Not sleepless, though. Seriously, my hotel bed was the most comfortable thing ever. Slept like a baby. I think I’ve figure out my sleep problems: stop sleeping in beds that are older than I am.
Anyway, Seattle and the University of Washington was a lot of fun. The whole time I was there it was sunny and in the 50s, which felt balmy after coming from below freezing weather. On the downside, apparently people in Seattle are so used to their gloom and rain that they have no idea how to drive when it’s sunny out. Seriously, the traffic was absolutely horrible. The Olympics, Bon Jovi concert, and Yo-yo National Tournament may have also had an affect (you know people love their yo-yos).
But that didn’t stop me from going on an adventure. One of my readers, Jaki, picked me up so I didn’t have to battle the traffic on public transportation. She sounded sweet enough on the phone that I felt my odds were good that she wasn’t going to turn out to be an axe murderer. We made our way over to the Pacific Science Center and met up with two more of my readers, Jason and Jerry (it was a J-name party!).
I had a lot of fun. Probably way too much fun than anyone over the age of 10 is intended to have in this place. We went to the dinosaur exhibit first, which had a bunch of animatronic dinosaurs. I hate to say it, but they looked crummy compared to the quality of the brand new Creation Museum, which made me said. But then I was happy when I read all of the information and played the games that were actually teaching good science and not a bunch of make believe.
Where are the human animatronics? I’m so confused. This isn’t what I learned at the Creation Museum…
My favorite part of the museum was the big section on genetics. I love science museums like this because it’s full of hilarious silly games, like this one where you’re a European corn borer and you’re trying to destroy as much corn as possible. Hellz yes. It may be corny (ha), but it cracks me up. How many games do you get to play as a European corn borer?!
It’s also full of bad puns. What’s not to love?
They also had a new exhibit on what it would be like being an astronaut going to Mars.
Some nice subtle product placement there, Microsoft. Apparently now we don’t just have to worry about them taking over the world – now we have to worry about Mars too!
It was pretty neat. They had stuff ranging from gloves that simulated the pressure of space, a low-gravity harness simulator, genetically modified plants. They also asked “Who should go to Mars?” with the makings of a reality TV show:
I swear to god I did not do this. Some bored dad was laughing at his creation when I stumbled upon it.
The next couple of days were devoted to my UW interviews. I was with a group of 16 students, and apparently another 16 had come two weeks before. We were showed around the city, got to see some apartments, met a lot of graduate students, and interviewed with professors. I thought their program was wonderful, and I’m still amazed by the high throughput sequencing resources they had. And today I got an email from one professor that I interviewed with that I was officially accepted, yay!
It’s definitely going to be a hard decision. I like UW just as much as Harvard, but for different things. I think I’m going to have to visit Stanford next week, let everything soak in for a bit, and then try to make a decision. Because right now I have no idea what I’d do!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
About the Author
35 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
Daniel Sprockett
February 24, 2010 at 7:33 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
So wait, have you heard back from Harvard yet?
I go back and forth between being in awe of the Ivy League prestige. Stanford is pseudo-Ivy League, but ultimately its going to depend on the work you do and the effort you put into your education
Dan!
February 25, 2010 at 3:33 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
So wait, have you heard back from Harvard yet?I go back and forth between being in awe of the Ivy League prestige. Stanford is pseudo-Ivy League, but ultimately its going to depend on the work you do and the effort you put into your education
Jen
February 24, 2010 at 7:36 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Harvard is theoretically making their official decision sometime this week. I should know soon.
Jen
February 25, 2010 at 3:36 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Harvard is theoretically making their official decision sometime this week. I should know soon.
Uncle Bob
February 24, 2010 at 7:46 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The driving thing….doesn't really matter what the weather is like. Bad driving in all conditions.
But seriously, if it snows or ices up…..just stay home. Don't even think of getting on the street. The sidewalk is hazardous, even.
Uncle Bob
February 25, 2010 at 3:46 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The driving thing….doesn’t really matter what the weather is like. Bad driving in all conditions.But seriously, if it snows or ices up…..just stay home. Don’t even think of getting on the street. The sidewalk is hazardous, even.
Mike D
February 24, 2010 at 8:14 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Argh, such envy. I'm originally from Milwaukee, which has an amazing natural history museum. But in my current lowly residence of Tulsa, there's a woefully tiny science museum. We have lots of great performing arts and culture, but the science end of it leaves something to be desired.
Mike D
February 25, 2010 at 4:14 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Argh, such envy. I’m originally from Milwaukee, which has an amazing natural history museum. But in my current lowly residence of Tulsa, there’s a woefully tiny science museum. We have lots of great performing arts and culture, but the science end of it leaves something to be desired.
Veritas
February 24, 2010 at 8:27 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Harvard!
Veritas
February 25, 2010 at 4:27 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Harvard!
Joé McKen
February 24, 2010 at 8:52 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Looks like your mindset channels itself into poor unwitting bored dads with chilling accuracy, there. ;-) Shame the Museum’s animatronics were crud compared to the Creation “Museum”, though. That’s almost a farce in and of itself.
Also: Jaki is proof that women need not have long hair to look awesome. Just sayin’.
Joé McKen
February 25, 2010 at 4:52 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Looks like your mindset channels itself into poor unwitting bored dads with chilling accuracy, there. ;-) Shame the Museum’s animatronics were crud compared to the Creation “Museum”, though. That’s almost a farce in and of itself.Also: Jaki is proof that women need not have long hair to look awesome. Just sayin’.
Godlessons
February 24, 2010 at 8:52 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Well, if you were staying in a hotel, and laying on a bed that was older than you are, I don't blame you for not being able to sleep. On top of being uncomfortable, they don't change the bedspreads every day, just the sheets. Who knows what kinda nasty stuff has happened on that bed. Especially considering they probably serve porn to the rooms too.
Could have been sleeping in some spunk someone left as he was shooting for distance.
Godlessons
February 25, 2010 at 4:52 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Well, if you were staying in a hotel, and laying on a bed that was older than you are, I don’t blame you for not being able to sleep. On top of being uncomfortable, they don’t change the bedspreads every day, just the sheets. Who knows what kinda nasty stuff has happened on that bed. Especially considering they probably serve porn to the rooms too.Could have been sleeping in some spunk someone left as he was shooting for distance.
Jaki
February 24, 2010 at 10:18 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you very much Joé. :)
It's mainly sad because the Pacific Science Center just doesn't have the money and cash flow that the Creation 'Museum' has.
Jaki
February 25, 2010 at 6:18 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you very much Joé. :) It’s mainly sad because the Pacific Science Center just doesn’t have the money and cash flow that the Creation ‘Museum’ has.
Andre Vienne
February 24, 2010 at 10:37 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Awesome that you got to hang out and stuff. Reminds me that it's near the top of the month, which means I'll be able to snag pub food myself, soon. <.<
I am with the man's dream of an all-female naked mission to Mars. It will definitely save on mass and water usage. But this is only if planetary suits don't count. Streaking out of the airlock, I think, counts as CRITICAL MISSION FAILURE.
Andre Vienne
February 25, 2010 at 6:37 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Awesome that you got to hang out and stuff. Reminds me that it’s near the top of the month, which means I’ll be able to snag pub food myself, soon. <.<I am with the man’s dream of an all-female naked mission to Mars. It will definitely save on mass and water usage. But this is only if planetary suits don’t count. Streaking out of the airlock, I think, counts as CRITICAL MISSION FAILURE.
Hugo Grinebiter
February 25, 2010 at 4:30 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The Mars thing reminds me of Space City in Toulouse, which all readers are urged to visit. They have the genuine Mir training mock-up from Cosmograd or wherever, and IMAX movies from the ISS. They had an interactive game thingy about choosing crews, but I couldn't get much sense out of it, any more than from the orbital-mechanics; many of these exhibits don't seem to work properly. Unless it's me. But the Mir is worth the ticket all by itself.
Hugo Grinebiter
February 25, 2010 at 12:30 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The Mars thing reminds me of Space City in Toulouse, which all readers are urged to visit. They have the genuine Mir training mock-up from Cosmograd or wherever, and IMAX movies from the ISS. They had an interactive game thingy about choosing crews, but I couldn’t get much sense out of it, any more than from the orbital-mechanics; many of these exhibits don’t seem to work properly. Unless it’s me. But the Mir is worth the ticket all by itself.
BeamStalk
February 25, 2010 at 5:53 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
My gf used to date a guy in Seattle. She loves it there, but she also complained about the drivers. :P
BeamStalk
February 25, 2010 at 1:53 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
My gf used to date a guy in Seattle. She loves it there, but she also complained about the drivers. :P
biodork
February 25, 2010 at 6:50 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Awesome – It looks like you had a blast in Seattle! I've never been thrilled with the idea of the rain and clouds for the majority of the year – but I've always heard the cultural scene makes up for the crummy weather. I definately want to visit that museum – fun! Dream job – I need to find some backers that will pay me to travel to every science museum in the country – hell, in the world! – and then to write a review book. Oh and yeah, and that whole grad school thing sounds pretty exciting too ;)
biodork
February 25, 2010 at 2:50 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Awesome – It looks like you had a blast in Seattle! I’ve never been thrilled with the idea of the rain and clouds for the majority of the year – but I’ve always heard the cultural scene makes up for the crummy weather. I definately want to visit that museum – fun! Dream job – I need to find some backers that will pay me to travel to every science museum in the country – hell, in the world! – and then to write a review book. Oh and yeah, and that whole grad school thing sounds pretty exciting too ;)
Richard Howland-Bolton
February 25, 2010 at 1:21 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Some years ago I was on an advisory board for Adobe while they were designing InDesign and went to Seattle maybe a dozen times. I'd get a taxi from the airport and the driver would casually mention how it rained cats and dogs last week and (after he knew how long I was staying) that it was expected to rain hippos and alligators the day after I was going to leave, and all the while the Sun would shine on in the blue sky, rather like your trip.So.From my personal experience I can assure you IT NEVER RAINS IN SEATTLE!All that stuff about the weather seems to be one of those conspiracy things to keep the place from getting overcrowded.
Richard Howland-Bolton
February 25, 2010 at 9:21 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Some years ago I was on an advisory board for Adobe while they were designing InDesign and went to Seattle maybe a dozen times. I’d get a taxi from the airport and the driver would casually mention how it rained cats and dogs last week and (after he knew how long I was staying) that it was expected to rain hippos and alligators the day after I was going to leave, and all the while the Sun would shine on in the blue sky, rather like your trip.So.From my personal experience I can assure you IT NEVER RAINS IN SEATTLE!All that stuff about the weather seems to be one of those conspiracy things to keep the place from getting overcrowded.
Renee Hendricks
February 25, 2010 at 5:18 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
For the record – those of us in Seattle cannot drive in the following conditions:
1. Rain2. Sun3. Snow4. Partly cloudy5. Partly sunny6. When the Blue Angels fly overhead7. When there are fireworks8. When it's dark
Just for future reference ;)
Renee Hendricks
February 26, 2010 at 1:18 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
For the record – those of us in Seattle cannot drive in the following conditions:1. Rain2. Sun3. Snow4. Partly cloudy5. Partly sunny6. When the Blue Angels fly overhead7. When there are fireworks8. When it’s darkJust for future reference ;)
Alan Worsley
February 26, 2010 at 4:12 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I went to UW for undergrad then to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland for a PhD. I didn't really appreciate until I left how fantastic UW is. In the biological sciences UW is a close second to Harvard, and even over here in Europe, saying you went to UW gets noticed. So the prestige is not a whole lot less, but boy do I prefer the culture in the pacific northwest. Outdoorsy and pretty godless. I think you will like the only newspaper left in Seattle – the Stranger.
Alan Worsley
February 27, 2010 at 12:12 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I went to UW for undergrad then to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland for a PhD. I didn’t really appreciate until I left how fantastic UW is. In the biological sciences UW is a close second to Harvard, and even over here in Europe, saying you went to UW gets noticed. So the prestige is not a whole lot less, but boy do I prefer the culture in the pacific northwest. Outdoorsy and pretty godless. I think you will like the only newspaper left in Seattle – the Stranger.
Joel Klinepeter
February 28, 2010 at 9:57 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The 'Stand back, I'm going to try Science' shirt really seems to be popular among atheists. Sounds like fun was had and congratulations on getting accepted!
Joel Klinepeter
February 28, 2010 at 5:57 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The ‘Stand back, I’m going to try Science’ shirt really seems to be popular among atheists. Sounds like fun was had and congratulations on getting accepted!
BenYitzhak
March 1, 2010 at 11:40 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Be fair, the people who made the Pacific Science Center paid their taxes, they didn't have the same type of funding available to make their museum.
BenYitzhak
March 1, 2010 at 7:40 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Be fair, the people who made the Pacific Science Center paid their taxes, they didn’t have the same type of funding available to make their museum.
Mike
April 21, 2010 at 5:15 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
My PhD is from UW and my MD from Stanford. I strongly recommend UW unless you actually intend to spend the whole of your graduate career indoors in a lab.