My pile of things to bring along for marathon weekend is ever growing so we need to leave soon. VERY soon! I’ve packed everything but the kitchen sink.
I’d bring that too if I thought I might need it.
Archives for April 2010
Planning: Does it make perfect?
Clinical research trials are designed to be perfect experiments where everything including breakfast, swallowing the pill, blood pressure checks, and blood draws are carefully planned. Timing is set to occur at exact time points. This allows for consistent and meaningful data which will (hopefully) inform researchers on everything from how the drug is absorbed into the blood stream to how quickly it is metabolized. Safety, of course, is of the utmost importance. Study participants are therefore monitored carefully for untoward events. Everything is recorded and timing is noted to the exact second (using satellite synchronized clocks.)
My business trip to Nebraska was more of a formality than anything else. Staff at the clinical site performing our study are experts on this stuff. It is their bread & butter so to speak. For this reason, I was quite nervous about presenting to them. You could say that I planned for the worst but hoped for the best. Because of this bread & butter expertise, they were well versed in the drill. I couldn’t help but be nervous anyway and waking up 30 minutes before leaving for the site (thanks to human error on alarm setting) did not help matters.
Driving Ms. Julie
I can’t believe that at least one of you didn’t comment on my Drama-ME post. While I was trying to make light of my motion sickness, the part that I didn’t share was how the taxi driver answered his mobile phone (not hands-free) and then picked up his pen with the other hand to write down an address.
“DUDE!” I thought, “Hold onto the steering wheel!”
Call me a paranoid but I think that ALL drivers to use some sort of safety measures — especially when I’m in the car.
Well, I wasn’t chancing it. I called Mr Good Neighbor to see if he could pick me up on my return trip. Thankfully, he said “Yes.” I was so happy to see him that I jumped up and down waving my hands wildly when I saw him standing there waiting. Actually, I think I do that every time he picks me up.
My ride home was soothing. Not only did he keep his hands on the wheel, he drove smoothly, and actually talked to me. And the classical music playing as we went was pretty sweet too.
Airport to Airport
With three gates in operation, the Lincoln airport is by far the smallest airport I’ve ever been to. With this old aro-sport airplane hanging from the ceiling, this airport has A LOT of character.
In contrast, Chicago O’Hare is HUGE with it’s seemingly endless number of terminals. I has to ask for directions to get from where my 1st flight dropped me to where my 2nd flight would take off. Actually, I asked twice.
Although large in size, O’Hare Airport has a personality of its own. This replica of the Lincoln Memorial was kind of cool to see.
As was this cool globe displayed with flags from around the world on a backdrop of the US flag The row of clocks showing the current time all over the world was neat too.
One thing that really brought a smile to my face was none other that McDonalds. Talk about rolling out the welcome mat. *giggle*
Lovely Lincoln at Sunset
Lincoln, NE does not appear to have a whole lot going on. Of course, I could be wrong. It’s not like I’m out checking out that night life.
Almost as soon as I hit my room, I changed and ventured out on foot — with camera in hand. This would serve two purposes. (1) Run 3 miles, and (2) Photograph the Cornhusker.