Antithesis of Practicality

Back in Chicago

2013-12-23T14:22:20Z

So, for all my worrying, everything went just fine yesterday. Go figure. Not that I'm complaining!

It's very pretty (snow covered) and quite cold. Low is supposed to be 0 tonight. Brrrrr.

Am enjoying the lazy morning before the chaos of the next 72 hours starts. (Pre-Christmas Eve setup, Christmas Eve, Christmas). Welcome to the holiday whirlwind...

Travel

2013-12-21T17:45:16Z

Everyone, please send good travel vibes my way. I'm attempting to fly back to Chicago tomorrow, and the weather's going to be dicey. I don't fancy spending all day at the airport...

HS reunion

2012-08-09T15:26:28Z

I really can't believe I'm going to Washington state this weekend. I've now traveled so much that I'm not actually worried about packing or anything. I'll just do it tomorrow morning. Won't get in until 7 pm, but that's the price for a flight up the coast and a long drive East.

Idina!

2011-10-23T18:11:01Z

I went to see Idina last night at the Greek Theater. AMAZING. Came out in a lovely magenta ballgown...barefoot. Since she wasn't promoting her album, it was lots of Broadway stuff. Rent, Wicked (I'm not that girl, a cappella For Good, and Defying Gravity, of course), Funny Face, and Don't Rain on My Parade (Lea's is still my favorite...). I was up pretty high (not nosebleeds, but close), so you could look down at the audience. The number of phones out recording DG was pretty funny. She also did Poker Face, which was hysterical. I saw Coach Bieste taking pictures with people and apparently Ryan Murphy was in the audience. She even lives close to the area, so her husband was in attendance as well. She closed the show with "The Way We Were" Since Marvin Hamlish was conducting. He was pretty funny as well. He did medley's from Chorus Line (naturally) and also My Fair Lady, which was beautiful.

She also sang a mash-up of Love for Sale (Cole Porter's) and Roxanne. While the subject matter matched up, it was better than I expected. Also, randomly, Look to the Rainbow (Finnian's Rainbow) and Tomorrow from Annie, thankfully not mashed up.

So it was a great time, and I can't believe I've seen her twice in concert in my life. LA gets major points today.

Updates

2011-07-27T02:53:17Z

So now I have all the furniture I need. I'm starting to get a handle on work and even make a few contributions, which is nice. Barring craziness, I should get my CA drivers license on Friday. Apparently out here you make appointments for the DMV? It's very strange.

Sadly, I still don't have internet at the apartment and won't until September due to real stupidity on the cable company's part. But it is a good break for me not to be completely wired. Speaking of cable, Madisonites, did you know they have some crazy version of Charter out here? As there are other options, I'm staying far, far away from it.

Went to the base gym for the first time today. It's the first time I've worked out in a couple of months, so I'm sore and my blood sugar is wonky, but it did feel good, and hopefully I'll do it regularly.

Pharmacy

2011-03-27T17:37:27Z

So... I went up to Madison to get this weird pimple gone wild on my cheek looked at. Long story short, it's an infected pimple, so he drained it and prescribed generic antibiotics. I'm pretty sure he said for 5 days. I drive back to AH, pick up my prescription and it is full (to the brim) of pills; way more than I think I need. However, the pills are pretty large (my mom started turning green when she saw them), and both the prescription on the bottle and online said 10 days. So maybe I heard wrong or he misspoke...etc. So I've been on the pills for a couple days and they aren't dissapearing as fast as I'd expect, so I count them and I had pills for 15 days! I've heard pharmacies shorting pills, but I don't know of any that give you 50% more than you need. So I'm not taking those extra ones, but it's still really strange.

In unrelated news, due to the HBO series coming soon, I read A Game of Thrones. It was decent, but the death at the end made it a downer, and I can see the plot getting way too complicated before long. Maybe I'll try again after Martin finishes the series--or I'll just watch on TV.

Hoping for news next week. Unlikely, however.

Has been barely above freezing for the past couple days and will continue for a few more before we get back to normal temps. (I'm not asking for 60s, at this point, I'll take upper 40s.)

Emails

2010-11-03T15:16:54Z

Writing unsolicited email to people recommended to you from church that you don't really know in hopes of a job opportunity is really really uncomfortable.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

2010-10-30T00:40:26Z

So Matt Morrison is apparently doing "Singin' in the Rain." I cannot tell you how amazingly happy and hopeful I am at this development. It's only one of my all time favorite song...

In other news, didn't get either job, so back to the application rounds.

Stop the Revolt

2010-09-22T21:44:07Z

Dear Body,

Really? Is this really necessary?

Yesterday I pulled my shoulder/neck so badly I spent the day on lots of Advil and under a heating pad trying not to move.

Today's much better, than heavens, but now my nose is runny, my throat sore, my sinuses pressurized. Gee thanks for the cold.

At least I have my sudafed (real stuff, with that meth ingredient in it that works fabulously)

A Dilema

2010-06-26T00:50:01Z

So, y'all remember that check engine light that came on in my van 1.5 weeks ago First off, I must preface this with the fact that my parents still own this car. So, the repair shop finally called, saying it would take $1800 to fix the problem (the 4th cylinder isn't firing?) Basically the van is fine for light around town trips, but not really safe for the highway, especially intense jobs like moving. Oh, hey, guess what I have to do in about a month?

Now getting back up to Madison for a quick visit isn't a problem, as I can just borrow my mom's car or even worse, take the bus from O'hare. Neither is doing the actual moving, as my parents are willing to help with both their car and minivan. My problem is scheduling stuff. At some point, I'll have to go back to Madison to sell all that furniture I don't want (or give it to the garbage/goodwill men). This will take awhile (and probably involve me sleeping on an air mattress at the end. So, do I go now, get rid of stuff, and move back with my parents ASAP? Or do I wait until the end of July when the lease is full up? Also keep in mind that I'll hopefully be having another interview in the Boston area sometime in the near future. Just to complicate the picture. So, ideas, suggestions?

In happier news, the neighbors next door have a 2 week old little girl that my mom and I went to see tonight. She has an absolutely adorable 4 year old brother. I played with him while Mom cooed as I remember what it's like when a younger sibling enters the house. They made the dangerous offer of letting me come over and play with him. If I thought they were serious, they might never be rid of me!

The Eglin Experience

2010-06-25T14:38:43Z

So, I flew down on Monday. Planes were later than normal (one missing plane, one missing crew) through Dallas, but I survived. On Tuesday I drove an hour+ to the base as no one told me the correct airport or the correct town to stay in. Met with a 5-6 scientist and 1 AF Major. Sadly, still no indication of a Stargate, but lots of research on how to make things go BOOM! better. Had a delicious seafood lunch. Went back to the hotel and went to bed. Wednesday, I drove around the area I'd likely be living in if this all worked and some of the more touristy areas. Stopped by an uncrowded white sand beach (no oil there yet) to wade in the Gulf. Lovely warm, salty water, though very powerful.

And then there was yesterday. My flight from Pensacola was supposed to leave at 2:10 to Dallas, and the connecting flight to O'hare should have gotten me there at 7:45. Due to some storms and a replacement plane due to a mech failure, the plane got to Pensacola at 4:00. Fine. My original connection was screwed, but AA had rebooked me on the 7:35 flight. I should be with time to spare, right? Well, I was, kinda. We landed at about 6:15. And sat on the tarmac as a thunderstorm boomed over our head for the next hour and 10 minutes. All the lighting freaked the Dallas control tower so they pulled the ground crew so even though we were literally 50 feet from the gate, we couldn't de-plane. Finally the storm cleared, we deplaned, I waited for my gate-checked luggage (stupid small regional jet), and was of to find my connection at...7:35. The one board I checked said that the flight was on time, so I was screwed. Until my luck finally cleared and as I arrived at the gate...the passengers were still boarding. Apparently the lack ground crew had delayed them as well, and I never was happier to be on a delayed flight. Also I got extra leg room being in the first row behind first class. Landed at O'hare about 10:30 where my sainted parents picked me up.

Boy, what a week. And I won't here back from Eglin for a couple weeks.

Travel

2010-06-15T18:12:11Z

Well, I've received program approval to travel to Pensacola, FL. Due to their tardiness, they are going to have to reimburse me more money. Too bad for them. I am flying American with a layover in the lovely Dallas/Ft Worth airport.

Survived another trip from Madison to AH this morning. By survived, I mean downpours, lots of stupid and random construction, and the 'check engine light' coming on after the van didn't accelerate properly 40 minutes from my house. Luckily, I made it home in 1 piece.

And there is incremental progress being made for the Hanscomb interview.

Hope you all enjoy the last 2 weeks of June.

The Alot

2010-04-15T23:37:00Z

hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html

Go here. Because it will make you laugh.

Bizarre

2010-03-28T18:16:57Z

Well, I don't think I'll ever be able to watch the Winona Ryder version of Little Women without giggling.

John Brooks (Meg's husband) is played by Daniel Greystone! (Eric Stoltz) It took a couple scenes and a trip to IMDB to convince myself.

Hmm, 1860s New England with manic robots running around? That's weird.

Jeez

2010-03-16T15:28:51Z

Ok, does anyone ELSE have Joyful News they want to tell me?

Because now I know 6 different couples that are pregnant. Two cousins, 1 dear friend from college, and 3 on my floor at work (one in my group). Is there something in the water? I found out about the last three yesterday and this morning.

If this SMART thing doesn't pan out, I should just open a day care center.

Because someone up there decided I needed a laugh.

2010-03-04T18:44:29Z

So, I'd been poking around on job sites, just to see what's out there (and mindful of my obligations to SMART), and I uploaded my resume this morning. I just got a response from someone around Madison who'd like to talk to me about a job. A rep from Farmer's Insurance.

I think this calls for a WTF? How did we get from Physical Chemist to insurance agent? I'm assuming he has something set up where all the resumes uploaded from the area get sent to him. But really, INSURANCE? No way in hell.

S***

2010-02-15T15:58:03Z

Well, here we go. It's been coming for awhile. I've finally hit the wall and accepted it. Just wish I had done so a year ago.

Merry Chistmas to MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

2009-12-31T20:58:08Z

So, I didn't get any of the BSG stuff I'd asked for this Christmas. Sad day, especially since I'd been waiting forever since the soundtrack came out...

And now, seasons 4.0 and 4.5 are only $18 each at amazon! Score. I also added the season 4 sountrack, b/c I needed that even more. So I should have presents coming to Madison soon.

Assuming I ever go back. Free food, laundry, and rent without work (besides playing pack mule for Mom) and sleeping from 12:30-2:30 this afternoon is a pretty sweet gig.

After the Madness

2009-12-25T18:09:44Z

Merry Christmas to everyone on my F-list who celebrates. (And Happy Holidays to everyone else, we must be PC...)

Yesterday was just as loony as normal. Drill sargent Mom was in charge, and woe to anyone caught not DOING something. Had a smaller crowd than normal (only 18, down from a more normal 23), so we switched up the dinner seating. Dad and Bro had to move the heavy TV twice. Oops. But everything was well in the end. Food was good, presents were appreciated, pictures were taken (oh my shutterbug father...). Everyone had a good time, even if the dog ended the night limping. :-(

Today everyone was up at 8. Except for Bro who had to be almost dragged downstairs at 10:30. (See today's Zits comic, very appropriate). I got the Glee soundtracks, finally, though I knew they were coming as my parents want to rip them! Bro got a "Facebook for Dummies" book as a gag gift. Now were off to Christmas Day at my Uncle's house, were we will sit and sleep on the couch in front of the fire at eat lots of food.

Gotta love the holidays... And the bizzare blood sugars...

The Day Before Madness and Recent Entertainment

2009-12-23T20:49:41Z

So, tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Sit-down dinner for 20ish people at my parents house. And it's snowing and projected to rain and ice today, tonight, and tomorrow. Lovely. Though as long as the power doesn't go out (see two years ago)... Mom's a lot calmer than she has been at this time. She claims she's tired and it just won't be as perfect this year. Honestly, everything seems the exact same, except for her freaking out and taking it out on us. Anyway.

Saw In the Heights on Monday. Very good show and a good time had by all (read me and my parents). There were some miking problems in the first act, but they got fixed.

My dad, brother, and I saw Avatar yesterday. I highly reccomend it. It's not the best movie of the year by any stretch, the plot is rather predictable, and the secondary characters are rather 2-D, but it's like nothing you've every scene before. The acting was decent enough. And for my reading buddies, it's the closest we'll ever get to seeing dragonriders and wyrsa on screen. (Seriously, the animals are never given English equivalent names, but they came on screen hunting the main character and that's the first thing that popped into my head). That fact alone nearly brought me to tears. So really, go see it, in 3-D if possible. That effect is not overpowering or gimmiky, just there. (And apparently the plot is very enjoyable if you've never seen Dancing with Wolves or the Last Samuri, like my father. Apparently he's been living under a rock?)

Ok, time to figure out what my next task is.

Cookies and a Good Day

2009-12-21T04:05:40Z

Did you know Christmas cookies are magic? When I expect to be low, I'm good, and when I'm expecting to be high, I'm good. At least, this is what I can gather from 1.5 days home.

Today was especially nice. Church in the morning involving Christmas Carols. Baking cookies and pound cake with Mom. Watching "Scrooge" (the Alister Sims one, naturally), immense dinner of ravioli, with more Christmas cookies, and finally everyone decorating the tree together. And then rewatching the Glee fall finale. :D

It was really relaxing and wonderful. Why can't life be like this all the time? Oh wait. Stupid jobs and responsibilities. Grr

More Blizzard

2009-12-09T15:12:48Z

So, school's closed, buses have stopped running. 12-18" total by tonight. (We probably have about a foot down).

For those who went to Prospect with me, remember the New Years storm our freshman year? When classes were still cancelled/delayed b/c of cold over a week later? That's what this is like.

There is even 6-9" of snow on the tree branches--causing some of them to snap, like the one just in front of my apartment entrance. Lovely.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

2009-12-09T02:53:37Z

For the first time in at least 20 years (according to the chemistry department chair), UW-Madison is having a snow day. This means all people taking classes (not me) and non-essential personel (ME!) don't have to report for work tomorrow.

We are under a blizzard warning, but we are only expecting a foot of snow at the most. We have about 4 inches now? So it seems a little premature and reactionary.

Anyway, even my boss is giving us dispensation to not come it. Sadly, the good little girl scout that I was, I took all the data I collected today home...so I can spend tomorrow analyzing it. Sigh. I hate being on the ball sometimes.

But...I can do it in my pajamas! (And I can be sure I won't miss the Glee fall finale due to bus mishaps!)

Oh, and Becca, thanks for the lovely snowflake! Very appropriate considering the circumstances.

Holiday Cards

2009-12-01T02:57:11Z

It's that time of year! If you would like a Christmas/Hanukah/Holiday card, please leave your address.

All comments are screened.

In other news, Thanksgiving was good. Random extended family awkwardness and drama. Good news on bro's job search (Facebook or Microsoft, cast your vote!), where he will earn more in one year than most people reading this journal will make in 2-3. It's disgusting, I know. Picked out a Christmas tree and helped decorate the house with my parents. Good times.

Alive

2009-11-02T13:49:50Z

Yes, I'm still here.

Went to the Shedd Aquarium and Oceanarium. Got dragged around by a hyperactive 7 year old.

Am still doing baffle stuff. I wish I could destroy them all.

Went to a mystery party on Halloween. Was fun

Today I get (have?) to go to the dentist. Crappy way to start a birthday. EDIT: and for more fun, a small cavity!