One of the cardinal rules for students is that you don’t fiddle with stuff you don’t understand. All right, so maybe fiddling with stuff we don’t understand is part of the working definition of a scientist, but I’m talking about more mundane things like FPLC pumps and computers. Technology.
Chances are, if something doesn’t work, you, as a student, are not going to be able to make it work again. And if it does work, taking the cover off to see what makes make it tick is not going to win you any friends. I’m thinking of the student who, every time a certain Mac wanted to think for a few seconds, couldn’t bear to wait and would hit three keys (I still get a twitch when I hear that bong). I’m thinking of the people who don’t filter their gungy protein solutions, or who leave half molar sodium chloride in the pumps, or who walk into the lab with a sheepish look and a screwdriver…
In exceptional circumstances people have grown up doing things like taking their grandmother’s washing machine apart and fixing it, or installing ‘O’ over a flakey SSH connection, and these people soon gain a reputation. Which is, actually, pretty hard to get rid of. These are the ‘fixers’. These are the people who recognize the sheepish look, who have learned how to bite their tongue — or at least sub-vocalize “what have you done now?” — who have seriously wondered how long a body could remain in the -20 room before someone would see it.
The sort of people who go to a new job pretending to know nothing about computers (yet, strangely, their system is always bang up to date, they never seem to complain when central IT screws up, and they have stuff on their screen that looks like it’s from the Matrix). Who, when you’re having problems with your computer either go pale or say, rather too smugly perhaps, “I’m sorry, I don’t know anything about Windows”.
There are a few of us. We know the Secret. You know who you are. We recognize each other instantly: and if you get there first I won’t let on, unless you’re doing it wrong. We can fix AKTAs, and columns, and computers. We have a detailed working knowledge of the human body and where it can go wrong. We know where the tool drawer in the lab is.
Perhaps most importantly we know our own limits. And one of mine happens to be the ability to repair metal fatigue in the pool pump drive shaft.
Bugger
I don’t have a pool, but I have several dodgy light fittings you can look at, when you get here. And a leak under the sink.
You can’t afford me, ducky.
In the time it took you to post that comment, you could have created a solar smelter and recast the metal parts affected by fatigue.
You won’t get the opportunity to do that in Blighty. Come on, don’t let us down.
Damn. The sun went in.
You know, that photo reminds me a lot of the carnage of electronic toys that is my downstairs workbench.
“Daddy, this isn’t working.”
“Not to worry, honey – I’ll fix it for you.”
None of us ever learns.
I have just returned from fixing a game on the girl’s computer… which runs on OS9. In Classic.
You’re right, we don’t learn.
I just finished a spot of DIY and am feeling marginally smug that it didn’t turn out looking worse that how it was before I started.
We have to celebrate these small victories.
(Off topic, sorry)
Here are your interview questions (I’m assuming that this comment added up to a yes!)
1) Who or what inspired you to start blogging?
2) How do you think your blogging style will change when you start your new job?
3) What will you miss the most about Australia?
4) What do you think you’ll you enjoy the most about being back in England?
5) Here’s a hundred thousand pounds. You have to spend it all on yourself by the end of the day. What do you buy?
Oh, do let me answer for him:
1) I invented blogging.
2) I’ll probably do more.
3) The pool.
4) The beer.
5) A new pool.
Based purely on the picture I think the problem might be that you appear to have ben playing with fire and drinking wine instead of fixing the pump.
Shh. Do you want to give away all my secrets?
Changed my mind.
Clearly you and Michael Phelps have you equipment bags mixed up.
He was trying to strengthen his lungs by inhaling against a suction pump and you were just trying to spark up.
Ow ow… the laughing, it hurts.