De-mythed #1: Absinthe

Absinthe is known to most as the bright green alcohol shown in the movie Eurotrip as a pyschoactive substance. It tastes like licorice ("anise-flavored" or gross) and is typically taken as a shot with a spoonful of burnt sugar. Although some claim it to be a liqueur, absinthe contains no added sugar and is therefore a liquor.

Absinthe was quite popular a century ago in France, particularly among artists in Paris. At the height of this popularity, absinthe was seen as a dangerously addictive, psychoactive drug. By 1915 it was banned in a number of European countries and the US.

Research shows it is no more dangerous or psychoactive than other liquors. An absinthe revival began in the 1990s, as countries in the EU began to reauthorize its manufacture and sale.

MYTH: Absinthe is legal and does not cause hallucinations

Hurricanes start 07-08 season well

Some might remember the success the Carolina Hurricanes had two years ago, culminating in a Stanley Cup win.

What you might not remember is that the season began with 15 points in the first 10 games.

Current standings

To sweeten the deal, the last 2 points came from a 6-2 throttling of the Buffalo Sabres. Tied going into the 3rd period, the Canes scored 4 in the final period to end the game with chants of "Miller. Miller. You Suck!"

In fairness to the Buffalo goalie he had to face 43 shots, which means he had little defensive help.

The Canes look to improve upon the current 2nd place position in the Eastern Conference when Erik Cole and Scott Walker return from Injured Reserve.

Update: Cost of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

There haven't been many reports posted recently about the escalating costs for the war in Iraq and the oft forgotten war in Afghanistan.

A recent Reuters article spoke to many of the expected budget points, but here are some highlights:

• The US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could cost taxpayers a total of $2.4 trillion by 2017
• CBO (nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office) estimated that interest costs alone from 2001-2017 could total more than $700 billion
• So far, Congress has given Bush $604 billion for the two wars
• In Iraq alone, the US is spending about $11 billion a month, with costs escalating
• CBO estimated that between 2008 and 2017, the wars could cost slightly more than $1 trillion, assuming overall troop strength is cut to 75,000 by 2013.
  (Currently, there are about 196,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.)

2007 Ultimate Club Championships begin tomorrow

The 2007 Ultimate Club Championships will begin on 25-Oct in Sarasota, FL. Teams from the US and Canada have qualified in regional tournaments to reach this most elite competition.

A preview of all divisions (Masters, Mixed, Open and Women) can be found on the official website. This page will be updated daily with results until the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday, 28-Oct.

Is Europe defenseless?

I don't quite understand why the US needs to build anti-missle defenses in Europe, but I didn't understand it when it was proposed earlier in April either...

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Blind faith

The title has a negative connotation and people generally agree that it's a bad idea.

However, many times this mantra is implicitly acted upon.

Here's a humourously written article about the recent granting of immunity to the telecommunications industry for helping the government with warrentless wiretaps.

Opinion piece at Salon by Glenn Greenwald

2007 Setup Championship Invitational Triathlon comes to Raleigh, NC

The 2007 Setup Championship Invitational Triathlon is a race available to only those triathletes that have qualified in the NCTS, SCTS, VTS or ETS. The qualification procedure reduces the 10,000+ participants over multiple states down to ~300.

It will be hosted at Falls Lake (Beaverdam entrance) on October 20th.

Not only is this race more convenient to triathletes, but instead of starting at 6:30am (like some others), the race doesn't begin until 9am. This should help convince spectators to wake and watch at this beautiful venue.

Another interesting element of this race is that it's an "equalizer" start. This means all women will start at 9am, then the men have a 14 minute deficit to make up.

The first 3 finishers (regardless of gender) earn the prize money ($1,000 for 1st).

What would you do with 13 years?

This guy circumnavigated the globe using only human-powered transport.

Top 5 YouTube videos: October 2007

#5: Let's go ice skating: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2yJSFHTrgM
#4: Follow-up to accosting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfiaxPsvnTU
#3: Impossible is Nothing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv1vjlSLvhg
#2: Learn to dance! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pwfO8G5uIo
#1: The new pre-game warmup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHW1K2LeQXE