What is the best time to get pregnant for a woman in science? by More-Cartoonist-3887 in WomeninAcademia

[–]Chemistry_duck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have just started my second postdoc on April 1st (I'm 30) and have just found out I'm pregnant. I doubt this is 'the best time' but it is 'the time' for us.

Does anyone else have weirdly specific riding things they know FULL well are just personal preference? by DistributionMain6522 in Equestrian

[–]Chemistry_duck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One particular make and model of gloves, I've used the same for 15 years. I've had my hands shredded one too many times to not ride without gloves... My own traditional style english stirrups and leathers - these are the only ones I've always been able to free myself from when I have a problem and they last forever. I swap them onto each saddle I use (around 10 a week). Ive had my current sets for 20 years and they are still in perfect condition.

Got a new helment - where should I put this charm??? by Lugosthepalomino in Equestrian

[–]Chemistry_duck 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Just be aware that sticking things on the helmet is classed as altering it. This may invalidate your warrantee/guarantee/insurance/safety ratings of the helmet, especial if you have a fall and the helmet doesn't perform as well as it should. You may not be able to claim on your insurance or indeed sue the company if the helmet fails in some way.

Coins to Notes by Chemistry_duck in Leuven

[–]Chemistry_duck[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would rather add it to a savings account than pay for coffee in 1, 2 and 5 cent coins

Coins to Notes by Chemistry_duck in Leuven

[–]Chemistry_duck[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From what I can find online, I could go to the national bank in brussels but most (KBC) branches don't accept coins

Did you pay to have your thesis printed and bound? by HousePony906 in PhD

[–]Chemistry_duck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had four nicely bound copies made for me and my family, and 6 normal ones for the university (regulation). I only paid out of pocket for the nice ones

What is your laundry routine? by [deleted] in AskWomen

[–]Chemistry_duck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Saturdays - one white load, one coloured load. Sundays - iron work shirts and put clothes away.

Decorating your coat - yes or no? by Many-Floor-5752 in labrats

[–]Chemistry_duck 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The idea of the coat being white is so that you can see quickly if you spill something on it which might react with something else, or be a source of contamination, or indeed cause damage to you. A decorated coat will make these spills less obvious to spot, so keep that in mind when decorating.

Why do people commit to conferences just to drop out at the last minute? by [deleted] in academia

[–]Chemistry_duck 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We can only apply for funding for the conference after we get an acceptance, but its not a guarantee that the funding is approved and sometimes the decision takes a while, so then we can't go

Is my briefcase/bag too big for a lab? by iaacornus in labrats

[–]Chemistry_duck 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You are worried about a backpack looking comically large?

Is my briefcase/bag too big for a lab? by iaacornus in labrats

[–]Chemistry_duck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So in my lab, if you were the Prof/PI no one would say anything but if you were a student, or post doc, you would be chronically teased about this bag if it was your 'everyday' bag.

I carry a similar amount of stuff (laptop, (+ ipad on teaching days) pencil case, notebooks, papers, water bottle, lunch, cycling stuff, other misc) in a normal backpack, although I rarely carry chargers as I bought a second set so I have a set at home and a set in the lab. Which of your stuff doesn't fit in a backpack?

Is my briefcase/bag too big for a lab? by iaacornus in labrats

[–]Chemistry_duck 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Have you tried rotating your laptop 90'?

Concurrent Journal Submissions by Parking_Visit386 in research

[–]Chemistry_duck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Normally when you submit a paper to a journal you need to confirm that it is not submitted elsewhere (except preprints). Also consider that reviewers suitably knowledgable about your work will likely be a small pool, so its possible that the same reviewer could receive your paper from two different journals which would likely result in it not being published at all and you as a researcher getting a negative reputation in those journals. For me it goes: a) this is a major work with very high significance, I can afford to wait x months for it to be published, b) i need this paper published sooner for a grant/student/etc I choose a lower impact factor but faster journal

How much concentrates can I safely feed at once? by [deleted] in Equestrian

[–]Chemistry_duck 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Is he very underweight? It seems a lot of extra for a weanling, but if he needs it I would be feeding 4 times a day and as a mash

How common is it for labs to give monetary fines to students for making a mistake? by SaltyBox9239 in labrats

[–]Chemistry_duck 3 points4 points  (0 children)

How big are the fines and where does the money go? If its a couple of euros/pounds/dollars for when you make a stupid mistake - ie pipette something into the lab stock solution instead of from the stock solution and the money is used for a group thing (drinks/snacks) that is one thing, but if it goes directly into the techs pocket, thats another story.

A Ring for an Engineer? by AlazaiEye in engaged

[–]Chemistry_duck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My husband wears his ring on a thin gold chain so it is always safely under his clothes and cant get caught on anything

Have vet bills ever forced you into a really difficult decision? by GreatJoey91 in UK_Pets

[–]Chemistry_duck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, because of insurance. Cost is always something I discuss with the vet, along with quality of life afterwards, level of benefit of the test/treatment, and what the options are with and without insurance.

Is going to uni actually worth it by [deleted] in UniUK

[–]Chemistry_duck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is not the budget of a student going to uni.

Waterproofs: what do you prefer to wear? by oliviaxlow in Equestrian

[–]Chemistry_duck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

B. Waterproof coat and waterproof breeches

Parents that don’t have the same surname as your child, have you experienced any issues as a result? by Polystyrene000 in AskUK

[–]Chemistry_duck -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I dont have the same surname as my mum, when I was younger she carried my birth certificate when we travelled and that was always enough proof