There’s a total lunar eclipse today

There’s a total lunar eclipse today happening for parts of the Eastern US, Africa, and Europe. Space.com has a complete guide to viewing (or at least, knowing about) today’s lunar eclipse.

Almost 2-1/2 years have passed since the Moon plunged completely into the Earth’s shadow. But if you live in Europe, Africa, or the eastern half of North America, but sure to put a big circle on your calendar for Saturday, March 3.

Unlike an eclipse of the Sun which often requires a long journey to the path of totality, those of the Moon can be observed from one’s own backyard. The passage of the Moon through the Earth’s shadow is equally visible from all places within the hemisphere where the Moon is above the local horizon.

For those of you like me who are on the East coast of the US, the time to be outside and viewing is about 5:44PM. I remember back at Rutgers [on Oct. 27, 2004] I viewed a total lunar eclipse. I took pictures too, that’s how I know the exact date. I think that was my first time ever seeing an eclipse. Maybe if I get a chance to I’ll take some photos this time around as well.
Learn more about the moon, visit the moon, or just read about lunar eclipses in general. This is a nice shot of the moon.
NASA’s got some more detailed info about the whole phenomenon if you’re interested.

Whee! Indexed got a book deal (or a meeting at least) with Penguin’s Viking Studio! If/when this comes out I’m gonna buy it.

How many US states can you name in 10 minutes? Can you name them all? I sure couldn’t. No cheating.

This is probably one of the most interesting Google Maps mashups I’ve ever seen. The map shows the state of New York citywide hospitals (opened, closed, or downsized) over the past 20 years and the relationship that has with race and income. As you’ll see in the map, some of the poorest neighborhoods in NYC are the ones who have had the most hospital closures and/or downsizes in the past 20 years. It’s all very shocking, sure, but what I find even weirder is that in the past 20 years or so, some parts of NY — namely, the area right above JFK Airport in Queens, the area between/around Borough Park and Bensonhurts in Brooklyn, and that large middle chunk of Staten Island — have had virtually no nearby hospital coverage at all. Why is that?
Check this out:

A significant majority of those who feel that closures would be a bad thing report several major reasons, including: “hospital closures or consolidation will hurt poor people” (78%); “closures will not address the major problems facing the healthcare system in New York” (75%); “there will not be enough beds in the case of a bioterror attack or epidemic outbreak” (70%); and, “health care workers will lose their jobs” (66%).

New Yorkers overwhelmingly see health care as a human rights issue. Fully, 89 percent of New Yorkers believe that health care should be a right for all New Yorkers. Further, nearly 70 percent believe that government (federal, 41%; state and local, 28%) should be “mainly responsible for ensuring that everyone in New York gets the health care that they need.”

Even though a majority of respondents feel that the healthcare services in New York can be considered excellent or good (63%), New Yorkers also note several problems with health care services in their communities. A majority of New Yorkers feel that the cost of health care (91%) and poor quality health care services (62%) are a problem. Lesser pluralities of New Yorkers feel that problems with transportation to get to a healthcare facility (49%), language and cultural barriers in the doctor’s office (45%), and not enough healthcare facilities in the area (42%), are problems in their communities. Not having enough health care facilities in their areas is of particular concern to African Americans (52%), Latinos (59%), and people making less than $25,000 a year (56%) (which is significantly more concerning for these groups than for whites (36%) and people making >$75,000 a year (32%)).

That excerpt was taken from findings expressed in this 2006 public health study.

Are you interested in buying a solid 18k gold original Nintendo Gameboy for $25,000? Yes? Why, it’s your lucky day!

Must read (because it’s shocking and funny): How do you wipe your ass?
One girl says:

Girls are supposed to wipe from front to back so we don’t lodge any whats-it in our hoo-hoos, you know? Also, it depends on the situation, because it’s not all poop with girls, you see, so sometimes one swift swipe will do. Occasionally I’ll do a weird standing-squat sort of thing, reach around, and wipe from front to back. It depends on my mood, what kind of excrement I’m dealing with, and if I’m in a hurry. I employ a great many techniques.

Another says:

Sometimes I sit backwards on the toilet. To spice things up, I suppose. Anyway, Front to back.

And still another says:

I stand up. If I sat down I might tilt too far and fall off, or… well, who knows.

Anyway, it’s kinda funny because I never thought that anybody would do it any other way than the way I’ve been doing. I dunno, I just assumed that with all the [comedy] movies out with scenes of people sitting on toilets and such that by now most people would just wipe the same way (sometimes they show the action, not the parts). This just proved me wrong. It also proves that some people have zero common sense.

Err, this badminton game just gets crazier and crazier. Oh, Chinese people… :P