Hey Eska, yes I feel that too sometimes. Although I don't always post, I do read alot and keep up with what everyone's doing! I had a bit of a down fall this week, and bit of a teary mess. My partner got a bit harsh with me (he knows how to get me out of these things!), but he said something about the forum and it really hit home. He said that its silly to be spending time on the forum reading etc, instead of just getting on with my work!!! It's true I guess, I mean its fine to be on here, and I enjoy the anonymity of it all, and feeling like I have understanding companions out there that I can speak to and tell of my woes, (often things I don't tell my partner or sister)! But when i'm not even doing work, sometimes actively avoiding it, but still coming on here...well, maybe he's right!
Any how, i've at last had a productive weekend, i've just got final edits of second draft chapter 1 to do, and spent last 3 hours sorting out my data for Chapter 5. I like to be able to have some accountability, and seeing it on here really helps, so I'll be staying! :)

Anyway - where is Wally, I really hope he's ok! Come back Wally (gift) (maybe a present will lure him?)

Sue, I hope you're feeling more positive and enjoying your day of rest! We'll get there, don't worry! I will not get to graduate til June next year either, but as long as its written and bound then I guess i'll be happy! As Bilbo said, i'd investigate this as graduation is just a formality, and in this country anyway, is not compulsory, you just need the certificate!

Well, i've at last just put the final parts to my introduction, it just needs a read over and check of the referencing and it's ready to send! Sup was pretty happy with it before except for a few extra figures and tables, so hopefully won't need much more input!! Now to get on with Chapter 2, results chapter 1, which just needs a bit extra to intro and then the discussion (I hate discussions - i think i actually Fear them!!!).

So that's me for today, going to make a yummy prawn risotto and chill out with my partner! Think he's pretty fed up of me at the moment so going to try and be fun and cheery for the night....! :)

Hope you've all had productive Saturdays those who are working. (up)

What a brill thread, some of these are fab!

OK, here's one, although I would quite like some feedback on this in case it's true!

Background: When referencing figures in my text I like to write Figure 1...., my supervisor on the otherhand tries to always change them to Fig. 1....

When in a meeting with him the other week, he mentioned it again, and I decided that as this was my thesis I was going to stand up to him. So I said, to be honest, I actually prefer Figure, I just don't like the look of Fig., is it a problem, or is there a reason why it should be Fig.? He responded with, "no not really, its just pretty naive of you....". I swiftly moved on and said i'd think about it and decide what style I wanted!!

I just suddenly remembered while writing 'Figure' in my text - so I guess I've decided!

What's everyone's opinion on this? Advice welcome....

I think its definately possible, although what do you think when it's only the odd evening and weekends? I've got bits of each chapter (some more than others), and really want to submit for june/ july too! seriously struggling during the week though, and then usually only one day at the weekends! I feel like it's just going to go on for ever!

hmmm, if it had been last years symposia I would have been there!! No longer funded though so probably won't make it! Have fun in Sunny Dundee! :) I know who you are...... :p

Congratulations Bilbo! well done!!! You must be so happy and on another planet right now! I hope you're not getting so much deserved sleep and rest!
I've not been doing too brill last couple weeks still, been plugging away at some data and making figures. At last put a full plan of action together last night and managed to tick off one task on it! :) Only just in from work tonight and absolutely shattered so nothing tonight, but should leave work at reasonable time tomorrow so will work then, and then if I can do a full day on the weekend then I should have 2nd draft of first chapter done and ready to send off!! Then just 4 to go....!

So happy for you and love to hear the success stories, and know that if I plug away a little a day I can get there! You're a fantastic inspiration Bilbo, be very proud of yourself! (up)

AL

Thanks Superman, i've sent you a PM!

HI Satchi!

Thank you very much for advice, I will try and get hold of someone at uni, i've got a few friends who do them alot so i'm sure someone would be able to help. Its just that i'm now not working at uni and full time else where therefore its a bit more difficult.

But for the sake of afew gels it really would be stupid to try and get software and learn it myself. I have a friend that has just submitted so i'm sure he'd be willing to take some time to help me :)

Cheers, AL

Hi Satchi,
doh!! apologies for being an idiot - really shouldnt do these things later at night when i'm shattered! :)

I was hoping to be able to use software to get the relative densities of each band so that I can compare them better, get some actual numbers and not "this band is bigger and darker than that band...." etc!
does that make sense? Not really good with westerns, i'm a microbiologist so not really my area!

Cheers

Hello any lab scientists out there!
I have been putting western blot results together for one of my pathetic looking chapters! I have not really done much WB except for these 6 gels at the very end of my lab work, and would really like to be able to do some quantitative analysis on them.

I was told there was free software out there and found ncbi's image, which unfortunately won't work with my lovely new mac! I have downloaded imageJ, however it seems impossible to use with no real instructions on how to use it :(

Does anyone know of this software or any other open source software that would do this nice little job for me and help me put some extra data and stats into my chapter :)

thanks to anyone who can help and save me hours of trawling and downloading!
:p

hmmm, how weird would it be if we all lived close by!! i'm up the north end too and its pretty freezing today :( Well done Bilbo, must be so good to be so close! very proud of you!!
I really wish I had your determination! I'm seriously struggling right now, and just can't imagine ever producing a thesis of quality standard!! I've got monitoring committee tomorrow and have all that ready, and meeting with my boss on Saturday (!!!) to go over all my results and see what his opinion is. Its all very upsetting to look at results etc and realise that in teh 3years of stressful, tearful, and extremely shattering lab work I haven't seemed to have produced anything of relevance or excitement!
I know, i've added to knowledge, even if negative, it doesn't matter what the research results are as long as you can write the thesis and get the PhD etc! but it's just not how I saw it at the start, I was so excited, and now I just feel deflated and hate the thought of spending all my free time for the next 6months trying to explain why everything is so INsignificant and how it could have been better researched etc! :(

Oh well, thats my moan over, nice to get it off my chest! time to spend the next hour or so preparing for chat with committee tomorrow and put some more rubbish data together, then its off to bed!

Good luck folks!
Teek - i hope you're getting on ok with your post-christmas atonement!?

ouch - they were heavy!! I don't think i can take any more tonight! i'll let the bruising go down and see you for a rematch tomorrow ;)

(snowman) - this snowman is my white flag - its the whitest thing i can find for now! :)

(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(tree)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(mince)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(mince)(snowman)(snowman)(sprout)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)

wow, this is getting nasty heehee! :) have some hard, dried out mince pies and a rotting tree too :)

(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(turkey)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(gift)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)(turkey)(snowman)(snowman)(snowman)

got you back :) with a turkey or two thrown in too! :)

hi Sue - unfortunately the loveliness of the snow has dissipated into slush, grey and absolutely baltic freezingness!!! (snowman)

I might look into my tomatoes on the weekend, i do have a ticking timer in the kitchen so maybe it would help.
I really hope you are feeling better, its terrible how the community around you can drag you down! we used to live in a really bad area, lots of fights and annoying loud people, garbage everywhere, needles etc - YUCK!!
It was a small dingy flat anyway, but we decided to move last march - which originally should have been 9 months before my planned submission. it seemed like such a massive daunting task to undertake at the time, and was very stressful with basically one day to move in around running round the lab etc!
We only moved 5miles away to suburb of city, but makes such a difference! lovely flat, lovely quiet area and it makes such a difference to my productivity and overall feeling of wellbeing. What i mean to say is, if it continues to get you down and it is affecting you then for the sake of a move then maybe it is worthwhile in the long run!? I don't know what your situation is obviously, we only have a 2bed flat, 2vans worth of furniture to move ourselves, however if you have a house and alot more stuff then obviously the stress of moving is alot bigger.
Something to think about anyway.

Bilbo - I hope you've had some rest and are feeling much improved today? best wishes for speedy recovery to get that heavy envelope opened and a final read through! :) WOW!

night folks!