Vacationing in Lake Geneva, WI

Jeff and I had some time share certificates getting ready to expire so we met the Bobak's in Lake Geneva (the self-proclaimed Hamptons of the Midwest) to stay in a resort. Lake Geneva is a very cute little lakeside town between Milwaukee and Chicago. On Saturday, we went into Milwaukee to see a baseball game in Miller Park, which is regularly rated one of the top ten baseball stadiums in the country. Before the game, we went to the Milwaukee Public Museum which was fun but a little disappointing because it wasn't interactive. I really enjoy interactive science museums, probably due to my fond childhood memories of the yearly girl scout outings to COSI in Columbus where we spent the night camping at the museum next to the cracker jack prize exhibit and learning about science. Anyway, the most fun part of the Public Museum was the butterfly exhibit where the had hundreds of different kinds of butterflies in a conservatory. Devon didn't like it much as he has a fear of insects and the thought of a butterfly landing on him was scary. I shouldn't admit I found his fear of butterflies rather amusing.

The stadium was really nice. Its built away from the city so the parking lots are close to the ballpark and the fans all tailgate before the game which looked like fun, lots of cornhole being played. We however got our junk food inside while we watched the game: brats, hot dogs, warm sugared almonds, peanuts, beer, cotton candy. Jeff and I go to so few baseball games these days that we aren't very good at restraining ourselves but the stomach ache is always worth it.

We spent the rest of our time relaxing, hanging out, and playing uno and sorry and euchre. The resort had a playground, which Devon dominated (in his own words) and an indoor water park. I've posted some pictures in the blog but you can see the rest of them at www.flickr.com/photos/jeff-and-adrienne. All in all, it was a relaxing getaway.

I should be working but instead I'm at the coffee shop writing in my blog.

unrelated picture of the crew after loading Cathy and Randy's moving truck.
My primary task today was to measure protein and carbohydrates in samples collected by the undergrad working with me but I can't find the motivation to be in the lab. I'll be a slave to my new reactors very soon which makes me dread doing the lab work that needs done occasionally before that. My mind isn't in lab mode right now, its in writing mode which is good because that's what I've been doing for the last three months.

Anyway, I've been thinking about music and memories since this weekend when I went to watch a friend of a friend's band play. I really had no idea what to expect but my martial arts friends raved about them and I ended up at home alone on Saturday night so I went. It turns out they are a cover band - but the key thing is that their choice of songs is great. I had convinced myself for the last 10 years or so that I hate dancing. Not true, actually what I hate is the hoochie momma bump and grind kind of dancing that occurs at the dance clubs frequented by my (ex) girlfriends from high school. The band played some really great songs that made me HAVE to get up and dance from Weezer to Sublime to The Bangles. It was just fun music and a fun atmosphere.....and they played Walk Like an Egyptian.

The point of this blog entry is that I have memories associated with many of the songs I heard Saturday night. I often have problems remembering all the details of the memorable things that happen in my life but hearing the songs that I've associated with those memories brings the feeling of the good memory back. Thus, in a self-indulgent fit of nostalgia I've decide to list some of the key ones that just make me smile.

Walk Like an Egyptian - welcome back to 5th grade
the oak ridge boys, especially the christmas album - childhood memories of my mom, especially at christmas time. my first concert was the oak ridge boys.
polka music - summer trips to visit my grandparents in pennsylvania (see my thanksgiving blog)
Weezer, the blue album - dating S.H. in high school, I got a lifelong friend out of that relationship
Pearl Jam, all songs and albums through no code - hanging out with Scott, Ryan and Justin
Blister in the Sun - playing this song loudly on repeat from the stereo in my little red escort before softball games in high school
NIN, closer - driving to south point with the high school girls in jen's red beast of a grand am
Weezer, The Good Life - playing this song to wake up every morning for months my freshman year, my roommate hated it. Its possible I continued to do this just to annoy her, would I do something like that?
Weezer, Pinkerton - Me, scott, ryan and justin saw weezer at Bogarts's in cincy for the pinkerton tour. it turns out jeff and his friends from high school were there too.
Son of a Preacher Man - crazy vodka nights at Julie's apartment
311 - variety of memories from high school and college but the best ones are concerts Jeff and I went to followed closely by the florida trip Julie and I took.
Sublime - driving around cincy in jeff's berretta and smelling the ass-trees in the spring (long but not interesting story)
Rusted Root - makes me think of jeff and nate in college
The strokes - the best band I discovered in grad school
Lily Allen - although its not entrenched by time yet, I'm pretty sure this will make me think of working in the lab with Rachel

Okay, that's enough reminiscing for one day, back the world of EPS production modeling.

I had a pretty good week last week.

I started my week in Chicago at a pseudo-job interview with my Dad's company Geosyntec where I presented about my PhD research. Unfortunately, my Dad didn't prepare me for an audience of geotechnical engineers so most of my story was a bit over their heads considering they don't know about wastewater treatment. But, on the whole it went well and it was good practice for my conference presentation the following day. And, I must say that my conference presentation went exceedingly well! I really enjoy going to conferences because I get to tell people about how great my research is and they actually want to listen. Plus, I like putting presentations together - its a somewhat rare opportunity for us science geeks to be creative both visually and naratively as a good presentation has a story tell.

I made it back from Chicago on Wed. night just in time to help Cathy and Randy move their stuff into the moving truck and spend one last night eating Jupiter's pizza before they headed out to Boston. Okay, that part wasn't so great because its the start of the break up of our married couples group but at least they're happy.

Finally, I went out to Los Angeles to compete in the Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Championship (PanAms for short) - hence the name of by blog (bjj = brazilian jiu-jitsu). I competed in the no gi competition on Friday, where I unfortunately lost and in the gi competition on Saturday where I won the silver medal. That's me on the podium in the title picture. I have to admit that I didn't enter this competition to win a medal, something that some of my higher level teamates might disapprove of. For me, entering this competition was more about being fearless and confident in myself. Knowing that win or lose, I gain a person victory just by being brave enough to give it a try. I let myself believe that I deserved to be there and in the end, I think that attitude helped me win. So many women struggle with their confidence and their self esteem - I see it in every arena of my life. Even in female PhD students at UIUC, a top university in my field. I think martial arts is good route for women to find their confidence and learn to be fearless - it has been for me anyway. The lessons you learn cross-over to every other aspect of life....one other additional benefit, you don't even notice you're excerising when you enjoy it so I'll take martial arts over the gym any day.

This is K.C. - the other McVicker chic at my school - getting her gold medal at the PanAms. It wasn't until K.C. came around that I started to think about competing seriously. I really think having other women around makes a difference. Its difficult to put my finger on exactly why that is but its kinda like a martial arts sorority without the caty bitches. We encourage each other instead of putting each other down.

Julie and James finally make it legal

Well, I'm a little late with this news but Julie and James got married ten days ago in Cincinnati. It was perfect for them. The ceremony was small, just family and a few close friends then they had a big reception at Paul Brown stadium. The room had a two-story glass window over-looking the city skyline all lit up at night. Julie really is THE Cincinnati girl so the setting was very fitting. Jeff and I had a great time and after nine years of dating, Julie and James are finally married.