Happy New Year!

Eastern Time

How many can you take?

20

Can't find your cat? Turn out the lights!!!

...and turn on the UV!
cnn.com story
cbc.ca story
<-- The caption describes the cat on the right as the "normal cloned cat".

Interesting...

Graveyard Shift = Cancer?

Memphis Driver

This clip is supposed to be from Greece, BUT

I think it is really from Memphis.

Thanks, Amy! I needed this!

I look like this at least once a week...

The bags under the eyes - now that's a look I carry with me everyday!

I'm sorry...

...but this looks stupid.

UT Band at Florida





1...2...3...PRIDE!

Reunion

This weekend I am going to a 10-year reunion... not mine. I'm actually more excited to go to Danny's high school reunion than I ever would be to go to my own. Let me give you an example.

Location of my high school reunion:
Possum Trot (www.possumtrot.org)


Possum Trot description:
Shoot’m up at Possum Trot – Dress up in your cowboy clothes and shoot with period guns in the beautiful mountains of Scott County. Stay in fully-furnished cabins, whet your whistle at the Possum Breath saloon or enjoy some grub at the Bloated Possum Chow Hall. Visitors can explore miles of trails in four-wheelers, rhinos or horses.

Versus


Location of Danny's high school reunion:
The Foundry (www.foundonfair.com)


The Foundry description:
Built in 1865, The Foundry on the Fair Site was originally operated as a foundry for the casting of railroad spikes and flathead nails from cannonballs. It fell into disuse, burned but was then renovated to become the Strohaus during the 1982 worlds fair. Bought by the current owners in 1993, The Foundry has since become a unique setting for your wedding, company party or luncheon meeting. The Foundry can seat up to 600 people and can be divided into sections that can accommodate any party.


Oddly enough, cost to attend each was pretty comparable. So, which would you choose, given a 6-hour drive ahead of you either way?

What a headline!

Humped to death by a pet camel

This is Nauseating...

No... really...

The Puke Saber

Mike Rowe on QVC

There are only so many things you can do in prison...

I Will Follow Him

Thriller

Algorithm March

All of this Explained in the Video Below.

2nd Coffee Filter Rose

Here's my 2nd attempt. Some improvements made, a few more to go.

All the Small Things...

...in our backyard.

Danny has a knack for finding tiny little frogs in the grass.
Here's one he placed on a lily pad.




Bees love our flowers.

Coffee Filter Roses

I tried my first coffee filter rose today. The outer petals all fell off at once and I had to just guess which ones went where, but it turned out okay. I need to refine my painting technique, and perhaps actually look at actual flowers for inspiration. Overall, I think it is pretty good for the first attempt. It needs some leaves... (and thorns?)

Say WHAT???

Is there really a need...?

Feel free to explore the site and be amazed.

It's About Time

http://wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6669813

Study Back

Jumping Spider - Phidippus audax

What a good photo - only after I took this did it jump on me, and then quickly back onto the door. They are said to be venomous, but not any worse pain than a bee sting. *ouch* Glad it didn't get me!


Click image for a larger view.

A drummer's life...

is pretty much like this.

YOU HAVE TO SEE IT!!!

1. Go to Google Maps.
2. Search for directions "New York, NY to Paris, France"
3. Read line 23!

Do Whaaaaa?

Moving a Piano is Obviously Not Their Forte
I especially love the photo for this one.

Pile of Poop Saves Woman from 6th Floor Fall
No photo here - thank goodness!

...without a paddle

HAHAHAHA!!!!

You'll see...

*click here*

NIT Champs: West V-I-R-G-I-N-A!

Spend time with your kids...

...So Peyton Manning doesn't.

Women versus Men

Picture Pages, Picture Pages...

Finally got some new batteries for the camera today so I could take some pics of the (mostly) finished room. I just put all of those framed pics on the shelves because they've been sitting in a stack in the closet since we moved. Not sure what will end up there in the long run, but it sure is overloaded right now. I've also added a few pics of the new roman shades in the bay window.

StarWars Fans... this one's for YOU

The United States Postal Service will be wrapping postal drop-off boxes to look like R2-D2 in honor of the 30th anniversary of the film series (in select cities; see link below for details). Check it out!

Click here to see where you can find these.

What's that on your foot?

Oh, that? That's just a nipple.

When you've got to go...

There's No "P" in Tom Hanks Like a racehorse! Score: 100% (10 out of 10)

Zeroes

Wanna be a teacher?

...just look what you can do!

*Check out the advertisements to the left of the article!

Think you know how to do the Electric Slide?

Well... you are wrong!

First listen to THIS!

Then you can watch this, so you can have another hearty laugh!

Or visit this.

*sigh*

New Motto

Tonight I came up with my motto (at least to get me through finals week):

I put the "try" in optometry.

That is all.

Eye Allergy Study

If you weren't already aware, I have been participating in an eye allergy study. The official title of the study is: "A Multi-Center Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of K-Lens as Compared to Placebo Lens in the Prevention of Allergic Conjunctivitis in a Population of Allergic Contact Lens Wearers in the Conjunctival Allergen Challenge (CAC) Model"

Yesterday I had my fourth of five office visits. This was the one that actually tested the lens. Up until this point I was only given regular 1-Day Acuvue lenses to wear daily. Yesterday I was randomly assigned one of three combinations: 1) two placebo lenses, 2) two investigational K-lenses, or 3) one of each. I wore them for 12 hours and then the allergen testing process began, as before. Pretty much what they do is use a micropipette of a measured dosage (depending on the individual's sensitivity) of a specific allergen and dispense it into each eye. Over 20 minutes of increasing itchiness/redness, we are asked to rate our itching, swelling of lids, tearing, etc. Then they examine the eyes (inside and out) for changes from the baseline (pre-allergen). Well, I think that there is convincing evidence that I had one of each lens yesterday. What was my first indication? How about my right eye being dilated for several hours. Later evidence was that there was absolutely zero itching, swelling, etc. with the allergen in the right eye, but typical (from previous test dates) results in the left eye. Possible side effects listed "enlarged pupil and light sensitivity", but they all seemed surprised when I reported it (damn those side effects that could prevent FDA approval!) Surprisingly, I was the first one to notice it - about 2 hours after the lens was inserted - despite spending that full time with Danny and his parents. It was almost fully resolved (barely noticeable) by the time of my 10:00 pm follow-up exam.

In two weeks I have my final appointment. Approximately 3 weeks after, I should receive a check in the amount of $550... All in the name of science.

We watched this is class today...

That's What She Said!

Snow Day!

I'm dreaming...

...of a white Thursday.

I'm supposed to have a test tomorrow, but all I am studying are the radar maps! We haven't had any snow. About 15 school districts have already canceled Thursday classes. Our notification (if it comes) will not be until early morning, via email. I'm hopeful that classes will be canceled --- not to postpone the test, but to potentially delay my final lab practical for a week (back to the original date). For some reason our professor decided to move 2 lab groups' practicals forward one week from the originally scheduled dates. Normally it would be a blessing, but it was moved to a week chock-full-o-tests!

In other news: my Chinese professor today said 'Rods in the Retina", but with his accent it came off as "Rods in the Rectum." *ouch*

WHEN CATS ATTACK!!!

I do believe this is the one item the SCO optical does not offer...

Pierced Eyeglasses

I'm a monkey!

You Are A: Monkey !

Monkeys are intelligent and agile, well-adapted for jungle life as they swing happily from tree to tree. As a monkey, you are a social animal who eats a wide range of food, is quick to learn new things and loves to climb. A monkey's tiny primate features are irresistable, as is her gregarious personality!

You were almost a: Kitten or a Squirrel
You are least like a: Turtle or a GroundhogDiscover What Cute Animal You Are!

Do you suffer from...

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia?

Say this 3 times fast...

Sixth sick sheik's sixth sheeps sick.

Danny found this on website. It is supposed to be the hardest tounge-twister out there.
We can't say it one time fast --- Danny can't even say it one time slow!