Jamaican Scientist

Street Kings

2008-04-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

I went to watch Street Kings the other day with a couple frineds and I was not moved. I expected much more from David Ayer after Training Day. Lucky it was two for one special at the theatre so I didn't spend that much. The trailer boasted an all star cast of Keanu Reeves, Forrest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Common, The Game and many more. The movie started out alright but it turned out to be just as before, so cliche. Bad cop.... IRS... snitch.... revenge.... betrayal.... confrontation.... yadda yadda. I was left turned on by the trailer only to be left high and dry. I felt like Macka Diamond in her song Done Already..... just so so so!!!

The first scene was OK. I mean I enjoyed it. The man killed someone taking a dump- classic!!!! But then it became..... blah and the bag ah talking. These monolgues and touchy feely scenes are seriously unnecessry. It is suppose to be a badman show not a love story!!!! I think it had potential!!!! At one point I was begging Keanu to take off his shirt!!!! Ok maybe for the entire movie. I think that would've worked.

Sad to say I was highly disappointed

I've been Meta Tagged!!!!!

2008-04-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Well I saw this on one of my daily reads and thought it was cool. And because mi red eyed I just had to get. Since I'm not too tech savvy mi jus ah try ah ting. Hope it works :D !!!!!!

Free Health Care as of April 1!

2008-03-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

I do commend the Jamaica Labour Party for their efforts in trying to make the living conditions in our country a little better. But banishing user fees with right across the board is a bit far fetched and not well thought out. Not only is it removing revenue that the hospitals desperately needs (about $3 billion) it will also be putting added pressure on the staff of these facilities. The hospitals are already are not fully equipped to deal with the demands from persons who "can" pay let alone dealing with those who "can't". And we know how Jamaican people like freeness already so everybody and dem granny a go deh a hospital come April 1 with all sorts of illnesses!!!! Since the banishing of user fees for children under 18 last year an increase of 30 per cent utilization was recorded. I wonder what they will find this time.

Though a bold move, a lot more research and planning should have been made before going all the way. A step by step process would have been smarter in my eyes. By this I mean implementing these changes gradually. Start off by removing fees for some of the services offered, see how the changes are received and then move on to the next step. Starting all at once will be like throwing a bone to a pack of wild dogs. The hospitals will be working with the same amount of staff, equipment, facilities, etc. that will be present on March 31. So what will change come April 1 except the number of persons turning up for their "free services". Have you ever been to the Accident and Emergency Unit at UHWI? It takes even longer to get through there than if you had gone during normal working hours.

Not too long ago an article was published in the Jamaica Gleaner by a doctor who was complaining about the lack of equipment and proper facilities that they (doctors) had to work with, not to mention inadequate compensation. There is only one chemotherapy nurse at the UHWI who has to attend to all the patients undergoing treatment, as it stands there are not enough beds for patients, appointments for surgery have to be made months in advance, medication is short, staff is short and the list goes on and on. Can you say DEMONSTRATION!!!

On the matter of security, or lack there of, how exactly is that going to work? Jamaicans..... freeness...... riot....... I can see it clearly. I really hope security will be tight (laugh).

I see this as a matter of "competing" with the previous administration. You still have four more years left to prove yourself. No need to rush into things! Many did not think the school fee situation would work and yet it has. My stance would be to get the community health centers and clinics that were closed in the past (why was this again?) reopened so as to shave pressure from the hospitals and limit the number of cases coming in that do not need urgent medical attention. And at the same time try to upgrade the current facilities that we have.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for all to go well and since I can't "fly out" (travel) to "foreign" like some, I am saving up a "smalls"(money) so that in case of emergency I can at least have the registration fee for Andrews, Medical Associates or Tony Thwaites!!!!

Spitzer Scandal

2008-03-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

"What in the dark mus' come to light"!

Its a very unfortunate and embarrassing situation that former governor Eliot Spitzer has found himself in. But seriously, what the hell!!!!! Did he not get the memo on Bill Clinton and Monica?! I don't understand how you can throw away all that you've worked so hard to achieve over a piece of ass. From possible future white house contender to being caught with your pants down. What a fall from grace. He was known for pointing out the wrong doings of Wall Street and kept everybody on their toes preaching the right and proper way. So this came as a shock to the masses.

His apology -"I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family, that violates my, if any, sense of right and wrong... I must now dedicate some time to rededicate my trust to my family." At least he kept it "high class". $1000 - $5,500 US per hour. I wonder if this was tax payers' money. Very sticky situation.

What is it with these politicians? I guess they think they will never get caught. They will be smarter and more mindful than the other person. My grandmother always says"What in the dark mus' come to light"! In light it did!

I feel it for his wife though. After 20 years of marriage she had to stand beside her husband, at a press conference and listen to him telling the public that he is resigning from office because he was involved with a prostitute. Man!!! First of all I would be nowhere near that conference let alone on stage. My hat goes off to her.

One thing I've learned from all this do not do your wrong doings with technology!!!

Tanya Stephens

2008-03-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

"Dem want know who is Tanya, Mi nuh affi strip fi control dem man, Have de game inna di palm ah mi han' yah Ah world domination ah di plan yah" - Who is Tanya- Rebulution 2006

Two words to describe this female artist - Lyrical genius. I still don't understand how she hasn't gotten a Grammy nomination! But that aside, Tanya Stephens, born Vivienne Stephens, is one of the most influential and phenomenal female artist in Jamaica since her rise to fame in the early 1990s. She has put forward a number of albums such as Too Hype, Ruff Ryder, Sintoxicated, Gangsta Blues and Rebelution. Hits such as Goggle, Yuh nuh ready fi dis yet, Its a Pity, Boom Wuk, These Streets, among others, show the raw but sophisticated talent that she possess- rhyming with pure class.

She puts her opinions forward with no qualms or reservation. I LOVE IT!!! Her honesty is brutal and at most time is shot at the opposite sex who she says is her inspiration. I can't get tired of listening to her music and its not just one or two songs on the album but in its entirety. Its always new, always fresh and not just about one thing as is displayed by many of our local artistes. True one or two of her songs might lean towards the "careless" side but what would a dancehall album be without some passa passa. But the beauty of it is that she sings about everything from corrupt politics, to men, to how fi tek a gal man, to love, to hate, to the socio-economic state of the country, gun tune, bad girl tune..... everything. And this is what has set her apart from the rest. Maybe I am biased. Mi nuh know. Don't get me wrong there are quite a few talented female artistes out there but nobody really compares to her.

If you haven't heard a Tanya Stephens track go pick up her album, you wont be disappointed. Right now Gansta Blues is on auto repeat on my Mp3 player. Till then I sit waiting on the new album..... Weh it deh?!

Breaking Bad

2008-03-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

They have finally made a show for us chemists.What am I talking about- Breaking Bad the series on AMC . I have seen a few episodes and I must admit I do like it even though they have shown us (chemist) in a bad light. The show was created by Vince Gilligan and stars Bryan Cranston (Walter White) and Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman) among others.

It is about a high school chemistry teacher who has found himself terminally ill (of course) and broke and decides to join up with a past student (who is a junkie) to make crystal meth in an effort to help with the expenses.

The journey begins to go haywire from the very beginning and have left them to make life changing decisions. This does not help with Walt having a brother-in-law in the DEA. Talk about bad luck.

I must say that the series has kept on the edge of my seat and is worth the 1hr watch.

M5s to replace M16s

2008-03-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

The new commissioner of police for our grand little island has recently informed the public that the police force will no longer be armed with M16 guns and will be served with M5s instead. This comes after a policeman shot and killed a 10 month old baby in Spanish Town the other day. Even though this may have been a smart move is it really going help the problem? The fact is the officers shoot to kill in all instances. And this incident proves this. Why are you going to shoot at or into a taxi carrying passengers? Maybe it was suppose to automatically stop the car! I guess writing down the license plate number and serving the driver with a ticket at a later date was too much work. Mi nuh know......

But taking away a higher powered weapon will probably only cut down on the number of bullets that are used each time. The officers need to be trained and not only in "handling" weapons but in common courtesy and decency as well. Merely changing the type of gun is not going to help if we have the same persons carrying them. Maybe this is on the agenda of the new commissioner. In the meantime if I am walking and I see a police officer I will be walking as far away as possible. Even though this is no guarantee.

The Volumetric Diet

2008-03-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

Recent study at Penn State University has voted the Volumetric Diet number 1. The plan involved eating more of what is classified as low energy density foods (ED) as opposed to food with a high ED. The mastermind - Barbara Rolls, PhD. who has over 20 years experience in nutritional sciences.

The diet allows you to eat more and still loose weight. Provided you eat the right types of foods and no binging on desserts and other high calorie foods is not what it is about.

The ED of foods can be calculated by taking the ratio of the portion in grams and the calories in that portion. The ED is broken down into four different categories:

Very low energy density: 0 - 0.5 e.g. fruits/vegetables (non starchy), nonfat milk and broth type soups. This you can have a lot of during the day. These foods are high in fiber and moisture. At meal time have a large salad or soup so that you will consume less for the main course.

Low energy density: 0.6 -1.5 e.g. starch fruits/vegetables (starchy), grains, spaghetti, beans etc. Have set and controlled portions daily.

Medium energy density: 1.5 - 4.0 e.g. cheese, meats, pizza, salad dressing etc. Portions are limited to set amounts per week.

High energy density: 4.0 - 9.0 e.g. sweets, crackers, chocolate, dessert etc. These are allowed occasionally.

So even though you are eating fewer calories you are filling up on foods that actually make you feel full and you will be able to get a good dose of nutrients, vitamins and all the other good stuff.

Of course exercising goes hand in hand with this as well. At least 30 minutes per day for 5 days should help getting your metabolism in gear. Also self control and a strong will power would be very good to keep close by.

Free Light Bulb Saga

2008-03-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

What a prekeh Minister.... former Minister Kern Spencer has gotten himself into. The recent light bulb "passa passa" that the embattled MP has found himself the center of, has been the talk of the town and the headline for many media publications.

Just a brief synopsis of what took place and why dear old Kern has found himself and two other colleagues out in the cold and on the wrong side of the law. The previous government (now the opposition) had an agreement with Cuba to issue "free" light bulbs to help the country's energy conservation which would in turn save millions of dollars. However due to "mismanagement" of funds it racked up a bill of over $275 million. Apparently the Cuban government gave us the bulbs (over 4 million of them) and we were only to foot minor costs such as clearance, transport etc. The Cuban government even sent their own people (over 100 of them) to do the installations, they paid for their accommodations and "welfare". So one is left to ask where did $275 million dollars go and what was it spent on?

Since this came under energy, former Minister of Energy and Member of Parliament for East Kingston and Port Royal Phillip Paulwell was in charge and decided to let Kern "mange" it to "build" his repertoire. Build he did!! A nice mansion in St. Elizabeth. But seriously is he the only one to be blamed for all this? Where was Paulwell when all of this was going on? Kern was just a junior minister. How can you just leave things in the hands of someone just leaving university and with no formal training. Did he not check to see if things were running smoothly? I guess not.
And I guess they just cant learn. Where have we heard this before? It sounds very familiar doesn't it? Lets see....... Trafigura.... Netserv....... Seriously.You wouldn't have expected this from a group of people that had pledged to represent the people and had been doing so for eighteen (18) years. Can you imagine what other misappropriation of funds had been going on?

At the end of the day it all boils down to greed. Plain and simple. Goodness man $275 million. My advice to you Mr. Spencer is to seek God and ask for his forgive. Continue to pray that on the day of your judgment the Lord will have mercy on your soul. In the meantime start talking and "help" to prick the consciences of your peers who have done wrong.

The Benefits of Green Tea

2008-03-06T12:22:00.000-08:00

There have been quite a bit of rave about green tea and the benefits that it brings. The Chinese have been using this tea for centuries in traditional medicine curing headaches, joint and muscle pains and even indigestion. Japanese men are shown to have a low incidence of heart disease even though a large percentage are smokers. As a result of these findings numerous scientific studies have been done on the extracts of green tea due to these claims.

First off, what is green tea and how does it differ from other teas. Green tea as well as black tea, white and oolong are made from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinnensis. The leaves are dried and depending on the degree of oxidation which they undergo you get the different type of tea.

Green tea is made by drying the leaves and passing them through steam careful not undergo oxidation. This leaves the tea with a "grassy" flavour.

Black tea, the most popular of all is made from the young leaves and buds is completely oxidized or fermented after the leaves are dried. This leaves the tea slightly bitter to taste.

Oolong is somewhere in between and is partially fermented or oxidized. This leaves it a smoother taste.

White tea is similar to the oolong in that it is only partially fermented. The difference lies in the harvesting. The leaves are picked only twice per year and just before the buds of the plant begins to open.

The most talked about health benefit of green tea is its link to the reduction of certain types of cancers. This is due to the abundance of antioxidants particularly the catechin polyphenol, Epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG. This along with other of its type can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and kill cancer cells by way of free radical elimination or neutralization. Free radicals are damaging compounds in the body that alter cells, tamper with DNA (genetic material), and even cause cell death. Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet rays from the sun, radiation, cigarette smoke, and air pollution) also give rise to these damaging particles. Scientists believe that free radicals contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of health problems including cancer and heart disease.

Epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG

All the teas listed above contain antioxidants but due to the processing techniques used green tea has the highest concentration. The steaming process that green tea undergoes does not oxidize the polyphenols and are therefore available to fight the free radicals that are present in the body.

The major negative with green tea is that it contains caffeine which may cause insomnia and all the other ill effects of caffeine. However there are decaffeinated versions available with the same health benefits.

Of course drinking green tea should be paralleled with healthy living and eating habits for a fuller healthier life. Tea can be had at anytime of the day and it counts toward you daily intake of water too. So the next time you find yourself reaching for a glass of soda, juice or a cosmopolitan with you next meal choose a cup of green tea instead you'll be glad you did in the long run.

For further reading you can check out the following references

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 290: C616-C625, 2006; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00425.2005 0363-6143/06 (http://ajpcell.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/290/2/C616)

Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, July 2002, p. 864-871, Vol. 9, No. 4 (http://cdli.asm.org/cgi/content/full/9/4/864)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_tea

Things you should keep in you car

2008-03-06T09:58:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine is buying a car. As a new driver and car owner she wanted to know what and what you need to have in your car. You know the basics. The question was presented to our daily forum and quite a bit of suggestions were put forward.

PHOTOCOPIES of your car papers. Make sure you keep the originals in a safe place at home!!!!!
Toilet paper/paper towels
Spare tire that is checked every weekend
Tools to change tires (don't know) I think lug too and jack and.........
Jumper cables
1 bottle of Coolant
1 bottle of Engine oil (Remember to check these, 5 &6, every morning especially if the car is not new)
wipes :)
Some form of defensive weapon (mace, a bat, a piece of board, if u brave enough a house knife- make sure it smell like orange so u can tel the po-pos (Police) that u just use it to peel one or a 1/2 'las -don't know how you would explain that one to the police)
Some sort of recording device so when the po-pos pull u over they can't tell any lies on you if i don't want to run no money- This is Jamaica honey!!!!!!
Coins/change to give the little "wiper boys/beggars" on the street cause u have a big heart or b/c u don't want them to spit on or mash up your car
Sun visor- Car will still be hot as a bitch but u know....
An extra pair of shoes. Depends on the type of job you do. If you have one where you have to do a lot of walking e.g. sales, then a flat pair would do for the outdoors and your heels for in office.
Anti- theft device that can be affixed to your gear stick or steering wheel
Fix a flat. This is good for people like myself who don't know how to change a tire even though I've seen it done a million times. This is a can of foam that you can spray into your tires in case you get a flat and cant change it right away. It keeps it inflated for a few hours, just in case you get a flat in a bad neighborhood. (I don't know if Jamdown sell that but it would be nice)
A disposable camera. Just in case you get in an accident you can have evidence.
And last but not least tampons/sanitary napkins. Blood on clothes is not cool!!!!!

Thats the list that we came up with. Hope it helps. For more info you can check this out.

KATS.

Farewell Nads

2007-09-21T05:52:00.000-07:00

My friend.... no sister left yesterday for school in England yesterday. As I am writing she is still in the air. I miss her already. Aawwwwww!!!! What am I gonna do now that you are away. At least you wait till the other 1/3 of the whole came back.

Adieu

Today we said farewell but not goodbye

As you embarked on a journey in the skies

To pursue life long dreams

To fulfill a part of your destiny

I didn't want you to go I must admit

But that would be mighty selfish

To not share you with the world, for people to see true beauty

Shinning from both outside and within.

You are the true meaning of the word friend

I can run to you with all my troubles and fears

You would always give a listening ear.

Your advice I will hold dear

Now and always thoughout the years

Until we meet again Iwill miss you

My confidante, my sister, my friend. fin

I miss you girl!!!

Bourbon Chicken

2007-06-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

I met and fell in love with bourbon chicken a couple years ago when I went to a convention in Florida. It was from a Japanese restaurant in the mall there. You know the people who stands in front of the restaurant and give you a sample on the toothpick. It was perfect. Chicken that taste like pork!!!! My friends and I had to have some. Of course I had to come back home to JA and unfortunately there are not that many Japanese restaurants out here. And the ones that are out here didn't serve bourbon chicken!! Can you imagine my predicament!!!

So I searched high and low and found a recipe to make it. I tried it and it was heaven!! The recipe is simple and the prep and cook time is short. I used chicken breast but I guess de-boned thighs can be used as well

http://www.recipezaar.com/45809

Mine came out a bit darker than this but it tasted great!! I think I might have added too much sugar so you might want to watch that.
Have fun!!

KATS

Summertime

2007-06-15T06:12:00.000-07:00

I miss the days when I use to get summer holidays. Back in the days it used to be 2 months. Then I came to University and got 4 months. And now to have it snatched away and given only 2 weeks!! I am not even working!!!!!!!!!!!! Not only do I have to be here early and leave late but I also have to put up with the bullshit from these dumb ass students!!!!!!! Can it get any worse! Seriously. I so need to leave this place its not even funny!!!!!

Hey All

2007-05-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

I know, I know.. I have been a bit lax with this whole thing. I have been going through a lot of BULLSHIT lately and I am trying to cope. The funny thing is it is hitting me from all sides!! School, home and social life. I just needed some time away!!!! Actually I still need more time but I am trying my best to put the best outside!!! KEEP MOVING FORWARD!!!!!! :)

Underwear- Pet peeve

2007-05-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

It is called underwear for a reason. It should be worn under your clothes and not be seen!!!

I have no problems with females wearing full underwear or "granny panties" that covers their ass because I do. What I have a problem with is the ones that wear tight full underwear under a tight pants or skirt and have it printing out for the world to see. Not only is it being printed out but it is tight so it is squeezing their ass. I don't go around looking at or seeking to look at females asses, I don't get down like that. Its just that it is just there and you cant miss it!!! I think it is so unprofessional to see people going to work with their panties showing.

I know thongs and g- strings are uncomfortable but ladies please if you must wear full underwears please wear a seamless one, you know the ones that don't have the elastic in the waist or around the legs. Hanes and Fruit of the Loom makes some nice comfortable cotton ones. I wear those.

For the men. Ain't nobody want to see your dang drawers!!! Showing you briefs or boxer shorts is not sexy at all! Come on! That is so played out. I like to see a man that is well put together! Nice pants and shirt and shoes and not looking like somebody who just got deported or coming from juvi!!! Fellas please stop it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Research

2007-05-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

I guess as a scientist I should write something about science or something scientific right?

So science is.............. uummhh............ uummmhhhh..... uuummmmhhhh..... ;) Just joking still I know what science is :D!!

I am an aspiring chemist and for the life me I can not understand why on God's green earth my reactions wont work!!!! We would sit and work out a scheme, brilliant on paper, with the utmost surety that this is definitely going to give good results. Then we get to the bench and....................

Every week I meet with my supervisor and its the same old thing. "Oh I tried so and so and it didn't work. I worked up the other reaction and I saw only starting material on the TLC." I think that I can safely say for me and my group members "We fed up!!!"

Even following the scheme outlined in a journal I cant seem to get good results. Mmmmhhh, I wonder if they forgot to mention out some minor detail! Sometimes I have to wonder if these papers are accurate.

I believe I have enough information to write a whole book on reactions and conditions that don't work. I'd call it "Reactions that Don't Work- Don't Waste Your Time". I'm sure that there are a lot of people out there that would be glad to be saved from the heartache.

Well I am here trying to press on. Hopefully I'll get a break through soon. Pray for me!!

Calculators

2007-05-08T06:13:00.000-07:00

Its is funny how we dont use our brains anymore for simple things

Since the invent of calcu;ators our brain has seem to gone to the dogs. I invigilated an exam recently, 1st year medicine, and one of the students asked for a calculator to work out 160/0.4 . What tha hell!!! I remember in prep school we had to work out division and multiplication with decimals by multiplying by a series of 10's, however many it took to make it a whole number. Then at the end of it dividing by the answer by the number of 10's that were initially used t get the true answer.

A friend of mine relayed an incident about a student who asked him to add a series of numbers on his phone and tell him the answer because calculators were not prohibited in that particular exam. What ever happened to setting out the problem and doing it as you did in primary or prep school? You know hundreds tens and ones!! Ring a bell.

I am all for technology. Bring on the caculator!!!! After all thats what its there for isn't it!!! However, in the event that there is none I can help myself!! If you child getes homework, what are you going to do? Give her a calculator or you palm pilot? No! So the basic principles from way back a woi woi should be fresh in your heads. If not for you then for you kids. Having a calculator and not being able to use it is another thing. I remember invigilating an exam and the students were all complaining that the calculators were not workinh properly. Turns out that the calculators were not in the correct mode. And thses are to be our future mangers and accountants etc.

Persons should be able to us their brains to do simple mathematical problems. Yes there are some thing such as trigonometry that will need a calculator, but addition, subtraction, multiplication and division (to some extent ) should be able to be done in your head. My mother does all of these in her head. Yeah Mommy!!!

I wish I could go back to the days when I knew my times tables from 2- 20xs out of my head. Without the beatings from teacher of course!! :) Those were the days

Hi All

2007-05-04T05:38:00.000-07:00

Waddup peeps. This is hopefully the first of many blogs to be published by me. I wish to use this media as a way to express myself. Who knows maybe someone will learn a thing or two from it. The name does not necessarily mean tha only scince will be discuss as I tend to be interested in other thing that I will share. I am a scientist, that is what I do, but I am interested in a lot of other things.

So with all that being said. I hope you enjoy all the bull that I may write and I also hope that it wont be considered as another cheesy blog.

PEACE, KATS