Eureka!

Hamster Girl's wonderful friends found the illusive definition of Frilosity!!

Which was just ironic because she and I were sitting in a cold room, I with my amazing knit-by-Dancing Fish green arm warmers on and she with a warm wrap.

serious work distraction

Does anyone know what 'frilosity' is?

Seriously.

What does FRILOSITY mean?

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming ...

More Interesting "Science" news of the day:

Dolphin May Get Prosthetic Tail

So cool, though tragic.

I'm trying to avoid using this as an opportunity to rant about Saving the Whales.

But seriously, look at this poor dolphin who lost his tail because some fisherman left his crab net out in the water!

Save Whales: recycle paper, don't use straws, don't poor toxic substances down drains, don't eat fish, and educate other people about how awesome these animals are!

For more information, check out ConserveNature.org (courtesy of Canisius Ambassadors for Conservation, my old friends). Click on the killer whale picture or check out the other links!

Twins for Talls

Interesting "science" news story of the day: Tall Women More Likely to Have Twins

If you're over 5'4" tall, you're more likely to have twins or triplets due to higher levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF). Or if you drink a lot of cow milk (which has high levels of IGF if the cows were given hormones).

Looks like I will not be having twins (in 8 years)!

Laundry with Rosa

I don't mind doing my laundry at the Laundromat, as I usually get some reading done and interesting things often happen while I am there (see old post from April for an example: Clean Sheets & Buggy Teeth).

Today, I was grading Genetics Lab Reports (oh so fun!) while my blankets and clothes were in the washer when a little kid came running over to me and tried to grab my diet coke. He was probably less than 2, but I have an intimate relationship with diet coke. Thus, I was angry that this 36" tall man was trying to steal my beloved.

I took a deep breath (as I make it general rule not to accost people who are unable to vote) and smiled at him, took my diet coke from his grubby hands, and looked around to find whom he belonged to.

And over comes Rosa. The cleaning woman in charge of the Biology Department. Every grad student or professor who has stayed in their office later than 6pm knows Rosa. A very nice lady who does a very good job. I often try to chat with her, but her English isn't the best and I can not speak a lick of Spanish (other than "Pues tengo que irme" and "Yo quiero papas fritas").

She reconginized me right away and came over. The cute little diet coke thief was her grandson. So, all of my harsh feelings towards the kid vanished and I chatted (somewhat awkwardly) with Rosa for the morning.

And, so it is official. Between late evenings in my office and Sunday laundry, I spend almost as much time with the department cleaning lady as I do with my boyfriend. I need to come home earlier at night.

Happy Laundering!!

Arrrrr! Pirates!

Happy National Talk Like a Pirate Day!

My pirate name is:

Captain Jenny Kidd

Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!

Even in my pirate life I am the reliable one. Sigh.

I'm off to think about fish you land lubbers! Arrrr!

A TAs dream!

There are quite a few things Teaching Assistants dream of:
~a raise
~students that don't ask "will we get out early today?"
~a real job
~tests & lab reports that grade themselves
~a HOT co-TA (for me, it'd be Ry!)

But, if I couldn't get any of those, I'd be happy to get this:

http://allthatisman.bravehost.com/orgo/page01.htm

OH, and I am glad I only TA genetics & not organic chemistry!

And the fun semester begins ...

Another reason I don't have cable ...

It's almost too embarassing to admit, but I secretly hope that others share my problem.

I like bad TV dramas, especially in reruns.

Beverly Hills 90210, Felicity, Sex & the City, Gilmore Girls, old Law & Orders, anything on abcfamily. And don't get me started on Dawson's Creek.

This evening, I was hanging out where I'm currently cat sitting, playing with the kitties and doing laundry. Instead of reading "The Developing Brain" as I should be, I watched Beverly Hills 90210.

For 2 hours.

And I still remembered the episodes from when I originally watched them 13 years ago.

Dylan and Brenda finally slept together, while she and Kelly wore the same dress at the homecoming dance. And after the West Beverly senior class of 1993 walked out of their final exams, Donna was allowed to graduate, despite that nasty drunken incident at prom.

Crikey! No more Crocodile Hunter

Headline of the Day:

Stingray kills 'Crocodile Hunter' Irwin

Wow. I can't say I ever really liked the guy, but I am sad that he died. Being a student of biology who hopes to spend the rest of her life studying animal behavior, I appreciate anyone who tries to educate the world about how amazing animals are! Especially herps, as they are an under-studied taxa.

But, there is a lesson in Steve Irwin's death. While he was passionate about animals, he often got too close, stayed too long, and didn't treat the animals with the respect they deserve. It is only too fitting that his death would result from getting too close to a poisonous stingray that stabbed him in the heart.

My sympathies are with his wife and kids. And I do hope that others learn from his unfortunate death.

(I don't really) Love-Love Tennis

Being a struggling biology grad student (much like a struggling artist, but with out so much moodiness), I don't spend money on cable. I am hardly ever home to watch TV. And when I am home, I really shouldn't be watching TV anyway. Thus, I can only watch abc, cbs, nbc, and fox on my TV (usually through some static).

All of that leads to me watching sports on Sundays while I do some cleaning and study neuroscience. I like when the Sunday sports are football or baseball. But, unfortunately, golf, tennis, and NASCAR are typically shown. Now, I just can't stand golf, so tennis and NASCAR usually win. Or country music on the radio.

Thus, today I found myself watching the U.S. Open. Aggasi's last match even. I guess it was exciting, because people on TV kept clapping. But I just don't get it.

So, what's the deal with scoring? Why is it 15, 30 or 40 points? And then a deuce? But, if it is a tie-breaker, all the points are worth just 1 and you have to get 6 or 7? And I can never keep it all straight -- what's the difference between matches and sets and games?

Also, since I am already complaining, what's with the grunting? Every stroke, the players grunt really loud. Weird.

Although, I do enjoy when the guys change their shirts on the court.

Overall, I am happy that football season offically starts this weekend!

Chicka Chicka Cherry Chicken!

Another recipe for you!

This is Ry's favorite meal that we make. It's modified from "The New Dieters Cookbook" (which I picked up at a used bookstore for $1.25). For some reason, I am not very good at actually following recipes, which may be why I will never be good at biological techniques and why I study behavior.

Here's how I make the yummy Cherry Chicken dish:

Cook up two chicken skinless, boneless chicken breasts. We usually just make them in the frying pan with cooking spray, but I think if you baked them instead the chicken would probably be more juicy.

When the chicken is almost done, start the sauce. In a small sauce pan, combine 3/4 cup of cherry jam or preserves, 2 tablespoons orange juice, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and a dash of salt and pepper. Heat on low for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Combine sauce and chicken and heat on low for about 5 minutes.

We serve with wild & long grain rice (Ry's a huge fan of the Uncle Ben's 90 second microwave rice pouches) and a green veggie (last night we had steamed broccoli with cheese).

If you care about such things, I think 1 serving has less than 500 calories (sans cheese on the broccoli). Most importantly, it is YUMMY!!