To the rescue

Not often do you have a chance to save the day and today was mine. It was mid-afternoon as I headed for the NMR room to run a quick sample. As I scuffled to the computer I was hit by droplets of water. Surprised I looked up to see more rain on its way. Not being prepped for this eventuality I immediately rang the NMR technician, Rhys, before searching for water catching devices. I found a coffee percolator and commissioned it into action. I then run up to the second floor to find a flooded physics lab. However that situation was under control with the tap off and vacuum cleaner sucking hard. I headed back to the NMR. Moments later Rhys arrived, surveyed the situation and went in search for a protective sheet to cover the computer equipment (worth the big bucks). As soon as the door closed the waterfall moved right on top of the computer unit. I scrambled for some tea towels that were lying around. I even put my head on the line by using my hair to absorb some of the precipitation. The reinforcements arrived with plastic sheets in hand. With the computers saved it was time to run my NMR (a beautifully clean spectrum at that, especially for a crude mix). Now if I ever stuff up the NMR in a minor way I will be able to say, "Remember the day I saved the 300 MHz NMR."

Recently I have realised that I am more Reformed than I had previously thought.

Basement II

On Tuesday I discovered, to my delight, that a collection of demos and outtakes rumoured to be from Elliott Smith's 'From a Basement on the Hill' sessions had been leaked onto the web. They can be founded and downloaded from www.elliottsmithbsides.com. Many were probably recorded much earlier, around the Either/Or era. Abused (with lyrics), Riot Coming, High Times, New Disaster, The Worst Part is Almost Over, & Untitled (being called "Sticks & Stones" by the fans) were previously unavailable and were most likely some of last songs that Elliott worked on. One of my absolute favourites, Amanda Cecilia, is found in this collection but it sounds very similar to the version from the Jackpot Sessions. I am torn between being happiness and sadness at their release. I love listening to them but I am saddened that he couldn't be here to give them to us. I hope he is at peace now. xo

Connections

On Tuesday night I happened upon someone who did a couple of the uni papers with me at Otago. I think he was in my maths and biological anthropology papers (his Dad was the forensics lecturer). I mainly knew him by sight having only talked to him about twice. However, we both immediately recognised each at New World. From the brief history we had we were drawn into conversation about what we are up to in Wellington. He works for Telstra Clear having done a telecommunications degree (I thought he was doing anatomy). Rather than wasting his free evenings his studying for a Masters in Animal Management extramurally from the University of Pretoria (he is South African). I know all this but not his name. Maybe I shall find out next time we bump into each other grocerying.

Lesson

My lesson for today is:
When having your gloved hand in a base bath (filled with strong base and ethanol) and you feel a little burning of the hand, remove it immediately. Do not carry on, while contemplating how this could be as you were sure the glove had no holes. However, such a soaking does impart a limited special power (like those applied to Obelix and the Hulk but limited), for a few minutes afterward you can scrape off layers of skin with great ease.

Beach

It's hard to be inside back at uni after such a splendid long weekend of sunning, swimming (all but briefly), eating, beering, midnight golfing, partying, singing, walking and chilling. Big cheers to Dave and Ange for organising this event and for Ange's amazing food delights.

Cultured

On Monday night I was invited to come and experience my first opera. The boyfriend of my labmate Emma was in the opera and was thus given free tickets to distribute. I felt out of place rubbing shoulders with the local richies who forked out multiple 20’s to see La Traviata. Thank goodness for the subtitle boards that gave me some idea of what was going on. It is a story about a rich guy falling in love and hooking up with a working girl. His father convinces her to call it off for their family’s honour. She tearfully agrees, which causes her sickness to take more of a hold without his love. The boyfriend finally returns for her and his father is sorry for what he had done but she ends up dying anyway. Although the soprano’s (working girl) voice was pretty good (it made my ears ring a couple of times) the overall performance wasn’t convincing. Maybe they were bored of singing the same stuff as it was the last night. However, I can now add operas to the list of my sights seen.

On Tuesday night I was dealt a treat. I decided to go to see Joanna Newsom, on the encouragement of my friend Deborah, having only briefly listening to a couple of mp3s and deciding she wasn’t for me. So wrong I was. Courtney was the only other person to express interest in the coming so it was just the two of us. The night was a long one with doors open at 8 pm but no acts until 9.40 pm and finishing at 12.30 am. During the wait the bar managed to convince me that it was a good idea to have two handles of Mac’s Black…bad move. But I managed to sneak off to the room a couple times before the music began. The crowd seemed sympathetic to us guzzlers by allowing us to return to our prime spots. There we stood in anticipation of joys to come. Smog finally came forward with his guitar and got straight into it. He played nice, simple tunes that could fit under the alt-country genre. My favourite songs were Dress Sexy at My Funeral and Our Anniversary. His performance came to sudden end when his mic died. Maybe that was the cue to move on. Minutes later Joanna appeared on stage in a stunning red dress. Rather than taking her position at the harp, she came to the front of the stage and belted out a cappella verse. From then on I knew this concert was going to be special. I was unfamiliar with her work but I was amazed by the aural feast she offered. Her voice was captivating, unique and beautiful. Her nimble hands glided effortlessly over the 46 strings, plucking each in its proper place. I was won over after the first song. My favourite songs were her two new songs. These were much longer than those on The Milk Eyed Mender, impressive epics with many movements. To top it off, her lyrics were awesome. I am now going to buy The Milk Eyed Mender and eagerly wait for her new album.

Last night, a friend and I were discussing how at times we imagine or fantasise about suffering bad illnesses or going thru extreme trials to guess how people would react. I wonder how much sympathy I would receive and whether people would treat me differently than now. We decided that the simulation of our deaths is often used to reassure us that people love us and want us around. Are we the only ones?

In PhD news, I have finally been able to get a reaction to work after months of struggling and many, many attempts. I had to email one former PhD student from the US and a French academic to finally get somewhere. It's 'funny' how the most vital information needed for success is often left out of the instructions for a reaction! At least this poor soul will include them in his thesis.

Maha to those who chose not to YAC for childish reasons. Yaha to those who had a splendid weekend in the presence of old friends and good times.

On Tuesday night I dined with a Nobel laureate. I sat no more than a metre from Prof Bob Grubbs joint winner of this year's Nobel prize in Chemistry for his work in developing Ru catalysts for metathesis. As all geeky chemists do, I got him to sign my lab book. Nice! Maybe now my reactions will work!!

Harptastic

Does anyone want to come with me to see Joanna Newsom and her harp on the 18th of October? Only $32.55! Discount could be available if a poor student wishes come.