Things have been busy this week, after we got back from Melbourne I had four talks to give in two days, all of which needed preparing. Two of them I managed to adapt from previous presentations so it did eventually all get done. I thought they all went down pretty well.
You can always tell from the number and type of questions you get afterwards.
If people ask things that you already covered in laborious detail, then it's a pretty clear sign that they switched off part way through.
If you manage to get members of the audience bickering amongst themselves about some of your results, then it's a success.
On the other hand, if there are lots of questions it either means (a) people are really interested or (b) you didn't explain yourself sufficiently.
If there are no questions then either (a) nobody turned up, (b) nobody cares, (c) your work is so fantastic that everyone understands it, or (d) you were practising in front of the mirror at home.
This afternoon I fly out to Melbourne for the ICONN 2008 conference. I have a 15-minute talk to give on the Wednesday which still needs preparing. 15 minutes is a bit of a nuisance - it's not really enough time to really get into the guts of your work; although in the present situation that is probably a good thing.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Reality check
Last weekend I had one of those enormous reality checks that arose from something completely mundane.
We'd finished our experiments a day early, so that night the two guys went into the city to go clubbing. Not my scene, I told them, so I stayed behind, caught up on some work and some much-needed sleep. They arrived back at about 3:30 am and found that their cards to get in wouldn't work, so they called to get me to open the door. Long story short we got locked out of the room. A series of bizarre suggestions followed - should we break the door, after all it's 'their' fault for locking us out, etc. Thankfully I managed to convince them otherwise, eventually they woke up the manager and got a new keycard to get in. But trying to reason with somebody who's had a couple of drinks too many is not something I've had to do very often, and definitely not something I enjoy.
People these days seem to be so proud of their alcohol-consuming ability. I really don't get it. I haven't ever drunk any (knowingly) because of a commitment I made to God when I was 12 (not to drink, smoke, do drugs, have sex before marriage, or swear). And that night (or, early morning) as I lay on the bed unable to sleep, I was just filled with thankfulness that God had spared me from all of that 'culture' and that I have a higher purpose in life.
It just hammered home to me the difference between the Christian values that I hold, and those of 'the world'. Call me weird if you want, but I know where I stand.
We'd finished our experiments a day early, so that night the two guys went into the city to go clubbing. Not my scene, I told them, so I stayed behind, caught up on some work and some much-needed sleep. They arrived back at about 3:30 am and found that their cards to get in wouldn't work, so they called to get me to open the door. Long story short we got locked out of the room. A series of bizarre suggestions followed - should we break the door, after all it's 'their' fault for locking us out, etc. Thankfully I managed to convince them otherwise, eventually they woke up the manager and got a new keycard to get in. But trying to reason with somebody who's had a couple of drinks too many is not something I've had to do very often, and definitely not something I enjoy.
People these days seem to be so proud of their alcohol-consuming ability. I really don't get it. I haven't ever drunk any (knowingly) because of a commitment I made to God when I was 12 (not to drink, smoke, do drugs, have sex before marriage, or swear). And that night (or, early morning) as I lay on the bed unable to sleep, I was just filled with thankfulness that God had spared me from all of that 'culture' and that I have a higher purpose in life.
It just hammered home to me the difference between the Christian values that I hold, and those of 'the world'. Call me weird if you want, but I know where I stand.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
No rest for the...
Well ordinarily the saying goes 'no rest for the wicked' but I don't think that can really be said of me... maybe 'no rest for the frantic' would be better, but then that is stating the obvious, isn't it?
I'm in Melbourne this week, the first of two week-long trips here in February. The present trip is to do some experiments at the brand-new synchrotron facility, and in the last week of Feb I'll be back again for a nanotechnology conference. More about that in due course.
These experiments are a PR dream: we are the first 'general access' users of the x-ray diffraction beamline (and only the second users ever) and the experiments are going very well indeed. We're looking at in situ dealloying of AgAu foils (the silver leaches out in acid, leaving behind a nanoporous gold network that can be used for high surface area applications such as catalysis or gas sensing). I heard there were only 27 days scheduled for users in this first cycle, and we have got 5 of them. Not bad going...
While I'm here I'm meant to be preparing a bunch of talks for a work pow-wow meeting next week, as well as drafting up some Calvary Kids Club programmes and puppet skits. It's hard to be motivated to do the former, and I feel so far removed from the latter (even though we had a meeting about it only 2 days ago) that it's just easier to leave it until I get home. Everything will come out in the wash though.
It's 11 pm here now and we are probably going to be here for another hour yet. Ahh, the beamtime routine...
"There'll be time enough for sleeping
When the experiment's done."
I'm in Melbourne this week, the first of two week-long trips here in February. The present trip is to do some experiments at the brand-new synchrotron facility, and in the last week of Feb I'll be back again for a nanotechnology conference. More about that in due course.
These experiments are a PR dream: we are the first 'general access' users of the x-ray diffraction beamline (and only the second users ever) and the experiments are going very well indeed. We're looking at in situ dealloying of AgAu foils (the silver leaches out in acid, leaving behind a nanoporous gold network that can be used for high surface area applications such as catalysis or gas sensing). I heard there were only 27 days scheduled for users in this first cycle, and we have got 5 of them. Not bad going...
While I'm here I'm meant to be preparing a bunch of talks for a work pow-wow meeting next week, as well as drafting up some Calvary Kids Club programmes and puppet skits. It's hard to be motivated to do the former, and I feel so far removed from the latter (even though we had a meeting about it only 2 days ago) that it's just easier to leave it until I get home. Everything will come out in the wash though.
It's 11 pm here now and we are probably going to be here for another hour yet. Ahh, the beamtime routine...
"There'll be time enough for sleeping
When the experiment's done."
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The difference one week makes
So it's about a week since I got back. Work has been going well and I caught up with Karen and Katie Pasanen on Sunday afternoon (hi if you're reading!). Tomorrow being Waitangi Day is a welcome holiday and I have lots of plans already.
But the difference this week is that I scrapped the 'Bible study' I was doing, and went back to the routine I've had for about the last 2 years but haven't been doing for about 4 months. It's just reading a couple of chapters a day (Old Testament and a Psalm in the morning, New Testament in the evening) that goes through the OT once and NT and Psalms twice in 320 days. [If anyone wants a copy I would love to share it with you...]
The Word really is 'living and active' (Heb. 4:12). It 'will not return void' (Isa. 55:11). And I'm already noticing the difference in just a week of reading it again on a regular basis, just letting it wash over and cleanse me. Yes I do struggle to concentrate on it at times, and I have to be conscious not to skim over the familiar passages. But I am being built up in my spirit, and my perspective is changing. Perhaps reminiscent of when I got back to cycling to work in London and initially feeling rather unfit, but quickly getting back into the routine. I've allowed myself to get a bit unfit spiritually, but I've figured out how to start correcting things!
But the difference this week is that I scrapped the 'Bible study' I was doing, and went back to the routine I've had for about the last 2 years but haven't been doing for about 4 months. It's just reading a couple of chapters a day (Old Testament and a Psalm in the morning, New Testament in the evening) that goes through the OT once and NT and Psalms twice in 320 days. [If anyone wants a copy I would love to share it with you...]
The Word really is 'living and active' (Heb. 4:12). It 'will not return void' (Isa. 55:11). And I'm already noticing the difference in just a week of reading it again on a regular basis, just letting it wash over and cleanse me. Yes I do struggle to concentrate on it at times, and I have to be conscious not to skim over the familiar passages. But I am being built up in my spirit, and my perspective is changing. Perhaps reminiscent of when I got back to cycling to work in London and initially feeling rather unfit, but quickly getting back into the routine. I've allowed myself to get a bit unfit spiritually, but I've figured out how to start correcting things!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Back home, back into it
I got back on Wednesday morning and resisted the urge to go into work that day. Instead I did washing and spent the afternoon around at Mum and Dad's just relaxing, talking, playing Wii etc. We had indoor soccer in the evening and although we lost, I think it is the first game in this league where I haven't ended up on the floor. And I tackled somebody and ended up with the ball; it was almost too good to be true!
Thursday I went into IRL and Friday into RSNZ. All is going well. Tomorrow is the weekend! yay!
It's not every day you see a big Samoan lad at the train station wearing a skirt, a netball bib, and lingerie. But then it's not every day the rugby sevens are on.
Thursday I went into IRL and Friday into RSNZ. All is going well. Tomorrow is the weekend! yay!
It's not every day you see a big Samoan lad at the train station wearing a skirt, a netball bib, and lingerie. But then it's not every day the rugby sevens are on.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Visiting Monterey
Well our experiments have gone so well that we had an extra day, so today Amanda and I drove down to Monterey. The weather was pretty horrendous though, so we basically had lunch, went to the aquarium, had a look around a few shops and drove back. The place must be packed in summer. Maybe it's having been on beamtime for the last 5 days, or maybe I'm just weary, but nothing really seemed all that fantastic today. I really am ready to go home.
I know I am definitely going to have to set aside more time for prayer and worshipping God if I am going to make it through this year. January is not even over yet, and I am already worn out. Yet the other day when I spent a few minutes in prayer and just contemplating eternity, I definitely felt strengthened. How I could do all this without God I have no idea. He is the One who has brought me to where I am today, and He is the only One who can sustain me in the future - that He has planned for me. Life doesn't have to be complicated; we only get one day at a time. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow..." (Matt. 6:34)
I know I am definitely going to have to set aside more time for prayer and worshipping God if I am going to make it through this year. January is not even over yet, and I am already worn out. Yet the other day when I spent a few minutes in prayer and just contemplating eternity, I definitely felt strengthened. How I could do all this without God I have no idea. He is the One who has brought me to where I am today, and He is the only One who can sustain me in the future - that He has planned for me. Life doesn't have to be complicated; we only get one day at a time. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow..." (Matt. 6:34)
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Blob-out weekend
I'm currently in blob-out mode, recovering from one set of experiments and gearing up for the next, which start next Wednesday. Yesterday I got the bus(es) to the shopping centre, and had dinner off-site; more for a change of scenery than anything else. Today I spent pretty much all of the day just sitting around at the guest house, which doesn't bother me like it used to. There is some work stuff I could have been doing, but my brain is just not 100% functional right now!
Monday is a holiday here (Martin Luther King Jr day) and also back home (Wellington Anniversary). Amanda arrives sometime so I'm content just to sit around and wait for her to get here.
Hiking with Mike got postponed by a week. Hopefully the experiments are at a stage where heading off for the day will be ok. And, hopefully the weather is still good.
Just got off the phone with Regina re: planning to meet up sometime this weekend. She also mentioned that a bunch of people from church are going skating - yes, that's roller skating - next Friday night. Rock on '80s!! Seriously though, it does sound like fun so I will try to find some more info on that. Maybe Amanda might like to go too? - tough call that one; I guess I don't know her that well.
Nine more sleeps until I fly home...
Monday is a holiday here (Martin Luther King Jr day) and also back home (Wellington Anniversary). Amanda arrives sometime so I'm content just to sit around and wait for her to get here.
Hiking with Mike got postponed by a week. Hopefully the experiments are at a stage where heading off for the day will be ok. And, hopefully the weather is still good.
Just got off the phone with Regina re: planning to meet up sometime this weekend. She also mentioned that a bunch of people from church are going skating - yes, that's roller skating - next Friday night. Rock on '80s!! Seriously though, it does sound like fun so I will try to find some more info on that. Maybe Amanda might like to go too? - tough call that one; I guess I don't know her that well.
Nine more sleeps until I fly home...
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Dumb as a plank?
Tonight I have been doing some x-ray diffraction experiments on wood. That's right: how-much-wood-would-a-woodchuck-chuck-if-a-woodchuck-could-chuck-wood wood. Or Woody Woodpecker wood wood.
Dumb as it might sound, the results are pretty cool. Especially if you display the scans in colour. I can't say any more than that though, because if I told you I'd have to kill you. Actually, the reason is because I haven't told the person who gave me the samples yet. So think of it like an 'informing the next of kin' thing.
Hmm it would seem sleep deprivation is setting in! Never mind - this is the last scan, then I am going to bed! (it is 11:15 pm here, after all)
On the bright side, I don't have to drive home...
Dumb as it might sound, the results are pretty cool. Especially if you display the scans in colour. I can't say any more than that though, because if I told you I'd have to kill you. Actually, the reason is because I haven't told the person who gave me the samples yet. So think of it like an 'informing the next of kin' thing.
Hmm it would seem sleep deprivation is setting in! Never mind - this is the last scan, then I am going to bed! (it is 11:15 pm here, after all)
On the bright side, I don't have to drive home...
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
All over Rover
The first set of experiments are done and my colleauges have just left for the airport. Wish I was going too... but it's only two more weeks to go. Fourteen days. 336 hours. I can handle that.
This week is starting to fill up with meetings and a couple of hours here or there on various beamlines (some preliminary experiments I offered to run for other people). I also need to prepare my talk to give at the different universities about synchrotron techniques and possibilities - can't use the same one as last year. I know what needs doing, but I'm a great procrastinator. Anyway let's aim to have it done by next Tuesday (when beamtime starts again).
The weather has finally cleared up after all that rain and other grotty stuff (that led to my flight dilemmas upon arrival), so it's looking hopeful for going hiking on Saturday with Mike et al.
This week is starting to fill up with meetings and a couple of hours here or there on various beamlines (some preliminary experiments I offered to run for other people). I also need to prepare my talk to give at the different universities about synchrotron techniques and possibilities - can't use the same one as last year. I know what needs doing, but I'm a great procrastinator. Anyway let's aim to have it done by next Tuesday (when beamtime starts again).
The weather has finally cleared up after all that rain and other grotty stuff (that led to my flight dilemmas upon arrival), so it's looking hopeful for going hiking on Saturday with Mike et al.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Half-way there
Half way through our first set of experiments. Things are going really well. We have two more days, so we should be able to get through everything we want to.
Then I have a slower week, hopefully I'll be able to find some time to jazz up my 'what is a synchrotron' presentation that I'll need for February. The following weekend is looking hopeful for going hiking with Mike and some other people. Then Amanda arrives and we have about 5 intense days - three of which we'll be using two beamlines simultaneously. But I'm not expecting that to be a big issue. Also I got my flights changed so I'm coming back earlier - there are a bunch of things I need to get prepared for our beamtime in Melbourne starting on 12 February.
Anyway, it's TV dinner time so I will say adios for now.
Then I have a slower week, hopefully I'll be able to find some time to jazz up my 'what is a synchrotron' presentation that I'll need for February. The following weekend is looking hopeful for going hiking with Mike and some other people. Then Amanda arrives and we have about 5 intense days - three of which we'll be using two beamlines simultaneously. But I'm not expecting that to be a big issue. Also I got my flights changed so I'm coming back earlier - there are a bunch of things I need to get prepared for our beamtime in Melbourne starting on 12 February.
Anyway, it's TV dinner time so I will say adios for now.
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