. If you haven't been involved in team sports you aren't going to have the self motivation to do your part well without the potential to be a superstar. And with lower wages, employment is more important than ever.

It's easy for me to overcome this - I'm in Canada and we're getting a lot of head pats right now. Pretty PM with a positive social agenda for Canada. Yep we're selling armoured vehicles to the middle east but take refugees. We suck at collectively addressing climate change but 1) Canada stand to benefit from warming (agriculture) and 2) we are still doing something. We recognize that well educated immigrants are doing tasks we don't the skills to do (whether social or knowledge). We still need to strengthen our social net for military and others but we have the tools.

Or my middle name is Pollyanna.
http://www.cracked.com/blog/how-other-people-are-getting-rich-off-your-anxiety/

Monday 4 July 2016

Do you do on line purchasing from your phone?

Do you do on line purchasing from your phone?

I have to admit that I do most of my purchasing from my computer because I try to use the airmiles portal. Next up would be my tablet. I think it's because the mobile screen is too small to compare things. Why face that hassle if I can just use a different mode. One exception is e-books.

What are your purchase habits?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/smartphone-google-android-apple-iphone-applepay-online-shopping-ecommerce-1.3651563

Sunday 3 July 2016

The NRA does a poor job representing its own members

The NRA does a poor job representing its own members

The Civil War that Could Doom the N.R.A.

The NRA is an extremist organization that represents corporate interests of gun and ammo manufacturers, rather than its own membership, who are overwhelmingly sportsmen, not vigilantes.

A thought experiment: Is the NRA a terrorist organization? That question sounds outrageous at first. But the NRA's public statements certainly sound like incitements to violence, waiting only for some homicidal lunatic to do the work of self-radicalizing.

[Sarah Ellison/Vanity Fair]
http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/06/the-civil-war-that-could-doom-the-nra

We were in a seat belt check a few weeks ago. Good to see random monitoring.

We were in a seat belt check a few weeks ago. Good to see random monitoring.

I learned to drive (in 1977) with Young Drivers of Canada. The defensive driving course emphasized awareness and safety form of wearing seat belts. Seat belts as a safety feature was was locked in when two guys I knew from high school were in an incident. The driver was trying to scare the passenger by driving fast on dark wet roads. Mission accomplished, the passenger put on their seat belt. Car hit a tree. The only injury to the passenger was the psychological scars of finding their friend dead from being ejected.

If I am in a vehicular accident, I want to survive in the best possible condition or not survive at all. I suppose I could choose not at all and forgo all protective actions but I have people who would saddened by the loss. I hope you do to.
http://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/5-dangerous-seat-belt-lies-people-tell-themselves/

Friday 1 July 2016

Spent some of Canada Day at Sufferin Lake, SK. Lovely place.

Spent some of Canada Day at Sufferin Lake, SK. Lovely place.

It rained at home but was mostly just cloudy as we paddled around the small lake. Milo settled down quite quickly but Duffy was not thrilled to be on the water - he spent a lot of time swimming. Milo had fun looking at the lily pads and bubbles and went swimming as well. It is a no seadoo/power boat lake with lots of fishers.

Cool and cloudy but heading out with the kayaks and dogs to a small lake.


Cool and cloudy but heading out with the kayaks and dogs to a small lake.

We got our john/jane suits last week. Fred got a SUP jacket and I ordered one from LevelSix yesterday because it was on sale. In the mean time it's just rain jacket time which will work just fine. Hopefully the dogs will be calmer this trip.

Monitoring Brexit vote impact on UK science

Monitoring Brexit vote impact on UK science

"We have already heard anecdotal stories of the Brexit vote causing immediate disruption to career plans, investments, and roles in new consortia that are forming.

"What we need to do at this stage is rapidly gather your concerns and changes you’re experiencing. We need to move from rumours to a set of case studies to help inform what we need to monitor and fix. Additionally, the public and media are interested now in UK science and the potential impact. It is vital for our sector to get strong representation in policy during these turbulent times – so that means public awareness of the challenges we are facing.

"We want to track how the result is impacting our science and innovation – we need to hear from you.

"So please fill in the form below and also indicate whether you would be willing for any media to contact you and discuss further – your story is still very valuable if you prefer it to be strictly confidential."

http://scientistsforeu.uk/monitoring-brexit-impact/
http://scientistsforeu.uk/monitoring-brexit-impact