One week down, 12 more to go....

Yesterday I went for a run.  It would have been awesome except for the other 20 people who decided to use the running track along with me.  Stupid people and their stupid New Year's Resolutions, and their stupid inability to follow simple "running track protocol".  It's kind of like driving a car, slow people keep to the inside, fast people to the outside.  If you're gonna walk, walk on the inside track!  And for God's sake - If you're with a buddy, and INSIST on going side-by-side all the way around, WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO PASS YOU AND IT'S CROWDED, HAVE SOME COURTESY AND MOVE ASIDE!!!!!  
RUNNING TRACK RAGE!!!






Running aside, I've been hardcore working my upper body.  I don't think my triceps have ever been this sore before.  It's a great feeling.  I can flex my peck muscles individually too.  Awesome.

Teaching has been fun so far.  It looks like the majority of the class is small town or farm boys interested in horses or horsepower...like 13/19.  Could be a lot of fun.  I may have to change up my jokes though.  I had all these super-nerdy ones lined up.  I may have to exchange them for the odd redneck joke or something.  I guess time will tell.  Either way, it should be a good time.  I'm really looking forward to it. 

In research news, I've become one of 3 go-to-Engineers for Kinesiologists, and one of 3 go-to-Engineers for Vet Med.  I'm kind of excited.  I'm really hoping that I'll be able to talk my way into a research or engineering position in Vet Med once I've finished my Ph.D.  I'm sure they need someone that knows how to design and modify all kinds of medical tools.  It also helps if that person has a clue.  Luckily, I have both...and I'm wanting to stuck around to do it.  I've started on a project where I get to strain gauge and smash some pony legs, and I think I've made a good impression with the Vet I'm working with.  I just need to ride the wave and stay available I guess. 

It all makes the snowball a little bigger, but it does cure the "Design or Destroy" itch that I'm getting.  Writing is cool and all, and I know it needs to get done, but there comes a point where an Engineer just wants to build something.  I don't know a lot about the project now, but what I do know is that we should have enough for 3 papers in an afternoon's worth of smashy-smashy. 

Tonight's plan is to read some, then write some, then read some more.  Tomorrow, I write some and figure out how I'm gonna run my stats for this section of my project.  I honestly have no idea what I'm doing, but I want to have a solution by the end of the week. 

I guess I should get to work....

I guess it's been a while

I meant to post closer to last week...between Christmas and New Year's....but I was distracted.  By work.  Damn. 

Holiday was good.  I went home, saw the family, answered the "Where's your date?" question a few times.  Once I said it was "SCIENCE!", the other time I said that I have so much on my plate that I don't have time for bullshit like that...or at least I don't think I have time for that.  I guess we'll see if the game changes at the end of January...(That's a hint.  I don't want to say anymore because I don't want to jinx it and get my hopes up and be terribly disappointed and choked if it doesn't all work out...and I really think it could happen with this guy.) If I give anymore specifics, some of my readers (where ever you are) may figure out who the jerk on my mind is because he's a good friend of mine, and has been for a few years.  He's been really accepting of my "crazy" the last few months, like really accepting; especially when life started moving really fast and I needed a sounding board.  We've both made it really clear that I just think too much, most of the times aloud, and he's patient and rolls with it.  I like that.  :D....man I miss his dimples....

On another note:  Back to classes and back to teaching this week.  I taught the first class today, and it's usually a train wreck.  I just kind of dodge the big boulders and jump over the rocks and pennies on the track.  I suppose that it wasn't a complete derailment, but there were definitely flaws.  I'm sure if anything, class was entertaining...for the students.  I rambled a lot.  I got nervous.  I told the students so.  At least it's all in the clear.  If I've learned anything, I don't want to keep anyone guessing and would rather be open and upfront, even if it does risk me losing a student or two.  We did get through some actual material and I'm sure I'll get my groove back once I get into the swing of things. 
I'm just excited to start interacting with students again.  Making was starting to suck away at my soul.  It's so much different when you can put a face and an attitude to the assignment.  Helps me figure a few more things out and helps me help them to be honest.

The project is going well.  I have 3 full days a week to devote to it this term, so that's awesome.  There's the potential that this plan could go terribly awry, but I'll ride it while I can and learn how to say "no" more often.  That's all. 

I guess we'll just see how sane I am this time next week.