University of Technology scientists in Queensland, Australia have announced that some computer printers should carry a warning label telling users that printing could be hazardous to their health.

An investigation of 60 printer models showed that almost a third emit potentially dangerous levels of toner into the air in the form of ultra-tiny particles small enough to infiltrate the lungs and cause a range of health problems from respiratory irritation to more chronic illnesses. In an open-plan office, the particle levels increased five-fold during working hours. The problem was worse when printing graphics, photos or other intensive tasks, and when new cartridges are used.

And here I am sitting with mine less than 3 feet away.

Via the BBC

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“Not Found - The requested URL was not found on this server. Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.”

I really hate generic error pages. How much time does it take to slap together a 404 page that refers the viewer to a site map or to the main page?

Well, these folks have gone a bit further than slapping something together. These 404 pages are works of art.

My favorite: The Raven

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I websurfed, weak and weary,
…Over many a strange and spurious website of ‘hot chicks galore’,
…While I clicked my fav’rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning,
…And my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour.
…”‘Tis not possible,” I muttered, “give me back my cheap hardcore!” -
Quoth the server, “404″.

Some other creative pages to browse

For 20 hours Josh Levy perched on the ledge of the Monroe Street Bridge in Spokane while police negotiators tried to talk him down. They were finally successful. But as soon as he stepped off the ledge, rather than calmly and patiently getting him to medical attention, they rushed and Tasered him. He then threw himself off the bridge. He died broken on the rocks below.

The cops claim that the tasering had been pre-negotiated with Levy for him to “save face” in coming down. Given the history of the police department, I find that hard to believe. I think the face they’re trying to save is their own. They knew, from his father, that Mr. Levy had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and was recently released from a hospital. His reaction to an attack should have been easily anticipated. In his time of crisis, instead of compassion, he was met with force. He was endangering no one but himself, and now he’s dead.

Someone should be held responsible for that. I wish I could believe that will happen, but I can’t. Not here. Spokane doesn’t work that way, not for the mentally ill. Just ask Otto Zehm.

Via the Spokesman-Review

CNN Headline: Marijuana may increase psychosis risk, analysis says

Buried in the text of the article: The researchers said they couldn’t prove that marijuana use itself increases the risk of psychosis, a category of several disorders with schizophrenia being the most commonly known.

Say what?

Ever heard of self-medication? Maybe the same messed up brain chemicals that cause psychosis respond to pot. A lot of people dope and drink for the obvious reason that it works.

But that wouldn’t have made such an eye-catching headline.

From icecream.com comes this ice cream favorite personality test. Which flavor are you?

• Butter Pecan

  If your favorite flavor is Butter Pecan, you might be characterized as the perfect worker. You are devoted, conscientious, respectful and fiscally conservative. You hold high standards for right and wrong and show integrity in all of your actions. This includes an extreme sensitivity for others’ feelings. You aren’t one to wear your heart on your sleeve; it takes a little encouragement from close friends and family to share your deepest thoughts.

  Romantic Compatibility: You are most romantically compatible with those who prefer Mint Chocolate Chip.

• Chocolate Chip

  As a chocolate chip lover, you are competitive and accomplished; no victory is sweet without a little hard work. Although you are competent and ambitious in love and work, you are generous with your time and money, never taking your blessings for granted. Your captivating personality makes you a shining star in social situations.

  Romantic Compatibility: You are most romantically compatible with those who prefer Butter Pecan or Double Chocolate Chunk

• Coffee

  As a coffee lover, you are lively, dramatic and flirtatious – thriving on the passion of the moment. Because you throw yourself into all that you do, you tend to be over-committed, starting new projects without finishing old ones. You tend to become bored by dull relationships and thrive on new and exciting ventures.

  Romantic Compatibility: You are most compatible with those who prefer Strawberry.

• Double Chocolate Chunk

  If you love Double Chocolate Chunk, you tend to be lively, creative and dramatic. Always the life of the party, you charm everyone you meet with your enthusiasm and sense of style. You enjoy being in the spotlight and prefer to be in the company of friends rather than left alone to reflect on life. You prefer passion and excitement in your romantic relationships, and require a lot of attention from your mate.

  Romantic Compatibility: You are most romantically compatible with those who prefer Butter Pecan or Chocolate Chip.

• Mint Chocolate Chip

  As a Mint Chocolate Chip lover, you tend to be ambitious and confident… yet a little skeptical about life. You are a realist who prepares for the future, needing a solid plan to feel secure. While your stubbornness is a business asset, it can add a challenging element to your relationships. Nonetheless, your loyalty, honesty and dependability create lasting friendships and close family ties.

  Romantic Compatibility: You are most compatible with other Mint Chocolate Chip lovers.

• Rocky Road

  If you opt for the rich, indulgent taste of Rocky Road, you tend to be a balanced mixture of charm and practicality. While you are outgoing and engaging in social situations, in the business world you tend to be more aggressive and goal-oriented. You enjoy being catered to, and appreciate the finer things in life. You are very sensitive to minor slights and respond best to encouragement rather than criticism.

  Romantic Compatibility: You are most compatible with other Rocky Road fans.

• Strawberry

  A love for strawberry reveals a thoughtful, logical person who carefully weighs each option before making decisions. More a follower than a leader, you are content and effective working behind the scenes and out of the limelight. In relationships, you are often characterized as shy and reserved. Although you don’t fall head-over-heels in love at first sight, once you commit to a relationship, you are loyal and supportive.

  Romantic Compatibility: You are most compatible with those who prefer Strawberry, Rocky Road, Mint Chocolate Chip and Vanilla.

• Vanilla

  There is nothing plain about Vanilla. In fact, if you love Vanilla, you are actually a colorful, dramatic risk taker who relies more on intuition than logic. Emotionally expressive and idealistic, you tend to set high goals for yourself, and push yourself to meet and exceed them. On the romantic front, you tend to rely on secure romantic relationships that fulfill your emotional needs while working toward future objectives.

  Romantic Compatibility: You are most romantically compatible with those who prefer Rocky Road.

I like Rocky Road, as long as it contains marshmallow fluff rather than those hard little marshmallow pellets. I don’t know how charming I am, though.

Have you hugged your IT professional today? Don’t forget to nominate her/him for Sys Admin of the Year.

I’m baking brownies for mine when he comes home from his recording date in Seattle. Thanks, Tony. You make my job a lot easier.

From the LA Times:

At least twice, astronauts were allowed to fly after flight surgeons and other astronauts warned they were so drunk they posed a flight-safety risk, an aviation weekly reported today, citing a special panel studying astronaut health.

The independent panel also found “heavy use of alcohol” before launch that was within the standard 12-hour “bottle-to-throttle” rule, according to Aviation Week & Space Technology, which reported the finding on its Web site.

After 2 disasters, I’m not sure it’s possible to drink enough tequila to get me on one of those things.

*Rocket Man by Elton John

According to a Gallup Poll conducted last month, 47% of people, and 66% of those aged 18-34, would like to know the sex of their hypothetical baby before it’s born. On the other side, 51% over all, and 56% of those with a religious affiliation, preferred not to be told before the birth. Of particular interest to me is the strong preference for advance warning in the younger generation, indicating a cultural shift in that direction away from the “surprise me” taste of those who had their children in the 80s like I did. Of particular note is that the comment thread on Digg, where I found this story, back that up. Commenters almost unanimously pointed out the advantages in picking out clothes and in decorating.

I guess color coordinating decor just was never that important to me.

I had 2 (out of 3) high risk pregnancies, so the sex of my children was at the bottom of the list of my concerns. I was more worried about survival, both that of my babies and of myself. I think that’s the way most mothers feel, whether they want to know the sex or not. In practical terms, no one ever asked me if I wanted to know the sex until just before my son was born, at which time I said no thank you. Not because I was hooked on the air of mystery, or because I was anticipating his birth as some kind of surprise party, but because I didn’t want to be influenced by it. As I explained to my 8 and 3-year-old daughters, having a baby is like a gumball machine. You put a quarter in because you like gum, not because you want purple, and then you’re happy with what comes out. (Yes, this led to speculation on what color the baby was going to be.)

I had plenty of reasons for not wanting to know. Most important to me was not placing expectations on my child. I never did a blue nursery, or a pink nursery, and all my kids wore red, navy and green crawlers. They had primary color or white blankets until they were old enough to express a preference. The last thing I wanted before they were born–or after, for that matter–was to stereotype them by gender. Knowing their sex, without knowing anything else about them, for months prior to their births would have interfered with that. So I emphatically didn’t want to be told.

I can understand that others might not agree with me - obviously, half of those polled don’t. Did/do you want to know? Why, or why not?

I’m honored to say that both Lisa and Billie have given me a Rockin’ Girl Blogger Award. As blocked as I’ve been lately, they’re being excessively generous. I’ve been terribly remiss in not doing this sooner, but now it’s my turn to pass it along.

Burrow/Lost Clown at Angry For A Reason: Feminist, activist, math student. She’s insightful and honest in her writing and over the last 2 years I feel like I’ve gotten to know her.

Tish Grier, The Constant Observer: If you’re curious about the business side of social networking and citizen journalism, Tish has it. Reading her is always an education.

Lynn Raye Harris, Romancing Paradise: all the inside scoop on the life of an aspiring romance novelist. I’m proud to say I’ve known her close to 15 years, though we’ve never met in person.

Cynthia Bagley, Sierra Sage: some great stuff on writing, as well as medical issues and military life.

Melinda Casino, Sour Duck: These days, Melinda is focusing on indie music reviews. Though it’s a genre I’m pretty ignorant about, I still enjoy her insight and explanations, particularly on cover art.

Today’s purchases from the farmers’ market:

• 2 lbs green beans (Spokane Valley)
• 2 lbs red peaches (Wenatchee)
• 3 lbs sweet yellow onions (Walla Walla)
• 1/2 lb plums (Spokane Valley)
• 1 watermelon (Richland)
• 1 cantelope (Hermiston)

The farthest anything traveled to get to me was 120 miles. Sometimes it’s good to live in Washington State.