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May 15th, 2008
 | 12:56 pm - Posting from my cellphone
Sent from my Verizon Wireless LG enV2 - thanks to ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) mzmartipants for the idea!
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May 14th, 2008
| 11:41 am
(Copied shamelessly from carneggy's journal, for those who read mine and not his.)
Follow up to yesterday's post. (Thanks, khedron) Turns out it was a guide for both husbands and wives, and here is a link to a flickr photoset of the entire test.
My score for all pages of the wives' test? 46 demerits, 22 merits. Balance: -24. Oh, well. It's not the 1930s any more, for sure.
Current Location: Work
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/niaha/kitty/ankhappyg.gif) amused
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May 13th, 2008
 | 05:37 pm - The APA was THIS bad?!
Via carneggy
Apparently this was an official "wife grading chart" back in the 1930s:
I scored -6... but this is only page 1 of 4, so maybe I would make it up on the other questions.
But see, there's hope! The APA has evolved far from this, so maybe they will continue to evolve in the right way when they finalize the DSM-V. No? ;)
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: amused
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 | 04:03 pm - My New Phone is here!
FedEx delivered my new phone (mine is maroon) to me at work today. Mmmmmm, new toy! Full QWERTY keyboard and an amazing camera function. I spent far too much time setting it all up. But - mmmmm, new toy!
Here's one of the first photos I took. Yes, there's a self-timer too. Mmmmm, new toy!
(Who said I'm obsessive? ;) )
Current Location: Work
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/niaha/kitty/ankhyperg.gif) bouncy
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May 12th, 2008
| 05:34 am - Guests from Sweden
This weekend, we played hosts to Henrik and Daniel, two friends of kynn's from Sweden. On Sunday, we took them for brunch at Todd's Restaurant by Ryan Airfield, and then to the Desert Museum and San Xavier del Bac Mission.
A few photos here.
Afterwards, they cooked us a Swedish "dinner" - crepes wrapped around ice cream and blackcurrent jam. I ate too much.
Current Location: Bed
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/niaha/kitty/ankitteng.gif) indescribable
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May 10th, 2008
| 04:59 pm - Ladies Spa Day
Alix, my officemate at work, invited me to her annual "Ladies Spa Day", traditionally held the Saturday before Mothers' Day at the community pool in her townhouse complex.
The instructions were to bring "pool essentials, a dish to share, your favorite drink and an indulgent magazine". I got there just after 10, having stopped off for sunscreen, food, drink and magazines. Alix and her co-organizer friend Marit were already there, and we started pouring the Mimosas and decrying the comeback of 80s fashions. (Neon, anyone?)
Shortly we were joined by Laila, a veteran of past Spa Days, and at noon the final three arrived making a total of seven of us. The food was good - banana bread, pasta salad, hummus, crudités, egg rolls and potato wedges.
And then it was time for fun in the pool, helped along by the badminton set that Alix had brought along. It was all the more amusing for the fact that the bats had handles that were only about three inches long, and the shuttlecock had obviously been weighted by a sadist. There was just no way to predict where it was going to go... but fun was had and incriminating photos were taken! If Alix doesn't download them and give me a CD this week, I will attempt to kidnap her camera - they must be shown. ;)
We finished up with casual game of 'Fact or Crap', selecting only the interesting questions. The ones pertaining to geology or botany were far too easy, considering we had 3 members of the US Geological Survey, 2 Desert Museum staff and a woman who is famous for helping refugees with food harvesting. As we played, we realized how we had all been brainwashed by the information age as we felt the frustration of not having Google or Wikipedia right there to check answers, or learn more. Alix's house was just too far away for the wifi to reach. :P
Considering we started with one bottle of champagne per person, and most of it was gone by the time we left, I feel amazingly clearheaded...
Current Location: Epic Cafe
Current Mood: bouncy
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May 7th, 2008
| 06:30 pm - This is going to be a long project
Well, the guitar is out of the case and tuned as well as I can do by ear. Why I didn't keep my pitch pipes in the case is beyond me, but at this moment I don't feel like digging through a ton of boxes looking at them. And my ear is pretty good, anyway.
I have the basic melody scored, and the first couple of chords worked out. Converting from keyboard to strings is a little harder than I thought it would be, but it will just take time. Keeping it in A Minor really helps cut down on the complexity, too. At least I can print out endless copies of blank manuscript to scribble on. I'm still very rusty, but it's coming back to me slowly.
At least it's only a two minute song!
If I can work out how to fix my keyboards and figure out GarageBand, I could eventually put together quite the music video. Hm, we do have an amazing mixing board at work, and an experienced musician who knows how to use it... possibilities, possibilities...
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/niaha/kitty/ankcreateg.gif) creative
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May 5th, 2008
| 10:32 am - Chord Progressions and Trouble Sleeping
I've been thinking a lot recently about composing music, something I haven't done seriously since high school. I love putting together unusual chord progressions, something beyond the usual mix of dominant major, 4th and 5th, with the odd minor 6th thrown in for dramatic effect.
One of the very first songs I worked out how to play on the piano was the lullaby 'Hushabye Mountain' from the movie 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' which came out when I was seven years old. At that tender age, I failed to notice the lack of quality in Dick Van Dyke's singing voice, and was simply entranced with the way the harmonization of the melody could have such a strong emotional effect on me. Even now, I get goosebumps every time I hear it - but it can still help me fall asleep.
Yet the chords used are, mathematically speaking, a very simple sequence. I stumbled upon it accidentally while experimenting on the piano, no more than a couple of years later. (Yes, I was that annoying, musically precocious kid!) At first, I was excited to have 'composed' something so powerful myself, before realizing that I had, in fact, reinvented Robert and Richard Sherman's harmony for the song.
I felt a need, this morning, to relearn how to play it. As I don't currently have a functional keyboard instrument to use, I considered turning to my guitar instead, as the progression involved would be as simple on 6 strings as it is on the piano. My YouTube research led me to a cover of the lullaby by David Gilmour, using acoustic guitar.
As one commenter said, "eerie, beautiful, tear-jerker just like it was in the movie....but he can sing a hell of a lot better than Dick van Dyke." I couldn't agree more. I'll never produce a rendition like that myself, of course, but maybe later I will pull that guitar out of its dusty case and see what I can do. Who knows, I might even go on to pen a classic masterpiece of my own...
(Edited to add lyrics)
A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows o'er Lullaby Bay
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting
Waiting to sail your worries away
It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain
And your boat waits down by the quay
The winds of night so softly are sighing
Soon they will fly your troubles to sea
So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain
Wave goodbye to cares of the day
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail far away from Lullaby Bay
Current Location: Bed
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/niaha/kitty/ankthinkg.gif) contemplative
Current Music: Hushabye Mountain - David Gilmour
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May 3rd, 2008
 | 06:42 am - Ooops - YouTube
Well, good going, you domain registering people over at YouTube.
After trying to load http://www.youtube.com/ a few times without the host resolving, I did a 'whois youtube.com' at the console prompt:
xs:~ khyri$ whois youtube.com
Whois Server Version 2.0
Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.
YOUTUBE.COM.ZZZZZ.GET.LAID.AT.WWW.SWINGINGCOMMUNITY.COM
YOUTUBE.COM.NOT.RESPECTED.BY.CALITEC.NET
YOUTUBE.COM.MORE.INFO.AT.WWW.BEYONDWHOIS.COM
YOUTUBE.COM.IS.N0T.AS.1337.AS.WWW.GULLI.COM
YOUTUBE.COM
I wonder how long it will be before that gets fixed. And no, I have not visited any of the sites mentioned in the whois result, and I suggest you do not either.
Edited: And it's back. But not before at least one report made it to Google News.
Current Location: Bed
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/niaha/kitty/ankangryg.gif) bitchy
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April 29th, 2008
 | 03:10 pm - ASDM Gala 2008
Our biggest fund raiser of the year at work took place last weekend. Here I am, all dressed up, with Kynn (who was only there for the fun of it - I had to work!). Click through for more pictures.
Current Location: Work
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/niaha/kitty/anksleepyg.gif) exhausted
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April 26th, 2008
| 12:13 pm - Another Wacky Personality Test
...that's been making the rounds.
My Personality
| | Neuroticism | | Extraversion | | Openness to Experience | | Agreeableness | | Conscientiousness | |
| You rarely get angry and it takes a lot to make you angry, however you are sensitive about what others think of you. Your concern about rejection and ridicule cause you to feel shy and uncomfortable around others. You are easily embarrassed and often feel ashamed. Your fears that others will criticize or make fun of you are exaggerated and unrealistic, but your awkwardness and discomfort may make these fears a self-fulfilling prophecy. People generally perceive you as distant and reserved, and you do not usually reach out to others. You tend not to express your emotions openly and are sometimes not even aware of your own feelings. You do not enjoy confrontation, but you will stand up for yourself or push your point if you feel it is important, however you believe that a certain amount of deception in social relationships is necessary. You are guarded in new relationships and less willing to openly reveal the whole truth about yourself. You take your time when making decisions and will deliberate on all the possible consequences and alternatives.
| Take a Personality Test now or view the full Personality Report.
The best Uggs |
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: amused
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April 18th, 2008
| 07:48 pm - iTunes Playlist
I whittled my newly-restored iTunes library down to a Playlist of my all-time favorite tracks:
- Breakfast in America - Supertramp
- Crime of the Century - Supertramp
- Don't Stand So Close To Me - The Police
- Eternal Flame - The Bangels
- Feel Good Inc (Single Edit) - Gorillaz
- Feeling Good - Nina Simone
- Hello - Lionel Richie
- Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer
- Knights in White Satin - The Moody Blues
- The Man with the Child in his Eyes - Kate Bush
- One Million Miles Away
- Secret - Madonna
- She's Not There - Santana
- Smooth - Rob Thomas / Santana
- Where Have All The Cowboys Gone? - Paula Cole
- Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
- Year of the Cat - Al Stewart
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: creative
Current Music: She's Not There - Santana
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| 07:34 pm
Some of you are already familiar with my friend Carrie's 'My Cool Job' blog.
Her latest interviewee is a Voice over Director, which is an industry that I know is of great interest to at least two of my regular readers.
Go read, comment - and if you are inspired, write to her about your own 'Cool Job'! After all, don't you too want to share the spotlight with the Syrian Ambassador to the US? :)
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: hopeful
Current Music: The Moody Blues - Knights in White Satin
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| 02:23 pm - Friday 'Take it easy' blogging
Thanks to it being 'take it easy, for the sake of your mental health' Friday, I was able to wander the grounds and take some photos with my phone. Hope you enjoy:
 
Prairie Dog and Road Runner
 
Squirrel and My Hair
Current Location: Work
Current Mood: relaxed
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April 9th, 2008
| 12:33 pm - MOAR SKREENS PLZ
And I'm back to having 3 monitors, 2 computers at my desk.
Well, except that the PC isn't hooked up because I only had one spare power outlet on that side of the room, and it seems that in the whole museum, there is not one single spare power strip I can use. Not even temporarily. They're ordering more.
Now all I need to do is bring in some pretty pictures for the walls, and it will be just like home...
Current Location: ASDM
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/niaha/kitty/ankitteng.gif) indifferent
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| 12:22 pm - What The Weather Is Going On?
Southern Arizona. April. 60° F.
And now it's raining.
This is supposed to be our peak season. And I didn't take a jacket to work. :(
Current Location: ASDM
Current Mood: grumpy
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April 8th, 2008
| 12:09 pm - Desert Blooms
The flower in my hair was growing solitary by our front door this morning. I picked it before it could be stepped upon and destroyed.
At work, the grounds are full of professional and amateur photographers capturing the beauty of desert blooms before they disappear.
We truly need a departmental camera. I hate having to borrow one from somewhere else. (The photo above was taken with the built-in iSight on my Macbook)
Current Location: Work
Current Mood: peaceful
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April 3rd, 2008
| 12:44 pm - No news is good news?
Yes, I know I haven't posted much these last couple of days. I guess my increased posting rate is dropping off again.
So, life has its Ups and Downs. I've discovered my way of coping is to go down and watch Raptor Free Flight. Somehow, my feet have taken me there on three out of four days this week. It was good to share the experience with three wonderful friends yesterday too - there's nothing like watching first time visitors feel the thrill of being buzzed by a low-flying Chihuahuan Raven.
My favorite spot for solitary contemplation is the museum's Amphitheater (of which I can find zero photos - I should take some). Set overlooking a deep desert canyon, and away from the public - when it's not in use by school groups - the small semi-circular area is a perfect place to sit and reflect upon life, the universe and everything. I discovered today that Chris, our resident geologist, uses the same spot for the same purpose, although we have never crossed paths there yet.
I think it's time for an Up...
Current Location: Work
Current Mood: contemplative
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March 30th, 2008
March 29th, 2008
| 06:30 am - Ultimate Satire
The etiology and treatment of childhood.
I am sure that this will amuse more than just the medical students on my friends' list.
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: amused
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March 28th, 2008
 | 07:48 pm - Worst use of English today
I just produced the following mangled piece of English. Descriptive, accurate, but mangled:
"Carpet under bed all cleaned, anti-bacterial'ed, and otherwise de-peed."
Good thing the kitty is cute, that's all I can say....
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: grumpy
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 | 11:53 am
I have A Cool Job!
Yay me!
Current Location: Work
Current Mood: bouncy
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March 23rd, 2008
 | 06:39 am - Appreciating My Friends
I really need to dig my guitar out and start writing music again.
Current Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Music: "Lost", Michael Buble
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March 14th, 2008
 | 01:50 pm
April 9, 2008 declared "Talk to a Shy Person" day.
What's the betting no-one talks to me. :P
Current Location: My desk
Current Mood: bitchy
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March 12th, 2008
| 07:20 pm
Top Chef is on!
( Cut for spoilers )
Current Location: In front of the TV
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/niaha/kitty/ankawakeg.gif) surprised
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March 9th, 2008
| 08:30 pm - New Hair
As promised:
We went out to Ryan Airfield for brunch today, and swung by the Saguaro National Park (West) Red Hills Visitor Center on the way back. There were many flowers in bloom, so it was a great day to take photos. The above is my favorite of the ones that kynn took of me. More me here, and some great shots of flowers here.
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: exhausted
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March 8th, 2008
| 04:20 pm - Haircut
So, going by this user icon, it is over a year since I last got a haircut (as Sedona has been with us about 15 months now, and in the photo I actually had bangs/fringe of a respectable length).
I drove down to the hairdresser today and pulled what-used-to-be-bangs over my face, and told her "these need to go back up to eyebrow level, please". That was about 6 inches off all round, plus layering for summer.
$11 later, I had my bangs/fringe back. I tried to take a photo using my iSight, but didn't manage anything I'm particularly happy with. I'll wait till kynn is home with a real camera, and maybe play around with curling tongs or something. I also need to get rid of the grey roots. Then I'll reveal it to the world!
In other news, I'm using Kynn's desktop today as his laptop's power cord died, so he is borrowing my laptop till the replacement cord arrives. I'm digging into the incredible web application disaster that is Yahoo 360° and wondering what crazy programmer thought those URLs were a good idea, and marveling how it's possible to follow the same link three times and get to a) the right place b) the wrong place and c) an error page within the span of a few seconds.
Still, it's a nice lesson in how not to do things (not that I'll ever have to produce social networking applications in my current job), the layouts tend to be less cringe-inducing than MySpace, and they let me syndicate my LJ RSS feed over there so I can be read in both places at the same time.
Current Location: Kynn's desk
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/niaha/kitty/ankgeekg.gif) busy
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March 3rd, 2008
| 08:06 pm - Meme time
Via greenfall
One of those survey thingies: ( Read more... )
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: thoughtful
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February 8th, 2008
| 11:45 am - I just can't stop doing it
See, I could tell Dawn was a lesbian back when she was in the sixth form with me. And I know I wasn't the only one. I guess it took Dawn longer to figure out.
The most powerful woman in British television has spoken for the first time of the baby girl she is expecting with her lesbian lover
Go Dawnie!
Current Location: Work
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/niaha/kitty/ankwinkg.gif) giggly
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| 11:30 am - Well, then...
I should probably not spend this much time googling for people I went to school with.
The wife who lost her husband to The Apprentice's Katie Hopkins tells of her pain
It pains me to admit that I had a slight crush on Damian when I was at school with him (he was a year older than me). Luckily for me, he showed no interest in me. Oh, and he's aged really badly IMHO. :P
Current Location: Work
Current Mood: surprised
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