Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Grrrrrrrrrr!
I can't use my Internet at home, either because of a software problem or a bad ethernet card/port. Since the boss man won't be in tomorrow morning, I'll try to take some time to update you.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Indy! Indy! Indy!
I'm waiting on my friends to get here so we can go see Indy. Since I'm anxious and ready to go, they're running late. Sometimes you just want to punch Murphy in the head, don't ya?
I'm trying not to have any expectations for the movie after reading that Lucas thinks all the fans will hate it. Of course, this was the same article in which he whined about people calling him out on his directing of Star Wars Episodes I-III. I think he's just cranky that his isn't the only studio that can put out great special effects anymore. I always thought he had an over-inflated ego.
I'm trying not to have any expectations for the movie after reading that Lucas thinks all the fans will hate it. Of course, this was the same article in which he whined about people calling him out on his directing of Star Wars Episodes I-III. I think he's just cranky that his isn't the only studio that can put out great special effects anymore. I always thought he had an over-inflated ego.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The First Time
My "nephew" Cylis crawled for the first time today -- a belly crawl, but he moved forward rather than backward or even in a circle. The best part was he did it at my apartment.
He's growing so quickly.
He's growing so quickly.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Uneventful Day
Today I went up to the lab in the morning to change destaining solution on fish as well as give Carla, my assistant, instructions on which "old" fish to cull and how to do it.
I spent the afternoon dozing and editing Kender's Torchwood fanfic -- if none of my stuff will write, I might as well beta for someone who's stories will write.
Tonight, I watched an episode of Nova titled "The Lord of the Ants" about Harvard's Dr. Edward O. Wilson, a.k.a. my god of biology. Of the 600+ known species of ants, he has described about half. He also helped develop the hypothesis of island biogeography (which discusses extinctions on and repopulation of islands and then extrapolates that to how much land area is REALLY needed to maintain species of interest), was attacked for his idea of sociobiology, and is extremely active in conservation arenas. I own a number of his books, but there are two I cannot afford that I want badly: The Ants (co-authored with Bert Holldobler, won a Pulitzer Prize) with a cover price of about $80, and Pheidole of the New World with a cover price of about $140. The latter contains reproductions of Dr. Wilson's sketches for each species.
So, not a particularly active day, but not hum-drum either. Back to my beta duties.
I spent the afternoon dozing and editing Kender's Torchwood fanfic -- if none of my stuff will write, I might as well beta for someone who's stories will write.
Tonight, I watched an episode of Nova titled "The Lord of the Ants" about Harvard's Dr. Edward O. Wilson, a.k.a. my god of biology. Of the 600+ known species of ants, he has described about half. He also helped develop the hypothesis of island biogeography (which discusses extinctions on and repopulation of islands and then extrapolates that to how much land area is REALLY needed to maintain species of interest), was attacked for his idea of sociobiology, and is extremely active in conservation arenas. I own a number of his books, but there are two I cannot afford that I want badly: The Ants (co-authored with Bert Holldobler, won a Pulitzer Prize) with a cover price of about $80, and Pheidole of the New World with a cover price of about $140. The latter contains reproductions of Dr. Wilson's sketches for each species.
So, not a particularly active day, but not hum-drum either. Back to my beta duties.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Aggravations
Last night, I discovered through inadvertant eavesdropping that one of my PCAs will be gone for a two week period I did not expect. I am already having trouble replacing attendants who are leaving (either temporarily or permanently), so this is yet another headache I don't need.
I woke up this morning with asthma-related coughing, thus I knew it was going to be a muggy day. No sitting outside on the patio today.
My latest shipment of fish has started to die. Of 40, there are approximately 15 left. So if you're keeping track, that's approximately 40 fish remaining out of about 330 received over the last two and a half months. I. Am. Not. Happy.
My uncle was in a motorcycle accident today on his way home for lunch. A car pulled out in front of him, and he was flipped over the car when he hit it. No head trauma and no internal injuries, but his leg is broken in four places. He should be in surgery as I type this.
I woke up this morning with asthma-related coughing, thus I knew it was going to be a muggy day. No sitting outside on the patio today.
My latest shipment of fish has started to die. Of 40, there are approximately 15 left. So if you're keeping track, that's approximately 40 fish remaining out of about 330 received over the last two and a half months. I. Am. Not. Happy.
My uncle was in a motorcycle accident today on his way home for lunch. A car pulled out in front of him, and he was flipped over the car when he hit it. No head trauma and no internal injuries, but his leg is broken in four places. He should be in surgery as I type this.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Procrastinate! And take your friends down with you!
So this morning I was sleeping, getting rid of my Benadryl hangover, when suddenly I notice it's 9:44 a.m.
9:44 a.m.???
Now, you might think that sleeping until 9:44 on a Sunday isn't sleeping in enough, but ever since my bladder decided it really hates to go more than seven hours without peeing, well, that means I usually sleep about seven hours a night. My attendant should've been here at about 8:30, 9:00 at the latest. That's when I remembered . . .
I had forgotten to finalize my arrangement for this morning's attendant.
Translation = I forgot to ask Kim to get me up.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
I've been doing this since I was 20 -- that's almost 17 years of coordinating ups, downs, showers, pees, errands, laundry, and cooking. How could I just forget?
I called Kim three times with no answer, then I caught my friend Erika lolling around in her bed and enjoying a lazy Sunday. She came over and got me up, then I managed to talk her in to being a lazy bum and hanging out with me.
::whispers out of side of mouth:: I didn't exactly have to break her arm. ::smiles at Erika::
Truth be told, we had every intention of working at the coffeeshop. I took A Genetical Theory of Natural Selection and E took her laptop and work stuff. I read part of my book, and she read the paper. Then I read her magazine, and she continued to read the paper. Then we decided to check out the happenings at Washington Square Park since we could hear music. They were having an art fair, and there was lots of great stuff for sale -- at one point E said to me, "Thank God I don't have any money on me." I totally agreed. There was painting, photography, clothing, quilting, knitting. There was soap and trinket boxes (I told the lady I'd give her my Altoids boxes) and poppets and art made out of salvaged wood and metal. It was all New Orleanians, and it embodied a small taste of our local talent.
Next, we wandered over to the French Market to see our good friend Lalo. He makes and sells jewelry of stones, crystals, and either silver or copper wire. I noticed today he's expanded into leather bracelets which he embellishes with stones and wire. I bought a little something for one friend north of the border and a beaded bracelet for myself. I asked Lalo if he'd help me make some earrings and a ring out of some of my Botswana agate, and he cheerfully agreed. Such a sweet guy, and such awesome jewelry.
After our visit, E and I decided we ought to start heading back for me to come home. We were distracted one more time, however, by E's friend Jack who makes jaw-dropping art by cutting paper. These are NOT the paper snowflakes we were taught to make in school. I found one piece I really liked, but since I'd just bought stuff from Lalo, I couldn't justify spending more.
That piece, and Jack asking me the family name for seahorses and pipefishes (which I could actually spout off the top of my head), prompted a bout of silliness on the way back to my apartment.
E: What's the family name for mermaids?
Me: There isn't one, goof ball. They're creatures of legend, and no one classifies creatures of legend.
E: There should be. ::pause:: Let's make one up! What comes first?
Me: Kingdom. Clearly, they're Animalia.
E: What's next?
Me: Phylum. Chordata.
E: When do we get to family? What's the family of our fantastical mermaid?
Me: In a minute. We have to do class. Hmmm, that's a hard one. Do we classify them as fish or mammals?
E: I say mammals. They look more like humans than fish.
Me: And they have mammary glands. OK, class Mammalia. Now order. How about Fantastiformes?
E: Did you make that up?
Me: Yes.
E: You're awesome.
Me: Well, the suffix "-formes" goes with order. I didn't make that up, and you gave me the idea for the rest when you said fantastical. Now family.
E: Mer--, mermaid . . . .
Me: Mermaididae.
E: I like it. Now what?
Me: Genus and species. They're usually in Latin.
::much pondering::
E: What's Latin for "naked top"?
Me: Dunno. Never taken Latin. ::thinking:: We're just making this up, so why not pig Latin?
E: Sounds good. Aked-nay. Op-tay. Akednaopta.
Me: Groovy. We could do species after your last name since you thought of classifying them. Akednaopta sugimorii.
E: We can do that?
Me: Yup.
E (making a turn): Are you going to remember all this?
Me: Sure. And we'll write it down, and you can share it with Jack when you go back to get your picture.
And this, my friends, is how you turn an otherwise productive Sunday into relaxation and amusement for two wacky friends.
9:44 a.m.???
Now, you might think that sleeping until 9:44 on a Sunday isn't sleeping in enough, but ever since my bladder decided it really hates to go more than seven hours without peeing, well, that means I usually sleep about seven hours a night. My attendant should've been here at about 8:30, 9:00 at the latest. That's when I remembered . . .
I had forgotten to finalize my arrangement for this morning's attendant.
Translation = I forgot to ask Kim to get me up.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
I've been doing this since I was 20 -- that's almost 17 years of coordinating ups, downs, showers, pees, errands, laundry, and cooking. How could I just forget?
I called Kim three times with no answer, then I caught my friend Erika lolling around in her bed and enjoying a lazy Sunday. She came over and got me up, then I managed to talk her in to being a lazy bum and hanging out with me.
::whispers out of side of mouth:: I didn't exactly have to break her arm. ::smiles at Erika::
Truth be told, we had every intention of working at the coffeeshop. I took A Genetical Theory of Natural Selection and E took her laptop and work stuff. I read part of my book, and she read the paper. Then I read her magazine, and she continued to read the paper. Then we decided to check out the happenings at Washington Square Park since we could hear music. They were having an art fair, and there was lots of great stuff for sale -- at one point E said to me, "Thank God I don't have any money on me." I totally agreed. There was painting, photography, clothing, quilting, knitting. There was soap and trinket boxes (I told the lady I'd give her my Altoids boxes) and poppets and art made out of salvaged wood and metal. It was all New Orleanians, and it embodied a small taste of our local talent.
Next, we wandered over to the French Market to see our good friend Lalo. He makes and sells jewelry of stones, crystals, and either silver or copper wire. I noticed today he's expanded into leather bracelets which he embellishes with stones and wire. I bought a little something for one friend north of the border and a beaded bracelet for myself. I asked Lalo if he'd help me make some earrings and a ring out of some of my Botswana agate, and he cheerfully agreed. Such a sweet guy, and such awesome jewelry.
After our visit, E and I decided we ought to start heading back for me to come home. We were distracted one more time, however, by E's friend Jack who makes jaw-dropping art by cutting paper. These are NOT the paper snowflakes we were taught to make in school. I found one piece I really liked, but since I'd just bought stuff from Lalo, I couldn't justify spending more.
That piece, and Jack asking me the family name for seahorses and pipefishes (which I could actually spout off the top of my head), prompted a bout of silliness on the way back to my apartment.
E: What's the family name for mermaids?
Me: There isn't one, goof ball. They're creatures of legend, and no one classifies creatures of legend.
E: There should be. ::pause:: Let's make one up! What comes first?
Me: Kingdom. Clearly, they're Animalia.
E: What's next?
Me: Phylum. Chordata.
E: When do we get to family? What's the family of our fantastical mermaid?
Me: In a minute. We have to do class. Hmmm, that's a hard one. Do we classify them as fish or mammals?
E: I say mammals. They look more like humans than fish.
Me: And they have mammary glands. OK, class Mammalia. Now order. How about Fantastiformes?
E: Did you make that up?
Me: Yes.
E: You're awesome.
Me: Well, the suffix "-formes" goes with order. I didn't make that up, and you gave me the idea for the rest when you said fantastical. Now family.
E: Mer--, mermaid . . . .
Me: Mermaididae.
E: I like it. Now what?
Me: Genus and species. They're usually in Latin.
::much pondering::
E: What's Latin for "naked top"?
Me: Dunno. Never taken Latin. ::thinking:: We're just making this up, so why not pig Latin?
E: Sounds good. Aked-nay. Op-tay. Akednaopta.
Me: Groovy. We could do species after your last name since you thought of classifying them. Akednaopta sugimorii.
E: We can do that?
Me: Yup.
E (making a turn): Are you going to remember all this?
Me: Sure. And we'll write it down, and you can share it with Jack when you go back to get your picture.
And this, my friends, is how you turn an otherwise productive Sunday into relaxation and amusement for two wacky friends.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
In an effort to blog more . . .
. . . I'm going to set a goal of writing at least a small something every day.
Today, my friend Erika helped me get out of bed. She's one of my best friends here, but we never get to see each other because of our schedules. She'd had her coffee before coming over, so she was bouncing off the walls. I had taken a Lortab before going to bed, so I was not bouncing off the walls. We still have a good time.
I did a meditation over the phone with a friend to discover one of my animal guides. With the meditation, the first animal you see is supposed to be your birth totem unless it appears in some kind of unusual way -- like last time I did this, the animal I saw was not in front of me but approached from behind and on the right, so therefore he is my right totem, the protector of my masculine energies.
Today, I saw two animals. The first peeked out at me from the forest but withdrew when I showed such surprise at seeing him. He eventually came back out after I relaxed. I'm not sure this animal is my birth totem because of him pulling back and hiding, but then again, he could've pulled back because I essentially rejected him. The more I think about it, though, the more I think this guy might be quite fitting. He's unusual, not what anyone would expect to see. I'm unusual (oh hush, KM), and I like to think I'm not what people would expect. So why not Walrus?
The second animal was a bald eagle who perched directly overhead -- my above totem. When I returned to my cave, the "me" space we use to start the meditation, both Walrus and Eagle came with me. Walrus went down for a swim, and Eagle perched above the cave entrance. Inside was my friend from my last meditation -- Lion, curled up and looking quite lazy and content.
Afterwards, my ex-roommate came over to help me use the restroom and make lunch. She showed me some of her pictures from her Ireland trip. She even gave me three -- one slightly blurry night scene of Dublin, a cemetary shot with a Celtic cross headstone central, and a country bridge over tannin-stained water.
I was supposed to interview a potential attendant, but she never showed. I can't remember if I was supposed to call her to tell her when to come over or if we truly had decided on 2:30 or 3:00. Either way, I fell asleep and stayed that way from about 3:15 until 5:45 when Marlo called me to open the gate. My neck hurts now.
After a supper of chicken breast sauted in pesto and mixed with penne and alfredo sauce, I watched an episode of "Highlander" and since have futzed around on the computer. Or is that phutzed? ::shrugs::
I leave you tonight with this. Five more days! ::hums Indy theme::
Today, my friend Erika helped me get out of bed. She's one of my best friends here, but we never get to see each other because of our schedules. She'd had her coffee before coming over, so she was bouncing off the walls. I had taken a Lortab before going to bed, so I was not bouncing off the walls. We still have a good time.
I did a meditation over the phone with a friend to discover one of my animal guides. With the meditation, the first animal you see is supposed to be your birth totem unless it appears in some kind of unusual way -- like last time I did this, the animal I saw was not in front of me but approached from behind and on the right, so therefore he is my right totem, the protector of my masculine energies.
Today, I saw two animals. The first peeked out at me from the forest but withdrew when I showed such surprise at seeing him. He eventually came back out after I relaxed. I'm not sure this animal is my birth totem because of him pulling back and hiding, but then again, he could've pulled back because I essentially rejected him. The more I think about it, though, the more I think this guy might be quite fitting. He's unusual, not what anyone would expect to see. I'm unusual (oh hush, KM), and I like to think I'm not what people would expect. So why not Walrus?
The second animal was a bald eagle who perched directly overhead -- my above totem. When I returned to my cave, the "me" space we use to start the meditation, both Walrus and Eagle came with me. Walrus went down for a swim, and Eagle perched above the cave entrance. Inside was my friend from my last meditation -- Lion, curled up and looking quite lazy and content.
Afterwards, my ex-roommate came over to help me use the restroom and make lunch. She showed me some of her pictures from her Ireland trip. She even gave me three -- one slightly blurry night scene of Dublin, a cemetary shot with a Celtic cross headstone central, and a country bridge over tannin-stained water.
I was supposed to interview a potential attendant, but she never showed. I can't remember if I was supposed to call her to tell her when to come over or if we truly had decided on 2:30 or 3:00. Either way, I fell asleep and stayed that way from about 3:15 until 5:45 when Marlo called me to open the gate. My neck hurts now.
After a supper of chicken breast sauted in pesto and mixed with penne and alfredo sauce, I watched an episode of "Highlander" and since have futzed around on the computer. Or is that phutzed? ::shrugs::
I leave you tonight with this. Five more days! ::hums Indy theme::
Friday, May 16, 2008
Congratulations Lynlee, Naomi, and Pauley
I watched two WSU graduations today via webcast. At 1530 was the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ceremony which I watched for two reasons -- Paul was posthumously being awarded his master of arts in English literature, and Lynlee was being awarded her bachelor of arts in _____ (please fill in the blank, L). Women's studies? Then at 1900, Naomi received her MA in communication sciences and disorders from the College of Health Professions.
Lynlee -- You are one of the most amazing women I know. You put yourself through school while raising your incredible child on your own AND birthing four beautiful babies to start three families. And you still got your BA in five years. Superwoman? I think so. Love you, and thanks for "whooping."
Nay -- You are another one of the most amazing women I know. Remember those days when you used to say you were scared of going to college, mainly because of algebra? Remember how you used to say the honor cords were for "brainiacs" like me, that you'd never graduate with one? Then two years ago, not only did you graduate with your BA, you did it with that gold cord around your neck. Remember also how you used to say you'd NEVER get a masters? Now look at you -- graduated and hooded and ready to be a "for real" speech pathologist. I'm beyond proud of you. I love you.
Pauley -- I know I don't need to say that I would've preferred to have seen you go across that stage rather than Mom and Dad. Mere words can't convey the joy and pain I felt watching them go up to accept your diploma, but I don't need words since now you can read my heart as easily as you used to read Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Donne. I love you.
Lynlee -- You are one of the most amazing women I know. You put yourself through school while raising your incredible child on your own AND birthing four beautiful babies to start three families. And you still got your BA in five years. Superwoman? I think so. Love you, and thanks for "whooping."
Nay -- You are another one of the most amazing women I know. Remember those days when you used to say you were scared of going to college, mainly because of algebra? Remember how you used to say the honor cords were for "brainiacs" like me, that you'd never graduate with one? Then two years ago, not only did you graduate with your BA, you did it with that gold cord around your neck. Remember also how you used to say you'd NEVER get a masters? Now look at you -- graduated and hooded and ready to be a "for real" speech pathologist. I'm beyond proud of you. I love you.
Pauley -- I know I don't need to say that I would've preferred to have seen you go across that stage rather than Mom and Dad. Mere words can't convey the joy and pain I felt watching them go up to accept your diploma, but I don't need words since now you can read my heart as easily as you used to read Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Donne. I love you.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Swiped from Anita
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Which Torchwood Character Are You? created with QuizFarm.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You scored as Ianto Jones You are a very secretive person, try opening up to your friends and they'll help you get through. Learn to trust yourself, and the people around you. But remember not to let them take advantage of you.
|
Monday, May 05, 2008
Crazy fangirl squee
OK, so I already knew I love CBS because every show I watch is there except for Doctor Who, Stargate Atlantis, EUReKA, and Dirty Jobs. But tonight, as I pulled up their show menu to see if Friday's Moonlight has been posted (I recorded it while I watched DW, but my tape broke this morning after watching CSI), I saw a section off to the side labeled TV Classics. When what should my wandering eyes perceive but . . .
MACGYVER!
I clicked the link, and lo and behold! Choirs of angels began to sing as I saw . . .
Full episodes. All of them. Every eppy, every season.
Don't believe me? Check it out.
::hums happily as disappears into MacGyver cyberspace::
MACGYVER!
I clicked the link, and lo and behold! Choirs of angels began to sing as I saw . . .
Full episodes. All of them. Every eppy, every season.
Don't believe me? Check it out.
::hums happily as disappears into MacGyver cyberspace::