Category Archives: Getting old

I blame the parents

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Austin

From time to time, I am given to wondering why I have achieved so little in life generally. Answers suggested by my friends and family have included ‘laziness’ ‘not trying hard enough’ ‘lack of confidence’ ‘too unfocussed’ ‘too much procrastinating’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Family business, Getting old, Grumbling, Humour, Procrastination | 4 Comments

Gerald Elliott 1931-2013

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Austin

                                                    Gerald Elliott  26th January 1931 - 6th March 2013   The media this week has … Continue reading →

Posted in Family business, Getting old, History, The Life Scientific, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Twenty five years without parole

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Austin

In which I look back in… stunned disbelief? It has been a rather strange week here. The main reason, I think, is that last Wednesday, on Feb 1st, I passed a rather unnerving landmark – twenty-five years working for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Getting old, Grumbling, Physiology, Procrastination, The Life Scientific, Uncategorized, Universities | 27 Comments

Dedication? Or lack of imagination?

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Austin

Over in the comments at Athene Donald’s blog there is another of those extended discussions of UK science careers going on, prompted also by Jenny Rohn’s recent posts on fellowship schemes and the work of the Science is Vital campaign. … Continue reading →

Posted in Annoyances, Getting old, Science policy, The Life Scientific, Uncategorized, Universities | 18 Comments

Bobby Fischer against the world

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Austin

In which I am reminded that once stuff is in your brain somewhere cluttering it up, it can be pretty hard to get it out. Random bits of chess knowledge included. It is probably another of those middle-aged things, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Chess, Family business, Getting old, History, Nerdishness, Procrastination | 5 Comments

Not log tables

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Austin

  I come from a family of decidedly womble-ing tendencies. In other words, we tend to acquire objects, and do not tend to throw them away. Ever. In my own case we are mostly talking about books, though other things … Continue reading →

Posted in Family business, Getting old, History, The Life Scientific | 6 Comments