Tornado?

Ok, so last night, we were installing the ceiling fan and light fixtures in the computer room when all of a sudden the RAIN starts! We knew it was going to rain yesterday--you can just feel these things. Anyways, all day...no rain. Until 9:00 last night, with us holding a half-complete ceiling fan, wires hanging from the ceiling and walls, etc. Lightning is flashing & the thunder is loud!
Next thing you know, we hear the TORNADO SIREN!! My husband says "Do you hear that?" And he starts going crazy: Get down from that ladder! Let go of those wires! Where are the flashlights and candles? Go get dressed (we had pajamas on)! He's running around like a maniac putting on jeans, t-shirt, and shoes. He's looking around--for what?
I say "Here is your flashlight and the candles, I'm dressed, calm down!" I turn on the TV to local stations but they don't have any "warnings" posted, and the Weather channel is on a special about some people caught in an avalanche last winter. He's on the Scanner Radio. We both catch the message that there is a "cluster of thunderstorms in W-SW Starkville, travelling SE through Oktibbeha County, with wind gusts up to 40mph." Our "local on the 8s" show a Dopplar Radar image of a tiny system passing DIRECTLY over us. Now he's a little more calm, no tornado warnings/watches. But why in the world did they have the Sirens going?? Anyways, we double check windows and "bad spots" for leaks, and there are none. The sirens turn off. He says "let's finish this fan and light." All is right in the world.

Getting Creative

So, I'm changing a lot of things on my blog. For the past couple of weeks, I have been playing around with the template and finding tags, tags, and tags. I also changed some of the basic things like colors, fonts, and backgrounds. How is it looking? Any suggestions? I like having a lot of little things to look at and click on, so that reflects on all the stuff I'm putting on here. I don't have anything interesting to talk about, but please share your opinion on my blog appearance! Thanks, and I'll talk to y'all later!

Big Dawg Adventure Course

Today, I will be participating in the MSU ropes course. Six of us in the group of AGEM Bridge Students will test our skills in teamwork and one-on-one competition. This ought to be fun! One thing though, this is today's weather forecast:
Mostly Sunny
High97° F
Precip: 10%
Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray afternoon or evening thunderstorm is possible. Heat index near 110F. High 97F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
At 10:00 this morning, it is already 90F and feels like 103F!!!!
Our "Adventure Ropes Course" activity is scheduled from 12:00 to 4:00!!! Uh, hello! Hottest time of the day!!
So, wish me luck that I don't pass out and have a heat stroke!!

Busy weekend

This weekend, my husband and I did some "renovations" in his computer room. First, let me explain our house. Last fall we bought a 30-year-old trailer. It was in really, really rough shape and we had to pull up floors, tear down closets, replace appliances and fixtures, install new carpet/tiles, paint walls and ceilings, and do other various maintenance things. In all of this heavy-duty renovating, we neglected one room--the small bedroom (aka the Computer Room). This room was left entirely untouched (except for fixing the window when we took the AC out). The door to the computer room opens from the living room, but nobody goes in there besides my husband. And it is a MESS!!! He plays computer games, fixes broken computers, collects stuff (guns, tools, computers), and "lets loose" in this room. The only time I enter the room is when I pick up his stuff from around the house--then I put the pile on his desk--in the room. Well, for the past couple of weeks, he has been working on cleaning out some of his stuff, patching spots on the walls, and cleaning a large piece of carpet he bought. The plan was that THIS weekend we would paint the walls, caulk the ceiling, pull the old wires (hot wires hanging from the ceiling), install new light fixures and outlets, pull out the old carpet, fix soft spot in the floor (previous owner's crappy patch job), and install the new carpet. And, after a FULL DAY of work (Sunday), we actually completed all of these tasks (still have to trim a little of the carpet). This week we will move all his stuff (plus one new BIG desk) out of the living room and back into his room. Hopefully, in two weekends (have a wedding to go to in Florida this weekend) we will be able to complete the room: Paint the ceiling, install ceiling fan, and seal windows. Maybe after all that it will no longer be the computer room, it will just be the computer room.

Hot or Cold?

My current complaint is all about air conditioning--or the lack of. I am a naturally hot person. Most "normal" temperatures are too warm for my comfort. In my home, I run the air conditioner almost ALL the time--usually keeping the house between 65F and 70F. In the winter, I turn the heat on just enough to break the chill. I have always felt this way. I don't really know why I developed these feelings, because I have lived in many different climates. And most of my life I have lived in the south: And it gets really, really HOT here! In a previous post, I mentioned that I would always rather be cold than hot. However, I do realize that not EVERYONE is like me. Some people feel like 75F is COLD. So, when you're in a situation or environment where these two extremes have to share space, who controls the thermostat? In my home, I provide blankets to guests who get cold. When I visit somebody's home, I would never ask him to turn up the air. So what happens when we're in a classroom together, or on a business trip in the same car? Back to my previous post:

Cold is cold, but if you're prepared, you can have alternate heat sources, blankets, a loved one to cuddle with, a roaring fire, etc, etc. But, if it is HOT (and, say the A/C is broke) there is not a single thing you can do! Even if you were to strip down naked, stand in the shade, and catch a small breeze--you would still be HOT!

So, why should I suffer? I can't take off MORE clothes, or fan myself, or stick my head out the window. But the cold people CAN put on more clothes, cover up with a blanket, or sit farther away from the air vents. Anyways, I guess it's all about compromise, I'm just tired of COMPROMISING MY comfort.

Bacterial Source Tracking

What?!? Just in case anyone is interested: Here is a little about the work I do in my research.
My master's thesis is on Bacterial Source Tracking (BST) using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLP). These will help you with the general idea. I started my master's program in January '05 and will graduate in December '06. I am in the College of Forest Resources at Mississippi State University. This is a great site for more information on DNA techniques. I actually have a class in about 30 minutes, so I have to leave it at that.

Working Out

Ok, so last week I started this new work out routine. At the time, I didn't know what I was starting, but here goes. My friend, we'll call him TR, called last Thursday wanting to know if the hubby and I wanted to "play tennis." Let me explain: We don't really PLAY TENNIS, we just smack the balls around. Anyways, hubby didn't want to go, but I did, so I went. We played for about 30 minutes before we were "kicked off" the court (we were at an apartment complex that neither of us lives at). Well, TR likes to play a few times a week, but doesn't really have anyone to play with, so I offered to join him in the future. Well, he called yesterday & invited us again. And again, I went. This time we managed to get a court on campus (no time or trespass limit) and played for an hour. We also discussed our future work-out schedule. We decided to play tennis (or raquetball if it's raining) on Monday & Friday, and on Wednesday we will do something different (aerobics, kickboxing, soccer, etc). I will leave work a little early (4:45), meet him at the site-of-activity, and we will have a 1hour workout. Then, I can get home, clean up, & have dinner with the hubby (at 6). So far we worked out Thursday, Sunday, and are scheduled for today. So, wish me luck with sticking to it!

Field Trip...in college?

I had a great post about this, but dang computer! *&!!@# Anyways, will tell all about it when I get back.

Added July 26: The trip wasn't that interesting, so I won't "tell about it."

Lasting (Psychological) Impressions

Ok, so this story will probably sound a little strange, but I just have to get it "out there."
I have a slight obsession with this guy I used to go to high school with--we'll call him SD. SD was one grade up from me, and I met him my sophomore year at band camp. At the time, our band camp was actually a camp. As in, we went to the state park, stayed in cabins with bunk beds, and practiced in a football-sized field in the middle of the woods. Anyways, after a full day of practicing, we always had a few hours before curfew to hang out around the cabins. SD was a very friendly guy and didn't have a problem hanging out with the "rookies" (sophomores). That, along with the fact that a lot of my positions on the field were near his, allowed for us to spend a good bit of time getting to know each other. Oh, did I mention that he was HOT?? Yeah, anyways. Band camp was only, umm, 4 days, but we really did get to be fast friends. Over the course of the 2 years we were in school together we really got to be good friends, but the whole time, I was completely and utterly IN LOVE with him. Back then I wasn't shy, but I wasn't very aggressive, either. So, he KNEW how I felt, but I wasn't going to START anything. Over the course of those 2 years, we had a lot of "moments" but never dated. Still to this day, I don't know why we never "hooked up" (as in dating, not other stuff). Oh, I could go on & on about all the incidences and events that could have led to it, but it never happened. I know I wasn't repulsive--at least my various boyfriends didn't think so. Sometimes I think that if I had just been a little more BOLD, maybe....but, alas, it wasn't meant to be.
Now fast-forward: Since his graduation in 1998, I have seen him "around town" on maybe 3 or 4 occasions--SINCE 1998! That's not much, right?! Ok, so why can I still remember all the tiny details of every important interaction that we had? Why can I still remember the things he said to me about not wanting to "hurt a friend's feelings" (the only conversation we ever had about our non-relationship), or how he looked at 7:00 at night after a full day of sweating at band camp, or how funny "Monty Python" was when I watched it with him, or how moved I was to find him alone, in the dark, in my best friend's room, playing "Stairway to Heaven" (one of my favorites) on the guitar.
Why do I still have DREAMS about him?? Yes, I, a grown, happily married woman, still have dreams about my high school crush! These dreams come at random, they involve random situations, and they never have a beginning or end. It's not like there is a story about me and him, it's more like my life is going on....then there HE is...."hello, how are you? It's been a long time..." And usually he gives me a very nice, friendly hug--then a semi-intimate kiss. Before I was married, I never thought about the kiss. I would laugh & compliment him, or something. But, in the last dream I had (2 nights ago), when he kissed me I pulled away and said "Wow! That's funny!" SD says "What's funny?" Me: "Just thinking about how much I LOVED you back in high school, and this is the first time I get to kiss you!" He starts in for another, with a smile. And I say "There's someone I want to introduce you to. Do you remember Richard? My husband." (SD & Richard knew each other in band, too.) And that's it. End of dream.
I mean, what kind of psychological impact did this man leave on me that even now, 7 years later, I still can describe to you how sexy his eyes were when he woke up, cuddled in my lap, after 3 hours of rough sleep on the bus!

Perfect day to stay in bed...

The sky is gray and overcast, the wind is howling, and the rain is flooding the ditches. What a perfect day to stay in bed. When I wake up in the morning, I always need a little time to adjust to being awake (usually 30-45 minutes). And, on days when the sky is dark and the rain is tink, tink, tink-ing on the roof, all I want to do is stay under the covers, in my warm cotton cocoon. I think see, the sun isn't out yet. It's not time to get up. But, the cats know I am awake, so they start to cry, meoooommm!! (Sounds like they're calling for mom). Then Birdy knows I'm awake, so he starts tweeeet, skeewt, eet-eet (louder, and louder). Husband walks in "Oh, are you up? What are we having for breakfast?" "Yeah, yeah, I'll get up in a minute!" Cover my head with the blankets, cats jump on the bed, sniffing at my face, the little one licks my big toe.
Why won't you let me sleep? I remember, now, I was having a really good dream *YAWN* about an old friend... grins yeah, an old friend.... "Ok, I'm up."

Beautiful campus

MSU is such a beautiful campus. I know that other campus's (campi?lol) are more historical, more architectural, etc, etc, but I really love this place. Right now I am accessing our wireless network in one of my favorite buildings--Perry Cafeteria. This building is still relatively young (built in the late 40s or early 50s), but was designed to resemble a large chapel. The history that I have heard is that it was build this way so that it would be a less obvious target in the case of an air raid/bombing. The food services are located in the center of the building, and coming off in opposite directions are sort-of "wings." The ceilings are high, dark wood paneled, and peak at about 35feet. Windows run the length of the building and are lined with the many different flags of various nations, and also the 50 state flags.
It's just a beautiful and peaceful place. Hmm, I should eat here more often.

But I don't wanna wear a dress!

Ok, so nobody is actually asking me to wear a dress, but they do want me to "dress-up." My definition of "dressing-up" is anything more than jeans and a t-shirt or tank top. That includes, polo shirts, button-ups, anything with a collar, anything fitted....etc. See, part of the reason I am so attracted to LAB jobs is that you can wear jeans, t-shirt, and lab coat....and nobody can tell the difference! I also understand that sometimes you SHOULD "dress-up." Like when you're going to church, a wedding, a funeral (usually), special events (concerts, plays, art shows), or when you need to make an impression (at professional meetings, seminars, presentations). Generally, my everyday existance doesn't include any of these. Maybe once every 2 months I may have to participate in something, but I try not to make a habit of it. Some people, though, feel like they HAVE TO dress like this EVERY DAY, or maybe they just LIKE it! That's great for them, but not for ME. So, this summer I am participating in a Graduate Program and our "Etiquette Guidelines" state that we should "be dressed in clean and tidy clothes that present a well put-together appearance. Revealing clothes including tank tops and baggy low-riding pants should be avoided." I guess that's clear as far as tank tops go, but what about t-shirts? I have some "nice" shirts with "neutral" screenprints on them. So, I asked. And I was told that I should dress as if I was prepared to meet someone. You know the cliche about first impressions. But, the job that I plan to have one day does not require this kind of dress code. So, what kind of impression do I need to make? I think it's like putting false information on your resume: I'm giving the impression that I normally dress like this. So, if the person I meet were to hire me, they would expect that from me all the time, right?
I guess I've gotten spoiled at all my past jobs. Only 2 required a uniform (fast food & toy store), while all the others (animal shelter, animal rescue, girl scout camp, lab assistant x2) allowed the employees to wear "whatever" as long as there is nothing offensive.
So now I have to go shopping to buy some "nice" shirts (I'm not giving up my jeans). Hopefully Wally World will have some cheap ones?! In the few days since the program began, I have already exhausted my "nice" wardrobe :)
Aaarrrrgggghhhh!

Where's my Book??

I won a paperback book from my favorite author, Dean Koontz, on Ebay last week, but it hasn't arrived yet! A few weeks ago I was "double checking" to make sure I have ALL of his books (I really do, well, besides his children's books), and I found ONE that I didn't have, and have never read....so I looked where everyone looks for the things they don't have...Ebay! I bought it for $1.25 plus $1.50 shipping (still, it's only $2.75). Well, it's been a week since I won the bidding and my book isn't here!! I am very impatient when it comes to reading material!! I have to wait until the end of July for one of his books, and the end of November for another....AND I still haven't read the new one, Velocity! I LOVE these books, but I hate the idea of spending $10-$20 on a book that I will read in 1-2 days! Actually, it's not that bad, if you look at the cost-per-hour....hmmm....really, I mean think about it: Renting a movie is about $5, that lasts 1.5-3 hours. Going to a movie is about $8, that also lasts 1.5-3 hours. So, $10-$20 for 2 days of entertainment isn't bad! Now, I just have to explain that to my husband :)
I can't complain, though, because his entertainment is even less: $10-$30 for a computer or X-Box game = several days to months of entertainment!
I just hope my book gets here soon!!

From Mississippi

You Know You're From Mississippi When...
You've been to or know about the towns of: Hot Coffee, Whynot, Soso, Shuqualak, Okalona, and Noxapater.
When someone talks about The Flag, you know exactly what flag they're refering to.
In any given parking lot, every third car has a Flag bumpersticker.
Your neighbor (or yourself) has the Confederate battle flag in his yard and nothing else.
You eat coon hash.
You know where chittlins come from.
You know it's coke, not "pop", or "soda."
You know pop is a noise or an action (ie the coon popped out of his hole), not a soft drink.
You can tell, purely by accent, whether a person is from the Red Clay Hills, Piney Woods, Delta, or Coast.
You know that the Delta is not the one below New Orleans.
Your church's attendance is reduced by half on opening day of bow season.
The preacher is not there on opening day of gun season.
The last time it snowed, you took fifteen photos and put some in your freezer for old time's sake.
A seven course meal is a bucket of KFC and a six-pack.
There is a trampoline in your neighbor's back yard.
Teenagers refer to the bus as the "cheese wagon," and refuse to ride it.
You only know five spices--salt, pepper, Ranch dressing, BBQ Sauce and hot sauce.
You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Mississippi.

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Ahhh....the weekend is HERE!

Like you don't already know this....it's Friday! It's 5:00! And I'm out of here! I actually had a very productive day today. I am proud of myself for making me do all the work I did! Well, it's off for a day of housecleaning, then a visit to the coast to my mom-in-law's for the Holiday weeked. Too bad I have a meeting to go to on Tuesday, or we could have stayed down there 4 days! Oh well, I'm happy with the 2 days! Umm....really nothing to talk about. It's time to get home and get some dinner! Yeah, dinner--I just realized that I am VERY hungry! Mmmmmm....ribs....mac'n cheese....fries....ice cream....
Ok, ok, time to go!