Verbascum blattaria

The Plant of The Week has been lacking on my blog these days. Most flowers have done their thing for the year and I haven't seen anything new in quite some time. Luckily this week I found something worthy of keying out. Verbascus blatteria or Moth mullen in the Scrophulariaceae family. I knew the more common wolly mullen but I have never seen this species.

The key was quick. This baby is a non-native in California. It has very pretty purple filaments which are hairy and distinctive. Enjoy!

Nation,

I am part of the movement. I received a bracelet for my birthday!

thanks Nate and Courtney

California in flames

Whats with all these fires. It is hard to breathe out there. I am glad to be in the office today!

Friday off...

I work an alternative work schedule. I work 8 nine hour days, 1 eight hour day, which means every other Friday off!!!! I love it. So last night I celebrated by working on my thesis on our roof deck. What a celebration it was! I am almost done with the discussion. It is hot in our neighborhood. I love it! I used to live in the foggy Presidio and welcome the change.

One good thing about the roof deck is the awesome sunset you get to witness. The other, sometimes your neighbor sets up his projector and we get to watch movies. Last night was perfect for movies on the roof and we watched a Sci-fi mini-series. I was skeptical at first but was soon hooked. I am not sure what the show was called but it dealt with objects from a motel room and it had Peter Krause.
This morning I decided to get up early and go surf!
I haven't gone surfing in quite some time and I am feeling it right now. My arms are like rubber. The waves were small and the conditions were poor but it was sooooo fun to be out in the water. I was even able to stand up. My arms ran out of gas pretty quick but I had a blast.

Friday is shaping up to be a good day!

WTF???

I noticed this car yesterday when I was in Berkeley.
I thought Volvo wagon drivers were for Hillary...

My Double Life

I have 2 jobs. One too many if you ask me. I have a job at Mosaic Associates that pays for my lifestyle and the other job is my education. I hate my second job. It never seems to end. I did pass my defense and I thought I was almost done but I haven't finished my stupid paper. When I do I will finally be a master of science. The trouble is my advisor and I don't see eye to eye as to how to proceed. It seems like he always has something for me to do but I am close.
(Sorry Kim. I hope you are not a reader)

Anyway... my second "job" is at the Academy of Sciences. The new Academy. What a sweet building it is!!! The building is green of course. Automatically dimming lights, tons of natural light and of course a living roof! I cannot wait until September 27th!

The Botany department was the first to move into the new building. This is entrance to our department.

Here is my cubicle!
Here is where the magic happens. It is kind of depressing and bleak. I haven't put up any photos.
The view is pretty nice though.
I cannot wait until the paper is done but sad to lose this awesome workspace. Maybe that is why I haven't finished. Wow, what a great excuse. Why haven't I thought about that before! (sorry Betsy)

SNAKE!!!!!

whew!!! This one almost got me! Look how it blends into the habitat.

I need to be more careful!

I voted!

As of 9:15 it looks like Prop 98 is not going to pass.
Thank goodness. We can still afford to live in the city.