inkbluesky

butterfly "89"

According to Simon and Schusters Guide to Butterflies and Moths this is a Diaethria Aurelia, common name "89" butterfly. They also say that it is only known in one place, Trinidad. Though there is a related species Diaethria asteria in south Texas, since they describe the Texas species as a "stray", and I'm no butterfly expert, maybe they mean it was introduced there. A close look at the center spots ( bigger photo at flickr) shows that it recieved its'common name from the pattern that looks like the number 89. (the photo is commercial rights restricted, but was generously provided for personal use).

How to write for the web. It is a challenge everyday for me. Ultimately what ends up on-line is a rough 1st or second draft. So, for me anyway rather then try and be a great essayist and devote time I just do not have, I'm trying to take a kind of casual news story approach. I found this site useful, Bare Naked App. While the advice is directed toward someone that is writing about a software application or web service much of the guidelines offered would also apply to most blog posts.

In journalism college when they teach you how to structure a news story they tell you to use the ‘Who, What, Where, When, Why, How?’ test on your copy. Who did it, what did they do, where did they do it, when, why and how? A good news story will give you all these facts very quickly in the first paragraph and usually in this order (grab today’s newspaper and check it out, most still use this structure).

Following up on the illegal government spying story from the last few days, courtesy of the Slide Show, there is one communications company that looked out for its' customer,

Thus, we are grateful to Atrios for recommending the provider he says he's been happy with for years, Working Assets, the only telephone company that has joined ACLU's suit against the NSA.

Emphasis and link to WS are mine.

Lots of little bunnies, stars, and cute clouds are normally not my style, but Catalina Estrada's illustration's are so well executed that they kind of step beyond cute to something more intricate and fantastical. There is a link to a free wallpaper on her site that gives you a real sense of her work. Anyone that has a younger child who has their own computer would probably enjoy it, expecially if you know they're a Disney fan.

Maybe because I don't have the best vision in the world in my left eye I'm keenly aware of how important sight is, New Hope for Nerve Damage

One of the great challenges in neuroscience has been learning how to coax nerves to regenerate after injuries. Now scientists have shown that a newly discovered and highly potent growth-promoting molecule can regenerate the optic nerves of rats — and do so days after the nerves have been damaged.

Although still in its early stages, the research offers hope that one day a treatment can be devised for people who suffer damage to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. Furthermore, the work suggests that this growth factor may help with spinal-cord injuries as well.