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Fire in Sac

I found out yesterday from my friend and ex-coworker Sheetal, that our old office in Sacramento burned to the ground. It was really hard to believe. She said the fire started around 6:30 and there was an explosion. No one was hurt, but nothing is left of the building. The Sacramento bee reported that the cause of the fires is still not known.

I can't imagine losing all your files, patient information, equipment, and laboratory samples. Whats more, there are a couple genetic counselors in the office who are studying to take the board certification exam. Sheetal and I took the exam in 2002 and had studied together. Since they were using Sheetal's study materials, which were now ash, Sheetal was hoping I could give them my old study stuff. I was happy to send it off, but wished there was more I could do.

Also, ironically the fire alarm went off at 4:30am in our appartment last night. At first Gary and I were confused trying to shut off the noise in our hallway until we realized it was the building's fire system that was making the noise, not our little smoke detector. The building's fire alarm has been going off in the evening the last few nights and apparently it still hasn't been fixed. So now when there is a real fire, and the alarm goes off for the millionth time, we'll ignore it.

Batman Begins

Since this weekend was pretty warm, instead on going on a hike for a date as I planned, Gary and I decided to head for the shelter of AC and see a movie. We drove to the Hollywood Mann Chinese theater to see Batman Begins.

I really enjoyed the movie. The beginning was a bit slow, but once Bruce Wayne starts getting all his gear and setting up the bat cave, the movie was more engaging. I thought the film makers did a good job explaining the character's motivations and the villians were pretty neat. The tone between Alfred and Bruce was just right - removed yet caring, sarcastic yet playful. Also, I loved the lead in to the Joker at the very end; the explaination about the bad guys following suit with dresssing up and dramatics was clever. I look forward to the next one.

Comic Con

I had a great time at ComicCon over the weekend. Cathy, Mallory, Gary and I drove down to San Diego Saturday and we spent Saturday night at my brother's place. We saw some pretty cool stuff. My favorites include the lego Star Wars models, a Q&A with one of my favorite authors - Orson Scott Card, seeing Fellowship the musical again and getting their CD signed by the cast, and seeing a preview of the Narnia movie. I have to admit alot of the exhibits and booths went over my head. I'm not that into comics or anime. Actually, just getting to hang out with family and friends was awesome.

No More House Husband

Yesterday I said goodbye to my "House Husband." As many of you know, Gary found a job at UCLA public policy extension. The good new is that he probably will enjoy the job, and now that we have a second income, we'll try to look for a house. The bad news is he has a long commute (which hopefully will be ammeloriated once we find a new place) and the pay isn't that hot. Also, I in fairness can no longer expect him to do the vast majority of the household chores. For the first time in years, I did the laundry (actually I only put the laundry in the machine, he did the rest). Soon I might even be going grocery shoppping. Oh well, even if I don't have a house husband anymore, at least I still have a husband.

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife.
Who more than self the country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

The author of this song, Katharine Lee Bates, was the chair of the English department at Wellesley College. On July 22, 1893, Bates climbed 14,000 feet to the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado, and found the inspiration for her poem "America The Beautiful."

While on the faculty at Wellesley College, Bates met Katharine Coman with whom she formed a "romantic friendship." Coman served on the faculty as the chair of the Economics Department and Dean of the college. Bates and Coman lived as a couple for 25 years in what is sometimes referred to as a "Boston marriage." In 1912, Coman was diagnosed with cancer and died in 1915.
"So much of me died with Katharine Coman that I'm sometimes
not quite sure whether I'm alive or not." - K. L. Bates

In 1922, Bates published "Yellow Clover," a volume of poetry about her loving relationship with Coman, frequently omitted from her biographical profiles in history books and encyclopedias.

One Year Anniversay

Today is Gary and my first wedding anniversary. Woo hoo!