Thursday, July 23, 2009
The yakitori incident
A young guy is sitting on the train eating yakitori chicken. The train pulls up at Southern Cross Station. I get up to leave. The young guy stops me and asks "Excuse me. Can you put my rubbish in the bin for me?" I say "No". WTF?
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Out with the old and in with the new
The city of Melbourne has a new logo. This is the old one which was designed in the 90s. According to our Lord Mayor, it is 'daggy'.
This is the new logo, all $240,000 worth (that's how much it cost to carry out preliminary research on the new brand and the cost of the actual design).
What do you think?
This is the new logo, all $240,000 worth (that's how much it cost to carry out preliminary research on the new brand and the cost of the actual design).
What do you think?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
State of design
Melbourne is abuzz with all-things design at the moment as part of the 2009 'State of Design' Festival. Nathan and I were hoping to go on some of the open house tours of historic buildings around the city on Sunday but the queues were unbelievable. Instead, we went to a design market in a derelict building near Docklands, followed by a self-guided tour of some interesting (and easily overlooked) graphical and architectural details in some of the laneways and building facades in the CBD (based on info contained in the festival Guide).
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Detective work
I found a VCE visual art diary on the train yesterday belonging to a year 11 student. Unfortunately, apart from her name (which was quite a common one) and her artistic talent, I knew nothing else about the owner. I decided to take the visual diary to the office to do some detective work to see if I could return it to the rightful owner.
I tried facebook first. There were 13 people with the same name. Two were from Melbourne. Unfortunately they were both older ladies and couldn't possibly be the right person. An attempt to search for the owner on myspace was equally disappointing.
I then turned to google. Two school girls matched the name and city. I called the school of the first girl. Yes there was a girl by that name at the school but she was not in year 11. I then tried the school of the next girl, someone who had two years ago won some accolaide for dancing. Bingo! It was her! Am dropping the diary off to lost property tonight and she is going to pick it up tomorrow.
I tried facebook first. There were 13 people with the same name. Two were from Melbourne. Unfortunately they were both older ladies and couldn't possibly be the right person. An attempt to search for the owner on myspace was equally disappointing.
I then turned to google. Two school girls matched the name and city. I called the school of the first girl. Yes there was a girl by that name at the school but she was not in year 11. I then tried the school of the next girl, someone who had two years ago won some accolaide for dancing. Bingo! It was her! Am dropping the diary off to lost property tonight and she is going to pick it up tomorrow.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sex scandal
The Canberra Times on the weekend published yet another article about my former school, this time with accusations that it might have harboured a paedophile ring. I've written before about one of the teachers at the school being convicted for indecent assault but looks like the predatory activities may have been much broader in reach. I was, of course, completely oblivious to it all but it does make me think back on incidents which, although innocent at the time, might have had more sinister undertones (e.g. on year 6 camp when we had to strip down and have quick showers in a makeshift facility in the middle of the bush with the brothers watching us the whole time.)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Pho, bimbo and the iraqi
Went to Footscray yesterday morning with Nate to meet a couple of friends. Just three gays and a lesbian out for brunch. One of the friends (here after referred to as 'goldfish guy) arrived at the meeting place carrying a bag of goldfish which we named once we got to the restaurant...Trinny, Suzanna, Steve and Michael Jackson (the one with the white face).
Anyhoo...brunch in Footscray was, of course, pho (vietnamese noodle soup). Nate was most disappointed. Only a week earlier, he had vowed never to eat vietnamese food again (he is definitely not a fan). Fortunately, it was out of my hands because the friends had decided the venue well in advance. So...I ordered a large bowl of special beef combination pho (which, in hindsight, was a tad ambitious), while Nate settled for spring rolls with vermicelli.
After some yummy fresh-out-of-the-oven custard tarts from a nearby bakery and a convoluted trip in search of coffee (we ended up in a huge mall), we got caught up in footy traffic heading back into the city. We abandoned Nathan somewhere on Swan street (he had to go to work) and decided to take a few back roads to get away from all the cars. We made a detour to the goldfish guy's house so he could drop off one of his fish (the other three were apparently destined for a newly constructed pond) before making our way to Brunswick street to meet a friend of the lesbian at Bimbo.
Bimbo...the bar with the giant cupie doll perched on the facade of the building. I know the bar is a bit of an institution, but oh what a dump. It smelt like BO and the interior reminded me of that psychopath's house in Silence of the Lambs (the only thing missing were the moths). The company was most interesting though. The lesbian friend's friend is an Iraqi Assyrian orthodox christian. He is a very handsome guy with a very international look (he could easily pass himself off as south american, continental european, indian or even aboriginal). Most fascinating of all (to me, at least)...he has a pet scorpion.
After drinkies, we dropped goldfish guy at the train station (with his three remaining goldfish) and, somehow, the rest of us (lesbian, iraqi and me) ended up back in Footscray for dinner before coming back to my apt for tea. Definitely NOT a conventional Saturday for me.
Anyhoo...brunch in Footscray was, of course, pho (vietnamese noodle soup). Nate was most disappointed. Only a week earlier, he had vowed never to eat vietnamese food again (he is definitely not a fan). Fortunately, it was out of my hands because the friends had decided the venue well in advance. So...I ordered a large bowl of special beef combination pho (which, in hindsight, was a tad ambitious), while Nate settled for spring rolls with vermicelli.
After some yummy fresh-out-of-the-oven custard tarts from a nearby bakery and a convoluted trip in search of coffee (we ended up in a huge mall), we got caught up in footy traffic heading back into the city. We abandoned Nathan somewhere on Swan street (he had to go to work) and decided to take a few back roads to get away from all the cars. We made a detour to the goldfish guy's house so he could drop off one of his fish (the other three were apparently destined for a newly constructed pond) before making our way to Brunswick street to meet a friend of the lesbian at Bimbo.
Bimbo...the bar with the giant cupie doll perched on the facade of the building. I know the bar is a bit of an institution, but oh what a dump. It smelt like BO and the interior reminded me of that psychopath's house in Silence of the Lambs (the only thing missing were the moths). The company was most interesting though. The lesbian friend's friend is an Iraqi Assyrian orthodox christian. He is a very handsome guy with a very international look (he could easily pass himself off as south american, continental european, indian or even aboriginal). Most fascinating of all (to me, at least)...he has a pet scorpion.
After drinkies, we dropped goldfish guy at the train station (with his three remaining goldfish) and, somehow, the rest of us (lesbian, iraqi and me) ended up back in Footscray for dinner before coming back to my apt for tea. Definitely NOT a conventional Saturday for me.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Christmas in July
Everybody seems to be doing it now...Christmas in July. I decided to hop on the bandwagon and bought a turkey yesterday. It was a last minute decision when I was sitting on the train on the way back into the city after work ("Hmmm...I think I will roast a turkey for dinner"). This was at 7pm. So...instead of heading straight home, I took a detour to the local Safeway (where I last saw whole turkeys) and bought one on special (today would have been it's use by date). Ok. Back home, I realised that the turkey was going to take two hours to cook. Normally I am a bit of risk taker when it comes to the consumption of poultry but the imminent use-by date on the packaging suggested I should actually take heed of the cooking instructions and cook the hell out of the beast (just in case). I am a terribly impatient cook so while I was waiting for the oven to do its thing, I ended up eating all the side dishes (i.e. vegetables). Eventually, at 9.30pm, I sliced myself a generous portion (it was only a baby turkey) and celebrated Christmas in July while Nate was still at work.
Monday, July 6, 2009
The beautifully mundane
I had such an extraordinarily ordinary weekend. There were no visitors to chaperone, no work to catch up on and nothing that required urgent attention. I cancelled all my social engagements (on the grounds tha I was starting to get a sore throat). I spent Saturday shopping for groceries and contemplating the week's menu. I went for a stroll down Chapel Street, then headed off to Brunswick street to get some flowers for home. I ended up buying kale (a purple ornamental cabbage). Got home, plonked it into the vase and relaxed.
On Sunday, I went to the NGV International on a whim and took home a book on Oceanic art. I decided to have fish for lunch so I hopped onto a city circle tram in the late morning, made my way up to the fishmonger, bought myself a swordfish steak, took the tram down to Elizabeth street just in time to intercept the same city circle tram on Flinders street, which I caught back to the apartment. After lunch, I started making dinner (as you do)...a nice beef vindaloo using beef ribs that required gentle, slow cooking. I cleaned the house, drank chai all afternoon in my pjs and settled onto the couch to read my new book. I feel completely refreshed.
On Sunday, I went to the NGV International on a whim and took home a book on Oceanic art. I decided to have fish for lunch so I hopped onto a city circle tram in the late morning, made my way up to the fishmonger, bought myself a swordfish steak, took the tram down to Elizabeth street just in time to intercept the same city circle tram on Flinders street, which I caught back to the apartment. After lunch, I started making dinner (as you do)...a nice beef vindaloo using beef ribs that required gentle, slow cooking. I cleaned the house, drank chai all afternoon in my pjs and settled onto the couch to read my new book. I feel completely refreshed.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Why I love my job
I had been feeling a bit disillusioned a few months ago about the politics of work in terms of what some of my colleagues will do to advance their careers (and what I hope I can successfully avoid). Last night, I got an unexpected affirmation that vindicated my decisions to concentrate on doing my job to the best of my abilities and leaving the smooching, nest-lining and brown-nosing to others.
The affirmation occcurred at the most unlikely of places...The Greyhound hotel. Nate and I decided to take one of my research collaborators there last night after finding out that he, too, is gay. Anyhoo...we got there early and there was (as expected) a tribute to Michael Jackson being played out on the big screens and monitors in the form of back to back video clips before the start of the drag shows. After watching 'thriller' (which, by the way, is a bad choice considering that Jackson plays a dancing corpse in the clip), I walk up to the bar and order my drinks from a cute bar tender with unusual lip piercings. He gave me my drinks and when I took out my money to pay, he signalled for me to put the cash away. He turned to me and said..."You gave the bast lectures. These are on me."
The affirmation occcurred at the most unlikely of places...The Greyhound hotel. Nate and I decided to take one of my research collaborators there last night after finding out that he, too, is gay. Anyhoo...we got there early and there was (as expected) a tribute to Michael Jackson being played out on the big screens and monitors in the form of back to back video clips before the start of the drag shows. After watching 'thriller' (which, by the way, is a bad choice considering that Jackson plays a dancing corpse in the clip), I walk up to the bar and order my drinks from a cute bar tender with unusual lip piercings. He gave me my drinks and when I took out my money to pay, he signalled for me to put the cash away. He turned to me and said..."You gave the bast lectures. These are on me."
Monday, June 22, 2009
The visual diary that never was
Was inspired by Evolkween's visual diary and wanted to compile one of my own. Unfortunately, I left my camera in the office over the weekend. So here is the story of my weekend told using other people's pictures.
Saturday
8am: Relaxing with chinese tea freshly made using my bodum teapot.
11am: Lunch at the Grand BBQ in the Target Centre in the city
12pm: Wandering around Gertrude and Smiths Streets with Nathan, checking out galleries, clothes shops and cafes.
2pm: Carrying this back on tram.
6pm: home-made dinner of garlic prawns and rice
Sunday
10am: Brekky - cheese plate
11am: Sifting through other people's junk at the Camberwell flea markets
2pm: Scoffing down the best sticky date pudding I've ever eaten (at Globe cafe on Chapel Street)
4pm: Checking out the make-shift Florence Broadhurst shop at Docklands
6pm: Eating lamb stew with mashed potato
Saturday
8am: Relaxing with chinese tea freshly made using my bodum teapot.
11am: Lunch at the Grand BBQ in the Target Centre in the city
12pm: Wandering around Gertrude and Smiths Streets with Nathan, checking out galleries, clothes shops and cafes.
2pm: Carrying this back on tram.
6pm: home-made dinner of garlic prawns and rice
Sunday
10am: Brekky - cheese plate
11am: Sifting through other people's junk at the Camberwell flea markets
2pm: Scoffing down the best sticky date pudding I've ever eaten (at Globe cafe on Chapel Street)
4pm: Checking out the make-shift Florence Broadhurst shop at Docklands
6pm: Eating lamb stew with mashed potato
Friday, June 19, 2009
Overheard on the train
Took off from work early yesterday with a colleague who was also heading back into the city. We were sitting in the carriage minding our own business when we hear an altercation taking place. One of the offenders left at the next stop leaving the two other guys behind. One of them turns to the other and says, "Did you hear what he said? He said to me...with a body like yours, I'm surprised you didn't get fucked in prison". I bit my lower lip trying not to laugh.
Sho sho
The decor was amazing and rather theatrica,l with packets of noodles and baskets of tea leaves beautifully arranged around the open kitchen. Even the roast duck and char siu hanging on the racks seemed to have been arranged like an art installation, the whole effect enhanced by strategic lighting against a backdrop of red tiles that look like the scales of a dragon. Without a doubt, this has to be one of the most beautiful chinese restaurants I have ever seen.
The food, on the other hand, was reasonable but nothing to really rant and rave about. Nathan loved his Char Kway Teow with prawns and chinese sausage butit's almost double the price of what you'd expect to pay at a more modest-looking restaurant. I really wanted to order a noodle dish but was rather surprised by their modest offerings, especially considering how much the restaurant had been spruking the noodle-making powers of the head chef. Most of the noodles I saw on the menu were of the commercial - rather than the freshly hand-made - variety (e.g. rice vermicelli, rice noodles). I settled for an Assam snapper curry instead. This was served with tomato, ochra and mint. It was suppose to have tamarind in it but I couldn't really taste the pungent sourness. I must go back, however, to try their impressive selection of chinese teas.
The food, on the other hand, was reasonable but nothing to really rant and rave about. Nathan loved his Char Kway Teow with prawns and chinese sausage butit's almost double the price of what you'd expect to pay at a more modest-looking restaurant. I really wanted to order a noodle dish but was rather surprised by their modest offerings, especially considering how much the restaurant had been spruking the noodle-making powers of the head chef. Most of the noodles I saw on the menu were of the commercial - rather than the freshly hand-made - variety (e.g. rice vermicelli, rice noodles). I settled for an Assam snapper curry instead. This was served with tomato, ochra and mint. It was suppose to have tamarind in it but I couldn't really taste the pungent sourness. I must go back, however, to try their impressive selection of chinese teas.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Sho Noodle Bar
Nathan and I were suppose to go out for dinner last night. Unfortunately, I forgot and had dinner prepared by the time Nathan came home so we decided to reschedule for tonight. The plan is to go to the Sho Noodle Bar which is located within the main gaming area of Crown Casino. Not really a fan of the casino but I am easily swayed by the promise of food.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
I seem to be rather recalcitrant when it comes to facebook. Yes, I have signed up for facebook but my motives are not so much about social networking but, rather, to keep in touch with family. And yet, every few months, I get friend requests from people (usually friends) who are facebook junkies. It always takes me a couple of months before I get motivated enough to log on and answer their friend requests. Several friends have now started to organize social activities via facebook. I am on there so infrequently that I find myself either missing anouncements about the important get-togethers or getting in trouble for not checking or replying to my messages. It's all terribly frustrating. I find that I am being dragged into this sweeping phenomenon against my will.
But today I had my first insight into just how nice facebook ca actually make someone feel. Sitting in my email inbox was a message from a guy I had not seen for over twenty years! We were in the fifth grade together. He had seen me on TV a year ago and wondered if it was the same person that he had gone to school with. I've thought about the guy over the years and it was nice to see that he has been doing well (and, incidentally, has grown up to be a total hunk too). The message he sent was extremely nice, recounting the memory of someone who he remembered as being kind. What a lovely message. Totally made my day.
But today I had my first insight into just how nice facebook ca actually make someone feel. Sitting in my email inbox was a message from a guy I had not seen for over twenty years! We were in the fifth grade together. He had seen me on TV a year ago and wondered if it was the same person that he had gone to school with. I've thought about the guy over the years and it was nice to see that he has been doing well (and, incidentally, has grown up to be a total hunk too). The message he sent was extremely nice, recounting the memory of someone who he remembered as being kind. What a lovely message. Totally made my day.
Friday, June 12, 2009
My first meme...
...was inspired by Fletcher Beaver.
1. When was the last time you cried?
When I saw my grandmother in hospital after she had her stroke. She died two weeks later.
2. Have you ever faked sick?
Yes...to get out of swimming carnival when I was a kid.
3. What was the last lie you told?
I can't remember but it was probably a white lie ;-)
4. Have you ever cried during a movie?
Yes. I cried during Life is Beautiful, an italian film about the holocaust.
5. Who was the last person you couldn't take your eyes off of?
My partner of course!
6. Have you ever danced in the rain?
Nope. I've stood outside in the rain but never danced around.
7. Have you ever been drunk?
It depends who you ask. I say 'no' but my colleagues beg to differ. I'm not a drinker but made an exception during my PhD party. I drank a lot but I wasn't the one who ended up spewing up my guts in the wee hours of the morning.
8. Have you ever tried drugs?
No. Nothing elicit. Eaten plenty of endangered species but never tried drugs.
9. Do you smoke?
No. I can't stand cigarettes.
10. What’s the farthest you've ever gone on a dare?
I'm a bit of a chicken so I generally try not get myself in situations where I would have to do anything too daring.
11. What is your full name?
Sorry, it'll have to be Adaptive radiation....I'd prefer not to have my students stumble upon my blog and constrain my ability to use this forum. If you really want to know, drop me an email and I might devulge my first name.
12. What is your blood-type?
B+
13. Have you ever been in a car accident?
Yes but nothing serious. A car crashed into the bus I was on a few weeks ago. The driver looked pretty pissed but then he saw our bus driver...a big burly Moari bloke with imposing tattoos.
14. How old were you when you had your first kiss?
Thirty! Let's put this in perspective though. I only came out when I was 28.
15. Who was your first kiss?
His name was Mick.
16. Have you ever had an online relationship?
No. Well, kind of. Nate and I actually met online but we dated and got to know one another the old fashion way. The first date lasted 3 days.
17. Have you ever had phone sex?
No. I'm more of a visual person.
18. Have you ever been rejected by a crush?
No. I generally don't reveal my feelings to the people with whom I have crushes.
19. What is your favourite sport to play?
I like walking but not sure if that counts. I played volley ball (badly) at uni.
20. Have you ever made a prank phone call?
When I was a kid (this would have been way back when I was less than six years old). I dialled some random number and told the woman who answered not to bother cooking dinner because I had dinner plans already.
21. What’s your favourite childhood memory?
Playing with lanterns during chinese new year in Hong Kong. The good part of the memory didn't last long because the lantern went up in flames and I bawled my eyes out.
22. Is there anything that you have done that you regret?
Yes. I was quite a horrible brother to my two younger sisters and teased them incessantly.
23. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I wanted to be a pilot when I was a kid. I've always loved animals (and fish in particular) so I'm pretty much living my dream job working as a scientist.
24. What is your political persuasion?
I have left-leaning tendencies.
25. Have you ever had cybersex?
I'm picturing avatars and high tech sensory equipment so I will say 'no'.
26. Do you believe in god?
This is not an easy one for me to answer. I used to believe in God. I went to a catholic boys school and attended church every sunday. I would pray at night before I went to bed and wished for the world to be a better place. And then I grew up. I still follow some residual traditions though, like not eating meat on Good Friday. Heaven knows why ;-)
27. Do you believe in love at first sight?
Absolutely. Though it has never happened to me.
28. Do you believe in karma?
Yes.
29. Who was your first crush?
My fourth grade teacher, Mr. Morwich (he had that spiky mullet look going on!).
30. Who do you have a crush on? No one.
31. How would you describe yourself? A good person.
32. What are you afraid of? Bad things happening to good people.
33. Are you religious? No. Didn't we have this question already?
34. What does your screen name mean? I assume this question relates to the name of my blog. Adaptive radiation has nothing to do with the aftermath of a nuclear explosion. If you want to know what it means, do a google search.
35. Which person do you trust the most? Can't split it...Nathan and my family.
36. Who was your first boyfriend/girlfriend? Knowing now what I know (and keeping in mind that I only came out when I was 28), I guess I would say that Nathan is my first boyfriend.
37. What is the best compliment you have ever received?
You are a person of high integrity.
38. What is the meanest thing anyone has said about you?
My PE teacher in high school told me that I had a big head. I believe he meant it literally. I'm not sure I agree. My head is proportionate to my height (I'm 196 cm tall).
39. What is the longest crush/relationship you have had?
That would be Nathan. Almost two and a half years now!
40. What is your greatest strength?
Resiliance.
41. What is your greatest weakness?
Stubborness.
42. What is your perfect pizza? Anything with artichokes, goats cheese and/or prosciutto.
43. What is your first thought when waking up in the morning? Got to get out of bed.
44. What is your last thought before you go to bed?
What will I cook for dinner tomorrow.
45. What university do you want to go to?
Hmmm....I'm pretty content with where I'm at now.
46. Do you get along with your family? Yes. We are very close. I talk to mum every night!
47. Do you play any instruments?
No. I am musically challenged.
48. What kind of music do you like?
Bad 90's dance music (I guess 'bad' is redundant when it comes to 90's dance music).
49. Do you think you’re attractive? I never used to but Nathan makes me feel attractive.
50. Would you ever get a tattoo? I like tattoos but I think I'm too fickle to be able to live with the permanence of any designs I might pick.
51. How many piercings do you have? None.
52. Who makes you laugh?
My friends.
53. Who would you want to be tied to for 24hours?
Nobody.
54. Have you ever seen a dead body?
Yes. When my uncle died of a heart attack, I had to take my family to the morgue to look at the body.
55. Do you have a celebrity crush?
Clive Owen.
56. What is one thing scientists should invent?
Time machine.
57. Have you ever broken a bone?
No
58. What happens after you die?
The world continues to spin.
59. Do you watch or read the news?
Yes. I'm a news freak.
60. What stereotype would you label yourself as being?
I don't think I mold to any stereotype. People can't usually tell I'm gay and I hate discussing science outside of work.
61. Would your friends agree with that stereotypic label?
Yes...in the sense that I don't fit stereotypes.
62. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I wouldn't.
63. If you could go back in time to one point in your life, where would you go?
I'd probably go back to my childhood. Things were less complicated then. Nevertheless, I think I am a much better person now than I've ever been in the past so I am quite content with the present me.
64. If you could change anything about yourself, what would you change?
Nothing really. It's all a part of who I am (it's all good as far as I'm concerned).
65. Have you ever gone skinny dipping?
No. The closest I've come is standing on the jetty testing the water with my toes (it was way too cold). I have been in a hot tub with 12 naked women, an experience that was totally wasted on me.
66. Have you ever played strip poker?
No. Can't play poker.
67. Would you ever lie to someone to make them feel good about themselves?
It would depend on circumstances but, in principle, 'Yes'.
68. What do you want your friends to think about you?
To think and to know are very different things. I would hope my friends KNOW who I am.
69. What’s the biggest argument you've ever gotten into?
I don't think I've ever been in a truly serious argument.
70. Have you ever bitten someone?
Yes...a family friend when I was young. I got in trouble.
71. When’s your birthday?
27 April.
72. Have you ever stolen anything?
Yes...cuttings from the Botanic Gardens.
73. Do you make wishes on shooting stars?
No. I've never seen a shooting star.
74. What’s the most you've ever eaten in one sitting?
I once ate so much meat at an all-you-can-eat korean bbq that I actually turned vegetarian for a whole week!
75. If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?
I don't think I would change any day for myself.
76. Do you remember your dreams?
I used to dream a lot about being chased by things (animals, dinosaurs). More recently, I seem to have lots of flying dreams.
77. Have you ever been in love?
Yes. Right now.
78. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Definitely morning. I'm one of those people that wakes up smiling. Nate hates it.
79. Do you have any phobias?
Spiders. I can't stand them. This is a problem given that I am a biologist. I remember doing fieldwork in a forest in south-eastern Queensland. There were orb weaver webs everywhere. And everytime I'd walk into a web, I'd scream like a crazy woman and wave my arms about like a lunatic. I think virtual spiders are even worse (i.e. when you think there is still a spider somewhere on your body AFTER you've walked into a web).
80. What’s the meanest thing you've ever done to someone?
Accidentally breaking the bedroom door and blaming it on one of my sisters.
81. Have you ever been to the hospital (other than birth)?
Yes, to get an angiogram. Not pleasant. Everything checked out ok though.
82. How many screen names do you have?
Just the one.
83. Do any medical problems run in your family?
Heart disease.
84. Has anyone ever been disowned from your family?
No.
85. Have you ever had a nightmare?
Yes. Being chased by scary things or missing my exams.
86. Do you say meaner things to your friends or your enemies?
I don't have any enemies that I'm aware of. Not even a nemesis. I try to be diplomatic to my friends but I'm not afraid of stripping back and making harsh statements if I think the person needs to hear it.
87. Would you ever participate in a threesome?
No. See...not stereotyped.
88. Would you ever pay for a prostitute?
No.
89. Have you ever mooned or flashed someone?
Never
90. Have you ever cheated on your bf/gf?
No.
91. Have you ever laughed so hard you peed in your pants?
No, but a few times I've laughed so hard that I've farted (but thankfully never sharted).
92. Have you ever written a love letter?
No. Just cards.
93. Have you ever attempted suicide?
No.
94. Do you prefer boxers or briefs?
Boxer briefs.
95. Have you ever been in a fistfight?
Nope...the best I could manage was repeated bitch slapping of a kid at school who squirted orange juice on my sock for no apparent reason.
96. Do you have any hidden talents?
I can debone a chicken wing in 16 secs with my tongue. True.
97. What is one thing you want me to know about you?
I love (to eat) chicken but never order it at restaurants.
98. What is one question you wouldn't want me to ask?
Hmmm...having got this far, it's hard to think of any.
99. What do you think of this meme?
A bit too long. My neck hurts.
1. When was the last time you cried?
When I saw my grandmother in hospital after she had her stroke. She died two weeks later.
2. Have you ever faked sick?
Yes...to get out of swimming carnival when I was a kid.
3. What was the last lie you told?
I can't remember but it was probably a white lie ;-)
4. Have you ever cried during a movie?
Yes. I cried during Life is Beautiful, an italian film about the holocaust.
5. Who was the last person you couldn't take your eyes off of?
My partner of course!
6. Have you ever danced in the rain?
Nope. I've stood outside in the rain but never danced around.
7. Have you ever been drunk?
It depends who you ask. I say 'no' but my colleagues beg to differ. I'm not a drinker but made an exception during my PhD party. I drank a lot but I wasn't the one who ended up spewing up my guts in the wee hours of the morning.
8. Have you ever tried drugs?
No. Nothing elicit. Eaten plenty of endangered species but never tried drugs.
9. Do you smoke?
No. I can't stand cigarettes.
10. What’s the farthest you've ever gone on a dare?
I'm a bit of a chicken so I generally try not get myself in situations where I would have to do anything too daring.
11. What is your full name?
Sorry, it'll have to be Adaptive radiation....I'd prefer not to have my students stumble upon my blog and constrain my ability to use this forum. If you really want to know, drop me an email and I might devulge my first name.
12. What is your blood-type?
B+
13. Have you ever been in a car accident?
Yes but nothing serious. A car crashed into the bus I was on a few weeks ago. The driver looked pretty pissed but then he saw our bus driver...a big burly Moari bloke with imposing tattoos.
14. How old were you when you had your first kiss?
Thirty! Let's put this in perspective though. I only came out when I was 28.
15. Who was your first kiss?
His name was Mick.
16. Have you ever had an online relationship?
No. Well, kind of. Nate and I actually met online but we dated and got to know one another the old fashion way. The first date lasted 3 days.
17. Have you ever had phone sex?
No. I'm more of a visual person.
18. Have you ever been rejected by a crush?
No. I generally don't reveal my feelings to the people with whom I have crushes.
19. What is your favourite sport to play?
I like walking but not sure if that counts. I played volley ball (badly) at uni.
20. Have you ever made a prank phone call?
When I was a kid (this would have been way back when I was less than six years old). I dialled some random number and told the woman who answered not to bother cooking dinner because I had dinner plans already.
21. What’s your favourite childhood memory?
Playing with lanterns during chinese new year in Hong Kong. The good part of the memory didn't last long because the lantern went up in flames and I bawled my eyes out.
22. Is there anything that you have done that you regret?
Yes. I was quite a horrible brother to my two younger sisters and teased them incessantly.
23. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I wanted to be a pilot when I was a kid. I've always loved animals (and fish in particular) so I'm pretty much living my dream job working as a scientist.
24. What is your political persuasion?
I have left-leaning tendencies.
25. Have you ever had cybersex?
I'm picturing avatars and high tech sensory equipment so I will say 'no'.
26. Do you believe in god?
This is not an easy one for me to answer. I used to believe in God. I went to a catholic boys school and attended church every sunday. I would pray at night before I went to bed and wished for the world to be a better place. And then I grew up. I still follow some residual traditions though, like not eating meat on Good Friday. Heaven knows why ;-)
27. Do you believe in love at first sight?
Absolutely. Though it has never happened to me.
28. Do you believe in karma?
Yes.
29. Who was your first crush?
My fourth grade teacher, Mr. Morwich (he had that spiky mullet look going on!).
30. Who do you have a crush on? No one.
31. How would you describe yourself? A good person.
32. What are you afraid of? Bad things happening to good people.
33. Are you religious? No. Didn't we have this question already?
34. What does your screen name mean? I assume this question relates to the name of my blog. Adaptive radiation has nothing to do with the aftermath of a nuclear explosion. If you want to know what it means, do a google search.
35. Which person do you trust the most? Can't split it...Nathan and my family.
36. Who was your first boyfriend/girlfriend? Knowing now what I know (and keeping in mind that I only came out when I was 28), I guess I would say that Nathan is my first boyfriend.
37. What is the best compliment you have ever received?
You are a person of high integrity.
38. What is the meanest thing anyone has said about you?
My PE teacher in high school told me that I had a big head. I believe he meant it literally. I'm not sure I agree. My head is proportionate to my height (I'm 196 cm tall).
39. What is the longest crush/relationship you have had?
That would be Nathan. Almost two and a half years now!
40. What is your greatest strength?
Resiliance.
41. What is your greatest weakness?
Stubborness.
42. What is your perfect pizza? Anything with artichokes, goats cheese and/or prosciutto.
43. What is your first thought when waking up in the morning? Got to get out of bed.
44. What is your last thought before you go to bed?
What will I cook for dinner tomorrow.
45. What university do you want to go to?
Hmmm....I'm pretty content with where I'm at now.
46. Do you get along with your family? Yes. We are very close. I talk to mum every night!
47. Do you play any instruments?
No. I am musically challenged.
48. What kind of music do you like?
Bad 90's dance music (I guess 'bad' is redundant when it comes to 90's dance music).
49. Do you think you’re attractive? I never used to but Nathan makes me feel attractive.
50. Would you ever get a tattoo? I like tattoos but I think I'm too fickle to be able to live with the permanence of any designs I might pick.
51. How many piercings do you have? None.
52. Who makes you laugh?
My friends.
53. Who would you want to be tied to for 24hours?
Nobody.
54. Have you ever seen a dead body?
Yes. When my uncle died of a heart attack, I had to take my family to the morgue to look at the body.
55. Do you have a celebrity crush?
Clive Owen.
56. What is one thing scientists should invent?
Time machine.
57. Have you ever broken a bone?
No
58. What happens after you die?
The world continues to spin.
59. Do you watch or read the news?
Yes. I'm a news freak.
60. What stereotype would you label yourself as being?
I don't think I mold to any stereotype. People can't usually tell I'm gay and I hate discussing science outside of work.
61. Would your friends agree with that stereotypic label?
Yes...in the sense that I don't fit stereotypes.
62. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I wouldn't.
63. If you could go back in time to one point in your life, where would you go?
I'd probably go back to my childhood. Things were less complicated then. Nevertheless, I think I am a much better person now than I've ever been in the past so I am quite content with the present me.
64. If you could change anything about yourself, what would you change?
Nothing really. It's all a part of who I am (it's all good as far as I'm concerned).
65. Have you ever gone skinny dipping?
No. The closest I've come is standing on the jetty testing the water with my toes (it was way too cold). I have been in a hot tub with 12 naked women, an experience that was totally wasted on me.
66. Have you ever played strip poker?
No. Can't play poker.
67. Would you ever lie to someone to make them feel good about themselves?
It would depend on circumstances but, in principle, 'Yes'.
68. What do you want your friends to think about you?
To think and to know are very different things. I would hope my friends KNOW who I am.
69. What’s the biggest argument you've ever gotten into?
I don't think I've ever been in a truly serious argument.
70. Have you ever bitten someone?
Yes...a family friend when I was young. I got in trouble.
71. When’s your birthday?
27 April.
72. Have you ever stolen anything?
Yes...cuttings from the Botanic Gardens.
73. Do you make wishes on shooting stars?
No. I've never seen a shooting star.
74. What’s the most you've ever eaten in one sitting?
I once ate so much meat at an all-you-can-eat korean bbq that I actually turned vegetarian for a whole week!
75. If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?
I don't think I would change any day for myself.
76. Do you remember your dreams?
I used to dream a lot about being chased by things (animals, dinosaurs). More recently, I seem to have lots of flying dreams.
77. Have you ever been in love?
Yes. Right now.
78. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Definitely morning. I'm one of those people that wakes up smiling. Nate hates it.
79. Do you have any phobias?
Spiders. I can't stand them. This is a problem given that I am a biologist. I remember doing fieldwork in a forest in south-eastern Queensland. There were orb weaver webs everywhere. And everytime I'd walk into a web, I'd scream like a crazy woman and wave my arms about like a lunatic. I think virtual spiders are even worse (i.e. when you think there is still a spider somewhere on your body AFTER you've walked into a web).
80. What’s the meanest thing you've ever done to someone?
Accidentally breaking the bedroom door and blaming it on one of my sisters.
81. Have you ever been to the hospital (other than birth)?
Yes, to get an angiogram. Not pleasant. Everything checked out ok though.
82. How many screen names do you have?
Just the one.
83. Do any medical problems run in your family?
Heart disease.
84. Has anyone ever been disowned from your family?
No.
85. Have you ever had a nightmare?
Yes. Being chased by scary things or missing my exams.
86. Do you say meaner things to your friends or your enemies?
I don't have any enemies that I'm aware of. Not even a nemesis. I try to be diplomatic to my friends but I'm not afraid of stripping back and making harsh statements if I think the person needs to hear it.
87. Would you ever participate in a threesome?
No. See...not stereotyped.
88. Would you ever pay for a prostitute?
No.
89. Have you ever mooned or flashed someone?
Never
90. Have you ever cheated on your bf/gf?
No.
91. Have you ever laughed so hard you peed in your pants?
No, but a few times I've laughed so hard that I've farted (but thankfully never sharted).
92. Have you ever written a love letter?
No. Just cards.
93. Have you ever attempted suicide?
No.
94. Do you prefer boxers or briefs?
Boxer briefs.
95. Have you ever been in a fistfight?
Nope...the best I could manage was repeated bitch slapping of a kid at school who squirted orange juice on my sock for no apparent reason.
96. Do you have any hidden talents?
I can debone a chicken wing in 16 secs with my tongue. True.
97. What is one thing you want me to know about you?
I love (to eat) chicken but never order it at restaurants.
98. What is one question you wouldn't want me to ask?
Hmmm...having got this far, it's hard to think of any.
99. What do you think of this meme?
A bit too long. My neck hurts.
Depressing Friday
I have a routine when I get to work: Switch on my laptop, feed the fish, check out my favourite bloggers, and then read the news websites. Was greeted this morning with a string of depressing 'doom and gloom' headlines on theage.com.au, as follows:
1. Swine flu 'unstoppable'
2. Taser death: man dies in handcuffs (breaking news)
3. Dragged from fire, but woman dies
But the most depressing one of all:
Connex may run Melbourne trams, too
Noooooooooooooo...........
1. Swine flu 'unstoppable'
2. Taser death: man dies in handcuffs (breaking news)
3. Dragged from fire, but woman dies
But the most depressing one of all:
Connex may run Melbourne trams, too
Noooooooooooooo...........
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Gay beats and urban planning
I was talking to a colleague yesterday who had just returned from a trip up to Queensland. The guy's brother is an urban planner and is about to embark on some research into park use. Evidently, as part of the research, he will also be investigating the use of parks as beats. It will be intersting to compare areas that are used as beats versus areas that are not, how they differ physically, and their popularity with other users within the community (families etc). I suspect there would be a strong historical element to the park use too.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The odd one out
Was heading into work later than usual this morning because I had to wait around for the electrician to fix the bathroom light switch (which was making disconcerting zapping noises). When the train got to Flinders Street I noticed a young man in the next carriage wearing a surgical face mask. I surmised that he must be wearing the mask to avoid catching swine flu. This was the first time I had seen anyone wearing a face mask outside of a hospital or a dental clinic and he looked a bit strange doing so. I guess he must have felt quite self conscious about it. A few stops later, the young man had taken off the mask.
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