This summer so far has been kick ass. To start it off, I began a 12 week internship at the Getty Conservation Institute (the science and conservation section of the Getty Center art museum in Los Angeles). While most people I've talked to assume that I am a tour guide, I actually have a much more exciting work description: conservation chemist! I work in the Organic Material Analysis laboratory researching and studying paintings. Currently I am assigned to several projects dealing with modern and contemporary paintings. One such project is investigating binders and adhesives used to attach colorants to canvas. In particular, I have been creating a library of synthetic polymer's IR spectra using standards. This way conservation chemists can compare binders used in paintings to specific polymers and have a better idea of how to conserve such paintings. I have also been analyzing colored swatches from a paint company to investigate the composition of these paints (which were heavily used in many modern paintings). Overall the work here has been amazing. The research group here is very chill; moreover, everyone here has been really nice. It has been a really interesting experience that I would recommend to any chemist who wants to apply there skills to projects that aren't purely research oriented.
The Getty Center has one of the most beautiful campuses I've ever seen. Every day after lunch I talk a walk in the Getty garden, walking along the man made river that flows into the garden's lake. The Center also has one of the best views of Los Angeles; I can see miles and miles out into the endless sea of buildings, including LA's downtown and Santa Monica's beaches. That's not all; the Getty has one of the most impressive art collections as well. Occasionally I walk through the museum and look over all the galleries. I particularly like viewing the impressionist art collection here. It rivals my two favorite museums' collections: the Chicago Art Institute and the Norton Simon in Pasadena. If you are ever bored and have several hours on your hands, I recommend taking a drive and touring the Museum. If any people are reading this while I still work here, and would like to see the inner workings of the restoration areas, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
Perhaps the most exciting individual event of my summer thus far was attending Mayhem Festival 2011 with a few lloydies (and a flem)... The lineup was impressive. Several of my top 20 bands were playing. Though I had seen some live before, most of the bands I had never seen at all. It was hot (100 degrees F), that didn't stop me from going in my full metalhead attire: jacket, boots, and all. Some of my friends thought I was crazy with all that clothing. I replied that at least I didn't get a sunburn because I was fully covered. Anyway, the show was great. I was particularly impressed with all the bands that played (excluding a few of the lesser or bad bands... *cough* Godsmack *cough*): All Shall Perish, Unearth, Trivium, Testament, Machine Head, Disturbed, Kingdom of Sorrow, and of course Dethklok. I even got a signed copy of All Shall Perish's new album (along with a signed poster, shirt, and a crazy photo with them). It was a great concert, though my ears and back were destroyed by the end of the day.Well, I guess that's all I've got for now. Hope that's enough to show all you Prefrosh out there that there is plenty of good shit to do out in LA, and more importantly that Techers aren't just a-social nerds.
Peace,
Ben "Slayer" Suslick
