I guess its too hard to eat a real vegetable

This is why I love my job, its always exciting. While preparing a talk for the Molecular Biology and Bioengineering (MBBE) Graduate Seminar, I stumbled across this exciting product. I haven't seen it on the shelf, but its all over the web. I'll have to check Safeway tonight when I go buy dinner.

Things that happened 10 days ago

We had a film crew in our neighborhood. Pretty interesting- it was like the circus rolled in on Wednesday night, did their thing on Thursday, and rolled out on Thursday night as if nothing ever went on. Our street was lined with trailers as illustrated by this photo I took on my way to work. I think they were filming at the old local library- it was being demolished. Maybe it was the LOST crew... never saw any actors.



During this same week, and possibly on the same day (its hard to remember these things), I met Lawrence. Lawrence is a cane toad. Sideburnz and I were bbqing on the lawn next to our apartment when Lawrence stopped by. Here's Lawrence:





What might have been a better photo, or even video, was my reaction to seeing Lawrence. I've seen these guys splatted all over the road, but never seen a live one. I dashed upstairs to grab my camera. I was looking for a golfball (for a size comparison), but couldn't find it. Hence, the stapler. My stapler is an average stapler. Lawrence is pretty big. He's probably going to keep growing, according to wikipedia.. Then, with my stapler and camera, I stalked him on my hands and knees. You know, being careful not to frighten the guy. In the mean while, neighbors walked by and just scratched their heads. We're all a little weird, I guess. Needless to say, my night was very exciting. I wanted Lawrence to come up stairs, sit on our sofa with his legs crossed like human, and have an intellectual conversation with me (ala Frog and Toad or Wind in the Willows). I wasn't so lucky. He proceeded back to his home (?) next to the stream. I haven't seen him since. I DID see a splatted toad the next day on the road. I hope it wasn't Lawrence.

That all happened approximately 10 days ago. Not much exciting has happened since then. I'm working nearly 70 hours a week right now trying to finish a lab project by Nov 2 and write a grant proposal by Oct 30. I hate it when the world ends all on the same day.

Halloween is rapidly approaching, and I have not determined what my costume will be. {Read the next sentence with a hoity-toity tone of voice.} Sideburnz and I will be at the art academy on friday night for Art After Dark. Its sweet being a member of the art academy. We'll have paid for at least half of our membership via discounts this weekend (we became members in July). We also get to use the VIP entrance for Art After Dark, which means no waiting in line. I've inherited a nice collection of vintage (well, mostly 80s) clothes, and I intend to wear one of the dresses to the museum. My art academy dress isnt really a costume, so it won't be suitable for Halloween itself. Maybe a trip to the Goodwill is in order this afternoon, after Sideburnz finishes napping (too much surfing for Sideburnz today).

I hope to share Halloween photos- I've been warned that Waikiki is pretty nuts. Sounds like excellent people watching.

Over and out.

CX racing in Hawaii.

Some comments...

-Jeeps are fun.
-Jeeps with new rear tires and fun, quieter, and ride smoother.
-Homebrew is delicious.
-South Shore Grill is omp. How could you not love a restaurant that sells surf wax AND the best fish tacos I've had.
-The guest bathroom offers cools showers... after nine months living here, who knew?
-3 hours of doing chemistry experiments with 8 year olds at the mall makes one mildly insane.
-Tradewinds are back after a 1 week hiatus (hooray!).

The Jeep

We bought a Jeep. Its a 2002 6 cyl 5 speed with a soft top. We took it for its first adventure on Saturday- 6 hour bike race and camping. So far, The Jeep gets an A for funness and also bike carrying ability. Sideburnz figured out how to secure our bike wheels to the sides of the jeep. It looked like we were heading out to the bush. Unfortunately no one remembered to take a picture. Next time...

We are presently thinking of a name for the jeep. I suppose we need to drive it some more so we can find out what kind of personality it has.

First Triathlon

Big news! I completed my first triathlon over the weekend, finished 15th over all and 2nd in my age group. Full results are here. Funny thing- I was 171st in the swim, 8th on the bike and 18th in the run. Not bad for my first attempt. My transition times were even competitive! This sounds like trouble... photos will get posted later.

Some recent observations

- Dark beer is the new snipe. Most reliable source appears to be homebrew.
- Swimming is difficult.
- Burt's Bees makes a Sage deodorant/body spray. I smell like Thanksgiving.
- New surf board = lots of repairs.
- I want a Jeep.