Asparagus and Urine Odor - What Causes It

'Does asparagus make your urine smell funny? If so, you're among about 50% of the population that notices an odor in their urine after eating asparagus' according to this article:

Asparagus and Urine Odor - What Causes It

One of L's classmates spoke on this topic in a recent classroom assignment and it came up in conversation when I mentioned that asparagus affects me in that way. L said she is unaffected but that her friend also has the same reaction. Admittedly, she wasn't much interested in this topic, so we didn't dwell on it at length. But it's good to know the science and the truth of the matter, as before this conversation I thought there was something wrong with me.

It was not a nice morning so my friend and I cancelled our walking plans. I'm ignoring the dusty house, although I do have some steaks to marinate.

One of my sisters found this article where opera experts rate Idol's Adam Lambert.


News

User post: 7 topics to avoid if you don't want to be a bore

Miss Goth

I heard on the radio that they shot a Ford commercial with the 3 American Idol finalists which will air tonight during the show. I can't wait.

It's my niece's 14th birthday today. I found the perfect gift for her. As I was looking through some t-shirts, I remembered she's all 'goth' and into the Twilight characters, so I snapped up a couple of them that say 'Edward' and 'Bella'.

I arranged to meet a friend for a walk in the morning, before I noticed that the forecast had changed to rain! We'll see what happens. Another friend who lives in the area has decided to sell her house after many years and move to a trendy mid-town neighbourhood. They are ready for a condo lifestyle as they get older.

Well, I think I'll do a bit of quick weeding before it gets dark.

News

New tool can help predict risk of Alzheimer's

Binge-drinking most common among young, affluent and tech-savvy people

The Gardening Season

I've been hearing that the new Star Trek movie is really good. I'm not a Star Trek fan, but I did see Eric Bana on 'Regis and Kelly' yesterday while I was at the gym. He does an interesting interview (he was promoting the movie) and seems amazingly talented. This morning 'Regis and Kelly' had Victor and Tammy on, deserving winners of the most recent 'Amazing Race'. Tammy looked gorgeous all dressed up. Must be nice to be practicing Harvard schooled lawyers with at least half a million each in the bank! They seem to have it all.

The gardening season officially starts for us on this upcoming long Victoria Day weekend. That's when people stop worrying about the risk of frost and get planting.

News

They asked pink-slipped workers to modify and upload business cards, with inspiring results


Diet to lower blood pressure cuts heart failure risk

What To Do With Your Tax Refund

Seven Rules For Healthy Eating

Good Advice

There's a good article below entitled 'A complete financial plan in 140 characters':

'Eliminate debt. Cut up plastic. Join pension. Buy home. Pay it off. Spend little. Save tons. Invest wisely. Be tax smart. Marry for life.'

Good Advice, true enough.


News

Heartbreaking finish to CBS' 'Amazing Race'

Jamie Oliver putting U.S. city on a diet

A complete financial plan in 140 characters

Group warns of high salt content in restaurant meals

Mother's Day

I met a friend for a walk earlier this morning, then we did some groceries. We had stopped into the drug store as my friend wanted to check on some of the rejuvenating cream specials. The saleslady told us we could move down one section as that line was targeted for the 60 plus women. Well, we were pleased to move down to the 40 plus anti-aging section! The salesgirl said she even uses the stuff although she's in her mid-thirties, catching the problems early, so to speak.

It's a cooler day today, Mother's Day. On Friday, L had given me a vegetable plant she grew from seed at school. This morning I got some new potholders and some cut flowers (always a favourite gift). For some reason I'm already exhausted, but the day must go on. K and I have to do some math review. L went off to work then has to finish up a painting for art class. We plan to go to M's mother later on in the evening. We have to somehow watch the Amazing Race season finale tonight.

It's frightening reading the news about the unrest in Pakistan, thousands of civilians on the move.

Well, Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!


News

Humanitarian disaster looms in Pakistan

Powerful luxury brands that say, 'what recession?'

Toronto high school student wins NASA competition

Disorder in the American Courts

I got this funny email this morning and it's hilarious, every time I read it:

These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters who had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.


ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: My name is Susan!
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?
WITNESS: No, I just lie there.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget.
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
___________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo?
WITNESS: We both do.
ATTORNEY: Voodoo?
WITNESS: We do.
ATTORNEY: You do?
WITNESS: Yes, voodoo.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________

ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty-year-old, how old is he?
WITNESS: He's twenty, much like your IQ.
___________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Are you shitting me?
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: getting laid
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?
WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
WITNESS: Take a guess.

____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard.
ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?
WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I'm going with male.
_____________________________________

ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
______________________________________

ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral.
_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question?
______________________________________

And the best for last:

ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.


News

Happiness levels highest in northern European nations

Teen scientist wins top prize for 'designer wheat'

Losing your job can make you sick, study finds

Mom's a Star video

A friend sent me the most fun Mom's Day video, I want you to try it, it really makes you feel like a star. You click 'send a customized video to all the moms you know', then you can choose to just view it if you want. It's from the Momsrising.org website, look for the 'mom's a star' video in the sidebar.

So this morning I discovered I had another flat tire. It was on the same side as last week's adventure, but the back left one. M pumped it up a bit, then I took it in and they just found out it has to be replaced, likely damaged in the same incident. To think I've been driving around all week with it like that. Well, at least I won the lcd tv, so I've also had a bit of good times (-:

It's a gorgeous spring day after a night of rain, the dandelions are in full force. Last week it seemed as if the birds couldn't wait to get into the tree branches, the ones that barely had any leaves. But the leaves come up really fast at this time of year.