This evening Timmy and I attended an Inaugural Lecture. When an academic is christened "full professor" he/she, as is a Victoria tradition, will give an inaugural lecture. This gives the individual an opportunity to share his/her research with the students and staff at Victoria as well as the wider Wellington community. As you can imagine these gatherings are true nerd fests; so it will be no surprise that we often attend.
Tonight the lecture elucidated trends and patterns in New Zealand voting, specifically in the general elections. With one to be held in another two months a lecture on this topic given by a distinguished researcher seemed very timely.
Since we are neither New Zealand citizens nor permanent residents we are ineligible to vote here. Usually before an election I would spend time reading trying to figure out the candidates' angles and agendas. But it feels utterly bizarre to witness the buzz surrounding the upcoming election while being unable to participate.
After the lecture had concluded we made our way up to the mezzanine level where they were serving beer, wine and nibbles. Plates came around with offerings of egg finger sandwiches and zucchini/mint cakes of which we were happy to partake. As we chatted about the lecture I realized that when the servers came around with sausage rolls and finger sandwiches filled with some variety of meat that I felt a little self conscious in turning them down. I guess this is what happens when you've spent the majority of your life eating pretty much everything that is offered.
Between sips we noticed a server approach another group of people standing not far away. She was offering a plate of zucchini/mint cakes but there were no takers. Before she stepped away from them one of the women in the group said, "Well, there's some vegetarians over there who would be desperate for some of these". Overhearing this we immediately burst into laughter which we tried to discretely contain. Apparently, people have interesting ideas about vegetarians. I know what you're thinking and yes, I realize, that this is just the beginning of understanding the wacky nuanced world of vegetarianism. More to come, I have no doubt. :)
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Boomer....
I've detailed the bizarre culinary options on offer here in NZ: unrecognizable meat substances called "bacon", burgers topped with fried eggs and beat root or pizza crawling with chicken and cranberries. With this in mind it shouldn't have come as a surprise to me that Hell Pizza's latest promo pizza highlights the mostly friendly animosity between Australia and New Zealand. Namely, kangaroo pizza. The billboard below outlines what will happen to the blindfolded marsupial, Boomer, if Kiwi demands are not met.
So while I was picking up our pizza and I asked the person who waited on me if The Boomer pizza had real kangaroo meat on it. She smiled back and me and said, "Yeah". This with a slight tinge of "of course it's real kangaroo!". I laughed and said, "So have you tried it? What's it like?". She nodded in the affirmative and said, "Well, I guess it would make you think of steak". At this point I hadn't really thought it through that kangaroo would be red meat. But it is. For all the carnivores out there now you have another red meat option to add to the list that includes (but is not limited to) cow, sheep, ostrich, horse, and buffalo. Oh, NZ, really?!
So while I was picking up our pizza and I asked the person who waited on me if The Boomer pizza had real kangaroo meat on it. She smiled back and me and said, "Yeah". This with a slight tinge of "of course it's real kangaroo!". I laughed and said, "So have you tried it? What's it like?". She nodded in the affirmative and said, "Well, I guess it would make you think of steak". At this point I hadn't really thought it through that kangaroo would be red meat. But it is. For all the carnivores out there now you have another red meat option to add to the list that includes (but is not limited to) cow, sheep, ostrich, horse, and buffalo. Oh, NZ, really?!
Saturday, July 19, 2014
15 seconds.....
People sometimes use the expression, "Fifteen minutes of fame" to describe a brief flourish of media attention. Regarding the article written about my research and recently published in Wellington's Dominion Post I experienced "15 seconds of fame". :)
After the initial interview I was nervous and excited to see how the article would come together. I wondered, "Did I explain my project, theory and practice, in such a way that would make sense to someone who isn't doing this type of research?". Soon after we scheduled and follow up interview where I answered questions that I wanted to double check before going on the record. In addition, she arranged to have a photographer come along and take my photo. This sounds innocuous but was no simple matter. Her initial request was to have a photo of me with one of my lab rats; I immediately responded that that would not be possible. As a scientist who conducts animal research I am well aware of the controversy that surrounds this topic. So I explained that we are unable to bring guests into the lab and under no circumstances are photos allowed. This is to protect not only the staff and students who work in the lab but also the animals themselves. To this response she said that if I could find an alternative location to take a photo, that is another lab space on campus, that would be fine. With that in mind I gathered up some props to "stage" some "fake science" and with the permission of Tim's supervisor we set up for my photo in the NMR lab where Tim works.
It was the following Friday that I confirmed my quotes in the article over the phone. Then it was time to wait. We thought it might appear in the weekend paper but came around on Monday. To celebrate Timmy took me out for breakfast at one of our favorite places and we bought a paper on the way. He made me let him read it first. I waited anxiously for him to finish and when he handed it over I breathed my first sigh of relief; the photo looked alright. My eyes zoomed over the text and then a weight lifted off me; the article was an accurate representation of our conversation and there was no misquoting. :) It was only then that I could start to take in the fact that all of this had come together beautifully. I couldn't keep the smile off my face especially when Timmy repeated told me how proud he was. That's high praise coming from someone so accomplished. :)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/10238490/Gene-test-could-warn-of-addict-tendencies
Later that day my phone rang with an unknown number popping up on the caller ID. I picked up and found myself talking to a reporter from Radio New Zealand who wanted to include my story in a news bulletin to go out later in the day. With my Science Media SAVVY training kicking in I arranged to answer her questions two hours later. This gave me time to review the article again and to consider how I would approach this type of interview. Our chat went very well and you can read what she wrote (link below), taken from our conversation, in the news bulletin.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/249129/gene-test-to-pinpoint-addictions
After that it was time to head to the SPCA for our weekly shift. I went with Timmy to the Dog House to say 'hi' to the pups and the headed over to the hospital wing via the Puppy Run. As soon as I walked through the door one of the volunteers came up to me and said, "I just read your article in the paper. Well done!". I was taken aback because I usually straggle into the SPCA in old clothes with my hair tied back and often with no makeup. I was sure that no one would recognize me. Wrong. Admittedly, I was relieved that her comments were positive because I know those who advocate for animal welfare (like the SPCA) might not understand why I volunteer there in addition to working in an animal research lab. These two things may seem at odds but they are not. I do both types of work for the same reason: I like animals. I think they have incredible value and, in regards to research, play an invaluable role in understanding complex chemical and behavioral phenomena (e.g. drug addiction). Importantly, I firmly believe that because animals cannot advocate for themselves they need us to do it for them hence my work at the SPCA and increasing involvement with the Animal Ethics Committee at Victoria.
My SPCA shift flew by and soon we were headed home. One the way I picked up an email from a woman who is on staff with The Paul Henry Show requesting an interview for a radio spot she was presenting early the following morning. After all the excitement of the day and working a long SPCA shift I was ready to sit down and not think about anything for the rest of the night. But reporters are nothing if not tenacious and so when I emailed back to say that I would call her in the morning my phone rang a couple minutes later. With an early morning spot she wanted to talk to me before the morning so I agreed to a short over-the-phone interview to answer a few general questions about drug addiction and the role that genes play in this highly complex disorder. After a conversation to give her the overall story she set up to record my responses. With a few do-overs she was happy with what we had recorded and would air it the next morning. Needless to say I was spent but happy. :)
Now my "15 seconds" lasted a bit longer with colleagues from around campus sending emails or stopping me in the corridors to congratulate me on the article. I will reiterate how flattered I felt to have so much attention albeit the limelight, even for this short amount of time, was a little unnerving. In the end it all came together nicely and I will be clipping the article out of the several copies of the paper we purchased to send home to our parents. It's just better to see the actual newsprint. :)
After the initial interview I was nervous and excited to see how the article would come together. I wondered, "Did I explain my project, theory and practice, in such a way that would make sense to someone who isn't doing this type of research?". Soon after we scheduled and follow up interview where I answered questions that I wanted to double check before going on the record. In addition, she arranged to have a photographer come along and take my photo. This sounds innocuous but was no simple matter. Her initial request was to have a photo of me with one of my lab rats; I immediately responded that that would not be possible. As a scientist who conducts animal research I am well aware of the controversy that surrounds this topic. So I explained that we are unable to bring guests into the lab and under no circumstances are photos allowed. This is to protect not only the staff and students who work in the lab but also the animals themselves. To this response she said that if I could find an alternative location to take a photo, that is another lab space on campus, that would be fine. With that in mind I gathered up some props to "stage" some "fake science" and with the permission of Tim's supervisor we set up for my photo in the NMR lab where Tim works.
It was the following Friday that I confirmed my quotes in the article over the phone. Then it was time to wait. We thought it might appear in the weekend paper but came around on Monday. To celebrate Timmy took me out for breakfast at one of our favorite places and we bought a paper on the way. He made me let him read it first. I waited anxiously for him to finish and when he handed it over I breathed my first sigh of relief; the photo looked alright. My eyes zoomed over the text and then a weight lifted off me; the article was an accurate representation of our conversation and there was no misquoting. :) It was only then that I could start to take in the fact that all of this had come together beautifully. I couldn't keep the smile off my face especially when Timmy repeated told me how proud he was. That's high praise coming from someone so accomplished. :)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/10238490/Gene-test-could-warn-of-addict-tendencies
Later that day my phone rang with an unknown number popping up on the caller ID. I picked up and found myself talking to a reporter from Radio New Zealand who wanted to include my story in a news bulletin to go out later in the day. With my Science Media SAVVY training kicking in I arranged to answer her questions two hours later. This gave me time to review the article again and to consider how I would approach this type of interview. Our chat went very well and you can read what she wrote (link below), taken from our conversation, in the news bulletin.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/249129/gene-test-to-pinpoint-addictions
After that it was time to head to the SPCA for our weekly shift. I went with Timmy to the Dog House to say 'hi' to the pups and the headed over to the hospital wing via the Puppy Run. As soon as I walked through the door one of the volunteers came up to me and said, "I just read your article in the paper. Well done!". I was taken aback because I usually straggle into the SPCA in old clothes with my hair tied back and often with no makeup. I was sure that no one would recognize me. Wrong. Admittedly, I was relieved that her comments were positive because I know those who advocate for animal welfare (like the SPCA) might not understand why I volunteer there in addition to working in an animal research lab. These two things may seem at odds but they are not. I do both types of work for the same reason: I like animals. I think they have incredible value and, in regards to research, play an invaluable role in understanding complex chemical and behavioral phenomena (e.g. drug addiction). Importantly, I firmly believe that because animals cannot advocate for themselves they need us to do it for them hence my work at the SPCA and increasing involvement with the Animal Ethics Committee at Victoria.
My SPCA shift flew by and soon we were headed home. One the way I picked up an email from a woman who is on staff with The Paul Henry Show requesting an interview for a radio spot she was presenting early the following morning. After all the excitement of the day and working a long SPCA shift I was ready to sit down and not think about anything for the rest of the night. But reporters are nothing if not tenacious and so when I emailed back to say that I would call her in the morning my phone rang a couple minutes later. With an early morning spot she wanted to talk to me before the morning so I agreed to a short over-the-phone interview to answer a few general questions about drug addiction and the role that genes play in this highly complex disorder. After a conversation to give her the overall story she set up to record my responses. With a few do-overs she was happy with what we had recorded and would air it the next morning. Needless to say I was spent but happy. :)
Now my "15 seconds" lasted a bit longer with colleagues from around campus sending emails or stopping me in the corridors to congratulate me on the article. I will reiterate how flattered I felt to have so much attention albeit the limelight, even for this short amount of time, was a little unnerving. In the end it all came together nicely and I will be clipping the article out of the several copies of the paper we purchased to send home to our parents. It's just better to see the actual newsprint. :)
Vellington....
So that's not a typo in the post title.
Wellington is celebrating the newly released movie What We Do in the Shadows. This vampire flick was shot in Wellington and features NZ celebs like Jemaine Clement and Rhys Darby (see Flight of the Conchords). As part of the movie's release the "Wellington" sign has been modified. This sign, crafted after the famous "Hollywood" sign is wind-inspired as the last few letters have been purposely set askew to look like their blowing away in the almost constant Wellinton gales. In honor of the movie the "W" on the sign has been replaced with a red "V" as the movie vampires pronounce "Wellington" as "Vellington". :)
Last weekend we went to movie and found it quite funny. The story follows four vampires who all live in the same flat; it's hilarious because they, just like so many folks who flat in Wellington, squabble about people not paying rent, doing their chores or attending regular "flat meetings". The movie begins with the flat waking up at 6pm and Viago trying to gather the other three for a "flat meeting". He manages to get gathered for the meeting and one asks if the fourth, Peter, will be joining them. The organizer of the meeting, Viago says, "No, Peter is 800 years old, he's not coming to the flat meeting".
Quirky and bizarre it was crazy to see places around town that we recognized. I mean, think about it, when do you watch a movie and say, "Hey, that's Courtenay Place!" (just a few blocks from our apartment)? They also included "open sets" when they were filming around town so we wondered if we might see ourselves or people we knew in the movie. Alas, we didn't recognize anyone. But in one of the scenes, where they are out for a night on the town, they walked into a bar called Boogey Wonderland. I'm pretty sure that was one of their "open set" scenes because, as they enter the bar, with camera crew traipsing behind, the confused looks of those on the crowded dance floor suggest they didn't know they were being included in the filming of this movie. :)
Wellington is celebrating the newly released movie What We Do in the Shadows. This vampire flick was shot in Wellington and features NZ celebs like Jemaine Clement and Rhys Darby (see Flight of the Conchords). As part of the movie's release the "Wellington" sign has been modified. This sign, crafted after the famous "Hollywood" sign is wind-inspired as the last few letters have been purposely set askew to look like their blowing away in the almost constant Wellinton gales. In honor of the movie the "W" on the sign has been replaced with a red "V" as the movie vampires pronounce "Wellington" as "Vellington". :)
Last weekend we went to movie and found it quite funny. The story follows four vampires who all live in the same flat; it's hilarious because they, just like so many folks who flat in Wellington, squabble about people not paying rent, doing their chores or attending regular "flat meetings". The movie begins with the flat waking up at 6pm and Viago trying to gather the other three for a "flat meeting". He manages to get gathered for the meeting and one asks if the fourth, Peter, will be joining them. The organizer of the meeting, Viago says, "No, Peter is 800 years old, he's not coming to the flat meeting".
Quirky and bizarre it was crazy to see places around town that we recognized. I mean, think about it, when do you watch a movie and say, "Hey, that's Courtenay Place!" (just a few blocks from our apartment)? They also included "open sets" when they were filming around town so we wondered if we might see ourselves or people we knew in the movie. Alas, we didn't recognize anyone. But in one of the scenes, where they are out for a night on the town, they walked into a bar called Boogey Wonderland. I'm pretty sure that was one of their "open set" scenes because, as they enter the bar, with camera crew traipsing behind, the confused looks of those on the crowded dance floor suggest they didn't know they were being included in the filming of this movie. :)
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