According to Tim: 01/01/2004 - 02/01/2004

Thursday, January 29, 2004

Class, Class, Class
Today was my second full day of classes for the semester. Luckily, the ice is gone and people were pretending once again that they could drive. The normal beltway backups occured but nothing like Tuesday. I have now obtain the postion of screen lowerer for my Immunology class. The prof for this class is really short and couldn't reach the screen to pull it down. So in classic fashion she points to me and says, "You! I need you. I can't reach the screen." So this occured a few times during the course of the class. I'm hoping this earns me some extra credit.

After class I had 8 frickin' hours to kill before my next class. So I called up Seth and promptly fell asleep in front of his television. Go figure.

Once my short break was over, I returned to campus and wander until I found my next class. Thankfully, everyone else had a hard time finding the room. The prof for this class is Johns Hopkins. Yes that's right is name is Johns, not John. On a side note, the university is also Johns Hopkins, not John Hopkins. He is the classic nerd, but interesting and has a really good class. This semester maybe fun after all...

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Just another day
Today was like any other in my life. Get up early so I can shovel the driveway before I can go to work. Went to work and did my mad scientist thing all day. Came home and had to start dinner. Tonight, my mother is having some of the ladies she works with over for a card game. So the hens have been cackling all night. Let's just hope no one lays any eggs. I've already done enough cleaning up after them. At least it some excitement around here.

Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Stupid Snow
I curse the winter weather we have been having. Now don't get me wrong, I love snow. It's great for sledding, snowball fights and especially skiing. But it is hell to drive in. The snow is not really the problem, considering in Maryland we get more ice than snow. So I guess the ice is what I hate. That and the stupid morons that don't know how to drive in it! I was scheduled to be at class at 9:30 this morning. So the drive from Annapolis to Towson takes about 45 minutes. Today -- 2 hours!!! It took me 30 minutes to go a mile at one point. Listen people, just slow down. Leave earlier and take it easy on the speed. That way you won't be blocking traffic because your car has smashed into a guard rail and has caused 3 other accidents. But I did make it to the God forsaken university known as Towson. This pit of despair should have been closed considering the other colleges in the immediate area canceled all classes for the day. But thankfully all that is over. Tomorrow, when I go to work, may be worse. Will the bad road conditions and the lack of competent drivers ever end?

Monday, January 26, 2004

Snow Day
Today was supposed to be my first day of classes for the semester, but thanks to weather a nice covering of snow blanketed all of Maryland. What a way to start a new semester...No classes on the first day. I needed the day off. I know what you are saying, "Classes haven't started and you need a day off?!" That's right, I do! My life has been crazy. Kaplan Course for the MCAT, work, home. It all adds up. But to prove I wasn't lazy, I had to plow 4 driveways. The snowblower is not fun when the wind blows everything back into your face and where you just cleared. Oh well, these things happen.

Drink of the Week
In honor of the cold and snowy weather, I thought a nice hot drink would be appropriate. This weeks drink is...

Apple Grog
1.5 oz. applejack (apple brandy)
1 tbsp. brown sugar
4 oz. water
2 whole allspice
1 piece cinnamon stick
0.5 oz. 151-proof rum

1. Pour applejack, sugar and water into a small saucepan
2. Add all spice and cinnamon
3. Bring to boiling point, but do not boil
4. Pour into a heat-resistant mug
5. Float 151-proof rum on top
6. Garnish with a twist of lemon

There is nothing like a good hot drink after spending sometime playing in the snow. But remember alcohol dehydrates, be sure to drink plenty of other fluids and electrolytes. Now, word about grog. Grog is nothing more than rum mixed with water. During the Colonial period, Admiral Edward Vernon diluted his crew's rum with water. This prevented unnecessary drunkenness while at sea. Because of this action, grog has become a staple among seafarers and pirates.

Sunday, January 25, 2004

Dr. Romanoski
The big news in the Romanoski house this weekend is my father, successfully defended his thesis and is now a PhD. He had been working on this for about 6 years, and now it is all over. He defended his work via an hour long phone call. He is the first in what will hopefully be a long line of doctors (PhD or MD).

Weekend Happenings
Vikki came down for the weekend on Friday night. We went to Baltimore and the ESPNZone, where she finally met Ryan (one of many that I know). Ryan is a clone of James. Both are engineers and are obsessed with video games. You got to love it when old and new collide like that. Saturday was a trip to DC and museums. We had a great time. There is nothing like looking at art. It was a nice relaxing day.

Friday, January 23, 2004

In my never ending pursuit to enter medical school, I bring you...

The Medical Minute

I found out that James has infectious mononucleosis. This nasty little bug is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus. The interesting thing about EBV is that it is a herpes virus. That's right, people, James has herpes! But never fear, if any of you have ever had chicken pox or the vaccine against it, you have herpes too. Chicken pox is caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus and is in the herpes family. They say that out of the 7 known herpes viruses every one carries at least 4 of them. Not to worry though, 2 of the viruses have no signs or known pathological effects. So there you go! Everyone of you carry some form of herpes. Disturbing, isn't it?

Thursday, January 22, 2004

Fun at Work
The fun started this morning when I pulled into the parking lot and saw one of the cars I want. It was a MiniCooper, British racing green, with white bonnet stripes, white mirrors and white top. It also had the panoramic sunroof. If it had the ski rack it would be perfect. Sorry Andy, you're not the only one who wants one. Can you see it? Giant Tim in a Mini. It's going to happen.

The other thing I found amusing at work is a fun website. I discovered it while waiting for an experiment to be completed. It's a create your own super hero page. You choose the characteristics and costume. It's a good time killer. Check it out.

Wednesday, January 21, 2004

WHAT ARE PEOPLE THINKING?
Tonight, due to the lack of engaging television, I subjected myself to the spectacle that is American Idol. The question I keep asking my self is "Why haven't the friends of these so-called singers told them that they can't sing?" Heaven knows I have been told I'm lacking talent. The other question is "Why am I watching this tripe?" Reality television, and television in general, needs to be reworked. Come on people put down the remote (yes I said that. Me the king of the couch potatoes; the one who knows more about TV than anyone I know things we need to get away from TV for awhile) and rediscover life and each other. Read a book, go to a foreign film (or see a classic movie), go to the theatre or visit a museum. Regain culture and life will be more exciting.

Speaking of rediscovering culture...
This week I began to reread a classic epic: The Divine Comedy. Right now, I'm reading "The Inferno". I can truly say that this is one of my favorite books (this is also the only part of the comedy I've read). It's just a master piece of imagery and symbolism (which for the most part does not exist (I have bitter feelings towards dissecting a literature)). This is one book everyone needs to read. It makes you think about your life and what effects your choices have. So impact your life and go read a book!

I've joined the blog party!! WooHoo!! Because this is my first post and I only woke up about an hour ago, I really have nothing say at the moment. But don't you worry, with my family (especially my mother) there will be topics galore!! Plus, I'm dealing with the intellectual elite at Towson University (that place is pulling down my IQ and the rest of Maryland's).

DRINK OF THE WEEK
This feature is for Vikki and James. Every week a new drink (including recipe) will be given along with a description and occasion for its consumption. Because this is my first post and the address for this blog is tall white Russian, I think the appropriate drink for this kick off should be a...
TALL WHITE RUSSIAN
1 part vodka (premium vodka that has been stored in the freezer works best)
1 part Kahlua
Cream

1. Typically this drink is prepared in a rocks glass, but since it is a tall white Russian, a collins glass will be used. Fill the collins glass with ice.
2. Add the vodka and Kahlua
3. Float* the cream on the top.

*To float: always put the heaviest one on the bottom of the glass, and float the ingredients in order of density and thickness. To do this, hold a bar spoon face-down in the glass and pour the liqueur/cream over the back of the spoon -- very slowly.

This is a good after dinner drink to be enjoyed with good conversation.