On Friday night, a group of us headed out to a local bar to have celebratory drinks with a friend. She has recently managed to complete her MPhil with her sanity intact (well... as intact as it ever was!) Anyway, the bar is a pleasant enough place, even at the weekend; the DI (detritus index) is - for this town at least - mercifully low. Thankfully, she had delayed the gathering until the last working day of the month (or Payday, as it is otherwise known). This probably helped to ensure a respectable turnout.
I had worn my now seemingly infamous Little Green Slut Skirt, partly in the hope that a cute postgrad from my department would be there. He wasn’t. Its percentage success rate is dropping every time I wear it; it now stands at just 33.33 %.
Anyway, during one of the more interesting conversations of the evening, Alan (an academic member of staff) pointed out to me, that when I become a postdoc, I could have my own tutor group. He knows I’m single. I’m also on good terms with the woman who organises which tutees get assigned to each group. He suggested I wait until we have their photo’s, then try to “arrange” to have the better-looking male students given to me! I’m still unsure as to whether or not sequestering the impressionable first year students is contrary to university policy. At least I won't be an academic member of staff...
When I started as a postgrad, they made us do this poxy little PGCert in Scientific Research Methods. Some of it was of a little use, but most of it was a total waste of time. They told us about the university policy on Staff/Student relationships. I guess it is all rather civilised. I get the impression that at US universities, any type of non-work related relationships are banned. Here, it is permitted, but you have to formally declare your relationship. I thought about my supervisor, who is a very nice man, but just came to the conclusion that if anything happened between us (it won't), I certainly wouldn't “declare” it; it would be a secret I would carry to my grave :-)
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Should I be ashamed of this?
| My life has been rated: |
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| See what your rating is! |
| Created by bart666 |
Apparently: "To quote the BBFC: The R18 category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit videos of consenting sex between adults. Such videos may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops, of which there are currently about 90 in the UK.
You are filthy. Congratulations!"
I'm just slightly disturbed that I out-scored my brother-in-law
Personal Soundtracks
A little while ago, a post on my sister’s Livejournal page concerned personal theme tunes. Scrolling through my newly compiled MP3 library, I got thinking about various songs, and what they mean to me. So this list is my compilation, kind of a soundtrack to my life. I can’t be bothered to add any kind of a biography to my profile, and besides, for better or worse, I think this says more about me.
The songs are broadly in chronological order. I don’t think they fully reflect my taste in music – the songs that stick are not always the classics - but it should give you some idea.
The Camera Never Lies – Bucks Fizz
OK, so the song sucks little green monkey dicks, but it was the first record I ever bought. I was eight years old and knew no better.
I’ve Been Losing You – a-ha
Sucks less. I used to love a-ha when I was about 12 (it was always Mags, not Morten that did it for me…) and my long-suffering sister took me twice to see them live at Hammersmith. Scored major cool-points at school.
Bad Medicine – Bon Jovi
I loved this song from the first time I heard it, and it probably did more than any other to get me into rock music. Although I did go off the band (they got poppier the same time my tastes got somewhat heavier) this song still reminds me of my high school friends and the gigs we went to.
Piece of Me – Skid Row
Currently designated as my personal theme tune, this song kicks arse.
I loved Skid Row, and the first time I saw them live was at the Marquee. I was 15, and had never seen anything quite like it before. They strutted onstage to the sounds of They’re Coming To Take Me Away, having conquered Milton Keynes the previous day while supporting Bon Jovi. My parents didn’t want me heading home by myself (the fact it was a licensed club, and I was therefore three years underage didn’t appear to bother them); I was only allowed to go after my sister kindly agreed to come and pick me up. By the end of the (fucking amazing) gig, I was covered in my sweat, sweat from the audience, sweat from the band (I was right down the front), beer, water that had been thrown over me, water that had been spat over me, and God-knows what else. My sister was standing in the foyer as I staggered out, she just looked at me in a what-the-fuck-happened-to-you kind of way. With a stupid grin on my face, I told her the 6’ 4” then-lead singer had stage-dived onto me. I have some vague recollection of her eyeballs rolling.
Paint it Black – The Rolling Stones
My Mum kindly took me to see the Stones at Wembley Stadium when I was 16. It was a great day, and I always loved this song… and it kind of reminds me of my wardrobe.
Harvester of Sorrow – Metallica
Pretty much sums up my time at Sixth Form College.
Killed by Death – Motorhead
You get home, and you’re pissed off and you just want to rip someone’s head off? Try playing this instead. Perfect for anger management. Or try this.
Father Time – Richie Sambora
Autumn 1992. I was 18 years old, and had no idea what I wanted to do. So the week after my sister’s wedding, I got on a plane and headed off to travel around the US for a few months. This song is a pretty cheesy ballad. It certainly wasn’t the first song off the album to grab me, but I kept listening to it over and over as the plane approached JFK. Even though I listened to the album (Stranger in this Town) frequently while on long bus journeys – it was perfect late-night road music - I always associated this particular track with the excitement and anticipation of arriving, alone, in a new place. I had an amazing three months, and when I reluctantly got on the plane to return to London, I put on my walkman, thinking it was at the start of the tape. I immediately heard the intro to this song; it brought back what felt like a thousand memories, and I promptly burst into tears.
Little Wing – Skid Row
I love this version of the Hendrix classic. It was great Greyhound music, and I loved listening to it, late at night, watching the world go by, and feeling strangely peaceful.
I Wanna Be Your Dog – The Stooges
I first heard The Stooges while getting somewhat stoned in a LA hostel. I love this song. So much. You know that question you sometimes get asked? If you could go back in time and be someone else, who would it be? For me, there is no debate: Iggy Pop, late sixties (that’s the decade, not his age, by the way.) Sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll… what more could you want?! And he’s not dead.
Try a Little Tenderness – The Commitments Soundtrack
To help me get off the beaten track, I opted to do a three-week tour with a company called Trek-America. One minibus, thirteen youngish back-packer types and a tour leader called Scott - who loved The Commitments Soundtrack. To this day, he remains one of only three guys I’ve ever really come close to falling for. I said goodbye to him in the car park of a Los Angeles hotel. I wish I could remember exactly what he said to me. He told me he had recently met a woman in Vegas, but implied that in other circumstances, there could have been something between us. Anyway, he wins my prize for The Most Ambiguous Goodbye.
Bad to the Bone – George Thorogood
November ’92. We waited until dark, dressed in black, then snuck up onto a not-quite-finished bridge over the Mississippi, just outside of New Orleans. Had bungee cord attached… I would like to say I jumped, but after repeatedly chickening out, I lost my balance and fell off the edge of the bridge. Undignified, but fun. The adrenaline was still flowing when we got back to the van, and this song was playing when the radio came on. Always reminds me of a great night.
Would? – Alice in Chains
I love this song, but it will always bring back memories of New York, Christmas 1992. A guy called Neil, who I’d met in a bar after a long day shopping, asked me out. I wanted to see Warrior Soul play at The Limelight, so I took him as my date. That night, I got what are still the best kisses of my life. We kissed in the queue to get into the club. We kissed standing down near the front of the stage, while the DJ played this song. We kissed afterwards. I dream of someone kissing me like that again. People have come close (in some cases, very close), but never quite hit the same mark. I did, however, learn things from Neil. For example, if a guy can’t see you on a Tuesday night ‘cause he has to go to Narcotics Anonymous as a condition of his parole, don’t expect too much from him.
I Want To Take You Higher – Sly and the Family Stone
New years eve ’94. New York City. This song just reminds me of the bar I spent the night in. It was in the East Village, and had previously been a toy shop. The bar owners decided to keep the theme, so named the bar Babyland. They had toy chests instead of tables. Cute place, and cute date… an Italian-American called Joe.
Enola Gay – OMD
1995 - Was never really too into the song, but it reminds me of a weekend in ’95 when I decided on a whim to fly to Madrid to see Skid Row. I can’t/won’t go into the details here, but it was 48 hours of over-indulgence and debauchery. What I wouldn’t give for a little bit of that now. Oh, and the gig was good, too!
I Wanna Get Some – Warrior Soul
Do I, fuck. Whenever I hear this, I remember all the gigs I used to go to with Mandy (mostly Skid Row, Warrior Soul, White Zombie and Marilyn Manson). We used to travel all over the country, misbehaving en route. We’ve since lost touch, but they were great years.
If It Makes You Happy – Sheryl Crow
Another contender for personal theme tune. Although I did initially mis-hear the lyrics. She sang: put on a poncho. I heard: put on a porn show. I just thought, hell yeah! It’s a shame, really.
Just in Lust – The Wildhearts
Reminds me of a drum-tech I once knew. ‘nuff said.
The Fairytale of New York – The Pogues w/ Kirsty MacColl
At Christmas, my then-boss used to put on cheesy compilations of fucking awful carols. When she went to the bank, I used to swap her CDs for either this or Leonard Cohen. Fortunately, she did have a sense of humour.
Like Swimming – Morphine
My ex-boss also turned me onto Morphine. It started when she bought the soundtrack to Get Shorty, which included a couple of their songs. We went to see them at The Garage in ’97, and it was one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to. Mark walked onstage, and in the sexiest voice imaginable, said “Hi, we’re Morphine. We’re from Boston.” If they'd walked straight off stage again, I would have been disappointed, but I wouldn’t have felt cheated out of my £8.00 admission. Mark Sandman, RIP.
Bionic – Placebo
Maybe this is not something I should say here, but fuck it… I’ve already made enough implications about battery-operated toys. When I used to live with my parents, their bedroom was next door to mine. They used to get pissed off about the volume of my late-night music… basically it was a cover so they wouldn’t hear me buzzing the bean, so to speak. Metallica was always useful, as their songs are pretty long, but there was nothing quite like Placebo. Harder, faster… indeed! And I still can’t help smiling when I hear the intro to Come Home…
Only Happy When It Rains – Garbage
A serious contender for personal theme tune.
Riders on the Storm – The Doors
I used to programme this on repeat play as a cure for insomnia; I think it was a combination of being tucked up in a warm bed while listening to the bass line and the rain. When I told my (then) boss, she bought me a CD that just had recordings of thunderstorms. I used to love it, but after living in a bed-sit where the roof used to leak over my bed, the sound of the rain is now less comforting.
To The Moon and Back – Savage Garden
Being a water-baby, I had wanted to learn to dive since I tried SCUBA in a pool when I was 10. I finally learnt while in Bali – I was 24. The whole holiday was more beautiful than I could have anticipated, and changed my life forever. I still can’t decide if I like this song, but it was playing everywhere I went, and will always being back the fondest memories of Kuta
Romeo and Juliet – Dire Straits
I spent the summer of 2000 in the Azores. One night, some of the local students took us on a night-time tour of the island we were staying on. Dire Straits was on the car stereo as we parked up on the side of a volcano, looking down on the lights of Ponta Delgada and up at the stars. By dawn, we were sitting on the eastern side of the island, having a barbeque and waiting for the sun to come up. Great times.
Man! I Feel Like a Woman! – Shania Twain
Man! I hate this song! But I also like it in a strange way, as it always reminds me of the pub I worked in for a few months while I was an undergraduate. Just about everyone in the place would stop trying to bullshit each other long enough to sing along with the chorus.
Black Coffee – All Saints
This song takes me back to the bed-sit where I lived as an undergraduate. I used to play this song when I was revising for my final year exams. I never paid attention to all the lyrics, but the “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here” just made me remember that however stressed I was, I was in a situation I had put myself in, and I wouldn’t swap it for anything… I wanted my degree.
Dames – 42nd Street (cast recording)
I saw 42nd Street in the West End when I was about 13. Catherine Zeta Jones played Peggy Sawyer, and aside from my Mum signing Lullaby of Broadway all the way home, I loved it. Early 2002, I spent 10 days in New York. I heard there was a new production of the show on Broadway, so I went to check out the ticket prices. I loved the concept of "rush tickets." Basically, they hold the front row for VIPs, and if none show, they sell off the $100 seats to students – for $20 a shot. My seat was right in the middle of the front row. The show was totally over the top, but amazing. I just sat there with a big smile on my face throughout, then floated back to my hotel feeling totally blissed out.
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
I never really liked this song, but now it reminds me of Neil, a 22-year old from Virginia. We were on the same bus between Noosa and Hervey Bay in Queensland last year. We got chatting during a meal break, and he asked me if I’d like to meet up with him that evening for a drink. He was incredibly cute – I just thought he was being friendly. I’ve never been able to tell if a guy is remotely interested in me. I don’t tend to dance, but the way he grabbed me when this song came on left me little choice. I didn’t pick up on the fact that I was being picked up until he had his hand down the back of my skirt and his tongue in my ear. As certain people never tire of telling me, I am truly useless.
Love Shack – The B52s
I always liked this song, but now it reminds me of being in Australia last year. Got in a plane, ascended to 14 000 feet, and was strapped to a nice man called Meru. He proceeded to throw us out of the “perfectly good aircraft” over Mission Beach, doing multiple somersaults at my request! Serious contender for the biggest ever high. On the drive back to Cairns, this played on the radio. The adrenaline had worn off to leave a calm, playful confidence. I’m normally pretty reserved and shy, but I just wanted to find a pub, so I could put his on the jukebox (it’s always on a jukebox), sing along and dance on the bar.
Replica – The Ga Ga’s
Last November, Skid Row played their first UK dates in eight years. It had been so long, I didn’t expect to get the same kick out of seeing them live, but I enjoyed the London gig so much I went to see them in Cardiff. It was an interesting night for many, many reasons… but I remember feeling a little strange lusting over the rather young looking lead singer of The Ga Ga’s. I felt actively disturbed when I found out he was 20, and almost dirty when I learnt he was from Somerset (...you know how I feel about that place).
I don’t know yet if there will be songs that remind me of this period of my life. I suspect a couple of chillout compilations will forever remind me of the taste of strong coffee and stress.
Time will tell.
The songs are broadly in chronological order. I don’t think they fully reflect my taste in music – the songs that stick are not always the classics - but it should give you some idea.
The Camera Never Lies – Bucks Fizz
OK, so the song sucks little green monkey dicks, but it was the first record I ever bought. I was eight years old and knew no better.
I’ve Been Losing You – a-ha
Sucks less. I used to love a-ha when I was about 12 (it was always Mags, not Morten that did it for me…) and my long-suffering sister took me twice to see them live at Hammersmith. Scored major cool-points at school.
Bad Medicine – Bon Jovi
I loved this song from the first time I heard it, and it probably did more than any other to get me into rock music. Although I did go off the band (they got poppier the same time my tastes got somewhat heavier) this song still reminds me of my high school friends and the gigs we went to.
Piece of Me – Skid Row
Currently designated as my personal theme tune, this song kicks arse.
I loved Skid Row, and the first time I saw them live was at the Marquee. I was 15, and had never seen anything quite like it before. They strutted onstage to the sounds of They’re Coming To Take Me Away, having conquered Milton Keynes the previous day while supporting Bon Jovi. My parents didn’t want me heading home by myself (the fact it was a licensed club, and I was therefore three years underage didn’t appear to bother them); I was only allowed to go after my sister kindly agreed to come and pick me up. By the end of the (fucking amazing) gig, I was covered in my sweat, sweat from the audience, sweat from the band (I was right down the front), beer, water that had been thrown over me, water that had been spat over me, and God-knows what else. My sister was standing in the foyer as I staggered out, she just looked at me in a what-the-fuck-happened-to-you kind of way. With a stupid grin on my face, I told her the 6’ 4” then-lead singer had stage-dived onto me. I have some vague recollection of her eyeballs rolling.
Paint it Black – The Rolling Stones
My Mum kindly took me to see the Stones at Wembley Stadium when I was 16. It was a great day, and I always loved this song… and it kind of reminds me of my wardrobe.
Harvester of Sorrow – Metallica
Pretty much sums up my time at Sixth Form College.
Killed by Death – Motorhead
You get home, and you’re pissed off and you just want to rip someone’s head off? Try playing this instead. Perfect for anger management. Or try this.
Father Time – Richie Sambora
Autumn 1992. I was 18 years old, and had no idea what I wanted to do. So the week after my sister’s wedding, I got on a plane and headed off to travel around the US for a few months. This song is a pretty cheesy ballad. It certainly wasn’t the first song off the album to grab me, but I kept listening to it over and over as the plane approached JFK. Even though I listened to the album (Stranger in this Town) frequently while on long bus journeys – it was perfect late-night road music - I always associated this particular track with the excitement and anticipation of arriving, alone, in a new place. I had an amazing three months, and when I reluctantly got on the plane to return to London, I put on my walkman, thinking it was at the start of the tape. I immediately heard the intro to this song; it brought back what felt like a thousand memories, and I promptly burst into tears.
Little Wing – Skid Row
I love this version of the Hendrix classic. It was great Greyhound music, and I loved listening to it, late at night, watching the world go by, and feeling strangely peaceful.
I Wanna Be Your Dog – The Stooges
I first heard The Stooges while getting somewhat stoned in a LA hostel. I love this song. So much. You know that question you sometimes get asked? If you could go back in time and be someone else, who would it be? For me, there is no debate: Iggy Pop, late sixties (that’s the decade, not his age, by the way.) Sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll… what more could you want?! And he’s not dead.
Try a Little Tenderness – The Commitments Soundtrack
To help me get off the beaten track, I opted to do a three-week tour with a company called Trek-America. One minibus, thirteen youngish back-packer types and a tour leader called Scott - who loved The Commitments Soundtrack. To this day, he remains one of only three guys I’ve ever really come close to falling for. I said goodbye to him in the car park of a Los Angeles hotel. I wish I could remember exactly what he said to me. He told me he had recently met a woman in Vegas, but implied that in other circumstances, there could have been something between us. Anyway, he wins my prize for The Most Ambiguous Goodbye.
Bad to the Bone – George Thorogood
November ’92. We waited until dark, dressed in black, then snuck up onto a not-quite-finished bridge over the Mississippi, just outside of New Orleans. Had bungee cord attached… I would like to say I jumped, but after repeatedly chickening out, I lost my balance and fell off the edge of the bridge. Undignified, but fun. The adrenaline was still flowing when we got back to the van, and this song was playing when the radio came on. Always reminds me of a great night.
Would? – Alice in Chains
I love this song, but it will always bring back memories of New York, Christmas 1992. A guy called Neil, who I’d met in a bar after a long day shopping, asked me out. I wanted to see Warrior Soul play at The Limelight, so I took him as my date. That night, I got what are still the best kisses of my life. We kissed in the queue to get into the club. We kissed standing down near the front of the stage, while the DJ played this song. We kissed afterwards. I dream of someone kissing me like that again. People have come close (in some cases, very close), but never quite hit the same mark. I did, however, learn things from Neil. For example, if a guy can’t see you on a Tuesday night ‘cause he has to go to Narcotics Anonymous as a condition of his parole, don’t expect too much from him.
I Want To Take You Higher – Sly and the Family Stone
New years eve ’94. New York City. This song just reminds me of the bar I spent the night in. It was in the East Village, and had previously been a toy shop. The bar owners decided to keep the theme, so named the bar Babyland. They had toy chests instead of tables. Cute place, and cute date… an Italian-American called Joe.
Enola Gay – OMD
1995 - Was never really too into the song, but it reminds me of a weekend in ’95 when I decided on a whim to fly to Madrid to see Skid Row. I can’t/won’t go into the details here, but it was 48 hours of over-indulgence and debauchery. What I wouldn’t give for a little bit of that now. Oh, and the gig was good, too!
I Wanna Get Some – Warrior Soul
Do I, fuck. Whenever I hear this, I remember all the gigs I used to go to with Mandy (mostly Skid Row, Warrior Soul, White Zombie and Marilyn Manson). We used to travel all over the country, misbehaving en route. We’ve since lost touch, but they were great years.
If It Makes You Happy – Sheryl Crow
Another contender for personal theme tune. Although I did initially mis-hear the lyrics. She sang: put on a poncho. I heard: put on a porn show. I just thought, hell yeah! It’s a shame, really.
Just in Lust – The Wildhearts
Reminds me of a drum-tech I once knew. ‘nuff said.
The Fairytale of New York – The Pogues w/ Kirsty MacColl
At Christmas, my then-boss used to put on cheesy compilations of fucking awful carols. When she went to the bank, I used to swap her CDs for either this or Leonard Cohen. Fortunately, she did have a sense of humour.
Like Swimming – Morphine
My ex-boss also turned me onto Morphine. It started when she bought the soundtrack to Get Shorty, which included a couple of their songs. We went to see them at The Garage in ’97, and it was one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to. Mark walked onstage, and in the sexiest voice imaginable, said “Hi, we’re Morphine. We’re from Boston.” If they'd walked straight off stage again, I would have been disappointed, but I wouldn’t have felt cheated out of my £8.00 admission. Mark Sandman, RIP.
Bionic – Placebo
Maybe this is not something I should say here, but fuck it… I’ve already made enough implications about battery-operated toys. When I used to live with my parents, their bedroom was next door to mine. They used to get pissed off about the volume of my late-night music… basically it was a cover so they wouldn’t hear me buzzing the bean, so to speak. Metallica was always useful, as their songs are pretty long, but there was nothing quite like Placebo. Harder, faster… indeed! And I still can’t help smiling when I hear the intro to Come Home…
Only Happy When It Rains – Garbage
A serious contender for personal theme tune.
Riders on the Storm – The Doors
I used to programme this on repeat play as a cure for insomnia; I think it was a combination of being tucked up in a warm bed while listening to the bass line and the rain. When I told my (then) boss, she bought me a CD that just had recordings of thunderstorms. I used to love it, but after living in a bed-sit where the roof used to leak over my bed, the sound of the rain is now less comforting.
To The Moon and Back – Savage Garden
Being a water-baby, I had wanted to learn to dive since I tried SCUBA in a pool when I was 10. I finally learnt while in Bali – I was 24. The whole holiday was more beautiful than I could have anticipated, and changed my life forever. I still can’t decide if I like this song, but it was playing everywhere I went, and will always being back the fondest memories of Kuta
Romeo and Juliet – Dire Straits
I spent the summer of 2000 in the Azores. One night, some of the local students took us on a night-time tour of the island we were staying on. Dire Straits was on the car stereo as we parked up on the side of a volcano, looking down on the lights of Ponta Delgada and up at the stars. By dawn, we were sitting on the eastern side of the island, having a barbeque and waiting for the sun to come up. Great times.
Man! I Feel Like a Woman! – Shania Twain
Man! I hate this song! But I also like it in a strange way, as it always reminds me of the pub I worked in for a few months while I was an undergraduate. Just about everyone in the place would stop trying to bullshit each other long enough to sing along with the chorus.
Black Coffee – All Saints
This song takes me back to the bed-sit where I lived as an undergraduate. I used to play this song when I was revising for my final year exams. I never paid attention to all the lyrics, but the “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but here” just made me remember that however stressed I was, I was in a situation I had put myself in, and I wouldn’t swap it for anything… I wanted my degree.
Dames – 42nd Street (cast recording)
I saw 42nd Street in the West End when I was about 13. Catherine Zeta Jones played Peggy Sawyer, and aside from my Mum signing Lullaby of Broadway all the way home, I loved it. Early 2002, I spent 10 days in New York. I heard there was a new production of the show on Broadway, so I went to check out the ticket prices. I loved the concept of "rush tickets." Basically, they hold the front row for VIPs, and if none show, they sell off the $100 seats to students – for $20 a shot. My seat was right in the middle of the front row. The show was totally over the top, but amazing. I just sat there with a big smile on my face throughout, then floated back to my hotel feeling totally blissed out.
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
I never really liked this song, but now it reminds me of Neil, a 22-year old from Virginia. We were on the same bus between Noosa and Hervey Bay in Queensland last year. We got chatting during a meal break, and he asked me if I’d like to meet up with him that evening for a drink. He was incredibly cute – I just thought he was being friendly. I’ve never been able to tell if a guy is remotely interested in me. I don’t tend to dance, but the way he grabbed me when this song came on left me little choice. I didn’t pick up on the fact that I was being picked up until he had his hand down the back of my skirt and his tongue in my ear. As certain people never tire of telling me, I am truly useless.
Love Shack – The B52s
I always liked this song, but now it reminds me of being in Australia last year. Got in a plane, ascended to 14 000 feet, and was strapped to a nice man called Meru. He proceeded to throw us out of the “perfectly good aircraft” over Mission Beach, doing multiple somersaults at my request! Serious contender for the biggest ever high. On the drive back to Cairns, this played on the radio. The adrenaline had worn off to leave a calm, playful confidence. I’m normally pretty reserved and shy, but I just wanted to find a pub, so I could put his on the jukebox (it’s always on a jukebox), sing along and dance on the bar.
Replica – The Ga Ga’s
Last November, Skid Row played their first UK dates in eight years. It had been so long, I didn’t expect to get the same kick out of seeing them live, but I enjoyed the London gig so much I went to see them in Cardiff. It was an interesting night for many, many reasons… but I remember feeling a little strange lusting over the rather young looking lead singer of The Ga Ga’s. I felt actively disturbed when I found out he was 20, and almost dirty when I learnt he was from Somerset (...you know how I feel about that place).
I don’t know yet if there will be songs that remind me of this period of my life. I suspect a couple of chillout compilations will forever remind me of the taste of strong coffee and stress.
Time will tell.
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Wish-lists
I sometimes have days where I realise my priorities are not quite what they should be. The most recent case of this involved a rather drunken wish-list that I made with an old school friend. I’ll call her Millie. She came to visit me sometime around the new year, and at her suggestion, we made a list of things that we wanted to do. I recently found the list in my study, and decided to type it up in preparation for her next visit.
Oh, boy!
My wish list started out sensibly enough:
1- Learn to ride - I’ve always wanted to learn to ride horses. I’ve done the pony-trekking-on-holiday thing, but I could always picture myself riding alone through the American southwest… with GPS and a satellite phone, naturally.
2 - Dive with manta rays. Hopefully, next proper holiday.
3 – Three-in-a-bed sex romp with two rather cute rock singers I like (they shall remain nameless) - it's never going to happen, but this was never solely about realism!
4 - Own a flat in NYC, preferably with a single, horny fireman next door
5 – Have dick for a week
6 – Get my PhD…
What’s wrong with this picture?! Really? I’m not sure being drunk counts as much of a defence.
Anyway, as a breakdown of this, 10 out of my 20 wishes involved sex (for Millie, this was 16 out of 33). Among the non-smutty suggestions, Millie wishes to watch more sunsets, own a vineyard and be able to read peoples’ minds. I want to get my skydiving qualification, and write a screenplay.
Time will tell.
Oh, boy!
My wish list started out sensibly enough:
1- Learn to ride - I’ve always wanted to learn to ride horses. I’ve done the pony-trekking-on-holiday thing, but I could always picture myself riding alone through the American southwest… with GPS and a satellite phone, naturally.
2 - Dive with manta rays. Hopefully, next proper holiday.
3 – Three-in-a-bed sex romp with two rather cute rock singers I like (they shall remain nameless) - it's never going to happen, but this was never solely about realism!
4 - Own a flat in NYC, preferably with a single, horny fireman next door
5 – Have dick for a week
6 – Get my PhD…
What’s wrong with this picture?! Really? I’m not sure being drunk counts as much of a defence.
Anyway, as a breakdown of this, 10 out of my 20 wishes involved sex (for Millie, this was 16 out of 33). Among the non-smutty suggestions, Millie wishes to watch more sunsets, own a vineyard and be able to read peoples’ minds. I want to get my skydiving qualification, and write a screenplay.
Time will tell.
MP3 heaven
Almost done!
With the exception of a few discs I appear to have mislaid, I have now succeeded in ripping almost my entire CD collection to MP3. At least the decent tracks, anyway. I appear to have far too many CDs that contain only one track worth keeping; I really should do something about that.
Including files recently acquired from iTunes, as well as a couple of other sources (you know who you are...), the current total stands at 2132 tracks, taking up 11.47 GB of disc space.
And yes, I know I'm supposed to be finishing my lab-work and writing a thesis.
With the exception of a few discs I appear to have mislaid, I have now succeeded in ripping almost my entire CD collection to MP3. At least the decent tracks, anyway. I appear to have far too many CDs that contain only one track worth keeping; I really should do something about that.
Including files recently acquired from iTunes, as well as a couple of other sources (you know who you are...), the current total stands at 2132 tracks, taking up 11.47 GB of disc space.
And yes, I know I'm supposed to be finishing my lab-work and writing a thesis.
Monday, July 26, 2004
Bit of a shame, that...
After having a couple of drinks last night, I called Sean (who recently became the cute-graduate). I've spoken to him a few times over the last couple of weeks, and he's always nice to chat to... but, will I get to see him again? After talking to him for about half an hour, his mobile battery died before I had a chance to proposition him. So I sent him a text. I was tipsy, and it seemed like a good idea at the time.
I re-read it this morning, and winced. I forwarded it to a friend, who among other things, said I should get 10 out of 10 for directness. I got home after work and waited, wondering if I would receive a phone call or a restraining order. Anyway, he called... and told me he was rather hung up on a girl he's been seeing on and off for a while. It may have been bullshit, who knows? But, he couldn't have been nicer about it, which I appreciated to say the least. I just asked him if there were any nice guys in the year below him. He gave me a couple of names of guys I should look out for... who knows?
I'm only pissed off as it would have been nice and easy. Finding men around here that bear any resemblance to human beings is not always easy. Please... wish me luck!!
I re-read it this morning, and winced. I forwarded it to a friend, who among other things, said I should get 10 out of 10 for directness. I got home after work and waited, wondering if I would receive a phone call or a restraining order. Anyway, he called... and told me he was rather hung up on a girl he's been seeing on and off for a while. It may have been bullshit, who knows? But, he couldn't have been nicer about it, which I appreciated to say the least. I just asked him if there were any nice guys in the year below him. He gave me a couple of names of guys I should look out for... who knows?
I'm only pissed off as it would have been nice and easy. Finding men around here that bear any resemblance to human beings is not always easy. Please... wish me luck!!
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Food, glorious food...
It’s my Mum’s 65th Birthday on Monday, and I’m unsure if that makes me or her feel older. Anyway, in honour of this, I headed off to cow country (Somerset, to the uninitiated) to spend the night at my parent’s house. I arrived as my sister was whipping my Dad at Scrabble… It’s a long running feud; I tend to leave them to it, as word games are really not my thing. I prefer a challenge that involves untamed violence and aggression. Like air hockey, for example.
On Saturday night, we walked to a local hotel for a lovely dinner. It’s a reasonably upmarket place (although probably less upmarket than it thinks it is), so I was just relieved that my Dad decided against giving me any shit for wearing a skanky old pair of Converse. Anyway, dinner was lovely, and for a student, dining out on salmon is a real treat.
As they only have one spare bed, I was out-ranked by my sister and brother-in-law, thus relegated to sleeping on the sofa. Normally, this wouldn’t be too much of a problem, but I woke up about 5.30 am, and couldn’t get back to sleep. In the end, I gave up trying, and turned on the TV instead. My parents have digital satellite, which includes around 20 music video channels. Whenever I visit, I sit and repeatedly flick through all of them, and it drives my Dad crazy. The biggest monstrosity I encountered was Gene Simmons (of Kiss) massacring The Prodigy’s Firestarter. I couldn’t decide which was worse, his version of the song, or the video – filled with bikini-clad, silicon-enhanced blondes – which was so tacky and OTT that even David Lee Roth would probably have thought it too much.
On Sunday, my sister had kindly volunteered to show off her culinary skills by cooking a wonderful Sunday lunch for us all. It beat the hotel hands down, and I think she was rather chuffed when I told her that it was the best meal I’d had in a very long time. However, given my general ineptitude in the kitchen, this is hardly surprising. Most of my meals tend to involve rice, pasta or toast, and without fail lack any kind of ambition. I think part of the problem is living on my own, there's no-one to even try to impress.
On Saturday night, we walked to a local hotel for a lovely dinner. It’s a reasonably upmarket place (although probably less upmarket than it thinks it is), so I was just relieved that my Dad decided against giving me any shit for wearing a skanky old pair of Converse. Anyway, dinner was lovely, and for a student, dining out on salmon is a real treat.
As they only have one spare bed, I was out-ranked by my sister and brother-in-law, thus relegated to sleeping on the sofa. Normally, this wouldn’t be too much of a problem, but I woke up about 5.30 am, and couldn’t get back to sleep. In the end, I gave up trying, and turned on the TV instead. My parents have digital satellite, which includes around 20 music video channels. Whenever I visit, I sit and repeatedly flick through all of them, and it drives my Dad crazy. The biggest monstrosity I encountered was Gene Simmons (of Kiss) massacring The Prodigy’s Firestarter. I couldn’t decide which was worse, his version of the song, or the video – filled with bikini-clad, silicon-enhanced blondes – which was so tacky and OTT that even David Lee Roth would probably have thought it too much.
On Sunday, my sister had kindly volunteered to show off her culinary skills by cooking a wonderful Sunday lunch for us all. It beat the hotel hands down, and I think she was rather chuffed when I told her that it was the best meal I’d had in a very long time. However, given my general ineptitude in the kitchen, this is hardly surprising. Most of my meals tend to involve rice, pasta or toast, and without fail lack any kind of ambition. I think part of the problem is living on my own, there's no-one to even try to impress.
Friday, July 23, 2004
Bikini Time
No, I’m not off to the beach. I just think this is what I’m going to have to resort to if the temperature in the lab doesn’t drop and the powers that be still expect me to wear a lab coat. It's not even that hot outside.
Christ! I mean it’s not like I wear that much clothing anyway.
Christ! I mean it’s not like I wear that much clothing anyway.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Geek.
OK, I'm a girl, and as such I shouldn't get so excited about these things... but I just got the coolest little USB Flash Drive. It's tiny and purple and it's cute. And it stores 256 MB of data. After speaking with my supervisor, he said I could buy it off my research contract, as I am likely to use it mostly for backing up and transporting my fledgling thesis. I just hope the trip to the computer supplies company doesn't end up costing me more than I bargained for; I think I got flashed by a speed camera on the way there. I'm not sure that my defence of "I was almost on the motorway" will count for much...
To add to my current the-day-doesn't-suck feeling, my copy of Saint Silas Intersession's debut single/EP finally arrived, kindly packaged with some random freebies (that I have yet to listen to).
I suspect my neighbours are sick of it already :-)
To add to my current the-day-doesn't-suck feeling, my copy of Saint Silas Intersession's debut single/EP finally arrived, kindly packaged with some random freebies (that I have yet to listen to).
I suspect my neighbours are sick of it already :-)
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Bloody Trailfinders...
This town is dull, I'm bored with work and I don't have much money to do anything interesting. And I'm all to aware of all of this. Typical then, that this morning I should get the new Trailfinders brochure through the post... complete with wonderfully enticing pictures of New Zealand on the cover. I couldn't even bear to open it, I just threw it in the bin, and resigned myself to several more months of this poxy little town. (Or "big, exciting city" as some of the country-folk I know think of it... Christ, sometimes I swear I can still smell the cow shit on their shoes...)
Anyway, just to remind myself that there is a world beyond these island shores, I scanned some of the photo's I took in Australia last year.
This was taken on a safety stop after a dive on the Great Barrier Reef:
Oh, and while I was there, I found Nemo:
Anyway, just to remind myself that there is a world beyond these island shores, I scanned some of the photo's I took in Australia last year.
This was taken on a safety stop after a dive on the Great Barrier Reef:
Oh, and while I was there, I found Nemo:
Sunday, July 18, 2004
iTunes
OK, so since I got my super duper computer upgrade, I have been working pretty hard. Mostly scanning my photo's (from work, of course), straightening them and trying to sort them into some kind of order. That, and trying to rip my entire CD collection to MP3.
I downloaded the Apple software for iTunes... and it is pretty impressive. I used to have RealPlayer, but it crashed without fail when I asked it to do anything vaguely taxing. I've also tried HMV's dowload service, but it sucked without comparison. By contrast, the Apple software is fast, user friendly and so far (touch wood) hasn't given me any kind of grief.
As I went through my CD collection, I edited out the tracks that I knew I would never, ever listen to again (unless I do actually go to Hell). I also identified certain "mistakes" that are going straight to eBay... although there are some I may actually be too embarrassed to sell. The Quireboys being a case in point (in my defence... I would point out that the £1.99 sale sticker is still on it.)
Listening to: everything :-)
I downloaded the Apple software for iTunes... and it is pretty impressive. I used to have RealPlayer, but it crashed without fail when I asked it to do anything vaguely taxing. I've also tried HMV's dowload service, but it sucked without comparison. By contrast, the Apple software is fast, user friendly and so far (touch wood) hasn't given me any kind of grief.
As I went through my CD collection, I edited out the tracks that I knew I would never, ever listen to again (unless I do actually go to Hell). I also identified certain "mistakes" that are going straight to eBay... although there are some I may actually be too embarrassed to sell. The Quireboys being a case in point (in my defence... I would point out that the £1.99 sale sticker is still on it.)
Listening to: everything :-)
Histology Hell
I tried. I tried hard. I tried everything. I've just spent an unproductive afternoon in our histology lab. Normally, being frustrated and covered in wax would conjure up rather more pleasant images... not today.
For those not in the know... I have to embed my samples in hot wax, let the wax cool, then section them on a microtome. If you're good (and I do have good days), the sections come off in a nice long ribbon, and you can mount them onto slides, ready for staining. Other days, nothing works, and if you are like me, you finish up just wanting to break things. That is usually the point where I know it is time to leave. Part of the problem is that there are just too many things that can go wrong. Troubleshooting loses every appeal when you've tried every remedy you know at least twice, and then have lost your samples in a pile of wax shavings on the bench. If only crying would help...
Listening to: The Chemical Brothers
For those not in the know... I have to embed my samples in hot wax, let the wax cool, then section them on a microtome. If you're good (and I do have good days), the sections come off in a nice long ribbon, and you can mount them onto slides, ready for staining. Other days, nothing works, and if you are like me, you finish up just wanting to break things. That is usually the point where I know it is time to leave. Part of the problem is that there are just too many things that can go wrong. Troubleshooting loses every appeal when you've tried every remedy you know at least twice, and then have lost your samples in a pile of wax shavings on the bench. If only crying would help...
Listening to: The Chemical Brothers
Monday, July 12, 2004
Graduation week
It's that time of year again. Lots and lots of students excitedly wandering around the university wearing rather silly looking gowns, and begrudgingly posing for the photo's demanded by their oh-so-proud parents.
Can it really be three years since I suffered this?
Feeling: old
Can it really be three years since I suffered this?
Feeling: old
It finally arrived...
...my scanner, that is. Not bad, considering I ordered it about five weeks ago. Unfortunately, the bureaucratic bullshit that surrounds this university means that you can only order certain equipment from "approved suppliers." It doesn't matter that they are rarely the cheapest, and that the order has to get bounced around about three departments before even being placed. Anyway, it scans just about everything, so I can finally get around to sorting out the four hundred or so photo's I have.
I also got my copy of Paint Shop Pro. I'm getting used to it, but after having version six for about four years, my first reaction to the new version (eight) was "aahhhhhh... they've moved everything." That aside, the straighten function has probably stopped me from going insane, and I've come to the conclusion that the clone tool is my new best friend. It rocks.
I also got my copy of Paint Shop Pro. I'm getting used to it, but after having version six for about four years, my first reaction to the new version (eight) was "aahhhhhh... they've moved everything." That aside, the straighten function has probably stopped me from going insane, and I've come to the conclusion that the clone tool is my new best friend. It rocks.
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Brittle stars
There are things I particularly like about what I do. For one thing, not many people have an electron microscope they can play with.
I recently took pictures of some brittle stars that the undergraduates brought back after a recent field trip. I think they assumed I was going to put them in a tank and take care of the poor little things. Instead, I stuck them in glutaraldehyde.
Never mind.
(Both the pictures are of the underside of the animals)
I recently took pictures of some brittle stars that the undergraduates brought back after a recent field trip. I think they assumed I was going to put them in a tank and take care of the poor little things. Instead, I stuck them in glutaraldehyde.
Never mind.
(Both the pictures are of the underside of the animals)
Saturday, July 10, 2004
More pictures...
Yep, I'm still playing with the camera...
I have no idea exactly what this was, but I thought it was kind of cute ;-)
And waterlillies are rather cheesy, but what the hell!
I have no idea exactly what this was, but I thought it was kind of cute ;-)
And waterlillies are rather cheesy, but what the hell!
Friday, July 09, 2004
The computer queen
My sister recently acquired some good second-hand computers though a friend. And like the angel she is (I say that with a certain smirk on my face), she earmarked one of them for me. God knows I needed the upgrade… If my old computer was a person, it would have been my Dad: old, getting slower by the week, and prone to being somewhat grumpy and obnoxious.
Anyway, yesterday I stuck the poor old thing in the back of my car and drove back to London, grateful that my technically proficient sister was going to handle the installation on a new operating system and swapping over of various components. A part of me likes to think that maybe I could have attempted this… if only I had three days to spare, a Dummies Guide, and a large bottle of Valium.
Anyway, after raiding her kitchen and chatting for a while, I left her the Windows 2000, Office and Paint Shop Pro discs to wrestle with while I went out to play. I feel obliged to point out, that I did at least have the decency to feel some guilt about this.
I hauled my arse across town to go and see the wonderful Saint Silas Intercession at The Garage. The gig was fantastic (as expected). I had only seen them once before, supporting Placebo at The Brixton Academy… they were even better than I remembered.
They call their music Rhythm & Balls, which doesn’t fully do it justice, but it’s a description I cannot better. My taste in music has diversified one hell of a lot over recent years, but if there’s one thing (musically) guaranteed to get me off, it’s loud, ballsy guitars. Cool lyrics are a bonus, but if a band get the guitars right, I wouldn’t care if they sang their way through the local telephone directory.
If you’d like to hear them, click here, then go to the audio section.
Anyway, I got back to Bibliogirl’s house to find the computer and her sanity both still relatively intact (I had been tempted to check the house for baseball bats before I left, just in case). Anyway, we chatted some more, she teased me about the amount of porn on my hard drive (I honestly thought I’d deleted it), I thanked her again then left to drive home. I got back about 2.30 am, and probably should have gone to bed. Instead, I hooked the computer back up, and re-installed my modem. Wow… I’ve only just realised quite what a geek that makes me.
Anyway, yesterday I stuck the poor old thing in the back of my car and drove back to London, grateful that my technically proficient sister was going to handle the installation on a new operating system and swapping over of various components. A part of me likes to think that maybe I could have attempted this… if only I had three days to spare, a Dummies Guide, and a large bottle of Valium.
Anyway, after raiding her kitchen and chatting for a while, I left her the Windows 2000, Office and Paint Shop Pro discs to wrestle with while I went out to play. I feel obliged to point out, that I did at least have the decency to feel some guilt about this.
I hauled my arse across town to go and see the wonderful Saint Silas Intercession at The Garage. The gig was fantastic (as expected). I had only seen them once before, supporting Placebo at The Brixton Academy… they were even better than I remembered.
They call their music Rhythm & Balls, which doesn’t fully do it justice, but it’s a description I cannot better. My taste in music has diversified one hell of a lot over recent years, but if there’s one thing (musically) guaranteed to get me off, it’s loud, ballsy guitars. Cool lyrics are a bonus, but if a band get the guitars right, I wouldn’t care if they sang their way through the local telephone directory.
If you’d like to hear them, click here, then go to the audio section.
Anyway, I got back to Bibliogirl’s house to find the computer and her sanity both still relatively intact (I had been tempted to check the house for baseball bats before I left, just in case). Anyway, we chatted some more, she teased me about the amount of porn on my hard drive (I honestly thought I’d deleted it), I thanked her again then left to drive home. I got back about 2.30 am, and probably should have gone to bed. Instead, I hooked the computer back up, and re-installed my modem. Wow… I’ve only just realised quite what a geek that makes me.
Monday, July 05, 2004
Why?
As I left the lab this evening, I ran into a friend of mine. When I first told him (with some surprise) that I did have feelings for Sean, his generous response was “welcome to the human race.” He’s kind enough to always make the right noises, but I suspect he views the whole saga with a greater amount of vague amusement and boredom than sympathy. In all honestly, I can’t say I blame him. I later ranted to him via text message about how, above everything else, it was just downright rude that Sean hadn’t called.
I think I realised deep down that I was unlikely to hear from Sean again some time ago, but it was really only over the weekend that I felt totally fine with it. Typical then, that the little bastard decided to phone me tonight. He was polite, and funny (oh, and he has a damn sexy voice). The conversation was clean (almost), and it was good to hear from him.
I just wish I knew if he really called to chat, or if he thought he might run into me at his imminent graduation and wanted to avoid looking like an arsehole.
Jesus… I am turning into Bridget Jones. Will someone please get the shotgun at the ready?
I think I realised deep down that I was unlikely to hear from Sean again some time ago, but it was really only over the weekend that I felt totally fine with it. Typical then, that the little bastard decided to phone me tonight. He was polite, and funny (oh, and he has a damn sexy voice). The conversation was clean (almost), and it was good to hear from him.
I just wish I knew if he really called to chat, or if he thought he might run into me at his imminent graduation and wanted to avoid looking like an arsehole.
Jesus… I am turning into Bridget Jones. Will someone please get the shotgun at the ready?
Heaven in a cardboard box
My sister called me last week, and asked me for the postal address of the lab. She said she had some things to send me that "probably" wouldn't fit through my letterbox at home. She wasn't kidding.
It's probably worth pointing out that the local postal workers are none too bright; they delivered the rather large box to another building, hence it arrived a day or two later than expected via the internal mail. Never mind, though. Opening that box had to be the coolest start to a Monday morning ever.
Removal of the lid revealed a label, stating this was the "Why the Fuck Did I Ever Think a PhD Was a Good Idea" emergency survival kit. Anyway, I delved in, to find the following:
-One copy of MagCulture: New Magazine Design
-One copy of ELLE Decoration (both good distraction material)
-Half a bottle of vodka (always appreciated)
-One packet of Rocket Fuel coffee (looks lethal, have yet to try it)
-One packet of Pro-Plus (more caffeine!)
-Herbal anti-stress remedy (I'm guessing she couldn't get Valium...)
-Herbal sleep-helping pills (as my sister pointed out... this may be incompatible with some of the above)
-Large packet of fun-size chocolate bars (shared around the lab, although I kept most of the Rolos and the Milky Bar Buttons :-)
-Six tubes of Smarties (if we still had project students in the lab, I'd make them remove the brown ones)
-Five bars of assorted Lindt chocolate (hyperglycaemic shock, anyone?)
-Packet of highlighter pens (always useful)
-Packet of glitter gel pens (for when I'm getting way too sensible)
-Two packets of batteries (my sister says: for a girl's best friend... Fortunately not many people asked!)
-Some CDs (varying from Apocalyptica to Aqua via Irish Drinking Songs)
-A calendar (modified somewhat for my circumstances)
I quickly set about showing it to everybody I could find. This tended to generate one (or both) of two responses:
- "Has your sister done a PhD?" (The answer, unsurprisingly, is yes)
- "You have the coolest sister in the world."
I am inclined to agree.
It's probably worth pointing out that the local postal workers are none too bright; they delivered the rather large box to another building, hence it arrived a day or two later than expected via the internal mail. Never mind, though. Opening that box had to be the coolest start to a Monday morning ever.
Removal of the lid revealed a label, stating this was the "Why the Fuck Did I Ever Think a PhD Was a Good Idea" emergency survival kit. Anyway, I delved in, to find the following:
-One copy of MagCulture: New Magazine Design
-One copy of ELLE Decoration (both good distraction material)
-Half a bottle of vodka (always appreciated)
-One packet of Rocket Fuel coffee (looks lethal, have yet to try it)
-One packet of Pro-Plus (more caffeine!)
-Herbal anti-stress remedy (I'm guessing she couldn't get Valium...)
-Herbal sleep-helping pills (as my sister pointed out... this may be incompatible with some of the above)
-Large packet of fun-size chocolate bars (shared around the lab, although I kept most of the Rolos and the Milky Bar Buttons :-)
-Six tubes of Smarties (if we still had project students in the lab, I'd make them remove the brown ones)
-Five bars of assorted Lindt chocolate (hyperglycaemic shock, anyone?)
-Packet of highlighter pens (always useful)
-Packet of glitter gel pens (for when I'm getting way too sensible)
-Two packets of batteries (my sister says: for a girl's best friend... Fortunately not many people asked!)
-Some CDs (varying from Apocalyptica to Aqua via Irish Drinking Songs)
-A calendar (modified somewhat for my circumstances)
I quickly set about showing it to everybody I could find. This tended to generate one (or both) of two responses:
- "Has your sister done a PhD?" (The answer, unsurprisingly, is yes)
- "You have the coolest sister in the world."
I am inclined to agree.
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Not an exciting weekend (unless you're Greek)
Saturday was spent tidying up and trying to schedule what little lab time I have left. I think my parents realised I was rather pissed off when I spoke to them on the phone, so they drove down to visit me on Sunday. The all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet did help, but I think I only cheered up when I beat my Dad 7-5 7-4 at air hockey in a local arcade. It's just a shame that he's not getting any younger, and is on medication for his diabetes and blood pressure. It kind of cheapens the victory.
Anyway, he's always been an over-competitive bastard, and I won ;-)
On the upside, Greece beat Portugal in the final of Euro 2004. We have a few Greeks at the lab; I don't know if tomorrow they will still be happy, or nursing monster-sized hangovers.
Anyway, he's always been an over-competitive bastard, and I won ;-)
On the upside, Greece beat Portugal in the final of Euro 2004. We have a few Greeks at the lab; I don't know if tomorrow they will still be happy, or nursing monster-sized hangovers.
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Ho hum...
I have now reached the point where I can't tell any longer if I'm bored or depressed. There is a fine line between the two around here... I am by now quite possibly both.
Science by it's nature can be rather repetitive, but I've spent the last few weeks photographing and fixing embryos. And before anyone objects, they are not human, or indeed any other species that people get particularly emotive about. It was fun for a while, but sitting by myself in a little room with a couple of microscopes and a crappy CD player for company is starting to take its toll.
I just want this to be over.
Listening to: Stranger in this Town - Richie Sambora
Craving: chocolate... lots and lots of chocolate
In need of: a big hug, lots of sleep, a holiday and sex
On the upside...
- my ever wonderful sister has acquired some second-hand computers, and has promised to send one of them down to me; it should be one hell of an improvement on what I currently have at home
- our computer techie department have finally got me my copy of Paintshop Pro version 8 (my supervisor thinks I'm going to use it for work... I prefer to design covers for my CD compilations)
- and last, but definitely not least, Saint Silas Intercession are playing the Garage next week :-) Yay!
Like I need an excuse to get out of this town...
Science by it's nature can be rather repetitive, but I've spent the last few weeks photographing and fixing embryos. And before anyone objects, they are not human, or indeed any other species that people get particularly emotive about. It was fun for a while, but sitting by myself in a little room with a couple of microscopes and a crappy CD player for company is starting to take its toll.
I just want this to be over.
Listening to: Stranger in this Town - Richie Sambora
Craving: chocolate... lots and lots of chocolate
In need of: a big hug, lots of sleep, a holiday and sex
On the upside...
- my ever wonderful sister has acquired some second-hand computers, and has promised to send one of them down to me; it should be one hell of an improvement on what I currently have at home
- our computer techie department have finally got me my copy of Paintshop Pro version 8 (my supervisor thinks I'm going to use it for work... I prefer to design covers for my CD compilations)
- and last, but definitely not least, Saint Silas Intercession are playing the Garage next week :-) Yay!
Like I need an excuse to get out of this town...
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