Day 9: Just A Day

This was one of those joyous Thursdays where we had an early morning video-conference. Blech. Not a big fan of those, as I spend the rest of the day being tired.

After the meeting ended, JI and I got the cryostat cooling. We are currently somewhere around 0.015 degrees above absolute zero... and should be colder by morning. Using the data from two weeks ago, we have an improved detector inside and should hopefully get some good measurements tomorrow or Monday. Additionally, I spent some time with ABT today, who is one of the designers of our analysis software. He taught me some tips and tricks that will prove useful for analyzing the data.

This evening, I went over to St. Giles at 6:45 for a handbell practice. We had arranged for four people -- including myself -- so that I could practice some ringing with eight bells (called "Major"). JP had thought that we should ring Plain Hunt Major and rotate the parts, to allow me to try them all. However, I asked if we could ring Plain Bob Major instead. Plain Bob incorporates all of the separate parts of the simpler Plain Hunt, as well as the complexities of changing between said parts. I had been studying the part of the trebles (i.e., the #1 and #2 bells) this week, and wanted to give it a go. When I asked, JP and RP were both surprised and impressed. Indeed, RP commented: "We've never had any learner like Nomad before!" I was flattered by her comment. Turns out that some of the other people were a little rusty at Plain Bob Major on handbells, and we had to re-start several times. However, I am pleased to say that we did make it through the entire plain course in one go before the practice was over!

At the tower bell practice, I did not get to try the treble on Grandsire Triples, which I had been looking over. However, I did get to ring the covering tenor on that method... and did a fine job of it. There was also a fair bit of Plain Hunting and whatnot. Somehow, though, I managed to end the practice with three blisters on my right hand. Ouch!

When practice was over, cheshcat and I went out for ice cream. Then we came home and played a four round game of Lost Cities. It was somewhat close, but I did win with 209 points to her 178.

One other point of note from today: This morning, our new washer/dryer arrived. Having been without a functional one for nearly four weeks, this new addition to Skullcrusher Mountain is most welcome! We have a ridiculously large pile of laundry that is currently being processed... and it will be good to wear clean clothing again! And, of course, the tab for the new machine goes to our ever-absent landlady.

Off to bed now. Goodness knows I need to catch up on sleep!

Day 9: Just A Day

This was one of those joyous Thursdays where we had an early morning video-conference. Blech. Not a big fan of those, as I spend the rest of the day being tired.

After the meeting ended, JI and I got the cryostat cooling. We are currently somewhere around 0.015 degrees above absolute zero... and should be colder by morning. Using the data from two weeks ago, we have an improved detector inside and should hopefully get some good measurements tomorrow or Monday. Additionally, I spent some time with ABT today, who is one of the designers of our analysis software. He taught me some tips and tricks that will prove useful for analyzing the data.

This evening, I went over to St. Giles at 6:45 for a handbell practice. We had arranged for four people -- including myself -- so that I could practice some ringing with eight bells (called "Major"). JP had thought that we should ring Plain Hunt Major and rotate the parts, to allow me to try them all. However, I asked if we could ring Plain Bob Major instead. Plain Bob incorporates all of the separate parts of the simpler Plain Hunt, as well as the complexities of changing between said parts. I had been studying the part of the trebles (i.e., the #1 and #2 bells) this week, and wanted to give it a go. When I asked, JP and RP were both surprised and impressed. Indeed, RP commented: "We've never had any learner like Nomad before!" I was flattered by her comment. Turns out that some of the other people were a little rusty at Plain Bob Major on handbells, and we had to re-start several times. However, I am pleased to say that we did make it through the entire plain course in one go before the practice was over!

At the tower bell practice, I did not get to try the treble on Grandsire Triples, which I had been looking over. However, I did get to ring the covering tenor on that method... and did a fine job of it. There was also a fair bit of Plain Hunting and whatnot. Somehow, though, I managed to end the practice with three blisters on my right hand. Ouch!

When practice was over, cheshcat and I went out for ice cream. Then we came home and played a four round game of Lost Cities. It was somewhat close, but I did win with 209 points to her 178.

One other point of note from today: This morning, our new washer/dryer arrived. Having been without a functional one for nearly four weeks, this new addition to Skullcrusher Mountain is most welcome! We have a ridiculously large pile of laundry that is currently being processed... and it will be good to wear clean clothing again! And, of course, the tab for the new machine goes to our ever-absent landlady.

Off to bed now. Goodness knows I need to catch up on sleep!