Hello, HAL.
Well, 9PM at the lab again. Still have about an hour for the electrophoresis to finish, then I need to carve out the DNA with a scalpel. The system for gel purification isn't exactly pretty here. You set your gel on this big block back-light unit that spews forth UV radiation. The ethidium bromide in the DNA glows orange inside the greenish-tinted (trick of the UV light) gel when exposed to the radiation. Unfortunately, you are directly exposed as well as you sit there and try to cut out the least amount of gel possible to get the maximum yield of DNA. Very tricky, I might add, as the stuff tends to slip and jump around as you try and cut it. They at least provide you protective glasses, because the UV would just sort of burn your retinas out as far as I know. As for your arms/hands/face, well, people have actually gotten sunburns and what have you from similar devices. Ironic, we'll all get cancer in the process of curing it thanks to the double-strand DNA break ability of UVR.
I'm giving my first presentation to the lab next week, don't have much prepared yet. Just haven't had the time, it seems. I've been having a very difficult time getting up out of bed recently, and I'm always tired and out of it. Kinda sucks. On the bright side, I've been getting plenty of exercise, and practicing lots of football in honor of the World Cup. Still can't always kick it where I want to, but I'm getting better.
Everyone leaves around 5:30-6:00 usually, so it gets pretty lonely here. I wanted to be home earlier (3PM), but I just ended up arguing with my Dad on the phone (as usual, whenever we talk) so I decided to just try and work some more instead.
Upping my hours at the lab to try and get my first paper out sooner (before August ends), but we'll have to see about that. Makes getting a part time job harder. Again, I'll just have to figure it out. Any good ideas on where I should look for a job? I only have about 10 hours a week to offer. Any idea what job might fit me best?
Ah well, back to work I guess.
Yours in WEARINESS,
Jesse
I'm giving my first presentation to the lab next week, don't have much prepared yet. Just haven't had the time, it seems. I've been having a very difficult time getting up out of bed recently, and I'm always tired and out of it. Kinda sucks. On the bright side, I've been getting plenty of exercise, and practicing lots of football in honor of the World Cup. Still can't always kick it where I want to, but I'm getting better.
Everyone leaves around 5:30-6:00 usually, so it gets pretty lonely here. I wanted to be home earlier (3PM), but I just ended up arguing with my Dad on the phone (as usual, whenever we talk) so I decided to just try and work some more instead.
Upping my hours at the lab to try and get my first paper out sooner (before August ends), but we'll have to see about that. Makes getting a part time job harder. Again, I'll just have to figure it out. Any good ideas on where I should look for a job? I only have about 10 hours a week to offer. Any idea what job might fit me best?
Ah well, back to work I guess.
Yours in WEARINESS,
Jesse