Tales from the Microbial Laboratory

Airstream Note to Self No. 9

(Alternate Title:  "Another Day in my Glamorous Life")

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I haven't posted in two weeks here, not sure why - since, as always, I have a million plus thoughts playing pinball in my head.  The ideas build up, but instead of writing I've been weeding the side perennial garden, thinking about preparing the vegetable beds for a fall garden (but only thinking thus far), dealing with unemployment (another rant is due soon), dealing with a recently awarded grant (yay!), transitioning to a new research home (which will occur over the next few months), working with the lab on a manuscript (to submit here, a journal with a humbling 8% acceptance rate), and...

...defrosting the Airstream refrigerator-freezer.

Airstream Note to Self No. 9:

I've been procrastinating defrosting the Airstream refrigerator-freezer for no reason other than it's not such a fun thing to do.  And I must confess this is the first time that I've defrosted it, since I moved in back in late July of 2009.  But the weekend after my 1-year Airstream Anniversary party seemed as good a time as any.  During the week prior, I tried to eat up the contents, and so only had to store condiments and some salad dressing in a color while the freezer was defrosting.  This is the original 1973 unit, and runs off of electricity or propane - and unfortunately doesn't have an automatic defrost mode.

Or an ice maker.

~~~~~ 

~freezer compartment~ 

I don't have any images prior to defrosting, but ice had built up badly in the freezer compartment, in fact, so badly (I'm embarrassed to say) that it had surrounded a container of chili placed in there months (and months?) ago.

~~~~~ 

~refrigerator compartment~

Ice had also built up in the back of the refrigerator, along the metal sheets that transfer cold air into the compartment.  I need to read up a bit about this, because I'd like to find out if a different setting (warmer or cooler) would prevent this.  It's now been clean for almost two weeks, and part of these metal sheets are already frozen over (perhaps this is due to the summer humidity?  and air condenses on the metal and freezes?).  Also, notice the wide-V-shaped part under the metal sheets - this is designed to catch the water dripping off the sheets, and has a tube that takes the water to the back of the refrigerator, so that the water runs 'outside' (more or less, see below).

(I'll read a bit up on this, and check back in and update this post soon - because I'm sure you are all dying to know why this is happening). 

~~~~~

~access to the rear of the refrigerator from the outer Airstream compartment~

So - there is a tube that should send the water to the rear of the refrigerator, an area that is accessible from the outside of the Airstream.  The top arrow, above, points to the tube - and the bottom arrow, above, points to an area where the tube was dripping water.  Now, call me crazy, but this didn't seem like a great place to be leaking, since the water was essentially dripping awfully close to the where the refrigerator-freezer is plugged in to an outlet.  I'm guessing that I need to orient the tube differently, so this is something that I need to look into before the next time I defrost the unit (which needs to be more frequently than once per year!). 

~~~~~

~The Pointer Sisters~

Yes, the Pointer Sisters were around while I was defrosting the refrigerator-freezer, and while they didn't get in the way, there weren't awhole lot of help either.  I think they were bummed that there wasn't random refrigerator contents lying around, like huge hunks of cheese, that they could devour.  All-in-all I think they thought that the whole process was a bit boring.  Imagine that.  

Airstream Note to Self No. 8

~Airstream awning~

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Airstream Note to Self No. 8:

Months ago I was reading posts in an online  Airstream forum on the best ways to clean awnings - and I remember one post saying to get a mold and mildew cleaner (one that comes in a spray bottle).  You can see an image of the awning when it was first unfurled here - this was after several years of being rolled up.  So today, on the way home from the lab, I purchased a bottle of Tilex Mold & Mildew.  The post said to test a small section of the awning first (to be sure it doesn't bleach out the color) - and so I started spraying a small area and all I can say is wow!  It works like a dream.  Tomorrow I'll try to finish it up (I might end up needing another bottle of Tilex, and I'll need to be careful to not get tons of the stuff on me).  I'm happy to see some blue break through the mold and mildew!  It's as if the clouds are finally parting...

Airstream Note to Self No. 7

~an out-of-focus Lake Airstream~

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Airstream Note to Self No. 7:

I like having the Airstream awning up - in Airstream Note to Self No. 6 I briefly discussed the awning and that it needs cleaning (something that I haven't gotten to yet, like a million other things).

I've noticed before that the awning collects water - it's not too bad - I generally just take a hoe (yes, a hoe) and push the flat part up against the awning and it gives the awning enough of an angle for the water to pour off.

This morning however it's raining cats and dogs out there - and since the Airstream itself isn't level, the rain is building up on the awning and then it periodically pours off the side of the awning nearest to the front door (yes, I know - it's the only door, but I kinda liked saying that).  In the process, 'Lake Airstream' has been created - as well as 'River Airstream' - and this morning I couldn't help but think...

...rain barrel.

I could collect this rain.

I like this.

It's really pouring out.

Airstream Note to Self No. 5.1

~remaining paper wasp nest, repopulated~

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Airstream Note to Self No. 5.1:

(Addendum to Airstream Note to Self No. 5)

After you find a paper wasp nest in one of the tracks of the Airstream awning, remember to remove all of the nest.

Duh.

Airstream Notes to Self No. 5 and No. 6

~paper wasps, hanging out on the front of the Airstream~

~~~~~

Airstream Note to Self No. 5:

Prior to extending the braces that hold up the Airstream awning, check the tracks for paper wasp nests.

Actually, the eclair-baking postdoc (who is being challenged, in a culinary sense, by the lab's recently inducted senior graduate student, who brought a to-die-for pumpkin cheesecake to last night's celebratory bash for the lab's newly minted Ph.D.) who was helping me extend the awning (last Thursday) was the most at risk for being stung - but fortunately none of us were.  After the awning was raised and the wasps were flying around, I brushed the nest off the track of the awning - and interestingly, for the past several days and nights the wasps have collected at a spot on the front of the Airstream.  They aren't bothering anyone (and paper wasps are beneficial, you know) - so I thought I'd leave them alone as long as they leave me alone.

~~~~~

~unfurled Airstream awning~

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Airstream Note to Self No. 6:

Remember to look up in the Airstream forums what to do with a badly mildewed awning.

As for the awning itself, it's in excellent physical condition except for a bad case of mildew.  I need to read up on the best way to handle the mildew (which I fear will require taking the awning down) - which might be a bit difficult.  But not to state the obvious, it'd look alot better clean - I do like the color.   

Airstream Note to Self No. 4

~live oak acorns on the ground outside of the Airstream~

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  Airstream Note to Self No. 4:

Those who live in aluminum houses...should not park them under a large live oak tree in the autumn.

(Here's an interesting post about the aluminum used in earlier Airstreams over at the Airstream Knowledge Sharing Forums).

Airstream Note to Self No. 3

~a view from the Airstream on a stormy morning~

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Airstream Note to Self No. 3:

As I type this, a small storm is blowing through - one less intense than the one this morning that brought alot of lightening and thunder.

I'm so glad that we got some rain.

And I love storms.

And I really love storms when tucked safely inside of the Airstream.

The sound of rain on the roof is just wonderful, and with the curtains open, the flash of lightening all around makes me feel like I could touch the storm.

(And yes, I am living in denial of being in an aluminum cage - I did go and read an Airstream forum focused on 'lightning strikes' - but that didn't help with the whole denial thing.  One commentor on the forum recommended the National Lightning Safety Institue link - and I think it might be a good idea for me to take a look at what they have to say.)

~~~~~

Airstream Note to Self No. 2

~the Airstream compartment that contains refrigerator stuff~

~~~~~

Airstream Note to Self No. 2:

Now, while you have always thought it funny that you were not a 'read the manual first' kind of person, there are times when a manual makes good sense. 

First Case in Point...

You have absolutely no idea how to turn the Airstream refrigerator on.  Rather foolishly you thought that you would open the refrigerator door and there would be an 'on/off' switch...with a choice between 'propane' or 'electric'.

This is not the case.  There is no little switch or knob.

Second Case in Point...

When I went to look into the refrigerator 'compartment' (accessed from the outside of the Airstream), I could follow a few cords but really saw nothing that screamed on - suggesting that I am clueless when it comes to anything other than the lights and the air-conditioning unit.

It is time to learn more.

Bottomline:  I will need to order an Airstream Owner and Service manual for my 1973 Overlander International.  From a quick search on the web, it seems like the least expensive service (which sells copies of copies of copies...or so one Airstream forum says) is:

Helen Davis Secretarial Services
PO Box 484 Sidney, OH 45365
(937)492-8885 

H.D. Secretarial Services doesn't seem to have any on-line presence. 

Another option (with more legible documents, as one might expect) is via the Airstream Store.  The two manuals cost about $90.

There's also the possibility of finding used manuals for sale - through Airstream forums, etc.  But that might take time...but wait!  I'm unemployed...I have LOTS of time.

~~~~~

Now the reality is that the academic life is a freakish one.  Today I actually worked - and had a productive day.  The eclair-baking postdoc and I submitted his work on the microbial community in the upper respiratory tract of the bottlenose dolphin.  It's a nice manuscript - so everybody, cross your fingers for us.  Tomorrow I'm working on another manuscript - that we hope to submit by late Tuesday or sometime on Wednesday.  We're on a mission (aka life during wartime) ; you might think of it as a game.  How many manuscripts has the Microbial Lab submitted in 2009?  Here's the count as of today:

1. work describing a coral pathogen and the role of motility (led by our collaborators from Israel):  In press.
2. work describing metabolites produced by a coral pathogen:  In revision.
3. work describing genes involved in nutrient cycling in coral microbial communities:  In review.
4. work describing the toxicity of Zn-containing nanoparticles to a much-loved bacterium:  In review. 
5. work describing the upper respiratory tract bacterial communities of bottlenose dolphins.  In review.

So we've got 5 in review.  The mission is to submit 10 manuscripts by the end of August.

Stay tuned.

Airstream Note to Self No. 1

This is the first in what will most probably be a long list of notes to self as I adapt to Airstream Life.

~~~~~

Airstream Note to Self No. 1:

Deal with the whole key thing FIRST.  I know, people will tell you that electrical hook-up is important - water and sewer - but don't let them sway you.  First, above all else, figure out where all of your keys are and how you will lock the Airstream - both when you are inside and outside of the thing.

Sounds simple, doesn't it?

First Case in Point...

During my evening in the Airstream, I was cleaning, with two of the dogs (Dan and Stan) inside with me, and Annabelle Lee running around outside.  I noticed, for the first time - that I could turn my deadbolt lock from the inside, and thought 'Great, I'll be able to lock myself in at night.'  And so I turned the bolt, just to test it out.

I couldn't unlock the door.

No matter which way I turned the bolt, I couldn't get the door open.  I'm thinking 'How hard can this be?' but the reality is that it was pretty dang hard.  I couldn't do it.  I was locked inside the Airstream.

So I had to open the bathroom window - pull out the screen - and with the Airstream deadbolt key in hand, climb outside and open the door.

Second Case in Point...

My case is a bit unusual since my collapsing home is still in use as I make this transition.  I'd consider this both a good...and a bad thing.

Last evening, after returning from dinner with friends, I had all three dogs outside when I realized that I had locked myself out of the house after I let the dogs outside.  Accidentally (the door knob is loose and sometimes locks itself).

I had put the house key on a different key chain than my car keys - and they were locked in the Airstream.  The Airstream key was locked in my car.  My car key was locked in the house.

So I had to break into the kitchen window of the house, and get the car key, unlock the front door of the house - and go to the car to get the Airstream key.

Bottomline:  Figure out the whole key thing FIRST.  Before you deal with electricity, sewer hook-up, water - and internet access.

How did I deal with it?  Electric first, internet second.