Random Friday: neuroses
A random piece of flotsam found around our place
- Ever since being given a chemistry set at about eight years old, I have had an unnatural interest in laboratory glassware. Our measuring cup, for example, is a Pyrex
® beaker, and the above photo was taken with the aid of a glass Petri dish which I was moved to purchase the instant I saw it through the pharmacy window. - Light-emitting diodes are also among the things I have a fetish for. So bright and lovely and efficient. Those are involved in that picture, too.
- Among my fallow skills set is the ability to manipulate yeast for the powers of good. Give me a dish of substrate, a live slant, and an inocculation loop, and I can easily propagate enough Weihenstephan to produce a delicious, estery Hefeweizen. When I was brewing I had an extensive, some would say ridiculous, refrigerated library of various strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. carlsbergensis from various regions. This is perhaps related to the first item above.
- Though I have never had any bees of my own, I am a big fan of their work. The idea of insects and fungi doing useful work for their human masters, completely gratis, fills me with joy and hope. Here is a picture of me doing some free-lance beekeeping in the Southern Cone. In spite of all this, I find the words ‘beekeeping’ and ‘beekeeper’ hilarious, especially when prefaced with ‘U.N.’
- I go through periods of having (or at least remembering) no dreams whatsoever, alternating with times of vivid recall of dreams of the utmost randomness. In the last few nights, for example, I have dreamt of Sea Monkeys and of rescuing a carp. Though it wasn’t explicit in the dreams, subtext made it clear that neither Sea Monkeys nor carp survived.
- Speaking of monkeys: I do not like them. I am sorry. I just don’t. Not even Sea Monkeys, frankly.
- I would much rather swim in salt water than fresh. I don’t really mind if it’s cold, as long as it’s salty.
- I would prefer not to be covered with sand, if at all possible, and watching Adam play on/ingest the beach gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Kilowatthour, recently become Dr. Kilowatthour, M.D., requested this post.
The picture is our latest contribution to the Flickr group ‘Choking Hazards’. Why haven’t you joined it yet?
The photo is spoooooooky. In a way.
Comment by Loxias — Friday 1 June 07 @ 15.01 MDT+2.00
Is this the legendary picture I’ve heard rumours of? Casper, the “Freudy” Ghost, on the cusp of jumping into someone’s unconscious?
Comment by DarkoV — Friday 1 June 07 @ 15.21 MDT+2.00
Sweet Fancy Flying Spaghetti Monster, dude. You’re weird.
I’m so glad I’m not weird.
Comment by Jane — Friday 1 June 07 @ 16.27 MDT+2.00
FREELANCE BEEKEEPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!
Ahem. Sorry. That was just TOO good.
(And is definitely going on one of those ping-pong balls in What To Do With My Life Bingo.)
Comment by Roo — Friday 1 June 07 @ 16.53 MDT+2.00
Is it, is it… a ghost wearing a tophat? Please?
My lab partner K., who inherited your brewing equipment, thanks you and promises me a batch of beer.
You get nothing. Le sigh.
Comment by Elsa — Friday 1 June 07 @ 17.16 MDT+2.00
those are impressive neuroses. i am especially interested in the beery fruits of #3.
Comment by kilowatthour — Saturday 2 June 07 @ 17.21 MDT+2.00
Sea Monkeys and Carniverous Carp make regular appearances in my dreams but the flying doughboy is downright freaky!
Comment by gwynne — Tuesday 5 June 07 @ 02.56 MDT+2.00
Okay, so I’m not the first to repeat the phrase, but the simple words FREELANCE BEEKEEPING have me glad to be back in your world yet again.
Comment by SquamLoon — Saturday 23 June 07 @ 16.50 MDT+2.00