And before that...

1) There is a new book out all about the myriad ways in which our planet and its atmosphere and resulting proliferation are the results of chance and luck, and how we really might be alone as far as complex (and certainly as far as intelligent) life is concerned. Or at least so far from our neighbors that we might as well be alone. I can't wait to read it. It's called Rare Earth. You read it too. We'll have book group. Anyway, I read the article in the New York Times about it this weekend and the one thing I love about scientists is that they're so goddamned reasonable about everything. Like even though SETI kind of strongly disagrees with the thesis of the book, they're in favor of the research, because it's all about finding out the truth, using the most skeptical means. And the researchers who wrote the book also believe that SETI is an absolutely valid search. Though apparently this book (and i haven't read it yet) labels the enthusiasm behind the search for extraterrestrial life "saganitis" which I don't think is fair really, because Sagan was a profound skeptic and I think he'd weigh the data and probably end up agreeing, though he'd be sad. I mean everyone is pretty much after the same thing and that's to find out "why life?" and everyone needs to hold hands and share to get there, and all the nice reasonable scientists want to do just that, because they are nice reasonable scientists. Regardless, who the fuck am I to say what Sagan would think. Anyway, can't wait to read it.

2) I saw an opera in New York this weekend and I learned never to wear high heels in new york again unless i can like go through high heel boot camp first and get my feet accustomed to them.

3) My dad said he regretted not exposing me to more classical music and opera when i was little, and then he said he regretted not getting me and my sister into chemistry, which i found really really touching (my dad is a retired chemist, PhD) because I think i wish he had too. I think I wish I had been raised a scientist. My job is sort of sciencey, in that I essentially use the scientific method to perform "experiments" on software and analyze the results (where the hypothesis is essentially always "This code will work."), but I don't really have the educational background in that area, I'm not a "Computer Scientist." I like science cause you can make a volcano out of baking soda.

4) I like yoga.

5) I don't like yogurt.

6) D'Angelo is nice. Do you think he'd kiss me?

7) Happy It's Not Valentine's Day Anymore You Can Come Out Now