This is version was performed by Norman Blake for the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?". Also this song is one of the official state songs for the great state of Louisiana.

As the resident southerner of Scientopia I have to make sure to keep you guys posted on all things hickish.  Thus enjoy this bluegrass rendition of a favorite song of mine from some greasy long haired boys from down in Florida.

Best song ever...  You'll be missed buddy.

On the drive into work today, the thought popped in my mind that I have been working in science for a little over 10 years now.  Not that it is a major accomplishment and many have put full lifetimes into it, but it is a significant mile marker in my life.  Believe me I did not have the most glamorous start to my scientific career, I started out as the bottle washer for a departmental stock room, but that is where I made my start.  When you think of jobs that scientists want, bottle washer ranks as DFL, but it was good for me to start at (or maybe even below) the bottom rung of the scientific ladder.  It made me humble and as I slowly (and I mean slowly) progressed up the ladder I have had the fortune to meet and work with amazing people.

Science is beautiful because you seem to bring together people from such divergent backgrounds with a variety of interests.  Some of us were born on 3rd base.  Some of us were born in the projects.  Some of us were born in squalid third world backwaters with little to no opportunities.  But yet, here we all are working together and in our off times sharing our experiences and cultures.  After 10 years in science you learn how to say shit in three languages, how to eat with chopsticks, and how little you know about the world around you.

Once you realize this, its amazing, you never want to stop learning and discovering.  About science or humanity.

I've had no caffeine this morning and its slow goings, here is a little music to jolt you into getting it done today.

When grinding through some emails that I need to respond to, I'm jamming out to an old favorite from Gravity Kills, an industrial rock band from Missouri.  I first came across them in the mid-90s when I heard their track "Goodbye" on the Mortal Kombat soundtrack.  I like it that its an uptempo song but still blends in the background so I can work. Enjoy.

This came up on my iTunes radio station and I had to just post it up...

This song and bad acting ruined the movie Top Gun for me.

With the awesome input of the readership, we sort of came to a consensus on some good albums to get a kid into Rock and Roll.

1.  Led Zeppelin-Led Zeppelin II
2.  The Beatles-Revolver
3.  Allman Brothers-Eat a Peach
4.  The Who-Tommy
5.  Jimi Hendrix Experience-Electric Ladyland

After this, I've got to introduce him to arena rock, Zappa, some Metallica, Guns N Roses, hair bands, etc.  Oh man so much good music to navigate this kid through.  And that's just rock, wait till I sit him down to get him to listen to blues or jazz.