h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I had such ideas for NaJoPoMo! I was so excited! I had so much to post about. But now it's 2300, and I'm trying to think of what to talk about.

I think I could do NaJoPoMo in two different ways. I could write about this year on h2g2, which has been a pretty special one, or I could talk about my life outside of h2g2. Which I have to admit would be a refreshing change.

At the moment I'm in a odd situation, I'm a doctor who's also a PhD student. When people ask me what I do I'm never sure how to answer. My day-to-day life isn't one of a doctor, but is like being a scientist. Except I'm 8 years older than everyone else in the lab, and er, paid more. And I couldn't do my research without being a doctor.

I never thought I was a PhD sort of person to be honest, I was just happy to be a doctor, and although research seemed interesting I didn't think that it was something that I could do. I didn't think I was clever enough, and I didn't really want to do animal testing. At university research all seemed to be about rats, which didn't seem to be very interesting. After I'd worked for a bit, done my post graduate exams and started to look at what to do next I began to look at a PhD.
I got this one the easy way, my Boss got a grant to do some work and advertised for someone to do it, and I applied. I didn't seriously expect to get it, as it's a prestigious university, and a famous team. I was pretty stunned when they decided to give me the chance because I was keen.

I'm really enjoying it, I was very sad the other day when I realised I was at the half way point and soon I would have to go back to my real life. It's actually a really challenging and stimulating job.

Good for you Z but remember, rats aren't people, and people might not necessarily react the same way as rats to some substances.

I don't do animal work now. The reason that they employ a doctor rather than a PhD student to do the work is because we have human subjects.

Though animal work is essential to scientific progress, I wish It wasn't because I don't like the thought of it, but there isn't an alternative at the moment.

The problem I have with NaJoPoMo is that a good blog or journal should contain properly thought-over opinion or spontaneous rants. Both are good.

It is impractical, whichever option you choose, to come up with one of those every day, however. It's why I've always preferred intermittant bursts of creative writing over a format where people have expectations.

B

I"m kinda looking forward to it because it will get me writing and give spontaneous rants.

The problem I have with NaJoPoMo is that I have absolutely nothing of any interest to impart to anyone.

True story.

B

Testify.

A787638

B

And there was me burbling on about impromptu cookery and the way the oven plunges us all into Outer Darkness, Where There Is Wailing And Gnashing Of Teeth, every time we turn it on. Outclassed!

What you're doing sounds really interesting. I hope when you're done with the program, your regular life isn't as boring as you're anticipating. Won't you be doing something different after you get the PhD than you were doing before you got it? Or will you go back to the same pre-PhD job?

You know, now that I have finished uni I also thought about doing a doctor. I really miss uni.

Now I know I'm taking it completely out of context but:
"...I also thought about doing a doctor..."

B4weexaminetheoedipalimplicationsofthat1

Z, if you get really short of ideas, tell us why on Earth you have three tortoises.

And tell us about your other house guests - I vaguely remember talk of all sorts of odd creatures whose house you live in.

The problem I have with NaJoPoMo is that it's so far turned me from someone with a lot to say into someone with nothing to say.

Ooh, Z, next time I get in an argument with someone about animal testing can I use you as an example of someone who knows what they're talking about? I'm very much in the "I'd rather we didn't do it, but I'll stand by it until there's a real alternative" and get quite fed up of people telling me how there are loads of alternatives (often involving convicted criminals ) it's just that Big Pharm don't want us to know about them (because of Conspiracies, presumably).

Yup sure.

I am the only vegatarian (well lapsed vegan) who agrees with animal testing.

azahar manages to post a blog post every day. Some of them are silly fun quizzes, but there's also an impressive amount of original writing and photos.

http://azahar.wordpress.com

TRiG.