I (heart) this guy

Dr. Walt E. Finkbeiner MD, PhD is the best boss ever. (He's the one looking at the camera) And I am a little creeped out by Google Image.

happy halloween!

The "ladies fingers" shown above were a great hit at the Pathology Department holiday luncheon. Apparently I was the only one that remembered it was halloween, we had tons of greek food and quiches. Not that I am complaining. Good stuff. And a few folks got all dressed up for the occasion. My favorite was Stella, this tiny Asian cyto-tech, who is nice as can be. She strolled in looking like the "Queen of Darkness" and casually said.. "those other clothes are just a facade," referring to her usual dress. Good times. But sadly, the mortician didn't come. I wanted to impress her with my pretzels! But I can imagine that this is a pretty trying holiday for someone so involved. Maybe I will go by and drop her off a few. Happy Halloween, I am looking forward to hitting the Castro for a little people watching, I only wish the "Enrique" to my "Anna Kornikova" costume wasn't suddenly needed across the country. What a jet setter, I swear!

what's that, sonny?

one issue with last night's show.. SO freaking loud. I don't want to sound like an old fogey, but geez it was insanely loud. And I am paying for it today, I can't hear anything and it was a bad day to wear high heels cuz the clicking sound is SUPER loud. When did I become 46? I remember going to NOFX shows at Flippo's skate rink in Morro Bay, and loving it. Hmm, I guess we can't be wild and crazy forever.

How 'bout a revolution? And he said.. ya!

We saw OAR last night (at a much better venue than this picture, the Warfield!) and they were spectacular. I love that they rock so hard, but they have such fun and nice songs.. Kinda like James Taylor rocking out. And it is great how all the guys in the band look like kids who used to be in band class with you in high school. The place was pretty packed and it is great to see they still have their "grassroots" following, and still play an awesome 8+ min. version of "That was a Crazy Game of Poker." I am so glad I got to see it with Trent, some of our best memories are at concerts.. driving all night to see Jack Johnson before he was big at Chico when we first started dating, driving all day and night and next day to Washington to go to the Sasquach Festival and camping wih some crazy folks, and our BEP adventures just last weekend. And I know there will be many more sweet shows in our future :)

What a weekend!! After crushing the GRE's with my mighty mighty mind powers, T'ster and I dedicated the rest of the weekend to just having fun. And it was certainly that. After chilling at foggy Ocean beach and napping the afternoon away, we headed out to see, believe it or not, the Black Eyed Peas, for free! Many thanks to Jacyth for giving us the heads up. But oh man, what an adventure we had getting there. We are sheltered little lower haight-ians and having to venture out of our known neighborhoods lead to some pretty crazy times. But luckily we met Ozzie, the four foot phillipino powerhouse at some bus stop out by the freeway, and he was our best friend for the rest of the night. And he is either THE coolest, luckiest guy in the entire city.. or a compulsive liar. I am kinda leaning to towards the latter, but hey, if he turns out to be legit.. we lucked out. Anyways.. the concert was awesome. The BEP's put on a great show, even though I am sure they were a bit surprised to only see about 500 folks there. And it was pretty darn chilly. But they rocked and it was just what I needed after all my boring-ness the past few weeks studying. Getting back home was a fiasco and a half, but luckily our man Ozzie kept us safe and we made it home just fine.
Sunday, we headed up north to Bolinas and Point Reyes. Unbelievably beautiful up there, and such a change of pace from the city life. I had forgotten what quiet was like. Everyone should go, there is no excuse not to. And if I come along, I can promise you all the spicy plant sex talk you could ever desire. The picture above is Arch Rock, a great stroll through some beautiful forest all the way to this cool feature at the beach. It looks just like Montana del Oro, my favorite place in SLO, and it was all sunny and warm and fantastic. Unlike today.. man is it cold today.
Thanks to Trent for all the adventures this weekend! My big boss man is back today, and it is great to see him. The cells from the dissections last week are still doing great so it makes all my hard work and trials last week seem worth it. And I will figure out this latest RNA problem.. I will, I will, I will. And know I have to work my bootie off to get ready for tomorrow's SFLAC party at my house.. SO much to do!! I can't wait though. Ciao

Whew

This week has been nuts. I've gone from doing 1 trachea in a month, to 3 in the last week. And today, due to my co-worker's car troubles, I was flying solo here, treating a trachea I dissected yesterday and then going and getting another one and doing the dissection. A few bumps along the way but overall I think it was successful. I am definitely getting used to this whole different side of science, slowly for sure. I have realized I have the coolest, craziest job out there. I love it, but it is super draining some days. There is a reason I was a plant biologist!

Anyways.. just my rambling thoughts, sorry. Moral of the story is.. it is good to learn new things and get outside of your comfort zone. But just make sure you have a good bubby to snuggle with and an entertaining video game (yayy Taq!!) to help you forget half of it.

Standardized Sucking

I disagree with the idea of the GRE. I have no idea how my ability (or lack there of) to solve trigonomic problems has any consequence on my scientific skills. I know that the graduate programs I will be applying to care more about my research history and such, but I am totally, completely, panicking about this upcoming test. SO, I have been doing this all day. Well, that and some stunningly beautiful RNA work. but you know, that magic happens every day :)

this is too cute

I'm sorry.. this is just the cutest thing ever. i had to share it wih you all. The mama dog lets the orphaned squirrel get in on that snuggle action. I am so jealous.

i (heart) learning

another fantastic day at the RNA ranch... and my homie Mark taught me a new skill to add to my super scientist arsonal.. mictrome cutting paraffin sections.. huzzahhh. I am unstoppable. and riding my bike here, and knowing i get to ride my bike home instead of having to deal with the icky 22.. which was actually really good yesterday.. but nevermind that.. I am still excited about riding my bike. makes me feel like i am back in good old davis. ciao folks, i am out like trout :)

IT WORKED!!!

On the near brink of giving up science forever (well, maybe I am being a tad dramatic) my experiments in running RNA through agarose gels... FINALLY WORKED!!! I have 2 beautiful gels with gorgeous nice ladders... and my heart is filled with glee. OH praise. I conquered those nasty RNases and told them to get out my lab, biatches.
Today is a very good day. Except I have no bubby to share it with.. that kinda stinks. Come home Trent!! I think I am clinically addicted to snuggling.. and last night I had some major withdrawls!

this is my favorite animal. ever. and i love that my new flying squirrel stuffed animal (thanks em) has the same crazy eyes as they do!

oh crazy it worked!! i just copied and pasted his example and changed the website and name.. might be how i will have to do it from now on! thanks erick!

testing testing 123...

i want to get These cute shoes!

This was really just a test to see if Erick is the smartest person ever and can magically impart his wisdom on me.

I do this to. All the time. Except without the fancy get up. Just my good old lab coat. I am growing some tumor cells today, and they are going NUTSO!
Google Images + Free time at work = Blogging Craziness

FYI

This is totally what I do. Or would do if the stupid stuff would work. Hmm.. almost inspires me to try again today.. ahh, no, I think Monday would be better :)

almost

ya, i see no "chain" icon to link to websites.. sorry :) but i did figure out the picture stuff.. hoooray

it's getting crazy over here!

witness the exciting world of science nerd-dom i call my life..
http://www.protocol-online.org/forums/index.php?s=a7d2424d5f255874510d871fe019573a&showtopic=10119

or for a rolicking good time, check out the joke section:
http://www.protocol-online.org/forums/index.php?act=SF&s=&f=28

ohh, ya, you guys are all tottttally jealous :)

a little help here?

okay, someone tell me how to post links to websites or include pictures on my blog? if i am gonna do this, i want to do it right!

I'm Back!

ok ok, totally and completely guilty of blogging lapse, I admit it. Work has been getting into full swing, for better and worse, and I haven't had as much computer time. But no excuse, I know. All is well here, just the usual hopsital and bus crazies keeping me happy and a whole lot of science going on. Here is my little desk buddy's picture, for when a whole lotta science goes bad... http://www.urbanbirddesigns.com/buttercup4.jpg Hoooray for random shop in the Haight for introducing me to my new best friend at work.

I need to get a haircut.. and there are an insane amount of places on Haight.. but how in the world do you pick one? I swear, picking my primary care physician wasn't this hard! I should just suck it up and call one. Hmmm.

Major prop's to my bubby for his awesome awesome race this last weekend, I am very proud of him and thrilled with his excitement to race a lot next year. I think I am ready to get back into it as well, can't let that homie take my sport away from me!!

I am autoclaving some buffers in what has to be the worlds oldest autoclave. I am seriously scared for my life. It has come unbolted from the floor and as I was heating it up this morning, it started rattling about and kinda "walking" towards me.. totally freaky.. but it reminded me of something from wallace and gromit, which I am so excited to see hopefully very soon. Also, new favorite movie.. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. We watched it last night and I keep thinking of funny scenes that put on a smile on my face.

Alrighty, so keep up your great blogging and I will try my best on my end as well. Take care!