Current mood:

thoughtful

Substance? Maybe.
In response to Tina, here are 8 of my 'interests' explained:

- Comment and I will ask you to explain eight of your interests.
- Post your answers in your journal along with these instructions.

1) Doe Eyes - Think back to the early 90's supermodel. There is something disarming and enchanting all at once about a pair of large innocent eyes. Make-up can play them up, yes. But to be blessed with eyes which some may call 'bug eyed' is something that should be used to it's highest potential. This is a trait I do not possess, so instead I live vicariously through Lily Cole.

2) Ebola - There is something very fascinating to me about a virus for which no known vaccine or treatment exists. What makes me fascinated with this one in particular is the damage it can inflict in a such a short amount of time. Because of this, it's classified as a biosafety level 4 agent as well as a class A bioterrorism agent. During the cold war it was investigated for use in biological warfare. You'd THINK it would be a prime candidate for bioterrorism given the symptoms and high mortality rate of hemorrhagic fever, right? Well, that's actually the opposite. The Ebola virus is extremely deadly, but it also spreads very quickly. It can move through a hospital or small village before it has the opportunity to affect a larger population. Given that, it's potential for use in bioterrorism is compromised. The three most well known strains of the Ebola virus are Reston, Zaire, and Sudan. Zaire is by far the most lethal with a 90% mortality rate. Then Sudan, with a 54% mortality rate. Ebola Reston is very curious in that it is the ONLY strain of the virus which is non-fatal to humans as well as the only strain which appears to be airborne. That's another reason why it's capability as a bioterrorism agent is compromised, strands which are known to be fatal to humans are not transmitted through the air. They're transmitted like most viruses; through contact with blood and bodily fluid. The symptoms include high fever, muscle/joint pain, weakness, nausea, dizziness. These initial symptoms are usually mistaken for the flu. Serious symptoms include vomiting blood, petechia, tachycardia, and organ damage.
Interior bleeding is caused by a chemical reaction between the virus and platelets which creates a chemical that punches cell sized holes into capillary walls. Sometimes internal as well as external hemorrhaging occurs as well, which results in bleeding from orifices. It's really fun to note that while this is the most memorable cause of the Ebola virus, less than 50% of victims develop any hemorrhaging.
The cause of death due to the Ebola virus is usually hypovolemic shock or organ failure.

I could go on much longer about this, but I'll stop here.

3) Entropy - This is a concept that I'm working on digging through. I understand it in terms of what I read of it. It's role in thermodynamics and the idea that nature tends from order to disorder. However, I find that it's a concept that for whatever reason I just can't wrap my brain fully around yet. It's like I have a mental roadblock.

4) Fire Dancing - This is a skill that I eventually want to learn. I don't want to spin poi though. I would much rather use fans and gloves to work it into belly dance (see tribal fusion below)

5) Moon Phases - After studying paganism, witchcraft, and the occult in general for much of my "adult" life I find that the phases of the moon and the lore that surrounds them is something that has stuck with me. I still try to plan my life as much as I can around the ideas that the new moon is best for personal growth and starting new ventures, that the waxing moon is the best for attracting love, friendship, luck, etc, that the waning moon is best for ridding oneself of illness, addiction and negativity, and that the full moon is best for prophecy protection and divination.

6) Storms - I love and hate storms all at the same time. If I have someone with me I love them. I love to just sit and watch them with the other person, to talk about ideas or anything that may be inspired by witnessing it. If I'm alone I hate them. My house was struck by lightning when I was younger and if I'm completely alone when a storm hits I will hide in the bathtub.

7) Trevor Brown - Trevor Brown is an artist whose work I've greatly admired and followed for years. His art is of babies and young children and his art has been classified as "baby art". It's also disturbing on a whole. See for yourself: BabyArt.

8) Tribal Fusion - Tribal Fusion is a type of belly dance which can be described as combining Egyptian, Turkish, Classical Indian, and Bollywood style dance. It adds theatrics and props (fire dancing) and also differs in costuming. It isn't uncommon to see Tribal Fusion dancers in all dark colors, ornate head dresses, lots of jewelery. It's kind of goth meets belly dance. It's also something I plan on learning in the near future. Here's a video. Click on "fusion belly dance style".