-
Slow Cooking
The past several weeks have been some of the hottest of the year, with temperatures frequently going over 100 °F. It’s during these times of extreme use that home climate control systems tend to simply give up, a fate that befell our air conditioning unit one week ago today. Even the nights are in the…
-
Convict Lake
It took me way too long to process the collected pictures from our camping trip to Convict Lake, but here are some of the highlights (taken by all of us across several cameras). I’ve kind of surprised myself with how much time I’ve been spending outdoors lately. It’s a good contrast to all the time…
-
Science at 100x
Because you were so consumed with longing to know what I do in lab all day, here’s a picture of some immunofluorescence staining I’ve been working on. Blue is cholesterol (labeled with filipin), which has accumulated in these cells as a result of treatment with a special drug. Red and green are two proteins I’m…
-
Water Park
Back in June a bunch of us bought Groupons for the local amusement park, thinking that there was no way we’d have a problem using them before they expired “in August,” the exact date being today. Thus we had no choice but to spend the afternoon riding water slides and playing mini golf (and a…
-
Overcoming Inertia
I stand on the edge of the lake, the weathered rocks pressing uncomfortably into my feet. Chilly water laps at the shore, inviting, daring me to join it; voices behind me yell encouragements. I wave my arms as though loosening up in an attempt to buy time: I am ready to jump, but I stand in…
-
We’re Here!
It got a little chilly last night, but oh my word, I can’t remember the last time I saw so many stars. We didn’t even bother to set up the tent, so we could look up at them as we fell asleep. There’s also the sound of running water in the background—and very little else.…
-
Going Camping
Two camping trips in two weekends? Oh heck yes. This time we’re driving all the way to the appealingly-named Convict Lake, cramming as much stuff as we could into the Insight.
-
This Just Happened
I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business, when one of the fluorescent light fixtures fell from the ceiling and crashed into the lab bench. Naturally, the first order of business was to share my shock and surprise with others by taking a picture and updating my status.
Matter, Energy, and Life of Michaela A. Castello.