But before that, this weekend I had a blast! It was my good friend Steve's Birthday so I went over to his house at 9PM and about six hours later found myself in a casino... and I hate gambling. So I walked home in the LIGHT.
The day after, my friend Chelsea Douglas (who is in Dundee right now, and is also on the WMRE exec staff with Ogy and me) came to visit! That was actually wonderful. The more I live in my slightly uncomfortably room the more I realize that I'm not a big fan of living alone, so it was great to have Chelsea stay over for a night. I think she really liked Aberdeen. I felt like a true local because I was taking her around the city showing her my favorite bars as if I had lived in Aberdeen my whole life! That was quite an experience, and I love showing my friends a good time!
This week, the lab was hosting an international symposium on Marine Natural Product Research, and by some act of God, my AMAZING friend Hannah and I were put in charge of the wine reception! So, on Monday we were interviewed by several local news agencies, and were even on TV, because this week marked the official opening of the Marine Biodiscovery Centre where I work. On Tuesday, Hannah and I spent the morning preparing the wine reception and then were invited to attend the lectures that would last till 6PM. There were some GREAT speakers. I never thought I could be so interested in chemistry, but woah. Dan Morse, a professor from UC Santa Barbara was my favorite. He examined silica skeletons of sea sponges and the squid's dynamically tunable photonics. I was so amazed. While most Marine biodiscovery focuses on pharmaceuticals, Dr. Morse works with material sciences. He research was so inspiring to me, it opened my eyes to a whole new landscape of Marine Science. After his lecture I was having so many geek moments. Once we left the lectures to begin finalizing the wine reception, Hannah and I were chatting the whole time about the implications of his research. IT WAS SO COOL.
Next, the best part... WINE RECEPTION! And who doesn't like to be served wine by a charming American! This biopharmaceutical company funded the reception so we had 90 bottles of wine and COUNTLESS bags of chips and pretzels. Hannah and I calculated it, and I think there were about 2 wine bottles for every person. Lots of wine. At the reception I talked to a professor from UC Santa Cruz who owned a winery in Monterey. He was an incredibly nice guy who was very disappointed with the wine but still managed to drink about a bottle and a half... my kind of guy! Once the reception was over, less than 20 bottles of wine had been opened...more about that later. Next we were off to a posh restaurant called Foyer, in the city.
After I snuck a few glasses at the wine reception, we walked into Foyer and quickly learned that not only was the dinner already paid for, but SO WAS THE WINE! I sat next to Hannah and Mustafa and the three of us drank 2 more bottles of expensive wine (but Mustafa doesn't drink and Hannah is allergic to wine)! We had a great dinner (my dinner consisted of garnishing, but good garnishing, as little was vegan) and after Mustafa drove us home. Posh restaurant (but imagine it filled with 80 liquored up scientists):
What a night! This morning I attended more talks and cleaned up the wine reception. THING IS, there were about 70 unopened bottles of wine! So after this morning's talks, lunch and cleanup, we all decided since the sun was out (a rarity) we should go home early. So I snagged more than a few bottles of wine and enjoyed the rest of the beautiful day.
What a week! This weekend I am going to Oslo, should be AMAZING!
Oh yeah, (for Leah) here is a picture of me in my home away from home, THE NMR ROOM:
Somehow, I sense a rush of future IRES students demanding to study chemistry @ Aberdeen...
ReplyDeleteOh, and if you like that marine bio stuff, let me know, I probably know some west coast folks... And last but not least, it's awesome you've found some use for chemistry!! :)
ReplyDeleteI was so interested in the Marine stuff! Particularly in the chemical work that surrounds Marine materials. I was so amazed!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Austin! I am a bit worried about your vegan dinners of garnish and wine, but alas, you seem to be handling it well. Isn't it fun to meet internationally cool science geeks?
ReplyDeleteIt was so cool Leah! I was so impressed by the whole affair! They all seemed to know each other! Definitely a highlight of my experience!
ReplyDeleteI should tell my American suite mates here that my "hubby" is having the time of his life in Aberdeen. :)
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA in your NMR machine picture you totally look like the scene from the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie where Willy Wonka takes them into the car that cleans them but before he does, he pours soap into his car. Whoa, completely tangential but thats what I immediately thought of :).
ReplyDeleteSportin' a beard now eh?
ReplyDeletethat's right. eh. Canada is getting to me lol
I am! But the only reason the beard has come about is because my electric razor doesn't work here despite my electric convertor, and I hate razor blades. But, I do actually like it! AND NICK, you must be SO PROUD! I am putting all of my organic lab knowledge into practice! Look how far your TA skills have brought me!
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