Ink

It felt as if I was getting a lot done today. I worked through many quality control procedures for some of our protocol C clients... still way behind though. Also, Kahler and I made it through the management meeting intact, I suppose that we are either getting the hang of it or, she just didn't have the energy to fight. Tomorrow is more of the same.

Tonight I received a shipment as part of my 'on call' duties and will take it to the lab tomorrow for processing.

I need to try and keep things moving and not forget all of the things that I have thought of that need to be done. I know that there is so much to be done but, really it is difficult to decide where to start. It is easy to get caught up with the managerial/paperwork requirements and wrap yourself in a cocoon that isolates you from the most important part of the job, managing staff members. Next weeks lab meeting will go much differently that tomorrow's will. I need to spend some time on that agenda and begin to slowly stimulate positive mutation of the lab. Kahler and I will be putting some serious thought into where to start.

Really, today seemed like a blur. I know that is REAL cliche but, really when you are able to get things done (after you have figured out how do to a few tasks well) time disappears and you never get all that you wanted to get done, completed. It is a welcome change though.

I have my fingers crossed that there will not be any issues with my leave request this Christmas. At the management meeting today, the hot topic was 'being on-call over the holidays'. It seems that they typically shaft the newbies with this noose. I think however, that I was able to dodge that bullet as I am not scheduled. Now I don't know if this will upset people or not but, regardless I am very relieved. The next obstacle is actually getting the time off. Apparently it is a big deal to get more than five days off. I made what I think is a great argument for my getting Dec. 15 to Jan. 7 off but, we will have to wait and see if the site director (who is actually a pretty cool cat) agrees with my logic.

You know that pen that you have that doesn't write but, you haven't thrown it away yet? Yeah, well I have had that one in my pocket for the last two days and just now tossed it. Pens are kinds like gold over here. That does not excuse the fact that about half way through every stroke I try to make with this thing it decides to quit. So the bad pen is gone now, it can't hurt anyone anymore. I replaced it with my dear ol friend, the Pilot V7. It is, without question, the pinnacle of ink distribution technology. That old G2 can suck it.

We all know that I am not a pen guy at all, I still wish that I could sign everything in pencil but, for some reason the project (and pretty much the rest of the world) has deemed that 'unofficial'. So yes, I have become a pen connoisseur of sorts. I still haven't figured out how to NOT smear everything that I have just written down with my ring finger knuckle. I just don't get it.

Well I will let you know if anything else exciting happens, I am afraid that is as exciting as I could make today here in Lusaka. I miss you all very much, have a fantastic day!

Katy just brought me some delicious french fries and All is well