Ah, a night of swing dancing in Princeton. Great way to spend the evening. It is way past my bedtime (1 AM. This is ridiculous people. I always go to bed by 11 PM. Really, this is nuts, but I suppose I am a dedicated, ahem, addicted, blogger now.)
On our drive down to Princeton, we saw a most interesting vehicle. If you ever get the urge to purchase a pepto bismol pink stretch Jeep, don't succumb. Other drivers will mock you.
Turned out Princeton University was having a reunion. I guess their grads actually liked going there and enjoy coming back and have well-paying jobs so they can afford to come back from all four corners of the earth and swamp the town and line up at the ice cream shops and deter my group and deprive me of ice cream. Thanks a bunch.
Then onto dancing. A lovely night, for the most part. Some of these guys are too advanced for me (both skill and age wise). I think I hit a couple people on the dance floor. Ooops. But no one was taken away in a stretcher so I'd call it a success.
Well, falling asleep at the table now. Perhaps I'll add more tomorrow.
Sweet dreams
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Red lights aren't so bad when you are on a moped
So, I took my moped out today after what had been way too long. I got it when I was 16 so I could take myself to school and work.
On my way home from the dentist, I followed some signs to a yard sale. I turn off the bike and this woman, middle-aged, I'd say, comes toward me. She is holding a pillar candle, a recent purchase. "Who's riding this?" indicating my red moped. Accent- eastern European perhaps?
"Umm. I am?"
"How many CC's?"
"Umm. I'm not sure?"
"You should have answers ready. You impress the men that way. Even if you don't know what you're talking about, you make it sound like you do."
I feel like I could do that...
"I started with one of these. And then, as I got older, graduated up. I have a Harley now. I love it. The freedom of it. You're free. Your body's free. No one can really explain it to you."
Yea, what she said. I love my red moped and my pink helmet. I even love red lights. But only when I'm riding.
"One piece of advice: don't be afraid to use your horn. They'll hear you before they can see you."
On my way home from the dentist, I followed some signs to a yard sale. I turn off the bike and this woman, middle-aged, I'd say, comes toward me. She is holding a pillar candle, a recent purchase. "Who's riding this?" indicating my red moped. Accent- eastern European perhaps?
"Umm. I am?"
"How many CC's?"
"Umm. I'm not sure?"
"You should have answers ready. You impress the men that way. Even if you don't know what you're talking about, you make it sound like you do."
I feel like I could do that...
"I started with one of these. And then, as I got older, graduated up. I have a Harley now. I love it. The freedom of it. You're free. Your body's free. No one can really explain it to you."
Yea, what she said. I love my red moped and my pink helmet. I even love red lights. But only when I'm riding.
"One piece of advice: don't be afraid to use your horn. They'll hear you before they can see you."
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
I Love My Job
I love my job. I come home sticky and smelling of wine. Could it get any better? Well, it could get worse if a cop pulled me over and smelled the alcohol on me. That could be an issue. I spit all the wine I taste. Can I help that I'm awkward and spray myself with wine?
I work in a winery. I don't know if I've mentioned this.
Today, we filtered and tested acid and sugar levels and added acid.
I love that wine yeasts do whatever they want without regard to logic or science. I mean, how does a blend of wines with relatively low sugar levels end up with a relatively high sugar level? Riddle me that!
I love that people don't realize how much we do to some of these wines. Really? You don't just stomp grapes and let it all sit for a couple years? Haha. That's funny. No. Some wines are real darn finicky - or the microorganisms in them are - and we have to do quite a bit. Today I added over 20 lbs of tartaric acid to a tank of wine. I've also used PVPP (polyvinyl) and copper and citric acid (very rarely) and potassium sorbate and nitrogen. I write this not to scare anyone away from buying wine, only to educate. Everything we add is perfectly safe in the amounts that we add it in and we don't add anything we don't need to. Even the sulfites, about which there are many misconceptions, are perfectly safe in the manner and amount added to wines. And, by the way, it's probably not sulfites that give you a headache.
So, about the spraying of wine on myself? I was dissolving the powdered acid. I needed to take some wine out of the tank to do so. It came out a little faster, more powerfully, and more umm...perpendicular than I expected. Half went in the bucket - and half got on me.
Ah. I love it.
I work in a winery. I don't know if I've mentioned this.
Today, we filtered and tested acid and sugar levels and added acid.
I love that wine yeasts do whatever they want without regard to logic or science. I mean, how does a blend of wines with relatively low sugar levels end up with a relatively high sugar level? Riddle me that!
I love that people don't realize how much we do to some of these wines. Really? You don't just stomp grapes and let it all sit for a couple years? Haha. That's funny. No. Some wines are real darn finicky - or the microorganisms in them are - and we have to do quite a bit. Today I added over 20 lbs of tartaric acid to a tank of wine. I've also used PVPP (polyvinyl) and copper and citric acid (very rarely) and potassium sorbate and nitrogen. I write this not to scare anyone away from buying wine, only to educate. Everything we add is perfectly safe in the amounts that we add it in and we don't add anything we don't need to. Even the sulfites, about which there are many misconceptions, are perfectly safe in the manner and amount added to wines. And, by the way, it's probably not sulfites that give you a headache.
So, about the spraying of wine on myself? I was dissolving the powdered acid. I needed to take some wine out of the tank to do so. It came out a little faster, more powerfully, and more umm...perpendicular than I expected. Half went in the bucket - and half got on me.
Ah. I love it.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Gettysburg Getaway
I enjoyed a wonderful weekend getaway in Gettysburg, PA. But, before I get to that, let me rewind to Thursday night.
I had a terrible nightmare, so a relaxing weekend was welcome. So, I'll be meeting up with an old friend (we actually dated in 7th grade if 7th graders can have real relationships, which I very much doubt) on Friday and am so excited! NYC here we come! I mentioned to him that another one of our classmates lives down the street from me. "I haven't talked to her in years!" he replied. OK, whatever no biggie. Apparently this is a big deal to my subconscious. I dreamed that, after meeting up, he ditched me to spend the day with the girl down the street. It seems I have some self-esteem or jealousy issues. Insecure? Perhaps. Unresolved issues? No, well, maybe, a few, a lot, more than I can list here. I mean, part of me reveled in the fact that the girl getting married in Bridesmaids is the BRUNETTE and the one struggling is the BLONDE! It's really the little things in life.
Best not to wallow in misery and self-pity, though. That gets no followers.
I left Friday morning, driving through at least 10 different rainstorms to arrive in Gettysburg, PA by mid-afternoon. On my way, I pulled off at Ashcombe Farms. I was running ahead of schedule and there were signs leading from the highway, so why not? It reminded me of Sickle's or Delicious Orchards or Terhune. Unfortunately, no apple cider donuts. Really? Poor business plan I say. How can you run a store like that without apple cider donuts? Disgraceful!
I ended up watching some honey bees on purple flowers that, according to the "pollination syndrome" literature, should be more attractive to butterflies. I saw no butterflies. Again, another situation in which the local pollinator community has failed to read the literature. And, on top of that, these honeybees were horrible models. I could NOT get a good photograph.
So for a 4-hour drive (give or take, well, take, it took me less than 4 hours - I mean, come on, I'm a New Jersey native) what does a girl like me listen to? Well, I did listen to NPR, until I couldn't find a local station anymore. Then I scanned the radio a bit, but there was a lot of country music and Jesus talk so I gave up on that. Thumbelina soundtrack! Yes! I repeat, I listened to the Thumbelina soundtrack. Of my own accord. And it was fantastic. I may instantly fall in love with any man who sings Let Me Be Your Wings to me. (Barring missing teeth or really terrible body odor or a combover.) I also thoroughly enjoy the song from the beetle ball and I really hope that the entomology department one day has a beetle ball. It'd be so fantastic.
I then moved on to the Disney collection and realized how many Disney songs there are that I don't know all the words to and that made me very sad. If you don't enjoy sing-alongs, don't take road trips with me. As I was listening to Spoonful of Sugar a stupid CT driver cut me off. Arg.
But I made it alive to Gettysburg and checked in at the B+B. Very cute and quaint and excellent location. The owners also run the store downstairs. The shop sells model planes and pin-ups and some other neat knick-knacks. I personally liked the pop-up pin-up book and was really tempted to get it (http://www.amazon.com/Pin-Up-Pop-Up-Book-Movable-August/dp/B001FVZHBA). But I restrained myself.
My friend met me a little later. He hit traffic. : ( But he got there and we started exploring that very evening. After getting a feel for the town, we stopped in the David Wills House, where Lincoln stayed when he came to Gettysburg to give the Gettysburg address. A nice museum right on the square/circle/diamond. (The townspeople clearly did learn their shapes in kindergarten.) The woman at the front desk was about to charge us both youth admission - you can't be more than 16. Thanks. Thanks a bunch. I should've just taken the youth price - it was cheaper than the AAA.
I took notes in the museum, as if this were a school trip or study abroad course. You laugh? Don't. Geeks rule the world I tell you. (Or maybe electrical engineers...actually, they are just plotting to take over swing dancing. Please see previous post.)
So, a bit about the battle of Gettysburg:
At the time, the town had a population of 2400 people.
51,000 men were killed (and only one civilian)
more than 20,000 were wounded, outnumbering surgeons 100 to 1
3/4 of all surgeries were amputation (break out yer saws folks)
the anesthetics included ether and chloroform (by the way, I use chloroform in the lab for my medicinal plant work: I'm pretty sure there are skulls and crossbones and warnings on the bottle; we can't even pour the stuff down the drain)
Who was David Wills? Why, I'm glad you asked!
David Wills facilitated the creation of the National Cemetery. I don't think I would ever sign up for such a task.
The bodies of the Union dead had to be moved from the battlefield to the designated site. The graves of all the men, regardless of rank, are the same. A sign of equality. (Note: neither confederate nor colored soldiers were buried in the new cemetery.)
The museum also had the saddle cover Lincoln used when he rode to the cemetery dedication on 11/19/1863. I cannot imagine President Lincoln on a horse. Honestly, can you? It seems like it would be very awkward for both the horse and Mr. President.
The museum also has the bed he slept in when he stayed there. He, as in Mr. President, not the horse. Looking at said bed, I imagine that Lincoln's feet hung over the edge. He probably fidgeted a lot and struggled to make himself comfortable. I have enough trouble myself getting comfortable in beds not my own. And every bed I've slept in is certainly big enough for me!
At the cemetery dedication, Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg address. It took about 2 minutes (10 sentences; 272 words). Everett gave a 2-hour speech. Really? Wasn't it cold? Did people stand there the whole time to listen? I mean, did anyone really listen or did they just stand there and whisper to each other about how terribly long this speech was and really it is very cold out and there are wounded soldiers still in my house and can't we just get back to normal yet?
We went out to dinner at a pub and restaurant right on the square/circle/diamond. There are plenty of pubs and taverns. We got a little lesson in PA legislation with our dinner. No serving alcohol to those aged 21-25 if they are accompanied by a minor. My birthday can't come soon enough.
After dinner, we went back to the B+B. The innkeeper was restocking the kitchen with more "goodies" for us. Oh, she's such a sweetheart, a little too sweet, but who am I to complain. Some may say I'm just a little too bitter. I worked on GRE stuff and read Portrait of a Lady (I love classic literature; this is such a soap opera). He did genetics HW. I passed out at 10 PM. Oh, we are party people. Then again, is Gettysburg really a party town?
I woke up early Saturday morning. Not surprising in the least. I had another terrible dream. Stupid me, I checked my school e-mail before I went to bed.
Message: Dean's tour on Monday. If you're not going to be in the field, please come into the lab.
Clearly, that was not happening. I dreamed I had a confrontation with my PI about my absence and was subsequently kicked out of the lab.
My sister and I talked briefly before she got on the plane for her own getaway.
I claimed the only ripe banana from the kitchen. (No hot breakfast, but fully stocked with "goodies.") Not just yellow, but beginning to brown. Now that you know my preferences concerning bananas...oh, ummm...please don't think any less of me.
I went out Saturday morning looking for the farmers market which I thought would be right in town but later learned is in a shopping center somewhere. I peeked in some shop windows. One of the construction workers (roadwork) yelled to me "A little early, isn't it?" I was startled. "Umm...I was up?" He must have thought I was a creeper.
There was an antique fair going on. We picked a busy weekend! Antique fair and graduation. I love the beautiful china teacups. And all the costume jewelry.I think I could pull off a rooster pin. An alligator ring, maybe not. I have long, slender fingers that don't carry rings well. Another hint to a future suitor: no engagement ring, just earrings or a necklace please.
There was plenty of bargaining going on. One vendor was determined to sell his box of comic books to a man who clearly could not afford them. "$30. I'll give it to you for $30."
"I have $30 to my name and can't afford to spend it all on these comics."
"$30, it's a great deal."
Hmm, comic books or groceries? Tough call, man.
We walked through the National Cemetery. I loved that all the trees were labeled : ) I also noticed that NJ had plenty more unknowns than Michigan did. Even back then, Jersey wasn't really on the ball.
We toured the Jennie Wade house. The girls working the museum and shop were clearly not very excited to be there. There was an older couple buying tickets to the museum, as well. The woman was evidently upset by how much it cost and tried to haggle. Really? Come on, now. Just pay and mutter under your breath. Whatever, turns out her husband was military so they got a discount. If they didn't, we might have had another battle in Gettysburg. After the elderly couple, a family. The mother was quite peeved. "Do you have AAA?" one of the unenthusiastic girls asked. "You're only about the 100th person that's asked us that. No, we do not have AAA." Umm, sorry lady?
Walking through the gift shop, I was struck by several things:
Gettysburg battle snowglobes. The battle was in July. I highly doubt it was snowing.
Shotglasses. What alcohol do you drink from Gettysburg shotglasses? Union? Confederate? What was Lee's favorite? Did he drink So Co? All very good questions.
I was also struck by a sign hanging up outside the Crystal Wand: "No more than 2 teenagers in the shop at any one time." Haha
Candy. Did they have skittles in the 1860's? I doubt it. The forerunners of NECCO, however, did exist, though the NECCO wafer was not widely advertised until the beginning of the 20th century (http://www.necco.com/aboutus/history.asp)
(Another confusing consumer item, totally unrelated to the gift shop or Gettysburg. Razors with scented handles. My soap/shaving gel has a scent. Does the handle of my razor also have to smell good?)
So, we did make it into the Jennie Wade house. Turns out it was also her birthday. (Happy 168th birthday Jennie!) Jennie Wade was the only civilian killed in the battle. A collector still has the wood stained with her blood. Why? Why would you hold onto that? It's not exactly a good coffee table item, though I guess you could make a coffee table out of it. Ewww. While I was there, I put my ring finger in the hole the fatal bullet made in the door. It is rumored that young single woman who do this will get married within a year. Is that really the most romantic way to spur on a marriage proposal? Putting one's finger through a BULLET hole? Really?
After lunch (yum, crepes), we went on a bus tour of the battlefield. Again, I took notes. But my hand got tired after the first day, so I gave up. There was more fighting on the 2nd and 3rd days, I assure you. Our guide on this tour was much more enthusiastic. I'm not a war history buff but I found myself getting pretty interested in it. Want some history? Of course you do.
Gen. Lee wanted to move the war to the north. The south was ravaged and there was little left in the way of supplies. If he attacked Harrisburg, he could capture a key city in the north and cut off coal country. Also, a big win could inspire England and France to provide more support. His plan was to pinch Harrisburg, with troops attacking from both sides.
We passed his headquarters on Seminary Hill. Now, the Appalachian Brewing Co. is there. I'm sure Lee had a watering hole nearby too.
Lee canceled his attack on Harrisburg when he learned that Meade was moving the Union armies toward PA. Lee wanted to centralize the Confederate forces in Gettysburg. Though Gettysburg wasn't a large or influential city by any means, he could still manage a big win.
Our first stop on the bus tour was a monument, dedicated in 1938, commemorating forgiveness and survival of country and unity. It is made of both Alabama limestone and Maine granite. An eternal flame burns atop. It includes both Lady Liberty and the Spirit of the Confederacy.
I will not retell the battle. I will however, share with you one interesting fact: they took a lunch break. Both armies. I think that's fantastic.
So, a bit about some of the other folks on the bus.
We sat in the way back. Next to us was an elderly couple who likely went on bus trips with other active adults quite often.
"On other tours I don't like sitting in the back because you are always last for lunch, but on these short tours it's nice." Yes, very nice for you, because you were screaming to your wife, who happens to be sitting RIGHT NEXT TO YOU the whole time.
In the row in front of us, another older woman. She did not want to be there. She was not the least bit interested. She didn't get off the bus to see the monuments or anything. Why would you pay $25 for a bus tour of something you are not interested in? She did tell us, though, that Pittsburgh is very interesting and that should be our next trip.
Dinner at the diner (how does a Jersey native find herself in a PA diner when she hardly goes to them in her home state?) There was a trivia book on the table. And a spider lowered him/herself over our plates. So I brought him outside. Some passersby saw me and my friend said they clearly were judging me. I was saving a life, though. That's a mitzvah, ain't it?
After dinner, ghost tour! Yes! I've been on ghost tours in Cape May, D.C., Quebec, Asbury Park, and Red Bank. I love them. It started at 9 (and by about 9:30 I had to pee) and went till quarter to 11. Past my bedtime, I know. Very gruesome stories. Pools of blood and amputations and sawing off arms and field hospitals. Ick. We walked around the college campus. I don't think I'd get much sleep if I went there.
We passed a frat party. It was the night before graduation. It seems that they do know how to throw parties.
I love that our tour guides told us about some of the exceptionally stupid questions they've been asked. (I won't steal them. You just have to go on more tours.) I also love that one of the women on the tour was shocked. She needs to get out more. There are plenty of stupid people in the world and more coming through college right now.
Sunday was another busy day. In the morning, I reviewed 8th grade American History in the Hall of Presidents. 5 rooms of was figures of the presidents with accompanying audio. Some of these figures were exceptionally creepy. Ahem, Clinton. Made me wonder what Lewisnki was thinking. (I'm sorry, that was uncalled for, wasn't it.)
In the Soldiers Museum we got a quick recap of the 10 key battles of the Civil War.
We dined at the Appalachian Brewing Co. My friend was so excited to get birch beer. Is birch beer just a Northeast thing? ABC has white birch beer, which I had never seen. I bought a 6-pack. I would have loved to try their barley "wine."
We took a drive around the battlefield. I wonder what the landscape really looked like then. Farms? Grazing fields? Forest? Town? NY erected so many beautiful monuments. Even a castle on little round top. I ran into some other Rutgers students there. I was wearing an RU tee. We really are everywhere.
I saw only two NJ monuments. Both very simple and small. (One looked pathetic in front of the Pennsylvania Monument.) One was an obelisk. Both were phallic symbols. According to my Michigan friend it's because we're all pricks. I couldn't really argue, could I?
We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Farnsworth Inn. I like wearing dresses - it was nice to have an excuse to dress up. We sat outside, next to the waterfall. There was a frog statue - that made me very happy. I was also elated by the fact that the waitresses were in period dress. And the apple butter was fantastic.
Later on that evening, I took one last walk (and stumbled across an ice cream store and just had to get myself dessert. Oh my love for ice cream.) I wasn't out long though. I finished my cone and decided I was too spooked to walk around town in the dark by myself. Ah, ghost tour. I tell myself I won't let it scare me, but it always does.
We left early this morning and I made it home for lunch. Not bad time.
I had a terrible nightmare, so a relaxing weekend was welcome. So, I'll be meeting up with an old friend (we actually dated in 7th grade if 7th graders can have real relationships, which I very much doubt) on Friday and am so excited! NYC here we come! I mentioned to him that another one of our classmates lives down the street from me. "I haven't talked to her in years!" he replied. OK, whatever no biggie. Apparently this is a big deal to my subconscious. I dreamed that, after meeting up, he ditched me to spend the day with the girl down the street. It seems I have some self-esteem or jealousy issues. Insecure? Perhaps. Unresolved issues? No, well, maybe, a few, a lot, more than I can list here. I mean, part of me reveled in the fact that the girl getting married in Bridesmaids is the BRUNETTE and the one struggling is the BLONDE! It's really the little things in life.
Best not to wallow in misery and self-pity, though. That gets no followers.
I left Friday morning, driving through at least 10 different rainstorms to arrive in Gettysburg, PA by mid-afternoon. On my way, I pulled off at Ashcombe Farms. I was running ahead of schedule and there were signs leading from the highway, so why not? It reminded me of Sickle's or Delicious Orchards or Terhune. Unfortunately, no apple cider donuts. Really? Poor business plan I say. How can you run a store like that without apple cider donuts? Disgraceful!
I ended up watching some honey bees on purple flowers that, according to the "pollination syndrome" literature, should be more attractive to butterflies. I saw no butterflies. Again, another situation in which the local pollinator community has failed to read the literature. And, on top of that, these honeybees were horrible models. I could NOT get a good photograph.
So for a 4-hour drive (give or take, well, take, it took me less than 4 hours - I mean, come on, I'm a New Jersey native) what does a girl like me listen to? Well, I did listen to NPR, until I couldn't find a local station anymore. Then I scanned the radio a bit, but there was a lot of country music and Jesus talk so I gave up on that. Thumbelina soundtrack! Yes! I repeat, I listened to the Thumbelina soundtrack. Of my own accord. And it was fantastic. I may instantly fall in love with any man who sings Let Me Be Your Wings to me. (Barring missing teeth or really terrible body odor or a combover.) I also thoroughly enjoy the song from the beetle ball and I really hope that the entomology department one day has a beetle ball. It'd be so fantastic.
I then moved on to the Disney collection and realized how many Disney songs there are that I don't know all the words to and that made me very sad. If you don't enjoy sing-alongs, don't take road trips with me. As I was listening to Spoonful of Sugar a stupid CT driver cut me off. Arg.
But I made it alive to Gettysburg and checked in at the B+B. Very cute and quaint and excellent location. The owners also run the store downstairs. The shop sells model planes and pin-ups and some other neat knick-knacks. I personally liked the pop-up pin-up book and was really tempted to get it (http://www.amazon.com/Pin-Up-Pop-Up-Book-Movable-August/dp/B001FVZHBA). But I restrained myself.
My friend met me a little later. He hit traffic. : ( But he got there and we started exploring that very evening. After getting a feel for the town, we stopped in the David Wills House, where Lincoln stayed when he came to Gettysburg to give the Gettysburg address. A nice museum right on the square/circle/diamond. (The townspeople clearly did learn their shapes in kindergarten.) The woman at the front desk was about to charge us both youth admission - you can't be more than 16. Thanks. Thanks a bunch. I should've just taken the youth price - it was cheaper than the AAA.
I took notes in the museum, as if this were a school trip or study abroad course. You laugh? Don't. Geeks rule the world I tell you. (Or maybe electrical engineers...actually, they are just plotting to take over swing dancing. Please see previous post.)
So, a bit about the battle of Gettysburg:
At the time, the town had a population of 2400 people.
51,000 men were killed (and only one civilian)
more than 20,000 were wounded, outnumbering surgeons 100 to 1
3/4 of all surgeries were amputation (break out yer saws folks)
the anesthetics included ether and chloroform (by the way, I use chloroform in the lab for my medicinal plant work: I'm pretty sure there are skulls and crossbones and warnings on the bottle; we can't even pour the stuff down the drain)
Who was David Wills? Why, I'm glad you asked!
David Wills facilitated the creation of the National Cemetery. I don't think I would ever sign up for such a task.
The bodies of the Union dead had to be moved from the battlefield to the designated site. The graves of all the men, regardless of rank, are the same. A sign of equality. (Note: neither confederate nor colored soldiers were buried in the new cemetery.)
The museum also had the saddle cover Lincoln used when he rode to the cemetery dedication on 11/19/1863. I cannot imagine President Lincoln on a horse. Honestly, can you? It seems like it would be very awkward for both the horse and Mr. President.
The museum also has the bed he slept in when he stayed there. He, as in Mr. President, not the horse. Looking at said bed, I imagine that Lincoln's feet hung over the edge. He probably fidgeted a lot and struggled to make himself comfortable. I have enough trouble myself getting comfortable in beds not my own. And every bed I've slept in is certainly big enough for me!
At the cemetery dedication, Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg address. It took about 2 minutes (10 sentences; 272 words). Everett gave a 2-hour speech. Really? Wasn't it cold? Did people stand there the whole time to listen? I mean, did anyone really listen or did they just stand there and whisper to each other about how terribly long this speech was and really it is very cold out and there are wounded soldiers still in my house and can't we just get back to normal yet?
We went out to dinner at a pub and restaurant right on the square/circle/diamond. There are plenty of pubs and taverns. We got a little lesson in PA legislation with our dinner. No serving alcohol to those aged 21-25 if they are accompanied by a minor. My birthday can't come soon enough.
After dinner, we went back to the B+B. The innkeeper was restocking the kitchen with more "goodies" for us. Oh, she's such a sweetheart, a little too sweet, but who am I to complain. Some may say I'm just a little too bitter. I worked on GRE stuff and read Portrait of a Lady (I love classic literature; this is such a soap opera). He did genetics HW. I passed out at 10 PM. Oh, we are party people. Then again, is Gettysburg really a party town?
I woke up early Saturday morning. Not surprising in the least. I had another terrible dream. Stupid me, I checked my school e-mail before I went to bed.
Message: Dean's tour on Monday. If you're not going to be in the field, please come into the lab.
Clearly, that was not happening. I dreamed I had a confrontation with my PI about my absence and was subsequently kicked out of the lab.
My sister and I talked briefly before she got on the plane for her own getaway.
I claimed the only ripe banana from the kitchen. (No hot breakfast, but fully stocked with "goodies.") Not just yellow, but beginning to brown. Now that you know my preferences concerning bananas...oh, ummm...please don't think any less of me.
I went out Saturday morning looking for the farmers market which I thought would be right in town but later learned is in a shopping center somewhere. I peeked in some shop windows. One of the construction workers (roadwork) yelled to me "A little early, isn't it?" I was startled. "Umm...I was up?" He must have thought I was a creeper.
There was an antique fair going on. We picked a busy weekend! Antique fair and graduation. I love the beautiful china teacups. And all the costume jewelry.I think I could pull off a rooster pin. An alligator ring, maybe not. I have long, slender fingers that don't carry rings well. Another hint to a future suitor: no engagement ring, just earrings or a necklace please.
There was plenty of bargaining going on. One vendor was determined to sell his box of comic books to a man who clearly could not afford them. "$30. I'll give it to you for $30."
"I have $30 to my name and can't afford to spend it all on these comics."
"$30, it's a great deal."
Hmm, comic books or groceries? Tough call, man.
We walked through the National Cemetery. I loved that all the trees were labeled : ) I also noticed that NJ had plenty more unknowns than Michigan did. Even back then, Jersey wasn't really on the ball.
We toured the Jennie Wade house. The girls working the museum and shop were clearly not very excited to be there. There was an older couple buying tickets to the museum, as well. The woman was evidently upset by how much it cost and tried to haggle. Really? Come on, now. Just pay and mutter under your breath. Whatever, turns out her husband was military so they got a discount. If they didn't, we might have had another battle in Gettysburg. After the elderly couple, a family. The mother was quite peeved. "Do you have AAA?" one of the unenthusiastic girls asked. "You're only about the 100th person that's asked us that. No, we do not have AAA." Umm, sorry lady?
Walking through the gift shop, I was struck by several things:
Gettysburg battle snowglobes. The battle was in July. I highly doubt it was snowing.
Shotglasses. What alcohol do you drink from Gettysburg shotglasses? Union? Confederate? What was Lee's favorite? Did he drink So Co? All very good questions.
I was also struck by a sign hanging up outside the Crystal Wand: "No more than 2 teenagers in the shop at any one time." Haha
Candy. Did they have skittles in the 1860's? I doubt it. The forerunners of NECCO, however, did exist, though the NECCO wafer was not widely advertised until the beginning of the 20th century (http://www.necco.com/aboutus/history.asp)
(Another confusing consumer item, totally unrelated to the gift shop or Gettysburg. Razors with scented handles. My soap/shaving gel has a scent. Does the handle of my razor also have to smell good?)
So, we did make it into the Jennie Wade house. Turns out it was also her birthday. (Happy 168th birthday Jennie!) Jennie Wade was the only civilian killed in the battle. A collector still has the wood stained with her blood. Why? Why would you hold onto that? It's not exactly a good coffee table item, though I guess you could make a coffee table out of it. Ewww. While I was there, I put my ring finger in the hole the fatal bullet made in the door. It is rumored that young single woman who do this will get married within a year. Is that really the most romantic way to spur on a marriage proposal? Putting one's finger through a BULLET hole? Really?
After lunch (yum, crepes), we went on a bus tour of the battlefield. Again, I took notes. But my hand got tired after the first day, so I gave up. There was more fighting on the 2nd and 3rd days, I assure you. Our guide on this tour was much more enthusiastic. I'm not a war history buff but I found myself getting pretty interested in it. Want some history? Of course you do.
Gen. Lee wanted to move the war to the north. The south was ravaged and there was little left in the way of supplies. If he attacked Harrisburg, he could capture a key city in the north and cut off coal country. Also, a big win could inspire England and France to provide more support. His plan was to pinch Harrisburg, with troops attacking from both sides.
We passed his headquarters on Seminary Hill. Now, the Appalachian Brewing Co. is there. I'm sure Lee had a watering hole nearby too.
Lee canceled his attack on Harrisburg when he learned that Meade was moving the Union armies toward PA. Lee wanted to centralize the Confederate forces in Gettysburg. Though Gettysburg wasn't a large or influential city by any means, he could still manage a big win.
Our first stop on the bus tour was a monument, dedicated in 1938, commemorating forgiveness and survival of country and unity. It is made of both Alabama limestone and Maine granite. An eternal flame burns atop. It includes both Lady Liberty and the Spirit of the Confederacy.
I will not retell the battle. I will however, share with you one interesting fact: they took a lunch break. Both armies. I think that's fantastic.
So, a bit about some of the other folks on the bus.
We sat in the way back. Next to us was an elderly couple who likely went on bus trips with other active adults quite often.
"On other tours I don't like sitting in the back because you are always last for lunch, but on these short tours it's nice." Yes, very nice for you, because you were screaming to your wife, who happens to be sitting RIGHT NEXT TO YOU the whole time.
In the row in front of us, another older woman. She did not want to be there. She was not the least bit interested. She didn't get off the bus to see the monuments or anything. Why would you pay $25 for a bus tour of something you are not interested in? She did tell us, though, that Pittsburgh is very interesting and that should be our next trip.
Dinner at the diner (how does a Jersey native find herself in a PA diner when she hardly goes to them in her home state?) There was a trivia book on the table. And a spider lowered him/herself over our plates. So I brought him outside. Some passersby saw me and my friend said they clearly were judging me. I was saving a life, though. That's a mitzvah, ain't it?
After dinner, ghost tour! Yes! I've been on ghost tours in Cape May, D.C., Quebec, Asbury Park, and Red Bank. I love them. It started at 9 (and by about 9:30 I had to pee) and went till quarter to 11. Past my bedtime, I know. Very gruesome stories. Pools of blood and amputations and sawing off arms and field hospitals. Ick. We walked around the college campus. I don't think I'd get much sleep if I went there.
We passed a frat party. It was the night before graduation. It seems that they do know how to throw parties.
I love that our tour guides told us about some of the exceptionally stupid questions they've been asked. (I won't steal them. You just have to go on more tours.) I also love that one of the women on the tour was shocked. She needs to get out more. There are plenty of stupid people in the world and more coming through college right now.
Sunday was another busy day. In the morning, I reviewed 8th grade American History in the Hall of Presidents. 5 rooms of was figures of the presidents with accompanying audio. Some of these figures were exceptionally creepy. Ahem, Clinton. Made me wonder what Lewisnki was thinking. (I'm sorry, that was uncalled for, wasn't it.)
In the Soldiers Museum we got a quick recap of the 10 key battles of the Civil War.
We dined at the Appalachian Brewing Co. My friend was so excited to get birch beer. Is birch beer just a Northeast thing? ABC has white birch beer, which I had never seen. I bought a 6-pack. I would have loved to try their barley "wine."
We took a drive around the battlefield. I wonder what the landscape really looked like then. Farms? Grazing fields? Forest? Town? NY erected so many beautiful monuments. Even a castle on little round top. I ran into some other Rutgers students there. I was wearing an RU tee. We really are everywhere.
I saw only two NJ monuments. Both very simple and small. (One looked pathetic in front of the Pennsylvania Monument.) One was an obelisk. Both were phallic symbols. According to my Michigan friend it's because we're all pricks. I couldn't really argue, could I?
We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Farnsworth Inn. I like wearing dresses - it was nice to have an excuse to dress up. We sat outside, next to the waterfall. There was a frog statue - that made me very happy. I was also elated by the fact that the waitresses were in period dress. And the apple butter was fantastic.
Later on that evening, I took one last walk (and stumbled across an ice cream store and just had to get myself dessert. Oh my love for ice cream.) I wasn't out long though. I finished my cone and decided I was too spooked to walk around town in the dark by myself. Ah, ghost tour. I tell myself I won't let it scare me, but it always does.
We left early this morning and I made it home for lunch. Not bad time.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Why Am I Awake?
Why am I awake? Oh gosh, I don't know, honestly. I should be asleep, resting up for my drive out to Gettysburg tomorrow, preparing to deal with Pennsylvania drivers - ah the trials and travails of a New Jersey driver outside of her native land. But I'll get to that when the time is right.
Yesterday work all day. But work is not really work when you love what you do and you work at a winery. It's much more enjoyable, and often dirtier, though no one really expects that. I met my friend for dinner and showed him my purple-black palms. Charming, I know. Looked like someone went to town with a bat on my hands. No, that's just from topping off the pinot noirs and all our other barrels of red wine. : ) Topping off - putting more wine on top of the wine in the barrels to prevent oxidation. Just some little trivia for you wino's!
Today: photocopying! Umm, fun? No, not really. Did I have to? Well, yea, I guess. It's a good research skill. Get in the habit of photocopying books on loan from other libraries. Make PDF's on the title pages as well as all relevant pages and keep a file on your hard drive. That way you can easily reference it without waiting for the library to get the book in again.
While I was walking around New Brunswick today, a couple boys stopped me:
Are you Christian?
No.
Then what are you?
Jewish.
So you study the old testament?
Umm, sure. (Yea, haha, "study." I read Torah for my Bat Mitzvah. I have no clue what it says.)
Yada yada yada. Bible study meeting.....Yada yada. Elohim. Gods. Something something.
Sure. Great. Awesome. Really can't. Busy. Gotta get somewhere. Sorry. Bye.
Then, dinner and a movie with my sister and Jess! Highly recommend 'Bridesmaids.' Maybe not the best piece of art, but so funny. Just what I needed : )
No GRE vocab in this post. Umm, you're welcome?
Yesterday work all day. But work is not really work when you love what you do and you work at a winery. It's much more enjoyable, and often dirtier, though no one really expects that. I met my friend for dinner and showed him my purple-black palms. Charming, I know. Looked like someone went to town with a bat on my hands. No, that's just from topping off the pinot noirs and all our other barrels of red wine. : ) Topping off - putting more wine on top of the wine in the barrels to prevent oxidation. Just some little trivia for you wino's!
Today: photocopying! Umm, fun? No, not really. Did I have to? Well, yea, I guess. It's a good research skill. Get in the habit of photocopying books on loan from other libraries. Make PDF's on the title pages as well as all relevant pages and keep a file on your hard drive. That way you can easily reference it without waiting for the library to get the book in again.
While I was walking around New Brunswick today, a couple boys stopped me:
Are you Christian?
No.
Then what are you?
Jewish.
So you study the old testament?
Umm, sure. (Yea, haha, "study." I read Torah for my Bat Mitzvah. I have no clue what it says.)
Yada yada yada. Bible study meeting.....Yada yada. Elohim. Gods. Something something.
Sure. Great. Awesome. Really can't. Busy. Gotta get somewhere. Sorry. Bye.
Then, dinner and a movie with my sister and Jess! Highly recommend 'Bridesmaids.' Maybe not the best piece of art, but so funny. Just what I needed : )
No GRE vocab in this post. Umm, you're welcome?
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Is that a hickey or a tattoo?
Electrical engineers don't often have the best social skills, but they are taking over the Philly swing scene and I'm not about to complain.
I ventured into Philly last night for a swing social. Only my third event, and I'm not too good, but I try to follow. I smile. And I haven't elbowed anyone in the neck, yet (this did occur last night. Poor guy.) Swing socials are a great place for people who don't need alcohol to dance. Yes, such college students do exist! And they are pretty good dancers. And I appreciate being able to SEE who I am dancing with rather than just feel our bodies making contact and smelling the alcohol on his breath. It's a refreshing change.
The first five guys I danced with were studying electrical engineering. As one explained to me, his mind is always going so swing gives him something to focus on and it's a good way to make friends. Sounds good to me.
The opening question from another dancing partner (after, would you like to dance? (of course!)) : is that a hickey or a tattoo? I have temporary tattoos on (grapevines, they are quite nice and I'm growing rather fond of them). One is on my chest and I was wearing a v-neck,
So, because I didn't get to study all too much yesterday, I'm going to now throw some vocab at you. Stop reading here if you'd like.
Some were rather taciturn, too focused on dancing to talk. Others were more talkative and I met a lot of interesting people.
To some of my classmates, this type of dancing may seem archaic, something for older generations. But, as one dance partner pointed out, the lyrics are rather suggestive, perhaps more than some of the current songs!
Two girls, new to dancing, sat on the sides the whole time, chary to dance.
She needed a new prescription for her contact lenses as she struggled to descry the words on the street signs.
Thank goodness none of my dance partners was fastidious! I am still a novice swinger.
I ventured into Philly last night for a swing social. Only my third event, and I'm not too good, but I try to follow. I smile. And I haven't elbowed anyone in the neck, yet (this did occur last night. Poor guy.) Swing socials are a great place for people who don't need alcohol to dance. Yes, such college students do exist! And they are pretty good dancers. And I appreciate being able to SEE who I am dancing with rather than just feel our bodies making contact and smelling the alcohol on his breath. It's a refreshing change.
The first five guys I danced with were studying electrical engineering. As one explained to me, his mind is always going so swing gives him something to focus on and it's a good way to make friends. Sounds good to me.
The opening question from another dancing partner (after, would you like to dance? (of course!)) : is that a hickey or a tattoo? I have temporary tattoos on (grapevines, they are quite nice and I'm growing rather fond of them). One is on my chest and I was wearing a v-neck,
So, because I didn't get to study all too much yesterday, I'm going to now throw some vocab at you. Stop reading here if you'd like.
Some were rather taciturn, too focused on dancing to talk. Others were more talkative and I met a lot of interesting people.
To some of my classmates, this type of dancing may seem archaic, something for older generations. But, as one dance partner pointed out, the lyrics are rather suggestive, perhaps more than some of the current songs!
Two girls, new to dancing, sat on the sides the whole time, chary to dance.
She needed a new prescription for her contact lenses as she struggled to descry the words on the street signs.
Thank goodness none of my dance partners was fastidious! I am still a novice swinger.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Packing
I'm a nervous person. So I started packing today. I leave in about 20 days. I started packing today. As I said, I am a nervous person.
But not a very neat person. Everyone is surprised when they see how messy my room is. You're not a neat freak? Oh gosh no! I agree with Kahn. Why expend so much energy to reduce the entropy? It's a waste. Anyway, I say this because I realized how many mismatched socks I have. I have more mismatches than matches.
Right now, I'm just kind of throwing pj's and socks and underwear in my suitcase and when the day gets closer, I'll organize it more.
I'm wondering how many books I can take. I can't rent a car so I am fettered (yay, GRE word!) to the house. I'll have plenty of free time to read after work, unless I can get someone to teach me how to salsa. But I may be too exhausted to gambol (another GRE word, I admit, this one I just kind of threw in for the heck of it).
But not a very neat person. Everyone is surprised when they see how messy my room is. You're not a neat freak? Oh gosh no! I agree with Kahn. Why expend so much energy to reduce the entropy? It's a waste. Anyway, I say this because I realized how many mismatched socks I have. I have more mismatches than matches.
Right now, I'm just kind of throwing pj's and socks and underwear in my suitcase and when the day gets closer, I'll organize it more.
I'm wondering how many books I can take. I can't rent a car so I am fettered (yay, GRE word!) to the house. I'll have plenty of free time to read after work, unless I can get someone to teach me how to salsa. But I may be too exhausted to gambol (another GRE word, I admit, this one I just kind of threw in for the heck of it).
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Elves True to Satan
Or Educational Testing Service, whichever you prefer. They are the people (demons, ogres, etc.) responsible for the GRE's. Stupid me, I signed up to take the dreaded exam on May 26th. I figured why not, I have a few weeks to recover from finals and that way I can get it out of the way before my stint in Puerto Rico and before they make the test even longer and probably more unfair.
Maybe not my brightest idea. Those of you who know me know I work pretty damn hard in school and work and research and whatever else I do. Those of you who don't know me, take my word for it. Or don't. Suit yourself.
Anywho, I work pretty damn hard and the thought of three hours making or breaking an application truly frightens me. I have been doing practice exams for the past few days now and my scores are getting worse! Worse! Damn it. Who comes up with these stupid vocab words (which I will never use in a journal article for AJEV and if I do, some elf from ETS please come put me out of my misery)? and who writes these passages? and the math questions even? Honestly, something very twisted is going on and we're all suckers and maybe I just won't even go to grad school and will live on a vineyard in Italy or Israel or Missouri (though I hear that some people pronounce it Misery and that doesn't sound all too appealing). Maybe I'll stay in my parents' house forever and simply go plum crazy one day rip out my hair and suddenly come to the realization that my GRE scores aren't really a measure of my personal worth and I'm better than that and I can let these little satanic imps control my life.
As of now, I am on my way to crazy and couldn't even remember any of the stupid vocab words to throw in this blog post, which would have made for great irony.
Maybe not my brightest idea. Those of you who know me know I work pretty damn hard in school and work and research and whatever else I do. Those of you who don't know me, take my word for it. Or don't. Suit yourself.
Anywho, I work pretty damn hard and the thought of three hours making or breaking an application truly frightens me. I have been doing practice exams for the past few days now and my scores are getting worse! Worse! Damn it. Who comes up with these stupid vocab words (which I will never use in a journal article for AJEV and if I do, some elf from ETS please come put me out of my misery)? and who writes these passages? and the math questions even? Honestly, something very twisted is going on and we're all suckers and maybe I just won't even go to grad school and will live on a vineyard in Italy or Israel or Missouri (though I hear that some people pronounce it Misery and that doesn't sound all too appealing). Maybe I'll stay in my parents' house forever and simply go plum crazy one day rip out my hair and suddenly come to the realization that my GRE scores aren't really a measure of my personal worth and I'm better than that and I can let these little satanic imps control my life.
As of now, I am on my way to crazy and couldn't even remember any of the stupid vocab words to throw in this blog post, which would have made for great irony.
Friday, May 13, 2011
To the equator
OK, so I'm not returning to Antarctica (unless someone has a spare, oh, I don't know, like ten thousand dollars lying around that they'd like to donate to my new non-profit "Get Stacy Back to Antarctica and her Penguin Friends") but I am going "abroad" again! Not abroad abroad. It's Puerto Rico, but still, pretty darn cool! I'll be interning at the USDA-Tropical Agricultural Research Station in Mayaguez from June 5th to July 16th. I can't wait! Agricultural research, fresh tropical fruits, salsa dancing - I foresee a fantastic experience! Please follow for updates!
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