Il pleut
Saturday, June 9, 2001
06:45 p.m.
The title topic refers to the weather outside right now.
I'm at work...have to do a bit of things with the plants for a few minutes...but I haven't started yet (been reading e-mail, etc ^^;;). A few things of note; animenation.com has a half price sale going on...I saw such things as a H2 soundtrack, Clover import v.2, and a Five Stars Stories import tank...(looks (well, kind of ;) knowingly at certain readers of this very humble {and poorly organised} log).
Tin...remember that I was joking about Survivor IV being the prairie winter. Truth is strange...apparently, Canada is trying to actually win the rights to host Survivor IV o.o;; They're lobbying...I can't find the article though...but it was originally on globeandmail.com (on Friday).
Other news...a company in Canada messed up with a contest...turns out they printed too many winners, so there's a big bunch of unhappy motorists ^^;;.
Heh...the article in the Globe and Mail about "The Rules" is quite amusing ^^;;; Amazing what people will follow/do.
Finally...I had been meaning to say that I'd had been very good this summer and hadn't stayed up late (past 12:30 AM my time...some of you know how late I sometimes am up on weekends ^^;;;;;). Well, yesterday, I failed...I was up until about 1:45 AM watching random stuff on TV ^^;;; Ah well...
Bowling was scheduled for a downtown alley at 8 PM. I left work at a little past 5 (it was really slow in the last half hour or so), went home, cooked and ate (cooked some rice in advance for the future...had a Lipton Sidekick [Singapore Curry Noodle] though I still can't figure out why the sauce won't thicken for me -_-). I read a few chapters in the MCAT book while eating and then headed off downtown.
En route to the bowling alley, I completed the extra accomplishments that I wanted to. I bought the padded envelope for WMC's thing...it'll probably be mailed tonight or tomorrow...likely tonight, as I need food (and I guess I could go and take the long trip and put money in the bank as well). I also stopped by the library to pick up the two books I had on hold.
Now...to the bowling alley (which incidently, I passed en route to the library). When I got there, there were 3 others...so we spent some time waiting for the others to show. We gave them about 20 minutes...no show, so we started the first game (5 pin). As the game progressed, the others showed (they had a softball game they were playing). Ummm...my scores weren't very great...in fact, I had low score for the second game ^^;; The ball wasn't going straight. It must have been my approach and my release; I know that I can actually throw straight...and that's kind of how I play (so I can actually aim). Hmmm...whatever.
One of the summer students (male) brought home made brownies...they were really good. I was joking with someone else about how I have to wash my hands before eating anything (well, typically) and she was saying the exact same thing. All that time in the lab trains you in that way ^^;.
After bowling, the executive decision was made to head to a nearby bar for a while. This merits mention in that it's actually the first time I've been to a real bar (I've been to the campus pubs once or twice before, but that's something different). I don't think that is a real relevation to anyone...I think almost every other entry would strongly belie this. Anyway...the same guy who brought the brownies bought two pitchers of beer for the group. I had about a half cup...and as I progressed, I realised more and more how much I dislike the taste of beer.
{Stephen: So ~that's~ why you haven't had beer in years (literally)"} I suppose it's actually the third time this year I've had alcohol...I'm not a real drinker...and hell, I think I've only really had alcohol may be about 5 times in the past 5 years proper. Having said that...I know my tolerance is low, but it's not ~that~ low...the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme does work in me.
A few of us went out on to the dance floor. Heh...normally, it wouldn't be likely...but for some reason, I went on. Lots of fun I must say ^^.
A few last notes about the trip...my, the music is quite load there...I had to basically yell to speak to anyone sitting beside me...also, the smoke wasn't a nice thing -_-. I had to toss my top and pants into the laundry to get rid of the smoke smell. (did lots of laundry today on another point). I did have fun though...though I don't think I'll go and hit the bars every night/weekend. However, we all knew that didn't we? :)
KL: Congrats and good luck to you. Hmmm...looks like you're indirect implying you want a guess. a) Job (wouldn't be a post doc...not quite yet IIRC), b) Award/grant (but why would a trip be required...). 'bout the only things I can think of ^^;;
Actually making a real entry
Friday, June 8, 2001
08:07 a.m.
Instead of putting together little fragments of thought, I'll actually make a good entry this time. Mayhaps, I can demonstrate the skill of organised thought here...don't count on it though :P
First item of business; I heard them talking on the radio about this new product. It's the "Potty Putter"...so one can practice their golf putting while sitting on the toilet. People will buy anything will they? Reminds me of the particular "Hello Kitty" item that was once auctioned on Ebay that Jackie told a list about ^_^. Sadly, I'll keep using that example for a long time.
Speaking about long time...that reminds me of the infamous "trans-fatty acids" topic. One of my profs likes this topic a lot, and I've taken 3 classes with this prof...so I've heard the lectures twice now (but he repeated the content several times). Basically, the theory is that cholesterol isn't the cause of myocardial infaraction (heart attack), but rather trans-fatty acids (normal in food is cis- form). What was it...30 000 deaths/year that can be attribable? Hmmm...I do recall hearing the lecture that it's added to doughnuts and baby food. Hence, when I was eating a doughnut at the Tim Horton's after my most recent hair cut (about end of April), the idea of trans-fatty acids popped into my mind. I think the prof goes overboard with the concept (I feel for my friend who had to write her term paper on methods of determining trans-fatty acids. The scary thing is...I think the prof may very well be right. I still eat doughnuts every so often, but that nagging thought at the back of my mind exists.
Bowling night was yesterday...and there's a story to go along with it. I may finish the story today, or add it on, or make a new entry. I haven't decided yet. It's not a bad story...really it isn't ^^.
{Story moved to next entry 6/9/01 SC}
Trying to modify the code a little
Thursday, June 7, 2001
10:18 a.m.
If only I could figure out how Ming-Ling gets her archive listings to look so clean in comparision to mine (i.e. get rid of that double space between entries)...I'd be pleased. Hmmmm...perhaps I should consider redesigning; after all, Kourin has strongly suggested in the past that I find a new colour design.
Some additions to the other blogs linked.
{Deletion of some cheesy text 6/7/01 SC}
At times, I wish I could use 1.5 order, or something like that...but it just simply doesn't work that way ^^;;
Tin & Kristina--thanks for your comments; I'll take a closer look at them a little later. Hopefully, I'll be able to find a good edition (with decent glossing)...I
{addition 6/7/01 SC} I've e-mailed the publisher about that and we'll see what they say.
Got to play with dirt today...:) Lots of fun, but messy...my lab coat got all dirty. WMC can probably take a free shot at what this behaviour shows :P (I mention this in your letter...which I'll really try and mail off soon.
Tonight...bowling night with the other summer students.
Filling in gaps
Wednesday, June 6, 2001
05:04 p.m.
WMC...nice try to try and mask your true nature by archiving ^o^. Sounds like the kind of logic that I'd use at times ^o^;;;
Fanboys came up as the topic on one of the MLs I'm on...talking about Project A-Kon. A fangirl story came up though... People were waiting in lines for a Watase Yu autograph. One girl didn't want to give up her spot, so she voided in the middle of the hallway. >_< Hence...the moral of the story is that fanboys aren't always the worst things around at conventions. I do want to definitely stress at this time that I'm in no way a fanboy. The only similarity shared is that both myself and a fanboy have no lives ^^;;;
For those who were asking...
Wednesday, June 6, 2001
08:15 a.m.
Yeah...apparently these anime pocket protectors exist. WMC mentioned that she had seen them at a con she went to. I wonder though if they're legitimate products, or as some have suggested I do, a plain pocket protector with pictures glued on (or ironed on, etc.)
You know it's bad when you're reading blogs, and you choose to stop looking at the page (as it's not been updated) by remembering the page size) ^^;;; Got to love that Lynx ^_^. However, it leads to a particular rant of mine--design for all browsers damn it -_-. I can look at almost all pages with Lynx (well, that I need to); but a few designers have the "great" idea of only designing for something like IE (one blog I wanted to peek at, as I know of the person had this issue with it). It's like a figurative slap in the face, and I really really hate those; it angers me to say the least. In fact, a figurative slap in the face even influenced my voting once >_<
Waiting for the gel to run
Tuesday, June 5, 2001
05:59 p.m.
I'm just sitting in front of the computer, with not much to do...waiting for my gel to run long enough so that I can distinguish bands...
Tin...best wishes towards your health. While I'm thinking about it...I'm hunting down a copy of Sei Shonagon's pillow book, but I haven't found a good edition yet. I want the Morris translation, but I want one that's nicely cited. The Penguin Classic edition is shoddily cited in my opinion. I read the old old version (from the library) (1960s) in two volumes; one for the text, the other for notes. Do you happen to know if an edition containing both volumes have been published in one volume? If you do, I'd definitely appreciate hearing the publication info.
How can I forget this point. For any con goers...I'm in the hunt for an anime themed pocket protector. I'm willing to spent up to $5 US for it. No Pokemon or Digimon, no yaoi...and it has to be tasteful (as I'll be wearing it in my lab coat pocket at school). Cute anime girls will work as well as cool action shots {sweatdrops}. If you can help...please e-mail me (so I know who's out hunting for me).
No...I don't wear a pocket protector outside my lab coat...I'm not that fargone...yet. =P
A stern wakeup call
Monday, June 4, 2001
08:02 a.m.
As a few of you may know...Sunday is practice MCAT day. I'm very very very disappointed at this round's results. They were disgraceful to me, and to the family name -_-. I knew it wasn't the greatest when I finished, but scoring it showed me the true extent of its mediocre nature. I wanted to hit something very hard...only punched my book.
Seeing a decrease like that is disenheartening. However, I may have been lightening up in the past little while...which might affect it. I was reviewing organic chemistry last week and that part was pretty good for the most part. Other areas though...were much less than optimal.
If I ever need motivation to keep cracking the books, even when such temptations as cable TV are present...I'll just have to think about this result. Not good.
I of course am going to take heed of this wake up call and a) review the material that I thought I knew, but didn't and b) use that as motivating force to work hard all the time. This week though, I've also got to study for a radiation safety course (for work), so that may lower the amount of time available this week for science review. This week's goal is chemistry and physics (the latter especially).
Phew...now that I've managed to write this message for myself, to some more lighter things. Firstly..."there's a sucker born every minute" according to Barnum. It's true...on the market (I saw this a while ago), the Olsen twins have a magazine out {facefault}. Any idiot who buys this magazine should have the money that they would spend donated to my journal fund...it'll be better served that way ^^;.
Nextly, I had a bit of a cooking adventure on Saturday. I had went out to go to the bank (much needed trip) and bought groceries on Friday...leaving Saturday open. I fried some rice, after steaming it, with pork pieces, fried egg, green onion and soy sauce. It didn't turn out too badly at all, although the rice frying was not as good as I would have liked.
There were 6 hours of Iron Chef on during the weekend; I watched and taped them. I also had two quite interesting conversations on the phone on Saturday...I hope I didn't bore them with the non-interesting details of my mundane life ^^;; The conversations were quite enjoyable.
Catching up on some reading...
Friday, June 1, 2001
07:36 a.m.
I was going to blog yesterday...but the internet connection died for a few minutes...so I got distracted doing something else ^^;
Yesterday, I got a chance to read a few magazines, which I would normally like to read, but rarely get the chance (especially during the school year). Here are a few tidbits from the issues of New Scientist I read.
From 19 May 2001 (all from New Scientist), life has been defined by one scientist as "A network of inferiour negative feedbacks subordinated to a superiour positive feedback"; regulation occurs to preserve the self identity. Hence, the logic is that sterile humans aren't living, as they rely on others to reproduce and preserve their identity. Me thinks this definition needs a little more finetuning (though it is interesting to consider). Actual article is in J Theor Biol 279, p275.
19 May 2001, p. 25--alcohol has health benefits, but it was found that this was only for older people (above 40ish I believe) ^^;;
Let's see...http://xxx.lanl.gov/abs/gr-qc/0102010/ describes a physical theory that says that every possible history occurs at least once, in some dimension...I should perhaps go and photocopy the summary from New Scientist...it seemed interesting.
Finally, in the last tidbit I read; (12 May 2001, p18) tall men have more children as they have more wives on average. Hence, the evolutionary trend is for tall men to be favoured, as height is about 90% genetically based.
Ah yes WMC...while I'm remembering, the point that S found hillarious about site design was the fact that you were kind enough not to choose a site with winged bishounen and the impact of choosing that site design. I'll really try hard to get back to you on the structure (may be I'll take a look at the site map I have kicking around...that'll probably help a bit ^^;;;)
I spent yesterday lunch working on AnC for Neo...I got only one page done o.o;; But it looks really good. Comments are appreciated:
http://congly.freeservers.com/anime/anc/characters/aya.htm
For my use:
http://www.chessopolis.com/correspondence.htm
Nose to the grindstone
Wednesday, May 30, 2001
08:02 a.m.
It's amazing how hard you can work when you have to. Extracting all the knowledge from a book, when you have at most 2 days more with it takes a fair bit of time...I got almost all the knowledge I want from it. I'm supposed to be getting a friend's copy sent up here--but it ~still~ hasn't arrived yet (it's over 2 weeks late, as he sent it using Priority Post >_< )
I took care of some unfinished business this morning...though only one person knows what it is, and I'm dubious that this person reads this blog. I feel better now that it's done...
In other now finished business...I've completed my "State of the Union" e-mail...that a number of you should be receiving. If you want to get it and don't already...send me an e-mail.
Clueless...bloody clueless
Tuesday, May 29, 2001
07:50 a.m.
Stephen takes out a sharpie marker from his lab coat pocket and neatly obliterates his guesses.
In other news...I had to do some running around yesterday, as I discovered that I will be losing access to some of my studying resources. I needed to make a few photocopies...so I had to run to the university. I had almost no money on me (I really need to go to the bank)...and I see the absolute importance of having spare cash around ;_;)...all that I had was small change...but enough to make a dollar.
I go to the arcade...and get my loonie. I then head to the photocopy card machine to recharge my card (before doing this, I used up the final couple of cents on the card). However, the machine was jammed...I pushed on the reject button a few times...and two loonies popped out ^__^. I was quite pleased...I used my profit loonie to play DDR (I wanted to at lunch, but I was broke :( )
Hmmm...reading e-mail right now...apparently, the whole 'seed-planting' thing has been dropped. (rolls his eyes and sighs)...I'm not going to ask...honestly, I'm not. The only thing is that I know that the situation would have to be someone that person A knows...but obviously, I don't know this person...I think...ah...forget about it.
WMC, Kourin...I might actually get to writing up what I promised...mayhaps ^^.
Ah yes...I see that I'll probably win the "Abuser of the Elipse" award again this year ^_-
~THE CLUE~...or lack thereof
Sunday, May 27, 2001
04:54 p.m.
"You have to be very careful about letting yourself become The One With The Clue in shoujo situations. It could be worse -- in any given shoujo couple, only one person can have the Clue, and it's not fun to be the half who has it, because the other half is clueless." --Thea.
{Immediately after making this entry, I was unhappy with how it turned out. This is edited from the original post--SC}
I spent quite a while looking for this quote...and to what purpose? Just to say that ~not~ having the clue, when there are whispers out there that there a clue exists is also not fun at all.
A simple e-mail from a friend...starts this all off.
"...I've been stirring some trouble over here. But I'm not telling you what it is, because I'm not entitled to at this
point ^o^ Let's just say I've been planting some seeds in the garden and they've taken root to . . . other levels ^_~. I don't think some people are rather pleased with me, I am but an observer after all. *Innocent look* I think I've won over...[the]... title of "Miss-I-See-All"."
The scientific analogy is "I plated some bacteria...and it overgrew the plate". All I can say is that I hope words haven't been put in my mouth...
All I know is that I apparently have a starring role in this situation although I don't recall asking for one.
I have my guesses as to what is occuring now based on the original e-mail and talking to my friends. My initial guesses were quite wrong apparently. I horribly misinterpreted this e-mail. I've narrowed it down to two things now...but I'm probably wrong.
Yay? I've been examining my character as to how I'll deal with the suspected situation that will probably eventually hit my lap. Part of me wants to find out about the details about this situation...another part wants to remain blissfully ignorant. The odds of that happening are almost nil to none. Perhaps this will build character...or make me really angry (depending on the particulars)...like always with these sorts of things, I have absolutely no clue...and I only wish I could be just pretending to be clueless at this time. I really hope words haven't been put into my mouth...as I can shoot my mouth off well enough, as you all know ^^;