My 1.1 pound peaches never got ripe. And when I checked on them today they were already going to rot. What I’d give for some chemical preservatives and synthetic ethylene gas right now.
October 8, 2008
October 4, 2008
September 10, 2008
Another day
… another grey hair. (Sorry, no picture)
Incidentally this is post #50. I couldn’t believe it either.
Science is going well. Started my first rotation. I alternate between listless boredom and information overload, but I think I’m at a near optimal ratio between the two.
Scientific Fact of The Day:
Mutualistic relationships between species rarely break down. What can happen is that a related species will exploit the mutual beneficial relationship developed between their relative and another species, by accepting benefits without reciprocating in the same way their relative would. The specific example we were discussing was bacteria that fix nitrogen for plants in return for being provided with nutrients and protection from the outside world.
September 8, 2008
Ads
On the one hand I love this dialogue:
“You know what they say about [high fructose corn syrup].”
“What?”
“um….uh…”
“What it’s made from corn? ::girlish giggle::”
On the other hand, this kind of heavy-handed low-info advertising reminds me a little to much of the “We Call it Life” ads that came out a while ago from the oil industry…
September 1, 2008
Obama on Science
“Advances in the genetic engineering of plants have provided enormous benefits to American farmers. I believe that we can continue to modify plants safely with new genetic methods, abetted by stringent tests for environmental and health effects and by stronger regulatory oversight guided by the best available scientific advice. ”
– Barak Obama’s answers to 14 science and technology policy questions.
August 30, 2008
Obama’s Speech
Watched Obama’s acceptance speech in a pizza joint with a bunch of Berkeley types. It seemed to go over well.
August 22, 2008
Travel Photoset!
I had a bit of downtime today (waiting for a package that still hasn’t arrived) so I finally uploaded a set of photos from my drive along I-80. As always, here are a couple of highlights:
Construction of a wind farm in Western Iowa. I hadn’t realized just how big the blades were for these. It was really impressive.
The Utah Salt Flats. They stretch on for miles and miles, but there was rest stop near the end where we could get out and wonder out onto them. They win for coolest terrain.
And my favorite picture from the drive actually comes from Nebraska. To me this photo look like an idealized version of the midwest, what we should look like, even if a lot of us doesn’t.
August 20, 2008
Stolen books
Guess what the most frequently stolen books are from UC Berkeley libraries? Vegetarian cookbooks. Just thought you’d like to know.
I got reacquainted with a bunch of the other first years that I met during interview weekend last night. Today is the first day of orientation. Things like library training (where I heard the fact about the cookbooks), and lab safety training (for the fifth time in as many years).
So until next time, remember to lock up your moosewood cookbooks before having company. 😉
August 15, 2008
Apartment Update
Knowing how much exciting the idea of pictures from the inside of my apartment must be. Here’s a shot of one wall (For bonus points, click through to flickr to see the notes explaining the purpose of each item):
August 6, 2008
Slippery slope
Here’s my friend’s wedding annoucement. Just doing my part to embarrass the new couple. Though I suppose it’s been more than three months now. Happy late three month anniversary buddy!
With regards to the title, next thing you know I’ll be posting pictures of my other friend’s baby. Or even video (I have video). But we won’t go there.