The Librarian

I've got to confess, I just love "The Librarian" movies.  Might be goofy, but you gotta laugh at lines like "Yay Newton!!" after his 3rd law of thermodynamics saves the day, and "I think it's only fair to warn you I AM in fact, a librarian!" as Noah Wyle fights Vlad the Impaler.

I just watched the newest one "The Curse of the Judas Chalice" - New Orleans, vampires, Bible curse, Bob Newhart as a 2000 year old "Scholar" who fights the forces of evil -- really, what's not to love?! Giggled away, as I have with the previous two.

I had it on as "background noise" as I did some number crunching...didn't work.

Upright Citizen's Brigade Parody of the BP Oil Spill

Anthro majors change the world!

This is pretty cool - one of our majors was pivotal in getting a bill signed by President Obama last week.  He's the Executive Director of a program called "Resolve Uganda", a project he started while a student at Notre Dame.  Michael is second from the right (red tie) in the picture below.

The bill, titled the "Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009," commits the US "to help bring an end to the brutality and destruction that have been a hallmark of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) across several countries for two decades, and to pursue a future of greater security and hope for the people of central Africa."

Here's a link to an article about the legislation:
A Future of Greater Security and Hope for the People of Central Africa

50 FIRSTS: Atlantic Char (Yawn)

Okay, this is boring. But it's a first, so dammit, I'm counting it.

We went to Bonefish Grill to celebrate Jaime's new PhD-ness, and I had Atlantic char.  Quite tasty, tho' a bit oily (perhaps due to preparation rather than type of fish).

That's about it.  Dull, but counted.

iPad: Fun AND Useful

I am using a wireless keyboard with my iPad for the first time, and have to admit, this became not just a fun toy, but a useful tool. With the AV adapter, it allows me to show my lectures (translating from PPT to Keynote pretty easily) in class without having to lug my laptop around. The bluetooth keyboard weighs nothing, so even carrying that is still a substantial net gain in portability.

While it won't replace a laptop or desktop for extended work (or adding skeleton action figures, of prime importance ;-), it will be great in the classroom, for travel, and for my old eyes when searching the web in the evening or Facebooking while petting a cat or two and watching TV.

Yep, total and complete and utter decadence. I fully admit it.

(action figure to be added later ;-)

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill(s) - 1979, 2010

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Oil Spill Ticker

Virtual Committee Member

Jaime had her dissertation defense today.  I was there...virtually.  I Skyped in - which meant I was sitting in my study.  And with me were all three cats.  Lemur lying across the back of the chair, Wiley laying on one arm, and Maz curled up in the windowsill.   I think their attention was a combination of missing me for the past several days (I was in Seattle), and because they could hear the voice of one of their favorite people.

Apparently no-one noticed the feline participants.  I thought about dipping their little paws in ink so they could "sign" the approval form  ;-)

PS -- if you try this for a defense, consider getting an external microphone (if they exist) for Skype, because it is VERY difficult to hear much of what is said by those a few seats from the the computer.

The gods must be angry

A few weeks ago I posted an article about skeletons found in a remote mountain region who were recently diagnosed as having been killed by a massive hail storm.  I didn't really buy it, till I saw this tonight on the news:

Almost TOO cute!

Pretty adorable (even for a non-primate, non-cat ;-) --


Meet the sloths from Amphibian Avenger on Vimeo.

Probably Not...

 I wonder if Wiley would be willing to get a 'lion cut' to help the people of the Gulf Coast?? :-)

Sopping Up An Oil Slick With Castaway Hair
NPR.org
May 6, 2010

I can't decide if this counts as a 'green' alternative...or just a drain clogger.

BP - Broken Promises

BP - worst saftey record in the country.  BP -  the cause of more than one leak.  Now, BP has created an underwater oil volcano that threatens to destroy some of the most delicate marine habitats in the world.

Limbaugh tells us that "ecology takes care itself" and "seawater is tough stuff."  I say we coat him in the stuff and float him out there for a few days/weeks to do first hand "journalism."  Sadly, embryonic shrimp are not, bones and wings and fins are not tough stuff.  Thus far they've criminally underestimated the amount of oil spewing forth (by an order of magnitude),  told us it is the fault of the company that owned the oil rig, and claim that they are working as hard as they can.   Time will tell.  The time now?  To send them back to the UK with a fond farewell.

50 FIRSTS #21 -- Tweet(le) Dumb

I sent my first tweet today.  Not quite sure what I'll use Twitter for other than to update my Facebook status occasionally (can't change my 'skeleton action figure' profile pic to match the status using it, so only of limited utility).

Nevertheless, it brings me into 21st century media more fully (Skype, Twitter, Facebook, and a blog), so I guess by definition I'm much more 'cool' now.   Right??  ;-)

If you're on Twitter, let me know your ID.  I'm "primatebonz" and my ID picture is the one to the right.

50 FIRSTS #20 -- 20th Century, Here I Come!!

This almost counts as 2 new 50 FIRSTS -- tonight I Skyped for the first time AND it was part of a conference call. Yep, Lesley and Jaime ushered me into the previous century, as we spent an hour or two making the final decisions about this summer's NSF-REU Fellows. It was a painful process (choosing, not Skyping) - but in a good way - lots of exceptionally qualified applicants! Occasionally Matzel contributed to the 'conversation'.

Brings a Smile, Every Time

I was in a crumby mood Thursday/Friday, so fell back on a few of my favorite you tube videos for a smile:

50 FIRSTS #18: Easter Ratatouille

Enjoyed the Johnson family's hospitality for Easter, as is becoming the tradition. Great lamb by Randy, excellent fare all around. And apparently I added a 'first' by enjoying some ratatouille. I've obviously heard of it, never tasted it tho'. Fun to say, tasty to eat - figured it could go on 'the list.'

The day was topped off as usual by the lamb cake decapitation (apparently these little lamb cakes are a South Bend area specialty). Moment captured below:

50 FIRSTS #19: Internet Help-Chat

I have to confess, 10 years into the 21st century and I've never actually used one of those live interactive options while on one of my financial pages. But today, I couldn't find my end of year tax info from my mortgage holder, so went online, tried to set up an account, it dumped me, so I timed the online chat option against calling. The person was online before I'd finished entering the 1-800 number in my iphone. It was pretty interesting to answer her questions about loan amounts, interest, etc. by having to bounce around to other websites to pull the answers. Never had to touch a piece of paper. I don't know if that felt convenient, or a bit scary ;-) Regardless, it was a first, so it's on the list!

Ape Language Studies

Scientists Successfully Teach Gorilla It Will Die Someday

50 FIRSTS #17: 1st Census Form

I'm not sure how this is possible, but I just filled out and sent in my first census form. I was in Jerusalem for the year in 2000, so must've missed doing it (maybe Yorke filled it out for me??) In 1990, my then husband must've done so. 1980 - last year of high school so I guess my parents did it.

I have to confess that although short and certainly not difficult, some of the questions did make me think "should I really be answering this??" I did it, but wish there was a more secure way to do so.

Sunbathing

We have a new contender for "favorite position" I think. I walked into the living room this afternoon (stayed home to work on our summer website) and found a giant hairy slug on my sofa. He was o-u-t cold. Really very cute. When I pet the sunny side of him, he was like a hairy heating pad.