Man Vs. Machine

In the left corner we have the reigning champ Vitalab (The Beast) Selectra E blood chemistry instrument and opposite The Beast we have the lean Jesse Pry who just won’t let Selectra enjoy the crown.

After nearly three weeks with this machine, I feel that I know it well however, it is still not enough to come p with any decent theories as to why it continues to misbehave. There are now quite a few healthy brains allocating a good deal of time to the issues that we are having with the control/calibrators/sample results. It is very strange being the go-to when it comes to this technologic tragedy. When I give some suspicion as to what I think might be the problem, I am told, ‘I think you are right, try that’. Takes me a minute and I usually ask if they have any other ideas because, well if this one doesn’t work then it was really all my doing, ha.

It is refreshing getting results though. Even if those results are from a malfunctioning machine that I can’t begin to explain. There is something to show for the work that I am doing, other than just an impressive number of sent emails. Of course the correspondence has its place and there are times that I enjoy this as well but, I welcome the change of scenery.

Speaking of changing scenery. Tonight I went with the gang to watch Thor. The posse has gained some members lately. Just met a fourth year med student from UAB that just got into Zambia to work with CIDRZ. He showed up at our Bible study with a guy that Kahler has been talking to about options in Zambia named Brad. I started talking to Tyler on Sunday evening about what he has experienced in Zambia in the past week or two that he has been here. I could certainly relate with the alone and isolated feelings that he was alluding to. Made me even more thankful for Katy and Kahler. They have been here with me through everything and I don’t think I would have made it without them. Now this guy will be fine. He is only here for a few months and has already been surrounded with a group of neat folks.

Another fella came in to work with Family Legacy, John. A great guy that is here for the summer but looking to raise support to be here on a full time basis with the ministry. Joe and Melissa joined as well. They are a couple that works with the Billy Graham Project/Mission. Then there is, of course, the core made up of Megan, Claire, Ellen, Katy, Kahler and myself.

It is neat getting to talk to the CLS and IAVI folks in South Africa. They have said several times now that they want to bring me there and take me out for a drink as they have been with me trying to find reasons that the chemistry readings. They are great folks that will certainly be good contacts for me in the future should I stray away from that beloved states again.

This post will be a day late as there is no internet in the flat four that I call my house, and has not been for the past two nights. I will have to haul the lappy to IAVI to connect unless they make some magic happen by lunch tomorrow.

Oh man, something made me laugh hard today after work. Our poor day guard for the IAVI sight, Mr. Milton has apparently been exposed to some sort of pesticide that has taken a wicked toll on his voice. I left this afternoon to run over to Main Site and grab my things before they shut down and locked my bag inside. On the way out I said so long to Milton and told him where I was going and he squeaked out ok, Mr. Jake, see you tomorrow in a voice that I can only compare the female mice in Disney’s Cinderella. It was unbelievable that those sounds were coming out a man. I do feel sorry for him but, I was taken aback and had to fight the giggles until I made it out of sight.

Well I pray that you all are well and that your voices are just a fantastic as I remember. Have a beautiful day, I so wish that I could bring what we have here to Texas. It is still just nothing short of ideal outside. Can’t wait for the weekend!
All is well

It's MAY

For the life of me I cannot remember that it is May and no longer April. This remains an issue as I am required to put the date on every result slip leaving the lab. It might also have something to do with the difficulty I have with confusing the 'M' months. I, of course, have absolutely no issues with it being May instead of April.

The weather has been nothing short of splendid as of late. I mean really beautiful, highs of 80 and lows of 60, overcast. These are those amazing days where it remains overcast but never rains and despite my suspicions of it leaving and being a hundred degrees again, it lingers. And I am so thankful.

Something about this weather transports me back to Texas in November where holidays are around the corner and, even though it will likely be 93 degrees the next day, you feel the break on the way and see the decorations going up all over. The whole world just seems a little more friendly. Reminds me of when my Brother and I went back and visited Granger land, where we grew up.

Work is just cruising along. Charlotte, from CLS, has been here all day and we spent the day troubleshooting the blood chemistry analyzer. We didn't make huge strides but, at least this way I do not have to be the one to try and convince them that we are doing all that we can to get the machine up and running. Charlotte is phenomenal to work with. I would not mind working a job like hers. She travels and gets to come and fix things. Though today with that instrument naked she was really worried that it wouldn't work when it was rebuilt but, I gave her a hand and all is operational though, it has not yet been confirmed as worthy for validation.

Tomorrow is a new day and we will pick up where we left off and see if we can make it happen. It is much more fun fixing things than it is sending emails though I know that is certainly has it's place and is important, it is just not as gratifying.

Jennah, I am looking forward to seeing the manly sheets for the guest room!

Thanks to all for your prayers and notes/emails. The Lord is Good and all is well.

Have a super afternoon!