Genetic alignment BLAST tools...I haz dem

EUREEEKA!

As of now I FINALLY have the tools I need in my lab to align some patient genetic mutations with a published sequence and screen for differences in translation...to correlate with treatment data. To complete work I've been trying to do for months but not had the proper software available to me (cause it costs money...ahem).

And NOW I don't have to book a lab resource through grovelling in another department on weekend evenings...and it works on my mac laptop too should I ever get the silly notion to do work at home.
And it's free!

Bloody f*cking brilliant.
Thank god for brilliant grad students with bioinformatics training. I found someone who knew how to do what I want to do and has helped me just because she is a nice person who wants to help quality resaerch being done. No ego. No posturing - just sincere kind assistance to a friend.

Monique, you are a goddess.

Oh yes my pretties. What we will do with this...muahahahah!

Breakfast of champions

My new favourite breakfast is a banana strawberry/peach smoothie, with some soy milk...and a dash of honey and flax. I had that this morning after running (finally trying to be good and exercise again) and I'll be damned if it wasn't the best breakfast I've had in ages.

Running makes for happy endorphins. It's been so long I'd forgotten...it's still nice out in the mornings...it'll take a while to get back to my former speed, but I like what running does for me both physically and mentally. It's good to challenge yourself. It is good to spend time in your head outdoors, listening to the Chemical brothers watching the sun come up over the river.
Yes.
Quite.

Mellow Yellow

I had a very mellow weekend...got to be a normal person in a normal house doing normal things.
I loved it. Every damn minute.

I can't say just how much my attitude towards my daily life has changed as of late. Having your entire life fall apart has a way of putting things in perspective when you are blessed with the gift of being to put it all back together again (Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. Better...stronger...faster...). I am so grateful for the little things I am gifted with in life:
-snuggling in a bed with clean sheets
-watching J sleep in the moonlight spilling in the window
-making elaborate breakfasts for 2 on a lazy sunday (apple crepes...yum)
-long walks in the woods
-grumbling as we work together to make our home better (the new lights are up in the living room! AND they all work!)
-looking up from a book and cup of coffee to see J looking at me over his book...and smiling

So yeah...there's so much yet to do, and life is not perfect. There is still a lot to come and do, but I have my life back. It is here, and I can live it. I know it sounds annoyingly cliche, but every day is a gift...and right now I feel like I'm opening it like a 5 year old on christmas morning every damn day!

*grin*

Excellent...

Your result for Reincarnation Placement Exam

SPY

54% Intrigue, 54% Civilization, 76% Humanity, 32% Urbanization

Well, you turned out to be something of a rogue. This may not be exactly the life you wanted... but it's difficult to place people who want to enjoy all the romance and intrigue of civilization, without actually having a demanding job. Besides, since you enjoy the benefits of humanity so much more than you enjoy the press of humanity itself... you shouldn't have much trouble with your role in life. As long as you aren't afraid of danger there's a place for you in society, even if it's a rather dark and wicked place. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to fulfill the role of a spy.
The good news: You're free and clever, and you can do whatever the heck you want. The bad news: everybody else is free and clever too, and they're not all on your side. With the flick of a blade, you can change the course of history. Might be fun. Might be a little messy.

Geo like

I love Natalie Dee.

I love penguins.

Nuff said...

Friday Favourites

Seeing as I'm busy up to my ears, here's a bit of the old: a friday favourite.

The Bloodthirsty Lovers self titled CD is a favourite of mine, and perfect for a rainy day busride, or when you're feeling a bit mellow. ( In fact, I'm listening to it right now).

It's from back in 2001, and they have another CD Delicate Seam out in 2004, and I've yet to get to that one. I don't know how easy it would be to track it down, but if you can, I'd recommend it. It's a bit experimental indy sort of electronically touched rock. (how's that for enough adjectives?). A bit like if Death Cab For Cutie and The Flaming Lips had a musical love child. It just clicks with my brain. I like it. Favourite tracks are Telepathic and Transgression #9.

It is a great album. A bit moody at times, but very nice. So have a listen...I think you'll like.

You can lead a Geo to a shopping cart but you can't make her cool

My friend Trent was up to visit a while back.
He is a fantastic photographer, and always has his camera with him.
In August, he had a personal quest of taking a portrait a day. So, he pulled me about in a shopping cart during a trip to the 7-11 and then shot a few of Magnus under a streetlight and back at the house as well. The ones of Magnus turned out rather swanky, and were Trents choice for the portrait of the day. He posted the others of him too...but none of me *sniff*. They didn't turn out how he'd pictured them. BUT, but after much whinging/prodding Trent posted one of the ones he took of me...I just wanted to know...me hee.

It was a bit of fun at a hard time...a nice memory. Haven't been in a shopping cart in years...figured I should have a memorial of it.
I'm still not as cool as Magnus tho...altho my chair is cool...it's in his portrait. Maybe if I sit in it for a bit the coolness will wear off...

Check out Trent's work. Here's his website...and his Flickr.

bringing the past and future together

I stumbled across this: a star wars Renaissance art contest. Take a Renaissance or classic piece of art and make it oh so much better by adding a little Star Wars to it. They even list the original piece of art it is based on so you can look them up and compare...OK so *I* can do that. What you do with the knowledge is entirely up to your geeky little selves.

Some of the entries are great. My faves are the Escher emperor self portrait and the C3PO Dali...

Check them out...I'm curious which one you like best...

Ott

I get to see
"Ott" spin this weekend.
I am so excited...his 2 albums are dubby sort of ambienty electronic. I wonder what his live set will be like.

It's so nice to have something to look forward to :)

CHachachanges

We finished moving my friend Magnus into his apartment the other day...it's quiet about the house...but right now it is good for J and I to have the space together. He didn't have too much stuff, but it was on the top floor, so we used our muscles, we did. Plus my brother gave us a couch which was a hidabed that we moved on the same day...so I'm done with heavy things for a while I think.

He found a neat old place with hardwood and water heat a block from where his new job will be, and close to buses and downtown, so it's a good thing. He starts classes too...lots going on for him. I'm glad it all seems to be coming together for him. Exciting times I think.
It's so quiet...

Here Comes The Sun

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right
----------------------------------------------------------

I am happy. It is good to be happy...I'll take things as it comes for now.
Things are beginning to be OK.
There is love.
And love is strong enough to stand on to look at everything else.
Together.

Sun sun sun, here it comes...