I used to carry all kinds of valuable things in the trunk of my car - tools, jumper cables. Back in the day - when I had a 1965 MGB - it was even necessary for me to carry a spare cylinder head gasket - which on more than one occasion I had to replace on the road side.
But on Monday night when I went out to the parking lot and found my car with a completely flat battery, I opened my trunk to find nothing but a magnificent smooth, noise-dampening carpet, without any sign of useful paraphernalia. So I had to buy some jumper cables, believe it or not, and then suffer the annoyance of being told by the dealership that there was nothing wrong with the car which, with 20K miles on it 'just needed a new battery'. I don't think so.
Other than this piece of automotive excitement, and ExCom on Friday - which was the typical three hour marathon - the high points were a visit by newly recruited E3B professor Ruth DeFries, and word from our ship, the Langseth, that they are hauling gear this weekend and heading for Manzanillo having completed a really tough but very successful first 3D cruise. I am sure Chief Scientists John Mutter and Suzanne Carbotte and all the science and technical complement will be glad to get home.
Remember next Friday - 330pm in Lamont Hall will be the last of this summer's Research Life Panel series - the subject will be Promotions and Career Advancement.
As the sound of the rain on the roof of Monell prevents normal conversation, I look forward to a weekend with some better weather, as the specter of September and the start of a new semester looms large.
Have a good one,
- Mike