DTMS - It’s not an organic compound…
I have a post-it above my computer in the lab that says in all caps “DTMS.” Most people don’t know what it really means, I’m assuming that anyone who just takes a glance will think of it as some chemical I need or need to order. In reality it is my little way of being able to say “keep out” without actually saying that. It means “Don’t touch my stuff.” I don’t care if people ask before using my things, although I am still rather particular about them, but it’s usually cool as long as they actually ask first. I really don’t like if anyone tries to use my pipets, not just because they have been calibrated recently, but also because they are not generic and are difficult to master, ie, most people don’t know what the heck to do with them and run a large risk of breaking them instead of actually figuring them out.
Why rant today? Well, I’ve been away competing at the Laughlin International Rally, and I just realized today that my box of P-20 pipet tips was missing. Why do I care? Because the stock room is about 5 feet away from my lab bench. Because they are the special filter tips. And really, because they were the only P-20 box with a shiny silver label that finally matched the other box tops on my lab bench. There, I’ve said it, and I know I sound about five years old…but I want my shiny back!!!
Ok, ok, seriously though. Why would anyone do something like that? The only shared piece of equipment on my bench is the spec, which has its own set/supply of tips. In addition, the stock room is RIGHT THERE! I know most of the people in my lab don’t know how particular I am with my things, and I’m not going to tell them (hence the “DTMS” post-it), so I’m pretty sure it wasn’t done on purpose to annoy me. Or maybe it was. In either case, it still annoys me. /end rant….
