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Thursday, January 31, 2008

FDA Warns Epilepsy Drugs May Raise Suicide Risk


The drugs included in the warning are: Carbamazepine (marketed as Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol XR), Felbamate (marketed as Felbatol), Gabapentin (marketed as Neurontin), Lamotrigine (marketed as Lamictal), Levetiracetam (marketed as Keppra), Oxcarbazepine (marketed as Trileptal), Pregabalin (marketed as Lyrica), Tiagabine (marketed as Gabitril), Topiramate (marketed as Topamax), Valproate (marketed as Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakene, Depacon) and Zonisamide (marketed as Zonegran). Some of these drugs are also available as generics.


Well, it makes sense. I'm on Lamictal for bipolar II disorder, and if it can level your mood for some people, then it stands to reason it can muck with it in others, since it's affecting brain chemistry. But I thought I'd pass that warning along.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Listening to Linkin Park

'What I've Done'


and the Australian alternate video that has a plot to smuggle proof of a government conspiracy out of a lab



'Shadow of the Day'

(there is an alternate ending not shown on this one where his backpack falls, leaving the viewer to wonder if he has been shot or joins the riot).

Both songs are from the album Minutes to Midnight.

I can't imagine just abandoning an animal in a house

surely even a kill shelter is better than that...

Foreclosures Lead to Abandoned Animals

Yay, KU!

No, that's not a college. It's Kentucky Utilities, our electric company, I'm talking about.

So it's been warm here the last couple of days, in the 50s (Fahrenheit), and we've had a cold front come through tonight with lightning, hail or sleet, winds up to 50 mph, and the temperature has plunged 20 degrees, with wind chills expected in the single digits tomorrow. Ack.

Coming home earlier, three of the traffic lights along Man O'War Blvd were out completely--not flashing, just out, and with the driving rain and foggy car, I didn't even realise it until I'd gone through Alumni. I stopped at Easthills and Beaver Creek. There were no police on the scene, and everything to the right of the road was dead black. I went on home, felt my way to a candle (I have a flashlight, but I carried it in my purse and it must have gotten turned on at some point, because it, too, is dead. So I sat in my comfy chair and got warm from where I'd gotten wet by snuggling under a comforter, and waited for a call on my cell to pick up a friend.

At least when I went to pick him up from work, the rain had stopped. Beaver Creek was out still and people were blowing through that intersection without pause, so I knew I'd never be able to turn left towards Alumni. So I turned right and went via Richmond Road, going past the gas station, which still had power.

When I delivered my friend, parts of his street were without power, including his house. I headed back, and reached Alumni, which was miraculously lit. So was Easthills. And Beaver Creek was at least flashing--and there was a cop car finally. Of course all the lights between were on, too. So when I got to my apartment there was blessed light, thanks to the electric company. I just hope they get my friends' power back on soon. They, like most of us, need it. It's funny how much you take it for granted, when there are so many in this world that have none.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Archivists gone bad

Man arrested in eBay sale of historic documents

Daniel Lorello, a department of education archivist for the state of New York, was arrested for stealing documents and artefacts since 2002--and about 400 items in 2007 alone. A history buff alerted authorities when he found Lorello selling items on eBay. Police recovered about 400 items from his home, estimated to be about 90% of what he stole; the rest was probably sold.

Nice

'The Hedgehog in the Fog' (Russian with English Subtitles)


Classic Russian animated short film from 1975. Based on a story by Sergei Kozlov, directed by Yuri Norstein.

In 2003 "Hedgehog in the Fog" won the "№1 Animated film of all the time" at "All time animation best 150 in Japan and Worldwide" contest in Tokyo, Japan.

Head's up, the sky is falling

U.S. Spy Satellite, Power Gone, May Hit Earth

The main concern is that the satellite, which was launched pnly a year ago but quickly lost contact with the ground, still should have plenty of fuel that could be hazardous should it reach earth. Granted, the greater likelihoood is that it will either burn up in orbit or hit somewhere that isn't inhabited. But it should happen within a few weeks, and if the fuel does go up once it hits the atmosphere, it should be seen with the naked eye.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Phooey

Obama '08
Okay, so I knew he was a long shot, but would have voted for him anyway (not that my primary vote matters much--we don't vote till May). But now Dennis Kucinich is dropping out of the presidential race to focus on campaigning as a congressman. He isn't endorsing any other candidate at this time.

Kucinich to Drop Bid and Focus on Re-election

So I have to make a choice from the top three, and I have to say, I'm going with Obama.

Beautiful and incredibly soothing

'Dolphins Play Bubbles'


(Another video YKWIA showed me tonight.)

So maybe only a classics major can truly appreciate this...

but it's my favourite part of Monty Python's Life of Brian

'Romanus Eunt Domus'


(Thanks YKWIA for showing this to me tonight.)