cosmic_celery

I suppose my posts are going to be horribly regular now that I actually have some semblance of a schedual. Having covered my first two classes of the day, I'm feeling a bit better about functioning well in the school system such as it is. Today, I just have math after break, and then I'm home! No crazy logic proffessor today that I want to throw my shoe at.

In more interesting news, I found out about an essay contest on "The Nature of Time".

At the website it lists some possible subjects: "For the current contest, this is “The Nature of Time,” including, but not limited to, the arrow of time; the emergence of time in quantum gravity; time, free will and determinism; time travel; the beginning or ending of time; and timelessness...

First Juried Prize: US$10,000

Second Juried Prize (up to two): US$5000 each

Third Juried Prize (up to five): US$2000 each

Fourth Juried Prize (up to ten): US$1000 each

First Community Prize: US$5000

Second Community Prize (up to two): US$2500 each "

Now, I'm not physics expert and very likely couldn't ever brush with what I assume a lot of the submitions will be dealing with. But I think those "community prize" votes open up an opportunity for someone not as knowledgable, i.e. me, to submit something interesting and fun that the community at the site would enjoy and vote for. And at the limit of ten pages, it's short enough that I could probably research into it by the deadline (December 1st). Perhaps an exploration into how Doctor Who actually adheres to the rules of physics (and how it usually doesn't)? I'm not sure. But it sounds like a fun thing to do, nonetheless.

The site itself is HERE if you'd like to take a look.

So, addressing one of my notes-to-talk-about from last time:
Knitting needles:

For my Doctor Five scarf (which is coming along AWESOME, by the way) I got some new needles made of something called "Casein" which, up til now I hadn't heard of.

The blurb from the place I bought them from:
"Casein is made from a natural organic protein polymer (skimmed milk) that is not toxic to produce. They are biodegradable, static eliminating, ideal for arthritic knitters, warm to the touch while being used, lighter than bamboo, and flexible!"

My first thought: Weird. Milk products in my knitting needles.
Second thought: Awesome. Milk products in my knitting needles.

Okay, so after I've been knitting with these for a while I've come to the conclusion that they're pretty neat, though I'm not sure If I prefer them over my heavier, metal needles.

From Wikipedia:
In addition to being consumed in milk, casein is used in the manufacture of adhesives, binders, protective coatings, plastics (such as for knife handles and knitting needles), fabrics, food additives and many other products. It is commonly used by bodybuilders as a slow-digesting source of amino acids as opposed to the fast-digesting whey protein, and also as an extremely high source of glutamine (post-workout). Another reason it is used in bodybuilding is because of its anti-catabolic effect, meaning that casein consumption inhibits protein breakdown in the body.

Equal application for both knitting and bodybuilding. Science? You win this round.