Significant Day!

Sep 5 2023 Started a blog! Have no idea who will read it or if it will be interesting but lets see where this goes. Let's keep it short and snappy. Sorry if it illicits memories of the ADHD friend that you know.

I got up at 4:30am. I did not want to but two dogs needed a walk. I got some comfort in realizing that students don't want to get up either. As I walked I was mezmerized by the dance of the pink lighted collars of the dogs. In Chem 201, we used to talk of the light emitted by atoms at the beginning of term but not anymore. I find it fascinating how the collars can be related to MRI, it's just a different frequency of light and a way more expensive machine. Interesting too, that we know dogs feet release phermones BUT I can't find what the pheromone is in puppy paws! New research just waiting for someone to do it.

So smoky this morning; what are the chemicals in smoke? Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, and sulfur dioxide, to name a few. Phosgene is a poisonous gas that was used in WW1 against the Canadian Armed Forces at Vimy Ridge. Smells like new mown grass....yikes. I like that smell. The smoke made my lungs burn. I read somewhere damaged lungs can repair themselves in as quick as six months. How does that fit in with long COVID though?..... The new variant, EG5, is now in Canada.

LOL teaching teams were all amazed that first year students were ready to do labs this week. Usually it is the reverse ..... what has made the difference this year, I wonder? (This is called an educational strategy, leave them hanging with a question!)