moonwise | The NMR rant

Well, it's not precisely about NMR. It's about vultures. But we'll get to that.

So I go off to the basement, la de da, with my four samples. Gotta get a nice set of spectra for the next step. Log in, put sample in machine, no problem. Sit back and watch it shim.

Now we have a little system here for when you use the NMR. If no one's on the machine and no one's signed up, then you can use it without reservation. If someone's on the machine, no problem - just sign your name and phone number in the log book and someone will call you when they're done.

While I'm down there, another grad student comes by with a sample in her pocket. She wanders around to the log book for the 300 MHz machine (mine,) sees that yes, I did sign up, and goes to the 400 MHz. She quizzes the two students there roundly about when they were going to be done. Not soon enough, obviously, because she comes back over to me as I'm loading the machine up and asks when I'm going to be done. I replied, with some bite to it, that I had four samples. Said student leaves - WITHOUT signing in to use the machine next.

So of course, when I was done half an hour later, I called the next person on the list. He'd come during my time on the NMR, didn't quiz me, signed up.

So why not sign up? Is your sample so damn important that you have to nag people on the machine about when they'll be finished instead of just putting your name in? Hey - we all have to lock and shim, tweak spectra, etc etc.

I'm sure she'll be back while the next person is on the machine. Just put your name in and wait your turn just like everyone else here in the department.

That was dumb but I feel better.