Symbion is a tiny animal about half a millimetre long, shaped like a bulbous tube with a ring of tiny hairs – cilia – at one end.  They live on the hairy mouthparts of Norway lobsters, with tens or even hundreds per lobster. They feed on bits of leftover food and seem to be harmless to their hosts.

Ok, fair enough.  Strange, but such is life.  So what’s so labyrinthine about them?

Things start to get complicated when you consider their life cycle. Let’s start with a feeding animal living on a lobster’s mouthparts: this individual – it’s hard to assign a sex – can then produce one of three kinds of offspring: a “Pandora” larva, a “Prometheus” larva or a female.

Wait, what?

The Pandora larva develops into another feeding adult – a straightforward case of asexual reproduction. By contrast, the female remains inside the adult and awaits a male – but, attentive readers will be crying, what male?

Not sure about crying, but I’ll bite.  What male?

The answer lies in the Prometheus larva. This attaches itself to another feeding adult, then produces two or three males from within itself. These dwarf males, which are even more internally complex than the other stages, seek out the females and fertilize them – though the details are unknown.

It produces males from within itself?  Who’s sole purpose is to find women and have sex with them?

Once the female has been fertilized, she leaves the adult’s body and hunkers down in a sheltered region of the lobster’s mouth-parts. Her body, no longer needed, turns into a hard cyst. Inside this, a fertilized egg develops into yet another stage: the chordoid larva.

In due course this larva hatches and swims off to colonize another lobster. Once it has attached itself to one, it develops into another adult and the cycle begins again.

Of course, now that I think about it, I think I saw that about 10 years ago on Jerry Springer.

Yep.  Definitely saw that on daytime TV.

So the initial read (admittedly from slashdot), made the impression that there was a flaw in the software that categorized the calls.  The actual article, and some further research, however points to the software’s configuration by the administrators of the system.  Apparently they “they altered the program used by most control centres [sic] in an attempt to manage demand for 999 services,” and “five of England’s 12 ambulance trusts did not allow call handlers to upgrade such calls.”

I used to work in EMS.  I understand the need to manage resources and provide the best possible services for everybody involved.  That being said, there are two things you have to remember:

• you never know what you’re getting into get until you get on-scene
• a problem with A(airway), B(breathing), or C(circulation) is a serious issue.  You need all 3 of those to survive.

I don’t have the audio of the 999 call, I don’t know the staffing in the area at the time, nor am I very well versed in the EMS system over across the pond.  I do know however that “unconscious, and breathing abnormally after falling more than 12ft” is serious.  I also know that the first two of those alone would have required a paramedic emergency response where I live.  If you’re unconscious, you can’t manage your airway.  If you’re having trouble breathing AND are unconscious, especially if from a 12 foot fall (think jumping out a second story window), you’ve probably got other serious problems.

Any green Aide (Charge EMT) from my Rescue Squad would have recognized the problem with the event above.   You’ve got to be able to think on your feet and give appropriate attention to the issue at hand.  Be it the local drunk who starts to bang on the bay doors at 2 am or the woman going into labor at McDonalds who “didn’t know she was pregnant.”  You also expect the worst and you prepare for it.   If you’re not sure, you ask somebody with more experience than you.

If you set a policy, you’ve got to think about all the ramifications of that policy.  And you need to allow for the ability to change it if the need arises, or put in some sort of compensating controls to fail back on.

Same goes for IT Security.  Sure, we’d all love to require a sandboxed machine that’s 100% patched with only whitelisted applications for every desktop user 24/7, but that’s not possible, be it due to the user environment, financial situations or time limitations (and if you think you do have it, you’re lying to yourself and your boss).  You have to be able to say, “Yes, I understand your $30,000 hardware bought 10 years ago can’t be patched and is vulnerable to flaw X of the week and on a high risk network.  I also understand that you need this to do your job, so I propose we do… blah blah blah.”

What’s that? You can’t secure that because it’s so old and not patched?  Shenanigans!  You don’t know how to secure that device?  ASK!  Talk to the vendor.  Talk to other InfoSec folks.  Think outside the box.  You can’t patch that 7 year old Apache install without breaking the website that’s needed by Federal law?  Fine!  Don’t!   Move those 15 ancient static pages to another host.  Can’t do that?  Fine! Don’t!  Setup a web application firewall.  You have 100 different options.  Use them and audit your shit.

“But we setup this network program years ago because we had to comply with policy X and we can’t not have it running.”  Ok, setup a separate program and duplicate the service for a week while you move over and validate your new system.  Or see if policy X even exists anymore!  If doing one extra step voids the need for a system, why spend the time and effort on it?  Audit your shit.

Is the manpower crunch that was the driving force behind the England EMS software configuration still in effect?  Is it present in EVERY district?  If you fall more than 6 feet, nothing else could possibly be wrong with you, right? Audit your shit.

England is not a third-world country.  They can afford proper EMS services.  And somebody with a clue to review it and keep up with it.

I’m going to try to use it as a log to keep people up to date with how the trip is going.   Also so that people know I’m still alive (or can come save me if something goes horribly wrong).  If you read “They put me in the trunk and are headed south”, please call MI5 or something.  Don’t bother with the police or FBI, they won’t go near the Federales and I’m going to need all the help I can get (the British accents might distract them).

For those of you that are entirely confused, I’m flying out to San Diego today with Karen (from college) and meeting one of her friends and driving back.  On a whim.

In 4 days.

In a Cavalier.

Should be an adventure.  Will try to take lots of pictures and not to get arrested.

Note: I’ll probably have extremely limited access to email/phone.  Don’t expect a response right away, if not for a few days.

• It’s very easy to spend a lot of money on chocolate.
• Pretty girl chocolatiers will give you free chocolate if you flirt with them.
• They sell waffles everywhere.  Even in the subway.
• It’s entirely too easy to accidently ride the subway for free.
• I don’t know French or Dutch, and it’s a problem.
• People here speak Freutcish, and it’s also a problem. (French-Dutch-English)
• Internet is very expensive and very slow.
• It rains a lot.
• The drivers in Belgium are far far worse than anything I’ve ever seen in the US.  With one exception, everyone can park straight here.
• The roads were designed by a drunk Scotsman.
• The dollar is very very weak against the euro.
• Soda without corn syrup is fantastic. (not new, just restating)
• Soda is very expensive.
• Beer is very cheap.  And strong.
• People protest everything in Brussels.  And they’re creative about it too.  Don’t like the tax on tomatoes?  Farmer Joe brings his tomatoes to the street outside Parliament and throws them at birds roosting on the building.  Picket signs are old news.
• A child saved the city by taking a piss and now they have statues of him everywhere.
• It rains a lot.

New interface, new version of WordPress.  Added some recipes to the side menu.  Still trying to decide where to put the penguins in this one.  Let me know if you have ideas.

Don’t normally use this for life/personal things, but thought some sort of an update was in order.  Overall doing pretty well at the moment.

• Job: Good (read: pays the bills, possibility for advancement, resume building if nothing else)
• Rescue Squad: Good (read: almost done with EMT class, still having fun, still learning, still making a difference)
• Living Situation: Improving (read: friend buying a house soon,  probably move in with him, kitchen I can use!)
• Family: Good (read: all in good health, even the crazy ones, Mom going in for surgery in a few weeks, kinda a big deal, but everyone is optimistic.)
• Social Life: Improving (read: still have little time for breathing, let alone spending time with friends etc, but recent events lead me to believe that this is also looking up.)
• Personal Health: Improving (read: overall I’m pretty healthy, but can always do better. Have cut soda pretty much completely out of my diet, only one or two cans a week. those that know me realize how impressive that is.  Started up with a decent workout program that I’m pretty sure I can stick to (yey kettlebells!) and just had a healthy visit to the doctor/dentist.)

I never thought I would be one of those people who gets 20-30 holiday cards and puts them on the mantle with ribbon.  My parents are those people.  Growing up, I would look forward to getting and opening the holiday cards, placing them on the ribbon and watching the row(s) grow as christmas approached.  Eventually we’d take them down around mid-January, but it was still a treat to get/read them.

Most were short and simple.  A few contained pictures and/or letters that went into great detail about the past year in whoever had sent it.  These were probably my favorite.  We would get several from people who had moved across country years before and we never saw… but we would also get letters from people who we saw quite often.  It was great to read about their lives; got to put in perspective what we noticed and what we didn’t. 

Today is the anniversary of the Worcester Cold Storage warehouse fire back in 1999. Six firefighters died in what some called “the perfect fire.”

Learn, remember and then don’t forget.

You have really messed up dreams.

Ugh.

My brain says no no, but my stomach says more more.

Me thinks this is something that I need to take to heart.  A friend of mine recently reamed me out for going too fast and being too busy.  I can understand this I suppose, what with work, the Rescue Squad, and class… but I’ve got this need to always be doing something.  If not, I don’t feel productive and I go crazy.

Anyway, I came across something today that I’m going to try to start doing, if in little bits.  Slowing down.

1. Have a cup of tea, put your feet up and stare out of the window. Warning: don’t try this while driving.
2. Spend some quality time in the bathtub.
3. Write down these words and place them where you can see them, “Multi-tasking is a Moral Weakness.”
4. Try to do only one thing at a time.
5. Do not be pushed into answering a question right away. Take your time.

There are more, but you get the gist.  We’ve got a saying on my crew at the squad, “Work smarter, not harder.”  I guess it applies to this too; I need to relax and live smarter, not harder.

It’s a paradox: maximal effort with a goal of minimal effort. Ease up, slow down, and embrace counter-urgency.

“I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles, personally, I prefer someone who has a grounding in my faith,” the GOP presidential hopeful told the Web site in an interview published Saturday.

McCain also said he agreed with a recent poll that 55 percent of Americans believe the U.S. Constitution establishes a Christian nation. “I would probably have to say yes, that the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation.”

Now, I’ve got nothing against the man for stating his opinion and wanting a president with similar interests as his own. Who doesn’t? My issue is that someone who thinks they should be President… should know a bit more about our nation’s founding.

Yes, quite a few of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christian… but an awful lot weren’t. In fact, it could easily argued that four of the first five Presidents were Deists. And saying that the nation was founded on Christian principles… well you could also argue that the nation was founded on Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or any number of religious ideals.

There is nothing specifically Christian in any of the nation’s early documents. If you look in the Declaration of Independence, nowhere in that entire document does religion play a major role, Christian or otherwise. You would think that if America was started as a Christian nation, then we’d have some semblance of it in one of our most important founding documents.

The Founding Fathers were actually for the most part wary of religion; this due in large part to the chaos of the governments of Europe that was based in religious context. They wanted no part of that in the new nation they were founding and was a major motivating factor in the inclusion of freedom of religion in the first amendment. Thomas Jefferson went on to elaborate about the ‘wall of separation’ between Church and State created by the first amendment and was one of it’s largest proponents.

And finally, from the mouth of a large equine, specifically the Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Tripoli of 1797,

As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion – as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen, – and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

It doesn’t make me angry that people have differing views or that they want to promote themselves as religious folks to gain the vote… but it’s an inaccurate view of our nation’s history. And somebody who wants to be in charge of our country should know better.

A delegate is bound to represent the true local interest of his constituents – to state it in its true light to the whole body – but when each provincial interest is thus stated, every member should act for the aggregate interest of the whole confederacy. The design of representation is to bring this collective interest into view – a delegate is not the legislator of a single state – he is as much the legislator of the whole confederacy as of the particular state where he is chosen; and if he ives his vote for a law which he believes to be beneficial to his own state only, and pernicious to the rest, he betrays his trust and violates his oath. It is indeed difficult for a man to divest himself of local attachments and act from an impartial regar to the general good; but he who cannot for the most part do this, is not a good legislator.

Noah Webster brought up a good point. If a legislator cannot hold the values of the people above his own local interests, or self gain, he’s not a good person to be in congress (Examples in point). Sadly, there seems little we can do about it, the irrational mob votes, not the rational individual.

The American people are so thirsty for whatever is shoved at them that they’ll crawl through the desert toward a mirage and drink the sand. And the mob drinks the sand because they don’t know the difference between it and water. (Thank you Michael Douglas.)

From “A Citizen of America,” An Examination into the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution. Noah Webster. Philadelphia, October 17, 1787.

1. ICE (In Case of Emergency) – If you’re ever in an accident and are incapacitated or killed, the authorities who find you will likely look for this entry in your cell phone numbers (and call it). A spouse or relative capable of making decisions on your behalf would be best here. (From personal experience, paramedics aren’t likely to call this number, however if you go to the hospital and are alone, there is a good chance that they or the police will check. ~ Seth)
2. Local Fire Department – Because you may need them and it may not be enough of an emergency to call 911. Very good for those pesky cat-stuck-in-tree situations
3. Local Police Department or Law Enforcement – Same reason as above.
4. Nearby Hospital(s) – These are great when a loved one isn’t home hours after they said they’d be. A lot easier to have them preloaded into your phone instead of sifting frantically through the yellow pages!
5. Taxi Company Dispatch - Just in case you find yourself stuck on the side of the road (or maybe you’ve had a few drinks). This is especially helpful in the latter situation since you won’t have to sheepishly ask the bartender to call you a cab.
6. Water and Power Department – In case your water or power ever get shut off and you’d like to know why (especially if it’s the power and your regular phones don’t work).
7. Doctor and/or Pediatrician – Another one for you parents. When little Junior suddenly breaks out in hives and you’d like to speak to somebody (but don’t want to spend the cheddar on the emergency room just yet), this is another one that’s good to have. Also, these can be very difficult to locate in a time of stress, so record it next time you have the chance.
8. Poison Control – So, you think you little Timmy might have just ingested two big mouthfuls of Pine-Sol? Not sure if you should take him to the hospital or use his sweat to clean the floor? These people generally answer very quickly and are very helpful – a must for the parents.
9. Animal Control – This isn’t just for mountain lions and wild bore who show up on your back stoop. Maybe your neighbor’s dog’s brain made a wrong turn at Albuquerque and now he thinks little Maddy is a kabob of some sort. You’ll obviously want the tranquilizer-toting folks in coats to come down and diffuse the situation, pronto.
10. Coworker or Boss – Because you don’t want to call the company switchboard to tell them you ran out of gas on the Interstate and managed to wet your pants in the process. Shoot for a direct line or cell phone.
11. Your Next-Door Neighbor – Hear about a house fire on the news? Give old Ted next door a ring and have him poke his head out to make sure your house is still standing (and offer to return the favor).
12. Tow Truck Company – Preferably one that will drive long distances if need be. Other than that, this one needs no explanation. (AAA is better; if you don’t have it, get it now. I recommend the Plus version. Free maps, roadside assistance, discounts on repairs, hotels, etc. It’s a great deal for the price. ~ Seth)
13. Car Insurance Carrier/Broker – The first people you should call if you’re in an accident (unless somebody is hurt, then you call them second). They’ll tell you want to write down and if you need the police. Another number you don’t want to go fishing through your Costanza Wallet for if you can help it.
14. Pizza/Chinese/All-Night Take-out Food – Because once you find a good place that’s open late, that’s a number you keep and call often.

Via

Doesn’t need any comment from me.

Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life. Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person.

~Dr. David M. Burns

Society tries to teach us that mistakes are bad. If we screw up then we are failures and don’t know anything. Unfortunately, we often perpetuate this idea in our every day life without even knowing it.

Tonight after visiting a friend at his new house, I stopped by Taco Bell on my way home. The drive through line was quite long, so I parked and went inside. There were only 3 people in the back working and there were already several people inside waiting for food.I got in line and waited. Ahead of me at the counter was a mother with her little girl waiting to order. The mother looked stressed and was going back and forth talking to someone on her cell and sending text messages while the little girl quietly looked around the restaurant.

After a few minutes later, a lady came up to the register in-front of them and said, “What can I get you today?” Without looking up from her phone, the mother replied to her daughter, “Tell her what you want,” and the little girl ordered. The employee then turned to the mother and asked, “Is this for here or to go?” “To go,” the mother said, and then rattled off 5 or 6 more items, pausing in-between each to think about it. At the end, the employee quietly asked again if it was for here or to go, apologizing for not remembering. The mother quickly retorted back in an annoyed voice, “I already told you once, it’s to go.”

After they paid and got their cups for soft drinks, I ordered my food and sat down a few tables away from them and waited myself. After about a minute, the little girl was playing with her mother’s phone and it rang. She answered the phone and put it on speaker; the voice said something about “How was my little girl’s day today?” and the mother seemed to smile at this. The mother took the phone after another minute or so, turned off the speaker, and proceeded to get into a very heated conversation with the person on the other end, who seemed to be her husband. At some point they called her order and I had to motion to her and say, “Ma-am, I think your order is ready,” before she motioned to her daughter to go over to get it, reminding her to say please and thank you.

After taking the bag, the little girl very politely thanked the frazzled looking Taco Bell employee and brought the bag back to her table. The mother smiled at her daughter, congratulated her on being so polite, but reminded her about saying please when asking for the sauce packets. She than proceeded to take everything out of the bag, looking for a soft taco. When she found it, she opened it, made a face and looked at it in disgust. She got up, went to the counter, yelled to the people behind it that she had asked for no lettuce and extra tomato on the soft tacos, turned around and walked back to her daughter who was happily eating.

While they were making her new tacos, they called my order. I grabbed it, thanked them, and went to go get some extra napkins. As I was preparing to leave, they finished the lady’s tacos and brought them out to her. She grabbed them from the slightly frightened young server and said something about stupid kids and not being able to listen to simple instructions.

I had to walk by them to reach the door, and as I passed them I turned to the mother and said, “Excuse me, but everyone makes mistakes. And she,” I motioned to the server who was taking someone else’s order, “is somebody’s little girl too.”

She gave me the most dumbfounded look as I walked out of the restaurant.

I probably shouldn’t have said anything, but people like that drive me crazy. Oh well.

The worst part? Having to perform CPR at 4 a.m. on a nursing home patient who’s been gone for several hours.

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation…

While reading that document can certainly make one reminisce about why we live in the country that we do, it sometimes takes somebody like Jeff to remind us to think about and appreciate the place we call home.

That, therefore, is the irony of this present moment. At a time when our government is in crisis upon crisis, when our faith in the occupants of those great marble buildings is at its lowest, when our national debate is filled with rage and despair, that’s when our country is at its strongest.

The mere fact that we weather such turbulent times as these — and far more turbulent times in our past, and surely still more turbulent times in the decades and centuries to come — stands as testament to the strength of our Republic.

That is our legacy, and that is our greatest monument. Not the gleaming façades or the scraps of slowly fading parchment. Those are just things. What we leave behind for our children will be what our forefathers left behind for us: a nation divided in every way in which people can be divided, and yet united in our dedication and our perseverance.

That’s what we should be celebrating tomorrow. Not bickering over our challenges or regretting our mistakes, but remembering that that which brings us together is that which keeps us strong.