I worship Rachmaninoff
The Philharmonic was
amazing. Remind me again why I love the piano so much - it's by far the most beautiful instrument in the world. And I mean that in every sense of the word.
You know you're at a geeky school when...
You play participant charades at a party (people write down answers and choose them randomly to act out) and various answers include: "Gibbs free energy," "electoral college," and "the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914." And one I've forgotten which has to do with engineering and/or physics.
Okay, the assassination one wasn't in our particular game, but it did happen at a previous party. And someone actually guessed it correctly!
Chemical spill! w00t!
I was finishing up a lab in the bio building on Wednesday at around 4 when the fire alarm went off. Now, for all of you non-science majors, we scientists are possibly
the most reluctant people to evacuate a building. ("No-wait-I-need-to-finish-setting-up-this-gel-and-put-it-in-the-fridge-AAAAAAAAA!") So, naturally, all of us unwillingly filed out the door, but not before noticing the sulfur odor in the hallway. I found it quite familiar, but couldn't place it until Sarah said that someone had dropped a bottle of 2-mercaptoethanol. Ohhh yes. I remembered - I had worked with it at Rutgers to strip off antibodies off proteins. I remember it smelled like
no other, and how it would easily stink up an area if I didn't keep it covered or under the fume hood. And I had been using only 3 microliters of it at a time!
It was going to be fun airing out the entire building...
I was actually pretty impressed at the speedy reaction of our alarm. Within five minutes of evacuation, a fire truck, a paramedic, and police cars had arrived on the scene. Although, I was a bit dubious at how all this was playing out - it was only a bottle, and besides the fact that it STINKS and is flammable, it's rather innocuous.
Well, okay, the fumes are toxic but it's not like anyone would be breathing it in voluntarily. And it could also kill you if you get enough of it on yourself, but that's pretty much avoided because of the smell..
So, the building was shut down. Several people lost their experiments, but such is the life of a scientist. (At Rutgers we were being evacuated almost every other day because of faulty ventilation.) Apparently the entire block was shut down at some point during the night because of the odor. Wow. It's not like it would hurt anyone if it was that dilute, but apparently rumors were spreading around so I'll just dispel them now:
- It's NOT going to give you cancer
- It's NOT going to kill you on contact
- It won't eat through the tile.
Just the phrase "chemical spill" reminds people large vats of sulfuric acid exploding, haha. But it's still quite amazing how powerful 100 mL of a chemical can be - morning bio classes were cancelled today, and when I stopped over there a few hours ago, they were still airing out the building. We'll see what happens tomorrow...hopefully I'll be able to come in the morning and rescue some virgin drosophila before the males get to them. I failed them this morning. I'm sorry, virgins!
Yay for time wasters!
You Are a Snarky Blogger! |
You've got a razor sharp wit that bloggers are secretly scared of.
And that's why they read your posts as often as they can! |
What kind of blogger are you?
Oh, how I love nostalgia...
You Know You're From New Jersey When...
- You've been seriously injured at Action Park.
- You know that the only people who call it "Joisey" are from New York (usually The Bronx) or Texas.
- You don't think of citrus when people mention "The Oranges."
- You know that it's called "Great Adventure," not "Six Flags."
- You've ordered a hard roll with butter for breakfast.
- You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven.
- You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 am.
- Whenever you park, there's a Camaro within three spots of you.
- You remember that the "Two Guys" were from Harrison.
- You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery.
- At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and you know what town Jon Bon Jovi is from.
- You know what a "jug handle" is.
- You know that a WaWa is a convenience store.
- You know that the state isn't all farmland.
- You know that there are no "beaches" in new Jersey - there's "The Shore," and you know that the road to the shore is "The Parkway" not "The Garden State Highway."
- You know that "Piney" isn't referring to a tree.
- Even your school cafeteria made good Italian subs, and, you call it a "sub" not a "submarine sandwich" or worse yet, a "hoagy" or a "hero."
- You remember the song from the Palisades Park commercials.
- You know how to properly negotiate a Circle.
- You knew that the last question had to do with driving.
- You know that "Acme" is an actual store, not just a Warner Bros creation.
- You know that this is the only "New..." state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (like, try ...Mexico, ...York, ...Hampshire (doesn't work, does it?).
- You know how to translate this conversation: "Jeet yet?" "No, Jew?"
- You only go to New York City for day trips, and you only call it "The City."
- You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich.
- You consider a corned beef sandwich with lettuce and mayo a sacrilege.
- In the 80's you wore your hair REALLY high.
- You don't think "What exit" (do you live near?) is very funny.
- You know that the real first "strip shopping center" in the country is Route 22.
- You know that no respectable New Jerseyan goes to Princeton - that's for out-of-staters.
- The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar.
- You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls.
- You can see the Manhattan skyline from some part of your town.
- You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of Willowbrook Mall.
- You've eaten a Boardwalk cheesesteak with vinegar fries.
- You have a favorite Atlantic City casino.
- You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.
- Every year you have at least one kid in your class named Tony.
- You know the location of every clip shown in the Sopranos opening credits.
- You know that people from North Jersey go to Seaside Heights, and people from Central Jersey go to Belmar and people from South Jersey go to Wildwood.
- You weren't raised in New Jersey -- you were raised in either North Jersey, Central Jersey or South Jersey.
- You don't consider Newark or Camden to actually be part of the state.
- You remember the stores Korvette's, Two Guys, Rickel's, Channel, Bamberger's and Orbach's.
- You also remember Palisades Amusement Park.
- You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.
- You've never pumped your own gas. (at least, not when I was in NJ..)
- You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from New Jersey.
Apparently I am really from New Jersey because I related to more than 10 of those.
Aaaaaand...
You Know You're Chinese When....
- You unwrap Christmas gifts very carefully, so you can save and reuse the wrapping (and especially those bows) next year. (Hey, I might save Post-it flags, but I'm not THAT bad..)
- You only buy Christmas cards after Christmas, when they are 50% off. (I have 4 bags of candy from Target that I bought right after Halloween, mwahaha...)
- When there is a sale on toilet paper, you buy 100 rolls and store them in your closet or in the bedroom of an adult child who has moved out.
- You have a vinyl table cloth on your kitchen table.
- Your stove is covered with aluminum foil.
- You use the dishwasher as a dish rack. (We would if we even realized we had a dishwasher..)
- You keep a Thermos of hot water available at all times.
- You eat all meals in the kitchen.
- You save grocery bags, tin foil, and tin containers.
- You use grocery bags to hold garbage.
- You always leave your shoes at the door.
- You have a piano in your living room.
- You twirl your pen around your fingers. (Never bothered to learn how to do this, but lil sis does this very well..)
- Even if you're totally full, if someone says they're going to throw away the leftovers on the table, you'll finish them.
- You don't own any real Tupperware - only a cupboard full of used but carefully rinsed margarine tubs, takeout containers, and jam jars.
- You also use the jam jars as drinking glasses.
- You've eaten a red bean Popsicle.
- You bring oranges (or other produce) with you as a gift when you visit people's homes. (Ahem, our family prefers large white peaches from the farmer's market)
- You have a collection of miniature shampoo bottles that you take every time you stay in a hotel.
- The condiments in your fridge are either Price Club sized or come in plastic packets, which you save/steal every time you get take out or go to McDonald's.
- Ditto for paper napkins.
- You never order room service.
- You carry a stash of your own food whenever you travel (and travel means any car ride longer than 15 minutes). These travel snacks are always dried. As in not just dried plums, dried ginger, and beef/pork jerky, but dried cuttlefish (SQUID). (Don't care much for dried plants, but melike jerky and squid v. much!)
- Your parents vehemently refuse the sack of gold coin oranges that their guests just brought just to be courteous.(You should see them fighting with other people for the dinner bill..)
- Your dad thinks he can fix everything himself.
- You majored in something practical like engineering, medicine or law. (Biology? Well, I considered med school for about a week..)
- When you go to a dance party, there are a wall of guys surrounding the dance floor trying to look cool.
- You live with your parents and you are 30 years old (and they prefer it that way). Or if you're married and 30 years old, you live in the apartment next door to your parents, or at least in the same neighborhood.
- You don't use measuring cups.
- You feel like you've gotten a good deal if you didn't pay tax.
- You beat eggs with chopsticks.
- Your parents' house is always cold.
- You have a teacup with a cover on it.
- You reuse teabags.
- Your mom drives her Mercedes to the Price Club.
- You tip Chinese delivery guys/waiters more.
- You're a wok user.
- You like Chinese films in their original undubbed versions.
- You have acquired a taste for bittermelon.
- You like congee with thousand year old eggs. (STEPH!!! I have to come over sometime when I'm back home so you can make me more! YUMMY!!)
- You prefer your shrimp with the heads and legs still attached -- it means they're fresh.
- You never call your parents just to say hi.
- You always cook too much.
- If you don't live at home, when your parents call, they ask if you've eaten rice, even if it's midnight.
- Your parents tell you to boil herbs and stay inside when you get sick. They also tell you not to eat fried foods or baked goods because they produce hot air.
- Your parents never go to the movies.
- Your parents send money to their relatives in China.
- You use a face cloth.
- Your parents use a clothes line.
- You eat every last grain of rice in your bowl, but don't eat the last piece of food on the table.
- You starve yourself before going to all you can eat sushi.
- You've joined a CD club at least once.
- You know someone who can get you a good deal on jewelry or electronics.
- You never discuss your love life with your parents. (or, lack of one, as it were..)
- Your parents are never happy with your grades.
- You keep most of your money in a savings account.
- You've been on the Love Boat or know someone who has. (Vicky, were you still interested in going?)
- Your toothpaste tubes are all squeezed paper-thin.
- You love Chinese Martial Arts films.
- You have Tupperware in your fridge with three bites of rice or one leftover chicken wing.
- Shao Lin and Wu Tang actually mean something to you.
- You love to go to $1.75 movies. (WHERE????)
- You love to go to $1.50 movies even more.
- You never order sweet-n-sour pork, egg foo young, or chop suey at a Chinese restaurant.
- You hate to spend more than $5 for lunch.
- Someone in your family drives a Honda... with custom rims.
- You have a Chinese knick-knack hanging from your rear-view mirror.
- You like to eat chicken feet.
- You suck on fish heads and fish fins.
- You turn bright red after drinking two tablespoons of beer. (I probably would if I tried..)
- You can get a buzz on Coors O'Douls or Miller Sharps.
- You look like you are eighteen. (For some reason I always look older..)
- You only buy used cars.(I will...when I have enough money)
- You have more than five remotes in your house. (And we keep on misplacing them..)
- You leave the plastic on the lampshade for ten years or more.
- You can't bear to throw things away.
- Your dad washes his hair four times a day, or never at all.
- Your unassisted vision is worse than 20/500. (I really don't want to know. I really don't...)
- You've worn glasses at least since the fifth grade. (Second grade!)
- Your parents (or some other close relative) own a grocery store or restaurant.
- You drive around looking for the cheapest gas.
- You add twice the amount of water recommended when making orange juice from concentrate.
- You've never seen your parents hug.
- Your grandmother lives with you and your family. (Used to, at least..)
- You never order desserts at restaurants.
- You always have water when dining out.
- You say "aiya!" and "wah!" frequently.
- You love Las Vegas, slot machines, and blackjack.
- You love to play mah jong.
- You have to read all your parents' mail written in English.
- You are constantly being set up with uninteresting (and usually ugly) people by your parents. (Luckily my parents don't do this to me..)
- You hate eating cheese.
- You have a big aquarium filled with colorful fish somewhere in your house.
- Your mother is strangely obsessed with plants.
- White people look at you strangely if you tell them you are Buddhist.
- You notice the main topic at family get-togethers is food.
- You seldom ever owned new clothes if you were a second child.
- Your folks never speak under 10 decibels at family gatherings.
- You never made the school football or basketball team. (Or, any kind of sports team..)
- You have two middle initials instead of one.
- You grow your own bean sprouts in the kitchen.
- Your mother made you peel water chestnuts and snow peas.
- You have an lonely unmarried relative who frequently drops by during dinner time. (Does washing his car in our driveway count?)
- You received little red envelopes containing money on special occasions.
- You use the underside of a porcelain bowl to sharpen your knives. (*gasp* You can do that?)
- You cut your own hair… or had someone in your family do it.
- Your grandmother has a lot of gold teeth… especially in front.
- You keep fresh garlic and ginger in the kitchen at all times.
- You know what the term "lemon" or a "banana" means.
- You only have to shave every other day (maybe). (Hahaha. Cousin said he shaved like...once every two weeks)
- You wash and reuse ziplock bags.
- You know at least three people named Alan Wong.
- You never drank milk after eating cherries.
- Your parents collect jade jewelry.
- You always drink tea after a meal.
- Your dad owns at least one bird.
- Your parents grow vegetables in a garden.
- You use doilies to decorate your furniture.
- Your grandmother rapped your knuckles with her chopsticks while reaching food with your fingers.
- You're proud to be Chinese - and you pass these jokes on to all your Chinese friends!
I'm actually shocked at how Chinese I am...
Once it starts out a bug day....
It's gonna be a bug day!
Getting back from the Cheney lab, I stepped over a strange-looking twig. Curious, I turned back and peered at it more carefully. Two large beady eyes of a large grey praying mantis stared back at me. She was literally the same color as the walkway.
Huh, I thought, I thought praying mantises were supposed to green, or at least a more natural color...
But I figured getting her off the walkway would be a good idea. (*splatsquish*) I took a large leaf and started to shoo her toward the grass. She got all pissed and assumed an attack stance: legs up, wings out. Rawr. But I got her off the walkway anyway.
Then it occurred to me that she could stand out on the green grass. Maybe birds will mistake her for a twig....or hopefully she'll find a tree soon. Hmm.
A note for those who drink Everclear...
Keep in mind that ethanol, the substance in alcoholic beverages, at a 95% concentration will take off permanent marker (like, Sharpie marks)
on contact.
Imagine what that will do to your esophagus.
O.O
You know you've done too much bio when...
..you are completely going to type "these results deviated muchly from our hypothesis.."
*chuckles nervously*
I still think that would be pretty funny to have in a biology lab report though. Heh.
Yippeee!!
I'M GOING TO SEE (AND LISTEN) TO THE LA PHILHARMONIC PLAY RACH 3 OVER THANKSGIVING BREAK!!!!!
I wasn't even sure I would be able to get tickets, but I decided to try for the stand-by choral bench seats since I'd a) at least I'd
be there, and b) I'd get to see the conductor be all voidy, cause that's my favorite part, heh. I was to call the box office at 12 noon, then hope for the best.
I cheated and called at 11:55am, since I had gotten food from Frank and would be sitting outside for good reception. Everyone must have had the same idea, because the automated voice informed me that the wait time would be over 20 minutes long. Good thing I had gotten food then. I sat myself down and started with the mashed potatoes, listening to the unusually entertaining hold music from a whimsical musical that I didn't recognize. Five minutes into holding, the music was abruptly cut off. I checked my cell phone...still connected. Just...silence. I figured it wouldn't hurt to wait until the phone beeped at me. Or something.
I'm convinced now that they cut off the hold music on purpose, so that people would think they got disconnected and hang up. Why? Five minutes later, with no warning, a live operator was on the line. I was totally unprepared, with a mouth full of sushi. In order to talk properly, I had to spit it out, LOL. The things I do...
But I got TICKETS!! *dances*
Randomness involving the phone and AIM
This one was a while ago, but I think it sets up the second scenario quite well..
azncupycake18: we're all little cyber personalities
azncupycake18: appearing on the computer screen
azncupycake18: but i guess we could be...all products of your computer?
azncupycake18: how do I know you're not a product of my computer's psyche?
B: the temptation to give you a phone call and just say 'that's how', and hang up, was overwhelming
B: though then i could be a product of your phone's psyche, i suppose
And this was last night, with a different person:
azncupycake18: ooo
Auto response from F(7:39:53 PM):
Je ne veux pas travailler
Je ne veux pas déjeuner
Je veux seulement oublier
Et puis je fume
azncupycake18: french!
azncupycake18: i would pay to hear you say that :-P
azncupycake18: or...maybe not...
azncupycake18: but i would like to hear you say that!
Three minutes later with no warning, I get a phone call, and he says the French to me. Hahahaha. Totally made my day.
*sobs*
Nessie got to meet Brian Joubert! And
Ryan Jahnke! And Peggy Fleming! Well, not so much for Peggy, but BRIAN JOUBERT??!!
I would be more upset if she had met Michelle Kwan or
Fedor Andreev (*swoon*), but yes.
I hate you Nessie. :(
*weeps*
A brief foray into politics (and then on to better things)
Frankly I'm tired of reading about the election. Doing the bio group presentation in the computer lab on election night (and freaking out about the electoral count at the same time) was unlike anything I've ever experienced before, LOL. But I'll just mince around that subject with an excerpt from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1798 after the passage of the Sedition Act:
"A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt. If the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake."
I find it sad that the students going abroad next semester were told
not to look like Americans while in other countries. Patriotism at its finest, eh? - when Americans really don't give a shit what other countries think of them...and then they have to go to said other countries. Heh.
That said, I feel as if we're all preaching to the choir here. Pomona is mostly liberal, and from what I've read about (and experienced to some limit), conservatives are hated with a passion. I find that sad too. I may not agree with them, but that doesn't mean we should throw their opinions away. I mean, a little more than half of the country agreed with their viewpoints, and I don't understand why. A little more diverse discourse would help, especially at Pomona, but it's just one of those touchy subjects that nobody wants to delve into. *sigh*
And an update on the George "Let's make the piano do really funky things" Crumb concert: I really liked it, actually. My favorite was the humpback whale piece since it began in the avant-garde style of randomness, and then slowly edged into something that made more sense. (The name of the game in music is
contrast, dear readers!) I had never heard anything that used sparse echoes and silence so effectively. That's the same reason why I like Tori Amos' acoustic pieces - there's a certain atmosphere that you get when it's just one chord or note fading into silence. The minimalist approach clicks with me. Plus, I had never known that a cello could mimic the calls of a humpback whale so precisely. Wohhhh...
People think too much on this:
a Scientific American article on the brain and music. I almost slapped my forehead when I got to the part about them figuring out that neural "responses [from music] depended on the location of a given tone within a melody; cells may fire more vigorously when that tone is preceded by other tones rather than when it is the first." Well, as a musician, I say, "DUH!!!"
*grin*
So, I'm currently living in the biology building, trying to figure out this statistics program (did I mention I
hate numbers?!) and my brain's on the verge of shutdown when I figure I might as well have me a bit of sugar and a casual acapella concert at snack.
Nothing to wake up the brain like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, cold milk, and eight guys serenading an eager audience crowded around the entrance of Frary. Oh, and did I mention five of the guys wore nothing more than boxers?
I have three words. Oh yeah,
baby!
