Now with that lil' viral song stuck in your head, I'll try to switch gears and give you a more catchy tune. Ben Lee has this boyish look that I'm certain makes him go crazy looking at the mirror in the mornings wondering if the hormones will ever kick in (lil' note, Ben's MY age). But then again, he'll have those same timeless boyish looks at 60, so it'll be a blessing in the long run. I first heard Ben from the secksay Shanty Raidio DJ Morte. Morte, I know you've gone onto greener fields, but I'll always miss your Wicked Wednesdays. So to stop that Sharon, Lois, and Bram song in your head... please "Catch my Disease". Enjoy folks!
I am slowly going...
Thursday, April 16, 2009
So the pressures on! Like it wasn't on before. In 3 weeks I hand in this scientific tome. The daily question irks me, "How's writing?" I know people ask because they care and really what else are they going to ask? It's all I'm ever doing these days!!! It's... slowly... going... like ME!
Now with that lil' viral song stuck in your head, I'll try to switch gears and give you a more catchy tune. Ben Lee has this boyish look that I'm certain makes him go crazy looking at the mirror in the mornings wondering if the hormones will ever kick in (lil' note, Ben's MY age). But then again, he'll have those same timeless boyish looks at 60, so it'll be a blessing in the long run. I first heard Ben from the secksay Shanty Raidio DJ Morte. Morte, I know you've gone onto greener fields, but I'll always miss your Wicked Wednesdays. So to stop that Sharon, Lois, and Bram song in your head... please "Catch my Disease". Enjoy folks!
Now with that lil' viral song stuck in your head, I'll try to switch gears and give you a more catchy tune. Ben Lee has this boyish look that I'm certain makes him go crazy looking at the mirror in the mornings wondering if the hormones will ever kick in (lil' note, Ben's MY age). But then again, he'll have those same timeless boyish looks at 60, so it'll be a blessing in the long run. I first heard Ben from the secksay Shanty Raidio DJ Morte. Morte, I know you've gone onto greener fields, but I'll always miss your Wicked Wednesdays. So to stop that Sharon, Lois, and Bram song in your head... please "Catch my Disease". Enjoy folks!
Someone's watching me...
Monday, April 13, 2009
So that was a first Easter for me. I had two dinner invites but in the end turned them down because I caught the writing bug over the weekend. It's a rare thing, when you are actually productive writing a thesis. So please forgive me those who invited me for yummy cooked ham or turkey, but I felt that it would be better if I just wrote. Come May I'll appear on your doorsteps with a fork in hand. Promise!
So yes, I've been writing... hoohah. These things take so bloodly long to write and revise. Somedays I wake up with 10 pages on my screen and by the time I shut down the laptop, there's only 8 pages that remain.
But as I write this, I must note that it's happening yet again! I swear that the creator of Ph.D. comics has a camera in my lab and home to record the nuisances of my grad life. I'd be writing a manuscript and BOOM, the comic script story arc is on manuscript writing and revisions:
Or there's insane construction around my building... BOOM!!!
Or my grad life in general:
Jorge hits it on the nail every single time. It's frightening that it's so correct, but also comforting knowing that I'm not alone in this.
Of recent story, one of the main characters has decided to start writing her thesis:
It's true... crtl-c, followed by crtl-p. Most of the reports/manuscripts I've written over the past 6 years count as thesis material since I wrote it to begin with. It's just a matter of shifting through all these reports, editing, revising, to make it sound continuous. Sounds easy right? Well, hitting the crtl-c/p is. Trying to make sense of it all... THAT'S the tricky part.
Finally, I'll post one of my faves of Jorge's. It's an older one, but since I think I'm being watched anyways, this makes the most sense.
So yes, I've been writing... hoohah. These things take so bloodly long to write and revise. Somedays I wake up with 10 pages on my screen and by the time I shut down the laptop, there's only 8 pages that remain.
But as I write this, I must note that it's happening yet again! I swear that the creator of Ph.D. comics has a camera in my lab and home to record the nuisances of my grad life. I'd be writing a manuscript and BOOM, the comic script story arc is on manuscript writing and revisions:
Or there's insane construction around my building... BOOM!!!
Or my grad life in general:
Jorge hits it on the nail every single time. It's frightening that it's so correct, but also comforting knowing that I'm not alone in this.
Of recent story, one of the main characters has decided to start writing her thesis:
It's true... crtl-c, followed by crtl-p. Most of the reports/manuscripts I've written over the past 6 years count as thesis material since I wrote it to begin with. It's just a matter of shifting through all these reports, editing, revising, to make it sound continuous. Sounds easy right? Well, hitting the crtl-c/p is. Trying to make sense of it all... THAT'S the tricky part.
Finally, I'll post one of my faves of Jorge's. It's an older one, but since I think I'm being watched anyways, this makes the most sense.
Truth about cats...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
I love my cat. A statement that would be a bit odd coming from me a decade ago because I never had a love for cats.
I was (and still am) a dog person. The child-like innocence of dogs has always won me over. You come home and the dog is just in stitches that you CAME HOME ("Oh BOY! Oh boy o boy o boy o boy o boy o boy o boy!!!! You came HOME!"). Then you realize that you forgot to take out the trash on the way to work, so you grab it, go outside for the maximum of 2 minutes, return and still there to greet you "OH! You came BACK! AGAIN! Oh boy o boy o boy o boy..." Now, one could argue that this child-like devotion could be more of the lines of utter stupidity, but one thing is for certain, dogs are lovable.
Now cats... they are truly pets of different nature. Typically if you come home, they aren't really happy to see you. In fact, they are kinda pissed because you AWOKE them from their 17th nap of the day. But no matter human, you can be forgiven providing that you fetch food NOW and then clean up the litter box area to pristine condition. A great example of how a cat typically greets you/thinks is from the Whiskas Hubert commercial series.
So my opinion about cats wasn't very high, that is until 5 years ago when I decided to adopt a kitten. I live in an apartment walk-up. Pet friendly, so I could have a dog. But there's no backyard and honestly dogs need more space to run around than a one bedroom flat. But at the time, I was going through a lonely phase and my mom suggested that I'd do one of two things: get a counselor or a cat. Didn't take much reasoning that a cat would be less expensive in the long run. So one snowy February afternoon I found myself at the local Humane Society holding a calico kitten and instantly fell in love. That is until the drive home. I think the poor cat had some sort of traumatic experience with transportation, she screamed her lungs out violently. Half way home I thought about turning around the car to go back to the shelter. But then I had a moment of enlightenment: loud cat, deaf woman. Easy answer: click aids off. From then on I knew it was a match made in heaven. As soon as the car shut off, the kitten calmed down and the rest is history.
Now did my previous assumptions about owning a cat proved to be true? Oh yes. In fact, I liken my cat to a wife at times. If I come home late from work or out partying (yes, I do party at times 'til the next morn), I get this "AND WHEEEEERE HAVE YOU'VE BEEN??!" meow as soon as I come through the door. However, I've noted that even if I go straight to the fridge and fill her food bowl up, she won't touch it until I've picked her up and have at least a 5 minute nuzzle/hug session in which she purrs continuously throughout. Yes, she's mostly glad that I came home to feed her, but there's also the reason that I came home to nuzzle.
There are other loving nuisances that my cat and I have shared over the years. I'll share more in future posts. One current is the fact that my cat enjoys to STARE at me behind my laptop screen while I write. It's kinda annoying. And of late she's now fascinated with the screen. Now imagine trying to write an academic thesis while you have this going on.
I was (and still am) a dog person. The child-like innocence of dogs has always won me over. You come home and the dog is just in stitches that you CAME HOME ("Oh BOY! Oh boy o boy o boy o boy o boy o boy o boy!!!! You came HOME!"). Then you realize that you forgot to take out the trash on the way to work, so you grab it, go outside for the maximum of 2 minutes, return and still there to greet you "OH! You came BACK! AGAIN! Oh boy o boy o boy o boy..." Now, one could argue that this child-like devotion could be more of the lines of utter stupidity, but one thing is for certain, dogs are lovable.
Now cats... they are truly pets of different nature. Typically if you come home, they aren't really happy to see you. In fact, they are kinda pissed because you AWOKE them from their 17th nap of the day. But no matter human, you can be forgiven providing that you fetch food NOW and then clean up the litter box area to pristine condition. A great example of how a cat typically greets you/thinks is from the Whiskas Hubert commercial series.
So my opinion about cats wasn't very high, that is until 5 years ago when I decided to adopt a kitten. I live in an apartment walk-up. Pet friendly, so I could have a dog. But there's no backyard and honestly dogs need more space to run around than a one bedroom flat. But at the time, I was going through a lonely phase and my mom suggested that I'd do one of two things: get a counselor or a cat. Didn't take much reasoning that a cat would be less expensive in the long run. So one snowy February afternoon I found myself at the local Humane Society holding a calico kitten and instantly fell in love. That is until the drive home. I think the poor cat had some sort of traumatic experience with transportation, she screamed her lungs out violently. Half way home I thought about turning around the car to go back to the shelter. But then I had a moment of enlightenment: loud cat, deaf woman. Easy answer: click aids off. From then on I knew it was a match made in heaven. As soon as the car shut off, the kitten calmed down and the rest is history.Now did my previous assumptions about owning a cat proved to be true? Oh yes. In fact, I liken my cat to a wife at times. If I come home late from work or out partying (yes, I do party at times 'til the next morn), I get this "AND WHEEEEERE HAVE YOU'VE BEEN??!" meow as soon as I come through the door. However, I've noted that even if I go straight to the fridge and fill her food bowl up, she won't touch it until I've picked her up and have at least a 5 minute nuzzle/hug session in which she purrs continuously throughout. Yes, she's mostly glad that I came home to feed her, but there's also the reason that I came home to nuzzle.
There are other loving nuisances that my cat and I have shared over the years. I'll share more in future posts. One current is the fact that my cat enjoys to STARE at me behind my laptop screen while I write. It's kinda annoying. And of late she's now fascinated with the screen. Now imagine trying to write an academic thesis while you have this going on.
It's 1 AM, do YOU know where your scientist is?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
... in the lab natch.
So far this week it's been nothing but disappointment research wise. I'm so desperately trying to do final experiments, but the hitch is that in order to DO the experiments, you need the constructed bacterial strains to work with. Most people believe everyday science is running experiments and interpeting data. At times we DO get to do that, however about 80% of what we do is mainly preparations for the experiment. It's one this to see what a deletion of a gene does to the bacteria... it's an entirely different thing to MAKE the deletion in the certain gene to begin with.
So no progress with that. My boss kindly reminds me everyday that she wants more chapters to read. I kindly want to tell her that working in the lab trying to finish "oh so essential" experiments isn't helping on the writing front. So right now, a no-win situation. Ehhh... this will end soon. I try my best to minimize my time in the lab. Be efficient. But alas, it's 1AM and I've still have yet to have my supper.
(cues stomach growls)
Something popped up unexpectedly... Easter! I had no idea Friday was Good Friday. Normally I head back to my stomping grounds for a visit, but seeing that research SNFU, my family will understand. I might head over to my friend's on Sunday for a potluck dinner.
(me hears my cat's stomach growling... 60-some blocks away)
Let's see... music, at least there's music here. Lord knows how much more batty I'd go without music. Oooh.... Annie was just on. I was able to see her and Sting perform a few years back on the Sacred Love Tour (the pic shown is from the actual night!). If you EVER have a chance to see Annie Lennox sing, by all means go forth and buy thou tickets. She opened for Sting and frankly was the best part of the show (sorry Sting, but Annie didn't need all those pyro techs to raise the roof). I can still hear the harmonica wonky tonk on stage. Annie, you're truly a Music Diva. Mad Beaker award to thee!
So far this week it's been nothing but disappointment research wise. I'm so desperately trying to do final experiments, but the hitch is that in order to DO the experiments, you need the constructed bacterial strains to work with. Most people believe everyday science is running experiments and interpeting data. At times we DO get to do that, however about 80% of what we do is mainly preparations for the experiment. It's one this to see what a deletion of a gene does to the bacteria... it's an entirely different thing to MAKE the deletion in the certain gene to begin with.
So no progress with that. My boss kindly reminds me everyday that she wants more chapters to read. I kindly want to tell her that working in the lab trying to finish "oh so essential" experiments isn't helping on the writing front. So right now, a no-win situation. Ehhh... this will end soon. I try my best to minimize my time in the lab. Be efficient. But alas, it's 1AM and I've still have yet to have my supper.
(cues stomach growls)
Something popped up unexpectedly... Easter! I had no idea Friday was Good Friday. Normally I head back to my stomping grounds for a visit, but seeing that research SNFU, my family will understand. I might head over to my friend's on Sunday for a potluck dinner.
(me hears my cat's stomach growling... 60-some blocks away)
Let's see... music, at least there's music here. Lord knows how much more batty I'd go without music. Oooh.... Annie was just on. I was able to see her and Sting perform a few years back on the Sacred Love Tour (the pic shown is from the actual night!). If you EVER have a chance to see Annie Lennox sing, by all means go forth and buy thou tickets. She opened for Sting and frankly was the best part of the show (sorry Sting, but Annie didn't need all those pyro techs to raise the roof). I can still hear the harmonica wonky tonk on stage. Annie, you're truly a Music Diva. Mad Beaker award to thee!
Webcomics
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
So now you know that I'm a fan of graphic novels. I'll put in my two-cents worth on some series from time to time, but today I wanted to divert your attention to the sidebar of this blog with a list of webcomics that I find overly amusing. They are listed in no particular order, though truth be told PhD comics is probably my fave as it describes my life so perfectly. But today I'll give the Mad Beaker nod to xkcd. It's written by a physicist graduate, so many of the strips have a physic reference/joke. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to get most of the meaning, but you DO need to have a good level of sarcasm geek wit to understand the jokes. I first found this webcomic through a gaming forum I follow that posted this:
Now if you haven't participated or even followed an online forum, ANY online forum... well, I'm not sure exactly if that's a feather in your cap or not. Anyways, point being forum posting gets ugly often due to trolls and those lil' preteens who believe what they say is god-given and need to correct even syntax if applicable. The above comic sold me to bookmark xkcd and I've been a fan ever since.
The webcomic has been going on for years, so there's many to view. Take your time and truth be told, the more you become involved with web societies and geek things (science, gaming, random pondering), the MORE funny these comics will be. I'll also mention that there's a 2-for-1 joke with every comic posted. I won't tell you how to find the secondary joke. It's something specially hidden for inquiring minds. Here's a few more of my faves:
If you don't get this, you shouldn't be reading this blog.
This one is for CHAR!
This a more recent one but part of an ongoing inside joke:
Yesterday was the Stones, so I'll keep the classic rock buzz going with Queen. Here's one that folks over in Y!PP will understand coming from me. Yes this is also a nod to Dae and Zsu (even Hypnos with those pink bunny slippers), we are always wanting to "Break Free". (smirks)
Now if you haven't participated or even followed an online forum, ANY online forum... well, I'm not sure exactly if that's a feather in your cap or not. Anyways, point being forum posting gets ugly often due to trolls and those lil' preteens who believe what they say is god-given and need to correct even syntax if applicable. The above comic sold me to bookmark xkcd and I've been a fan ever since.
The webcomic has been going on for years, so there's many to view. Take your time and truth be told, the more you become involved with web societies and geek things (science, gaming, random pondering), the MORE funny these comics will be. I'll also mention that there's a 2-for-1 joke with every comic posted. I won't tell you how to find the secondary joke. It's something specially hidden for inquiring minds. Here's a few more of my faves:
If you don't get this, you shouldn't be reading this blog.
This one is for CHAR!
This a more recent one but part of an ongoing inside joke:
Yesterday was the Stones, so I'll keep the classic rock buzz going with Queen. Here's one that folks over in Y!PP will understand coming from me. Yes this is also a nod to Dae and Zsu (even Hypnos with those pink bunny slippers), we are always wanting to "Break Free". (smirks)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
