cybertreason

Yes, I've committed a crime, and I'm going to confess it on a blog, like so many unwise people before me. Hold on FBI, before anyone starts taking my civil liberties away, I should mention I haven't committed a crime against the United States, but against the wonderful world of Mac. Last night, I betrayed my beloved iBook and ordered a Dell notebook computer. So in case Steve Jobs or Raj is reading my blog, here's my defense: 1) I've had to use software (MINEQL) for school that is not supported by Macs, and couldn't talk anyone into installing it on the university's PCs, and 2) I can't afford another Mac; anything halfway decent would be twice the price of what I bought. Discrimination and poverty. That's what I'm up against. Try not to judge me. Sorry if this is boring, but since Raj doesn't post anymore, someone has to fill in the computer talk.

A note on "antibuckeyeism"- I didn't mean to say that I am an antibuckeyeite, just that I was starting to understand where they're coming from. Maybe I've even been one in the past, but I'm starting to appreciate the little things that make the Midwest unique and even interesting. If you can't think of any, well, maybe I'll mention some in my posts, or maybe it's a topic for a spinoff blog. Because I don't waste nearly enough time on the internet now....

new home

At last, I am moved in. Well, all my stuff is in the new townhouse at last. My roommates are still out of town, and most people in town are moving themselves, so I basically did it solo, with the help of one friend to move the bed. Plus, a couple carpet cleaning guys helped me get the TV, while they were supposedly working at a neighboring aparment! I've decided when I have my own place, I'm going to keep a few rooms unfurnished. I like these wide open spaces. After a cleaning binge at the old apartment (partly due to my landlord friends' recent experience, partly cause it's the right thing to do, and partly cause I want my $350 security deposit back), I'm not so excited about giving things here a scrub before putting stuff away. I'm wearing this pine-orange-bleach-Windex scent from all the cleaners I've been using.

On to the other topic I always talk about...today I got "the call" from work- the contract is signed! So I'm back to full-time work for the next 2 weeks, and then I'll work part time during the year.

I'm off to explore the bike paths around my new place. Between my bike and the bus, I should be able to cut down on driving a lot...good timing, too.

antibuckeyeism

I'm back from that trip to Pennsylvania, with stops in Cincy and Kent, Ohio. It was wonderful to see so much of my family in slightly less than a week. Bradford, PA may not be a vacation hotspot, but it's got some great scenery. Loved seeing Karen and being the first to see her Italy photos. Really really really want to go there now. Caught up on movie watching- War of the Worlds, Must Love Dogs, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. "Charlie" is the only one I'd highly recommend, even if the Oompa Loompas do lack diversity.

This is the first time I've driven one of the longest possible routes across Ohio by myself, and it helped me understand why people are so hostile to Ohio. Though I've driven up and down I-75 more times than I can count, and reconciled myself to the fact that it's basically one endless soybean field, with a bit of corn thrown in, the Cincinnati to Ashtabula trip helped me grasp the roots of "antibuckeyeism" (that's prejudice against Ohio, the buckeye state, for the uninformed). It's even worse when you start with a pretty, hilly drive (Brown County, IN) and end with a pretty, hilly drive (the NY/PA border), and Ohio is the long, flat monotony in between. Now, I'm still not convinced that flat topography is a crime, but I can see how those who aren't used to it and aren't armed with good music, books on tape, or company, may feel victimized by the sleep-inducing scenery.

Keeping busy hasn't been a problem these days. I've got my packing well underway. A co-worker has kindly hired some lab folks to help with emergency cleaning and painting of a rental property she owns. We'll have some sampling and lab work for smaller grants, even though the major one is still in the works. Hardly leaves me time to work through my stack of books, which keeps growing- thanks, Grandma!