By Mike Lin
Had great holiday weekend in the VIC. I did a bunch of fun things that had been on my activity list for a while. This includes attending “Smash to Pass” at Western Speedway with my new friends Emily, Nelly, and Keel. I’d heard ads for Western Speedway throughout my childhood on 100.3 the Q, but this was my first time dropping in to support the cause.
Before I share my observations, first note that I know nothing about car racing.
They do this thing called the mini figure-8 race. They put two big tires on opposite ends of one side of the raceway. Something like 15 cars were involed which have to run figure-8s around the two tires. Naturally this leads to some mishaps at the point where two paths meet. Also, as the cars slow down to go around the tire, they are frequently rammed from behind. Here, see for yourself:
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By Mike Lin
A little while ago some cancer researchers decided it would be funny give the name ‘Pokemon’ to a protein that plays a key role in the development of cancer. ‘Pokemon’ was of course short for ‘POK erythroid myeloid ontogenic factor’ but the company responsible for the Pokemon cartoon, video games etc. didn’t see it that way, and because of all the ‘Pokemon Causes Cancer’ headlines, has since got them to change the name to Zbtb7. Had this alteration not happened, the following scene would have taken place in the near future:
(A Doug and Barbara, who are thinking of having a baby, meet with their doctor to discuss the results of their precautionary genetic screening)
Doctor: We received the test results, and I have to inform you that, Doug, you have the Pokemon gene.
Doug: Pokemon? Better not let the word out, or everyone will be trying to catch me.
Barbara: I may not have caught them all, but at least I caught you honey.
Doctor: (laughs) I wonder what you’ll evolve into next?
Doug: If I evolve from a Pikachu into a Raichu, does that mean I’ll start having to act my age?
Barbara: I can’t wait to tell my friends our baby will the half Pokemon.
Doctor: Seriously though, you won’t live past 40.
…
Disclaimer: It is wrong to laugh at cancer. I hope those researchers learned this, and you should too.
