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Thursday, September 18, 2003 Coffee and Science Almost Ad Infinitum I enjoyed the talks, but there is something about sitting in one place for a couple hours and trying vainly to stifle the yawn reflex. At least there were large quantities of coffee nearby. I added several packets of sugar to mine. Caffeine doesn't always do the trick, you know. There were a few free hours last afternoon, so I decided to tackle climbing Killington Peak (Vermont was dubbed "Verd Mont" [French] in 1763 at the summit) which I miserably failed in doing so the previous year. Well, I failed again. This was probably due to several factors. The group I was going with picked a more difficult trail this time. A pair of professors decided on going mano a mano to see who could reach the top first which set the expedition on a suicidal pace on the outset. And I'm terribly out of shape--especially on taking on an obstacle of such magnitude without preparation. I decided to take on a more leisurely hiking trail that went elsewhere. On my return trip, I figured I could take a short cut to get back. I ended up getting lost in the woods for the rest of the afternoon. Nobody had to call search and rescue on me, but I'm probably going to get a compass first whenever I get the urge to go out wandering around out in the middle of nowhere by myself again. And then there was the dancing that went on into the wee hours of the morning. In a way, it was sort of funny and surreal at the same time. One really hasn't seen anything until they've witnessed middle-aged scientists busting out moves on the dance floor. I don't dance that often (I feel very self-conscious) but at that point, it was picking the lesser of the two evils. Either stand around on the periphery nursing a drink and watching the dancers like a dirty voyeur or semi-humiliate yourself under flashing lights. I chose the semi-humiliation--which was cushioned by the fact that all my friends and some professors were doing the same thing (ah, peer pressure!). At the end, people were just begging the band (called Lazyeye--and comprised of medical students--I would link to them except they are in the process of overhauling/moving their site) to play one more song. A lot them (particularly females) were screaming, "I love you!" I was expecting at any moment for someone to throw a pair of silk panties onto the photogenic lead singer. But alas, I don't think one can transform people with normally serious natures into party animals in one night. The Thursday Threesome: Darwin's Survival of the Fittest Onesome: Darwin's- Hmm... Ever run across someone who could be a Darwin awards candidate? Can you share your story? If not, what's your favorite story (true or not)? Hm. I will have to think about this for a little bit. Most of the people I know who've had stupid things happen to them aren't stupid at all. It was just circumstance and accident. Twosome: Survival of- What kicks you into survival mode during the week? Kids? School? Driving? Spouse (nope, better leave that one alone!) The News? What makes you yearn for your next break? I require a decent amount of sleep--so anything that takes away from sleep kicks me into "survival mode" which usually includes consuming things with high amounts of caffeine or sugar. Threesome: the Fittest- Hey, how are you doing in the fitness wars? Are you the drill sergeant leading the troops on the five mile hikes or are you the person waiting back at camp with the chips and dip ready for when they come to their senses? See above. [posted by S. Y. Affolee on 12:34 PM : ]
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