encountering encounters

I went to rent a movie (that hasn't been released yet) today. It was a bit disappointing that I left the store without it.

I did, however, notice that Encounters at the End of the World was on the shelf as a new release. It took me by surprise to see, not one, but four copies of this social documentary, and all four were checked out. This made me smile.

If you wonder why I am so fascinated by this, it is because this movie was filmed while I was in Antarctica, and I know nearly all the people featured in this film. And, I have a (probably coffee stained) copy of the Antarctic Sun with the producer, Werner Herzog's signature on it.

I know I've mentioned this flick before, but go rent it for an extraordinary and interesting look into the society at McMurdo Station and beyond.

juxtaposition

To my beautiful Washington sunny September day:

: a head on train crash in Los Angeles.

: bombs go off in Delhi.

: a hurricane strikes Texas.

: a plane crashes in Russia.

: political unrest in Bolivia.

diseased

Last night, over dinner, a group of us were talking about disease; particularly flu virus, colds, and immunizations. I have been sick more times this year with two colds in Antarctica (back-on-back), food poisoning in Australia, and the flu in Haiti. Beyond being updated with my normal shots, I should not contract yellow fever in the next eight years, nor typhoid in the next two years. By now I should be doubly protected against Hepatitis A for life and I have started the Hepatitis B series as well.

Since I have supported the One Campaign (against AIDS and global poverty), and I've been to a couple parts of the world where nasty diseases are prevalent, and I'm still on weekly doses of chloroquine to knock out any malaria bug I may have caught in Haiti, a couple of new discoveries in the news caught my attention as particularly interesting.

The first is a discovery about malaria, how it attacks the body, and how a treatment may be created. The disease can be particularly uncomfortable, stick with its' host for a long time, and kill if not treated properly. The prescriptions can have some strange side effects and long term use is questionable with some people. So, any research towards an immunization or a means to irradicate the disease from a body is great news!

The second is a connection between susceptibility to HIV and a malaria gene found in people of African descent. Strangely, while those with the gene tend to contract the disease with more early problems, many often live longer with HIV (by two years) than those who don't have it.

There has always been this myth that people in sub-Saharan Africa were more likely to get HIV because of differences in their sexual behaviour, or that they are more promiscuous. This shows that it's not that simple, and I think it will be an important message for education programmes in these areas. -- Dr Ade Fakoya, BBC --

People are so smart! I am impressed with the developments that continue to be made in so many areas of the world; with disease, technology, physics, biology, and generally how the world operates.

art alive

I have found a few artists lately who have really captured my attention in their designs and styles and sounds. Something about them, seems like it fits me; my personality, my mood:

music:
- louise setara
- the blackthorn project
- jralph
- children of agape choir

art and graphics:
- natasha wescoat (Thanks, Angie, for showing me her link. Painting shown is her work).
- brian son

I hope you find some joy in their work like I did!

only in the news

I've run across some interesting news stories and commentaries lately that are of some interest. If you would like a little cynicism, or mild entertainment, here are my recommendations for the week:

Antarctica's resupply of...

A British perspective on ads in America.

A little Egyptian age gap.

Other Iranian thoughts on marriage.

Stay tuned for this Antarctic movie premier.