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Friday, November 30, 2007
I'm holding on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground - 5:17 PM
2 comment(s)
Work
Spent the last week making a talk to impress people that really we shouldn't have been trying to impress. But the talk is done and they were impressed and life moves on. Margot is back on Monday.


Social
Between trying to organise a work christmas party and not caving into people trying to be useless so that others will do their work for them, and the guilts from parents about the fact we don't want to go to their place for Christmas. Lump in Underpants on the Outside and a BBQ or two and I have been a little busy. I finally got Cassies wedding invite, and have my dress sorted for it. Booked the plane tickets today - YAH. Now just to sort out the present. I went to a BBQ last night which was good, even if I was snacked on by small flying creatures. Underpants on the Outside was good, and I impluse brought a $10 Hong Knong Phooey diaorama.
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I also put up my Christmas tree, I need to get some fairy lights for it. So presents to go around it would be good too.

Games
Been doing some pvp in WoW and sucking majorly at it. But if i want my pvp mount at 60 - then I better get my badges. Still Remmy says he has started WoW again so maybe I will be saved.

Wellness
The weight loss continues but at a much slower pace, mainly because i want to make sure this is a life choice and not a quick fad. I also noticed the other day that I am starting to get tiny skin folds, so not fat deposits but where my skin still needs to shrink to keep up with me, not to bad at the moment but any fast loss and well I might need some tape just to hold the skin flap in place. Any one got any ideas on how to make your skin shrink faster?

Yumminess
Fresh fruit salad and vanilla custard. I just love summer fruits, and the joy about living in New Zealand is we get damn good fruit.

Media
I went and saw Beowulf. Which was good, but they do it in IMAX 3D which will blow your socks off in a way that will make you tingle. So I will be going back to see that.

Books
Currently reading Alice in Wonderland. And I really wish I had read it as a child, because I keep catching myself thinking, but that is just silly. Where as a child would love the nonsese of it.

Projets
Working on a lolly jar for Cassandra

Saturday, November 24, 2007
Bruises on your bare skin - 6:47 PM
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Work
Completed the first stage of the TNFa HTP assay, now I have to give a presentation on it. Whaaaaaaaaaaa. I have also been told I am not allowed to read magazines at meetings. Well if they didn't want me to do that they should be interesting.

Social
I went to the Auckland Highland games and it was interesting, never seen so many kilts in the same place at once. Umm, on men and not for show. Just because they like them. The Friday that has just been I caught up with some friends and didn't get home til 2am. Talking crap and that, but was good.

Games
Back to playing WoW as my game, not as many hours though. But i am enjoying it so all good. Still solo leveling. Nick has just started playing The Witcher, it looks very repetitive, but I play WoW so meh a little bit of repetition is good for the soul *cough*. That aside the Wii is back and chipped. But I have yet to get my hands on the games I want to play, so nothing happening there.

Wellness
It should be back on track this week, as I brought the parts to fix Terry's bike. Still the weight is still coming down if some what slowly. But I am not gaining and really that is the important thing.

Yumminess
This apple, cinnamon, brown sugar and cream porridge I had in Eden village.

Media
I have now seem both Death Proof and Planet Terror. And they were good, very good. Well worth the watch. Also watching Brisco County Jr while pvping in WoW. Allaince just suck at pvp to much to actually pay attention.

Books
I read the Kite Runner and was impressed, ending was a little flat but the start got me hooked. Currently reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Which is completely different to how I remember it from childhood.

Projects
Nothing to see

Because, let's be honest, it's a field. Look. Do you see another world out there? No, you see a field. Do you see anything non human? No, and you know why? Because it's a field!

Friday, November 16, 2007
Like ten thousand spoons, when all you need is a knife - 12:42 PM
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Work
Been running my high through put assays. Though the week that has just been; I was making the invitations to the Christmas party. They look great.

Social
Last week on Friday night Aselle convinced me to go into town with her, and we ended up at Burger King, which was a little reminiscent of high school. From there we went in search of a jazz bar and ended up at the Hilton having Mai Tai's - OK honest there was only one Mai Tai, but it cost $18 so yeah. I received a few post cards from Brair, which is great and she promises the tacky ones are yet to come. She also ended up breaking up with the man she chased to London, and the two sides of me have differing views on this. The romantic side thinks it is a shame because all fairy tales have the heroine battling through hardships unknown, and dangers unbeholden to reach their true love. To find out it isn't really working for them any more; just... well ruins the story. The realist side of me is, don't get emotionally attached to wastes of time. If you are not heading in the same direction, or want the same things then end it and get on with your life and find some one who is. It may not sound nice but nice people will be the bunch of mindless jerks who will be the first against the wall when the revolution comes.

Games
Sims Castaway. I was told it was good and it is. Now if only I had a version that would run full screen.

Wellness
This week has been terrible when your major food groups for the day include : Cake, Crumble and Pie. You know you had a good day, but not in the artery way. Still the weight loss is still happening and I have hit the 71kg mark. Pretty happy with that.

Yumminess
The Berry Crumble I had at 277. It was the bomb.

Media
Not many movies, but a lot of TV series, Calfornication, Dr Who and Heroes. I did watch Music and Lyrics. Why Hugh Grant why, damn it and his sexy accent.

Books
Finished War and Peace. And anything I could say on the book would be lost because it is a translation, and as every one knows - It is hard to say where the authors writing starts and where the translation ends.
Also read Memoirs of a Geisha. Damn that is a good book, well written on both style and content. I would put this on the every one should read list. Next up is Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Projects
A cereal bowl for Nick and a Cat bowl for Midnight.

Certain words and phrases just keep drifting through my mind, things like, incarceration, cavity search, death by electrocution, life in prison, shit like that, know what I'm sayin', so do I want to come out alive...

Saturday, October 20, 2007
Keep it strong before the pain turns into fear - 4:28 PM
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Work
Been busy running my high through put assays and general being screamed at by a scientist that is moving from Hamilton to Auckland because she finds the people in Hamilton difficult to get on with. I have learn, it isn't them. It took me 2 days or organising and sorting and general managing to get her move as smooth as possible, but it went to custard. Then I was angry, I mean really angry - causing stomach ulcer bottled anger. Then I got confused, then I found a Wüsthof Culinar 10" carving knife some where between my shoulder blades and everything became clear. So it has become a shrug the shoulders and get on with it, and compliment them on the style in which they did it. That all aside I manged to get a reasonable chunk of work done, which is surprising considering the previous dramas took 3 days.

Social
Well it has been a week of social events as well. But we will start with Friday a week ago when I handed over my cellphone to Vodafone because the software glitches became over whelming. It was a little annoying when the phone would crash and change the settings on being charged, a little bit more annoying when it would no long send or receive PIX and TXT messages. But when the camera stopped working - I had enough and got it sorted. Still waiting for it to come back from the shop. The replacement is a bit of a laugh, it is hot pink with cute babies theme. Not really me. Oh K800i please come back to me and not have cooties. The same day I went shopping with Brair for a tiara - which we found in Pagani (I love that shop, they seem to think an outfit is not complete with out a ton of glitter, rhinestones and general sparkly bits.) And which Brair promptly after having brought it, sat on. I had already claimed said tiara and was offended that she could be so callus with my stuff (even if she brought it) Now I just need to instigate a tiara Monday and I won't feel so silly wearing it at work. I then attended Brair's birthday party which was great and took a lot of photos. I went as a slayer and Nick went as Seth Geko from Dusk til Dawn.
Which look pretty damn good. Had a lot of fun and that. More photos on Facebook. Then the following Tuesday I went to Curry Club. Which was good, if the weather was some what shocking. I made a Saag Panneer which was pretty good and got some votes for being the best. I need to get the recipe off Roger for his dish as I think Nick would really like it. Friday night I went to work drinks and we fleshed out the details of the Christmas party. Looks like it is going to be good. Then this morning I went over to Aselle's to watch the Rugby World Cup final. Which was a boring game with no trys scored. But then finals normally are boring because the teams are evenly matched and the players are more worried about screwing up than being flashy. I think the decider was when Cherrie not knowing what biltong was - cooked it and burnt it. The blood sacrifice had been made, so South Africa had to win. Sean is still not sure winning was worth the loss of the biltong. But at the breakfast was good and I had these really nice peach and passionfruit danish. YUM.

Games
No bandwidth, no cellphone, Wii is being chipped = No games.

Wellness
Going well, with Brair leaving Aselle has roped me into making salads. Which is good as this will encourage me to have salad. And I brought a bike, now I just have to get it picked up. So *everything* going well I should hit 65kg by the Christmas party, and 60kg by Cassies wedding. Which sounds like a good excuse to buy a new dress. Hit 74kg this week so is doable. And the tennis season is approaching.

Yumminess
The peach and passionfruit danish. No idea - Neelam brought them. Just YUM.

Media
Stardust
Good movie, really really really liked this one. Was sweet and nice, good acting, good story, a bit for every one. Def. see
Books
Still reading War and Peace. Into the second lot of peace about to be in the second war.

Projects
Making a cereal bowl and saucer for Nick to have at work.
Some people lose their faith because Heaven shows them too little. But how many people lose their faith because Heaven showed them too much?

Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Alone and crying - 12:44 PM
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quick update.
I am skipping this week for 3 reasons.
1. My bandwidth has been blown and I can't do jack with out them charging me.
2. I joined facebook
3. Been busy

Next week I promise a big blog fill of stuff.

Saturday, October 06, 2007
Run till your legs break - 7:40 PM
1 comment(s)
Work
Did some tweaking on the TNFa assay and changed it to a much shorter incubation time, which is good for me. And played Lab Manger and got some other bits and pieces sorted.

Social
Well it started on Thursday when I went to see the wedding venue organiser, and we paid our deposit and sorted out a table map and hammered out prices, picked vases and cake tables. Decided on wet weather arrangements and picked a cake. From there we headed into Parnell and went to a Christmas party for Nick's old work. Yeah that is what I thought, in October - jumping the gun a bit, but is easier to get a venue and have people attend. I have never seen such drunk girls on a work next day night behaving like skanky hoes since I went to Uni. I felt a little sorry for their partners. But on ward, and on to Friday as the auspicious role as Social Club Sectary I arranged the AGM, and got a bit carried away with the pizza. But oh well. So on the 19th Dec if you are in town come have some fun with some scientists while enjoying a Casino Royale theme. Then Saturday rolled around and I made cup cakes for Briar, watch her and Aselle's squash game. Which was very short. Headed to the plant barn with Di (to be mother in-law) and got a few plants to put in my garden. Mainly got herbs, will be using some of them tonight. Then headed home to finish making cupcakes

Which turned out - well amazing. Not only in looks but in taste, I think the Gin and Lemon ones where the best. I really need a better cocoa powder to make chocolate ones. Either that or use melted chocolate. I also did the Dove Star Pink Walk. Which is to raise awareness of breast cancer and funds for research into cures for it. I think about 5000 people did it this year which is just slightly mind blowing. I didn't wear pink, but the people I was with had enough pink to cover up for my lack. Sunday I did some gardening and got some of my plants in.

Games
Played some Bejeweled and a little bit of WoW, would have played more but Nick and Terry got us capped and I can't patch. I need to play more Wii, though I am keeping up with the Everyone Votes channel

Wellness
FINALLY made my 75kg mark and that makes it officially 15kg lost and 10kg to go. I biked to work today and it almost killed me due to my unfitness so, if I keep it up I should have knocked those 10kg off by the time I get to Christmas. Feeling pretty good about that, particular last Monday I went bikini shopping with Briar and well it was depressing because she looked so great and I have so far to go. So here is hoping that with a bit of work when I go and do my shopping it won't be depressing.

Yumminess
The Gin and Lemon cupcakes. Out of the latest Foodtown mag. Just YUM.

Media
Zombies
Ummm was a little creepy and was well done, didn't really see anything but of course your imagination makes it worse.
Heroes - S2 Ep 1&2
Oh so good. Love this show.

Books
War and Peace
Finally into the war, and yeah I think I need to make a list of who every one is and who they are related to, as there are so many people it is getting confusing keeping track of them all. Now I am biking the reading will slow down, which is a shame. But I can read when I am skinny, if the biking doesn't kill me.

Media
Kiln is fixed and popped out on Saturday and did some glazing. Next week will have photos to post, maybe.

We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner; now *I* am the master.



Saturday, September 29, 2007
That I'm naive, I'll understand - 12:57 PM
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Work
Got through a ton of GABA assays, and helped my new supervisor orinteer his way around the place. Smelt some compounds. And actually did all the graphing on the assays the week that I did them rather than wait til I got bugged about it. Need to spend some time getting it into my lab book now.

Social
On Friday night I went out with the girls and saw some bands, the problem was it was a very small room and well made it hard to mix properly.

And the other problem was the band that we were their to see (Labretta Suede and The Motel Six) decided to ignore the no smoking laws, so if they could so did every one in the bar - which sucked massive balls, so I left. They weren't to bad, you can check them out here http://www.myspace.com/labrettasuedeandthemotelsix. But to be honest I liked the first band (no idea what they were called), with a bit more practise and a few sessions in a decent manic depressive state they could be really good. But sound issues aside the venue was very cool, would love jazz there. I also mowed the lawns, I always forget how satisfying a freshly mown lawn can be, I guess that is the same with weeding. Which is the next thing I need to do. I made bread - like kneading and that. Wasn't to bad but the problem i had was the recipe had 4 different yeast measurements i went for the low one, and found out I should have gone for the high one. The next lot will hopefully be better. It certainly looked better after the raising step.

Games
Peggel damn well rocks, it rocks so much it is a rocking rock thing. Now to get Nick

to buy it for me. The demo is all good, but can only play for an hour. Other than that i have seen a lot of TF2. Which is in beta at the moment, and the only way to join the beta is pre-buy the game. So if you have a gamer in your life and they start screaming in their sleep, "Kill the medic" or "SPY" or "Orange Box". They have pre-brought and are playing hard.

Wellness
Going well, even with lunches and that. 76.5kg last week which is the half way mark. Every thing is down hill from there.

Yumminess
Garlic and Cumin Prawns. From the latest foodtown magazine, pg 86 if I remember correctly.

Movies
Hogfather

This was really good, it was a average book. But this made it awesome.

Superbad

This was damn funny - a little bit American but full of laughs. With out the cops it would have been lame though.

The Terminal

Would have been better if they got a Russian rather than Tom Hanks trying to be Russian. Was OK, but I wouldn't suggest it.

Fido

This was just pure odd - and not good as in David Lynch odd. Just odd as in your nice uncle that keeps asking for photos of the kids.

Books I finished 1984 which was actually a little bit disappointing near the end. It is defiantly a book of ideology rather than well written. Which is a shame because it could have been both every easily. But all that aside I do think it is a book that every one should read, and in their early twenty's when your ideology of the world is shaping.

Projects
Nothing to see. Hope the kiln is fixed :/

The only thing I know about the dark is you can't see in it.


Saturday, September 22, 2007
Work
I spent the week doing plasmid preps and health and safety. Sourcing cocoa. Of a side note here, to find a decent quality cocoa I decide to ring around the places that advertise hand made chocolates and find out where they get their cocoa from. It was interesting - because they don't make them. They import them from Australia. Boxes and boxes of little hand made chocolates from Aus. Seemed kind of silly, and kind of takes away they whole hand made chocolate boutique thing.

Social
It was my birthday yesterday, and I had a party. It was a pot luck thing and all my friends did an amazing job. I made sushi which looked very impressive. So I can now officially say the Wii is mine. Speaking of which it is urking me for some reason more than it should that Terry registered it in his name. In the end it doesn't really matter, but well it is mine. It is times like this I fell like I am behaving as an only child is perceived. Stamping my foot and saying MINE.
But all that aside - I am now older and another year closer to my mid life crisis. Which I am allowed at a minimum of 35, as discussed with my friends. And I fully intend of having one, I might even try for two. One at 35 and other at 45. I may have to put some research into how to have a good one, as I don't want to miss out of any of the fun bits. But I have to make cookies for tomorrow morning to celebrate I am older.
The other thing that I did was went to the parallel imported make up and fragrance clearance sale. I brought some cool things. And well the sparkle - it is great. But finally I have liquid eye liner.

Games
I broke my Bejeweled record with an impressive score of 12573. I was going to play some WoW last night, instead I talked to Remmy and made a list of all the songs I have used in my blog. I found them all but "It doesn't make sense the words that we're saying" I have no idea where I got this one from. My Googlefu failed me for that one. I did play a lot of Wii last night, I need to play some more bowling on another character to get back into it so I don't loose my professional tittle. I want to hang onto my 185 average. Might play some WoW today.

Wellness
Going well, hopefully I have lost the kg which will put me at 15kg lost and over the half way mark. I need to be a bit more obsessive about my calorie counting, but Sept is the month for birthdays. Soon it will be summer and salads will be more the order of the day and I will be biking to work. I am defiantly noticing the loss - most of my pants I don't have to bother to undo now to take them off.

Yumminess
No idea what was in them, but the cookies that Briar made last night. - Yum.

Movies
The Last King of Scotland
This movie was well done, and you would fully enjoy it you are in the right mind frame. But it is sort of like a documentary - so don't expect CGI and big action. But I enjoyed it.

The Feast
This movie all the things that are missing in The Last King of Scotland, terrible acting, drums of fake blood and gore. A script that was written by stoned university students. It was like most of my jokes so bad you had to laugh. B-Grade at its worst and there for good.

Bridget Jones Diary part 1 and 2
I had not seen this before, and now having watched it i regret waiting so long. It was funny and sweet. And the scene were Hugh Grant falls in the lake sold me. No matter how big of a cad he was, what dodgy hookers he has had. I was sold on his sexiness. I like 1 better than 2. But the scene in the jail was worth it.

Books - I am now reading on the train (have been for a while, but decided to start working on books I should have read and haven't) So decided to split the movies and books.
Animal Farm
I can see why it made such a big impact when it came out. But my comment on finishing it was - it was predictable. At which point I got a massive dialogue from Nick (I think he had to study Animal Farm at school) about how you can not say history is predictable. That is like some one about to watch Rome being told that Casar dies, and thus claiming that you had ruined it for them. And really he is right, I had no come back to his you can't claim history is predictable. It was very well written but didn't really do anything for me.
(if you want to suggest a book I should read, just flick me an email, or leave a comment.)

Projects
The kiln is still broken so nothing is fired, shaped my oil burner some more and started on my castle.

Talkin' about coffee, what's your opinion? Is it a social lubricant or a dangerous stimulant?

Saturday, September 15, 2007
Work
Been a busy week and it slacked off by Friday - because i ran out of cells. But I did get to do some of my Lab Manger duties which was good to tick them off. But was working on the TNFa promoter this week and ran some of John's samples through it. I still need to graph the results.

Social
Well not much on the social front mainly due to Nick working late most of this week, though I went and got my 30th birthday present. The worse part of it was the anticipation, but once it was started it was about as bad as freezing your self to something. Not very pleasant but not to bad. I felt bad on Friday as I had promised Arlene I wold come to Boogie Wonderland with her, but I forgot, she even sent me a text reminding me which I didn't get until I was home when Nick gave me back my cell phone. I shall have to make her cake. I also meant to go and see my friends in Mt Eden but didn't really make it, due to Nick having to go to work. I mowed the lawns yesterday, then sat on the lawn in the sun and read a book. Was all good. Right now I am really enjoying some Smashing Pumpkins.

Games
Playing some WoW and some Wii Play, and of course Bejeweled when things get boring.

Wellness
Hopefully everything is still on track, though I feel it is and clothes I brought earlier this year are starting to hang on me. Been so busy lately preparing stuff takes time, where as takeaways or cheese toasties seem easier. I need to go and buy some fruit and vegetables today.

Yumminess
I had this really nice salad with fresh spinach, sun dried tomatoes, capsicum, tarragon and pumpkin seeds. Sprinkled with a little bit of garlic salt. Was nice. Argh I still haven't had any sushi. I had a good cheese burger too.

Media
Sione's WeddingThis was a laugh a minute and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One to add to the DVD collection.
Little Miss Sunshine
Although good I felt it was trying to be Running with Scissors for the main stream.
TideLand
This was odd, but in saying that it is a Terry Gilliam movie. I could see what he was trying to do, shame he didn't have the budget and or a child actor who knew what he wanted. The best parts were with Jeff Bridges.
100 Bullets


This is a graphic novel and one of the best you will read. So next time you are wandering past a store that purveys in this type of merchandise, wander in and have a read.
Hell Boy - The Troll Witch and Others
Is a short story collection, but covers the time he went to Africa a long time ago. With some others, and with any short story collection some are good and some are average. I liked it, but then I love the style and all that.

Projects
I am currently working on a oil burner, which is being more difficult than I though, mainly because of the carving I am doing.

I am mentally divergent, in that I am escaping certain unnamed realities that plague my life here

Sunday, September 09, 2007
Work
Been busy, but then compared to lately it is normal. Tried transfected a different cell line. THP-1. It went not so well, but it was decided that I should just keep with the cell line I have it in.

Social
Aselle had her birthday this week and so I made her a cake. It was cute and tasted ok. Then we went to Zap 2 for dinner which is this great Thai place and I fully rate it. There was 20 of us so the food wasn't as good as it could be because the kitchen was a bit over whelmed. Then on Saturday night I went to another birthday party, this time one of Nick's work colleagues. And since I had done such a good job on Aselle's cake I was asked to make Andy one. Which was fun (was a race track - Nick iced it)

Games
Some WoW. My priest is now lvl 29. Lvl 30 is when I get some fun stuff. Playing Tower Defense while I write this.

Wellness
I would say I was hoping to loose the 2kg I put on while I was in Queenstown, and that 2 birthday parties do not make that overly easy. But since I am late I know I lost it - So yah me. Now I am working on making my nails strong so they can grow and look nice. Got sick of them breaking and looking like I was chewing them any way.

Yumminess
Kan Moo Grob. It is just damn well nice and well has like a small pig of pork in it.

Media
Knocked up
This was super lame and made me never want to have kids.

Projects
Working on an oil burner and another cat bowl

But wouldn't it be great if number one this Christmas wasn't some smug teenager but an old ex-heroin addict searching for a comeback at any price? All those young popsters come Christmas Day, they'll be stretched out naked with a cute bird balancing on their balls and I'll be stuck in some dingy flat with me manager, Joe, ugliest man in the world, fucking miserable because our fucking gamble didn't pay off. So if you believe in Father Christmas, children, like your Uncle Billy does, buy my festering turd of a record. And particularly enjoy the incredible crassness of the moment when we try to squeeze an extra syllable into the fourth line.

Sunday, September 02, 2007
Work
This week I was at a conference in Queenstown - QMB (Same conference I mentioned in my first blog post). So spent the week learning new things and that. I went to a great talk on probiotics and on on pheromones and a whole pile I could have slept through. I presented a poster on my GABA work and hung out mainly with the sponsors. Ummm buy RayLab. I might pad this out a bit tomorrow.

Social
This time Nick came down for the whole week and went snowboarding, that same week 7 of our mates also happened to be in Queenstown boarding so Nick hung out with them durning the day and had a great time. I caught up with them in the evening.
The other thing that happened while I was down there was the 2007 lunar eclipse. This isn't my picture as cell phones don't do so well on moon photos.
But it did look amazing.

Games
Played a lot of Bejeweled durning the boring seminars. And that was about it.

Wellness
Cough.... conferences is free for all, so re weight tomorrow and see how much I have gone up and get back on to the spark plan. How could I say no to free Hersey's kisses the cookies and cream ones. That is just morally wrong.

Yummy stuff
Change of tact her and following Kelly and just mention what the best meal of the week was.
Sushi, oh it was good. Some restaurant in Queenstown - great Japanese and didn't they know it. Still worth the price.

Media
The Host
This was ok, didn't rock my boat but didn't make me want to walk out. Nick loved it.

Black Sheep
This I really liked. Was badly acted, bad script and terrible jokes. It was C grade, and very similar to Tongan Ninja - which is another great movie.

Shooter
This was good action, good script and plot, and well acted. Not sure on re watch ability but def see if you notice it at the video store.

Projects
Tomorrow

You make love as you eat, with a great deal of noise and no subtlety!

Saturday, August 25, 2007
Work
Worked on my presentation for the Palmerston North conference and went to the Palmerston North conference. Networked with some interesting people that I hope to do future work with. Need to butter them up some more this week.

Social
No social - all work. Though I did take Jude, Andrew and Marcus to the Fitz in Palmerston North, we drunk beer out of big bottles and felt old. Also went shoe shopping with Margot.

Games
So yeah I got back from Palmerston North to an empty house (Nick was at his Softsource farewell) and I went so what can I do........So I cough* went raiding* cough. Due to this I have refused to play any WoW this weekend. It sucked big time and yeah I don't want to raid. Whaaaaaaaa Blizzard I want my soul back.





Wellness
Been so busy I haven't weighted in, and conference's supply you with yummy food. Though Palmerston North was good as they gave you salads. But you sit all day :/

Cooking
Because who doesn't appreciate brulee
Creamy Berry Brulee
2 x 300ml cartons double thick cream
2 tbs icing sugar
finely grated rind of 1 orange
1 punnet fresh or frozen blueberries
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 punnet fresh or frozen raspberries
3 tbs castor sugar
extra berries for serving

Gently fold together cream, icing sugar, vanilla essence, orange rind and berries. Spoon mixture into 6 brulee pots.Place pots in a baking dish, fill dish with hot water to half way up the pots. Bake at 140C for 40 minutes. Remove from baking dish and allow to cool. Refrigerate for 4 hours, or overnight if possible.Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of castor sugar over each brulee. Place under a hot grill for about 1 minute, until sugar is dark brown.Allow to cool for about 15 minutes before serving. Serve with extra berries, and biscotti for dipping.

Media
I am re reading Moonheart at the moment. It is sweet and yeah not every ones cup of tea and only when you are in certain moods. And at the moment I am so enjoying it. Is a bit dated since I last read it.

Projects
Fish is done, getting it mounted. Photos next week
Candy doesn't have to have a point. That's why it's candy.

Sunday, August 19, 2007
Work
Busy, but at meetings and mainly getting a presentation sorted for a conference next week in Palmerston North. Had two days annual leave as well.

Social
Went shopping with my Mum checked out Dress smart and Sylvia Park. Dress smart were having great sales and I brought stuff. Brought some pants and some tops and some shoes. (will link pics tomorrow) She came up for the Black Sabbath concert which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Games
My addiction is starting to sneak back. The WoW bug has caught me again, though this time is is just a slight running nose rather than full on eye bleeding. Playing some TD and some Mah-Jong and of course Wii. I lost my professional status in bowling :<

Wellness
Well I put on a kg this week, but in saying that I know why, and I am not sure what i can do about it until Sept. Conferences and more conferences. Still won't power has to kick in sometime right.

Cooking
Two meals this week were great, Laksa and fresh spring rolls OR Beef Fajitas. Both were enjoyable, but I learnt more from the Laksa.

Fresh Spring Rolls

Dipping Sauce
60ml Sweet chilli sauce
1 tbs lime juice

To make the dipping sauce, combine sauce ingredients together

Rolls
100g dried rice vermicelli
1/2 mango
1 small Lebanese cucumber
1/2 avocado
4 spring onions
15g coriander
2 tbs Vietnamese mint
20 rice paper wrappers

Soak the vermicelli in hot water for 20min - then drain.
Working with one wrapper at a time - dip each wrapper in warm water for 10sec to soften then lay out on a flat surface. In the center add approx 1 tbs of vermicelli, to it add a little of each ingredient to your own taste, top with a bit more vermicelli. Fold int eh sides of the wrapper and then roll.
Repeat till all ingredients are used.

Laksa
200g udon noodles
2 tbs peanut oil
3-4 tbs laksa paste
1 l vegetable stock
750ml coconut milk
250g snow peas
5 spring onions
2 tbs lime juice
125g bean sprouts
200g tofu
20g coriander

Heat the oil in a wok, add the laksa paste and cook, stirring over a medium heat for 1 min. Add the stock, coconut milk, tofu, udon noodles and spring onions and simmer for 10 min. Add the snow peas and lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Divide into 4 bowls and top with coriander.

Media
This was rather bad considering the voice actors, still after a quick search, discovered that is was filmed in French then the sound track was re-dubbed into english with the voice actors having to get their lines to fit the spaces. Still was kids fluff, better than happy feet.
Better than I though. Actually enjoyed this. Was stylie enough not to take it self serious and interesting enough to have a story. This was great, mindless comedy action. I fully suggest this one for a rainy weekend where a spot of light heartiness is needed.
This was odd, nice idea behind it, just didn't seem to get any where. Was almost like they were going to make a TV series, then changed their mind. Die Hard 4. If you go and see this, leave your brain some where far from this movie. You want pointless violence, mindless explosions, hot kung fu and more guns that the americans have lost in over seas conflicts? This is the movie for you. It promises explosions and it delivers. I almost feel they have set it up for the baton to be passed and there will be a die hard 5, but John McClains son in law will be the new hero. Still we will see.

Projects
Nothing to see
Yeah, last time I saw her she was at the bottom of an elevator shaft with an SUV rammed up her ass.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Yes I am late this week, and that is mainly due to being so busy. I had to cancel experiments this current week due to so much on

Work
I worked out how to use the robot, no it doesn't have death lasers. Just LED's. But will be a big help in all that I do, got my QMB poster finished and off into the internal system. I wrote and sat my yearly performance appraisal. And graphed some results on DNA dilution in transfections.

Social
Social - who has time for social.

Games
Playing WoW again, not much though. I think like 4hrs total a week, Got the leveling guide so I can at least make it to 70 before the subscription runs out. Still playing Wii. I went professional with my bowling skills. Woot for me; I got a new ball and if behaves differently.

Wellness
The weight is still ticking down. But to many lunch meetings, conferences etc. My goal is not to gain any weight in Aug, so far so good. But the tough weeks are ahead of me.

Cooking
Not bad, and in the foodtown magazine. Nick didn't complain so that is something


Mexican Meatball Soup

Soup
2 tbs olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp Mexican spice
2 x 425g cans tomatoes
2 tbs tomato paste
2 cups beef stock
2 tbs chopped coriander

Meatballs
350g mince
1 small onion, grated
1 small egg, beaten
1/2 tsp each; ground cumin, salt
2 tbs chopped coriander

Place the olive oil in a sauce pan. Add the onion and cook over a medium heat until the onion is soft. Add the mexican seasoning, tomatoes, tomato paste, water and beef stock. Cover and bring to the boil.
Meanwhile, to prepare the meatballs, combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix. Roll walnut sized balls of the mix into the soup. Continue to simmer, covered for 30min
Stir in the coriander and serve with pita

Media
Umm didn't see anything or read anything

Projects
Got the bowl back, didn't take a photo. Fish next week.

You can't change who people are without destroying who they were.

Saturday, August 04, 2007
Work
Has been nuts this week doing a ton and a half of samples for an assay, now just the data to plot and work out how to stream line it. But went to The Food Show this week as work related thing. http://www.foodshow.co.nz/ It was great and fully enjoyed being able to go on the trade day. I brought back so many goodies. Was well worth going and will defiantly be going next year.
Kim at the Food Show

Social
Been working hard haven't had time to be social. Caught up with Nick parents yesterday morning after scouting out a wedding venue. So yes this means the wedding is actually going to happen next year. Weddings are so expensive - how the hell do they expect you to have a student loan, a mortgage, retirement fund, medical insurance and still pay for a wedding. Still we are being harsh on our invite list and even discussing that our guests have to buy a ticket to come to the wedding. No present just cash. This means people we don't really like will most likely not pay and not come. Where as the people we really like will pay and come.

Games
Wii - bowling, and zelda. Though i played some WoW today, and canceled my WoW subscription. I am not getting my monies worth out of it. So canceled, but i have 6mths to change my mind. I wonder if I can get my priest to 70 in that time, some how I doubt it.

Wellness
YAH. Off my weight loss plateau and back on the down ward. 78kg now. So that is 12kg lost since the start of June. Another 15kg to go. Going to try running to work some time this coming week, all 12km. I won't be running the whole way but if I walk it - is 2hrs. So lets see how fast I really can do 12km in.

Cooking
Kelly and I made this out of the latest Foodtown mag. Was good and damn easy. I would coat the pork in cornflour first so it soaks up more glaze and doesn't dry out as much.

Sweet Chilli Glazed Pork with Hot and Sour noodle broth

400g boneless pork slices
1/4 cup sweet chilli sauce
1 tbs dark soya sauce
1 l chicken stock
2 packets 2min noodles
2 tbs each: white wine vinegar, sugar
2 handfuls mung bean sprouts
1 handful fresh coriander

Preheat the oven to 200C and line a deep dish with baking paper
Slice the pork into bite size cubes. Combine the sweet chilli sauce and soya sauce and toss with the meat. Lay the pork evenly in the baking dish and bake for 15min and then turn and bake for a further 15min
Bring the chicken stock to a simmer in a medium pot. Add the noodles and simmer for 3min. Add the vinegar, sugar and mung sprouts to the pot and bring back to a simmer.
Remove from the heat and distribute the noodles and liquid between 4 bowls. Top with the pork and fresh coriander.

Media
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
It was..... well... OK. It tied up the series, the story made some big jumps, but I guess when magic is involved you can. A little bit disappointing and almost the feel it was written more to be a movie than a book, compared to the others in the series. It is still one of those you will read it at some point books or at least see the movie.
Strange Days
It hasn't dated as badly as it could have, was kind of sweet and sour at the same time. Actually just like takeaway Chinese - if you are in the right mind - it can be delicious, wrong frame and you are going to be regretting it latter.
Happy Feet
Some one made a movie about dancing penguins - shame they didn't make it a story about dancing penguins.

Projects
Nothing to see. Arlene forgot to fire my stuff.
To be with another woman, that is French. To be caught, that is American

Saturday, July 28, 2007
Work
Last week I finished off my GABA work for QMB. Now I just have to complete the Nutrigenomics stuff and have that ready for the confrence and put my GABA stuff into poster format. Making the poster should be easy as the results are outstanding.

Social
Went and saw The Simpson's movie on Thursday and caught up with a whole pile of friends, it was also the day that my Wii turned up. Nick in his wisdom though the Wii would be safer being carried around by me in a room of 50+ geeks than locked in the boot of the car. Never have I been touched so much, well not me... all they wanted was the Wii. They wanted to touch my Wii. But I knew 90% of them so knew where to go to kick their arses should the need arise. I skipped out of Friday drinks early to get home and cook dinner and have Wii fun. But Saturday night was a social event where I went to 2 parties. Both productive for diffrent reasons. Party 1 was catching up with some old friends and reminising about old times. And Party 2 was mainly the geeks I saw on Thursday night, but borrowed the new Zelda for the Wii off one of the guys there. So was all good.

Games
It is a name and its name is Wii. If you have not heard of the Wii - then buy one. Just walk into your local Dick Smith and say "Give me a Wii - I have money" (make sure you are not lying about the money part or be able to run fast with a get away car ready) It is so much fun and really hard to discribe, so I won't - just buy one and find out for your self. But get the Raving Rabbits and an extra controller. If you have a Wii this is my number -
5029730718756462. Leave me a message with yours and i will send you a Mii.

Wellness
Bah humbug - I didn't loose a single gram last week. Here is hoping for this week. But in saying that I talked to one of my friends and it took her 6mths to loose 20kg, at my current rate I can do that in 3mths. So prob not good for me, and having a few non loose weeks will be good for me. I didn't do as much running last week as i would have liked but - it every thing goes badly I will just do Round the Bays. Will see, but a Wii is a work out in a half.

Cooking
These were great and healthy too.
Kingfish Salad with turkish cucumber and yoghurt dressing

Ingrediants
2 tbs olive oil
1 tsp each, ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and paprika
1kg kingfish
1 bag lettuce
1 tomato
pita bread
Method
Mix the olive oil with the cumin, corriander, cinnamon and paprika. Brush over the kingfish and place on a greased baking tray.Preheat the grill to high. Cook the cutlets close to the grill for 3min each side. Remove and allow to cool. Place the salad leaves on a platter. Discard the bones and skin. Gently break the fish into chunks and place on the lettuce. Serve in pita bread with jakji and humus.

Media
The Simpsons Movie.
Was better than I thought, but was just like a really long simpsons episode that was funny. 7/10.

Projects
Nothing to see here

I realize, now that it is too late, that honor does not live in the name. It comes from what you carry in your heart.

Saturday, July 21, 2007
Paper work is always fun

Work
I didn't do much this week as I ran out of DNA so couldn't transfect. Though I went to a Health one symposium. Which was really interesting if some what long. I also knocked a lot of Health and Safety things off my list and that kind of stuff. Need to make all my solutions and DNA for next week.

Social
Was a quiet week with Nick doing various stuff. Tonight I am off to have dinner with Brair and eat curries. So tired last week.

Games
I resigned from playing Horde in WoW and got my alliance priest to lvl 20. But deep down I shall I always be Horde, it is part of your soul. Lok'tar Ogar for life.

Wellness
Well after my shocking week last week food and exercise wise I should have gained but I lost another 400g which was good. And I have decided to train for the Auckland 1/4 marathon. So 12km of running. Practise starts on Monday.

Cooking
I did this with chicken instead of potato, and served with couscous and garlic baked portabellos.
Savoury Wedges
Ingredients
4 large floury potatoes, scrubbed and sliced into wedges
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2 tbs each, canola oil, finely chopped coriander
1 red pepper, sliced1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 cup each, low salt tomato paste, water
2 tbs brown sugar

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180C, place all the ingredients in a large, flat baking dish. Toss to coat.Bake for 30 min or until the potatoes are tender. Turn once durning cooking, add a little extra water at the end of cooking if necessary to ensure a smooth, glossy coating.

Media
Watched Star Wars 2 and 3. Well 85% of them, to much emotional angst for me.

Projects
Glazing done on the bowl and fish. Picture of bowl will be up soon.
I think that with your IQ, you're unarmed and still VERY dangerous.

Saturday, July 14, 2007
I def did not get enough sleep this week and used Saturday to catch up on it. It seemed to be social event after social event. Also I use a song quote and movie quote each week, post a comment if you know it.

Work
It manged to get most of my standard compounds through my GABA assay. Along with attending the Annual HortResearch quiz on Wednesday night. My team was the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. We didn't do that badly, but neither did we win, in fact we drew for second last, and got chocolate fish for the effort. I also discovered that I have learnt lots from woman's magazines.

Social
Small side note, the cats found a predator in the house. It was disguised as the toilet paper. They took it out good.
Fangs and Monkey
On Thursday night Nick got in trouble. We went and saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with my friend Kelly and her husband. Instead of having ice cream Nick said lets go to the pub with my friends. I was ok, Hummmm. They were on the viaduct and parking is a bitch. So once parked, we head to the bar. Nick has no idea where it is and gets us lost. I stick to water, and soon get tried and bored (well not to bored, the music was 90's girl pop, so I was singing away) So at 10.30 I said, how much longer Nick says, one more hour but you go home and I will get a ride with Mark. At 4am he stumbles into bed. No I should say falls down in the hallway and drags himself to the bed and then falls into it. Stinking of expensive booze. I was not happy, but he did make it to work by lunch time, and he did make it to Spookers. Which was great, and we will be going back in summer to do the maize events. In groups of 5 they send you through the house, the 3D vortex and forest. The 3D one rocked, and was the most amount of fun. Though I did jump lots, people jumping out of walls and that. All good fun. We met the Mad Butcher too.
Terry, Nick, The Mad Butcher and me
Fully suggest you going here if you are in Auckland.

Games
I blew my internet cap downloading Avatar: The last Airbender so no gaming for me, not that I had much time any way. My friend Shaun said that he would play with my character, since he was the one that said watch Avatar, which by the way was great. I have a question for you Shaun, When does Zuko learn to air bend?

Wellness
I have lost my first 10kg Which isn't to bad considering I started on the 25th May. So just under 2 mths. 20kg to go. Last week was a bad week and hopefully the scales won't be to mean. Lots of bad food and driving the car, need to walk for an hour to day to make up for it. Next week I will do better.

Cooking
I haven't done any cooking this week worth mentioning, but I will be making these today (I know Kelly will read this and will ask for them, so I have to now) Which will be delicious.

Five-spice Fruit Friands
Ingredients
Spray oil
200g soft butter
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups ground almond
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp five spice powder
1/3 cup trim milk
1 tbs fruit juice
1/2 440g can apricots, drained and sliced
icing sugar
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180 C. Lightly spray a friand with a little oil.
Place the butter in a bowl. Add sugar and beat, until creamy
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after adding each egg.
Sift the baking mix, baking powder and five spice together and add to the mixture alternately with milk and juice.
Spoon into the prepareed friand pan. Place the fruit on the top
Bake for about 10 min or until a skwer comes out clean
Cool and remove from the pan and serve sprinkled with icing sugar.

Media
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, well if you have read the book you will know that a lot happens in plot summary to the series of books, but as a stand alone movie, not a lot happens. Watch the previous ones before seeing this. It will make it better.
Ginger Snaps
Ummm this was a Nick choice and yeah, didn't really do anything for me. The special effects reminded me of Brain Dead.
Deja vu
This was different to what I though and kind of sweet. Not bad, but not a you must see this. If you see this at the video store and you need another one to fill out your 3 for $10 then it will be fine.

Projects
Nothing to see her. To cold and busy to do stuff.

Bade bade deshon mein, aisi choti choti baatein hoti rahti hain