Scientific Knowledge - At What Cost?

Yet another colleague got divorced. Is it our personalities or profession that makes family life crappy?

I wish I knew the answer. It unfortunately seems all to common and I am worried I am headed down the same path.

I always tried to put family first, but lately it seems that the person I care about most can't see that. Can't see the sacrifices I've made, the struggles I've overcome to provide what I thought would be a better life for my family. Instead, low pay, a crappy boss, and unemployment have eroded my dream so much that I wonder what is left.

I feel like a laughing stock, made fun of for believing I could make a difference in science while making a difference for my kids. For working at home instead of staying in the lab 60 hours a week.

I guess it's true that hindsight is 20/20. Only wish I had a way to go back  and make some changes....

Starting Fresh

It's amazing how transformative a change in scenery and setting can be!

After a month of anticipation (and unemployment wages), I finally started my new job. And I have one thing to say.

This is SO MUCH better than I dreamed. I love my boss, my lab, and my research. My commute is a relaxing 15 minute drive. I love being at the heart of campus, where I get to see the excitement on student's faces. I'm still learning, but I'm appreciated

I could get used to this.

I want to thank the mentor, collaborator, and (hopefully) friend who took in this broken soul and gave me another chance.

I'll do my best not to disappoint, but I need you to promise to tell me when I screw up. 'Cause we all know it'll happen, and there will be times when I'm not doing the right thing....

Just keep treating me with humanity and dignity and you will have my unending loyalty.

It's kinda my MO, for better or worse.

Sometimes I hate collaborations

Dear Collaborator,

When you agreed to review my last submitted manuscript, I stupidly thought you would actually review it prior to resubmission.

This research is your specialty and something I've never worked on. Yes, you are entitled to a vacation, but I am also entitled to an email reply. Two weeks of pleading for help and still no comments is not exactly inspiring.... 

Guess I'll do what I always do and make it work , but you are on my shit list. For as much as that matters to anyone....

When it rains, it pours....

I can't make this stuff even if I tried.

Our house got fried in an electrical storm. May have been a direct lightening strike, but I'm not sure how I'd know since there weren't any scorch marks on the house.... And yes, I checked.

All I know is that everyone woke up  in the middle of the night because the boom was so loud. I looked out the window, all looked fine, cars were still in place, no trees missing from the yard. We had power, so I went back to sleep once my heart stopped pounding.

Next morning we awoke to find most our cable was out and every circuit breaker connected to an outside wall had been tripped. Not good. Our cable boxes and router were dead, as was anything connected to them. Very not good.

 Near as we can tell,  a massive surge came into our home through the cable to fry our tvs, pc, telephones, and garage opener. Surge protectors didn't help, and we have a $500 deductible for our renter's insurance.

If anyone knows of a place to find cheap (but still good quality) electronics let me know. Once I start getting a paycheck again I think I need to do some shopping.

It's official - it's been one of those months....