UC Berkeley CellScope - Where Science Meets Art

CellScope developed by the Fletcher Lab at UC Berkeley

I have always been an MIT snob, proudly supporting my alma mater and brainwashing my kids to strive to attend it (it's working on Adam but not Dova).  I even removed UC Berkeley (MS Mechanical Engineering) from my facebook profile because it bumped MIT off my profile page. Same goes for the alumni magazines.  MIT's top-rated Technology Review magazine is read by hundreds of thousands beyond its own alumni and I devour every issue with zeal.  When I receive the Berkeley engineering alumni magazine, Forefront, I never allow myself to be impressed.

Recently, Forefront has stepped up its game.  I have to admit being impressed with technologies they have developed from affordable exoskeletons, to the new bay bridge, to this little wonder, the CellScope.  The CellScope transforms a standard cell phone into a diagnostic-quality microscope, which can transmit images of tissue samples for instant diagnosis from anywhere in the world. But then I saw this cool stop motion video of a 9mm doll, Dot, filmed entirely on the CellScope.



Aardman Animations, the producers behind Wallace and Gromit, created this charming little film using a Nokia N8 with the CellScope technology.



Equally amazing is the behind the scenes making of the video.  Fifty versions of Dot were created by a 3D resin printer and painted by hand. Check out the magic behind the artistry.



This month, Aardman Animations was awarded with the Animation Award at Rushes Soho Shorts Festival for Dot.  Dot also holds a Guinness World Record for the smallest stopmotion animated character in a film.



Amazingly useful medical diagnostic tool as well as award-winning short film technology? I am truly humbled and impressed.

Return of the Shield Sunglasses

At the People's Party at BlogHer, Fox Entertainment provided a photo op with Blu from the movie Rio.  I donned a pair of ridiculously large shield sunglasses and poses in front of the green screen.  Afterward, I loved the photo and the look!

I returned home with a quest for a pair of shield sunglasses.  NYS Collection came through with a large collection of contemporary sunglasses including many shield types.



When I put on my new retro sunglasses, Doug looked at me and said that was nothing, he had an original pair of Bausch & Lomb Wings sunglasses from the 80's and produced the Yoko Ono-like sunglasses in a cordoroy covered case.  I looked online and a genuine vintage pair of B&L Wings runs for nearly $300!  Back when I met Doug in the 90's, I remembered seeing these sunglasses and heartily laughed at their shape.  Who knew they would come back in style and be worth so much?


Adam in Doug's B&L Wings.

Thankfully, the NYS Collection including Jersey Shore sunglasses are available for $19.99 at NYS Kiosks in shopping-centers across the US.  I love the updated styling.  Check out my kids as they model them.


Adam is a cool dude.


Way too big but way cute on Dova's small face.  Watch out for that movie star attitude!

Special thanks to NYS Collection for providing a pair of sunglasses for review.  No other compensation was given.

Mother and Daughter Time at BlogHer

For the third year in a row, my mom has joined me at BlogHer.  It's our way of getting together without the craziness of grandkids.  In 2009, I was mortified and then relieved when she took the mic during my session on mommy blogging balance.



Last year, we rocked her home town of New York together.



This year, we flew to lovely San Diego, where she knew the lay of the land having stayed at the Marriott Marquis for several conferences previously. This year presented tons of great photo opportunities where we didn't have to shoot with a  long extended arm.

Here we are with the California Raisin.



And before indulging in Dannon Oikos yogurt.  I was actually confused to see the Oikos brand name on a Dannon product, where I've seen it always on my beloved Stonyfield, but this link explains the partnership.



And from the cool blue of Greece, we dressed up in hot pink boas for T-Mobile.



Of course there were long arm portraits as well, here's a pic of us before and during our 1/2 day tour down to Tijuana.  More on that to come...



Since BlogHer will be in New York again next year, you can be sure to see the dynamic duo again next year!