Boon's Basement

To Eat or Not To Eat?

// July 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Food

Food, to many of us, is viewed as a source of nourishment and energy for the body the day but to the Japanese, it has become an art form to be celebrated. The Japanese, captivating the world with their exquisite workmanship and superior efficiency through their cars and electronics, have done it once again, this time transforming ordinary “bentos” or lunch boxes, into awesome and inspiring food art. Enjoy the pictures of Japanese Bentos that come in different forms, shapes and themes!

Bento art Part 1

Love it, Loathe it? Comments are appreciated.

-Boon

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Bringing it back with Bourdain!

// July 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Entertainment, Food

The journey to gastronomy and culinary exploration should be handed over to our ultimate foodie, acclaimed chef and world traveler, Mr Anthony Bourdain. Watching the episode of No Reservation – London, one of the many great episodes that Anthony has made, I was given a glimpse of England that many of us has been misunderstood for the longest time. Not just the beer drinking (ok, thats true) and fish and chip eating (ok, they still love their F&C) society, the English (not the language but the people, mind you) surprisingly has a great culinary tradition that was lost in time but is now enjoying a revival. Traditional dishes such as the blood cake, baked bone marrow and pig’s innards are being revived by English Chefs who have the passion of “bringing it back”, the term used by the butcher at the Smithfield Market.
One interesting highlight of the show was the tour of London’s SoHo, a chic and hip area similar to that of the village in NYC and it was once London’s vice center.
In the London episode, Anthony also traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, to taste some fish and chips from Mermaid – Fish and Chip store. Other than the traditional fish and chips, Mermaid also serve some deep fried “mystery meat”. Then he headed off to Leith, the area where fresh seafood and produce can be savored alongside with a pint of Guinness, for breakfast!

If you are not watching Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservation, you don’t know what you are missing. What are you waiting for, hurry up and change your channel to the Travel Channel. No Reservation is aired on Mondays 9pm EST.

Love it, loathe it? Comments are appreciated.

-Boon

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The red pill or the blue pill, when either one comes with side effects?

// July 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Health

The availability of prescription drugs has prolonged the health of many. It has given new hopes for people who are diagnosed with illness that can only be treated through doses of prescription drugs. But many prescription drugs do come with side effects, some that are minor while some that can be fatal.

Abilify, the drug used in the treatment of depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, seems like a wonder-drug for its ability to treat so many diseases. Don’t let the benefits fool you. Abilify, comes with many side effects that include:

(Taken from here)

Common Side Effects With Abilify

• Headaches — in up to 30 percent of people
• Anxiety — up to 20 percent
• Insomnia — up to 19 percent
• Nausea — up to 16 percent
• Constipation — up to 13 percent
• Vomiting — up to 12 percent
• Dizziness — up to 11 percent.

• Indigestion or heartburn
• Drowsiness
• Shakiness
• Weight gain 
• Restlessness
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth 
• Joint pain
• Throat pain
• Blurred vision
• Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
• Pain
• Cough
• Nasal congestion
• Increased salivation
• Swelling or water retention in the arms, legs, or feet.

Side Effects of Abilify to Report

• Signs of diabetes, such as:

• • High blood sugar
  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Extreme hunger (see Abilify and Diabetes)

• Large or rapid weight gain
• Suicidal thoughts
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Dizziness or fainting when going from a sitting or lying-down position to standing
• Feelings of internal restlessness or jitteriness
• Any abnormal muscle movements (these movements can become permanent if Abilify is not stopped quickly)
• A painful erection of the penis that does not go away (priapism)
• Signs or symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which can include:

• • A high fever
  • Stiff muscles
  • Confusion
  • Irregular pulse or blood pressure
  • An increased heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Sweating
  • Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

• Signs of an allergic reaction, including:

• • Unexplained rash
  • Hives
  • Itching
  • Unexplained swelling
  • Wheezing
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Rare Abilify Side Effects

• Anemia
• Vertigo (a spinning sensation)
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Low thyroid (hypothyroidism) or high thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• Gas
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hemorrhoids
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Canker sores
• Gallstones
• Yeast infections
• Arthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Kidney stones
• Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction or ED (see Abilify Sexual Side Effects)
• An increased or decreased sex drive
• Acne
• Eczema
• Hair loss (see Abilify and Hair Loss)
• Varicose veins.

Despite all those possible side effects, Doctors have no ability to know whether or not their patients are allergic to Abilify. Therefore, it is still up to the patients to risk it by taking Abilify.

Hmmm…which one will i choose? Be free of depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia OR possibly get all the side effects from taking Abilify?

Have you read the warning and side effects on your prescription drugs lately? You should!
Love it, Loathe it? Comments are very much appreciated.

-Boon

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Speeding at 210mph on a 65mph highway….walk away with a $500 fine.

// July 24th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // News, cars

A driver of a Bugatti Veron was caught by speeding camera for breaking the 65 mph speed limit in California. The culprit was clocked at *drumroll* 210 mph and he was slapped with the maximum fine for speeding which was a $500 fine. I am surprised that he didn’t get anything more serious for doing more than 3 times the speed limit.

Forget the plane ticket to Germany where Autobahn is located. All you need is a Veron and $500 to pay the fine when they catch you. =)

Here’s a pic of the ticket:

Love it, Loathe it? Comments are very much appreciated.

-Boon

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Sawadee Krab, you’ve been scammed!

// July 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Food, News

Times are changing and so are the scams, especially those targeted at foreign tourists. According to BBC, there is now a new scam at the Thailand International Airport. A British couple was accused of shoplifting at the airport’s duty free store and was taken away by the security guards for interrogation. Below are the accounts of what happened:

1. The couple was accused of shoplifting
2. Security guards and cops took them away and separated them into different rooms for interrogation
3. Throughout the process they negotiated the amount that was needed to get them out of the mess – £8,000
4. They provided a translator and explained to them that the charge of shoplifting was pretty serious and if they don’t pay, they will be transferred to a jail, a very unpleasant experience
5. They were not allowed to contact anyone and was only provided with a translator that was working “part time” for the police
6. Their passports were seized and they were warned not to contact their embassy or any lawyers
7. They were forced to withdraw money from the ATM to pay for their release

The BBC has spoken to the translator and the regional police commander, Colonel Teeradej Phanuphan.They both say the translator was merely helping the couple with translation, and raising bail to keep them out of prison.
The translator says about half the £8,000 was for bail, while the rest were “fees” for the bail, for his work, and for a lawyer he says he consulted on their behalf.

In theory, he says, they could try to get the bail portion refunded.

Colonel Teeradej says he will investigate any possible irregularities in their treatment. But he said any arrangement between the couple and Tony was a private affair, which did not involve the police.

You can read the whole BBC article here.

The next time you’re traveling to a different country, beware of scams and con artists!

Love it, loathe it? Comments appreciated.

-Boon

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If IKEA would to take over GM….

// July 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Thoughts

If IKEA, the Swedish Furniture Company, would to buy GM, the Once Great American Auto Company – now bankrupt, we will have alot of trouble when we buy cars from IKEA.

This is what you will get.

A standard Allen Key that comes with most of your IKEA furniture.

and….

Your car pieces….so you can build the damn thing yourself!

IKEA – we sell it, you build it. Haha.
Love it, Loathe it? Comments are very much appreciated.

-Boon

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Google Voice

// July 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // News, Technology

Google is evolving from a Search engine company into a Technology Conglomerate and they are picking up momentum. Their latest project, Google Voice, is set to change the way you screen and take your calls. Since most of us have a cell phone these days, Google is bringing you the home voice recording machine to your cell. The best part is that its FREE!

You can use Google Voice to screen calls, listen or read your voice mail and even listen in while the voice mail is being recorded. You have the option of picking up the phone while your caller is recording his/her message. Pretty sweet! Google Voice is currently by invitation only but you can sign up by entering your name and email address here.

Here is an overview of Google Voice. Full details can be found here. Thanks AB for the tip!

One number for all your calls and SMS

• Call screening – Announce and screen callers
• Listen in – Listen before taking a call
• Block calls – Keep unwanted callers at bay
• SMS – Send, receive, and store SMS
• Place calls – Call US numbers for free
• Taking calls – Answer on any of your phones
• Phone routing – Phones ring based on who calls
• Forwarding phones – Add phones and decide which ring

Voicemail as easy as email, with transcripts

• Voicemail transcripts – Read what your voicemail says
• Listen to voicemail – Check online or from your phone
• Notifications – Receive voicemails via email or SMS
• Personalize greeting – Vary greetings by caller
• Share voicemail – Forward or download voicemails

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What Is That? – A story between Father and Son

// July 22nd, 2009 // No Comments » // Thoughts

Below is a video that was forwarded in an email. The video is about the relationship between a father and son. Enjoy!

When was the last time you said “I love you dad”? Have you hugged him lately? Our parents love to us is unfailing and unconditional. I urge you to show love to your parents while you still can.

Now, go hug your mom and dad, and say I love you!

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What can you do with a trillion dollars?

// July 21st, 2009 // No Comments » // Politics, Thoughts

A very entertaining and amusing video from wallstats.com and mint.com. It depicts what can you do with a Trillion dollars. Our current budget deficit is at a mind boggling 1 trillion dollars and it is still growing…

Enjoy the video:

-Boon

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Funny Thai Commercials Part 1

// July 21st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Entertainment, Thoughts

Funny Thai Commercials Part 1.

Some of the funniest commercial come from the land that gave us Pad-thai and Tom-Yum soup, Thailand!
Enjoy some of the best commercials that can be found on YouTube.

Thai Snack

Thai Insurance Co

Thai Optometrist

Thai Yellow Pages

Pepermint field gel..

Another Thai Snack

Thai Electronic Payment

Thai Phone Co

Thai Bank Autopay

To be continued….

-Boon

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