How Research Works: XIV

GOOGLE WAVE: 3:45am

ADVISOR

I'm not supposed to do any work for the next few days while I recover from my surgery.

GRAD STUDENT

Oh.  Well feel better soon! 

GRAD STUDENT

(Is secretly euphoric at the prospect of a day without the advisor in the lab)

ADVISOR

Send me your draft so I can give you edits while I am stuck at home.

GRAD STUDENT

Isn't that work?

ADVISOR

I might stop by the lab too.  Make sure everything is done properly so I don't have to work too hard.

GRAD STUDENT

Ok.  Sure

GRAD STUDENT

(Is secretly crushed about another average day in the lab)

New Lab Soundtrack...

I'm really obsessed with this album.  I can't understand how I missed it until now.

Geoff Johns vs. Swamp Thing

I don't make a habit of reading comics written by Geoff Johns.  In fact, I actively avoid comics written by Geoff Johns.  I happen to think the trend of writing comics explicitly for fans who grew up reading comics before the 1990's is just stupid- and nobody does that more than Geoff Johns.

Usually I can just ignore his stuff.  I don't care about Green Lantern or the Flash anyway, so its easy to just read what I like and not worry about Johns' latest super crossover extravaganza.

This thing though.  I'm at a loss.  Swamp Thing?  Really?

Brightest Day #23
Written By: Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi
Art:  Scott Clark, Patrick Gleason, Joe Prado, Ivan Reis, and Ardian Syaf
--

Stony Brook Zombies

Yes.  The undergrads are actually playing a huge game of Humans vs. Zombies this week.  From what I've been able to ascertain its a giant game of tag involving teams, nerf weapons, and clandestine operations.

Grad School vs A Real Job

One reason intrepid young overachievers decide to go to grad school is because they are told how different it is than a "real job." The implication is that grad school is a much more intellectually stimulating and free environment than any position you might acquire out in the world.  The workload certainly isn't the same (grad students are hardly ever not working), the stress isn't the same (grad students are hardly ever not stressing), and the pay certainly isn't the same (grad students are hardly ever not poor).  I've spent all week sitting at a desk staring at an Excel spreadsheet.  Seems to me this is exactly like a real job.  Maybe I'm just bitter.

How Research Works: XIII

THE BAR: 2:12am

RANDOM UNDERGRAD
Hey! Aren't you the TA in my class?

GRAD STUDENT
Er... Psychology 250?

RANDOM UNDERGRAD
Yeah! I have a question about the exam.

GRAD STUDENT
The University... um... says I can't talk to students... after midnight.

How Research Works: XII

UNIVERSITY PARKING LOT: 10pm

GRAD STUDENT
Hey! Off my car!

UNDERGRAD ZOMBIE HUNTER
There are a pack of zombies coming from the southeast!

GRAD STUDENT
I don't understand.  Every semester you guys do this.  You dress up like Mad Max with nerf guns, stay up all night, and chase each other around pretending to fight the undead.

UNDERGRAD ZOMBIE HUNTER
This will be... our final battle!  The dawn of the dead is coming to an end!  Witness the mid-afternoon of humanity!

GRAD STUDENT
...!

GRAD STUDENT
Can I play next semester?