Awaiting News on ZsaZsa

My car, affectionately known as ZsaZsa was in an accident on sunday. Everyone human was ok....but we are waiting to see if ZsaZsa goes to the great scrape yard in the sky or if she will just be in the hospital for awhile....Hopefully I'll know more before I go on vacation.

Ahhhh Holiday Break

After my first semester being a professor, the winter break has so far already been a fabulous reprieve from the pressures of the semester. No emails from students, no trying to explain basic mathematical functions to people to whom algebra is a foreign language, fewer random emails from the chair, and by luck of getting out of the country for a couple of weeks, no faculty retreats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What do we have to look forward to this holiday....Sir GB will be down south with me and Tiger for Christmas. We having christmas dinner with DD and her family, they so graciously invited us. Then relaxing for another week or so, and then off to Belize for awhile before the next semester starts again....

The only two things I'll miss while away...Tiger Cat and working out with my trainer, Nancy. Yup, in the past 3 months I have lost over 15lbs, and I am considerably smaller b/c I have built a lot of muscle. Yup, I am a gym rat, but that is cool, soon enough I will be a super duper trim Gerbie.

Happy Holidays

Make a Smilebox greeting

Tiger cat wishes you a happy christmas!

Tiger got a holiday outfit this year, and she actually wore it long enough for a few photos.

By the way....

I need a vacation!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Sir GB, Tiger Cat and I all hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving. Hopefully no one will throw a potato at you, nor will your pet try to steal your turkey (We are really hoping Tiger doesn't try this, she does love poultry).

Update from LA

So, Tiger and I did not burn in the latest round of fires...It was actually relatively far away and we live in the midst of massive suburban sprawl, so we are generally safe from fires.

We are getting ready for thanksgiving, we, ok I have been researching how to make gravy, as this is a task that has confused me for several years. Just pointing to my level of nerdiness, there was an article in the NYT demystifying gravy, which actually made a lot of sense to me, and my practice gravy tasted pretty good. Considering that I hate gravy, it was a pretty good attempt.

Tiger and I are awaiting the arrival of Sir GB on tuesday after he finishes his scuba diving training in monterrey. No scuba for asthmatics, so he is on his own there. I would much rather snorkel or surf than scuba.

In other news, I have been working out with a trainer for almost two months. I am losing an average of a pound a week, which is really good. So in a few more months I will have lost all of my dissertation weight. This will be very exciting. i will be sure to keep you posted, but I am already down one size...YAY! So I might even get some pictures of me when Sir GB and I go to Belize after christmas!

I am ok....awaiting flight home to check on tiger

So, LA is burning again, but so far my house looks ok. I am in the San Jose Airport awaiting to return. After a 2 hour delay, we might finally be leaving, and getting home. I will then report on tiger and her status, and if she has survived the wind and heat.

But this is how I feel about southwest right now

My dissertation is being published!!!!!

That is my big news. It should be available around the new year. I'll post details then, if you would care to purchase a copy or five (I like royalties). I am currently trying to pick out a cover for said book....all very complicated. In other work related news, my other book that I am co-editing on Trust and Technology, is moving along, we have many interesting submissions. Basically, I am pretty overwhelmed with work, but trying to make sure everything gets done. No one really prepares you for what happens when you become a faculty member, all of a sudden you have to go to a lot of blankity blank meetings, you have all of these responsibilities. It is kind of lame. But Tiger and I are doing fine, and looking forward to winter break.

What a talented dog....

This is just really impressive. Who knew dogs could blow bubbles.....

Silly, silly Santa Ana winds

I got my first real jolt of them and brush fires today. It wasn't bad at all here in North Hollywood, but down at Northridge, it was like you were constantly surrounded by campfires. While some of you might like that, for me....not so good. In the morning, there was only one fire, but by the afternoon there were two and the University canceled classes. So I got to go early :)


Hopefully the winds will die down and they can get the fires under control.

Updates!

Sorry, it has been hectic around here. Being a faculty member is so much more work than being a graduate student.. I actually think a big difference is the mental energy that goes into not beating the crap out of your fellow faculty members. Most departments are made up of people who generally enjoy a solitary work experience, but then they are forced to work as a group during faculty meetings. God I hate faculty meetings.

But it other news, I've been having some exciting adventures. A couple of weeks ago I went to the Bay area to celebrate Sir GB's proposal defense. In addition, we rode bikes through SF and across the golden gate bridge, which was really cool. I took some pictures, but haven't gotten around to uploading them...I know shocking. Then we went to the grand re-opening of the academy of sciences.

This weekend Sir GB came to LA. We went to the Getty Museum, which is definitely worth a trip, went to a jazz show (Ernie Watts, they were great) and then today went to the Huntington, which is amazing. Ok, only if you like plants (I do), seeing a Gutenberg bible, and Gainsborough's Blue Boy...It was a place that appealed to my pedantic nature.

What else is going on....I am headed back to the Bay at the end of the month for a grant meeting and to see Tahu, Tezza and new baby ReiRei.

Sir GB and I are going to Belize in January....we have a pretty ridiculous trip planned. It includes a three day sailing/snorkeling/fishing adventure that goes out to some of the deserted cayes. It is going to be so cool....

Ok..I will try to be better about posting....

greetings from LALA Land

There has been a lot going on lately....
I've been swamped with teaching, I gave my first exam last week, all but 2 people passed. Not too bad, compared to what happens in other people's classes.

I've been to two dodgers games, I have pictures, but haven't gotten around to uploading them yet. They were great games, Manny hit home runs, Nomar played, I had a fabulous time, even though I went by myself....

Tiger has been adjusting fairly well to being an inside kitty, she has many admirers in the complex, and they are all fascinated with her new manicure. She was scratching up furniture, so her new vet recommended soft paws. She is currently wearing them in purple and white, and will move to hot pink once these grow off.

But the big news is Sir GB is defending on Friday...so keep him in your thoughts and send him good vibes! I am heading up to the Bay area to help celebrate!

I miss Manny

So, I decided I would go see him, all by myself. I've never been to a baseball game by myself, so I decided it was time to try. So I bought myself a ticket to this saturday's game against the d-backs. I plan on eating some bad food, and cheering loudly for manny.

New Addition to the Clan

So there is a new official member of the family. NO, Sir GB isn't joining the Clan, but, Momma Gerbil decided it was time for a new baby. Here he is....Huckleberry Gerbil.

Tiger and the Leash

Since Tiger is now an inside cat, she misses the outside, so we decided we would get her a harness and a leash....this lead to many disasters, especially escaping kitties. We thought if we got her a longer leash she might be happier. So today we experimented, we got her one of those ones for dogs that can extend 16 feet. She was much happier on that, until she decided she wanted to go upstairs and explore, well...she ran into our friendly local outdoor cat, Loud Guy (I used the Sir GB nomenclature--pick obvious characteristic of thing, and that is its name, Loud Guy meows a lot). Loud Guy attempts to be friendly, and all Tiger can do is hiss, she is so not a team player. So, Tiger had to be carried in, where she proceeded to stare at Loud Guy out of the window from her perch, she is a total weirdo....But we love her.

I'm still alive

I didn't think I was going to make it through last week. Two days of new faculty orientation, boring, then an 8 hour faculty retreat. It is not a retreat if you are shut in the faculty club, and watch people yell at each other. Not cool, there should have at least been cocktails. Note to self, manage to be out of town if there is another faculty retreat. It is definitely not a fun place to be. I had to escape a couple of times.

But at least Sir GB returned from England.

And then I started teaching, it wasn't too bad. Aside from my technology not working, which is super duper lame. But the kids seem more scared of statistics than I could have imagined.

Tiger cat is adjusting to being inside, but we took her out on her harness, she is getting used to that too. She isn't a big fan, but she'll adjust. She has also rediscovered the joy of yarn, she loves to play with yarn. It is pretty comical.

i survived day one

of orientation that is....it wasn't so bad, but I have another 11 hours of it tomorrow. ICK!

In other news, I had to cancel one sofa, it wouldn't be delivered until 11/4 and ordered a different one. The new one is supposed to arrive at the end of this week, or early next week. Much better than 4 months after we ordered it.

In terms of celebrity sightings, Sir GB and I sat next to Amanda Brynes at lunch last week.

Sir GB is in England until Saturday, and then he comes back to LA for another week or so for my birthday.

first identified celebrity

so I was at the gym and who did I see...theo huxtable! That is right, I go the same gym as a cosby kid!



In other news, I got the keys to my new office, and stopped by and put up all of my diplomas. The office needs a bit of reorganizing, but it is pretty cool, it has my name outside...very posh. I took pictures, but I have to find the cables to upload them.

The movers are supposed to be here any time soon...so clearly i have a project for today.

I am now in North Hollywood

I got in yesterday around noon (it only took me 5 hours). I've done a ton of errands, joined a gym (the place is hysterical...it is run by a large Russian gentleman named Dimitri), got all of my stuff that is here organized. I now await Harold and the boys who have my stuff, they should be here either monday or tuesday, I must say that earlier would be better for me. I've already managed to see several minor actors, you know the type of person who you totally recognize from somewhere, but for the life of you, you can't remember what this dude's name is....i'll continue investigating to attempt to figure out his name....

Ok...if anything interesting happens, I'll let you know....but my plans for the rest of the weekend aren't that interesting. I'll work on my lectures, and go to the gym...

headed to LA

it seems like I have had a long goodbye to the bay area. I've been seeing people and saying my good byes for a couple of weeks. I head to LA on friday, and begin getting settled. I start teaching on the 25th, so I'll have plenty to do in the mean time....

Oh, in case you are concerned, the earthquake wasn't a big deal.....all part of life in CA

How cats get what they want....

They are a bit devilish...but I enjoy their creativity, and drive to meet their goals.

New sofa has been ordered

Since Tiger has done some serious damage to my sofa, we decided that I should get a new one for LA. You can see it here.

We decided on leather b/c she doesn't like to scratch it, like she does fabric. So it is part of my I am a grown up new apartment. I am trying to get rid of the IKEA, and move on to more adult things. Let's see how this progresses....I'll keep you updated with new purchases!

I wonder if I could get Tiger to do this?

I am pretty impressed by this cat. I wonder if it is potty trained too! Oh the joys of procrastination.....

NEW PLACE TO LIVE

So, Sir GB and I went down to the valley this week, and we accomplished all of our tasks. We found me an apartment, and we got all of my paperwork done at CSUN, including my new id and email, etc..




We also went on the Warner Brothers tour, which is actually pretty interesting. I got to try on the original sorting hat from Harry Potter, and guess what house I am in...yup something that won't really shock anyone....Slytherin....

Ok...that is all to report....

Dumbledore!!!!!

In case you haven't seen this. Enjoy. I am not sure which one is my favorite....I think it might be naked dumbledore.

I am back!

I am back from my beach adventure, that involved surfing lessons, bike riding and a wild horse safari. Be prepared, there are many, many pictures, links to be uploaded later.

We had an excellent time, both with the Gerbil family and with our colleague at UVA. As you can see, so did littlest gerbil, mom/grammy gerbil....yup..the entire family is a little wacky...in case you didn't already know that.

I worry that this might be tiger cat's fate

So Tiger will transition to being an inside only kitty in August when I move to LA. She most likely will not be happy with it at first. But I hope she will get used to it, I am going to grow her cat grass and cat nip and all sorts of fun things. Plus there will be lots of toys. Mostly because I fear she will become an existential cat like henri. Now, I love Camus and Sartre perhaps more than most people, but I don't need a cat with ennui.

Congrats Man U!

Since Liverpool FC were not in the UEFA Champions League Final I had to cheer for my backup team, Manchester United. Who I love, not only because they are Sir GB's premiership team...but b/c my futbol boyfriend plays there....Cristiano Ronaldo.




They also have a very classy manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. If you know me and Sir GB you see why this is a funny name. But here he is with Ryan Giggs, who is a very classy guy!

YAY!!!!!!!

So I have been working on this grant with KC and CC for almost 3 years now, and finally our first publication got an Revise and Resubmit. The comments were almost all helpful and I didn't feel completely overwhelmed by them. So now, let's do the revisions, and get this puppy out there!

A

bike riding adventures

Well, I am now a fairly decent bike rider. After a nasty crash my first time out, I am doing much better. I am pretty incident free. Most problems are now caused by others not me. In other news...I am about half way through the quarter, and I can't wait to be done. Then we head to the beach for a week, where we are taking surfing lessons, and other assorted activities. Plus we get to hang out with Joss (who thinks Sir GBs name is Fergus).

Ok...that is it from casa de gerbil.

I am the proud owner of a brand new bicycle

I went ahead and bought myself a bicycle today! It is very cute and sparkly blue. I have a matching helmet, given my accident prone nature and necessary investment. We are supposed to have a fabulous weekend (in the 80s) and I hope Sir GB and I will be able to take a nice bike ride.

Gerby on Wheels

Yup...today I did it. With the help of my sidekick Mr Cobb I learned how to ride a bike. Only took me 31 years. Video will be coming shortly.

But for now a photo will have to do...

That Oregon Duck

Who is actually a Donald, it is a long and involved story, but basically one of the only nice things Disney does (they are truly an evil empire).
But back to the point....The Oregon Donald, appears to have a history of fighting, as can be seen in this footage.

In my vast experience with waterfowl, I find that they can be quite pesky and ferocious if taunted. So a word of warning if your run into the Oregon Donald, keep on his good side. It is embarassing to have your ass kicked by a duck.

When Mascots Attack

I do love it when mascots fight. I remember many moons ago when the Oregon Donald and the Utah hawklike thing got in a fantastic brawl...truly spectacular.

But here is a clip from a game last night, featuring one of my least favorite schools Oral Roberts U versus IUPUI, which you have to love because it is a palindrome. While ORU won the game (those bastards), IUPUI won the more important game (MASCOT RUMBLE).

Life with a cat

Simon Tofield creates these awesome cartoons about life with cats. I would probably not appreciate them, except for the delightful Tiger Cat.

She typifies this behavior whenever she wants to go in or out....

Gerbie goes to LA

We had a great time. I am really looking forward to moving there. I think it will be a ton of fun. I even saw my first celebrity. Steve-o from jackass. If you are wondering if he is always that way, the answer appears to be yes, based on his appearance at the burbank airport.

But here are some other celebrities I met, I think Joss approves :)

kitteh's do the darndest thing

Kittens apparently like to play chess, just like the BIL. I wonder if there were any at Dorkfest 2008

I must inquire.....

In other news, Sir GB and I are headed to LA on wednesday to check out my new campus, and check out areas to live....should be interesting.

I also got the best valentines day present ever...a GPS for my car. While I don't need it so much in Mt View, but it will be a godsend when I move to LA.

I continue my quest to get Sir GB and Tiger to move with me, but if that fails, I will get my own kitteh, and maybe it can teach me to play chess....how handy

Getting Ready for Valentines Dayy

It is coming up next week...so you better be prepared or you might have an angry sweetie.... hint, hint....

In Memoriam Syggy "The Bean" Gerbil

She passed away today after coming home from the hospital. She was a benevolent leader and always kind (unless you tried to steal her biscuits). She will be missed, but now she can eat all the biscuits and food, and play ball forever.

In case you find Tom Cruise's rants on the beauty of scientology to be frightening, you'll enjoy this....

I find him to be pretty scary. But it is much more entertaining when done with cats, and LOL technology....see what you think....

Think good thoughts

So many of you know that my mom is dog lover, and my dad is a dog tolerator. But one of their babies is sick. This is Syggy. Last fall she was diagnosed with diabetes. She was making huge improvements, losing weight, and a much happier dog. But she has had a setback and is in the hospital. She is improving a bit, but it is still touch and go...So think good thoughts for this little girl, she maybe chubby, but she is definitely a sweetie.

I know just what you were waiting for...

Pictures from our last trip....click here

Hello, is it me your looking for?

I don't know if any of you out there remember this classic Lionel Richie song...but it is ridiculous....

in the video his blind girlfriend sculpts a lionel richie head. Well this group in england decided they too would make blindfolded lionel richie heads...the results are shall we say awesome. Check out the video here.