No, this isn't a comment about one of my favourite shows on TSN (http://www.tsn.ca/shows/otr/), although, it may come up at a later post.
No no, this is about the realization that the blogs in the Nipissing University Blog Contest won't be considered a part of said contest, until October first. I'm sure they've said that before, but they sorta reminded us all.
So screw this. I'm not gonna blog until October. Why do it for nothing right?!
...
Ok, so... I'll keep blogging. I'm getting a few ideas here and there. I'm starting to enjoy this again. Though recently, and continuing for the next couple days, I'll be busy with a bit of work. This may prevent me from making a lot of posts. But who knows, maybe I can build up a bit of a fan base, and have a head start come October. Make a few friends. Share a few laughs. It's all gravy! "Cinamon and gravy!!"
Monday, August 25, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Girls Who Can Sing
I am an avid music fan. I like all kinds of tunes, from rap and hip hop, to hard rock, to classical opera, to indie alternative, to dance hits and pop chart toppers, to swing (makes me wish I could dance) and even some new age industrial music. I especially like music that is emotionally charged. Because of this, the vocal portion of a song is extremely appealing to me. The words and the "meaning" behind a song is often more blunt after you hear the words, as opposed to just a few chords and keys.
I also Love to sing myself, I'm just, not very good at it. Haha!! But I've always wanted to be a rock star; the front man of a jamming band like the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Incubus (two of my favs). I like diverse musicians; people who can bring energy and power to their music, and just as quickly mellow things out. If you can touch more than one genre, all the better.
Being a singer, at least in a live act, I think it would allow you to attempt various forms of "art". You're obviously a musician, making sounds and harmonies that appeal to a mass audience, that isn't always going to be receptive. They'll let you know if you're good or not. You can also be a poet, crafting lyrics and word ensembles that express a rather obvious message, or a carefully hidden metaphor. And while on that stage, you must be an actor. The way you move, the way you dance, the way you carry yourself across the stage; the confidence, the beauty or the ugliness (whatever is appropriate at the time), can emphasize or downplay a performance. You get to do so much, all at once.
But I tell ya, there's nothing sexier than a girl who can sing. Nothing more beautiful than a well placed note coming from a woman's lips. It moves, no... It captivates me. In my Lifetime, I've been fortunate enough to actually know some women who can sing. My good friend Casey can sing. She doesn't very often. She's kind of shy. It's too bad, because she's absolutely amazing. She's always been beautiful, but, it's just at another level when she lets me hear her sing. My ex-girlfriend used to sing. If there's one thing I miss, it's just getting to sit around and listen to her practice singing. She'd always ask me to join in, but I rarely did. I couldn't poison the air with my off key buffoonery.
I have ANOTHER (that's right, anyone keeping a tally?!) friend who can sing. Emily Norah Engel. Oddly enough, I met her through my now estranged ex-girlfriend. Hahaha!! Emily and I, thankfully, are still good friends. Now, to all of those of you who don't have the pleasure of enjoying her nerdy, tequila Loving friendship, I'm sorry for you. BUT, you can still hear her sing!
One of the great things about Emily, is that she's also (in my humble, uninformed opinion) a pretty good guitarist. She's got a little section on Myspace where she posts some music, and I'd like to share that with all of you. I'm proud and supportive of her. I think she's an amazing talent. She doesn't bring forth lots of energy, but that's just not her style. She's got folk music in her blood. Her religion is "Blues". Still, the beauty she captures with her voice and songwriting is worth a listen. And maybe I'm saying all this rather subjectively, because afterall, she's a friend of mine. So you'll just have to listen for yourself. "Hugs and Junk" is my particular favourite. It's the first song I heard from her. It's also a very Emily thing to say. And "Final Solid", with her homemade "slide guitar". She had to explain to me what a "slide guitar" is. Not as complicated as it sounds, but still. Sounds great. "Ope". I should let you go listen now. Enjoy.
http://myspace.com/emilynorahengel
I also Love to sing myself, I'm just, not very good at it. Haha!! But I've always wanted to be a rock star; the front man of a jamming band like the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Incubus (two of my favs). I like diverse musicians; people who can bring energy and power to their music, and just as quickly mellow things out. If you can touch more than one genre, all the better.
Being a singer, at least in a live act, I think it would allow you to attempt various forms of "art". You're obviously a musician, making sounds and harmonies that appeal to a mass audience, that isn't always going to be receptive. They'll let you know if you're good or not. You can also be a poet, crafting lyrics and word ensembles that express a rather obvious message, or a carefully hidden metaphor. And while on that stage, you must be an actor. The way you move, the way you dance, the way you carry yourself across the stage; the confidence, the beauty or the ugliness (whatever is appropriate at the time), can emphasize or downplay a performance. You get to do so much, all at once.
But I tell ya, there's nothing sexier than a girl who can sing. Nothing more beautiful than a well placed note coming from a woman's lips. It moves, no... It captivates me. In my Lifetime, I've been fortunate enough to actually know some women who can sing. My good friend Casey can sing. She doesn't very often. She's kind of shy. It's too bad, because she's absolutely amazing. She's always been beautiful, but, it's just at another level when she lets me hear her sing. My ex-girlfriend used to sing. If there's one thing I miss, it's just getting to sit around and listen to her practice singing. She'd always ask me to join in, but I rarely did. I couldn't poison the air with my off key buffoonery.
I have ANOTHER (that's right, anyone keeping a tally?!) friend who can sing. Emily Norah Engel. Oddly enough, I met her through my now estranged ex-girlfriend. Hahaha!! Emily and I, thankfully, are still good friends. Now, to all of those of you who don't have the pleasure of enjoying her nerdy, tequila Loving friendship, I'm sorry for you. BUT, you can still hear her sing!
One of the great things about Emily, is that she's also (in my humble, uninformed opinion) a pretty good guitarist. She's got a little section on Myspace where she posts some music, and I'd like to share that with all of you. I'm proud and supportive of her. I think she's an amazing talent. She doesn't bring forth lots of energy, but that's just not her style. She's got folk music in her blood. Her religion is "Blues". Still, the beauty she captures with her voice and songwriting is worth a listen. And maybe I'm saying all this rather subjectively, because afterall, she's a friend of mine. So you'll just have to listen for yourself. "Hugs and Junk" is my particular favourite. It's the first song I heard from her. It's also a very Emily thing to say. And "Final Solid", with her homemade "slide guitar". She had to explain to me what a "slide guitar" is. Not as complicated as it sounds, but still. Sounds great. "Ope". I should let you go listen now. Enjoy.
http://myspace.com/emilynorahengel
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Milk
I went down to Mississauga the other day. My friend Jenn has graduated Nipissing, and is going to be pursuing graduated studies at the University of Victoria. She was having a going away party for herself.
Anyways... I got a ride down with our mutual friend Megan (who, is more Jenn's friend than mine). She's nice. A bit of a drinker, but I can't really cast judgement on that sort of thing. Hahaha!! We got to talking, about a lot of things. We talked about how she Loves to teach, and I've decided that she's going to be amazing at it based on her passion alone, let alone all the great ideas she has for running a classroom. We talked about the importance of being happy, and paying dues, and that sorta thing. We also talked about different bars, good ones and bad ones. We talked about Jenn, mostly good stuff... :D I hope Jenn reads that...
However, one of the strangest things we talked about was our Love of milk. The day after a good night of partying, we both enjoy a nice glass of milk or two. Sometimes, I don't' even wait until the next morning. People tease us, or voice concern that the milk will curdle in our stomachs once it mixes with all the gin/beer/tequila we've been indulging in. But it just doesn't bother us. But not just any milk will do...
For example. It must be cold. And as an avid milk drinker, I do everything I can to keep it cold. Some may even call me obsessed, or demented. But the difference shows. Both Megan and I discovered we share a pet peeve for people who leave milk out on the table during a meal. Those few seconds, minutes, and in some horrendous cases, hours, all can result in a noticeable increase in the temperature of the milk. Disgusting. Haha!! My sister likes to bake, and when she does, I hover around waiting for her to finish with the milk so I can rush it back to the fridge.
Now, sometimes, people are kind of enough to let me stay at their homes. If this is for an extended period of time, they also sometimes let me drink their milk. "No milk, will ever be our milk." Hehehe... Billy Madison. ANYWAYS... If all these conditions are met, I get a little weird. See, heat rises. So, the top shelf of a fridge is warmer than the lower shelves. In no instance is this more evident, than when one tries to properly chill milk. If I'm allowed to stay at your home, and drink your milk, I WILL rearrange the contents of fridge so that the milk is on the lowest possible shelf, if it is not there already. Yeah...
Now, other than coldness, I'm not picky unless I have the choice. You can have 2%, 1%, Skim (ew!) and as long as it's cold, I'll drink it. It can be any brand, carton or bag, whatever. However, if I have a choice? Beatrice, 2%, bag. There is a difference. When I was 6 years old, I tasted the difference. My dad brought home another brand of milk one day, and after I complained, he said "You wouldn't be able to tell the difference if you didn't see the bag!"
And it just hit me. Like, right now. This was my first experiment. It began early. A need to prove things, a stubbornness, to be sure, an inquisitive nature, I don't know... Nevertheless, a taste test ensued. Poor n values, but the importance of blinding the subject was evident. I used a peanut butter cookie to mask the flavour of the previous drink. Hahaha!! I was able to tell the difference between the different brands of milk. And the rest, is history.
Anyways... I got a ride down with our mutual friend Megan (who, is more Jenn's friend than mine). She's nice. A bit of a drinker, but I can't really cast judgement on that sort of thing. Hahaha!! We got to talking, about a lot of things. We talked about how she Loves to teach, and I've decided that she's going to be amazing at it based on her passion alone, let alone all the great ideas she has for running a classroom. We talked about the importance of being happy, and paying dues, and that sorta thing. We also talked about different bars, good ones and bad ones. We talked about Jenn, mostly good stuff... :D I hope Jenn reads that...
However, one of the strangest things we talked about was our Love of milk. The day after a good night of partying, we both enjoy a nice glass of milk or two. Sometimes, I don't' even wait until the next morning. People tease us, or voice concern that the milk will curdle in our stomachs once it mixes with all the gin/beer/tequila we've been indulging in. But it just doesn't bother us. But not just any milk will do...
For example. It must be cold. And as an avid milk drinker, I do everything I can to keep it cold. Some may even call me obsessed, or demented. But the difference shows. Both Megan and I discovered we share a pet peeve for people who leave milk out on the table during a meal. Those few seconds, minutes, and in some horrendous cases, hours, all can result in a noticeable increase in the temperature of the milk. Disgusting. Haha!! My sister likes to bake, and when she does, I hover around waiting for her to finish with the milk so I can rush it back to the fridge.
Now, sometimes, people are kind of enough to let me stay at their homes. If this is for an extended period of time, they also sometimes let me drink their milk. "No milk, will ever be our milk." Hehehe... Billy Madison. ANYWAYS... If all these conditions are met, I get a little weird. See, heat rises. So, the top shelf of a fridge is warmer than the lower shelves. In no instance is this more evident, than when one tries to properly chill milk. If I'm allowed to stay at your home, and drink your milk, I WILL rearrange the contents of fridge so that the milk is on the lowest possible shelf, if it is not there already. Yeah...
Now, other than coldness, I'm not picky unless I have the choice. You can have 2%, 1%, Skim (ew!) and as long as it's cold, I'll drink it. It can be any brand, carton or bag, whatever. However, if I have a choice? Beatrice, 2%, bag. There is a difference. When I was 6 years old, I tasted the difference. My dad brought home another brand of milk one day, and after I complained, he said "You wouldn't be able to tell the difference if you didn't see the bag!"
And it just hit me. Like, right now. This was my first experiment. It began early. A need to prove things, a stubbornness, to be sure, an inquisitive nature, I don't know... Nevertheless, a taste test ensued. Poor n values, but the importance of blinding the subject was evident. I used a peanut butter cookie to mask the flavour of the previous drink. Hahaha!! I was able to tell the difference between the different brands of milk. And the rest, is history.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
In the Lab
So... Another resting place, is the same place I do lots of work too. Oh sweet irony... Haha!!
At the moment, I'm in the Nipissing University Neuroscience Research Unit. This is where I work, and sometimes play. Hehehe... Story time anyone?
Throughout high school, I was a fairly clever kid. Weaseled good enough marks that I could take a couple of different paths in Life. Oddly enough though, I NEVER took a biology class. Hahaha!! I believe when I was asked why I didn't take those kinds of classes my answer was that "I don't like blood." or "I don't care how our body works." Haha!! The naivety of youth. Although, I guess I'm still pretty young. Anyways, moving on.
No, I had two academic passions. Mathematics, and the mind. Now, I Love maths (that's for you Mr. Daniels, and now I'm never saying mathS again unless I'm referring to you). But it is hard. Like, bust your head against the wall practicing and manipulating an equation only to have to erase the whole thing over to try again hard. That's right. You can't use pen. So, as good of a high school math teacher I was (I tutored people a bit), I knew there was NO way I would be able to do the more extreme brands of math in order to come back to a teaching position.
So the mind. That, Lovely duality... Maybe it was all the Yoga I was doing, or my flirting with spirituality and the possibility that it's my soul thinking and not my head; but it pushed me towards psychology.
So, I graduate high school, decide to stay in the comfort and financial security of my own home, because, well "What's in an undergraduate degree? No one cares where you get THAT from.", and go to Nipissing. My sister went here too. She did some research in the biology lab (biology, eww...). Anyhow, she tells me that I should do the same thing. I might get to make some extra cash, and who knows, I could learn a thing or two.
I asked my first year lab instructor, Stephanie, if she knew a way I could get involved in research. She told me my best bet was to just outright ask a prof, and she gave me the name "Matti Saari". And she changed my Life. Or he did. Or someone did... I'M not taking responsibility for it. Haha!!
Like all doe eyed psychology students, I wanted to become a Clinical Psychologist. Not one to hide his opinion, Matti shared stories about the difficulties and challenges that faced clinicians. Implicitly, he suggested I try Neuroscience. He gave me a brief tour of the facility downstairs, and introduced me to a few people who were working at the time. Suggested I come in on the weekend when they were going to be doing some "harvesting." I didn't know what that was, but I figured anything is worth a first try, right?
Harvesting is when you take the brain out of a rat skull in order to slice it and do chemical assays later on. The fella who "doesn't like blood" was cleaning the blood off trays used to serve heads to eager students. Hahaha!! Eww... It, isn't the most enjoyable aspect of work in here... But unfortunately, a very necessary part.
If you drop by to see us working in here, it could be rather hit or miss. Like I said, this is also a place of rest. Some days, we take four hour lunch breaks, go jogging, or have a "meeting" at the bar or restaurant. Other times, we'll be here running tests, mixing chemicals, doing observations, or staining tissue in the wee hours of the night. A couple of us have had to sleep here. Hahaha!! Oddly enough, those aren't the most restful of times.
When I told our lab tech, Amy, about my blog, she suggested I write about the lab. Actually, we've always thought about having a reality show about Life in the lab. It can be, well, interesting, at times. Nevertheless, Life in the lab will definitely come up in the future. It's a huge part of my Life, both good and bad. I guess I should give you a link... http://www.nipissingu.ca/neuroscience/
This post... Lacks direction. I mean, I guess, it is just a background story. This is where I am. I think, I'll start working on another post that gives more insight on what being here has done to me. Hahaha!! Again, both good and bad. Something to do in between enrichment trials... Haha!! Also keeps me from reading or writing papers or anything else fairly productive. So, until the next trial starts... Take care.
At the moment, I'm in the Nipissing University Neuroscience Research Unit. This is where I work, and sometimes play. Hehehe... Story time anyone?
Throughout high school, I was a fairly clever kid. Weaseled good enough marks that I could take a couple of different paths in Life. Oddly enough though, I NEVER took a biology class. Hahaha!! I believe when I was asked why I didn't take those kinds of classes my answer was that "I don't like blood." or "I don't care how our body works." Haha!! The naivety of youth. Although, I guess I'm still pretty young. Anyways, moving on.
No, I had two academic passions. Mathematics, and the mind. Now, I Love maths (that's for you Mr. Daniels, and now I'm never saying mathS again unless I'm referring to you). But it is hard. Like, bust your head against the wall practicing and manipulating an equation only to have to erase the whole thing over to try again hard. That's right. You can't use pen. So, as good of a high school math teacher I was (I tutored people a bit), I knew there was NO way I would be able to do the more extreme brands of math in order to come back to a teaching position.
So the mind. That, Lovely duality... Maybe it was all the Yoga I was doing, or my flirting with spirituality and the possibility that it's my soul thinking and not my head; but it pushed me towards psychology.
So, I graduate high school, decide to stay in the comfort and financial security of my own home, because, well "What's in an undergraduate degree? No one cares where you get THAT from.", and go to Nipissing. My sister went here too. She did some research in the biology lab (biology, eww...). Anyhow, she tells me that I should do the same thing. I might get to make some extra cash, and who knows, I could learn a thing or two.
I asked my first year lab instructor, Stephanie, if she knew a way I could get involved in research. She told me my best bet was to just outright ask a prof, and she gave me the name "Matti Saari". And she changed my Life. Or he did. Or someone did... I'M not taking responsibility for it. Haha!!
Like all doe eyed psychology students, I wanted to become a Clinical Psychologist. Not one to hide his opinion, Matti shared stories about the difficulties and challenges that faced clinicians. Implicitly, he suggested I try Neuroscience. He gave me a brief tour of the facility downstairs, and introduced me to a few people who were working at the time. Suggested I come in on the weekend when they were going to be doing some "harvesting." I didn't know what that was, but I figured anything is worth a first try, right?
Harvesting is when you take the brain out of a rat skull in order to slice it and do chemical assays later on. The fella who "doesn't like blood" was cleaning the blood off trays used to serve heads to eager students. Hahaha!! Eww... It, isn't the most enjoyable aspect of work in here... But unfortunately, a very necessary part.
If you drop by to see us working in here, it could be rather hit or miss. Like I said, this is also a place of rest. Some days, we take four hour lunch breaks, go jogging, or have a "meeting" at the bar or restaurant. Other times, we'll be here running tests, mixing chemicals, doing observations, or staining tissue in the wee hours of the night. A couple of us have had to sleep here. Hahaha!! Oddly enough, those aren't the most restful of times.
When I told our lab tech, Amy, about my blog, she suggested I write about the lab. Actually, we've always thought about having a reality show about Life in the lab. It can be, well, interesting, at times. Nevertheless, Life in the lab will definitely come up in the future. It's a huge part of my Life, both good and bad. I guess I should give you a link... http://www.nipissingu.ca/neuroscience/
This post... Lacks direction. I mean, I guess, it is just a background story. This is where I am. I think, I'll start working on another post that gives more insight on what being here has done to me. Hahaha!! Again, both good and bad. Something to do in between enrichment trials... Haha!! Also keeps me from reading or writing papers or anything else fairly productive. So, until the next trial starts... Take care.
Monday, August 4, 2008
I should have kissed her. 10 231.
http://www.xkcd.com/458/
So... xkcd is one of my favourite web comics. My friend Devon told me to look at it one day. Wait... Was it Devon or his girlfriend Caitlin. I forget. But it was one of them.
Anyways, it's a great comic. Lots of nerdy humour, but it even has some nice thoughtful messages attached as well. This one, divulges one of the latter.
Where those results come from, who knows. Stories, publications, blogs; it could be anywhere. But it's safe to say, I think, that Love is an intimidating thing, even if it isn't there; even if you're just trying it out. One little kiss. Haha!! People are always saying you'll regret Life more for things you didn't do as opposed to things you did. Perhaps these are the stats to prove it? Hahaha!!
At the very least, it's nice to know that someone is out there trying to promote a little more Love or a little more confidence in the world. Or at least, I think that's what is intended. That's what I'm taking from it.
Now, am I gonna be more adventurous and less timid? Nah, probably not. Hahaha!! But... I'm glad someone else out there wants it to happen. Let's act on Love.
And I think I'll leave it at that.
So... xkcd is one of my favourite web comics. My friend Devon told me to look at it one day. Wait... Was it Devon or his girlfriend Caitlin. I forget. But it was one of them.
Anyways, it's a great comic. Lots of nerdy humour, but it even has some nice thoughtful messages attached as well. This one, divulges one of the latter.
Where those results come from, who knows. Stories, publications, blogs; it could be anywhere. But it's safe to say, I think, that Love is an intimidating thing, even if it isn't there; even if you're just trying it out. One little kiss. Haha!! People are always saying you'll regret Life more for things you didn't do as opposed to things you did. Perhaps these are the stats to prove it? Hahaha!!
At the very least, it's nice to know that someone is out there trying to promote a little more Love or a little more confidence in the world. Or at least, I think that's what is intended. That's what I'm taking from it.
Now, am I gonna be more adventurous and less timid? Nah, probably not. Hahaha!! But... I'm glad someone else out there wants it to happen. Let's act on Love.
And I think I'll leave it at that.
Friday, August 1, 2008
First Post
So, I used to have a blog here on http://www.blogger.com/, WAY back in the day. I didn't exactly take to it. There's a contest now at my university for "The Best Blog". So, I figured, what the heck. I'll give it a try again.
This first post is gonna have to be short, as my laptop only has 30 minutes of battery time left. GAH! It's a race against the clock!!
The title of this blog is "Notes From The Brown Lounge". The Brown Lounge is one of the places at Nipissing where students can hang out, eat, talk, study, whatever they need to do. It's the first lounge I ever sat in at Nip. It's also the one I frequent the most. A lot of good times have been had here, and a few not so good times. I'll share those eventually, I hope. I also hope a few more good times will show up too, and for dramatic purposes, even a couple of bad times.
I actually wanted to call this blog "Notes From The Brown Lounge; and Other Resting Places", because I probably won't be here for every post. But for the first one, I have GOT to be here. It's only fitting...
A lot has changed in this lounge. The most recent thing I've noticed is the staff photocopier. Hahaha!! It'll make this place a lot more busy that's for sure.
But some things don't change. You... See neat things here. Why, just today, a lady was walking up the cold stairs (people who go here hopefully will recognize which ones I'm talking about), singing. She was very good at it, but kinda seemed embarrassed as she came into the lounge and saw I was here. Hahaha!! I just smiled and tried to encourage her. After all, it's not the first time I've heard someone singing in that stairwell.
So, uh, I wrote all that above at about 9:35 AM. It turns out I had less of a time window than I expected. Hahaha!! A few hours, a lunch of baby carrots (I know, a guy who lives at home with a mom who likes to cook should eat better than that, but, that's how it goes) and a meeting with my labmates later, and I'm back. Same couch. Same lounge. Let's get this sucka posted eh? Ehh!! (does The Fonz pose) Too soon Nick... Too soon... :)
This first post is gonna have to be short, as my laptop only has 30 minutes of battery time left. GAH! It's a race against the clock!!
The title of this blog is "Notes From The Brown Lounge". The Brown Lounge is one of the places at Nipissing where students can hang out, eat, talk, study, whatever they need to do. It's the first lounge I ever sat in at Nip. It's also the one I frequent the most. A lot of good times have been had here, and a few not so good times. I'll share those eventually, I hope. I also hope a few more good times will show up too, and for dramatic purposes, even a couple of bad times.
I actually wanted to call this blog "Notes From The Brown Lounge; and Other Resting Places", because I probably won't be here for every post. But for the first one, I have GOT to be here. It's only fitting...
A lot has changed in this lounge. The most recent thing I've noticed is the staff photocopier. Hahaha!! It'll make this place a lot more busy that's for sure.
But some things don't change. You... See neat things here. Why, just today, a lady was walking up the cold stairs (people who go here hopefully will recognize which ones I'm talking about), singing. She was very good at it, but kinda seemed embarrassed as she came into the lounge and saw I was here. Hahaha!! I just smiled and tried to encourage her. After all, it's not the first time I've heard someone singing in that stairwell.
So, uh, I wrote all that above at about 9:35 AM. It turns out I had less of a time window than I expected. Hahaha!! A few hours, a lunch of baby carrots (I know, a guy who lives at home with a mom who likes to cook should eat better than that, but, that's how it goes) and a meeting with my labmates later, and I'm back. Same couch. Same lounge. Let's get this sucka posted eh? Ehh!! (does The Fonz pose) Too soon Nick... Too soon... :)
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