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

Wonderful book that I should have mentioned a long time ago

The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet by Reif Larsen. It is lovely, and has one of those -story-within-a-story things going on in the margins. It's about a 12-year-old boy who is a cartographer/naturalist. Read it. You'll like it.


Peace.