Seit eine lange Zeit...
A long time ago...

I went to see my old instrument today, which is still sequestered in the same old room, but no longer run by the same technician. The tech I'd trained has moved on to graduate school, leaving a tumult in her wake. The new tech she trained is... not faring well without any guidance. The "without any guidance" part is a big part of why I left the lab. That and the "insufficient paycheck" part.

The consultant of yore is now running my section of the lab until things get on their feet. Consequently, he was thrilled when I came to work today. About 2/3 of today was Instrument work, the other third was reminiscing and rebuilding the process from my old memories and what little clues were left intact.

I remember driving myself crazy to get everything documented and handed off right before I left. Apparently those notes have all gone missing, and no one has updated the maintenance books/logs, or even requested the yearly PMs on time, since I walked out in Dec 2006. Crazy. One of the small supplemental devices even has a note on it, in my handwriting, that says "Broken. Call Tech: xxx-xxx-xxxx" with the appropriate phone number filled in. In three years it either a) hasn't gotten fixed or b) no one removed the note.

It was good to see old friends. Everyone is happy that I'm getting married. Many had new family members to show off (in photographs). I miss the friends, but I'm very glad I moved on. It made me a little sad to realize I spent 4 years in that building, but that I grew more professionally and personally in one year of my new job.

It was good to be back on campus in late September. Mabon was always my favorite time of year there. School has changed a lot, and it's busier than I remembered, but the trees are turning and the air is just crisp enough for Fall.