there's a weird smell in here

I think it's coming from the humidifier. It started about when we got the humidifier. Except I can't smell it near the humidifier. Just by my desk. Waah!

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They didn't have any of those mozzarella and tomato sandwiches I like at Starbucks so I got an egg salad sandwich. I haven't eaten it yet. It's someone's last day - she's taken a job doing forensic work identifying remains in Bosnia. Wow. So I got some cookies and I'm trying to organize a get-together for this afternoon but people are in meetings. I've told two people about it.

I read sylvadin's Snape/Hagrid fic Party Animals last night. Well, it's part of a Snape/Hagrid series but this part isn't smutty. This one's my favorite part. I mean, I like smut and everything but this one has a lot happening and I like that. I want to see more fics where there's a plot and original characters and everything; like a whole story where they go places and do things. That's the kind I'd write if I wrote fanfiction. It's frustrating: I get ideas but my fiction writing is mediocre and I can't really see it improving. I got an idea for one that would probably end up being Snape/Lupin, where it's after the war and Snape gets a job making potions. The idea of Snape having a job he actually enjoys appeals to me because I think he genuinely hates teaching. I guess it could be incorporated with my idea for a fic that would involve Lupin more, about werewolves and the Wolfsbane potion and what happens after the war. In my world, Snape and Lupin both survive, though I wouldn't be at all surprised if neither of them does in canon.

Damn, I have to get going on that new comic. Every time I think about what might happen in the final two books, it reminds me how I've only got a few months till book 6 comes out and then I probably won't be able to use my idea for the comic. It's going to be black and white, like Naked Snape, so at least I won't take so long with the coloring. This weekend, man. Solid drawing. I mean it this time.

And then aaaa! I have to illustrate Snape's Worst Memory for hp_art_project! I mean, I signed up for it, it's a good thing but I really, really have to do a good job with it and I have a definite deadline and it's scary. And I'm horribly... what's the opposite of "prolific?" I don't produce a whole lot, is what I'm saying. I always tell myself that Grindylowe (of Death Eaters at the Malfoy Estate) is the same way (at least as far as I know) and that makes it OK.

Whoop, OK, I've told the others about the cookies. We're going to have them at 3:00PM. I hope they're sufficient. I wanted to get a variety and I wanted something pretty simple because I try to be aware of people's dietary needs, having somewhat unusual needs myself (...see earlier post). I know everyone can eat cake, and cookies have pretty much the same stuff in them. The variety pack I got has nuts so I got a spare, nut-free bag in case anyone's allergic. There was cheesecake but that would've been messier and I don't know if anyone's lactose intolerant or just doesn't like cheesecake. It's always awkward when someone gets you something and it's something you don't like. One time at my old job, my co-worker brought me an almond croissant - not for any special reason, even, just to be nice - on the day after I got my wisdom teeth extracted and I couldn't eat anything that solid. So I thought cookies were safer for today but they're not so fancy. Arrgh. I worry about stuff like this. I think I get it from my mum. I'm sure they'll be fine.

seen on Mugglenet

Not that I'm not doing much work today or anything...

HP spoof gets US Army in trouble with JKR's reps
A Harry Potter comic parody that was published in a US Army publication is being investigated by JK Rowling's representatives, who were likely tipped off about the publication after HPANA posted scans a few days ago.

Preventative Maintenance (or PS) Monthly is a free guide to keeping military equipment in working order distributed to 80,000 army personnel in the US. The comic book has been an army tradition for more than 50 years. Its editor defended the use of the characters, saying "they are a good way to get personnel to read the publication."

Parodies are protected under the first amendment in the US under the "fair use" clause as long as it is done for "humorous or satirical effect".

Haha! Kick the army's ass, JKR.

Seriously, though, if MAD magazine can do it, I think the army's allowed to do it as well.

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I just destroyed a Sephadex plate. We got these two free samples of plates to use to purify DNA after cycle sequencing and my boss was showing them to me. We were putting them away and I swear I didn't tilt it anywhere near even 90 degrees but all the Sephadex fell out. I feel awful. They were free samples but now we'll have to buy more sooner. In my defense, I'd never worked with them before and nobody told me you can't tilt them. But still.

x-posted to lab_gripes