yay for me! i just managed to waste two hours of valuable lab time waiting for my laser to stabilize. the water chiller was *eep* almost empty and the laser power was fluctuating like mad. i topped up the water and waited over an hour for it to settle down. i don't think the system is entirely happy yet, but i can't really afford to wait any longer to work.

i don't know if it's the dry air in the lab, but i'm getting a sore throat and my sinuses are feeling funny. i can't afford to get sick now -- what with my supervisor being a big smelly turd-filled ass. there's a retreat that the paper's editors are planning for the end of april (cabin out on mount baker!) and i so very much want to go -- but it's over three weekdays.

'just go,' says my sweetie. 'call in sick. i'll cover for you.'

if i miss too much work now, though, i won't be able to justify going to myself, let alone my supervisor.
as LB says, 'just four and a half more months!'

whee!