3 2 1 blast off

morgan and i went to NASA.

where are my moon boots???

hopeful

"'It's kind of disheartening," Freeman said. "In the little town we live in — this is a really small town — I don't know how you can live in such a small place and try to be separate.'"
actor freeman foots prom bill in sundance doc - david germain in AP

not to be a downer on a day like today (i won't lie, i got a little teary-eyed at the end of obama's speech this morning), but i just can't contain my amazement at the idea of a town that does not allow black and white students to attend the same prom. so morgan freeman paid for them to have one.

"Dr. Mason and other legal experts suggest that President Obama might be able to change things significantly for young women in science — and young men — by signing an executive order that would provide added family leave and parental benefits to the recipients of federal grants, a huge pool of people that includes many research scientists."
in 'geek chic' and obama, new hope for lifting women in science - natalie angier in the new york times

not very many PI's at the three institutions i've worked at have been women, and even fewer have had families. i understand that to succeed in any profession a lot of personal sacrifices have to be made, but in science the whole 'you can have it all' dream of a family and a career can seem fairly impossible for women. for people who pretty much rely solely on government funding, the next four years could be a good change.

back?

i have writer's block. too many thoughts in my head equals none in the blog. sorry.

after more than a week of vacation it was hard to come back to work and remember how to deal with people who are borderline autistic. awkwardness lives at baylor.

i experienced karaoke for the first time recently. michelle and i sang 'can't get you out of my head', because being a kylie fan is mandated by australian law.

excitement abounds because my sister is arriving tonight for her first visit to texas. i've spent the last few weeks compiling a very detailed list of things to do, but in all reality she'll probably end up watching a million dvds at my house while i'm at work. together, however, we will stay at home with wine and cheese and watch Fame, one of the greatest 'so bad it's good' movies of all time. seriously, it is awesome; keep in mind i will also sit down and watch Purple Rain if it's on.

just an hour left and then it's time for lab dinner at onion creek. mmm frito pie and a can of pearl.

brown paper, white paper..

better luck next time, 2008

best songs....
m83 - kim & jessie
black rebel motorcycle club - weapon of choice
cat power - metal heart (redone for jukebox)
department of eagles - phantom other
lil wayne - mr. carter ft. jay-z

best albums....
atlas sound - let the blind lead those who can see but cannot feel
department of eagles - in ear park
nick cave & the bad seeds - dig lazarus dig!!!
karl hector & the malcouns - sahara swing

best movies....
the black knight, pretty much by default. i can't even remember seeing anything worthwhile this year.

resolutions....
listen to more music
read more books
not lose my shit once the cockroaches return in the spring

unfair

there should be a law against having a gym and a chik-fil-a in the same plaza. i walk through the parking lot and all i can smell is heaven, also known as french fries. do not sap what little willpower i possess, aggressively-hyphenated fast food chain!

all y'all

i spent my first christmas here with two australians and buck the texan on the back patio of mcelroy's pub. it felt like any other day, really.

my little tree. can you spot the theme?

i figured i'd keep one tradition alive, which is cranberry scones on christmas morning.

a present from my family.

and finally, my favorite christmas song.

	Tom Waits - Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis
	Found at skreemr.com

how to start the day

i just got a fist bump from a little old man wearing a kangol hat and sunglasses. AWESOME.

use it in context

this morning i made a peanut butter and fluff sandwich (official state sandwich of massachusetts of course) to share with my australian friend michelle. she had never heard of this combination, whereas spaghetti between two slices of bread is normal.

it was glorious. it tasted like home. then as i left work tonight, it started to snow. i got confused. this is still texas, right?

this is not what i signed up for. yesterday it was 70; let's do that again. everyone is freaking out about the roads, which is hilarious to me, so i've decided to stay at home under my blanket and edit the following video. it's short (the rest of it shall remain shrouded in mystery), but it is a classic: andie being andie, dave complaining about massachusetts, mike being informative, shady 'yeeeeee'-ing in the background, and me just laughing.

over- lefts

my house has turned into a canine rest home. i dogsat over the weekend for two little old men; oliver looks like a baby wolf but is actually thirteen years old, and bentley is pretty much geriatric. they are just like that gay guy from boondock saints: they just want to cuddle. it made writing my statement of purpose a little more tolerable.

this scarf was a christmas present for my mom... two years ago. i just finished it... yesterday.

guess what's making a comeback? oh yes. the hamburger shirt. saved from the goodwill pile back in mass. i will wear it to torture dave.