This week, I've dedicated my time to entering data into spreadsheets. I've been running a lot of samples and the results are in several different programs on several different computers, stashed in log sheets, and also randomly entered in my lab notebook. It's gotten to the point where I don't know what I've done and what I haven't done. Time to take account!
I've just spent the last 2 hours going from computer to computer and collecting all the data files that have to do with Phosphorus (PO4, TDP, and Algal P). There are a lot of them....and I finally got them all entered into the master spreadsheet!!! Yay me! Then I notice that the values in the TDP (total dissolved phosph) are SMALLER than just the PO4!! Shouldn't Total be larger than just one compound? And crap! All these blanks have values larger than actual samples?! WTF? And it's like that for all the P samples....FML.
I am totally discouraged from doing any more data entry.
So now my problem is this: I don't know if I'm going to be able to re-run these...When we collect stream water, we collect 4 8mL tubes; PO4/NH4/NO3 (preserved with H2SO4), TDN/TDP (preserved with H2SO4), DOC (preserved with HCl), and Metals (preserved with HCl). I've used up all of the TDN/TDP tube, and the HCl tubes are no good for nutrient analysis. This leaves me with whatever is left in the first tube, that still needs to have NH4 and NO3 run. The machine is currently set up to run PO4, so I could re-run everything and get it out of the way...but then I might not have enough left to do the other runs that I need done. So I should switch the machine over to the others...and then switch back? Oy, so much work! Haven't I done enough!?
On top of this frustrating realization, I don't feel well. I think I'm fighting a bladder infection. This usually happens to me in the winter when I'm too cold to drink much water. So I'm also torn between fighting through more data entry and leaving to go pick up a bottle of cranberry juice and lay down with my book. It actually hurts to sit up, so I think reclining with a book would be the way to go.
Ugh....happy 20-fucking-12
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