Celebrity Anatomy

Something crazy I learned today:
Some celebrity women pay big money to have their last two pairs of ribs (their floating ribs) removed so that they can enjoy a real "hourglass" figure.
Sick and wrong.

Book of the Week

FREAKONOMICS. A ROGUE ECONOMIST EXPLORES THE HIDDEN SIDE OF EVERYTHING.
By Steve Levitt & Stephen Dubner

I must tell you, this is one of the most intriguing books I've ever read. I've had it checked out from the college library for about 2 months now, not because I keep reading it, but because every time I see its cover it gets me thinking again. It's difficult to explain, exactly. I read it through - there were a few bumpy spots that I just zoned out because they were, uh, boring, but, then I just didn't want to give it back! You'll just have to check it out, and see for yourself what kinds of thoughts it inspires.

USU Peeps are Amazing!

Those of you who attended the noon forum on Wednesday already know this; for those of you who couldn't make it, I'm just tellin' ya, our people are the greatest.
Mark Bradford and Alton Chamberlain, my hunnybunny, worked together to make a ginormous dutch oven lunch. Then Alton, best hunnybunny in the world, got in front of the crowd and talked up USU's four-year programs. He did a great job and had a lot of participation. Most of the crowd were first-generation college students, and he did a really good job of making his presentation easy to understand.
While I'm singing praises, I'd better make sure to mention Laurie. Laurie Francis, my personal education mentor, is absolutely terrific and very helpful in steering students to the classes and programs that best fit each individual.
Funny, because last year I was with Alton when he went around town interviewing USU-Blanding alumni. There were several who didn't have very many good things to say about it. They had a lot of difficulty in the transition from CEU to USU. Well, can I just say: times have changed! I had absolutely NO difficulties in figuring out my plan; thanks to Alton and Laurie. I'm so glad they're here!

I've been studying this morning for my Anatomy test. I prefer the little video links that Dr. Endres gives to us, but I think I've listened to this particular part of the video about ten times so far:

"The depolarization of the T-tubule membrane causes nearby voltage-gated calcium ion channels on the sarcoplasmic reticulum to open, resulting in an increase in the permeability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum to calcium ions. Calcium ions then diffuse from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the sarcoplasm. Long filamentous tropomyosin proteins lie on two sides of the Actin myofilament, covering up the sites where myosin can bind to the Actin myofilament. Globular troponin proteins are attached to the tropomyosin. When calcium ions bind to troponin, this causes troponin to change confirmation and move the tropomyosin. When the tropomyosin moves, this uncovers the myosin binding sites on the Actin, allowing myosin heads to bind and form cross-bridges."

*Well, typing it actually helped*

R.L. Stine hates math

My 7th-grade son had to do a book report on a mystery this week. He chose a book by R.L. Stine. I don't know what YOU think of Stine, but I'd rather my son read Paulson or Dahl. It doesn't matter what I think, though, because what do I know? I'm just Mom.
So, I was assisting him in finding facts about R.L., who goes by Bob, and we found that he hated gym class and he is terrible at math. But, he is a very successful writer.
It made me think of a nice guy I know who is currently struggling with college-level classes. If he gets his degree, he'll be the first one in his family, male or female, to do so. I'm so proud of him. Every time I pass him in the computer lab or on the sidewalk, he smiles and tells me things are OK. I hope he passes with flying colors.
And then, someday, when he's a very successful graphic designer, he'll have some other 7th-grade boy reading his biography, hoping he can be just like him.

Tuacahn Anyone?

Only three more days til Thriller!
I'm not sure it'll be "fun, family entertainment..." but it's supposed to be spectacular.
I'm taking the whole fam, so if the little skiddles like it, well, then the seven-hour trip will definitely be worth it. If not, they'll be sleeping in my bed til Thanksgiving.
Here's the link: http://www.odysseydance.com/