Wow it's been a long time

So, I've been away for a long time. I swore I wasn't going to be one of those bloggers who just posts 3 to 4 posts then vanishes. Life has gotten busy-getting heavily into skating, and I got a job!! at least, I got a job, in Feb., that was supposed to last a month. The more clever of you readers might be here asking, wait, a month? shouldn't that be done? and yes, a month has come and gone. Two months have come and gone. I will be done in two weeks. I have really enjoyed having a job-it gives me a sense of purpose, it gives me a sense of having structure, which I really need. It's nice to get to use my brain and ICP training. The best thing has been mostly figuring out, hey, I can do this. The most stressful event was this past Friday, telling them "no, I can't do what you want with this technique" I felt like a failure, though I know that low concentration Cl- lines are a pain to physically impossible to measure with ICP. But I suppose that was also a good learning experience. I can't do everything, though I'd try.
Well, it's time to look for the next job now. I'm trying to get something more environmentally motivated-applying at the city and state for inspection type jobs, as well as more private environmental companies. We'll see how that turns out. I'm more excited about most of these jobs than a lot of "formulation chemist" positions that I had previously applied for, so that's hopeful. I remember a lot of advice boards saying "if you're really passionate, that'll show". Hopefully it will.
Skating. I've decided to try out for roller derby, for Minnesota Roller Girls and Northstar Roller Girls. This means skating over an hour about 5 times a week. Sometimes a bit less, because the closest rink doesn't start sessions til 8:30 for adults. and a whole side part of the having a job is getting up before 6 am. and I need a full 8 hours, apparently. At least, I do when I'm doing heavy athletic stuff. So I'm training myself to get home early, and get to bed.
I have read some of my chemistry books-got a good one on ICP by Steve HIill, which I knew a lot of the ICP-OES material, though am curious about ICP-MS. I also have a new environmental one Environmental Chemistry, by Manahan. I do hope to do a couple of full out book reviews eventually.