Embarrassed

One morning I cycled to work, lightly singing a song that is supposed to be Karma Police.

And just as I cycled pass a bus stop I saw someone that seemed quite familiar. It took me a while to realise...

It's Thom Yorke. Again. (Hmm, why is he waiting at a bus stop?)

The expression on my face when I finally recognised him must be errr, amusing. I don't think he heard me singing.

Embarrassing...

Then again, maybe I'm mistaken and that person is not Thom... (wishing partially that it was a mistake).

Summer is over

And just like that the summer has come and gone. The trees are turning yellow and red. Days are rainy and colder... though with the occasional warm sunshine.

So, recap of the summer: What I did

Work, work, work...
Outdoor sports like tennis and cricket
Get to see a Bollywood film being made in Oxford. Their trailers and cars were parked outside my department. It seems that Priyanka Chopra and Salman Khan was here (oops, I saw them but didn't really recognised them in the flesh... my bad. Plus, I walked pass the camera while going for lunch. Oops again.)
Karate in the stuffy dojo.
Holiday in Italy
Worldcup
Summer Ball
Punting
Picnics

Hmmm, it was a great summer I think. I wish it wasn't over so quickly.

Goodbye, Crocodile Hunter

Not a good start to a Monday morning when I read the news. 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin has just passed away early today from a diving accident. According to BBC news, he was killed by a sting ray.
This is a sad, sudden loss. He was such an inspiration. He was probably the first person to make me look at reptiles in another light...
He truly loved wild life and I guess at the end he died doing what he loved.
He will be truly missed. But his legacy will go on.
Thank you, Steve. People like you are the reason I studied biology.

My condolences to Terri Irwin and the rest of the family.

In between experiments 4

Waiting for another experiment to finish. Been listening to a band called The Shins from someone's iTunes. I love the music sharing thing. Anyway, I think this song is good:

So Says I
By The Shins

An address to the golden door
I was strumming on a stone again
pulling teeth from the pimps of gore when hatched
a tragic opera in my mind...
and it told of a new design
in which every soul is duty bound
to uphold all the statutes of boredom therein lies
the fatal flaw of the red age.

Because it was nothing like we'd ever dreamt,
our lust for life had gone away with the rent we hated
and because it made no money nobody saved no one's life.

So we burned all our uniforms
and let nature take its course again
and the big ones just eat all the little ones
that sent us back to the drawing board.

In our darkest hours
we have all asked for some
angel to come
sprinkle his dust all around
but all our crying voices they can't turn it around
and you've had some crazy conversations of your own.

We've got rules and maps and guns in our backs
but we still can't just behave ourselves
even if to save our own lives, so says I, we are a brutal kind.

Cause this is nothing like we'd ever dreamt
tell Sir Thomas Moore we've got another failed attempt
cause if it makes them money they might just give you life this time.

Such a loser...

It's bank holiday and here I am at work. The building is quiet and I feel very odd indeed. Sigh!
Since all cafeterias are closed, I went to Sainsbury's to buy lunch. Big mistake. The noodle salad a bought was not only cold, but half of it was frozen. Now I would have gone back to complain but it's like a 20 minute walk. Blech!

Today I feel like such a loser... :(

Gloomy thoughts

Boss (AKA supervisor) is throwing hissy fit again... well as far as I know that it's got nothing to do with me, but the fact that he is taking it out on people creates resentment.

That is only one of his problems.... Anyway, here I am thinking if continuing this course of work under is one particular person is a decision I should change. If it was just a regular job, I would think about not renewing my contract or quit before things get worse. But as it were, I'm actually trying, at the end of three years, to obtain a PhD. I'm in doubt now wheter I would finish my PhD at this rate. Sigh!

Just how far would I go before actually resolve to give up for good?
Well, I got a meeting with the Boss today. Hopefully it won't be too bad. Must remember to not cower in fear... X_X

Life without a computer

My powerbook has finally kicked its aluminium bucket. And I'm without a computer at home. Life seems so much more quite and boring without a computer. I've began to pace around in my noiseless room, it's just so odd...

That is how dependent some people has become to computers, sadly.

I need to get my little lappy fixed! I'm now using a very old iMac at work... well, at least it's better than none.

Lab boredom antics

If you work in a lab, do you sometimes find yourself sitting around waiting for your samples? Long enough to get bored, but not long enough for you to walk away and do something else. Here are 10 things I've done/seen in my lab other than the usual sitting and stairing into space.

1. Sleep/dose. I've observed a researcher in my lab taking forty winks on his chair, feet up on the mini fridge, while waiting for his samples/results. Surprising how he never falls.
2. Kata practice. Tekki Shodan is the best for long and narrow lab spaces such as mine. Perplex glass on the microbiological safety cabinet/ fume cabinet is good for seeing your reflection while you practice. Recommend you do this when no one is around. Be careful not to topple things.
3. Spinning around on the swivel chair. Makes you dizzy. Only if you have one of those in your lab. I remembered doing a lot of when I was four or five, and broke my tooth once when I fell... Oh well.
4. Talk. Have a good chat with another colleague. Only if you have friendly and good-natured ones. Some researchers get highly annoyed if you try to chat with them or make noise generally in the lab. Luckily, non of my lab colleague are grumpies.
5. Sing. Sing along with the radio in the lab. Or just sing your own song. A couple of researchers in my lab like to do this. Sometimes one of them would whistle a tune. Mostly though this is done when they are still doing something, and not waiting around.
6. Clean. Give the work bench a good wipe down.
7. Read. Anything from newspapers to work articles. Bleh.
8. Dance. Know some moves? Why not try it out on the smooth floor (if you have a smooth floor) of the lab. Again, alone is best to avoid embarrassment.
9. Organise. Keeping your work place free of clutter.
10. Write/draw. Usually work-related things like a 'to do' list for tomorrow or 'to buy' list. Sometimes though it's just doodles.

OK. That's all. Hope that inspired someone, or made someone laugh at least.

My week

Here are some things I did for the past week in my mundane life.

Monday: Laugh at a new video made by two guys called The Dormitory Boys/ Back Dorm Boys, taking the piss out of Jessica Simpson's new song (great Monday blues killer). Order drinks for the bar that I manage part-time. Dinner with a housemate.

Tuesday: Piping woes in the insectary, giving us a private paddling pool, hence I feel like a janitor. Tried to call a certain someone but as usual phone is off. Karate training to vent out stress and whatever. Laundry.

Wednesday: Dinner with housemates.
While another housemate had a BBQ party in the garden, which annoyed the house when drunken guests made a ruckus at midnight. Some people had to get up at 6am for work!

Thursday: Due to lack of sleep, the day seemed long and no work was really done. A colleague then had the fab idea of going for a drink after work. Yay! Late dinner :P

Friday: Bank in a cheque from Inland Revenue! They had taxed me too much last year. Dinner by way of Chinese takeaway :P... wasting time by loitering in the room, emails, listening to music. Got the new Keane album from a friend :).

Saturday: Get up late :D. Late lunch. Karate Training. Grocery shopping. Dinner with housemate again. Defrost the dodgy freezer so that technicians can fix it on Monday.

Sunday: Sort out bills. Tidy my room a bit... Laundry (My karate trousers needed a wash). Defrost the fridge so that technicians can fix it on Monday too. Dinner at a friend's place, plus Battlestar Galactica! :D


So that's my week. How is yours like?

Pressure! Here comes the gripe.

Gah, work things are not going my way. I'm so frustrated. Pressure to get results is building and I feel like I could explode. What to do when experiments don't work like it's supposed to and you don't know what to fix??? That and the heatwave is making me mad. My room sometimes goes up to 30 degrees at night and the fan I bought feels like it is blowing hot air, which means I don't get much sleep, which adds to more grumpiness.

Which makes my theme song of the week being Pressure Point by The Zutons.

I can't get this pressure point out of my head
I can't get this pressure point out of my head
I feel it in work, you know, I feel it in bed
I can't get this pressure point out of my head
I've paid all my bills and I've acted so well
Ain't been cheating, there's nothing to tell
So why all this pressure, I dont understand
I call on my neighbours, and lend them a hand

Doctor, oh doctor, I'm willing to learn
Well all of my bones, well they toss and they turn
Mother, oh mother, I'm begging you please
To rid me of madness and cure this disease

Maybe told you what I have become
With all of this pressure, my mind's on a run
Why maybe its changing, let's hope for the best
Maybe it's something to get off my chest

Doctor, oh doctor, I'm begging you please
To rid me of madness and cure this disease
Mother, oh mother, I'm willing to learn
Well all of my bones, well they toss and they turn

Pressure pressure pressure pressure...
Pressure pressure pressure pressure...
Pressure pressure pressure pressure...
Pressure pressure pressure pressure...

I can't get this pressure point out of my head
I can't get this pressure point out of my head
I feel it in work, you know, I feel it in bed
I can't get this pressure point out of my head

AAAAAAAhhh ... Pressure pressure pressure pressure pressure...
AAAAAAAhhh ... Pressure pressure pressure pressure pressure...
AAAAAAAhhh ... Pressure pressure pressure pressure pressure...
AAAAAAAhhh ... Pressure pressure pressure pressure pressure...

If they were true...

And if only they were real... Well I guess the checkout machines are.
I love going to Co-op!

The End of World Cup 2006

Ahem, first of all... YAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! Bravo Italy!!! My Italian friends must be crazily happy at the moment. Outside my window, I can hear some fans cheering, cars honking...

So that is the end of this year's World Cup. And what a spectacular one! Until next time...

Meanwhile, enjoy these guys paying tribute to World Cup 2006. Dadada!




Oh and yay to Roger Federer as well for clenching the Wimbledon title again! *Happy Dance*

Spammers and scammers, please... NOT!

Now even my private work email address is spammed! Here is one that I've just received. I can't help but to laugh at this.

DEAR SIR,

URGENT & CONFIDENTIAL!!!.

AFTER DUE DELIBERTION WITH MY COLLEAGUES, I HAVE THE
PLEASURE TO FORWARD TO YOU THIS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL
PROPOSAL. WE REQUIRE A RELIABLE FOREIGN INDIVIDUAL OR
COMPANY WHO WILL ASSIST US TO RECEIVE THE SUM OF
USD$100 MILLON INTO HIS/HER BANK ACCOUNT.
(Why make millons when we could make *pinkie to mouth* millions?)

THIS FUND RESULTED FROM A CONTRACT WHICH OUR COMMITTEE
AWARDED IN 1999 IN COLLABORATION WITH SOME PAST
MILITARY OFFICERS. THE SAID CONTRACT WAS SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETED AND COMMISSIONED AND THE FOREIGN CONTRACTORS
WAS PAID THE PRINCIPAL COST OF THE CONTRACT LEAVING
THE SUM USD$100 MILLION WHICH WE DELIBRATELY ADDED.

UNFORTUNATELY,AS CIVIL SERVANTS, WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO
OWN FOREIGN ACCOUNT.HENCE WE ARE SEEKING YOUR ASSISTANCE. MY COLLEAGUES AND I AFTER DUE CONSIDRATION AGREED ON THE FOLLOWING SHARING RATIO;
1, 30% FOR YOU THE ACCOUNT OWNER
2, 60% FOR MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES.
3, 10% FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPENCES THAT
MIGHT BE INCURED IN THE COURSE OF THIS TRANSACTION.
(yeah right, mate. 60% isn't that fair! Civil servants of which country anyway?)

TO REDUCE YOUR CURIOSITY AND DOUBT, LET ME SINCERELY
INFORM YOU THAT WE OBTAINED YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS FROM
REPUTABLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES AND I AM
THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE CONTRACT AWARD COMMITTEE
OF THE FEDERAL OIL AND GAS BOARD (FOGB).
(I didn't know I had connections with reputable chamber of commerce and industries since I'm in the poor research business. And Pat here seems to be a highly ranked, secretary of the... what again?*getting curious*)

WE ALL HAVE PUT IN SO MANY YEARS IN SERVICE AND HAVE THUS
PATIENTLY WAITED FOR THIS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY. MOST
IMPORTANTLY, WE WANT TO CONCLUDE THIS TRANSACTION
BEFORE THE END OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.

TO FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF THE FUND, WE SHALL
REQUIRE:
1, YOUR BANKER’S NAME,ADDRESS,ACCOUNTNUMBER,NAME
OF BENEFICIARY,FAX AND PHONE NUMBERS.
2,YOUR COMPANY’S NAME,ADDRESS,PRIVATE FAX AND
PHONE NUMBERS FOR EASY COMMUNICATION.

WITH THE ABOVE INFORMATION, WE WILL ON YOUR BEHALH
SEEK APPROVAL FOR THE FUND TRANSFER FROM OUR FEDERAL
MINISTRIES CONCERNED.
(And on my behalh please go and hang yourself)

TAKE NOTICE THAT A HIGH LEVEL OF CONFIDENTIALITY
SHOULD BE ACCORDED THIS TRANSACTION AND EVEN A HIGHER
LEVEL OF TRUST AND HONESTY EXPECTED ON YOUR PART.
(Oh I took notice alright... Trust and honesty to a scammer... right, got that.)

NOTE:- KINDLY REPLY THROUGH THIS EMAIL ADDRESS:- pattychim500@yahoo.com
(anyone who would like to say hi to Pat please go ahead and email him.)

BEST REGARDS.

DR. PATRICK CHIM.

(I wonder where did Dr. Patrick Chim got his PhD?)

Summer Hols

Been away on a little break to Italy. It was great. Florence was the choice of stay, but I got to travel a bit around the country on day trips... My week of rambling was filled with extreme (37 degree) temperature, Culex mosquitoes, Italian language, fumes of alcohol and generally trying to pace the Italian way of life...Here are some of the memoriable pics of that lovely country.

Shock! That was my expression when I realised that I'm going to have to sit on that ATR plane courtesy of Alitalia. Err... give me Ryan Air anytime... but then again what an experience... I doubt I'll have a chance to sit on a propellar plane again.

Room with a view.
The Villa I stayed in was eclectic, with their own orchard and vineyard... best part though was the view from my room... Overlooking the city of Florence, I just had to enjoy a cool drink of Campari mixx on the balcony amidst the scorching temperature.

Yes, why don't I?

Replica of David looking a little shy there...;)

The famous Florence Duomo, peaking out at the end of a lane...

The hand of San Giovanni on display in the Siena Duomo.

Gondolas parked in a row in Venice's San Marco square...

Where else would you go to get Venetian masks?

In Italy, kids are in a hurry to get to school... Go kids!


Bye bye Firenze... I'll definitely be back to ramble around the Tuscan landscape again! But for now, I'm back with a tan and work starts again... sniff.

Sushi!

And the weather is back to the warming twenties. Times like this makes me wanna eat sushi. So even when there is no time to sit and eat comfortably, there is always Sainsbury's that does (not so great) takeaway sushis. Well, it's better than a sandwich! Then again, where abouts can I find a sushi ya in Oxford? Hmmm.

Here's a funny video I found on YouTube about sushi etiquette. Enjoy!

Not exactly DNA, but...

Got this personality DNA quiz thing from SeaDevilyn. It's fun. But don't think it's really reading your DNA, mind.

Generous Inventor

You are an Inventor

Your imagination, self-reliance, openness to new things, and appreciation for utility combine to make you an INVENTOR.

You have the confidence to make your visions into reality, and you are willing to consider many alternatives to get that done.

The full spectrum of possibilities in the world intrigues you—you're not limited by pre-conceived notions of how things should be.

Problem-solving is a specialty of yours, owing to your persistence, curiosity, and understanding of how things work.

Your vision allows you to identify what's missing from a given situation, and your creativity allows you to fill in the gaps.

Your awareness of how things function gives you the ability to come up with new uses for common objects.

It is more interesting for you to pursue excitement than it is to get caught up in a routine.

Although understanding details is not difficult for you, you specialize in seeing the bigger picture and don't get caught up in specifics.

You tend to more proactive than reactive—you don't just wait for things to come to you.

If you want to be different:

Try applying your creativity to more artistic arenas, and letting your imagination take less practical forms.


How you relate to others:

You are Generous

Your awareness of those around you, along with your nuanced perceptions of the world at large, makes you the GENEROUS person that you are.

You value time to yourself and understand how rich your private world can be—you know that you don't have to go wild to have a good time.

You are excited and energized by ideas and often enjoy things more through observation than through experience.

This tendency gives you an appreciation for different perspectives and opinions about the world.

Being as aware of others as you are doesn't mean you find it easy to trust them immediately—this is something that happens more slowly for you.

Despite this, you are aware of the complexities of many situations and are reluctant to pass judgments on others.

Although you have fewer friendships than some people, those that you have are meaningful and are important to you.

You value spending time alone—it is while reflecting on the world around you that you often learn something new about yourself or begin to understand something that's been bothering you.

If you want to be different:

Given how attuned you are to others' thoughts and feelings, you might find that trusting people more is a way to broaden your perspective even further.

While you know how much can be learned from observing the world around you, remember that much of life can be lived by experiencing it, not just by understanding it.


Hmmm... that sounds like me in a nutshell alright. Look at the pretty colours ooooo @_@.

Sleepy...

Just when I've said it's too hot, down comes rain... and lots of it (okay, not a tropical storm or anything like that mind). So now the temperature is down to 16 degrees. Actually, I'm glad that it's raining. My room isn't so warm anymore.
But then again, this weather is making me lazy... I wanna go home and have a nap...
zzzzzz

I think I'll just go home now. To heck with work.

Scorching Weekend

Temperature: 27 degrees. It isn't even this hot in Cardiff!
And as this weekend was that hot, play was really really in order!

Saturday:
Karate training for 2 hours straight! And the dojo was like an oven. I think I almost keeled over with Sensei's zealous but great training.
Then, a small late birthday dinner party till really late. Lots of cocktails which was not such a good idea when hydrated before from a 2 hour workout...
Some sneak peek at World Cup scores in between (Sweden draws??? eh???)

Sunday:
Lazy start of the day. Spent some time with a friend watching TV. Then off to the park with some people to attempt cricket. I say attempt because I don't know what I was doing most times... This is then followed by a mini-picnic.

So I guess that was a good weekend. But I wouldn't mind a bit of rain now. Brain is overheating and sleeping at night is getting difficult. And my laptop is desperately trying to cool down with its noisy fan.

Hope everyone has a good weekend?

Here comes the sun!

And I say it's alright...

Yay finally the feeling of summer is here! It's a lovely 25 degrees. I'm gonna try enjoy this as much as I can while it's here!

Punting, Rowing, Tennis, World Cup, Cricket, Gin and Tonic, Pimms and Lemonade, Strawberries and cream, barbecues, Rosé wines...

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

^_^

Busy Monday

So yesterday was my birthday yay! But what a Monday. the usual lab work until 6.30pm, then a meeting at 7.30pm, and finally a couple of my friends and I went out for a pub meal at about 9pm! The said two then gave me presents, a birthday muffin, and a special cocktail to boot. My birthday celebration, when celebrated, are always on the low key. I like that.
Alas now I'm coming down with a cold I think. Sigh!