======= Date Modified 11 Nov 2009 19:39:10 =======
Jemima hadn't a clue what the wild-eyed stranger was talking about, and privately, she thought he looked like a drug-addled bum. Still, he wasn't santa and that was enough to get Jemima off the omnibus, and following the elves.
Shortly after setting off they entered a building, and walked within its walls for what seemed like hours; through endless corridors under ghastly strip lighting. Strange smells permeated the air, and shadowy figures lurked in doorways. Eventually, the friendly elf from before caught up with Jemima, "what is this place" she hissed. "You don't know?" replied the elf in amazement, We've been poached, this is the Valentine-Day research department!"

Congrats chrisrolinski! That's great news :)

Now use your publishing might to kick that chapters arse!

Evil. Pure, black-hearted evil.

Jemima's fatehr was a scientist and staunch disbeliever of fluff, he'd told Jemima the truth about these things.

Happy elves? They were drugged children stolen from impoverished families (check aforementioned the jaundice if you don't believe him).

Flying reindeer? Abused donkey's with jetpacks left over from Michael Jackson's stage shows. The poor beasts are so disorientated they can no longer walk on solid ground.

And as for the presents, therein lies the darkest tale of all. Every present is in fact a monitoring device, developed by the government and scammed into unsuspecting homes under the guise of Christmas charity.

Oh yes, Jemima knew all about Santa.

Oh dear, keenbean, that is a bit off!
Why on earth is she signing your name to an email she's written in the first place? I take it asking her not to sign anything you haven't viewed is a no-hoper?

I think Jojo's suggestion of stopping in on your 2nd supervisor asap is a good one, then you can sound it out and either just be nice, or deal with the issue if it comes up. I'm sure your second is well-aware of the first sups nature and will hopefully understand that the aggro didn't really come from you.

Hooray for radio 4! And while we're at it; cat ownership, gardening, and all things prematurely aged :p

My mother was an archers fan as well, although I haven't got into it yet myself, still more of an evening comedy show listener.

Thank you sneaks! In recognition of your considerate wishes (and impending appointments) I shall attempt to bestow on you that elusive fifth....

"Hey little dude" yelled Otto in greeting. Jemima, being very English and from Swindon, had never been called a "dude" before, it rather pleased her. The inside of the bus however, did not. The vehicle was in complete disarray, as dozens of small and apparently jaundiced children ran amok. Some had hair that extended seamlessly from their scalps, many had unfeasibly large eyes, and none, had more than three fingers to a hand.

Jemima was terrified, she tried to get off but the doors hissed shut and the bus swerved out into the road. As Jemima looked out the window she realised with horror where they were headed.....

======= Date Modified 11 57 2009 15:57:27 =======
Today I finished my final massive batch of genotyping (for those not in biology, this = insanely repetitive lab work)
Hooray for my super-speedy pipetting skills 8-) I promised myself I'd have this clear for my birthday, and here I am with one day to spare. Something worked out at last.

Who else has had a little bit of victory recently? A chapter revised, a paper presented? Don't be shy, share the sunshine of your otherwise cloudy PhD skies.

Sad as it may make me, I love having radio 4 in the background. Of course if something really interesting comes up it's as distracting as good music, but at least you can't sing along!

I find exercise makes a massive difference to my energy levels (and general mental wellbeing), I'm just getting back into running and it's definitely helping.

Aside from that, I do find that I just ebb and flow for no apparent reason. Sometimes I have weeks at a time when I'm just exhausted :s today is moderately sleepy, but very very hungry!

Hehe, sounds like I need to skim a few more poorly written theses!

Sounds like me; today I've written a job application (for a job I don't even think I want), discussed some machinery we're getting in, and written up the minutes of a student feedback session I ran. As for the thesis......*sigh* definitely more Teek than meister these days.

My approach this week is primarily focused on overcoming the massive fear I have of my thesis, this deer-in-headlights response will simply not do. As for how to master said fear - answers on a postcard?

Good luck tonight while your OH is distracted :) My own one works away half the week so I really have no excuse for not burning the midnight oil, yet somehow...

Yes £14k is a decent stipend, but if you were given a job offer with £18k then that's what you should get! I take it the amount wasn't specified in any emails or advertisments? It's completely unprofessional of your department to offer you money they didn't have in place, but it's certainly not the first time I've heard of this. Is there anyone higher up you could take this if your supervisor isn't getting anywhere?

How's it going sneaks? Hope you've de-zombied and are kicking thematic ass :)

======= Date Modified 10 Nov 2009 13:14:53 =======
Hehe, my favourite quote...

"Budget 5 more (days) to realize that all the prayer in the world is meaningless in the face of hundreds of years of anal-retentive bureaucracy."