PhDuh

When I signed up to speak at this conference Friday, I thought, "Hell. It'll get me to write that damned paper and what's the big deal anyway?" Why is it I can never really convince myself with statements like these? On the plus side, I have a very good reason to do some drinking Friday night.

Hands On

Part of Dave's new gig at work includes ordering parts for the hospital's simulation center. That means I catch glimpses of messages like these in his inbox from the rep at Limbs and Things:

"As far as the breast simulator goes, i was impressed with Kyoto's model"

and

"that testicular model looks good from here. do you have any experience with it?"

Apparently not all simulator's are the same, but with some proper research a discerning individual can select the right model.

Golden

Dave and I have been trying for months to see Into the Wild and we've been mostly thwarted in our attempts. Once, after driving 20 minutes, we learned that a theater had forgotten to update their listings on the website and it wasn't actually showing. Another time we believed the City Pages when it located the Hopkins theater in Eden Prairie. FYI: it's not there. This weekend we checked four video stores only to learn their copies were out. Driving home dejected and silent, we happened upon a McDonald's and an idea. Redbox. Sure enough. Dave wouldn't let me buy any french fries, but we were both really happy with this stop. On the movie, we felt ambivalent; on the redbox, we're sold.

Academic Hazard

I'm currently typing with a wrist-guard, velcro-wrap thing on each arm. It's slower going than usual on the ole' keyboard, but I'm trying to ward off a case of carpal tunnel that I caught from grad school. These accessories are fashionable in my office at least. Gradpals Carrie and Kate both wear them frequently with a variety of outfits. They are nothing if not versatile.

"Did I just say that out loud?"

The -55 windchill didn't stop me from having a good time up in North country this weekend. Neither did the five-hour power outage that knocked out heat and lights in all of the lodge except for the lobby. Nor did my eight falls and one minor head injury during cross country skiing. I had such a good time, in fact, that I didn't even mind when Dave, standing right in front of the receptionist, held out the room key and said matter-of-factly, "You go ahead and poop. I'll check us out."

Josephine

I had brunch today with some old pals. I am very much in love with their two-year-old daughter who, when her four-month-old brother pulled her finger, exclaimed, "He's pulling my finger!" and then, with great effort, tried to fart. I knew her father in college. This is his doing. Trust me.

San Diego

I took this photo with my cell phone and recently figured out how to transfer it to my computer. As you can see, I've been working hard over my break.

Resolution: Be a Better Sport Win More Games

Dave and I spent the New Year's holiday at his family's cabin. He taught me how to play cribbage. I lost 8 of the 9 games we played. At one point I got so mad I threw down my cards and stormed out of the room. This scene was reminiscent of last New Year's Eve when he accused me of cheating at Yahtzee. I'm trying to keep such displays to just once each year.