Wired Lists the Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs of 2007

Wired Lists the Top 10 Scientific Breakthroughs of 2007

Number 1's kind of a no-brainer - researchers turn skin cells to stem cells. And contrary to what he thinks, George W. Bush was no help in the matter.

Number 4 (enzymes convert any blood type to O) is pretty cool, and something I missed hearing about. Kind of a big deal.

There's some cool engineering stuff in there too. Way to go, human race!

They also name the Top 10 New Organisms of 2007. What with the hypoallergenic cats, I'm going to have to find a new excuse for not liking cats...

RIAA now saying that ripping CDs is illegal?!?

I'm surprised this isn't making bigger waves. Via TechCrunch:

"The RIAA has lodged documents in the ongoing case of the Record Industry vs Jeffrey Howell that argues that ripping music from legally purchased CD’s is illegal...

The case itself may not find in favor of defendant but not rule that CD ripping is illegal. Howell is accused of sharing files via Kazaa, but his sole defense is that he did not share those files and they were for personal use only, hence the RIAA’s disturbing argument."

So ummm, unless I want to repurchase my entire CD collection via iTunes or eMusic (if that's even possible, what with a few artists still holding out on digital music), I can't put it on my iPod? My convenient, portable mp3 player? Are we going to see a rise in "portable" CD players again?

If their argument succeeds, manufacturers of mp3 players will be put in the awkward position of having most, if not all, of their customers being prosecuted for ripping music for personal use. But one could argue that their connected digital music services (or rather, iTunes, for the most part) might benefit from a number of people repurchasing their albums in digital format to avoid legal action. Oh wait - that's not really a probability. People don't like paying for THE SAME THING TWICE.

Are the lawyers representing the RIAA really just spies from independent labels that are purposefully trying to drive it into the ground? Because that's what it's beginning to look like to me...

CatDirt, you got any lawyerly insight into this case?

Family

It's back to D.C. tomorrow, for two days with my brother before my sister and I fly back to warmer lands. I arrive in San Diego at 8:30PM on New Year's Eve. Wooo! I'm guessing my plans will involve dropping my stuff off at my apartment, grabbing my bike, and heading to the Whistlestop. I've never bought into that "drop a shitload of money and hang out with a bunch of douchebags who are all trying to get laid" scene any night of the year, and especially not New Year's (that's why I pretty much avoid PB and the Gaslamp, and why the Whistlestop is the only San Diego bar in which guys have ever succeeded in getting my phone number).

Anyway, I thought I'd wrap up my trip to Harrisburg with some photos of the family. As stressful and loud as they can be, I still love 'em, and wouldn't have it any other way.


The head of the household on Christmas morning, shot by Natalie Kardos

As the real head of the household, my mom was running around all morning, so I missed out on getting a photo of her.


Older sister, shot by Natalie Kardos


Little brother, shot by Natalie Kardos


Little sister, shot by Natalie Kardos

Reuters Photos of the Year

Reuters has released their Pictures of the Year 2007 slideshow.

Quite inspirational, to say the least.

Vera Bradley box

My mom is pretty obsessed with these Vera Bradley purses.

Me, I'm not so much a purse girl. The only one I regularly carry around holds my camera equipment.

Why does Santa have 3 gardens?

So he can hoe, hoe, hoe.

The priest told this joke at the beginning of his Christmas sermon. The rest of the sermon was just as, um, interesting. My one day of church per year only serves to convince me that I'm right in not going the other 60 or so days.

My new iPod was in this box...

My mom didn't grow up with a whole lot of money, so she has this penchant for saving and reusing anything possible. Her older sister also has this trait, as we witnessed at my cousin's baby shower the Sunday before Christmas. Emily (my cousin) was about to put some really fancy ribbon in the trash bag with all the ripped wrapping paper, when both my mom and my aunt yelled out, "Save that ribbon!" As a kid, my mom used to collect the bows from our presents, put tape over the sticky part, and use them agian next year. As you can see, she also reuses nice Victoria's Secret boxes to wrap things completely non-lingerie related...

Washington, D.C. Part IV - Tidal Basin and FDR Memorial

Washington, D.C. Photoset

I think the FDR memorial is my favorite one that I've been to in D.C. It's always really peaceful, compared to the other monuments and memorials, and it's not too hit-you-over-the-head patriotic. If I lived in D.C., I'd probably go there just to hang out and read when it's nice out.

The view of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial from the Tidal Basin is pretty amazing:

Monument and Moon, shot by Natalie Kardos


Jefferson Memorial at night, shot by Natalie Kardos


Long exposure shot of FDR Waterfalls, shot by Natalie Kardos


Freedom, shot by Natalie Kardos

It was getting dark while we were at the FDR memorial, so we walked over the bridge to Arlington to hop on the Metro and grab some dinner before driving to Baltimore to pick up my older sister from the airport.

Washington, D.C. Part III - WWII Memorial

Washington, D.C. Photoset


Women in WWII, shot by Natalie Kardos


WWII Etchings, shot by Natalie Kardos


WWII Memorial, shot by Natalie Kardos


Wall of Stars, shot by Natalie Kardos

Washington, D.C. Part II - The Mall and the Washington Monument

Washington, D.C. Photoset


Kite in Tree, shot by Natalie Kardos


Base of the Washington Monument, shot by Natalie Kardos


The Washington Monument, shot by Natalie Kardos


Across the Reflecting Pool, shot by Natalie Kardos

Favorite Albums of 2007

This list has been a long time coming (well, long meaning since around Thanksgiving when I saw my first "Best of 2007" list), and it's been a lot more frustrating than I originally thought. I wanted to come up with a methodical way of listening to and evaluating all the CDs I deemed worthy of consideration. By the time I gathered all those CDs together, I realized I barely had the time to listen to all of them before the year's end. This was coupled with the fact that my favorite albums tend to not reveal themselves to me all at once - they work their way into my brain surreptitiously (like ninjas, really) and stake their claim in my memory before I even really realize that they're there at all. Actually, come to think of it, that's how most of my relationships start too...

But, for what it's worth, here's my list of 10-odd albums that I rather enjoyed this year. I can't call them the "Best of 2007," because I wouldn't be able to justify that title unless I listened to every single release this year. It's simply a list of albums that I think I will still be listening to in 2008, 2009, 2010, etc. Some of these are obvious over-hyped blog favorites; some were maligned by those self-same blogs. I tried not to let myself be swayed by other lists, but I suppose that's always a danger with reading other people's opinions. Anyway, without further ado:


The National - Boxer

Anyone who reads this blog on a regular basis knows that I'm a mega-fan of The National. I was scared that this release wouldn't be as good as Alligator (which, in my mind, was pretty close to perfect). I'm happy to say that I was wrong, and an outstanding live show in September only hit that point home all the harder.

Okkervil River - The Stage Names

This album got a lot of buzz before being released, and rightfully so. I only wish it were longer than 10 tracks, but the ending is a perfect descent into desperation. I read an interview somewhere with Will Sheff where he said he tries to explain situations from the point of view of the people involved in them, and he does an excellent job with that brand of storytelling. You find yourself almost nodding along in agreement with Sheff's explanation of John Berryman's train of thought that led to suicide.

Radiohead - In Rainbows

Blah blah, free digital download, blah blah. I paid ~$6 for the album (good karma and whatnot), and I'm happy with it. This is not a light statement for me - I count this album as being the first Radiohead album I really liked/could listen to all the way through.

Two Gallants - Two Gallants

Passion, emotion, and great storytelling, combined with a truly excellent live show. What more can I say?

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

I think the fact that this album was released last January led to it being forgotten while most people were considering their "Best of" lists. That, or they've been divorced from the indie scene for having good albums sales and more than 1000 people who recognize their name. At any rate, having almost a full year to listen to this album gave me the time I needed to truly appreciate its layered sound.

Menomena - Friend and Foe

This album pumps me up every time I hear it. The stuttering rhythms, the vocal harmonies, the outstanding musicianship of all three members of the band just does it for me. They also figured out a way to break out of the tried-and-true indie rock formula, which makes them sound utterly refreshing.

Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone

This album puts me to sleep. Most people would take that as a negative statement. But given that I don't sleep much, and usually have trouble doing so when I do have time for it, I am incredibly appreciative for the soothing instrumental post-rock that EITS consistently put out. Although all that soothing is wrapped up in intense emotional moments - I can only assume that those emotional releases are manifesting themselves in my dreams, because I usually wake up from EITS-soundtracked naps feeling incredibly relaxed.

Bright Eyes - Cassadaga

As far as I'm aware, a lot of critics didn't like this album that much. But I find it incredibly easy to sing along to, with strong, driving melodies that just beg you to take a road trip by yourself so that you can belt out the tunes in the privacy of your car. I have a weak spot for Conor Oberst's country-influenced albums, and this is definitely one of them. I just wish he would drop his penchant for including weird opening tracks that you usually end up skipping, or at least fast-forwarding through the first 2 minutes.

Frightened Rabbit - Sing the Greys

This sort of feels like cheating, because the album was originally released in 2006, but didn't technically see U.S. release until October of this year. I also wasn't aware of them at all until they played a show with Swim Party and Quasi, and I was completely blown away. "What's the blues/When you've got the greys" is a lyric that only a Scotsman could come up with, but I completely understood the first time I heard it. Brilliant drumming too - I've never seen a drummer who plays harmonica while drumming before.

Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters

Apparantly this was the year for Scottish bands who released albums in 2006. This one was released in the U.S. in March of 2007. They do much more melodramatic music than Frightened Rabbit, but again, in a way that only a Scot could pull off. I can't understand most of the lyrics due to the thick Scottish brogue enveloping the words, but I don't really have to in order to pick up on the angst that's riddled throughout the songs.

Science Debate 2008

Roger just recently brought this initiative to my attention. I had heard the idea bandied about, but did not know that it was a formal initiative. As a scientist, and also as a responsible citizen of this country, I think it's important that we know where the presidential candidates stand on various scientific and technological policies.

From their website:

Science Debate 2008 is a grassroots initiative spearheaded by a growing number of scientists and other concerned citizens. The signatories to our "Call for a Presidential Debate on Science & Technology" include Nobel laureates and other leading scientists, presidents of universities, congresspersons of both major political parties, business leaders, religious leaders, former presidential science advisors, the editors of America's major science journals, writers, and the current and several past presidents of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, among many others.

We have noticed that science and technology lie at the center of a very large number of the policy issues facing our nation and the world - issues that profoundly affect our national and economic security as science and technology continue to transform our lives. No matter one's political stripe, these issues pose important pragmatic policy challenges.

We believe these scientific and technological policy challenges can bring out the best in the entrepreneurial American spirit. America can be a leader in finding cures for our worst diseases, inventing the best alternative energy sources, and graduating the most scientifically literate children in the world - or we can concede these economic and humanitarian benefits to other countries.

We believe a debate on these issues would be the ideal opportunity for America and the candidates to explore our national priorities on the issues, and it is hard to imagine any candidate not wishing to be involved in such an occasion.

Click here to read more, and here to sign up as a supporter.

Flower, Mirror, and Brother

Washington, D.C. Photoset

I stopped while leaving the Smithsonian Information Center to snap this photo of a flower and its reflection in a mirror. I didn't originally intend to have my brother's reflection in the shot as well, but when he stopped to wait for me, I thought it added the perfect background to it.


Flower, Mirror, and Brother, shot by Natalie Kardos

Washington, D.C. Part I - The Smithsonian Information Center

Washington, D.C. Photoset

My brother currently lives and works in D.C. (well, technically he lives in Arlington, VA), which is oh-so-convenient for me when I'm flying home to visit my family. For Christmas this year, I flew into D.C. on the 20th, and then my brother and I spent the day wandering around The Mall and various monuments/memorials until it was time to go pick up my older sister at the Baltimore airport.

I took a roll of black and white film along with a bunch of digital shots, but that will have to wait until I'm back home and can develop it. In the meantime, I'll be posting the shots from my Rebel XT.

We got off the metro at the Smithsonian stop, and then began our wandering at the Smithsonian Information Center (otherwise known as "The Castle"), which is right next to the Sackler Art Gallery.


The Smithsonian Information Center, shot by Natalie Kardos

They had a nice Christmas tree set up inside.


Christmas Tree at Smithsonian Information Center, shot by Natalie Kardos


Columns, shot by Natalie Kardos


Christmas Ornament, shot by Natalie Kardos


Gold Leaf Ornament, shot by Natalie Kardos

Sunset from a Plane

I'm always a sucker for these shots. Taken with my SD1000, because my Rebel XT was in the overhead compartment.


Sunset on a Plane, shot by Natalie Kardos

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I made these cookies a little over a week ago, for a Christmas dinner party. By far the best gingerbread cookies I've ever made. I didn't have any cookie cutters, and wasn't about to run out to the mall to get some, so I just rolled them into little balls, coated them with sugar, and then pressed them flat with a fork.

Before:



After:

The Inner Life of a Cell

Call me a nerd if you will (well, hell, I am getting my PhD in Biomedical Sciences and all), but this video is so goddamned pretty. Sometimes I feel like the general public would be more interested/involved in science if we just employed a lot more graphic designers/artists. Or, you know, were actually competent at communicating with other people.

Things I picked up on that were represented in the video:
1. Cells adhering to one another via cell-surface proteins.
2. So-called "lipid rafts" on the cell membrane.
3. Signaling molecules binding to transmembrane receptors on the cell surface.
4. The cytoskeleton of the cell.
5. Actin fibers polymerizing and depolymerizing.
6. Microtubules polymerizing and depolymerizing.
7. The transport of molecules/vesicles along microtubules via dynein/kinesin.
8. Export of mRNA from the cell nucleus.
9. Translation of proteins from mRNA.
10. Transport to the Golgi apparatus.
11. Secretion of proteins to the extracellular matrix.

I probably missed some stuff, but I definitely prove my nerd status by being able to pick up on all that in just a few views. Or maybe I've just sat through too many lectures/seminars/talks with much worse graphic representation.

Flickr: Now with Stats

I found this out via TechCrunch. Flickr has now added stats to Pro user accounts that let you see how many people have viewed your photos, how they found them, etc. Basically a little Google Analytics for your account. The nerd in me is very happy.

As of now, they're only doing it for users who request it. To do so, go here.

Best of 2007: Top Thirteen Live Shows of 2007

Ah, 2007. The year that I realized I could get into shows for free, simply by asking. And by writing a blog. And by taking a shit-ton of photos. To say that I went to "a lot" of shows this year would be an understatement. By my count, I took photos at 68 shows this year, including house parties with live bands and in-store appearances (and already off the top of my head I can think of two shows where I didn't upload photos to Flickr, thus bringing the total to a cool 70). And that's not counting all the shows I didn't take photos at, which were quite a few. [Note to self - next year, keep track of every damn show, just for curiosity's sake. And maybe keep track of how much I spend on them, or would spend, if not for the hook-ups.]

So with all that concert-going, you'd think it would be hard for me to narrow it down to a list of the best shows. But actually, it was fairly easy - I have a tendency to remember things that give me the chills like good music does. And really good live shows have a way of giving me the chills forevermore when I listen to the music that was played at them. So it gets pretty hard to forget these things. So without further ado, presented here in reverse order, with photos, video, and links to reviews where appropriate, are my favorite concerts of 2007:

13. The Polyphonic Spree @ Canes
My first time seeing the Spree, and I was lucky enough to have a photo pass. It was an amazing show that managed to erase some misgivings I had about Canes as a venue. It was also the Spree's first time playing San Diego, and they were very emphatic about their plans to return - which they did, later in the year.

The Polyphonic Spree @ Canes, shot by Natalie Kardos

More photos

12. Arcade Fire w/LCD Soundsystem @ Hollywood Bowl
I'm probably violating music blogger rule #1 by not putting this show higher on my list, but my seats weren't that great (understatement of the century) and the sound seemed off. I was hoping this show would really bring Neon Bible home to me, and it did for certain songs, but it wasn't like the legendary shows that I'd heard about. Regardless, it was still a great show by a very talented band, and LCD Soundsystem fricking killed it as opener. I would like to have James Murphy's babies, please.

11. The New Pornographers @ House of Blues, San Diego
It just happened to be AC Newman's birthday, and the full band was on tour. Neko Case sounded amazing, and the whole band was in full force. I quite liked Challengers, and this show made me appreciate it even more.

10. Two Gallants w/Blitzen Trapper @ Casbah
Blitzen Trapper played a really tight set, even tighter than when they impressed me opening for The Hold Steady. Two Gallants made a hell of a lot of noise for just two people and stunned me with their ability to be completely in synch through multiple rhythmic stops and starts. I was also impressed with the number of dudes at the show singing every single word to every single song at the top of their lungs.

Two Gallants @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos


Two Gallants @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos

More photos

9. Quasi w/Frightened Rabbit and Swim Party @ Casbah
I went to this show merely to see locals Swim Party again. I'm almost ashamed to admit that I hadn't heard of Quasi before this show (although I was quite familiar with the name Janet Weiss). All the bands on this bill blew me away in rapid succession. They all had a similar sound that complemented each other nicely, without seeming to overlap and make the night boring. All the members of all the bands are extraordinarily talented, and churn out beautiful indie pop music. It was one of those rare shows where you don't go with any expectations, and it ends up being better than most of the shows you've seen that year.

Quasi @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos

Frightened Rabbit @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos

Swim Party @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos

More photos

8. Explosions in the Sky @ Epicenter
I'm not really sure what can be said about Explosions in the Sky here. This show was quite the remedy for not being at Coachella that weekend. Lots of interwoven melodies and emotional catharsis, plus candy at the end. It really can't be explained - you need to experience it for yourself. I get a little breathless just thinking back on it.

Explosions in the Sky @ Epicenter, shot by Natalie Kardos

More photos

7. Menomena @ Casbah
British Joe barely managed to get a ticket to this show, but he was glad he did. Me, I was glad I bought mine ahead of time. Menomena's music defies genre definition, and I noted in my review that they remind me more of free-form jazz-type music. Free-form indie rock? Mayhap. Their drummer was ridiculous.

Menomena @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos

More photos

6. Snowden @ Casbah
No review link for this show, because I saw Snowden before I started writing an official blog. Actually, this was the first show I was put on the list for. And my mom was visiting, so she came out with me. To the Casbah. My mom is awesome. We actually talked to Jordan before and after the show, and he was one of the nicest guys I've ever met - even remembering my mom's name at the end of the night. Oh yeah, and they played fantastically. Anti-Anti was one of my favorite records of 2006, and it still gets plenty of play in my stereo.

Snowden @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos

More photos

5. The Thermals @ Casbah
Also seen before I started my blog. The intensity of this band and their super-charged politically inspired indie pop-punk just floored me. I had no idea three people (guitarist Joel was absent from this show) could make such noise, or such statements. Hutch sweated and steamed his way through a fast-paced set including songs off of all their releases. During "A Pillar of Salt," I thought Hutch was going to have an aneurysm from switching between the rhythm and lead guitar lines, but he handled them both quite deftly.

The Thermals @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos

More photos

4. The Hold Steady w/Illinois and Blitzen Trapper @ Canes & The Hold Steady w/Art Brut @ Canes
Entry number four is a tie between the two Hold Steady shows I saw this year. It's hard to match the glee and energy I felt after being front and center for the first time I saw them (not including an in-store performance last year), but seeing them in conjunction with Art Brut did so. During the former show, Craig Finn splashed beer on my camera. During the second, Eddie Argos put his hand on my head and told me to start a band. I've officially been baptized into the Church of Indie Rock.

Art Brut @ Canes, shot by Natalie Kardos


The Hold Steady @ Canes, shot by Natalie Kardos


The Hold Steady @ Canes, shot by Natalie Kardos

More photos

3. The Flaming Lips @ The Southern Comfort Music Experience
This show gets the third place, not necessarily because of the quality of the show, but for my experience of being in the photo pit for the first three songs. For being close enough to touch Wayne Coyne in his bubble. For getting covered in confetti and streamers, and seeing the reaction of the Flaming Lips faithful who had been standing in front of the stage for about 7 hours straight. For having a huge ass grin on my face and butterflies in my stomach the whole rest of the night. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only photographer in most photo pits who can't help dancing to the music in between taking shots. But I think this time, the joy was pretty fucking infectious.

The Flaming Lips @ SoCo Music Experience, shot by Natalie Kardos

More photos

2. The National @ Casbah
After being denied a show in June (one of the band members had a family emergency), I finally got my chance to see The National in 2007 in September. Considering their 2006 show at the Casbah places in my top 5 concert experiences ever, I had high hopes for this show, and the band definitely did not disappoint. Kind of like when I had high hopes for Boxer, but was almost afraid to listen to it for fear that it wouldn't be as good as Alligator. It was, although this show helped bring it home for me. I will never hear the lines "So worry not/All things are well/We'll be alright/We have our looks and perfume on," without getting chills. I'll never listen to "Fake Empire" without remembering all the people quietly singing along, without any prompting from the band. So delicate, so beautiful, so fucking powerful.

The National @ Casbah, shot by Natalie Kardos

More photos

1. The Decemberists w/the LA Philharmonic and Andrew Bird @ Hollywood Bowl
Yeah, this is about the only show that could top The National's show in my book. All Decemberists' songs were meant to be played with many more instruments than they could afford, and seeing/hearing them fulfill the potential of their songs, courtesy of the LA Philharmonic Orchestra, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Colin Meloy is an amazing singer and songwriter, and he absolutely owned the stage that night, in a way that not even The Arcade Fire could top (of course, they didn't have the help of the LA Phil). I must have listened to "I Was Meant for the Stage" about a hundred times after this show. Andrew Bird was incredible as well, with his not-a-single-second-wasted instrument looping and sheer skill at the violin.

Collection of videos from the show

North Park sunset

North Park sunset
Originally uploaded by kudoskid0511.

1/10th of a second - you can call me Ms. Steady Hands.

The noise on this camera is much more noticeable at ISO 1600 than it is on my XT. Weird. I'm assuming it's a function of the smaller sensor in the SD1000.

A Sigh of Relief

My grant was sent off today. It should be at the NIH by Monday. All told, the proposal plus paperwork was 35 pages, but with all the copies and extra crap I had to send in, the total page number was 117 pages. Yikes. Now all that's left to do is wait until February/March to hear back about it...Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere

Pitchfork put up their "Year in Photos" retrospective today, and one of my photos from the Justice show managed to squeeze itself in on the third page. Lots of other good shots in there too - what I wouldn't give for some better lighting in some of the venues around here. By the way anyone else notice that the Casbah now has 8 lights in front of the stage? Now all it needs is another row of lights and to get rid of the god awful saturating red filters over some of them...



I've been hard at work making internet-friends with some bloggers up in San Francisco, since I'm supposed to be moving up there in June. Adrian from ipickmynose was nice enough to ask me to contribute to his "Song Obsessions" panel for this week (and presumably forever and ever). Of course, I had to represent with a San Diego band that's been kicking its tune around in my head since last Saturday...

Photos - The Muslims @ San Diego House Party, 12/1/2007

Photos: Holga - The Muslims @ San Diego House Party

So, I mentioned a little while ago that I took some Holga photos of The Muslims playing at the San Diego House Party last Saturday. Sixteen photos, in fact, because with 120 film, you only get the option of 12 6x6 frames or 16 6x4.5 frames. I used some Fujicolor Pro ISO 800 film that I bought on a whim, but I think I probably would have been better off with ISO 400 film. The 800 just caught too much flash on close subjects, i.e. faces. But regardless, the photos turned out better than I thought they would, and it was nice/challenging to be relegated to only 16 shots for the evening. I still don't like direct flash, but I have no other choice with the Holga.

Holga - Sunrise in South Park

Stop looking at the overexposure in the middle of the photo and focus on the clouds at the top. This was a gorgeous morning.

Grand Ole Party one of Phillyist's "Top Ten Bands Discovered in 2007"

In other news regarding San Diego bands getting noticed in places other than San Diego, Phillyist has named Grand Ole Party one of their