Something tells me I'm into something good

Simple things get me kind of excited. 

I got my keys today.  I have a home!  Very stoked.

I didn't know what to do today, I didn't have class and I wasn't teaching, so I decided to do some "research" in the Health Sciences Library.  I found a pretty clutch book to start with on orthopedic mechanics....basic, general, in terms I can understand....something rare for a text book.  I got excited about this. 

In the first few pages I got really excited about a neato factoid I found.  The coefficient of friction for the average, standard, run-of-the-mill human cadaver knee between cartilage planes ranges from 0.005 to 0.02.  I thought, and still think, that this is the coolest thing, pretty much ever.  COF for 2 pieces of steel together is about 0.6 to 0.8, teflon surfaces have a COF of about 0.1 (don't ask me how I know this.....).  The closer to 0, the less friction....making the knee damned-near perfect.  SWEET-ASS-SWEET!   (simple things......)

I bumped into one of my previous Profs this afternoon whom we affectionately call "Uncle Terry".  Turns out when you put "Uncle Terry" and "Auntie Dena" in the same room for about an hour, we can come up with a pretty wicked plan on how to make sense the BioEng program, including a nifty diagram.  I hope that it's useful because it was a pretty amazing experience.  (simple things....)

On that note, it's really cool knowing that I have a pretty solid stack of mentors to lean on and share ideas with.  Terry and I got talking about my program, my project, my teaching and how cool it is that I've found something I'm passionate about and am actually able to find a group of brilliant people to work, teach, learn and grow with so close to home and the people I care about.  I do believe that there's a time, a place and a reason for everything.  This is my time and my place.  I'm sure I'll find out the reason when I'm ready.  Until then, I have a feeling I could really enjoy the ride. 

I got called "Professor Burnett" today by one of my buddies.  It felt kind of awkward at first, like I was an imposter.  "Professor" is a big name to live up to in my books.  Right now though, I'm feeling pretty good about it.  They may be big shoes to fill but it sounds like I have a pretty awesome team to help me out.