Like do-it-yourself dental work...

..sometimes conversation with coworkers can be difficult. I started a new lab rotation about six weeks ago, and so far I really enjoy it. Even when things don't really work. The stuff I'm learning is interesting, and I like the other people in the lab. They're interesting, and pretty friendly.

One guy, though, kinda drives me nuts. I try really hard to be nice to him, and strike up conversation, but it's difficult. He (surprise?) doesn't seem to have really well developed social skills -- he latches onto things and actually argues the wierdest points, and has these strange hangups about smells in the lab. (Our ventilation system intake apparently is located on a section of street where trucks idle, hence every so often you get this strange exhaust smell. It's not so bad... mm.. carbon monoxide.)

In fact, he kinda reminds me of Rusty from Mad TV, just less talkative. Conversations with him end up being very one-sided after a minute or two.

For example, I was talking with a postdoc about my weekend, and told him all about the things I did. Then the conversation moved to television, and the shows we like. Among them, Saturday morning cartoons. It's at this point that Rusty interrupted and asked me... "Wait a minute. If you were at the pool all weekend, how did you watch Saturday morning cartoons?" Another day, he was upset that our coat rack was in the lab, and insisted it be moved to another room because he was sure there was a safety issue. It stood in a corner between the wall and the laser printer.

Oh well, it takes all kinds I guess.