What a wonderful machine

So, today I was warned not to lose anything inside our MRI machines. To get any (magnetic) metal objects out, you basically have to "turn off" the magnet which costs weeks and thousands of dollars - basically, it becomes a permanent part of the machine. Although, I guess it is common for nearby ATM and credit cards to stop working (since those are coded and erased by magnetic fields).

The machine I'll be working with (at least for this summer) is 9.4 Tesla. That's incredibly strong - to give you some kind of idea, a 9.4 Tesla magnet is 150,000 to 300,000 times more powerful than the earth's magnetic field (as felt from it's surface). Not to worry though, the FDA limits the scanners used on humans to 3T, a mere 50,000 to 100,000 times that of earth.

You can see examples of items getting stuck in clinical scanners (those used on humans) here. I don't think you could pull any of these out by hand.

This just in...

You're more likely to acquire injuries when your drunk. I'm sure glad we cleared that up.

In one of our environmental pathology lectures we were shown a picture of a drunk guy who thought it would be fun to put his hand in a rotating fan...kinda brings home the point. I guess you had to be there...

Sean and MJ. I think this was Sean's 5th attempt at a girlfriend this weekend. ;-)

Mr. Tatum shoveling horse business.....on his daughters wedding day.

Midnight Croquet

Rehearsal

It's Official

Anakin Skywalker has turned to the dark side.

Scary

You know, with all the technology we have you'd think we'd be able to stop this. (from KevinMD) I guess not.

Anyone that says medicine is an exact science would be lying.

Then one day

We're going out of town tomorrow. First, Phoenix to stay with Dad then we're off to Prescott for Jake and Jamie's Wedding.

In case you've been living in a cave, Mindy has been blogging on the pregnancy here. It's a good place to read if you want more than just the overview.

Finally, I'll leave you with a quote from this book I'm reading, Be Prepared:

"If your partner is able to breastfeed, it's probably a good idea to do so. If not, don't worry. Almost everyone born in the 1950s through the 1970s was formula-fed, and now they are running our country! On second thought, you should do whatever you possibly can to breastfeed."

It's been a helpful yet funny book. I think I'd recommend it to up-and-coming dads. Then again, it's the first in a pile of books waiting for me on this topic. Maybe I should wait before giving recommendations. More on this later...

My beautiful wife!!

My beautiful wife - 25 weeks!!!

I bought it

For the last several years, I read and believed when the news reported: "This year is going to be a bad fire season because it's been SO dry."

What they report this year: "It's going to be a bad fire season because it's been SO wet."

Why not tell the truth: "It's going to be a bad fire season because IT'S ARIZONA!!!"

Mexico-America

Where speed limits are posted in miles and distances are posted in kilometers.

Otherwise known as I-19

U of A happenings

Year 1 of grad school is complete. I already know I'll be disappointed by grades this semester.

Your votes have been tallied!!

As you can see, the name Kyle wins by an overwhelming majority (despite losing the popular vote). Which means, the baby's name is Kyle Daniel Harkins.

All appeals will now be taken, and subsequently rejected.

All down hill

Here's a thought: Is Randy Johnson too good? No, really. Mark Grace was talking a few games ago about when the RJ was with the Diamondbacks - it became "we'll win when he's in the game, and we have to really struggle through the rest of the rotation." That frame of mind really does a number on your other starting pitchers. Then, he switches from the Diamondbacks to the Yankees, the Diamondbacks start winning and the Yankees start loosing. I'm not saying he's the only factor, but it is pathetic.

Democrats were voted out of a Baptist church in North Carolina. As a Republican and a Baptist I'm ashamed. Is this Christians persecuting Christians?

In other news: I am sick. That really puts a damper on my studying.

Imminent

As mentioned, today was my last day of class. As nice as that may sound, I think I'm more scared that finals are here than I am relieved that classes are gone. I've never been more scared of getting a C (if I get a C in either of my BME classes, I have to take it over again).

I've all but moved into my new lab. Got to set up my computer (at least that's what they would have called it 5 years ago). Turns out I'm a little rusty in network troubleshooting. Everyone at RESNET would be disappointed.

I seem to have this persistent list of things I'm gonna get to: I'm gonna start riding my bike to school a few days a week (in the summer? ha), I'm gonna spend more time recording and writing, I'm gonna go on a Sat ride on the motorcycle. Anyone remember that amp I was gonna build? Yeah, that's still sitting in the closet.

The race is almost over

Wednesday is my last day of class, for which I am very thankful. This has been my hardest semester in recent memory. But, our finals schedule is weird. Thursday is 'dead day' (no classes) , which leaves Friday to start finals. Who starts finals finals on a Friday? Not like it matters - my 3 finals are next week.

Our friends Jason & Kirsten had their baby last night (or was it this morning?). A baby girl - Elizabeth. You mean this ends?!?!?!?

I'm sure, by now, you've heard about the kidnapped runaway felon(??) bride who turned up in NM. Turns out her fiance still wants to marry her. So, I'll say this here:
John (the fiance), you have to know, I'm a big fan of grace. But, marriage is a tough cookie to crack. I'm not sure a desire to marry a woman who would rather run 1500 miles than talk or take some time alone is to your merit.