What happened? Did you kiss him?

Just to let you all know, my personal Endnote library hit 1000 articles today! And purely by chance, the 1000th article was about the entire genome of the organism I work with being published. Freaky.

Admittedly, I have not read them all abstract to references, but I never add articles to my library for no reason. That is 1000 articles since I started my PhD that in some way are related to what I study. Sigh.

I think that is worth a beer!

I am in microbiology/molecular biology, but in a narrow, applied field. At the conference I went to, there were many talks from semi-related fields that I got lost in, but at the same time managed to learn a lot too. If you are familiar with your area already and can afford to go, by all means go. I don't think it is possible for attending a conference to do you any harm - unless you meet someone on the brink of publishing your exact project!

And Rome is such a great city! I would go just for Rome.

I agree with hillyg. I recommend waiting until later in your PhD to attend any 'big' conferences. I went to one 2.5 years into my PhD and even then there were talks in which the only thing I understood fully was "hello, my name is X and I am from the University of Y".

Good point, sue, don't want HangSeng to feel bad. HangSeng, please do not feel you are the victim of a withchunt here - we value your contributions even if you are not one of the old regulars and if you are new, welcome. Sorry if you feel a little under attack, we are just curious....and suspicious!

I thought DanB was gay!

Good work, evanescent!

Nice try, HangSeng, but I don't buy your story for one second. You are exposed good and proper!

The only question is who are you? Posting too late at night to be H, she would be tucked up in bed by now after a long day in her labcoat...I am not convinced you are not DanB, but he hasn't had a partner for 8 months as you claim to have, so don't think it is him. sylvester was single as I recall, so not him either...hmmmm..thinking thinking...

Gosh sue, now that you say that and I reread the quotes, you are right - especially about the pound being strong against the dollar - why would someone from Hong Kong even know that? I am so stupid.

I hereby declare HangSeng a fraud, but reserve the right to apologise profusely if I am wrong!

HangSeng - reveal your true identity...please?

Sue, now I am just confused.

I attempted to expose HangSeng by asking where in Hong Kong he/she comes from and he/she didn't respond. No response to a simple question makes me think he/she is not from Hong Kong at all, and indeed a fraud.

But the evidence you have diligently gathered suggests otherwise (good work, Deputy)...hmmm...very very interesting.

Only if I can come too!

Oh, Hangseng, do you live in Hong Kong? I love Hong Kong - what area do you live in?

Just read my last post...I really shouldn't post on here after half a bottle of wine. I can't believe I attempted an analogy between men and undies!

Sure, DJW. You can have Orlando all days except Monday, the surfer all days except Thursday...what day do you want Coastman?

You are right, pea. Aircon is pretty normal here, not decadent.

I'm with DJW - he is hot enough to make me pant!

See, the way I see it, men are like undies - you have to have a different pair every day of the week. Monday you have Orlando, Tuesday you have the manly-testosterone-motor-mechanic with bulging muscles and dirty hands, Wednesday the quiet geeky take-home-to-meet-mum Coastman type, Thursday the business man with wads of cash and expensive suit, Friday the surfer with sun-bleached hair and wetsuit down around his waist....sorry, got distracted for a minute.

DJW, you have made my week with that picture - thank you!

emz2u, that is a hard one. I am guessing you had no idea he could behave this way (ie. unreasonably), until now when your PhD is rocking the relationship boat? It is hard when two things are so important to you personally - your PhD and your relationship.

Maybe you need to sit down and have a calm talk about it to him and explain that your PhD is important to you, and that you need him to be patient, a bit less demanding, and more helpful around the house.