...that I love my job? I was wading through a patent on a type of biological sensor that's referred to as "lab on chip." As an electrical engineer, I thought the mechanics were totally awesome and really enjoyed learning about that aspect of the invention. It's really cool.
But the biology was a total mystery. Google helps with words like "lysis" and "denature" and "elution", but is less helpful with repurposed words like "discrimiator". And if you have the end product you want after 8 steps or so, why do you have close to 20 more steps of mixing stuff together?
So today I'm finally getting to explore that old Bio textbook my college library was selling 15 years ago, and now I actually have a clue what all my pre-med friends were talking about for semesters on end with their gels and their blots. And after a mere 5 pages of Bio 101, when I go back to the patent, the biology part actually makes general sense, and I can scribble all sorts of "look-at-me-understanding-stuff" marginalia and feel all excited at the cleverness of it all.
Still not sure what an RED reporter is, though, and reporters apparently aren't covered in Bio 101. Google gets a little useful for that one again, though. At least I think it does. Ah, well, I can't become an expert on everything in one day!
Seriously. I love this job.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Thursday, November 15, 2018
VIP
My office had an envelope that needed to be dropped off at the bank yesterday. Since the bank is hardly out of my way at all, I volunteered to drop it off on my way home.
Being me, I told my coworker that she had to give me Very Precise instructions. She laughed, but she told me what I wanted to know: "Go all the way to the end, turn right, on your left will be three tellers for Business Banking. Ideally give it to Shalva, but if she's not there, you can also give it to Vered or Leah. Tell them 'From [Company]; thank you.'"
And then Helpful Malka's heart did verily sink within her, for CoWorker had forgotten something critical that Malka had too forgotten before volunteering for this little errand. My smile now somewhat fixed, I asked, "And what about getting a number to wait in line?"
"Oh no," answered CoWorker, "There is no line. Just go to the end, turn right, and walk up to any of the three tellers in the Business Banking section."
I verified with CoWorker that I didn't need a receipt (not kidding when I say that I need everything spelled out), and went, somewhat skeptically, to see this magic of Going to the Bank without Getting a Number in Line.
Oh. My. Gosh. It's real. It's so cool.
I just waltzed right in to the bank, didn't even glance at the Automated Ticket Dispenser, walked purposefully past all of the people sitting in the chairs waiting and waiting, gave the envelope to one of the Business Banking ladies, turned around, and walked (trying desperately not to strut) right back past all of those poor people, of whom I have always been one.
Bwa ha ha.
Being me, I told my coworker that she had to give me Very Precise instructions. She laughed, but she told me what I wanted to know: "Go all the way to the end, turn right, on your left will be three tellers for Business Banking. Ideally give it to Shalva, but if she's not there, you can also give it to Vered or Leah. Tell them 'From [Company]; thank you.'"
And then Helpful Malka's heart did verily sink within her, for CoWorker had forgotten something critical that Malka had too forgotten before volunteering for this little errand. My smile now somewhat fixed, I asked, "And what about getting a number to wait in line?"
"Oh no," answered CoWorker, "There is no line. Just go to the end, turn right, and walk up to any of the three tellers in the Business Banking section."
I verified with CoWorker that I didn't need a receipt (not kidding when I say that I need everything spelled out), and went, somewhat skeptically, to see this magic of Going to the Bank without Getting a Number in Line.
Oh. My. Gosh. It's real. It's so cool.
I just waltzed right in to the bank, didn't even glance at the Automated Ticket Dispenser, walked purposefully past all of the people sitting in the chairs waiting and waiting, gave the envelope to one of the Business Banking ladies, turned around, and walked (trying desperately not to strut) right back past all of those poor people, of whom I have always been one.
Bwa ha ha.
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