...And That Was How I Joined Twitter.

Oprah is doing it. Ashton is doing it. Obama is/was doing it. People are raving about it. Twittering...it's almost like a living being - random stream of many thoughts, or tweets rather, that begins to self-assemble into organizational clusters with a purpose. Companies monitor tweets for product feedback. Claims have been made that tweets have been answered in 15 seconds: someone throws out an idea, and receives instant feedback. Heck, it even started a revolution.

Or so they say.

On Friday, I was googling frantically, albeit fruitlessly, for a protocol to silanize a quartz surface with a hydrophobic surface (preferably in an manner that allows it to be stripped away easily after use). Galvanized by twitterific stories, I boldly signed up for twitter, promptly posting my first tweet, in less than 160 characters:

"melissaleemy is looking for a method to silanize quartz with a hydrophobic surface, preferably a gentle, easily-removeable method!"

I waited eagerly and then some but was sorely disappointed. Nobody tweeted back! Poo poo. So much for twitter miracles. And that was how I joined twitter.

http://twitter.com/melissaleemy

Bill Nye, The Science Guy... Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!

I bagged front row seats (Row D!) for the University at Buffalo's Distinguished Speaker Series featuring Bill Nye, the Science Guy. Decked out in his familiar bow-tie, Bill spoke passionately about preserving planet Earth, our Goldilocks planet: not too hot ala Mercury or Venus but also not too cold like Mars or ex-planet Pluto. Earth is just right. For now. The current climate changes occuring, however,are real and in dire need of attention. Nye not only talks the talk, but walks the walk: his home is decked out with solar panels, he competes with his neighbour to see who can lower their energy bills the most and he hands out lettuce from his garden to friends because they are "growing like weeds".

With a science spin in his speech, Nye reminded the audience that technology could be the saving grace of our planet, only if we choose to apply ourselves to pursuing it. John Tierney in his column pointed out that environmentalists in the 70s were burdened by guilt because of the doomed equation: I=PAT.

Impact = People x Affluence x Technology

It seemed that the more of PEOPLE there were, and the more AFFLUENT we became, coupled by the TECHONOLOGY we embraced, our IMPACT on the planet's climate was exacerbated .

Now, however, there exists a possibility that we can still maintain our planet yet simultaneously sustain growing humankind without retarding development. Green technology IS the answer. Electric cars, solar & wind powers, nanotechnology, efficient batteries are just the tip of the iceberg. The ball is in our court.

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday April!

It's the birthday of a member of the BFFFFF-fantabulous four-Empat Sekawan-gang.

That's the birthday blog shoutout.
There was also the (international! chewah!) text message sent at approximately 12am (12pm EST!!!)!
Then, there was the googlechat birthday wish, plus a lot more chit chat.
Then, there was the facebook wall post. (I note that three of us have removed the year of birth from our profiles. We are approaching the unspeakable age zone?)

Maybe later, a birthday wish on her blog comments section.
Luckily, we're not into twittering (yet).
We've also quit friendster, cuz that was so nineties. Facebook is in.

Technology is exhausting.