Friday, August 27, 2004
this may be useful:
Lifted from the Feedback column of New Scientist (28th August 2004):
FEEDBACK has an email address that acts as a magnet for people needing answers. Queries here range from requests for ways of getting around drug testing of urine to subscription rates for obscure magazines, and from "please write my homework essay on the big bang" to "what's this that I found on my porch?"
Don't these people know that Tim Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau invented the World Wide Web precisely to avoid answering such emails? It was the politest way possible of saying to particle physicists "look it up yourself". And search engines are almost perfect for this fundamental purpose, assuming you apply a moment's thought to the question.
Several people have become frustrated with those who fail to do this. One individual was sufficiently annoyed to create www.fuckinggoogleit.com, which tells them "Google is your friend: all smart people use Google. You appear not to be one of them."
You can even define the search for them. When someone asks you to help them with their homework about the big bang, just send them the link http://www.justfuckinggoogleit.com/search?query=Big+Bang and tell them to click on it and wait. After pausing a few seconds to allow the message to sink in, the site will send them on to the search they need to do. Anonymous author, we salute you!
FEEDBACK has an email address that acts as a magnet for people needing answers. Queries here range from requests for ways of getting around drug testing of urine to subscription rates for obscure magazines, and from "please write my homework essay on the big bang" to "what's this that I found on my porch?"
Don't these people know that Tim Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau invented the World Wide Web precisely to avoid answering such emails? It was the politest way possible of saying to particle physicists "look it up yourself". And search engines are almost perfect for this fundamental purpose, assuming you apply a moment's thought to the question.
Several people have become frustrated with those who fail to do this. One individual was sufficiently annoyed to create www.fuckinggoogleit.com, which tells them "Google is your friend: all smart people use Google. You appear not to be one of them."
You can even define the search for them. When someone asks you to help them with their homework about the big bang, just send them the link http://www.justfuckinggoogleit.com/search?query=Big+Bang and tell them to click on it and wait. After pausing a few seconds to allow the message to sink in, the site will send them on to the search they need to do. Anonymous author, we salute you!
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
jesus h. christ
So Blogger has now installed the nice little Next Blog button at the top of the screen. This is an amusing way to browse, until you stumble into a tragedy like this.
Monday, August 23, 2004
the essential supplies
OK... so after a couple of shopping trips, I now have most of the items I need for this whole thesis writing lark. Among the highlights:
- paper plates and plastic cutlery (not environmentally friendly I know, but prevents using dish-washing as a work avoidance tactic)
- St. John's wort - it kept me sane revising for exams as an undergraduate
- Bach's Rescue Remedy - I'm no tree-hugging hippy, but I know enough people who swear by this stuff that I'm willing to give it a shot. Anyway, it contains alcohol
- Nytol - the woman in Boots pointed out it is not suitable for long term use. I informed her I only intend to use it as long as it takes me to write my thesis. She sold it to me anyway...
- several reams of paper ("borrowed" from the lab)
- lots of coffee.
What else do I need??!
(The first person to suggest "a miracle" gets it!)
- paper plates and plastic cutlery (not environmentally friendly I know, but prevents using dish-washing as a work avoidance tactic)
- St. John's wort - it kept me sane revising for exams as an undergraduate
- Bach's Rescue Remedy - I'm no tree-hugging hippy, but I know enough people who swear by this stuff that I'm willing to give it a shot. Anyway, it contains alcohol
- Nytol - the woman in Boots pointed out it is not suitable for long term use. I informed her I only intend to use it as long as it takes me to write my thesis. She sold it to me anyway...
- several reams of paper ("borrowed" from the lab)
- lots of coffee.
What else do I need??!
(The first person to suggest "a miracle" gets it!)
Friday, August 20, 2004
some other time
Initially, I had been planning to head up to London tonight to see Saint Silas play up in Soho. I'm just pissed off that I'm too tired to even consider the drive. Bummer... maybe next time :-(
sneaking etc.
It took me a couple of hours to drive down the coast to the town where Sean had been working for the day. Technically, it was his day off, but he’d been doing some cash-in-hand labouring work with a friend. He looked cute as ever when I met up with him, but I was a little disappointed that he’d changed out of his hot and sweaty work clothes!
Anyway, we went for a few drinks, along with Tim and Sarah (his work buddy & girlfriend), and their baby girl (who is Sean’s God-daughter.) It was lovely, if not a little weird to see him again after so long. It was also a nice relief to chat to people about things that weren't science.
Anyway, Sean had asked his parents if one of his “friends from university” could stay over. I’m not sure if he mentioned me being a frustrated 30-year-old postgrad. They had very kindly, if somewhat naively, made up the guest bedroom. We didn't arrive back there until after his parents had gone to bed... we snuck upstairs and sat in a converted loft with a duvet covering the stairs, drinking wine, making out (quietly), and burning incense while smoking weed (and blowing the smoke out of the window.) Maybe this is what it would have been like if I had been in a possession of a life when I was 15… I never got to sneak around much as a teenager, so it was all rather fun...
The next morning, I went to see Sean in action at his regular job. It was amusing enough that I would love to describe it here… but it would be way too specific. Let's just say that it involved bubbles!
I don’t know if I’ll see him again… but here’s hoping. That's the kind of fun I could use on a regular basis, and I truly can't think of a better use for half a tank of petrol.
Anyway, we went for a few drinks, along with Tim and Sarah (his work buddy & girlfriend), and their baby girl (who is Sean’s God-daughter.) It was lovely, if not a little weird to see him again after so long. It was also a nice relief to chat to people about things that weren't science.
Anyway, Sean had asked his parents if one of his “friends from university” could stay over. I’m not sure if he mentioned me being a frustrated 30-year-old postgrad. They had very kindly, if somewhat naively, made up the guest bedroom. We didn't arrive back there until after his parents had gone to bed... we snuck upstairs and sat in a converted loft with a duvet covering the stairs, drinking wine, making out (quietly), and burning incense while smoking weed (and blowing the smoke out of the window.) Maybe this is what it would have been like if I had been in a possession of a life when I was 15… I never got to sneak around much as a teenager, so it was all rather fun...
The next morning, I went to see Sean in action at his regular job. It was amusing enough that I would love to describe it here… but it would be way too specific. Let's just say that it involved bubbles!
I don’t know if I’ll see him again… but here’s hoping. That's the kind of fun I could use on a regular basis, and I truly can't think of a better use for half a tank of petrol.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
just for the hell of it!
I really need a break away from my computer, and my pathetic attempts at writing. Earlier, I went to the main department to check on a few things, and drop back-up discs into one of the labs. I ran into a couple of fellow postgrads; I could barely stop talking to them. I think the isolation is getting to me.
So, after a series of phone calls and text messages, I'm heading off tomorrow on a mini road trip... to visit Sean. It should be fun, but I have no idea what to expect! I know where he lives. And I know that post graduation he's moved back in with his parents (...who he describes as "a bit prudish.") I just don't know if I'm going to be sneaking out of the spare bedroom and into his, or vice versa. If there is no sneaking to be done, I'm going to be pretty bloody disappointed ;-)
So, after a series of phone calls and text messages, I'm heading off tomorrow on a mini road trip... to visit Sean. It should be fun, but I have no idea what to expect! I know where he lives. And I know that post graduation he's moved back in with his parents (...who he describes as "a bit prudish.") I just don't know if I'm going to be sneaking out of the spare bedroom and into his, or vice versa. If there is no sneaking to be done, I'm going to be pretty bloody disappointed ;-)
Sunday, August 15, 2004
take one head, and bang against wall. repeatedly.
I'm currently feeling pretty despondent. I have well over 2000 images, and by the time I've finished photographing my slides, I suspect this will be in excess of 3000. There are so many ways I could organise them that I would rather sit and cry then look at them.
Everlasting love to the first person that sends me chocolate ;-)
Everlasting love to the first person that sends me chocolate ;-)
Saturday, August 14, 2004
panic stations
I knew sooner or later, it would happen. The panic has finally set in. I was going to head in to the lab this morning, and take yet more photo's of yet more damn slides. Instead, I spent the day trying to reorganise everything, so that I can start making a proper attempt to write this damn thesis.
I think it was talking to Catherine yesterday that made me realise quite the task I've been set. I don't know if I'll make it or not, but at the moment, it just feels like a challenge. I'm sure this will change pretty damn soon.
I'm not sure what comes after panic. Desperation, I suspect...
I think it was talking to Catherine yesterday that made me realise quite the task I've been set. I don't know if I'll make it or not, but at the moment, it just feels like a challenge. I'm sure this will change pretty damn soon.
I'm not sure what comes after panic. Desperation, I suspect...
Thursday, August 12, 2004
bastard
I woke up late this morning, having fallen asleep on the sofa some time before 4 am. This is pretty early for me to be getting to sleep at the moment. As I lay there, almost awake, my mind wandered to sex, as it frequently does. I thought about a cute rocker-type I like, and started to imagine him kissing me. I fantasised about his hands wandering... then I thought of Sean. And I felt nothing. In my mind I could picture him perfectly. Still I felt nothing. Impressed with myself, I just thought, "wow... I must be totally over him..."
I got up, put the kettle on and checked my phone. I had two new text messages... both of which had come in around 11.30 pm last night; for some reason I hadn't heard the alert. I saw Sean's name in my inbox, and started to wonder why he would text. Normally, if he has anything to say, he'll call. His message was as follows:
Feeling drunk and horny and i hope not taking the piss but I've got the day free tomorrow if you fancied a trip to **** ******.
Before I calmed down, I rang my sister and ranted.
Anyway. I called him. And I was restrained... I don't actually remember using the words wanker or bastard. Upshot: he's not getting any today. I would sincerely have liked to tell him to fuck off, however, he's cute, I like him... and he has his talents ;-)
Some other time.
I got up, put the kettle on and checked my phone. I had two new text messages... both of which had come in around 11.30 pm last night; for some reason I hadn't heard the alert. I saw Sean's name in my inbox, and started to wonder why he would text. Normally, if he has anything to say, he'll call. His message was as follows:
Feeling drunk and horny and i hope not taking the piss but I've got the day free tomorrow if you fancied a trip to **** ******.
Before I calmed down, I rang my sister and ranted.
Anyway. I called him. And I was restrained... I don't actually remember using the words wanker or bastard. Upshot: he's not getting any today. I would sincerely have liked to tell him to fuck off, however, he's cute, I like him... and he has his talents ;-)
Some other time.
Sunday, August 08, 2004
a wonderful wedding
Today was the wedding of Caffeine Fairy and Chomper99... lovely people, good friends of my sister, and former custodians of my current piece of shit car.
The ceremony, and subsequent picnic, took place on a woodland clearing atop a Hampshire hill. Aside from getting a little displaced (I'm reluctant to actually say I was lost) in Winchester, I eventually found the venue. This was after asking successive people I saw to confirm that it was St. Catherine's Hill I was about to climb... I had a nasty vision of making it to the top, then seeing the wedding party a couple of hilltops along. On a rather warm and humid day, that would have been seriously depressing!
The happy couple had already undergone a more formal (not to mention legally binding) wedding about a month ago. This was a less conventional ceremony, conducted in front of their friends. It was relaxed, and the vows were beautifully touching. This may sound like an odd way to describe it, but it just felt so much more real than some of the weddings I've been to before.
Especially for me, it was a lovely ceremony. I've never been the kind of girl that dreams of my wedding day. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I'd rather use it towards something useful. I feel kind of fortunate that my sister did the Big White Wedding Thing, thus removing any pressure from me to follow the same path. I hear there is a nice little drive-thru wedding chapel in Vegas... far more my style. Or maybe now I'd consider a nice little hill in Hampshire...
The ceremony, and subsequent picnic, took place on a woodland clearing atop a Hampshire hill. Aside from getting a little displaced (I'm reluctant to actually say I was lost) in Winchester, I eventually found the venue. This was after asking successive people I saw to confirm that it was St. Catherine's Hill I was about to climb... I had a nasty vision of making it to the top, then seeing the wedding party a couple of hilltops along. On a rather warm and humid day, that would have been seriously depressing!
The happy couple had already undergone a more formal (not to mention legally binding) wedding about a month ago. This was a less conventional ceremony, conducted in front of their friends. It was relaxed, and the vows were beautifully touching. This may sound like an odd way to describe it, but it just felt so much more real than some of the weddings I've been to before.
Especially for me, it was a lovely ceremony. I've never been the kind of girl that dreams of my wedding day. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I'd rather use it towards something useful. I feel kind of fortunate that my sister did the Big White Wedding Thing, thus removing any pressure from me to follow the same path. I hear there is a nice little drive-thru wedding chapel in Vegas... far more my style. Or maybe now I'd consider a nice little hill in Hampshire...
Saturday, August 07, 2004
the results are in...
...and apparently, I am The Playstation. Amusing, if nothing else!
Take the test. You know you want to...
Take the test. You know you want to...
not what I need right now
I have a list of dive kit I need to buy, and then I have a list of things I would like. This definitely belongs on the latter... but what a cute gadget!
It would also help to prevent a repeat of what was one of the most disturbing experiences I've ever had while diving. It was early morning, and I was happily swimming along, following a group of pufferfish with a video camera. For the entire duration of the dive (c. 60 minutes), I had "Oops, I did it again" by Britney Spears going round and round and round in my head. Hell on Earth!
It would also help to prevent a repeat of what was one of the most disturbing experiences I've ever had while diving. It was early morning, and I was happily swimming along, following a group of pufferfish with a video camera. For the entire duration of the dive (c. 60 minutes), I had "Oops, I did it again" by Britney Spears going round and round and round in my head. Hell on Earth!
Friday, August 06, 2004
boy oh fucking boy...
... There are some people who just have way too much time on their hands. And whoever is responsible for this site is one of them.
By the way, I would like to point out that I was looking for something else.
By the way, I would like to point out that I was looking for something else.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
I just knew it...
I finally hauled my arse out of bed, and headed off to the lab. There was a letter for me in the hall that I couldn’t easily identify, so I opened it on the spot. Other girls get love letters. I get a notice from the local Constabulary notifying me that they plan to prosecute me for speeding. Joy oh fucking joy. I guess there was film in the speed camera after all.
It just all seems rather petty... OK, so I was doing 55 mph on a 40 mph stretch of road, but I was less that 100 meters off the motorway signs (70 mph zone), and there was nothing on my inside. I bitched about it when I got to the lab, and a few other people said they been busted by the same camera. Apparently, it was only installed after some guy was killed trying to cross the road at that spot. If you knew the area, you'd understand why I heard this, and just thought of Darwin.
Add that to the parking ticket I got on Sunday, and this is going to be an expensive month for my poor old car. Not what I need right now...
It just all seems rather petty... OK, so I was doing 55 mph on a 40 mph stretch of road, but I was less that 100 meters off the motorway signs (70 mph zone), and there was nothing on my inside. I bitched about it when I got to the lab, and a few other people said they been busted by the same camera. Apparently, it was only installed after some guy was killed trying to cross the road at that spot. If you knew the area, you'd understand why I heard this, and just thought of Darwin.
Add that to the parking ticket I got on Sunday, and this is going to be an expensive month for my poor old car. Not what I need right now...
Sunday, August 01, 2004
Girls' night in
Late Saturday, Millie arrived for a girls' night in. We drank wine and chatted, while half watching The Private Gladiator on DVD (that someone had loaned to me.) It's kind of like the Russell Crowe film, but with far more flesh and lashings of laughable sex. I never managed to watch enough of it in one go to discover if it actually had a plot.
I showed Millie the Wish Lists I had typed up. She did actually deny suggesting one or two of her, erm, "aspirations" ... Unfortunately, I can't find the original to dispute them ;-)
Anyway, on Sunday morning Millie showed me the online dating site she currently subscribes to. The number of people I know who do this is, I think, proof that any stigma attached to using dating agencies has now evaporated. It did feel weird, though. Looking at people's profiles and deciding purely on what was there whether or not you were interested. It almost felt like shopping on eBay. Not the way I had ever imagined trying to meet someone, but when I start earning money, I may have to give it a go. I did immediately fall in lust with some guy who had lived most of his life in New Zealand. Unfortunately, I somehow suspect I'm not what he's looking for, and he now lives in Essex. Bummer.
I showed Millie the Wish Lists I had typed up. She did actually deny suggesting one or two of her, erm, "aspirations" ... Unfortunately, I can't find the original to dispute them ;-)
Anyway, on Sunday morning Millie showed me the online dating site she currently subscribes to. The number of people I know who do this is, I think, proof that any stigma attached to using dating agencies has now evaporated. It did feel weird, though. Looking at people's profiles and deciding purely on what was there whether or not you were interested. It almost felt like shopping on eBay. Not the way I had ever imagined trying to meet someone, but when I start earning money, I may have to give it a go. I did immediately fall in lust with some guy who had lived most of his life in New Zealand. Unfortunately, I somehow suspect I'm not what he's looking for, and he now lives in Essex. Bummer.
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