Update: I sit and write at a desk piled with pdf printouts of patents, journal articles, a Phi-Tec 1 handbook, and a great heap of process safety data and reports. I help coworkers find and study patents for their R&D due diligence. The bigger task is running a thermo lab for determining the thermokinetic safety of bulk chemical processing. These two topics, patents and thermodynamics, would induce instant unconsciousness for most folks. An acute boredom-stroke followed by involuntary somnolence and collapse to the floor. Oddly enough, I rather dig these topics- especially the thermodynamics. A single fellow covering these two widely differing topics is entirely a(n) historical artifact, unlikely ever to be repeated.
Several months following throat cancer treatment, my energy and curiosity are back although I still cannot eat solid food due to impaired salivary glands and taste buds. The head-and-neck-onco-doc says it’ll take 1.5 to 2 years for the spitter to come back online. It is like serving a sentence in the Nestle warehouse living on Boost. I enjoy food vicariously watching the Food Network. This is what the term “food porn” means- watching others enjoy a sensory and emotional experience with food.
The year 2014 will see me spending more time with the urology oncologist. At the last appointment he promised to help keep me on the top side of the grass as long as possible. I have to hold him to it.
Lamentations on Chemistry 
Larry,
Our thoughts and best wishes go out to you at this season in the hope and prayer for a better and kinder 2014.
Hang in there, my friend.
Phil and Ann.
So happy to see you back. I worried.
I too was worried and glad that you are still with us. Best wishes for a happier 2014.
Dude –
Energy & curiosity – what wonderful things! Hang on to them.
Look for a note from me.
Here is to a better 2014!
Glad to hear your update and to know you’ve made progress. Looking forward to 2014 Gaussling !
Best to you for the coming year and warm wishes for you re maximum time on “this side of the grass.” mjjj
Great to hear from you.
Would it help if the urology oncologist had a little “pressure” applied to him? I know these two guys…
So much joy to see this update. You do not know me, and I do not know you, besides what I read here, but I have been following the blog for sometime and I do not know why but, during this absence, I thought about how would you be doing and all. I am glad you are fine and getting back in shape!
I wish you a great 2014!
I have been following your blog for many months and even though we don’t know each other, I was very worried during the long period between posts. I even told a fellow chemist friend that I was concerned. I’m glad you are doing better and that you are posting again. Happy new year, and I wish you all the best in 2014.
Thanks for the kind wishes Antoinette!
One life touches so many other lives – so glad you are up to posting again. Be well and all the best to you~
Thank you for taking time to write a reply!