Well after that mRNA song, I got wind that there is an x-ray crystallography poem floating out there. So we searched, and searched. Finally undercover agents from the Steitz lab emailed the sought-out credo to our contacts.
Allegedly, this poem was composed by Bernard Rupp, who teaches a famed crystallography course.
So without further ado, here it is:
This is my x-ray machine.
There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My x-ray machine is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life.
Without me, my x-ray machine is useless.
Without my x-ray machine, I am useless.
I must collect my data true.
I must phase faster than my enemy who is trying to publish before me.
I must shake him before he bakes me.
I will.
As one of my lab mates says: "So this is what happens when you spend 48 hrs at the beamline."
(Said one crystalographer: "that's pretty cool, huh?")
More like this
Researchers have developed a new method of creating laser beams which they believe may pave the way for practical laser X-rays:
"A colour is a physical object as soon as we consider its dependence, for instance, upon its luminous source, upon other colours, upon temperatures, upon spaces, and so forth." -Ernst Mach
Just so you know, that is a play on the United States Marine Rifle creed reproduced below.
This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I WILL...
My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. WE WILL HIT...
My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready. We will become part of each other. WE WILL...
Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. WE ARE THE SAVIORS OF MY LIFE.
So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!
by Major General William H. Rupertus (USMC, Ret.)
(written following the attack on Pearl Harbor)
Wow! I did not know that.
Now I am doubly affraid of all the x-ray crystallographers.
Good thing those machines are too big to up and just carry around.
Aha, but we are working on table top synchrotrons. Then you will all bow before us! (not that you don't already)
Very nice, X-RAY BOY EXTRAORDINAIRE. And I thought you were a ramblin' man.
Or for the molecular bio dorks in the house
This is my PCR machine. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My PCR machine is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my PCR machine is useless. Without my PCR machine, I am useless. I must collect my data true. I must clone faster than my enemy who is trying to publish before me. I must shake him before he bakes me.
I will.
... any other geo/paleo people out there?
This is my rock hammer. There are..... awww you know the rest
--I've REALLY gotta find something more productive to do in the afternoon. *S*