A while ago when people asked I compared getting a Ph.D. to being a Phoenix. The legend of the Phoenix sounds so cool. Briefly when the bird gets old it builds a nest which bursts into flames, then once the fires dies a new Phoenix is born from the ashes. That all sounds great until you think about that the Phoenix was burned alive (on the list of best ways to die, being burned alive is not at the top). Getting a Ph.D. at least in the biological sciences is very similar since you are consumed by the effort (however there is no actual fire unless things go very badly), then after your defense you arise from the ashes a doctor of philosophy.
(I had hoped it would be more like becoming a Sith Lord from the last Star Wars. Plus let’s face which sounds better Dr. Ryan or Lord Ryan?)
Well I have been consumed, and all that is left is hot ash and a few embers. Once those go out and the ash cools, we’ll see if I arise better for the experience, or if I was just burned at the stake as a warlock (Men are warlocks, women are witches.)
Why do you care? Well for the few readers of my little site, once I arise from the ashes I will start posting again. I have several half written posts but I am still finding hard to focus after my little ordeal, plus there are some other distractions in my life that are taking up a lot of time (but it is time well spent.) But rest assured my faithful reader I will return, and here’s what to expect in the next few months:
Invisible Solar Hot Water Heaters
Hypothesis or hypocrisy? A crisis for the biological sciences
Rehab for the our oil addiction, the third of 12 steps (Coal)
Rehab for the our oil addiction, the fourth of 12 steps (Methane Hydrate)
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