Bleaching like a coral under stress

Yes. That's what Z said when I complained to her about my pale skin which shows up my spots.

Not a recurring monday feature, but I'm bored with a pressing deadline so music is the perfect antidote.

Just some new music I've heard through the popvine. Seeing that I'm chained to the mac with no hope of pleading time off unless for purposes such as feeding, sleeping, toilet and teaching.

These are tracks that have been taking me through the day.

Decemberists' The Crane Wife. I love the entire album, meaningful lyrics, rich tunes. Sample Sons and Daughters here.
Cold war kids - Hang me up to dry
The Shins - Phantom limb
The Good, the Bad & the Queen - 80s Life
On a GBQ related note, the DFA remix of Dare is super. Not new and shiny, but still good.

Next up, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Off to the swamps now.

I bought a lovely new pair of jeans last week. The inseam was too long and I had to take it to the seamstress to get it shortened. You know how you've got to put them jeans on and maybe slip into a pair of shoe for the seamstress to check where to tack them in?

Well. I walked in, changed into my jeans and climbed onto the nearest pair of shoes with the highest heel. Except that I don't own any shoes of that ridiculous heel measurement (DUH). Now my altered jeans are about an inch and a half longer than i'd like. I would take them in again, but it costs a fortune to alter (one of those fancy 'tricky hems' where the original worn-in hem is reattached back to the cut leg with microsurgery precision). Aaargh.

Why I do things like that, I have no answer. What was I thinking at that time?!?? I'll have a growth spurt which will see me shoot up a couple of inches more? Was I thinking at all? I can't remember.

The inexplicable actions of the being that is tgwttihs.

P.S. In light of my current financial situation, I guess this is an extravagant purchase. Well.. what can I say now. Time to turn on scrooge mode and see if I can turn things around. Fresh air and sunshine, anyone?

Small pleasures

So I was at Pasir Ris park yesterday, trying very hard to reign in 16 teenage boys. It's hard enough with undergraduates, and a thousand times worse when we're talking about testosterone charged (and smelly) boys and having to make sure they don't get carried away when girls from another school walk pass. Some shouted rude comments, others waved cheekily and tried to get their attention. Right in front of me too! They are nice boys; I wish they weren't so easily distracted, but I guess that's growing pains for you, along with the dim awareness that some girls are nice and not necessarily stupid/gross/whiny, and the hilarity of finding contraceptive wrappers while picking up rubbish. Is it a 'boy' thing or a 'teenage' thing? I don't remember all those 'nudge nudge, wink wink' malarkey going on when I was in school.

Three hours of shouting later, I declined Z's suggestion to visit the newly opened Ikea and opted for a coffee at the kiosk instead. The friendly uncle recognised me, and put out a table and some plastic chairs, in front of the gents. Location aside, it was a great way to unwind. TV blasting the evening news, people watching, chatting with the uncle, just relaxing and taking in the serenity of the park as the day gave way to night. These days, moments such as these are few and far in between.

trampin'

trampin'
Originally uploaded by budak.

Just saw Art off. Seeing this picture makes me wish I were off somewhere on a field trip, what with carrying that bazooka around.

Pakistan! Take me there!

The French/Kyrgyzstan Invasion

The French/Kyrgizstan Invasion
Originally uploaded by island_girl.

So barely a month after R and I invaded Paris, its their turn to do in kind!

All I can say is this; only biologists can sit amongst preserved stinking crabs and dissected fish and still drink their afternoon tea with nary a second thought. Good to see you back in this part of the world again, Arthur. :D