Chunky, phlegmy pieces of blog

After my sophomore year of college, I applied for a geology job with the federal government. I was almost hired as a junior geologist, to go tramping around Baffin Island (in Canada's Arctic archipelago) to do a bedrock survey. No go, though. They wanted someone with first-aid and firearms training, both of which I incidentally had. I think it would have been exciting, tramping over the treeless terrain, hauling hundreds of pounds of equipment, preparing camp, cooking meals... Okay, maybe I lucked out.

And just to show I haven't forgotten, here's a semi-random USPTO patent: A method of treatment of hazardous materials with aqueous air foam of polyhydroxy polymer (old link removed). It combines said polymer with an inorganic polyprotic acid salt, a foaming agent, a pH modifier and water to cover liquid wastes, making clean-up quicker and reducing further contamination. For thrills, read the patent's description of the McColl Dump in Orange County, CA.

As early as tomorrow, the turnstiles at major league baseball stadiums may fall silent. ESPN.com's Page2 has compiled a list of the best fan protest signs. Go ahead, vote away!