shark tales

Monkey at Epcot

Looks like an escapee from Animal Kingdom.

splash mountain

epcot

A Disney Christmas

We're spending 6 days over Christmas at Walt Disney World, Florida staying in Andy's Room, i.e. the "Toy Story" themed area of one their kid friendly resorts. It comes complete with giant Woody and Buzz Lightyear figures.

Xmas Lights

The award for most elaborate Christmas lights goes to this house complete with animated window scenes. An honorable mention goes to the house next door with a single posterboard with an arrow directed at their neighbours.

It's Snowing

It's snowing fluffy flakes.

Chicago Weather Forcast

Its -2 degrees outside this morning and its supposed to get up to 16 degrees today - a bit like winter in Sydney only on a different scale.

Squeezing Samples

Sydney Morning Herald

A page 3 girl! Lucky for me it was a slow news day. And little else at this Neutron Scattering conference is fit for public consumption. The reporter did an excellent job of piecing together what I said. As an added bonus, the scientific details are correct too. Probably the best NTE description so far.



Scientists come up with a cure for the atomic jitters

Ben's B'day

The whole family trekked to Sydney to celebrate Ben's birthday with a cake courtesy of PoPo

Wildlife

At the Featherdale wildlife park we got up close and personal with the No.2 and No.4 most recognisable national symbols (the Statue of Liberty and Eiffel tower are No.1 and No.3).

Pete was a little reserved at first, but soon made friends.

Ben's 21 Today

He was most pleased with his lemon tart cake, partcularly since Mum made a double recipe.

Oak Park

On a rare (manufactured) day off we visited Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago and canvas for architect Frank Lloyd Wright a pioneer of the 'prarie' style. He apprenticed Walter Burley Griffin who was named after a lake in Canberra.

Experiment

My experiment is doing a Santa Claus impersonation. Either I've been awake too long or need more sleep.

Autumn Frosts

I know that Chicago gets cold in winter but this is ridiculous.

My Brother. Superhero?

Lurking beneath Ben's mild mannered pianist guise is an alter ego waiting to escape.

Pay Day

My first paycheck from my first real paid job. After years of (modest) PhD stipends my first thought was that I'd been overpaid.

Stove Top Coffee Pot

I tested out my new coffee maker courtesy of the Kepert group.

Lead Shielding

Look what I made. Its a great big circle of lead. OK. I only cut it out and punched some holes, but its going to really help my experiments.

$$ New Laptop $$

I am now the proud custodian of a new laptop (and a spacious office to put it in). I originally picked a relatively modest laptop but in a case of use-it-or-lose-it at the end of the US financial year they upgraded my machine with maximal RAM, docking stations and a large flat screen monitor. I have just installed a small fortune worth of pXRD databases.

Welcome to Argonne National Laboratory

...full of dynamic and diverse people ...from ALL FIVE continents!!!

Joey's Snaps

I let my 9 year old cousin play with my camera and look what happened.

Floriade

Canberra's annual flower show. This year's theme is Rock'n Roll - a challenging theme to communicate florally.

Cherub Swims

In a faux cave/fountain at the Pitti Palace. The palace now houses an art gallery. I might have taken photos of some of the art works, but for the "no photos" rule. Of course that sign wasn't posted until AFTER I'd paid my admission.

Photography Zen

If the colour in your photo is not good. Make it black and white - Views over Florence from the Michaelangelo Piazzale.

The Duomo

Street performer

Firenze

The David

Room

Thesis & Me

The Thesis

Late Night Printing

How many paper cuts does it take to print a thesis? Have I inhaled too much toner fumes while watching the printer spit out pages?

Karena will not be handing in...

a) Today
b) This week
c) This year
d) At all

Exploding Stills

The fire alarm went off today, preceeded by a loud explosion that rattled the windows. In keeping with a long held tradition, the explosion occured in the shiniest, most recently renovated lab in the school. Sadly, the building did not burn to the ground so I'll have to scrap that as an excuse for not submitting my thesis.

ja055197f submitted

Another day, another manuscript submitted. And it only took 5 months to prepare.

Ducks

A pair of ducks decided to go swimming in our backyard pond this morning. The water was probably more chlorinated than they were used to.

I'm an espresso. What's your sign?

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Paper on Web

A very interesting paper came out on the JACS ASAP website today. Facinating reading.

Opera House

Up close at the newly heritage listed Sydney Opera House.

Group Banquet

	Cameron treated the group to dinner tonight at Golden Century chinese restaurant. Joined by Prasad (now at Stanford), we feasted on delicacies which included pipis - often found as fishing bait on the end of my line.
I'm glad to be in a country where a 3 yr PhD is a standard. Prasad has 2 yrs down and probably 4 more to go.

Old School Friends

I met up for dinner with Michelle, Ngaire and Sally (who I haven't seen for ~4 yrs) at Bravos where we always visited for our gelato fix during school.

Upgraded - a Better Way to Fly

I love my replacement boarding pass. Black is sophosticated. With noise cancelling earphones, meals prepared to order and fully adjustable, spacious, reclinable seats, I wish the LA-Sydney flight were longer.

Chicago Blues Festival

The home of the Blues Brothers is a mecca for Jazz and Blues enthusiasts.

Storms over the APS

Its 100 degrees outside and humid. Thunder storms loom on the horizon every afternoon but that's hardly surprising during tornado season.

To be employed

Apparently having a post-doc position lined up is good motivation to finish (or start) a thesis. I'll have to see if it works.

Memorial Day

Bands marching, flags twirling and Scout troups rounded out the Downers Grove Memorial Day parade.

Shailer Pond

New Leaves

Just turn down the wind a little.... now focus please.

Fly Away

Thousands of red model aeroplanes suspended overhead at Midway suggest a more organic approach to air travel.

Deep Dish Pizza

Imagine the topping for an entire pizza, concentrated onto a single slice and that's pretty much Chicago style deep dish pizza pie. Probably not an "every day" food.

Time to Start Packing Again

I've been home in Sydney for more than a month so that probably means its time to go wandering again. I hear Chicago is pleasant at this time of year.