THE WALLS CAME TUMBLIN’ DOWN

Sunday, February 1. 2009

THE WALLS CAME TUMBLIN’ DOWN

Without the former Administration’s restrictions in place, my stem cell research is no longer segregated from the rest of the lab that receives Federal funds. This is a magnificent relief. Now I can pursue the possibilities of saving lives without worrying whether a paper clip or tape dispenser came which drawer.
You may have noticed that I haven’t mentioned my research much here. That’s mainly because I now know many people read these postings, on both sides of the portal! I’ll have to maintain radio silence on this topic, at least for a while longer.
Meanwhile, back home Kell’s identical cousin Sheila has resurfaced; this time with the apparent intention of settling down in Domain. She’s signed a lease at the Fennec boarding house, and is seeking employment. (Not many jobs for geologists in our little suburban community.)
I asked the generally oblivious Rudy to observe some specific details about Sheila. He reported back that yes, her clothing was a bit threadbare. She wasn’t wearing jewelry, either. Her entire possessions fit into a small purse.
I’m guessing that Sheila’s money problems go deeper than the sudden loss of a job. It appears that she’s sold everything in a desperate bid to -
What?

Posted by Lindesfarne at 01:15 | Comments (33) | Trackbacks (0)

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Hi! Long time reader, first time caller;

It seems that you've forgotten the question...
Understandable, considering the topic at hand.

Perhaps she could get a job as a surveyor or something of the like? I don't know. Actually, I'm not all that sure why I brought it up. Geology doesn't have anything to do with surveying, does it?

Your concern for your family, whether extended or not is a very nice and respectable trait I find in you. Although it's not an uncommon trait, it IS very refreshing to find it so public like this!

Once again, not sure why I brought it up.

If I continue on this post, it probably won't have any points of interest, so I shall stop now.

#1 Raiettei! (Link) on 2009-02-01 01:35 (Reply)

Yes, I just realized I forgot to pose a question.

What position do you think would be appropriate for Sheila?

#2 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-02-01 01:50 (Reply)

Archeology? I could totally see her being the next Indiana Jones, and it works in with her geology background...

Also, an interesting note from this side. I work at a data entry place, and I ran across a name on a claim: Ali Rayshine. It immediately made me think that they could possibly be Aby's counterpart.

#3 Siraj on 2009-02-01 02:45 (Reply)

Or maybe Marion Ravenwood. I think she'd be interested in getting together with someone like Indy.

#3.1 Classic Steve (Link) on 2009-02-02 09:43 (Reply)

I can't really think of any jobs for a geologist either... but maybe it's not too huge of a leap towards cartographer? Then again, that wouldn't be too in-demand in Domain either, i bet.

I wonder if any of the local schools are looking for a new earth sciences teacher?

Does Sheila have any hobbies that could carry her into a non-geography job?

#4 TuxRug (Link) on 2009-02-01 02:46 (Reply)

Geologist. She could get a government job searching for minerals. She could also get a job teaching science at Caliban Academy. That would require that she do whatever NCLB requires teachers to do over there, though.

#5 Selina Grace on 2009-02-01 04:28 (Reply)

Many of the previous administration's restrictions on stem cell research were ridiculous: I'm glad they've been lifted. Just remember, though: some people will always be opposed to this research because they believe that it can only be done as the result of an abortion. Isn't it true that umbilical cord blood can also be used now?

You shouldn't mention your research results here! You're doing primary research: any results you get have to be examined and verified by the entire scientific community first. Any results you see could be a statistical anomaly caused by a small sample of subjects that could be biased in some way. That's not saying that you wouldn't be/aren't doing good science: it just that the variations you see around Domain or Beige University might not apply world-wide.

I'm sorry to say I can't guess what kind of job would be appropriate for 'Aunt' Sheila. She might have to find a job outside her experience, as (unfortunately) so many others must do at this time. One idea to keep her hand in? Introduce her to Tree. Through her root system, she can tell Sheila things about local geology that your 'aunt' might find it difficult to discover on her own. They might get along very well... As for her money problems, she might have spent all her money on a previously-unknown boyfriend or, more likely, in some failed attempt to keep her research going. Secrets have a tendency to come out in your family: you'll probably find out soon.

#6 CharlieG on 2009-02-01 05:12 (Reply)

Hmm... I don't have an answer for that one. Shelia's personality and her skill set appear to be very different.

#7 tsukos on 2009-02-01 07:26 (Reply)

A museum worker.

#8 Cari on 2009-02-01 10:06 (Reply)

Thanks, those are all good suggestions! (She didn't get the temp job with the beekeeper, BTW.)

#9 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-02-01 11:14 (Reply)

I am afraid that Sheila will have to consider lowering her sights quite a bit. Lindisfarne, I suffer from Asperger's, and I do NOT have the mathematical ability that often (but not always) goes along with it. I earned a B.S. degree in Astronomy and quickly realized that my IQ of 130 would not be able to handle the demands of the field. I lowered my sights and went into Computer Science. Second B.S. I went into the job market in the early 80s recession, and had trouble finding work (I do not interview well). I finally found work with a computer store that had me do everything EXCEPT programming. Flunked. I took a job in government and was placed in a half-completed training course and washed out. I got a second government job...and this is where I learned that programmers do not work in little cubicles all by themselves...at least in government, they work in teams, and have to get along with one another. Strike one. They also have to do a lot of typing. Strike two...I am typing this with two fingers and often backspacing (and I have wasted more hours with typing tutors that I will never get back). That might be related to my Asperger's...it seems to sometimes come along with poor dexterity and eye-hand coordination (I get all the disadvantages and none of the advantages). The stress got me in a vicious circle...my performance would drop, more trouble on the job, more stress lowering performance...anyway, I struck out. Then the early 90s recession hit. My resume was a disaster area by 1992...and then God sent me to a group home.

I am second shift manager. What this means in reality is that I spend 90% of my time cleaning the building each day, and 10% assisting residents, screening the building, screening visitors, screening supplies, running errands and "other duties as assigned". I can read all about the latest astronomy news on the web and get all the fun with none of the headaches. Same with computer science. I am serving people and being a contributor to society rather than a parasite. I can do my job and let my mind (I describe my mind as like a laser poiner with a mind of its own, while "neurotypical" people seem to have a flashlight mind that they can control) wander where it will...I can mop, wipe, dry, etc. on autopilot even with my fumble-fingers. I am happy.

With this ecomony and Sheila's background, she may have to go the same route...at least for a few years until we bottom out and start recovering (and I really think it will take that long). Get a job as cleaning lady, store cashier, flipping burgers or something else that pays minimum wage so she can get an economy apartment and a web connection to keep up with the latest geological science. Maybe do part-time or temp work that is at least remotely related to geology (she would have the background to think of what better than I could). Then she will have at least a good chance of getting back in the field in 2012 or whenever things turn around. Her resume won't have a multi-year hole in it, and she will be able to prove that she at least kept up with the field while she was out of it.

#10 Thomas Mazanec (Link) on 2009-02-01 11:18 (Reply)

"Archeology? I could totally see her being the next Indiana Jones, and it works in with her geology background..."

One of my friends in Second Life told me she was in archeology for a time. Thanks to tomb robbers and the underground trade in artifacts, it did get a little like "Indiana Jones" at a few times.

I can imagine her taking a position at a library or museum. And yes, there does seem to be a feeling that "the party's over," at least for now. Japan went through a "lost decade" of little to no growth, with it's attempts to prop up the banks having little results. It could be the same here, though maybe not that long.

As for stem cells Lindesfarne, congrats on your break. With you being a science-fiction fan, you might find one thing I heard somewhat interesting about the decision in the previous administration to cut off federal funding. It seems before the final decision was made, the President held a staff meeting, and one man read some exerpts from "Brave New World," about it's use of bio-technology in some rather frightening ways. Someone reported the President as saying (not an exact quote), "With this in mind, maybe we need to slow down a little."

Granted the exerpts of the book may have simply reinforced what the previous President was already thinking, but it may be a surprise to some that anyone in his staff even gave science-fiction so much as a glance.

#11 Bixyl Shuftan (Link) on 2009-02-01 13:58 (Reply)

Construction, she loves to dig.

#12 Super Bowl Shuffle on 2009-02-01 16:15 (Reply)

Actually, my impression of Shiela was not a lack of ability but a simple lack of job. Every school I know of is looking for teachers, so she may not have to set her sites any lower. In fact, all she'd have to do is prove she's a good teacher and she'd have a career for life.

#13 Selina Grace on 2009-02-01 16:59 (Reply)

DEAR GOD, THAT WOMAN IS YOUR AUNT! She's in the room next to me and I can already tell you the two of us already dislikeing for one another...

#14 Reptileus Concarna (Link) on 2009-02-01 17:01 (Reply)

A teacher? I dunno. From what I know about Sheila she's just never sought stability in her life. Kell thinks she just took up geology not for a love of rocks but for the travel opportunities.

#15 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-02-01 17:10 (Reply)

I'd be tempted to suggest some kind of travel agent job (if that field wasn't drying up too), or some other job where her love of travel would serve her in good stead. Maybe work with a tourism board? In the current economy, though, with people traveling a lot less...I don't know. Maybe she could do an online newsletter about traveling frugally (well, if she knows how to travel frugally, which is a question), and make money from having AdSense on the site. That's really slow, though, and the kind of thing she'd want to do on the side rather than as a main job.

#15.1 Terri the Tiger on 2009-02-02 09:47 (Reply)

On your side of the portal, has there been more promise shown with research into adult stem cells? That's been the case over here.

#16 Greg (Link) on 2009-02-02 01:18 (Reply)

Okay now ... Sheila previously had a wandering lifestyle, she was in a profession that required virtually no oversight and gave her an excuse to travel, she formerly had a surplus of liquid assets. Now all of her belongings fit into a purse, her jewelry is gone, and - as of 2-1-09 - has professional assassins after her.

Theory #1) Sheila wasn't a wolf, but a mule. Drug mule, to be precise. And now she's trying to retire.
Theory #2) Sheila formerly worked in espionage.
Theory #3) Sheila had a legitimate job, but she found out about something illegitimate.

In any case, it looks like Coney's going to be getting extra protein in her diet. What's the calorie and cholesterol count of assassins?

#17 Bookkeeper-At-Arms on 2009-02-02 01:30 (Reply)

I understand why the restrictions to Stem cell research was originally put into place, it does seem slightly horrid to think of fetus's used for research, however that has changed a lot since then, hasn't it? I thought stem cells could also be taken from bone marrow. If I had heard right, then that would supply more stem cells for research, of course I could have heard wrong and everything I typed could be non-sense.

As for Kell's sister, well the woman has gone through plenty of different life style changes, right? So, with all those changes has to come a few skills. I feel sure she'll find something, let's just hope who ever wants her to play dead comes forward and is taken care of first.

#18 Midnight on 2009-02-02 09:59 (Reply)

Am I the only one who thinks that it might be a good idea for Sheila to "babysit" Coney for a couple of weeks, just to be on the safe side? Well, depending on the rate of attacks, she might need to babysit Coney with a refrigerator on standby for anything that exceed's the girl's stomach capacity

Mortality on the planet that surrounds domain is a tricky subject to deal with. On the one hand, someone wants her dead. On the flipside, with some training from her sister this could end up as the easiest Herd Thinners, inc. interview if they send enough folks after her and start leaning on the meatier (read: mammals) carnivores.

#19 Kifutake on 2009-02-02 10:04 (Reply)

SOmthing strange happened today. I was leaveing for work when some crazy jumped me look for your aunt. I would have asked why, but i was too busy snaping his neck to care. First your aunt calls me a fight loving psycho and now firends of hers are trying to KILL ME!

#20 Reptileus Concarna (Link) on 2009-02-02 19:18 (Reply)

Sounds to me like the first wave are on the scene. Quick to fight. Slow to think. Their speed outmatches their brain power. Hince, confusion.

It's the waves that know what they are doing to be concerned about. Senses, keen!

#20.1 jup-reindeer on 2009-02-03 06:43 (Reply)

Rep,they ain't her friends.Not if they wanna kill HER.

#21 Mari on 2009-02-03 17:23 (Reply)

Well then... they didn't say they were gonna kill her. They just ask if she lives here, i say yes, then try try to kill me! This now make 5 attempts... each one ending the same way. A snap to the neck.

#22 Reptileus Concarna (Link) on 2009-02-04 08:29 (Reply)

Hey Rep, you might want to stop killing them, You're pissing the mob off. They're considering putting a hit out on you Just knock 'em out and call the cops. Also, next time someone asks if Sheila lives there, ask who want's to know.

As for her job problem, I'm sorry I can't help Lindesfarne, but most of my contacts are a bit... shady. Not the line of work you want your aunt in.

#22.1 Nifar on 2009-02-05 16:53 (Reply)

THEY tried to killed YOU because you said SHE lives here.It's a classic in murder plots in books and stuff that if you say anything that implies you know her,they aasume your in cahoots.If they come at you again, eat them FAST before you say anything wrong!
***
Yes I read tons.I'm stuck in the underwater hotel in Dubai and I'm bored.

#23 Mari on 2009-02-04 18:37 (Reply)

Lindesfarne,

I know you don't look at this but every sunday, but I have a suggestion about a job for Sheila - hydrology.A hydrologist might be tasked with determining where the underground water is at a location, or forecasting total rain amounts or floods. She might also look at groundwater pollution. It seems like that's a pretty good field to be in;one of my undergraduate friends is now a hydrologist, and a current laboratory partner is going to do hydrology work when she graduates.

-dave

#24 Dave on 2009-02-04 22:01 (Reply)

For the most desperate of the desperate, there is always the last ditch option of puting one's one equity up on the market. Though, I get the impression that she's not looking for death as an answer.

For the Humans that read here, it's kind of a strange arrangement. One sells their own body for harvesting. It's kind of a determined date of death, where you promise to come in peacefully and "go to sleep" for harvesting. Granted, the perks are a decent number of paychecks, free access to the gym of your choice and a life collar that clearly warns all predators to avoid coming after you, as the penalty is assassination. (Kel would most certainly know about this odd arrangement.) While there's something facinating about walking into a predator's bar and giving challenge for a fight or just flat out attacking, it's not for most who'd rather live a full life over being "invulnerable" for three months. The medical inspection, alone, is brutal to qualify. And, those that duck out on the date will find out how bad life can truly get. It's the stuff that horror stories are made of.

Last I heard, body guard jobs were never going out of style...as long as she can be a good fighter, that is. Certain CEO's always have the funds to pay for protection.

#25 jup-reindeer on 2009-02-05 04:43 (Reply)

Hello Lindesfarne,

I don't remember if you have National Parks (areas set aside to protect them against degeragation) or just the Wild. Maybe your Aunt could become a ranger (a protector of the park) also since they are usually away from population centers it might be harder for certain people to reach out and harm her.

Hmm. I know you can kill for food; but I assume that there are special rules for politicians so they don't get eaten?

Rbmmouse

#26 Rbmmouse on 2009-02-05 21:47 (Reply)

I'm a little surprised that Rudy didn't say anything about Sheila's scent. Seems to me he'd be able to tell more about her from that than by the state of her wardrobe.

Speaking of which, in today's webcomic, Kell is marking Sheila's fur with tiger stripes. Feline-scented makeup?

#27 Tuyu on 2009-02-06 14:11 (Reply)

Really??? That's very interesting. Exactly the news report that a hit man would be looking for.

We've had a long lived saying that goes "Loose lips sink ships." States that secrets remain secret to save lives.

Cross our hooves that this piece of flotsam remains unseen by the wrong eyes.

#27.1 jup-reindeer on 2009-02-07 14:40 (Reply)

That explains it, then. The comic omitted the most important part--just how Sheila's scent would be disguised. After all, the hitmen wouldn't run around attacking random striped tabbys in the Dewclaws' neighborhood.

#27.1.1 Tuyu on 2009-02-15 05:07 (Reply)

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