Italy beats Ghana 2-0!
I was at work at couldn't watch the game. I need to talk to the powers that be about getting some cable in the office. I also really wanted to watch the Czech Republic hammer the overrated U.S. 3-0. What a great day.
Drink up, guys. Do it for your prostate.
Oregon State University researchers say that xanthohumol, found in hops (the main ingredient in beer), may help prevent prostate cancer and enlargement, according to an AP report. I love it when universities conduct studies about alcohol. It's probably not hard finding volunteers.
Researchers say "the ingredient is present in such small amounts that a person would have to drink more than 17 beers to benefit."
More than 17 beers? No problem. We can do it - in the name of good health, of course. This is what college prepared us for. Bottoms up.
I'll credit Christy for alerting me to a developing story about Gardasil, a controversial new vaccine against cervical cancer approved by the FDA Friday.
According to an AP story, "Gardasil protects against the two types of HPV responsible for about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. The vaccine also blocks infection by two other strains responsible for 90 percent of genital wart cases." The FDA licensed it for use in girls and women 9 to 26. The vaccine is most effective if administered to girls between the ages of 9 and 13 or before they become sexually active.
Merck sells three-shot Gardasil series for $360. It's in demand. The AP reports, "Each year, cervical cancer kills an estimated 240,000 women worldwide, including 3,700 in the United States. The incidence of the cancer is lower in the U.S. because Pap tests are so routine."
Socially conservative groups have spoken out against the vaccine, claiming it will encourage sexual promiscuity. It's the same old argument that can be made for all forms of contraception. This controversy is different from my previous post about pharmacists' new ability to decline distributing the morning after pill in Washington State. That argument is more related to pro-life/pro-choice philosophies. This vaccine is about preventing sexually transmitted diseases, not birth control. Of course, both debates are related to a woman's control of her body, but this debate relates specifically to personal sexual responsibility.
I think that this vaccine is absolutely acceptable. No women should be forced to have to take the shot, but, so long as it's FDA approved, it should be an option - just like condoms or any other form of contraception that provides protection from sexually transmitted diseases.
Just because the spread of a disease is preventable (in this case via abstinence) doesn't mean we should refuse to help those affected by it. Even if a woman chooses to abstain from sex before marriage, her husband might not have, and she might need the protection of a vaccine anyway.
Like with HIV/AIDS and other STDs, we should and do make attempts to find vaccines and cures. We as a society should encourage moral standards, but what other standards can we encourage if we don't, as a moral foundation, champion helping one another first and foremost?
Hallelujah! Today is the first day of the World Cup!
NBA Finals? Stanley Cup? Who cares. This is the sporting event to follow. Do yourself a favor and check out the TV schedule and watch some games!
Forza Italia!
You'll might notice three things about the ticket pictured left, and if you don't see them, I'll tell you what they are anyway.
First, I saw "The Break Up." Read on for my review.
Second, I bought a movie ticket at a student price. Soon-to-be WWU graduates, I tell you this: Do not deposit your student ID card in that stupid Memory Walk time capsule. A student ID is the card that keeps giving.
Third, (correction amended; credit Karla) you're looking at the ticket and not Jennifer Aniston. I originally tried to post a picture of her, but her beauty was too overwhelming and almost destroyed the blog. I was able to safely load the movie trailer (below).
So anyway, despite mixed review by "critics," I thought the movie was great. The acting was excellent and the story was realistic. Vince Vaughn is a genius and Jennifer Aniston gave a great performance, although her attractiveness was a bit distracting. I thought it was really funny, too, as one would expect from a Vince Vaughn script.
I thought this was obvious and I don't mean to spoil the ending here, but Vaughn and Aniston's characters do break up in the movie. This came as a shock to Courtney after she saw the movie...
Courtney (sobbing): "Why couldn't they just stay together?"
Scott (heartlessly): "It's called 'The F@#&ing Break Up,' Courtney. What did you expect?"