Work and the like

These last few days have been unlike any days i have had here at ZEHRP to date. There is work, there is hard work, challenging work, an then there are days like these. You know those days where you look up and are genuinely shocked at the clock? It is great in a way and then it is difficult because there is still much to complete.

We had been working with, Paramesh, an extremely knowledgeable guy with some wit to keep bordem. He made me laugh when he asked if Kahler and I drank and when we responded that we do he was disappointed that we did not let him know that sooner so he could have gotten us something from the airport (the good stuff is much cheaper there).

Today was the second day of the 'site initiation visit' (SIV) where representatives (including Parry) from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. There is so much to to remember and so much protocol to see to. The difficulty is exacerbated by the fact that we are in Zambia and what you can expect some to understand or figure out it mortally wounded. I have said before that there is just a very different way of thinking allowed to run rampant (I am striving to keep from conveying the negative connotation though I don't think that you can appreciate the cultural inequalities without a bit of hyperbole tossed in the dialogue).

I am honestly slightly nervous about the site hand-off. When Kahler and I check out, the places to look for direction will be almost strictly paperwork. They are intelligent but, without having looked at the stacks or protocol it could get hairy. I would like to pretend that I don't care but, this clinical vaccine trial is a really neat thing and I have learned very much.

The 'and the like' in the title comes in here. I got to talking to Parry about how he got to where he is. Kahler and I had already agreed to probe him about what it is like to work for IAVI in an effort to plant some seeds that might bear some useful building blocks in the future. Having first-hand experience with a trial initiation can't hurt my chances.

Parry has done a little of everything it turns out. He ran into the same issues that I have in looking for decent jobs, chiefly being that just about every organization is interested only in senior management and/or there is a strict requirement on five years of experience. I cannot, for the life of me, decode the mystery of finding these early career experience positions. Someone please let me know if you figure it out.

At the end of today I was glad that the day was over but, for the first time in quite some time was also satisfied with the amount of work that I was able to accomplish. There is always more but, with Parry around there is little to do other than work.

I am looking forward to tomorrow a little more than I have in the past. It does not hurt a thing that I am going to get to eat a great meal at the Howard's with my favorite Ameri-Zams, Claire, Ellen, Truitt, Cindy, and of course my un-equalled in fabulousness, flat mates.

Well I submitted my request to leave in mid-May and it has been met with... nothing, nothing at all. I talked to one of the girls that works for Dr. Allen in Atlanta (who just turned in her resignation after three and half years of not being real happy, I guess sometimes you just get stuck, I cannot identify with this, I exercise the 'ol wings when I am pushed). At worst she is miffed and I can't depend on her for a good letter of recommendation. At best she says good luck, go get 'em. At this point the worst seems all too doable.

So lots of words here but, all is well. Here are a few pictures from this last weekend. Have a great day! ...I wanted to add pictures but, I am going to have to tweak them a bit so far as quality is concerned because the connection over here will have no part in uploading a 3.5mb image. Will be soon, I assure you they will be great (Katy is pretty legit).