GSA etc...

Sorry it's been a while since I've written anything on here. I've been busy.
First off, got a computer for myself. A nice HP laptop. However, after having it a week, the hard-drive broke. Don't know what happened, but they sent me a new one for free. However, they sent me a 40GB one instead of an 80GB one. But, that should be resolved soon. The week I had it, I downloaded/installed a few programs I've been meaning to for years (I can't install anything on the school computer). Looking forward to having my own computer again...
GSA went well, mostly. Left here Friday afternoon, and made it partway through Virginia that night. I drove the entire 8 or 9 hours. Got up in the morning, and since neither of the girls are morning people, I started driving again. Made it about an hour before I got my first speeding ticket ever. Don't lecture me on it. I was coasting down a long hill in the mountains and hit 80 right at the bottom of it, where a trooper in a Camaro was hidden amongst some trees. Damn. The limit was 65. I was only going slightly faster than what little other cars were on the road, so mostly bad luck I guess. Out of state vehicle maybe helped too. Regardless, that was it for me for driving on the way up...
Got to Philly Saturday evening, checked into our hotel, etc. Athena and I had to present at 8 the next morning. Before we could do that though, we had to sign in. So Sunday morning was quite frantic trying to find out way around a huge convention center, then finding out spot, and putting up our posters with velcro that wouldn't adhere to the poster. We got everything set up in time though, and the poster session went well enough. I was feeling pretty bad about mine, since at this point, I don't really have any numerical data to present, just a bunch of maps and observations. Got to see several people I knew, from UMaine, field camp, the Bahamas, etc. It was really quite neat. One guy from Canada and I talked quite a bit since he'd done some work with sea caves and was frustrated by the lack of information about them. A good contact to have made I think, since he owns a consulting firm up in Ontario.
The rest of the conference was pretty laid back. Tons and tons of talks about all sorts of geology to go to. Some of it really boring, some of it fascinating. Athena and I also had to work a little bit. Because MSU didn't cover our registration fee, we put in 10 hours of work to cover it. All we had to do was sit in a session and run the computer. Pretty boring, especially if you got stuck in a session you weren't interested in.
There was also an exhibition area where all sorts of geology dork vendors and agencies like the USGS showed off their stuff. Also a nice big bookstore with all sorts of geology goodies. Quite a bit of free geology schwag too...
On Tuesday, I got to meet up with a good friend of mine from field camp. A girl from Chicago named Katie, who went to school in Delaware and was there (45 minutes away) for the weekend. Wandered around aimlessly catching up on things and whatnot. Really awesome to see her again... Also met a girl from Bowdoin who played rugby with Kristen's sister Erica. Small world...
Anywho, drove all the way back in one shot, 17 hours or so. I drove 7 hours at some point, and the final 3 or 4 into Starkville. Total zombie mode. Probably not too safe, but we made it without incident...
Since I've gotten back I've been super busy trying to catch up on all the stuff I missed. Had a chance to work on the MTB and got it running after that super-nasty ride with Fordo. Seem to have worn through my brake pads (disc) though, and have some more on order. What the hell, I thought discs were supposed to be the shiznit for muddy stuff. I guess Mississippi mud is exceptional. Only time I've had a chance to ride, I took out the road bike (now in SS mode) and pretended it was a cross bike. Turns out skinny slick tires don't give too much traction, but the biggest drawback was being over-geared. Had some fun though.
Speaking of 'cross, I was looking around on eBay, and came across a really neat one. Having never used eBay before, I accidentally bid on it, and aparently now I'm winning it. With 1 and 1/2 days to go. Hmm... may have another bike in the stable. Awesome, but unintentional and it'll make things tight. Oh well, live and learn.
So that's that. I'm super busy.
I've got a picture of me in front of my poster, but that was on the hard drive that failed. I'll have to see if I have it elsewhere...