So I managed to come up with a superstition I could test out (to the best of my ability). Phew! And only after an hour of confusion, another hour of crying and being sure I couldn't do it, and another 20 minutes of brainstorming! That's like no time at all! >_<
Saturday, April 23, 2011
End of Semester Freak Out
Yep. Here it comes. I am approximately one week from the end of the semester and was HOPING to get through it without a freak out. But here I am, freaking out.
I have a paper to write for my psych course that I cannot for the life of me figure out. In a nutshell, I have to pick a myth or superstition and explain how I can use 2 of the following methods to evaluate it: observations of behavior, self-report (surveys, testimonials, etc), psychological tests (tests meant to evaluate limits or abilities directly related to the superstition), physiological measures (measuring based on heart rate, blood pressure, etc) and/or task performance (for example, measuring verbal abilities via crossword puzzles).
One little caveat: We can't chose a superstition that has to do with food or drink, OR that could possibly bring harm or death to participants (even if it seems impossible).
I am beyond stumped. Every time I think I have one, I can come up with ONE way to test it, but can't figure out how to test it a second way. Oh, did I mention I actually have to execute one of the tests, too? Yeah. This paper's due on FRIDAY. I haven't been able to pick a damn superstition yet, let alone come up with a way to test it, so clearly I don't have any willing participants signed up either.
I'm about at the end of my rope, kids. I mean, I could take a break and do some other studying, but it's pretty clear to me that I need to get the ball rolling if I'm going to finish on time, so I feel stuck. :-(
Friday, April 22, 2011
Love The Earth! (It's The Only One We've Got)
Today may be Good Friday, but closer to my heart is Earth Day. Today is the day where people do extra things to make the world a better place so they can feel better about being so lazy the rest of the year.
Okay, maybe that's a bit cynical, but probably not that far off for many people. Earth Day, like any other holiday or specially named day, is a day to really reflect and act on the subject in question. On Valentine's Day, we like to give out hearts and candy to people we love. It doesn't mean we don't love them the rest of the year! It's just a special day to remind us of the importance of sharing our love with those closest to us. Similarly, Earth Day is the day many people pick up trash and plant trees to show our love of the planet. It isn't that we don't love the planet the rest of the year, but rather that this day is a special reminder.
And just like there are Valentine's Day haters, I'm aware that there are Earth Day haters. And you know what? That's fine. It's not for everyone. (It probably SHOULD be, but it's just not.)
If you're looking for something easy to do this Earth Day, consider walking around your neighborhood and picking up litter. It gets you exercise, gets you outside, and makes the earth a happier place. Or maybe start a compost or get a rain barrel. Or, if you prefer, donate some money to your favorite do-good organization.
Friday, April 15, 2011
100!
Ahhh, yes, dear readers. T'is my 100th post. I'm sure you're peeing your pants with excitement!
Two weeks left of this dreadful semester, loves. If I can survive it, I shouldn't have to take a lab science ever again. Here's hoping!!
Anywhoozles, today is the Day of Silence. This is something I participated in many times as a high school and college student, and though I no longer participate (I work from home... the only conversations I have are with myself or my dog), it's still something I believe in. It has become more and more important as bullying continues and escalates around the world.
If you're a student and participating, kudos to you for having the balls/ovaries to stand up against intolerance! And if you're not participating for whatever reason (school doesn't support it, not in school, etc), just remember that it's never too late to help make a difference. Today isn't the only day you can take a stand!
I'm pretty busy today, so I'll leave you with just two songs to think about today:
1) Lady Gaga - "Born This Way" The perfect anthem for the Day of Silence, IMO. Lady Gaga may be a bit eccentric, but her heart sure seems to be in the right place. You go, Gaga! (Of course, I also have to share the link for the super-awesome 10-year-old who rocks this song on her keyboard... Too effing awesome.) This song reminds us all that EVERYONE needs to be loved and respected, and that we should always be proud to be ourselves.
2) Lily Allen - "F*ck You" The first time I heard this song, I fell in love. I mean, I already loved Lily Allen, but I fell in love with the song. It was a whirlwind romance, and while we're not as close as we once were (I no longer listen to it 3, 4, or 10 times a day), I still rock out to it sometimes and remember our affair fondly. Anywhoozles, this song really just sticks it to the people who seem determined to remain ignorant and intolerant in a time when change is what we need most.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Holy wow, man.
1) It was 80 yesterday. It's 50 today. Wtf, spring?
2) I am SO behind with work, but have little to no motivation to get caught up.
3) We got rear-ended yesterday on our way to pick up dinner. We're fine and all, but it was kind of scary.
4) I miss being on vacation.
5) 3 more weeks of the semester... I can do it! I think...
Friday, April 8, 2011
Mini-Vacay Recap
Saturday: Our first plane took off from MKE around 11 AM and we landed in Memphis between 12:30 and 1 PM. After lunch at the Blue Note Cafe (the only area in the airport that allows smoking), we made it to our gate and took off for Mobile. Got in around 3:30 and found my Grandpa waiting for us. Grabbed our luggage and away we went, all 5 of us (Mom, Dad, Hubby, Grandpa and myself), to Grandpa's house in Moss Point, MS (about a 40 minute drive). Spent the evening hanging out on his front porch, just talking and enjoying the weather. Had deli meat and cheese sandwiches for dinner (Grandpa bought enough ingredients to feed an army). Passed out shortly after 10 (soooooo tired).
Sunday: First full day down south! We porched it in the morning, then headed off to Biloxi to have brunch at the Grand Casino. Hadn't been there since Katrina. It used to be a casino boat, but the storm put it up ON the highway. When they rebuilt, they did so on the land-side of the highway as a regular building. Of course, I was the ONLY one in the group to get carded (Hubby's less than a year older than me and NEVER gets carded). Buffet was good, but not as spectacular as I remembered. Played some penny slots after eating. Put in $20 and eventually cashed out at $15 (got up to $26 at one point and down to about $3 at another, so I figure I did alright). Headed out along the coast and hit up Souvenir City, a favorite store of mine from childhood visits (though, it has also been relocated/rebuilt). Got a cute ornament of a starfish wearing an eyepatch and a pegleg. Mom bought me a mini souvenir license plate with my name spelled right (a rare find!). Headed back to Moss Point and spent the rest of the day napping and porching. Deli sammies for dinner again.
Monday: Headed toward Mobile, AL to spend the day at Bellingrath Gardens & Home, which I haven't done since I was about 12. Though it's still early in the season, the flowers were beautiful!! We took the river cruise and spotted an osprey up in its nest. We were followed/flocked by seagulls (partly because kids aboard were feeding them popcorn), which was actually fairly amusing (if not a little noisy). Grabbed some lunch at the on-site cafe after the boat and continued wandering around the gardens. Found a snake along the way, which wouldn't have been so bad if Mom wasn't terrified of them. Made our way out and headed back to Grandpa's for the rest of the day. More napping and porching. Deli sammies for dinner.
Tuesday: Had breakfast at the local Waffle House (a true novelty for us Yanks) and then headed back toward Mobile to see the USS Alabama Battleship. Dad and Hubby disappeared down some stairs, so Mom and I wandered the ship for awhile. There were some interesting things to look at, but this trip was more for the guys (as Monday's trip was more for the girls). Dad and Hubby also went down into the USS Drum submarine, but Mom and I have some issues with claustrophobia, so we stayed on deck (so to speak). When they were done, we headed to Pascagoula to see what their beaches looked like. They've cleaned things up quite a bit, but there's nowhere to park (and, as such, no one there). We also grabbed lunch at Lucky Seafood, where we had some good po-boys (not quite the same as in New Orleans, but still good). We headed back to Moss Point for a bit and checked out the swamp in Grandpa's back yard. Saw some movement, but couldn't tell what was in there. Went to dinner at Steve Barnhills, where they have a $5 all-you-can-eat buffet. Food's actually pretty decent, too! But they were out of hush puppies, which really saddened me. I didn't get to have a damn hush puppy the whole trip! Boo.
Wednesday: Same path back (Mobile to Memphis to MKE), and about the same times. By a little after 5 we were already on our way to pick up Miss Maxine from the doggie dorms. Boy was she happy to see us!! We had a great time, and it was sad to leave Grandpa and the warm weather, but we definitely missed our puppers and our own bed. Also, I'm still covered in bug bites that itch randomly like crazy. Ugh. Stupid noseeums (little black gnats that you can't necessarily see too well; thus "no see 'ums").
Sunday: First full day down south! We porched it in the morning, then headed off to Biloxi to have brunch at the Grand Casino. Hadn't been there since Katrina. It used to be a casino boat, but the storm put it up ON the highway. When they rebuilt, they did so on the land-side of the highway as a regular building. Of course, I was the ONLY one in the group to get carded (Hubby's less than a year older than me and NEVER gets carded). Buffet was good, but not as spectacular as I remembered. Played some penny slots after eating. Put in $20 and eventually cashed out at $15 (got up to $26 at one point and down to about $3 at another, so I figure I did alright). Headed out along the coast and hit up Souvenir City, a favorite store of mine from childhood visits (though, it has also been relocated/rebuilt). Got a cute ornament of a starfish wearing an eyepatch and a pegleg. Mom bought me a mini souvenir license plate with my name spelled right (a rare find!). Headed back to Moss Point and spent the rest of the day napping and porching. Deli sammies for dinner again.
Monday: Headed toward Mobile, AL to spend the day at Bellingrath Gardens & Home, which I haven't done since I was about 12. Though it's still early in the season, the flowers were beautiful!! We took the river cruise and spotted an osprey up in its nest. We were followed/flocked by seagulls (partly because kids aboard were feeding them popcorn), which was actually fairly amusing (if not a little noisy). Grabbed some lunch at the on-site cafe after the boat and continued wandering around the gardens. Found a snake along the way, which wouldn't have been so bad if Mom wasn't terrified of them. Made our way out and headed back to Grandpa's for the rest of the day. More napping and porching. Deli sammies for dinner.
Tuesday: Had breakfast at the local Waffle House (a true novelty for us Yanks) and then headed back toward Mobile to see the USS Alabama Battleship. Dad and Hubby disappeared down some stairs, so Mom and I wandered the ship for awhile. There were some interesting things to look at, but this trip was more for the guys (as Monday's trip was more for the girls). Dad and Hubby also went down into the USS Drum submarine, but Mom and I have some issues with claustrophobia, so we stayed on deck (so to speak). When they were done, we headed to Pascagoula to see what their beaches looked like. They've cleaned things up quite a bit, but there's nowhere to park (and, as such, no one there). We also grabbed lunch at Lucky Seafood, where we had some good po-boys (not quite the same as in New Orleans, but still good). We headed back to Moss Point for a bit and checked out the swamp in Grandpa's back yard. Saw some movement, but couldn't tell what was in there. Went to dinner at Steve Barnhills, where they have a $5 all-you-can-eat buffet. Food's actually pretty decent, too! But they were out of hush puppies, which really saddened me. I didn't get to have a damn hush puppy the whole trip! Boo.
Wednesday: Same path back (Mobile to Memphis to MKE), and about the same times. By a little after 5 we were already on our way to pick up Miss Maxine from the doggie dorms. Boy was she happy to see us!! We had a great time, and it was sad to leave Grandpa and the warm weather, but we definitely missed our puppers and our own bed. Also, I'm still covered in bug bites that itch randomly like crazy. Ugh. Stupid noseeums (little black gnats that you can't necessarily see too well; thus "no see 'ums").
Friday, April 1, 2011
Woohoo!
Not only is it Friday, but Hubby and I are getting ready for a mini-vacay with my family, and I am SO ready! Sadly, we have to board Miss Maxine for the duration, but it won't be long, and hopefully she will enjoy the time with some other dogs (not likely, but not unheard of).
In celebration and preparation of this little trip, here are some songs about getting away!
1) The Go Go's - "Vacation" How could you NOT be pumped for vacation after listening to this song? Oh, sure, it's about trying to get over an ex. Who among us hasn't been there, am I right?
2) Bowling for Soup - "Ohio (Come Back to Texas)" So the singer of the song isn't going anywhere, but the subject is clearly on a bit of a break from the norm. Although, if I was fleeing Texas, I'm not sure Ohio is really where I'd head...
3) Frank Sinatra - "Come Fly With Me" What girl wouldn't have taken Mr. Sinatra up on this offer? Escaping reality with some booze in an exotic place with a gorgeous crooner? Yep, count me in.
4) 33 West - "The Tijuana Song" Oh, 33 West. How I miss you. Anywhoozles, this song's about the fun (and not-so fun) to be had in Tijuana. An excellent song to dance to, and good for a bit of a laugh.
5) Something Corporate - "I Woke Up In A Car" Not exactly touring the most exciting places, but SC is definitely on the move in this song. However, if you randomly wake up in a car, I'd suggest making sure you still have your wallet. And your kidneys.
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