Crunch Time

 

Last week, following my post about the (then) upcoming mid-term elections, I had a sudden realization that not just one.... but TWO different conferences were coming up.... both LESS THAN two weeks away!!!!  In my mind, I had been thinking I had THREE WEEKS of time to work on them.

But, when I realized HOW CLOSE both were, it resulted in me feeling "under the gun" in terms of timing.  I HAD to get the four student research posters to the graphics center before last Thursday, and I had a talk to prepare as well.  All of those things needing my attention and work with seven less days to accomplish what I needed.... made for a rather hectic workweek, and ended up nullifying my hoped for writing here during the Tuesday-Friday dates of last week. It was unfortunately an academic "Crunch Time" for me.

But.... fortunately, I did get the research posters to the Graphics Office in time (after a few late nights) and the talk is up-to-snuff.  Three of the research posters are heading to an international conference that is being held in Washington D.C.  I will be leaving for that meeting this upcoming Friday.  The other two presentations are at a regional symposium about two hours away from the U.... and that does not occur until the 20th.  

The Society for Neuroscience meeting (in D.C.) is a huge extravaganza.  Even though a bit lighter in attendance since challenges from Covid and from Trump both affecting Visas..... the last two years, attendance has still hovered around 35,000 researchers globally in attendance.  It should be a very interesting meeting, and my wife is scouring the Internet to help find us some especially enjoyable restaurants featuring less common ethnic cuisines in our home region during our stay in D.C.  I am kind of hoping especially for a really nice, authentic Turkish restaurant, I would love an Ethiopian restaurant, and I would be especially excited to find a style not at all available anywhere near home (perhaps Russian, or Brazilian, or Argentinian).  We also plan to try to visit at least two different Smithsonian Museums.  I have to admit I have been looking at potential pipe shops and cigar lounges.... if I can wiggle away a bit of time to visit one of those delightful "candy shop" venues for me too.  I am really hoping I can find a bit of time to do that, but I will see.

Also, last week, on Friday, because of extreme cold (38 degrees Fahrenheit (~3.3 Celsius)),  high winds (~15 mph (~24 kph)) and rain at 5:30am.... I succumbed and ran at the indoor track, thinking that now unfortunately, the indoor track will become my norm once again for the next several months until likely April.  I am still hoping to eek out some outdoor days for a while, but I suspect it will be sporadic at best.  I ran on the track this morning as well.

I am not sure if I beat AC this year or not, but this morning, my wife and I succumbed and finally turned on the furnace for the first time.  It was just not pleasant inside at 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) this morning, and we both agreed it was time.  

I am glad that all the "academic" aspects of this upcoming research conference trip are done, and all that is really left to do is my normal work week (but also trying to get my normal Friday lab work, writing work, and grading work done during the earlier four days)... and packing.

I remember very fondly the first time my Mom brought home Captain Crunch Peanut Butter.  I had generally liked regular Captain Crunch (although I much preferred Corn Flakes, Quisp, Sugar Frosted Flakes, Product 19, and Trix).... but Captain Crunch PEANUT BUTTER was to my young palate, extremely delicious and stayed a favorite for quite a while.  

I think most of the cereals I listed above are pretty common knowledge, except perhaps for Quisp.  I have added a photo of it below:

PipeTobacco