I don't wanna grow up...

What am I going to do when I grow up? I don’t know is the most common answer. For a long time I felt I wanted to be research scientist. Now that I’ve done that I realize that I don’t want tot do that for the rest of my life. That means it’s time for a new career.

What kind of career. This is really the exciting part. I can be whatever I want! I am getting ready to graduate with portable, valuable degrees that are in demand. I’ve already committed to leaving my current job in the end of August. So I have a bit of a deadline. That’s good, it makes my musings timely and nothing bring decisions like a deadline.

One of the jobs that I’m considering is in sales and service for microscopes and their accessories. Over the past three years I’ve built up considerable expertise in this field. I have a lot of connections among the sales and service people I’ve met and I’m working those connections for an in. There are four main companies involved in microscopy: Olympus, Nikon, Zeiss, and Leica. You probably recognize some of those names, they make cameras you may own. These jobs would allow me freedom to travel a lot, and meet new people. It would pay pretty well and give me the opportunity to move up in the area of biomedical instrument sales. I could make a pretty good career out of it I think.

The other job I am considering is more directly related to the Public Health and Public Administration masters degrees that I’m finishing up. It would put me back in Maine, which would be nice. I would be working planning and implementing the pandemic influenza response plan for Southern Maine. Doesn’t that sound cool? This is a huge opportunity to get into a field I’ve been interested in for a while, Bioterrorism defense. I will make great inroads into the field of infectious disease and public health planning. I’ll have to opportunity to go to national conferences and get practical experience in administering and planning at the state level.

Right now I don’t have either job. But I’m interviewing. I fell like I’m trying to decide my career path right now. Both jobs give the opportunity to get in at the bottom floor and move up fast. This is what’s been on my mind a lot lately. It’s a tough decision to make, but I’m excited to have to opportunity. Who knows what the future holds?

It's Tennis Time Again!

One of the things I really look forward to in June is tennis on television. So this morning I woke up made myself some oatmeal and turned on the TV to find the French Open in on NBC. Excellent! You may not know it fair readers, but I am a Tennis fan. I used to play a lot in high school, mostly with my brother, who is really good. He and I would go out and hit for hours. I was happy to win a game against him, but it is always fun to play. When I moved to Miami I lived down the street from some public clay courts. During that summer and fall I'd go to the courts two or three times a week and just play with whoever was around. Usually I lost pretty good, but by the time the fall rolled around I was much improved. I haven't played much recently, but after watching today I want to get back into it.

For the past few hours I've been watching an excellent match between Rafael Nadal and this French guy named Mathieu. For those of you not following professional tennis, Nadal is probably the number two player in the world right now. He won the French Open last year so he's the defending champion, and he's riding a 55 game winning streak on clay courts. They play the French open on red clay courts. Mathieu is veteran French player who's really playing in his heart out. Nadal usually blows everyone away on these courts. Mathieu is playing him shot for shot. This is one of those times when an athlete is playing his best game on the biggest stage of his life. I am rooting hard for Mathieu to pull it out.

Right now they are in the fourth set, and Nadal is really working to put it away. Mathieu won the first set 7-5, but Nadal has come back and won the next two 6-4, 6-4. It's been a really fun match to watch. The fourth set is tied at 4-4 right now with both men trying to outdo the other and win the set. Nadal can win the match with a win in this set, while Mathieu would tie the match and force a fifth set. Since Mathieu is French, and they're playing in Paris, the crowd is really into it. Also, I've noticed over the years that the French really know their tennis. So they know that they're watching an amazing match right now. Also, it's really unusual have such a high caliber match happen in the early rounds in the tournament. So this match is unique and exciting on many levels!

Oops! Nadal just finished off the match with a 6-4 win in the fourth set. His winning streak goes on the 56 undefeated matches on clay. Oh well, It would have been nice for a Frenchman to move up in the tournament, but Nadal was just too tough. Now they're showing another Frenchman Monfils playing an American, James Blake. Blake is the last American standing in the French Open. I wish him the best!

Pictures from Golf

So you're saying I have throw it around the giant Christmas tree?


I love this Town!


Bryant and Craig dance along. Jason and Sam realize they aren't drunk enough to join.


Craig, Jason, Bryant, Sam. Dave is still looking for his frisbee.


Bryant disapears into the night once again...