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Ayahuasca

I was checking out an old issue of Boing Boing and I came across this article on Ayahuasca, a plant in the Amazon forest. The Ayahuasca plant is made into a tea that Shamans can use it for spiritual healing. There is a site dedicated to this medicinal “spirit vine”. The site is Ayahuasca.com and it has everything you need to know about this mystical plant.

Yes, I do want to try it.

Nasty House Centipedes

House Centipede

Yes, it's active season for everybody's favorite arthropod, scutigera coleoptrata, aka the house centipede. One of these bad boys scuttled across my bathroom floor just last night. My cats, which were born in the South and are still somewhat disappointed by Minnesota's distinct lack of huntable palmetto bugs, think this is great. I'm less enthused. But I figure that when life hands you horrifying household pests, the least it can do is make them interesting.

With that in mind, I present:
Four Facts You Didn't Realize You Wanted To Know About That Thing Living Behind Your Toilet

1.Scutigera Coleoptrata are Not Your Fault
Stop beating yourself up. Unlike, say, cockroaches, house centipedes aren't hanging around because you didn't clean the kitchen. At least, not directly. Scutigera coleoptrata feed on spiders and insects--they're actually pretty beneficial if you're willing to do the devil's arithmetic here and decide that you'd rather have one fast-moving centipede than a colony of roaches. That said, leaving crumbs and half-eaten sandwiches about does create a nice environment for s. coleoptrata's food to grow in. So it might not hurt to clean.

2. Scutigera Coleoptrata are Efficient
They're actually capable of eating several other bugs at once, noshing on one meal while holding onto another with one of their 30 legs. They usually hunt at night, waiting for prey to get close enough that they can jump onto it, lasso it in, or whip it into submission.

3. Scutigera Coleoptrata are Not a Toy
House centipedes do their hunting via a set of venomous front legs. The good news: They won't come looking to start a fight with you and, most of the time, even if you do egg them into attacking, they won't be able to break your skin barrier. The bad news: That's only most of the time. S. coleoptrata has apparently successfully stung humans before. Not life-threatening, it's supposed to feel a lot like a bee sting.

4. Scutigera Coleoptrata Will Not Forget This
Unlike a lot of household pests that can be expected to die shortly after breeding, s. coleoptrata can live as long as seven years. There's a distinct possibility they've been in your house longer than you have. During that time, they can grow to be as big as 1.75 in. long. Unsurprisingly, getting rid of them isn't easy. Sticky traps are often recommended, but the house centipede can escape those by simply breaking off the stuck legs and growing them back later.

Photo courtesy Kenta Hayashi

This article was stolen from Boing Boing.

Transition from Married to Single life

HEY RANJ, HOW DO I MAKE THE TRANSITION FROM THE MARRIED LIFE TO THE SINGLE LIFE AND MEET NEW WOMAN?????HELP ME OUT BRO!!!! -JEREMY IN JOHNSTOWN, NY

Hey Jeremy,

I want you to realize that I'm writing this to you as if I don't know you, so my other readers can gain from the advice, so these tips for transitioning should work for anyone, but they may have to be a little adjusted for your situation.

Transitioning from married to single life is a bit harder than most may think. When someone loses a spouse through death, divorce, or separation that loss can be devastating. A period of mourning follows, even in the case of divorce or separation, because of not fulfilling the dreams they had for the relationship. However there comes a time when life has to begin again, and many singles feel lost in making this transition. The full time required to make this transition successfully is about a year. That is a realistic figure; some may be able to do it sooner and for some the transition may take longer.

Here is how the average person should make the transition:
  1. Get to know yourself.

    When a couple has been together for a while, the choices they make on where to have dinner, how to decorate their home, their personal choice in clothing, or other decisions are usually made together. After a separation, each person may not know his or her own likes and dislikes. Take some time to try new things. Learn your favorite foods, what hobbies you enjoy, where you like to go for dining or entertainment. This can be a time of experimentation and can be enjoyable. You will find that many of the things you’ve always done may not have been your own personal choice.

  2. Give yourself time.

    Therapists recommend a minimum of one year after a separation to get grounded as a person and avoid rebound relationships. A year is only a guideline. Like I said previously, some people may need longer in order to feel they have gotten themselves grounded. Be patient with yourself and don’t rush things. Rebound relationships are not fair to you or the person you rebound with. I'm not saying you can't go out and have fun; just be sure that you don't jump into any serious relationships until you are sure that you are over your ex-spouse.

  3. Keep some good friends around you.

    Many newly single people join a divorce recovery group and that is the first interaction they have with others as a single person. Personally, I think just hanging with good friends will suffice. It can be helpful to find new friends you can interact with too, whether it’s a poker night, www.whydrinkalone.com, fantasy sports, book club, or whatever you like. Getting out there and getting involved with other people will help you move forward in your life.

  4. Have fun.

    Life is different single but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun and fulfilling. More and more people today choose to remain single, and really enjoy the single lifestyle. They list advantages such as not having to ask someone how to spend their money, eating whenever they feel like it and not on someone else’s schedule, and simply doing as they please! Think of the good things that being single has done for you. Take time to enjoy yourself and laugh often. Laughter really is good medicine.

  5. When you feel you are ready to date, take it slow and easy.

    Single people often complain that dating has changed and they don’t know the new rules. The only rules are to do what feels comfortable for you. You don’t have to conform for anyone. Be yourself and be true to yourself. Sure you can go out and mess around, but be careful that people don't get hurt; and then when your ready to settle again things should just fall into place.


By easing through the transition from being half of a couple to being single, you give yourself time to make a life that is happy and fulfilling. Be patient with yourself and you just might find you like being single!

Might as well Panic.

So we have this whole swine flu pandemic sweeping across the world. A human to human disease that is aimed at the gregarious and social people throughout the world. How does the best health professionals tell you to prevent from catching this potentially deadly virus? They say to continuously wash your hands and avoid human to human contact so, that being said, if the pandemic virus does reach enormous proportions the survivors will mainly consist of shut ins and introverts that don't get any human contact. It's kinda ironic. Well, as I patiently wait for people to ask for advice I am also considering other ideas for a website because obviously this one is not doing so well.

Here is an enjoyable rant from Seth Godin's Blog:

Might as well panic

If you don't know what to do, and you're frightened, might as well panic.

That seems to be the first rule of being a member of the human race. Apparently, panicking is an acceptable substitute for forethought, contingency planning or actually taking productive action. We almost want to blame the thing we're anxious about on the person who isn't panicking. "Don't you care! Can't you see that we're all gonna die! That we're going to go bankrupt? That the world as we know it is going to end?"

More people are killed by deer than sharks, but you don't see park rangers running around like nutcases.

There's huge pressure on our leaders and co-workers and institutions to panic. If for no other reason, we say, they should panic as a sign that they care, that they are taking things seriously.

A while ago, I said that the devil doesn't need an advocate.

Let me add to this: we have enough caution. We don't need an abundance of caution. That's too much.


Today is my birthday.

birthday Pictures, Images and Photos So yes, today is my 35th birthday. Many of you don't care and I wouldn't either, however, for my friends that are reading this, if you want to give me a free gift, this is my suggestion. Join my social network site: www.whydrinkalone.com. I'm trying to get at least 35 new members for my 35th birthday. It's free and easy to join so even if you don't drink, create a profile because you know me. If you already have a profile then invite a friend. It's not asking for much. So help me get what I really want for my birthday: 35 new members.

Thank you.

Swine Flu

Swine Flu


At this rate it will take over 303,824,640 days for the whole population to die of flu.
Out of all the mofos in Mexico who got the flu and died since based off their official population a little division gives me 6.5%. so 6.5% of those infected will result in death. no matter all the infected people will be at home in bed while were all out getting flat screens and new cars! YeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaa!


Current statistics from MedStor Scientific biostatistics

April 23- 2
April 24- 20
April 25- 81
April 26- 132

as of 17:31 Zulu (sounds so badass that’s why I use Zulu time if you don’t know what that is go here (http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/info/timezone.htm)
Well with acceleration of the spread of the outbreak those numbers should exponentially grow.
Swine flu is classified as H1N1 if you’re wondering then yes swine flu is a sub type or the baby brother of bird flu.
Bird Flu is classified as H5N1 so make sure you know these details or next time you wax smart, someone’s going to call bullshit. Doesn’t  matter really these are just classifications for strains their common names swine flu and bird flu are just as good if someone is actually saying H5N1 or H1N1 in conversation do me a favor and punch them in the mouth for trying to be a know it all.

Let me throw some of the knowledge down.

This is a Type A Influenza, there are 3 types as follows.

A Easiest for humans like you to get so you’re on the list .
B Oh no someone shifted and it is now airborne!!  That means breathing where sick people are makes you sick
C rare and you know why when it does surface it’s like the plague and infects everyone

Maybe you will die and here are the symptoms to know if your number just got punched.

These symptoms can manifest themselves at first one at a time or in a given combination of factors: fever, sore throat, coughing, muscle aches. (Those are from the CDC and they LIE)

More proof that the CDC lies they want you to wash your hands to prevent contamination. That kind of jerk off advice is about as useful as hiding under a desk if someone drops a nuke.

They won’t tell you this but to play it safe and for a more down to earth way to tell what the symptoms are it goes like this, watch for trouble breathing (change in breathing either slower or faster), being irritable (not your period or roids rage), being light headed while getting up, getting confused about everyday things (like where are my car keys), getting a severe headache even briefly is a sign of the apocalypse being wrought on your ass. (These are from my research and I don’t lie)

Death is typically induced in subjects either by respiratory disease or pneumonia contracted from the breakdown of the body after acquiring this strain of influenza.

THERE IS NO VACCINE! Only 2 types of vaccine exist for the general population, I know there are tons of vaccines but their made of the same 2 things mostly. These strains are resistant to those types and as of right now there is no vaccine.

Entire story located at: http://www.whydrinkalone.com/forum/topics/swine-flu-kills-1-american

Thanks Matt.

Brainmonsoon

CrazyOldMan
So through twitter I came across this cool dude named Liveo. He's a 35 year old man from Manchester, UK and he has a blogspot website that has some awesome flash games and toys. The site is http://brainmonsoon.blogspot.com and it's one of my favorite blogspot sites I've encountered thus far. I tried out 3 toys/games and they were easy and kinda fun. Of the three I played the one I enjoyed the most was:

Flash Music Toy - Tone Matrix, 808s, 909s and loads more, all in Flash.

This is possibly the most groovesome and funkalistic toy I have found yet (well, @alvinx told me all about it). Cubase for the pussy generation. Mess around with all sorts of digital musical wizardary, all from within a Flash box. If you don't know what you're doing, keep messing. When you get into it, the world of beeps is your oyster....

The distance apart

Hey Ranj,
I have a problem. I've started to like this guy who I met online recently. I would love to hang out with him and see if we really click. The problem is, he lives an hour away from me. How do we make it work? -Jen in Bethlehem, PA 

Hey Jen,
I've heard good things come to those who wait, but then again, I'm not known to be very patient. If you sincerely like this guy you will have to meet in person as soon as possible. Either he is going to have to make an effort to come meet you or you are going to have to make the effort to go meet him. One thing I've learned is that long distant relationships, though possible, are extremely difficult to maintain. Until the day comes when you meet, I'd suggest keeping some kind of daily communication. Weather it be texting, instant messaging, or a phone call. You must keep contact otherwise, your interest or his interest may fade and possibly wonder towards someone in the same town. I hope you the best luck. I hope he is worth the wait.

I'm still angry

Hey Ranj, A few days ago, "Jenna," my girlfriend of 4 years, told me she wanted to break up. Then we got into a serious fight and I lost my temper big time. I never hit her, but I did throw some things. She got really scared because I used to black out when I got that mad. It's the first time in the relationship years that I was ever that mad.
I have since started seeing a counselor to control my temper. But Jenna is giving me mixed signals about what she wants. This is making me severely depressed and I don't know what to do. Can you please help me? I love her more than anything in the world. -- Totally Depressed in Netcong, NJ
Hey Totally Depressed, It takes a big man to admit that he has a problem and to recognize that he has to takes steps to do something about it. I commend you for getting counseling for you anger management issue.
Sometimes, two people who love each other to bring out the worst in each other rather than the best. I hate to tell you this, but when a longtime girlfriend says she wants to break up, and then follows it up by saying she "cares about you" rather than " I love you", there is and indication that the romance is usually over.Before trying to pursue this woman any further, you should discuss the entire situation with your counselor and see what he/she has to say about the situation. The counselor knows much more about you and the situation then I do, therefore they are more qualified to give you better advice then I can. There are some uncertainties that I don't know about. Such as: is there another man?, why did she want to break up?, did you do something wrong or is it just the anger issue?. My advice to you is to give up and find another woman. She seems to have moved on from you and only trusts you as a friend. Like I said, I don't know the details of the story so seek advice from your anger management counselor and ask them what you should do. Good luck. BTW, don't get hung up and depressed over a girl because its a waste of time and there are plenty of fish in the sea.

4:20 got a minute?

420 Leaf Pictures, Images and Photos
What is 420? Why is it associated with marijuana use? People has different reasons as to why they attribute marijuana use to the number 420. Most people, like myself were told that 420 is the California state penal code fro marijuana smoking in progress. The fact is that penal code 420 is actually defined as a misdemeanor the hindrance of use of public lands. Another story is that a group of guys during the 1970's had a group that met to smoke marijuana after school at 4:20pm. This is a more likely story because for most people in school 4:20pm gives you ample time to leave school and get to your meeting place. Another suggestion is that 4/20 is the perfect day for growers to plant a crop before the summer. This also makes sense.

Regardless of the meaning, 420 has become an icon of the marijuana culture. For some April 20th is looked at as a holiday and for others it's merely just another number and another day. I have a friend in upstate New York that has claimed to not have missed a 4:20pm pot smoking session in about a decade. I don't know how true this is but, I can confirm that he does celebrate the day 4/20 each year and even takes the day off from work in advance.
 
According to www.concept420.com, When the 420 icon is somehow discreetly worked into a mainstream product like a film, marijuana users take notice. The film Pulp Fiction is rumored to have had all clocks throughout the movie set to 4:20. Marijuana smokers familiar with the symbol picked up on it—most people, however, did not.

While some marijuana smokers are using 420 as a code that enables them to openly speak about marijuana in front of parents or teachers. 420 has been to some, a sacred symbol for nearly 30 years.

Simply put, 420 is a symbol of cannabis and its culture. Today, April 20th events are international, and 4:20 pm has become sort of a world wide "burn time". (www.420concept.com, 2009)

  So, for those of you that recognize 4/20 as a holiday, take a hit for me.

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