Have you taken a course in molecular biology lately?
@lookatdesktop (27129)
Dallas, Texas
June 23, 2019 5:53pm CST
I was about 19 years of age, when asked by a customer of mine if I would read some chapters in a book and answer some questions to help her with a project she was working on.
Why ask me? I have no clue. I was mowing her lawn is all. But she asked me to do it and offered to pay me.
How could I refuse!
It was a text book. It was about molecular biology and was about viruses and bacteria and so forth.
I read it and answered the questions in the back and gave her the book back with the answers.
It turns out she was a teacher who was teaching elementary students but was attending college and needed help to make a good grade. I thought this odd. You don't usually get this kind of request from a lawn customer. What was it about me that led her to think I had the aptitude to do such a thing?
Well, I guess I must have told her that I enjoyed school. It is often strange when we are just living our lives and another person sees potential in us that we do not see in ourselves. I would never have opened a book on that subject at that time. I was taking courses in drafting at the time at a Jr. college at El Centro in Downtown Dallas, part of the DCCCD.
When I took time to make some money mowing lawns as I was living with my parents at the time, I only by chance came across a person who saw a certain potential in me that I could not see in myself.
So what exactly is the difference between gram negative and gram positive bacteria anyway?
https://www.diffen.com/difference/Gram-negative_Bacteria_vs_Gram-positive_Bacteria
7 people like this
5 responses
@LindaOHio (156276)
• United States
23 Jun 19
I have a huge interest in viruses and bacteria but know nothing about molecular biology. Obviously she could tell you were bright.
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
24 Jun 19
I became interested after the fact. The subject is both intriguing and terrifying.
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
24 Jun 19
@LindaOHio , Well there will likely be more Zika and West Nile from the mosquitoes and Ebola is far from over and of course, the latest issue with Measles. I do not know if the next new pandemic will come from known viruses or from a super virus as a result of years of using antibiotics medicines to prevent infections such as influenza. The rise in temperature and the resultant heavier than normal rainfall will push the envelope on certain insects that thrive in such a hot and humid environment. New broad spectrum antibiotics will have to be used and many will just not work. The mysterious types of childhood infections that seem to coming from out of nowhere worry me even more.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156276)
• United States
24 Jun 19
@lookatdesktop I personally think the next pandemic is right around the corner.
1 person likes this
@Torunn (8609)
• Norway
25 Jun 19
@lookatdesktop That's not fair! Although I did say I didn't know how to boil potatoes ('cause I didn't like them) and still say I don't know how to make coffee ('cause I hate the taste). Hmm, maybe it's just that nobody told you that trick?
On the other hand, you probably did learn stuff and pick up practical skills
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
24 Jun 19
Well, that's kind of funny. 
My father thought I was the only child who could do things around the house so I was the one to do most of the things asked of me as my other two brothers had this excuse, "I don't know how." thus I did most of the work. 
My father thought I was the only child who could do things around the house so I was the one to do most of the things asked of me as my other two brothers had this excuse, "I don't know how." thus I did most of the work. 1 person likes this
@CookieMonster46 (13447)
• United States
23 Jun 19
Early in my career, I worked in Molecular Cell Biology, for a bit, until I switched departments. I processed invoices and kept track of inventory so not really involved in Biology. It was interesting to say the least.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73444)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Jun 19
Nope both biology and chemistry were way over my head or at one time I would have made the career decision to be an RN.
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
24 Jun 19
There are many registered nurses needed in county hospitals. Nothing wrong with that decision.
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
24 Jun 19
Well, I got involved in a student's curriculum not really knowing what I was getting myself into.
1 person likes this
@mrki444 (15150)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
25 Jun 19
@lookatdesktop Moleculary biology is not easy are so good luck with it.
1 person likes this
@lookatdesktop (27129)
• Dallas, Texas
25 Jun 19
@mrki444 , I never delved deeply into the subject. It was a passing fancy for a while is all. However, I respect those who have. Without those types who do pursue it and actively try to learn and make improvements in our lives by it, we would not be living as well as we are in these times.
1 person likes this
