Done

So far this month has been what one calls busy. Not just busy, very busy, but at least some progress has been made. So far the apartment is ready for the move, we still have plenty of things we need to figure out, such as where to put stuff, how to make better use of the closet space, and what to do with a box full of binders and a box full of notebooks, folders and random office supplies. The kitchen thanks to the Argentinean is looking ship shape, with everything almost ready, and we still need to send some of the pieces that were on loan from other collections back to their museums of origin. Once that is all done, we can bring in the furniture and figure out the new layout for the dungeon.

More importantly than all these, yesterday I finished my Christmas cards, yes, finally, there are only 2 that need mailing, but other than that I am set to go. Now the one last important thing is I need some suplise for the Argentinean, I have a short list but not sure what to pick. Maybe I will just buy everything.

And also today is M day, or the move day. We have worked like crazy so there should not be many surprises. But one never knows.

Cookies !!

As you all know, the Argentine is a terrific baker. He is not just good at it, but he enjoys it, you can always go here, or here or here for some examples of his prowess. This year since I am here for the holidays, I thought that what better than cookies to give as presents to all my homo and non-homo friends. The first will eat some and try to take the rest to the office, or lock themselves in a closet and eat them when no one is watching, and the second will just sit at home and eat up the goodies we make. Not just does the cookie making help us with the Christmas ooops politically incorrect term, holiday gifts, but they give me a chance to help and watch. I love to watch people cook, I personally have a very well established but limited number of dishes I can prepare, but it is always a joy to explore and to try different things. So here is the list of the cookies I think we should try:

1. Gingerbread cookies (I wish I had enough time to order these cookie molds for them)
2. Chocolate chip
3. … {enter your favorite or more desired cookie here}

I am missing a third type of cookie to bake. I thought about meringues, but they have been vetoed apparently he grew up with them and hence has no need to recreate them. So here are your tasks dear readers, first send your suggestions as per the type of cookies to bake and second help me in my lobbying campaign and we will all have cookies soon!

PS. It is a win/win for all

Starting my good byes

This is my last week in Wilkes, and so yesterday they had a farewell dinner for me and the other guys who are leaving. It was lovely, really, maybe it was because I am leaving, but the dinner was a lot of fun, extremely relaxes and we manage to have dinner and drinks in less then 4 hours, which got my back at the hotel at 9:30. Perfect timing if you ask me. I got a card, very funny one and the following gifts:

Pencil Sharpener
4 assorted pens
3 notebooks for notes
Crayons
Markers
Thank you cards
Color clips, and a dispenser box
A 50 dollar gift certificate

The were all gag gifts except the certificate, before I left, they always gave us company regalia, and I said, no, no, no, no, I do not want or need a polo or a pad folio with a company logo. So they heard me, and they decided to give useful stuff.

I guess have nothing more to blog about; the week has been rather empty and boring, being working on this and that.

Valentines - or Sarcastic Wednesday

Valentine’s surprise

My life, a tragic-comedy of manners mostly, always delivers great surprises when things seem to not be going my way. Sunday, the same Sunday I posted about yesterday, I got home to a message from my sister that asked if I had received a package. I had no idea, I never check the mail – that is an upstairs job. I promised I would go look, but first I had to go to the gym. I came back from the gym and I find a box, and inside the box I find this:

The note was simple and lovely, instructing me that the bounty was not just for me but for the entire Klingelites … so I have to share. That was my valentine, and since I have lots of friends to send valentines too, I am posting one of my favourite poems. It is extremely cheesy I am warning you, but I have always liked it. Of course it is Kipling’s IF, and here it is:

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

--Rudyard Kipling

PS.

To the Scientist - no you do not know the cook

To the Will - Yay !!! can not wait, lets all go out Saturday