Hoo boy: bicycles, shoulders, science.

The week of somewhat random and scatterbrained posting continues. Last night, my lab and the Scrabble Society came over for an end-of-semester/graduation potluck, which was quite fun, and included highlights like delicious pie and cake, hand-whipped whipped cream (and egg whites! mustn't forget the egg whites!), and doggies frolicking around the muddy yard. Poor Tootsie got so muddy that we were forced to give her a bath before she went home. She did not enjoy the bath, but I found it pretty amusing. We also decided that the Scrabble Society is going to have to start its own blog.

I woke up this morning a few minutes before my alarm was supposed to go off, only to discover that I hadn't actually set my alarm. When I showed up for the people's ride, I found out after a few minutes of waiting that it was going to be a Person's Ride instead. So instead of just doing the usual ride, I decided to extend it and ride around Mummy Mountain as well. After all, I didn't get the usual Car Resistance Action Party ride in on Tuesday. I think the Mummy Mountain loop adds about 15 miles to the overall ride. It was a beautiful morning to be out and about, though I'm pretty worn out from the extra exertion. The most entertaining part involved a stretch along Lafayette when another woman on a road bike (a Lemond) decided she needed to be in front of me for a little while. It was nice to have someone right ahead for motivation to go faster, and then I couldn't help myself and had to leave her in my wake when we climbed up 64th street. A short-lived adventure, but it was nice to discover that I'm riding reasonably fast on the ol' Jolly Roger.

Meanwhile, my shoulder is feeling better, but is still not back to one hundred percent. I really, really want to go rowing tomorrow morning, but I also want to avoid prolonging my injury. No fun.

Lastly, science continues apace. I did a lot of productive number-crunching yesterday, and things are really starting to come together for the Manuscript of Doom II: The Sequel, Part A. It also looks like I will have around 1.5 undergraduates to help me out with an experiment that I desperately need to start on Monday, so that will be helpful. I just hope that Undergraduate 0.5 is as awesome as Undergraduate no. 1. I just need to iron out a lot of details before then. So I think my plans are set for the weekend. It's such a luxury to feel like I can finally focus on science for a change. I hope I don't waste the luxury.

Gift-giving: time to poll the audience

This is mostly directed at family members and the like:

I am starting in on gift-making in ceramics. What sorts of ceramics items would you find the most useful? They can range from mugs, to whatever weird shape you've always wanted but have never gotten, to dishes that you can bake things in.

I've recently become obsessed with the third category, after making myself a giant octopus casserole/bread dish (photos when complete), an 8x8 brownie/cake pan, and a tart pan.

Anyway, I'd just love to hear ideas. Especially from you, Mom, and also from you, Rosemary. And it never hurts if you chime in, annikusrex. Not to mention you, K. Oh wow. I guess that means I expect at least 4 people to read my blog. Also: if you aren't listed, but have great ideas, I might just make that item for you. It can't hurt to ask! I reserve the right to make aforementioned item extremely quirky. Heh.

...jellyfish lamps are still an option, but I can't afford the associated hardware at the moment...