I'll see you tomorrow
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
There is a huge storm over the top of John Curtin at this very moment. The lightning is cracking overhead and I can see the flashes through the windows on my right and left. I haven't heard thunder this powerful, this close, for a long time, and the crashes seem to roll on forever.
I'm sure the weather in Canberra knows very well it is meant to be the second day of summer.
I'm sure the weather in Canberra knows very well it is meant to be the second day of summer.
Monday, November 10, 2003
You mean, I still have work to do?
After basically a week off (oh sure, there were the token lab appearances and, really, I did take the laptop home meaning to do some work but let's face it, there was little work done!) it was time to face reality.
Yes, I had to be out of bed before 10am.
Yes, I had to read something other than my library books (pure fictional bliss and not a Journal article in sight).
Yes, I had to use my computer again, for something other than web browsing.
So here I am, back in the lab, working on my final seminar and doing some reading in preparation for my thesis defense.
Ahh, it's good to be back*
Besides, of course, the seminar and defense to look forward to in the coming weeks, other events on my social calendar include:
My Dad coming to visit (going out to dinner and not paying for it - I've forgotten what that feels like!)
End of Honours BBQ (at which we should probably find out our final marks...)
Jane coming to visit (Hmm, well what can I say? See the July 8th entry)
Black and white, fully catered cocktail party in Sydney (so far the cocktail list includes margaritas, cocksucking cowboys and sangria. Damn.)
Emails will be forthcoming soon......
(Oh and welcome back Nathan!)
* Lie
After basically a week off (oh sure, there were the token lab appearances and, really, I did take the laptop home meaning to do some work but let's face it, there was little work done!) it was time to face reality.
Yes, I had to be out of bed before 10am.
Yes, I had to read something other than my library books (pure fictional bliss and not a Journal article in sight).
Yes, I had to use my computer again, for something other than web browsing.
So here I am, back in the lab, working on my final seminar and doing some reading in preparation for my thesis defense.
Ahh, it's good to be back*
Besides, of course, the seminar and defense to look forward to in the coming weeks, other events on my social calendar include:
My Dad coming to visit (going out to dinner and not paying for it - I've forgotten what that feels like!)
End of Honours BBQ (at which we should probably find out our final marks...)
Jane coming to visit (Hmm, well what can I say? See the July 8th entry)
Black and white, fully catered cocktail party in Sydney (so far the cocktail list includes margaritas, cocksucking cowboys and sangria. Damn.)
Emails will be forthcoming soon......
(Oh and welcome back Nathan!)
* Lie
Friday, October 31, 2003
It is done.
There are four copies of my thesis sitting beside me.
It has been an interesting night.
At about 11 o'clock, things were going smoothly. Had time for a chat with Ingrid, was about to finish my Discussion, I was happy, laughing, excited.
That is, of course, until it came time to do the very last thing.
The Table of Contents.
Or, as Word likes to call it, TOC.
I won't go into detail here, about how it took me over one and half hours to get a decent TOC. Or how I went from a happy, laughing girl, to a girl close to tears, swearing and shouting that doing the TOC should not be the hardest part of an Honours thesis. About how Microsoft Word really does have a mind of its own. No matter how many times I told it that the text was not Header 1, it kept telling me, "Oh yes, this text is Header 1 and I would rather shut down and reformat your thesis rather than admit it was anything but Header 1".
Anyway. I'm very tired.
My shoulders are sore, from sitting over the computer, and hunching over four copies of my thesis, inserting figures and legends and tables.....
I can't wait to go to bed.
And I know when I wake up, I am going to have shiny, new, hardcover thesis, that I wrote, sitting beside me.
Yay :)
There are four copies of my thesis sitting beside me.
It has been an interesting night.
At about 11 o'clock, things were going smoothly. Had time for a chat with Ingrid, was about to finish my Discussion, I was happy, laughing, excited.
That is, of course, until it came time to do the very last thing.
The Table of Contents.
Or, as Word likes to call it, TOC.
I won't go into detail here, about how it took me over one and half hours to get a decent TOC. Or how I went from a happy, laughing girl, to a girl close to tears, swearing and shouting that doing the TOC should not be the hardest part of an Honours thesis. About how Microsoft Word really does have a mind of its own. No matter how many times I told it that the text was not Header 1, it kept telling me, "Oh yes, this text is Header 1 and I would rather shut down and reformat your thesis rather than admit it was anything but Header 1".
Anyway. I'm very tired.
My shoulders are sore, from sitting over the computer, and hunching over four copies of my thesis, inserting figures and legends and tables.....
I can't wait to go to bed.
And I know when I wake up, I am going to have shiny, new, hardcover thesis, that I wrote, sitting beside me.
Yay :)
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Monday, October 27, 2003
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Friday, October 24, 2003
Yesterday, as I was getting up from my desk, I caught my hand between the arm of my chair and the edge of my desk. Not only did I effectively crush my fingers, like they were being caught in a door, but I also managed to rip a hunk of skin away from the base of my nail of one of my fingers.
The pain was intense but instead of swearing or crying out or grabbing a tissue to stem the blood flow, the first thing I did was look at it and think, "I hope I can still type" (or maybe more honestly, "I wonder what would happen if I couldn't type anymore?")
It took me back to conversations I've had with Jane and Nathan, about the thoughts that can go through your head when (unwelcome) deadlines are approaching. On my way to exams at UWA, driving up to the South Perth freeway on ramp, I'd often think about what would happen if I just kept driving straight, through the barrier, off the edge, and plummeted into the river. And I'm sure Jane will never forget the drive to our Physiology exam during which I, quite calmly and without realising, stopped at a green light.
Here's to deadlines.
One week to go.
The pain was intense but instead of swearing or crying out or grabbing a tissue to stem the blood flow, the first thing I did was look at it and think, "I hope I can still type" (or maybe more honestly, "I wonder what would happen if I couldn't type anymore?")
It took me back to conversations I've had with Jane and Nathan, about the thoughts that can go through your head when (unwelcome) deadlines are approaching. On my way to exams at UWA, driving up to the South Perth freeway on ramp, I'd often think about what would happen if I just kept driving straight, through the barrier, off the edge, and plummeted into the river. And I'm sure Jane will never forget the drive to our Physiology exam during which I, quite calmly and without realising, stopped at a green light.
Here's to deadlines.
One week to go.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Because I needed to buy myself a present
www.jag.com.au
Anyway I am just sitting here, typing away, glancing down at my wrist and everything seems alright with the world.
www.jag.com.au
Anyway I am just sitting here, typing away, glancing down at my wrist and everything seems alright with the world.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
I just got the strongest craving for some coleslaw.
But not any old coleslaw.
The worst kind of coleslaw.
The Kentucky Fried Chicken kind.
What kind of person am I?!
Anyway, since we are having drinks and dinner at Debacle tonight (pizza=good) to welcome home Monique and her husband, I won't indulge the craving.
Maybe finishing an Honours thesis is like being pregnant.......
But not any old coleslaw.
The worst kind of coleslaw.
The Kentucky Fried Chicken kind.
What kind of person am I?!
Anyway, since we are having drinks and dinner at Debacle tonight (pizza=good) to welcome home Monique and her husband, I won't indulge the craving.
Maybe finishing an Honours thesis is like being pregnant.......
Friday, October 10, 2003
Eek! So many good things happening in the last 24 hours...
Snow!
Jane is coming to visit!
A mid afternoon phone call from Kylie!
A bunch of figures finished!
Three weeks today and my thesis will be done!
and, lab dinner tonight at Ian's house! Home cooked food - yum!
My Friday has been *full* of exclamation points!
Snow!
Jane is coming to visit!
A mid afternoon phone call from Kylie!
A bunch of figures finished!
Three weeks today and my thesis will be done!
and, lab dinner tonight at Ian's house! Home cooked food - yum!
My Friday has been *full* of exclamation points!
Thursday, October 09, 2003
Thursday, October 02, 2003
Sunday, September 28, 2003
Saturday, September 27, 2003
Just quickly,
to those awaiting email replies,
I want to write them, I really do.
But the chances that anything, besides my results section, gets written before this Friday is very slim.
That's not to say I'm not thinking of you all.
And I'm *really* enjoying hearing all of your news!
Everything is good here. Yes, I am little stressed. Yes, there is a huge amount of work to do in the next 6 days, before my draft is due. Yes, come this Friday night I am going to go out for the first time in weeks!
I am starting to get excited because the finishing line is in sight........
Not just the draft's deadline, but the real thing
November 3rd.
Eek!
to those awaiting email replies,
I want to write them, I really do.
But the chances that anything, besides my results section, gets written before this Friday is very slim.
That's not to say I'm not thinking of you all.
And I'm *really* enjoying hearing all of your news!
Everything is good here. Yes, I am little stressed. Yes, there is a huge amount of work to do in the next 6 days, before my draft is due. Yes, come this Friday night I am going to go out for the first time in weeks!
I am starting to get excited because the finishing line is in sight........
Not just the draft's deadline, but the real thing
November 3rd.
Eek!
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Written Monday night 5:00pm
So instead of sitting in the lab for hours tonight I decided to come home, with laptop in tow. My windows are wide open, the afternoon breeze is making my curtains move and my wind chime twinkle ever so slightly. The air is warm and I am comfortable sitting here in a singlet and shorts. My latest purchase (Telemetry Orchestra, Children Stay Free, bought on a whim after hearing their single on JJJ) is playing on the stereo and the room seems to be awash with shades of blue (the walls, my sheets, the carpet, the desktop, the light from outside…….)
Yesterday and today have been very good days for me (hmm, I seem to be saying that a lot lately). See, one of the problems I have been having with my thesis results is that the pictures that I have been taking are all just too dark. They look semi-respectable up on the computer screen but once they have been through Photoshop and printed they are just not good enough. It has been very frustrating for me to spend hours on the confocal microscope only to have all my efforts be in vain. It takes time to work out all of the problems associated with getting crappy pictures – is it the slides? the tissue? the antibodies? the microscope? the user? – and time is something I am quickly running out of. So for the next two weeks, as I gather the last of my data, everything needs to work and the pictures need to be perfect. Yesterday afternoon, after two confocal sessions, I started processing the pictures (resizing, adjusting colour levels, importing, and labeling) and I was happy with the results. I have them sitting beside me now, for when I finished writing this I am going to start composing figure titles and descriptions for them. They look good. More importantly, Ian is happy with them. Some of them are not as sharp and don’t depict as much as he would like, in order to include in our paper, but for use in my thesis, they are good. We have vesicles colocalising. We have vesicles that only contain one type of protein. And more importantly, they provide plenty of information for me to write a thesis about.
More little things that have made the past couple of days especially wonderful
Waking up to warm weather. 15 degrees at 8am – beautiful!
Sending birthday wishes and tangible objects to two friends
Sunday morning mobile calls, whilst shopping for said tangible objects
Receiving emails full of good news
Having an impromptu girly chat, complete with good icecream, Sunday night
Being excited about the prospect of holidays and freedom and choices
The wind is picking up,
there is a chill in the air and
the light is fading.
Time to do some work.
So instead of sitting in the lab for hours tonight I decided to come home, with laptop in tow. My windows are wide open, the afternoon breeze is making my curtains move and my wind chime twinkle ever so slightly. The air is warm and I am comfortable sitting here in a singlet and shorts. My latest purchase (Telemetry Orchestra, Children Stay Free, bought on a whim after hearing their single on JJJ) is playing on the stereo and the room seems to be awash with shades of blue (the walls, my sheets, the carpet, the desktop, the light from outside…….)
Yesterday and today have been very good days for me (hmm, I seem to be saying that a lot lately). See, one of the problems I have been having with my thesis results is that the pictures that I have been taking are all just too dark. They look semi-respectable up on the computer screen but once they have been through Photoshop and printed they are just not good enough. It has been very frustrating for me to spend hours on the confocal microscope only to have all my efforts be in vain. It takes time to work out all of the problems associated with getting crappy pictures – is it the slides? the tissue? the antibodies? the microscope? the user? – and time is something I am quickly running out of. So for the next two weeks, as I gather the last of my data, everything needs to work and the pictures need to be perfect. Yesterday afternoon, after two confocal sessions, I started processing the pictures (resizing, adjusting colour levels, importing, and labeling) and I was happy with the results. I have them sitting beside me now, for when I finished writing this I am going to start composing figure titles and descriptions for them. They look good. More importantly, Ian is happy with them. Some of them are not as sharp and don’t depict as much as he would like, in order to include in our paper, but for use in my thesis, they are good. We have vesicles colocalising. We have vesicles that only contain one type of protein. And more importantly, they provide plenty of information for me to write a thesis about.
More little things that have made the past couple of days especially wonderful
Waking up to warm weather. 15 degrees at 8am – beautiful!
Sending birthday wishes and tangible objects to two friends
Sunday morning mobile calls, whilst shopping for said tangible objects
Receiving emails full of good news
Having an impromptu girly chat, complete with good icecream, Sunday night
Being excited about the prospect of holidays and freedom and choices
The wind is picking up,
there is a chill in the air and
the light is fading.
Time to do some work.
Friday, September 19, 2003
When Louise is happy, the whole lab is happy!
Yesterday was a very good day. Ian and I sat down and went over the structure of my results sections, sketched out what each figure would be and put together this little story that I will be telling. Even though I have a lot (and I cannot stress that enough) of pictures still to get, it feels really good to have a clear direction for my thesis. I have written up the plan and taped copies around the place (at my desk, in my room at Fenner, on my computer) so that everywhere I look I am reminded about what it is I am doing here.
The weather is turning again; 19 degrees today, low 20's over the weekend and the rumour of 24 degress (24!!!!!!!!!!) sometime next week. Hallelujah!
How do we celebrate here in Canberra? By going to Uni House for lunch of course! Ian buys the wine, Ian buys the (hotsaltyyummy) chips, we sit outside in the sun and bask.
(Now to all those people out there that are thinking I am having too much fun whilst I should be working hard, I will point out that when I return from Uni House, I will be working on the confocal micrscope for a good couple of hours, then retiring to the dark room in order to process and develop my Western blots. Estimated time of departure from lab on a Friday night: 7:30pm)
To everyone out there reading, I hope that the end of your week has been as uplifting and enjoyable as mine :)
Yesterday was a very good day. Ian and I sat down and went over the structure of my results sections, sketched out what each figure would be and put together this little story that I will be telling. Even though I have a lot (and I cannot stress that enough) of pictures still to get, it feels really good to have a clear direction for my thesis. I have written up the plan and taped copies around the place (at my desk, in my room at Fenner, on my computer) so that everywhere I look I am reminded about what it is I am doing here.
The weather is turning again; 19 degrees today, low 20's over the weekend and the rumour of 24 degress (24!!!!!!!!!!) sometime next week. Hallelujah!
How do we celebrate here in Canberra? By going to Uni House for lunch of course! Ian buys the wine, Ian buys the (hotsaltyyummy) chips, we sit outside in the sun and bask.
(Now to all those people out there that are thinking I am having too much fun whilst I should be working hard, I will point out that when I return from Uni House, I will be working on the confocal micrscope for a good couple of hours, then retiring to the dark room in order to process and develop my Western blots. Estimated time of departure from lab on a Friday night: 7:30pm)
To everyone out there reading, I hope that the end of your week has been as uplifting and enjoyable as mine :)
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Last week was beautiful; not much wind, blue skies, happy, fluffy white clouds, warmth from the sun, birds singing and plants awakening. The local radio station ran a poll to see on which day people thought we would reach 20 degrees for the first time since, hmmmm, maybe April?
This week has been horrible; stormy, black and blue clouds gathering in the distance, icy, icy winds coming down from the snow covered mountains, cold nights, cold days, the beautiful, new, pink blossoms landing on the ground.
Come back Spring! We miss you already......
This week has been horrible; stormy, black and blue clouds gathering in the distance, icy, icy winds coming down from the snow covered mountains, cold nights, cold days, the beautiful, new, pink blossoms landing on the ground.
Come back Spring! We miss you already......
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Last night: Finding Nemo
Tonight: Dinner with my Auntie and Uncle
Tomorrow night: Legally Blonde II
Friday night: Fenner Fifth Floor Dinner
Um, doesn't the world know I have a thesis to write? I don't have time for this kind of social life!
..........you know I'm not really complaining, don't you? ;)
Tonight: Dinner with my Auntie and Uncle
Tomorrow night: Legally Blonde II
Friday night: Fenner Fifth Floor Dinner
Um, doesn't the world know I have a thesis to write? I don't have time for this kind of social life!
..........you know I'm not really complaining, don't you? ;)
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
When I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror, my eyes were blue.
Now I just need to remember what colour my eyes were before this morning. Does anyone know? I know they had flecks of brown and gold through them, but what was the background colour? Were they brown? Or grey-ish? Whenever asked I've always replied that my eyes were hazel. Hazel isn't really a definable colour though....
And I'm wondering what has made them change? Maybe it was the fact that when my alarm went off at 8, I switched it off and crawled back into bed for another 40 minutes of sleep. Happy Lou = Blue Eyed Lou?
I've just checked them again in the mirror, the brown and gold is back.
Now I just need to remember what colour my eyes were before this morning. Does anyone know? I know they had flecks of brown and gold through them, but what was the background colour? Were they brown? Or grey-ish? Whenever asked I've always replied that my eyes were hazel. Hazel isn't really a definable colour though....
And I'm wondering what has made them change? Maybe it was the fact that when my alarm went off at 8, I switched it off and crawled back into bed for another 40 minutes of sleep. Happy Lou = Blue Eyed Lou?
I've just checked them again in the mirror, the brown and gold is back.
Monday, September 08, 2003
Since I've tried every variation they have come with so far (including that disgusting concoction known as Diet Coke with Lemon - will nothing ever make Diet Coke taste acceptable?) I succumbed to my inner consumer and bought a bottle of Cherry Coke along with $17.50 worth of petrol today. The verdict: pretty good. I had horrid thoughts, just as I was about to take my first sip, that it was going to taste like bad cough medicine, so the fact that it didn't was a pleasant surprise. Actually the taste of cherry (similar to maraschino cherries) was quite subtle and only really noticeable as an after taste.
Further on the topic of drinks, supposedly Absolut is bringing out Absolut Vanilla - finally! I remember having vanilla vodka with Coke with Sara when I was the US and it was (surprisingly) delicious! Straight vodka with vanilla Coke just doesn't taste the same.....
I want to go out and buy books. I've already checked out Dymocks for titles and prices. It is obvious that I can't really afford to buy many, nor can I really afford the time to read much. But that doesn't change the fact that this is all I want to do!
Oh, and if you are at all interested in books and more importantly, free books, check out BookCrossing.com. Great concept and well thought out - too bad I haven't been able to capture one of the released books yet....
Further on the topic of drinks, supposedly Absolut is bringing out Absolut Vanilla - finally! I remember having vanilla vodka with Coke with Sara when I was the US and it was (surprisingly) delicious! Straight vodka with vanilla Coke just doesn't taste the same.....
I want to go out and buy books. I've already checked out Dymocks for titles and prices. It is obvious that I can't really afford to buy many, nor can I really afford the time to read much. But that doesn't change the fact that this is all I want to do!
Oh, and if you are at all interested in books and more importantly, free books, check out BookCrossing.com. Great concept and well thought out - too bad I haven't been able to capture one of the released books yet....
Monday, September 01, 2003
Last night I dreamt I was in "Freddy vs Jason"! I only remembered just now as I saw an ad for the movie and though, "Hang on a second. I was being chased around a lake by those guys just recently... oh yeah, last night!"
Anyway I spent most of Sunday in bed, hungover. It is the first time I have been truly hungover since I moved to Canberra (normally when I drink big I have lots of water and food and stick to similar types of alcohol so that all I wake up with is a dry mouth). Unfortunately Saturday night was different - I can't pinpoint an exact reason although there was not enough water, too many types of alcohol (who puts champagne in their stomach after cocksucking cowboys?), too much Mexican food and already feeling, all of Saturday, that I was already coming down with something (at least that didn't eventuate further). I'd been up late on Friday night and has a very intense yoga session on Saturday morning which made Sunday all the worse; I was aching all over.
Sunday morning I woke up feeling like shit, spent four hours lazing in bed, trying to drink water and get rid of a killer headache. Showered around 3pm, went out for pizza (which was my breakfastlunchdinner yesterday) and lazed in bed for the rest of the day. Luckily after some food my headache disappeared so I could read a little and amuse myself, instead of laying there imagining I was dying!
Oh and Saturday night itself was fantastic! As Monique said, "I should get married more often!"
Anyway I spent most of Sunday in bed, hungover. It is the first time I have been truly hungover since I moved to Canberra (normally when I drink big I have lots of water and food and stick to similar types of alcohol so that all I wake up with is a dry mouth). Unfortunately Saturday night was different - I can't pinpoint an exact reason although there was not enough water, too many types of alcohol (who puts champagne in their stomach after cocksucking cowboys?), too much Mexican food and already feeling, all of Saturday, that I was already coming down with something (at least that didn't eventuate further). I'd been up late on Friday night and has a very intense yoga session on Saturday morning which made Sunday all the worse; I was aching all over.
Sunday morning I woke up feeling like shit, spent four hours lazing in bed, trying to drink water and get rid of a killer headache. Showered around 3pm, went out for pizza (which was my breakfastlunchdinner yesterday) and lazed in bed for the rest of the day. Luckily after some food my headache disappeared so I could read a little and amuse myself, instead of laying there imagining I was dying!
Oh and Saturday night itself was fantastic! As Monique said, "I should get married more often!"
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Suffering from a mid afternoon slump after having a hyperactive morning....
Lots of things going on:
Monique's hen's night on Saturday night. Can I just say how much I am looking forward to going out with a bunch of great gals, dancing and drinking cocktails till the sun comes up (or 'till I fall down).
One reason I am looking forward to it so much is because I spoke to Ingrid last night (Hi Ingrid!) and received an email from Jane this morning (Hi Jane!). Speaking to them and sharing with them what is happening in my life (and hearing about theirs) just makes me realise how much I miss those girls.
Work is wonderfulcrazyfrustratingbusytiringexcitingnervous! So much is going on, so many connections are being made.... I couldn't wait to get in this morning and run through with Ian some papers I had just read, trying to figure out how my work and my research fits in. Friday morning I will know the results of an important experiment - I am trying not to get too excited in case the result isn't what we are hoping.... It really is true when they say that everything comes together in the last couple of months. Most of my methods are written and now it is a matter of starting to compile my results so far and figure out exactly what is this story I am trying to tell.
Dinner tonight at the Civic Pub - cook your own steaks for $5. The steaks they sell are huge; about 4 cm thick and roughly the size of a paperback novel. Last time we were there (Michal's farewell) I surprised myself and cooked it perfectly!
I'll leave you with a thought:
Never underestimate the power of chocolate :)
Lots of things going on:
Monique's hen's night on Saturday night. Can I just say how much I am looking forward to going out with a bunch of great gals, dancing and drinking cocktails till the sun comes up (or 'till I fall down).
One reason I am looking forward to it so much is because I spoke to Ingrid last night (Hi Ingrid!) and received an email from Jane this morning (Hi Jane!). Speaking to them and sharing with them what is happening in my life (and hearing about theirs) just makes me realise how much I miss those girls.
Work is wonderfulcrazyfrustratingbusytiringexcitingnervous! So much is going on, so many connections are being made.... I couldn't wait to get in this morning and run through with Ian some papers I had just read, trying to figure out how my work and my research fits in. Friday morning I will know the results of an important experiment - I am trying not to get too excited in case the result isn't what we are hoping.... It really is true when they say that everything comes together in the last couple of months. Most of my methods are written and now it is a matter of starting to compile my results so far and figure out exactly what is this story I am trying to tell.
Dinner tonight at the Civic Pub - cook your own steaks for $5. The steaks they sell are huge; about 4 cm thick and roughly the size of a paperback novel. Last time we were there (Michal's farewell) I surprised myself and cooked it perfectly!
I'll leave you with a thought:
Never underestimate the power of chocolate :)
Saturday, August 23, 2003
Over the past couple of days I have been considering about what I should do with this blog.
Apparently, Dale still reads these pages. Sure, go ahead, live in the past. Apparently, he dislikes some of the things that he reads here. Sure, misinterpet away.
These things weren't my problem, until he decided that he was going to intrude on my life in Canberra.
So the choices were:
Discontinue this blog.
Discontinue this blog and start another one.
Write emails to everyone.
Time is running out for my Honours year my friends, so emails are few and far between. So I thought, screw it. I enjoy writing these notes, whether it is for one person, or ten, or twenty. I like being able to read over them. I like composing entires in my head on my way to work, or as I am washing a batch of slides for the 25th minute.
This blog is here to stay. If you don't like what you read, the answer is simple: don't read it.
Thank you.
Apparently, Dale still reads these pages. Sure, go ahead, live in the past. Apparently, he dislikes some of the things that he reads here. Sure, misinterpet away.
These things weren't my problem, until he decided that he was going to intrude on my life in Canberra.
So the choices were:
Discontinue this blog.
Discontinue this blog and start another one.
Write emails to everyone.
Time is running out for my Honours year my friends, so emails are few and far between. So I thought, screw it. I enjoy writing these notes, whether it is for one person, or ten, or twenty. I like being able to read over them. I like composing entires in my head on my way to work, or as I am washing a batch of slides for the 25th minute.
This blog is here to stay. If you don't like what you read, the answer is simple: don't read it.
Thank you.
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
So the Fenner Mid Year Ball is on this Friday. It is fancy dress and the theme is "the letter F". You can dress up in formal clothes but where's the fun in that?! We went to a few fancy dress shops on the weekend but as Canberra is so small and demand is probably low, prices are high. Still, there was a Felicity Shagwell costume (the one she wears in the poster at the bottom of the page) that was a possibility. It looked surprisingly good, considering it was extremely short and a size 12 however it cost $35 to hire and, let's face it, I would have needed the boots as well to make it work :) Instead I am going as a French maid. I just need to pop into Lincraft to get some lace to trim my skirt and shirt, and somehow fashion a little apron and smock to complete the look. Oh, and a feather duster!
Coincidentally the JCSMR cocktail party is also on that night (the theme is superheroes and villians but I couldn't think of any starting with F - besides The Flash) so my schedule will be: leave work early, get home to shower and change, come back to JCSMR for one hour of cocktails, get back to Fenner in time to catch the buses to the ball. The ball finishes at 11:30 and there is an after party at a club in Civic but I don't think I will go. Yoga on Saturday morning and experiments to do over the weekend kind of preclude me having a huge night. As it is, an hour of cocktails followed by $2 drinks is going to be dangerous...
Coincidentally the JCSMR cocktail party is also on that night (the theme is superheroes and villians but I couldn't think of any starting with F - besides The Flash) so my schedule will be: leave work early, get home to shower and change, come back to JCSMR for one hour of cocktails, get back to Fenner in time to catch the buses to the ball. The ball finishes at 11:30 and there is an after party at a club in Civic but I don't think I will go. Yoga on Saturday morning and experiments to do over the weekend kind of preclude me having a huge night. As it is, an hour of cocktails followed by $2 drinks is going to be dangerous...
Friday, August 08, 2003
Hotdog
KFC
Hamburger
Emu
Kangaroo
Ayers Rock
Fruit bat
Brain
Heart
Hairy tongue
Mick Jagger
Possum
Eye
John Howard
George Bush
Parachute
G-string
Woman I
Woman II
Loch Ness Monster
= just some of the things you can create with only a penis and a set of testicles.
Between the puppetry and the opening comedian, I don't think I stopped laughing the entire night!
KFC
Hamburger
Emu
Kangaroo
Ayers Rock
Fruit bat
Brain
Heart
Hairy tongue
Mick Jagger
Possum
Eye
John Howard
George Bush
Parachute
G-string
Woman I
Woman II
Loch Ness Monster
= just some of the things you can create with only a penis and a set of testicles.
Between the puppetry and the opening comedian, I don't think I stopped laughing the entire night!
Thursday, August 07, 2003
Oh, and Puppetry of the Penis tonight! Dinner at Dickson Asian Noodle House first (they make an awesome, delicious, out of this world laksa) then men performing the 'ancient art of genital origami'.
And people say there is nothing to do in Canberra!
And people say there is nothing to do in Canberra!
Sleep. It's a funny thing.
Last week: I had long days in the lab (never home before 8), fairly late nights (not in bed before 12) and my usual wake up time (8). However most mornings last week I would wake up at about 7 but, knowing that I had more time, would go back to sleep. For the hour that I had left, I had what felt like the most intense slumber and vivid, realistic dreams. I would wake up on my alarm, ready to get to out of bed.
This week: I've been getting home relatively early (6), having late nights (not in bed before 12) and my usual wake up time (8). But I am so tired this week that I don't wake up until my alarm goes off. Even then, I don't want to get out of bed. I feel like I have been dead for 8 hours, not asleep. I start to yawn around lunchtime and it's all I can do not to stretch out on the chairs in our student room and collapse.
I cannot wait to have a long, lazy sleep in and a day in which I don't yawn on the minute, every minute, after the clock hands move past 1.
In other news, I put food to pan last night in what must have been the first time I have cooked in at least five weeks.
Last week: I had long days in the lab (never home before 8), fairly late nights (not in bed before 12) and my usual wake up time (8). However most mornings last week I would wake up at about 7 but, knowing that I had more time, would go back to sleep. For the hour that I had left, I had what felt like the most intense slumber and vivid, realistic dreams. I would wake up on my alarm, ready to get to out of bed.
This week: I've been getting home relatively early (6), having late nights (not in bed before 12) and my usual wake up time (8). But I am so tired this week that I don't wake up until my alarm goes off. Even then, I don't want to get out of bed. I feel like I have been dead for 8 hours, not asleep. I start to yawn around lunchtime and it's all I can do not to stretch out on the chairs in our student room and collapse.
I cannot wait to have a long, lazy sleep in and a day in which I don't yawn on the minute, every minute, after the clock hands move past 1.
In other news, I put food to pan last night in what must have been the first time I have cooked in at least five weeks.
Sunday, August 03, 2003
Sitting here in the lab, thinking about this weekend. Two glorious days: thick, early morning fog then brilliant sunshine. Very cold nights, with frost on the cars by eleven pm. '
I've just finished my experiments for today. The slides are incubating overnight and, *crossfingers* I should get some nice results tomorrow. It's fun to come in on the weekend and take my time with the experiments, singing along loudly and badly to the radio, without bumping into anyone. The lab has been very busy lately (we had a visiting work experience student for two weeks), almost to bursting and in a busy lab, when everyone is talking and laughing and joking, it makes it easier to make mistakes (been there, done that)
We went to dinner at Pete and Kaz's house on Friday night - homebrew, homemade 'Spicy Tomato and Chorizo' soup, a nice red and a good heater - oh, and chocolate covered coffee beans!
Yoga on Saturday morning, the traditional post-Yoga burger with the lot (to feed the mind, soul and body) and a good session on the turntables (Someone has to visit Canberra if only so I can show off my mixing skills - or lackthereof).
Saturday night was a housewarming party at Joan, our lab tech's house. She and her sister have just purchased the house that they had been renting from the government, and invited the lab, as well as other friends, around to celebrate. A nice fire-in-a-drum to keep everyone warm and good food (including potato casserole - yum) made for a good night. I came home and scared myself silly reading 'It' (Stephen King) till the wee hours of morning and had a divine sleep-in (it is much fun to wake up at seven, peek out through the curtains to see a blanket of thick, white fog encasing the world, and then drift off to sleep again)
Not a bad weekend in all.
Oh and still to come -
"Puppetry of the Penis" on Thursday. I'll post the details :)
I've just finished my experiments for today. The slides are incubating overnight and, *crossfingers* I should get some nice results tomorrow. It's fun to come in on the weekend and take my time with the experiments, singing along loudly and badly to the radio, without bumping into anyone. The lab has been very busy lately (we had a visiting work experience student for two weeks), almost to bursting and in a busy lab, when everyone is talking and laughing and joking, it makes it easier to make mistakes (been there, done that)
We went to dinner at Pete and Kaz's house on Friday night - homebrew, homemade 'Spicy Tomato and Chorizo' soup, a nice red and a good heater - oh, and chocolate covered coffee beans!
Yoga on Saturday morning, the traditional post-Yoga burger with the lot (to feed the mind, soul and body) and a good session on the turntables (Someone has to visit Canberra if only so I can show off my mixing skills - or lackthereof).
Saturday night was a housewarming party at Joan, our lab tech's house. She and her sister have just purchased the house that they had been renting from the government, and invited the lab, as well as other friends, around to celebrate. A nice fire-in-a-drum to keep everyone warm and good food (including potato casserole - yum) made for a good night. I came home and scared myself silly reading 'It' (Stephen King) till the wee hours of morning and had a divine sleep-in (it is much fun to wake up at seven, peek out through the curtains to see a blanket of thick, white fog encasing the world, and then drift off to sleep again)
Not a bad weekend in all.
Oh and still to come -
"Puppetry of the Penis" on Thursday. I'll post the details :)
Monday, July 28, 2003
Rays of sunshine.....
Tree planting, bonfire and fireworks extravaganza at James' farm in Braidwood.
Having the morning "off" tomorrow to attend a Canvas workshop. You know, for when all my brilliant results necessitates a poster at next year's ANS conference.
Pay day from Centrelink. That's right, I am child of Welfare.
Cat Power is coming to Canberra! Better still, I already have a date for the show :)
A house warming, a birthday and two cocktail parties all in the next few weeks!!
Rumours (?) that next year's base PhD scholarships will be increased to a cool $24,000/year tax free.
Clouds to rain on my parade.....
Experiments. Damn them.
Tree planting, bonfire and fireworks extravaganza at James' farm in Braidwood.
Having the morning "off" tomorrow to attend a Canvas workshop. You know, for when all my brilliant results necessitates a poster at next year's ANS conference.
Pay day from Centrelink. That's right, I am child of Welfare.
Cat Power is coming to Canberra! Better still, I already have a date for the show :)
A house warming, a birthday and two cocktail parties all in the next few weeks!!
Rumours (?) that next year's base PhD scholarships will be increased to a cool $24,000/year tax free.
Clouds to rain on my parade.....
Experiments. Damn them.
Monday, July 21, 2003
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Four days of fun in Melbourne!
Friday - after scraping the frost from all of the car windows, made it to the airport and left on a jet plane (I wonder if the pilots have the same problem with their hands going numb as they use their credit cards to get the ice from the plane's windshield?)
Big Lunch in the big city then walks around St Kilda (Secret Life of Jane and Lou). Back home to rest (big lunch = big sleepies) then grazed on yummy dips and crackers and Brie and olives and some divine red wine whilst prepping for big night out. Two clubs - The Croft Institute and HonkyTonks - that you need a well drawn map and someone 'in the know' in order to find. Drink drink drink, dance dance dance - not too late though 'cos we had big plans for Saturday!
Saturday - sleep in. Big breakfast in Fitzroy (eggsbaconpotatoestoastsourcreamhollandaise saucethickmaltedchocolatemilkshake), bought jewellery for ourselves, copped a $100 parking ticket, tried to buy Jane a new mobile phone and then, drumroll, watched 'Charlie's Angels Full Throttle'. I could not have imagined a better time or better person to see this movie with! Totally removed from reality, totally fun! Homemade laksa for dinner (in specially bought Jane and Louise laksa bowls), more red wine, Signs and Bridget Jones' Diary. Pillow fights in business shirts on the fold out bed (Oh ok, that was just for the boys).
Sunday - sleep in. Smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado on fresh bread. Freedom (spent 95c), JB HiFi (two CDs), Ikea (bought lots and was disillusioned by $1.00 hotdog), Vietnamese (at least now Jane knows she *doesn't* like rice paper rolls), yummy yummy cakes and coffee, strawberry daiquris (with paper umbrellas and what tasted like $11 worth of alcohol!), singing in the car to Sonia Dada and missing out on Dirty Dancing on DVD (damn, have to visit again).
Monday - Jane wakes up early and goes to work. I tidy. Tram it into Carlton. Try to buy a fcuk shirt, debate about whether to buy Harry Potter, do buy a fanastically authentic Japanese lunch. Mild panic and rush as I try to get home, get a taxi and get to the airport on time. Arrive in Canberra to be greeted by flowers.
I had an absolutely wonderful time which only made me realise just how much I miss Jane! Phone calls are not the same thing (as she knows well). Old friends = good friends = fun and laughs and giggles and plenty 'o boy talk.
If Jane reads this: Thanks for the weekend!
Friday - after scraping the frost from all of the car windows, made it to the airport and left on a jet plane (I wonder if the pilots have the same problem with their hands going numb as they use their credit cards to get the ice from the plane's windshield?)
Big Lunch in the big city then walks around St Kilda (Secret Life of Jane and Lou). Back home to rest (big lunch = big sleepies) then grazed on yummy dips and crackers and Brie and olives and some divine red wine whilst prepping for big night out. Two clubs - The Croft Institute and HonkyTonks - that you need a well drawn map and someone 'in the know' in order to find. Drink drink drink, dance dance dance - not too late though 'cos we had big plans for Saturday!
Saturday - sleep in. Big breakfast in Fitzroy (eggsbaconpotatoestoastsourcreamhollandaise saucethickmaltedchocolatemilkshake), bought jewellery for ourselves, copped a $100 parking ticket, tried to buy Jane a new mobile phone and then, drumroll, watched 'Charlie's Angels Full Throttle'. I could not have imagined a better time or better person to see this movie with! Totally removed from reality, totally fun! Homemade laksa for dinner (in specially bought Jane and Louise laksa bowls), more red wine, Signs and Bridget Jones' Diary. Pillow fights in business shirts on the fold out bed (Oh ok, that was just for the boys).
Sunday - sleep in. Smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado on fresh bread. Freedom (spent 95c), JB HiFi (two CDs), Ikea (bought lots and was disillusioned by $1.00 hotdog), Vietnamese (at least now Jane knows she *doesn't* like rice paper rolls), yummy yummy cakes and coffee, strawberry daiquris (with paper umbrellas and what tasted like $11 worth of alcohol!), singing in the car to Sonia Dada and missing out on Dirty Dancing on DVD (damn, have to visit again).
Monday - Jane wakes up early and goes to work. I tidy. Tram it into Carlton. Try to buy a fcuk shirt, debate about whether to buy Harry Potter, do buy a fanastically authentic Japanese lunch. Mild panic and rush as I try to get home, get a taxi and get to the airport on time. Arrive in Canberra to be greeted by flowers.
I had an absolutely wonderful time which only made me realise just how much I miss Jane! Phone calls are not the same thing (as she knows well). Old friends = good friends = fun and laughs and giggles and plenty 'o boy talk.
If Jane reads this: Thanks for the weekend!
Tuesday, July 01, 2003
Tuesday Afternoon*
One kickass new haircut............................................................$16.00
Second part of Jane's birthday present.....................................$18.00
Mail redirection so I don't miss my 2003 group certificates........$22.00
One and half hours away from this computer..........................priceless!
*with apologies to Mastercard
One kickass new haircut............................................................$16.00
Second part of Jane's birthday present.....................................$18.00
Mail redirection so I don't miss my 2003 group certificates........$22.00
One and half hours away from this computer..........................priceless!
*with apologies to Mastercard
Monday, June 30, 2003
I am so, so, so bored with this Lit review and so, so, so ready to go to Melbourne!
Frustrated? Just a little.....
Wondering how I am going to get up to 6000 words? Yes.
Wondering if I really need 6000 words? Definitely.
Going to procras.. I mean, switch modes and design the figures to help the reader understand what the hell it is I am going on about? Not until I hit 5000. A girl has gotta have something to look forward to.
** This post was interrupted as I was called upon to ligate a rat's sciatic nerve. Oh, research. **
Frustrated? Just a little.....
Wondering how I am going to get up to 6000 words? Yes.
Wondering if I really need 6000 words? Definitely.
Going to procras.. I mean, switch modes and design the figures to help the reader understand what the hell it is I am going on about? Not until I hit 5000. A girl has gotta have something to look forward to.
** This post was interrupted as I was called upon to ligate a rat's sciatic nerve. Oh, research. **
Saturday, June 28, 2003
Tonsils: 2
Louise: 0
I finished my ten day course of antibiotics on Monday, feeling great.
Wednesday morning, woke up with slightly sore throat.
By Wednesday afternoon I knew that whatever bacteria had infected my tonsils the first time had not been scared off by a little penicillin.
Doctors appointment on Friday resulted in a throat swab and a second prescription for antibiotics.
The good news is that these antibiotics seem to have acted more quickly, and efficiently, than the others. Saturday morning (only four tablets into the bottle) and my tonsils have reduced in size.
Excellent.
In other news:
Lit Review continues.........
Six days till Melbourne......
Louise: 0
I finished my ten day course of antibiotics on Monday, feeling great.
Wednesday morning, woke up with slightly sore throat.
By Wednesday afternoon I knew that whatever bacteria had infected my tonsils the first time had not been scared off by a little penicillin.
Doctors appointment on Friday resulted in a throat swab and a second prescription for antibiotics.
The good news is that these antibiotics seem to have acted more quickly, and efficiently, than the others. Saturday morning (only four tablets into the bottle) and my tonsils have reduced in size.
Excellent.
In other news:
Lit Review continues.........
Six days till Melbourne......
Monday, June 23, 2003
In the midst of all things Lit Review, I have booked my flight to Melbourne to visit Jane!
I spent the entire weekend in the lab, in front of this very computer, typing, typing, typing away to try and get on top of it so that I could make an informed decision about whether or not it would be finished in time so that I could go away for the weekend. Three thousand words later....... (not quite my anticipated goal of four) I think it is under control and definitely able to be finished in the next 11 days.
Eleven days and then,
MELBOURNE!
JANE!
SHOPPING!
COCKTAILS!
EATING OUT!
GIRLY CHATS!
Do you think I am excited?
I spent the entire weekend in the lab, in front of this very computer, typing, typing, typing away to try and get on top of it so that I could make an informed decision about whether or not it would be finished in time so that I could go away for the weekend. Three thousand words later....... (not quite my anticipated goal of four) I think it is under control and definitely able to be finished in the next 11 days.
Eleven days and then,
MELBOURNE!
JANE!
SHOPPING!
COCKTAILS!
EATING OUT!
GIRLY CHATS!
Do you think I am excited?
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
They say things come in threes right?
I have had a horrible weekend health wise. Went to the doctor this morning and was diagnosed with either tonsillitis or glandular fever. I think it is just tonsillitis, but I had a blood test anyway to rule out anything else.
The antibiotics she prescribed should make me feel human in 48 hours (after 5 days of little/no sleep, little/no food, little/no drink, little/no talk; I am really looking forward to returning to the world of the living)
I feel like this blog has only been full of heartache and despair the past couple of weeks so some good news for everyone playing along at home.....
Since it was a long weekend here (read: golden opportunity to get lots of work done in an otherwise empty lab) I dragged myself out of bed to do some experiments that I had promised Ian I would do. It turns out my trouble was worth it as I got *fantastic* results and enough for, in Ian's words, "the first chapter of my thesis".
Wahoo!
I have had a horrible weekend health wise. Went to the doctor this morning and was diagnosed with either tonsillitis or glandular fever. I think it is just tonsillitis, but I had a blood test anyway to rule out anything else.
The antibiotics she prescribed should make me feel human in 48 hours (after 5 days of little/no sleep, little/no food, little/no drink, little/no talk; I am really looking forward to returning to the world of the living)
I feel like this blog has only been full of heartache and despair the past couple of weeks so some good news for everyone playing along at home.....
Since it was a long weekend here (read: golden opportunity to get lots of work done in an otherwise empty lab) I dragged myself out of bed to do some experiments that I had promised Ian I would do. It turns out my trouble was worth it as I got *fantastic* results and enough for, in Ian's words, "the first chapter of my thesis".
Wahoo!
Wednesday, June 04, 2003
Friday, May 23, 2003
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
It is 1pm and it is only 8 degrees in Canberra!
My weekend was fairly good:
Ren's birthday on Friday so we bar hopped Friday night, trying to find that exact combination of cheap drinks and good music which is very elusive in Canberra...
Yoga on Saturday morning - even though I have been able to do it sporadically using my yoga CD it is good to start a class and be able to practice in a large room and not have to worry about hitting my bed, or my desk, or the wardrobe....
I was in the lab for most of Sunday, but managed to see The Matrix Reloaded on Sunday night! Yes, there were parts that were shit (Zion), and parts that disappointed me (CGINeo) but overall it was still brilliant fun to watch and the last 20 minutes were fantastic!
For anyone who is interested, the parcel on Friday was indeed the letters that I had been hoping for! I've read three of the five so far (unfortunately in very quick succession as the first two had 'cliffhanger' endings...) so I'll try and give myself a break before diving into the next two!
My weekend was fairly good:
Ren's birthday on Friday so we bar hopped Friday night, trying to find that exact combination of cheap drinks and good music which is very elusive in Canberra...
Yoga on Saturday morning - even though I have been able to do it sporadically using my yoga CD it is good to start a class and be able to practice in a large room and not have to worry about hitting my bed, or my desk, or the wardrobe....
I was in the lab for most of Sunday, but managed to see The Matrix Reloaded on Sunday night! Yes, there were parts that were shit (Zion), and parts that disappointed me (CGINeo) but overall it was still brilliant fun to watch and the last 20 minutes were fantastic!
For anyone who is interested, the parcel on Friday was indeed the letters that I had been hoping for! I've read three of the five so far (unfortunately in very quick succession as the first two had 'cliffhanger' endings...) so I'll try and give myself a break before diving into the next two!
Thursday, May 15, 2003
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
Highlight of my day:
Getting home and checking my (real) mailbox and finding a little card indicating I have a parcel to be picked up from the office! I am hoping that it is the letters that were missing from the books my parents gave me for my birthday and that I had to order from Canada. Finally I would be able to read the books!
Other than that I have no idea what it could be - except a surprise!
Getting home and checking my (real) mailbox and finding a little card indicating I have a parcel to be picked up from the office! I am hoping that it is the letters that were missing from the books my parents gave me for my birthday and that I had to order from Canada. Finally I would be able to read the books!
Other than that I have no idea what it could be - except a surprise!
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Even though I love song lyrics I normally cringe when I am reading random blogs and every second post is an 'important' song lyric.
However this one was in my head literally *all day* yesterday. It loses a little something without the voice and the music, but hey its my blog and I'll post song lyrics if I want to :)
come along fool
a direct hit of the senses
you are disconnected
it’s not that it’s bad…it’s not that it’s death
it’s just on the tip of your tongue
and you're so silent
Fool - Cat Power
However this one was in my head literally *all day* yesterday. It loses a little something without the voice and the music, but hey its my blog and I'll post song lyrics if I want to :)
come along fool
a direct hit of the senses
you are disconnected
it’s not that it’s bad…it’s not that it’s death
it’s just on the tip of your tongue
and you're so silent
Fool - Cat Power
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