Immunology in Arizona

Last chance for a walk and sketch in Scottsdale

I've got a bit of catching up to do on the blog, so I'm going to start in reverse order of events... This week I have been in Scottsdale (Arizona), ostensibly (I love that word) to learn Immunology but actually I think the change of scene or seen did me as much good as the science. Nevertheless science first...

The conference rooms had jugs of water,
we broke at least on glass a day,
and they still gave us sweets!

Immunology is the study of the immune system and it is one of the most frustrating, complicated, and fluid biological sciences. The immune system is an amazing thing but it's also under high selective pressure which is probably why it's so hard to study; a mouse's immune system doesn't work quite the same as a human's and even in humans there is a massive amount of diversity. I describe it as a fluid field of research, others might say fast-paced, but I say fluid because the answer to any given question changes three times a year or if not completly altered gains three extra clause statements... but... only when... actually... I suspect all statements about immunology should begin "we think..." although that said what 'we think' now is probably a lot closer to the truth than what we thought even 10 years ago so one shouldn't discount it as fiction. Vacination is one of the few immunological medical advances that we in anyway understand and definitely one of the most efficacious. It isn't neccessary to vaccinate against every single microbe known to man but somethings, like measles, are not worth risking. As I sat listening to the immunologists laugh, not in humour but with comedic despair, at the people who are refusing to vacinate their kids I wondered whether we as scientists are slightly to blame, maybe we could be clearer about our message, but then again maybe some people are just too arrogant to hear?  Anyway... I enjoyed the course, which was very well taught, and would recommend the FOCIS "advanced course in basic and clinical immunology" to anyone who has a basic grasp of what we think happens during the course of infection.

Also on the science theme I've been reading the Times special edition about the greatest scientists. I'm sure there are many people missed out and someone will tell me it is horribly political, or biased, but I've been enjoying it!

Cloudy Washington State

 

A cloud horizon, it's alway sunny above the clouds!

On to the fun stuff... My flight to Phoenix, Arizona, was a joy. I always forget how much I love flying. I left behind my worries and looked out at the beauty of the world we live in; the things we shape; the things we can not shape; and the things that shape us.  How lucky am I that I live in a society where I get to experiance this change in perspective. It was the change in what was seen that I needed, like visual shock therapy. Not that Seattle isn't beautiful but I think my eyes have grown a little dim to it's loveliness.

Layers of the earth

The Grand Canyon!

Organic curves in block structures...

Sometimes your just have to leave the hills to be hills

Piet Mondrian eat your heart out... The Americans do love their grids!

Little bushes shade in the hills in a Seurat  (the dotty artist) style

Rather like a cat with a laser pointer I was fascinated by the sun's

 reflection making it's way across the landscape as our position changed...

  

The hotel we were staying in was really nice, a bit retro, but lovely. Mood lighting in the bathroom, palm trees, swimming pool, little patio areas for every room... In short the most expensive place I have ever stayed and I didn't have to share my lovely room with anyone. Our hotel was a favourite of 'The Rat Pack' back in the day - cue me listening to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. for four days. Appropriately "Come Fly with Me" is the first song on the album I have.

Lovely Bathroom!

Palm Trees at the hotel

The little patio attached to my room

 We had a rooftop reception the night of our arrival. I got to meet some of the other attendees and appreciate the beautiful Arizona sunset.

Pedestrian and Cycle Path by the canal

Monday we were busy with lectures from 8am to 5pm but I managed to walk along the canal path towards Scottsdale before it got too dark. I sat and had a meal in the hotel restrauant - who knew Cornish Hen was a thing? I was impressed by the fact they were serving both ginger beer and ginger ale, ginger beer being far superiour. As the last of the light faded I sketched the palm trees from my private patio.

Scottsdale

Art: Jellies in the Sky Catus in the Water

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The Sunset over the canal

An attempt to record the circadas but all my digital recording devices only pick up part of the rhythm - Our ears are an amazing thing!

Palm Trees from my patio

Tuesday I was woken early by concrete pouring across the street. I eventually realised that I had managed to shift the end of the patio doors across and leave an inch gap, no wonder it was so much noisier than the previous evening! Nevertheless, I made the most of being woken at 5:30am by walking along the canal path away from Scottsdale and seeing the sunrise over the desert.

The early bird sees the birds waking up

Camelback Mountain (?)

After four lectures we finished early for the day 2:30pm. A group of us went to the Botanical Desert Gardens and were delighted to find it was free entry that day instead of $22. We had a look around all the paths, unfortunately none of the cacti were in flower but we enjoyed the alien environment. I stayed later than everyone else so I could do some sketching, ate dinner at the garden restaurant, and caught the bus back to Old Town, Scottsdale where I could walk back to the hotel.

Sketching at the Garden (in the shade of a tree)

Get ready to turn your head to see a woodpecker in his Catcus!

The fountain in the middle of the Garden's Restaurant's outdoor seating area

A little of Seattle in Arizona - Chihuly (glass artist) Cacti at the Desert Botanic Gardens

Old Town Scotsdale

Last look at Scottsdale

 Wednesday was another full day of lectures then a quick walk and sketch in Scottsdale (At the top of the blog) before our evening reception. I was up early to catch my flight Thursday then back to work for another couple of days. Unfortunately my camera broke at some point between Wednesday and Thursday although the memory card is still good - phew!

Last look at the mountain

Buffet Style dinner

At the end of the day we gathered around the firepit and sat outside