123456 Switch!

I am slowly going crazy 123456 Switch
Crazy going slowly am I 654321 Switch

This is what happens when you've got ~300 chemists in a building, not
allowed to leave for the day, and all the computer networks are down.
So we can't do any actual lab work. We can't work on reports. We
can't surf the internet. We can't read the nice Baen Free Library
books we (okay, I) have stored on the drive. And we can't go home...

Our weekend was great. We went to CT on Saturday to game and hang out
with the Babcocks and Hallets (and Lee). Brian got in a lot of play
time with Tisiphone (sp?? Anyone?) We had a great day, BBQ for dinner
and a relaxing time. Sunday morning was very leisurely, then out to
breakfast and we took the ferry back. We've looked at taking the
ferry a number of times, but it's expensive ($60 for two adults and 1
car), doesn't save us any time, and the schedule generally sucks for
us. But since we were in no hurry, we thought we'd try it. It was a
neat thing to do, and we spent the hour or so on deck enjoying the
weather. Even with an SPF 50 sunscreen, I still got a little
sunburned in that hour on deck, but I refuse to not go out at all!
We probably wouldn't do it again with the car, but if we're just going
up to Milford as a day trip again, I'd be all for it. (Much cheaper
with no car.) No photos since I hadn't brought my camera with me for
the quick overnight trip. Got back and mostly just lazed around.
With my hand still largely out of commission, no gardening or
extensive crafts for me. Monday was spent relaxing at home, and going
to go see Pirates of the Carribean 3. We both enjoyed it a lot. Make
sure you stay through the credits though, as there is a little bit at
the end of them. I did stitch a little to see how my hand was doing,
and got about 4 threads done (on TW's Fantasy Triptych) before my hand
started getting sore, so I stopped there. URG!

Sent by email from the now functioning computer network. I wrote this
yesterday afternoon at work...

I'm just geeking out....

If any of my readers are Formula One fans, go HERE.

I admit to being a geek. I admit to throwing money at funny little acknowledgements of my geekiness. Watch the fan credits from the LOTR DVD's. I'm there. So when this opportunity came up...

I haven't figured out if you can search yet (the site is very flash (I think) intensive), but we're ID# 2167. The photo is from our trip to Paris, and on Mark Webber's car. We placed it so it might actually show up during the race. It's on the housing just in front of the steering wheel. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I am so geeking out right now :)

Friday Meme...

Your Score: Katharine Hepburn

You scored 9% grit, 28% wit, 57% flair, and 16% class!

You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women.

Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the
Classic Leading Man Test.

Link: The Classic Dames Test written by gidgetgoes on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

And of course, the class test...

Which I don't entirely agree with, but can't honestly disagree with most of it...
I'm not sure I like all of what that says of me!

Your Score: Arcane Trickster

37% Combativeness, 60% Sneakiness, 76% Intellect, 33% Spirituality

Brilliant and sneaky: You are an Arcane Trickster!


Score! You have a prestige class. A prestige class can only be taken after you've fulfilled certain requirements. This may mean that you're an exceptionally talented person, but it probably doesn't.


Arcane Tricksters combine arcane magic with rogue skills and sensibilities. They use their magic to confuse their opponents or to augment their more mundane, roguish skills. If you thought it was annoying keeping an eye that that rogue, the Arcane Trickster is probably picking your pocket from the other side of the room.


Both smart and sneaky, you're probably the type of person that loves planning practical jokes... either that or knocking over banks.

Link: The RPG Class Test written by MFlowers on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Interesting meme...

This is the first one that has come out about how I expected it to, and I can agree with it. I don't catch all the references in the write-up, but I found it interesting!

Your Score: Neutral-Good

66% Good, 40% Chaotic

Plane of Existence: Elysium, "Blessed Fields". Description: The plane of peace. Notable Inhabitants: Guardinals - noble immortal humanoids with bestial features.




Examples of Neutral-Goods (Ethically Neutral, Morally Good)




Cloud Strife (FFVII)

Boogenhagen (FFVII)

Mother Theresa

Ghandi

Sidhartha Gautama (the Buddha)

Gandalf

Bilbo & Frodo Baggins

Samwise Gamgee

Indiana Jones

The Dali Lama

Ben (O-Bi-Wan) Kenobi

Luke Skywalker

Harry Potter

Hermionie

Dumbledore




Often goes along with the laws and desires of the group as being the easiest course of action, but ethical considerations clearly have top priority. May pursue quite abstract goals. Often aloof and difficult to understand.




Will keep their word to others of good alignment

Would not attack an unarmed foe

Will not use poison

Will help those in need

May work with others

Indifferent to higher authority

Indifferent to organizations



Neutral Good "Pure Good"

"Benefactor"



A neutral good [person] will obey the law, or break it when he or she sees it will serve a greater good. He or she is not bound strongly to a social system or order. His or her need to help others and reduce their suffering may take precedence over all else. Neutral good [people] do good for goodness' sake, not because they are directed to by law or by whim.



This alignment desires good without bias for or against order.



Other Alignments and Tendencies (Tendenices are what you would more often sway towards; esp. for Neutrals):

0-39% Good, 0-39% Chaotic: Lawful-Evil

0-39% Good, 40-60% Chaotic: Neutral-Evil

0-39% Good, 61-100% Chaotic: Chaotic-Evil

40-60% Good, 0-39% Chaotic: Lawful-Neutral

40-60% Good, 40-60% Chaotic: True Neutral

40-60% Good, 61-100% Chaotic: Chaotic-Neutral

61-100% Good, 0-39% Chaotic: Lawful-Good

61-100% Good, 61-100% Chaotic: Chaotic-Good

Link: The Alignment Test written by xan81 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Long overdue update...

First up, here's why I haven't been doing much of anything on the computer lately...



Long story short, I've pinched the nerves from my hand that run through the thumb. I'm not allowed to do anything that involves using my thumb. I even have to sleep with the brace on. But it was that or an actual plaster cast, but at least I can take this one off to shower. So:
No stitching
No gardening
No computering (but I can type slowly with my left hand)
No working in the lab at work (aw, shucks)
No stamping
No cardmaking.

I do NOT mean this to be a 'poor me' post. I'm already reading all day at work in an effort to look busy (Thank You Baen Free Library!) so I'm getting bored with that at home. Anyone have any suggestions for one handed crafts? And the non-dominant hand at that?



But, on to stuff that's more fun. I played floss fairy to several girls in the UK a while back, and in return I asked them to just send me something little and unique to their region. And here's what Kay sent me!

There's a sheep (I mentioned I loved the sheep in Wales when there as a kid), a Welsh dragon, a hand stitched card, with hand painted fabric!, and a selection of postcards. WOW!




On the stitching front, here's an update on Fantasy Triptych, which I had pulled out again and was making great progress on...



And Frog Prince, which I had planned on filling in the last of the confetti stitches the weekend I hurt my hand...




And, since we were home in April, I must post more photos of my adorable neice and nephew! I don't have any photos of Natasha since the only time we got to see her was at the funeral home, and it wasn't really appropriate... But here's Madison, hiding behind the tree in mom's living room.




And William, playing in his living room!

8 Random Things

I've been tagged! By Suz of Woozle Madness.

1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules
3. At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment and tell them they're tagged, and to read your blog.


8 Random Things About Me

1. I have an addiction to buying paperback books.
2. I *LOATHE* shaving.
3. I have horrible allergies.
4. I go nuts if I don't have a watch on.
5. I have 7 tattoos. None of which I got by choice.
6. I married my high school sweetheart.
7. My humidifier is a penguin.
8. I'm an incredibly picky eater. I love what I do eat, but it's a surprisingly short list.

I never know who to tag, but here goes: Heather, Belinda, Jan, Jen, Dani, Gillian, Bonnie, and... I don't know. It's hard tagging people! So, how about this. If there's anyone reading my blog that hasn't done this yet, tag yourself in the comments and consider yourself tagged!


Also, added somewhat randomly here, Happy Mother's Day!

Attempting to post more often...

Even if it is just a silly little quiz...
But I have added stuff to the sidebar!

I am a Daisy What Flower Are You?

A video everyone should watch

And then think about. And then read this article in the New York Times.


And think some more.

Trying out posting by email...

Your Mind is 65% Cluttered

Your mind is quite cluttered. And like most clutter, it's a bunch of crap you don't need. Try writing down your worst problems and fears. And then put them out of your mind for a while.

How Cluttered is Your Mind?

Scary, scary, scary

For the record, the three who raised their hands were Senator Sam Brownback, Governor Mike Huckabee and Representative Tom Tancredo.

I rarely talk politics on my blog. I'm guessing most who read this blog have at least a general idea of my leanings WRT American politics. :)
I was not extremely politically active in Canada before we moved here. I am not very politically active here since I cannot vote, and will not be able to for many years yet. Yet I enjoy a good, well reasoned political discussion. I genuinely am interested in how people can hold viewpoints that are so alien to my own beliefs. And what they find most important about them. And why they hold them. Some discussions *have* changed how I view certain issues.

But one thing I cannot grasp is how big of an issue evolution is here in the US. I am a scientist. A VERY logical, rational human being. I have my own, personal beliefs WRT the existance of 'God'.

{Exuse the shouting}


BUT HOW ON EARTH CAN PEOPLE CLAIM NOT TO BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION?????????????????


How can someone be an honest, well educated, intelligent person and yet choose to ignore something that has been scientifically and rigorously proven? Note that I am NOT saying that God does not exist. Nor to I believe that the facts of evolutionary processes prove that God does not exist. The two to me are completely separate spheres of discussion.

I spent a number of years very interested in fossils and the fossil record. (For something really interesting, google "the Burgess Shale" and see some really cool examples of what has been found.) I studied quite extensively in the field, and completed the first two years of a geology degree, majoring in paleontology (the study of fossils) before switching to physics so I could have a job that would actually pay me to go to work. :P


Please, if someone can explain to me this to me, I'd like a better understanding of the thought processes involved. I am genuinely trying to understand something that is completely outside my sphere of cognizance. I will be turning on comment moderation on this post as it is such a divisive topic, but I promise to approve all polite comments. Can anyone out there help me get this?