Read 'em and weep fellow Sudoku addicts.....

Oh yeah!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:00 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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This week's meme appears to be quirks. Several bloggers have been admitting their quirks as of late, so here are mine, I guess...

1. I am like the queen of hospitality. I guess it's the Armenian in me. If you come into my house expect to be served a drink and any kind of food you want in the house. Put your feet up, watch my TV, use my phone, whatever. It may not be the tidiest house on the block, but I can guarantee that you'll feel at home. If you're not comfortable in my home, that makes me sick. It's more important to me that you enjoy yourself than that the house is spotless. However, I expect to be treated the same way in the homes of my friends, and I can get a little irritated if I'm cheaped out on. Especially by someone who has been in MY home many, many times. That makes me feel freakin' used, you know? It really bugs the crap out of me.

2. I tend to get really into the good stuff going on in my friends' lives. Getting married? Expect a big shower and shopping trips and all kinds of help putting everything together. Having a baby? Expect to be deluged with booties and blankets and me asking how you're doing. Having a birthday? At the least a card or email, and if you're in the same town, dinner and a cake. In our lab at UNC, I was known as the one who collected the $$, did the shopping, and organized the party whenever someone got married, graduated, or had a baby. And it was fun. I love doing fun things like that.

3. Here's a weird one: I CAN NOT stand the sound of people chewing. I mean even polite mouth-closed eating. If I'm eating too, it's totally ok, but if DH is sitting next to me snacking while I work, it drives me batshit. I always make him go away to eat. Most other little noises don't even faze me, but chewing can make me retch. Go fig.

4. Like Michele, I have to be covered when I sleep. This doesn't mean PJs necessarily, but I have to at least have a sheet over me or I can't sleep. I think this comes from sleeping directly under a front-facing window growing up. It kind of drives DH crazy. The rheumatoid arthritis has actually made this one worse, since I get weird chills now if I get a draft under the covers.

5. I abhor talking to strangers. I hate using the phone, even to call for pizza. I hate answering the phone and I hate calling anywhere where I don't personally know who I am talking to. Even if I know you and I've never spoken to you over the phone before, I hate calling. (take note those bloggers whose phone #'s I have.... ) I hate drive-through windows, too. It was YEARS after I learned to drive before I went through a drive-through. I can be quite social at a party, and I am more than willing to get up in front of a room full of people and give a presentation, but the phone and the drive through, no way. As an extension of this, I also hate going ANYWHERE alone. ANYWHERE. For years I wouldn't even go to the grocery store alone. Being an army wife with a husband stationed 1200 miles away for 3 years changed that, but I still HATE going anywhere alone and I won't if I can help it. It makes me feel strange and vulnerable.

6. I get really antsy when I ride in the front seat while someone else drives. Especially if I think they're too close to the car in front. Super- especially while braking hard. I've been in 2 serious car crashes (wasn't hurt in either one -- props to Chrysler for making Neons so awesome in a crash), and both of them were front end collisions on my end. So if I'm in your car and I tell you to slow down or stop, just ignore me unless I see something in front of you that you don't.

7. (Bonus round) Quickies:
**Must. Have. Remote. (DH and I each have one for the bedroom TV)
**I Hate predictable situations in movies and TV. It's not funny and it makes me cringe.
**Oh yeah, and TP goes under, not over.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:28 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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1 I totally knew #2. You've been so wonderfully supportive of me, the DH and our lil' peanut, I just knew that was the way you are. Don't change a hair for me. . . )

Posted by: Margi at August 22, 2005 12:48 AM (nwEQH)

2 TP under?? No way, uh uh. If you ever make it out to Australia and visit, if you use up the roll, don't be putting the new one on, I'll do it! hehe And I am so with you on the driving/going places alone thing. Except for going to work, I hate driving by myself, especially if it is a fair distance. I feel vulnerable too, like I'm going to come across a situation that I am so not going to be able to deal with.

Posted by: Amanda at August 22, 2005 01:23 AM (8Bhm3)

3 I enjoy being the cruise director / party planner too!! Sounds like you're the bestest hostess! TP under!??

Posted by: Marie at August 22, 2005 07:45 AM (410kz)

4 Over! But totally with you on the phone thing.

Posted by: Jay at August 22, 2005 12:28 PM (NxYzY)

5 Yeah. The phone thing. I absolutely despise the telephone, and wish it could somehow be de-invented. I would much rather communicate with people face to face, by email, by IM, by snail mail, or even by passenger pigeon. Anything but that damn telephone!

Posted by: Paul Burgess at August 22, 2005 02:08 PM (q36UY)

6 If you come into my house expect to be served a drink and any kind of food you want in the house Awesome. Can I come over? My grandmother has that, but to the point where you kind of want to give her a Xanax at times. I run out of ways to say "No, grandma, really, everything is wonderful and delicious and swell and I swear on all that's holy I am not just saying that." She is an excellent hostess, but I think she drives herself a little batty with it now and then. Re: last asterisk--I absolutely second that. UNDER. Make the weight of the roll help you in separating the tissues! It's not, ha ha, rocket science! And the boyfriend and I totally argue over who has to call for pizza as we're both phobic about talking to strangers, too. Maybe I should have gone for an extrovert.

Posted by: ilyka at August 22, 2005 05:54 PM (z+oQt)

7 Who hoo! Free liscence to mooch! I'll be visiting soon . I swear, you and my #$^%$ing mom with the TP, sheesh.

Posted by: Ben at August 22, 2005 08:15 PM (NIpoo)

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I am #2 on Yahoo! search for this.

Can't you just see some pathetic, socially challenged 12 year old looking this one up on the sly?

BTW, little man, the answer is having sex with her.......

Posted by: caltechgirl at 04:28 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Patterico has been invited to write a second "Outside the Tent" piece, which appears in today's LA Times.

In this week's piece, Patterico takes on the Times' coverage of Cindy Sheehan and points out the blatant omissions in the Times' version of the story, and the questions it raises about journalistic objectivity and an editor's responsibility to present all of the facts in the case, no matter whether or not they agree with them.

Patrick writes, in part:

...in its apparent zeal to portray Sheehan as the Rosa Parks of the antiwar movement, the Los Angeles Times has omitted facts and perspectives that might undercut her message or explain the president's reluctance to meet with her again.

For example, The Times uncritically reported Sheehan's claim that the president had behaved callously in a June 2004 meeting with her and her husband, refusing to look at pictures of Casey or listen to stories about him. The Times claimed without qualification that Sheehan "came away from that meeting dissatisfied and angry."

But the article failed to mention that Sheehan had previously described Bush as sincere and sympathetic in the meeting. According to an interview with her hometown paper, the Vacaville Reporter, Sheehan had said that although she was upset about the war, she decided not to confront the president — who clearly left a favorable impression: "I now know he's sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis…. I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he's a man of faith."
...

Rational people can disagree whether the war in Iraq is justified. But a newspaper's job is to report all relevant facts and present different perspectives, not just those that suit one particular viewpoint.

By that measure, The Times has woefully failed its readers with its one-sided coverage of the Cindy Sheehan story.

There's much more, too. Don't miss blogger Mohammed's (of Iraq the Model) comments about the suffering of Iraqi mothers under the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:53 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Why in the hell is milk so much more expensive in CA (a state known for its dairy products) than in NC (a state that makes smokes and pork)???

I mean WTF???

It is nice however that the beautiful, cheap produce MORE than makes up for it....

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:46 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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1 It comes down to the fact that in California, all milk is controlled by the state. "Got Milk" is a catchy phrase, and created by the state. I am not sure on the specifics, but "Real California Cheese" is another one their slogans. Check out Real California Cheese. Basically, if you sell dairy products in the state, you have to pay them a fee for joint advertising costs. You can't advertise on your own. Have you ever seen an ad for Rockview farms or Adhor farms, or any other brand of milk in California? But remember, it's for the children, to make sure everyone drinks milk for healthy bones! [Notes: 1)Rockview farms is from South Gate, where I live. 2) My family does business with them by selling them hay in Nevada. ]

Posted by: Bill at August 21, 2005 07:35 AM (asZ5R)

2 I had no idea CA was a big dairy state! I only think of northern and central/eastern states as such. Go figure.

Posted by: Jay at August 21, 2005 09:01 AM (l4+Wd)

3 well, I have seen many, many Producers Dairy commercials in Fresno, even recently, but certainly fewer now than before. What a freaking racket.

Posted by: caltechgirl at August 21, 2005 11:07 AM (H5rmO)

4 Remember, "Happy cows come from California". Most CA dairies are big, industrial sized operations, on the order of several thousand head per dairy. Yet, they are mostly privately owned (so far as I know). So you have less of the population running the dairy, per cow, than we do back east. Also, we tend to keep them out in the boonies of the Central Valley, or in places like Chino (though that is almost completely nondairy now). The dairymen's real money doesn't come from selling dairy product, it comes from selling the land the dairy was on, when homes are going to be built on it. Then they move further out, and repeat. The limiting factor in this is the distance and time to transport raw milk to the processing facilities (usually where the dairy started 50 years ago or whenever). In Rockview's case, the dairy is in southern Nevada ( 3 milking barns, each 2500 milking head or so), just under 300 miles from their processing plant in South Gate. They send 2 milk trucks every 12 hours from NV to CA. Their milk trucks are not refrigerated, they rely on the thermal insulation of the container to keep the milk cold. I think it goes into the truck at 38 degrees, and when the trip is finished, it's up to 42. Of course, in summer this means they have to time their trips just right. But even though their cows are in NV, they still get to pay the CA "Happy Cow" tax.

Posted by: Bill at August 21, 2005 11:28 AM (asZ5R)

5 I believe we're the largest producer of 'fluid milk' in the nation. At least according to what I read we are. We're very much an ag state, as much as some of my east coast friends refuse to believe it's not one big Los Angeles/San Francisco I have such a tour planned for them! Here's a few 'Ca Milk Cartel" links one two three

Posted by: Ith at August 21, 2005 12:47 PM (IxRYn)

6 How much is milk in CA? I think it's $1.50/gallon on sale here in NY.

Posted by: Marie at August 22, 2005 07:51 AM (410kz)

7 Until recently, milk prices were regulated based on the distance from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The grocery stores also gauge on milk. Most stores charge less to buy two gallons of milk. You can also find cheaper milk at non-grocery stores if it is worth your time. The little corner market used to charge less for a single gallon than the big grocery stores. And the "happy cows" is bull. The best tasting cheese and milk comes from Wisconsin.

Posted by: TDM at August 22, 2005 05:14 PM (NrFjI)

8 A couple of things: 1.) Gas probably factors into the cost of milk in CA. As does the increased costs from CA's unique rules and regulations. 2.) Yes, I suspect most cows come from super-industrial sized operations. Anyone who has driven on Interstate 5 past Coalinga know how nasty those can be. But there are a bunch of "Happy Cow" like farms sprinkled through the Central and North coasts. Marin and Sonoma Counties in particular have a bunch of these, especially the organic farms. When I drive up to volunteer at Bodega Marine lab, I drive through the Petaluma dairy country, where a cow's life doesn't seem so bad. I'll have to take some pics the next time I go.

Posted by: Ben at August 22, 2005 08:25 PM (NIpoo)

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You're Mr. Orange!


Which Reservoir Dog Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

(h/t Margi, aka Mr. Orange....)

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:04 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I added the category archive links..... more minor tweaking to come.

Some of you should appreciate the humor behind the latest character......

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Sissy of And What Next... was visitor #43,000!

Yay!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:33 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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I am officially Dr. Caltechgirl. This was posted yesterday!

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Have you heard about the new sensation sweeping the nation?

ICE is a British program that can help emergency workers save your life and notify your loved ones in the event that you are unconscious and/or unable to communicate with them. ICE stands for "In Case of Emergency", and can signal emergency workers that a particular person or persons should be notified.

EMTs here in the US report that it can make a huge difference, especially for people with medical conditions or allergies....

Here's how it works: Store the number or numbers of people who can give emergency workers information about your medical history under the name "ICE". Depending on how your phone works, you can store multiple numbers under the name or store multiple numbers as ICE1, ICE2, etc.

Why haven't you done it already????

(h/t Amanda and Dean)

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I reset the timestamp for the blog to Pacific time.....

Posted by: caltechgirl at 08:47 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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What curse word are you?

Your word is FUCK. You like to come across as rude
and rebellious, and often you do. You also are
intelligent and maybe surprisingly sensitive,
though God help anyone who said that in front
of your friends.


Which Swear (Curse) Word Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

In honor of this momentous result, an oldie but a goodie for your listening pleasure...(right click and save, please!)

(h/t Kate (who evidently is shit although I don't think so!))

Posted by: caltechgirl at 08:25 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Wanna be killed by Zombies in a new Stephen King novel (or appear in a novel by one of 15 other major authors)? Then check this out. (h/t the lovely Margi)

The 1st anniversary Carnival of the Recipes is at the home of SWWBO, the creator of CotR. Unless I hear otherwise, I believe the Carnival moves here next week, so get those recipes in early!

If you're in the mood for some cheesy fun this weekend, Acidman has a list of some great B movies you should check out (I particularly like Evil Dead II and Rocky Horror om that list)

That's it for now.

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Remember what I said about wanting to post something about that vile Sheehan woman? Ronald Griffin says it for me, and far more eloquently than I ever could.

Mr. Griffin is the father of Spc. Kyle Andrew Griffin, a recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star, who was killed in a truck accident on a road between Mosul and Tikrit on May 30, 2003.

In today's WSJ, Mr. Griffin writes:

Maureen Dowd of the New York Times portrays Mrs. Sheehan as a distraught mom standing heroically outside the guarded gates of the most powerful and inhumane man on earth, President Bush. Ms. Dowd is so moved by Mrs. Sheehan's plight that she bestowed upon her and all grieving parents the title of "absolute moral authority." That characterization epitomizes the arrogance and condescension of anyone who would presume to understand and speak for all of us. How can we all possess "absolute moral authority" when we hold so many different perspectives?

I don't want that title. I haven't earned that title.

Although we all walk the same sad road of sorrow and agony, we walk it as individuals with all the refreshing uniqueness of our own thoughts shaped in large measure by the life and death of our own fallen hero. Over the past few days I have reached out to other parents and loved ones of fallen heroes in an attempt to find out their reactions to all the attention Mrs. Sheehan has attracted. What emerges from those conversations is an empathy for Mrs. Sheehan's suffering but a fundamental disagreement with her politics.
...
Karen Long is the mother of Spc. Zachariah Long, who died with my son Kyle on May 30, 2003. Zack and Kyle were inseparable friends as only soldiers can be, and Karen and I have become inseparable friends since their deaths. Karen's view is that what Mrs. Sheehan is doing she has every right to do, but she is dishonoring all soldiers, including Karen's son, Zack. Karen cannot comprehend why Mrs. Sheehan cannot seem to come to grips with the idea that her own son, Casey, was a soldier like Zack who had a mission to complete. Karen will tell you over and over again that Zack is not here and no one, but no one will dishonor her son.
...

We refuse to allow Cindy Sheehan to speak for all of us. Instead, we ask you to learn the individual stories. They are glorious. Honor their memories.

Honor their service. Never dishonor them by giving in. They never did.

Read the whole thing.

(h/t The Lovely QOAE and Dean)

Posted by: caltechgirl at 05:05 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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I know, I know, it's been a while, so here's a tried-and-true one I stole from Caltech Mom...

CaltechMom's Super Duper Zucchini

6-8 thin Zucchini (or Italian Squash, if you prefer, the long, green ones. Thinner squash are more tender), ends removed, sliced lengthwise (yes, long skinny pieces)
Olive Oil for frying
1 can plain tomato sauce (the 4-6 oz can)
Shredded Cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 deg. F
2. Rinse and trim squash and slice lengthwise into thin strips.
3. Fry strips in olive oil and place on paper towels to drain
4. Layer squash strips in the bottom of a medium baking dish (should give 3-4 layers, depending on the size of the dish)
5. When all strips are placed in the dish, pour tomato sauce over the top, top with shredded cheese
6. Put baking dish in oven for 30 minutes
Serves 2-3 as a main dish, 4-6 as a side.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 04:45 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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1. I can get my rent paid for September and October despite being jobless.

2. I FINALLY got an email back from someone I submitted an application to. YES! Of course, they just wanted my CV for their files, but at least it was a response!

3. I applied for an administrative job at my alma mater and I'm really proud of the cover letter I wrote, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this one will come through even if the others don't.

4. I have 3 applications ready to be printed up and go out in the mail. I just need to drop by and pick up my Caltech transcripts from the registrar's office.

On another note, don't you hate it when you think of something you want to blog about, something that really drives you batsh*t and then when you actually sit down in front of the computer so much else has happened that you have COMPLETELY forgotten what it was that you wanted to write about? Arrgh!

Oh yeah, and click the button on the left to donate to Project Valour-IT.

I just realized what one of the things I wanted to talk about was: that vile Sheehan woman. Her son died right next to my b-i-l. They were friends. More on that later when I can "use my words".

But there was something else less vitriolic that I wanted to write about too... Oh well. Must be old age creeping up on me....

Posted by: caltechgirl at 04:19 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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while I have internet access, I've updated the blogroll. All the links should actually work now....

Posted by: caltechgirl at 07:58 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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The Fusileers are back, and this time we're looking for a few good $$s.

If you haven't seen this elsewhere, take a moment to read about Project Valour- IT (Voice-Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops), which helps to provide voice-activated software and laptops for soldiers who have lost the use of their arms and hands, to help them communicate with their loved ones.

Go here to read more about this project, which is being sponsored by Soldier's Angels, a terrific group that is dedicated to making sure every US soldier feels loved and cared for. Go here to contribute.

This button will be up on the sidebar... feel free to click and donate, even after this post has gone away.....

Posted by: caltechgirl at 07:13 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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so here are some posts that I thought were interesting/noteworthy/funny as hell over the last few weeks..... Check out some blogs you may not have read before...

First up, in the funny as hell category, Helen of Everyday Stranger sends a letter to that wonderful friend to every woman, the Period Fairy.

Next, Michele of ASV sets the record straight on the difference between VanHalen and VanHagar.

Speaking of Van Halen, Rusty Shackelford asks: Who's the bigger pimp, Yoda or David Lee?

Physics Geek bring you an '80s love letter and some fun for those boring days in the office.

Boudicca's got an acrophobic pyromaniac on her hands.....

Besides being a theater student, stage manager, and all around great person, Katie Mango is also quite handy. Who knew?

SMASH is on assignment, doing a training exercise deep in the land of Mabel. Check here for his latest update on the situation and some thoughts about whether the Navy needs an infantry.....

Sean Kinsell has some interesting thoughts on the latest Gay Marriage brouhaha in Canada.

Shrinkette has an interesting piece on the essence of Bullshit.

Jen takes on the phone call from hell....

Baldilocks takes on the uber clueless folks at PETA who STILL can't get it through their heads that maybe it might be wrong to equate animal cruelty and slavery.....

Drop in and congratulate Nin on her new job! Woot!

Speaking of jobs, Smiling Dynamite (aka Mrs. Bad Example) has the blondest co-worker EVER

Also, Don't forget to check out this week's Cotillion.

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Whoopass!

It's that time again hockey fans.... You know, since we actually have a season and all. Go over to Rocket Jones and sign up for the 2005-2006 Hockey Whoopass Jamboree.

I guess I'll enjoy my Hurricanes logo while it lasts.....

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