time flies whether or not you're having fun
Of course, it goes without saying that I'm having a blast this year. It is just so much work. So frustrating. I think it's good, though, to have so many things to do. It prepares you for life..I hope...real life.
The people from Covenant Players called me about auditioning for the group. There are two main times to join the theatre troupe, one in January and one in July. So, obviously I want the July one, but the problem becomes when do I interview and audition with them??? I would like to early so that I know that I am accepted if that is the route I choose, but on the other hand I really want to go to grad school, so I should be putting my efforts into GRE studying, applications, etc., etc. Yuck, really.
But that was exciting anyway.
So, the Cincinnatti trip was pretty exciting. I found part of a crinoid calyx, and that was just tremendous! No one found any rolled up trilobites, but since they are kind of rare in the locations we were, and since the places they would be abundant were inundated with wet sediment, I guess it makes sense. Chris is the only one who found them last year, and I think he was lying about them anyway, because I never saw them when we went back into the lab. It was also great because I got to meet Sean's (the sabbatical replacement for Dr. E) advisor from Cincinnati, and he is so great! He's like Dr. E, only a little more outgoing and crazy. The part of the trip we spent with him rocked my socks off.
And, despite the fact that we left Sat night at 5 and got back here at 6:30a.m., it was a really good trip overall. Sean is a lot of fun because he is so enthusiastic. He hasn't been jaded yet, and that is refreshing for me to see, since most every paleontologist I know is married to the job, divorced 1+ times, and in general really cynical. I don't want that for the rest of my life.
So, now I'm pretty excited about the paleo program at Cincinnatti, and I think with the connections I have in the area I could probably get in with ease. I'm just waiting for something to hit me on the head and tell me, this is perfect for you!! I like Michigan State's program, and there I wouldn't be limited to Ordovician aged rocks. The nice part about that is I already have an introduction to the Cincinnnattian fauna, and working Devonian, which is pretty much what MSU's program is, would allow me to see a different part of the geologic time scale. I really need to beef up my historical geology, though.
Sean wants me to do an independant project with him if I get my thesis done, and that would be a good time, but even more work to add to my already very full plate. It would be heaven to get my thesis done, though. To just not worry about it anymore. Le sigh.
So, enough of work, now a bit about play. I'm house sitting for Kirk and Randy, and its wonderful. I have to feed (and brush if i want) 2 horses, feed 2 cats who hate each other, feed chickens who constantly decide to escape from the coop, and 2 spunky dogs. And that's only the beginning. I get to ride the 4 wheelers, watch t.v. on a 50" screen (which is angled perfectly to watch from the bathtub, and there is surround sound in the whole lower part of the house...so, perfect), burn the woodstove and watch it from a very comfortable leather sofa, and do my work there. It's heaven... I wish Kirk and Randy didn't want it back on Tuesday. Until then, its all me!!! Any joiners can give me a call and you're more than welcome.
Oh, P.S. I get a chevy silverado to drive back and forth. Now you know I'm in my heaven.
Alright..a bit of down time before I go back to my real life...have fun all!
The people from Covenant Players called me about auditioning for the group. There are two main times to join the theatre troupe, one in January and one in July. So, obviously I want the July one, but the problem becomes when do I interview and audition with them??? I would like to early so that I know that I am accepted if that is the route I choose, but on the other hand I really want to go to grad school, so I should be putting my efforts into GRE studying, applications, etc., etc. Yuck, really.
But that was exciting anyway.
So, the Cincinnatti trip was pretty exciting. I found part of a crinoid calyx, and that was just tremendous! No one found any rolled up trilobites, but since they are kind of rare in the locations we were, and since the places they would be abundant were inundated with wet sediment, I guess it makes sense. Chris is the only one who found them last year, and I think he was lying about them anyway, because I never saw them when we went back into the lab. It was also great because I got to meet Sean's (the sabbatical replacement for Dr. E) advisor from Cincinnati, and he is so great! He's like Dr. E, only a little more outgoing and crazy. The part of the trip we spent with him rocked my socks off.
And, despite the fact that we left Sat night at 5 and got back here at 6:30a.m., it was a really good trip overall. Sean is a lot of fun because he is so enthusiastic. He hasn't been jaded yet, and that is refreshing for me to see, since most every paleontologist I know is married to the job, divorced 1+ times, and in general really cynical. I don't want that for the rest of my life.
So, now I'm pretty excited about the paleo program at Cincinnatti, and I think with the connections I have in the area I could probably get in with ease. I'm just waiting for something to hit me on the head and tell me, this is perfect for you!! I like Michigan State's program, and there I wouldn't be limited to Ordovician aged rocks. The nice part about that is I already have an introduction to the Cincinnnattian fauna, and working Devonian, which is pretty much what MSU's program is, would allow me to see a different part of the geologic time scale. I really need to beef up my historical geology, though.
Sean wants me to do an independant project with him if I get my thesis done, and that would be a good time, but even more work to add to my already very full plate. It would be heaven to get my thesis done, though. To just not worry about it anymore. Le sigh.
So, enough of work, now a bit about play. I'm house sitting for Kirk and Randy, and its wonderful. I have to feed (and brush if i want) 2 horses, feed 2 cats who hate each other, feed chickens who constantly decide to escape from the coop, and 2 spunky dogs. And that's only the beginning. I get to ride the 4 wheelers, watch t.v. on a 50" screen (which is angled perfectly to watch from the bathtub, and there is surround sound in the whole lower part of the house...so, perfect), burn the woodstove and watch it from a very comfortable leather sofa, and do my work there. It's heaven... I wish Kirk and Randy didn't want it back on Tuesday. Until then, its all me!!! Any joiners can give me a call and you're more than welcome.
Oh, P.S. I get a chevy silverado to drive back and forth. Now you know I'm in my heaven.
Alright..a bit of down time before I go back to my real life...have fun all!