Human Being

"I'm a PC and a Human Being... not a human doing... not a human thinking... a human being"

It's the new PC commercial and I hate it. Or maybe I don't, I'm not sure but I want it to have nothing to do with me. I've realized recently that I am a human being. But maybe more so a human doing, often a human thinking, and occasionally a human being. In order for me to be that human being I become a human doing. When it takes most people 9 hours total to go to work (30 minute commute we'll say), it takes me 10.5. When people go to the bar from 10-1 it takes them maybe 4 hours but it takes me 5-6. And when people go grocery shopping it takes them 1-2 hours, it takes me a 4 hours. That's because I ride my bike to work, I ride my bike to the bar, and I ride my bike multiple times a week to the grocery store so that I can have food in my pantry. I do the same things as everyone else I just take so gosh darn long to do it. I have to plan my days carefully, I have to get more sleep, and I have to always look glistening (no, not sweaty, glistening). It's hard work being a human doing but it makes being a human being a little more satisfying.

NCSUMBRC

Yar. I totally raced! It sucked. I'm out of shape. You lose that top end so fast. So, when you don't race for several months you tend to lose a lot. Saturday's race was at Lake Crabtree. This is MY course. I swear those weren't my legs...nor technical skill. I rode like a 10 year old girl (or boy for that matter) for the first 3 laps. Unfortunately, there were only 3 laps. I placed 3rd. Sunday was at Harris Lake. I've only ridden there once and it was about exactly one year ago. It's a fun course but it was fast and I needed my top end again and it didn't come through. I placed 4th overall and felt pretty not ok. It was both depressing and inspiring. We'll see which feeling will win.

Significant droppins'

I made lentils last night and mixed in some spicy seasonings. I was gently mixing them in the storage closet when a spoonful went flying. The droppings looked unpleasant and I the first thing that came to my head was "I don't want kids". I'll have to think about this one.

Quality Control

Everyone does a fair amount of quality control in their life. Today's episode refers to friends. This morning I woke up to find an email from a good old friend at UMass looking to meet up again soon. Unfortunately for everyone, I'm still in the south. It's nice to know that even when you don't keep in touch too frequently, you're certainly not forgotten. I always keep in touch with those kiddies that mean the most to me and will continue to do so. I can only imagine that this is why I was contacted after such a long time without hearing from each other. Thank you Ms. Renos911. You have made my day.

Reuse Reuse Reuse!!

Holy moly!! We just got rid of around 500+ pipette tip boxes all in the name of art! My green influence puts me to work in this lab. When the kiddies no longer want something but can't bear to throw it away, they pass it off to me. I advertise on craigslist in the freebie section and send it off. Today's episode featured said pipette boxes, the whole lot of them. When asked what the taker planned to do with them, he replied "art". Perfect.

CRG

CAROLINA ROLLER GIRLS

In my next life I know what I will be. A kick ass roller derby girl with arm sleeves and badtitude. I watched the Carolina Roller Girls at the roller derby on Saturday and I thought it was the greatest thing possibly ever. My dress-wearin', straight laced self doesn't suit for now but I'll come better prepared next time.

Maybe you're the asshole

So I'm riding home from dinner yesterday, lights on, minding my own business while hugging the side of the road when all of a sudden a disgruntled driver close behind me beeps. I jump because this person is a few feet behind, it's night, and it was scary. I flipped her off after she angrily passed me, completely unsatisfied. But, what's that I see? Green, yellow, red. Yes! She hits the red light at Meridith College and I quickly catch up. I slide between the two cars on the start line and open her door. "Do you think that's a good idea?" I say as she grabs the inside of the door, "You could have killed me". Her defense mechanisms strong and scary as she flips me off and screams vulgarities at me. I was likely not invited to open her door, but maybe she's the asshole.


FYI: NCDOT says
In North Carolina, the bicycle has the legal status of a vehicle. This means that bicyclists have full rights and responsibilities on the roadway and are subject to the regulations governing the operation of a motor vehicle. North Carolina traffic laws require bicyclists to:

* Ride on the right in the same direction as other traffic
* Obey all traffic signs and signals
* Use hand signals to communicate intended movements
* Equip their bicycles with a front lamp visible from 300 feet and a rear reflector that is visible from a distance of 200 feet when riding at night.
* Bicycling on Interstate or fully controlled limited access highways, such as beltlines, is prohibited by policy, unless otherwise specified by action of the Board of Transportation. Currently, the only exception to the policy is the US 17 bridge over the Chowan River between Chowan and Bertie Counties.
* There is no law that requires bicyclists to ride single file, nor is there a law that gives cyclists the right to ride two or more abreast. It is important to ride responsibly and courteously, so that cars may pass safely.
* There is no law that prohibits wearing headphones when riding a bicycle; however, it is not recommended. It is important to use all your senses to ensure your safety when riding in traffic.

Get It Girl

I got it! I understand Macros. And to all y'all who already do, it's no biggie smalls but macro...I mean..just the word is huge! Ladies and gentlemen I combined 3 color changing commands to make one sleek macro. I'm going to rule the world someday and it will be under the keystroke ctrl+shft+W.

Excelpert

Yes, I'm becoming an excelpert. I can't believe what you can do in this mother. I've only made it to page 381 of 899 (gosh it's a regular Fountainhead novel if you ask me) but soon I'm going to conquer the whole shebang. As you can see, I've eliminated lab work from my life and picked up this new, proudly, useful hobby! (just as the tabs at the bottom show).



Today, I found an option to change the background of the entire sheet. I saved this setting and named the file "Colleens Template" to help her at work. I see promotion written all over that.

Rager Results Are In!!!

Check out the results from the Rager in the TRK lab. Also, this past weekend I had my first non-food ordering interaction with my Morning Times boyfriend. Nothing really resulted but I'm sure I will be recognized from now on. Further more I now have a Raleigh Times boyfriend.

Lessons learned from riding by bars:
1. Pink spandex draw attention
2. Track standing draws staring
3. Combination is deadly

Post Script - I may or may not die as a result of this awesome picture. Yes it is me and yes it is in the "photo booth" where we take pictures of gels...which are soaking in ethidium bromide. Hair sweeps it up well.

Rager in the TRK Lab

It's our last official day with no rules or regulation in the lab. It was one good week but I wish it was one where I was a little less busy. Anyway, we plan to make art labo....art by full use of lab supplies. This is to be presented at First Friday, the best thing Raleigh has going. The Rager lasts 1:10 and is happening in room 341 Schaub.

The Rager starts at 3:50.

See you there.

Averagest Day Ever

So I kinda sorta started out with the worst day ever: a new friend asking ME if my x-boyfriend likes her or not cause apparently she's sorta into him -- which is one of the reasons why I don't like him to be making friends with my friends. Awkward.

-----------HOWEVER---------------

It turned right back around to the best day ever when I had a pretty sweet interview with a company from the Denver, CO. I felt really good about my answers and now I'm pretty pumped to actually get a real job someday. Mid/third/quart-life crisis over?


Love,
Caitlin

Tattoos

There has been a lot of talk about tattoos lately. Bro-tats of dinosaurs for the foodies + Shannball, the MA outline I've always wanted and most recently, SNICK arm sleeves. Now, the SNICK arm sleeves are especially interesting because one generation included the show Pete and Pete. Young Pete (Danny Tamberelli) featured Petunia, a ginger vixen tattoo, on his forearm. I believe this is the cause behind the recent popularity in arm decor. Also, depending on your age, you may or may not be familiar with the show lineup. Those who watched when Round House was present may not relate well with other who were around for Alex Mac. You could use this to judge maturity/interest of potential friends.

Other tattoos include:
Jesse Katsopolis
Jesse Katsopolis' tattoos
A dinosaur with a tattoo of myself with the tattoo of the dinosaur

Still undecided. Still searching for tattoo balls.