My brother's a monster

I picked up a great T-shirt after Halloween, but was waiting for the ideal occasion to wear it. To be fair, I got one for Ben too. Something about sisters being witches. Jason - your's is on it's way.

More snow

In keeping with the edict that the weather shall be inhospitable whenever we have visitors interested in sightseeing (and the corollary that the weather shall be perfect whenever we have beamtime), Ben's stay in Naperville has again been punctuated by snow and, correspondingly, an extreme case of hat hair.

Body Worlds

The Body Worlds 2 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry purports to mix art with science, specfically anatomy. Plastic-infused "authentic anatomical specimens", otherwise known as corpses, are dissected and posed to reveal the architecture of the human body in all its gory detail.

The Deep Freeze

Several weeks far below freezing and the river is almost ice. Not ideal weather for Ben to explore town but it will prepare him for life in Toronto.

Weather like this makes your freezer seem warm.

Ben stops over

Ben arrived for a short 14hr stopover en route to his Toronto audition. He fit in all the important things: Chicago style pizza, laundry, borrowing clothes suitable for -20oC temperatures.

To those arriving in Chicago...

...over the next couple of days. Dress warm.

Chemical Safety

Safety is taken very seriously here and all experiments are checked carefully. An easy solution is to only use small quantities - much less than could be dangerous. Take this "nano" gas cylinder for example.

Chocolate &Toothpaste

My brother Ben is on his way to Chicago to visit his favourite sister. (While he's happens to be in the US he's going to try to fit in some piano stuff too). Of course in exchange for free accommodation he gets to courier my essential Aussie groceries -chocolate & toothpaste (a combination any dentist would be proud of).

Shopping Spree

A successful trip to the mall.

Torlon 4503

Our latest scientific contribution has been published online J. Appl. Cryst. 40, 196---198. Its always nice to get that first paper of the year on the books early. And for those without personal subscriptions to IUCr journals... its open access.

Afternoon Conference Session

GRCs are very civilised, with conference sessions in the morning and evening, and the afternoons free to relax. This afternoon's relaxation involved heading up one of the many mountains formed around the San Andreas fault. We wanted to climb these mountains before they get decimated in a really big earthquake which is apparently well overdue.

Gordon Conference, Ventura, CA

This week I'm on the west coast for a Gordon Research Conference (Hydrocarbon Resources). Looking out over the Pacific from my room, you can almost make out Australia on the horizon - almost.

Rocky Mountains High

Flying west over the Rockies. They've had 3 huge snow storms in this area over the last few weeks with snow drifts up to ~10m. Imagine coming back from holidays and trying to find the front door.

Welcome to...

The City

Apparently we weren't the only ones with the bright idea to visit NY on a cold winter's day. The close-packed pedestrian traffic on 5th Avenue was like getting on a late running, all-stops, northbound train at Wynyard station. Stroller-pushing parents applied defensive strategies, ramming into the ankles of those in front (us!) to prevent others pushing in.

Pete's Great Aunt

Christmas Loot

Chrismas gift-giving seems more rewarding when the recipients are little. Even braving the shopping crowds is enjoyable. After nearly leaving the stores with an entire toy department, we settled on a baseball mitt/ball set for Noah, craft kits for Jacqueline and playdoh & bath crayons/dyes for Gaby. I think Gaby had the most fun ripping off wrapping paper. Noah was a little confused by the mitt, but approved of the ball. Jacqueline was just taller than the Fur-Real horse that Santa left.

Reflections

Miss Jacqueline was fascinated by the ornaments.