I have apparently gone basically an entire year without posting anything. I know this disappoints all 3 of you who read this. As I am stuck at home waiting for a repair person to set up and the only work I can do is read articles, I'm going to do this instead. And then get back to reading those articles, I promise.
What have I been doing instead of blogging you may ask. The answer (which is the answer to most questions that people ask me) is "science." Science, in my case, mostly comes down to 1 experiment day followed by about a week of waiting for the results. Obviously, while waiting I read, analyze, and write. And get distracted by things like entire NOVA episodes about cuttlefish camouflage.
Now that I've advanced to candidacy (I would say ABD, but I feel like having all these papers to get out negates that), it really is more like a regular job. I don't have to come home and study. I often read a paper or do some writing at home, but I don't have classwork hanging over my head all the time.
So, obviously, I've taken up some hobbies. There may be posts about this in the future if I ever think about photographing the process like Jessie. The main ones are roasting my own coffee. I'm doing more large knitting projects, mostly baby blankets for what seems like 1/3 of my female friends. In this case, large doesn't mean complicated. I am trying more complicated things, mostly perfecting mittens. I've tried some cheese making and yarn dying. And, while I've always loved reading, I'm doing a lot more of it for fun since I'm not so sick of all printed words from class and qualifying exams.

Here's to updating and documenting.

The proposal

No, not that kind.
The time has come to begin writing my dissertation proposal. It is, in fact, open in another window right now. I have 3 parts to said proposal each with multiple specific aims. And I've all ready pulled the reference section from everything else I've written, so I won't have to search through so much crap on EndNote/Papers2. I even have a working title. I can cannibalize a lot of the details from a "grant proposal" that I wrote for a class, and hopefully turn this into a NRSA soon.
Now to explaining the my life's work and overcoming writer's block.

Let there be peace. Let it begin with me.

Cherry Blossom Festival

science videos

Because I haven't updated in months and don't feel like writing at this moment, here you go: 3 awesome science songs. You're welcome

tales from the grading crypt

First round of exams to grade and I get this gem:

Q: In what situation would you use MEG instead of fMRI?

A: When the patient has a metal plate in their head because fMRI could make the plate heat up and cause injury, like on House last night.

Me: *facepalm* "Don't EVER cite TV again." minus all possible points.

It is going to be a long weekend.

post-quals celebration ideas

1) An actual party (which will, in fact, occur. or so I am told)

2) Re-pierce nose

3) Dye hair pink

4) Re-watch the entirety of the West Wing

5) Re-read The Brothers Karamazov

6) Finish the complete works of Flannery O'Connor

Votes?

new semester

Gosh, not actually taking classes is awesome. I'm just sitting in on one as a refresher. So, 2x/week + 0 tests = good life choice. Except that one of the major reasons I'm doing this is because I take my qualifying exam this semester. In about a week and a half. 2 days + 4 exams + 4 hours for each = *whimper* That's more equations than usual for around here. And a few weeks after that is the oral follow-up (which does not involve a dentist, more scary profs). Also, coping with quals stress via the Avett Brothers was a good choice. It seems to be very effective

I start teaching lab again tomorrow. At last check, 17 of 20 available slots are filled. It seems that a lot of people dropped because the giant waiting list (for a senior-level lab, at least) is empty and more than my section has extra space. None of the exercises have changed from last year, so this should be pretty easy.

Tomorrow's lecture will consist of:

1) Quick run-down of anatomical structures that they have to look for on slides

2) Biophysics review

3) Please don't be afraid of the electronics

3b) Troubleshooting the electronics

4) Please don't break the electronics

4b) How to not break the electronics

It's going to be a good day. And I do not mean that sarcastically.

Peace.

fashion (please don't laugh yet)

Here's my confession of the day: I really love Project Runway. It is the only reality show that I like. Although, I'm always afraid that someone will turn on my tv later and see that the last channel I was watching was lifetime. Seriously, though, it's really interesting to watch the creative process and craftsmanship. Some of the things made are beautiful, some are bizarre, and some walk the line between the two. Although there's some element of "destructive" reality tv (people portrayed as less than wonderful, disaster clothes), it's generally a "constructive" show (look at the amazing things these people can do).

The best part is seeing the construction. Thus far, my favorite is a dress made out of folded napkins. Even with more traditional materials, the process is fascinating.

And now for the part where I feel conflicted. It's about stuff, about appearances, about living up to some social standard, and a dose of product placement. There's an element of what certain people say is "fashionable" is absolutely true. But this conflicts with what is said about being true to your own aesthetic.

So I like the idea, design, creativity, making things, lots of viewpoints. But the undertones of consumerism and conventional standards of female beauty really bother me. I will keep watching and likely keep being slightly irritated.

Peace