return of the Flop

My dear worms seem to be having a little revolt.
In direct contradiction to previous research, once again my 2nd study group has shown no positive effect of tocotrienols (isomer in family of vit. E) whatsoever on its lifespan. Another 25 days gone and with nothing to show for it. One of those days when you feel like going into your lab with a sledgehammer and swinging that around for a few minutes until all your frustration has been vented.

If the tocotrienols show no positive effect, then what's the point of testing which genes were effected by the vitamin E isomer to give a now-defunct beneficial effect? I am just flabbergasted. My supervisor has asked me to proceed to the next supplementation adult-day-0 start point group ... but my head is spinning now. The risk of breaking new ground is that, sometimes you might not come across anything significant.

Feeling physically tired ... going to the lab every day of the week, travelling 3 hours a day, and alot of manual labwork ... The lack of proper results is getting to me. Good sleep seems elusive ... can sleep but feel little rested or dream alot. And an overbearing feeling of internal lethargy ... no mood to write up my log book, prepare my presentations or read up the latest related science updates.

Am I approaching burn-out? Feeling similar to the same point of time in my undergraduate year (March 2007) - was too drained to care, just dreadfully slogging to compile my results from 5 months of lab, trying to finish those burdensome pages of my undergrad thesis.

Only thing is ... I ain't gonna finish in another 2 months like my undergrad (ended with my viva in May 2007), but this will drag on till at least end of 2010. If not LONGER!

And I thought I'd handle it better the 2nd time around ... "buries head into pillow"

Papa John's Pizza review

Decided to drop by Papa John's Pizza on my way back from my laboratory on Maulidur Rasul (yesterday). Having to still go to my lab, on a public holiday, really grates on my nerves; hence the diversion. Saw it a few weeks back when getting something from Borders, and read the full positively toned review article in "Malaysian Today", March 5-11 edition. Their claim's about 'fresh dough and superior quality ingredients' got me curious. After all, Pizza Hut is terrible, Domino's gets boring after awhile and Shakey's Pizza ... don't mention it!

It's located at the ground floor of Berjaya Times Square, KL, next to the main entrance. You can't miss it ... unless you're coming in from the side entrances la.

Upon arrival, 1st impressions was that it looked like a cozy place, with both indoors and outdoors seating. Open spaces, so you don't feel claustrophobic. Not too big, so you wouldn't have a hive of noise like some outlets I know. Air-conditioning was a bit mild, but enough to keep you from sweating. Many of the patrons were Westerners, not surprising since it originates from the U.S. of A., and with a healthy mix of locals too. A big Chinese family was sitting outside having an uproarious time.

Service was fast, and I ordered a Cream of Mushroom soup (RM 4.90) (simple yet rich cream of mushroom soup), and also a Texas Heat 6" speciality pizza (RM 11.20) (Ground beef, crispy beef bits, onions, green peppers and jalapeno peppers).

Discreetly timed them. I had asked how long the pizza would take and was answered "15 minutes". ... I ordered at 1.24pm, and my Cream of Mushroom soup arrived at 1.27pm. (I didn't bring my camera; noooo ... so follow my descriptions ya) The serving looked disappointingly small (think a usual rice plate, with a hollowed middle - yes, the soup occupies ONLY the middle!). However, i guess it trades amount for the BANG! It was thick and creamy with good texture, sufficient taste with a good balance of seasonings that wasn't overpowering. And the numerous chunks of succulent mushrooms cut down to nice small pieces complemented it to perfection. Well, nearly; still wished there was more of it. Tempted to lick the plate but ain't a kid no more. Oh dear, now I'm wishing for more of it ...

Waited awhile more ... till 1.42pm. Nearly 20 minutes but understandable with the people lining up to get in (good business volume then). The Texas Heat pizza was pre-cut into 4 slices, and looked appetizing enough. It was served along with 2 pepperoncini (i think it's pickled jalapeno peppers?). As I cut the first slice, the knife carved in with approving crackling sounds; indicating crispiness. After the first bite, I had to agree about the dough statement - it definitely had a freshness, fluffyness and vibrant texture that outclassed Domino's and Pizza Hut's by a mile. The mozarella cheese wasn't particularly exceptional, while the beef bits were great but too few for my liking! Perhaps the small pizza didn't allow for too much stuffing to be placed ... A few slices of onion for the taste. And the unique taste of the green peppers and jalapeno peppers got me snared; you actually can have decent spicyness without a whole bottle of Life Chilli Sauce, tabasco and chilli flakes (e.g. Pizza Hut)! The cheese was also strong enough and doesn't harden too fast - no need to add any cheese flakes (Pizza Hut, hear me ...).

Payment was quick as well, with 10% service tax without any government tax. And the service people were friendly too; well trained. Overall, a good dining experience. Guaranteed better than Pizza Hut, Domino's and Shakey's.

Scores ...
Cream of Mushroom soup: 8/10 - i'll give a 10/10 if not for it's serving size! Utterly wipes the floor with Pizza Hut's instant-made, bland, chunk-less soup.
Texas Heat pizza: 7.5/10 - great dough, smooth cheese and enough fillings that aren't drowning in the cheese. not spicy enough, but that's for a person who eats curry and sambal everyday!

I personally recommend it. You wouldn't be disappointed! Here are some links for reviews with photo's and other items on the menu:
http://mimid3vils.blogspot.com/2008/12/pizza-papa-johns.html
http://klchin.blogspot.com/2009/02/papa-johns-pizza-berjaya-times-square.html
http://masak-masak.blogspot.com/2009/03/pizza-pasta-papa-johns-pizza-berjaya.html
http://thenomadgourmand.blogspot.com/2009/01/add-pizzazz-to-your-pizzas-at-papa.html

Want to see the menu without going there just yet?

http://www.papajohns.com.my/index.html

p.s. photo is courtesy of http://klchin.blogspot.com

A bad presentation

You know your presentation went down the dumps when your co-researcher commented "You looked so pale up there".
My progress report presentation last Weds went ok. How wrong was I to think that Friday would be the same.

First, my powerpoint slide was prepared in MS Office 2007 ... but the version on the laptop was Office 2003. The resulting slides had their font type and size changed; all a big mess! And I panicked - I literally stammered my way through a presentation I had earlier regarded as relatively routine.

Next, one of the fellows lambasted one of my points; regarding the 40 micro-M concentration of 5-FUdR I used to restrict progeny production. She asked why I chose that concentration - I replied it's based on 3 previous papers done. She went on to fry me for not doing a preliminary dose-response study regarding the concentration of 5-FUdR beforehand. After a few attempts to defend, I felt it was pointless to continue and acquiesced to avoid a drawn out confrontation.

When other members of the floor asked a few other questions, I was so rattled that I couldn't think up proper answers, mumbling my replies. By the time it was over, my hands were shivering and my papers shook as I collected them. I have a problem dealing with fierce disagreements ... especially when the other side is dug in deep.

LRT ... what's wrong?

I found myself stuck in the Putra LRT today on the way home ... my legs were screaming after standing from 6 - 7.45pm in a jam-packed rail car.


The announcements were ridiculous ... ".. will be moving shortly ... momentary disruption ...". And still stuck there for 10 minutes and more. Many were either laughing cynically or giving negative comments. Worse, we could barely hear the announcements as the PA system was terrible; the static and cracking sounds drowned out the person's voice. And at rush hour ... arghhhhh

So many times already these problems occur ... what has been done to tackle these problems decisively and effectively? It's bad enough as it is; after they extend the LRT line further?? A good automated system is pointless if it keeps on breaking down.

AND wasting people's time and making people late for work/back home.