My own personal hell!

So this afternoon, it is about 800 degrees in the lab. I'm not sure why they can't get the temperature right in our lab but it is miserable trying to do experiments while dripping with sweat, especially with the gloves, etc. Ugh, I'm going to go do some cardio later to cool off!

I wasn't planning on working much today but I guess that's how it goes. I'm trying to regroup a little b/c (as usual) many of the things I was trying are not working. I think some things can be redesigned but then you get into the realm of infinite combinations which is ok except now we all have this looming deadline--the big move to Stanford at the end of the year. I was planning to graduate before then anyway but it would be nice to have a little flexibility. The way I see it, some of us have already taken a hit starting with nothing in the lab and it is unreasonable to expect us to take an additional 1-2 months "down-time" to move equipment and start up again to do a few final experiments. It's funny b/c the younger students have so much handed to them and still no one is close to publishing except those of us finishing up (and we have been told we have to get 3 first author publications to graduate). I'm just feeling like I've totally outgrown this place and am ready to move on and start a career. But, that is only natural and I will persevere.

So I finally picked up the new (May) issue of Muscular Development which has over 10 pages on my bigger half, Branden Ray. Aww, he's such a cutie (see page 198) and I'm so excited for him. I will have to stay on top of him to make sure he nails his conditioning in Vegas so we can do the NY Pro together next year ;) I'm still busting my rear in the gym as always; I would totally go nuts otherwise! I'm also testing my skills as a contest-prep guru, working with a couple of friends in the area. It's a lot of fun, even if it's just pushing them through the last workouts or going through poses with them. I've been doing it by myself out here for years and I know the huge difference it makes just having 1 person you can count on and consult.

But yesterday in the gym, my friend was told he can't pose in there (so it's not just me--lol). The manager said he was getting complaints from the seniors and children! When I was posing, it was in my competition suit, not lingerie or anything inappropriate! He says, "I have no problem with it but the emails go to corporate and then I get in trouble." First of all, we were outside and the seniors don't train in the heat, and secondly, I seriously doubt they are so offended and computer savvy that they would go home and type up an email. I have gotten nothing but encouragement from the older folks in the gym (and we do have a lot due to the silver sneakers classes). I told the manager that if he's worried about the seniors, he needs to worry about them getting hurt by one personal trainer in particular who will put 10 plates on the leg press for a 109 year old woman who can't even stand up straight! It's very clear that the manager wants to eradicate bodybuilders from the gym and likes to blame it on the corporate office. Don't stand there and tell me that it is a new corporate policy when I've emailed your superiors and know that it's not and have been to plenty of photo shoots at other Golds gyms. OK, that is my rant for today. In the end, it's sad b/c they can't compete with the 24 hr fitness centers, etc and they're driving off the more serious lifters at the same time and I know for a fact that membership has declined. Anyway, my PCR is done so I'm going to try to run it on my half-melted gel :(

Been a while

Sorry I don't post much anymore. I actually do have a lot to report. I'm trying to wrap up my graduate work here at Caltech and am looking to take a job in the San Franscisco area--I have a couple of options there but I'm still trying to commit to a start date. It's hard when you're still doing experiments because I know I will have enough to graduate by the end of the year, but I could have a breakthrough tomorrow (which is unlikely) or gradually gather enough results for a short follow-up paper. Actually my discussions with so many great scientists during the interview process inspired me to try out some new systems/designs with my pathway. So I'm very excited and motivated which will help me down the home stretch.

Training has been awesome but I'm still not looking to compete again until 2009. I'm getting to be a very big girl, but that's ok, because I have a very big guy :) Branden was visiting last week and we had such a wonderful time. He's my best friend and the best training partner I've ever had....except that he embarrassed me by getting sick on leg day! Hopefully by the end of the year we'll at least be on the same side of the country because I feel like a very big piece of me is missing when we're apart :( He's a producer at CNN in D.C. so we both lead very fulfilling lives outside of bodybuilding and our relationship goes much deeper than that as well.

OK, before I divulge too much about my personal life, my PCR is done and I have a lot more to finish up tonight plus some cloning to design. Hopefully something will be fruitful!