That is a door knob – a plain lab door knob. I covet that door knob. Sometimes, I really wish my lab had more doors. It is difficult to isolate yourself to concentrate (or stew) in the wide open space that is a lab. There is nowhere to go when you really want to slam a door behind you (or in someone’s face), no office to retreat to.

I understand why labs are designed the way they are, I do. I would not want to have to open doors with radioactivity in my hands. Yet, working many (many) hours a week in a big open room in close proximity to the same people can be draining. You hear every sneeze, every phone conversation (even ones you reaaaally don’t want to hear), have to ask “what’s wrong?” every time there is a loud curse.

This arrangement requires certain adjustments to be made. Patience, thinking very carefully before speaking, and acceptance of peoples’ quirks and affectations are indispensable survival skills – skills I had to develop, slowly and painfully. I am hoping that this skill set will serve me well in my future job. If I can successfully navigate the murky waters of lab relationships (and make some very close friends on the way), a plain old office, complete with doors, should be a breeze. I hope.