Sorry for the lack of posting recently. Some of my fan have has been telling me off for this. There is a reason, and it’s a good one I hope. I’m an Associate Editor for the National Postdoc Association magazine and it’s submission time. So, my authors submitted their articles, I checked them and got ready to send them on. And then my beloved Editor-in-Chief (hey, who says shit can’t roll *up*hill sometimes?) told me that we had to stick to a 500 word word-limit.
Ah. So, that meant a lot of editing and then iterating with authors. Some were cooler than others. I have dispatched sympathy cards, where necessary, for the tragic loss of adjectives, adverbs, definite and indefinite articles. It was rather brutal at times…
Also, as mentioned below I had an interview with a Company I want to work for. There was also a written test, which involved quite a lot of reading and subsequent writing. Bloody good fun, but tough sometimes. Which, I assume, was the point.
So, back on track now huh? Well… it turns out I have to re-analyse 7 months of data now, which, to coin-a-phrase, really, really sucks. 43 data points at 5 mins each isn’t too bad, but Ye Gods, it’s boring.
Unfortunately I am finding it hard to concentrate on data analysis, or indeed writing cogently for this blog entry, because I have to now go to A Major Metropolitan City to have an onsite interview. All good yeah? Well, I have received word from the delightful sounding young HR lady I spoke with that I must make use of a subway system to get to their offices on the day of my interview.
I am now aghast with bowl-loosening terror. I am not to be trusted in these situations. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a mental or anything. Once I know my way round, I’m fine…when I lived in DC I used the Metro all the time. But first time…well, I get very English and panicky… and being back in a Major Metropolitan City for rushhour, riding a train system I don’t know, to a destination I don’t know, whilst being on a schedule is really alarming me. This is not just because, despite concentrating really really hard, I invariably catch the wrong train. It is also because I tend to attract loonies like a very handsome, well-mannered, intelligent and fragrant candle attracts mentally challenged and self-hygeine disfunctional moths.
I think this might be the first test…. like Survivor, or Big Brother… they’ll invite several earnest young science-types (a la moi), and then see who survives the subway journey and gets to the office on time…perhaps later there’ll be further testing via feats of strength, or bear-wrestling (as in genus Ursa, Grant, you gutter-minded wretch).
I think I’ll be taxi-ing it the couple of blocks across town… doubtless expensive and twice as time consuming, however, I’ll at least I’ll only have to deal with one wierdo…who hopefully knows where it’s going
‘Gutter-minded wretch’.
I like that.
Oh, and
TiddlIan, never apologize for lack of posting. A sure sign of insecurity. Make us beg for you.Sod it, Angela, get a taxi.
Good luck with your interview! How exciting! I always try to avoid the sweat storm (and loose bowels) caused by nerves, travel, and tardiness. Don’t think twice – take the cab.
What sorts of articles do you publish in the post-doc magazine? Is the magazine widely available?
Richard: I’m not quite sure I have the readership for that yet! When you went to the Gordon conference not a day had passed before lamentations were heard throughout the interchoobs.
Henry: Deal.
Anna: The postdoc mag, in general, addresses postdoc issues, so for example in the Spring edition a brilliant young writer had the lead news article covering the Annual Conference, but there are news items from Congress, NIH etc., a piece from our Canadian sister-organisation, CAPS, career articles etc. It’s a valuable resource and freely available at the NPA website
The NPA considers anyone post PhD a postdoc for two years after graduating (or longer, of course, if necessary), so go grab a copy! :)
It is also because I tend to attract loonies like a very handsome, well-mannered, intelligent and fragrant candle attracts mentally challenged and self-hygeine disfunctional moths.
I’m so sorry to hear this but I have to admit I laughed and giggled when I read this. It’s probably because you positively ouzzzzze kindness, or that they might think you are one of them?!!? ;)
Sorry. I think the taxi seems like a good plan if that would keep you less nervous and worked up about it. Just remember to be giving yourself plenty of time for that since I think the traffic is aweful and slow. Good luck. And I’m sure you’ll feel good about taking the subway on the way from the interview!!
The “fragrant” part was genius, I have to admit.
Printed out the magazine, reading it now. Many thanks for the tip. Fragrant candles are front page-worthy, it would seem :)
Asa: Taxi it has to be. Knowing me it’ll be like the day I got married. I was up, dressed and chain smoking (in my morning suit & top hat) by 9am. The wedding was at noon…
Anna: Cheers :) There’s a thread derailment of the first order on this very topic over at the lablit forums feel free to join the debate and volunteer your 1337 5n1ff1ng 5ki11z
How did it all turn out?
Blog post is nearly written!! Promise!!! My grad student got a bad car wreck (she’s fine, but off work) so my life has been MENTAL recently!