Randomity
1) The White Stripes are releasing a new album this summer. Squee!! Chances of my field trip intersecting with their tour path this summer are very good. I will make sure of it.

2) DNA in French is ADN. However, PCR-RFLP in French is PCR-RFLP. I find the rules for universal vs. translated acronyms to be arbitrary and capricious.

"What's the French for fiddle-de-dee?"
"Fiddle-de-dee's not English," Alice replied gravely.
"Who ever said it was?" said the Red Queen.

3) Getting some work done on the house starting tomorrow. The defective shower started dripping onto the ceiling below over the weekend and that was the back-breaking camelstraw. You know we haven't have a functioning tub faucet in at least a year? Of course you don't know that. It's just another example of the little things people just learn to live with. If I were buying this house and I found out the faucet didn't work, I'd say "Oh, no, you are fixing this before we sign anything!" (In fact, almost that exact thing did happen, w/r/t the old shower handle that sprayed water in amusing directions.) But when it stopped working, we looked at the amount of tile-smashing and plumbing that would be required and it didn't seem like such a hardship after all. The bathroom is generally possessed and we just have to accept that.

4) Robins in the back yard; ring-necked doves down the street (and positive confirmation of the sound they make; very distinctive!); tulip leaves appearing. Snowdrops next door flowered about a week ago, which I think is about a month late. It's been very cold the last couple of months.
- posted by Diane @ 3:32 PM