charismaticmicrofauna

October is already upon us, although I can’t tell. It’s my first year living in Florida and it’s still as hot as a nun’s habit reading the Tropic of Cancer. I’ve been catching up on my background reading and practicing my experimental techniques as well as optimizing my data collection procedures. This all sounds like too much fun. I have also been analyzing data, learning everything I can about the symbiosis of my bacteria in the phylum of gammaproteobacteria and how it contributes to the building blocks of life for the giant deep sea worm that it lives within. Confused about organismic taxonomy? King Philip Can Only Find Green Socks……

Today, being October 2nd, in 28 days I will leave my handsome husband and adorable kitties in Florida and fly to Manzanilla, Mexico where the RV Atlantis waits for us to board with the Alvin and it’s crew on board. In 31 days I will be shipping out from Manzanilla on November 2nd for a three week research expedition. The expedition will pull into port in Costa Rica on November 26th, and I will return home to my very much missed kitties and husband on the 27th.

Here is what seems to be an old timey photo of the 142 foot vessel with the Alvin 1 either being launched or being reeled in:

There is a new Alvin; the Alvin 2 that will be on the coming cruise. The new Alvin has an improved command and control system, new lighting and high definition systems, a larger personnel sphere, and 5 viewing ports. the Alvin 1 only had 3. Exciting!!

Next week, we start packing our gear and equipment to be shipped to the research vessel. I’m expecting long days next week at the lab. It’s either going to be great or it’s going to be crazy. How does one prepare scientific equipment to be mailed to Mexico? More on that to come…..

I would like to digress for a minute. While perusing the Wood’s Hole website, I noticed that James Cameron has transferred his HOV (Human operated Vehicle) the Challenger to Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts. I still don’t consider James Cameron an explorer as is his claim in the recent documentary highlighting the accomplishments of Sylvia Earle, but I am glad to know that he is contributing to science. The Challenger is designed for research although it can only be occupied by one person at a time. It comes equipped with sampling capabilities and imaging technology. More about it here at: James Cameron is still a douchebag as far as I’m concerned.

That’s all for today. I will now return to my experiments and travel preparations, some quality time with my family before I go on my high seas adventure, and loving life.