Happy Hallowe'en

Our department had a pumpkin carving contest on friday night, and thanks to some impressive planning on the part of my labmates Dr. Russ and Laurie (the two pictured who aren't me), we pulled off a first place pumpkin. As you can see, (you may have to click on the link for a bigger picture), we managed to carve a picture of the boss within the allotted one hour time frame (just barely). It looks pretty good in the dark too! -EL

I totally could've done that...maybe.

So I'm at the Argo's - Ticat's game yesterday night...last regular season game and a chance to clinch first in the east for the Argo's (not that it matters since we all know the BC Lions will take win it this year - but I digress).

There's just over 40,000 fans at this game, which is a rediculous number for a regular season CFL game, and by halftime, with the Argos blowing away the last place Ti-cats, all any of the fans cared about was Brian Diesbourg. Brian who? Exactly.

This guy apparently got his name drawn last week from a TSN-Wendy's promotion in which he gets to attempt field goals at half time for $1,000,000! He wasn't allowed to practice all week except for one, half hour session with the Argo's placekicker Prefontaine.

His first kick from 20 yards for a $1000 prize is wide right. -he's probably just nervous with all these fans watching

2nd kick from 30 yards for some Sony prizes is wide right. -he's probably trying too hard to not overcompensate left, he'll get the next one

3rd kick from 40 yards for a complete Sony home theater is wide right. -boooooo! This guy sucks $ss. How on earth is he going to win the million bucks.

If you haven't guess from the picture, 4th kick from 50 yards out is right down the pipe. The stadium goes nuts. Brian stands there, arms in a 'V' all stunned. Brian's girlfriend gives him a hug and vows never to let go. The entire Wendy's advertising staff behind this fantastic idea is fired. Everyone goes home thinking that they totally could've kicked that field goal. -EL

TSN Link

Warning: post contains chemistry

This is really just for the chemist's who visit the site, but the non-chemists can still clicked the link and look at the funny pictures. The link is to a copy (probably illegal copy) of my publication in the Journal of the American Chemical Society - look for it at your local newstand. -EL

JACS Oct 2005

Moving Fun Facts

Okay, so I'm still playing the waiting game. The elusive PhD defence most likely will be on the 28th of Nov., leaving only 2 days to correct my thesis and leave TO.

For those who don't know, our original plan was to drive our stuff to CO in a rental truck. This plan was of course subject to cancellation once we realized what we were getting ourselves into, but now it's official; Uhaul has my credit card number, no turning back.

Some fun moving info:

Toronto, Ontario - Fort Collins, CO : 2421 km, 1513 miles.

Sights and Sounds along the way : the trip will take us through Michigan, Illinois, a little bit of Indiana, Iowa, and Nebrasksa. - I have no idea if there will be anything worth seeing.

Largest city along the way : Des Moines - also have no idea if there's anything worth stopping for here.

Map of the Trip

Assuming 8 miles/gallon : 200 gallons of gas.

Assuming $2.50usd/gallon : $500usd for gas + snacks.
(what's gas at these days? maybe the american viewers of this page can give me an idea)

Transportation : 14' Thrifty Mover

Hurray for "gentle-ride supsension" and "50% easier to load"...-EL

	Low Deck makes it 50% easier to load
Capacity	Volume: 669 cu. ft. Max load: 3,100 lbs. Gross vehicle weight: 11,000 lbs. max
Dimensions	Inside dimensions: 11'4" x 7'5" x 6'9" (LxWxH) Mom's Attic: 2'5" x 7'5" x 3'3" (LxWxH) Deck height: 3'0" Door opening: 7'1" x 6'1" (WxH) Loading ramp width: 2'2"
Fuel	Unleaded or diesel fuel Miles per tank: Approximately 300 Miles per gallon: Approximately 10 Fuel tank capacity: 30 gallons
Features	Cloth seats for 3 adults Air conditioning AM/FM radio Automatic transmission Gentle-Ride suspension Widest ramp Low Deck 36" Hitch with 2" ball

This one's for Laurie

Apparently I haven't posted enough lately.

Thesis Update:

311 pages of scientific goodness is now on the desks of my committee. Question you may be wondering: "What happens now? Are you done?" Answer: No, I'm not done. Hopefully they (the committee) give the thesis the A-O-K, and then I can send the thesis off to an external examiner (someone not at the UofT). After that, we play the waiting game for six weeks and have a defense. (The waiting game sucks, lets play hungry hungry hippos) Weee!

I have no pictures of this milestone, so instead, here's a picture of RJ in the trunk of my mom's car. -EL