I did a depressing post just before Christmas. That was stupid. Generally, I had a good Christmas. I can't be bothered to write loads right now, but I didn't want that moany thing being the top post on here. So yeah, smile :)
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Now playing: Of Montreal - Labyrinthian Pomp
via FoxyTunes
Sunday 30 December 2007
Sunday 23 December 2007
Eminem - Rabbit Run
I don't listen to this song for fun. I just didn't think this Christmas would have much reason to play it. Oh well, same as ever. Nothing is ever just fun and games.
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Now playing: Eminem - Rabbit Run
via FoxyTunes
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Now playing: Eminem - Rabbit Run
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday 19 December 2007
I know he'll stay next time...
Yesterday I watched the DS9 season 7 finale...again. What got me wanting to watching it? Firstly, I was browsing DVDs in Derby at the weekend and I came across the Star Trek Captain's Log collection. I immediately wanted to watch all the DS9 episodes mentioned on that, particularly In the Pale Moonlight. I haven't got that one here with me though, since season 5 is at my mum's house. Secondly, I wanted sci-fi, and it's been a while since I DS9ed, and Atlantis is off until January. Thirdly, I wanted something that'd really get to me. I was emotional anyway, and I always cry at the DS9 finale. I'd already cried far too much at the Dawson's Creek after Mitch dies (I realise that might sound pathetic, but anyone who doesn't cry at that one isn't human) and What You Leave Behind seemed perfect.
So what can I say? It is by FAAAR the best final episode of any series I've followed. Buffy had a great ending, but DS9 was perfect. Everything was wrapped up. Every character's story. Just perfect. I love how it comes down to Sisko vs Dukat at the end, as it should be. I love how Damar, someone who you had really hated after the Dominion occupation of DS9 and the death of Ziyal, died a hero, and without him the war may not have been won. I get upset every time the crew separates at the end though. The worst part, and the part that never fails to get me, is that Odo leaves. He leaves, granted because he really has to, after all that time waiting for him and Kira to get together. That is the saddest part of all of it. Well, I guess Sisko leaving his pregnant wife is a big deal, but Odo was always my favourite character. I joke to people that I watch it so often because eventually they'll come a time when I watch it and Odo decides to stay. Maybe one day he will...
Speaking of other TV things, I've seen the Lost trailer today. Looks interesting. It's weird that I'm not more bothered about it. I love Lost, and I'm obsessed when it's on. I was desperate for season 2 when 1 finished, and almost as bad waiting for 3. I am really excited about 4, but I think it's overshadowed by the fact that I'm so into Atlantis, and waiting for Battlestar series 4. That will be amazing. I have Razor waiting for me on the Sky+ back at my mum's, and I'll probably buy that on DVD as soon as it's out. This is why Lost gets put on the back burner. I'm too obsessed with sci fi.
If only writing essays came as easily as writing about TV :P I know I could get a first class degree in DS9. The only thing I could do better in is the history of Middle Earth :P
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Now playing: Rocky Horror - Rose Tint My World
via FoxyTunes
So what can I say? It is by FAAAR the best final episode of any series I've followed. Buffy had a great ending, but DS9 was perfect. Everything was wrapped up. Every character's story. Just perfect. I love how it comes down to Sisko vs Dukat at the end, as it should be. I love how Damar, someone who you had really hated after the Dominion occupation of DS9 and the death of Ziyal, died a hero, and without him the war may not have been won. I get upset every time the crew separates at the end though. The worst part, and the part that never fails to get me, is that Odo leaves. He leaves, granted because he really has to, after all that time waiting for him and Kira to get together. That is the saddest part of all of it. Well, I guess Sisko leaving his pregnant wife is a big deal, but Odo was always my favourite character. I joke to people that I watch it so often because eventually they'll come a time when I watch it and Odo decides to stay. Maybe one day he will...
Speaking of other TV things, I've seen the Lost trailer today. Looks interesting. It's weird that I'm not more bothered about it. I love Lost, and I'm obsessed when it's on. I was desperate for season 2 when 1 finished, and almost as bad waiting for 3. I am really excited about 4, but I think it's overshadowed by the fact that I'm so into Atlantis, and waiting for Battlestar series 4. That will be amazing. I have Razor waiting for me on the Sky+ back at my mum's, and I'll probably buy that on DVD as soon as it's out. This is why Lost gets put on the back burner. I'm too obsessed with sci fi.
If only writing essays came as easily as writing about TV :P I know I could get a first class degree in DS9. The only thing I could do better in is the history of Middle Earth :P
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Now playing: Rocky Horror - Rose Tint My World
via FoxyTunes
Monday 17 December 2007
Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf
This song is by The Killers, and it's pretty fantastic. I listened to their Sawdust album when someone was sharing it on the network using iTunes (good legal way to preview music, listening to other people's shared libraries) and most of it is pretty average. Absolutely nothing else stood out, but I loved Leave the Bourbon on the Shelf from the first time I heard it. My Last FM will be fill of The Killers this week, because I listened to that and remembered how good some of their older songs were. It's just one of those songs that gets you the first time you hear it, and you need to keep listening over and over.
Other stuff. Stargate Atlantis season 4 episode 10. I was impressed. Not as dramatic a cliffhanger as some of their previous ones, but I still can't wait for January. Obvious lack of Carter, which was odd because she is supposed to be in charge, but on the whole season 4 has been great. More other stuff? I finished reading Dune. Now that was a good book. You can see that so much later sci fi was influenced by Dune. I'm tired now so I'm hardly in review writing mode, but people should read it anyway.
And now I think I'm gonna get off the computer for the night. The internet has bored me to the point that I've hardly been on this weekend.
Other stuff. Stargate Atlantis season 4 episode 10. I was impressed. Not as dramatic a cliffhanger as some of their previous ones, but I still can't wait for January. Obvious lack of Carter, which was odd because she is supposed to be in charge, but on the whole season 4 has been great. More other stuff? I finished reading Dune. Now that was a good book. You can see that so much later sci fi was influenced by Dune. I'm tired now so I'm hardly in review writing mode, but people should read it anyway.
And now I think I'm gonna get off the computer for the night. The internet has bored me to the point that I've hardly been on this weekend.
Tuesday 11 December 2007
Let's All Make Believe
Before I start, this title will be used over and over for posts. Go listen to the song by Oasis and tell me it doesn't apply to so much in life.
Here's the thing. Why aren't people easier to understand? You ask someone you think is a friend such a simple question, and don't get a straight answer. Is that person really the good friend you thought they could be? Have they ever been? The stupidest thing is that this applies to more than one person. When you've known someone for a few years though, surely it's time to walk away. Not me though! No, while I'm still getting mixed messages, I hold on thinking that we are really friends. Let's all make believe, eh?
In other news, I think I'm one of the gang at work, finally. All it takes is a night out on the piss and getting so trashed you can't remember how you got home! Haha, it was actually a really good night, the work Christmas do. I do regret drinking so much though, but it all ended okay.
Here's the thing. Why aren't people easier to understand? You ask someone you think is a friend such a simple question, and don't get a straight answer. Is that person really the good friend you thought they could be? Have they ever been? The stupidest thing is that this applies to more than one person. When you've known someone for a few years though, surely it's time to walk away. Not me though! No, while I'm still getting mixed messages, I hold on thinking that we are really friends. Let's all make believe, eh?
In other news, I think I'm one of the gang at work, finally. All it takes is a night out on the piss and getting so trashed you can't remember how you got home! Haha, it was actually a really good night, the work Christmas do. I do regret drinking so much though, but it all ended okay.
Wednesday 5 December 2007
Save Derby Playhouse
I was absolutely gutted to find out, when I was home last weekend, that Derby Playhouse has been put into administration (it was actually liquidation when I first found out) and has closed it's doors. Gutted because I was excited about seeing Treasure Island this winter, and gutted because I've seen some fantastic shows there in the past and had some great memories. A city without a producing theatre? It's not right.
The Christmas productions there have been great for the last few years. I didn't go last year because they put A Christmas Carol on again, I think because they were preparing to shut for refurbishment, and I'd seen that a couple of years before. It was great though, when I did see it a few years back. Merlin, too, was a really good play. I've seen a few productions with performances that wouldn't have been out of place in the West End. When you think that this is just a small theatre, with neither the money or the resources London theatres have, what they do is so impressive. To think that Derby have lost that is horrible.
I'd have loved to have been there for that last performance of Treasure Island. It went ahead without consent of the board, and all staff were unpaid. They opened the doors to the public and the Playhouse was packed, with people sitting in the aisles. They've had a few protests in Derby, and I wish I could have been there too. If they have another while I'm around, I'll definitely go.
http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org
EDIT - Okay, so I've managed to make a slight difference. I got 4 people to join the Facebook group, after I posted it :)
The Christmas productions there have been great for the last few years. I didn't go last year because they put A Christmas Carol on again, I think because they were preparing to shut for refurbishment, and I'd seen that a couple of years before. It was great though, when I did see it a few years back. Merlin, too, was a really good play. I've seen a few productions with performances that wouldn't have been out of place in the West End. When you think that this is just a small theatre, with neither the money or the resources London theatres have, what they do is so impressive. To think that Derby have lost that is horrible.
I'd have loved to have been there for that last performance of Treasure Island. It went ahead without consent of the board, and all staff were unpaid. They opened the doors to the public and the Playhouse was packed, with people sitting in the aisles. They've had a few protests in Derby, and I wish I could have been there too. If they have another while I'm around, I'll definitely go.
http://www.savederbyplayhouse.org
EDIT - Okay, so I've managed to make a slight difference. I got 4 people to join the Facebook group, after I posted it :)
The Power Cut
This is the first of two blog entries tonight. I'm more keen to right the second one, because I think it's more important, but I want to get my moan about last night out the way first.
Basically, there was a power cut. Hospital power, including residences, was meant to be out from 6pm to 10pm. It ended up being out until 1.30am. How do I know when it came on? My lights coming back on woke me up.
No power meant no cooking, tv, computer, heating or light. I rushed to the canteen before 6 to get dinner before they lost power, and then I phoned people. It was 7ish and I was bored, and my flatmate who was taking me to Asda wasn't home yet, so I walked to Netto to buy candles. That was a good hour round trip, which seems like a waste of time just to spend £1.78 on candles. Didn't want to buy food though because it's cheaper (and better) at Asdas. Just as I get in, she gets home and we go out to Asda. Come back and it's still only 9pm. What to do? Even the emergency lights in the hall were out at this point. I set up candles and read Dune by candlelight, since I was too awake to sleep. Daft thing was that when I actually was tired enough, Dune was getting exciting. By the time I went to sleep, it was freezing. I didn't get to shower till the morning because there was no light in the bathroom, and I didn't know how long the hot water would last. I didn't get to do my washing, because obviously the washing machines were out. I missed Dawson's Creek. I had no internet all night. It was the longest I've been without power, and it was verging on ridiculous. The workmen must have screwed up pretty badly to leave us cut off for that long.
Basically, there was a power cut. Hospital power, including residences, was meant to be out from 6pm to 10pm. It ended up being out until 1.30am. How do I know when it came on? My lights coming back on woke me up.
No power meant no cooking, tv, computer, heating or light. I rushed to the canteen before 6 to get dinner before they lost power, and then I phoned people. It was 7ish and I was bored, and my flatmate who was taking me to Asda wasn't home yet, so I walked to Netto to buy candles. That was a good hour round trip, which seems like a waste of time just to spend £1.78 on candles. Didn't want to buy food though because it's cheaper (and better) at Asdas. Just as I get in, she gets home and we go out to Asda. Come back and it's still only 9pm. What to do? Even the emergency lights in the hall were out at this point. I set up candles and read Dune by candlelight, since I was too awake to sleep. Daft thing was that when I actually was tired enough, Dune was getting exciting. By the time I went to sleep, it was freezing. I didn't get to shower till the morning because there was no light in the bathroom, and I didn't know how long the hot water would last. I didn't get to do my washing, because obviously the washing machines were out. I missed Dawson's Creek. I had no internet all night. It was the longest I've been without power, and it was verging on ridiculous. The workmen must have screwed up pretty badly to leave us cut off for that long.
Tuesday 4 December 2007
Exciting!
I doubt many will agree, but finding Trichuris trichuria in a patient sample, as in an actual faeces sample from a patient rather than a quality control sample or some teaching sample, is pretty exciting. The guy I was with today said that in 5 years of working there, it was his first parasite seen in a patient sample. Parasitology makes me laugh at work, in the way that it's always a group activity. If we get a QC sample, it gets looked at by everyone. This positive this morning, and everyone wants a look.
Makes the day more interesting anyway.
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Now playing: Morrissey - You Have Killed Me
via FoxyTunes
Makes the day more interesting anyway.
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Now playing: Morrissey - You Have Killed Me
via FoxyTunes
Monday 3 December 2007
A shortlist of my favourite songs
I refrained from blogging all weekend. Why? To avoid ranting. Work pissed me off, then other things pissed me off, then yet another thing pissed me off. But why bother moaning? That's just how life is.
So anyway, what to write about? I'm thinking the one thing I can talk forever about. Music. The other day I came close to doing the impossible. I made a playlist on iTunes called Made of Awesome, and started adding my favourite songs. I don't think all my favourites are there, by any means. Some because I've forgotten right now, because the appropriate time to play a particular song hasn't come up lately, or because for whatever reason a song isn't on my PC. It's also hard to decide which songs are favourites of the moment, and will be forgotten in a few months, and which will always be favourites. Anyway, that impossible thing. Nine of those awesome songs were Oasis songs. That means I almost had a top 10! So here's the songs in that playlist. Hopefully doing this will help me decide what else to add.
Wow, that list seems short. I know more belongs on there, and I think with the addition of Let There Be Love, I might have an Oasis top 10. It needs more thought though, as do more additions to the Made of Awesome playlist. I feel like Pink Floyd should be represented, and AC/DC. With the latter, I can think of 3, but it depends on mood. The Who need more on their too, but again, it depends on mood. This is hard :P
And that was a great way to waste time. I enjoy making lists like this. PBS lists don't allow you to explain properly though, and this 19 is just provisional, with a thought to an alltime great list consisting of perhaps 30-40 songs. PBS threads expect 10. TEN! I can't even get a definitive Oasis 10!
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Now playing: Oasis - Keep The Dream Alive
via FoxyTunes
So anyway, what to write about? I'm thinking the one thing I can talk forever about. Music. The other day I came close to doing the impossible. I made a playlist on iTunes called Made of Awesome, and started adding my favourite songs. I don't think all my favourites are there, by any means. Some because I've forgotten right now, because the appropriate time to play a particular song hasn't come up lately, or because for whatever reason a song isn't on my PC. It's also hard to decide which songs are favourites of the moment, and will be forgotten in a few months, and which will always be favourites. Anyway, that impossible thing. Nine of those awesome songs were Oasis songs. That means I almost had a top 10! So here's the songs in that playlist. Hopefully doing this will help me decide what else to add.
- Aerosmith - I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing
- The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
- Bright Eyes - Road to Joy
- Cock Sparrer - Because You're Young
- Little Man Tate - Just Can't Take It
- Mando Diao - Ochracy
- Oasis - Don't Look Back in Anger
- Oasis - Champagne Supernova
- Oasis - Don't Go Away
- Oasis - Slide Away
- Oasis - Keep The Dream Alive
- Oasis - Sad Song
- Oasis - Half the World Away
- Oasis - The Masterplan
- Oasis - Let's All Make Believe
- Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujah
- The Who - Tea and Theatre
Wow, that list seems short. I know more belongs on there, and I think with the addition of Let There Be Love, I might have an Oasis top 10. It needs more thought though, as do more additions to the Made of Awesome playlist. I feel like Pink Floyd should be represented, and AC/DC. With the latter, I can think of 3, but it depends on mood. The Who need more on their too, but again, it depends on mood. This is hard :P
And that was a great way to waste time. I enjoy making lists like this. PBS lists don't allow you to explain properly though, and this 19 is just provisional, with a thought to an alltime great list consisting of perhaps 30-40 songs. PBS threads expect 10. TEN! I can't even get a definitive Oasis 10!
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Now playing: Oasis - Keep The Dream Alive
via FoxyTunes
Sunday 25 November 2007
Oasis
One day, Noel Gallagher will be recognised as one of the greatest songwriters of the 90s and 00s. There was a PBS thread about top 10 songs, and I just could not answer it. And then I thought about top 10 Oasis songs, and even that is impossible. They have so many brilliant songs.
I love listening to loads of other music for ages, then remembering that Oasis are awesome.
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Now playing: Oasis - Listen Up
via FoxyTunes
I love listening to loads of other music for ages, then remembering that Oasis are awesome.
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Now playing: Oasis - Listen Up
via FoxyTunes
Friday 23 November 2007
Dr Cox and Lord Asriel
I had a good day today. Been seriously busy for the last 3 days, especially yesterday, but I've enjoyed the responsibility really. Pub lunch today too, but possibly the best bit was having my supervisor say well done, and being told that my learning contract was good and better than my last one. It's also been good to see that others have confidence in my competence. I actually feel like I've achieved a lot this week :D
And tonight I'm gonna watch Daniel Craig on Jonathan Ross, whilst having beer and pizza with my flatmate. Desperate to watch it because he'll be talking about Northern Lights (yes, I refuse to call it Golden Compass) which will be the film of the year, if it's anything like the book. I didn't think Daniel Craig was right for Lord Asriel, mostly because Jason Isaacs would be the perfect choice (Lucius Malfoy...he plays that role more like Lord Asriel then the Malfoy in the HP books) and because he just didn't seem to have that powerful presence that Asriel has. I've changed my mind though. He looks good in the trailer, and if he plays the part right he could be great. And he has that other thing working for him. Everyone knows, when they're reading it, that Lord Asriel is hot. Daniel Craig works :P
I'm sure that post title makes sense to anyone who watches Scrubs and can relate to wanting approval from a supervisor who rarely tells you how well you're doing :P
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Now playing: Of Montreal - The Party's Crashing Us
via FoxyTunes
And tonight I'm gonna watch Daniel Craig on Jonathan Ross, whilst having beer and pizza with my flatmate. Desperate to watch it because he'll be talking about Northern Lights (yes, I refuse to call it Golden Compass) which will be the film of the year, if it's anything like the book. I didn't think Daniel Craig was right for Lord Asriel, mostly because Jason Isaacs would be the perfect choice (Lucius Malfoy...he plays that role more like Lord Asriel then the Malfoy in the HP books) and because he just didn't seem to have that powerful presence that Asriel has. I've changed my mind though. He looks good in the trailer, and if he plays the part right he could be great. And he has that other thing working for him. Everyone knows, when they're reading it, that Lord Asriel is hot. Daniel Craig works :P
I'm sure that post title makes sense to anyone who watches Scrubs and can relate to wanting approval from a supervisor who rarely tells you how well you're doing :P
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Now playing: Of Montreal - The Party's Crashing Us
via FoxyTunes
Thursday 22 November 2007
You know you've worked in the lab too long when...
This is just hilarious. If you've worked in a lab anyway. To make it funnier for people who haven't, I'll comment on what is true and why. Probably more "interesting" than "funny", but whatever. Oh, and I found the list on Facebook, but it's one of those things that's been around a few emails at work too.
You know you've worked too long in a lab when
1. You wonder what absolute alcohol tastes like with orange juice
Oh we've discussed it so often. There isn't any in our lab though, apparently. Methanol is used more because people can't drink it :P
2. You can tell what cheap and expensive white coats look like
I have a favourite one :P
3. You can't watch CSI without cursing at least one scientific inaccuracy
Any hospital program really. Everyone I know who works in the NHS in any position is the same.
4. You use acronyms for everything and never stop to elaborate
That's not true. Elaborating makes me look clever.
5. Liquid nitrogen is only about a 1/3 as dangerous as you thought
N/A. Don't deal with it.
6. You always seem to use the microscope after the person with the impossible close together eyes
More like far apart eyes! It's always one or the other though.
7. Accident reports are a badge of honor
Who reports accidents?
8. You've wondered why you can't drink distilled water in the lab - It should be clean?
I still wouldn't want to!
9. You give the lab equipment motivational pep talks "Work for me today or i'll reprogram you with a fire axe" is my favorite
There's someone at work who says far more colourful things about the urine analyser :P
10. You've worked out that a trained chimp could probably do 90% of your job
Pfft, no. I don't work in chemistry or haematology!
11. When a non-scientist asks you what you do for a living you roll your eyes and talk science at them until they've loss the will to live (mainly for fun)
This is always fun, and again, makes me look clever.
12. You have to check the web to find out what the weather is outside
What other way is there?
13. You realize that almost anything can be classed as background reading
Newspaper articles on killer superbugs that will destroy the planet?
14. People wearing shorts under a lab coat disturb you slightly as they look as though they might be naked underneath
It is scary.
15. Although all cooking is a glorified chemistry experiment you just still can't seem to get it right
Heh, I'm getting there.
16. Safety equipment is optional unless it makes you look cool
Honestly, who wears goggles?!
17. Warning labels invoke curiosity rather than caution
"What would happen if?..."
18. The Christmas nightout reveals scientists can't dance, although a formula for the movement of hands and feet combined with beats per min is found scrawled on a napkin by a waiter the next day
Ugh, yet to find that out. Better be good, they spend the whole year planning it!
19. You know which part of the lab you can chill out undisturbed on friday afternoon
Afternoons aren't often chilled.
20. You decide the courses and conference you want to go on by the quality of the food served
EVERYONE in the lab does that. Got a meeting in Hull? Awesome, they do a good buffet lunch. CPD meeting? Only good with popcorn.
21. You are strangely proud of the collection of junk you've stolen from vendors at trade shows
Not been yet :(
22. You've used dry ice to cool beer down
I've heard stories, but alas, never done that.
23. No matter what the timings in the experiment protocol there is always time for lunch in the middle
Hell yes. Tea breaks too.
24. You can no longer spell normal words but have no trouble with spelling things like immunohistochemistry or deoxyribonucleic acid.
This is true, but I will never master "fluorescence". Only got that because of the spell checker.
25. Burning eyes, nose and throat indicate that you haven't actually turned on the fumehood/downdraft bench
More like a strong smell of poo.
26. Your slightly too fond of the smell of (pick one or many) Xylene/Agar/Ethanol/Undergraduates/Alcoholic handwash
Enterococci, formalin, ethanol, xylene...list goes on.
27. You've left the lab wearing a piece of PPE (personal protective equipment) because you forgot you had it on
Since that's gloves or labcoat, no. Almost went into the main lab in a blue labcoat once though.
28. You bitch about not being able to pipette by mouth any more (Not me but i've worked with people who do!)
As the author said, not me, but I know older folks who do.
Signs from others in the group (04-07-07) (these taken from the Facebook group, credit left in)
29. Security come round at 2 am wondering why the lights are still on only to find you with your arms up to your elbows in a glovebox - Cheers James
Not allowed to do that yet!
30. you have made some kind of puppet out of a nitrile glove and kept it as a pet (I know this isn't just me!) (Putting dry ice in makes for a rapidly expanding if short lived pet - DS) - Cheers Rachel
We've all made weird things with bits we find in the lab. Someone at work made toys with mouse balls and kinder eggs.
31. When at a Fall Out Boy gig you wonder why everyone is going round with Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) written on their head!!!! -Just for you Sarah
I have actually related the two things. Sad.
32. You have an irresistible urge to rip your shirt off superman stylie cos it has press stud fasteners just like your lab coat.....Most often occurring as you walk through a door just like exiting the lab.... (The worlds of strippers and lab workers collide, not pretty- DS) Thanks for that Carrie
OMG YES. I've done that since before reading this, and more so since. You really can't help it. Busy, stressful day, and you have to do a superman style labcoat rip off on the way out.
33. You still get amusement out of "freezing" things in liquid nitrogen! - Not just you Tracey
I want a go!
A Few more from me (12-07-07)
34. Blinking real fast has saved your eyesight on more than one occasion.
Haha, no. Heard too many stories
35. You've removed your gloves to find a small hole which has left you with either - wrinkly old person hands, a brightly coloured finger (histologists especially) or a burning sensation and dermatitis and some point.
Bright coloured stain and wrinkling hands quite a lot.
36. You've bent down to pick something up off the floor only to scatter the contents of your top pocket under the largest machine in the lab - Common problem i believe
All the damn time. I'm always losing stuff from my pocket.
More From you guys (19-07-07)
37.When you rejoice when grabbing a handfull of eppendorfs/bijous/anything and it turns outs to be the exact number you needed (always strangly good andy)
This one time, I was doing C.diff toxin tests, and there were 7, and by accident I picked up 7 test tubes. It was an awesome day.
38.You can`t wait for lab clean-up coz you get to do random pointless "experiments" to figure out whats in all the dodgy unlabeled bottels (Sniff test is a bit of a gamble Nadia)
Oh I so want to do this.
39. You hate having to change your lab coat to a new one because 'it just won't fit right' and because the wrist bits are way too tight (They never get my 'cut' just right either Tom)
EXACTLY. I have a favourite.
40. You know you have worked in a lab too long when you actually threaten your cells whilst waving a bottle of virkon (All been there Becky)
O.o
41.Your nose invariably itches when you're doing mucky stuff with your hands so you develop the habit of scratching it on your upper arm. Unfortunately you sometimes carry this habit over to real life, where it looks like you're sniffing your armpits (Trying to find a clean bit of lab coat can be fun as well, cheers Kate)
When you're dealing with poos, usually. OH! The worst one is when your arms are in the anaerobe cabinet, and you forget, and try and scratch yourself through a window. Don't work.
42. When as the senior of morphology you threaten each new registrar on their first day that oil and x10 dry objectives do not mix and will result in violence (Cheers Nichola)
O.o
43. when you say goodnight to your microscope on a friday night and tearfully hug it goodbye as you won't see it all weekend (Cheers again Nichola)
This is known as "sad".
44. When you start making patterns in your pipette tip box as you take the tips out. I made a beautiful spiral today (Could have been an art student Vicky)
Does it count when you do it in a tray of 5ml waters?
45. When you wonder how much it will hurt if I pour just a smidge of this phenol:chloroform/trichloroacetic acid/any random chemical on myself (Best try it out on some one else first Mike)
More like I wonder if it will really burn through, and what I could use as a weapon of self defence.
46. You've seen how far away you can hit a target with a squirty water bottle or seeing how far away from the bin i can fire pipette tips. (Pinging gloves is also fun Ed)
Elastic band fights are almost the same?
47. The fire alarm ceases to bug you. You only evacuate when you see the fire. (Hand on the floor to check for heat is a good indicator)
Damn thing makes me jump EVERY week, but if it was a real fire, I wouldn't move and just assume it was another drill.
48. You know when you've been in a lab too long when you make 6 litres of medium, but wonder why no one makes "high" or "low".(Cheers Tom)
Well I'll wonder that now...
49. When you organise your kitchen cupboard contents the way you would your chemicals..all labeled in alphabetical order (Cheers Anggia)
Ha, no.
50. When you've got that callus on the side of your thumb from opening PCR tubes (Cheers Chani)
Well since I don't do PCR, no. I do have a mark on my thumb from always scraping it opening urine pots.
The main one though, is that you now know what the NHS is really like. It makes you appreciate the Amateur Transplants more, but more than anything it makes you want to bang your head against a wall. Or several different walls.
----------------
Now playing: Mando Diao - Ochrasy
via FoxyTunes
You know you've worked too long in a lab when
1. You wonder what absolute alcohol tastes like with orange juice
Oh we've discussed it so often. There isn't any in our lab though, apparently. Methanol is used more because people can't drink it :P
2. You can tell what cheap and expensive white coats look like
I have a favourite one :P
3. You can't watch CSI without cursing at least one scientific inaccuracy
Any hospital program really. Everyone I know who works in the NHS in any position is the same.
4. You use acronyms for everything and never stop to elaborate
That's not true. Elaborating makes me look clever.
5. Liquid nitrogen is only about a 1/3 as dangerous as you thought
N/A. Don't deal with it.
6. You always seem to use the microscope after the person with the impossible close together eyes
More like far apart eyes! It's always one or the other though.
7. Accident reports are a badge of honor
Who reports accidents?
8. You've wondered why you can't drink distilled water in the lab - It should be clean?
I still wouldn't want to!
9. You give the lab equipment motivational pep talks "Work for me today or i'll reprogram you with a fire axe" is my favorite
There's someone at work who says far more colourful things about the urine analyser :P
10. You've worked out that a trained chimp could probably do 90% of your job
Pfft, no. I don't work in chemistry or haematology!
11. When a non-scientist asks you what you do for a living you roll your eyes and talk science at them until they've loss the will to live (mainly for fun)
This is always fun, and again, makes me look clever.
12. You have to check the web to find out what the weather is outside
What other way is there?
13. You realize that almost anything can be classed as background reading
Newspaper articles on killer superbugs that will destroy the planet?
14. People wearing shorts under a lab coat disturb you slightly as they look as though they might be naked underneath
It is scary.
15. Although all cooking is a glorified chemistry experiment you just still can't seem to get it right
Heh, I'm getting there.
16. Safety equipment is optional unless it makes you look cool
Honestly, who wears goggles?!
17. Warning labels invoke curiosity rather than caution
"What would happen if?..."
18. The Christmas nightout reveals scientists can't dance, although a formula for the movement of hands and feet combined with beats per min is found scrawled on a napkin by a waiter the next day
Ugh, yet to find that out. Better be good, they spend the whole year planning it!
19. You know which part of the lab you can chill out undisturbed on friday afternoon
Afternoons aren't often chilled.
20. You decide the courses and conference you want to go on by the quality of the food served
EVERYONE in the lab does that. Got a meeting in Hull? Awesome, they do a good buffet lunch. CPD meeting? Only good with popcorn.
21. You are strangely proud of the collection of junk you've stolen from vendors at trade shows
Not been yet :(
22. You've used dry ice to cool beer down
I've heard stories, but alas, never done that.
23. No matter what the timings in the experiment protocol there is always time for lunch in the middle
Hell yes. Tea breaks too.
24. You can no longer spell normal words but have no trouble with spelling things like immunohistochemistry or deoxyribonucleic acid.
This is true, but I will never master "fluorescence". Only got that because of the spell checker.
25. Burning eyes, nose and throat indicate that you haven't actually turned on the fumehood/downdraft bench
More like a strong smell of poo.
26. Your slightly too fond of the smell of (pick one or many) Xylene/Agar/Ethanol/Undergraduates/Alcoholic handwash
Enterococci, formalin, ethanol, xylene...list goes on.
27. You've left the lab wearing a piece of PPE (personal protective equipment) because you forgot you had it on
Since that's gloves or labcoat, no. Almost went into the main lab in a blue labcoat once though.
28. You bitch about not being able to pipette by mouth any more (Not me but i've worked with people who do!)
As the author said, not me, but I know older folks who do.
Signs from others in the group (04-07-07) (these taken from the Facebook group, credit left in)
29. Security come round at 2 am wondering why the lights are still on only to find you with your arms up to your elbows in a glovebox - Cheers James
Not allowed to do that yet!
30. you have made some kind of puppet out of a nitrile glove and kept it as a pet (I know this isn't just me!) (Putting dry ice in makes for a rapidly expanding if short lived pet - DS) - Cheers Rachel
We've all made weird things with bits we find in the lab. Someone at work made toys with mouse balls and kinder eggs.
31. When at a Fall Out Boy gig you wonder why everyone is going round with Faecal Occult Blood (FOB) written on their head!!!! -Just for you Sarah
I have actually related the two things. Sad.
32. You have an irresistible urge to rip your shirt off superman stylie cos it has press stud fasteners just like your lab coat.....Most often occurring as you walk through a door just like exiting the lab.... (The worlds of strippers and lab workers collide, not pretty- DS) Thanks for that Carrie
OMG YES. I've done that since before reading this, and more so since. You really can't help it. Busy, stressful day, and you have to do a superman style labcoat rip off on the way out.
33. You still get amusement out of "freezing" things in liquid nitrogen! - Not just you Tracey
I want a go!
A Few more from me (12-07-07)
34. Blinking real fast has saved your eyesight on more than one occasion.
Haha, no. Heard too many stories
35. You've removed your gloves to find a small hole which has left you with either - wrinkly old person hands, a brightly coloured finger (histologists especially) or a burning sensation and dermatitis and some point.
Bright coloured stain and wrinkling hands quite a lot.
36. You've bent down to pick something up off the floor only to scatter the contents of your top pocket under the largest machine in the lab - Common problem i believe
All the damn time. I'm always losing stuff from my pocket.
More From you guys (19-07-07)
37.When you rejoice when grabbing a handfull of eppendorfs/bijous/anything and it turns outs to be the exact number you needed (always strangly good andy)
This one time, I was doing C.diff toxin tests, and there were 7, and by accident I picked up 7 test tubes. It was an awesome day.
38.You can`t wait for lab clean-up coz you get to do random pointless "experiments" to figure out whats in all the dodgy unlabeled bottels (Sniff test is a bit of a gamble Nadia)
Oh I so want to do this.
39. You hate having to change your lab coat to a new one because 'it just won't fit right' and because the wrist bits are way too tight (They never get my 'cut' just right either Tom)
EXACTLY. I have a favourite.
40. You know you have worked in a lab too long when you actually threaten your cells whilst waving a bottle of virkon (All been there Becky)
O.o
41.Your nose invariably itches when you're doing mucky stuff with your hands so you develop the habit of scratching it on your upper arm. Unfortunately you sometimes carry this habit over to real life, where it looks like you're sniffing your armpits (Trying to find a clean bit of lab coat can be fun as well, cheers Kate)
When you're dealing with poos, usually. OH! The worst one is when your arms are in the anaerobe cabinet, and you forget, and try and scratch yourself through a window. Don't work.
42. When as the senior of morphology you threaten each new registrar on their first day that oil and x10 dry objectives do not mix and will result in violence (Cheers Nichola)
O.o
43. when you say goodnight to your microscope on a friday night and tearfully hug it goodbye as you won't see it all weekend (Cheers again Nichola)
This is known as "sad".
44. When you start making patterns in your pipette tip box as you take the tips out. I made a beautiful spiral today (Could have been an art student Vicky)
Does it count when you do it in a tray of 5ml waters?
45. When you wonder how much it will hurt if I pour just a smidge of this phenol:chloroform/trichloroacetic acid/any random chemical on myself (Best try it out on some one else first Mike)
More like I wonder if it will really burn through, and what I could use as a weapon of self defence.
46. You've seen how far away you can hit a target with a squirty water bottle or seeing how far away from the bin i can fire pipette tips. (Pinging gloves is also fun Ed)
Elastic band fights are almost the same?
47. The fire alarm ceases to bug you. You only evacuate when you see the fire. (Hand on the floor to check for heat is a good indicator)
Damn thing makes me jump EVERY week, but if it was a real fire, I wouldn't move and just assume it was another drill.
48. You know when you've been in a lab too long when you make 6 litres of medium, but wonder why no one makes "high" or "low".(Cheers Tom)
Well I'll wonder that now...
49. When you organise your kitchen cupboard contents the way you would your chemicals..all labeled in alphabetical order (Cheers Anggia)
Ha, no.
50. When you've got that callus on the side of your thumb from opening PCR tubes (Cheers Chani)
Well since I don't do PCR, no. I do have a mark on my thumb from always scraping it opening urine pots.
The main one though, is that you now know what the NHS is really like. It makes you appreciate the Amateur Transplants more, but more than anything it makes you want to bang your head against a wall. Or several different walls.
----------------
Now playing: Mando Diao - Ochrasy
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday 10 July 2007
I did a blog
Hi. I made a new blog. Why? Partly bordom, but mostly because I have sometimes have stuff to say and nowhere to say it.
Brief blog history then. I got 4-5 years ago, updated it sporadically for a short while, then gave up on it. I don't even remember what software I used. Got another not too long after, and kept it up for maybe a year? I freaked out though when I found out that some people I knew offline, and a band I like, had read it. Knowing that they'd read some good stuff I'd written about them made me think about people I know offline reading the bits that show how crazy I am, including some stuff ranty stuff about them. Deleted that one, and started another a while after. I kept that up for a long time, trying hard not to talk as much about my "issues" in a ranty fashion, but if I wasn't using my blog as a way of getting all that out I didn't have much to say. I deleted that when I cleared out everything I didn't use on the internet.
And that was boring, but I felt like writing it. I'm setting this one up now with the idea of talking rubbish a lot, without really saying much about the fact that I'm a bit odd and have too many issues going on. I think I'll leave this post at this, and start a new one for the rubbish I'll talk about today.
Brief blog history then. I got 4-5 years ago, updated it sporadically for a short while, then gave up on it. I don't even remember what software I used. Got another not too long after, and kept it up for maybe a year? I freaked out though when I found out that some people I knew offline, and a band I like, had read it. Knowing that they'd read some good stuff I'd written about them made me think about people I know offline reading the bits that show how crazy I am, including some stuff ranty stuff about them. Deleted that one, and started another a while after. I kept that up for a long time, trying hard not to talk as much about my "issues" in a ranty fashion, but if I wasn't using my blog as a way of getting all that out I didn't have much to say. I deleted that when I cleared out everything I didn't use on the internet.
And that was boring, but I felt like writing it. I'm setting this one up now with the idea of talking rubbish a lot, without really saying much about the fact that I'm a bit odd and have too many issues going on. I think I'll leave this post at this, and start a new one for the rubbish I'll talk about today.
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