Back from 4 day trip in Palm Springs. It was pretty uneventful other than one relatively significant decision. So we decided to bring our dogs with us for the first time on a trip. We rented an SUV just for the occasion, and stuffed all the luggage in the middle so that the dogs would have the back to themselves. Other than taking about an hour to get Sam into the car, the drive went pretty well for the first 2 hours, until Sam started getting restless and growly and mean to Calvin. Luckiy we arrived after not to long. Things went well for the first 2 days until significant event #1, when Sam got into another fight with Calvin, giving Calvin a cut on his face and Sam a limp in his leg. Significant event #2 occured the moment we were preparing to leave, when Sam again wouldnt get into the car. We tried for about 3 hours before the decision was thrown out that maybe Sam needed a new home. It turns out that one of the employees at the hotel had a cousin who had been looking for a dog to adopt for a while, and Sam was amazingly receptive towards him. So, amidst tears from my mom and silence from my dad, we handed over the leash, said our goodbyes, asked Calvin to jump back into the car, and drove home.

I know it seems like the decision was made on a whim, but I think my parents were considering it for a while. Sam, being the half chow he his, really is born to get all the attention and to have his way. Splitting affection between the two dogs resulted in Sam constantly exhibiting his dominance, in other words attacking Calvin. Calvin's torn ear and the numerous scars on Sam really make me feel like it was only a matter of time before one of them were seriously hurt. Even more significant, I think, was the fact that Sam had no desire whatsoever to get into the car with us, and seemed more than eager to go along with someone new. It really makes me feel that it was time to part ways. At least now we can spend 100% of time with Calvin, and hopefully Sam gets the attention he wants and deserves.

In happier news, I got a cool new cell phone for Christmas (finally a flip phone!) and my mom won $2000 playing slots at Viejas.

Happy New Year!!!

Wooo!!! I love winter break!!! Time for a 1 minute recap of the last week.

Monday I tried skateboarding for the first time with vic and jon, the 2 masters. It was actually pretty fun, and got pretty decent towards the end, and managed to escape with only a half broken wrist. On tuesday we all went out for dinner at this one restaurant which had really hot . . . chicken wings. Yup, really hot. Phew. I also finally saw the Incredibles, which was an awesome movie. Yesterday vic came along with me to the Hampton Lab Christmas Party, which was oodles of fun. People actually ate my apple crust pie thing, and I ended up with a 1 pound coupon for See's candy, and a handy gift card from Randy. Good stuff. Today I helped out with George and friends filming his new movie, where I play a pivotal role with such dramatic lines as "Well, hello sexy". And I got shot.

Chargers: AFC West Champions

The biggest, most significant Charger game in the last 10 years.

Chargers: 20
Broncos: 17

I visited Sea World to see a special Christmas Shamu show friday, which was pretty cool, and Balboa Park yesterday for their Holiday thing including all free museums. More on that later when I don't have 2 finals and an essay breathing down my neck.

So I spent a good portion of my time yesterday transforming 12 more of those wonderful Hrd mutant yeast strains. It took a long time and it was hard work, but afterwards I felt good knowing that all I had to do now was wait for them to grow. Then I came in today with the intention of doing one quick thing, when Renee tells me that the 24 SC-Ura plates I used might have been screwy, which means all my transformants might be miserable failures. So Brian asks me if I saved my transformants, like I did the other 13 strains but NOT THESE ONES!!!! Dang. And on top of that, the SC-Ura plates that might be screwy were made by none other than ME!!!!!

Today was also the last day of the bulk of my classes, which is kinda sad since I wont be listening to Randy lecture anymore, meaning I'll have to rely on myself for good jokes.