Friday, March 31, 2006

Noise Pollution

Having already mentioned how much louder you have to speak to be understood hear, of late, i've had the joys of being exposed to large numbers of people in the same room. Suffice to say, it's noisy - except the strange thing is that, these days, it seems to be a lot more so than before. Maybe the good weather here is cheering everyone up. Now, far be it from me to be either racist or sexist but their is a definite trend as to the who the usual suspects are. In a crowded coffee house, it's nearly always the women who can be heard above the rest; as you'd probably imagine, it's the younger women over the older, although not always - last week, i was sat at one end of the local coffee shop and could hear the exact details of a conversation going on about 5 tables away between two 40-something women. Suffice to say, I wasn't the ONLY one who could hear.

There is also a definite trend towards coloured people being generally louder and more heard - over caucasians. Quite why there is the need for such increased decibels is beyond me, particularly when the large group of people who are listening are usually within a two metre radius - and when the laughter starts, well you may as well just stuff a load of cotton wool in your ears cause it's frankly deafening - and that goes for both white, blacks, male and female (although the females are the one that tend to have that oh-so-grating high pitched he-he-he laugh that goes through you like fingernails on a chalkboard). The upshot of this all is that, if i return to the UK and seem to be hard of hearing, or talking rather too loudly for my own good, please feel free to tell me to shut up.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Immigration Issues

Classified, as I am, as a non-resident alien over here, i tend to take an interest in the immigration laws of the USA - particularly if they pop up in the news. Like, for example, the relatively recent news that the government has decided to allow J-1 visas (exchange visitor visas - and the current type that i am on) to be issued for five years instead of the current three. Currently, there is something of a storm-in-a-teacup brewing over here as a result of some of the newest legislation that the Bush administration wants to introduce - but fear not, this isn't going to affect me as it is an attempt to reform current legislation on what happens with illegal immigrants here in the US - a major problem over here. Current figures have the number of illegal immigrants in the US at 12 million - a significant proportion of the 350 million population (nearly 4%). Whilst this may not seem like a lot, consider that the UK population is currently estimated at around 60 million - and it sharply puts things into perspective. Quite a number of these sneak across the border from Mexico - but also, a significant percentage are made up of people who come over on business, tourist or temporary visas and merely stay longer than it allows.

Whilst the topic is rapidly becoming a national issue, there is also the problem that such illegal immigrants comprise about 5% of the US workforce - concentrated in areas such as construction, agriculture and cleaning jobs. The current reforms suggest building a large fence across the border to prevent illegal entering of the country - and then try and deal with those immigrants there. A major issue of contention in the new bill, though, is the suggestion that after 11 years, some paying of taxes and learning English, that the illegal immigrants can apply to become citizens. With all the protesting, and bouncing of the bill from place to place, it's becoming hard to separate the facts from the fiction right now - but it is clear that many people see the reforms as a sell-out - as one Democrat senator put it 'they're going to have to come up with something smarter than a 700-mile fence'.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Kyoto and Beyond

Despite being over the other side of the ponf, I always make sure that i check in with the latest goings on back there in the UK - usually via the BBC news website. Today, I noticed that the government had finally admitted that there target of cutting carbon dioxide emissions to 20% of 1990 levels by 2010 was probably not going to be met - with the actual figure likely to be between 15-18% - something that I think is nothing to be sneezed at - although the opposition parties seem to think otherwise. The fact is that that is a good way over the 12.5% target established by the Kyoto accord and is definitely a step in the right direction. On the global scale, however, this may not have the desired effect - indeed, even if a number of countries match their targets, this may not have much impact. Some of this is due to the USA - as largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, it would be good for them to set an example. However, whilst the USA signed the treaty they are not bound by it as it hasn't been ratified by the Senate (and won't be for the near future - as President Bush will not submit the treaty for ratification). However, the blame isn't squarely laid at the US' door as, for example, China - 2nd largest emitter - was exempt from Kyoto. Similarly, India - another major emitter - was also exempt from Kyoto.

Over here, though, what is perhaps more alarming is the lack of any real environmental concern by the current administration. For example, there were (and possibly are, i believe) plans in foot to disrupt the natural beauty of Alaska by drilling for oil. There are also a number of so-called global warming sceptics associated with the current administration - who believe that climate change is all imaginary (despite the fact that the average global temperature has steadily been on the rise - and, last time i heard, there were a couple of gaping holse in the ozone layer). Is it any real surprise to find that these same people also hold high up positions in oil companies or the like? Whilst it sounds like this is a USA-bashing post, this was not my intent. However, i do think that as the world's only super-power, a major economy and a major polluter, the US government (and, indeed, China and others) should maybe consider long term consequences instead of leaving it till its too late. Over here, the self-imposed target of '18% reduction in carbon intensity' over here (although likely to be met) equates as a decrease in the 'increase of carbon emissions' - seems to me to be not good enough.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Softball 2006

So, as demanded/promised, here is a picture of the Biochemistry Softball team 2006 - taken this past Sunday.




From the back (L-R): David, Me, Jeff, Yi-Te. Middle: Alexis, Amy (captain). Front: Graham, Christine, Jason, Dema.

Sunday, March 26, 2006

An Hour Lost on Mother's Day

Today, being the fourth Sunday of Lent (the 40 days leading up to Easter if you weren't aware) is celebrated as Mother's Day in the UK - or, more officially, Mothering Sunday. Whilst the early Christians in England celebrated this day to honour the virgin Mary, the holiday was later expanded by a religious order to include all mothers. Thus, i had made sure that a card had been sent (albeit an e-card, what with the uncertainty and hassle of getting to the Post Office over here in Charleston) and had also arranged for flowers to be delivered home. When I spoke to my Mother earlier, she was pleased.

Whilst speaking to her, i found out that British Summer Time had officially begun in the UK as of early Sunday morning (1.00am) - referred to as Daylight savings time (a rather more appropriate name - given that British Summer is something of a joke these days!). Thus, for the period of a week (until we change the clocks on April 2nd here), the UK will be 6 hours ahead of Charleston rather than 5 - something of an unusual peculiarity for the year.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Be Careful What You Write

Having been posting to this blog for nine months now, its existence at work has now become widely known - and, indeed, i believe a few of my workmates check out what i write from time to time, I suspect to double-check that i'm not saying anything untoward about them (as if i'd do that on here! I'd do that on my other top-secret blog!!). Anyway, a week or two back, one of these workmates pointed out an interesting article in USA Today (a national newspaper) about Blogging and such in general. Y'see, it turns out that a lot of companies these days are checking out potential employees on the internet, looking for blogs or for profiles on things such as MySpace.com.

The article also told of a case somewhere in the US (I forget the state - i believe it was in New England though) of a student at a Christian college. He had a profile on MySpace.com, or a blog page (again, i forget which - i should've kept hold of the article) on which he expressed some views on the rather intolerant attitudes of his college to certain things. Suffice to say, the college somehow found out and, not too happy, expelled the student - although you have to say that posting such view against his own college wasn't the brightest things to do. Anyway, it made me wonder if at some point in the future, a prospective employer might look at my blog page. I think i'm okay - my views and opinions aren't TOO extreme. And if so, i'll just deny everything!!!

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Losing My Head

Having had the dubious pleasure of working in a bar for a few months, i like to think that i know a good pint when I see one. It's actually a law in the UK that every pint poured has to have around 5% of a head on it. I suspect that this is also not widely known in the UK (or at least in Manchester), given the number of complaints I and my fellow bartenders used to get. This is also the reason why a lot of bars and pubs use slightly oversize glasses with a 'Pint to this line' marker on - so as to allow customers to make sure they are not getting short-changed as it were. This was also a bone of contention with the bar managers themselves - who would go rather crazy if pints didn't have a head on - simply because of money issues - for every pint with a thin head, they're losing money. It may not sound a lot when you think about it, but it soon adds up if you have a bar with high turnover.

Well, those managers would probably tear their hair out over here as virtually every single pint i've had poured here has had at the very most a head of perhaps a couple of millimetres or so (apart from, perhaps, the guinness or, at least not where they pour it correctly). Now you'd think on a pump that it would be impossible not to generate some head, but then you'd be wrong. At a sandwich bar (Norm's already mentioned), when i asked for a pint on draught, it came back with a couple of thin white swirls on top of the very flat pint. I had a good mind to a) throw it over the server, b) get behind the bar and show them how it was done c) demand another pint or d) all the above. As it happened, i settled for e) which was drink the thing and remind myself NEVER to get draught beer over here. At least you can't make bottled beer any worse than it might already be. Although having said that, i'll probably be proved wrong somewhere over here!!!

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Testing....testing....one, two, three

So, as you can probably guess, my digital camera arrived yesterday (through the wonders of Fed Ex) so i wasted no time in scanning the manual and taking a couple of test shots. Enjoy!!


A slightly better shot of part of my apartment - please excuse the mess.


The Strom-Thurmond building - my work is on the 6th floor.


My bench in the laboratory where i perform all my (evil) experiments - mwah, ha, ha.


Part of the view i have from the window nearest my desk. Taken at 7.30 this morning.

So, please let me know what you think. I should also add that, just cause i have a digital camera, please don't expect the blog to be inundated with photos - it's still going to be mostly written. However, on occasion, i will devote a post to pictures of Charleston to finally show you all what it's like here.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Amendment

Living over here, I've had to adjust a little to the fact that when people refer to the government over here, it can be to either State or Federal - this can lead to some interesting mix-ups in conversations from time to time (I guess this is somewhat analagous to the local councils and the government in the UK). Anyway, when reading the paper, you have to be aware of this distincton when reading articles on local politics. This held true for a recent article i was reading on an amendment that is currently being debated on for the South Carolina constituiton - one that is certainly en vogue at the minute.

The amendment is an addition to a current article (XVII) referring to the recognition of marriage in the state - essentially to be amended by saying that the only lawful domestic union will be between one man and one woman. Whilst the issues are not so much with marriage being referred to as between a man and woman, the larger implications are that any other union, no matter for how long, or in what circumstances, will essentially not be legally recognised in SC. Thus, any participants in such a union will have no legal rights when it comes to issues such as inheritance, next of kin etc. etc. etc. As it happens, this issue is being debated in states across the country to varying results. Ultimately, i guess this will lead to some federal amendments to the consitituion. It can only be hoped that, given America prides itself on being a good role model for the rest of the world, they can actually show a little more tolerance at home first.

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Best Foot Forward

America being America, everyone has a car (or everyone but me so it seems sometimes!) and i've already mentioned the dangers of crossing the road - particularly with idiots on mobile phones all the time. This leads me to consider 'jaywalking' - essentially crossing the street in the wrong place or without regards to traffic regulations (not at a crosswalk - as they are so named here) which is, in actuality, a crime over here in the USA where those regulations are forced by law. Almost all urban areas in the United States and Canada require pedestrians to cross at crosswalks or intersections and to obey pedestrian traffic signals although it typically carries a warning or modest fine. Indeed, in some areas, although still illegal, jaywalking is so common that it is generally considered harmless (for example, in New York), and police only detain jaywalkers if it is done dangerously or disruptively. The penalties for jaywalking vary as, for example, in Tempe, AZ, jaywalking carries fines up to $64.00 whereas maximum fines range from $57 to $750 in other US cities.

The term itself is though to originate from the time when cars were relatively new but gaining popularity in cities like Boston and New York. In the early 1900s, 'jay' was slang for a a simpleton and, in this context, a jaywalker was a newcomer to the city, green to the ways of modern traffic signals that told folks when they could safely cross the road. The Oxford English dictionary traces it to early 20th century Boston where sophisticated city folk with little tolerance for rural folk coined the term. One thing is for sure, Los Angeles has perhaps the most stringent views against jaywalking - with good reason to as over half of the 10 million residents are licensed to drive. Given what the film 'Crash' says about LA drivers, i'm definitely going to cross safely when i go there in the future!

Saturday, March 18, 2006

1101011010111010

If the rather obscure Post title doesn't give it away, i finally managed to go digital this week - in that i splashed out and got myself a digital camera. This is partly because i have been somewhat lax in returning my films to be developed - as well as the price of it all ($8 a pop). Added on to this is that the last time i got a film developed, the photos were fine but then decided to go a rather unusual colour over time; as i wasn't sure if it was the camera or the developing process, i thought it best to wait until i could develop them elsewhere. And as you'd probably guess, i've not got round to it yet. And then there is my rapidly approaching trip to Canada to consider - got to have something to take decent pics with. Of course, the added bonus (at least for you, dear readers) is that it finally means i can take some photos of in and around Charleston (and the various goings on) to post on the blog for you all back home.

Anyway, the camera's over here are pretty reasonable as far as i can remember when compared to back there in the UK. The one i bought cost about $160 including tax and is a 5.2 megapixel model with both optical (3.2x) and digital (5x) zoom. Perhaps someone out there can tell me if that's good value or not. Anyway, on top of that, i also ordered a memory stick (512MB i think) and some rechargable batteries and charger. As I type they are winging their way to me from some other part of the country. I'm sure you will all be aware of when i get them - the pictures galore will start appearing!!!

Friday, March 17, 2006

St Patricks

And so March 17th rolls round - the day when we all pretend to have some Irish heritage or relationship as an excuse to go out and get gloriously drunk. Or not, as the case may be this year (alas, i had to work the next day but i was invited round to a co-workers for a couple of drinks, snacks and Doctor Who - if you recall last week's post). Anyway, as seemed to be a growing trend back home, St Patricks Day is quite a big thing over here - not least because of the Irish-American population Alas, the population isn't overly large here in Charleston (although i do know they have an Irish society here - i remember them doing some kind of dance thing at a baseball game last year) and i have been told that the place to go for big St Patricks day fun is Savannah, Georgia - about a 2 hour drive from here. Maybe i'll do that next year.

Looking back in history, many Irish came to America in the 1600s and not only helped build the country, but also fought for independence against(predominantly) the English. Between 1820 and 1845 (around the time of the potato famine) a number of Irish made the then dangerous journey to America - such to the point that there are now estimated to be many millions at present day. Other famous Americans with Irish Ancestry - Kennedy, Theodore Roosevelt, Grant, Reagan, and a number of other US presidents including the very first - George Washington. Think of the Hollywood actors we would not have today - Judy Garland, Gregory Peck, Mia Farrow, Grace Kelley, Errol Flynn, James Cagney, Shirley Maclaine, Angelica Huston, Spencer Tracy, Jack Lemmon and Robert Redford to name but a few. So in addition to remembering St Patrick, the day over here is also a chance for America to say a big 'thank you' to all the Irish - both over here and in Ireland. Now let's all go out for a pint of Guinness.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

No Smoke(ing) without Fire

Even though i'm in a different time zone, I do make the effort to keep in touch with the UK news - and was quite pleased to hear of the recent moves towards a ban on smoking in public places made over the other side of the pond. It is rather fortuitous that the same issue is something of a hot topic here in Charleston, South Carolina and, to some extent, the USA in general. Now, being a non-smoker, it's pretty obvious which way my feelings lie - i am of the mind that, if someone wishes to pay for the privilege of shortening their lifespan through smoking, then it's their decision entirely but i don't see why a) I should share in their habit when they blow smoke in my face, or b) should have my clothes and hair stinking of smoke whenever i go out to eat or for a drink. Now you could say that going out to a bar, you should expect people to smoke - given that people often smoke when they're out relaxing - which, i guess is fair enough. However, if i'm out eating, i really don't want the taste of the food that i'm paying good money for marred by the couple of hundred chemicals or so in cigarette smoke.

What is surprising over here is the sheer momentum of the pro-smoking lobby over here - especially for the politicians. Actually, this is perhaps not so surprising - when you take a look at where a lot of donations for said politicians come from (hint: it's not Greenpeace). I guess this further reinforces the idea that so long as you have enough money to throw in the right direction, you can pretty much influence anything. So much for democracy, eh? Anyway, what is even more surprising is the sheer rudeness that people are often greeted with when asking smokers to direct their smoke elsewhere. When i worked in a bar in the UK, i often used to ask people not to blow smoke over the bar top - and was often met with profuse apologies. Over here, when i asked someone the same thing, i was basically told that 'If it bothers you, move!'. Not to be outdone, I politely informed the other customer that a) I was there before him and b) i would make sure to name him in a lawsuit if i ever developed lung cancer. Wadda' y'know, he moved.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Spring Break

Working, as i do, on a university campus (albeit a medical one), you get used to the place swarming with students on a daily basis - it's certainly one thing that Charleston and Manchester have in common. It was something of a surprise to me this week to find that the place was rather empty and, on further enquiry, I found out that it was Spring break this week (so that explains why my boss has gone off to Miami!). Now, quite why they have a spring holiday before the official start of Spring (March 21st) is beyond me - but as the semester starts somewhat early here (pretty much straight after January) i suppose they can't be blamed for wanting a holiday (even if they do get two Bank Holidays in January and February). Anyway, from what i understand of the holiday (i.e. have learned off of TV and friends around here), Spring break is not usually a time for the students to return home (especially so soon after Christmas) but rather to head off for warmer climes and, basically, a bloody big piss-up (or maybe not if most of them are under 21!!).

It certainly seems that when you look on the internet, there is something of a market for Spring break trips in the travel agents. According to one website, Spring break actually originated with the ancient Greeks - it is said that when the chills of winter lessened, the elders noticed that the younger generation where rather more energetic and so Socrates proposed a wild rite to welcome Spring and let the young people go crazy basically. The reason given for why this is not such a worldwide thing is that when Christianity triumphed over paganism, the whole affair was abandoned. The cynic in me takes this with something of a pinch of salt - it sounds almost like someone is trying to justify having a week off to relax, party and enjoy themselves before exams in the summer. I mean, who needs a reason??

Sunday, March 12, 2006

The Citadel

Having lived near Catterick Garrison in the UK - currently the largest British Army garrison in Europe - I'm somewhat used to driving about the place and seeing military personnel at their posts - or being at the local supermarket and seeing a couple of army guys wandering about in uniform. Whilst this is not exactly the case here in Charleston, it is often a familiar sight to see cadets in uniform walking about in groups - particularly at the weekend - or, as often seems to be the case, in large groups at the laundrette taking over a good number of washing machines. The reason for this is due to the presence of the Citadel - the Military College of South Carolina - here in Charleston.

The Citadel first came into being in the 1800s - when in 1822, South Carolina Legislature passed an "Act to establish an competent force to act as a Municipal Guard for the protection of the city of Charleston and the vicinity,". An arsenal and guard house was selected from the land of the North end of Marion Square - now in the heart of downtown Charleston and construction on the Citadel was completed in 1829.In 1842, an act was passed establishing the South Carolina Military Academy and so the Citadel (and it's counterpart in Colombia - the Arsenal) became an educational facility. It is somewhat renowned for high academics and strict military discipline. Of course, the Citadel is no longer in downtown Charleston as despite numerous building additions, it could accommodate only 325 students. So, in 1918, the City of Charleston gave the State 176 acres on the banks of the Ashley River for a new campus and the college moved there in 1922. However, the original Citadel building still remains downtown and is now an hotel - the Embassy Suites (i stayed there when i came for my interview in Feb 2005) - somewhere to think about staying if you plan on visiting.

Friday, March 10, 2006

Who's coming

Don't worry - this isn't going to be a huge long-winded rant about my lack of visitors since i arrived here - more on that later in the year, i'm sure. Nope, this is something altogether different. Whilst watching TV on Friday night - the season finales of "Stargate: Atlantis" and "Battlestar Galactica" (both pretty good - the latter is very good indeed) - i was surprised by an advert for Doctor Who - the newer series, i should add - which is going to be shown on the sci-fi channel as of next Friday (I knew the show was going to be shown - just not 100% when exactly). Anyway, i was somewhat pleased - i very much enjoyed the show and am quite happy to watch them again (which, believe me, i will do) - even if it does mean sifting through so many adverts.

I'm also quite pleased that they are, for once, just buying the show rather than just 'reimagining it' for themselves as that all turned out so well last time!! My only hope is that the show is pretty successful - and from the sound of things, it may well be. There appear to be a lot of Who fans in and around my work - although whether they can palate the updated version instead of the old wobbly sets remains to be seen. I also hope they don't get misled by the ridiculous trailer (complete with ominous Hollywood-style deep voice) which, to be frank, gives away far too much information. But then i guess they had to have something to draw the target audience in - after all, i'm sure the words 'Smash hit British series' don't crop up on US TV too much. Anyway, for any readers interested in having my opinion on the shows as they watch them (very few i guess), feel free to wander along to the website www.greatlink.org - in the episode database are all the reviews i wrote last year. As for me, i'm going to be eagerly waiting to download Series 2 as soon as possible!

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Paper (back) Writer

The more observant amongst you out there will probably have noticed that my posting on here have been either a) rather sporadic, b) somewhat delayed or c) a combinatin of both. As you can probably guess, the blame for this is going to lay squarely at the feet of work - which has been more than enough to occupy my time - well, at least until very lately (cell contamination issues again - lovely!). Anyway, on top of the lab meeting (see last week's posts), i have also been deeply mired in the writing of a review for/with my boss. Thankfully, the whole thing has now been written (save for minor corrections and compiling the reference list) and will hopefully be sent off either by the end of this week or, for definite, the start of next week. With luck, this will likely be my first publication.

Of course, writing papers is nothing new to me - before i left Manchester (and, indeed, subsequently), i had written two manuscripts that were submitted last November, and annoyingly rejected - the reason being that one of the reviewers and the editor thought that the two papers should be combined into one. Given that both these papers were close to the 6000 word limit of the journal and again with the figures and tables, how they expect us to combine them as one paper is somewhat beyond me. I suspect they want us to offer some figures as supplemental figures online - although i think it's ridiculous to do that. I mean, what was done before the Internet?? Anyway, last i heard of those, my old boss was considering how we could combine the two and, also, if we could save enough data to publish a smaller study at a lesser journal. Have to wait and see on that one. Anyway, now that the review is pretty much done and dusted, the posts on here will hopefully be more forthcoming.

Monday, March 06, 2006

A Night at the Oscars

And so the annual Hollywood back-slapping that is the Academy Awards rolls around and, i have to say, i was quite looking forward to being able to watch it at a reasonable hour - for those of you that didn't know, i used to get up at 2am in the morning to watch them back in the UK. Of course, no ceremony would be complete without a ridiculously large number of commerical breaks - not that it mattered much this year because i understand the viewing audience was the lowest for some considerable time. Anyway, i had a passing interest in a few of the awards tonight - particularly the Animation feature which, thankfully, was given to Wallace and Gromit. Yay!!

Above all, the Oscars are considered the 'Big' awards of the film year - but i, personally, don't particularly hold any faith in the results - given some of the past choices by the Academy, added to the overly self-indulgent style of the whole affair - and the fact that results can be swayed easily - by a good marketing campaign for example (step forward "Shakespeare In Love" which won Best Picture over the frankly superior "Saving Private Ryan" owing to an absolute fortune spent by the production company Miramax). This year there was no escape with "Crash" - whilst an excellent film - getting the Oscar nod, perhaps due to its L.A. setting, especially considering the vast majority of Academy members live in that city, it's no real surprise when you think about it. Ultimately, this year was the 'issue' year of the Oscars - a chance for Hollywood to kid itself into thinking that they still had the moral high ground because of a few (mostly independent) films that tackled difficult subjects. It's something of an irony that, with the Oscars out of the way, it's back to the usual dross and blowing things up that is the 'business as usual' attitude of film making these days.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

(Not) Feeling the Burn

What with the somewhat variable weather over here in Charleston at the moment, it can be quite tricky figuring out what to wear - basically in case it's either unseasonably warm (as it has been from time to time of late) or absolutely pissing it down (raining heavily - for any of our US cousins reading this). Thus, it was rather my own fault that i ended up getting rather red in the face this weekend - quite literally - having spent a (i thought) relatively short amount of time in the sun, it appeared to have taken issue with my skin and turned it a nice shade of red. Personally, i blame the fact that i'm not really used to it yet. Admittedly, whilst i was here for all of last summer, a good deal of it was spent under factor 50 sun block and even then, the only exposure i had to the sun was going to and from work, and the occasions when i would be out playing soccer. Of course, with it still being (technically) winter over here, i hadn't got round to buying a cap yet either.

I guess unexpected sunburn is the curse of having a relatively active weekend - what with time on Saturday and today playing softball (practice on Saturday, game on Sunday - by the way, we won this week!). Then of course, there was the hour or two playing soccer on Saturday as well. I suppose it was hard to differentiate between sunburn and basically being red in the face from running around. Suffice to say, i realised fully when i got home and lifted up my (shorter) fringe to see something of a stark contrast. Looks like i have the joy of a peeling forehead and nose to look forward to this week. I cannot wait!

Saturday, March 04, 2006

A Very British Party

Continuing the trend of a seemingly never-ending weekly list of parties, this week i was invited by a workmate to go with her to a party hosted by an MUSC scientist - someone who works at the marine labs that they have here rather than on campus and, so, who i had consequently not met before - and, also, who is British. When Kellie asked me along it was a case of 'Do you want to go to a party where there will be a few British people and lots of wine." I would've taken either of those as perfectly good reasons but both together? Sold!!!!

On the whole, it was a very enjoyable evening. Greg was a very genial host - he spent a lot of time travelling round the place with bottles of wine topping up everyone's drinks - and I also got to meet a few fellow other MUSC scientists who i haven't met before. On top of all this, Greg's mother Miriam lives with them out on James Island - she's 89 years old and, as she told me, is from Keighley (near Skipton if anyone is wondering). Suffice to say, I spent quite some time having a natter with he. Having been out in the US for some time (18 years i think she told me), it was quite something that she had managed to retain a strong accent (she sounded a lot like the actress Liz Smith to my ears) and a very English character!! For this alone, the party was worth it!!!

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Lab Meeting

Having been in the lab here for a little over 8 months now (scary how fast it has gone), I finally got round to giving my first lab meeting. This is a weekly event on a Thursday morning (apart from when the schedules of the bosses don't allow it) when the lab of my group (The Hannun lab) and that of his wife and collaborator (The Obeid lab) come together. Someone is pre-chosten to present their data - usually their recent findings - and the group discusses, offers suggestions etc. etc. in a very informal atmosphere. This is also a way for us all to find out what other researchers are doing - there are a number of different projects and offshoots going on the lab so there are also possibilites of getting some cross-project experiments going to. The best thing about these lab meetings, of course, is that someone is chosen every week to buy breakfast for the group.

Anyway, suffice to say, my meeting went pretty well - i was happy with it. There was some good discussion - albeit on a project that isn't my main one any more (and has really been taken over by someone else). It actually finished on time (this is pretty rare) and gave me enough time to have a long chat with my boss afterwards (although i was feeling a bit brain dead at this point so can't remember a lot). He said he was very pleased with the work i've done to date. Of course, the main thing now is to build on what i've done. I have roughly 7 months to do this - my next lab meeting is the beginning of October. Looks like its gonna be busy!!!