SRLevine

SRLevine, 11 days ago to random

To my great shame since I started at UCI and have a UCI owned computer I haven't been using a reference manager (mostly because I haven't been doing any primary writing, plenty of secondary writing and editing, but I haven't been managing the references for any of the papers I've been on). I think I need to install zotero before the situation gets any worse, so pray for me...

(I used zotero on my personal laptop, but the version I was using is pretty out of date at this point)

SRLevine, 12 days ago to random

Going to brag a little bit here about one of the graduate students: she's getting her PhD in slightly less than 4 years!!! w00t!!!

She's a biologist who started basically at the same time I did in the Spitale lab and then moved to the Paegel lab and if you'd like to see a defense that should be excellent (I did some synthetic chemistry for both projects so I'm biased) it will be streamed on zoom at 2PM Pacific time today

https://pharmsci.uci.edu/calendar_event/dissertation-defense-callie-fredlender/

SRLevine, 12 days ago to random

To the jerk that felt the need to zip past me on a residential street only to brake and double park as soon as you got in front of me: I hope tomorrow has a problem just large enough that it ruins your weekend.

SRLevine, 13 days ago to random

Newly discovered problem with the cast iron pan. That 8" pan is measured on the bottom and not the top. And the usual lid I use to cover a pan and finish my egg and cheese sandwich (melt the cheese and slightly toast the bread after adding the egg) doesn't really fit right since it's basically sitting on the bottom. I might need to buy a pot lid specifically for this pan? Ugh (the one I use is the lid for my largest pot).

ETA: I have larger lid I forgot about! Thanks @NilaJones

SRLevine, 14 days ago to random

This cooking in cast iron thing is definitely going to require a bit of practice (my egg stuck to the pan).

SRLevine, 21 days ago to random

A theoretical question about the Microsoft Recall thing I'm not sure I've seen floating around. My knowledge of these things isn't extensive and it might be silly however.

Many health care providers use Zoom or similar services for remote visits. If recall isn't storing things in an encrypted format is that a massive potential HIPPA violation?

SRLevine, 23 days ago to random

Other people who live in humid climes and buy garlic powder in the large containers: how do you keep it from becoming a giant unusable mass. This is my second container since I moved here, I thought since the first was powder rather than granulated that was the problem, but the granulated does it too.

(Don't @ me about using garlic powder, it's one of the secrets to a great egg & cheese sandwich and I eat a lot of those, ok?)

SRLevine, 23 days ago to random

The time has come to admit I don't have a good idea of what to use these jars of olive brine for and recover the space in my fridge.

I'm currently trying to convince myself to actually throw it out and not just consolidate to fewer jars.

It's ok to point and laugh at me over this.

SRLevine, 23 days ago to random

Kind of disappointed that I'm apparently missing some impressive organ music in monsterdon tonight, but I just wasn't up for it.

I love that stuff.
To make you all jealous: when I was in grad school CSU renovated a former high school into an arts center and built in a pipe organ. To inaugurate it they had an organ concert for Halloween. And it was one of the coolest concerts I've ever been to.

SRLevine, 25 days ago to random

Just read what might be the most bizarre* summary + author's note I've read in a long, long time on AO3 and it does in fact make me sort of want to read the fic? Even if the theme(s) wouldn't normally be my jam.

*I'm not even sure this is the right word. Weird? Wild? Making my brain leak out my ear?

SRLevine, 25 days ago to LGBTQ

Cross-posting for a friend.

"Hey queer and trans friends! An academic group is doing research on why some members of the LGTBQ community disproportionately leave STEM careers, so they need people to interview! If you're interested in participating, or have friends that are, fill out the quick screening+contact form here, (they want to make sure they are sampling a wide range of backgrounds and identities, so they won't contact everyone):

https://usd.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9F7HmRIfTat9CtM

#STEM #LGBTQ

SRLevine, 25 days ago to random

I felt bad for the person selling the cast iron pan (she's moving and trying to get rid of a lot of stuff at the last minute) and agreed to buy a bunch of other cookware for a total of $25 (she wanted $10 for the pan I wanted + the little brush and silicon handle cover).

So if you live near me and want a large pyrex baking dish (not vintage, has the open handles), non-stick bread pans, a muffin tin, or whisk let me know.
Also something I think goes in an instant pot and has a bunch of holes?

SRLevine, 26 days ago to random

Like most of you I've seen the stuff going around about slack. Does anyone know if this is a recent change or has it been like this for a while? And if there is a way to determine what your organization's status is with regards to opt out (if you're with a large org and aren't going to be able to ask slack yourself).

SRLevine, 29 days ago to random

One again the solution to the eternal problem of "how do I get rid of that weird smell" is leave the item outside in the sun for a few days.

YMMV depending on the item...

ETA: Apparently this doesn't work on fish or stinky cheese smells.

SRLevine, 1 month ago to random

While I did set myself up for success by choosing an author whose adult books I enjoy, a middle grade audio book was an excellent choice. I'm about half way through it and the narrator does delightful voices and it's easy to follow even though I hadn't already read the book.

If anyone is looking for "easy listening" Ursula K. Vernon's Harriet the Invincible is A+

(attn: @InkySchwartz and @kg6gfq per the thread earlier!)

SRLevine, 1 month ago to random

FML, I just heard an "explosive decompression". At home.

That's number 2. What the hell did the shop do to the brand new tire?!?!

ETA: Also I am out of spares (again). Will have to walk my bike to the shop tomorrow (after I volunteer? that's a bunch of extra walking a bike...) or just give up at this point and buy a new tire? Ugh. I hate this so much.

SRLevine, 1 month ago to random

Biking home last night (dark out): "Is that a cat running across the road?, Seems kind of large."

I get closer: "It looks more like a dog now that I can see more of its outline. I really don't want to play good samaritan tonight and try to get a strange dog to let me check its tags" sigh

"Oh, oh. Guess I won't be checking any tags"

It was a coyote.

(I see them somewhat regularly, but usually in the nature preserve or on the edge of campus, not on residential streets)

SRLevine, 1 month ago to random

OMG the local timeline. I should maybe switch to the threading thing for when I do monsterdon...

SRLevine, 1 month ago to random

What did I find in the bike lane?

Measurements are ~20 inches by 38 inches.

The reverse side is a similar material to what is used on the outside of orleib style waterproof panniers if that helps anyone.

SRLevine, 1 month ago to random

If you're a member of UAW 4811 (grad students, academic researchers, post-docs, etc in the University of California system). Reminder that votes on statewide and local reps are due by tonight 5 pm. You should have an email link to the ballot.

#UnionStrong #UCI

SRLevine, 1 month ago to random

I realize yelling at a traffic engineer is pointless (and I kept my voice even and calm!), but damn was that a frustrating phone call. I had to explicitly state that "I care more about a pedestrian or cyclist getting hit than someone in a car having to wait at the light a little longer" when he was like "we try to keep cars moving on University". Apparently there are two protected lefts in that cycle currently and only one also gets a pedestrian signal during school hours maybe?

1/2

SRLevine, 1 month ago to OrangeCounty

Was there just an earthquake in socal?

#SoCal #OrangeCounty #UCI

SRLevine, 1 month ago to cycling

CarBrain strikes again!

Training for drivers is 1 h. Training for cyclists is 4. Which of us is easily capable of killing someone else with a moment of inattention again?

(this is an official UCI email from Transportation & Distribution Services)

#BikeTooter

SRLevine, 1 month ago to random

Anyone in the Irvine area know who to contact about a changed signal pattern that forces cyclists/pedestrians to wait much longer? It happened a couple of weeks ago and is really annoying. To the point where I've seen multiple people cross University Ave (a 4-6 lane stroad with a very high speed limit) against the light at California.

I used the online request form, but I don't know if it will get thrown out as not being a "traffic signal issue".

SRLevine, 1 month ago to cycling

Fun aspect of going to the DMV: there are no bike racks. And there is no clear signage that you can't bring a bike inside. So I did. And got yelled at multiple times by a security guard who said "you have to lock it to a light pole". When I pointed out that my lock can't do that, and could she direct me to a bike rack I was just told repeatedly that it couldn't be in the building.

"You can't bring bikes into state/government buildings"

#BikeTooter