February 8

A smattering of thoughts:

1. I caught myself almost wavering to post a critical message on Bb about people doing other shit in class. But I stopped myself. "No. This is wrong and I'm going to take a stand about it." The same can be said for research. I need to stick up for my own ideas and fight for them. No one else is going to do that. Not even Remi. If I want DNA nanoswimmers to happen, I need to make them happen. If I want AHTF to happen, I need to make it happen. Noah not showing up to the lab won't stop me.
2. Also, WTF is up with Noah not showing up to lab? And not letting me know about it? That also needs to be called out and critiqued, appropriately.
3. I am converging on some useful mantras:
1. Eat the frog
2. Gradatim ferociter
3. Drawing without an eraser.

Onward.

February 6

1. Stay smitten. That is what will carry me through the next 3+ years. I had this thought last week upon realizing that the microfluidic setup Remi's capstone team is developing could also be adapted for use in the AHTF project. It propelled me forward. I still struggled to maintain focus after that. But I felt something stirring within me when I found that part out. Like we might have something here.
2. Also, after playing the gig at Truro today, I felt a sense of calm and equanimity. I've been thinking about how a leader should act. I think that showing calm in the face of adversity is a good start. A quiet sense of determination to get through difficult times. That, but also having a very low tolerance for bullshit. And ruthlessly calling it out when I see it. That's a critical part of good science. Remember De Magnete.
3. I remember watching a video (produced by Red Bull, no doubt) of some guys BASE jumping off some massive structure, I think somewhere in the Middle East. Right as they were about to fall, I remember one of them exuberantly doing pull-ups on the structure they were about to jump off of. Probably it was at least partially a way to let off some nervous energy that was building up in the guy's head. But it might also be a hint at the right attitude to take. While playing some bass tonight, I felt like my best playing tonight was when I imitated those jumpers. Although of course my life isn't on the line the way theirs was, I'm still in a somewhat risky situation, career-wise. Why not have fun with it? Why not get zany and bold and risk-taking? When you are willing to take risks and enjoy the ride along the way. 

This week, I will do some pull-ups.