The Redemption of Arthropods

I have been cursing the class Insecta all summer long, and then...I meet this gal. She's a beaut! I think its a type of Shining Leaf Chafer but I'm not 100%. It's family Scarabaeidae whatever it is. I could look at her all day. (Yes...that even disturbs me).

Legitimizing Nerditude

So I started a new job, and now I look at stuff that people "found" in there food all day. It's funny having the opportunity to peer into the mind of people who operate under a completely different set of mores and concepts of right and wrong. It's amazing what people will try all in the name of the quick buck or "sticking it to The Man" with no rational awareness that what they are doing is illegal.

I do occasionally find beauty in the job. In the past two weeks, the lab has had a perpetual visitor at the door. A black bird (with two large orange spots on its wings), whom I have dubbed "Gilderoy", hangs out just outside the door and looks at himself in the glass all day. You scare him away, and he comes right back to peer at himself. He doesn't peck at the glass. He doesn't flap his wings. He just stands there, sings, and admires his impeccable visage. I think he may have dive-bombed one too many windshields.

Also for your viewing pleasure: scenes from a microscope.

Iodine crystals under polarized light (63 x)

PET under polarized light (100 x)

Glitter (100x)

The Firing Squad

I had my thesis defense this past Monday. That's where you take the all the research you have done in the past 3.5 years, present it before the public, let the public rip you with questions, then let your committee tear you apart in a closed-door session, exit the session in shame and humiliation, and finally get called back into the session after an eternity of deliberation to see if you passed. Well...I passed, but will have to mend my defense-induced ulcers. It's weird...you would think that an advanced degree would somehow bolster your intellectual self-image, but I have never felt as stupid as I did during that two and a half hours. Me name Dan. Me go sleep. By-bye.

Hey There, Boo Boo

Sometimes, instead of Build-a-Bear workshops in the mall, I wish they had Beat-A-Bear workshops. This would entail beating the stuffing out of a bear in lui of putting the stuffing in. If society had some sort of visceral, public outlet to sublimate angst and aggression, I think we would be better off. You may say that this niche is accommodated by organized sports and video arcades, however, football does not allow bear abuse and video games perpetuate social non-action. Moreover, bears have nothing to contribute to society or culture but chronic grumpiness and picnic theft. Down with the bear!

Bienvenidos a la mondial real.

I have a job (and it isn't Home Depot)! Wednesday, I was contacted by a small feed microscopy firm here in Manhattan who happened to see my posting on the university career services website. Thursday I had a 2.5 hour interview, and Friday I was made an offer (which was quickly accepted). I am a forensic food microscopist for Alteca Ltd. (http://www.alteca.com/), which means...well, I can't really tell you what it means because I just signed a non-disclosure agreement. Anyway, its funny how God chooses to answer prayer like the bomb diffuser in movies, always at the last second. I am constantly humbled by his provision and faithfulness, and it perpetually amazes me how little faith I often demonstrate despite this constancy. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us in this matter. We really do have it good.

My Top 10 Movies of 2007 (That I've been able to see so far)

10. The Simpson Movie: Almost 20 years in the making, this actually turned out to be a decent film and not just a two hour rehash of old material. I don't usually laugh out loud when I see comedies by myself in the theatre, but this was an exception to the rule.
9. The Host: Who knew that a Korean monster movie would make my list? I sure didn't. Best creature flick since Tremors.
8. The Bourn Ultimatum: If you told me seven years ago that Matt Damon would crank out a butt-kick franchise better than the recent James Bond series I would laugh in your face. Here is exhibit number three of that gaffe.
7. Waitress: Don't watch unless you want to crave pie for the following month.
6. 3:10 To Yuma: Thank you James Mangold, for bringing back the Western.
5. Hot Fuzz: The British + warm guns = happiness
4. Juno: Quirky script and amazing character development. Yes...I laughed audibly at this movie as well.
3. Ratatouille: Suddenly I don't feel so paranoid and disgusted by the possibility of rats in a restaurant kitchen.
2. No Country For Old Men: Tommy Lee Jones's monologue at story's denouement continues to haunt me to this very moment. A fine work from my favorite Director/Producer duo: the Coen Brothers.
1. There Will Be Blood: I can probably count on both my hands the performances/actors that I have seen in film that have completely floored me and left me with a new appreciation for the craft of acting. Daniel Day-Lewis is one of them. The films of P.T. Anderson all have a residual sorrow that leave the viewer (or at least myself) in a sort of spiritual malaise. You associate so easily and magnificently with the characters, that their tragedy, to some extent, becomes your own tragedy.

Note: These are movies that I personally enjoyed but do not necessarily recommend to EVERYBODY. Pick and choose at your own discretion. Thank you.

Where Am I Going? Where Are You Taking Me?

Since my interview with the Nebraska State Patrol has been so widely publicized, I feel obligated to share about my experience involving sitting in front of a panel of hardened cops and groping for words expressing why I'm the best candidate for the position. I happen to have a clip of the interview. Enjoy.

Another crisis averted

Yesterday I was driving in my car and saw a banana peel in the middle of the road. It made me laugh but I avoided it all the same.