Afterglow
Had my hearing tested last week, first time since...high school? Damn, that's over 30 years ago. Not unexpectedly, the high frequencies have rolled off considerably. It also explains why I can't hear half the things my SO says to me. I noticed lately that I "hear" what people are saying better when I can see the person's lips moving. Hope the mixes haven't been too bright and airy. Ah well, as an old friend of mine used to say, you should live so long to lose your hearing.
Age has a way of creeping up, and sometimes it manifests itself in more pleasant ways. A few weeks ago I won an award at work called the Seminis Research Award of Excellence. A Major Award....a lamp with fringe shade that looks like a women's leg wearing a fishnet stocking and 4-inch heel. Okay, not really but that would have been perfect. It's a fairly big deal, with a plaque showing yours truly and speeches (my boss did a one-man roast of me), lots of fancy food (shrimp stuffed mushrooms! star fruit! obscure cheeses! fruity zinfandels and chardonnays! chocolate fondue, for cryin out loud!), and lots of big shots. The reason for the award is of interest only to the true science geeks out there, but it was very gratifying to receive it. BIG ego stroke, so now I feel like I need to be humble for the next few months so as to not irritate my co-workers.
People have reacted in interesting ways to this news. Some of my colleagues were truly happy and wished me joy of my success (very 19th century, yes?). Another scientist from the company, who is from Italy and speaks very little English, shook my hand by clutching it like it was a live fish and kissing both my cheeks and giving me the "Beautiful! Bellisimo! Bravo!" Some other friends gave me a curious, distant sort of wondering look with a "Well, good job Bob" like they were really perplexed.
But really, one of the best things that has happened lately is seeing the great comments for "thelittlestillnotbigenough" album. I'm proud of Steve, Phil, and Matt for creating such a beautiful monster, and I'm really grateful to have been involved in the production.
See you next time,
--Virgil
Age has a way of creeping up, and sometimes it manifests itself in more pleasant ways. A few weeks ago I won an award at work called the Seminis Research Award of Excellence. A Major Award....a lamp with fringe shade that looks like a women's leg wearing a fishnet stocking and 4-inch heel. Okay, not really but that would have been perfect. It's a fairly big deal, with a plaque showing yours truly and speeches (my boss did a one-man roast of me), lots of fancy food (shrimp stuffed mushrooms! star fruit! obscure cheeses! fruity zinfandels and chardonnays! chocolate fondue, for cryin out loud!), and lots of big shots. The reason for the award is of interest only to the true science geeks out there, but it was very gratifying to receive it. BIG ego stroke, so now I feel like I need to be humble for the next few months so as to not irritate my co-workers.
People have reacted in interesting ways to this news. Some of my colleagues were truly happy and wished me joy of my success (very 19th century, yes?). Another scientist from the company, who is from Italy and speaks very little English, shook my hand by clutching it like it was a live fish and kissing both my cheeks and giving me the "Beautiful! Bellisimo! Bravo!" Some other friends gave me a curious, distant sort of wondering look with a "Well, good job Bob" like they were really perplexed.
But really, one of the best things that has happened lately is seeing the great comments for "thelittlestillnotbigenough" album. I'm proud of Steve, Phil, and Matt for creating such a beautiful monster, and I'm really grateful to have been involved in the production.
See you next time,
--Virgil