Five Feet and Two Inches away from Unconciousness

Donors needed

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:18:47 GMT

I haven't posted for what? A year? Two? Woops.

I was all set to enjoy my constitutional day this morning. I am totally taking the entire day off just because. It feels delicious. I truly need this. But then I came across this and felt ridiculously selfish:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DYUFB542Iak

Please watch it. Its about trying to get people onto the bone marrow donor list. I started crying within about 20 seconds. Really, you should totally get onto the list. I am going to as soon as I can get my ass up to Denver where the nearest center is. All the info about donating is at

http://www.marrow.org

holiday fun!

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:58:40 GMT

I just saw this the other day and it looks like a blast. Its an ornament swap where you make 8-10 ornaments, send them off to random people, and get 8-10 back. I soooo don't have time for it this year, but I signed up anyway. I am already making them up in my head.

Holiday Ornament Swap

Sci Fi character

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:30:38 GMT

This amuses me to no end.

Which SF character are you?

Susan Ivanova

Fiercely dedicated to bringing an end to corruption and exploitation, you are a strong-willed and courageous force of light.

Ivanova is always right. I will listen to Ivanova. I will not ignore Ivanova's recommendations. Ivanova is God.

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 16:04:37 GMT

I have had a pretty productive weekend. I tend to put things off until I absolutely HAVE to do them, and I/we managed to get quite a bit done this weekend. We had someone come by to give an estimate on tree trimming ($500 for the dead branches/trees out back, and $630 for the pruning out font). I primed a door that has been unpainted for about a year and a half. Nick and I replaced the light bulbs in the yard lights, and also all of the other dead bulbs around the house. I cleaned the bathroom. And we got material to fix the door jam that is a little too tight and the laundry room door that broke. I still have to get someone to come to fix the window that our housemate broke, and replace some minor hardware in the downstairs bath. But once that is done, the place will be ready for the new tenants. I just need to figure out how/when to get the rugs shampooed.

Bang head here

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:06:43 GMT

When I signed on with my advisor for my PhD, it was on the provision that I get a new computer because the one I was using was, well, its a pentium II, 'nuf said. So in January I got a brand-spanking-new computer. It took the IT guy, about 2 weeks to partition the drives and format it with red hat. That was a little long, but hey, he's a busy guy right? Well about 2 weeks after that it starts funking out on me. It will randomly log me out of the session I am in, killing all of my simulations that have been going for the last few days and making me lose all of that work. So have the IT guy look at it. 2 weeks later, he can't figure out what it is so he reformats it and gives it back. Same problem a week later. This goes on for about 3 months. Before I leave for a conference at the end of may, I tell him to wipe it, send it back and get me a new one because there are obvious problems (other than the logging out) and it isn't worth dealing with any more. I get back a week later, and lo and behold, its still sitting on his desk, and he hasn't touched it. Sigh. So after my advisor yells at him, it turns out that they will just keep it for parts and order a new one. That was 3 weeks ago. I find out today that no one has ordered it. Yup, that's right. 5 months after I have been promised a new computer, and I still have the pentium II. To give you an idea, when I type, this thing is about 2 lines behind for spitting out the letters.

I am pissed. What do I have to do around here to get a running computer!!

GAHHHH

change

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 02:04:03 GMT

My new hair. Whatcha think?

crafty goodness

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:01:23 GMT

I recently learned of two awesome artists. The first is a regular artist, who does these interesting sculptures. Jen Stark takes stacks of construction paper and cuts out shapes. It is really a lot cooler than it sounds.

Jen Stark's website

And then there is the tatoo artist. I think I have found the person I want to do my next tatoo. I don't know what I want yet. But I want a big one. Probably after I get my PhD. Too bad he is in NYC, and he is well known so he is probably really expensive. Here is one of my favorites:

Anil Gupta's website

sing hallelujah

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 15:20:21 GMT

I did it, its over. Yesterday I learned that I passed my written comprehensive exam. I don't have my score yet, so I don't know how well I did, but at this point, I don't really care. The important thing is that I NEVER have to go through that again. Taking it twice is taking it two times too many. This past year has been difficult, and this past month has been horrible. And now it is done. over. finished. I am so happy to be getting on with my life. I can now focus on more important things than a stupid test like friends, family, and relationships. Its a good feeling. I had a dark cloud hanging over my head for so long, I forget what it feels like not to have it. The odd part is that I don't feel like singing and dancing for joy. I just feel like letting out a long sigh or relief. Maybe it just hasn't hit me yet. Maybe I need to get good and drunk for the excitement to come out. Or maybe I just never want to think about it again. Whatever the case may be, I can do it. I am free. Now all I have to do is 2-3 more years of research and I am done with school altogether and I will be "Dr. Boo" as Nick calls it. That can't be too difficult right? :)

Sat, 13 Jan 2007 10:04:48 GMT

done. over. finito. now to get on with life.

here goes...

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:04:14 GMT

The test begins in 2 hours and ends 8 hours afer that. Wish me luck! Heavy drinking to follow.

gggghhhhuuunnnn

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 17:47:05 GMT

I feel like I just hit my study limit for my life. Not for the day, not for the exam, for life. I look at my notes now and I can't concentrate. Equations are out of the question. I have a list of things that I still need to study and all I can think at them is 'pfffff whatever'. This is probably not the best place to be right now considering the test isn't until friday. I have 3 whole days to make sure I know everything and right now I really couldn't care less. Good thing this exam doesn't mean much, I mean, its not like its quals or anything. Oh right, it is...well crap.

pictures!

Sat, 30 Dec 2006 01:08:55 GMT

I now have a fickr account with lots of photos. Some from this christmas and some from before that. Enjoy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61583563@N00/

Eavesdropping

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 01:50:14 GMT

Overheard on the bus earlier this week:
"Mommy is this a dream?"

Threadless

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 22:58:52 GMT

In case not everyone has seen this t-shirt site before, it rocks. I saw this shirtand thought of a bunch of people in seattle. Filthy bike-lovers.
http://www.threadless.com/product/562/Infinity_MPG

And here are some of my personal favorites:
http://www.threadless.com/product/631/Planetary_Status
http://www.threadless.com/product/281/Loch_Ness_Imposter

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 16:22:25 GMT

I woke up this morning and within 45 minutes I had
-booked plane tickets for christmas
-updated my united milage plus account (they still had bryn mawr as my address)
-registered for AGU meeting in San Fran
-booked hotel for AGU meeting in San Fran
-Activated my new credit card
-lowered my apr by 7%
-fed my dog
Not bad for a sunday morning at 8 am

thank fucking god

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 01:21:37 GMT

Its over. I think it went well and apparently my committee did too. Unanimously voted to pass me and were very close to high-passing me. That means that I pass and that I may still high-pass if the rest of the faculty agree to it at the faculty meeting next wednesday. I'm happy with that. Really, I just want to shove this in the face of certain faculty members who will remain un-named who said I couldn't do it. SUCK IT DOWN BITCHES!

count down has gone into hours

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 16:10:33 GMT

I am ready. I have been ready for days. Does that keep the butterflies in my stomach from throwing up? No. Stupid butterflies.

Waiting

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 17:33:20 GMT

Day: Thursday October 12
Time: 1:45
Place: Duane Physics D-142
Thing: CME initiation through MHD kink instability - comps 2 (masters) defense. 1/2 hour of talking, 1/2 hour of grilling, 1/2 hour of waiting
After: High tea at the teahouse
Me: Really freaking stressed

Abstract: We present initial results from a quasi-Lagrangian simulation of kink-unstable flux ropes. The kink instability has been studied as a solar coronal mass ejection (CME) initiator since the 1960's. This instability has been observed to occur simultaneously with CMEs, but observational evidence is not sufficient to determine if it is the cause of the eruption or if it occurs after onset. Numerical simulations exist which explore this relationship, and many of them have found that flux ropes twisted beyond a critical threshold that exist in the corona will expand and eventually erupt. It has not yet been determined whether the expansion is due to a pure kink instability. All of the simulations thus far have included the effects of magnetic reconnection through numerical diffusion, but because this diffusion is a purely numerical effect, it is difficult to determine the physics that are actually occurring in the environment of the corona. This research presents a study on the kink instability in the complete lack of reconnection - the first step to understanding the role of reconnection in kink-unstable flux ropes. We have found that flux ropes twisted above a critical value expand rapidly, which we have interpreted as an eruption. Nevertheless, we have only found evidence of the kink instability if the simulation includes a substantial overlying arcade magnetic field. Those simulations with little or no arcade field do expand, but do not display the characteristic writhing motion of the central flux rope.

Ann Daudert

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 14:03:12 GMT

I knew a wonderful woman. She was the heart and soul of the physics department at BMC, who also happened to be the secretary. Peter B once called her "she who must be obeyed". She started in 1976 and I cannot even begin to think of the place without her. I got a phone call yesterday from a friend who gave me the news. I am saddened by her absence from the world, but mostly I am glad that I was able to know her and grow to be her friend. The official announcement came with a short but thoughtful message from Peter. His last sentence was that to some she was Bryn Mawr. I have been thinking about that phrase all night. At first I thought it only referred to her with regards to the department and running things, but I realized that she was the epitome of a Bryn Mawr girl. She was strong, organized, a little bossy, and everyone looked up to and admired her. But she was a loving and caring person who always had time for the students, whether to hear them moan about this or that, share juicy bits of gossip, or just to be a friend.

Thank you Ann for being a part of my life. We miss you and wish you luck and happiness on your travels. Goodbye and peace be with you.

Vegetable head

Sat, 03 Jun 2006 01:58:01 GMT

Ok, so I know this sounds a little odd, but I remember seeing a painting or drawing of a vegetable head when I was a kid. I want to find it again because I really loved it. It was a picture of the face of a kindly man who was made of vegetables. Lots of little ones, not one big watermelon for a head or anything. Relatively flat, not trying to be 3-d I think. If I remember correctly it had a white background. If any of you know what I am taking about let me know. The closest I can think is that is might have been in "on Market Street" and A-z picture book for kids by Lobel, but I don't have a copy with me. Yes I know I am very odd.

tisk tisk

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 01:52:00 GMT

David Bowie is very disappointed in you

what next

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 17:39:35 GMT

I need a new knitting project. I finished making this chimney stocking for deadhero a week or two ago and I just haven't found anything that I REALLY want to make. Anyone have any ideas? I also have this yarn in fucia that I purchaced just cause I like it.

my mind is all messy

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 18:33:04 GMT

I had an odd dream last night (which is pretty much par for the course for me). I think it started as a prospective weekend type of thing, but with people from my high school in Morocco as opposed to grad school. I was hosting, but I was being a pretty bad host. I didn't go out and do things, show them around, introduce them to people, go to the party etc. Then they were all leaving and at the airport (well it was supposed to be the denver airport but it consisted of one room with blue/grey colors and one gate). My person left on the plane but she had forgotten her checkbook on the counter (I knew it was hers because there was a check I had written to her in it). So I tried to call her on her phone (I had the numbers of all of the perspectives) but I just couldn't seem to dial the correct numbers. I tried having people read them to me and looking at them myself. The numbers kept turning into letters or faces or something. The are code began with 804 or 408. I ended us calling a bunch of wrong numbers and one of them called me back very annoyed. "Laurel,why did you call me so late?" Huh, sorry wrong number, but apparently they knew me and were parents of a friend of mine (who I don't know) and were around the world where it was the middle of the night.

Ah the dreams of the restful. So apparently numbers don't like me and I still feel as awkward as I did in high school. greeeeeaat.

Also, had to replace the water heater this morning. Since May that makes:
-a heating element in the fridge replaced ~$75
-the heater in the hot tub replaced ~$250
-5 holes in the sprinkler system patched ~$200
-a broken outside pipe spigot that soaked the basement carpet and will cost ~$500 to fix
-the thermometer in the oven blown, but the repair man fixed the circuit board instead ~$300
-and now the hot water heater ~$600
-not to mention the tuff-shed that is broken and needs to be replaced $500-$1000.

Sigh. Being a home owner is just so much fun!!

The light at the end of the tunnel just got a lot farther away

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 05:06:49 GMT

So things are pretty hard right now for me. I have lost almost all of my confidence. I feel kind of like I was walking along and suddenly someone turned out the lights so I don't know where I am going anymore. Everybody keeps saying they have faith in me, but I wish I had some in myself. I know I will get over it. I wish I was over it now. I just hope I don't feel this way for much longer. It doesn't feel too good.

Comps anxieties

Thu, 05 Jan 2006 18:42:21 GMT

Sometimes I think I am loosing my mind and my ability to work/think/absorb any information. I wonder if this feeling will ever go away? And the real question is will is go away before or after Comps on Jan 13?

Why oh why did I go to grad school instead of getting a job like a regular person?