The Realm of Insanity

Return of Influenza A/H1N1 virus

2009-04-28T03:30:45Z

Well... it's been about a century since we last had a deadly flu pandemic and I sincerely hope we are NOT headed to the next flu pandemic. There are several things that have changed since the Spanish Influenza pandemic (1918-19), and yet there a numerous similarities.

Similarities:
The Spanish Influenza was Influenza A subtype H1N1, Current Swine flu: Influenza A subtype H1N1. Now there are numerous types of flu viruses (Influena A and B but subtypes H1 though H16 (only H1, H2 and H3 are human influenza proteins) and N1 through N4 (all human influenza proteins) but H1N1 has been the a huge viral threat that most virologist and epidemiologists have been watching for.

Both have unfortunately caused fatalities in a short time-period, are airborne and highly pathogenic.

The Good Differences:
In 1918-19, there was no WHO or CDC that watched for possible epidemics or pandemics. The international communications were incredibly slow, so information about epidemics/pandemics traveled as fast as the actual virus itself. Additionally, health concerns were not generally headline news until they became costly in lives. Therefor being forewarned early may lead to the cessation of this virus to become a true pandemic.

We also know alot more about Influenza now then the public or even the medical and scientific communities knew. We know how it's transmitted, what causes the flu and how to prevent transmission. In 1918-19, the transmission was barely known but some precautions were taken later. We also have better treatments then just chicken soup, cough medicine and aspirin. There are some anti-virals and better methods of maintaining hydration in the ill.

Finally, during the 1918-19 influenza pandemic occurred during the final year of WWI. Because of WWI, there was lots of global movements with large groups of men who slept/lived in tight quarters where diseases (especially airborne) were easily transmitted. As this was also the end of the first world war, these same men were returning either sick or carrying the flu back to their homes world-wide.

The Bad Differences:
With the rapid global transportation we currently have, the spread of diseases has a greater potential to affect a larger population quicker. This makes getting ahead of the viruses difficult, especially with people travelling while ill or worse, during the highly infectious incubation period when the infected individuals are asymptomatic or barely symptomatic. The good news is that news about this illness has gotten out quickly and health officials are attempting to prevent the spread quickly though mass media broadcasts of preventive measures to inclusion of technology to screen passengers of mass transportation for potentially ill individuals for quarantine.

All in all, the CDC, HHS and DHS's responses in the US should hopefully limit the viruses progression through the US. Additionally the WHO's and various countries health organizations are doing their part in other foreign countries (especially Mexico) to cease the progression of this illness. Hopefully in the next few weeks, we'll see this thing slow down to a halt with a low mortality rate. My prayers are with those who are ill and those combating this illness.

hummingfox @ 2009-04-13T22:07:00

2009-04-14T02:31:25Z

So... I know it's been a while but I just wanted folks to know I'm still alive!

I've been missing all my HP friends! I've been out here lurking though.

As some of you may remember, I was excited and anxious about my thesis and finally getting my MS. Well... I had good reasons for the anxiety as I was unable to complete my thesis to my committees approval. So, alas no MS.

I enjoyed the family cruise around Hawaii. It was alot of good times and short lived, but there was alot of insanity too! The boat was uber-sensitive about being antiseptic. (WARNING: Antibacterial/Antiseptic rant ahead)

I mean you couldn't go more than 5 feet without finding some antiseptic sprayer. To top it all off, as the trip progressed the staff made it mandatory that before you entered the dining rooms you had to have your hands sprayed. Within 3 minutes of having the spray on my hands, I started having an allergic response. GAH!!!! Crazy antiseptic cruise-liner creating
superbugs and not preventing them!

(Rant over) But all in all, loved Hawaii. My next adventure though will be during the first 3 weeks of May. My company is sending me off to Greenfield, IN. Apparently it is half-way between Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Anyone know what I can do around that area, since I won't know anyone? Hope to hear soon about what to do.

Take care!

Christmas Time is HERE!

2008-12-03T20:14:03Z

Christmas Gift Toy & MySpace Layouts at pYzam.com

Cause I want a dragon too!

2008-10-04T18:37:40Z

YAY Non-sparkly Vampires and other sci-fi/fantasy stories!

2008-09-06T16:20:32Z

So as we head into the Fall season for TV, there's some growing hope for me. I loved the X-Files and I guess after the X-Files 2nd movie, Fox is hoping that Fringe will catch on just as well as the X-Files did for them in the 90's. I really think this is going to be an interesting show and really hope it does well.

Additionally, toshimasa enlightened me to a new Joss Whedon show called Dollhouse also on Fox this Fall. This could be interesting as well with the lead character of Echo being played by Eliza Dushku (aka: Faith from BtVS). So I hope this turns out to be really good but almost seems a bit like Dark Angel... without being genetically engineered, just had their memories erased and re-trained.

Also a new vampire TV show... TrueBlood! Now if you're a fan of Charlene Harris's Souther Vampire Mystery series (aka: Sookie Stackhouse series), you might have recognized that the trailer looks like scenes from Dead until Dark (the first SVM book). There's a reason for it. TrueBlood is the SVM series translated into a TV series. I'm so excited about it but I don't have HBO. *sighs* Yay for NON-SPARKLY vampires!

Another Non-sparkly vampire series.... Anita Blake:Vampire Hunter. Now all my BtVS friends... this is NOT a rip-off of Joss Whedon's series. Anita Blake is an animator (raises Zombies) who happens to help St. Louis solve preternatural crimes and is a legal vampire executioner. This is another series where the vampires have been granted legal/living status by the US government. Through the current 16 book series, alot of crap has happened in this series regarding Anita and if you're the least bit interested, you should definitely read the series. A word of caution though, the series starts off violent but starts to become graphically sexual as the series continues. The sex scenes don't really start until book 3: Circus of the Damned and involves just minor characters but becomes overly gratuatous by book 10 Narcissus in Chains. The reason I'm going on about this series is because there has been news from the author that she has a writer, producer and movie studio to make a movie and possibly a TV series.

With all the new vampire series/movies making it onto the screen, I'm just afraid that they're going to attribute this to Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. About that, all I have to say is this. Hamilton's first AB:VH book came out in 1993, Harris's first Southern Vampire Mystery book came out in 2001, and Stephanie Meyer's first Twilight book came out in 2005. BtVS movie was released on 1992 and the TV series started in 1997. Of course the original Vampire story, Dracula by Bram Stroker was published in 1897. So... let's hope that media doesn't state all of these vampire movies and series is because of Twilight. Let's attribute it to Bram Stroker at least or more modernly Joss Whedon. OK?

Totally have to get this book!

2008-08-01T02:59:53Z

http://www.borders.com/online/store/ArticleView_talesofbeedlebardpr

Just when you think it's all over... it's not.

guilty pleasures and fangirlish moments!

2008-04-30T20:27:57Z

So, while I was waiting for the phone company yesterday at my folks house, I decided to watch Sense and Sensibility. This movie is one of my secret guilty pleasures.

Now most folks know that Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson are in this film but there are a surprising number of actors and actresses that I dearly love in this movie that I simply must announce.

Kate Winslet (Marianne Dashwood) - Finding Neverland and Enigma (oh and that other blockbuster movie about a boat that sinks due to an iceburg)
Hugh Grant (Edward Ferras) - Love Actually and Two Weeks Notice
Elizabeth Spriggs (Mrs Jennings)- HP:PS/SS (The Fat Lady)
Robert Harding (Sir John Middleton) - HP series (Cornelius Fudge)
Imelda Staunton (Charlotte Jennings Palmer)- HP:OotP (Delores Umbridge)
Huge Laurie (Mr. Palmer) - House
Oliver Ford Davies (Dr. Harris)- Star Wars 1 - 3 (Naboo's gov. Sio Bibble)
James Fleet (John Dashwood)- Phantom of the Opera and Vicar of Dibbly

Also, the soundtrack was written by Patrick Doyle, who has also written HP:GOF, Eragon and Quest for Camelot

It was just a good thing that I was at the house alone. Because each time an actor or actress came on the screen that I knew and hadn't realized was in the film I was squealing like a rabid fangirl!

Yay for guilty pleasures!

Edit: Are the HP casting directors secretly picking Jane Austin films to choose their actors/actresses for their adult roles? Or are the HP films just of the same calibre of Jane Austin and William Shakespear?

Meme stolen by twinkiehouseelf

2008-03-13T05:54:31Z

Here's how it works:
A. Go to www. photobucket. com (don't sign in)
B. Type in your answer to the question in the "search" box
C. Use ONLY the first page
D. Copy the html and paste for the answer

What is your first name? Genii

What is your favorite thing to do? Travel

Who is your favorite bands lead singer? weird al yankovic

What is your relationship status? single but not lonely

What is your favorite color? carribean sea blue

Who is your celebrity crush? Michael Shanks

What music are you listening to right now? Anime music

What is your favorite movie? Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back
br />
What is your favorite time of the year? Spring

Name your favorite beverage? Alcoholic - Margarita on the rocks, Non-alcoholic - java chip frappachino without whip cream

Where is your dream vacation? Australia and New Zealand

What is your favorite dessert? Brownies!

What do you want to do when you grow up? I don't want to grow up

What do you love most in life? Friends!

Pick one word to describe yourself. Insane

What is your favorite animal? Red Tail Fox

What is your favorite number? e

What is your favorite food? Philly Roll (Sushi)

What is your favorite sports team? Quidditch

What's one of your favorite guilty pleasures? writing fanfiction

Stolen from Twinkie and BrewingTrouble

2008-03-06T05:15:14Z

Very funny Star Wars humor!

2008-02-11T04:36:54Z

If you like Star wars or just want to see something hysterical, you must go to this web site! You won't be disappointed.

http://www.maniacworld.com/death-star-cafeteria.html

LOL

2008-01-26T23:13:46Z

What Kind Of Villain Are You?

Hosted by theOtaku.com: Anime. Done right.

hummingfox @ 2008-01-23T15:31:00

2008-01-23T20:32:59Z

HAPPY BIRTHDAY voldiebeth!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2007-12-19T22:04:23Z

meme

2007-09-13T05:08:04Z

1. Go Here.
2. Put in Username: nycareers, Password: landmark.
3. Take their "Career Matchmaker" questions.
4. Post the top fifteen results

1. Pharmacologist (had thought about it... decided against it)
2. Zoologist (*LOL* I got a C in Zoology... uhm unlikely)
3. Forensic Specialist (Seriously think this job is cool and have applied repeatidly for it)
4. Botanist (ACK!!! Plants are only so interesting and I also have a hard time keeping them alive)
5. Conservator (uhmm... I've applied to the EPA before but not really my cup of tea)
6. Microbiologist (HELL YEAH! This is what I'm working on my Masters for! I'd be so up for a job like this)
7. Paleontologist (*ggls* I always wanted to be on when I was little. Dinosaurs still intrigue me but now I'm more interested in the ancient microbes)
8. Marine Biologist (Why do you think I really learned how to scuba dive in the first place?)
9. Veterinarian (hmmm... maybe if I was at a facility like the one I'm at now but definitely not in the general practices or shelters)
10. Taxidermist (Considering what I do now... it wouldn't be a stretch, but I'll pass)
11. Biologist (I'd like to consider myself this already... after all I have a BS in this)
12. Chemist (I have a BS in this too... but only because it was so easy for me)
13. Veterinary Tech (sorta what I'm doing now....)
14. Pharmacy Tech (could be interesting but I'd rather be on the research side of this)
15. Medical Lab Tech (volunteered as one in college)

Does this show just how incredibly GEEKY I am. I'm SUCH a science nerd. In fact the first NON-science related job I got on this was number 20 (Historian). Oh and just for grins and giggles...18. Meteorologist. It's amazing how much of these jobs I'd do.

We shall not forget.... what?

2007-09-12T02:39:50Z

6 years has passed since that terrible day that we all vowed "WE SHALL NOT FORGET!" Maybe it's just me but it seems as though we really should have said... "we shall not forget... at least not for a while." Are our memories so short?

Today at work, there were very few people who understood the significance of the day. This is absolutely sad because everyone at work has to document their work with the date. Even more sad is that I live in the DC area. Everywhere I looked, the only true remembrance of this day I saw was flags at half-mast. Now I guess one could say our ability to live today just like any other day is the true testament to how the terrorist didn't win 6 years ago. However I hope everyone took just a moment to thank all the heroes of that day as well as the heroes still defending us today. Perhaps I'm just more sensitive to this as a former military brat. *shrugs*

hummingfox @ 2007-08-13T21:13:00

2007-08-14T02:04:16Z

well... this picture looks lovely.

Fortunately it looks like it will be going south of most of the Hawaiian islands. That's great news for all my Hawaiian buddies (ie:

timelady) Just stay safe you guys! Now... as for all my east coast folks... especially my Floridian friends, well we COULD be in for something this season but... we shall see. It's a busy time in the Atlantic with the Tropical Depression 4 out there and several tropical waves.

HAPPY 231ST BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!

2007-07-05T01:58:25Z

Happy 4th of July everyone! Let us all remember those who are fighting for our freedom, the men and women of the US Armed Forces!

hummingfox @ 2007-06-21T20:47:00

2007-06-22T00:49:31Z

If there are one or more people on your friends list who make your world a better place just because they exist, and who you would not have met (in real life or not) without the internet, then post this same sentence in your journal.

Just wanted to post this because y'all truely do matter to me! Thanks for being there for me always!

hummingfox @ 2007-06-19T17:51:00

2007-06-19T21:52:22Z

What color is your soul painted?

Brown

Your soul is painted the color brown, which embodies the characteristics of calmness, depth, nature, stability, tradition, poverty, roughness, down-to-earth, uncertainty, and neutrality. Brown is the color of the element Earth, and represents soil and, to a lesser degree, fertility of the Earth.

Click Here to Take This Quiz

Quizzes and Personality Tests

Stolen from timelady

BLITEOTW!

2007-06-14T04:27:41Z

57%

Mingle² - Free Online Dating

So... I'm still amazed that I have internet to post this, but today has been a crazy day. If y'all don't know what's going on... check out this news article. Thought it'd be a normal day but I should have known differently after the creepy thunderstorm yesterday. I just thought nothing of it. Typical summer thunderstorm. Yeah, right. Living where I do (high on the terrorists hit list) we should've been more prepared. No one really knew what to do when people started acting out of sorts. Agreesive tendicies are nothing in this area with so many folks around and all the hot air coming off the Capitol Hill. Well, we're in too highly a military area with alot of biodefense research occuring that it was bound to occur one day. Fortunately, it was my day off so I was isolated when it all went down. Still a little confused as to what happen, but being able to barricade myself has helped. I'll be fine for a while with food but the water is questionable. I'm not sure if I can trust it yet but it's bacterial or viral and so boiling it should be fine. Thank god I have a gas range.

Well... I just wanted to post to let y'all know I've survived the initial attack and I shall try hard to survive further. Hey guys, let me know y'all are doing okay.

Explaining myself!

2007-06-13T02:26:03Z

Completely taken from

brewingtrouble

1. My username is _____ because ____.
2. My journal is titled ____ because ____.
3. My subtitle is ____ because ____.
4. My friends page is called ____ because ____.
5. My default userpic is ____ because ____.

1. My username is HummingFox because it's my Cherokee name. Yep, I'm actually 1/8th Cherokee and am thus named from 2 of my animal spirits
2. My journal is titled "The Realm of Insanity" because life is crazy. I also believe that everyone a little bit crazy and those that aren't worry me. ;-)
3. My subtitle is "Ramblings of a crazy scribe" because most of my entries are random ramblings of event and of course a scribe is just a writer.
4. My friends page is called "All my crazy folks!" because my friends are all crazy and fun.
5. My default userpic is "The final Horcrux" because 1. I'm obsessed with Harry Potter, 2. After reading OotP, I just had create this icon showing Harry's scar. Anyone who has heard my Horcrux theory will understand why I chose to make this my icon. However I just love this picture of Tom Riddle holding Harry's wand towards Harry's scar (that he gave to Harry when trying to kill him and ended up transfering his powers into Harry instead). *chuckles* Anyone remember what the definition of a horcrux is again?

ROFLMAO Story time with Lucius Malfoy!

2007-05-28T02:36:38Z

MWAHAHA! I found video of Story Time with Lucius Malfoy (The HP-Orlando group) Features such things as Snape (aka Pattie) Laughing uncontrollably. Additionally... hear Lucius (Stephanie) sing "My Little Horcrux!" Just a question... did you ever finish composing your lovely song Lucius? Also seen, Mama Malfoy and McGonnagal (Erin)!

hummingfox @ 2007-05-27T21:54:00

2007-05-28T02:04:32Z

A great big THANK YOU to my fellow pirate...er... Lumien who not only went to the CRAP presentation, but also took video of the presentation on her camera and posted it! Now we can watch the amusing presentation even though we were preoccupied on the Quidditch Pitch! THANKS </p>lezlishae!

Phoenix Rising

2007-05-22T23:51:39Z

Well, I'm officially back from New Orleans and Phoenix Rising! I had an absolute blast with all my old friends and enjoyed getting to know some of the folks I'd met previously a lot better. There's just so much that I loved and could seriously talk about it for hours and hours, but you all know everything already! I'm seriously looking into Terminus to see all you guys later. I sincerely wish that our time together could've been longer but all good things had to come to an end (unfortunately). I'm currently working on the pictures I took and hope to have them up soon. I'm really glad to be home though but can't wait to meet up with y'all once again soon! Aw sweet irony!

Hugs to all of you and miss you all terribly!

hummingfox @ 2007-02-14T22:04:00

2007-02-15T06:16:59Z

All right, the meme:
[1] - List your top 10 celebrity crushes.
[2] - Put all of them IN ORDER of your lust for them. (10-1, 1 being favorite)
[3] - Say which movie/show/thing it was that hooked you.
[4] - Supply photos for said people.
[5] - Tag five people

1. Michael Shanks: Absolutely love him for Stargate: SG1 and playing Dr. Daniel Jackson!

2. Chris Rankin: I've only seen in the Harry Potter series as Percy Weasley (who's character is a great big git in the b) but I've actually met him in person (TWH rocked!) and he's very charming, intelligent, funny, modest and adorable as hell. I think we can all see why he's taken.

3. Orlando Bloom: Introduced to him in the LotR series, loved him after PotC

4. Keanu Reeves: So many movies... too little time. Liked in from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, but with Dangerous Liasons, Dracula, Devil's Advocate and the 1st Matrix. Ah love his talent.

5. Elijah Wood: Yet another LotR guy, but I learned to love him in The Faculty where he played the geeky Casey Connor.

6. Ewan McGregor: What's not to like about him? He can sing, dance, is funny and absolutely adorable! Liked him in Trainspotting, but loved him in SW and the Moulin Rouge

7. Michael Rosenbaum: He's sexy and talented, good guy or bad, it doesn't matter but I definitely love him as Lex Luthor.

8. Brendan Fraser: He's funny, talented and hot. Liked him in Blast from the Past, adored him in the Mummy, and loved him in Bedazzled!

9. Sean Biggestaff: Oliver Wood... need I say more?

10. David Yost: Actually really just like him for playing Billy Cranston from the Power Rangers. Yeah... I'm geeky but I had a crush on the character for his geekiness.

Done under the orders of jaina12