I think that if I described the Center as "autistic" it would make a lot of sense.

I am off to a meeting in San Francisco for a week. I'll try to picture blog as I am taking my laptop and camera. This is the first meeting where we publicly disclose our biobased anti-corrosive coatings. There'll be a press release on Tuesday after my presentation. It's C&EN so I'm hoping for national coverage. When I get back, I'll be feverishly ( Read more... )

I'm reaching the conclusion that while I'd be a damn fine research leader, I would not be happy at it ( Read more... )

Opportunity knocks ( Read more... )

The acting research leader is a full time job. I need to find some balance between it and my science. I am out of control in a chaotic situation. No science sucks ( Read more... )

It is the end of my third week as acting Research Leader. I've dealt with 3 personnel issues, 2 safety incidences, and at least a dozen meetings with the CD. I've rec'd passive agressiveness from the unit secretary which, I guess, makes a 4th personnel issue. Today, I have to find a way to mediate between two male scientists and their conflicts ( Read more... )

Item: Change. Da Boss has taken an SES job. He is leaving us. I've been with him for 11+ years ( Read more... )

My September Lecture Circuit is shaping up. I have 5 lectures in 5 days at 5 different locations. Currently, they all are a "science cafe" format on renewable energy. I use a catchy, controversial title (Ethanol: Food or Fuel?) for marketing purposes, but the audience determines the direction(s) of the interactive discussion. It's very high energy ( Read more... )

My China trip - a congressionally mandated exchange program with the People's Republic of China - was not approved by the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture.
I was screwed by my own department.
I spent the weekend alternating between bitterness and cynicism until I've melded the two together with a big influx of humor.

I am acting Research Leader for 2 weeks. I get to handle year-end purchasing. I get to represent during the "reorganization" discussions. Fun. On Monday I am taking my research group out for lunch. Double fun ( Read more... )