Car Bling

Ha ha. (It makes you want to vote for 'ol Hillary, doesn't it?)


Did I ever tell you about that time I saw a license plate frame that said "I would rather be shooting cops"? I was shocked! It was from Sport Chalet. How could Sport Chalet get away with that? Plus they don't even have a very big gun section. Then I realized that the screws were covering up part of the frame and some other parts had been worn away. It actually said "I would rather be shooting hoops". Oh.

Hob-nobbing

Besides being a scientist in the lab, one of my duties at work is to order HPLC columns. I deal with consignment stock and the HPLC Specialists associated therein. We order from several companies. Wednesday one of the companies we order from had a representative from Massachusetts and one from Los Angeles come to take me out to lunch. It was in appreciation for dealing with the consignment and being such a great client to them. Just me and the two men. Eating lunch on their company's credit card. That is the life. I got a free pen to boot.

They call me Triple X

Today was my work's Annual Bowling Tournament.
I was in the lab slaving away in the morning when an e-mail was sent to the girls on the first floor (scientists) from the girls on the second floor (administration). They want to challenge us to a game of Family Feud in a couple of weeks. Upstairs girls vs. downstairs girls. Survey audience would be the men in the company. Gail said she signed up with the phrase "and the survey says" after her name. I said, "Then sign me up as Jay-dub aka XXX". (I don't expect to have the same mind set as the men in the company. Example: Name something you do in bed besides eat. My answer: Eat crackers vs. Men's answer: I don't know, but I bet it is not eat crackers.) Not ten minutes went by and someone came into the lab saying, "I heard you are going to be getting nothing but strikes and turkeys today, with a nick-name like triple X. I can't wait to see you bowl!"
And that, my friends, is how rumors get started.
We left work at noon and met over at the bowling alley - Mira Mesa Bowl. We were divided into teams of 3 or 4. Prizes go to best personal game, highest team score, etc. Too bad my team didn't have a cut-throat attitude. I could have shown them a thing or two. I had highest score on my team the first game.
(I pulled a 109 that first game and it was all downhill from there. My teammate Sheen mopped the floor with me the next two games. Overall high score was 237 by Nick. Yay yay yay for him.) It was a fabulous afternoon!
I spent a lot of time studying people's bowling techniques. Some do have such poise and grace, others are awkward lummoxes. I classify as a graceful lummox.
(This is a picture of my 2008 Bowling team - Aldwin, me and Sheen)

Talent and Soap

Today I accompanied the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as they sang "For the Beauty of the Earth". It is true. Since it was General Conference (for those of you non-Mormons) Church was broadcast on TV from Salt Lake City today. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir provided the musical numbers. I sat down at my keyboard and played along as they sang. It sounded...well, um..they sounded good. I was adequate.

Friday at work I went into the girl's bathroom and when I went to wash my hands nothing came out of the soap dispenser. I went to the janitor's closet and Gail walked past. We found the soap and I went to put it in the dispenser. I opened the dispenser and saw that the soap was not empty, it just wasn't hooked up right. I fixed the thingamajig and I took the soap back to the janitor's closet. As I was coming out I said to Gail, "Mmmm. It smells like sweet tarts in here." The Lab Director (my boss) walked past, heard me, and said, "Just don't let me find you in there licking the floor." Gail and I looked at each other and bust up laughing. (I would never stoop that low. Walls maybe, but not the floor.)

One more thing - Happy Birthday Kekri!

Fools that blow

I am no April Fool, but I am a whistling fool. I can't help myself. I find myself whistling up a tune pretty much everyday and probably often to the annoyance of my coworkers.

In case you were unaware or underaware (tee hee) I want to inform you about the International Whistlers Convention (IWC). It is held annually in April in the historic town of Louisburg, North Carolina, USA, the world's whistling capital. Believe it or not, but Loiusburg is not only home to the IWC, but to a Music Festival, an International School for Whistlers, and International Whistlers Museum!
At the convention there is a Whistling Competition. The IWC website has some suggestions for first time participants:

Competition in whistling contest is like other contests where you must be well prepared with rehearsals, develop self-­confidence, and be motivated to win .

WHISTLING SCHOOL - Perhaps you may wish to register for classes in the International School for Whistlers in Louisburg preceding the contest. If you have stage fright, ask about how to overcome this common response when facing an audience.

SONG CHOICE - If you know an experienced or professional whistler, seek advise on what songs best fit your personal style.

PRACTICE - Practice, practice, practice, as in any performing art or sports activity. There is not a substitute.

Perhaps I should enter the whistling competition. If so, I need to start practicing. Song choice seems to be key. At work I stick with the classics - Christmas tunes (no matter what time of year), American Anthems, Disney's Robin Hood, and the C & H Pure Cane Sugar commercial. I think my contest entry would be the C & H Commercial jingle.
It troubles me greatly that no one seems to be familiar with C & H! It is one of the most fantastic jingles ever spun. The tune is that of "pearly shells". All you Don Ho/Hawaiian Elvis fans out there may be familiar with it. I found these lyrics online to jog your memories:

C & H
Pure Cane Sugar
From Hawaii
Sweetened by the sun
Island sugar, growing pure, so be sure, C&H,
pure cane sugar, that's the one!

For those of you out there that can't whistle, don't be jealous. You are not alone. No offense to Lauren Bacall, but it is not as easy as just putting your lips together and blowing. It takes skill. Some have it. Some don't. And don't feel bad. You can always hum.