Best Florida Beaches (as per the Travel Channel)

Tonight there was a special on the Travel Channel highlighting the 10 "best" beaches in FL. Firstly, it was supposedly based off some guy's book that I can't even find on Amazon.com. Secondly, it didn't even list our local favorite, not that I am surprised. New Symrna (pictured at left) is probably nothing out of this world, but it is a quick and easy place to get to from central Florida (~ 45 min.) that does typify the classic casual slow-paced lifestyle that is beach life.

Just for anyone interested, here is the list they presented on the show with the specialty for each:

10 - Daytona Beach: activities and driving up and down the beach
9 - Sanibel Island (Gulf side): sea shell collecting
8 - Panama City: Spring Break
7 - Sandspur Beach (Bahia Honda): Nature preserve
6 - Smathers Beach (Key West): island-style
5 - Clearwater Beach: boating, even a pirate cruise
4 - Lover's Key Beach (outside Ft. Myers): seclusion/couples (Lover's Key Beach Club Resort)
3 - Palm Beach: living the high life, shopping (The Breakers Hotel)
2 - Siesta Key Beach: soft sand (Sand Sculpture Contest)
1 - South Beach (Miami): international scene (latin influence), winter fashion, non-stop nightlife

Now my question is- are you really a Floridian if you've only been to 3 or 4? I know I've been to Daytona numerous times, as it probably is the second-closest beach to where I was raised. If I went to Sanibel, I think I was in the single digits, so I'm not too sure about that one. Panama City- nope. Sandspur- nope. Key West for sure-- the Smathers Beach- not so sure. So I'm halfway through the list, and I've definitely been to one. I think I've been to Clearwater beach as the area is huge and I think includes Flaglar. Lover's Key- nope. Palm Beach- definitely not the beach. Siesta? - nope. South Beach- I think I burned myself laying out there when I was 12 for about 20 minutes. Maybe I'm more like a 2-3 then. Anyway, I apparently need to visit more, as I'm sure we all do! That's why I thought this was a good suggestion list, just in case anyone has some time to lie around and do nothing, and wasn't sure of where to do it.

"Oh Give Me a Home..."

 









... where the who? ... the what? ... Yes, where the "buffalo" roam.

Apparently some people have a problem with this song. Okay, not really the song, but they lyrics. That's the song, right? Anyway, see these guys in the picture. They're buffalo. Or are they? Technically Bison bison to the scientific world. To the average North American, however, this is a Buffalo. So where did this misnomer start? Who knows? I'm ceratainly not looking it up for the sake of this blog. Let's just say it's been around for quite some time. As this is true, someone says, "Mommy, look at the Buffalo", everyone turns around expecting to see a large beautiful brown wooly animal. No one turns around expecting to see the true Buffalo, the Water Buffalo (what an ugly creature). I mean, do we even have those over here on our continent? I kind of doubt it. So yes bison = buffalo and buffalo = bison, if you're speakin' Amerrican (which, ya well, most of us are, whether we want to admit to it or not).

Okay, so they're not really equal, but the point is there's nothing lost in the translation. We're all on the same page here. So before we go claiming all the museums and songs should have to change their nomenclature, let's think about this. Which sounds cooler? Buffalo, definitely. Besides, what would we be then, the Colorado Bison? It just sounds so technical, so unequivocal. I propose, as long as we can keep the Cleveland Indians, we can certainly keep the CU Buffalo. Go Ralphie! Which if you want to get into even larger issues. Ya, Ralphie. Not so much a "Ralphie". Not even a Ralph. What am I talking about you ask? Our bison, our buffalo, only the largest event, well, in my opinion at least, at the football games, is ... can you take this? a Girl! Clearly we have more issues going on that whether or not a bison can be called a buffalo, even if we know it's really technically not one.

This is just one example of how scientific language is different from local language. It is true the differences between scientific names and common names can be quite confusing, much more than the buffalo/bison issue. Here are two others for you to hem and haw about, the dolphin fish and the mosquito eater. The dolphin fish or sometimes even just called dolphin (which can be quite confusing if you're unfamiliar with this local terminology and you see it on a menu), is otherwise known as mahi mahi or scientifically as Coryphaena hippurus. The commonly named Mosquito Eater (Family: Tipulidae) in the US, which not only does not eat mosquitoes, but is also known as a Crane Fly or a Daddy Long Legs in the UK. A Daddy Long Legs in the US is in fact a spider (Family: Pholcidae). Interestingly enough, both of which seem to seek haven in my apartment. Other miscommunications arise when two different things have the same common name in different locations, which also occurs more often than you would think.

Broader problems come in to play when the common name for a whole class is completely erroneous, such as the starfish. Although they are actually shaped like a star, they're not even a fish, try echinoderm (yes, I have been schooled in the ways of Biology, as if you couldn't tell already). As this has caused quite a commotion, there is a movement to change the common name to "sea star", like that is easy to do. We struggle with this name issue everywhere. The largest in my specialty (chemistry) is that whole Molecular Weight thing. If you went to school anytime around when I did or before, you know what I am talking about. However, this is one of the most erroneous names out there. There are once again, some bright bold people trying to change this term to one that is more accurately descriptive of the actual definition, and it has even been corrected in some of the newer textbooks to the more accurately named new term: Molecular Mass. Now, why has it taken hundreds of years for us to change the term for the mass (yes, Mass!) of a molecule to an actual name of mass and not weight. Anyone who has studied physics knows these terms are not even close to being equivocal.

To end my name game, I have one thing to say. A name is nothing but a means to communicate with someone else. If the reciever of your name-calling is privy to the naming technique to which you are using, you have achieved communication. If not, well then, maybe you need to resort to the scientific language, but until then, I'm going to common it up as I've heard I'm not the only one who's a little rusty with the Latin. 

Most Memorable Bike Ride Home

I believe this story needs a little background. About eight years ago there was a girl entering college, and her parents decided to spring for a bike for her. As she did not know anything about bikes at the time (afterall, she was raised in an age when helmets were only worn by the dorky kids), $219 seemed extremely expensive (to her) for a bike. The good thing was that the cheapest model was a bright blue, and so she was happy with her decision to try to choose an inexpensive model (once again, the cheapest, although, it was at an actual bike shop so this was no Huffy: The Great Escape in Greenville, SC) to be nice to her parents as they were being nice to her.

Freshman and sophomore year went by and the bike saw more of the rack than anything else. And, it usually was a (gasp!) uncovered one at that. I suppose Junior year was not much better. By Senior year the bike was seeing a little more of the road and even some trails, however, it had already become quite bruised an beaten, mainly from the abrasive metal racks and the oxidative elements on an aluminum shell. Needless to say, when graduation time came around, the bike was a little less than pristine, but still in perfect running condition.

After a short vacation in sunny Florida, the bike made the long trek out to the West, on the back of the car that is. Now instead of the humid heat, the bike was forced to endure dry and dusty conditions. Yes, it was out on the rack again. However, by this time, the bike and the girl had developed a bond. The bike was going everywhere and doing everything, from commuting to work to trail riding (although, it was soon found out that mountain biking out West seemed to be a little more serious than back in the South so this didn't really take hold quite as well as the others) to triathlons. That's right, the little blue bike had become was a racer. Really, this was the best time for the bike.

About a year later, when recreational riding became a little more serious, the bike was downgraded to the commuter, but faithful none-the-less. I'm not really sure what the average bike lifespan is, but this one has seen some good years. As it is coming upon it's 8th year, things have started to go wrong, and quite quickly I might add. Some say it is awaiting its days of rest as it has surely seen at least one or two thousand miles beneath it's tread, and has even changed and upgraded (okay, so it really hasn't been upgraded much, if it had it just might not be falling apart at present).

Now that I mention the present, let's venture back to it. A couple of weeks ago (I promise not to divert too much), the right twist shifter broke, but only superficially (the plastic exterior). This would be after the issues of the uneven brakes, rotting grips that flake off in your hand, and the possible loose or broken front hub. As this seemed to be a minor issue, I balked at buying a new mountain bike during the past couple of weeks, despite countless hours of research. One issue being, a new mountain bike would not be best for commuting, yet I wasn't ready to leave the old guy by the waste side. As a common result, my decision was to make no decision. I even toyed with the idea of fixing up the old bike. In this fashion, I bought it some urban pedals (one side for clipless pedaling and the other for my most-used sandal style approach). Only one ride in to work was needed to convince me that this was the route to go. All of a sudden my slow hot ride in had become much more enjoyable. That is, until today.

I decided at about six that I would venture home. Mainly, as it was looking like it was going to storm, but I also wanted a change of venue. As I grabbed the bike from the lab, where it had been hiding out ever since the last-minute Costco trip, I headed home in the oddly humid air. Just when it started to sprinkle, I started to pick up the pace a little, as no one likes to be caught in the rain (especially while on a commuter where the owner has routinely forgotten to purchase a rear fender and when wearing fashionable leather sandals; I told you about the sandals before). Just as I was about to go under a second underpass, the unthinkable happened. I hammered down (okay, so I didn't hammer down, but it was a good thing) on the left pedal as I was veering right around a corner. This was when it happened. The pedal shot across the path, followed soon by my aforementioned left sandal. It was quite a funny sight to behold, but probably not as funny as me attempting to "bike" home with one pedal and a crank arm, that I have to admit is a little hard to grip while trying to not lose your sandal, that has definitely now gotten wet. Okay, I was glad there were no first-hand witnesses, which is maybe what has allowed me to re-create the scene.

Just like that, my last-minute "upgrade" just might be the straw on my so-called steed's (technically, that would be camel's) back. It appears the nice, new fancy pedal has stripped the inner rings of the crank arm. Yes, yes, I will check it all out again (when it is NOT raining). Alright, so I did manage to venture back outside for the picture, yes, I know. Sadly, the bike has been left out on the rack again, instead of being brought inside the comfy (to a bike, why not?) apartment for a little seat upgrade.

Am I forced now to come to terms with the end of our times together? Has all of the bike searching become a vision into the future? Should I mtn. bike it or replace the nice little commuter? Feel free to comment if you have a bike you love!

World Cup Finals

Do you like soccer? Well, even if you don't, I can bet you would have had fun at the gathering at my place. I will start in the top left-hand corner. We have honeydew, olives, prosciutto-wrapped honeydew, genoa salami rolls, three types of crackers, bread, and the cheeses: irish aged cheddar, herb-encrusted brie, aged gouda, and a very nice blue cheese wrapped in sage leaves. We also had italian sparkling wine, champagne, chianti, cabernet, and sauvignon blanc. Okay, there were a lot of people! Sorry to Landis, we didn't have this much of a celebration for the final stage of the tour. We did have mimosas and some cheese and crackers- but 6 am is a little early for anything too exciting. Check out Pete's blog for our tasty dinner at the baseball game from last night. See, we're versatile.

Canoeing the Green River

I realize I've been a bad blogger, but hey, that's what I do! The question is- is it hotter than hot wherever you are? It is here, and well, everywhere else I've visted recently. As I am late, this picture is from a few weeks ago, when we for some reason decided to go to southwestern Utah in July. I don't know what that was about, but at least we were on the river. I believe it was about 105 there, which sounds like nothing now that we've gotten that hot in Boulder even. Well, it was very pretty, and we did have fun eventhough we did have more of a paddling adventure than a relaxing float. And Winnie only jumped out twice (plus a fall ;) ). For more pictures see Pete's and Nicole's pictures.

Ahh, the magnificence of the perfect corn dog

As I promised, here is a tantalizing corn dog picture. Okay, so maybe the picture doesn't do it justice, but it was quite good. I was actually worried with all the hype I had given, online and to myself, but the corn dog delivered. Now all I need is a schedule of events when the wagon will be cookin'! Maybe, ... they'll be at SOBO fest this weekend?! :) I did limit myself to only one. Yes, I thought about a second, no! not right then, but maybe going back on Sunday, but I will have you know I controlled myself. And it's a good thing too with all the cooking I've been doing, and plans for Il Pastaio tonight. Now we only have to have our own corn dog- cookin' party. Don't worry, we're planning! 

Corn dog-like Anticipation

What's that girls? You say you want corn dogs? This weekend is the Bolder Boulder, but more importantly the Boulder Creek Festival. Some people like the music, some the dance, others the art, but me? You ask, "What am I most excited about?" "Why- it'd be the corn dogs", I'd reply. And yes, I really am serious. So much so that I looked for a nice little anticipatory picture on the web, and I'd have to say, I couldn't find any that'd do them justice. So just you wait, I'm going to have the best corn dog picture after this weekend. And, well, if that doesn't excite you, I guess you can check out the other events. We're also looking for other fun and exciting things to do on this (possibly) long weekend. Although, I've never seen the ducks dumped into the Creek, I'm not so sure that is it. There is the Bicycle Village Boulder Bike Expo... but that might not be a good idea. I'm thinkin, maybe a little ride, a little hike, with a side of bar-be-que and some batting cages. Even an addition of a movie and a nice dinner could work well. ;) 

Salumi in Seattle

Go visit Salumi (Italian for Cured Meats) if you're ever in the Seattle area. It's seriously to die for. Two can split the meat/cheese platter with olives and bread and scarcely be able to finish all the meat on the plate. Check out their website if you're interested: http://www.salumicuredmeats.com/. And it you don't believe me, although, I can't imagine how you couldn't with such a tanatlizing picture, would you believe the New York Times? As their ham just made an appearance this month (you can view it from their webpage). This salvating plate I have shown has three cheeses (mozarella, some type of blue, possibly a rochefort, and a harder white cheese similar to an asiago). You also get 5 or 6 types of salami (must be the american in me). There's a pepper, a standard, a pepperoni, possibly a rosemary, a mole, and a lamb. What a shame those olives had to taint the plate ;), oh well. Hmm, as I maybe should get some work done I should probably stop fanatasizing about salami platters for $13 with orange and lemon-flavored (the lemon is better) canned San Pellegrino's. And why does Boulder not have a place like this? ... and on the hill so I could walk there for lunch. I think the closest we've got are Greek Gyros with the traditional rotating lamb meat. Maybe I'll just have to have that for lunch. :)

Sorry my feet aren't particulary appetizing

Starting the morning with a blog sounds like a good idea to me. So- on the first camping expedition we went this weekend (6 total: Pete, Me, Sean, Katie, Kyle, and Lorainna). I've always known I've loved my Keens, well, that is for the past, oh say, two months that I've had them. Not on purpose, I got to test them out in the Lost Creek Wilderness this weekend. My trusty Lowa's apparently deciding they'd much rather stay in my apartment for the weekend, stupid shoes. I also should report that my GoLite Feather sleeping bag was "friggen sweet", not to steal a quote from the Family Guy. I can report that the Keens were quite peachy, however, I wasnt on rocky terrain, as you can see. Well, the doggies (3 of them!) liked the trip, and I think so did the rest of us. Now I have to find time to somehow clean my sandals so they might appear bluish again. Look forward to a report this weekend of me eating a fantastic fresh-dipped corn dog at the Boulder Creek Festival this weekend!!!

Huevos Rancheros a la Aiken

Although I am not usually a fan of Huevos, when you get requests you give it a go. Ok ok - so Peter made the red chili sauce, but I did all the rest, even the eggs - and to my surprise- it actually tasted quite good. I'm not sure which is better though- the picture or the taste. A decent amount of credit should definitely go to the tomatillo salsa, which is from a Santa Fe cookbook- mm mmm. I just might post the recipe the next time I get access to it. That and the red chili sauce, as well- otherwise it's just a fried egg with some black beans, chedder and monterey jack cheeses, on a warm flour tortillla. That's right damn it- flour!  

But I love cheese!

Alright, so I admit, it's another late afternoon, early evening where I really just feel I've turned into a zombie in my seat. However, I'm not attributing this to a classical "case of the Tuesday's", if I may use the line so liberally. I keep thinking about this whole dairy thing. I had this same problem last year. I get kind-of sick to sick for weeks on end to no avail, just a riding tide of ok to worse times. Last year, they recommeded me try the whole non-dairy thing. As I did it the same time as taking allergy medication, I couldn't see it having any effect. Did I mention I hate to take the allergy medication? Well, I do. I'm not so sure it was accurately prescribed. I felt they were like- this will help- and it did, but I still see it as cheating.

At the time I had something plus my allergies, so I think treating the allergies allowed my body to fight off whatever infection it was it decided to let in that time. So ya, I could probably just take those pills again, as fun as that was, their being so killer strong I think they could knock out a horse.

My point, you ask. Well, I don't really want to try the whole non-dairy thing again, but I can't think of anything else to try. As I've been what I would deem sick for probably about 6 weeks now, and not an allergy case. I guess that's why I don't think omitting dairy would work. I suppose I could try the whole doctor thing again, but really that just gets old.

Hmm...
Do I really have to go back to trying to figure out why my code is having issues? How about a new issue- maybe like- oh say, actually looking at some data? Oh well.

Happy Tuesday to All! :) 

Afternoon Slump

I ask you, "Now, where is the beer boat when you need it?".

This week is an exciting week of paperwork, although a different kind from last week, this stuff actually involves intellectual thought.

Let's see, I only have two proposals, two abstracts, one paper, and a presentation to write. Yesterday, I totally over-caffinated myself so I hesitate to have that afternoon coffee. But man do I wish I could just take a little nappy. Or well, call that keg boat. Alas, the picture is from Venice so I don't have much hope for and afternoon delivery, but I can dream right? Here's to actually trying to accomplish something, although, I think I might have to go put the mini Bodum to work. 

Oh great, freakin' leg warmers!

On the way in to school the other day I noticed the strangest thing. Now, mind you, I know of this supposed return of 80's fashion and (gasp!) music. Being a child of this decade, I have no major gripes against it, but I do feel some things just need to be left in the past. And leg warmers are definitely one of those things. No doubt about it.

I know my picture is bad, but it was taken in motion out of a window. I'm surprised I even got a shot off quick enough. So where the photo loses efficiency, I will fill you in. This appeared to be a couple most likely in their mid-30's jogging down the college walk/bike path on Friday morning about 10 am. Both partners appeared to be wearing striped hand-stitched leg warmers that almost reached their knees. Now, I understand dorky gaiters for high snow, but as you can see, the path was clear, and well, I'm pretty sure that little cotton or wool leg warmers aren't going to help keep the wet snow out. They really just are quite funny in all respects, even without noticing the man's had a nice baby pink throughout.

As there are websites dedicated to mullet and one-piece ski suits, I really hope there won't be enough leg-warmer sightings to incite one of their own. However, if there are, I feel obligated to help right here on my own little blog.

So please America, I ask you to Just Say NO! to Leg-Warmers.

Cake Connoisseur

Unfortunately, this is my second time trying to publish this blog. I appologize for any brevity as we all know how much fun it is to try to type the same thing twice, no less remember what it was you typed the first time!

I know this is the much awaited cake debate, or better titled- Ice Cream Cake Debate. First, I would like to thank my sponsors that answer to the names of Mom and Dad for supporting and allowing this effort.

This is a picture of a Cold Stone Creamery cake. It is to be compared with the old traditional Haagen-Daz Ice cream cake. Now, the first difference you will notice is the addition of actual cake between the layers of ice cream. Haagen-Daz, the ice cream purists would probably not support this. Although, I enjoy the lighter feeling of the slices in my stomach due to the cake layers, the actual cake mix does not seem to be too moist, which maybe could be blamed on the temperature of the cake when it is served, but I kind of doubt it. The other differences are the lack of cookies in place of sprinkles, which I am a fan of as I can't ever seem to eat the Haagen-Daz cookies no matter how good they are, and the difference of the chocolate exteriors. Haagen-Daz has a hard shell, where as the Cold Stone's is creamier. I'd say the main downfall of the pictured cake from Cold Stone would be the ice cream. Haagen-Daz just trumps Cold Stone in this respect. However, I do greatly enjoy the cake layers for breaking up all that dairy.

In the end, all cakes is good, especially if it's of ice cream! So I say, "eat on", and just let those resolutions of health wait another month. ;)

2xChristmas

I know what you're thinking. Why am I looking at a Christmas Dinner Plate? Well, that's because Friday was the IthacaHouse Christmas dinner and gift exchange. I suppose this disproves the starving grad student image, but can we help it if we can cook? From bottom center in clockwise fashion: candied-pecan yams (me), wild rice (Pete), zested whole cranberries (me), vegan spinach with tofu and phyllo dough with some special name I forget (Sara), roll (Sean), ham (Sean and the King), green bean cassarole (Sean?). Sorry there's no dessert picture, but we had chocolate souffle by Nicole and cherry pie by Katie. All in all, it was a sumptuous meal.

Then we had a little White Elephant Exchange, but we won't let those stories escape the inner circle. Let's just say we had PlayStations to Lyonel Ritchie records. 

Casa Grueso

In honor of Sean's birthday, South Park, and Oklahoma roots- we all went to "Casa Bonita" in Denver, really Lakewood. I would put the link here, but I think they might hate me. Anyway- it just might have been the grossest (if that's a word) food I've ever had. Some describe it as the cheese whiz dinner; I'm not really sure how to describe it.

Imagine Disney, but faker, much smaller, and quite a bit lamer. For $10.39 I believe you get an "all you can eat" dinner, and let me tell you- one plate is more than you'll want to eat. Pete was happy with his fajita plate after looking at ours and describing his as chewy meat with three tortillas in a ziplock bag. So get this- they dont even bring you your sumptuous dinner- you pick it up cafeteria style. I suppose I was just sad that my (almost) flawless plan failed. I thought- well, if I have 2 margaritas- that always makes the food taste good, or well, better. One margarita had less than a pinch of tequila, and I didn't even get it until I was halfway through my meal. Foiled.

Anyway, I suppose it was an interesting experience, and maybe we should have a lame-themed birthday party year. If so- I'm calling roller skating, although I think bowling might be better... hmm. At least we played some hot-pink ski-ball and Sean got a spectacular cheetah lunch box. It was a good thing we could wash it all away with a $2 So-Sun beer to end the night.

Another Hotel Room, Another City

I've been told recently that I'm a bad blogger. In trying to remedy this, I am attempting a post post. You think I'm insane? Really I'm just adding a blog from the Fall AGU (that'd be American Geophysical Union) in San Francisco. And it's really not that late- we were there just last week. Pete's page has more information on this. This is our swank room on the 25th floor of the Argent hotel.

While we were there we spent some serious dough on the vast array of multicultural food selections in San Francisco. I have to say, we didn't make it to Teuscher, but that's okay as we still had two dark chocolate champagne truffles waiting for us upon our return to Boulder.

Let's start with the sushi. The quality of fish was spectacular at Nikko Nikko Sushi, however, I can't seem to find a link. I guess I should check my credit card bill. We also went to Mas Saki. This place was definitely more posh, totally a 20-something hang out. I would think it perfect for a classy night pre-clubbing. Totally swank. However, the rolls that they're known for- ehh- rolls. I like rolls, don't get me wrong, but big rolls, just make me feel like a puffer fish. I think I prefer ones that at least resemble the idea of bite-sized. And I do prefer nigiri when the quality is there, which I thought it was a little lacking for the Bay area. But, like I said, I'd go back. The atmosphere was awesome. Another cool thing is, say you forget or don't get a chance to eat before going to the SF airport. Well guess what? If you're flying United, at least for us, we had a sushi restaurant right at our gate (gate seventy-something). For airport food- it was great and not even that expensive. Ok so I only got the unagi bowl, but I was pleased as I thought all we'd be able to get would be a cold pre-prepared sandwich.

Hmm, what else. I suppose one other restaurant stands out: Mangarosa (although, I have to admit they're website leaves a bit to be desired. Why is it so small?). This brazilian-style restaurant somehow found it's place into the Italian sector, which was actually what we were going to eat, and is the only thinkable genre we seemed to miss during our 5-day trip. Although, I suppose we didn't eat American, but I don't consider that a significant loss. Anyway, mangarosa was quite pricey, but I had the "funnest" (yes, I'm going to use that here) dinner ever. It was called pumpkin and prawn risotto, but really that still gives you no idea of what you get. It was a baking pumpkin filled with a stew and a side of basmati rice. The stew was spicey and had 9, yes 9, large shrimp. My favorite was scraping the sides of the pumpkin. Pete also got it. Their calamari appetizer was also extremely tasty, the squid being so fresh.

As far as AGU, I'll put up a post later. ;)

Black Bag Experiments at PSI

Today is my first work-related posting. The whole reason I'm even here is for taking part in some chamber studies at PSI (the Paul Scherrer Institut) located north of Zurich, more precisely between and north of Baden and Brugg. I'm here sampling with the High Resolution Time-of-Flight Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer, and if that's not a mouth full then I don't know what is. This is a picture of Megan and Rami just under the black bag from which we did a dark experiment (no lights = no photoinduced reactions) today. Most people were at ToFWerk today, the makers of our power supply so it was a relatively quiet and uncrowded day, proving to be very nice indeed.

Sadly, our efforts were not rewarded in that our sampling did not replicate the experiment we attempted to repeat. Just as a brief note: we were attempting to replicate a published experiment with increased instrumentation in order to gain increased insight to the chemical mechanisms of the reaction. Four compounds were to be atomized into the black bag and sampled over a period of 2 hours, whereupon polymers were to form. However, our sample solution was so concentrated and of a higher pH that it seems we did not have the same solution. Of course this was realized after the completion of one experiment with no change of the particles in the bag over 2 hours.

One hypothesis was that we had a polymer solution before we even started. VTDMA (Volatility Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer, which to make it simple determines the percentage of the particles remaining after heating, a.k.a. the non-volatile fraction) readings were of much higher percentages than expected. Upon further investigation this was proved to be true for the original solution and later low concentration versions. Therefore, further replications of the experiment were aborted. However, this was all determined at about 7:30 pm.

Although our efforts were unfruitful, I think the crew left behind enjoyed all efforts throughout the day. For me, it was the first time I was the sole operator of the HR-ToF AMS during a field campaign, and not only was it empowering, exciting and exhilarating, it definitely gave me confidence in my ability to run the instrument and with high precision. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to show my talents and sample in all 3 modes (W, V, and negative ions), but that doesn't matter. I'm just glad to have finally been in this situation. I don't think it will help get me more credibility as an educated user, but it was great to finally be in on the action. Usually there are too many people around to be involved in everything and know why each decision is being made, along with the fine details of how the actual experiments are being executed. I think everyone deserves an individual chance such as this in order to actually understand what we're trying to do and participate in the decisions and data collection, especially if they are involved in any way with the future data analysis of the work. 

Candy candy candy!

Ok yes, we've all known about Teuscher, which BTW never responded to my request for a tour, for a long time. Anyway, the crazy thing is that their best seller, the champagne truffle made with the Dom, isn't quite so unique afterall. That is, of course, if you're in Switzerland.

We went to Lucerne (French) or Luzern (German) yesterday. The town is known for it's vast amount of tourists, and even during the off-season, such as now, there were still obvious outsiders with their cameras out, ourselves, of course, included. Despite my upset stomach at the time, I still managed to buy a good bit of chocolate.

Finally addressing the picture, there seemed to be a Chocolatery on virtually every corner, with no complaints from me, but definitely a bit shocking, especially when you hear they all make their own chocolates from scratch! I wondered where they even did that, as most seemed quite small and mainly centered around showing off their artful craftsmanship. I would like to point out that most of the chocolatiers did seem to be women. Coincidence, I think not.

Amidst all the chocolate shops, each one seemed to have standard versions of truffles, champagne being everpresent. The other astonishing theme being the amazingly smoothe chocolate centers and rather soft exteriors, much unlike the American Godiva truffles that always seem to be harder than rocks with quite unchocolatey and ungratifying centers. Taking nothing away from Teuscher, as they still have a truffle of high quality, even by Swiss standards, but it does seem that their style is quite ordinary in this here country of chocolate and cheese. So I might have missed Halloween, but you'll get no complaints from me this year! 

Night in Baden

Today we took the last (legal) train from PSI at 8:09. Ed, Pete, and I stopped for Falafel downtown before heading back to the hotel to crash. We ate our sandwiches outside, so I took the opportunity to take a rather bad picture looking out over the city. The lights up on the mountain in the distance (top right) really is what it looks like, a castle. Supposedly it takes about 4 hours to hike up there so I doubt we'll get to do that, but it looks pretty, and we're fantacizing about spending Sunday in Lucerne. We just have to check to make sure things are actually open on Sunday, as it seems shops are closed on Sundays and museums on Mondays, so hopefully there should be something.

Tomorrow night we're going to Zurich again for another traditional Swiss meal. Everyone knows Fondue, but no one seems to know Raclette. It's basically a big block of cheese (something like Brie) that they heat up on a block under lights and scrape off the molten cheese that you then put over an assortment of vegetables (mainly potato from what I understand) and possibly from fruit, although I have to mention I haven't seen much of this food group here except in liquid form. Anyway, Peter and I had our taste of Raclette (without knowing it until it was on my plate) just this afternoon at the PSI cafeteria. It was pretty tasty, the only real negative (IMOP) being the fact most of the items to be doused in cheese were pickled. It was still pretty good, as who doesn't like molten cheese?, and definitely fun. We'll see how tomorrow night is, but I would bet it should be better.

Now all we have to do is try not to spend all the day hours at PSI working tomorrow. Peter and I totally want to go to Zurich and would like to do that before going to the dinner, but we'll see how that goes.