Live from Fresno!

Yes, glorious week two my extended workcation in Fresno, California. Its been a long time since we've updated, but to my defense its been a long time since I've had a day off. I'm down here studying the air quality. We've got a bunch of different instruments running to capture particles in the Course (2.5-10um), Fine (<2.5um) and Ultrafine (<0.1um) particulate matter ranges. We are also able to break down the collected particles to determine chemical composition (organic carbon, elemental carbon, PAHs, so forth and so on.) Due to atmospheric conditions the southern central valley of California is essentially a toilet bowl for the state's bad air. Thus why were here trying to figure it out so we can get better gov't controls and regulations on further pollution that may make this case study applicable anywhere. Enough of that stuff.

Reg is starting her full week as head teacher today. Apparently her classroom is over registered with most of her progressed and potty trained kids moving to preschool and a whole new batch of rascals. It sounds to have the makings to be quite crazy. She's spent a lot of time reorganizing the room, purchasing new snacks (a change from the apples, everyday, routine they had before), and even scoring a giant box of children's books (Eric Carl and the like) someone in the apartment complex was giving away. Sounds like they'll have lots of new fun stuff to explore.

Reg has also signed us up to be dog foster parents for the Yolo SPCA. Our new family member for this week is Benny. He is a 4 year old Chihuahua mix. He is pretty quiet and appears to just want to sleep for most of the day. Scout seems annoyed that he is so boring and doesn't want to play much but I think he's been relatively good, at least in our human eyes. With his favorite hobby being sleeping and weighing 10lbs he gets cold fast and likes to curl up next to a human, he is a good lap dog. He is staying with us while his long term foster family is moving then he'll be going back to them. If you want more info, this is him: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=10545644


Let's see, we got our new John Clement picture up of the Dixie Hills in Eastern Washington and it looks perfect over our couch and since we are staying where we are for another year, we also took down the 80's blinds and swapped in double curtains. They look much better, are far less annoying to move to open the door, and are much more consistent in blocking light. Sadly though, it also means we had to take down our Tina Turner and A-ha posters, get rid of our entire furniture collection of bean bag chairs and give away our disco balls. Right...

I think thats about it for now.
Have a good one.


Ok, Ok, I know after mentioning A-Ha you've got it stuck in your head too.