Saturday, June 30, 2007
Missing memories of yesterday - 5:00 AM
Sitting and thinking about it, I am trying to work out where the week went. I think I was too busy to remember it.Work
I wrote my abstract for QMB and personally I think the final came out well, but it still has to be signed off by management, so will see. I re cloned the the SNP I am working on and bulked it up. Along with a lot of lab tidy work and some paper work that I had been ignoring. I decided i could not wait for my cells to bulk up so went and got them off Laura so I can test the SNP's activity for a meeting next week. I was meant to do the transfections today, but...... well.... yeah tomorrow will have to do.
Social
Well on Thursday night I went out with a group of people and saw Transformers, but more on that latter. Friday I went with Kelly and picked up Nick's mother 65th birthday present. Her birthday is on Sunday and I hope she likes it. Had Friday drinks and went to a play in Glen Eden (more about the play latter too). After the play we went to the closest pub, which just happened to be the RSA.
Games
This is the reason I didn't make it to work. I was gaming, still it is a Saturday. I rolled an alliance character on Frostwolf and have leveled it to 13. Yes it is called Yasmin too
I also got in my 10 arena games on Yasmin (my druid) which I played with Remmy. Oh I suck at pvp, but yay Remmy got my ranking up.Wellness
The weight is still coming off. I haven't tortured any small children. I haven't donated blood yet, but I did offer to help some people get rid of some of theirs.
Cooking
Chicken with mushrooms, tomatoes and rosemary
Calories per serve 277
Servings 4
Preparation Time 15 min
Cooking Time 40 min
Ingredients
4 chicken thighs
salt and pepper
1 tbs olive oil
1 onion chopped
300g swiss brown mushroom
1 tbs finely chopped rosemary
1/2 cup white wine
400g can crushed tomatoes
Instructions
Rub the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat and cook the thighs in batches until golden on both sides
Remove the chicken from the pan and add the onion, mushrooms and rosemary. Cook until the onion is tender
Return the chicken to the pan and increase the heat to high. Pour the wine and allow to bubble for 1 min
Add the tomatoes, and reduce the heat, cover and cook for 30min until the chicken is completely cooked through. Remove the lid for the last 10min of cooking to reduce the sauce.Serve with pasta
Media
Still reading Dirk Gently
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Still reading Dirk Gently
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
I had forgotten how much I like this movie, in fact I think it improved on re watching. I will not have to wait so long before I watch it again.Iron Giant.
Was watching this while cooking dinner. Still makes me smile, and was nice background filler.Transformers
I was surprised by this, it was much better than I thought. I think the cheese made it more enjoyable. I actually think seeing it on the big screen is a waste of time due to the techniques they use. But well boys and their childhood memories. Just wait til the Jem movie comes out and we want to see that. The Amorous Ambassador 
This is the play I went and saw at the Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre. Which had us all in stitches, part of that was seeing our friend being taken out by a door so many times. His new name is now Sugarpie due to this.
Projects
ummmmmmmm nothing to see here.
I don't know! I DON'T KNOW! I'm lost! I'm scared! I feel like I'm disappearing! MY SKIN COMING OFF! I'M GETTING OLD! Nothing makes any sense to me! NOTHING MAKES ANY SENSE!
This is the play I went and saw at the Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre. Which had us all in stitches, part of that was seeing our friend being taken out by a door so many times. His new name is now Sugarpie due to this.Projects
ummmmmmmm nothing to see here.
I don't know! I DON'T KNOW! I'm lost! I'm scared! I feel like I'm disappearing! MY SKIN COMING OFF! I'M GETTING OLD! Nothing makes any sense to me! NOTHING MAKES ANY SENSE!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
But my words like silent raindrops fell - 2:42 PM
Had the house warming this weekend, which was all good.Work
This week has be all about primer design, and 96 primers latter I was all done. This took quite a bit of effort to get all of them designed and confirmed. Next week I will be writing my abstract for QMB. And doing some cloning. Work has been pretty quite as every one is absorbed in their work with the end of the finial year looming.
Social
Again not much happening here, mainly due to the weather and every one working hard. We celebrated Kelly's birthday at work with cake, I made sure the hospital had stomach pumps on stand by if I got out of control. Luckily I didn't. But Happy Birthday Kelly. We also had our house warming this week. Thank you to all those that came. Our house is now thoroughly warmed. I think I did a brilliant job of tarpauling our back deck. It wasn't the warmest out there, but you could still go out there, which was good, as so many people turned up
Handbag shopping is really quite a personal thing, almost like getting a pet. You go into the store and wait for one to pick you, then you bond. Leave the store, make sure that it isn't just a fling, then come back. On the come back if it still wants you and you still want it, your life will not be the same if you don't get it. You will think about it, and regret not getting it. Thus you have a hand bag that will be with you for life. Or until some other handbag needs you. YAH Brair made me my cushions. They are great. Will post a picture when I have filled them.Games
I haven't had time for games lately. I bet Connect 4, so now refuse to ever play it again.
Wellbeing
It was going well until the evil white bread of the house warming. Hopefully come tomorrow it won't matter. Still we will see. My nails are getting longer and looking good.
Cooking
I made this, and it was great. Very easy as well and low on calories.
Calories per serve 300 including rice and vegetables
Servings 4
Preparation Time 40 min
Cooking Time 15min
Ingredients
1/4 cup each mirin, soya sauce
1 clove crush garlic
1 tsp grated ginger
500g beef steak
1 tbs oil
Instructions
Combine the mirin, soya sauce, garlic and ginger in a seal able plastic bag. Add the steak and shake to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30min
Heat the oil in a frying pan. Remove as much marinade as possible from the steak and them add it to the hot pan and cook over a medium heat for 2min each side or cooked until your liking. Remove the steak to a warm plate.
Add the remaining marinade to the pan and allow to bubble for a min or 2 until it thickened into a sauce consistency
To serve, slice the beef thinly. Place of a bed of rice and drizzle with the sauce and top with spring onions
Media
I am now reading Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
I love Douglas Adams writing. So enjoying this book yet again.I also saw Pirates of the Caribbean : Worlds End,
this week. And at around 3 hours I was a little bit worried after the second one what I was letting myself in for. But it was good. You don't need to see it at the movie, but it is worth a look. Much more similar to the first one. Projects
I should have my fish finished in a couple of weeks, all the under glazes are done. Just the glazes and mother of pearl to go. I will do some work on the car today, as I need to clean it out to find the cushion stuffing
You've had your whole FUCKING LIFE to think things over, what's a few more minutes gonna do you now?
Saturday, June 16, 2007
What a mixed week. Full of grey hairs, weight loss, meetings, nibbles and rugby
Work
This week was Dilip's farewell. Which went off wonderfully, and I did not get in trouble for having a 2hr lunch break because while I was out I picked up his farewell card and got everything sorted. But my plasmid prep from last week failed miserably so I have to retransform the bacteria. - Stink :/ But I finally crossed the gene array list work off, which means I have a whole pile of real time to do soon. Dilip's replacement will be a molecular biologist and my line manger, so will be interesting to see who they employ. But the good news for me last week was my QMB trip got signed off. A week in Queenstown talking to molecular biologists while Nick spends the day snow boarding.
Social
Last Sunday I went to Neelams surprise birthday party. Which was good, and I did really well at saying away from her birthday cake. But she has yet to spend her birthday present, mainly because she has been doing exams. We got her a M.A.C makeover. http://www.maccosmetics.com/home.tmpl?ngextredir=1. They are awesome at that kind of thing. Tuesday night I went to Quizz night at the Kingslander which was a bit of fun, particular when our entire team started singing Blister in the Sun. This quizz seemed to be aimed at our age group rather than the one above it. We came 4th, which wasn't to bad. Thursday was Dilip's farewell and that involved me drinking more than I should and a gossip session. It was interesting to hear what he had to say, he certainly seemed pleased to be out of there and was not impressed about having a female boss. What is it with men like that who are still living in the 13th centry and seem to think that woman are only good for raising children. Friday I skipped drinks having had enough alcohol for the week, and picked up some canvas for Nick and a sushi book for myself. I also made the mistake of going into a Made in Nippon store, and brought a bottle of Yum Yum sauce. If you have ever been to a Japanese restaurant and had shrimp you will know the stuff. I am going to make some sushi with it. Little sushi rolls so if I break down and scoff the lot it won't matter. Yesterday I went to Andrew's 30th and watched the NZ v's Canada game.
Well if the game had lasted the first quarter NZ would have been in trouble. But Go Canada and Miky Pyke scored a beautiful try for Canada.Games
I haven't had time to play much this week, a tiny bit of WoW, a little bit of TD and some Orcs and Elves. But I hate Connect 4. HATE HATE. I am sure the phone is cheating.
Wellbeing
This would be going a whole lot better if people didn't keep throwing parties for me to attend. For at said parties my new nemesis is found lurking in corners. Chippies, of every kind - all tempting and ready to pull me down. I can now say no to cake and chocolates, but the call of the chippie is so much harder. I have to keep telling myself , Thin feels better than you taste. The problem is the only way to find out is to taste. Oh chippies, I don't want to be a stay at home prude. Why must you taunt me. But I did find this great recipe with very low calories that tastes great. I really need to redye my hair and get a hair cut. Also I haven't chewed a finger nail all week, buying a nail file has helped. Nick tells me off now if I look like I will nibble.
Stir-fried Calamari with Chilli and Mint
Ingredients
2 tbs each; brown sugar, fish sauce, lime juice600g bok choy1 tbs vegetable oil1 tbs chilli flakes1 red capsicum1 small onion2 tsp ginger340g calamari2 tbs each; chopped coriander and mint
Instructions
Combine the brown sugar, fish sauce and lime juice in a small bowl. Set aside.
Cook the bok choy and keep warm
Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan or a wok and stir-fry the capsicum, onion and ginger for 30sec. Add the chilli flakes and stir-fry for a further 30sec.Add the frozen calamari and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Stir in the fish sauce mixture, coriander and mint.
Serve the calamari with the bok choy and rice.
2 tbs each; brown sugar, fish sauce, lime juice600g bok choy1 tbs vegetable oil1 tbs chilli flakes1 red capsicum1 small onion2 tsp ginger340g calamari2 tbs each; chopped coriander and mint
Instructions
Combine the brown sugar, fish sauce and lime juice in a small bowl. Set aside.
Cook the bok choy and keep warm
Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan or a wok and stir-fry the capsicum, onion and ginger for 30sec. Add the chilli flakes and stir-fry for a further 30sec.Add the frozen calamari and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Stir in the fish sauce mixture, coriander and mint.
Serve the calamari with the bok choy and rice.
Books and stuff
Still reading Going Solo
But read The Kingdom 
which is the sequel to Kingdom Come. Although the story was lacking I felt it built the characters better. In Kingdom Come you only felt in touch with the main three, but partly because you know them so well from all their previous history/comics. The Kingdom, gave the new guys that history and did it well.
which is the sequel to Kingdom Come. Although the story was lacking I felt it built the characters better. In Kingdom Come you only felt in touch with the main three, but partly because you know them so well from all their previous history/comics. The Kingdom, gave the new guys that history and did it well. But saw two movies this week. Wrong Man, 
which was really good. Had a little bit of everything and the acting was really good. Out on DVD now. More a guys film than girls.
which was really good. Had a little bit of everything and the acting was really good. Out on DVD now. More a guys film than girls. Nacho Libre
Was....... Jack Black at his....... self. I liked it. But then I was in the mood for pie in the face gags. Never have corn chips been so sexy, if what some what frustrated.
Projects
Ummm. The guilt is climbing again.
But my life is good! Really good! I get to wake up every morning, at 5AM, and make some soup! It's the best. I love it. I get to lay in a single bed, all by myself, all of my life! That's fantastic!
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Short weeks, they can be good and they can be bad. Yah more time off, oh shit I have to fit 5 days into 4 days bad. But has been a full on week and I got lots done. I am pleased they have put Paris back in jail. You do the crime - you do the time.
Work
I got a lot of little things out of the way and gave a report on some of my findings, and finished off the week with doing plasmid preps. I could have done more work and I blame the girls for distracting me, but I did let them. Still who can say no to perfume sales. I need to clean my desk.
Social
Well has been a full on week. So last Sunday we had our Sleep over and shopping. We hit DressSmart for the afternoon, and was nicely timed so the mall closed before we could spend to much money. For there we went to the supermarket and brought a whole pile of nibbles and headed back to my place. Where we drank large amounts of wine and talked a lot. Watched movies and ate ice cream. So much talking, was really good though. Finally went to bed at 3am. Next day more talking and waffles for breakfast. Then I grabbed Briar's car and went and picked up our new washing machine. Thursday we went to the perfume clearance sale and after walking around a warehouse of perfume, my nose gave up and went on holiday. Good thing I knew what I liked and got that. Who knew Paris Hilton had so many different ones, I liked Just Me. So I too can smell like skanky white woman. CKone smells good no matter who you are and I got this one. 
The laugh of the sale was Brittney Spears has one called In Control. We thought they should rename it to Out of Control or Pregnant Teenager. When we got back to work we all sprayed Ed with our various purchases. I wonder what his girlfriend said? That night I went to the mall and got my old National Bank cards chopped up and looked at handbags. I found one I really like but got the No from Nick. Bah humbug. My theory was if i don't spend any money on drinking, lunches and that kind of stuff then I should be allowed handbags. After all the handbag I wanted was less than what he spends a week on lunches. Oh well. It was nice a nice handbag. That night I was up till 12.30 baking a cake for Jude. I hope it tasted as good as it looked. I blew most of my Friday calories the next day after I had iced it there was some icing left over and I had a spoon or two. I didn't even get the cake, so not only did not get my cake, or get to eat it too; you aren't even allowed to lick the left overs.
That night was Anne's 20 years of service to government science. So free drinks and nibbles, I did well and kept to the fruit and water. From there I got picked up by Nick and his work group and we headed down to the airport to the 24 hr Driving Range and hit 100 balls. 
Well I found out that my club preference hasn't changed and I still do a mean drive with a sand wedge. Then it was off to the Cock n Bull for a few beers. After that I went home - sober due to just having water. And Nick stumbled in at 4am toasted. Saturday I mowed the lawns and went to a play, but more about that latter.
The laugh of the sale was Brittney Spears has one called In Control. We thought they should rename it to Out of Control or Pregnant Teenager. When we got back to work we all sprayed Ed with our various purchases. I wonder what his girlfriend said? That night I went to the mall and got my old National Bank cards chopped up and looked at handbags. I found one I really like but got the No from Nick. Bah humbug. My theory was if i don't spend any money on drinking, lunches and that kind of stuff then I should be allowed handbags. After all the handbag I wanted was less than what he spends a week on lunches. Oh well. It was nice a nice handbag. That night I was up till 12.30 baking a cake for Jude. I hope it tasted as good as it looked. I blew most of my Friday calories the next day after I had iced it there was some icing left over and I had a spoon or two. I didn't even get the cake, so not only did not get my cake, or get to eat it too; you aren't even allowed to lick the left overs. That night was Anne's 20 years of service to government science. So free drinks and nibbles, I did well and kept to the fruit and water. From there I got picked up by Nick and his work group and we headed down to the airport to the 24 hr Driving Range and hit 100 balls. Well I found out that my club preference hasn't changed and I still do a mean drive with a sand wedge. Then it was off to the Cock n Bull for a few beers. After that I went home - sober due to just having water. And Nick stumbled in at 4am toasted. Saturday I mowed the lawns and went to a play, but more about that latter.Games
I am still playing WoW and have given up the gold hunt, mainly because I gave away all the gold I had last night. Instead I am working on my PvP and making my arena skills better. Need a couple of items, but working on that. If somewhat slowly. Other than WoW I haven't been playing much else. Some TD. I really like this map called Stacker's.
Being a better person
This is going well. I have become a calorie counting freak all because of Spark. My fitness is up and I have started doing yoga again. After this I was thinking of going for a 20min run. Just to warm up for the day. Still it is only 2 weeks down and really the first two weeks are easy, keeping at it for longer is the hard part. I should go and donate some blood and work on being a good person in other ways.
Books and stuff
Well I have seen a few movies; finished Boy and now reading Going Solo.
For the sleep over we watched Pyar ke Side Effects, 
which was hilarious and I fully endorse this one. If you haven't seen a bollywood. Start with this one. I saw The Prestige 
and that was good, but they shouldn't have explained how the trick was done. Would have made the movie a bigger hit. How was he doing it, but I guess Americans have no imagination and there for have to be told.
and that was good, but they shouldn't have explained how the trick was done. Would have made the movie a bigger hit. How was he doing it, but I guess Americans have no imagination and there for have to be told. Children of Men. 
WOW I loved this movie and would suggest you should see it. It is so sad and.... Just watch it. Will definitely be adding this one to our DVD collection
WOW I loved this movie and would suggest you should see it. It is so sad and.... Just watch it. Will definitely be adding this one to our DVD collectionYesterday I went and saw an amateurs' play at the Titirangi Theatre called Teeth and Smiles. 
It was really good. So if supporting local talent is your thing - go see it..
It was really good. So if supporting local talent is your thing - go see it..Projects
Not much has changed on this front
Fiery the angels fell. Deep thunder rolled around their shores... burning with the fires of passion.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
'Cause nothin' lasts forever - 12:43 PM
Well it has been a busy week. The TV turned up, and the washing machine blew up. I got ranted at, and ranted at people. I got introduced to this great website, and when to a comic book swap fest. Monkey loves to scratch stuff and has developed a thing for the toilet, where as Fangs likes to piddle for attention. Why does cake have so many calories??? WHY!!!!!!!!!!!! Work
Everything was progressing along nicely until a meeting with Lynn. She brought her soap box, she ranted, I ranted. Neither of us won. Though with her I am satisfied with a duel loss. But it changed my relaxing week into something else. But we got it all sorted, and that was fine. I sorted out my issues with Vector NTi as well. Still rather have my job than Denise's.
Social
I seemed to be busy all week so social activities were a little lacking. At Friday drinks though there was a karaoke machine. Well never one to be shy about public humiliation I gave it a go. And well I suck, but hey it was karaoke. The aim of the game is to suck. Next time I think I will try Cranberries songs. Meant to be going shopping with the girls today but - washing machine blew up so have to go buy another one. But the new TV turned up and looks great, but what a Friday. Running around to pick up the cabinet as that was pick up but the TV was delivery and getting the cabinet made so they could put the TV on it. It was the best timing I have ever had, it some what frantic.
Games
Well I got my stylie mount and it is a very Yasmin looking.
For those intrested Yasmin - http://armory.worldofwarcraft.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Blackrock&n=Yasmin. So now I need to work on my Lower City rep and getting my gold levels up. Also Drunk Mages my arena team, Had its first win and yeah we are improving heaps. Been playing TD and other general WC3 mods which is always fast fun. The memory stick finally turned up for my phone so yeah, I can now install some new games and on the train I have been playing Orc and Elves. And I think I should have that finished in the next week or two. I gave up on The Birds - it is nutty hard.
For those intrested Yasmin - http://armory.worldofwarcraft.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Blackrock&n=Yasmin. So now I need to work on my Lower City rep and getting my gold levels up. Also Drunk Mages my arena team, Had its first win and yeah we are improving heaps. Been playing TD and other general WC3 mods which is always fast fun. The memory stick finally turned up for my phone so yeah, I can now install some new games and on the train I have been playing Orc and Elves. And I think I should have that finished in the next week or two. I gave up on The Birds - it is nutty hard.Being a better person
Well - I haven't weighted myself but I am going well. I got shown this great site http://sparkpeople.com/ Thanks Kelly ( I think Lana might have shown me this, but I was at the wrong place in my life to pay to much attention to it) I fully endorse it. (Cassie have a look as it will make Weight Watchers that much easier.) It makes it very easy to record a food journal and exercise log. The pain part is it is all in American units, though they also have grams there as well. So isn't to bad. The best bit is they also do it by serving. The key is sticking to it, and I think I am hooked. Since we have a TV now I can start doing my yoga DVD and working on my strength training. I have also stopped chewing my nails, they have gotten to that delicious length and the will power is really having to kick in. I spend a lot of time painting them now. I guess that is like gum to a smoker. .
Books and Stuff
Still reading Boy.
But have seen a couple of movies The Pursuit of Happyness.
It was good and damn Jayden Smith did a brilliant job. And it does show that first impressions do make a difference.
It was good and damn Jayden Smith did a brilliant job. And it does show that first impressions do make a difference. The other was Hard Candy
I have no idea what to say about this, just yeah. I am not even sure I could recommend it. It was good for what it is and deals with the subject very well. But the subject isn't every ones cup of tea. Watch this with a group of the same sex, I think it would help.
My projects
Well I cleaned out the garage so i can actually get to the car now. So it was an improvement. Yah for me, and I would have done more but the washing machine blew up.
But I finished my country cottage and about to start my next project.
Every war has it's casualties, no one's innocent.