Author Neil Gaiman on the Colbert Report, because it's funny:

So we got another part for the speedvacs today. Unfortunately, this part did just what its doppelganger did: not work. They've both got defective circuit boards, which will take weeks to replace. This is not a good omen for the future performance of these units, when two out of the six components fail when they are turned on for the first time. By the installation tech from Ace, no less, who must love us very much to keep coming back and fixing our machines. *headdesk* One day we will have two working speedvacs again. We used to, really...

Posted by Jen at 4:24 PM | Permalink

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  Small Favor, Jim Butcher
file under: working

Check out this amazing video that, as Nathan Bransford put it, shows what it's like for a writer. Great music and really cool special effects, too:

World Builder from Bruce Branit on Vimeo.

I need to write more.

Posted by Jen at 12:09 PM | Permalink

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  White Knight, Jim Butcher
file under: books , writings

It is too nice outside today to be in the lab. But that is what I do, so here is where I am

But we will go out for lunch. Huzzah.

For all the other lucky St. Louisans who get to go outside, please don't forget about Artists Boutique this weekend at the Kirkwood Community Center. Lots of great artists, lots of pretty stuff. Find an Easter present, or a wedding gift. Look for yourself, look for your friends. Support arts in your community. I know times are tough economically--but every little bit helps.

In news of the very nice, my parents got a relatively new Mac--for free. As soon as they get internet I'll help them kit it out, and my parents will join the Internet Revolution! Hopefully I can help them not be scairt of that shiny piece of tech.

Cheers! Hope it's a good day for you.

Posted by Jen at 10:11 AM | Permalink

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  Free Fallin', John Mayer
  Blood Rites, Jim Butcher
file under: reallife

I try not to leave bookmarks in things. Whenever I return books to the library I turn them upside down and flip the pages in case I do forget. This site has a bunch of interesting ones from people who aren't quite so anal as me...though I think I did manage to lose a story idea in a book and that was quite sad. I'm sure I'll come up with another one, though

Back from Champaign. Had fun at Leo's bachelorette party, though I was continually wracked with anxiety because I sort of hate planning. I had more than enough activities, so we didn't finish hardly anything...you know, eating and drinking (margaritas and other things--pineapple juice, banana rum and cream make quite a nice drink!) seem to take up a lot of time. Hopefully if I'm ever a bridesmaid for someone else I won't freak out quite so much about it.

Guess I ought to write my toast for the wedding...coming up in three weeks! At least I'll be doing a little writing...sigh. I keep thinking of ideas, but haven't gotten them typed up. Last week was hell at work, long days and stressful assays, but hopefully now I'll have a little less on my shoulders and I can bang something out. Off to groceries!

Posted by Jen at 5:31 PM | Permalink

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  Jack Sparrow, PotC: DMC soundtrack
  The Fallen, Thomas E Sniegoski (just finished Slumdog Millionaire)
file under: reallife , writings