Graphene, diamonds & graphite-carbon allotropes

Graphene. I came across this interesting element, which for a while scientists thought was too unstable to exist. In 2010, the Nobel Prize was awarded to two men for their characterization and discovery of graphene.  (in Physics at the Manchester University). We all know diamonds are hard, but the graphene element is hard, and bendable. Hard as well as bendable is amazing.

Diamond can't conduct electricity but similar to graphene

Photo credit: jdurham from morguefile.com


 Images showing the structure of graphene-



 Images of graphene to view:
http://www.jameshedberg.com/scienceGraphics.php?sort=graphene&id=graphene-onSubstrate-3Dmodel

James Hedberg / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Graphene has a one layer thick hexagonal lattice structure giving it a wide range of useful properties in electronics, mechanical, thermo and thermo-electric, optical and chemical.


Here you can read that graphene has caught the eye for seeing the potential for multiple uses for this 'super material'.  Dec 2012.


Both diamonds and graphene are made of carbon molecules. Here are some comparisons between the two. 
It's the molecular structure which gives an element or mineral it's properties. A small structure change can have big effects upon it's properties.
 

Graphene can be used to create very strong but flexible materials.


Allotropes of carbon- diamond, graphite, graphene
 (allotropes are different physical forms of the same element)
 (elements are chemical structures which can't be broken down or changed to another substance       using chemical means)


Graphite also is made of carbon molecules. and we all know pencil led is made up of graphite- it's soft, and non-conductive properties.  - video below shows how pencils led is made








I believe we're gonna be hearing a lot more about graphene as scientists find ways to use this element's multiple properties in today's ever growing need for upgrading our digital communication devices and products.

Money trees- the real ones

Money trees and the beanstalk Jack climbed are unfortunately not real. So there's no need to set out searching for one to grow in your back year.  But wait, that's not entirely true---Money trees do exist and what's so magical about them is they don't require water, just a generous hand to attach some paper leaves onto their frame, and voila, a good ole fashun' money tree ripe for pluckin'.

You may ask, how on Earth do I know money trees exist? Well, let me tell you sighting one is quite a rare treat. I've sighted not one, but two double-rainbows long before I laid eyes upon my first money tree.  But when I first saw it, I did a double-take. There it was, plain as day, settin' pretty upon a glass top table, not really wanting to be the center of attention. It was like one of those blossoms that only blooms once in ten years and fades fast. Just think, I could've missed it. But not that day. There it was, as real as could be. I got closer and it sho' nuff was in fact a real, honest to God money tree.

An actual money tree in full bloom

It was no fake 'real' money tree cause the leaves weren't 'play' leaves. I would rank seeing a tree like this as often as I'd see a double-yolked egg. So with permission, I took this photo for prosperity sake and proof.

I did some searching, and if you'd like, you can craft your own money tree  just in case you want to have a 'green back' thumb.

I have yet to come across a beanstalk I can climb, but in case you run into one, let me know so I can come check it out.

And,  I might add, there are things like this which are mean to enjoy on special occasions. That's what makes them rare and special.

One more art form passing away- Ninjutsu

Viewing depictions of Ninjas in movies has been a fascination of mine. Ninjas are almost super-human. They make their actions look as if they defy gravity.  They can scale any natural or man-made structure, move without making a sound then disappear in a flash.  I remember thinking it must be so cool to be able to do those things.
Ninjas were Japanese spies, killers, and assassins. I would imagine their training took years to master their precisely executed stills under the cloak of darkness and all without making a sound. They had to be experts in martial arts, weaponry of all sorts, have super strength with amazing agility, and nerves of steel. And I'd add, not be squeamish about killing someone with dead accuracy.

Ninja

Photo credit: miguelwhee from morguefile.com

This art form, jinjutsu, it may be called a self-defense technique of martial art precision killing has died out.  The need for Ninjas is gone.

The secrets of the Ninjas was passed down from father to son, but it has come to an end.

But, no doubt, Ninjas will live on in movies, games, toys, and  in contests challenging the body in every imaginable way, giving us some idea of the rigors the Ninjas executed perfectly.

FYI- More interesting stuff about Ninjas --
What a ninja did. 

Some aspects of Ninja training which gave them strength, precision, self-control.

A famous Ninja.


An obstacle course testing physical strength, stamina, speed, agility, and balance. The video below shows the first female to conquer this challenge for the title, 'First Female Ninja Warrior'



Check this video of some extreme strength, like a Ninja--




and this Ninja-like training bedroom



And lastly, step-by-step, how you can be a Ninja,


 The mighty Ninja will never be forgotten.

Halloween-the 'ugly' side

Halloween has come and gone already this year. Personally, I saw not one kid in costume nor a single trick-or-treater.   Door-to-door trick-or-treating is passe, i.e. history, because of 'ugliness' done by people wanting to harm kids by tampering with candy- (it's pretty darn 'ugly' to do that to children). Kids today are missing out and won't ever get to experience door-to-door trick-or-treating. Trunk-or-treating is just no comparison of walking up to the front door of a neighborhood house, ringing the doorbell, waiting to see who'd answer, ( and maybe getting to peak inside), getting your treat and run.  The fun was being out with friends, then when your sack or lantern couldn't hold
any more candy, (and it did get heavy), getting inside and dumping it all on the kitchen table to see
all the goodies we'd collected. and trading with each other and deciding what we'd eat first and save to eat the next few weeks. We used to make Halloween candy last for weeks. We didn't have to pay for it nor send a 'thank you' note. It was totally free-and-clear sugar.  For us kids, those were some good ole days!


I was wondering if 'the man' was going to display a 'yard of ugliness' in front of his house again so I could drive by and take a photo.

He did.

Click here to see how it looked in 2010.

I don't know how much effort and energy it takes to design and erect these displays, but they're
 quite 'ugly' don't you think?

And if this place was around when I was a kid, I think I'd pass for trick-or-treating here.  
Unless I hear they were for sure passing out all day suckers.  Then, maybe........

Hoppel poppel -my birthday gift to me

I know my talent is not in the kitchen. I think I dislike standing on my feet in the kitchen.
So I really appreciate anyone who enjoys the process of preparing, ingredient gathering,
and mixing for cooking and baking such mouth watering dishes.  It looks so easy, but for
me it's a chore.  I will gladly clean the kitchen afterwards as my offering of help to the
meal preparer.

Hoppel poppel fresh out of the oven

Well, I've been craving hoppel poppel for some time, and I finally got all the ingredients
together this weekend based upon Bonnie's recipe. No potatoes, bacon, or spinach, but
salami instead. Her recipes are a bit different from the usual--that's her creative-genes in
action doing what they naturally do, and the results of don't disappoint the taste buds.

So for my birthday, rather than a birthday cake, I have a proudly made casserole- dish of
 hoppel poppel to dig into. Here it is with cheese on top.  I made it all by myself.

Hobbel pobbel with a cheese topping

And cleaned up afterwards.


As I''m getting older, I've noticed I'm not craving sweets as much. I prefer dessert before my
dinner, but lately I've been noticing a change. I wonder what's up with that? Oh, well, as I take
another fork full of hoppel poppel.  Oh, so good!

 And thanks Bonnie, my friendly, gourmet cook, for having confidence in me in making this.
I'm not gonna say how long I was in the kitchen, but it was enjoyable when I didn't think about
 my poor feet.

Brightening up the guest bath

Who would think to write about a wall switch plates? Me, of course. And reason being I
think it's a very attractive switch plate. I got to looking and thought the old standard plane,
boring, off-white switch plate had to go.

colorful alcohol ink switch plate

Now, doesn't this make for a more attractive switch plate?   Then to make it a bit more
interesting, I found just the shower curtain to compliment my switch plate.

tropical scenery shower curtain

So, now the room is looking a lot more colorful and inviting. Every time I walk past the
bathroom I see this scenery and I can almost imagine smelling coconut, sipping on a
mimosa and walking along the beach of a tropical island. Oh, yeah.

Need I say more?

Oh yeah, I'm planning to decorate more rooms with switch plates of Renee's hand-painted
alcohol ink designs from her etsy shop- ReneeKDesigns.  Her colors 'pop'. I promise you'll
think the same thing.
And, it just wouldn't have been right to not get a matching outlet cover to match the
light switch plate cover.

My attractive Renee K Designs outlet cover

 So, what I did was add a shower curtain complimenting the colors in the wall switch plate
and outlet cover, and find some small rugs, and voila, not too shabby for decorating a guest
bath, huh?

Throw rugs from a dollar store

But all in all, I have to say what I like the best are the hand painted wall plates. They're one
of-a-kind, artsy, hand-painted originals.  Pretty cool! Now, wouldn't you like to perk up a
room or two? If you do, send me a photo. I want to see what you came up with.
 Challenge- do if for under $65.

American Red Cross won't take blood for how long?

It's been a few years, correction, a couple decades since I last donated blood to the American Red Cross. I wasn't surprised to see the intake screening questions a bit more in-depth, and good reason
 to be.
Last time I donated blood I had to be weighed to make sure I met at least the minimum weight to donate, and, AIDS wasn't on the scene yet.


Photo credit: puravida from morguefile.com
 
Besides showing a picture ID and completing a questionnaire of about twenty questions concerning hepatitis, certain medications, blood transfusions, traveling to certain countries, and if I've had
sexual contact with prostitutes or with person(s) who practiced or might have been exposed to
anyone who partook in questionable sexual practices, the most interesting thing I read was the American Red Cross does not utilize blood from a man who's had any sexual contact with another man at any time after the year 1977.  That's 35 years! That's a long time.

video-'Ban on gay donors gets a second look'.

I even had my finger pricked to test my iron content because donating blood naturally is going to deplete iron available in the body.


Photo credit: cohdra from morguefile.com
 
 So, the American Red Cross does not want blood from any man who's had sexual contact with another man for a many years. Of course people, and gay men especially, who practice sex with other men are going to claim discrimination that their blood is as good as the blood as those who are of heterosexual persuasion.
The answer is there has been problems and there are risks to the person receiving the blood. The American Red Cross doesn't want that at all.

The Red Cross screens to keep a safe blood supply, and here's why-

-The first case of post-transfusion HIV since 2002 was recently reported (CDC link: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml… . Specifics on the donor indicate unreported high risk activity over many years. Until pathogen inactivation technology has been perfected to treat donated blood components for transfusion-transmissible diseases, donor questionnaires and screening tests provide the best chance for a safe blood supply-  This is from a medical director at a regional blood center.

The screenings are a precautionary measure to keep blood supplies as safe as possible for recipients.

Here's an article that the Red Cross wants to amend the restrictions to a shorter time.  I hope if this happens, blood recipients get to choose if they want the blood of a gay/bisexual man or not.
It's a matter of receiving blood that is safe, not discrimination, and, of having a choice in what goes into your body from someone else's body.

Here's an article stating the FDA's goal also is to keep the blood supply safe. That is not discrimination, that is being responsible.  That is no way at all being discriminatory towards anyone. The blood supply needs to be 'clean'.  There should remain a strict intake to ensure guidelines and practices to have the blood supply as safe as possible for people needing transfusions.

If there is any hint of a possibility that a person wanting to donate blood may cause the recipient to become sick, then no question, their blood should not be used.

Of course nothing is 100% full-proof. I'm sure gay men and those with HIV have lied on the blood screening questionnaire and donated blood anyway. And, if they can lie about that, who knows what else they can lie about?
That's not being considerate of the well fair of another person and the purpose of donating blood is to help someone. Again, if there's any risk of donated blood being risky, then that defeats the purpose.

All blood may be red in color, but under a microscope, unseen by the naked eye, the cells can be carrying some different cellular material.

Precautions are needed-all blood is not the same

Photo credit: darrenhester from morguefile.com
 
Why do those practicing alternate lifestyles have problems accepting their lifestyle choices bring them unwanted challenges? Do they wish their choice of having a same-sex partner to be equal in every way to a heterosexual relationship?  No matter how you may wish, the two are very much different. But still, discrimination and unfair are cried out.

Simply put, there is no way a man/man relationship can be compared as equal or the same as a  man/woman relationship.  It was never designed or intended to be that way. But, if that is of your choosing, and you do have a choice, but there will be complications you may not like concerning that choice. And, it's not fair to push or force the consequences of an alternative lifestyle upon those who do not care for any association with the gay/same-sex lifestyle.

"No' is often meant for protection and safety

Photo credit: penywise from morguefile.com
 
Yes, God allows you to choose, but there are consequences that go along with certain choices. And those consequences will not ever go away, no matter how loudly you cry.

And, no judging of anyone is intended or implied. God loves the sinner, but hates the sin.

Let's not take any risks and keep the blood supply as safe as possible. Every dear person's health and well being depends upon that being so.