Merry Christmas!!

I know you all have been eagerly awaiting this year's Christmas letter.  Now the wait is over!!

 Here it is, for your reading pleasure ... and hopefully it doesn't make anyone wish that they owned a canary!!

As last year, clicking on the letter will open it up large enough to read.

The mixing of molten metal and ants

I have always loved Chemistry.  It makes so much sense to me; I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else.

However, this video is enough to make me think twice about Entomology.  Enjoy!

A Novel Approach to Science

What's the first thing that comes to your mind when it comes to video/computer games or gamers? I was curious so I did a poll at work.  The answers were, in no particular order: Dungeons & Dragons, Teenagers, Atari, and Mario Brothers. 

Hua?  Doesn't it seem odd to you that Molecular Biochemical research didn't come up? 

Apparently a research group at the University of Washington was having some trouble coming up with the 3D structure for an enzyme that they were studying (for the full article, click on this link).  They decided to turn it into a video game on the web and let the gamers at it.  It took them less than ten days to find the lowest energy (aka the optimal) structure.

I guess mom isn't always right.  Clearly video/computer games were not a waste of time for these guys.

Happy Hamster Dance!!

Do Da Dee Da Do Da Dee Do.  Do Da Dee Dee Do!

A few years ago, I picked up a book that looked mildly interesting.  After reading it, I knew that Nick would love it too.  So, we read it together. 

It was such an awesome book!  Nick found the author's blog, and we learned that a sequel was in progress.  That made me very happy, but the author said he was taking it slow.  Periodic checking revealed that the movie rights had been sold.  I was excited for a movie, but was sad for the inevitable slow down for the sequel.

Today, I checked the blog again.  And ... the sequel comes out THIS January!!!!  Another reason to look forward to Christmas!

For those of you who want to read the book, it's called Ms. Perigin's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs.  I highly recommend it.

Honesty in Science

This is awesome!  You should totally check it out.

http://runt-of-the-web.com/best-overly-honest-methods

Thinking Outside of the Box

Boy, those phisers are getting more creative all the time.  I found this little gem in my inbox this morning.  I almost hate to delete it ... almost.

Toxic belly bugs!!  I love it!

Star Trek!!

Facebook only lets you click "like" once ... so I had to share it here.

I so can't wait until we see the new Star Trek move!!  (No spoilers in the comments; we are going this weekend.  And it is going to be worth the headache!)