I was doing chemistry homework and one of the questions was to find the name of the drug that caused birth defects in many babies. First thing that showed up in search was Thalidomide. It was taken as a sleeping pill and to treat morning sickness during pregnancy and just one dose could result in a baby born with flippers!
"In 1961 scientists discovered that the medication stunted the growth of fetal arms and legs. In fact, taking only one dose of thalidomide early in pregnancy can severely affect the growth of fetal limbs (arms, legs, hands, feet). It also puts the fetus at risk of other injuries, including eye and ear defects and severe internal defects of the heart, genitals, kidneys, digestive tract (including lips and mouth), and nervous system."
I've never heard about this and am very shocked by it.
Also, did you know that "there are more blog posts in Japanese than any other language"?
I think this is really really funny. I will print it out as a reminder to not take life too seriously.
I will also print this out, because reading it often will help me to"smile, breathe and go slowly".
Friday, March 21, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
On My Mind
So hot in here! It's been raining all day. Elephants walked last night - made me cry AGAIN. Feel bad for Dalai Lama. My dog might need an operation to remove a cyst - praying that antibiotics will work to prevent it. Don't want to see her in pain ever again. Keep listening to this. Need to be studying chemistry right now but my brain feels fried today.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Pit Mix Needs a Good Home
Tess is a petite, slender Pit mix.
She's had it rough. She was found on the street in Brooklyn, and she has scars that show that she was mistreated.
She doesn't seem to have sustained any permanent damage to her temperament, though. She's playful and affectionate.
Tess will definitely need basic obedience training, but she's intelligent and ready to learn.
To find out more about Tess (I.D. # A748223) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Horse-Drawn Carriages in NYC
Please ask NYC politicians to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City.
"Many of these horses start working as carriage horses after a lifetime of working elsewhere. Many horses pulling carriages have been injured and killed in accidents, and people have also been seriously injured. The largest city in the country is no place for this outdated business. Major tourist destinations such as Paris, London, and Toronto have already banned this inhumane industry."
I would love to thank Council Member Tony Avella for introducing Ban on Horse Drawn Carriages, Int. 658/2007.
Also see: A Face-Off Over Horse-Drawn Carriages.
"Many of these horses start working as carriage horses after a lifetime of working elsewhere. Many horses pulling carriages have been injured and killed in accidents, and people have also been seriously injured. The largest city in the country is no place for this outdated business. Major tourist destinations such as Paris, London, and Toronto have already banned this inhumane industry."
I would love to thank Council Member Tony Avella for introducing Ban on Horse Drawn Carriages, Int. 658/2007.
Also see: A Face-Off Over Horse-Drawn Carriages.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Shepherd Mix Needs Home
* 1-year-old female
* 62 pounds
* Healthy
* Good with kids
* Housebroken
Ginger used to live in a house full of kids. The upside? She loves children. The downside? She ended up at the shelter when her former family decided that they didn't have time to take care of her.
Ginger is a friendly, energetic Shepherd mix. She gets along well with other dogs. She's quite handsome, though she could stand to lose a few pounds.
Ginger would make an excellent addition to any kind of household.
To find out more about Ginger (I.D. # A748318) contact the NYC Animal Care & Control at 212-788-4000.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
European Union Considering Banning All Seal Product Trade!
This is a great step towards stopping Cananda's slaughter of baby seals for their fur. Please take a few minutes to tell the EU you support a ban on seal product trade.
From HSUS:
"Twenty-five years ago, the European Union made history when it ended its trade in products from newborn harp seals. Commercial seal hunting in some countries came to a virtual standstill, and countless baby seals were saved. But the hunters began to kill the pups when they were slightly older -- and the products from those seals are legally traded in the EU. Today, some commercial seal hunts are twice as large as they were when the EU first took action.
But there is new hope for the seals. The EU is considering ending all seal product trade in the European Union, regardless of the age of the seals. This move would save millions of seals from brutal slaughter, and help put a final end to commercial seal hunting globally.
Right now, the EU is asking people around the world to submit their opinions on the historic proposal. Please take a few minutes today to tell the European Union you fully support a ban on seal product trade.
The deadline for the European Union to hear your views is February 13."
From HSUS:
"Twenty-five years ago, the European Union made history when it ended its trade in products from newborn harp seals. Commercial seal hunting in some countries came to a virtual standstill, and countless baby seals were saved. But the hunters began to kill the pups when they were slightly older -- and the products from those seals are legally traded in the EU. Today, some commercial seal hunts are twice as large as they were when the EU first took action.
But there is new hope for the seals. The EU is considering ending all seal product trade in the European Union, regardless of the age of the seals. This move would save millions of seals from brutal slaughter, and help put a final end to commercial seal hunting globally.
Right now, the EU is asking people around the world to submit their opinions on the historic proposal. Please take a few minutes today to tell the European Union you fully support a ban on seal product trade.
The deadline for the European Union to hear your views is February 13."
Friday, February 8, 2008
La Dame aux Camelias
This fall I went to see Verdi's "La Traviata" at the Met with Renee Fleming. While reading about the opera in the program I found out that it is based on Alexandre Dumas son's book "La Dame aux Camelias".
Afterward, I read the novel and the facts about the real courtesan that the story was based on. The book also mentioned the multiple movie and stage versions. I rented one of them: 1937th "Camille" with Greta Garbo. The DVD also had a a silent 1921 "Camille" starring Alla Nazimova.
Here is the comparison:
Met's version - beautiful music, sets and costumes and very talented Renee Flemming. Enjoyable.
Greta Garbo version - tough, sarcastic heroine. Garbo seemed too old for the role.
Nazimova version - fun to watch just for the crazy hair and mimicry. The sets are also hilarious and must have been out there for 1921.
"La Dame aux Camelias" novel version - although not a literary masterpiece, it was very interesting to read about life in 1850's Paris and how things were back then.
The real Marie Duplessis - "most celebrated courtesan of the times". Possibly was being offered to men by her farther by age 12. Dead by age 23. Apparently very beautiful and elegant, she "possessed a natural tact, and an instinctive refinement which no education could have enhanced."
I actually found her life story much more interesting than "La Dame aux Camelias". I wish there was a fictionalized version of it. Apparently there is a movie loosely based on her life: Dame aux camélias / Lady of the Camelias.
Afterward, I read the novel and the facts about the real courtesan that the story was based on. The book also mentioned the multiple movie and stage versions. I rented one of them: 1937th "Camille" with Greta Garbo. The DVD also had a a silent 1921 "Camille" starring Alla Nazimova.
Here is the comparison:
Met's version - beautiful music, sets and costumes and very talented Renee Flemming. Enjoyable.
Greta Garbo version - tough, sarcastic heroine. Garbo seemed too old for the role.
Nazimova version - fun to watch just for the crazy hair and mimicry. The sets are also hilarious and must have been out there for 1921.
"La Dame aux Camelias" novel version - although not a literary masterpiece, it was very interesting to read about life in 1850's Paris and how things were back then.
The real Marie Duplessis - "most celebrated courtesan of the times". Possibly was being offered to men by her farther by age 12. Dead by age 23. Apparently very beautiful and elegant, she "possessed a natural tact, and an instinctive refinement which no education could have enhanced."
I actually found her life story much more interesting than "La Dame aux Camelias". I wish there was a fictionalized version of it. Apparently there is a movie loosely based on her life: Dame aux camélias / Lady of the Camelias.
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