Fruitless Pranks...of the Fruit Fly Sort

So, I just realized today that I'm pretty glad that I didn't put anesthetized fruit flies under Andy Anderson's door when I had the chance. I saw him today, and he said, "Good to see you again." It's very possible that he's forgotten my name, but at least I am still recognized.

Anyway, it all goes back to fall semester when my genetics lab partner Aaron and I had a little conversation about "pompous professors." And somehow we started talking about Andy Anderson. Now, I've worked for him for a couple of semesters, and haven't had many problems with him. But, when it came down to the nitty gritty topic at hand, I could not deny the pomp factor. And the last few times I had seen him he didn't even seem to remember me, so, I had a motive (the same as Homer Simpson's to shoot Mr. Burns, actually).

At the time, we were in the middle of anesthetizing our fruit flies and sorting them under the microscope when Aaron brought up the fact that Andy's office was just across the hall. I knew exactly what he was implying, and burst out laughing. You see, I always made an effort to spare the lives of the sleeping flies...and was always dumping them this place and that (outside of course), rather than killing them.

In my laughter, I couldn't stop imagining how hilarious it would be if the next time he walked into his office it was swarming with fruit flies. And all we would have to do to achieve this hilarity is simply slip them under the door. Haha! It was an entertaining thought, but we held out.

Well, now that I know he at least remembers my face, I'm glad we didn't do that prank. I might be seeing him more often too, as the Bio Department might start doing classes through Distance Education (we did an IP conference for them today). I might actually need a recommendation from him someday too, so, I won't feel guilty asking for it now.

Instant Karma

The justice of universal karma extends its mighty grasp even as far as a simple vending machine, I've found today. So, I put a dollar into this vending machine so that I could get some Doritos to snack on at work, and the corner of the bag got stuck, so it wouldn't drop down. That always sucks. So, I was a little irritated (moreso because I was hungry than that I had lost a bit of money). So, I put in another dollar so that I might have two bags. The first dropped down, but the second one also got stuck. "Oh well," I thought, "at least I got one."

After pushing the change button, however (since the chips cost 80 cents, not a dollar) I actually got two dimes and one of those coin dollars. "Hey!" I thought. "How did it know?" The change compensated exactly for my trapped chips. Haha.

I do find it cool that vending machines can tell the difference between American and Canadian quarters, as well as American quarters from before 1965...so, I tend to call them clever. Of course, I realize that the coins are likely weighed (simple enough). So, this "sophistication" begs the question: Did the machine give me an extra dollar in change because it recognized that it did not deliver its product? Or, did the machine have an odd malfunction in issuing its change, that just happened to exactly compensate for my loss? It boggles the mind!!

Rush Concert

Rush is coming to SLC (Usana Amphitheatre) on Monday, August 6th!! Wow, I love finding these things out! If anyone is interested, save the date. It should be an amazing show!

My Big Confession

I've finally acknowledged that it is time for a confession. A big one. The Beatles are officially NOT my favorite band. "What?!" you all cry. "Who is it??" Well, I've decided that choosing a favorite band of all time is not a good idea, as it will make me close-minded to explore the possibilities of loving new bands. And honestly, I really don't listen to The Beatles very much, and haven't for a long time. Although I have acknowledged that fact, I still have always claimed they are my favorite band. No more.

And crazy as I am, I see that Fate would have this be. Haha. I was at the movies a couple weeks ago (Iron Man), and was annoyed as usual by the commercials and continuous cycles of movie pop-quiz questions and such. Honestly, I love a blank screen until the movies start up. And since we pay to get in, I really don't think we should be forced to see commercials by any right. Anyway, one of the questions up on the screen just happened to be: "Who is your favorite band?" The guy next to me read this question aloud and said "Hm, let's see, I think it would have to be...Rush!" As I have been really into this band lately I was very happy by this remark, and turned and replied "I love Rush!" And we started talking about them for a few minutes.

I thought that it was especially cool, since they are not an incredibly popular band (mainstream-wise). Sadly, it seemed like the guy was on a date, so I felt inclined to not chat the boy up too much. Interestingly though, the girl he was with mentioned liking The Beatles, and I felt...a slight hint of disdain for them. Very fleeting, and possibly only because I wanted to talk to him longer and really couldn't because of her. Who knows. I just found it really satisfying that we both really liked a band that wasn't hugely popular, but are hugely talented for sure.

After this little experience, I moved into the Beach House (as I have mentioned), and have just been unpacking the last few days. And guess what got damaged in the move, the only thing? Amazingly enough, all my Beatles albums. No, no, but close. The glass on my Beatles collage was broken. It was sad!

And just yesterday, as I was cleaning out one of my boxes I saw this number written on the side of it:

Okay, now, check out this Rush album cover:

It was a weird sign. But a sign nonetheless. I needed to put the Beatles reign to an end, and acknowledge fully what I am currently obsessed with. Today, it's Rush. And I don't have a favorite band. And The Beatles are not the greatest band in history.

I consider admitting it in this blog a big step to expanding my musical horizons. And just so you know, the other day when someone saw my Yellow Submarine hoodie and said that they loved The Beatles, I withheld my usual "They're my favorite," and just said "Cool, me too." Wow, what a confession.

A View to a Kill

Well, summer is officially here, and I'm actually pretty excited about it. I've moved back to the Beach House, and am near some of my friends again. It's nice to be back.

As far as the job goes, I've actually decided to stick with the same one for the summer, for a few reasons:

1. I hate looking for a job.
2. I hate waiting around to get hired for a job.
3. I hate training for a job.
4. I like having my weekends off, always.

Good enough for me. I do like changes, but not at the expense of too much stress when you are absolutely poor. I am...absolutely poor. Unfortunately, for the first half of the summer I don't have very many hours at all (seriously, only about 25/week). That's what happens when small summer classes end up getting canceled. Bah! Maybe I'll just enjoy it, as I actually have Friday afternoon-Monday completely off. Wow, now that's a weekend!

In other news, the last couple of days I've been at Ali's house watching over her kitty Crash, and her garden, plants, etc. I was really looking forward to a whole week of just bumming around her house while she's in Oregon, but I actually had to come back early due to work starting earlier than expected. While there, I discovered a good reason why she should have someone staying in the house, rather than just having someone come by and check up on things.

So, I awoke Sunday morning to the sound of Crash's jingling bell from his collar as he jumped through the window (he comes in and out as he pleases). I looked up from my sleep to greet him, and he sets down this dead mouse on the floor and starts meowing in a bright and chipper fashion, as though to brag. I was a little horrified by the greeting, but a little amused at the same time by the nature of cats to impress you with their kills.

The next morning, I woke up to the same jingling and looked up to see a dead bird this time. Feathers all over and everything. Definitely gross. But then I thought, maybe this cat likes me if he's trying to impress me with two kills in two days. There is a bright side to everything. And it's a good thing I was there to get those dead animals out of the house.

Here's the culprit:

Anyway, now that I'm back I've got to unload all my stuff into my new room, which is actually really nice because it is usually a shared room, so it is fairly large with it's own spacious bathroom and a walk-in closet. I've always wanted a walk-in closet! Plus, the walls are green, which is my favorite color.

I've thought about planing some weekly or semi-weekly events for the summer, much like the Simpsons Night from a few years ago. Heidi and I also want to organize our own little book club. We'll see how that goes.

Also, I just checked my grades, and am pleasantly surprised to find no C's this semester, and two A's. I got a B- in Physics II just like I hoped for (yeah, I did hope for a B-). My health/motivation/class attendance/whatnot have all pretty much sucked this semester, so, it's a good thing most of my classes were really easy or else who knows what the results may have been. I do have to retake Physics I, since I screwed that class over last semester. I found that the one I was in this semester was actually pretty interesting as we talked about sound waves, electricity/electromagnetism, and optics whereas last semester it was all about calculating applied forces...boring, boring stuff. I actually might read up on optics in my spare time, I've got lots of it for a while :)