So I've been a little MIA and unless you can glob through the mess that is facebook's status/news crud you're not sure what I've been up to.

Brian Regan:
Saw his show this past weekend. Hi-Larious!
Dan and I wearing shirts w/ "famous" Brian Regan quotes. YouTube them- you'll be glad you did.


Bell's Palsy- I have it. It's a temporary swelling of the 7th cranial facial nerve caused by a virus causing paralysis in 1/2 the face. Eating, sleeping, blinking, swallowing, chewing have never been more annoying to do. I'm seeing my neurologist Friday to make sure there's no complications with the Myasthenia Gravis I ALREADY HAVE... grrrrr.

Teaching/TA- is fun. Students are nuts but I love 'em.

Classes are insane... I should get back to working on them...


More later.

Chapter 4
WHEN ZOMBIES ATTACK!: MATHEMATICAL
MODELLING OF AN OUTBREAK OF ZOMBIE
INFECTION

Abstract
Zombies are a popular figure in pop culture/entertainment and they are usually
portrayed as being brought about through an outbreak or epidemic. Consequently,
we model a zombie attack, using biological assumptions based on popular zombie
movies. We introduce a basic model for zombie infection, determine equilibria and
their stability, and illustrate the outcome with numerical solutions. We then refine the
model to introduce a latent period of zombification, whereby humans are infected, but
not infectious, before becoming undead. We then modify the model to include the
effects of possible quarantine or a cure. Finally, we examine the impact of regular,
impulsive reductions in the number of zombies and derive conditions under which
eradication can occur. We show that only quick, aggressive attacks can stave off the
doomsday scenario: the collapse of society as zombies overtake us all.


Philip Munz1, Ioan Hudeay, Joe Imadz, Robert J. Smith. In: Infectious Disease Modelling Research Progress Editors: J.M. Tchuenche and C. Chiyaka, pp. 133-150. ISBN 978-1-60741-347-9. c2009 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.




Want to read the actual paper? email me your email and I will email it....

paper in Environmental Science & Toxicology by N.M. Van Straalen

"Ecologists tend to ask very complicated questions; unlike physicists, they do not simplify their object of study and analyze an idealized part of reality." says a paper I'm presenting that basically is called "How ecology totally rocks!"

You always find out something new...

Like that Carrot shoved his sword INTO the stone pillar and then pulled it out... King of Ankh!

I'm teaching two of them... wow! I'm going to try to be nice about students being allowed to step out of the lab and sip their coffees. I will have to have mine all done before hand. Yikes! But it was either these labs or the ones really late in the afternoon and we all know how floppy Michelle gets in the late afternoon/evening. On one day I don't have class till 11 and on another I dont have class until 1:30 and we got nice knew office furniture in the Master's students' office. yippy!

I am sooo tired already... meeting after meeting after meeting and... what? I still have class Thursday? Oh ok. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


I'm still very ecstatic though :)

So I know I'm behind the times here with what the cool kids are watching...but anyway... I Love Dr. Horrible!!! Am I seeing things? Is that Captain Mel from "Firefly" as Captain Hammer?! HI-Larious!

Freeze Ray...

Spork in leg...

*falls over with glee*

Awesomeness!

I got the TA position!!! Woot!! Not sure what/when I'm teaching yet but that's because our department is a little held up. Please keep one of the staff members in thoughts and prayers- her cancer has unfortunately won and she is being made comfortable. She put up quite a fight from the year I knew her. And she was one of those administrative people that was the backbone of the department. You knew things got done because of her so this big delay in knowing where I'm teaching and such is understandable.

I'm so excited to start my first official Master's degree semester. Someone's going to expect me to cough up some good research and grades. Yikes! But my adviser is very cool and encouraging. I was still a little timid (yea me... what the heck?) and he said "You are a graduate student now. It's okay to be more pushy with getting what you need." Of course I will always remember the golden rule my dad taught me "Always treat janitors and secretaries the way you would treat the president of the University."

Thanks everyone for putting up with four years of me going "Ohhh I'm so useless! Poor me!"

I am soooo ready for school to start. I don't know what all this nonsense is about summer being over.
It means it will be less than 100 degrees and I can go for walks finally! I live near a sweet little park but don't like to go on walks at anytime for fear of falling over from heat exhaustion. If I have to go somewhere on campus where I park far I'll stop into various buildings along the way and stand in the AC/drink water. It'll be great when I don't have to wait 10 minutes after I am done working out in the (nice ACed) gym to go outside so I don't fall over THEN either. Whew! Only needed to suffer heat exhaustion/near stroke once to find out it's No bueno!

2) It means I'll have stuff to do again. I didn't get to do anything over the summer with my lab because I am not officially installed until Fall Semester starts. I was exploring some mathematical modeling ideas for my thesis but decided I'd rather be eaten by an orca than have to do Calculus, write about doing Calculus, and.... well yea.... So I did go to the Wastewater Treatment plant and decided that poo was more interesting than math- go figure. I can't wait for my classes!! Biostats (I finally get to learn how to use the programs!) *happy dance* And then Environmental Chemistry should turn my brain inside out *more happy dance* and *drum roll* Intro to Envrionmental Assesment... I get to learn how EA Reports get written and taken care of!! It's a seminar-type class so that should be cool.

I still don't know what I'm TAing or if I even am. I am not sure my exact direction with WWTPs and my interest in them. I am hoping this week to look at some old disserations and theses that others have done regarding the Denton WWTP.

I have started up crocheting like a crazy person again. :) This is all due to my friend Christine who taught me the granny square... yea it was all over after that. Here's some pictures of what I've done/started. I'll post more soon!

this was a baby blanket for my friends Lauren and Zelig's new kiddo coming soon!


This is my "Learning" blanket I've started... not sure who's going to get it yet. It's my first big one so it may have so many mistakes that I keep it.

So I am inspired byroman_pirate  to post this little tid-bit.

I Love Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban- It is by far, hands down the BEST of the books!!

My favorite is Oliver Wood's unhealthy attachment to Quidditch. I was a little disappointed they didn't play up this in the movies.

“’Gryffindor hasn’t won for seven years now. Okay, so we’ve had the worst luck in the world – injuries – then the tournament getting called off last year….’ Wood swallowed, as though the memory still brought a lump to his throat. ‘But we also know we’ve got the best – ruddy – team – in – the – school,’ he said, punching a fist into his other hand, the old manic glint back in his eye." -Page 143

Me: Shhh... It's ok crazy man. That's right Wood - who cares if Voldemort might gain power and cause chaos throughout the wizarding and Muggle world- what's important is that you were deprived of Quidditch!

And of course Fred and George. Although I did enjoy the way the went through Hogwarts in Harry's second year calling out that the Heir of Slytherin was coming through (meaning Harry), I love the way the tease Wood ...

‘We’ve got three superb Chasers… We’ve got two unbeatable Beaters.’

‘Stop it Oliver, you’re embarrassing us,’ said Fred and George Weasley together, pretending to blush.

‘And we’ve got a Seeker who has never failed to win us a match!’ Wood rumbled, glaring at Harry with a kind of furious pride, ‘And me,’ he said as an afterthought.

‘We think you’re good too, Oliver,’ said George.

‘Spanking good Keeper,’ said Fred.” -page 144

*laughing* I love those two!

The worst book of them all was Book 5. Sorry

roman_pirate  but that level of angst, angst and more angst makes me sick to my stomach. I just think of what a punk I was at 15 and I want to reach into the pages of the book and strangle Harry saying "Stop whining you little brat!!"

Book 3 has it all- Gryffindor finally getting the Quidditch cup, a cat that can smell a bad rat, Harry exploring Diagon Alley, Sirius Black (when I first read this book I decided that literaturally so far I was Mrs. Black- then I read LOTR and was Mrs. Captain Faramir and well... I couldn't decide... until I became Mrs. Captain Carrot Ironfounderson (thank you animate_mush ), and that sweet moment where Harry finds out Sirius is innocent and how happy he is that he has family outside of his paranoid/mean aunt and uncle.

It caused me to go find something I'd drawn when I first read the book too. 

I drew this picture for the guy I was going out with at the time. I think I am dressed as the Ravenclaw Seeker, Cho and he is dressed as Harry. And that would be a most awesome Snitch above us! Haha!! Not the best "people drawing" but still one of my favorite ones!

I loves me some Book 3!!!



 

 

North American Discworld Convention.... must find monies to go!!!
http://www.nadwcon.org/

"my reeeall name is Jeeerry." It's from something Will Ferrel did on a tonight-type show.
Anyway, I loved "Phantom of the Opera"! It was done so well! All the singing was great. Only one thing was really off- the chandelier looked like it was made out of paper Chinese lanterns and made a small "thunk" noise when it hit the stage...wow...so threatening... The Phantom's laugh during it was great but it made him sound like a nut ball- "Muahahaha!! I smash you with this paper chandelier!!" A sure sign of someone who wears their underpants on their head... Of course in celebration for the billionth time I'm reading Maskerade and really getting the jokes now. :) I laughed (not too loudly) when the balley still went on as the guy was being hung. It was everything Pratchett commented on and more! My favorite part was my favorite song (wonderfully enough!) and that is the song "Phantom of the Opera". The boat scene was just fantastic!!! I creased my playbill and crumpled it a little as I gripped it during that song! Brilliant and beautiful!!

While the drive toward Houston from Denton is Gorgeous- I LOATHE Houston, driving in it and generally smelling it. I think if I ever have to go there again I'll drive to the outskirts, park, rent a limo/cab and have that cart me to where I need to go. We went to this sweet little Italian bistro first that had pretty good food and FANTASTIC cappuccinos and tirimisu!

*falls over with glee* I'd Definitely see it again!!

At Chik-fil-A. This was hysterical. You got a free combo meal if you dressed up as a cow today. My friend did it 3xs! All her meals free :)
And yes... I am ... "Holy Cow!"






My friend takes a picture of her 3rd free Chik-fil-A meal that day!

This is apparently staple fastfood of the South. I know there are ones everywhere but according to my buddies- the Quality ones are in the South. I love Texans. :)

Happy "Whatever-you-want-to-call-it" Day :)

So Sunday started out bizarre with ants attacking my apartment again and then burning the cinnamon rolls I was supposed to bring to church because I can't figure out which direction (turning the dial on my oven) is 'broil' and which is 'bake'. I still had a nice time playing percussions again and then going to lunch... theeeennn... my toilet got clogged, backed up and flooded most of my apartment. It didn't help that I was very tired (my medication was on "backorder" through Walgreens' wholesaler so I was taking 1/2 doses to make it last a few more days) and I didn't know how to turn off the water. The "emergency" maintenance line told me how to do it and that carpet people would be out the next day. Apparently that is all the "emergency maintenance" are for- to give suggestions on what you can do at that point- unless it's something they can do very quickly. This is what I was told when I inquired with the management as to what the "emergency maintenance" line was for.  AThey fixed a pretty complicated problem with my toilet a while ago on a Sunday so I am wondering why they wouldn't unclog it?

I decided to pull out what may be clogging it too after turning off the water. I cleaned up, packed a bag and headed over to a house warming party hoping one of my friends there would let me stay at their place that night. My friend Carrissa took me in. The next day a carpet drying guy came with his equipment and set up huge fans and gigantic dehumidifier in my apartment and told me they'd have to set there for a few days. I waited as long as I could stand the sound of the fans (until 7PM) for the plumber- he never showed up so my buddy Allison took me in. Next day I still have these fans in, I go home and wait a while for the carpet guy to call, and for the plumber. I tested the carpet with my bare foot and felt it is still pretty damp. Our maintenance guy finally shows up and gets the toilet unclogged and working. My bed was still not in use and the carpet was still gross and dirty (along with the bathroom) so my friend Evelyn invited me over to stay. Finally, Wednesday, carpet guy comes back, takes out the fans and dehumidifier and everything is dry. I found out they clean carpets too and since the clogging, while an accident was my fault, I pay to have it cleaned. Today he came in and cleaned the carpet and so I have been working on putting my apartment back together- making a few adjustments to make it more "homely" :) Who'd have thought a flood could bring about such joy!

It's so nice to have friends who will not only take you in when you need it but also have a good time with you so you forget about your crappy situation! Carissa and I had a lovely chat with her family and played with her sweet dog, Allison and I saw "The Proposal" (very cute!) and Evelyn and I invented a new margarita, Dan and I kicked it on our online RPG while I waited in my noisy apartment for plumbers and carpet people, and many sweet messages were left on my phone and facebook. It is truly the blessings God rains on us in times of trial that make going through these things easier. I am stronger in spirit, in knowledge about carpets and toilets and in Trust in God that everything turns out all right in the end! This event really showed me that I have so many friends here in Texas! I was so touched by everyone's care! 
Let trials be about noticing the blessings in your life and not about the difficulty that life can be!

Another home-run for Pixar/Disney duo! It was touching and sweet and hysterical... like they all are! It had the very message I think America really needs right now- You Can't Take It With You!! All those video games, cats, dogs, kids, family, movies, houses, cellphones, computers, GPS, will fade away! Life should be about how we lived it and whether we were positive in our day-to-day activity or if we complained about every thing that has gone wrong, or every ache and pain. What a beautiful message for everyone! Including me who has been bellyaching about lots of stuff. This movie really pulled me back into focus on what's important in life!

For your 26th birthday an....



Love you!!!!

(hoping I have the date right!)

I got a shorty-haircut again. :) Yay Texas heat!

I can't sleep. I'm not sure what I should read next. After a book like "Night Watch" - you have to sit and think for a bit. What a great movie in your mind! So funny yet so moving. It of course has as animate_mush  would say "Hot Vetinari action!" in it making it awesome.  Third time around I still crack up at Lu-Tze, Qu, young Nobby and Colon and want to throw up at certain parts with the Unmentionables...I love you Terry Prachett!


All the little angels, rise up, rise up,
All the little angels rise up high!
How do they rise up rise up
How do the rise up rise up high?
They rise knees up knees up
knees up high!

It's time for everyone to take their chill pills and relax. Oh and that hand sanitizer you loaded up on (even though you rarely come in contact with the general public- I am of course not talking to my teacher friends or amusement park friends) Bacteria is Really good at evolving new strains Fast! Do not swap hand sanitizer with washing your hands with soap and water even after just going pee! Also for all of those vitamin loading- you can get poisoning from too many vitamin supplements (we have a saying in toxicology- "The dose is the poison.")
Anyway Yahoo! is great for putting this article up!


Paris Hilton not only one confused about swine flu
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090501/ap_on_re_us/us_med_swine_flu_misinformation

CHICAGO – Paris Hilton says "I don't eat that" when asked about swine flu in an online video. She's not the only one confused about the outbreak.

Others have vowed to stop eating pork. Some, worried about germs spreading in confined spaces, won't fly — anywhere. Or they think petting zoos and farm visits are off limits.

Like the swine flu itself, misinformation is spreading like a virus across the Internet, around the watercooler and across the backyard fence. Here are some facts to dispel myths about swine flu.

Q: Should I avoid pork?

A: There's no evidence that swine flu spreads through pork. While it's important to cook it properly to protect against other germs, experts say even handling raw pork poses no realistic risk of swine flu.

Q: What about airplanes — aren't airline cabins breeding grounds for germs?

A: Vice President Joe Biden suggested he believes that when he said Thursday he has advised his family not to fly. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against going to Mexico, the country hardest hit by swine flu. And public health officials say people with flu symptoms should avoid public transportation. But they aren't telling healthy people to avoid all air travel, and Obama administration representatives later said Biden had misspoken.

Most modern airliners have air filtering systems that are as efficient at weeding out germs as those used in hospital isolation units. While there have been occasional infectious disease outbreaks associated with airplane travel, they're not common, and generally only people within a few rows of the sick individual have gotten sick.

"We shouldn't go overboard" on limiting air travel, said Dr. Mark Dworkin, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Illinois at Chicago. But he said it's a good idea to check the CDC's Web site before making travel plans because the agency's advisories may change as the outbreak develops.

Q: My child's preschool class is planning a visit to a petting zoo — with piglets. Should we skip it?

A: Dr. Kenneth Alexander, the University of Chicago's pediatric infectious disease chief, says there's no danger in touching pigs, although a sneezing, sick-looking animal should be avoided. Adults also should be vigilant about making sure kids keep their hands away from their faces after contact with farm animals and they should always wash their hands thoroughly afterward.

Q: My child is healthy and there are no reports of flu at her school, but I'd feel more comfortable keeping her home for a while.

A: Right now, public health authorities say there's no reason to restrict healthy children if there's no flu at school. That could change if the outbreak turns into a global pandemic.

Q: If this outbreak is declared a real worldwide pandemic, tens of millions will get sick and die, just like in the 1918 Spanish flu — right?

A: Public health officials say there are a lot of reasons why that's unlikely, at least in the United States. Unlike that crisis, we now have flu-fighting medicines and antibiotics for secondary infections such as pneumonia, which killed many people during the 1918 outbreak.

Because it appears to be a novel flu strain, everyone exposed to the virus is at risk of getting sick. Authorities are trying to determine how aggressive the new flu is, but even if it turns out to be a particularly dangerous strain, the United States and other developed countries have a strong surveillance network and comprehensive public health measures that didn't exist in 1918, Dworkin noted.

If the new flu turns out to be similar to regular seasonal flu, as some authorities predict, Dworkin said it might double the number of illnesses and deaths seen in an average flu season. In the United States, that would mean about 70,000 deaths and more than 400,000 hospitalizations.

In developing nations, without strong public health networks, the situation could be more dire.

"It could do much more harm than we would see in a country like ours," Dworkin said

that is all...