high in the crackmonkey's tree

there are two female deer calmly browsing just outside my window.

i love my job.

also, liz_marcs got me thinking about how much i like bruce campbell. so GIP.

I've been reading some of the papers published by the guy at ACADIA. Dude, it's been a loooong time since I've read about g protein-coupled receptors; everything is just going whiizzzzzzzzzzzz over my head. Time to dig out my copy of Alberts and do a little refresher course. Wow. Cool stuff though, lots of mechanistic studies, interesting work teasing out modes of action of anti-schizophrenic drugs. That's the kind of stuff I wanted to study in grad school, stuff that I have sadly never studied. The prospect of the job, the research, and the material I'd need to learn poses an enticing challenge.

*****

I'm not sure there's other news to report. I'm spending lots of time preparing for the SDWC concert this Saturday. I've discovered a latent ability to call local businesses and baldly ask for donations. I've also discovered I'm insanely gungho about the chorus. I still think the chorus made a mistake electing me to the board of directors and that the board made a mistake nominating me for president. But I have no illusions about what I can and cannot do; my only goal is to stick to my strengths and delegate the rest. (ha!)

*****

In the realm of "Reasons My Mom is Cooler Than Yours," did I mention she watches Veronica Mars? She's always had a soft spot for detective shows, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise when she exclaimed "Veronica Mars, I like her!" The trouble comes when I try to align VM with Jessica Fletcher. (Columbo seems less of a stretch, oddly.) ;)

We also spent a HUGE chunk of time watching both LotR 2 & 3. My tech-naive parents were recently given a DVD player. Mom still hasn't figured it out but I think that DVD's subtitle options may win her over. God forbid she actually put in her hearing aid. I think she likes ignoring the world. O.o

*****

I think I'm done. Am I done? Yeah, I think I'm done.

This was really a pretty spectacular day. No seriously, I mean it. This morning was an interview at Senomyx. Lovely area, lovely people, novel and interesting technology. I won't hear from them until the beginning of March, though.

After that I hit the gym, followed by a stop at the park for a bit of trumpet practice. I've decided I really want to do a bit of work on a piece as well as the etudes. However, the songbooks I own are all for classical pieces, and my head and heart are into jazz and standards right now. I'd love to find a nice horn/piano arrangement of God Bless the Child or Skylark. I'm sure I could pick something out by ear, but I want the option of playing accompanied. You know, in case a situation presents itself. I'm just saying.

When I got home, I had just enough time to grab a drink of water before the phone rang. It was a PI from one of the local small pharmaceuticals who'd seen my resume and was impressed. We had a good long chat; he's from the Northeast & possesses a dry sarcastic wit. He could very well be my new best friend. Okay maybe not, but he could quite possibly be my new boss. This would be All Right With Me.

Then it was almost 6 and the Girl came home, after which we ate dinner, after which it is now now. And now I am done. Ta da!

Got a phone interview at Pfizer next week.

Who da (wo)man?

Interview this afternoon. Slight case of nerves, as it's been a while. I should get a run in this morning.

Also submitted my resume to a company looking for an Applications Scientist. This means (in layspeak) that they're a bunch of propellerheads who need someone with interpersonal skills to talk to customers and collaborators. Hey, that could be me.

Also received an auto-generated message from the HR department of a Jinormous n' Jigantic pharmaceutical company, telling me my resume matched with a brand-new opening for a Scientist in Drug Discovery, and would I like to tell them about my primary research focus and by the way, what experience do I have in managing multiple projects at once? *gulp* Okay, might be completely out of my element but I applied anyway. *eep*

Just forwarded my electronic resume to a nice lady at one of the local small pharmas, who offered to pass it along to her peers. Cheers, nice lady!

I have just received a request for an interview.

Peeps-

Some of you who know me IRL are aware of my fervent desire to find a new job. I've dusted off the resume, passed it to a few friends who aren't ashamed to pimp me out, and applied to a few cool-sounding gigs. I'm highly marketable even if I'm not always comfortable really promoting myself and am trying to become accustomed to telling potential employers all the good stuff about me. I'm getting better about it.

But. Anyway. If any of you in the San Diego area know any people at local pharmas or biotechs, please keep me in mind. Any of you outside the area, please think good thoughts/send new job vibes/light a candle/do whatever works for you. I want to make this change happen and am not embarrassed to ask for whatever help you are able to offer.

Thanks,
-S

Called off sick today. Totally revamped the resume and sent it to Friends Who Know People. Applied online to a couple positions.

Fuck the German.

I rock so HARD!

Who has figured out the source of the Machine Problem From Hell? Who put her biochemistry expertise to work and came up with the theory that everyone else thought was goofy -- but turned out to be true?

If you answered "Furry German" then you my friend are WRONG!

If you said, "Hey, that sounds like Sarah." Then you are COMPLETELY CORRECT!

Recognize my genius brilliance! Huzzah!

Regarding the job offer, I learned a few things this afternoon. Favorable things. But there are still several answers I need before I can make a decision, meaning at least 2 more meetings before it's settled.

I don't like waiting.