I have not forgotten about you - I’ve just been spending a lot of time planning ways to better serve you, faithful site (and reader).
Well, that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
After a few burps in functionality over the last few months, I finally have some breathing room in my schedule and am currently working to get this site up and running with even more flair than before.
Hear that? Even MORE FLAIR!
I’ve been looking at a decent case for my iPod Shuffle for awhile now. There are many, and there’s a wide range in quality as well as price. I had decided to settle on a general silicon case for about $10 (as the iPod isn’t all *that* expensive, and it’s pretty durable).
I hesitated, though, because I found Apple’s case attractive and protective, although relatively pricey at $30. It’s also water resistant.
Well, Otterbox, makers of waterproof cases for full size iPods and other devices, just announced a waterproof case for the Shuffle at $30. This, I think, is most of what I want. It’s completely protective of the Shuffle, and it’s actually waterproof. Now I can use it while working out, mowing, at the beach, or even in the pool or hot tub without giving the Shuffle a second thought.
Just thought I’d share.
As I read in the LA Times, researchers have proven that in people involved in a financial transaction, inhalation of oxytocin significantly increases their willingness to trust a complete stranger with no proven track record.
Oxytocin is a hormone which is normally produced in people, and is known to help induce contractions during labor and milk production in the breast. This is a further example of the role this hormone likely plays in other aspects of our biology.
The researchers are careful to point out that while this knowledge could be used for nefarious purposes, the required dosages to achieve any significant effect would require a very visible mist in the air. The hormone has to be inhaled - otherwise it degrades too quickly to have any effect (no pills).
Hmm. The photos for her graduation were the whole reason I finally put my website back up. I shared them with family and friends, but didn’t mention it here.
So, belatedly, I’d like to announce the graduation of my littlest sister, Audrey, from Claremont McKenna College in May of 2005. She majored in Psychology, is working for Americorp for a year at Turning the Page, and plans to apply for graduate school to study psychology further. Eventually, she wants to work with schools and kids.
So…last Thursday I swung by the house for some food between rounding at the hospital and reporting for clinic in the afternoon. Spike, as usual, walks from the garage to the back yard with me, and what do I see?
Two unexpected guests swimming around in the pool like they owned the place. I didn’t chase them away, as I figured they wouldn’t be coming back anyway, and I wanted to grab my camera for some shots.
At first, Spike was so focused on getting pet that he didn’t notice them swimming around on the other side of the pool (he can’t get to that side because of the invisible fence). Once he did spot them, he crouched at the edge of the pool, whipped his tail around, and did that teeth chattering thing cats do when hunting.
[http://elliston.net/drew/photoalbum.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=67|Oh - the couple was a pair of Mallard ducks.]
How many psychiatrists does it take to change a lightbulb?
Just one, but the lightbulb has to truly want to change.
Interesting. How reliable it is, I can’t say, since there are only a few questions. Still, I’d say it “hit the nail on the head.”
70% General American English, 30% Dixie (southern)
Your Linguistic Profile: |
| 70% General American English |
| 30% Dixie |
| 0% Midwestern |
| 0% Upper Midwestern |
| 0% Yankee |
Ack! Next time I get the urge to visit Home Depot on a Memorial Day, someone slap me upside the head.
It was like trying to park at a mall on Christmas Eve. Once I got inside, I had to weave through wide individuals who congregated in the aisles with all of their carts, stretch over carts to grab a few things, and weave back to the front of the store.
Normally, I actually enjoy a visit to the Depot. Not this time, although I did get the irrigation parts I needed.
Today was graduation day at Loma Linda University Medical School - for the class of 2005, which included several good friends of mine. It was actually pretty nice - overcast and cool. In previous years, it has been unbearably hot outside (for wearing suits or having grandparents around), even starting at 8:30 AM.
I have one complaint - you know, I’m all for the exuberant celebration of your friend/family member walking across the stage to receive her diploma. I even think the airhorns were a creative expression of your excitement. Nevertheless, have a little respect! A few groups stood and honked their horns when a graduate’s name was called. There were a few groups, however, who honked incessantly from the time the name was called until after the next name was called. Which meant that no one could hear the next graduate’s name. Basically, the whole reason we are there is to hear the names - don’t be that rude to everone else at the ceremony.
There. That feels better. I’m going to do my best to make sure that need is very clear before graduation next year.
And there were several entertaining freudian slips - in one, the Dean was talking about success, and he shortened it to ‘sex.’ Awesome comic relief.”