Lil Kate

I couldn’t figure it out

2009-04-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

So, I’m on the elevator leaving for the day. A woman gets on with a black messenger-type bag with a big flap on it (you know, to protect the zippers and pockets and such). On the flap is a collage of pictures.

Pictures of race cars and race car drivers.

At first glance I thought “Oh, she must have a family member who is a race car driver,” because people around here do that sort of thing – plaster themselves (via their clear ID badge protectors, buttons, etc.) with pictures of kids or other relatives doing their sporty thing.

Upon closer inspection I noticed that all of the cars were different, and all of the drivers were different. While I’m at it, check out how all of the drivers are sitting at autograph signing tables.

Huh.

Maybe she’s just a racing fanatic?

In the middle of this collage is a web address for, let’s say, “Kikisphotography.com”.

So, is this bag an advertisement for Kiki? Like, “Hey! You want to hire me for all of your racing photography needs!” Or, “I’ll help you stalk your favorite driver!” Or, “I’m here to support your groupie needs!” Seems to be targeting what I believe to be a narrow audience.

Did this woman hire Kiki for her own racing needs? Did Kiki say, “Look, I’ll make this bag for you, but you have to let me put my website on it – you know, in case someone else wants one, too.”

Was this Kiki herself? Advertising herself, on herself? With race cars? And drivers?

It’s been 2 days and I still can’t figure it out. Maybe I should have asked her.

Is it spring already?

2009-03-24T14:13:00.000-07:00

Seems I get inspired to write every time I catch a cold. Lucky for you.

The last half of winter went pretty well. F was interviewing for a new job (and wow, did he have to meet with lots of people – so glad I’m not in business). He did get the job and is very happy there. He’s working very hard, learning a lot, but enjoying it.

Took F to see Joel McHale for Valentine’s Day – that was awesome. We’ve been watching The Soup for a while now and were curious what his stand-up would be like. We were not disappointed. We still laugh about certain bits.

Work has been going well, more or less. Very productive, great relations with coworkers, not always the results you’re hoping for, but the data is what the data is. It is an exciting and interesting project. We just have to nail down some usable data and “make a story” out of it. The boss is currently on his annual 3 week vacation to Hawaii. Not that I see him terribly much when he’s here. I’m looking forward to macadamia nuts when he gets back.

Work related: I’m going to the AACR meeting in Denver next month. Super excited to see Doc Who there! We’ll even be rooming together! Hopefully it’ll be even more fun than the Keystone Symposium in Utah. I’m presenting a poster of a paper we’re in the process of polishing up for submission. Nothing about what I’m currently working on. That’ll be presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in (you guessed it) San Antonio in December.

We’ve had lots of houseguests this month. My stepmom stopped by for a night while she was doing sales calls out this-a-way. My favorite aunt and uncle came for a weekend – had a lot of fun with them. Old friends of F’s spent the night a couple of times (appts. at Mayo the next morning) and we had nice visits.

A friend that I’ve had since 4th grade had her baby shower last weekend. So awesome to see her. She looks great and I’m so excited for her and her husband. One of their gifts was a new video camera so I’m pushing for lots of video updates when the little one is born.

Finally made an appt for a massage (my Valentine’s Day gift from F). I had my appt last night. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but it was nice and relaxing. I probably should have just kept quiet but felt a little awkward so I started chatting and ended up getting the masseuse’s life story. [sigh] I’m good like that. I’m seriously considering signing up for membership to this place – the dues cover a monthly 1 hour massage at a discounted rate (very discounted rate, even more discounted since I work at Mayo which = awesome). We’ll see. My yoga teacher quit the old yoga studio and hasn’t officially started teaching elsewhere yet, perhaps in April or May. I definitely want to get back in that saddle. So we’ll see where the budgeting leads me.

In other news: my taxes are done and filed! Yay me!

Now to just get over my cold. I’d like to kill it by the end of the week so it doesn’t ruin or otherwise hinder my weekend plans. Wish me luck!

It’s pseudoephedrine or nothing (phenylephrine is useless!)

2009-01-06T14:18:00.001-08:00

I had been so proud of myself, effectively staving off the attempts of 2 loved ones to infect me with their plague. I washed my hands, they washed their hands. They were good about only kissing me on the cheek. I was eating healthfully and drinking plenty. Alas, I succumbed on Christmas day.

Now, last year I had a rather awful bout of plague that lasted approximately a month. At the time, my physician had “re-educated” me to the fact that colds *used* to last 7-10 days. In these fast-paced times colds now last an average of 14 days. If I’m not feeling significantly better by the weekend I’m going in. I’ve had enough.

Granted, on the scale of cold-related annoyingness, this one scores comparatively low. I don’t think I have a fever. I don’t have a terribly runny nose. I coughed before bed the first few nights. My chest is clear. But my ears do pop. Occasionally my sinuses hurt. Biggest complaint: my ass is dragging. I feel like I could sleep for 3 days straight.

Per the suggestion of some MD friends (ahem, thank you for the free med advice!) I got myself some Sudafed PE right off the shelf. Little did I know that they kept the good stuff in the back! Off the shelf has phenylephrine as the active ingredient. I’m not sure what enzyme I need to metabolize this stuff, but I obviously don’t have it. It’s done nothing for me. [By the way, if any of you do happen to know why this wouldn’t work for me, I’d be interested to know without having to do any research on my own, of course].

Today, after much convincing by my coworker, I obtained the good shit. The pseudoephedrine they keep behind the counter. They had to copy down my license number and I had to sign a form and everything. I took some today and felt *much* better. I’m almost excited to see what tomorrow brings!

I also restocked on my NyQuil. Love that stuff, too. Aside from hard liquor it’s one of the few things that I can actually feel warming my esophagus and stomach as it goes down. Kinda creepy and kind of cool at the same time. Always makes me shiver when I drink it.

Any other cold remedies you recommend?

And so we begin again

2009-01-02T08:45:00.000-08:00

December was pretty much a blur. Gifts were bought, sorted and wrapped. Trips were made to WI. We had all of F’s children for Christmas. It wasn’t perfect, but we all survived. We’ve watched lots of movies and new DVDs. We’ve been fighting colds. The drier broke and has since been fixed. A mountain of laundry was done. We had an amazing dinner for New Year’s Eve. We did not stay up to ring in the New Year, but did put on funny hats, blow horns and attempt to use indoor firecrackers (total let down). We’ve taken down the lights, and packed away all of the Christmas décor.

I could really use a nap right now.

I still have a few items to get for Christmas – a DVD for F that doesn’t come out until later this month, a scarf to match his pea coat, and table linens for my college roommate, K. We need to do a massive house cleaning – even I agree that things are getting pretty gross. I need to catch up with some friends that kind of fell to the wayside during all of this holiday hub-bub.

All in all I’m looking forward to getting back into our routine and getting over this cold.

Here’s hoping all of you had a great Christmas and are looking forward to a wonderful new year!

Is it just me?

2008-12-02T14:10:00.000-08:00

I have a coworker who says that she "doesn't like music." This astounds me. With all of the different genres of music, how could a person not find something that moves them? This seems wholey unnatural to me, people need music on some level or other. She can listen to talk radio until her ears fall off, but rankles at the music played by myself or other labmates.

Today she walked into my tissue culture room and turned off my Christmas music. She only had about 5 minutes worth of work to do in there with me, but couldn't tough it out for that long. I found this rude. If she would have asked, I'd oblige. As she's leaving, she says "I'll be back shortly" which I heard as "Don't turn the music back on because you know I don't like it."

Do you know anyone like this? I find it completely strange.

Huh

2008-11-18T12:39:00.000-08:00

So, I'm updating my info with my insurance company online. They know that I moved, but still had me down as a student. So I'm perusing the rather extensive list of choices for "occupation" and come across 3 choices I didn't expect to see:

Dancer

Dancer (exotic)

Dancer (oth non-exotic)

Good to know the girls can get some good insurance.

C'mon now

2008-10-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

This morning as I was riding the elevator up to my floor, a man in a suit got on and stood in front of me. Chances are that he is some sort of clinician. Half of his tie was over his shoulder - the skinny part, not the fat part that usually hides the skinny part. Now, I would assume this guy can afford a decent wardrobe. I'm not asking for anything fancy, but at least decent and in good working order. The back of his tie was coming apart.

And he chose to hold it together with Scotch tape and a small safety pin.

This is what he was displaying over his shoulder. And this is the kind of person who would look me up and down and make a comment about how I "must" be in research because I was wearing jeans.

Coming clean

2008-10-10T14:28:00.000-07:00

If word hasn't reached you already, I'll make it an official announcement: F and I have decided to push the wedding plans back at least a year. There are lots of reasons, some of them lame (e.g. I still can't muster up any enthusiasm for planning, we had a busy summer, blah, blah, blah) and others quite good (e.g. we've had quite a bit of, well, "upheaval" and we're focusing on that right now). I feel better about having more time. I just can't let that turn into "more time to procrastinate."

Please say no

2008-09-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

So, I think I have an arthritic knuckle. Just one, the middle one on my right middle finger. It gets stiff, and sometimes it's tender. And it's not going away. This is annoying, and it's making me feel old. Not. Happy.

On the mend

2008-09-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

In some sick and twisted way, I think it was almost a good thing that I had such an awful week with the future in-laws. Want to know why? Because after they left, and it was just F and Kiddo and I, just having Kiddo around seems like *cake.* Like I’ve said, I’ve not spent a significant amount of time around kids since babysitting was a major source of my income. The idea of having Kiddo come to live with us I did not take lightly. The idea of being an almost-step-parent was (and still is) a bit intimidating.

Thankfully Kiddo is a pretty well-behaved child. He’s at an age where right and wrong, rule following, and pleasing his parental units is high on his priority list. He’s not perfect, but he is making this almost-stepmom gig seem pretty easy.

Those first 2 weeks after Hell Week we all attempted to fall into some sort of newly normal routine. Kiddo had to go to daycare, while we had to go back to work (and I had to start eating again - losing the weight was a lot easier than it's been to put it back on). Kiddo was less than enthusiastic about the place we chose for him for daycare, but our options were pretty limited. Apparently those last 2 weeks in August are the hardest to find daycare – everyone closes up shop and goes on vacation. Consequently people usually take their family vacations then, seeing as how they have no daycare. Thankfully Kiddo understood the situation and muscled through it for us, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with school starting.

This last weekend was a classic whirlwind trip to WI to see my family – but this time Kiddo got to come along. He met most family members on both sides of the family. He had a good time, liked everyone he met, and would like to make another such trip sometime in the future. “It would be my pleasure,” he says. Sometimes, he cracks me up. I think he actually liked the paddle boat and kayaking best of all, but hey, whatever it takes.

F and I were overjoyed that Kiddo actually liked his first day of school. He came home and talked for about an hour and half straight. He was excited to apply for Safety Patrol and almost beside himself with joy at the thought of getting the classroom job of homework checker. When kids turn in their homework, the job of the checker is to check off their name, and if they don’t turn in their homework, their name gets put up on the board. Remember – he’s really into following rules, so tattling thrills him to no end. I asked Kiddo, “So you want to get your classmates in trouble?” His reply, “Well, it’s their own fault!” I had to laugh to F later, “Do you think these jobs will endear him to the other kids?” I’m going to guess not so much, so we might have to have a discussion about what it means to “gloat” or “rub things in.”

Homework hasn’t started yet, perhaps tonight, so that will be interesting. The teacher expects at least 40 minutes worth of homework a night, and full parental involvement. I think it’s a good thing. I wish more parents would make/take the time. Kiddo may be able to get a good chunk of it done while at his aftercare. He’s coming around to the idea that there is a finite amount of time at aftercare, and at home, so he has to budget for homework and for play. Plus, if you don’t do your homework, you get kicked off of Safety Patrol. We wouldn’t want that, now would we?

Significant events

2008-08-19T07:07:00.001-07:00

OK, some of you are aware of my neurosis. While others drink, smoke, over-eat or get insomnia in response to stress/anxiety, my body decided that loss of appetite, nausea or flat out puking would be a good way to deal. Consequently, this past week, I lost 5 lbs (5 lbs I can’t really afford to lose considering the freakishly small size I already am). The reason? A week with F’s parents (my future in-laws) and F’s 3 kids. I put all the blame on the in-laws (and F agrees with me, in fact, he brought it up first). They were awful, and because of that they made everyone else tense. Nobody had a good time. They will not be invited back to our home, and they claim they don’t want to come back. Fine by me. We don’t need that in our lives, much less the kids’ lives. Ugh. Terrible.

Also, this past weekend F’s oldest son (he’s 9) moved in with us. Truly, he’s a pretty good kid. Not that I’m taking it lightly by any means, but my anxiety level has dropped considerably and a good reason for that is because he is such a good kid. And pretty astute to boot, commenting “I think Grandma and Grandpa ruined the week.” Amen to that, Kiddo. We 3 are still figuring out our routine and adjusting to each other, but so far so good. Kiddo’s not liking his daycare so much – he’s got to make all new friends – but today is only day 2, and I’m sure it’ll improve with time. School starts on Sept. 2 so he’ll get to meet more kids his age and hopefully make some good friends.

So now my goal is to catch up on some sleep and put some weight back on. One good bout of illness and I’ll blow away in the wind.

I have a sense of humor, but I also have my limits, Part II

2008-08-05T11:34:00.000-07:00

F and decided to make a “mini-vacation” out of our trip to Half Moon Bay and arrived the Wednesday before the Saturday wedding. Check-in is normally at 3 pm, but we were told that we could ask if the room was ready early, and possibly check in early. So off to the b & b we go. We got there about noon.

Now, the b & b doesn’t have a front desk – you check in at the bar. We walk in and get the attention of a heavy-set blond woman behind the bar (and after talking to her a few minutes, F realizes that this is the now infamous Dimwit he spoke to on the phone previously).

We tell her that we realize that we are early, but just wanted to check to see if we could check in early. If not, no big deal, we’ll go have lunch, walk around and come back at 3 pm. She pulls out the “reservation book” which is nothing more than a notebook-sized day planner (they don’t have a computer). She flips to that day’s date and sure enough, there we are – my name AND credit card number written down in this book. If they ever lost it, or someone stole it - hell, if anyone leaned over to look at it at the bar – all of us guests would need to cancel our credit cards.

Dimwit proceeds to figure out what I will owe for the duration of my stay – on a cocktail napkin. She then charges my credit card for the full amount (usually most places wait until the end of your stay – which tells me they are financially strapped if they need the money right now).

We’re told that she doesn’t know if our room is ready, but go have lunch and come back – she’ll know then. Fine. We go have lunch. We walk around. The town is pretty tiny, so we pretty much covered it in 30-45 minutes after our leisurely lunch. We come back. Now we’re told that they’re waiting for the locksmith because they think he’s doing something apparently mystifying called “re-keying” – something that Dimwit and her associates seem completely baffled by. “He’s 10 minutes late. It should take about 20 minutes. Come back then.” If you don’t even know what it is that he’s doing, how can you estimate how long it will take?

Whatever. We hop in the car and take a drive up the coast to see what there is to see. We’re gone for over an hour. When we come back, we’re told that the locksmith is still doing his incomprehensible “re-keying” but they don’t know if he’s actually finished with our room yet, he hasn’t come down with any keys. Heaven forbid they actually walk up the stairs and find out. It would have taken all of 2 minutes.

So F and I venture upstairs ourselves. Sure enough, there is the locksmith actually grinding new keys in the hallway. Our new key is sitting in our door. We stop a woman in the hall who is wearing an apron – whom we assume is cleaning rooms. “Can you show us where the shower is?”

“Gee, I don’t know where the shower is.” She stops a teenaged boy who’s also running around and asks him.

He seems to actually work there – he shows us were the shower is. There are only 12 rooms on the second floor – that’s the bed part of this b & b. The 13th room is the shower. Not hard to figure out. We probably should have just walked around ourselves.

F and I go up the street and purchase some wine – we’re going to need to be drunk to tolerate this place and it’s employees.

We come back. New bartender. We ask if we can check in. He sees the keys aren’t in their usual spot and decides to take action – calls the locksmith… who is, wait for it! UPSTAIRS. We inform him and Dimwit that we’d gone up and it appears our room is ready. Dimwit walks upstairs with us to our room to see for herself and exclaims “I’ve never been up here!”

No kidding. Really? Couldn’t have guessed. Please go away. I feel stupider just being around you.

We close the door and bust out laughing. This is the WORST. We can’t stay here. There is a 2 inch gap between the door and the floor – allowing us to hear everything in the hallway. When I sit on the toilet, my knees are under the sink. Whoever stayed there before us had long dark hair and sparkly clothing because there is hair and glitter all over the floor and bedspread. There is NOT that reassuring “clean smell” emanating from the sheets – which I have come to expect from a hotel of any rank. I’ve felt more comfortable camping than I do in this room.

And for the record – there WAS a phone jack in the room. No idea if it works, but it was there. No clock, one bedside lamp. The headboard was not attached to the wall, or the bed, and was on wheels, as was the bed. The top pane of glass in the window was held up by a previous guest’s rolled up luggage tag used as a wedge. We’re lucky no one got hurt.

Our next venture out, we are looking for a new hotel. Thank goodness for the Holiday Inn Express! And the wonderful, competent and NICE manager, who hooked us up for the remainder of our stay AND gave us a discount he didn’t need to.

We [heart] him.

F and I decide to take advantage of the b & b’s 24 hour cancellation policy. F calls the b & b and talks to Dimwit, who is none-too-pleased that we are staying just the one night and cancelling the rest of our reservation. F feeds her some story about friends’ plans changing and now we’ll be staying with them. Not trusting Dimwit to actually take action, we immediately go back to the b & b and physically watch her credit my credit card.

Now she has to update the reservation book to show that we’re only there for the one night. She starts to erase the check-marks on the following days, and is at a complete and utter loss of what to do when she realizes… [you might want to sit down for this]… that the reservation was written in PEN. [Gasp! The horror!] She quite literally does not know what to do. She is dumbfounded. She actually has to call her boss over and ask what to do - in a manner indicating to us that we just made her life a living hell. Cross it out? Scribble it out? White-out? Who knows?! The options are mind-blowing and who knows which way is the right way?! Eeeek!

F and I have a nice dinner at the Moss Beach Distillery – having the first serving of what would come to be clam chowder every day. It took us approximately 6 hours to officially check in, and during that time we decided we couldn’t stay there. That night we found gum on the wall. A dangerously protruding nail. Plastic taped over our smoke alarm. F was lying on his back in bed saying “I don’t want my skin to touch the sheets!”

The next morning we ventured to the communal shower in our shower flip-flops (thank goodness we remembered to pack those!). The grout in the bottom of the shower was covered in black/green mold. The floor was stained gray with grime and dirt.

The only redeeming thing about this b & b was the breakfast. It was wonderful. I can’t tell you enough how much we enjoyed the freshly baked goods, homemade preserves, and made-to-order omelets.

Sadly, the joy of breakfast was not enough to entice us stay.

I have a sense of humor, but I also have my limits, Part I

2008-08-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

In college I was blessed with two amazing roommates. We were all fast friends from the start, and now I consider them as close as family. We are all rather different, and not surprisingly, have chosen very different paths in life, which have us far-flung across the country. Roommate M was my roommate during orientation, so really, my very first official roommate ever. Roommate K lived a couple doors down freshman year, but I spent more time in her room than my own, so we started out more as “pseudo-roommates” than anything else. Through college we all lived together in one iteration or another. Sophomore year K and I lived together while M was our RA. Junior year and senior year all 3 of us lived together in suites. We still refer to each other as “roommate” and probably always will.

OK, enough back-story.

This past weekend M got married. She’s been living out in CA for the past few years, so that’s where the wedding was held. Also, she and her beau (A) decided to plan their wedding in 7 months. From what I’ve heard, this is an almost impossible feat – what with people planning 1-2 years in advance and all. From what she was telling me, her options where somewhat limited.

But they made arrangements to have an outdoor ceremony and reception at a bed and breakfast in Half Moon Bay, CA. It would be beautiful (the weather is always nice) and it would be convenient (we wedding guests could all stay at the bed and breakfast or any number of other b & b’s or hotels in town). Now, being a bit rustic in theme, the place didn’t have bathrooms in every room, and those that did have a bathroom, didn’t have a shower. There was one communal shower, otherwise you took a bath in your room. No TV’s. F and I thought this was great. We’ve been camping, we can handle this. In February we made our reservation for the “safari” room (animal print bed linens and bathroom). Rawr.

Sometime in March the owners of this b & b sold to some new owners. New owners who know absolutely nothing about running said b & b. New owners who subsequently fired the entire staff and hired friends & family members. Things went downhill from there.

About a week before departing for Half Moon Bay, F and I were starting to think about what we should pack (shut-up, this is what we do) and he was wondering whether or not to bring his work laptop. He called the b & b to ask if they had wireless internet, or phone jacks in the room so he could dial up. The conversation went something like this…

F: Hi, I was wondering if you have wireless internet at the b & b.

Dimwit: Gee, I don’t know.

F: You don’t know?

D: I don’t know. Um, I see people with computers.

F: OK… that doesn’t answer my question.

D: Well, the computers are open… and on! – the people are using them…

F: Right, well, that still doesn’t answer my question. Let me ask you if there are phones in the rooms.

D. I don’t know that, either.

F: You don’t know if there are phones in the rooms?

D: No, I don’t.

F: Would there be a phone jack somewhere I could use?

D: Golly, I wouldn’t know that, either.

F: Do you even work there?

D: Of course I do! This b & b has an early 1900’s theme, so we try to keep it that way, very old fashioned.

F: Then I’m going to assume there are no phone jacks outside of the one you’re currently using.

D: Um… yeah, I guess so.

F: So, if there are no phone jacks, that would mean there are no phones in the rooms, are there.

D: Oh yeah, I guess that’d be right.

I talked to M a day or two later to relate this sad, sad state of affairs. She informed me that they had had much worse interactions, needing to call almost every day to make sure that plans were written down and being followed through. It got to the point of several screaming matches and the venue was almost changed 2 weeks prior to the wedding due to employee incompetency.

To be continued…

Festivities

2008-07-22T11:16:00.001-07:00

It’s been a good birthday week.

It started last Tuesday with my coworkers bringing in various tasty treats for all to share. Thursday I came into work to find my desk, bench AND tissue culture hood decorated in the customary black streamers, black balloons, and recycled “Over the hill” decor from past lab birthdays (one coworker turned 30, three more turned 50, and the boss turned 60 this past year). I also got approximately 1 metric ton of glittery confetti generously sprinkled on my phone, every shelf, every work-space, and every drawer that wasn’t locked. They even taped some of this glitter to every pen they could get their hands on. That day the lab took me out to lunch, a very nice gesture and treat.

Just before lunch a delivery arrived for me: a dozen red-tipped yellow roses and more balloons from F. I left all of the decorations up all day, knowing that F had a doctor’s appt on campus that afternoon, so that he could see what my coworkers had done. We went to dinner downtown (since we were both here) and later he helped me take home all of my balloons and flowers. Claiming to not be tired, F stayed up late on Thursday night while I went to bed.

When I got up Friday morning, it was like my own private surprise party of one (F leaves for work shortly after waking me up for the day). Red & yellow streamers decorated the hallway, living room, dining room, kitchen and entry way. F even decorated my usual chair at the kitchen table. A “Happy Birthday” banner hung above the sink and multi-colored balloons littered the floor. It was hilarious.

Saturday we went out and got me a bike. It’s light green with a very comfortable seat (F is rather jealous). I spent a good chunk of my “economic stimulus package” on it. After that we had a quick lunch and then were off to the Dodge County Fair where F’s work was having “Family Day.” Our job was to usher people toward the registration tables and hand out balloons to the kids. I chose to fill the helium balloons so F could schmooze the crowd and hand them out. I swear I was filling balloons the entire 2 hours we were signed up for. My thumbs hurt. (That’s how big of a baby I am). We spent the next hour wandering around the fair, people watching, looking at animals and eating cheese curds (perhaps our last of the season). Back home we readied ourselves for a nice dinner out at our favorite (only) tapas restaurant. We tried a lot of new things, and loved all of it. It was an excellent meal. Shortly after getting back home food-induced comas overtook us.

Sunday we cleaned the house (I’ll even admit that it badly needed it), got some sun (read: we burned ourselves trying to get a little tan), took a bike ride (love my new bike!), grilled out dinner and fell asleep together on the couch watching Nat Geo. Perfection!

Sprinkle in a generous amount of birthday cards, birthday emails, birthday calls, and birthday presents – it was a great extended celebration. Thanks to everyone who sent their well wishes – I really think it contributed to my having a great birthday week.

Today is “Friday” for me. Tomorrow morning F and I are off to Half Moon Bay, CA for my college roommate’s wedding (which I’m standing up in, and hoping my new tan lines don’t look too tacky). The wedding is on Saturday, so we’re taking the couple days before the wedding for a little vacay for ourselves. We have nothing planned, so it should be interesting to see what we come up with to entertain ourselves, if anything at all. We might just relax, though I’m currently doubting F’s ability to be lazy. We’ll see.

Have a great week and thanks again!

Random question/survey (again)

2008-06-24T14:00:00.001-07:00

OK, remember about a year ago I floated the idea of getting a tattoo for my 30th birthday? Most of you were pretty receptive to the idea and had some hilaroius suggestions as to what I should get. In the year since, I think I'm chickening out. I'm a HUGE baby about pain and don't know if I could handle it. Plus I can't really decide on a discrete place to put it.

F has suggested I go another route and get a piercing - a belly button ring. In theory it'd be just the initial pain I would have to worry about (plus the healing). Also, it's some what more reversible should I not want it any more.

Am I too old for this kind of piercing? I dunno. I kind of have it in my head that teenagers get this kind of thing. Is that too closed-minded? Am I being lame?

Help me out, here.

The digital age

2008-06-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

Back in college one of my high school friends came across a new thing on the internet and promptly roped me into it. It was one of the first “networking” or “social” websites. If memory serves, it was something called Circles. It was fun for about a week. Not too long after that Friendster came out, so we all ditched Circles and signed up. Again, fun for a couple weeks as you tracked down people you hadn’t seen/heard from in a while, but then our interest fizzled out. Enter MySpace. Again, another mad rush to sign up, call on the same people to be your official friends, play with some of the more novel features, and then lose interest. A couple weeks ago I was mildly peer pressured into joining Facebook.

My resistance was due to an inevitable repeat of the cycle outlined above. Did I really need yet *another* website floating around in the ether with my name and info on it? Was it going to be of lasting interest? Would I get anything out of it?

So far it’s been true to form. I found a lot of the same people that I’d found on the previous sites. I also found quite a few I hadn’t – that was cool. I never did go back for my 10 year high school reunion so I was happy to see some folks I was actually curious about. But once those first few weeks passed, it’s back to “meh” status. The initial mad rush to find and be found is over. The messages and updates are few and far between. (Though the IM’ing function was cool last week).

What I don’t understand is that the people who I already have email addresses for (and some phone numbers!) message me more via MySpace or Facebook than they do via regular email (or over the phone). Do we really need that extra layer of technology between us? Do you really not think of me unless you happen to see my profile picture? I find it strange. Perhaps we’re more voyeuristic than we’d like to admit. We like to check in on people by looking at their profiles and updates but heaven forbid we actually make some sort of contact with them. [Gasp!] That just might lead to an actual conversation! Heaven forbid!

I won’t play a complete hypocrite here, there are some people that I am curious about but not curious enough to start a conversation. I’ll admit it. What I’m more confused by are the people I consider closer friends than that.

I’m also surprised at the number of people who made a point to invite me to be their friend when I barely knew them in high school/college/grad school/here. No note. No message. Just the invite. I feel used – like they’re just trying to inflate their “friend” numbers. Whatever. Monopoly money as far as I’m concerned.

I guess blogging is just another, less involved version of the social/networking websites. Hell, some of them you can even post blogs to. I choose to view my blog more as a “mass email” for sharing news/ideas/humor than anything else. I know you all can keep some tabs on me with it, and I do the same to you. But if it’s something important, you’ll get a personal email. Or, (are you sitting down?) an actual phone call. Promise.

An honor

2008-06-18T06:19:00.001-07:00

This last weekend F and I took Thursday and Friday off to go to Florida and visit his parents, as well as his oldest son, G, who is there to visit for about 4 weeks. G didn’t know we were coming and was completely floored to see us – could hardly believe his eyes.

F’s parents are very nice, welcoming and fun people. I had a great weekend with them and G. F’s mom is *a lot* like my mom, so I’m not the least bit worried about the two of them meeting in August and getting along famously. F’s dad reminded me a lot of my Stepdad’s dad – fun, charming, and easy to talk to.

My future in-laws live in a “retirement community” that stretches far and wide – it is its own little city. F calls it a “cult” and to some extent I can see why. There are several golf courses, club houses, swimming pools and commercial districts scattered among lots and lots of individually named neighborhoods. You can get around completely by golf cart if you want (even go grocery shopping or to the movies). They have their own TV station, and 2 radio stations. They have every club you can imagine. You would really have to put some effort into being bored. And, knowing how people like to unload their kids on their parents during the summer, they have tons of fun activities and programs for the grandkids. G has a packed schedule of fun things to do. I’m tempted to ask if I can come for my own month of fun activities next summer.

We did as much as we could while we were there, and there’s still plenty left to do for our next visit (whenever that may be). We even had a little “engagement” party. Long-time family friends of The In-Laws went out to dinner with us (they’ve known them since F was 2 years old) and came over afterwards for dessert and champagne and toasts. Even G had a little “toast” for the occasion that was practiced for several minutes in the bathroom beforehand.

“I’m honored to have Kate be my second mom.”

Cheers to that, kiddo!

We even got gifts! The In-Laws gave me birthday gifts a month early. Every night F’s mom would sneak away, turn down our bed and put something on our pillows (e.g. chocolates, tiny liquor bottles, travel-size lotions). They love to entertain and I was certainly entertained.

G was very sad to see us go (I say “us” but I know it’s mostly for his dad) on Sunday, but perked up by Monday with all of the fun activities his grandma had him signed up for. Also, in their little neighborhood, about 4-5 other grandsons G’s age are coming this week to visit their grandparents, so he’ll have some little buddies to pal around with.

We really had a great time – even have a little tan to our skin to show for it. I certainly wouldn’t mind going back, and I don't think they'd mind having me. They even said I wouldn't have to bring F!

But can they dance?

2008-06-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

Since I blogged at you last our lab has successfully moved from one building to another. Not that there weren’t quite a few bumps along the way – but thankfully one of our lab members took it upon herself to be our “full time” moving coordinator and contact person. She had a binder and everything. She also knew everyone involved, their phone number, and could find the answer to any question we had. Poor woman almost had a breakdown, but she’s on a very well-deserved vacation this week so I hope she regains her sanity. Mostly we are functional again – but not quite back up to full steam. At the very least nothing material was broken, and no one was injured. Our boss even took vacation the day we moved and the 3 days after. He knew better than to stick around.

Now my desk is no longer in an office, but rather in a large space of cubicles. We do have a big window, so that’s good. But sound certainly travels here. The lab right across from us plays music that can be heard through the door/wall. That I don’t really have a problem with. It’s the broken-English karaoke hour that has been both entertaining and annoying.

In other news: F and I have kind of started to preliminarily plan for our extremely informal reception next summer. That translates into: I’ve done an internet search on venues, I’ve asked my coworkers for suggestions, and I picked up *the* Rochester Wedding Magazine that only comes out once a year. Basically it’s full of ads – and most of those are for photographers and/or videographers – things I don’t need. Leafing through it last night I was getting discouraged – but lo and behold! At the very end was a 3-page chart of reception locations. I figure that’s the best place to start.

Originally I wanted a “family reunion” feel to it: have it at a park, cater in BBQ, plenty of adult beverages (otherwise my family may not come), have everyone show up in shorts & T-shirts. Easy, right? Casual? Plenty of time to eat and talk to everyone (two complaints I’ve heard over and over from married friends). Well, there are only 3 parks that have amenities for such a shindig, and one of them won’t allow kegs (could be worked around) and one won’t allow alcohol at all. I’m sure that makes park #3 rather popular. Also, all three have noise restrictions – which would really put a damper on getting our groove on.

Now we have to start considering some more “up-scale” options as we don’t want to put all of our eggs in one basket. There are a handful of Mayo-related venues in town (the original Mayo brothers’ homes, and a barn of theirs that’s converted into event space) but, of course, rumor has it that they’re extremely popular and therefore booked out for years.

There are a couple of other “unique” places to consider that the Wedding Magazine thoughtfully provided that we’ll have to call on. They may require a bit of a hike to get there, but Rochester is not lacking in the chartered transportation business. I just don’t want to have it at a hotel or any other “ballroom” type space. Like I said, BBQ, T-shirts and shorts. We need to be outside.

A woman in a neighboring lab has a horse farm with lots of lawn. I think that would be ideal. We could set up a tent, have our booze, AND she promised we could have loud music. Previously we’d eyed the home of one of F’s (now former) coworkers. But then he had to go and get himself arrested and that kind of put a damper on things. F says “It could still be in the running. He hasn’t been convicted yet!”

Um, yeah, put that on the bottom of the list.

Already, at this early stage, I am hating planning. I do not find this “fun” or “enjoyable” in any way. One of my college roommates thoughtfully pointed out to me that starting this early ensures continual planning until the event actually happens. I hope to all that’s holy that isn’t the case. Otherwise, F may be planning this on his own.

Well???

2008-05-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

This weekend F and I visited Cleveland. It was a chance for me to meet his best friend from college and his family. It was also a chance for my Cleveland Crew to meet F. I know I had a good time. It was great to see everyone and how much their kids have grown! I was a little hoarse afterwards from laughing so hard. So now I'm wondering if everyone else also had a good time. You'd all said that you wanted to meet F to give him your stamp of approval... Survey says??

Bare bones

2008-05-13T11:03:00.001-07:00

Well, I can’t say anything too terribly exciting or entertaining has happened since I last updated you in a quick recitation-of-the-facts sort of way.

My Stepsister’s bridal shower weekend was fine. F and I confirmed that we are terribly allergic to German Shepherds – or at least my Stepmom’s German Shepherd. Her dander easily breaks through our antihistamine fortifications. F got to “explore” downtown Wausau during the shower as penises were not invited. On the way back to Rochester I dropped him off at the Minneapolis airport without incident.

The week without him was fine. I had made a mountain of laundry for myself to do while he was gone (all of our assorted winter items, German Shepherd-contaminated clothing from the weekend, sheets & towels, etc.) TV and I picked up where we left off – fast friends that we are. I got little stuff down around the house – which is now starting to feel a bit more like “our” house vs. “his house, and I just live there.” It takes me a while to feel some ownership – even when renting.

F got home last Friday about 45 minutes before my Mom & Stepdad arrived. I gave them the Mayo tour of all the fancy art and atriums as well as my work space and future work space (we’re moving next week, currently packing). They dug it. Saturday they got a tour of F’s work which my Stepdad thought was super cool and would love to tour again. That afternoon was successful shopping for Mom. Apparently the north woods of WI is no longer considered “civilization” because they don’t have a TJMaxx nor a Target. Sunday they were on the road by 10:15 am. We all had a nice time eating good food, having successful tours and shopping AND even having time for some relaxation. A good mix if you ask me.

I’m enjoying F being home this week. I like him, and it’s nice to have him around. I know, big shocker there. Friday we leave for Cleveland and we’re getting excited about that. Sunday, when we fly back to Minneapolis F will stay at the airport to catch a flight to Europe. I’ll have another lone star week. I’m making up a list of things I could do around the house while he’s gone to entertain myself in the evenings. We’ll see if I actually do any of them.

A Quickie

2008-05-02T12:31:00.001-07:00

F and I are all moved in together. Last weekend we went back to my old place to do the final cleaning. I walked through with the property manager on Monday (no charges, thankyouverymuch) and turned in my keys and garage door opener. That evening they were having some people come to look at the place, wanting to start renting June 1. No word if they’re taking the place or not. I have to drop off my May rent check tonight.

F and I cleaned the house together for the first time last weekend, too. Remember, I’m anal and he’s boarderline OCD. Consequently his idea of “light surface cleaning” is *very* different from mine. I would define it more as “solid cleaning.” I’m scared to see “deep cleaning.”

This weekend we are going to WI for my step-sister’s bridal shower. On the way back I’m dropping F off at the airport so he can fly to Europe for work for the week. He will be in Europe for work every other week for at least the next 2 months. Sucks, but I’ll deal. I’ve got things I can do around the house to entertain myself (I’ll probably eat crappy food, resurrect my previous roommate: TV, and nap a lot). The following weekend the parents will actually visit. I hate to jinx it, but I think getting slapped by Karma (twice!) means they’ve met their quota. The weekend after THAT we’re going to Cleveland! I’ll get to meet F’s best friend from college AND introduce F to (most of) my Cleveland Friends.

I’m sure that somewhere in there I’ll acquire some more blog fodder. I hope this can tide you over in the meantime. Have a good weekend!

2 for 1 Deals by Karma

2008-04-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

Well, my parents still haven’t visited. This past weekend (attempt #2) was thwarted because Stepdad caught what Mom had and was also on his death/sick bed.

Again, having another weekend with no plans, F and I went to work on combining our houses. We are industrious little ants, aren’t we? All day Saturday we went through what remained of my stuff and ended up finding another 2 carloads of crap to take to Goodwill. We also had 2 more carloads of stuff to move into F’s house, which we did, and put away. We realized at that time that all that was left in my house was furniture – some designated for Goodwill and some designated for F’s house. We made some calls and luckily found out that U-Haul is open on Sundays AND that we could rope a friend of F’s from work into helping us (I may be scrappy, but there are limits to my strength).

Sunday morning we rented the U-Haul, met F’s friend and started loading furniture from my house into the U-Haul to take to Goodwill. Alright, the guys did that, and I basically just watched. I like to tell myself that I was at the ready to dial 911 lest one of them get injured. I also provided water when needed and the occasional direction (“No, not that table, this table”). Goodwill was happy to see them pull up and actually helped them unload the truck. Then we loaded the truck with my “keeps” and drove over to F’s house. Again, I mainly stayed on the sidelines (“Left bedroom for this, right bedroom for that”, “Would you like another water?”).

After F’s friend left, we dusted everything down, set everything up, arranged things where we wanted them, and even hung things on the walls (you know my taxidermy fish survived the purge!).

So now I’m living at F’s house for reals. I’ve changed my mailing address with lots of places (but not all of them yet). You can send me mail there, too. We haven’t cleaned out my townhouse, yet, though. We’re going out of town this coming weekend, so that’s being put off until the weekend after. Should be a pretty easy job: mopping floors and vacuuming, a little light dusting on the windowsills, cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen.

I did call my property manager and filled her in on the haps. She said she’d slip a “move out checklist” in my door for when we clean and that she’d make a note that I should be out by the end of April so they can let prospective renters know that they have a unit available for May/June. If they find an early renter, they’ll reimburse me some rent. Once I turn in my keys I can turn off my utilities, too.

Let me tell you, it’s been nice not having to pack a bag to stay at F’s house, and vice versa for him. I still spin around now and then in the kitchen as I try to remember where to find certain things. I still do a bit of a double-take when I see my clothes in my half of the closet. Overall I’d say the blending of the houses went better than expected. Our furniture matches each other – nothing looks hodge-podge or out of place. The house looks “homey” now, warmer than it was. And we have a great guest bedroom set up. We figured it out – with the guest room + the kids rooms and sofa sleepers we could “comfortably” sleep 9 in beds. Not sure when that occasion would ever come up, but if it does, we’re ready!

Karma strikes!

2008-04-07T11:20:00.001-07:00

I’m without much blog fodder today because Karma struck. Struck my Mom and knocked her on her ass. See, Mom decided she wanted to skip out on a Forced Family Fun Function on Easter by *pretending* to be sick. It worked, she and Stepdad got to spend the holiday together, all was good. Then a couple days before coming to visit me and F, Mom *actually* got sick. Sick with a plague that sounds a lot like what I had in March (for most of the month of March – resilient little bug it was). Consequently, they didn’t make the 5 hour drive to visit us. And believe me, the prospect of getting re-infected with Uber-bug didn’t thrill us.

They’re thinking of coming this weekend instead, but right now they’re scrambling to find someone to watch the dog. Apparently the kennel is closed this weekend. We’re banking on the neighbor for now, but I’m not holding my breath.

So instead of entertaining my parents for the weekend F and I were busy little bees. We got to work going through the stuff and crap at our respective houses and dropped off FIVE carloads to Goodwill (cumulatively). I’m so proud of us, mostly me (3 of those carloads were my crap). F is a pretty sparse/minimalist-type of guy (to a point). I, on the other hand, have been burdened by guilt-laden attachments to cast-offs, hand-me-downs and other detritus from my parents and their kin for YEARS. I’ve carried this stuff from apartment to apartment in Cleveland, and then finally here. It was time to stop the madness. It felt so good to finally rid myself of these things that I will never use.

Granted, we still have to go through my garage, but we made it through the rest of my townhouse and it’s looking pretty good in a half-moved-out-but-not-quite-yet kind of way.

Mom seemed a little put-out to hear about this drastic purging on the phone last night, and I can only think of 3 reasons why: 1) being a hoarder herself, she doesn’t like to see me leaving the fold; 2) she actually thought all of that stuff was valuable and I should have rented a storage space to keep it; or 3) she has doubts about F & I and didn’t want to see me lose my stuff lest we not work out and I have to move out and just buy new stuff. I’m hoping for options 1 or 2. Maybe I’ll find out.

No, my lease isn’t up until the end of June, but we wanted to get a head-start on things. With spring and summer coming up, our weekends are getting more and more full. Those of you who have helped to move me know how daunting a pile of stuff I have/had. We figured it would take us at least 2-3 weekends to accomplish what we did this past weekend. Plus, if we can continue to be this productive, I just might be able to get out of my townhouse by the end of May and get out of my lease a month early. We’ll see how well we do and what my Property Manager says.

Lil’ Kate: Kid tested, mother approved

2008-03-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, it’s official, I survived Spring Break week with all 3 of Fiance’s (F’s) kids.

I’ll be honest – it wasn’t exactly “easy.” I don’t have kids of my own, as most of you know. I haven’t been around kids much since babysitting was my major source of income. Having 3 kids around all the time is exhausting, and I wasn’t even around all the time. F took the week off and had the kids 24/7. I got to go to work.

But it was a good week. The kids had a good time. F was over the moon about spending time with them. I got more hugs and kisses than ever. They genuinely like me and like spending time with me. Better yet, they’re actually pretty good kids. Granted, they’re not perfect, but I’ve met some real monsters in my day and these were no monsters. Just your typical 6-9 year-olds.

Frosting on the cake: F’s Ex pumped them for all kinds of info and I passed the test with flying colors. Not that I necessarily need her approval, but you know I like it. Helps ease some tension as far as I can tell… or at least makes me feel better.

Am I glad they’re gone? Yes – back to the old routine, and you know I like routine. Will I be happy to see them again? You bet. Do I find the possibility daunting that they may, one day, should the stars align, live with us permanently? Of course. I’m no parent and I have to learn how to be a step-parent. At least they’re old enough to tell me what they want/need. And F is there to show me the ropes. For the most part my job is just to be a back-up singer, enhancing his parenting. But it still makes me nervous. I’d like to be a good stepmom. I set the bar pretty high for myself sometimes and then obsess about it to no good end. I’m learning not to do that, though.

This weekend my parents come to visit. Should get at least one blog post out of that. Stay tuned.

Alright already! Something worth blogging about

2008-03-18T12:03:00.000-07:00

It’s been an exciting month since I last posted. I know, I know, I haven’t been good about posting regularly. The new BFs? As you know, they can be rather time consuming.

And though I know my scant readership rather well, I still feared you all putting on your judgy pants, so I will come clean now and admit there has been more going on behind the scenes than I’ve been letting on. I do keep secrets from you, yes I do.

First off – my little Stepbro got married! So, congrats to him and his new Dutch bride. The wedding was awesome even though half the family came down with one bug or another the following week (including me). Knocked me on my ass for 3 days, and I’m just about at 95% now. It’s two weeks later. These are tenacious bugs. Be forewarned. I suggest you regularly douse yourself in ethanol or other antibacterial substances. Avoid the public in general.

Now, on to the good part.

You all know that BF and I have rather thoroughly covered all important topics (potential “deal breakers” if you will) in regards to relationships when we started dating. No reason to beat around the bush – best to get it all out in the open and decide if we can tolerate each other right off the bat. Hiding “the crazy” is not allowed – let it all out and see who bolts first.

No bolting happened.

In December I was struck with the urge to inform BF “You do realize that you are going to marry me someday, right?” To which he unhesitatingly replied, “I know.”

Trust me, I was as shocked as you to hear that come out of my practical and (usually) rational mouth. More shocked that he was already aware of what I was informing him. Little stinker, waiting on me to mention it first.

We successfully survived the holiday season (complete with letting our parents in on our plans – and getting nothing but excited support in return). I get along with his kids. We can divvy up chores like old pros. We tease each other with less-than-serious proposals. We make each other very happy.

Come February, on a lark, if you will, we started to look at rings. Not seeing anything that we particularly loved, we decided to design our own – and our “information gathering” mission to the local jeweler turned into an actual design session. Over the next few weeks we were actually picking out stones and settings, looking at CAD drawing mock-ups, wax mock-ups, and money was exchanging hands.

Are we really doing this? Yes, yes we are.

Again, Practicality spoke up and said, “You’re in no hurry. Why not put off an ‘official’ proposal until summer? You’ll have been together approximately 9 months by then. That’s a respectable amount of time. No one should accuse you of rushing into anything.” I listened to Practicality and agreed, as did BF. It gave him some time to concoct a fun way to propose.

This past Saturday we went to pick up the finished ring. I tried it on and immediately girled out. I’m so embarrassed. I turned into a freakin’ raccoon – distracted by shiny objects, compelled to hoard. Pathetic!

I struggled all day Saturday and Sunday, putting the ring on, taking it back off, wrestling with whether or not I could actually put it away in a safe deposit box for the next 3 months or so. BF was no help. I believe the raccoon came out in him as well.

“Just wear it!” he says.

“I don’t know… It is *awfully* pretty, isn’t it?” I said, staring at it.

“It’s gorgeous!”

I’m still staring. It practically glows in the dark.

“But what if people ask how you proposed? What should I tell them?” I asked.

“I don’t know. Make something up, but make me look good.”

Now he’s staring at it.

“It’s not like we haven’t already committed to each other,” he points out.

“Telling the truth is a more hilarious story. I think I’ll just stick with that.”

We snap some pictures (which most of you have seen) and emailed them out. They’re not the best pics – my socks are more in focus than the ring – but if you shrink them down until they are in focus, you get the idea. Trust me, it’s gorgeous.

So, I guess by default, we are officially engaged. I am wearing the ring in public, and happily accepting the “oooohs” and “aaaaaahs” and general fussing that it is generating. BF (or is it just F for fiancé now?) is trying to decide if we should still have some sort of proposal with a production (you know, like in the movies). I’m not pushing for it. I’m willing to skip ahead (ha, like we haven’t already) to just flat out celebrating. So, we’ll see. I’ll keep you posted.

Answers to FAQ’s:

Yes, those are rubies. Rubies are my birthstone. For July.

Yes, I know the stones look huge, but it’s an optical illusion. I am freakishly small, so on my petite hand the stones appear rather large.

Yes, I am rather modest.

No, we haven’t set a date. The most I can tell you is it’ll be in 2009. I didn’t think I’d have to give you a date just yet. Remember, I was planning on having to figure that out this summer.

Yes, we do have a general plan. Now, I may have girled out over jewelry, but I do not girl out over weddings. I like to attend weddings. I like to be in other people’s weddings. The whole planning and organizing part? Yeah, that makes my skin crawl. Completely sucks the fun out of it for me. Do. Not. Want.

The plan for now is to get hitched at our local court house, then fly down to Mexico where we will have a small ceremony to appease our attending parents, followed by a small vacay/honeymoon on the beach.

“Do I have to wear shoes??” F asks.

“Of course not. I probably won’t either,” I say.

“Sweet!”

As for the rest of you: When we get back to MN we’ll throw a big informal reception. And by “informal” I’m talking about something along the lines of reserving a park, having food catered in, and everyone shows up in T-shirts and shorts. That’s about the extent of my desire to plan. Bridezilla I am not.

Yes, we are moving in together. My lease on my townhouse is up at the end of June, and I’ve already started moving stuff over to F’s house, where we will be living. You’ll all be informed of the change of address this summer. Phone number won’t change.

OK, I don’t think I’ve left any pertinent details out. I hope everyone is satisfied, all of your burning questions answered, and you’re just as giddy as I am!

Happy V-Day, everybody!

2008-02-14T09:15:00.001-08:00

Or, “Single Persons Awareness Day” – whichever you’re more comfortable with.

I’m having a good, traditional Valentine’s Day week, thank you for asking. I’ve received roses, heart-shaped cookies, pink strawberry-frosted mini-cupcakes, cards, and tonight is dinner at one of my favorite places in the bustling metropolis of Rochester. Family, friends and coworkers have been great about stretching the holiday out beyond the confines of a single day. Thank you, one and all. Considering how miserable the weather has been lately, it’s been a wonderful way to brighten the depressing blight of winter.

What’s on the docket for your Valentine’s Day celebrations?

January's been a blasty blast

2008-02-05T14:38:00.001-08:00

Man, I’m getting bad at posting on a regular basis. I apologize, but most of you have been slacking as well, so I don’t feel nearly as bad as I should.

The new year started off on the right foot – dinner and a movie with the BF. One of the nicest meals I’ve had (on record, and I keep a record) and a relaxing evening, you can’t go wrong.

Caught up with a friend who used to work here and now works elsewhere. Her kid is one of the cutest I’ve encountered and it was great to visit with her. We need to do that more often.

Saw Avenue Q! It was *hilarious* in ways I never imagined it could be. If you have the opportunity to see this show, I highly recommend it. I laughed so hard I cried. I may have even peed a little. The songs are fantastic, and the references to Sesame Street will slay you (if you grew up with Sesame Street, of course).

Spent a weekend with the BF’s kiddos and it went great overall. I only lost control of one child once, and crisis was quickly averted. I’ve been told I’m not the only one to have this happen and not to feel bad. The youngest only had one small and relatively short-lived meltdown, and I can live with that. Otherwise they really seem to like me and don’t mind me hanging around. I believe I got the equivalent of a standing ovation. They’re on board with me and their dad being an item, and that’s all kinds of awesome.

February is off to a good start as well. Grandma turned 80 so we ventured to the Northwoods for her birthday lunch this last weekend. While we girls lunched, BF was ice fishing with my uncles. His first “real” ice fishing adventure and I’m so proud of him. He was a trooper. Bringing along his own flask of Polish certainly helped to keep him (and my uncles) warm. The night was filled with heated games of “Fill or Bust” (a lot like Farkle, but with the added element of cards) and “Uno Attack” which leads to much swearing and aggravation. Great fun. The next day we went snowshoeing around the property, checked the deer stands, and came across 2 porcupines in 2 hollow trees. It was pretty cool. Lunch with Mom & Stepdad, and then we were on our way back to MN.

Those are the highlights. If anything else exciting happens, I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

And yes, I think this BF is a keeper – for reals. The family loves him to death. Summer may hold some interesting “developments.”

December was tiring

2008-01-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

Hello Kittens.

In an effort not to bore you, and (more importantly) get credit for posting at all, I’m going to quickly recap the last half of my December for you – hitting the highlights (both personal/gossip-worthy and entertaining) and skipping the ho-hum. Buckle up.

BF and I took a trip up to the hinterlands of Northern WI to Minocqua to spend the weekend with Mom and Stepdad. I couldn’t have asked for it to go more swimmingly. Everyone got along – we laughed, we visited, shopped, ate out, and played with the puppy. That Saturday was the big family Christmas celebration on my Dad’s side of the family. They’re a rather raucous group, especially when you add booze to the equation, but BF was unphased. I swear, you can put him in any situation with any type of person and he can chat them up like a pro. He even got the inside scoop on some Polish that even *I* wasn’t invited to partake in. My grandma, cousins and aunts all approved. Several pulled me aside to say “He’s really cute.” Most disturbing – “Kate, he’s yummy!” Yeah, let’s not dwell on that one.

The intervening week after that weekend and before the official “Christmas Vacation” was hectic. Wrapping things up at work. Wrapping up all of our gifts. BF and I were truly exhausted.

I did get to meet BF’s kids… and The Ex. Again, I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better than it did. Everyone was nice (especially to me, and that’s what really counts, right?). Yes, it was weird seeing BF in his Dad role – simply because I know him as a single guy. But now I can totally call him out on using his “Dad voice” on me now and again. His kids are great and sweet. We had a wonderful time and watching them open their presents was awesome. I’m looking forward to future visits.

The next day it was off to the Hometown of Wausau. The weather was *not* good, but we took our time and were only an hour late. We got to hang out with Stepmom, her BF and various members of her family at Stepbro’s (and 3 other people’s) new bar – Malarkey’s. Go there. You’ll like it. I promise. Ask for Tito. Christmas Eve day we bundled up and visited Finnegan’s Fields – the farm where Stepmom raises her horses. BF was impressed and learned not to take flash photography inside the dark barn – the horses? They do not like.

Finally we were on our way up to Minocqua for 4 more days of family fun. BF got to meet 2 more grandmas, play with the puppy (I swear he seriously contemplated dog-napping him), snowshoe, and sleep in bunk beds. We also re-introduced him to cut-throat Scrabble and Sequence. We don’t care if you’re family – we will step on you to win, dammit. You have to love us anyway. And love him the family did. BF got rave reviews all around. So happy.

This past weekend was BF’s work Christmas party where I got to meet some muckety-mucks in their natural habitat. Food was great, everyone was extremely nice, we got to take home some sweet gifts, and only one person started a fire (tissue paper burns *really* well, by the way).

New Year’s Eve we went to a swanky restaurant and had an amazing meal. Even saw the Boss there! Then it was a quiet night at home… enjoying each other’s company… planning the fun for 2008.

Christmas Productivity

2007-12-12T13:27:00.000-08:00

This last weekend was a blast.

It started Friday night with Girls’ Nite at the Hygenist’s. Mix some iron butterflies with the 2001 Kids in the Hall “Tour of Duty” DVD and I was laughing so hard my face hurt. If you can’t laugh at a crucifixion machine, you’re dead on the inside.

Saturday BF and I went and cut our own Christmas tree. OK, let me be accurate: I picked it out and he did all the manly work of cutting and carrying. It’s my artistic eye, I tell you. After wrangling it into my car and firmly planting it in its stand at my house it was off to the grocery store for cheesy potato fixings.

Combining Rozzer’s and J’s recipes for cheesy potatoes, I think I’ve found a winner, and have now passed the secret on to BF who promises to use his new powers of food seduction for good. While the potatoes were baking we got all cuted up to go to my lab Christmas party.

My boss lives in a very nice historical registry house on a steep hill. It was a quiet, low-key shindig, but I was happy to have BF meet the rest of my coworkers and put faces to the names I’m dropping all of the time. Everyone liked each other, so I think I can keep him. The gift exchange sent me home with a new Starbucks travel mug and a Christmas CD. I was robbed of my bag of assorted Ghirardelli chocolates. Bastards. And the coworker who did take said bag home with her has not brought it in to share with the rest of us. Can’t say I blame her, though.

Sunday was power Christmas shopping day. With BF’s unparalleled shopping team skills, we managed to get all of the Christmas gifts that I needed to go into an actual store to get. The rest I need to order online. We even ventured to the dreaded Mall and it really wasn’t as crowded as I feared. By the grace of God, we emerged unscathed. Tonight is supposed to be our wrapping night – I’m sure the bows, ribbon and paper will be flying. Don’t get too close, or I’ll put your eye out!

This weekend BF and I are headed to Minocqua for the weekend. He’ll get to meet Stepdad, and Saturday is Dad’s Side of the Family Christmas, where he’ll get to meet all kinds of crazy aunts, uncles and cousins (and Stepmom and Stepsister). If he doesn’t run screaming for the hills after this weekend, I’ll know he’s a keeper… or a masochist.

Meh, whatever.

Holy Hell!

2007-12-04T12:17:00.001-08:00

I almost forgot!

On my way to Cleveland via Chicago I met a celebrity while walking through O'Hare.

Me, walking and thinking: Wow, that old man looks kinda like Ben Stein.

Me, walking closer: It couldn't... wait... holy fuck! That's Ben Stein!

Me, stopping: Are you Ben Stein?

Ben Stein: Why yes I am. [shakes my hand] And who are you?

Me, star-struck: I'm Kate. It's nice to meet you, sir.

Ben ('cause we're tight like that): Hi Kate. And where are you going?

Me, in TMI mode: To Cleveland, for a surprise birthday party.

Ben: That sounds like fun.

Me: Yes, sir. It should be.

Ben: Are you in the military?

Me: No, sir. Just polite. [Blush] And where are you going?

Ben: Home to LA. Well, Kate, have a safe trip!

Me: Thanks! You, too!

Probably lasted all of 2 minutes, but was totally awesome. ;) I immediately called the BF and then Dr. Who - both equally impressed. I was geeked out for hours.

The Highlights

2007-12-04T09:24:00.000-08:00

I promise not to bore you with the blow-by-blow of what you’ve missed in the last month or so. Wow – I had been doing so well there for a while, posting kind of regularly. My apologies to those living vicariously through me. I have let you down. But I’m here to make up for it now.

OK, November.

Let’s start at the Taste of Italy dinner party shindig that the BF and I went to. Totally awesome. I highly recommend having a celebrated Italian chef come to your house to cook for and with you (or one of your friends). The food was amazing, AND we got to wear aprons and get our hands dirty preparing food (e.g., pasta from scratch, salad dressing, & tiramisu). Great time.

The BF and I parted ways for Thanksgiving, he to FL to visit the ‘rents and I to WI with The Dentist in tow. It was a whirlwind trip (though, when going to WI, when isn’t it?). Good food. Catching up with family. Drunken Scrabble. Seeing Stepbro’s new bar (OK, it’s not just his – he went in with 2 friends), it’s called Malarky’s and is about 2 doors up from The Mint in Wausau. I highly recommend it. Go there. Now.

On to December.

Whirlwind weekend in Cleveland for me. I now FINALLY get to blog about going to Scripturient’s surprise birthday party – a fancy pants party no less – hosted by the illustrious Dressage Mom. L & R were gracious enough to put me up and provide me with transportation to and from the airport. Lunch with SquareAJ’s fam, LabTech and L on Saturday was awesome – with SquareAJ clones running around it was hilarious. Bumming around with LabTech looking for novelty T-shirts was a hoot. Then it was on to the party. I can safely say that I have seen more of Scripturient than I ever dreamed I would. Let this be a lesson to those who dare to joke about wearing see-through pants and a tiger-print thong… you just may get what you ask for. I laughed so hard at that party that my abs hurt a little. [Way better than doing crunches if you ask me. I’ll suggest that to The Dentist next time – she’s my exercise task-master.]

Due to bad weather in Chicago I was able to spend an extra day in the Land of Cleves – a nice relaxing Sunday with L & R going out to breakfast at the Inn on Coventry (again, go there, it’s a must), running errands, watching football and doing half of a crossword puzzle before giving up in whiny frustration. L gets the “Friend of the Year” award for getting up well before the crack of dawn to take me to the airport. So nice to me. Thank you again!!!

And now it’s back to the grind.

December is going to fly by – so much to do, so little time.

Trials by fire

2007-11-12T13:02:00.001-08:00

A lot has happened in the last week so buckle up, kids.

Redemption Dinner #1 was not the complete success that we had all hoped it would be. We had decided the venue would be my house, so he called while packing up all of the fixings for our pasta dish, going over what we needed, comparing it to what I already had, being real organized. Natch. In my kitchen I started delegating jobs, assigning him to pasta prep while I saw to the sauce.

As I’m running down the list of ingredients needed, I ask “So, where are the tomatoes?”

“What tomatoes?”

“The tomatoes for the sauce… says here you need tomatoes.”

“No it doesn’t. It said it needed oil and I asked you if you had some. Where does it ask for tomatoes?”

Sure enough, it was the one ingredient he’d overlooked and one that I didn’t have on hand. Not that the grocery store is that terribly far away, but the pasta was already boiling, so we took the easy way out with Prego. Dinner was salvaged, but plans were made for Redemption Dinner #2.

Back to that later.

The initial book club meeting went well. We all went around the table telling our story of how we know The Hygenist over dinner, then got down to business deciding what kinds of books we were all interested in, and what order we would be going in. I’m happy to say that I don’t have to pick one until March. Our first book is “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” by Alexander Smith. I need to get my ass in gear and pick it up as we’re meeting about it Dec. 11. I’ve been threatened with severe punishment if I don’t actually read the books. As if that’s needed. The Hygenist will learn.

Second yoga class ever went well. It burned like a bitch, though. How can I be more flexible the first time as opposed to the second time? Next class is tomorrow, so wish me luck.

Redemption Dinner #3 we had more witnesses for – The Dentist joined us and everything came off without a hitch. Dare I say it was Perfect? I do. Everything cooked to perfection. Nothing had to be improvised. Everything was done cooking at the same time, and his presentation was pleasing to the eye. Judges? 10, 10, 9.5. A winning score. A good time had by all. And with apple pie for dessert – by the end of the night we were all fat, dumb and happy. A resounding success.

Girls’ Nite on Friday was a blasty blast. I think I’ve found a new favorite drink – the Tom Collins at City Café. I highly recommend it. We toasted my Dad, had some food, laughed too loud. Then we were off to Sante’s where we got the *best* seats in the place – the velvet couch between the 2 fireplaces. *The* place to see and be seen. More food, more gin and I was lit. He was able to join us (after a relatively incomprehensible drunk dial from The Hygenist) and I believe he found me to be rather entertaining in my inebriated state. He was also nice enough to drive me home.

The next day was a trip to the Mall of America to meet up with Mom and Auntie. I know. Could be seen as a big, intimidating step for 3 weeks in. What? Me worry? Not in the least. He did wonderfully – charming as all get out – and made a good impression. Then it was my turn to meet his coworkers at a function at his boss’s house. Was I worried? Of course. With him talking me up so much, there were high expectations. I had to be on my game. I know you all find me fun & nice, but come on, these are business people – not crazy science people who think lab coats are sexy and that dry ice is a great toy for children and adults alike. My worries faded in the first 30 minutes. It was a young crowd, already a couple drinks in, who were just as extroverted and friendly as he is. I had a good time and laughed a lot. I couldn’t have asked for it to go better. I can honestly say that I’m looking forward to future functions.

Sunday was a low key day. I was exhausted and thankfully didn’t have anything that I *had* to do. I don’t know if I can handle all of this new excitement in my social life – I think I’m going to have to reinstate nap time.

A positive spin

2007-11-05T11:22:00.000-08:00

I’m sorry I don’t have any exciting/funny/interesting Halloween stories for you. The holiday just kind of came and went for me. I didn’t have to dress up for any occasion (thank goodness). I did go to The Hygenist’s house to hand out candy to the neighborhood kids, but so few came, it was hardly worth it. This worked out for my coworkers who are still nibbling away at the spoils.

I did have a dinner date last week, though. Yep, he burned steaks just for little ole me. Sweet, right? He was so embarrassed, but I think he brought it on himself by bragging to friends earlier in the day “It’s steak. How can I screw that up?” I look at it this way – now I have a free pass to ruin dinner sometime in the future. AND he feels the need to redeem himself. A win-win if you ask me. Last night we played it safe and I picked up Chipotle on the way over.

I don’t think I’ve had Chipotle since I left Cleveland! A travesty, I know. It was a way of life then… [sigh] good times.

Anyway.

Redemption should be coming tonight by way of another home-cooked meal. Pasta this time, and we’ll both we watching so the odds of it burning *should* be significantly lower. (I’m trying not to tempt fate.)

In other news, I’m joining my first book club tomorrow. The Hygenist had had one for a while and then it fizzled out. She’s trying to revive it, so we’ll see how it goes. We’re supposed to bring a book or two to recommend. I think I’ll be bringing “The Prestige” and “Freakonomics” – two books I’ve had on my shelf for a while and really want to get into. With any luck, the others will agree. I have such a backlog of books, accumulating over about 5 years of birthdays and Christmases when the Amazon.com Wishlist was heavily used. I’m impressed with the progress I’m making, but there is still a ways to go. Not that that has deterred me from continually adding to my Wishlist, either.

I can hardly believe it’s November already. As of Friday I’ve logged 10 months at the new job. It’s supposed to *flurry* today and tonight. I don’t think I’m ready. I don’t even want to start thinking about the holidays yet… except for getting ridiculously excited about cutting my own Christmas tree this year and hanging lights around the front of my house. OK, so, I think it really boils down to the fact that I don’t want to think about Christmas shopping just yet… which means I’d better start harassing people about what they want now. You’ve been forewarned.

Overtime

2007-10-29T09:55:00.001-07:00

Date #2: The corn maze.

I drove to his house so that I could get a tour of his house. Wow - if you thought I was anal, this guy is boarderline OCD. His creativity comes out with his decorating, so his house looks almost professionally decorated. He also has some nice man-toys and I have to admit that I’m looking forward to getting my hands on some of them myself.

The weather was perfect. We had a great drive through the country to the orchard. There were 3 levels to the maze - we breezed through levels 1 & 2 without a problem. We were hardly paying attention, gabbing the whole time, and made it through to the end. Level 3 kicked our asses. We didn't get through it. We even tried to cheat and got totally called out by these 10-year-olds. So, to massage our bruised egos we went to the little store and had cider brats and cider. I also introduced him to apple butter – the poor sheltered man. He had no idea what he was missing out on.

Then I was off to a beef stew fundraiser with my friend The Hygenist. It's been a while since I've had beef stew and it was pretty damn good! Afterwards The Hygenist and I went for a walk and saw the orange almost-full moon. She turns to me and says “Now, what is that supposed to mean?” The only answer I could come up with was “Um, particulate in the air? I dunno.” She looked at me blankly and said “I didn’t want a scientific answer.” Sorry, that’s about all I’ve got.

He picked me up afterwards and brought me some ice cream that he'd *made* while we were having beef stew. Yes, try to contain your jealousy - he does make his own ice cream. One was vanilla with Reese's peanut butter cups, and the other was chocolate. SO yummy. He got the tour of my place and a walk through the family pics out on display.

Then we were off to the light display. I'd never been to one before and I was pretty impressed. I think the volcano with flowing lava was our favorite. We also did their light maze and only got turned around twice. I would have kicked his ass at air hockey but it was broken. Back at his house we watched Cars on his giant TV. Both of us are normally early risers so we were struggling to stay awake to the end of the movie.

Unofficial Date #3: Sunday night he joined The Dentist, her mom, The Hygenist and I for a movie - Dan in Real Life. It was pretty funny and cute. You have to love Steve Carell. A good time had by all.

I’m looking forward to Official Date #3.

"That's almost a full work day!"

2007-10-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

OK, the much anticipated update on Lil Kate’s social life. Well, then again, maybe not as I’ve either a) talked to you on the phone or b) personally emailed you about it already. Feel free to skip this one should you find yourself nodding off.

Saturday I had my first *real* date. I say *real* only because technically he was a stranger to me, an acquaintance if you want to be generous. In other words: he wasn’t plucked from the established friend pool.

We met for dinner, and gabbed the whole time. Of course, those of you familiar with my neurosis know that I hardly ate anything.

Then we were off to see Michael Clayton (similar plot to Erin Brockovich – many more explosions and murders) during which there was no talking (just the way I like it).

Afterwards the hilarity ensued: tried going to the Starbucks nearby to gab some more only to find that it was closing in 25 minutes. Off to Target (with a Starbucks inside).

Well, their Starbucks was also closed, so we walked around a bit, looked at Halloween costumes and removable hooks for Christmas lights (hey, I need to get some anyway… and we were already there… why the hell not? Shut up. He liked it). Then Target was closing.

Caribou across the street was closed. Last resort: your friendly neighborhood Applebee’s (wow, I watch too much TV). And there we gabbed until about 12:30 – way past my bedtime.

Logging 7 hours on a first date? Not bad.

My impression: good. We will continue dating.

The juicy details have already been communicated to a majority of the interested trusted parties. Those feeling left out know where to find me.

I'm on freakin' fire

2007-10-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

OK, first off? Forget the bartender. Ticking me off. Total child.

Moving on.

I met a man tonight. A real *adult.* I like him. He made a very good impression.

We're having dinner tomorrow night.

!!!!

Wish me luck!

Well, I'll be damned

2007-10-12T20:46:00.000-07:00

The bartender gave me his phone number.

!!!!

That's a first.

I've been remiss

2007-10-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

I’ve been meaning to tell you all about my Cranberry Fest weekend ever since I got back. What can I say? The new fall line-up, my good book and shear laziness have impeded me. Better late than never, right?

OK, so, let’s start recounting last weekend.

I came into work Friday morning really hoping to get all of my cells harvested and put to bed quickly so that I could (ideally) get on the road before noon. That didn’t happen. Turned out to be more labor intensive than I bargained for. BUT, it was done correctly and I felt good about it. I ended up leaving work at 12:30. The drive over to northern WI was relatively uneventful.

Stopping in for a quick visit with the Grandparents I got slobbered on by the basset hound, and got to hear an interesting conspiracy theory from my Grandpa. I’ve not known him to be much of a conspiracy theorist, but there’s a lot about him I don’t know, so I’m rolling with the punches here.

Mom and Stepdad were in a hurry to get to dinner because Friday Night Lights was premiering that night. They had decided to take me to Little Bohemia (famous for a J. Edgar Hoover G-men & Dillinger gang shoot-out) approximately 20 miles from their house. Due to a rather unfortunate and tragic accident involving a school bus being rear-ended by a sedan (killing the driver of the sedan) the highway of choice was closed. We ended up taking what seemed to be a cross between a snowmobile trail and a logging road (along with about two dozen other cars) to get where we were going. Needless to say, we were running rather late.

Though Stepdad complained about the time, it didn’t occur to either of them to stop off at any one of the hundreds of eating establishments we passed on the way to Little Bohemia. I wasn’t about to make the suggestion – I don’t watch Friday Night Lights anyway. We finally get to Little Bohemia to find out that it’s packed, and they are understaffed. We wait around for about an hour before getting a table. During that time I was able to tour the back room where part of the famed shoot-out took place. They’ve preserved the bullet holes in the windows and walls, and made display cases of the items the gang left behind as they fled. Pretty neat. For about 10 minutes. Dinner turned out to be sub-par, but hey, we were there and happy to be eating at all.

Saturday was Cranberry Fest. It was rainy that morning, so we figured that would scare some folks away until Sunday. Boy, were we wrong. The hordes of people milling around the Fest was enough to suck the fun right out of it. I really don’t like constantly feeling like I’m “in the way.” I also don’t particularly like people being in my way. It was a lose-lose situation. The folks who decided to bring enormous strollers, or wheelchair-bound grandmothers had an even tougher time. By the time the lunch rush was over, there was a sort of “abandonment” camp of old biddies in wheelchairs, left to watch the crowds while their more able-bodied kin nimbly moved from craft booth to craft booth. The most annoying display: a woman who decided to pack her 4 Corgies along. She had a double-decker dog stroller – one dog in the bottom, 2 in the top, and one in her arms. This woman needed to leave. She was taking up WAY too much space.

We called it quits after lunch (a cranberry brat with a cranberry crème puff for dessert, thankyouverymuch). Seeing as how it was unseasonably warm and the fall colors were *just* past their peak, Stepdad took me for a long motorcycle ride out to Lac du Flambeau and back. It was gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. I just can’t stress that enough. With our short jaunts in town, I get a little nervous on the back of the bike. I keep thinking “If we dump, I’m going to break every bone in my body.” But on the highways – where there was very little traffic – it felt great.

Sunday Mom and I left Minocqua early to get to Wausau and run some errands. Then we stopped in to see Grandma and visit with her and her neighbor. Mom was staying with Grandma that night because she had a doctor’s appointment the next day that she couldn’t drive herself home from.

Overall it was a good weekend, despite Cranberry Fest turning out to be a bit of a bust. I got to get some quality time in with the puppy (who is still growing, but not yet grown), eat good food, and appreciate fall during 80 degree weather. I even got to sleep in the real guest bedroom (as opposed to the bunk beds in the office – not so much fun when you’re an adult).

I’m curious if it’ll be snowing the next time I venture to WI.

Odds and Ends

2007-10-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

Let’s see… what’s new….? Not a whole heck of a lot. I’ve spent the last couple of weekends here in Rochester so I don’t have any crazy family stories to share.

The first weekend was highlighted by a Girls Nite Out on Friday. We decided to try a new restaurant – not really to eat but more to have a drink at the bar. It’s a nice place with a real chef and all. The bar seems to be more of an after thought. I believe there were approximately 7 stools around it. Not being particularly busy (we 3 were the only ones at the bar) we got some personal attention from the bartender, who also happens to be a manager. Nice guy, 28, single, invited us back anytime, and told us where to find him on the nights he’s not working there. I’ll keep that in mind. We seemed to entertain him.

The second weekend was highlighted by a significant amount of napping, pleasure reading, and cleaning. Sometimes you just need weekends like that.

I’ve been enjoying the premiers of all of my favorite TV shows, and mourning the loss of daylight. I have to admit, though, that I’m ready for the change of season – more specifically, I’m ready for a change of wardrobe. I’m tired of all of my summer clothes and I’m ready to whip out the sweaters and turtlenecks. I’ll go through this again sometime in the spring – count on it.

I’m still trying to finish up this last paper for my Fat Former Boss (FFB from now on). It’s been a looooooong, sloooooooow process. Since my former postdoc, E, got on board, it’s been going smoother, and significantly faster. And now that E agrees that we should leave FFB *out of the picture entirely* things will continue to go smoothly. The most awesome thing: we both agree that it will NOT get accepted at the journal we’re submitting it to (so there’s no bullshitting – we’re all realistic around here), and also agree on where to submit it next. The only possibly false hope we have is that it will actually get reviewed and that then we’ll have some constructive criticism to help make the paper better for the next submission. The goal is to submit this online tomorrow night. I’m leaving for WI Friday around noon, so I need to get it done before I leave.

It’s Cranberryfest in northern WI this weekend! Crafts and freaks as far as the eye can see! Mom promises that I can get a significant amount of Christmas shopping done at this shindig – so you all better beware, and *be nice.* To me. Specifically. Or you’ll get some crappy piece of homemade chintz in your stocking.

An extra click

2007-09-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

I'm blog fodder over at Scripturient today.

Since I'm on a Mac and mildly incompetent, I can't figure out how to imbed the link. You'll have to actually look over to the right there and click on it yourself.
[sigh]

The things I ask of you.

Poor story, Heather

2007-09-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

So, my first 5th annual Hootenanny was this past weekend, and it was a pretty good time. First off, it was unseasonably cold – 29 degrees that night. I was wearing long underwear and an additional 9 layers. I wasn’t the only one, so don’t go thinking I was the big bundled dork I usually am.

Anyway.

It was kind of like a family reunion of sorts for me. In grad school I only came home for about 5 days at Christmas each year and consequently, I didn’t hang out with my Stepmom’s family much, if at all. So it was cool to catch up with them again. There was WAY too much food. And I got to see my little Stepbro perform for the first time. He’s good. I’m biased, I know, but I thought he was good. You can totally tell he’s energetic and loving what he’s doing. I also got to see some of the other musicians from my hometown’s local music scene – not bad.

Favorite parts:

1) Seeing my Stepmom get silly with her 3 bestest friends

2) The band’s rendition of “16 Tons”

3) Performing a rousing rendition of “Kill a Kitten” by Stephen Lynch with my Stepbro at the end of the night

Yes, I actually got behind the hay bales and in front of a microphone to sing a humorous yet bad song that I didn’t know all the words to, horrifying (by the lyrics) yet surprising (by my bravery) my Stepmom.

I’ll try to be more prepared for next year.

The weekend overall was good. I got to spend some time with my Stepbro’s fiancé – and I do like her. She’s nice and friendly and personable. She‘s also cleaned up his apartment quite nicely – she’s even decorated. There were fresh flowers in the living room. She even set out towels for me – just for me. That’s a hostess right there.

Thanks to Stepbro and J Mo I had plenty to listen to during the car ride home. I didn’t get through everything that J Mo gave me – I could get to CA and back – but I did get through Stepbro’s “Randomness” CD, which was pretty awesome. He threw it together while I was in the shower that morning. And it kept me awake. That’s key.

*UNRELATED PSA*

I do not text message.
I do not get free text messaging with my cell phone plan.
Please, do not text message me – ever.
I know I only get text messages from about 4 people, but, for the rest of you who are contemplating it – don’t do it. For those of you that do – stop it. You are annoying me.
And you’re costing me money.
The blurb you send me is not worth 15 cents. Not when I know you can just as easily CALL ME. You’re on the damn phone already.

Still love you!

I don't travel to make friends

2007-09-13T08:54:00.001-07:00

I travel to keep friends.

Sorry, dude. If I were interested in chatting, I would have started a conversation with you a while ago instead of contentedly keeping my nose in my book. Please leave me alone.

Anyway, so, the Great Roommate Escape of 2007 was a blast. Traveling out to DC went fine. I finished reading Jane Eyre. IN roommate arrived shortly after I did, and B was there to pick us up – such a sweetheart. Chili for dinner with great wine and lots of bonding with the dogs that I swear I could ride like ponies. Wow, labs can get big.

Friday CA roommate and B had to work, so IN roommate and I were on our own. We slept in, took our time getting ready, and got on the wrong bus to take us to the Metro. Well, it was the right line, just going in the wrong direction. But everyone was very nice about helping us get back on track. We got down to “The District” about 2 p.m. It was hotter than Satan’s ass crack, my friends. We arrived right in front of the National Building Museum as planned. Very impressive structure, both inside and out. Only problem was that the major exhibit was closed that day. Bummer. But IN roommate was able to buy herself a fun bubble level ring. Next we headed to the Mall, where we sat in the shade, chugging water, and occasionally ventured into the sun to take pictures of the capital building or the Washington Monument. We rallied to trek over to the White House, took a couple token pictures, and wandered over to the Old Ebbitt Grill. I’m not much of a beer drinker, but we each had a draft of wheat beer to go with our crab and artichoke dip while drinking in the AC through our skin. It was very nice. The bartender was fun. The décor was pretty cool. Then it was back to the Metro and home to CA roommate and B.

CA roommate had about 3 Hefty bags-worth of clothes for us to go through. We’re starting (I know, some of you will laugh) to think that she’s got a bit of a shopping addiction. It is truly amazing to me the sheer amount of stuff she and her husband have in that house. I believe that if they were better about their spending habits (mostly her) they could have bought a house twice the size of what they have. It’s mind boggling. I’m sure if she saw my house she’d think I live like a monk. Either way, I made out like a bandit with new-to-me clothes – a good number of which still had the tags on.

Saturday we went out to breakfast at a pretty awesome greasy spoon near their house, then headed for a nearby state park. Again, hotter than Satan’s ass crack. The park was beautiful, and we enjoyed the bit of walking around that we did, but we had to pack it in after a while. Off to the truly awesome custard shop they’d found. Back at home IN roommate took a nap while CA roommate and I watched the latest Brian Regan DVD. Love that guy. Steaks for dinner. The Office on DVD for dessert. IN roommate had never seen it (that’s what happens when you don’t own a TV) and CA roommate and I had to get her hooked.

Sunday we woke up too late (nobody thought to set an alarm) and we scrambled to get bathed and packed. IN roommate’s flight was before mine, so we dropped her off and headed for a nearby shopping area until it was time to drop me off. I kinda wish we had a Nordstroms Rack in Rochester, now.

The flight home was fine. I started reading American Gods. There was a 30 degree difference when I stepped outside. Fall has come to Rochester.

It was great to see the roommates and B. We realized that it was around this time 11 years ago that we all met. Crazy to think about. Here’s to continued GRE’s.

Work has been slow this week. I was too damn productive last week. Hootenanny in the hometown this weekend. I’m staying with my stepbro on his couch. Should be interesting. He assures me that his apartment is much cleaner now that his fiancé is visiting. Thank goodness for that.

I prefer reading

2007-09-04T18:52:00.001-07:00

That’s why I haven’t been posting. If I have free time, my nose is in my book. Sorry, folks, that’s just the way it goes. Not that I don’t love you, but you complain so little, I don’t feel bad about it.

OK – what have I been up to?

Finally got to take a trip up to the Mall of America (the MOA for those in the know) with my coworker. We’d been talking about it for a while. It was a very successful trip. I got new sneakers, *FOUR* pairs of jeans that I don’t have to cuff (28-30” inseam – make a note), and a new tea toy (Tevana didn’t have any more mesh tea balls, so I opted for the pour-through strainer-type dealy).

Rumor had it that my boss was pleased with my progress. Though, upon further questioning about context, it seems to be 50% compliment to me and 50% slam on the 2 previous grad students. Then the rumor was confirmed when the boss actually said the vaguely described comment to my face. I’m still ambiguous. But today he asked me to accompany him on his morning coffee run – bought me some tea and chatted with me, NOT about anything work related. So I’m thinking he thinks I’m alright.

Spend this last weekend up in Northern WI with the ‘rents. It was a beautiful weekend – upper 70’s to low 80’s, sunny every day with a puppy to play with. Not to mention traffic was not nearly as infuriating as I had feared it would be. My head didn’t come close to exploding. And I got to soak in some of the fall colors that are starting up there. Seems a bit early, but I guess that happens when it’s been dry and the trees are stressed.

Anywho – Saturday Grandma and Auntie drove up from the hometown to spend the day with Mom and I at Applefest in Eagle River. Lots of interesting craft booths. LOTS of jewelry for sale – but I kept my head and consequently my money. Sunday we went out to lunch with an old classmate of Stepdad’s, took the dogs swimming, had a couple motorcycle rides, and went miniature golfing after dinner. A good day. Love the puppy. Monday I stopped by the G’rents’ place on my way home. They were coring and slicing apples like fiends – freezing bags of them away for winter pies. Pretty slick operation with the little gizmo they have to do it with. Traffic was bumper-to-bumper for a bit on the way south, but that was because of an accident – not because of monster traffic. Now that the tourist season is over, things should be much quieter up there.

Now I’m back at work until Thursday afternoon when I take off for the Great Roommate Escape (I’ll be putting in just under 2.5 days of work this week). Should be a blasty blast. I’ll update you when I get back. Promise.

Oh! Oh! I almost forgot!

2007-08-20T19:19:00.001-07:00

I signed up for another new toy! Twitter. It's down there on the right-hand side. Now I can sort of post without really posting and wash away the guilt! Here's hoping I keep up with it and don't tire of its novelty. At the very least it allows me to further cyber-stalk some celebrities.

Red squirrels, tree frogs and family, oh my!

2007-08-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

I had fun this last weekend camping with my extended family on the Willow Flowage in northern WI. It felt like fall, but I’m happy to say that I actually packed enough layers and didn’t freeze off my tukus. I ate lots of yummy food cooked over fire, propane and charcoal (they packed several pontoon boats’ worth of gear). I argued with red squirrels (mean little sons of bitches) and caught neon green tree frogs (they peed on me!). I also got in my pet fix with adorable dogs. I schooled my uncle in bocce ball. It was an awesome time.

I snuck in a shower and lunch with the ‘rents before hitting the road back to MN. It rained the whole drive back to Rochester, and I actually didn’t mind that. It kept the setting sun out of my face, which can be a bitch when you’re too short for the sun visor to be of any use.

In other news, my old boss is still rearing his ugly head. Seems he has extremely selective memory – most annoyingly he blocks out his micromanaging ways. He forgets that he told you to do something and berates you for doing it the way that he told you to. “I’d never say that.” Um, yeah, you would. And you did. Did I mention I hate you? I do.

Work is going well. I had some fungus in my tissue culture today. Meh. I need some time to catch up on some samples languishing in the freezer and update my lab notebook.

The Great Roommate Escape of 2007 has been planned for early September and I’m really looking forward to that. My stepmom’s Hootenanny is in mid-September and that should be, for lack of a better word, a hoot.

You can see why there has been a lack of posts – there’s just not that much going on with me right now. No one is being particularly entertaining, aggravating or annoying. Good for me. Boring for you.

Maybe next time I’ll just make something up.

Hello Kittens

2007-08-02T16:58:00.001-07:00

Summer is going by so quickly. I can hardly believe that it’s freaking August already. As of today I have officially logged 7 months at the new job and it’s a good thing. I’m happy there. Science is fun again.

Let’s see. I took a trip back to WI last weekend to see the ‘Rents, a step-grand’rent, and other g’rents. I also got to play with the NEW PUPPY!!! He’s all paws and teeth and I could eat him with a spoon. At 13 weeks he’s still not entirely trained, and I fear that he may start to think that his name is Little Shit… but that’s not my problem. I did manage to get him to play fetch with me for a little while – but I forget how little his legs are and how tired he can get. He’s adorable when he sleeps – which is often.

This has been the last week for my summer student. He did a good job on his presentation and after seeing his contemporaries, I know I can push harder the next time I get one. But, either way, he had a great time and demonstrated as much by lavishing us with gifts and funny cards today. I am now the proud owner of both Wedding Crashers and Hot Fuzz – two movies I still have to actually see, but now I can do so at my leisure.

I’ve read Girl with a Pearl Earring and found it hard to put down. It grabbed me much like The Devil Wears Prada and The Nanny Diaries simply because you want to reach through the pages and shake people who are ridiculous asshats. [I know I have a target audience].

I’ve also taken in a couple episodes of Why is Scott Baio 45 and Single? And I think the answer is quite obvious: because he’s an absurd man-child. He has not matured past the age range of 18-21. I believe that he regrets agreeing to do this show about every 15 seconds. This is mainly because it takes away from his time hanging out with his similarly absurd friends and “chasing tail.” That, my friends, is a direct quote. His life coach is making him take a close look at himself and he’s not enjoying it in the least. I hate to be the one to break it to Scott, but he is no Hugh Hefner. He will not continue to have a line of 20-somethings at his door, just waiting for the chance to be his girlfriend – wait, I mean - source of “tail.” And those that do will be in love with him for his roles as Chachi and Charles. Seeing as how he can’t stand even hearing the utterance of “Chachi” (or Charles) he’s alienated a significant portion of his potential dating pool. But it sure makes for good reality TV!

Visitors coming this weekend and my house needs some serious attention. Now where did I put that vacuum…..

Just to catch up

2007-07-22T19:14:00.000-07:00

First off, despite the driving making my head want to explode, last weekend was actually pretty nice.

We had a family reunion that went, overall, pretty smoothly. The dinner on Friday wasn’t that great – it helps to let the restaurant know ahead of time that there will be approximately 80 of you invading their back room. The next day we had a bus tour of “historic family sites” that was actually more fun than it sounds. OK, maybe “fun” isn’t the right word, “interesting” would be better. The most interesting part was seeing the old family farm house. See, the reunion was for my paternal grandmother’s family – specifically her siblings, all of their offspring, and all of their offspring, and so on down the line. My Grandma was one of 13 children. There were a LOT of us – and not everyone could make it.

I liked hearing stories about a sleepwalking great uncle walking himself out a 2nd story window and breaking his leg, or a different sleepwalking great uncle standing at the top of the stairs driving a team of dream horses while great-grandma knelt at the bottom of the stairs praying he wouldn’t fall. Not to say that I like hearing about people getting hurt or being scared, but it was cool to actually *see* the place where these events took place – to be there and imagine it in context.

The one thing that I saw connecting all of us, besides our shared bloodline, was our love of alcohol. There were no activities taking place without it. People brought coolers of beer and Bloody Mary mix on the bus tour. While touring the old family church, the Bloody Mary drinkers left their plastic cups on the steps of the church before going in. The beer drinkers carried their bottles with them into the church. Classy!

I also got to spend some time with my Stepmom and her horses. She raises Gypsy Vanners and had had two new additions born in June. They’re still little and cute as all get out. They’re much like big dogs, and after you scratch them behind the ears, will follow you around, begging to be scratched some more. A good time had by all.

I had my 29th birthday this last week, and that was a good day. My hair actually did what I asked of it. The ladies I work with brought in lots of treats. We all went out for BBQ for lunch. The Dentist and her mother took me out to dinner. I got lots of nice emails and phone calls and cards. I couldn’t have asked for more.

In other news I see my blog has been linked on Home Improvement Ninja, which makes me ridiculously excited; mostly because I don’t personally know HIN, and yet he still includes me in his blog neighborhood. Granted, it was just because I have a link to his blog on my site… but still. He cared enough to embed my link into his code, and that means something to me.

Also, I notice most of you come to visit on Mondays, so here you go. A nice new post to help you procrastinate on Monday. I’m here for you. I’m here to help.

Please, for the sake of my blood pressure

2007-07-15T18:54:00.001-07:00

I drove to the hometown in WI for a family reunion this weekend and opted to take the freeways to get there because the 2-lane back road highways usually have me stuck behind someone who is out for a leisurely ride versus actually trying to get somewhere and it makes my head explode when I can’t pass them.

But no, the freeways were not idiot-free this weekend. I know I’ve ranted about this before, so feel free to skip it, but I would like to put out there, into the ether, these handy driving tips for anyone and everyone driving the same routes that I am before I decide to purchase a menacing-looking handgun to threaten people with.

1. Be alert! Be aware! No dozing off! No cell phones! No animated conversations! No staring at the scenery! More precisely – NOTICE ME – and act accordingly.

2a. Pick a speed and stick to it. I honestly don’t care what speed you pick, just as long as you pick one. I can adjust, really. I’ll pass you if I need to (and it *is* a need), or I’ll let you pass me, whatever. All I’m asking for is some consistency and predictability.

2b. Use your damn cruise control! I promise that if you try it, you will like it. And for the assholes out there spreading rumors that cruise control use will raise your chances of getting in an accident? Shut your pie hole. You’re absurd. Cruise control is very easy to turn on and off as car manufacturers made it that way on purpose… to keep you from having accidents… which would preclude you from buying their cars… see? All very logical. If you’re prone to zoning out you’re going to do it whether your car is on cruise or not – I know, I’ve seen you do it.

3. This is not a game. You and I? We are not racing. I am not trying to “beat” you. Shame will not come to your family or your good name if I pass you. Your girlfriend/boyfriend/imaginary friend is not impressed. And I am just pissed.

4. The *left* lane is for passing. The *right* lane is for everything else. You can see the scenery on the left side of the road just as well from the right lane. If people are passing you on the right – that means you should MOVE OVER. The two lanes are not equal, nor are they options for you to choose from “Hmm… I could drive in the right lane, but I’m feeling that left is better for me today.” No. No no no. No. You cannot. It is not allowed. Where is that damn trooper I passed a few miles back? I’d like them to slap you.

5. If you’re going to pass me, hurry up and do it. I do not need you hovering around my blind spot, or next to me, or just slightly ahead of me. You seem to do this just as I’m closing in on someone I’d like to pass myself. Please reread 1 & 2b.

6. I do not enjoy playing “leap frog.” You lead me only to assume that you are either drunk, dozing off, or schizophrenic. Especially if you look at me as if I’m the annoying one. I have my cruise on – YOU’RE the one acting strange. Please reread 1, 2a, 2b, and especially 3 (and 5 if you’re bored).

7. Specifically for today: What the hell was going on around River Falls and Hudson this afternoon? Traffic slowed to a crawl – TWICE. I fully expected to see an accident, but there was none – either time. WTF?

This public service announcement is brought to you today by my circulatory system, which is begging you, pleading with you, to help me keep it together while driving. Thank you for your attention and good night.

Sickly observations

2007-07-07T18:16:00.001-07:00

1. Sore throat lozenges don’t actually make your throat feel any less sore. They just make your mouth numb. Then you can’t bitch about your throat being sore. The only thing that really works is ice cream.

2. NyQuil and its knock-offs really need to do something about lengthening its effectiveness. Six measly hours just isn’t long enough. Make it at least 8 for folks who want to work the next day. Or cut it down to 4 so I can slam another cupful in the middle of the night. Or, I need to start planning for 12 hours of sleep … say, that’s not a bad idea. Forget I mentioned anything. Keep up the good work.

I'm not dead yet

2007-07-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

I've just been convalescing on my couch watching the Dead Like Me marathon on the Sci Fi channel.

A quick recap:

First, I was busy. I do work, hard as it may be to believe.

Then, for reasons that became clear today, I lost my cable AND internet service here at the homestead LAST Wednesday. It was very sad and very quiet here without my roommate - TV. I missed it terribly and am very glad to have it back today.

Repair Guy: So, how long has it been out?
Me: It was a week as of yesterday.
RG: And you're just getting someone out here now? They usually try to have someone out here within 24 hours!
Me: [shrugs]
RG: You must not have been very nice on the phone.
Me: {knowing that I am very polite on the phone] I certainly tried.
RG: Well, it looks like someone confused your house with the other house (on a very similarly named street behind mine) and disconnected your cable instead of theirs.
Me: Huh. Well, I'm definitely getting credited for this week without service.
RG: Good for you.

And now I have a cold which has sapped all of my energy for the past couple of days and will probably continue to do so.
After this, I need to take a nap.
Hell, I'll just go to bed.

Laundry break

2007-06-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

I see that so many of you have been kind enough to check back to this little corner of the internets, and I’m sorry that you ended up turning away in disappointment at the lack of posting.

It’s been a bit hectic here lately at Lil’ Kate Headquarters. I have been “given” an undergraduate summer student for 10 weeks. I barely know what I’m doing in the lab, and now I’m supposed to teach somebody else??? WTF? I’m supposed to make him love science, AND have a “real” project he can write home about. *I* don’t even have a real project. Anyway, the students, they take up a lot of one’s time.

I also spent the weekend in WI for: Grandma’s surprise 80th birthday party, Father’s Day, and Mom’s birthday. Three birds with one stone is almost unheard of. I’ll drop more details later. It’s getting late you know and I have to go to bed.

I’ve been trying to do laundry tonight and my drier up and quit. I don’t know what’s wrong, but since I’m not allowed access to the box, I can’t flip the breaker, and so now I have a lot of wet things further driving up the humidity in my house. Shiny.

Lastly, and the real point of this post (aside from excuses as to the lack of posting) I checked the StatCounter and was amused at the Keyword tabulation:

1. lil kate

I’m proud to say that if you type this into Google, my blog is the first listing. Kick. Ass.

2. rude abrasive terrible joiner

Sometimes I can be rude, I’m rarely abrasive, but I am a terrible joiner. I will admit to that. Obviously, I blogged about it.

3. bear grylls christian bale

Two very attractive men I’m proud to have associated with my little page. [sigh] So handsome.

4. disappointing dentist lil kate

I do know some dentists… I don’t think I’ve ever referred to them as “disappointing” though.

5. lil kate random teleconference

None of the teleconferences I’ve participated in have been random – I can assure you. They were all painstakingly planned and equally painful. Those were the days.

6. blue mascara panic fucks

I did tell you once about a “coworker” who was fond of the blue mascara – but I wouldn’t call her a “panic fuck.”

7. lil kate giddy stargate

OK, I’ll out myself, again, as a burgeoning sci fi geek. I’ve already admitted that I am addicted to Battlestar Galactica, and Heroes. Now you can add *both* Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis to the list. And I will admit that I am, in fact, giddy about the Stargates. If you call me on a Friday night, and I don’t answer, it means I’m engrossed and I’ll call you back later with a lame excuse. Unless you are LP and call me during a commercial break.

Sheppard: You know, we've been having these conversations for a couple of weeks now, and I don't even know your name. You guys do have names, right? Let me guess - Steve?
Wraith: I am your death. That is all you need to know.
Sheppard: I prefer Steve.

That kind of dialog is why I love those shows.

8. annoying breakneck lil kate

Wow. Um. Hmmm. I write about things that annoy me… but never at a breakneck pace. Rest assured, we stick to the speed limit around here (or 5-7 MPH over).

9. kate hewlett pictures

I don’t really know Kate Hewlett, but I do know she’s an actress and the sister of David Hewlett. I’m sorry, I don’t have any pictures of her. I probably couldn’t even figure out how to post some.

A stellar day

2007-06-07T19:33:00.001-07:00

Right now, it’s a toss up as to who I want to marry more: my iPod Shuffle, or my Stat Counter. The both have good qualities, really, they do, but I’d hate to just let infatuation cloud my judgment.

I had 29 people visit my page today! I thought I was having a good day on Tuesday with 19. Prior to that I could count *maybe* a dozen people who I knew read my blog (because, when I’d talk to them, and they’d say “How are you?” and I’d start to tell them the latest bit of news, they’d say “Yeah, I read that on your blog” and then – I’d have to stop talking).

I’m a very good listener.

Anyway, what I’m finding amusing/confusing right now is the “Visitor Length” pie chart. As of right this second 37.5% of you all glance at my blog for less than 5 seconds. Alright. That’s fine. I get that when you Googled “squish me squishing” or “â€˜liâ€™l diceâ€™ is related to a kid” my blog wasn’t the answer you were looking for. By the way, WTF? Gobble-de-gook is related to a kid? Beyond me. Let’s move on.

What I’m confused about is the 56.3% of you sticking around for over an hour.

What the hell are you people up to?

I know I can write some winded posts but they’re really not all that entertaining.
I know.
I wrote them.
They’re intended for the hardcore readers who actually know me and, because they love me, want to know the minutia of my life. For that I am eternally grateful.

This is the scenario that plays out in my mind: you’re reading blogs at work, and you get distracted by something else, and just forget to shut down the page. By the time you wake your computer back up, it’s been over an hour. I’ve done that myself.

In other news, I’ve come to learn that the moniker “Lil’ Kate” is actually quite popular, and can be associated with a plethora of topics spanning the range from German Shepherds to human burns. Of all things.

I hope tomorrow is half as entertaining.

Maybe you can shed some light on this

2007-06-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

OK, so, for my 30th birthday, I’m contemplating getting a tattoo. It’s just over a year away, and I’ll probably need that long to get my nerve up. Not a big fan of pain, especially the self-inflicted kind. Then I watch an episode of Miami Ink and I’m all “I want to do that!”

I’m leaning towards getting the Celtic tree of life, the one with the braided branches melding with the braided roots – looks the same when rotated 180 degrees. If I were better with the link embedding / picture posting I’d show you, but I’m not, so you’ll have to suck it up and Google it if you don’t know what I’m talking about.

Alright – here’s where you come in. I’d like to know your opinions:

1) Is this a totally stupid idea and should I forget the whole thing?

2) Any better suggestions besides the tree of life?

3) Where should I put it?

No more lurking out there. I know you’re reading my blog – you can’t hide from me any more. Comment, dammit.

I like my new toy

2007-06-04T15:28:00.001-07:00

Over the weekend I signed up with StatCounter and I’m finding it rather entertaining.

Things I’ve learned over the last 2 days:

15 people have checked my blog
3 of them came to my blog via Dressage Mom’s blog
1 of them came to my blog by Googling “community-colleges funny-stories”
Someone in Marshfield has checked back 4 times
Someone in Cleveland has checked back 3 times
Someone in Chicago has checked back twice

Sweet! I have more mystery readers than I ever thought I would! Maybe this weekend is just a fluke – really boring for folks in the Midwest or something. We’ll see. I’ll keep you posted if I learn any more amusing facts.

There was drama, and I missed it

2007-06-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

That’s the latest on the work scene. The new MD, Ph.D that joined the lab? Remember, the one that blew The Dentist and I off in the last post? Yeah, turns out she’s a bit on the crazy side and had what I’ll call an “altercation” with one of the other lab members. I’m happy to say that the lab takes care of their own, and the boss dealt with her immediately. Seems she’s reconciled with him, but not with the affected lab member yet. As far as the rest of us are concerned – she’s on probation, and we’re all keeping a watchful eye on her.

In other news, I’ve had a very nice weekend.

Yesterday The Dentist and I went to the local farmers’ market. Very eclectic place – I’d say there were just as many vegetable stands as meat stands, and just about every nursery in town had a booth. I picked up some cherry and pear tomato plants for the back slab and I’m excited to see how they do. In the afternoon I got to hang out with a friend who has a 2-month-old. He’s VERY cute and entertaining. I can totally see why she wants to stay home with him. After a light dinner and brief snooze, it was off to see “Knocked Up.” I was thoroughly entertained. All kinds of my favorite people from “The Office” were in it, and, of course, who doesn’t love Alan Tudyk? I know I love Alan Tudyk. I also want to take Paul Rudd home with me. My birthday is coming up in July. Make a note.

Today I actually planted my tomato plants in some giant pots. The Dentist and I ran some errands during which I picked up a few flowers to plant in my remaining pots (they’re going to look awesome). Then we hit the mall, which I have never spent any significant amount of time in. The Dentist had a rather successful day and was laden with bags. I got a “little black dress” for *$4.99* (now I just need somewhere to wear it), a pair of jeans that actually fit and don’t need to be cuffed, and some new “smell goods.” We even tried some massager things that you can use in any old chair that you’ve got. A nice way to end the day.

Evil Mutant Scientist: I did not forget about your page proofs and will start on them post haste!

FYI: This is post #100. Shiny.

But thanks for the free food

2007-05-26T07:02:00.000-07:00

Fuck ‘em. I don’t need ‘em.

That was the last research fellows’ association function I’m going to. Total waste of time (except for the free food). If everyone is just going to segregate themselves into ethnic cliques (blacks, Chinese, Indian, European, etc.) it kind of sucks all the fun out of it – especially when The Dentist & I walk in without a pre-arranged, designated clique. It was supposed to be a joint function with the medical fellows – guess how many of them showed up? Not many, and those that did, stayed amongst themselves.

Oh, and the MD., Ph.D that’s recently joined my lab? Yeah, totally blew us off. She seems pissed and we have no idea why. Probably never will know – seems to be her MO.

So disappointing.

I hope your Friday night was much more enjoyable.

I'm just giddy

2007-05-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

Partially it’s because I’ve had a cup of coffee and, not being much of a caffeine drinker, I’m rather sensitive to it - unlike you grizzled folks who can down an entire pot and promptly fall asleep.

But mostly I’m excited for two reasons:

1. I was actually the source of someone else’s blog fodder. I’m proud to say that I “inspired” the latest post from The Scripturient who’s link you can find off to the right there. Because I’m relatively computer illiterate, or possibly because I am using a Mac, I don’t know how to do the fancy embedding of the link directly into my post. You people are lucky that I can occasionally figure out how to post pictures. I’m sure that Scripturient would have posted about “Heroes” anyway, much like his previous posts about other geeky/comic book-related TV shows. I just got a jump on him as he is my newest victim – receiving question-laden emails about such shows (e.g. Battlestar Galactica) from me usually along the lines of “What the hell?” “What were they thinking with this plot twist?” or the ever popular “Now I’m really confused…” Look at me go. I really feel like I’m part of a blogging community now.

2. I got an email from a real live celebrity. This will be my second in my whole life. The first was from Cash Peters, and I blogged about that already. This one was from David Hewlett – from my other guilty pleasure show “Stargate Atlantis” (shut up, I’m allowed). Turns out Mr. Hewlett has a MySpace page promoting his movie “A Dog’s Breakfast” (http://www.adogsbreakfastmovie.com/). The trailers had me laughing out loud, possibly because I’m already biased into liking him, but I’d like to think I could look past that. He also writes a blog that I find equally entertaining. I suggest you peruse it for yourself.

I just don’t know how I’m going to fall asleep tonight.

So, um, yeah. How have you been?

2007-05-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

I know, I’ve been bad about posting. But I have to admit that there honestly hasn’t been anything too exciting happening with me. Actually, all of the exciting stuff has been happening to other people.

On the Friend & Family front:
The parents, in several miraculous strokes of good luck, have sold the house in the hometown, moved Up North (in WI), and will be closing on a new house there early next month. My mom is retired, and my stepdad is semi-retired (working about 3 days a week). He got a Harley, and they’ll be getting a new puppy in a few weeks. It’ll be the same breed as the blind one they have now, but they’re thinking of trying a male and calling him Tucker (Props to Dressage Mom).

I took the Dentist to WI with me for Mother’s Day weekend and we had a good time. It now takes about 4.5 hours to see the parents, but they don’t seem to see that as a problem. Considering gas prices, I’m afraid it’s going to be. I’ve also found that bringing another person along takes a lot of the focus off of me, making tolerating the parents tons better. We stopped in the hometown to see Stepmom and gave the Dentist a tour of the Farm. Lots of the horses are pregnant and beautiful and docile as ever. We got a lot of great pictures.

Various friends are having their fair share of drama in their lives and I’m glad to provide a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, and a sounding board for ideas. I wish them nothing but the best in resolving all of their issues and truly wish I could be more helpful. At the same time – I am grateful for the comparative lack of drama in my own life.

On the work front:
I’m slowly becoming more independent in my own project and that’s kinda cool. I need to get some more data asap, though. I have to present at “joint” lab meeting next week and I’m not really looking forward to it. There is a possibility that it will be cancelled at the last minute, and that’s what I’m really hoping for. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

I have also inherited a “manuscript” from a former grad student who graduated over a year ago. Seems that my boss is so hands off that the previous grad students were able to really take advantage of him. I rearranged her “manuscript” from a thesis chapter into an actual article format, did some revising, and tracked down all of her files where her figures came from. We wrote up a list of all of the figures and how many replicates there actually were. After sitting down with the boss the workload was (thankfully) greatly reduced – he can get very creative with the cutting and “let’s just say this is ‘representative’ of the trend.” Makes me a little nervous, but I’m going to chalk it up as he just really wants to get this out the door as soon as possible. Rest assured, anything published with me as first author will have at least 3 replicates and error bars to make you proud.

On the social front:
The cute guy at the “gym” I don’t see too much of anymore now that the weather is nice. The Dentist and I go for power walks in the evenings out on a multipurpose trail near her house. Sometimes we run into him jogging. The other day he waved to me as he was driving in and I was driving out. Somehow, I have a nagging feeling that he thought I was someone else… Oh well, I’ll take what I can get.

I went to a little dental shindig with the Dentist and met a man who actually scares me. I believe (from what he told me – I’m not making this up) that he’s going to be starting up his own chapter of Idaho Militia, complete with underground bunker, shooting range (also subterranean) and large cache of weapons and ammo. He’s got one friend out there “into guns” and another friend “into explosives” and claims that all of these plans are for when things get “overcrowded” and one needs to protect oneself from a distance. Freakin’ conservative nutjob. After some consultation with a friend who went to school out West, the area where this nutjob has his parcels of land is, and I quote “a hotbed of white supremacists – real skinhead central.” Sounds lovely. I don’t think I’ll be attending any more dental shindigs.

Yeah.... not so smart

2007-05-14T21:19:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: This post is written for that portion of my readership with a scientific background.

I wish I could have done today over. Actually, just one stupid decision I wish I could do over. Then the experiment that I started *last week* wouldn’t have gone down the crapper today.

Things I learned from my bonehead mistake today:

1) 1 N HCl is, in fact, NOT the same as concentrated HCl. Concentrated HCl turns out to be 11.6 N. Somehow I had it in my head that they were the same. That was a very wrong assumption. 1 N HCl = 1 M HCl, though. That’s good to know. I’ll try to remember something useful like that from now on.

2) Scintillation fluid, when mixed with a highly acidic sample, will turn from what looks like canola oil into a milky white goo. Not. Good. This is when I knew that my experiment had shit the bed and a week’s worth of work was shot.

Now I know that I will make many more mistakes – I have a track record, this is normal. But this was my first big one, and it’s just such a pisser to lose one’s experiment at the very end. Today was data collection day! Analysis day! Make a spreadsheet and accessorize it with a bar graph day! The day when your boss walks in and you’re on the computer crunching numbers instead of checking your email and you can say “Look! I’ve been productive and I have proof!”

Pisser.

[sigh]

I did plate another experiment, so, we’ll see how this week goes. And now we have 1.113 L of 1 N HCl. You always have to look for that silver lining.

A PhD, a DDS, and an MD, PhD walk into a zoo...

2007-04-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

I’ll get to that later, but doesn’t that sound like the start of a good joke? Gold star to whoever can come up with the rest.

To play a little catch-up: my weekend spent visiting with my friend from 4th grade was great. The weather was fantastic so wandering around downtown Rochester was pleasant. We tried two new-to-me restaurants (the verdict: meh, they were OK), and even found that the game of Farkel that we were introduced to over Christmas is, in fact, not made up. Now the toy stores are selling Farkel kits with various themes AND score pads with all of the dice combinations and their values clearly printed for the memory impaired like myself. We had a good time. She even endured two trips to work for me to fiddle in the lab a bit and give her tours.

Having another sunny weekend lined up after that one, it was decided to do something out of doors. Our lab has a new hire (the MD, PhD) and she’s got to be the most forceful Chinese woman I’ve ever met. No wilting flower here, my friends. She’s got opinions and she’s going to share them. Anyway, we were asking about the lab for suggestions, and a nearby park *with* small zoo was recommended. So we got maps and directions, called up the Dentist to invite her along, and plans were made. It’s a nice zoo with animals indigenous to MN – my favorite being the river otters, who wanted to see spectators as much as we wanted to see them. The park also has a nice little trail system. The buds were just coming out on the trees, and there were some flowers just starting to bloom. Another beautiful day.

This last week I flew back to Cleveland to witness the end of an era. The last of us (M) who stayed behind was graduating from my old lab. OK, well, technically, there were 2 graduations (the second was two days later) but I’m so pissed about the second one I didn’t stick around for it and flew back here that day. That kid did not deserve to graduate like M and I did. Either way – she did a great job. I finally got to meet her family, putting faces to names, and witnessing first-hand the quirks she’d told me so much about over the years. The old boss was even in a good mood and publicly gushed over her. Good times. It was a fast and furious trip that I wish could have lasted longer – or overlapped with a weekend so that I could have stayed longer - but as it was the 48 hours I was in town were spoken for. I’m glad I was able to see those of you that I did, and sorry I missed the rest of you!

It’s going to be another beautiful weekend – ever consider visiting Rochester?

Don't sit next to me. Just. Don't.

2007-04-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was 4 for 4.

1 for 4:

I’m sitting on the bus reading my book – it distracts me from the country music that my regular morning bus driver likes to blast. An older Chinese woman sits down next to me. I nod a hello and go back to my book, a universal sign for “I’m not going to be chatting with you because I’m reading, thank you.”

Chinese lady: “Oh! You’re reading!”

Me: “Yes.” Nose back in book.

CL: “Is it a good book?”

Me: “So far.” Nose back in book, thinking, “If it wasn’t good, would I be reading it?”

CL: “What book is it? Can I see the cover?”

Me: Shows her the cover. Nose back in book.

CL: Looks around for another victim. Not finding one, turns back to me “So, are you a writer, too?”

Me: I must have made a face during my pause before answering, “No.” Nose back in book.

2 for 4:

First seminar for the day – visiting faculty from Harvard giving a talk about his research.
Next to me is a man who promptly falls asleep within the first 15 minutes. He’s a loud breather half-snorer who occasionally wakes himself up with a snort. Look, buddy, you look old enough to be faculty. If you’re that tired or uninterested, pretend you have a meeting and skip out early. I’m sure your colleagues would rather have you leave early than embarrass yourself and your department by snoring during the Harvard guy’s talk.

3 for 4:

Second seminar for the day – student from the department. Next to me is a man I’ve not seen before, so maybe he’s a member of the student’s lab who’s showed up to support him… probably because his boss told him to. He’s at least my age and sits down next to me in the front row in full view of the rest of the room. He’s taken advantage of the refreshments provided and proceeds to devour his cookies and slurp his water bottle – loudly - during this kid’s talk. No longer entertained by his water bottle, he starts to pick at a zit on his temple, on the side of his head that’s facing me. Being a head wound, it starts to bleed with a vengeance. Having not been smart enough to grab a napkin with his cookies he’s got nothing to blot at the blood with.

So he rubs his fingers through it.

Then licks his fingers.

Loudly.

This goes on for at *least* 15 minutes.

He alternates running his fingers or the back of his hand through the blood to see if it’s stopped bleeding. I really think he thought nobody noticed. I can honestly say I’ve never been so disgusted during a seminar.

4 for 4:
This one was actually the least offensive/annoying of the bunch. Again, sitting on the bus to go home, I’m reading my book. A rather girthy young woman sits next to me, squishing me into the side of the bus. Not so uncommon – Rochester is definitely not lacking in fleshy women. At least she wasn’t talking loudly into her cell phone or chatting me up. I can handle being squished for my bus ride.

So, if you value your sanity, don’t sit next to me. I seem to attract the weirdos.

I know I've been bad

2007-04-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

Let’s see, I have a lot to catch you up on. Nothing too exciting or entertaining, so I’ll apologize now.

I was visited by 4 members of my Dad’s side of the family about a week ago: Grandma, Aunt 1 (Tanta), Aunt 2 (Auntie) and my Stepmom. It was a hoot. They’re all rather lively, humorous and unique. My Stepmom was nice enough to bring me an Easter basket and we hardly put a dent in it with the 5 of us grazing on it. I think that was to distract me from some of the other things she brought me. Again – parents cleaning out their own houses and deciding to foist crap on me. Though I will admit that it is crap I wanted – a chair my Dad made for me that I played with as a child, and some wood carving my great-grandfather made.

They enjoyed their tour of Mayo. We started in my research building, which on a Saturday afternoon was pretty dead, along with the rest of the clinic buildings save for the occasional grad student or security guard. Not having ever been in a research environment before, they were tiptoeing around and whispering. It took a while for them to realize that they weren’t doing anything “illegal” by getting a tour from me – but the key-card access and “Staff Only” tunnels really impressed them. It wasn’t long before they realized that their jokes sounded even funnier as they reverberated through the stories-high atriums and lobbies.

That night was like a sleepover party with plenty of talking, laughing, whispering and farting going on before they eventually fell asleep. Did I mention they were humorous and unique? Yeah. We finished off the weekend with some antiquing and a fruitful stop at TJ Maxx. I had a good time and I’m glad they came. I hope they can come again when the weather is actually nice.

This past weekend I went to the hometown for Easter with Mom & Stepdad. I was able to have some company for the drive over as my Dentist friend’s husband is still living in my hometown. Turns out it only took us about 3.5 hours to get home vs. the 4 I’d been expecting – and we talked the entire time. I wasn’t sure we could do it, but we did. My throat was sore by the time we got there. My parents took us out to dinner – mostly to thank The Dentist for being my friend and being cooped up in a car with me for several hours. My parents are understanding like that.

The weekend went smoothly overall. I got to sleep in, read magazines, deftly avoid/deflect touchy topics, *and* make cheesy potatoes for my family (a variation of your recipe Rozzer!). Grandma is still selectively crazy and Aunty is definitely quirky, so we had some fun after dinner conversation over peach & maraschino cherry upside down cake. I’d never had any kind of upside down cake before, and I don’t think I will again. Too mushy for me, I like cake to be cake-like. Reminded me too much of stuffing – which I also don’t particularly like. C’mon, it’s soggy bread. I left with a trunk full of more crap. Now my parents are potentially in great need of paring down – but they’re starting to give me stuff that I thought they’d want to keep, like photo albums of me as a baby and my old scrapbooks. Parents are supposed to have this stuff on hand to brag about me, right? Well, I guess I should be looking at it as now they can’t embarrass me with these collections from my youth – but what am I supposed to do with them? My closets are already full.

But they did start up my plant collection with 2 white orchids. Well, technically. One of them was accidentally deflowered and is now a lovely stick. I also relieved them of some wooden cheese & cracker platters (one even has the classic ‘70’s Harvest Pattern!) so now I’m set to throw a delightful wine and cheese party. I’ll provide the cheese if you bring the wine. I also took an electric grill off of their hands. No, not a Foreman, but something made by Rival in years well before George ever thought of slapping his name on what’s basically a panini press. It’s got a real grill with a heating element below it – from the side it looks like a decent chili pot. I’ll be curious to try it out – especially since I’ve been craving kabobs. Oh, and since it’s been snowing here and I won’t be partaking of any grilling outside any time soon.

My MN driver’s license finally arrived. The picture is better than I thought it would be – my eyes are fully open this time. Don’t worry, I’m hanging on to my WI license for comparison. The only thing that’s wrong with the new one is that my signature is all squished. I know my nice German name is quite long, but now it doesn’t look like my signature anymore. Another reason to hang on to the WI license.

I’ve actually started doing work in the lab. Nothing too exciting – just pilot experiments to put me through the motions of the new techniques and methods I’m learning. The boss got back from his Hawaiian vacation this past weekend, so it’ll be nice to show him my progress. I was even working with radioactive materials! My first time! Totally not as scary as I thought it would be. I’ve also started on the work for my old boss. He’s being a jerkface, but what’s new? Just solidifying my distaste for academic science.

I’m looking forward to this weekend: I’ll be visited by a friend I’ve had since 4th grade. Should be fun … if it actually stops snowing.

Momentary lapse

2007-03-28T20:33:00.000-07:00

I’m going to geek out here for a minute (worse than usual).

Anybody here watch “Battlestar Galactica?”

Anyone?

Someone?

I’d taped the season finale, started watching yesterday, and had to stop with 15 minutes left to go. Tonight I watched those last 15 minutes.

My. God(s).

I’ve found the plot confusing from the start, and now I have a whole slue of new questions.

The *one* person I’ve actually been able to talk about the show with is most likely, and for good reason, way too busy to klatch with me about it now, so I’m asking you – the Loyal Dozen as I am going to affectionately call you now – to help me out.

Please don’t think any less of me.

Feelin' all responsible, like a real grown up

2007-03-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

Not only has my car assimilated to living within the confines of MN with her snazzy new plates, but now I have, too. Yes, it’s true, the state of MN has seen fit to allow me to continue to drive my car. I got an 86% on my “knowledge” test. Gimme a break, 32 out of 37 questions isn’t bad – especially considering I didn’t bother to memorize the penalties for drunk driving or driving without a legal permit. Why? Because I plan to never have to know, that’s why. So now I drive around with my WI license clipped until my new MN license arrives by mail. I don’t quite know why they need to mail it to me. I can’t imagine there’s only the one laminator to go around. Maybe it’s to “ensure” that I live where I say I live. They seemed pretty paranoid about making sure I was me, and in fact a legal citizen. Damn Canadians.

I have also opened an IRA. My job withholds some money for me in a 403(b), but you know me – ever the planner. So I sat through an hour and a half spiel by my credit union guy on my options, and now I have “more control” and can “live comfortably” with “increased spending power” when I eventually retire. He had a dry erase board and everything – very cute.

In other news: I will be entertaining my first guests next weekend when my stepmom and grandma come to visit (with or without various aunts in tow). They should be pretty easy to entertain. The only requests they’ve made are for a work tour, and to have Diet Coke on hand. I think I can handle that. My next visitor will be a high school friend currently living in WI. I’m hoping the weather will be nice and that something interesting will be happening around town. A college roommate should be the next visitor after that. We’ll see if she gets her shit together. Her job keeps her very busy so planning a trip isn’t easy for her, but it’ll be awesome when she gets here.

I’ll also be heading back to the Land of Cleves to attend the thesis defense of the last of “our” lab that remains in Cleveland. It’s the end of an era. Good thing, too. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to see some of you. In the meantime, happy spring!

Blah, blah, blahg

2007-03-17T15:12:00.001-07:00

Well, the trip to the Mall of America for the last day of my class left me with little blog fodder. The weather was good, the driving was easy, the mall was huge, the food was tasty, and we all had a good time. I’ll have to make another trip up there sometime to do some real shopping.

Two cool things I learned from class (not to say that class wasn’t informative, but some things stand out more than others): how to measure a small volume using a Pipetman, and that Bailey’s Irish Cream is the perfect blocking buffer for western blots because it has all the proteins you need in the cream, won’t spoil with the alcohol, and if your data is particularly crappy – start drinking early! Genius.

Since then I have been introduced to a little natural area where my friend and her husband “walk” their dogs (walk = let them run around with shock collars). It’s a nice little hike and the dogs have a great time running around and cavorting while we take in the scenery and chat. Good times.

In social news:
I’ve made a new friend. She was recommended by my parents, (well, scratch that, my stepdad), who met her once and chatted her up a bit. He found out she was moving to Rochester, and seeing that she was short and female, assumed we could be fast friends. Not having had the best of luck with set-ups orchestrated by my parents, I was a tad hesitant. But, I made the effort and she is, in fact, rather nice and funny to boot. She’s a dentist in a neighboring town, but lives not 5 minutes from me. Her husband will be joining her in about 3-4 months, job permitting.

She’s got me coming over to her apartment complex to work out in the evenings (she’d like to improve her abs and stamina, and I’d like to have some semblance of muscle tone). Thankfully there aren’t usually other folks around, so I feel much less self-conscious flailing my skinny frame about. When there are others, they’re usually some cute young men. Too young for my tastes, but eye candy nonetheless.

And, just for the record (for those of you I haven’t complained to already): working out is kicking my ass. I know it’s good for me, so I’ll stick with it. I ran for 30 minutes straight yesterday without my heart exploding, and for me, that’s quite an accomplishment.

In work related news:
My old boss has asked me to do the last few experiments to finish up my paper. I’m not thrilled about it, but hopefully, with any luck, I can get them done quickly and they’ll even look publication quality. I just want to be done with him and that project. He has also demanded a bound copy of my thesis. I’m thinking FedEx Kinko’s is the way to go. I think I can get just one made and shipped to him all via their website, which would be sweet. I wish he’d just print it out himself and throw it in a binder, though. Or hand it off to one of his secretaries. I know, I know, that would require *effort* on his part, and he’s not about to start doling that out.

My new boss left today for a 3-week vacation in Hawaii. Now that’s what a good boss *should* do. In the meantime I’m to do the experiments for my old boss, and do a fair bit of reading - his last two students’ theses, to be precise (and “theses” is the plural of thesis, I checked). When he gets back we’ll hammer out plans on what my project should be, hopefully in more detail than we have so far. He’s not the micromanager my old boss was, and sadly, it’s going to take some getting used to.

Better than eBay

2007-03-10T18:01:00.000-08:00

Since I moved out of my parents’ house they’ve slowly and methodically been giving me back stuff that they said I could store at their house “forever.” Sometimes crap they don’t want gets thrown into the mix – much like this last time I moved.

With that in mind, I wasn’t too surprised to come into possession of some old vinyl records that I had enjoyed as a child. I have the soundtracks to Benji and Mary Poppins, a Mother Goose nursery rhymes album, a very early version of the Chipmunks (this is probably a knock-off), and some Christmas albums. Of the four Christmas albums, one is a children’s album (I know, you noticed the trend) and the rest are, I guess, technically geared towards adults and families (no, not *that* kind of “adult” you sick puppy).

I guess the best way to describe these albums is to ask you if you’ve been a to a gas station lately. If you have, did you go inside? Did you notice those racks or bins of cheap cassette tapes? Did they have some random mix tapes? That’s what these Christmas albums are like. Kind of cheesy, not a big label, and were probably purchased just to have something to play on Christmas morning, or in the background during parties.

As much as I appreciated my parents handing off these relics of my childhood, I was a bit confused because they failed to notice that I didn’t own a record player. I thought that maybe I could just find the songs on iTunes or the campus network, and reconstruct the albums on my own – but had no luck. Some of you remember me questioning you about having a record player of your own, specifically one with a tape deck for the purpose of transferring some of these albums to tape (I’ve got tape players in spades). Thank you, again, to all of you who humored me, and even attempted to help me in my quest to hear these albums again. Your efforts meant a lot to me. I wish I could have repaid you all with second-hand furniture, but there was only so much to go around. Let this be a standing invitation: if you’re ever in the Rochester area, you’re welcome here.

Anyway, I think handing off these albums was also part of an elaborate ploy by my parents to later foist on me a stereo that does in fact have a turntable AND a tape deck. I was excited for the opportunity to transfer these albums to tape myself. You can imagine my disappointment to find that most, if not all, of the albums are warped and sound terrible. I don’t quite know when they bit it – perhaps during shipping, or during their stint in my storage space. Either way, they’re pretty useless to me now.

I thought I’d take one last stab at finding the songs online and reconstructing the albums on my own. I tried iTunes, Rhapsody and eMusic. Turns out that Liberace’s “Christmas Suite” and Ronnie Aldrich’s “Winter Wonderland” are not in high demand. Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney were much easier to find – but what was I going to do with half an album? In desperation I turned to Google, and typed in a bunch of random artists to see if anything would come up with all of them. Lo and behold Amazon came through for me!

Why didn’t I start there?
Because that would have been too easy, that’s why.

Shut up, Mocky McSmirkpants. You’re supposed to laugh *with* me, remember?

Anyway, now I have my Christmas albums on CD, of all things! I can’t believe someone actually put them on CD. Granted, they were all under $5, so they’re obviously not big sellers, but it’s comforting to know that someone else loved these albums enough to put them on CD and distribute them to random people like myself.

That snow drift I was telling you about

2007-03-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

I'm so ... lucky?

2007-03-02T18:18:00.000-08:00

It’s been a wild week of weather here in the Great White North. Remember I said that last weekend we were supposed to get some snow? Yeah. Well, we sure as shit did. About a foot of it.

It started with a 48 hour winter storm warning starting Friday evening and ending Sunday evening. Now, having grown up in north central WI, I can say that I’ve experienced a fair amount of winter weather. I do not remember winter storm warnings lasting more than a day, so I was a bit apprehensive about 48 hours of red flashing WARNING! at every media outlet I ventured to, including internet, radio and my roommate the TV.

My fears were confirmed Friday night with a snow/sleet/freezing rain storm topped off with *thunder and lightning.*

I have never experienced thunder and lightning in winter before.

It’s just wrong.

Especially for the Midwest. Sure, the Northeast can have all the crazy weather they can handle, it gives Stephen King some material for his novels. But they have an ocean, so it’s excusable. Not here.

Being a weekend I was not bothered about holing up at home, cozily wrapped in blankets, reading books and rotting my brain with bad TV and movies. The storm eventually lifted, more or less on schedule, and life went back to relative normal.

Then the red flashing WARNING! popped up again. Another winter storm was scheduled for Wednesday evening through this evening. We’ve gotten another foot of snow. There is a very impressive waist-high snowdrift in my “backyard” that has filled in my back slab and stretches past my living room window. OK, keep in mind that it’s *my* waist and that I’m 5’2” – let’s just say that it is taller than the bottom of my windowsill.

Shut up, it’s still formidable.

I took some pictures of it so when I get around to having this film developed, I’ll share them with you. I’m thinking of cleaning my house this weekend and snapping some pics of the new digs to burn through the roll. Those of you interested in pics of the homestead, email me and let me know.

Those in the know weather-wise have said that Rochester hasn’t seen weather like this since 1982. How lucky for me to be a witness to the recurrence of these awesome forces of nature. It really makes me appreciate: 1) that I rent because I get free snow removal; and 2) that I commute because rumor has it that the Rochester city busses have NEVER taken a snow day. The bus ride in this morning was a bit of a nail-biter, but we did arrive downtown safe and sound – despite some minor fishtailing on the highway.

I thought I had nothing to write about

2007-02-22T18:54:00.000-08:00

Some random tidbits for you.

My 4-week molecular biology course is going well. Did I tell you I was taking one? Yeah. I need to get over my DNA phobia. It was all voodoo magic as far as I was concerned. Now it’s not so scary. I’m about halfway through and I’m anxious for the coming weeks when we get to the stuff I’m terrified of. I fear what I do not understand.

I’ve made a new friend in my class. She’s a grad student from Europe and just here to take the class (her lab collaborates with a lab here, blah, blah, boring story – point is, she’s here). She’s nice. And loud. Kind of a reverse version of what many Americans do – thinking that a foreigner will understand them better if they talk louder. She *really* wants to go to the Mall of America before she heads back to Europe in 2 weeks and I’ve offered to drive. The only time she can go is this weekend and we’re supposed to get a respectable amount of snow. The weather forecasting around these parts is not known for its accuracy, so we’ll see. I’ve got a $100 from Rent.com burning a hole in my pocket.

Last weekend I successfully registered my car here in MN. My new plates start with UZN and it makes me think of “oozin’” every time. Blech. I have to get a MN drivers license, too. Of course there’s only one place in town that will do this for me, and it keeps bank hours. I really don’t see why it would be so hard to stay open past 4:15 or (gasp!) be open for a while on the weekends. I also have to take a written driving test. They call it a “knowledge” test. Not that I’m afraid I won’t pass it, but it’s just one more hoop I’m not in the mood to jump through. I’ve got 2 weeks to get over it.

I don’t like my electric stove. Gas is definitely the better way to go. Write that down. Commit it to memory.

I am annoyed with my forced air heat. Not with the heat part, but with the forced air part. My body craves humidity (before you get all advicey on me – I did purchase a humidifier, but it’s not enough and I can’t carry it around with me all day). Being shocked every time I head for a light switch stopped being cute a month ago. Granted – it’s still cool to actually see the blue spark jump between my fingertips and the screw – but it doesn’t happen often enough to balance out my aggravation.

My hometown newspaper has been pissing me off for over a month. For now we have an uneasy truce depending on whether or not they follow through on their conciliatory offer. They are officially on notice.

To end on a high note – I did have dinner with my new friend and her husband. He’s fun and nice as well. We had a good time shooting the shit, laughing, and showering their dogs with affection. It was nice to get my pet fix. I’m looking forward to hanging out with them again soon. They’re good shits.

Down right balmy

2007-02-12T18:44:00.000-08:00

Before moving to Minnesota, I had pretty much thought that all temperatures below freezing felt the same – cold. I couldn’t tell the difference between 32 degrees and 20 degrees or 10 degrees. They all felt the same.

The past couple of weeks, as you’re all aware, it’s been wicked cold.

And then, this morning, as I walked to the bus, I noticed that my face wasn’t stinging, and my nose and lungs didn’t hurt when I took a breath.

It was about 20 degrees and I felt…. warm. Subzero windchills really make one appreciate double digits. I’m sure eventually I would have felt cold, but it would have taken whole *minutes* instead of mere seconds.

This is why you see “crazy” people from the Midwest walking around in shorts when it’s 40 degrees out – because to them it’s a freakin’ scorcher. I get that now.

Strangely drawn...

2007-01-30T18:24:00.000-08:00

To some of you I have described the basic topography of Rochester as: a nucleus comprised of the Mayo Clinic and affiliated hospitals, clinics and other buildings, which is surrounded by a ring of hotels and restaurants, which is surrounded by yet another ring best described as “residential,” and then, there’s nothin’ but prairie. This is in no way binding or entirely accurate – but you get a rough idea. The slue of hotels and restaurants vary in quality and corresponding affordability. They are meant for those whose loved ones are actually patients in the aforementioned hospitals and clinics. The mom’n’pop places tend to advertise their amenities rather garishly to attract the eye of those passing through. I pass my favorite everyday on my way to and from work. They have faded red awnings with bold white lettering. “MICROS AND FRIGS” gets me every time.

Best sign on the back of a bus: Little Bob’s Auto Body “Highly Wreck-a-Mended” Ha! Get it? "Wreck-a-Mended?" Genius.

Most hypocritical package in my pantry: Woodstock Farms “Every day 5000 acres of farmland are being sold for development. With education and enthusiastic consumer demand, we can preserve our American farming heritage, keep farming families on the farm, and keep farming a viable economic livelihood.”
Small print on the back – “Product of Turkey.”

And I’m taking a small survey – how many of you have eaten greasy burgers and fries in libraries? Anyone? Why does the new Wendy’s $2.99 commercial have the two guys eating their meals in a library? Of all places. The better to whisper “$2.99” in? Or are libraries the new cool place to hang out and eat your fast food? Maybe that’s where all the folks my age are…

You'd be so proud of me

2007-01-25T20:45:00.000-08:00

I’ve made a *new* friend.

She’s funny and nice and we’re going to get together with her husband and eat chili. I can’t wait! We click. She laughs at my jokes. I wish I’d met her much sooner.

Making new friends here in Rochester hasn’t been easy and I don’t see it getting any easier in the foreseeable future. My first stab at it was mediocre at best. Boys like assertive girls, right? I introduced myself, asked about his shirt, typical small talk, didn’t sound like TOO big of an idiot. Aaaaand, nuthin. Never occurred to him to tell me his name. Maybe that was on purpose. Nice. Great ego boost right there. I need to find where the people my age are hiding, having fun without me, because they certainly aren’t working where I’m working.

You all need to move here. Pronto.
Or at least plan to visit. Give me something to look forward to.
I have movies I want to see and places I want to explore and I’m too much of a self-conscious social wuss to go by myself. I’m even considering adult classes in fun things that I never got to do in college (e.g. cooking, yoga, beginners Norwegian, etc.), but like I said: social wuss. So don’t hold your breath.

AND, illustrating how selfish I am: my new friend is pregnant and I’m sad thinking that she won’t have time to play with me after the baby is born.

Then I’ll be all alone again. Talking to the TV. Exploring the boundless depths of laziness I am willing to sink to. (You’d definitely NOT be proud of me, maybe impressed, or shocked, but not proud).

Isn’t that sad? Don’t you feel sorry for me? Come visit. Make me a better person.

Road Trip!

2007-01-24T19:19:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I ventured for the first time to the Twin Cities. Everyone in Rochester will tell you that it’s an 80 minute drive (1 hour and 20 minutes – depending on your source). It is an easy drive because, in a fit of common sense, the powers that be decreed “We shall have a 4-lane highway connecting Rochester to The Cities” and it was so. There isn’t too much to see along the highway: farms, an elk farm, small towns, and several strip clubs (sorry “gentleman’s clubs”).

Being a 4-lane divided highway, the speed limit is 65 MPH. I set my cruise control to 70 MPH and quickly learned that the posted speed limit is taken as merely a suggestion… should you find you don’t have enough speed and adventure in your life. Otherwise most were Sunday Drivers, content to plod along at 55-60 MPH.

Fine. As long as I have the opportunity to pass them, I’m satisfied. Then I was introduced to The Minnesota Wedge. I don’t believe this particular phenomenon is specific to MN by any means, but if looking for away to distinguish your state’s driving population – this will do the trick. Picture two vehicles (I’ll leave the make, model and color up to your imagination) being driven by the aforementioned Sunday Drivers – side by side (or nearly so) down the highway. As you approach, you find that you are trapped by a wall of oblivious-ness. Both Sunday Drivers are quite enjoying the view off to either side of the highway and cannot be bothered to check their mirrors and notice your presence. They do not recognize the purpose nor the authority of the passing lane. In their minds, both lanes are equal. Why should anyone want to pass them?

I also came across several cases of Road Hypnosis. I’d pass someone only to be passed by them a short time later. Apparently I snapped them out of their reverie just in time to see a speed limit sign and realize that they were, in fact, allowed to drive faster. Much, much faster. This is most annoying when the realization hits JUST AS I am attempting to pass them – thereby negating the need to pass in the first place.

The most creepy driver I came across – The Stalker. This driver follows the nearest relatively fast car. This guy wants reassurance that it’s OK to drive fast so he attaches himself like a pilot fish to a shark. If you pass his shark, he’ll attach himself to you. I believe he thinks he will avoid a speeding ticket this way, but that’s just a guess. I picked up a Stalker on my way home to Rochester. What was creepy was his tendency to stay 1-2 car lengths behind me, as if riding my ass to get me to speed up. All the while the passing lane is wide open. Our little procession crossed a good number of miles. Finally we reached a stretch where a third lane appeared to our right and it was THEN that the decided it was time. To actually pass me. On the right. WTF?

Now I will openly admit that I am not a perfect driver, but I do try to have proper highway etiquette. I’ll be anxious to see what other interesting species of driver I come across the next time I venture north.

Aerodynamics?

2007-01-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

Can someone explain to me how, after eating toast, with the toast in front of me, I can end up with crumbs on my shoulder?

I swear I wasn’t eating it so fast and furious that crumbs were flying EVERYWHERE, which, by definition, would include my shoulder.

My current hypothesis: kitchen gnomes.

FYI: a real honest-to-goodness post is brewing in my head but I am either a) too lazy, b) too tired, c) watching a video on how to properly treat lab animals or d) watching TV, and can’t be bothered to actually type it up. Maybe tomorrow I’ll have some motivation.

Thanks for your patience

2007-01-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

It’s been a very busy last few weeks, my friends, and I appreciate your patience (all 7 of you).

The move from Cleveland went well. Weather and traffic were good. I avoided any unpleasant or uncomfortable conversations with my mother by intently listening to “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson on CD. HOURS of entertainment right there. I’ll have to write him a fan letter and thank him.

Christmas was full of the usual hectic and drama-filled family events. I even had a little time to squeeze in some friends. I learned a new dice game called Farkle. Kinda reminded me of cribbage with all the different combinations adding up to different point values. I don’t think I could explain it.

The move to Rochester also went well. We unloaded the truck in record time while the furniture guys delivered and set up my new bedroom set and sleeper sofa. As we started to unpack and organize, the cable guy set up my TV. I was set. Exhausted, and not wanting to go shopping or out to dinner, but set.

My parents alternated between complaining that I had too much shit, and trying to make me buy more. I snapped at the Wal-Mart checkout, asking them to make up their fucking minds already. (That’s how tired I was.) We all slept soundly. The next day the parents took me shopping one last time (without incident), hung some curtain rods and shelves, and were on their way back to WI by noon. I was breathing a big sigh of relief by 12:05.

My New Year’s weekend was spent unpacking and organizing. Two of my most favorite things to do. A close second was doing my first couple loads of laundry in my very own washer and drier. It’s the little things, you know?

I also learned that there are two truths to moving:
1) You really don’t know how much shit you have until you try to box it all up.
2) Moving is an excuse for your family to foist shit they don’t want on you.
I turned down: wicker furniture, random kitchen gadgets and an artificial fichus tree. I accepted: a giant metal desk, a giant metal table, nice rolly chair with matching carpet protecting plastic thing to roll on, and a bookcase. I know how to prioritize. And I’m ready for houseguests. So, if you ever find yourself in the Rochester area, let me know.

Work as been… good. Being a new employee is never fun, per se. Lots of training, orientating, setting up, reading, and doctor’s appointments. You’ll be happy to know that I don’t have TB, and I won’t be getting tetanus, pertussis OR diphtheria any time soon. I know I’m relieved.

So far I like my new boss and my new labmates. Most of the folks I’ve met at work are married women who are either pregnant or have kids. I’m learning a lot about differing mothering styles. Most have been very nice and welcoming. Then there are some on the floor that won’t even make eye contact. I’ve been warned that there’s a bit of clique-ish-ness by lab. I am not in their lab, therefore, I am unimportant. Fine. I won’t waste my time.

My most favorite graduation gift arrived last week: my new matchbook-sized iPod Shuffle. It’s SO CUTE. I could eat it up. Helps me drown out the country music playing in the lab and gives me something to do on the bus to and from work.

One cool thing about work: I have access to “Staff Only” corridors, tunnels and elevators because now I’m actually, officially staff. A very novel concept for me. Oh, and everything is connected by underground tunnels – also novel for me. I can even get to my bank via underground tunnel here! AND they have a bunch of little shops in part of the tunnel system – gift shops, coffee shops, sandwich shops, etc. Pretty cool. My office has a huge window and being on the 13th floor affords me a pretty decent view. My office mate leaves something to be desired, but she’s tolerable. Likes to give out obvious, unsolicited advice. That rubs me the wrong way. She also likes to corner people and chew their ears off. I’m polite, but I keep things short.

That pretty much brings you up to speed.

I hope your new year is starting off on the right foot!

You can call me "Doctor"

2006-12-21T14:48:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's true. I've finally jumped that hurdle. Granted, it's not been a clean break from my university and my crazy boss, but a major step in the right direction. My blood pressure has dropped dramatically, and I've been sleeping well.

Like the idiot that he is, my boss scheduled his flight the morning of my big public defense. He was supposed to land at 10:20am, get to campus around 11am, and be ready for my talk to start at noon. He called about 10:30 to say that his plane had to make an emergency landing due to mechanical failures, so he figured he'd be late. He said to go ahead and start without him.

Sweet. Totally lessened my chances for public humiliation. Always a good thing. Consequently I was much less nervous. I still wanted to throw up, but not at much.

The talk went well, I was able to keep most people awake and even fielded some questions. My boss walked in just as the first person was walking out. He'd missed the whole thing. Awesome.

Then started the actual "defense" where my committee sits around and grills me with questions about my thesis, my talk, and my work. It totally blew, but thankfully only lasted an hour (I've heard horror stories of 3 hour defenses - I consider myself lucky). Then the "please stay in academic science" talk started, along with "don't shy away from it because it's hard." Um, yeah. If I was that kind of person, I wouldn't be here, would I? And then they capped it off with bitching about a former grad student who is no longer in academic science, but an elementary school teacher instead. Yeah, she's so selfish, wasting her Ph.D like that. I mean, c'mon, educating America's youth? Pffft!

On the way back to my building, my boss says to me "I noticed your father didn't show up."

"That's because he's dead."

"Oh. Oh. So what did you mean by your dedication?"

"That I hope where ever he is, that he's proud of me."

"Oh, I thought that maybe he wasn't supportive of you getting a Ph.D so you were saying [assuming a snotty tone of voice] 'So there, Dad, I hope you're proud of me now [stick out tongue].'"

"Ah, no. Not at all."

"Oh, I see, because that's what it sounded like to me."

"That's because you're crazy," I said, to myself, in my head. Damn my better judgement!

Walking the half block to my building my boss proceeded to get winded and sweaty. I was doing better than him wearing heels and carrying giant cake. And yes, he was wearing his black (you know, "slimming") Member's Only jacket. Along with the ubiquitous maroon button-down shirt and khakis.

I declined his offer to get something to eat or a drink so we sat around with my Mom and my labmate and chatted. Come 3:30 he says he's going to head for the airport for his 6pm flight. I found out later he was spotted in the building at 5pm. He'd blown me off to go talk with professors. Whatever. I went home and took a 3 hour nap, then treated Mom to dinner.

The next day I tied up some loose ends and had an awesome going away party. I've made a lot of good friends in Cleveland, and it was nice to be able to say goodbye.

Yesterday Mom and I crammed as much of my shit into my little car as we could and hit the road to WI. I have a LOT of shit. The saying is entirely true that you don't know how much crap you have until you try to box it all up. I had to leave behind my plants, my cleaning supplies, and all of my food. Such is life.

Side note: my Mother is also crazy and has a very weird sense of priorities when it comes to packing. She kept trying to pack food and leave important stuff. I would also like the record to show that she WAY overpacked for the 4 days she was in Cleveland. If she would have packed like a normal, rational person, we probably could have fit most of what was left in the car. She had an overstuffed suitcase, 2 toiletry bags (one was a converted gardening tool bag, and one a fancy multi-pocket fold up deal), a wheely soft-sided cooler and about 7 pairs of footwear (shoes AND boots). Who needs that much stuff for 4 days??? [sigh] Whatever.

We had a pleasantly uneventful 11 hour drive home.

Today I did some laundry, some last minute Christmas shopping, and set up my utilities in Rochester. Yay! I'm so excited about my new place.

Now I need to finish up the corrections to my thesis, get my bosses approval of them, and upload my thesis to the university website (shounds straight forward but I garauntee it'll take forever). I also have to keep working on this second paper that still hasn't been submitted for publication yet. My boss decided last week on more experiments he wants done for the paper. Yeah, great timing. Glad I don't have to do them, but it sure it dragging things out A LOT. Plus I don't like him dumping on my labmates on my behalf.

Happy holidays to you and yours!

Have I mentioned the bipolar?

2006-12-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

My boss just caught me completely off-guard.

I asked him how he wanted me to get my laptop back to him. He's known to pass down laptops among lab members until they are completely unusable, and I figured he had similar plans for mine.

He told me (in front of witnesses in 2 states) that I can keep my laptop, and think of it as a graduation gift from him.

!!!!!!

I asked him if he was sure he wanted to do that about 5 times. Lab lore tells of a previous grad student who had asked him if she could keep her laptaop, to which he agreed, only to later claim that she stole it. I didn't want that happening with me.

Not only did he tell me I could keep my laptop, but he told me that I should use the remaining funds on my fellowship to buy upgrades for it! This is completely out of character for him - telling someone to spend "his" money on something not going into collective lab use.

The stars must be aligned...

My new TV boyfriend

2006-12-11T10:29:00.000-08:00

I have a new crush. His name is Bear Grylls and he’s the star of Man vs. Wild on the Discovery Channel. He looks a bit like Christian Bale, has a British accent and can survive anywhere. The shows I’ve seen have him going places where tourists have gotten lost or stranded and perhaps have died. He’s going to show you what you should do, should you find yourself similarly stranded. Much like Cash Peters, they just kind of drop him off somewhere and he’s got to get himself back to civilization. But he does know where he’s headed, and he’s got a few supplies (like the parachute he jumped out of the helicopter with). And I think he’s studied up a bit on the environment before he gets there because he’s full of useful tips and even gets himself into rotten situations on purpose to show you how to get out. He just jumped into a frozen lake to show me (yes, me) how to get out again. Once out, he completely stripped down out of his wet clothes and did some push-ups to “get the blood flowing again.”

Nice bum.

I’m smitten.

And yes, I can have the TV on in the background while I crunch numbers and grudgingly make changes to my paper per my boss’s “request.”

The pinnacle of asshattery

2006-12-07T14:22:00.000-08:00

My boss has started making corrections to my thesis.

He made fun of my middle name.

He also made corrections to my dedication... to my Dad... who passed away just over 7 years ago.

Please join me in hoping that he gets hit by a bus.

Quickly: the weekend in a nutshell

2006-11-27T10:56:00.000-08:00

- Traveled to and from Rochester without incident – even got sniffed by the drug/food sniffing dog. Fun!

- Found a place to live and put down a deposit (townhouse, attached single car garage, hooray!)

- Found a new bedroom set AND sleeper sofa (if you want to visit, that’s where you’re sleeping)

- Ate out a lot and slept well (with earplugs)

- Nobody got testy (including me) all weekend

-Now trying to unload some of my old furniture to make room for the new (and for an easier move)

I feel much better having this aspect of things wrapped up. Now to finish my thesis…

The correct answer

2006-11-18T10:02:00.000-08:00

A tablespoon is just shy of 15 milliliters (like 14.98). I thought it would be much less. The closest guess we had around these parts was 10 mL. Mistress Bionerd wins!!

And, in case it doesn't update fast enough, the title of the last post should have been Monday, December 18. Not the 14th. I'm retarded.

Write this down: Monday, December 18 at noon

2006-11-17T10:25:00.000-08:00

Finally. FINALLY. I have set a date for my thesis defense.

You can write this one in ink on your calendars. “Monday, December 18 at noon.” If you happen to be in the Cleveland area, feel free to drop by. It is a public presentation so hop up on caffeine and bring snacks to keep yourself awake.

“But Lil’ Kate, you said you wanted Friday, December 15. What’s the deal?”

I’ll tell you: getting the important people in my life to agree on a date is like herding kittens.

I floated the idea of the 15th to my parents. They said that or the 14th would work best for them as they can’t take off much time from work. They laid on the guilt pretty thick about choosing a later date, saying they’d miss the presentation, but could make it to help me move. My Mom’s a lapsed Catholic, but she’s retained the guilt-trip-giving talent. *Complete* with choking up.

So, I floated the idea to my committee only to be told that it would be “impossible” to have it on the 15th due to the Holiday Party (now scheduled in the online calendar for 9am-5pm). I countered with “Alright. How about the 14th then?” Half of my committee members got back to me within 15 minutes saying they will be out of town. My committee chair will be out of town the 8-14th so that eliminates moving it up to the 13th.

Shit. We have to try a later date. Now Mom will let the tears flow.

I called her up and she pulled a complete 180 on me. “Oh no, Honey, don’t stress about it. The important thing is that you graduate. We’ll work something out. You just don’t worry about us.” Now the creative problem solving gears start to turn and she and my stepdad start cooking up convoluted schemes involving moving and attending my defense.

Um, excuse me? Who is this? Where am I? All of a sudden you’re flexible and accommodating?

You make me crazy. Make that “crazier” than I already am.

So I float the idea of the 18th to my committee members. Three of them get back to me right away. The fourth – I don’t know what his excuse was. I waited 24 hours to call his office – which he was in, he answered on the first ring – only to have him say the 18th was fine. If you’re sitting at your desk, next to your phone, at your computer, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT’S HOLY, email me back. It literally takes 5 seconds to hit reply, type “Fine” and hit send.

OK. Great. We’re settled. I called up the department administrator and reserved the conference room for 4 hours (about 1.5 hours for my actual talk, and the rest for me meeting with my committee privately).

Now I have to get my title approved by my boss and then I can get the fliers printed up and my paperwork filled out for the Grad Studies office.

In retrospect I’m a little glad that my defense got pushed back a few days because now my boss has changed his mind yet again and I have *more* experiments to do for my paper. I think when I tell him “I feel overwhelmed and I really need to wrap up doing experiments so that I can focus on my thesis,” he thinks I’m overreacting. “You’re a good writer, you’ll be fine,” he says to console me. If I’m such a good writer, why does he rewrite my papers? I’m glad he is complimentary, but he doesn’t take into account that it takes me a long time to get my writing to the “good” stage. It doesn’t come easily to me. I’m way better at editing/revising other people’s work. Hands down.

Anyway, that’s where things stand as of this minute. I’m feeling simultaneously relieved and overwhelmed.

I’d like to go home now and take a nap.

Trivia and an update

2006-11-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

A little science trivia for my geeky friends:

Take a stab at how many milliliters are in a tablespoon.

Don’t cheat and look it up. Just take a guess, and let me know before you Google it.

It’s a little exercise in spatial reasoning and perception.

I was way off, even though it’s actually listed on my measuring spoons. I never paid much attention to that part. And until the US converts to metric, I really don’t have to. Or unless I decide to try cooking with pipettes and graduated cylinders...

We have discussed cooking a turkey in the autoclave, but we’re not sure how it would stand up to the pressure – probably not real well, even if it was in an oven bag. You know, like those cookbooks about how to cook on your engine block or in your dishwasher, but geekier.

In other news: I continue to plod towards graduation.

The boss was in a good mood during our meeting and didn’t give me too much more to do on my paper. Mostly perfecting the figures, which I find ironic considering some of the crap he lets slide for others. He also wants me to add some extra analyses to some of the data I already have (which is WAY easier than generating it from scratch).

Then I’ll update the text, send it to him for revision, make the revisions, and then send it to my committee members for their perusal/revision. After that we can finally submit it.

And I really think that he’s coming to grips with the fact that I won’t be around to do the revisions (should there be any, and there probably will).

The boss was also amenable to picking a tentative defense date. I chose Friday, December 15.

But it’s only penciled in.
I have to make sure that: 1) my committee members can come, and 2) that a conference room is available.

Apparently that’s the same day as my department's "Holiday Party" (don't let them fool you, it's a Christmas party), which is a daylong event full of food, skits, humorous awards and sing-alongs (fun the first few years, annoying the last few years). Also the conference room I originally had in mind probably won’t be available because the Party will be in it.

One of my committee members has told me to pick a different day because “it’s important to present to the department.” Well, yeah, but couldn’t we schedule it for the morning, before the Party starts? I think he thinks that no one will come to my defense. Fine by me. That’s their choice.
The other option is the 14th, when the departmental seminar is. If it’s an internal speaker, I may be allowed to ask them to reschedule. Otherwise maybe we could schedule for right before or right after the departmental seminar. We’ll see what I’m allowed to do. Seems that for as laid back as the Biochemistry Dept. appears to be, they really like to have their thesis defenses scheduled at noon on days when there is nothing else going on.

If I don’t get the 14th or the 15th it’s going to suck because those days work out best for everyone - me, my boss, my family who might like to attend, and the family helping me move - everyone who won’t be attending the Holiday Party. My parents can’t take off of work to attend both my defense AND help me move if I don’t have it on the 14th or 15th. They’ll miss the defense and just come down to help me move a couple days later.

It’s a conundrum that I hope my committee and my department will be willing to compromise with me on.

I’ll keep you posted.

My Landlords: Part II

2006-11-06T06:39:00.000-08:00

Since that first chitchat there haven’t been any extensive conversations. I see L in the driveway after work – seems he putters most evenings. I see D in the basement of the big house when I’m doing laundry.

Based on my stereotyping of what I believe a cross between a Buddhist and a Metaphysical Christian would be like, I think D is hypocritically superficial. The big house is opulent, the yard and gardens are just so, and she’s hyper about cleanliness. She seems to follow her grandkids around with a mop and whitewashes the basement walls after it rains because the red brick starts to seep through. I’ll repeat that: she *whitewashes* the *basement* walls. The basement. Nobody goes down there except her and me. So either she’s really trying to impress me, or she needs more hobbies.

Anyway, the a couple weeks ago when I was doing laundry I ran into D. Seems life had been exceptionally hectic for her, what with moving the nonprofit offices out of the 3rd floor of the big house to offices downtown, training new staff and planning a Halloween benefit to raise some cash. I sympathized and wished her well. When I came back to get my laundry I found 4 fat envelopes waiting for me. D wanted to invite me and (“hopefully”) some of my friends to the benefit to “help keep [her] nonprofit financially viable.” Opening the invite, I learned that my ticket to this little soiree would cost me $125.

My jaw dropped. I’m sorry, but on what planet / in which dimension / in what alternate reality do I have $125 to blow I mean “donate” to an organization I have never utilized nor feel committed to? Run by someone who is not a close friend? Someone who could easily buy and sell me? Plus, I’d have to make a costume OR wear something black-tie. Two additional situations I’d rather avoid.

The RSVP had a box you could check for “Sorry I cannot attend, but enclosed is my donation of $_____.” Ah, an option for the rest of us. Giving to a good cause but not allowed to attend the party. A party with a chocolate fondue fountain! Obviously everybody wins.

Now I’m not trying to say anything negative about her organization, or discourage donating to good causes. On the contrary, I’m sure her organization has helped people, and I’m sure being a nonprofit isn’t easy – you’re kind of forced to coerce money from people, not making a profit and all. Rather, I’m trying to advocate perception, tact and discretion. Is that so wrong?

My Landlords: Part I

2006-10-31T11:02:00.000-08:00

I know I’ve mentioned them before, but not in much detail. The first time I had an extended chit-chat with them was the first time I handed in my rent check. They were sitting outside on a balmy August night, enjoying the lovely and buggy Cleveland summer. They asked me to join them and started with the usual “get to know you” questions about where I’m from, what my family is like, and what I do.

I learned that D and L each have adult children from their previous marriages, and a couple grandkids. With much work and dedication they kept things civil with their exes for the sake of their children. They definitely earned my respect on that one.

D is… into healing. She performs hypnotherapy and started a nonprofit to help bridge Eastern medicine with Western. Say you want acupuncture to compliment your medication – she can hook you up with the right people. She recommends acupuncture for menopausal symptoms, by the way. Swears by it. Just FYI.

L is… in “business?” I don’t know exactly what. When I asked, D cut him off with “He’s in business as well.” Talking a couple weeks later to a woman who may have taught one of their daughters, she thinks he may be a psychiatrist. He smokes like a chimney and reminds me of Martin Scorsese with is white hair and black eye brows.

Then the conversation took a twist I wasn’t expecting. I’d always been taught that discussing religion and politics was impolite – with friends, with strangers, fill in your favorite category. D asked me what religion I was. Not knowing them well enough to judge how open minded they are (I know, the Eastern/Western medicine bridge might have been a clue, but you can never be too sure) I chose a safe, stock answer which I will regurgitate for you here: Though I don’t subscribe to any particular religion, I do believe that its purpose is to help people live a better life.

L immediately jumped down my throat with “Isn’t the purpose of religion to reconcile man with God?” Caught off-guard I stammered that reconciling yourself with God could help you lead a better life, couldn’t it? After a beat D chimed in saying that she considers herself a cross between a Buddhist and a Metaphysical Christian.

[I had to look that up later. Turns out Metaphysical Christianity is “a belief system, founded on the teachings of Jesus, which looks at how He perceived reality. It also examines the relationship between mind and matter, which is God. A Metaphysical Christian studies not only what Jesus taught in words, but also how He taught in actions. They study the imagery and metaphor used in the Bible and strive to understand the deepest meaning.”]

L got up and left to putter around the yard. D and I continued to talk. I learned that D believes that her granddaughter is the reincarnation of someone she knew. She can’t say for certain if it’s a friend or family member, but she’s pretty convinced and had some intriguing stories to tell. She’s pining for the day that her daughter will let her perform a past life regression on the little girl, hoping that it’s someday soon as, apparently, upon reaching the age of 6 most of your past life memories are gone.

Stay tuned for Part II….

Now that's never happened before...

2006-10-23T07:22:00.000-07:00

My move to Rochester is immanent. To prepare I’ve been looking up apartments and townhouses online that I would like to visit over Thanksgiving. The cool thing about these online organizations is that they make it really easy to get in contact with the property owners, so yesterday I emailed a few to ask if they’d have anyone around the weekend after Thanksgiving to show me around the units I’m interested in.

Not 10 minutes later a woman called from the place I was *especially* excited about. It had everything I wanted: a dishwasher, a garbage disposal, AC, a washer and drier, AND an attached single car garage – the most exciting part of all – I’m getting giddy just thinking about it. Anyway, she was very nice and helpful: yes, there would be folks around to give me a tour, just call her when it got to be closer and we could make an appointment. Then she asked how much money I’d be making. I figured she wanted to make sure I could afford all of this luxury for the price of $725 a month. I proudly told her what I’d be making my first year as a postdoc.

Her mood darkened. “I’m sorry,” she said, “but your income will be too high.”

“Too high?” How could this be possible? I have never been in a position where I was making *too much* money. I believe I have just stepped into the Twilight Zone.

“Yeah, I’m not exactly sure how it works. It’s some tax credit thing. We rent to people who make [approximately $6,000 less than I will me making] or less. To help them build a nest egg or something. But that’s just for the first 6 months. After that you can make as much as you want.”

As if that would make me feel better. I’d like to build a little nest egg, too, you know. I’d just be better at it with all that “excess” money coming in.

I can’t say I was caught completely off-guard. Some of the listings actually have a little blurb about this tax-credit-thing so I know not to bother.

I thanked her for letting me know. She suggested another place that I might want to look into, adding that it’s closer to the Mayo Clinic than her place. Looking it up I see that I can get my “4 Musts” (DW, GD, AC, W/D) as well as the sweet attached garage with the added bonus of a fireplace (I’d totally be making s’mores in the living room) for the low low price of $1020-1050 a month. Quite a bit more expensive than my first love, but not completely out of the question.

Since then I’ve found about 8 other places that are less expensive – but now I need to call them all to find out if they participate in this tax-credit-thing. Wish me luck.

Three things entertaining me today

2006-10-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

1. Taking 4 inch long glow-in-the-dark skeletons into the darkroom and exposing them to the light-sensitive film and making fun pictures for Halloween decor. They dance! They cavort! Weeeee!

2. Wearing my pirate booty - a 2 inch long plasic sapphire ring. I feel like royalty. Kiss my ring.

3. Realizing that I don't spill things *on* my sleeves - I spill them *up* my sleeves.

We're all very disappointed

2006-10-12T14:34:00.000-07:00

Square AJ! Where are you?? We were anxiously waiting and hoping to get at least one smart ass comment from you! You've let all of us down.

Lab interview: So that you might understand us better

2006-10-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

Lil’ Kate: Let’s start with the basics. Why science?
L: I ask myself that question every day.
Aunt Chen: I’m a glutton for punishment, I guess.
Labmate: Because it is the only field where I can perform monkey head transplants at the taxpayers expense.

Lil’ Kate: Why this lab?
L: I was TRICKED!!!
Aunt Chen: Just lucky!
Labmate: The devil made me do it.

Lil’ Kate: What gets you excited?
L: Planning lab sabotage – thawing freezers, burning notebooks…
Aunt Chen: I don’t remember.
Labmate: Hot sex, like on or near an open flame. Pain is a turn on, hee hee hee!

Lil’ Kate: Favorite science term?
L: There’s nothing funny about science.
Aunt Chen: “Controls” – who does that?!
Labmate: It’s a toss up between “atypical cleavage” and “doublesexxx”

Lil’ Kate: Favorite boss quote?
L: “I don’t want to smell your mommy parts.”
Aunt Chen: “It’s OK, I can fix that with Photoshop.”
Labmate: “If we don’t work, people die.”

Lil’ Kate: OK. Let’s find out just how much of a science nerd you are. Are you often blinded by the sun?
L: Like a mole coming out of its burrow!
Aunt Chen: Only once, when I married my hubby. Hey, it’s the only explanation I’ve got!
Labmate: In Cleveland, all the damn time.

Lil’ Kate: Have you ever conducted a science experiment at home?
L: My boyfriend may think so because stuff in the fridge likes to grow and dinner isn’t always that great.
Aunt Chen: I have 3 kids. It is an ongoing experiment and it’s not looking good.
Labmate: I’m not allowed to talk about “The Incident.”

Lil’ Kate: Have you ever dressed up for Halloween in a science-related costume?
L: Of course! As president of the Chem Club I had the teased hair, lab coat, the whole 9 yards.
Aunt Chen: Only once, and none of the morons who saw it understood it.
Labmate: Yes, but it’s always coated in lots of blood… real blood.

Lil’ Kate: Do you find bowling to be an aerobic workout?
L: No, but I’m always sore the next day…. Oh wait, maybe that’s from the biker I picked up…
Aunt Chen: Only with enough alcohol – but after all, should bowling ever be done without it? No way!
Labmate: No, but I know some that do.

Lil’ Kate: Now I’d like to delve into your emotional state. Do you want to kill yourself?
L: Surprisingly, no.
Aunt Chen: Never, it would make too many people very happy.
Labmate: Ever? Or just when I’m here?

Lil’ Kate: Do you want to kill someone else?
L: Kill them myself? No. Have them DIE in some awful manner? Why yes.
Aunt Chen: Oh my… so many people, so little time.
Labmate: Yes, it’s hard to suppress the evil thoughts (she says while putting the knife down).

Lil’ Kate: Why do you hate me?
L: Hate is such a strong word….
Aunt Chen: You’re just lucky, I guess.
Labmate: I only hate you when you steal my tweezers.

Lil’ Kate: Favorite stress relieving time-waster?
L: Bad VH1 TV. “Flavor of Love” anyone??
Aunt Chen: Doing my job – “Lindsey experiments.”
Labmate: Losing myself in your eyes.

What am I missing?

2006-10-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

Would you rather:

a) swing wide, into oncoming traffic (my lane), nearly having a head-on collision

OR

b) drive within 5 feet of some construction barrels blocking off a giant dumpster?

The overwhelming answer appears to be “a.”

Now, last I checked, my Honda, though she be small, is capable of doing considerable damage. More damage than, say, a relatively light-weight construction barrel. Are the barrels scary? Are drivers afraid they’ll jump out in front of their cars, much like indecisive squirrels? What’s with the theatrics? There is plenty of room for them to stay on their side of the road. Am I missing something?

Inn Love

2006-10-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went out to breakfast with Labmate and her hubby. Now, not having a good track record of recommending things to Labmate, I was really nervous that something would go wrong at breakfast. Even though I always take out-of-town guests to The Inn, and I would eat breakfast there every day if I could afford the time and money, I was still a little apprehensive. Especially since we’d been planning this for about a week and the expectations had been growing.

The Inn is like a cross between The Log Cabin (the old one, not the new one) and The Mint in The ‘Sau (for those in the know). Think Waffle House, but homey-er. It’s relatively small and diner-ish. The coffee mugs weigh a pound. The food is hot and greasy. The waitresses call you Honey and are always right on top of those refills. They write out your order by hand and you pay at the till.

At the same time, they don’t play it safe with stereotypical breakfast dishes consisting of some sort of egg/meat/potato medley. They serve 4 different kinds of Eggs Benedict (my addiction of choice), quiches, Blues and Chews (blueberry and cashew pancakes), Mango Sour Cream pancakes (sounds gross, but isn’t), and a dozen different kinds of omelets along with the stereotypical fried steak and eggs dishes. I guarantee you won’t be hungry for the rest of the day.

Labmate ordered her very first Eggs Benedict and I graciously welcomed her into the fold. Hubby had Blues and Chews. I’m pleased to announce that the both of them loved their breakfasts and my track record is on the mend! Afterwards we waddled out to our cars and made a promise to ourselves that this wouldn’t be our last breakfast. There’s just too much on the menu they haven’t tried yet, and I’m more than happy to walk them through it.

Going to breakfast at the Inn is a great way to end a hectic work week, and a wonderful way to start the weekend.

Grape-tastic!

2006-09-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Grape Jamboree day started with an hour drive to G’s house where I was promptly fed waffles and sausages while the children got ready. A short drive later and we arrived at “The Commune” where I got to meet the rest of G’s family and 3 large dogs. Not much is cuter than a gangly adolescent German shepherd, let me tell you. And now I understand why G says “We don’t watch TV at night, we sit around and watch the 2-year-old.” She’s *hilarious.*

We barely made it over to the “grandstand” in time to throw my name into the hat for grape stomping. The DJ called the first contestant: a 6-year-old girl. “I could totally take her!” I tell G. The DJ called the second contestant: an 8-year-old boy. “I could take him, too!” I’m getting pumped. I don’t know what the prize is, but I’m pretty sure that it will be mine. The DJ called the third contestant: a 10-year-old girl. “Something is wrong here,” I say as I see him sifting through the slips of paper. He is purposely picking little kids. I am being discriminated against because of my age! I should have put down that I was 12, not 28. I could have passed, I just know it.

He calls the rest of the contestants (5 in all) and the stomping begins. The kids stand in a giant plastic bucket and stomp away. The fifth kid chickened out, and his 12-year-old brother volunteered to take his place. The judges were reluctant to have him do it (I’m guessing he was too old for their tastes), but he did get to compete. This kid was my favorite. He got so into it that he splattered grape on the first row of spectators, and on himself from head to toe. We didn’t stick around to see who won (based on applause) but I can assure you that I whooped it up for the 12-year-old as I ate my grape ice cream.

On the way back to The Commune we stopped for Chicken on a Stick (a.k.a. Heaven on a Stick). I’m not exactly sure what they baste the meat with, but it’s one of the best fair foods I’ve ever had. Rumor has it that it gets better later in the day as the baste congeals on the meat, but I was pretty impressed as it was.

We picked up the rest of G’s fam and headed out to watch the parade. Lots of floats handed out candy, some handed out Freezee Pops, balloons, and my personal favorite: Saltines and grape jelly with a flier that said “In a ‘jam?’ Call on Jesus.” My favorite float: Slovenian dancers – where they wore traditional garb, but not really. One kid was obviously a punk under/around his traditional garb with his died black hair, black fingernails and black Chuck Taylors. He was the most enthusiastic of the bunch.

After depositing the girls’ candy cache at The Commune we headed over to the craft area. Two of the girls got fairy crowns and the third got herself a put-it-in-water-and-it-grows snake. G bought me a grape bunch pin made of beads and pipe cleaners as a souvenir. We swung back through the food area for some freshly pressed grape juice from an ancient grape press – way better than anything you could buy in a store.

We stopped by G’s apartment to watch “Nanny McFee” and let the girls chill out a bit before dropping them off at their dad’s. G drove me through the closest covered bridge and then we headed back to the food booths. Our dinner consisted of “Bucket o’ Fries” and a bloomin’ onion. Greasy goodness. We were happy and miserable at the same time as we stuffed our faces and watched the crowd. We saw folks trapped in: the 70’s, the 80’s, the 90’s and dressed in the latest fashions. We saw cowboys, Goths, thugs, hipsters, preps, and hippies. My personal favorite: a braided mullet and a bolo tie. The creepiest: the evening’s musical entertainment. This girl is what those little JonBenet Ramsey’s grow up to be. She’s 12 and a “performer” who basically did co
vers of Top 40 hits, but it was actually more like karaoke. She wore a shimmery purple jumpsuit and shook her ass. People came in droves. We headed back to The Commune for canolis.

I received one of my favorite compliments from G:
“Kate’s not a pansy.”
And don’t you forget it.

Back at G’s apartment I watched her chug from her bottle of Pepto and then make grape jelly. Not being particularly savvy in the kitchen I was impressed at how easy (and cheap!) it is. After sitting around shooting the shit, it hit me how tired I really was. I also realized that all day I’d been consistently counting to 3 as I performed a head count on the girls while walking through the crowds. I hugged G goodbye and drove home, where I proceeded to collapse into bed with a smile on my face. Happy Grape Jamboree!

Geneva Grape Jamboree - T minus 3 days

2006-09-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

"...he could never fully trust a person who didn't find the prospect of squashing grapes in their bare feet irresistible..."
Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates by Tom Robbins

This'll be me on Saturday, BAY-BEE!

I can't wait.

I have to get to the Grape Jamboree early to sign up, and hope and pray and be annoying enough that they'll pick me from among the multitudes to participate (they only choose 5 contestants).

Wish me luck! Afterwards I'll try to post pictures of my grape-stained feet.

"Why you did that" by L

2006-09-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

Because you secretly want to have a highly contageous disease where you have to stay home and not see anybody for weeks! And we have to slip your antibiotics to you under the door! You DO have meningitis! Get out! Go home! And don't come back!

When did I get this way?

2006-09-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Labmate: I just want to go home.

LK: Me, too.

Labmate: I have this pain in the back of my neck that’s making me nauseous.

LK: Me too!

LK, thinking to herself: The logical explanation is that we have stress headaches/muscle aches.

LK, says out loud: Maybe we have meningitis!

LK, thinking to herself: Where in the hell did that come from? Why would I say that? Was I trying to be funny? I don’t think that came off as funny.

Labmate: Yeah… I don’t know… I just want to go home.

The eye of the storm

2006-09-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

I had my sufficiency meeting yesterday. That’s code for “last committee meeting ever.” I was EXTREMELY nervous about it. Not that I had any concrete reason to be, I don’t need one. My boss is crazy and unpredictable. You can go over your presentation with him 10 times before the big day, and be completely convinced that you’re both on the same page, only to have him pick a fight with you the day of the presentation… in front of your committee members… and make you look/feel stupid… because of some detail that he overlooked the 10 previous times that he looked at your presentation. But, I have learned that my nerves inversely correlate with how the meeting goes: the more nervous I am beforehand – the better it goes; the more relaxed and confident I am – the worse it goes.

Now, since my boss has moved to TX, he doesn’t fly up here for committee meetings anymore, but he calls the room and we put him on speakerphone. I’ve learned that if I turn his volume all the way up, I have a better shot at eavesdropping from the hallway. When I was sent out of the room before the meeting officially started, I could hear my boss talking, and he was slightly on the negative side of decent, but he didn’t say anything outwardly infuriating – just nothing even approaching complimentary.

I was called in to give my presentation and it went relatively well. A bit of nit picking by the committee members, and a giant tangent from my boss. A tangent that he admitted from the start was “optional.” Why, then, must we belabor this topic when we may just end up dropping it from the paper as a whole?? Another example of him liking the sound of his own voice.

I told them that my goals are to submit my paper by the end of October and defend in early December.

At the end of my presentation I left the room, and assumed my eavesdropping position. My boss said that my paper wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but we’d try to submit it to Cancer Research. If it got rejected, we’d submit it to Cancer Biology and Therapy. Now, Cancer Research is a decent journal. It’s no Science or Nature or Cell, but it’s not the bottom of the barrel. Cancer Biology and Therapy (CBT) is the bottom of the barrel. It’s a journal that my boss and another guy started, so I’m pretty much guaranteed that it’ll get published. No questions asked. Whatever. I really could care less – as long as it gets published. Period.

Instead of calling me back into the room to sit me down and tell me their thoughts, my committee members just started to leave. I stopped them and asked “Aren’t we going to sit down and talk?” They said no. They said that we only need to talk if I start having trouble. I asked what they thought of my goals of October and December. They said “Good luck with that.” And “Go for it.”

Not the resounding vote of confidence that I was hoping for, but I’ll take what I can get. If they really didn’t think I could do it, I with they’d just say so. OR, if they thought I had too much extraneous stuff on my plate, that they’d do something about it. Their comments on the back of my form were “Finish paper, submit, write thesis, defend.” That, ladies and gentlemen, is my official, sanctioned, To Do List.

So I had my nice long sigh of relief over a meeting that didn’t make me want to cry. My friend N bought me dinner, and we watched TV for an hour – no mention of science or work – strictly vegetating. That’s the way to really celebrate.

Now I have to remain in high gear if I want to actually reach my goals. If you need to find me, I’ll be in the lab.

Hansel? Gretel?

2006-09-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

Last night, as I’m walking to my car, I see some shmutz on my trunk. Getting closer, I see that it’s cookie crumbs. Someone has left cookie crumbs on my trunk. Granted, my car is parked relatively close to the door for the parking garage, so I can see that there is probably more foot traffic going past my car than others. But why would you put your cookie on my trunk? I wouldn’t put my cookie on my trunk. It’s dirty. Obviously, to the naked eye dirty.

The real kicker: this is not the first time I’ve found cookie crumbs on my trunk. This has happened a handful of times before.

I wonder if this is happening to the other cars parked near mine, and I only notice when it’s my car that is crumbed on.

Weird.

Like an over-ripe cantaloupe

2006-09-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

My head would like to split open. Right down the middle. Just to relieve the pressure.

One more jolly malady that I’ve developed in my not-so-old age is migraines. The other maladies (since you asked) include: allergies to the sun, dogs, cats and hay fever as well as the inability to stay awake after 10:30 pm. I’m a joy. An antihistamine- and Excedrin Migraine-juiced joy.

Thankfully I get a visual anomaly prior to the actual onset of the migraine – so at least I know when I need to pop my liver-damaging pills. I still don’t know what causes the migraines (if I did, I’d avoid the stimulus like the plague, believe you me) and according to the literature I’ve found, it could quite literally be anything: from bright lights, to certain smells, to *allergies*, to stress and anything in between.

Today, my trusty Excedrin has let me down. The glitch in my vision came about 9/9:30 this morning. It is now 5:30 and my cranium has been politely requesting to burst open ALL DAY. She is persistent, you’ve got to give her that.

This has greased the skids on propelling this day into the Top Ten Most Annoying Days list.

The annoying things that have occurred:

1. One set of experiments that I HAVE to do for my committee meeting next Thursday WILL NOT WORK. They are the same experiments I performed not 3 months ago when they worked beautifully. All I have to do is repeat them. But no.

2. I can’t figure out how to troubleshoot said experiments, despite my best efforts to do so, including making all new reagents from scratch (in case you’re wondering, that is a huge pain in the ass).

3. Said experiments have to be performed in another building, in one of my committee member’s labs, back in a hidden corner where the AC blows right on me. (And no, my committee member isn’t around to help – he’s out of town… until tomorrow… when I will harass him.)

4. I took my MP3 player with me to keep me company in my hidden corner and my trick of taping the headphones into a certain position also WILL NOT WORK.

5. I started to revise my postdoc’s manuscript only to find it to be one of the most painfully written specimens I’ve seen in a long time. This agitated my pressurized brain and slightly, ever so slightly, tarnished my respect for this man. I know he’s capable of better.

6. My inbox was stuffed to the gills with junk mail when I got back to my lab. Apparently the university sells our email addresses to folks who spam us. For reasons I can’t comprehend hundreds of students decided to reply to the spam with “please remove me from your list” not realizing that they were replying to EVERYONE ON THE LIST. Idiots! I’d like to punch them each. Individually. In the face.

And on that note, I will be going home now, where I can feel sorry for myself in peace. I plan to enjoy a delightfully spicy Thai noodle bowl, which will hopefully distract my pain receptors long enough for me to finish revising my postdoc’s manuscript. Wish me luck!

Saturday, I didn’t do any work! None Tuesday evening, either!

2006-08-30T11:59:00.000-07:00

So, those of you who have been with me for a while here know all about my crazy hair dresser/stylist/”BFF”. I’d been struggling with the decision to bite the bullet and go back to her (because I desperately needed a haircut AND had about an inch of roots to highlight). I could have done it. I could have lied (sort of) and went on and on about how overwhelmingly busy I am. I could have been evasive and curt. I could only envision bad things coming of it, one of them being vengeful hair cutting/dying. And who needs that?

My labmate came to the rescue and said, “Let’s just go to Julie,” her stylist of choice at a completely different salon. Yes. Let’s. So we made back-to-back appointments with Julie for Saturday. While Labmate was getting her trim I was looking through the books.

Now, I have to explain to you that I have this thing. This thing where I lust after having a cute short haircut that looks all messy and chunky and hip. All the while I know that to achieve this level of girly-ness will require (pause for dramatic effect) the use of product. (Dum dum DUM) I suck at using product. But I always think, “Maybe this time will be different. Maybe this time I’ll ‘get it’ and I’ll practice and it’ll look the way it does in the picture and the world will applaud in unison!”

So when Julie turned to me and said “So what are we going to do today?” I sheepishly showed her the picture of the cute short haircut. “You know it’ll look a little different with your hair, right?” Yes, I know. All the pictures are of girls with ultra thick hair. My hair is not that hair. My hair is thin and wimpy.

“I think it’ll look great!” says Julie.

I’m hooked. I’m convinced. I’m psyched. Let’s do it!

I completely ignore the fact that the reason my hair is in its current state is because I’ve been letting it grow out from a similarly short ‘do. I’d missed ponytails and the freedom to use product at will, or not at all.

I don’t know what it is about cutting large amounts of hair off of people that excites the stylists so, but it gets them all hyper. I’ve never seen a stylist happier than when she’s orchestrating “drastic change.” Anyway, she was excited, I was excited, there was electricity in the air and hair on the floor.

Julie was so focused and intense, we didn’t even chat (bonus!). She explained, “When I get all quiet, it means I’m concentrating and excited.” Fine by me! I’ll be sure to be back.

At the end of it all I watched very closely, I took her instructions, I “learned” how to easily style it. Labmate and I also made appointments to get highlights later in the week. The rest of the day was spent dress shopping for Labmate. I didn’t touch a pipet once!

Despite my crash course, the next day my ‘do didn’t look anything like what Julie had done, but not so bad that I had to break out the baseball cap. I’ll figure it out… I hope. For now nobody is recoiling in horror. Maybe I can go back and ask for another lesson.

Yesterday was highlight day. Julie doesn’t do dye jobs, but Louise does. Louise is a lot chattier than Julie, but thoroughly enjoyed the story of my first stylist. Then she related the story of another stylist she knew, one who said “Sometimes I just want to plunge my scissors into your head” to one of her clients. Shyeah, and I thought I had it bad.

The dye job isn’t *exactly* what I had in mind, but I’ll get over it. She even threw in a 50% off my next color and cut gift certificate! For no reason! Maybe because I wasn’t bitchy about her running late.

I’m not sure, but I think I am in love with Louise.

Now God's just messing with my head

2006-08-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I received the following email from (gasp!) the professor at the NIH:

“Kate, I assume by now that you have accepted the other postdoctoral fellowship position. However, I was just informed that one of the people in the lab is leaving to pursue a job that will get him the coveted H1 visa and thought I would check your availability one more time. Hope all is well, Dr. S”

My first instinct was to fire off a quick “Yes, as a matter of fact I DID accept another position. Thanks for asking.”

L & R stopped me (physically pulled my hands away from the keyboard) saying “Are you CRAZY?!”

Um, yes. But what does that have to do with anything?

They pointed out that I had really liked that lab, really liked the research, the pay and the atmosphere of a government lab. They reminded me that I have not signed anything committing myself to the Mayo Clinic.

I countered with “But she *screwed me over* and who’s to say she wouldn’t do it again?” I’ll bet she sent this same email out to 5 other kids that she interviewed and she’s just waiting to see who bites first. Besides, though I have not officially signed anything for the Mayo Clinic, I verbally committed. The paperwork has already been filled out (and will be filed pending receipt of rec letters from my committee members and official documentation of my graduation). I just can’t bring myself to be the asshole who calls up Dr. A to say “Yeah, nevermind. Something better came up.” I can’t do it. Makes me feel dirty – and hypocrital.

So I pleasantly declined Dr. S’s offer and wished her the best of luck in finding a new lab member.

And I felt good doing it.