Front Row Seats

Yes indeed, just noticed that the GOP has selected my next-door neighbor for the 2008 convention venue. Way to go, guys! Who knows what the next two years will bring, but regardless, it will be fascinating to see the convention hoopla up close and personal-ish.

How Little Students Know

Unfortunately, this report is incredibly unsurprising.

Expression of the Day

"the great ganglions of history"

Snipped from Francis Collins quoting C.S. Lewis in Collins' The Language of God, for which I splurged over the weekend and am not supposed to be reading until the assignment for my grant writing class is finished. Oops. I return to (re)writing anon.

On a completely unrelated note, Happy Shostakovich's 100th Birthday! Consequently, MPR has been featuring him all day, which not only makes for wonderfully interesting and provocative listening but also makes the listener mindful of the history of his time and place. In addition, Shostakovich is a welcome respite from the year-long Mozart 250th celebrations: one can have too much Mozart.

Tidings of Great Joy?

I have long lamented that my phenotype is one of straight brown hair with nary a freckle in view, rather than curly red hair with an abundance of freckles. (Just one of the reasons I love Weasleys, can you tell?) However, I do not envy the redheads everything, for both they and I have the pale skin plague. Is there yet hope for us persons of pallor?* I wonder whether or not we have the same allele, but I'll keep my fingers crossed. Much good all that would do in the Minnesota winter, of course!

* I don't know the original source of "persons of pallor," but as far as I know, it's borrowed from James Taranto. I give the expression points for being both delightfully cheeky and for allowing me succinctly to express the perennial disappointment of being sorely lacking in the melanin department.

The Mighty Zebrafish

As you, friends and readers, may well know, I love my lab. For that reason, I am pleased to note that a subset of our previous and current fish work has been featured today on the UMN website. After all, one can't have too much science (although I do have a good deal to do before I sleep).

**Disclaimer: the ideas, opinions, and other scribblings of this blogger are in no way affiliated with or representative of her laboratory--likely the opposite--and ought not be taken as such.**

Just One of Those Things

I kind of hate to admit this, but I will probably never love opera. Who knows, someday I may be utterly blown away by one and change my mind, but I suspect the likelihood is rather small: there's just too much singing. The orchestral parts, mind you, can be lovely. But the singing...

Nugget of the Day

Goes to Victor Davis Hansen for his pithy "immune to notions of deterrence." As with all things, it's best in context. RTWT.

A little Friday amusement, at least for the Mainers and Bean's devotees out there, at a New Yorker's expense:

Travelers in Maine have long flocked to L.L. Bean's mother-ship store in Freeport and been delighted to discover that it really is open 24/7 and buzzes with shoppers even at 3 a.m. But none was so surprised perhaps as Alex Kuczynski on a recent visit. "I've long been a customer of Bean's fleece jackets and flannel pajamas," she reported in yesterday's New York Times, "and it never occurred to me that the company makes much of its profits from hunting gear.
Wandering among the camouflage hunting outfits and Gerber Ripstop knives is like finding out your new beau is a member of the N.R.A., hates his mother and splits the check at dinner." The secret is out.

Hmmmmmmmmm. You don't say. In all fairness, the full article is here, in which Ms. Kuczynski demonstrates she is not entirely unaware of the origins of L.L. Bean and not completely insensitive. But I still get to poke fun at New Yorkers! ...If only they knew what chuckles they provide for the poor-relation blue staters, who, nevertheless, do appreciate the tourist dollars (even not always so appreciative of the tourists themselves).

Although, just to be on the safe side, I do suggest never showing her the Cabela's catalog. (And no, I will never own that.)

FYI, the proper technical terms, at least in my household, are "Bean boots" and "Bean bags."

Oh, and by the way...

...don't mind us, we'll be building another building or 47. Hmmm. I don't recall hearing about anything other than a new chemistry building and the walkways and whatnot. Then again, I've been pretty distracted this summer, so I'm willing to give the PTBs the benefit of the doubt. However, I request full disclosure of all further building plans for the next 30 years or so. In triplicate, on acid-free paper. Thanks.

Reminds me of a classmate's quip a few years back that when he was a rich alum, he'd give money to tear down a building and replant some grass. (I'm paraphrasing, but I think that's pretty close.) And you know, I may be a peniless young alum yet to really make her way in the world, but I shudder to think of how little green space may be left by the time my currently nonexistent children matriculate. (Yes, El Novio has been informed that is where my children will be going.) Oh well, I'll just be relieved it's not another Frank Gehry heap o' metal.

I should stop procrastinating, shouldn't I.

Happy First Day of School...Now Please Give Me Back My Summer, Thanks

This, in a nutshell, is how today has felt.

Here's to you,

Mr. Political Blogger Guy. So funny, so true! [h/t TH]

What about Ms. Political Blogger? I guess she'll just have to settle for good beer ;)

That's "Dr." to you!

That pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

Ladies and Gents, Friends and Loved Ones, I am exceedingly pleased to announce that I received word just today that the admissions committee has unanimously approved my request to change from JD/MS to JD/PhD and the requisite paperwork is being processed.

This is thrilling news indeed, especially because it means I get to hang out in an academic lab for the next couple of years! (Yes, I'm still a starry-eyed grad student, not yet a bitter one.) And, honestly, it makes one's day to hear oneself called a "strong applicant," even if one personally doesn't feel that way.

And on that note, I wish you a wonderful long weekend! As for the future Dr. Nomad, well she's going to go sit in the Comfy Chair and attempt to simultaneously read for Patents and deny that classes begin on Tuesday...or just pester El Novio. We shall see.