My Name Is Tyson, and I’m Germaphobic

Alright, well it’s actually called Mysophobia, but I figured more folks would recognize it better if I called it Germaphobia!

I will admit though, I am a bit afraid of germs and bacteria. Kinda odd especially since I was all into making E. Coli cultures today in the microbiology lab. But I like having clean hands, and not getting sick! Also, I’m working towards applying to the only level 4 lab in Canada, and one of fourteen in the world. That’s right, this incredibly accident prone guy might be working with some of the most dangerous biochemical substances in the history of mankind!

The other night, I watched that movie Contagion, which really doesn’t help this little bit of a fear at all. It’s all about the spread of a super-virus that’s taking millions of people’s lives. It uses a lot of camera angles and imagery to show just how easily disease can spread throughout the world, causing an epidemic. While I was watching the movie, I was chowing down on my popcorn and instantly thought that someone had to touch it at some point…

Also, sometime during the movie, they said that a person touches their face up to 3000 times a day. If its true, that’s an incredible and scary amount that I really have difficulty fathoming. My face must be absolutely filthy by the end of the day really. But I found the movie very interesting as well; especially how it punched in the reality that a super virus is actually very possible. Especially with some of the stuff I have been learning in my advanced microbiology classes. For example, in the entire worlds stockpile, we have only been able to find a medium to grow/reproduce 0.1% of all bacteria.

I don’t really like to think about it all too much, it just kinda shows how weak the human race really could be, and everything I learn in my classes don’t really help that viewpoint at all.

Neither does Contagion!

In my biochemistry class, we need to find a topic for our scientific research essay. It’s not due until mid-November, but it’s still imperative to work on it at a constant basis until then. I’m not sure what to choose for a topic though. It needs to be biochemistry related and very recent research, so I probably just need to do some research on recent findings. Maybe I’ll ask a biochemist too, I have a friend working at the University of Calgary in Biochemistry. Unless anyone has any suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated!

Since I’m talking about science things, I might as well continue along that subject line. Yesterday I got the new issues of Science Illustrated and Popular Science to help me look for a possible topic. But I actually enjoy reading them, a lot of the articles are extremely interesting and have some pretty insane information and experiments that have been going on. There’s actually a pretty inspirational story in Popular Science about a college student that was paraplegic, but didn’t want to graduate in his wheelchair. So a group of student engineers at U.C. Berkeley built him a machine that allowed him to walk across the stage and get his diploma. Basically he’s considered a cyborg since the exoskeleton they installed into him is a combination of his flesh and this machine. I would recommend to read the entire issue though if you have the time, its apparemtly a special education issue.

“If you can’t get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you’d best teach it to dance.” – George Bernard Shaw

Tyson Trepidations

A Mall, A Girl, And A Big Bad Dude.

Lately I’ve been having some pretty intense dreams revolving around me being against everyone else in an apocalypse-like situation. It’s not a recurring dream or anything like that, just different dreams focused on that subject matter. I mainly remember two of them, but I’m just going to talk about the one which I remember most.

It started fairly abstract, I never really suspected the dream to end up the way it was. But it began with me wandering around some sort of desert-like area, but it was more cold than hot. I guess it could be considered a wasteland more than anything. Mostly though, it wasn’t colourful at all; no vegetation, no people, no animals. Just myself wandering alone, in search for a place to call home for a night and praying to find some sort of food.

Somewhere along the way, I noticed a person in the distance. They seemed very far, so I thought it may have been a mirage or just my mind messing with the reality of the situation. But as I closed the distance between us, I began to realize that the person was real. Not only that, but there was some sort of large building in the horizon as well.

At first encounter, the man didn’t really seem to trust me, his body gestures suggested that he found me as a threat. But after reassuring him I wouldn’t hurt him or do anything bad, he reluctantly guided me to the building.

The building ended up being a large mall that now stood as a refuge and shelter for survivors of the apocalypse that occurred. The entire town inside the mall was controlled by one guy, I never caught his name in the dream, nor did I meet him until later. But the first thing that I observed, was that the people of this small colony within the mall looked up to him and bowed down to him. In fact, if they didn’t, they would often be punished by his protective crew. I guess the reason that they followed him rituously was that he provided them with a home and protection. Although, as a result, I would consider him corrupt by the power he held.

When I got inside, people immediately noticed that I was a new face. Some of them looked worried about this, but the hospitable ones took me to a bench of sorts where I was able to get some sleep.

I awoke from the feeling of being watched. So when I sat up, I automatically glanced around to see who or what disturbed my peace. I noticed it was a bunch of goons hanging out at a once been coffee booth nearby. I could immediately tell that they wanted to start trouble with me, the unfamiliar person. I could tell by their body gestures and the looks they were giving me. Next thing I knew, they were approaching me and each pulling out an array of weapons, from guns to knives. Observing that, I quickly stood up and weaved into a crowd of people around the food court area of this mall. They were still all after me, and caught up, beginning to throw punches, swing their weapons and cock their guns.

For some reason, I had these amazingly smooth and quick reflexes (that I obviously don’t have in real life), and fought away most of the goons without getting hurt and much like in action movies. Until one starting shooting. He missed me, but hit several people in the crowd, making everyone scream and begin to flee.

Suddenly, the one goon that was doing the shooting was shot himself. It was a fatal hit to the head. After a scan of where it came from, I found the man that did the damage. He was huge, at least 7 feet tall and biceps as large as my head. He fired his shot from an entire floor above, with his gun still smoking from the muzzle. I knew instantly, that was the power hungry individual that basically ran the place. Not to mention, he was surrounded by quite the number of personal guards.

Next thing I knew, this man was right in front of me, telling me that although I’m a new face, I better catch on to the rules and flow of the place if I wanted to stay there alive. But most importantly, not to defy his rule.

With that in mind, I went about exploring the colonized mall, familiarizing myself with it since it would be my home for at least a bit. While exploring, I bump into this girl (I know, all of my dreams have some sort of random girl for whatever reason), and when I look at her, we meet each others gazes. She was a beautiful girl, but like all my dreams, I can never remember what she looks like, only what I thought about her when we met.

All I thought was that she was a beautiful girl.

After meeting each others eyes, we instantly connected with that electric feeling you get when you meet the eyes of someone amazing. So she joined me and showed me around the mall, telling me about the people and revealing all the secrets she knew about the place. Even saying that the people were actually afraid of the guy that was in charge, but were too grateful for a home to complain.

We got to know each other fairly well and talked nonstop; she even gave me a place to spend the night. It was at that point that I told her I wouldn’t be able to stay for long under their leaders rule, and would have to move on like I always have. She understood, but I could tell that inside she was quite sad. As was I.

The next morning though, I must have gotten too friendly with the wrong girl. When I awoke there were some of the leaders security guards waiting for me to stir. With that, I knew I’d have to make my move then and now. So I set out with a swift yet elegant attack on the security men, and began to run towards the mall exit.

It was looking as though I would make it too, I could see the doors straight ahead and nothing was blocking the way out into the wasteland again. Then all of a sudden there were several security guards and the mall colony leader taking up all the space in front of the doors. With my exit blocked, the only choice I had was to stop and observe my surroundings for another escape.

There was no other escape though.

As I was continuing my frantic search, the leader pulled out that beautiful girl I had met and had her all tied up. She was crying and obviously distraught of the entire situation. I don’t remember what the leader dude man said, but I know it was hostile, especially since he took off his jacket to deal with me himself; apparently with his bare hands too since he handed off his weapons and such to his security team. The one observation I made, was that guy was triple my size.

I prepared myself for him as he slowly made his gradual approach, cracking his knuckles and chuckling at me for being a lot smaller. I knew my only advantage was that I would probably be able to move a lot faster than he would.

As soon as he was close enough, he already began to throw the punches, sending the first for the head. I was able to dodge that one pretty quickly, but it didn’t deter him at all. He started throwing more punches, each of which I was able to dodge as well, but some were pretty close since I could feel the air disturbance from his swings.

I began to back up the immobile escalators, knowing that being at a higher ground would serve as an advantage to me for a little and give me a chance to think. I didn’t think of much though as I was quickly running out of escalator to go up, so once at the top, I hopped over the escalator railing onto a ledge that apparently held some plants at one point.

He followed in same manner, except moreso stepping over the railing with his massive height.

As I backed towards the edge of the ledge I knew this was the time I needed to do something, so when he was once again close enough to throw a punch, I ducked and tucked away behind him quickly. Then I immediately gave him a kick to the side as hard as I could.

Thanks to his missed swing, he lost his balance a little; mixed with my hard kick, the leader plummeted off of the ledge and onto the ground. I’m not sure if the fall killed him, but he was definitely injured. Luckily, his guards and all the people were too stunned to pay attention to me anymore, and went immediately to help their ferocious leader. Plus some were a bit afraid of me, the dangerous new guy. But as I was exiting, I made sure to untie that beautiful girl.

Who Is That Beautiful Mystery Girl?

Then I left.

Just like that.

I didn’t even look back even though I really wanted to, just to see that beautiful girl one more time.

A couple of kilometres down the wasteland, I began to hear the sound of someone running towards me. I figured it was the guards coming with extra ammo to get me back for what I did to their boss. Either that or the leader guy was alright and coming after me.

When I turned around though, I was surprised.

Probably the best surprise I ever had in that apocalyptic world, and probably the first smile I had since too.

It was that beautiful girl, coming to join me and be my partner on whatever adventure I was heading to next.

 

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” – Revelations 21:6, King James Version

 

Tyson Trepidations.

I’m a Scientist! Your a Scientist! Science!

“Sometimes I do.”

 

I’ve always been a bit of a science nerd and interested in that subject matter, so of course on the weekend I went and saw The Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes. I’ll try not to give anything away, but you’d think a movie like that would make me be a little less interested in science. It was actually the opposite effect for me, it made me even more interested in science and just researching things in general.

As far as the movie goes though, I really enjoyed it! Some parts were a little farfetched to me, but otherwise I did enjoy it quite a lot. Not to mention it had some really cool eye candy too in some parts, which is always appreciated.

With all that said, the new school year is under four weeks away already, so I need to start shopping for a few school supplies. I gotta remember to buy paper early too, last year I went to buy some the same week school started and everywhere was completely sold out of paper! So maybe next week I’ll do that instead. I already got some new reading material, I ordered an old version of “Electronic Life” by Michael Crichton on Amazon and finally got Catch-22 along with Get Laid or Die Trying.

Thompson Rivers University Update

I already have my courses for next year too, I signed for them all the way back in June, and for the most part, I have some really interesting sounding ones. The most noteworthy ones are my Cell Physiology class, which seems to have a lot of wicked cool subject matter, Biochemistry, Ancient Philosophy (also my last elective credits I need, WHOOT), microbiology, genetics, and the evolution and ecology of land plants (featuring a wicked multi-day hike field trip). The other classes that I’m not looking forward for are both in the winter semester, Philosophy of Science, which will be interesting reading Galileo and such but I feel as though there will a tonne of essays. The other one would be Calculus Two. I struggle with math way more than I should have to…

Oh! My tap dance lessons start at the same time as well, so that’s pretty exciting. I just need to go and pick up my shoes basically. Plus I was contacted by the regional organizer for Scouts Canada, and he somehow heard of my name and gave me a call to ask if they could use my expertise as a leader this year. I’m not sure how I feel about that one yet because I think I’m going to have a busy year, but it should be fun if I can.

Just a music update from my iTunes, I’m really liking Alyssa Reid’s, Alone Again (Encore Seule) avec Dice B. I’m loving the French rapping and singing. Other good mentions are Nick Carter and Britton “Briddy” Shaw’s, Burning Up and Titanium by David Guetta feat. Sia.

 

“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity” – Ellen Par

 

Tyson Trepidations.

There’s No Words To Describe A Smile

Today I was working a dayshift over at the restaurant, it wasn’t too bad of a day neither. But during the first shift change, when one of my co-workers came in, I noticed that she must have been crying a lot today. Her eyes were all red, had that bit of sparkle to them that said they were crying and plus her attitude hinted towards the fact as well. Being me of course, I felt a little bad and wanted to cheer her up a bit. I don’t know why, but when someone around me has been having a bad day or anything of the sort, I’m not really the type of person who will just brush it off and ignore it. Even if its somebody I don’t know. So I started to do what I do best.

Of course I gave her a hug first, I didn’t ask what was wrong or anything, I’m not going to prolong whatever it is that’s making her feel down. Plus, if she felt she needed to tell someone, she know’s I’m an excellent listener. I’m an even better hugger though, everyone at camp told me that I give the best bear hugs ever, so that actually makes me a bit proud of the skill. Plus, I love hugs! I think they are the best when you or someone else is feeling a little less than normal, they are always the perfect pick uppers. When I hugged her though, I could tell that she appreciated it and that’s the feeling that makes me know today was a good day because I could help make somebody elses a little better. It’s who I am.

Of course though, for anyone that knows me, they know I wont stop until I accomplish getting a smile. So my mission wasn’t over yet in trying to pick up one of my workmates day.

After working with her a few times, I know what she appreciates, and that is someone who’s sincere and has that kind of humour as well. So I started to tell her a story about when I was eleven. It was about this one time (when I was eleven obviously), I really wanted to see that movie Jaws. I thought it looked really awesome but my parents didn’t want me watching it, so I never was allowed. But one night, it was on TV at 2 AM, so I snuck out of bed and into the living room just to watch Jaws. Probably not the best of my ideas neither, considering the entire time I was watching it, I didn’t move a muscle because I was so creeped out from the movie and too scared to even twitch. Even when the movie ended, I didn’t get up from the couch because I was too afraid to make it all the way to my room. So needless to say, I ended up spending the night on the couch, without even a wink of sleep. I never did tell my parents about that neither, I just pretended I was up before them the next morning to get ready for school. The worst part though, was the constant nightmares for almost a week because of that movie! I don’t remember what they were about, I just remember they caused some pretty rough nights.

Of course I threw some jokes in there though when I told my co-worker, and she seemed to appreciate it all, I think I even saw a bit of a curl of a smile in the corner of her lips. But unfortunately I wasn’t paying attention enough to read into that microexpression.

After I caught that hint of a bit of a smile though, I knew the one thing that would seal the deal, it always worked and never failed. It’s something that I learned from one of the safety officers we had when I went on a trip to Calgary as a non-commissioned officer in Cadets. Her name was Captain Anderson, and everytime we were unloading the bus, she felt the need to get a smile out of everyone before they climbed off at the destination. So while you approached her, she would say really loudly “SSSSMMMIIIIILLLLLEEE!” and really annoyingly I might add as well. She always did it in quite a high pitched voice and dragged the ‘I’ sound quite a lot as well. Sadly for her, it didn’t work as well as she anticipated. Although, to me, I knew it was all about the execution to get it to work and I perfected what she wasn’t able to do.

So if we rewind a bit…

Ljankdjf ajkdfnkadjkfa danjf bmadjkfnajds fahjdnfna *Moves really fast backwards* kaskdj adfn adnfjsd fakndfn ajd naf

As soon as I saw what I thought was a crack of a smile I looked my fellow worker in the eye, gave her a crooked smile of my own and said excruciatingly loudly, high pitched and with that emphasis on the ‘I’, “SMIIIIIILLEEE!” and just for a good measure, I added a really quick but sharp “SMILE!” afterwards. It worked just how it was supposed to and I knew I successfully completed my mission when I saw that huge grin spread across her face.

So there’s a bit of a glimpse in what I try to accomplish everyday when I can. I love making people smile and when I do, I know that day wasn’t a waste at all because I could do so. In a way, its what I live for and I think I do a pretty good job too if I don’t say so myself.

Where people may propose that a picture can say a thousand words, I propose that a smile can make a thousand words seem like nothing, just the feeling of getting one smile out of somebody who needs it is beyond any of the best words to describe it. So keep that in mind next time you see someone who’s having a bad day, even if you don’t know them.

 

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love” – Mother Teresa

 

Tyson Trepidations.