Some science stuff:
I'm trying to develop a phylogeny lab for my Ecology students to do. It's based loosely on a dichotomous-key construction lab done in the general bio class here, and more tightly on a laboratory I used to do with my basic bio students when I was a grad student (alas, I loaned out my copy of that lab and never got it back). But there are some phylogeny/evolution labs on the Web that are simple enough to do in a couple hours, and can be done without actual animal or bird specimens:
Access Excellence lab using data on lizards
Natural selection and the "Egyptian Origami Bird"
and this one, the one that is most like the lab I remembered (and where I'm getting my supply list from): Principles of Taxonomy lab.
Incidentally, a a McGraw-Hill webpage has a good background on Taxonomic Classification and Phylogeny
The idea for the particular lab is, you give students a baggie full of "biobeasties" (actually nuts, bolts, screws, pushpins...) and they have to figure out relationships between them based on their characteristics. The really neat thing is you can have them test their phylogenies because you can make a "fossil record" of these things using clay (I always told my students the fossils were from the Paleo-Plasticene but they never got the joke....I guess you have to be 'of a certain age' to know that modeling clay can also be called Plasticene).
Monday, May 19, 2003
I finished the snake last night. I used white felt and green buttons for the eyes, and added "eyelids" of black felt (he looked like he needed more of an expression). I also crocheted the tongue rather than making a long finger-crochet chain and then sewing it into the appropriate shape (partly because I couldn't find the right color thread but mainly because that kind of sewing annoys me).
I think I'm going to concentrate on the Lightning-Bolt family sweater now; I'm about 2" or so from the neckline dec's on the front, and then all I have to do is the sleeves.
After that, I'm going to start a Sitcom Chic. Probably the one out of the 1824 cotton first; the Topacio is thinner and I may have to play around a bit to get gauge.
I think I'm going to concentrate on the Lightning-Bolt family sweater now; I'm about 2" or so from the neckline dec's on the front, and then all I have to do is the sleeves.
After that, I'm going to start a Sitcom Chic. Probably the one out of the 1824 cotton first; the Topacio is thinner and I may have to play around a bit to get gauge.
Sunday, May 18, 2003
And I have to add...Many years ago, the late Mike Royko wrote in a column on those audio-enhanced "boom cars" (you know the ones, they take out the rear seat so they can install superwoofers or something so that everyone in the state has to hear the owner of the car's choice of music ). He said that he felt an appropriate punishment for anyone caught driving one of these things in a residential neighborhood between 11 pm and 6 am was to have the car and the person hauled out to the desert, the car's owner stationed at a safe but visible distance from their car, and then the car blown up.
I heartily agree. Last night, someone parked their boom car outside my house. I could hear it in my NEW bedroom, with the fan turned on high and the noisy dehumidifier running. But what can you do? If I call the cops, by the time they get there, chances are the person will be gone or will have at least turned off their car.
there's also one person - I think it's the boyfriend of one of the girls in the house because I saw her get out of the car, doing a modified "Walk of Shame" (modified because this is apparently a regular thing and not a one-night stand) this morning as I was heading out to church - who has this car that...well, it's like listening to a Huey helicopter taking off. The thing is damned loud. If I were freer with my money, I'd go out and buy a gift certificate for a tuneup and muffler replacement and slip it under his windshield wiper sometime..
I heartily agree. Last night, someone parked their boom car outside my house. I could hear it in my NEW bedroom, with the fan turned on high and the noisy dehumidifier running. But what can you do? If I call the cops, by the time they get there, chances are the person will be gone or will have at least turned off their car.
there's also one person - I think it's the boyfriend of one of the girls in the house because I saw her get out of the car, doing a modified "Walk of Shame" (modified because this is apparently a regular thing and not a one-night stand) this morning as I was heading out to church - who has this car that...well, it's like listening to a Huey helicopter taking off. The thing is damned loud. If I were freer with my money, I'd go out and buy a gift certificate for a tuneup and muffler replacement and slip it under his windshield wiper sometime..
Friday, May 16, 2003
The Friday Five:
1. What drinking water do you prefer -- tap, bottle, purifier, etc.?
I prefer certain bottled waters but I'm cheap so I ususally just run the water out of the tap through a Brita filter. (The water where I live is heavily chlorinated and it's surface water - which means certain times of the year it can develop an off taste from algae). I prefer well water for drinking water but in this part of the country one doesn't have much choice.
2. What are your favourite flavor of chips?
Corn. (I don't like potato chips, except for the v. expensive Terra Chips, and even then, those are a bit greasy for me)
3. Of all the things you can cook, what dish do you like the most?
Bruschetta made with tomatoes from my own garden.
4. How do you have your eggs?
Generally, scrambled if I'm out (it's hard to ruin scrambled eggs {but it can be done}). If I'm cooking for myself, I often poach them. If I'm at a fancy brunch-place where they do omelets to order, I have to get an omelet - either ham and cheese or crabmeat and cheese.
5. Who was the last person who cooked you a meal? How did it turn out?
I went to the barbecue place this week, does that count? The food was ok. It's been a while since I had an individual person cook specifically for me.
1. What drinking water do you prefer -- tap, bottle, purifier, etc.?
I prefer certain bottled waters but I'm cheap so I ususally just run the water out of the tap through a Brita filter. (The water where I live is heavily chlorinated and it's surface water - which means certain times of the year it can develop an off taste from algae). I prefer well water for drinking water but in this part of the country one doesn't have much choice.
2. What are your favourite flavor of chips?
Corn. (I don't like potato chips, except for the v. expensive Terra Chips, and even then, those are a bit greasy for me)
3. Of all the things you can cook, what dish do you like the most?
Bruschetta made with tomatoes from my own garden.
4. How do you have your eggs?
Generally, scrambled if I'm out (it's hard to ruin scrambled eggs {but it can be done}). If I'm cooking for myself, I often poach them. If I'm at a fancy brunch-place where they do omelets to order, I have to get an omelet - either ham and cheese or crabmeat and cheese.
5. Who was the last person who cooked you a meal? How did it turn out?
I went to the barbecue place this week, does that count? The food was ok. It's been a while since I had an individual person cook specifically for me.
Thursday, May 15, 2003
Well, I broke the "block" on the Beaded Rib socks this afternoon. I had been sitting in my office, trying to read journal articles, (tired from a night of poor sleep) and listening to the increasing bangs and crashes of the air conditioner guys fixing the heating and A/C system on the roof.
So I bailed. Bailed and went home, put on a housecoat and sat cross-legged on my bed, and read journal articles and knit on the socks. I am now almost done with the heel flap of the first sock. And I have gotten through three times as many articles this afternoon as I did this morning. And I remember what I read.
quiet is good
knitting while I read is good.
but, I'm afraid I might be getting adult-onset ADHD. It's increasingly difficult to read stuff in my office with people walking by in the hall, and mystery bumps and bangs from the building repair, and all that.
So I bailed. Bailed and went home, put on a housecoat and sat cross-legged on my bed, and read journal articles and knit on the socks. I am now almost done with the heel flap of the first sock. And I have gotten through three times as many articles this afternoon as I did this morning. And I remember what I read.
quiet is good
knitting while I read is good.
but, I'm afraid I might be getting adult-onset ADHD. It's increasingly difficult to read stuff in my office with people walking by in the hall, and mystery bumps and bangs from the building repair, and all that.
Better.
I called the courthouse and spoke with the clerk. I explained about the tickets first - and she said "well, you can serve that two weeks when you get back" which is ok with me. Then I brought up the issue of my class and she said "well, when you call in the afternoon to see if you're needed, just tell me that you're needed up on campus."
um. ok. Not that I'm not grateful, but I thought the point of jury duty was having people be available.
At any rate, when my department chair gets back, I'm gonna see if I can talk him into being "on deck" to take the second hour of the class on the days I might be needed. I'll have to be super prepared in advance (especially if there is a chance I get on a trial where I might be sequestered), but that's true anyway in the summers.
I want to fulfill my civic duty, but I don't want to hurt my students while doing it.
I called the courthouse and spoke with the clerk. I explained about the tickets first - and she said "well, you can serve that two weeks when you get back" which is ok with me. Then I brought up the issue of my class and she said "well, when you call in the afternoon to see if you're needed, just tell me that you're needed up on campus."
um. ok. Not that I'm not grateful, but I thought the point of jury duty was having people be available.
At any rate, when my department chair gets back, I'm gonna see if I can talk him into being "on deck" to take the second hour of the class on the days I might be needed. I'll have to be super prepared in advance (especially if there is a chance I get on a trial where I might be sequestered), but that's true anyway in the summers.
I want to fulfill my civic duty, but I don't want to hurt my students while doing it.
stressed out
I found out last night that a juror's term-of-service in this place is three months, not three weeks like I thought.
what do I do? I am supposed to teach a summer class and unless I petition to start it an hour earlier (like anyone will be willing to allow that) there may be days I have to cancel - that DOES NOT work in a summer class. Also, I have non-refundable, non-transferable train tickets for mid-July - while I will still be in service.
And I'm really screwed because back in April when I was supposed to serve, I asked for and got a deferment until now. So I suspect the judge won't be all that sympathetic. But - there was NO indication anywhere in any of the materials I was sent that jury service was so long! Everywhere else I've ever lived it's been 3 weeks or less, or maybe 1 day a week for a couple months if you were grand jury (I'm not).
I don't know what to do. I am literally so full of worry and despair I can't focus on the work I'm supposed to do. I may be out $300 and a chance to see my family. I may lose my shot at tenure if I can't fulfill responsibilities I promised to fulfill.
I know, I'm "awfulizing". But from where I sit, things look pretty awful right now.
I found out last night that a juror's term-of-service in this place is three months, not three weeks like I thought.
what do I do? I am supposed to teach a summer class and unless I petition to start it an hour earlier (like anyone will be willing to allow that) there may be days I have to cancel - that DOES NOT work in a summer class. Also, I have non-refundable, non-transferable train tickets for mid-July - while I will still be in service.
And I'm really screwed because back in April when I was supposed to serve, I asked for and got a deferment until now. So I suspect the judge won't be all that sympathetic. But - there was NO indication anywhere in any of the materials I was sent that jury service was so long! Everywhere else I've ever lived it's been 3 weeks or less, or maybe 1 day a week for a couple months if you were grand jury (I'm not).
I don't know what to do. I am literally so full of worry and despair I can't focus on the work I'm supposed to do. I may be out $300 and a chance to see my family. I may lose my shot at tenure if I can't fulfill responsibilities I promised to fulfill.
I know, I'm "awfulizing". But from where I sit, things look pretty awful right now.
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
I didn't mention, we had a hailstorm here early this morning. At 6:15, I was lying in bed, awake and contemplating getting up, when I heard it start.
I smugly thought of how I had put my car in the garage last night. The hail was about 1" to 1-1/4" where I live. But one of my colleagues south of town said it was golfball to softball sized where he was - he showed me his "new" used truck, it looked like someone had taken a ball-peen hammer to it.
Alas, he had land that I was going to survey for milkweeds and he said they got the heck beat out of them - it looked like his area had been brushhogged.
Panicked, I ran out to my field site - there was some damage to the green milkweeds but they do still have flowers and some have started to set pods. AND: the butterfly milkweeds are just now beginning to flower! And I found another small population of them.
And, more good research news: I'm finding some useful info for this old-field succession paper, despite trying to wade through hugacious studies in the journal Ecology.
I didn't mention: last night I dreamed about knitting the Sitcom Chic. However, I have decided I am going to finish a few more projects that I have going before I take on anything new. I want to finish the snake (it's more than 1/2 done now), the Lightning-Bolt family sweater, and the Beaded-Rib socks before I start something new. That sounds ambitious, but I think I'm close to done on a lot of those - the Lightning-Bolt sweater, I almost have the front done and then it's just the sleeves (which I plan to do two at a time because they are identical; I find that a faster and less frustrating way to knit sleeves), the socks just take some buckling down and knitting, and, as I said, the snake is close to done.
I am thinking if it's pouring again tomorrow morning I may decide to take the day off and stay home and knit. Or maybe go in for the morning, work hard for a couple hours, and then come home at lunch and knit.
the problem is, for simple knitting, I like to watch tv and knit and so much of tv has sucked such big rocks lately.
I smugly thought of how I had put my car in the garage last night. The hail was about 1" to 1-1/4" where I live. But one of my colleagues south of town said it was golfball to softball sized where he was - he showed me his "new" used truck, it looked like someone had taken a ball-peen hammer to it.
Alas, he had land that I was going to survey for milkweeds and he said they got the heck beat out of them - it looked like his area had been brushhogged.
Panicked, I ran out to my field site - there was some damage to the green milkweeds but they do still have flowers and some have started to set pods. AND: the butterfly milkweeds are just now beginning to flower! And I found another small population of them.
And, more good research news: I'm finding some useful info for this old-field succession paper, despite trying to wade through hugacious studies in the journal Ecology.
I didn't mention: last night I dreamed about knitting the Sitcom Chic. However, I have decided I am going to finish a few more projects that I have going before I take on anything new. I want to finish the snake (it's more than 1/2 done now), the Lightning-Bolt family sweater, and the Beaded-Rib socks before I start something new. That sounds ambitious, but I think I'm close to done on a lot of those - the Lightning-Bolt sweater, I almost have the front done and then it's just the sleeves (which I plan to do two at a time because they are identical; I find that a faster and less frustrating way to knit sleeves), the socks just take some buckling down and knitting, and, as I said, the snake is close to done.
I am thinking if it's pouring again tomorrow morning I may decide to take the day off and stay home and knit. Or maybe go in for the morning, work hard for a couple hours, and then come home at lunch and knit.
the problem is, for simple knitting, I like to watch tv and knit and so much of tv has sucked such big rocks lately.
No jury duty today. No jury duty the rest of the week. Whoo-hoo!
I'm so happy to see Lucy is settling in nicely with Wendy. IMHO, Siamese (or part-Siamese) cats are the best - they "talk" to you and they have such distinctive personalities.
Finished the second croc sock last night. They match well enough, I guess. Now I have to decide the best (most deceiving) way to wrap three pairs of socks for my mom's birthday present. Normally I put socks in a scarf-sized box, but I need something more unusual this time.
I like making packages look like what they are not. One Christmas I gave my mom a gift certificate but wrapped it in a big big box with bags of those plastic stuffing pellets in the bottom to give it more weight.
The problem here is, I have to send the socks through the mail, so I don't want to add excess weight or bulk so I have to pay more or have a hard time finding a box to send it in.
I may look up a link for those origami boxes again, and get some stiff paper, and do that...
I'm so happy to see Lucy is settling in nicely with Wendy. IMHO, Siamese (or part-Siamese) cats are the best - they "talk" to you and they have such distinctive personalities.
Finished the second croc sock last night. They match well enough, I guess. Now I have to decide the best (most deceiving) way to wrap three pairs of socks for my mom's birthday present. Normally I put socks in a scarf-sized box, but I need something more unusual this time.
I like making packages look like what they are not. One Christmas I gave my mom a gift certificate but wrapped it in a big big box with bags of those plastic stuffing pellets in the bottom to give it more weight.
The problem here is, I have to send the socks through the mail, so I don't want to add excess weight or bulk so I have to pay more or have a hard time finding a box to send it in.
I may look up a link for those origami boxes again, and get some stiff paper, and do that...
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
oops, I did it again
(I really do abhor Britney Spears and that line is said with all the irony possible).
I bought more yarn. For a second "Sitcom Chic" even though I've not started the first.
But: Elann had some lovely looking cotton blend "Topacio" (no direct link, because apparently, Elann don't play that), knitting up to 18 sts per 4 inches (Sitcom Chic gauge) and it was in siamese cat colors. Really. It looked just like the "Aslan" combination from Lorna's Laces, and she based that on the colors of a Siamese cat.
and can I just say: I know David Tilman is a great plant ecologist and all that, but his papers are like eight different studies all squooshed into one. I lose the thread of what I am looking for every time I read one of his hugacious papers.
(I really do abhor Britney Spears and that line is said with all the irony possible).
I bought more yarn. For a second "Sitcom Chic" even though I've not started the first.
But: Elann had some lovely looking cotton blend "Topacio" (no direct link, because apparently, Elann don't play that), knitting up to 18 sts per 4 inches (Sitcom Chic gauge) and it was in siamese cat colors. Really. It looked just like the "Aslan" combination from Lorna's Laces, and she based that on the colors of a Siamese cat.
and can I just say: I know David Tilman is a great plant ecologist and all that, but his papers are like eight different studies all squooshed into one. I lose the thread of what I am looking for every time I read one of his hugacious papers.
Well, the guy I was to be on a jury for threw himself on the mercy of the court. And it's pouring, so I'm in my office working.
I got this at my work email. At first I thought it was a joke but I think actually the guy has hit on a very topical variation of the old Nigerian bank letter scam:
"From: MR NASSERY HOSEIN
Dear Sir, {He doesn't know me very well, does he?}
You may be surprise to receive this letter from me,as a result of hearing from for the very first. . The purpose of my mail is that I am MR NASSERY HOSEIN , the first son of PRESIDENT SADDAM HOSEIN,born from another woman which is the third wife of my father.
I am writing from a near by country which i don't want to disclose it now for security reasons, where I am currently based as political asylum seeker. Before my father was force out from office by bush and blair , he deposit the sum of (US$35.5M) thirty-five million, five hundred thousand United States Dollars only, in a private Security and Finance Company. May be he for-saw the looming danger of bush and blair ? This money was paid cash to the company on my name to the Security Company.
This money was initially meant for me to start a new life.All my brothers and my sisters have similar account deposited in different countries, I don't want any body to know where i am for the moment . I want you to asisit me to take control of this fund and we have to make a change for the name then you will stand as the owner of the fund i am doing this not to enble the finance compay,not to confisicate the fund.I want you to discause with the company so that they can transfer the fund to your personal account, actully i am seeking for a genuine person with foreign account to handle this transaction.
I am faced with the dilemma of investing, I will not like to go through the experience of my father, his account in America have frozed and in England the same thing happen.At the end of this transaction i will compersate you with 20% of this fund. And any thing amount it cost you to transfer it, i promise you must get it back. let me asure you that is 100% percent risk free, i already keep 5% for any expense encured during this transaction risk free. If you accept to assist me and my family, you have to reply me as soon as you get this mail.
You may contact me on the above E-mail so that I know what your decision is, about this proposal. Please note that your field of specialization is not a hindrance to this transaction.
Thanks for your anticipated co-operations.
Best regards,
Nassery Hosein "
So...should I forward this to some national security office, or treat it as the stupid spam it most likely is?
I got this at my work email. At first I thought it was a joke but I think actually the guy has hit on a very topical variation of the old Nigerian bank letter scam:
"From: MR NASSERY HOSEIN
Dear Sir, {He doesn't know me very well, does he?}
You may be surprise to receive this letter from me,as a result of hearing from for the very first. . The purpose of my mail is that I am MR NASSERY HOSEIN , the first son of PRESIDENT SADDAM HOSEIN,born from another woman which is the third wife of my father.
I am writing from a near by country which i don't want to disclose it now for security reasons, where I am currently based as political asylum seeker. Before my father was force out from office by bush and blair , he deposit the sum of (US$35.5M) thirty-five million, five hundred thousand United States Dollars only, in a private Security and Finance Company. May be he for-saw the looming danger of bush and blair ? This money was paid cash to the company on my name to the Security Company.
This money was initially meant for me to start a new life.All my brothers and my sisters have similar account deposited in different countries, I don't want any body to know where i am for the moment . I want you to asisit me to take control of this fund and we have to make a change for the name then you will stand as the owner of the fund i am doing this not to enble the finance compay,not to confisicate the fund.I want you to discause with the company so that they can transfer the fund to your personal account, actully i am seeking for a genuine person with foreign account to handle this transaction.
I am faced with the dilemma of investing, I will not like to go through the experience of my father, his account in America have frozed and in England the same thing happen.At the end of this transaction i will compersate you with 20% of this fund. And any thing amount it cost you to transfer it, i promise you must get it back. let me asure you that is 100% percent risk free, i already keep 5% for any expense encured during this transaction risk free. If you accept to assist me and my family, you have to reply me as soon as you get this mail.
You may contact me on the above E-mail so that I know what your decision is, about this proposal. Please note that your field of specialization is not a hindrance to this transaction.
Thanks for your anticipated co-operations.
Best regards,
Nassery Hosein "
So...should I forward this to some national security office, or treat it as the stupid spam it most likely is?
I'm almost done with Mom's crocodile socks. Another 1/2 inch or so and I can start the toe decreases.
They "need" me this morning for jury duty (at 9 am). I've got two books (one complex, one less-so) and my Dance cotton (with the "hippy bag" pattern on the label) and size 11 dpns. I figure the books are for if it's really quiet or if they tell me I can't knit. I'm juror #44, so I figure I have only slightly better than a 1 in 4 chance of being chosen (I think they only have one case running at a time - only one courtroom).
I'm sort of looking forward to it - I might learn something - but sort of not. I don't know the laws of this town in detail (I generally figure using common sense means you won't be breaking any laws), I've never served on a jury before. And there's always the chance of getting on a rape trial or something else nasty.
Looks like more storms today, so if I'm released from needing to serve today I guess I can't go to the garden center like I was thinking (every gardener knows - if there are bare spots in the garden it is almost actively painful until you fill them with plants).
In other news, I'm thinking about doing more crocheting again and started looking for pages of crocheted toys. There's some really interesting and distinctive things out there.
Like Bu and the Duck Click on each toy for a "description". (I like the pig who is professorial but still "kept his boyish good looks"). I love it when little personality descriptions like that are given, makes me want to buy the thing. (Which is why, I am sure, people write them).
There is a free kitty and free snake pattern to crochet at Joyful Toys.A hacky-sack pattern is free at Bev's Country Cottage.
but you know? A lot of the sites that come up are sites dedicated to selling stuff available at other sites, or popup-ad-loaded sites that don't really have anything I could see to do with crochet. It looks like some of the sites were built by people who thought "hey, let's use a term people might search on and then give them no content but a bunch of crummy ads". Well, probably they said "money-making" instead of "crummy" but you get the point.
maybe I need to find a new search engine to use. Increasingly it seems that google brings up adfilled sites.
They "need" me this morning for jury duty (at 9 am). I've got two books (one complex, one less-so) and my Dance cotton (with the "hippy bag" pattern on the label) and size 11 dpns. I figure the books are for if it's really quiet or if they tell me I can't knit. I'm juror #44, so I figure I have only slightly better than a 1 in 4 chance of being chosen (I think they only have one case running at a time - only one courtroom).
I'm sort of looking forward to it - I might learn something - but sort of not. I don't know the laws of this town in detail (I generally figure using common sense means you won't be breaking any laws), I've never served on a jury before. And there's always the chance of getting on a rape trial or something else nasty.
Looks like more storms today, so if I'm released from needing to serve today I guess I can't go to the garden center like I was thinking (every gardener knows - if there are bare spots in the garden it is almost actively painful until you fill them with plants).
In other news, I'm thinking about doing more crocheting again and started looking for pages of crocheted toys. There's some really interesting and distinctive things out there.
Like Bu and the Duck Click on each toy for a "description". (I like the pig who is professorial but still "kept his boyish good looks"). I love it when little personality descriptions like that are given, makes me want to buy the thing. (Which is why, I am sure, people write them).
There is a free kitty and free snake pattern to crochet at Joyful Toys.A hacky-sack pattern is free at Bev's Country Cottage.
but you know? A lot of the sites that come up are sites dedicated to selling stuff available at other sites, or popup-ad-loaded sites that don't really have anything I could see to do with crochet. It looks like some of the sites were built by people who thought "hey, let's use a term people might search on and then give them no content but a bunch of crummy ads". Well, probably they said "money-making" instead of "crummy" but you get the point.
maybe I need to find a new search engine to use. Increasingly it seems that google brings up adfilled sites.
Sunday, May 11, 2003
The snake progresses. I am up to pink stripe 5 out of 10. It's sort of fun to see the thing develop even though there are going to be a lot of blasted ends to deal with when he's done.
I forget how happy making toys makes me. Even if they're just mascots for me.
Finished (as much as I can to this point) writing the second of two papers, emailed it to my co-author. I also trimmed the hedges today and weeded my back garden. And sawed some dead limbs off the redbud tree, and sacrificed a live (barely) limb that kept smacking me in the head every time I would mow or work in the garden.
I don't know what updating will be like in the coming week as I am scheduled for jury duty. My friend the assistant DA (which may also be my ticket out of it - when they find I know the assistant DA) said bringing knitting in was ok, no one would mind. I'm going to go with big fat wooden needles though (I have a simple purse kit on size 11s I can do), so I look less kooky and threatening.
She also said she "doubted" they would need jurors until Tuesday, so I may get an extra day, which will probably be spent in the library looking for articles about old-field succession (the topic of the current paper).
I forget how happy making toys makes me. Even if they're just mascots for me.
Finished (as much as I can to this point) writing the second of two papers, emailed it to my co-author. I also trimmed the hedges today and weeded my back garden. And sawed some dead limbs off the redbud tree, and sacrificed a live (barely) limb that kept smacking me in the head every time I would mow or work in the garden.
I don't know what updating will be like in the coming week as I am scheduled for jury duty. My friend the assistant DA (which may also be my ticket out of it - when they find I know the assistant DA) said bringing knitting in was ok, no one would mind. I'm going to go with big fat wooden needles though (I have a simple purse kit on size 11s I can do), so I look less kooky and threatening.
She also said she "doubted" they would need jurors until Tuesday, so I may get an extra day, which will probably be spent in the library looking for articles about old-field succession (the topic of the current paper).
Saturday, May 10, 2003
Belated congratulations to Sarah on passing her thesis defense!
(I remember what that feels like :) )
(I remember what that feels like :) )
Graduation today. They held it indoors this time because of the threat of rain (it's raining now, thank God, for like the first time in 3 weeks). Lots of the good students, the ones I've known for several years, are done and gone now.
That's one of the sad things about academia. People are so transient, and often it's the people you really care about who wind up moving on.
I have the heel done on the second crocodile sock. But I think I'm going to knit for myself tonight, either on the toy snake or on my sweater.
That's one of the sad things about academia. People are so transient, and often it's the people you really care about who wind up moving on.
I have the heel done on the second crocodile sock. But I think I'm going to knit for myself tonight, either on the toy snake or on my sweater.
Friday, May 09, 2003
My writing may not be poetic, but it can be made into poetry:
"progress on the colors they have a
day of a fillyjonk? a
lot more
but I am thinking if they are already
blooming. And I can
be giving a couple
of Fable in my bedroom which is a pattern but
I think the past
few lab books I started writing
and I
wear my, nice little room. and hollers.
I e., different
Opal, Crocodile socks. "
This is from Rob's Amazing Poetry Generator
"progress on the colors they have a
day of a fillyjonk? a
lot more
but I am thinking if they are already
blooming. And I can
be giving a couple
of Fable in my bedroom which is a pattern but
I think the past
few lab books I started writing
and I
wear my, nice little room. and hollers.
I e., different
Opal, Crocodile socks. "
This is from Rob's Amazing Poetry Generator
Find a caterpillar?
Want to try to find out what it is?
Go visit The butterfly and moth caterpillar identification site. (Actually, it's surprising how little info there is on larvae in some published books). I think the 'pillar my colleague and I found this morning is some kind of a silkmoth.
Want to try to find out what it is?
Go visit The butterfly and moth caterpillar identification site. (Actually, it's surprising how little info there is on larvae in some published books). I think the 'pillar my colleague and I found this morning is some kind of a silkmoth.
House Full O' Buffoons update:
my noisy neighbors are apparently back. More trash (beer cans, etc.) in their front yard this morning. Plus, a burned-out tiki torch (one of those anti-mosquito things). Even though the voracious and potentially disease-carrying tiger mosquitoes are back, they are still going to sit on the porch late into the night and drink (the HFOB, not the 'skeeters).
sigh.
I am glad I have my nice quiet guest room to sleep in.
my noisy neighbors are apparently back. More trash (beer cans, etc.) in their front yard this morning. Plus, a burned-out tiki torch (one of those anti-mosquito things). Even though the voracious and potentially disease-carrying tiger mosquitoes are back, they are still going to sit on the porch late into the night and drink (the HFOB, not the 'skeeters).
sigh.
I am glad I have my nice quiet guest room to sleep in.
Still plugging away on the croc socks. Not much other progress on the craft-front, because the past few days have been meeting-filled and research-filled. There is a paper with my name on it on its way to be peer-reviewed, and I am in the process of shaping up another for publication, and I started writing a third. I also met with the grad student whose committee I am now on, and planned out some summer research for yet another project (one shared with another faculty member).
It's been unbelievably hot and humid here. You know you are in for a bad day when it is 76, with a dewpoint of 70, at 6 in the morning.
Next week is jury duty. I'm hoping I get rejected, or told I am not needed, because there is so much I can be working on...I did call my friend the assistant DA to ask if she knew whether it was OK for me to bring knitting to the courthouse (I have no idea how tight the security is), but she's not called back.
I hope that's not because she has relatives in Moore or in south OKC where there were bad tornadoes yesterday. It's kind of sickening to see how the tornadoes followed nearly the same path as they did in 1999, when there was so much destruction and people killed. I flew into OKC in July of 1999, to come down here to look for apartments, and I remember driving down I-35 through what must have been Midwest City and just being horrified - second floors of houses and apartment complexes were totally pancaked onto the first floors.
It's been unbelievably hot and humid here. You know you are in for a bad day when it is 76, with a dewpoint of 70, at 6 in the morning.
Next week is jury duty. I'm hoping I get rejected, or told I am not needed, because there is so much I can be working on...I did call my friend the assistant DA to ask if she knew whether it was OK for me to bring knitting to the courthouse (I have no idea how tight the security is), but she's not called back.
I hope that's not because she has relatives in Moore or in south OKC where there were bad tornadoes yesterday. It's kind of sickening to see how the tornadoes followed nearly the same path as they did in 1999, when there was so much destruction and people killed. I flew into OKC in July of 1999, to come down here to look for apartments, and I remember driving down I-35 through what must have been Midwest City and just being horrified - second floors of houses and apartment complexes were totally pancaked onto the first floors.
Tuesday, May 06, 2003
I apologize for this morning's outburst. It's just, I wish it weren't such an all-or-nothing process, so heaven-or-hell, so you-have-job-security-forever-unless-you-commit-a-felony or take-a-hike,here's-a-recommendation-for-what-it's-worth.
Part of the problem is I'm not so good at the 'damn I'm good' attitude that so many people have.
My father has counseled me to carry a small notebook and every time I am reminded of something that would count towards tenure, I need to write it down then, so I don't forget about it in the stress of preparing the actual packet.
I (re)wrote most of a paper today. No, not one I've submitted anywhere yet, but I didn't like the introduction any more after reading some of the background research. I meet with someone more expert in the area tomorrow to get some more input.
And I had a paper come out this spring. And I should have one come out (if the printer is on time) this fall. And I have another I will be submitting soon. And my name is on on that's going to be resubmitted very soon.
I'm afraid you're going to have to hear about this a lot more until I actually get tenure. Provided I do.
A little knitting content; I knit some on the sweater while proctoring exams (when I got to burnt out on working on the rewrite while proctoring exams). I'm almost done with the central front motif.
"My" green milkweeds (well, the ones I'm counting on for seed for my research) are already blooming. And I think I found a couple clumps of butterfly milkweed. I'll know for sure once it blooms. And I may have found scattered individuals of some other species (clasping milkweed, maybe? I can only hope - that's one I need). I need to go out to the site at least weekly from now on. Luckily some times I can combine it with prepping labs for the ecology class I teach this summer. I did feel better when I was out there - I was getting something done towards research, and I was finally getting to something that had hung over my head for a couple weeks (revisiting the site) but I had been too busy to manage.
Other than that, I sat through a long and somewhat heated meeting, I baked 3 batches of brownies for a children's supper at church (I'm sorry but: the way the kids wolf the things down without even tasting them, I allow myself to use a mix. Also I think it's cheaper in the long run). I graded 17 exams - all my grading is essentially done now.
Part of the problem is I'm not so good at the 'damn I'm good' attitude that so many people have.
My father has counseled me to carry a small notebook and every time I am reminded of something that would count towards tenure, I need to write it down then, so I don't forget about it in the stress of preparing the actual packet.
I (re)wrote most of a paper today. No, not one I've submitted anywhere yet, but I didn't like the introduction any more after reading some of the background research. I meet with someone more expert in the area tomorrow to get some more input.
And I had a paper come out this spring. And I should have one come out (if the printer is on time) this fall. And I have another I will be submitting soon. And my name is on on that's going to be resubmitted very soon.
I'm afraid you're going to have to hear about this a lot more until I actually get tenure. Provided I do.
A little knitting content; I knit some on the sweater while proctoring exams (when I got to burnt out on working on the rewrite while proctoring exams). I'm almost done with the central front motif.
"My" green milkweeds (well, the ones I'm counting on for seed for my research) are already blooming. And I think I found a couple clumps of butterfly milkweed. I'll know for sure once it blooms. And I may have found scattered individuals of some other species (clasping milkweed, maybe? I can only hope - that's one I need). I need to go out to the site at least weekly from now on. Luckily some times I can combine it with prepping labs for the ecology class I teach this summer. I did feel better when I was out there - I was getting something done towards research, and I was finally getting to something that had hung over my head for a couple weeks (revisiting the site) but I had been too busy to manage.
Other than that, I sat through a long and somewhat heated meeting, I baked 3 batches of brownies for a children's supper at church (I'm sorry but: the way the kids wolf the things down without even tasting them, I allow myself to use a mix. Also I think it's cheaper in the long run). I graded 17 exams - all my grading is essentially done now.
tenure stress
This fall, I am up for tenure here. For those of you unfamiliar with the academic lifestyle, you teach at a school for a while (3, 5, or 7 years depending on the school and whether you came from another school where you had tenure), and then you prepare a big, fat packet outlining your teaching skills, your scholarly productivity (publications and papers given and grants received), and your service (committees, mostly). Then, you sweat for several weeks while your department debates whether you should stay or go. Then after they decide (provided they say you stay), you sweat for a couple months while your college within your university decides. And then you sweat while the higher-up administrators decide. You submit the packet in September and you usually hear from the last group in January.
I am trying not to worry too much about it. I get generally good-to-excellent reviews of my teaching, I teach one class no one else here currently could teach, I'm in a small department where we are all at or above our limits for hours taught, there is little competition among specialties in my department. Also, I will have had 6 or 7 publications out before the tenure decision (and several more in the pipeline; one of my goals this break is to finish writing and submit 2 or 3 papers I've been working on). I also have received 2 in-house grants and have had my name on two NSF grants (one rejected, the other we still haven't heard back). I have served on several committees, been active in the community, given numerous talks on the state and national scale (just not any THIS year - didn't get anything new out in time for the deadlines). I have chaired a grad student's thesis committee and have just been asked to be on another student's committee. I run an independent project in one of my courses which fills a requirement for the department as a whole.
I have a couple of new project plans in the pipeline: two I am going to discuss with the people who will be my co-workers tomorrow, and a proposal to write in hopes of getting funding next spring.
Still, I'm worried: no external grants (I majorly have my fingers crossed about that pending NSF one; that could make me or break me), and I'm not giving a presentation anywhere this summer.
My department chair says I'm doing fine. I wish I could let myself trust him, and on some level I do, but I'm too much of a worrier to totally let it go.
Sometimes I think: "they wouldn't want to go to the trouble and pain of doing another search to replace me." (Also, someone told me I was the only person with the necessary qualifications who applied for the job). Other times, I think "someone in the administration will point out I've brought in no overhead costs through external grants"
I really don't want to leave here. I like the students here too much. I like teaching too much. I like the people I work with too much. I like my house too much. I hate the thought of packing up everything I own. I can't imagine trying to look for a job in the current economy.
Anyway.
Switching gears. Yesterday was a remarkably good mail day. Both the new IK and Cast-On came. As is often the case with summer issues, there's a lot I can't wear (my, um, top, is too big for tanks or camisole type things or halters). But there were a couple of cute lightweight cardigans, and I really like Interweave's habit of running "small gift patterns" in their summer issue. And I liked the Koigu lace socks, although I would have used a lighter clearer color for them...
I also have to 'fess up on recent yarn purchases (one came yesterday). Over the past couple weeks, I've bought:
two skeins of Lorna's sockyarn in "Tuscany", from ThreadBear
a skein of "Fable" in "the tortoise and the hare" and two skeins of "Mrs. Miniver" "Cinema" from Handworks Gallery
1824 cotton in "Musk" for the "Sitcom Chic" from Yarn Forward
And finally, assorted skeins of Emu DK, from Elann for animals out of Kath Dalmeny's "World of Knitted Toys".
I mention this because I began one last night - I am making the snake, using the colors pretty much as specified (she describes it as using "the colors of the poisonous garter snake" which confuses me, because in the US at least, garter snakes are about the most docile and harmless snakes there are - I mean, you can pick them up and they just wrap around your hand to soak up your body heat. Also, the colors look most reminscent of a coral snake, which is poisonous, but coral snakes are red, yellow, and black, and this snake is pink, white, and black.). At any rate, it's sort of fun to make and it's going fast. It's one of the simpler toys, it will just have one long seam when it's done.
I still think toy patterns should be set up to be knit in the round whenever possible.
This fall, I am up for tenure here. For those of you unfamiliar with the academic lifestyle, you teach at a school for a while (3, 5, or 7 years depending on the school and whether you came from another school where you had tenure), and then you prepare a big, fat packet outlining your teaching skills, your scholarly productivity (publications and papers given and grants received), and your service (committees, mostly). Then, you sweat for several weeks while your department debates whether you should stay or go. Then after they decide (provided they say you stay), you sweat for a couple months while your college within your university decides. And then you sweat while the higher-up administrators decide. You submit the packet in September and you usually hear from the last group in January.
I am trying not to worry too much about it. I get generally good-to-excellent reviews of my teaching, I teach one class no one else here currently could teach, I'm in a small department where we are all at or above our limits for hours taught, there is little competition among specialties in my department. Also, I will have had 6 or 7 publications out before the tenure decision (and several more in the pipeline; one of my goals this break is to finish writing and submit 2 or 3 papers I've been working on). I also have received 2 in-house grants and have had my name on two NSF grants (one rejected, the other we still haven't heard back). I have served on several committees, been active in the community, given numerous talks on the state and national scale (just not any THIS year - didn't get anything new out in time for the deadlines). I have chaired a grad student's thesis committee and have just been asked to be on another student's committee. I run an independent project in one of my courses which fills a requirement for the department as a whole.
I have a couple of new project plans in the pipeline: two I am going to discuss with the people who will be my co-workers tomorrow, and a proposal to write in hopes of getting funding next spring.
Still, I'm worried: no external grants (I majorly have my fingers crossed about that pending NSF one; that could make me or break me), and I'm not giving a presentation anywhere this summer.
My department chair says I'm doing fine. I wish I could let myself trust him, and on some level I do, but I'm too much of a worrier to totally let it go.
Sometimes I think: "they wouldn't want to go to the trouble and pain of doing another search to replace me." (Also, someone told me I was the only person with the necessary qualifications who applied for the job). Other times, I think "someone in the administration will point out I've brought in no overhead costs through external grants"
I really don't want to leave here. I like the students here too much. I like teaching too much. I like the people I work with too much. I like my house too much. I hate the thought of packing up everything I own. I can't imagine trying to look for a job in the current economy.
Anyway.
Switching gears. Yesterday was a remarkably good mail day. Both the new IK and Cast-On came. As is often the case with summer issues, there's a lot I can't wear (my, um, top, is too big for tanks or camisole type things or halters). But there were a couple of cute lightweight cardigans, and I really like Interweave's habit of running "small gift patterns" in their summer issue. And I liked the Koigu lace socks, although I would have used a lighter clearer color for them...
I also have to 'fess up on recent yarn purchases (one came yesterday). Over the past couple weeks, I've bought:
two skeins of Lorna's sockyarn in "Tuscany", from ThreadBear
a skein of "Fable" in "the tortoise and the hare" and two skeins of "Mrs. Miniver" "Cinema" from Handworks Gallery
1824 cotton in "Musk" for the "Sitcom Chic" from Yarn Forward
And finally, assorted skeins of Emu DK, from Elann for animals out of Kath Dalmeny's "World of Knitted Toys".
I mention this because I began one last night - I am making the snake, using the colors pretty much as specified (she describes it as using "the colors of the poisonous garter snake" which confuses me, because in the US at least, garter snakes are about the most docile and harmless snakes there are - I mean, you can pick them up and they just wrap around your hand to soak up your body heat. Also, the colors look most reminscent of a coral snake, which is poisonous, but coral snakes are red, yellow, and black, and this snake is pink, white, and black.). At any rate, it's sort of fun to make and it's going fast. It's one of the simpler toys, it will just have one long seam when it's done.
I still think toy patterns should be set up to be knit in the round whenever possible.
Monday, May 05, 2003
Does anyone else remember the Wombles? (the furry animals, not the anarchist group)
They were in a children's book (I have a copy of it somewhere) and they were also characters (of the stop-motion animation sort) on the old Captain Kangaroo program. I remember them from when I was a child.
There are free patterns to knit them here. I've played with the idea off and on of making myself an Uncle Bulgaria, he was my favorite.
They were in a children's book (I have a copy of it somewhere) and they were also characters (of the stop-motion animation sort) on the old Captain Kangaroo program. I remember them from when I was a child.
There are free patterns to knit them here. I've played with the idea off and on of making myself an Uncle Bulgaria, he was my favorite.
Finished the first of the green croc socks and started the second.
the patterning is totally different on this one. Argh. I have another ball of this, in brown, that I had intended for socks for me, but if anyone out there has a duplicate ball of a different (non-crocodile) Opal, or a ball of Opal in colors they don't so much care for, and would like to trade for the brown croc, e-mail me.
the patterning is totally different on this one. Argh. I have another ball of this, in brown, that I had intended for socks for me, but if anyone out there has a duplicate ball of a different (non-crocodile) Opal, or a ball of Opal in colors they don't so much care for, and would like to trade for the brown croc, e-mail me.
Sunday, May 04, 2003
Spent a pleasant day yesterday. I now have a lovely bedside table in the guest bedroom (oak, octagonal top, I'm guessing it's from the 1910s or 20s, $65), with a lamp (Target, dang I love Target, I wish there was one closer to me), an embroidered dresser scarf that is reminiscent of things my grandmother made (antique shop). I also put my "Romantic England" pink transferware bowl on there (it had been looking for a settled home). And I moved a picture of my family onto it and my Native American bear fetish (supposedly standing for strength and love of home). I cleaned the room thoroughly and it's now quite a nice little haven. A quiet place to sleep, and a pleasant place to read, knit, and listen to music. I've not moved any clothes in but that's OK; I can go into my "old" bedroom and get whatever I need to wear each day.
I'm almost done with the first of the Opal Crocodile socks; the pattern did re-establish once I was done with the heel and gusset business. I'm knitting on it as I browse the Web and listen to some radio.
I'm no fan of intarsia as you all know, but this pillow pattern is almost enough to get me to pick up my needles. Except, I'd use a nice wool yarn for the background and maybe a fuzzy yarn (or a yarn with an eyelash carryalong) for the cat.
I'm almost done with the first of the Opal Crocodile socks; the pattern did re-establish once I was done with the heel and gusset business. I'm knitting on it as I browse the Web and listen to some radio.
I'm no fan of intarsia as you all know, but this pillow pattern is almost enough to get me to pick up my needles. Except, I'd use a nice wool yarn for the background and maybe a fuzzy yarn (or a yarn with an eyelash carryalong) for the cat.
Friday, May 02, 2003
Sweet, sweet, sweet!
The new Winbook is here, it is set up - I have installed my copy of MS Office, and Adobe, and some screensavers and pretty stuff and I figured out how to connect to the Internet!
the new computer is niiiiiiiiiice. very niiiiiiiice.
It will be so good to have at-home connectivity again. Now I can also access pages that are .pdf's and print them without them going all wonky (for some reason the laser printers at school mess up .pdf files).
I did go out and buy a bunch of shade-loving stuff - begonias, and coleus, and that plant with the pink-dotted leaves (can't remember its name). They are now installed in my garden.
Once again tonight I will sleep in the guest room. I did see one of my other neighbors knocking on the House Full O' Buffoons' (or HFOB as I will now refer to them) door. He didn't look happy. He jumped in his car and drove off (had to get back to work is my guess - it was the lunch hour) before I could talk to him.
but the other neighbors may well be as ticked as I am. Excellent. (Montgomery Burns mode /off)
The new Winbook is here, it is set up - I have installed my copy of MS Office, and Adobe, and some screensavers and pretty stuff and I figured out how to connect to the Internet!
the new computer is niiiiiiiiiice. very niiiiiiiice.
It will be so good to have at-home connectivity again. Now I can also access pages that are .pdf's and print them without them going all wonky (for some reason the laser printers at school mess up .pdf files).
I did go out and buy a bunch of shade-loving stuff - begonias, and coleus, and that plant with the pink-dotted leaves (can't remember its name). They are now installed in my garden.
Once again tonight I will sleep in the guest room. I did see one of my other neighbors knocking on the House Full O' Buffoons' (or HFOB as I will now refer to them) door. He didn't look happy. He jumped in his car and drove off (had to get back to work is my guess - it was the lunch hour) before I could talk to him.
but the other neighbors may well be as ticked as I am. Excellent. (Montgomery Burns mode /off)
Well, I'm going to finish these last few lab books to grade, and then I'm taking off.
Garden center this afternoon - I need some good flowers for a shady area, and I want to see if they have any new herbs. And I think I'm going to head down to McKinney tomorrow for a day of retail therapy (really, it's more window-shopping-with-a-few-inexpensive-purchases-therapy, but you know what I mean...
Garden center this afternoon - I need some good flowers for a shady area, and I want to see if they have any new herbs. And I think I'm going to head down to McKinney tomorrow for a day of retail therapy (really, it's more window-shopping-with-a-few-inexpensive-purchases-therapy, but you know what I mean...
No knitting content today - between grading, a faculty meeting, and the AAUW salad supper I was busy all day.
But: I did come up with what I am considering to be the most elegant solution to my annoying problem (and not considering to be "giving in and allowing selfish people to be selfish"): I set up the bed in the guest bedroom (which is on the opposite side of the house from my loud neighbors). I took my special comfy pillow and the book I am reading and my Clifford the Big Red Dog (gotta have someone to "keep watch" over you, especially in a strange room...) and moved in there. I was able to SLEEP last night! (unless you've suffered from insomnia - which I do periodically and not always because of noisy neighbors - you don't really appreciate how good it is to be able to sleep).
The guest room really isn't such a bad little room. I'm half tempted to move my desk and printer trolley and my exerciser out of it into what is currently "my" bedroom, and move my dresser and bedside table and bookshelf into this room and live there - at least until the loud people leave or get evicted.
But: I did come up with what I am considering to be the most elegant solution to my annoying problem (and not considering to be "giving in and allowing selfish people to be selfish"): I set up the bed in the guest bedroom (which is on the opposite side of the house from my loud neighbors). I took my special comfy pillow and the book I am reading and my Clifford the Big Red Dog (gotta have someone to "keep watch" over you, especially in a strange room...) and moved in there. I was able to SLEEP last night! (unless you've suffered from insomnia - which I do periodically and not always because of noisy neighbors - you don't really appreciate how good it is to be able to sleep).
The guest room really isn't such a bad little room. I'm half tempted to move my desk and printer trolley and my exerciser out of it into what is currently "my" bedroom, and move my dresser and bedside table and bookshelf into this room and live there - at least until the loud people leave or get evicted.
Thursday, May 01, 2003
Okay, this is my blog so I get to vent here. If you don't want to hear me complain, hit the "next" button for the ring.
I hate my new neighbors. The house north of me (10 feet north of me) is now a rental house ($*(%&$(%&)$&)@#!) which means that like Forrest Gump's box o' chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. For over a year, I had a retired couple who were quiet and wonderful. Now, I have a crew of young folks - maybe college students - living there. There are between 4 and 8 residents, I've not yet figured out who lives there and who is visiting.
Tuesday night, I woke around 1 am thinking "there's an odd sound somewhere...it's almost like the bass on a stereo". I sleep with my windows shut and with an air filter that has a loud fan running (which in the past has covered up the incidental neighborhood noises).
Last night, I was awakened at midnight by the definite sound of stereo bass - and some snatches of music. This continued for about half an hour, then was added to by whoops and hollers. I peeked out my front room window and there were two guys in the front yard, whooping and play-boxing and having a grand old time. At 12:45 am. And me with an 8 am class. There also were periodically loud, revving cars.
Finally, hating myself for doing it, I phoned in a noise complaint to the police. Things finally quieted down around 2 am.
I should NOT have to wear earplugs to sleep in my own house, especially when I have a "white noise generator" and the windows shut tight.
I should NOT have to move my bedroom from the lovely large room on the northeast corner of the house to the cramped guestroom on the south side just because it's too loud for me to sleep in my own room.
Damn it, I'm a citizen and a taxpayer and a responsible person with a job I have to be up by 6 am for. I cannot live on four hours of sleep a night. I am going to keep calling the police if they keep up the noise.
I hate being the crankly old lady in my neighborhood, but I may have no choice. I am these people's nearest neighbor and apparently the only one bugged.
Oh, and this morning - there were beer bottles and candy and cigarette wrappers all over their yard, and they threw the beer box over into mine.
fume fume fume.
I hate my new neighbors. The house north of me (10 feet north of me) is now a rental house ($*(%&$(%&)$&)@#!) which means that like Forrest Gump's box o' chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. For over a year, I had a retired couple who were quiet and wonderful. Now, I have a crew of young folks - maybe college students - living there. There are between 4 and 8 residents, I've not yet figured out who lives there and who is visiting.
Tuesday night, I woke around 1 am thinking "there's an odd sound somewhere...it's almost like the bass on a stereo". I sleep with my windows shut and with an air filter that has a loud fan running (which in the past has covered up the incidental neighborhood noises).
Last night, I was awakened at midnight by the definite sound of stereo bass - and some snatches of music. This continued for about half an hour, then was added to by whoops and hollers. I peeked out my front room window and there were two guys in the front yard, whooping and play-boxing and having a grand old time. At 12:45 am. And me with an 8 am class. There also were periodically loud, revving cars.
Finally, hating myself for doing it, I phoned in a noise complaint to the police. Things finally quieted down around 2 am.
I should NOT have to wear earplugs to sleep in my own house, especially when I have a "white noise generator" and the windows shut tight.
I should NOT have to move my bedroom from the lovely large room on the northeast corner of the house to the cramped guestroom on the south side just because it's too loud for me to sleep in my own room.
Damn it, I'm a citizen and a taxpayer and a responsible person with a job I have to be up by 6 am for. I cannot live on four hours of sleep a night. I am going to keep calling the police if they keep up the noise.
I hate being the crankly old lady in my neighborhood, but I may have no choice. I am these people's nearest neighbor and apparently the only one bugged.
Oh, and this morning - there were beer bottles and candy and cigarette wrappers all over their yard, and they threw the beer box over into mine.
fume fume fume.
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
1. I have graded all of my ecology research papers! (this is quite a feat since it involves three readings of each paper - a first, fast reading through each one to get a general "feel" for where they are at, a second, detailed reading to make comments and correct errors, and a final reading where I assign points). I was having some asthma problems yesterday afternoon so I went home early and set up on the couch and did my grading. I'm still not breathing totally free this morning; we are supposed to have storms today.
2. I am up through the gusset decreases on the first of the Crocodile socks. Melissa at Loose Ends was asking if this yarn did wonky things instead of patterning the way it is supposed to. For me, yes. The leg of the first sock isn't too bad - it's more of a vertical zig-zag of green and white than a real "scale" pattern, but now that I am on the foot, I have my fingers crossed that the pattern will somehow re-establish. So far, it hasn't. So now I am faced with a dilemma - do I include these with my mom's gift even though they're not up to what I consider "gift" standards because of the wonky patterning, or do I keep them for myself? I do have a ball of the brown; I'm thinking if and when I make these for me I'm going to do heels and toes out of a coordinating yarn (maybe the leftovers of the green crocodile) to avoid interrupting the pattern. (No, I do not like short-rowed heels; they fit me badly, and I'm not fond of the peasant heel either).
I think it's because it's a "multi-row" pattern rather than a simple stripe or little fair-isle that it gets messed up.
Last night, I was thinking that it would be an interesting study for someone - in geometry? topology? I'm not sure what - to look at patterning like on the self-patterning yarn and determine what patterns are more "flexible" to distortion (i.e., different gauges, being knit at different numbers of stitches) and which are less flexible. Might be profitable for the yarn companies because there might be other patterns out there that could be knit up "magically" other than stripes. (I can see it as an American Scientist type article).
2. I am up through the gusset decreases on the first of the Crocodile socks. Melissa at Loose Ends was asking if this yarn did wonky things instead of patterning the way it is supposed to. For me, yes. The leg of the first sock isn't too bad - it's more of a vertical zig-zag of green and white than a real "scale" pattern, but now that I am on the foot, I have my fingers crossed that the pattern will somehow re-establish. So far, it hasn't. So now I am faced with a dilemma - do I include these with my mom's gift even though they're not up to what I consider "gift" standards because of the wonky patterning, or do I keep them for myself? I do have a ball of the brown; I'm thinking if and when I make these for me I'm going to do heels and toes out of a coordinating yarn (maybe the leftovers of the green crocodile) to avoid interrupting the pattern. (No, I do not like short-rowed heels; they fit me badly, and I'm not fond of the peasant heel either).
I think it's because it's a "multi-row" pattern rather than a simple stripe or little fair-isle that it gets messed up.
Last night, I was thinking that it would be an interesting study for someone - in geometry? topology? I'm not sure what - to look at patterning like on the self-patterning yarn and determine what patterns are more "flexible" to distortion (i.e., different gauges, being knit at different numbers of stitches) and which are less flexible. Might be profitable for the yarn companies because there might be other patterns out there that could be knit up "magically" other than stripes. (I can see it as an American Scientist type article).
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
My heart goes out to Wendy.
If you read her blog, you will know what I am talking about.
Spent yesterday evening reading student research papers - haven't actually graded them yet, but have put comments on them in preparation for grading (I think that will start this afternoon). I get another stack of papers in another class today.
Over the weekend, I received a new catalog from a place called "L'atelier". I don't normally criticise things, but in this case - the catalog wound up in the trash for a couple reasons. The main reason was the graphic design - it was so chaotic I couldn't read the darn thing - every page was packed with stuff and had no clear focus. Maybe I'm just not very sophisticated, but I need whitespace and clear divisions between different sections. Well, actually, no, graphic design wasn't the main reason. The main reason was the precious editorial tone - that breathless, look-what-WE-just-discovered! attitude, the this-ain't-your-granny's-knitting-this-is-HIP attitude. I felt not unlike how I felt when I heard about sorority rush - first, a sense of "they wouldn't want me" and then the reverse-Groucho feeling of "any club that would reject me is a club I want no part of." Which is generally how I feel about anything that is so self-consciously and self-referentially hip.
It reminded me a bit of the J. Peterman catalog, and all those parodies of the J. Peterman catalog.
Am I the only one who is put off by that - I think the standard marketing model is that you sell things to people based on what they aspire to be, but when I look at any of those super-hip, super-glossy-cool catalogs, I feel like I'm on the outside looking in, like it's a private club I'm not a part of.
It was also exceedingly pricey. Including the opportunity to join a "private club" for $75 that gets you some kind of a discount and gets yarn samples mailed to you. But $75? For a year? I guess I'm just not hip, sophisticated, and with-it about knitting. Oh, and the yarns - mostly all novelty. Give me good old plain wool in a nice color, something I can knit up using a fancy stitch or lace pattern into a top that won't look dated in five years.
If you read her blog, you will know what I am talking about.
Spent yesterday evening reading student research papers - haven't actually graded them yet, but have put comments on them in preparation for grading (I think that will start this afternoon). I get another stack of papers in another class today.
Over the weekend, I received a new catalog from a place called "L'atelier". I don't normally criticise things, but in this case - the catalog wound up in the trash for a couple reasons. The main reason was the graphic design - it was so chaotic I couldn't read the darn thing - every page was packed with stuff and had no clear focus. Maybe I'm just not very sophisticated, but I need whitespace and clear divisions between different sections. Well, actually, no, graphic design wasn't the main reason. The main reason was the precious editorial tone - that breathless, look-what-WE-just-discovered! attitude, the this-ain't-your-granny's-knitting-this-is-HIP attitude. I felt not unlike how I felt when I heard about sorority rush - first, a sense of "they wouldn't want me" and then the reverse-Groucho feeling of "any club that would reject me is a club I want no part of." Which is generally how I feel about anything that is so self-consciously and self-referentially hip.
It reminded me a bit of the J. Peterman catalog, and all those parodies of the J. Peterman catalog.
Am I the only one who is put off by that - I think the standard marketing model is that you sell things to people based on what they aspire to be, but when I look at any of those super-hip, super-glossy-cool catalogs, I feel like I'm on the outside looking in, like it's a private club I'm not a part of.
It was also exceedingly pricey. Including the opportunity to join a "private club" for $75 that gets you some kind of a discount and gets yarn samples mailed to you. But $75? For a year? I guess I'm just not hip, sophisticated, and with-it about knitting. Oh, and the yarns - mostly all novelty. Give me good old plain wool in a nice color, something I can knit up using a fancy stitch or lace pattern into a top that won't look dated in five years.
Monday, April 28, 2003
new computer!!!
Well, for quite a few weeks now I've been exclusively working on my at-school desktop, because my beloved Winbook laptop - the one on which I analyzed my dissertation research, wrote my dissertation, and wrote most of my early teaching stuff - is failing (the lamp that lights the screen is going out). Since I had had this computer since '97, and the repair was more than 1/3 the cost of a new one, and the computer had become increasingly buggy as it aged, I decided it was time for a new 'puter.
So I hemmed and hawed and stalled. It's a lot of money to me. Then I realized I'd get a tax refund that would cover most if not all of the cost.
Then my brother (who is a seminary student) had a financial emergency. And my wonderful father, in the spirit of "fairness" (more-than-fairness) said he would buy me the computer, seeing as he helped my brother out of a financial jam.
Even better, Winbook had a sweet, sweet deal on exactly the computer set up I needed. So one should be winging its way to me later this week.
Incidentally, Winbook is a smaller, less-known company but their computers are excellent - the fact that I was able to use one from 1997 until now with little upgrading is, I think, part testimony to their quality. And when I broke something on the computer, their repair was fast and good and not too expensive.
I am still considering buying a digicam with part of my tax refund. In that case, I'll upgrade to picture-blogger and be able to actually show you the stuff I'm making!
Well, for quite a few weeks now I've been exclusively working on my at-school desktop, because my beloved Winbook laptop - the one on which I analyzed my dissertation research, wrote my dissertation, and wrote most of my early teaching stuff - is failing (the lamp that lights the screen is going out). Since I had had this computer since '97, and the repair was more than 1/3 the cost of a new one, and the computer had become increasingly buggy as it aged, I decided it was time for a new 'puter.
So I hemmed and hawed and stalled. It's a lot of money to me. Then I realized I'd get a tax refund that would cover most if not all of the cost.
Then my brother (who is a seminary student) had a financial emergency. And my wonderful father, in the spirit of "fairness" (more-than-fairness) said he would buy me the computer, seeing as he helped my brother out of a financial jam.
Even better, Winbook had a sweet, sweet deal on exactly the computer set up I needed. So one should be winging its way to me later this week.
Incidentally, Winbook is a smaller, less-known company but their computers are excellent - the fact that I was able to use one from 1997 until now with little upgrading is, I think, part testimony to their quality. And when I broke something on the computer, their repair was fast and good and not too expensive.
I am still considering buying a digicam with part of my tax refund. In that case, I'll upgrade to picture-blogger and be able to actually show you the stuff I'm making!
Well, my exams are written. I am as ready as I can be for the onslaught of research papers to grade today.
Over the weekend, I helped out with a town trash-off day. Figuring (very conservatively) that there were 40 people there, and that they worked for 2 hours each, two work-weeks of person-hours were expended picking up trash (and probably actually more than that; there were quite a few Boy Scouts along). Two work-weeks of person-hours that people could have spent doing other things were it not for the careless jerks who throw their fast food cups, cigarette packages, empty envelopes, and who knows what else out their car windows. Litterbugs are one of my pet peeves. No, actually, it goes beyond that. Litterbugs piss me off.
I also did get some knitting done. I have turned the heel on the first Opal Crocodile sock. And thanks to Murder on the Orient Express being on AMC yesterday afternoon, I got a lot done on the body of the Trinity Stitch Shawl. Very shortly I will be able to start the edging.
I will say, as someone who is in love with David Suchet's "Poirot" (in the mildest, most innocent, most schoolgirlish possible way), Albert Finney's half-adenoidal half-yelling with-his-shoulders-up-around-his-ears "Poirot" was somewhat jarring.
Over the weekend, I helped out with a town trash-off day. Figuring (very conservatively) that there were 40 people there, and that they worked for 2 hours each, two work-weeks of person-hours were expended picking up trash (and probably actually more than that; there were quite a few Boy Scouts along). Two work-weeks of person-hours that people could have spent doing other things were it not for the careless jerks who throw their fast food cups, cigarette packages, empty envelopes, and who knows what else out their car windows. Litterbugs are one of my pet peeves. No, actually, it goes beyond that. Litterbugs piss me off.
I also did get some knitting done. I have turned the heel on the first Opal Crocodile sock. And thanks to Murder on the Orient Express being on AMC yesterday afternoon, I got a lot done on the body of the Trinity Stitch Shawl. Very shortly I will be able to start the edging.
I will say, as someone who is in love with David Suchet's "Poirot" (in the mildest, most innocent, most schoolgirlish possible way), Albert Finney's half-adenoidal half-yelling with-his-shoulders-up-around-his-ears "Poirot" was somewhat jarring.
Friday, April 25, 2003
Dang, I'm chatty today, no? Well, it's what comes of being stuck in an office with fifty multiple-choice questions to develop.
Courtesy of Peppermint Tina today, here is a nice link: Live Aloha!
Here's my list:
Try to do something nice for someone each day. Even if it's someone you don't know.
Share the knowledge you have.
Pick up litter (will be doing that tomorrow am, it's one of the semiannual town trash-off days)
Turn out the lights when you leave a room.
Treat other people like you would hope they would treat you.
Keep a sense of humor when stuff starts going wrong.
Share.
Send a birthday card to a friend.
And when you see the color purple in a field, stop and admire it.
Courtesy of Peppermint Tina today, here is a nice link: Live Aloha!
Here's my list:
Try to do something nice for someone each day. Even if it's someone you don't know.
Share the knowledge you have.
Pick up litter (will be doing that tomorrow am, it's one of the semiannual town trash-off days)
Turn out the lights when you leave a room.
Treat other people like you would hope they would treat you.
Keep a sense of humor when stuff starts going wrong.
Share.
Send a birthday card to a friend.
And when you see the color purple in a field, stop and admire it.
Why I love teaching, part II:
on the exam I just graded, one of the last questions was "Leibig's Law of the Minimum states" and one of my students wrote "Thank you for allowing us a drop test!" (For the record, he's earned an A in the class as it is).
I love those little flashes of humor. It makes grading a lot easier.
(For the record: a description of what Leibig's Law is)
on the exam I just graded, one of the last questions was "Leibig's Law of the Minimum states" and one of my students wrote "Thank you for allowing us a drop test!" (For the record, he's earned an A in the class as it is).
I love those little flashes of humor. It makes grading a lot easier.
(For the record: a description of what Leibig's Law is)
Oh, and the Circus in the color "Sideshow" came yesterday. It is bright, but the color sort of grows on you. I was actually lying in bed last night, fighting the temptation to get up and cast on the pullover - never mind that it will be at least 7 months before it is cool enough to wear a bulky wool pullover again.
I will probably wind up referring to it as my "Sideshow Bob" sweater. (Sideshow Bob is one of my favorite characters on the Simpsons, even though he's evil).
I will probably wind up referring to it as my "Sideshow Bob" sweater. (Sideshow Bob is one of my favorite characters on the Simpsons, even though he's evil).
The Friday Five:
1. What was the last TV show you watched?
Last night I watched part of a PBS show on computer hacking. I got really tired partway through though so I went to bed and read instead.
2. What was the last thing you complained about and what was the problem?
I complained about a group of people getting "special treatment" that I felt should have been extended to everyone (I can't be more specific than that considering the situation).
3. Who was the last person you complimented and what did you say?
I wrote "good answer" for a good answer to an exam question that a student gave.
4. What was the last thing you threw away?
This morning: a piece of paper towel with vinegar on it that I used to wipe down the kitchen counters and stovetop after I fixed breakfast.
5. What was the last website (besides this one) that you visited?
Making a little blog tour this morning. The immediately previous blog was Squibnocket.
Today my goal is to grade the soils exams, type up the biology final I wrote yesterday, and write the soils final (my ecology final is already done). Exams are in two weeks but seeing as I will have some 60 research papers to grade next week, I want the finals written and out of the way first.
1. What was the last TV show you watched?
Last night I watched part of a PBS show on computer hacking. I got really tired partway through though so I went to bed and read instead.
2. What was the last thing you complained about and what was the problem?
I complained about a group of people getting "special treatment" that I felt should have been extended to everyone (I can't be more specific than that considering the situation).
3. Who was the last person you complimented and what did you say?
I wrote "good answer" for a good answer to an exam question that a student gave.
4. What was the last thing you threw away?
This morning: a piece of paper towel with vinegar on it that I used to wipe down the kitchen counters and stovetop after I fixed breakfast.
5. What was the last website (besides this one) that you visited?
Making a little blog tour this morning. The immediately previous blog was Squibnocket.
Today my goal is to grade the soils exams, type up the biology final I wrote yesterday, and write the soils final (my ecology final is already done). Exams are in two weeks but seeing as I will have some 60 research papers to grade next week, I want the finals written and out of the way first.
Thursday, April 24, 2003
oh. my. gosh.
so someone on the Knitlist mentioned that they made Sitcom Chic out of 1824 Cotton.
So I went to the site, and checked the gauge, and yuppers, it COULD be made out of 1824 Cotton. Which comes in far more nice and sophisticated colors than Cotton-Ease does, and which is a yarn I have been dying to try (I love 1824 Wool). And which is available from some Canadian sites for good prices.
I could make a Sitcom Chic in a much nicer color, for less money. That appeals mightily to me.
For the size I want I would need about 1400 yards.
hmmm. Not that I'm BUYING right now, I'm just thinking out loud...
Like Musk, or Coral, or Chili...
so someone on the Knitlist mentioned that they made Sitcom Chic out of 1824 Cotton.
So I went to the site, and checked the gauge, and yuppers, it COULD be made out of 1824 Cotton. Which comes in far more nice and sophisticated colors than Cotton-Ease does, and which is a yarn I have been dying to try (I love 1824 Wool). And which is available from some Canadian sites for good prices.
I could make a Sitcom Chic in a much nicer color, for less money. That appeals mightily to me.
For the size I want I would need about 1400 yards.
hmmm. Not that I'm BUYING right now, I'm just thinking out loud...
Like Musk, or Coral, or Chili...
Pulled the Lightning-Bolt sweater back out and added another 2" or so on the front. I've finished the first full pattern repeat of the center front motif.
Incidentally, ISO a picture of the sweater I could direct you to, I find that the only entries on Google for "lightning-bolt family sweater" (the name from IK) are entries in my blog. Hee.
As you've doubtless noticed, I am not the kind of person who can do one project exclusively until it's finished. (I can do that in rare cases - with things needed by a deadline - but I don't like it). I'm the same way with reading books, usually having 2 or 3 or more going at the same time. And I'm the same way with work-projects. I can only work on one thing for so long without going nuts. Through most of grad school, I took classes in addition to working on my thesis or dissertation so that I had some little, short-term goal project (like a journal article critique or a test to study for) to rally me through the longer-term goal.
I don't do well when my goal is far, far off in the distance. I prefer goals that I can actually see approaching. I think this is part of the reason for my fondness for smaller projects.
Incidentally, ISO a picture of the sweater I could direct you to, I find that the only entries on Google for "lightning-bolt family sweater" (the name from IK) are entries in my blog. Hee.
As you've doubtless noticed, I am not the kind of person who can do one project exclusively until it's finished. (I can do that in rare cases - with things needed by a deadline - but I don't like it). I'm the same way with reading books, usually having 2 or 3 or more going at the same time. And I'm the same way with work-projects. I can only work on one thing for so long without going nuts. Through most of grad school, I took classes in addition to working on my thesis or dissertation so that I had some little, short-term goal project (like a journal article critique or a test to study for) to rally me through the longer-term goal.
I don't do well when my goal is far, far off in the distance. I prefer goals that I can actually see approaching. I think this is part of the reason for my fondness for smaller projects.
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
Please say this is a leftover from the April 1 edition:
MTV to make musical version of "Wuthering Heights"
and they are going to 'modernize' it.
and it has one of the kids (I think the guy who plays Francis) from Malcom in the Middle starring in it.
MTV to make musical version of "Wuthering Heights"
and they are going to 'modernize' it.
and it has one of the kids (I think the guy who plays Francis) from Malcom in the Middle starring in it.
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