Today I removed the last of the cables, power strips, speakers, security, etc. from the lab.

3 boxes in a cart was all that was left. I beat the rain by about two minutes.

The only thing left in the room were the tables and chairs. The chairs will be used again in the lab, but the tables are being replaced. I am not involved in the removal of those or the cleaning of the lab, so the next installment I have pictures for will be installing the new tables on Monday. Thank you to all those involved in getting the room ready for the new equipment!

The old equipment in storage awaiting its new home.

The new equipment and the box of stuff returning to the lab, waiting for next week.

I would be remiss if I didn’t dedicate this edition of Tuesday Tunes to the late great Michael Jackson. I was very surprised and saddened to hear about his sudden passing. While his personal life was one of controversy and often seemed bizarre, there is no question that he was a musical genius. RIP Michael, thanks for the great tunes.

• ABC – Jackson 5
• Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
• Rock With You
• Beat It
• The Way You Make Me Feel
• Black or White
• Man in the Mirror

Today was the first day of the Houghton Lab renovation at work. That means that today was tear down day. I spent a very hot morning pulling computers and monitors. Then after lunch Tom and I moved the computers, monitors, and printers into storage until they are ready to be installed in their new location. Tomorrow we will finish clearing the room so it can be cleaned. Then next Monday we will start installing the new equipment. I am very sore from it all, but am glad we got as much done today as we did.

This is the first year I remembered and had a camera available, so I started photo-documenting the process. This is the hidden work that gets done while most people are not even on campus. I feel it is important to show what is done and who does the work and have wanted to do this pretty much for the last seven years. I’ve started a Flickr set for this project and will add pictures throughout.

This is the lab ready to be torn apart.

Many of the tables were on the point of collapse. The worst one is being supported by an empty ink cartridge.

Gum was one of the more disgusting things I found on and around the computers.

The row of computers waiting to be removed from the lab.

Tom and the van full of computers and printers.

see more Political Pictures

Karen is away at a conference (check her blog for updates on that) and I took yesterday and today off to watch the girls. Today we went to the Erie zoo. We had a lot of fun, I uploaded pictures/video to a set on my Flickr.

A lot of the animals were sleepy or inactive, but the kangaroos were the most active I’ve ever seen them. Three of them crossed the path in front of us. It was pretty cool to see them move.

The orangutan played “peek-a-boo” with Bella and Gilli. The girls thought that was fun!

Here’s a video of the girls at the chime-sidewalk:

This is how I felt at the end of the day:

So the State Senate is still in a shambles after the disgraceful actions of Tom Golisano and his bought and paid for cronies. While we wait to see how this gets resolved I am also concerned with the fallout to those State employees who actually do their jobs and take pride in making a difference. Taxpayers are understandably upset that they are paying the Senator’s salaries even though they are doing nothing. However, I think that some people will use this as an opportunity to cast a wider net and cause people to distrust anyone employed by the state. I’d hate to see an anti-labor, anti-union, anti-government movement come out of this fiasco.

Since Weird Al Yankovick has released a new song I figured for this edition of Tuesday Tunes I’d show that and a few of my favorites:

• Craig’s List
• I Love Rocky Road – still can’t hear the original without thinking of this song
• Smells Like Nirvana – the video parody of the original puts this song on the list
• One More Minute – A great original piece, I love the juxtaposition of the doo-wop love song vibe with the lyrics

Schroedinger’s lolcat

If you haven’t been following New York politics, the NY Senate is in a deadlock after a failed coup by Republicans and two ethically-challenged Democrats voted themselves into power through a parlimentary slight-of-hand. It all started when poor little rich boy Tom Golisano was deeply offended when Malcolm Smith checked his Blackberry during a meeting with him. While this is rude, it caused Golisano to throw a tantrum only a billionaire can throw. He bought the dissidents and caused this standstill. Now we sit and wait while no legislation is able to happen, all because of some whiny rich man. If the Republicans wanted to gain power back they should have waited until the next election and won it back legally and democratically.

Last week there was a great protest as these scumbags tried to enter the chambers:

I also found out the Senator representing my district, Cathy Young, has been busy patting herself on the back for being involved in this travesty. Here is my letter to her:

Senator Young,

I was dismayed to read about your recent involvement in and support of the recent unethical actions that took place in Albany (http://www.nysenate.gov/news/young-gop-majority-will-change-course).

The actions of Tom Golisano are reprehensible and your support of his purchase of the Senate is beyond belief.

I cannot think of anything you could have done to alienate those who supported you and whom you supposedly represent more than your involvement in this abortion of the democratic process.

Sincerely,

Christopher Taverna
Fredonia, NY

I haven’t heard back from her office yet. I hope that the Senate will get back to work and respect the will of the citizens of NY.

I’ve already featured Prince in Tuesday Tunes, but what about the songs written by Prince and performed by other people? Here are three examples. I can easily picture Prince performing any of these songs.

• I Feel For You – Chaka Khan
• Manic Monday – The Bangles
• Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’ Connor