Saturday, March 31, 2007

Cold Spring Harbor


The surroundings here are tremendous. The Cold Spring Harbor Labs are situated on a hillside overlooking the bay. Huge trees are growing here, the cabins for accommodation of visitors are virtually in the forest. Squirrels run around the grounds, not at all afraid of the scientists walking about. I almost stepped on a rabbit crossing my path. He stopped to nibble at a tulip right in front of me, then walked off in no hurry.

Labels: , ,

Jet lag?


No, not really. Dozing off during lectures is not unusual, even if you are in your own timezone and have had all the sleep you need. :)
I have this bad habit of waking early in the morning (as I have described before), and now I know that it is light-dependent. Here I wake up as I do at home, when it gets light outside, which is currently around 6:30 local time. Then I get tired when it gets dark, unless something keeps me active (e.g. dancing), but after a 14 hour day of scientific talks, I rather go directly to bed than try to stay awake.

Illustration courtesy: The Economist - Beat the jet lag

Labels: , , ,

Thursday, March 29, 2007

New York - Part I

Safely arrived in Cold Spring Harbor. I enjoyed the flight, watched Casino Royale, watched the ice crystals forming on the window, watched Step Up, listened to laid back tango, and then I arrived at JFK airport. The shared cab I had booked beforehand came to pick me up at the terminal, and I had my evening meal at Cold Spring Harbor Labs. Most of the evening I spent talking with Celine about dancing (she is into tango) and dance shoes... and a little bit of science.

Labels: , , , ,

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Sneak n Go

The movie yesterday 'Catch a Fire' was extremely good. Now an 8 hour flight is ahead which will probably also include some movie-watching.

Labels: , ,

Monday, March 26, 2007

Ah, de lente


Cycling without a jacket, singing along on the music in the supermarket. The weather is begging for rollerskating (and outdoor photos!). I can't believe it is already ten years ago that I had no bike and relied on my rollerblades for transport every day. With this weather they deserve a revival.

Photo from my garden in Odense

Labels: , ,

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Sleep patterns

I do not sleep enough. My problem is that I wake up with the daylight in the morning, no matter how late I went to bed. And since I often go out dancing in the evening and till late at night, I often do not get enough sleep. When possible, I take a nap in the afternoon before going out dancing but it is just not the same as sleeping in.
Today I slept for two hours in the afternoon, but I was tired when I arrived at the party in the evening. I gradually woke up, and now I am wide awake, three hours before I would normally wake up. It is a dilemma of salsa rhythms versus sleep rhythm. Setting the clock tonight at least make it look like I get up later...

Labels: , , ,

Friday, March 23, 2007

New York photo gallery

Of course I will bring my camera for my trip to NY, but I doubt that I will be able to compete with this collection of excellent NY photos from BetterPhoto.com

Labels: , , ,

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

First photo from Norway

Per managed to take a snapshot of me while I was... er... explaining something to Christian...

Thanks to PAJ for the photo

Labels: , ,

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Nicely cut


I have returned from my skiing vacation with no major injuries. The worst accident on the trip, not only for me but for the entire group, was when I cut my finger on a very nice (and very sharp) carving knife from Raadvad. My thanks to Kasper for the unique experience. ;-)

Illustration of my own brand in carving knives: Zwilling J. A. Henckels Four Star

Labels: , , ,

Friday, March 09, 2007

The skiing holiday


It is a tradition in my family to go skiing every year in week 11. Oddly enough, some 30-odd people we know have the same tradition, and we all go to the same place in Norway every time, every year. I hope to get a chance to practise my telemark technique again this year...


Photos from last year: Pictures from Dissen 2006

Labels: , , ,

Monday, March 05, 2007

Tips for NY


I registered for the conference, I booked my ticket, found a place to stay and now I am getting really excited about my trip to New York March 28 to April 8. If you have ever been to New York I could use some firsthand tips on what to see and where (not) to go, what to try while I am there etc.
If you answer that it depends on my interests, I can tell you that my main interests for this trip are: arts of all kinds, photography, meeting people and salsa dancing. Any good ideas? :)

Illustration courtesy: olucas.wordpress.com

Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Diners in Nijmegen


Illustration from our Diners in Amsterdam last year.

Labels: , , ,

Praktica MTL 5B

I bought a new camera this weekend. Actually I was looking for at more wide-angle lens for my Nikon, so I can make some nice landscape photos in Norway next week. It is a bit difficult with the 85mm that I currently have, and as you might remember my old zoom lens from the F-50 is broken.
Browsing a second hand shop for nothing in particular I found a much better solution than buying a new (used) Nikon lens: I found a Praktica MTL 5B, with a 1.8 50mm lens, in a leather case, a shade for the lens and a remote release device, everything in for less than €40,-
I went to get a new battery and tested the camera several times yesterday, and everything is in working order. Cool!

Illustration courtesy: Steve Foster Praktica MTL5B

Labels: , , , , ,