An introduction

I am taking the semester off from school to do science! Really, it's not as bad as it may sound. I get credit with Hampshire as a "learning activity," and I get to go off and have real experience in the lab. Some rules: I will not post names, but initials will do just fine. I do like punctuation, but hate capitalization. If I fall in to my habit of not capitalizing, please do not sue.

The cast of characters at the beginning:

JM- my committee chair. At other schools, would be called an adviser. He works in journalism and cultural studies -ish.

CJ- my committee member. He does immunology and zymurgy (beer-making). Would also be called an adviser at other schools.

CR- a professor I like. While he would not be called an adviser at other schools, I use him as such. He does evolution, molecular ecology, and some other things.

DM- works at SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation) through the NCI (National Cancer Institute). He knows CJ from grad school. He is the big man in charge of my internship. Seems the absent-minded professor type.

Mom- you know. A little naggy at times, but means well. Also means for me to actually do something for the semester instead of just sitting at home waiting for an internship to start.

Dad- agrees with Mom generally (at least regarding this internship).

JK- landlord. I am renting a room in his lovely condominium. He has a dog named Hershey.

AK- beautiful, loving, understanding girlfriend. She misses me a lot. But it's mutual.

AS- my brother. Goes to school in Cambridge (US version).

Then, there is me. I'm Tal. I go to school at Hampshire College, and I am studying Science Communication. Theoretically, this means that I will be able to explain things for a lay audience. Really, though, it is practice for me. If I was not clear about something, please let me know!