Neurovantage Profile
Andrew
Join Date:
2012-02-23
Blogs Owned
1. Neuro Vantage
This is a collection of ruminations written in the quiet margins of life. I earned a PhD in neuroscience in 2006. Here I share my experiences with science, people, and life.
Tags: Neuroscience, Writing, Pain, Spinal Cord Injury, Philosophy
Latest Blog Posts
- Careful StepsWhen a person has too much on their plate, it becomes difficult to focus on a single task. Here I am. Multiple things on my plate and I go and add a blog post. Well, it’s my out: my brief escape. I’m ambitious, very, and my next project proposa...
- I Quit Coffeeon Apr 17, 2013 in Coffee Existence Food Neurological Disorders Pain Problems to Solve Thinking Wisdom Beverage Caffeine coffee Headache Health Shopping WithdrawalI’ve quit coffee. I don’t know how long my abstinence from coffee will last, but it should be for a while. I think I want to do this. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s a personal challenge, I don’t know. I drank upwards of 3-5 medium-large cups...
- Blown Up WritingThere are so many meanings to words. The underlying thoughts of the writer do not convey well without a well constructed strand of words. The context of a something, a unit, is just as important to the meaning of such a unit. In this way, all things...
- When To QuitWhen is it time to quit? In the face of insurmountable challenges, I have begun to ask this question. I hold the white towel in my hand and cocked my arm to throw it in; but a still voice inside says, “wait”. Wait. A word-fruit derived from the...
- When To QuitWhen is it time to quit? In the face of insurmountable challenges, I have begun to ask this question. I hold the white towel in my hand and cocked my arm to throw it in; but a still voice inside says, “wait”. Wait. A word-fruit derived from the...
- The Enigma of NumbersI’m analyzing data. Simple. Tedious. As I speak (write?), on my second computer monitor, there is a spreadsheet open and I can see row upon row of numbers–it’s data. Now I’ve spent weeks collecting all this information and it...
- The Enigma of NumbersI’m analyzing data. Simple. Tedious. As I speak (write?), on my second computer monitor, there is a spreadsheet open and I can see row upon row of numbers–it’s data. Now I’ve spent weeks collecting all this information and it...
- BummerTwo grants rejected. Wow. Again, and again, I’m reminded about how difficult my job is. There are never-ending pressures to produce data–not food, or money, or anything tangible–but this intellectual “stuffs”. I work wit...
- BummerTwo grants rejected. Wow. Again, and again, I’m reminded about how difficult my job is. There are never-ending pressures to produce data–not food, or money, or anything tangible–but this intellectual “stuffs”. I work wit...
- Mental Coffee Break?I feel the need to write something despite my workload in the lab. Writing random thoughts is a reliable stress-reliever, especially when it’s not something important. I woke up this morning after getting a good night’s rest. I had a bit...
- on Jan 24, 2013 in Academia Existence Philosophy Problems to Solve Thinking Time Wisdom philosophy Research science think WritingA shard of advice to others: when you want to learn something, go to the master, not his apprentice. This gem sparkled for me when I was looking for someone to teach me how to execute a new technique in the laboratory. As it turn...
- on Jan 24, 2013 in Academia Existence Philosophy Problems to Solve Thinking Time Wisdom philosophy Research science think WritingA shard of advice to others: when you want to learn something, go to the master, not his apprentice. This gem sparkled for me when I was looking for someone to teach me how to execute a new technique in the laboratory. As it turn...
- Imagining Oldon Jan 23, 2013 in Philosophy Writing Time Faith Aging Existence Pain Wisdom Thinking philosophy enjoyment anxiety peace of mind science thinkI am afraid of getting older. The thought of obtaining all the physical attributes of seniority is a speed bump. It made me ponder what my lifestyle would be like. Things slowing down through physical limitations rather than choice. It’s ine...
- Imagining Oldon Jan 23, 2013 in Aging Existence Faith Pain Philosophy Thinking Time Wisdom Writing anxiety enjoyment peace of mind philosophy science thinkI am afraid of getting older. The thought of obtaining all the physical attributes of seniority is a speed bump. It made me ponder what my lifestyle would be like. Things slowing down through physical limitations rather than choice. It’s ine...
- The Next Thingon Jan 22, 2013 in Academia Career Faith Missions Philosophy Problems to Solve Thinking Writing anxiety faith life peace of mind philosophyA friend of my shared their experience with recent career disappointments. This has led to anxiety and a sense that things aren’t going quite right. As I listened, I couldn’t help by sympathize because of my experience in not knowing what...
- I’m a Mac UserI used to be a PC computer user, exclusively. I even fell into the camp of people who made “fun” of the people who used Mac computers. Spouting all the cliche comments about how expensive Apple products are, and the over-shine aesthetic&#...
- Yearly Slow Downon Dec 19, 2012 in Academia Career Existence Philosophy Pipe smoking Thinking Time Writing academia Grant writing life philosophy Research thinkOur research Center has worked hard this year. We’ve made a lot of progress. With the year ending, we are still in the grant-writing mode and meeting the challenge of maintaining our funding level. It’s a competitive time, particularly wi...
- Tragedy: A Need for ChristmasI feel the need to post this blog directly here, if anything to keep it in my library of thoughts. I’m a scientist, trained in neuroscience, and for all its wonders and tools; I cannot imagine or believe that the answers for how to fix what is...
- A Disoriented Hopeon Dec 5, 2012 in Academia Career Compassion Hyperreflexia Missions Neurological Disorders Pain Problems to Solve Relationships Spinal Cord Injury Thinking academia Christmas Chronic pain Conditions and Diseases enjoyment Health Medical research Neuropathic pain Pain management SCI science Scientist think UncertaintyI awoke this morning acutely aware that I didn’t have a set task for the day. Due to a long period of grant-writing activities, of having to be razor sharp, goal-oriented, my mind has decided to protest. I shambled to my desk without any...
- Turning Off the Turmoilon Nov 26, 2012 in UncategorizedReblogged from First Year Faculty: source I have a friend who is recently single. Her husband woke her up on a Saturday morning to let her know he was unhappy and he moved out. Their break up has been done over social media, email, texts, and rarely...
