College buddies, keeping in touch...

After 61 emails in one day about random topics ranging from "Hick Hop" to 90s sitcoms, Emily set up a forum, appropriately named pimphomunchies for all of us to chat. So, go to the site, register, and bookmark it! It'll be a great way for us to discuss random things and to keep in touch.

Happy Birthday, Regina!

Go check Regina out in The Interpreter, which they released on April 22nd to celebrate her birthday.

South by Southwest Music/Film Festival in 2006!

I'm heading to Austin during my Spring Break in 2006 for the South by Southwest Festival! The idea was given to me by Michael Roston. Who wants to go? It's March 16 - 20th. Music, music, music!

Rich's New Book

Who wouldn't want to read Multiscale Methods in Science and Engineering? Rich has a chapter in this book. Bjorn Enquist is his advisor!

Mercury rising aka "Hey you, women of childbearing age!"

Mercury is a big problem in fish. The US Dept. of Helath and Human Services and the EPA make these recommendations for women of child-bearing age. Why does it matter? Women with high mercury levels exhibit no symptoms, and the mercury can cause brain damage in a developing fetus, resulting in learning disabilities and behavioral problems.

1. Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.

2. You can eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury (shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish). You can eat up to 6 oz (1 meal) of albacore tuna per week.

3. Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week."

Here's (pdf) a general guide to fish eating with regards to mercury content.

Here's the Mercury in Sushi guide.

Unfortunately, you also have to be aware of the health risks of consuming farm raised fish, like salmon (The link is for a study done on health risks of farmed salmon). Here's the kicker, "consumption of more than one meal of farmed salmon per month could pose unacceptable cancer risks according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)."

And, then, you should also consider the environmental impact of eating the Fish. Luckily the Fish List details what's good to eat and what you should avoid. For example, avoid shrimp. (oh, so sad) Why? "Wild shrimp capture techniques are wasteful, taking at least three pounds of unwanted catch for every pound of shrimp caught. Most shrimp farming operations destroy coastal habitats which also harm local fisheries."

Senate Ball

Rich and I attended the Senate Ball tonight. The theme was "Black Tie and Pearls" aka black and white. I don't actually own any black dresses, so I picked one up a few days ago off the sale rack at Banana Republic. Tickets were probably a few hundred dollars, but I attended as a staff member, so the experience was definately worth it. At one point, when we were dancing to the music of the big band, I looked and noticed Governor Codey and his wife dancing next to us. Very cool, although I did not have a chance to get my picture taken with the Governor.

Welcome to Spring!

My Princeton intermural sports teams started up this week. I'm playing soccer and softball. I'm playing for the GC team. Even though I don't really know how to play soccer, I like playing because I get to run around a lot. So, occasionally, I get lucky, and I get in the way of the opposing team, and kick the ball somewhere that doesn't allow them to score. Sometimes, I'm not so lucky, and I get knocked around by the soccer ball or trip when running across the field. Either way, it's good fun.

Softball has been fun too. Unfortunately, the they play by a 2 pitch rule. That is, you only get 2 pitches, and if you don't get on base, you are out. That includes fouls too. While it makes the game go faster, you have a smaller shot at hitting well.