Here I am

Despite my better judgment, I've finally started a blog.

I've relocated to California (at least two time zones away from everyone I knew before I came here) and ventured out of academia into industry. So far, I absolutely love it and couldn't be happier with my decision or my situation. The LA area is definitely more my speed than anywhere in North Cackalacka. The weather is amazing. The natural scenery here is gorgeous. There's anything and everything you could ever want to do here. When I email my senators and representatives, I don't get an email back that basically says, "Thanks for the email, but this automated response will thoroughly disregard the importance of any issues you may have addressed by appealing instead to the ideals of the gun-toting, bible-thumping cretins who have allowed this state to remain ass-backwards for so long." I still get automated responses, but at least I feel like I'm preaching to the choir rather than shouting in a barrel by myself.

I'm still trying to remember to call highways "freeways" and put "the" in front of any numbered freeway (the 101, the 405, the 10, etc.). I've also learned that Californians have absolutely no idea how to drive in the rain and are the biggest weather wusses imaginable (50 degree is "cold"). Apart from the occasional person who refuses to acknowledge your existence despite a warm smile and a "hello," people seem generally friendly here. It's hard to imagine being an asshole when it's 70 degrees and sunny almost every day.

I may revisit some of my earlier experiences here later if I'm bored, but, for now, I'm still settling in at work and hunting for apartments in Santa Monica. I've decided that the ~45 minute commute will be worth it. I love Santa Monica--beaches, restaurants, bars, etc. The area where I am now is really beautiful, but much more sleepy and family-oriented. April 1 should be the move date.

After about a week and a half of boring training at work, I was really beginning to wonder what I had gotten myself into. Fortunately, It's been much better since then. I was SOOO excited to read some actual science again instead of just business-related protocols (probably a future blog entry on that). However, I haven't had much to do for the last couple of weeks. I have a meeting on Monday that should give me some actual work to get started on, though. In the meantime, blogging kills the time. It's amazing what free time at work can get you into.

My last thought for the day is that I just saw the "Inside the Actors Studio" with Dave Chappelle last night. I love that guy.