Gak.  Haven't posted in a month!  Well, I've got some catching up to do.  I guess I'll start by saying how my Halloween went.  I don't think I've ever been so popular!  Popular.  You're gonna be PopU-oo-lar.  This was what I dressed up as.

Yes, I was a Deviled Egg.  You can't see the tail that is in the back, nor can you see the stuffing so that I rounded out the egg shape.  Some people got it right away while others needed a few moments to finally get it.  When they did, they always laughed.  It was really a weird experience to tell you the truth.  I don't normally have people yelling at me randomly....unless I happen to be on the El.  I mean, my night started off with a bus ride and the bus driver had a chuckle as he came on board to relieve one of the former driver.  He said, "You'd better watch out.  You've got a deviled egg sitting next to you."  All along the ride, I had people giggling about my outfit.  When I got off the bus, and made my way to the bar to celebrate a friends birthday, I got more than a number of "Ahhh it's a deviled egg.  Funny!  I just love your costume!"  Of course, people could have been a bit easier to amuse since they've probably had something to drink, but still.  I actually made someone's night because of the costume I wore.  Anything I said was instantly funny.  I made some fat man and pregnant woman references, and it was still funny.

Next I went to a friends for his annual Halloween party.  I came rather late, but I made my appearance.  These were the people I never see until the following year at the party, so it was good to catch up on a few things.  I mean only, here amongst these dressed up creatures, was I comfortable talking about D&D.  Well, mainly because there was only one person who knew what the hell I was talking about.  My name in fantasy football is Bigby's Clenched Fist.  No one knew what that was about.  Come on people Bigby is only the second most famous wizard, rivaling that of Elminster!  Most of the time I get the....Elmin...who?  *Sigh*

Lastly, I ventured past Western Ave....on foot....in my costume to a friends for my final party of the night.  Nothing much happened there.  I said hello...to the host....who was late himself....after most of his guests had left....the guests that I knew.  Oh well.  It was for the best.  I'm getting too old for this 2 AM in the morning shit.  I had to get up in the morning to teach at church that day.  Thus ended my Halloween 2007.  We'll see about next year.  I'm already thinking about what I want to be.  If I'm ambitious I'm going to MAKE, that's right, make a Voltron costume.  I could just go as Pidge, but this would be awesome if I could pull it off.  *Sigh*  It's sad that some people don't even know what Voltron is. 

Wow.  What a night.  A friend of mine was coming into town on Friday, so we decided to go to Goose Island for some food and beer.  Little did we know that we would have a surprise in store for us on the El. 

We didn't get our game of Ms. Pacman in like I had wanted to since we were running short on time.  But we got on the El and made our way to the State Street stop to transfer to the Red line.  When we got there, there were a fair number of passengers, so I moved my way into the middle of the car.  There really wasn't a place where all 4 of us could sit so I chose to stand.  I grabbed the metal railing on the seat and was tapped on my wrist.  Here's where it gets interesting.

This African American guy tells me to watch my step and not step on his shoes.  I said ok, but I remained standing even though there was an empty seat next to me.  He then tells me that he doesn't like people standing over him, so why don't have I have a seat.  He wasn't asking me to sit down....he was telling me to sit down.  I refused as I told him, there might be someone else that wants to sit down. 

Pretty soon he gets agitated and starts making racial comments.  Here's the exchange in a pretty full car with ethnicities ranging from Indian, African-American, and Caucasian. 

"Why you goin up North?  You're people aint up there!  You goin to a white neighborhood.  You's goin the wrong way.  You need to go south near Chinatown to be with your people.  You wastin your $2. 

I replied, "What does it matter that I'm going up north?  Why do you care?"

"See?  I'm going to find my people, so you had better find yours.  I'm black, so I'm going to find my folk.  You go down south past 35th street, you in MI hood.  Now?  You goin to a white neighborhood!"

"But..you're going  north.  If your hood is south, then why are you going north?

"Man!  Bruce Lee dead man.  I saw him a twenty years back, but now?  He dead man.  Bruce Lee dead.  This is Chicago. CHI-CA-GO.  This is mainly a white city.  We's second.  You?  You in a small group of people.  There are no Asians around here.  You don't belong here.  You need to find your people, just like I'm going to find mine."

"I don't belo...."

"We taught you how to speak English!  We taught you how to speak English!  So don't you be talkin to me.  You just shut your mouth and be quiet."

"I'm pretty sure YOU didn't teach me how to speak English."

"Man!  You not in China!  You not in Vietnam!  You not in Thailand!  You not in Taiwan!  You not in Japan!  We taught you to speak English.  Bruce Lee dead man.  See, you're only here because you got a greencard.  You need to go back to where you come from, but can't because you have to get on a plane.  You?  You are atheists over there.  Over there you've got Hindus.  They worship Budda, but Budda wasn't a god.  Me?  My eyes are brown.  I have the same brown eyes as Jesus!"

"But my eyes are brown, and I'm a Christian."

"We taught you to speak English.  See George W. Bush?  Martin Luther King?  George W. Bush is the President.  He white.  King?  He black.  Neither of them are asian.  See this lady next to me?  She ok because she's reading the Sun Times and she white.  And this is an white neighborhood.  There are no asians around here."

"......." 

"It's going to be the same way with marriage.  You's going to marry an asian.  Why you comin up here?  There only white folk here.  There aint no white woman that's going to want you! 

"........"

And at that point, the guy started turning on my friends that came with me.  He said something about how the Bears were playing poorly and that's the reason why the Cubs lost.  He also displayed his profound sense of direction by saying that we were going the wrong direction because Solider Field was south and not north.  He pointed out that we were going past Wrigley Field.  Oh, and also mentioned that Walter Payton was black and that my friend was him.  During the conversation, I was politely tapped on the shoulder and advised just to ignore him.  Which I eventually did.  Though...that last remark of marriage hit a bit closer to home than I wanted it to because at this point, it seems neither Caucasian or Asian find me desirable.  At least...the ones I'm interested in.

I've got to say though that in all of my 6 years here in Chicago, this is first interaction with such a character.  I suppose it was time though.  It would have been the kicker to the evening if I had to talk to the guy on the way south after Goose Island. 

Edit:  I happen to be flipping channels and the Replacements was on.  First, Fantastic Movie, one of my favorites.  Second, it happen to be at the moment when the linemen are talking about race...you know.  "How can a Chinaman get to 700 lbs on this?  I'm not Chinese.  I'm Japanese.  Same difference.  What?  You do know that China and Japan are two different countries?

Great....just fantabulous. 

ugghh...it was one of those days.  My day started out with a breakfast with board members at Rush.  As a student representative, I was supposed to talk about myself a bit, and why I chose Rush to go school.  The mic was being passed around and of course when it got to me I said my bit and passed the mic on....But I forgot to mention the department I'm from, as well as what I research, and who I work for.....oops....So much for my morning. 

The rest of the day was spent trying to do some work.  I looked at microscope slides and became really frustrated when what I was seeing wasn't consistent across slides.  That made data interpretation difficult.  I kind of trudged through the day.  The last couple of weeks, I've felt really isolated from the rest of my fellow students.  I mean, none of them were really around.  I ate lunch by myself.  I worked by myself.  *sigh*  I was exhausted at the end of the day, and even a workout didn't lift my spirits.  It was almost eerie to see they gym so empty when I got there today.  Usually it's pretty busy, but not today.   I was tired enough, that I cut my workout short, working only the chest, abs, shoulders, and biceps.  And then it hit me while I skated back home.

For the first time in a while, I felt alone.  I wanted nothing more than to go home cook some dinner for two, lay around a couch and watch a movie.  Problem was, there was no two....only one.  Instead, I ended up heating a Lean Cuisine, had a yogurt, some angel food cake, and a granola.  I started laundry and turned on the baseball game between the Indians and the Yankees.  Blah.  I watched the hapless Yankees lose.  You can't go 1-10 in two-out situations with RISP while the opposition goes 12-25.  You have to slam the door shut with two outs, two strikes, but the Indians always found a way to score runs.  It was sick trying to watch the Yankees come back because time and time again a rally would get snuffed out with a DP. 

Yeah...I certainly felt lonely tonight.  Alone at work.  Alone at play.  Alone in my heart.  Yeah.  It's just one of those days, but woudln't you know it?  I'm reading Job in the Bible.  I can just imagine if I had one of his days!

The Yankees Win.

Geez.  I was really hoping that they wouldn't get swept out.  Now there's at least one more game to watch, and more time to waste!

So I found out what it must feel like for some vendors at product shows today.  As part of the Oktoberfest celebrations (really it's supposed to be in Sept.) at Rush, I made a poster for the Graduate College.  Since this is all taking place at a medical school, most of the medical students just glanced at my poster and then walked by despite the lure of candy.  We had Nerds and Smarties....as well as the usual candy bars.   For about 2 hours, I really didn't speak to anyone, but smiled and nodded as people passed.  I'm thinking this is what it feels like for those salespeople that have to endure non-interested people at a vendor show....Especially if all they are looking for is a stamp on their card for a raffle later in the day.

That's not to say that noone stopped by.  Some of the PhD students did stop by, commented on my nude mouse colony, and PhD comics I had plastered all over the place.  I also talked with students in College of health sciences, who I mistakenly took for as being under the graduate college.  Would you believe that between just two groups, occupational therapy and audiology, there were some 90 people I have never met who I supposed to be graduate students?  We had 30 students in audiology alone!  And some 60 in occupational therapy.....with not a single male in the group.

Yes, yes...I HAVE been busy

This is Stolen....a German Christmas Bread...the dried fruit in there has been "rehydrated" in brandy, and the pasty looking substance is marzipan, otherwise known as almond paste!

The making of my cranberry walnut bread.  Something for Thanksgiving.

And the product!  This is a double decker braid (one on top of the other) that signifies celebration.

And that's what I've been up to these days.  Obviously I'm doing my PhD too...right?

Two in one day?  I had to post this though....IS IT TRUE???? I've got to read more Star Trek books then.

Riker and Deanna Troi rekindled their romantic relationship in 2375
during the Ba'ku mission. The two continued their romance following the
mission, and became engaged sometime afterwards. In 2379 Riker was
offered a promotion to Captain and command of the U.S.S. Titan. Riker
accepted the offer and was to be transferred to the Titan, along with
Deanna Troi, after the couple's wedding in 2379.

the Ba'ku I know about....but Riker accepting a captainship on the Titan???

This is what the Star Trek website says:

STARFLEET PERSONNEL FILE: Riker, William T. 'Will'
Rank: Captain
Serial number: SC 231-427
Current assignment: Commander , U.S.S. Titan
Full Name: William Thomas Riker
Date of birth: August 19, 2335
Place of birth: Valdez, Alaska, Earth
Parents: Kyle and Betty C. Riker
Education: Starfleet Academy, 2353-57, graduated eighth in his class
Marital status: Married to Deanna Troi
Children: none
Quarters: formerly, Enterprise: Room 0912, first Deck 8, then Deck 9
(See [*] notes re: individual "Thomas Riker"]

So here's a shocker for ya.  I'm testing out shampoos!!!  Well, not officially for anybody, but I was convinced to buy some Aussie Moist 2 in 1 since that was the replacement for the Aussie Mega.  Now, I've been a fan of Aussie since it came out with the apple and citrus versions, which have been discontinued for awhile now, but then they got rid of the Mega.  Finding no replacement, I went with the Garnier Fructus.  Alas, I could not find the 2 in 1 version so I bought the shampoo and conditioner separately.

I tried the Aussie Moist last night.  I was pleasantly surprised.  It had a slight coconut smell to it, and it cleansed well and conditioned well.  The morning was the same.  Tonight, I tried the Garnier, and found that it actually seemed to cleanse better than the Aussie.  The conditioner worked in well too, plus the fruity smell is better than the coconut smell.  So...in this matchup, I'm giving the slight edge to Garnier.  Now for a true comparison, I would have to get some of the 2 in 1 version.  I'll get that when the opportunity arises and give an update later on.

So I said that I wouldn't be lackadaisical on this, but times have been busy of late.  I haven't even kept all that up to date with facebook either.  Anyhow, as my 10 year HS reunion looms large, I thought I'd write a bit on that.  Last week I happen to be watching some high school type movies.  One of them was Big Liar on Campus (aka Full of it).  It's about a short, geeky, math wiz who never was popular.  This was his final year in HS and for once in his life he wanted to be popular....Now, I'm not going to break into song here with Wicked or anything, so don't ask.   He goes to see his guidance counselor and he says...if you want to be popular, you have to lie. 

After he starts to lie for the entire day, he has an argument with is family about how difficult it was to be in his unpopular state, and slams the his bedroom door, cracking a mirror.  Uh-oh, you know what that means.  Sure enough, the next day, all his lies start coming true.  All his lies, both good ones and bad ones.  Well, there really isn't a good lie, but you know what I mean.  When he says my math skills are at a preschool level, that's bad.  When he says that I never miss a basketball shot, that's good.  You can guess at the other things that he wants to come true.

Why am I babbling about this you ask?  Well, looking back at my HS years, I was never really the popular type.  Not that I am now, but I fit the stereotype of a nerd.  I mean, at homecoming...at least I think it was homecoming, there's a picture of my brother and I guarding the band trophy case in our "ivy league" outfits.  I was a band geek playing the clarinet of all instruments, and I was on the Scholastic Bowl team (aka quiz bowl).  I wore tinted....TINTED glasses my sophomore year that made me look like I was 40.  Gosh...How did I ever survive? 

Well, I guess that's because I surrounded myself with friends who chose to ignore that type of stuff.  Then again, maybe they were all just being nice.  Anyhow, as the the reunion gets closer, I see, at least from the people on FB, that most have moved on with their lives.  Most are married.  Some have kids.  Most have jobs.  I don't think I know a single person that's still in school.  So it will be interesting conversation.  Most will actually have accomplished things in life, while me?  All I can say is that I'm still in school. 

That PhD better be worth it all.

So I've been thinking about my personality a bit, and I have come to the conclusion that I could be described by two television shows.  The first being MacGyver and the other being Star Trek TNG.  Why these two you say?  Well, I like to describe it as a core being of MacGyver and a shell of TNG.  I mean, in essence, I espouse the ideals of MacGyver and think about the optimism that is Star Trek.  More on this later.