This post is dedicated to things that creep me out. I've already mentioned moths and automatic doors, so we'll skip past those ones.

#1: Hair not in a person's head

Even if I know who's head it came from, it freaks me out beyond belief. If I'm at work and a strand of hair somehow finds itself attached to my latex gloves, I try to shake it off in spasmodic gestures, usually to no avail, and I shudder all the while.

#2: This picture: "David Hasselhof as he should never be seen."
A friend of mine at work changed another friend's computer background to this when he forgot to log out. When you work in a lab where everyone has to log in and log out constantly, and where people are vindictive to those who forget to log out, these things sometimes happen. This friend was so amused by this, he kept his background as such. I didn't know him this well when I first saw this, so I definitely wondered, but he saw the look on my face and hastily explained. I too find it so disturbing that it can't help but be amusing, but disturbing nonetheless.

#3: Pet calendars

I realize people love their furry friends, but this to me seems a bit extreme. In anything but a calendar, fine, I even condone having pictures of your pets around. But pets not even your own... I guess it depends on what kind of animals ultimately. I'd own a calendar with llamas, sugar gliders, tiny crabs, poisonous reptiles and the like--but cats and dogs? I'm not saying they should go or anything, just that they disturb me.

#4: Things that wobble about in a drunken state

Prime example: Paige's frog. I know I mentioned it in a previous post, but really many things fit in this category. This is why moths freak me out so. The sheer unpredictability of the object, and the possibility of it coming at you unawares, whether it's capable of thought, and especially if it's not... I think that scares me more than anyone that could plot out something. If it's a possibility you've thought of--fair game, but random fits of crazy are what really scares people where psychopaths are concerned.

Need I say more?

Sunday, Sunday, someday....

One hour in counting. That is till I can leave work. I really want to just go home and sleep. Of course, that has been my goal every day this week, and I have yet to achieve it. I'm so excited for my week off, I almost want to do a jig. I won't of course, partially because I hate dancing, and partially because I'm too tired to dance. But tomorrow is my Friday, and were the day not marred by school it would be perfect. I guess next week I need to start packing, and finish cleaning my sister's room. She won't do it by herself, so she's paying me to do it. It's not the first time I've undertaken this task, and it's quite challenging. I also have to help my dad clean out my room at their house for the 2-3 months I'll be moving back home for before moving out again, this time into an apartment. I will miss my master bedroom. I won't miss locking myself out of it. I guess I need to figure out where I'll put my Mountain Dew Tree as well. I plan to continue building onto it, and I think by next year it will be huge enough that we'll probably donate it to the Festival of Trees. That's the goal. It seems weird that I've been living there a year now, and that I will no longer have easy access to friends who I would otherwise not see with my current work and school schedule, because I will no longer be either living with them or others will not be coming over to hang out with my roommates. That's a confusing sentence I think, but I refuse to change it because I'm tired and not particularly interested in doing so. I really have enjoyed having 4 roommates. It may seem like a lot, but I like having that many people other than myself constantly around when I get home. And I can't believe I feel so open around all of them. I've always been slightly different around friends vs. family, and even more so around strangers vs. friend. It's not that I'm pretending to be a different person, I'm just a person who is more open to those I feel more comfortable around, and quiet in situations I'm unsure of. Strangers think me quiet, friends probably find me blunt and often sarcastic, and my family gets the best and the worst of me. I feel so comfortable around them I don't hold back at all. I know nothing I could say or do will make them not love me, so there you go. With my roommates I feel almost as at ease as I do around my family, and did from the beginning. I thought it might be weird having my sister move in with me and my already existing roommates, like it'd be mixing the two worlds, but it wasn't all that different, although I'm sure they saw sides of me they were slightly shocked about. But I didn't feel uncomfortable, which is really what matters. My sister is one of my favorite people because she is so honestly out there, and I couldn't be that real at all times if I wanted to.

Any way, now I've put a dent in the time, albeit a small one, and I can try to do some work till I go. There really isn't that much to do at this point, if anything, and the potluck I had has made me very sleepy indeed.

Relief Comes With The Weekend

And here is the promised optimistic post. Optimistically yellow and everything.

There are many reasons I love the weekends, especially on a work week. For starters, there are no supervisors around. Not that I do anything wrong to warrant my wanting them gone, mind, but it is nice to not have anyone brainstorming with you on efficiency or asking you questions about samples from 3 days ago that only someone with a photographic memory would remember because of all the other patient problems we have a week. My new supervisor is awesome when it comes to getting things done we asked about for months without any results, but he's a major micromanager. I guess I should come up with an alias for my place of work. My mother would kill me if I used the actual name, because then psychopaths would know exactly where I am and would come and get me. My parents watch the news a bit too emphatically. Anyway, I think I'll call it "ACME Labs" (for Atypical and Chaotic Medical Experiments). Right, so here at ACME on the weekends there are also less people. Not that I don't like people, but it's nice to be in that state between crowded and dead, because it's ever so much less busy on the weekend--yet another perk. Plus I can listen to music all I want as I work without comment, which is ideal with the new ipod nano I just bought, which I adore so far; I love buying myself presents--that sounds selfish, but there you have it. That's not to say I don't like buying other people presents as much, but that's beside the points I'm making. I also like working Sundays. That also doesn't sound good, being the Sabbath and all, but hospitals can't close on Sundays, and because we are dealing with their testing, neither can we. Thus someone has to work, and it might as well be me every other week. It's even more peaceful than Saturday, which is definitely something Sundays should be, and my fellow coworkers have a potluck, which is good for us unifying and loving one another. Seriously; I didn't even really know anyone well before I started going to those, and now we're all the best of pals. Ooh, and this has nothing to do with the weekend, but it's good news for me. Our instrument officially moves to it's new place of residence in the lab in March, along with us, and I was afraid we would be shunted into some corner away from the rest of the world with it, but it turns out they are putting us where the front desk was, and the new front desk is on the other side of us (and around us actually, which is somewhat confusing), so everyone in my old section will have to pass us to get to the sample fridges and immunology techs. Hah! So I will still see everyone as much as ever, maybe more. That said, here is my happy post.

Things that must go

In an effort to post more often, possibly on a daily basis, when I otherwise would be too engrossed in other things, I've decided to make this installment about things I think should go. I was listening to x96 the other morning and thought, "hey, I have things that bug me, and people should know." The bright side is, this could take quite a few posts, thereby insuring that my friends have plenty to read of mine, and who knows how knowing what bugs me will affect them, though it might not be so good for me. I realize of course that I will have to offset this later with a post on things I find delightful, for I surely would not want a negative blog, so I guess I'll just start writing what I'm thinking, and heaven help us all.

Thing #1: moths

They fly around in a drunken fashion, dive at your head...Who needs them? I do of course realize that getting rid of something as insignificant as moths could detrimentally impact the world, after all, we've all seen that episode of the Simpsons (sadly that is probably a not so true statement) where Homer goes back in time with the toaster, sits on a fish, and suddenly back in the present huge changes have occurred, such as people having snake tongues and donuts raining out of the sky. True, moths and butterflies are very similar, and a butterfly half-way across the world flapping it's wings can cause a tsunami far away, but would a world without tsunami's really be that bad? Earwigs should go as well. They freak me out.

#2: people who name their child "Princess"

Not the naming mind, but the actual people who do it. I see it time after time when testing peoples' serum for allergies. Little one year olds with the name "Princess." Sure, it's an adorable nickname, and someone out there might be able to pull it off, but thinking in terms of myself...If my name had been Princess, I would have never developed a self-esteem with the endless teasing bound to occur, and I would probably live in Tibet. All in all, it's just not right as a name. I don't care how young and hip you are, it's just mean, especially if your daughter wants to become a lawyer, or president someday--though that would be cool to be President Princess. Princess: a born leader. Imagine the campaign slogans that could be wrought. Sorry to offend anyone who has actually named their child this, but actually I'm not sorry at all. Shame on you people.

#3: the calling of your people "peeps"

If you do it whatever, but when I hear that, I see marshmellowy goodness, and it's a disappointment when all I find is a person.

#4: people who go the speed limit

I realize this sounds bad, and I of all people should not be telling other people how to drive, considering I've hit more inanimate objects than any of you and all of you combined (though in my defense most were during my 16th and 17th years, and the cement barrier last year was so the dog's fault, and only mine for being such a lover of animals). Nevertheless, speed a little people. If you're going under, you're annoying, and if you're going exactly the speed limit, in order to do so you're paying too much attention to your speedometer and not enough to the road.

#5: talking to someone on the phone, when you're in a bathroom stall.

Ewww.

And lastly, #6: automatic doors

This is mainly due to a personal vendetta I have with them, and an experience at Target a few years ago when they shut on me. They've never liked me. "Ever since I was a child I've been hated by automatic doors." I always approach them cautiously, and I feel stupid. That said, if they serve you well, lucky you. Some of us are not so lucky.

And lastly (for real this time) #7: my roommate's demon frog

Some people may find the concept of a walking, singing frog adorable, even precious, especially if said frog is holding a giant daisy and singing, "Singin' in the Rain." However, when you see the thing wobbling around on the floor like Brownian motion, it really is hard to not scream, or at least squeal in displeasure. (I guess I already took care of it though).

I'm a scientist Ranger Brad. I don't believe in anything.

I admit I'm writing now more for the fact that I haven't written in a while than that of actually having anything to say. I just barely checked my email for the first time in about 2 weeks or more. So you all are aware, today's Webster word of the day is "rictus." You will not find a rictus grin, or any other type of grin, on my face as of late. I went into my email account because I wanted to email my anatomy professor about being a TA. I was recently helping a friend and a friend to study for an anatomy test, which they were quite freaked out about, and I was as giddy as a child in a candy store to be reviewing the stuff. Those were good times. The times now are made up of work and Biochem. I know I would love Biochem if I applied myself better and focused, but I haven't yet achieved that state of Zen. My second test is approaching. My motivation gauge is at Zero. Maybe a -2. The thought of studying Biochem thrills me, but the actual studying is harder to accomplish, and is slightly panic inducing, solely because this is the first time I've studied and my test is in two days. Sadly I have only science classes to take here on out. I love them, but alas, they are not enough. Gone are the days when I had English/literature classes to relieve some of my time from the state of diligence needed to study science. My minor is now in the bag. I can't in good conscience read anything non-school related (even the classics) without interrupting the mind flows that go into doing well in my major. Maybe I really do have ADD. What kind of a career can one go into when they lack the power to be decisive?

All sorts of games, both literal and figurative

It's something like 3 in the morning. I'm writing because I'm at work and I need something to do now that my actual work is done for the moment. I just read my good friend Aaron's blog, which he wrote only hours ago apparently, and I thought to myself, "I'm tired, but instead of sleeping, I too will write a blog." Not that I had much choice between the two, considering I'm at work, but we'll look past that particular point for the moment. I will not, however, get deeply philosophical in my post. I too wonder about those things (if you haven't read his blog, it had to do with not being completely honest and open around people who are not our good friends), but I doubt what I could say on the matter would alter anything greatly. I like to converse as much as the next person, and when I feel adequately comfortable around someone they get an earful, but I am painfully quiet around those I don't know. It's been easier lately to feel more comfortable around new people more quickly, which is probably a product both of time and of having roommates. I have decided that I need to work on my strangers skills though. I randomly smile at people at work all day, but I get so engrossed in what I'm doing that I don't converse as often as I should even with acquaintances. I'm getting better, but it's a continuing process. It'd be so much easier if everyone were in elementary school. I rather enjoy the times I've been able to spend volunteering at Annje's work, reading and helping little kids to do their homework. There are no inhibitions around those half your age. I actually find I like the kids that are punks more than the rest, because they bring me hours of enjoyment. They remind me of my 12 year old nephew, who I had to chase around a pool table to get a hug goodbye, which only succeeded as I was about to call down my little sister to help me sandwich him. They're so honest in their actions, which I value. I rather tend to be blunt myself, which probably isn't always recieved well, but there's hope for all of us, right?

That said, I guess I should look for an actual subject. Let's see, what's happening in life right now?... Most of you already know that the time is quick approaching for the big move (that is, the time when the lease is up for the house me and my roommates are living in). This sadly means our fake fireplace must come down, along with the coloring book pictures that line the walls of most of the rooms in our house. I'm still wondering what the straightening iron burn on the carpet will bring about. I will miss my roommates, and having my own house...After a fashion. My parents probably aren't anticipating having my sister and I back home, even though it will only be for a few months. They will have to stop using our rooms for storage. It will enable me to save more money for endeavors such as New York though. I still need to buy our theatre tickets. Hopefully we can go see Conan O'Brien or something. Free entertainment is the best kind. Speaking of which, certain roommates and friends of mine have with me discovered a most excellent game store. Game Night Games; It specializes in Euro and family board games. You can go there and try out most of them any night of the week, and I rather enjoy it. They have games I've never heard of before along with some I have. If you like games with strategy, or ones that are in depth, it's a great way to hang out and waste time. Just this Thursday we played a game called "Hoity Toity" where we were collecting pieces of art, trying to steal pieces of art, trying to steal money to purchase pieces of art, trying to catch the thieves of those pieces of art, and were exhibiting our acquired pieces of art...All of which included the moving of pawns. I guess it was ranked a 2 on a scale of 1-10, as far as complexity is concerned in that store, but we're still new to the circuit after all.

REM sleep

Last night was a pretty momentous occasion. For the first time in years I remember what I dreamed. Everybody dreams, I never remember mine. So here it is. I had two tests that overlapped, one in English, the 0ther in some subject I don't think I've ever heard of. Both went from 6 pm to 9 pm. And for some reason before my tests I was watching a bobsledding competition with Frogkisser, Pinkie, and Ugly Duckling. Only there were also some of my friends from London there, who had the same English test with me. I guess the competition was hot stuff everyone had to see or something. I think Clark and Aaron were there as well. So time came close for my first test, which started at 6, and it was 4 o'clock, meaning I only had an hour before it started, and thus a half an hour to take it once I arrived at school, and at that time my London friends left to take the test. I still had to study I think. So I was going to take my test that started at 6 o'clock, which makes no sense because it was 4 o'clock, meaning I should have had 2 hours before it started but only had one, but the math made sense at the time. I worked out that I could take the test in a half an hour, then I'd have an hour for my second test, and both tests should have taken 2 hours each (It's a wonder I've always been good at math, right? I swear it was all correct in the dream though). I wasn't worried, until events amassed. So somehow, suddenly, my shoes were buried outside in the 4 feet of snow right next to the bobsledding track. I was shoeless, and sockless for that matter. For some reason there was a pile of shoes by the track (stupid people taking off their shoes in the snow), but mine was the pair buried in between them and the table. How did I know this? I have no idea. Maybe I had a special telepathic to my shoes, but even though I couldn't remember taking them off, I knew that's where they were. I was on my back porch, because naturally the bobsledding competition was in my parents' backyard. I communicated the urgency of the situation to Frogkisser. She went out to dig out my shoes. She was too slow for my preference. Thus I waded out barefoot into 4 feet of snow to help her, only once I was out there she abandoned me. I was rather offended. But I found my own shoes, then rushed out to my car to drive to school. It was my sister's car for some reason, and it decided to not work while I was driving it down the road. So I awoke, panicked that I was late for my tests, and that in the expanse of 5 hours I had to take my tests, I somehow ended up with only a half an hour to take each of them and might have missed one of them. So I finally awoke this morning freezing, thus put off getting up until 3 hours after I intended to get up. I bought candy last night to get me through work, which I could not find, to my everlasting sorrow. I also ended up going to work at around 7 am, which not only was later than I intended, but an hour later than I was hired to come in, meaning technically I should stay till 5 today, but I'm still leaving at 4. Tuesdays are slow. It's not a big deal other than that I'll have to make up the hours another day, and I would have just as soon had the hours taken care of at the beginning of this week (because of school my work hours are a bit messed up and I can shift them slightly to suit my needs, but I still have to make up hours on those days I don't have school, like today). So not even a block from my house my car died. I didn't even turn the bend, which turned out to be good as far as pushing my car went. I called my dad asap. He said to steal my sister's car, who happens to be one of my roommates, and he said he'd come look at my car and drive her to work. So I go to inform her I'm stealing her car. She was asleep, thus had no desire to push my car with me. So Frogkisser, my most excellent of roommates, came and helped me push my car down the street to our house. I rather forgave her for abandoning me in my quest for my shoes. We didn't get far because the steering wheel was locked, so I tried my engine again and it worked. Only I didn't want to be abandoned in SLC if it died again, so I still took my sister's car. After finally leaving I had to double back home to get my work badge out of my car of course, so I got to work by 8 am. At that point I no longer cared. Nobody will mind anyway, but nevertheless, I had a legitimate excuse. And only now am I realizing the bizarre similarities between today and my dream. True, no one knows where the bobsledding came from...And it turns out my car is the piece of crap, not my sister's...But I was driving her car--like today--and the car I was driving did break down--like today. Thankfully I have no tests. I'm guessing my London friends were there because I talked to one of them last night before I went to bed. What a bizarre day thus far. On the bright side, I finally bought a watch last night to replace my broken one, I found my keys with my house key on them, I mostly cleaned my room last week in consideration of our upcoming move, and I did my taxes on my off week. You'll be pleased to know that that I will be getting money back, not giving more away.