Danielle Blog

New Year’s Eve – fun with hats

hmmmm…. so this is how we celebrate New Year’s Eve, eh?

very pointy.

And shiny.

And sparkly.

But you say you want me to wear it?

Like this?

Or maybe like this?

I can. Almost. Get. It. ON.

Hmmm… might be kinda hard to eat the hors d’oeurvres this way.

Ah well, that’ll just go with my New Year’s resolution to gain, I mean *ahem*, LOSE weight.

yes, Lose, certainly LOSE. Not gain. *paws crossed behind back*

Perfect!

Now I am All Set!

Hey! Where’d the party go?!

Hey! Are you laughing at me?

========

*grin*

Happy New Year’s everyone!

New Year’s Eve – fun with hats

hmmmm…. so this is how we celebrate New Year’s Eve, eh?

very pointy.

And shiny.

And sparkly.

But you say you want me to wear it?

Like this?

Or maybe like this?

I can. Almost. Get. It. ON.

Hmmm… might be kinda hard to eat the hors d’oeurvres this way.

Ah well, that’ll just go with my New Year’s resolution to gain, I mean *ahem*, LOSE weight.

yes, Lose, certainly LOSE. Not gain. *paws crossed behind back*

Perfect!

Now I am All Set!

Hey! Where’d the party go?!

Hey! Are you laughing at me?

========

*grin*

Happy New Year’s everyone!

1 year blogoversary

Guess what today is?

New Year’s Eve! Well, yes, that too – and I’ll write about that later I’m sure, complete with photos, I believe.

Today is the 1 year anniversary of the beginning of my blog. I know, it is hard to tell, because of the way I back-dated my bicycling posts in Sept-Nov 2004. But I know that between Christmas and New Year’s last year, when I was on break, I converted those emails to posts, found the pictures, and posted them on the 31st. Also, I wrote my introduction that day, complete with a picture of my eyes and this picture.

At the time, I was not saying much about what I “do” for a living, but I will tell you now that this was part of an experiment that I did while I was rotating in a different laboratory my first year of graduate school. In a nutshell, in order to choose where you want to do your thesis work, you spend a chunk of time doing research in labs where you have an interest.

That lab studied the ovary. And that is an immunofluorescence image of a mouse ovary. I never actually saw the image you see above until the color film was developed, because it entailed flipped the light source of the microscope to see the blues and taking an exposure, changing the light to see the greens/yellows and exposing the film a second time, and then changing the light to see the reds and exposing the film for a third time. So, all of the pinks and purples and such are due to overlap that I couldn’t actually SEE at the time. Not until I got the film back from processing.

I’d thought about entering that image in a contest or two, but never did. I also thought about having it printed really really large and framing it, but was never sure how to do it, since all I had was the slide. Now, with Flickr, I have a feeling I can make an 8×10 of it pretty easily.

Anyway, now you know the back story of that image.

The back story of my blog, as some of you know, is that dooce used to allow comments on her daily photos. She doesn’t anymore due to the popularity of her site and the amount of bandwidth required to keep those comments going, not to mention that everytime she would get recognized by a TV show or radio show or magazine article, her popularity would increase and many more people would ‘discover’ the comments on the daily photo. But that is how I met Ladybug and Amber and Sheryl and Closet Metro and Honestyrain and Doc Ern and Amanda B and Colleen from NJ and Carol along with a whole host of others who may or may not have blogs anymore but don’t come here to comment so won’t be offended if I don’t mention them (unless you are reading in secret and if so, you should comment!). And I started realizing that as my comments got longer and longer and longer on other people’s blogs that perhaps I needed an outlet for my thoughts and my pictures, especially my pictures. And I started daydreaming about what my blog might be. And I started exchanging emails with Sheryl, because she was setting hers up then too.

I had dreamed that it would be a place where my friends from high school and college could ‘meet up’ and comment, and it would be a way to keep track of each other. But I realize now that most people aren’t comfortable with such a public outlet &/or don’t have the interest in reading my wordiness. I also had dreams that it might be a way for family and friends to see what I’m up to, and see the pictures I’ve been taking, since I’m notoriously bad at sending emails, calling, and keeping in touch. And it HAS been that for some of us, like SeaQueen and Jenski and Texas Seestor and Trainwreck and my parents and HB’s parents and some others who don’t publicly comment but tell me by email or other means that they’ve enjoyed certain posts or pictures. Texas Seestor actually left my first real comment (I had done 2 ‘test’ comments).

And through Ladybug and Bucky Four-Eyes and Zoot, new friends have found my blog, like Squirl and Momo and Poopie.

My blog has become a place where I can relieve some of my artistic energy. Before I had this, I would go through these periods of time where I started itching to do something artsy or crafty. Eventually the itch would overcome me and I would have to put reading a book on hold while I tried to paint something or make something out of bakeable clay. And in the background, I was still taking photos and never had an outlet for them. Tah-dah! Now I do.

The biggest unexpected JOY! of my blog though, has been the friendships I’ve made through it. I never expected to find such a warm community of people from all over the world who would support me through some times that, for me, were quite difficult and lonely.

I don’t know if I’ve ever really told you thank you for that. So, I do now. Thank you, so very very much.

I love you all and thank God for all of you. You are truly a blessing to me.

hugs to you,
Danielle

Anyone feeling funny?

I could really use a joke right now. Or a funny picture.

Does anyone have any of those to spare?

I’m having a blecky day.

Christmas recap

In case you were wondering what kinds of things I did or thought or felt over Christmas, I’ll do a recap.

The morning of Christmas Eve, I felt really really glad to realize that I had the day OFF and the next day too. I enjoyed lingering over tea, reading blogs, and reading my book. This would be the book that started off with all the dead chickens on Plow Monday, which is a terrible way to remember a book – but I fear it will always be ‘the dead chicken book’ to HB and thus to me. All weekend, he asked me if the chickens had come back to life yet.

Anyway, I will tell you that the book had quite a few twists and turns and a female character with courage, backbone, a strong sense of justice, and a willingness to put aside her own needs for the greater good of her country. Of course, since it was really a love story, albeit a complicated one, she eventually realized that putting her own needs aside for the good of the country was only worthwhile for a year or two, and eventually found a way to rule the country and have a husband too. This was a book by Laura Kinsale. I’ve read another of her books that was very striking that I own. I’ll have to request some more of her books at the library.

I had proposed the idea to HB that since I was taking the day OFF, we should (finally) go see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. And we did! Dolby Digital sound, unfortunately no one is projecting it digitally anymore, because it has been too long since it came out.

It has been a while since I read the book, which is nice, because I’d forgotten just enough that I didn’t sit there thinking “Oh, this was better in the book.” or “Oh, this is such an odd way to do this scene.” etc.

I enjoyed it. Sometimes, when I read novels, I have trouble imagining the largeness of a scene. For those of you who know what I’m talking about – the opening scene with the World Cup for Quidditch is the one I’m thinking of. I never would’ve imagined a stadium so large or a field so large.

The same is true for the dragon scenes. I don’t remember envisioning Harry’s chase to be that elaborate. And the Yule ball! I would’ve loved to have seen more of the ball.

End result: I enjoyed it a lot.

We went out for supper, as a holiday treat that I thoroughly enjoyed and I got to do something artsy that day, as you likely know.

The church service filled me with a lot of remembrances of years past. Years growing up and going to my aunt’s church for Christmas Eve (we always spent Christmas at my Grandma and Grandpa’s), driving to and from church listening to whatever radio station was playing Christmas music and singing along, looking for houses with cool lights. The singing of Oh Come All Ye Faithful and ending with the passing of the candlelight and Silent Night… and wishing we could sing more than just a few verses. The service never feeling quite like I expect it to be, but nice, all the same.

Christmas was again another day to sleep in and linger over breakfast. This time with cinnamon rolls though. It was a day of presents, and talking to family on the phone and wishing we could all be together, but making the most of our conversations on the phone instead. I received some wonderful gifts of books and music and clothes and tea and chocolate and things for our home that help make our house feel like a lovely home and a DVD of an Alison Krauss concert that made me realize how Funny she can be! And what great music she sings. And you’ve seen most of my photography experiments for the day in my post yesterday.

We had our traditional Christmas meal, which for us is:
olives & carrots to nibble on while waiting for the food to get done
dill pickle doobers – you wouldn’t believe me, if I told you.
ham
mashed potato casserole (i.e cream cheese and sour cream mixed in)
green bean casserole
cranberry relish & pineapple tidbits in cherry – raspberry jello

HB strikes again – Christmas surprise!

HB and I usually try to surprise each other with gifts that the other one wouldn’t expect. Some times this works out better than others, as you might imagine, or perhaps you have first-hand knowledge and can completely relate. There was the year that I found him an unusual bar set, where each tool had eyes cut out of it so that each one looks like an animal of some sort. You know, the ice tongs look like a shark, the martini strainer looks like a lion, that sort of thing. I think that was one of the cooler gifts that I’ve found for him. Well, at least I always thought so, but maybe it because I liked it a lot too. And now that I think about it, he really did seem more thrilled about that scotch I got him a couple years ago too…

Also, we usually do the traditional wrapping of the presents placed under the tree, that sort of thing.

But this year, HB went a different route and led me down to our living room with my eyes closed.

And look what he got me!

Isn’t it cooooooooooooooool?!

At first, I was surprised to see a Really Red teaset. But MAN, just look at that teapot!

It can blast out at you like a neon fire-engine.

Or look like Alladin’s lamp.

How could I resist something with such great curves?!

It really is striking. Get it, striking, HB strikes again?!

tee-hee! Don’t mind me, I’m just happy and tired, all at the same time.

I took all pictures with Dee-Dee, my Nikon D-70. For some I used the combination of a tripod and self-timer (for the first time) in order to avoid the whole blurry/shaking/too much caffeine issue.

Favorite Fuzzy Friend Friday – the Christmas posse

And THAT is true Christmas spirit; the cats, dogs, and mice all get along.

Pyeeahhhckage!

Guess what I got!

A pyeahhhhckage! (package)

From
Ladybug!

She, smart girl that she is, noticed me whining, I mean lamenting, in the comments on one of my snow posts that since I don’t drink alcoholic drinks, I never get to have drinks with cute little umbrellas and pirate swords and those little paper things that fold out and make a 3-D object like a pineapple.
———————–
Here are the exact words:

Trainwreck *sniff* you have to save just one for me too – we’ll be there again one of these times.

Do you know that when I was little, I used one of those drink umbrellas as an umbrella for my dolls for _years_. Eventually, the little red ring holding the umbrella open broke.

I still have a special place in my heart for pirate swords, drink umbrellas, and those little folding things that are skinny when they are shut and 3-D when they are open (I’ve seen them as a pineapple before). They never seem to want to put those little things on the non-alcoholic drinks.
—————

And she sent me some!

Now, I have my very own supply, the sweetie!

There are about 5 pics of me being dorky with my mug and drink umbrella on Flickr (I probably shouldn’t be telling you that, but well, they made Ladybug laugh, so maybe they aren’t so terrible).

I have set the mugs up near my couch study space and they make me happy everytime I look over and see them.

Thank you again dear A, they really brightened my day, week, and season. And finally talking to you on the phone was a Big Bonus!

And you know what else she did, she sent a present for Girlie-girl!

And I don’t just mean tissue paper! Although that is in there too – and just in time, she’s just about shredded to bits the paper that I’ve decided to let her have.

Here is how things played out in the Girlie-girl’s words.
Remember: you can click on any picture for the larger version.

Take it away Ms. Blogging Kitty Herself.

What’s this? A present for me from Ladybug?

What a nice bag. Good corners. Nice edges.

Hmmm… wonder what is in it?

Ohhhhh, a candy bar! mmmm… smells delish.

And Christmas treats! Just for me.

hmmm…. those smell pretty good.

Now let’s see, there’s a jingle ball, I KNOW there must be another one in here.

Doesn’t it all look just wonderful! And it matches me! black and white you know with an emphasis on the black.

Oh, but mustn’t look too thrilled. Gotta keep my cool.

Oh right, pose for the camera… yes, yes.

Now, how do I get into those snacks, I wonder? Makes me lick my lips just thinking about it.

Danielle? Danie! Hey! Set the camera down and open this up for me, please.

Oh thank you darling.

ohhhhh… they smell so goooooood….

Maybe I’ll just eat a few….

Oh, who am I kidding?

No one can eat just one!

No one can.

And if you think that moving them a few feet away is going to stop me, you aren’t as smart as I thought you were, silly girl.

Thank you so very much, Ladybug!

Here, I think you need a head butt of affection.

purrr purrrr purrr

——-

Me again (Danielle), one last thing – she may not LOOK excited in the pictures, but believe me, she LOVES those treats and shows interest in all of it, well, especially the treats. We are giving her a few a day to make them last.

Thank you again, dearie!

The small happenings in my life

There are odds and ends that I’ve thought of posting lately, but most days, I’ve been on my computer for so many hours a day, that when I’m done for the evening with writing, I just want to close it up and not see it anymore.

HB is on vacation this week, so it hasn’t been so lonely around the house. And yesterday, I was really in the mood to get out of the house and eat something different for lunch, so we had a mid-day outing. We went to Chipotle for burritos and chips and guacamole. yum! I had leftover chips and guacamole too – so I get to have some today.

We also went to the library, because I am officially taking Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off from my thesis and I wanted some books to read. Plus I think it might be good if instead of checking blogs during breakfast and lunch, I gave my eyes a break from the computer.

Now, now, never fear, I’ll still be by once a day, I’m sure.

We also went to the grocery which would Not be cause for excitement except for a few things.
1) I got a peppermint mochaaaaaaaaaaaaa at Starbucks at the beginning of our shopping trip.
Note to self: remember to put a drink holder in the cart next time – difficult to carry coffee and shop.
2) I bought the fixins for white chocolate dipped pretzels and marshmallow fudge. I decided those are 2 things I can easily make on Christmas Eve or Christmas day that will make Christmas feel like Christmas.
3) Christmas cookies! Yay! I’ve been missing them, a LOT. And while they aren’t as good as homemade, they will do.

And at supper, HB and I had decided that we wanted to pull out our new books for supper (since we’d already seen each other all day). And here is what I read him, and his comment:

Me:
In the fifth year of the reign of King Richard the Second, Forest of Savernake.

On Plow Monday, all the chickens died.

Isn’t that a great beginning?! “On Plow Monday, all the chickens died.”

HB: Must’ve been Avian Bird flu.

*snort*

Getting closer to the top of the mountain

I haven’t said much for the past couple months about how my thesis has been going. Mainly, because I really didn’t want to talk about it.

I am finally ready to post something about it, because I finally feel GOOD about it. I’ll get to that in a second. I’ll back-track a wee bit to put it in perspective.

For review: my thesis will consist of
1. Introduction
2. Chapters – which are in manuscript form – 3 published, 1 unpublished/preliminary (i.e. 4 chapters)
3. Discussion
4. Addendum – a published paper I did for work kind of outside of my main project

When I arrived here in MN, I knew I had 2 manuscripts to write (i.e. 2 chapters), an Intro, and a Discussion to my thesis. I knew that in the past, it has taken me a good solid month to write a single manuscript when I was working in my office at school and dealing with various interruptions and trying to do some experiments. So, I Hoped that I would be able to work much faster without the interruptions.

And I did. I hammered out the body of 2 manuscripts in record time (a couple of weeks – or maybe it was a week and a half), before I headed off to Texas for the Beeeeg Wedding Event. However, there were topics in the discussion of each manuscript that I had not gotten a chance to really read enough about and learn about. I had naively assumed that would take me a couple of days.

WELL, and this is where I got discouraged, it took me a good 2 weeks to find papers, read papers, and figure out how my data did or did not make sense with what had been previously published. The thing is that my work was inadvertently affected by some construction/remodeling that was going on in our building complex. And it ended up creating “stress” on my experiments. So, I had to learn a whole new field – stress – and I had to learn a couple of other fields.

That learning required a LOT of papers, a LOT of notes, and a LOT of frustration.

Here is how bad the area around the couch got right before Thanksgiving.

Warning: Mom, close your eyes, this will bring back memories of my room as a child/preteen and teenager.

There are notes on that picture if you click it.

Even though it may LOOK like a disaster, I actually knew where all of the papers I needed were located.

No really, I DID.

Well, most of the time.

Anyway, I got really frickin frustrated because of some discrepancies in the stress field that just were NOT making sense. And of course the people hadn’t dealt with the discrepancies in their published articles. And it took me most of the Thanskgiving holiday and then a couple more days to figure out what the heck was going on.

Once I figured it out, I moved faster on those manuscripts. However, I was still slowed down by needing to review some work as I went and trying to figure out what should and should not be included. That is really a large part of what our training is all about as Ph.D. students and as post-doctoral fellows…. not only how to design and do experiments, but how to publish them afterward. I think for many of us, the designing and doing and analyzing afterward comes a lot more naturally than the how to talk about it all afterward. There is a fine line between how much detail is too much detail. And as this story goes on and on, I think you can guess which side of the fence I tend to fall on.

(too much detail)

Trying to cut to the chase. I got one of the manuscripts figured out and off to my advisor a few weeks ago. And the second one, a week ago. As of yesterday, I had written the Intro of my thesis. That left The Final Discussion of my thesis. And it felt like a Big Fat Unknown.

I’ve never written a thesis discussion – what the heck did it need to be?

I had this great talk with my advisor yesterday evening. She gave me the general things I needed to cover… and then I got down to the nitty gritty with her. I had outlined what I thought it Could Be. And that prompted us to talk about the nuances of the work. Turns out that a lot of the detail that I put in the manuscript/chapters can go straight into The Final Discussion!

Wait, I think that needs a few more exclamation marks

…. straight into The Final Discussion!!!!!!!!!

This means, in case you haven’t figured it out that
1) The Final Discussion is NO LONGER this big unknown insurmountable THING that I am facing
and
2) I’ve actually found almost all of the detail and WRITTEN almost all of the detail that I need for it!

Can we say BIG sigh of RELIEF!

And now that I am healthy again, all of this looks more do-able, and not so insurmountable.

So, there, that is “how it is going” in regards to my thesis.

And the famous question everyone wants to know – I still don’t know exactly when I will be defending. Probably the end of January. It will partly depend on how fast I can get this final stuff written and how much I can get my advisor to look over stuff between Christmas and New Years.

So, off I go! Back to writing.

Oh, and one other REALLY COOL thing that I just found last night – is that clinicians have stumbled onto some of the same pathways I’m studying and have actually started treating patients with a drug that makes perfect sense for the results we are seeing. How cool is that?!

too cool.