Dad's new toys

Dad went on a shopping spree while I've been gone. Not only is he the proud owner of a shiny new car but he's got the big TV he always wanted. Just some of the perks of being semi-retired.

via SFO

We're flying home for a 2 weeks break. For the first time we're going through SFO which is a big improvement on LAX - cleaner, brighter, better food and enough art displays to keep you entertained during a 5 hr stopover.

Sharks sighted near Lake Michigan

SNAP

We're down in Oak Ridge, Tennessee at the new Spallation Neutron Source for a fun little meeting. After a few weeks brushing up on where neutrons come from, everything is making a lot more sense.

Most of the instruments are still under construction and full PPE was required in the experimental hall.

NaperDucks

The ducks have paired-off in time for spring. With any luck we'll be seeing fluffy yellow ducklings sometime soon.

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.