So, I was once told in a class, Principles of Chemistry, in fact, (freshman chem for those of you not "in the know") that if the average human was broken down into elemental form (all of the Carbon, all of the Oxygen, all of the Nitrogen, etc) and sold for the going rate for each respective element, ze would be worth somewhere around $400, [Now, this was four years ago, but I don't imagine that the prices for any of the elements found in the human body have either increased or decreased much in that time.], however, if a person were to be broken down into molecules, cell, tissues or organs, the price would become considerably larger.

Today I found out what 381mL of my plasma is worth, $20, unless it is the second time within 7 days, then it is $30, unless you are a new donator (which I am) then it is $40. Hrm...

I just got back from my first plasma donation session. I have donated neither plasma nor whole blood before this day. I must say that it was not unpleasant. A bit repetitive, but that is just to help ensure that the plasma obtained is safe. It didn't hurt; I didn't even get that chilly when they were replacing some of the removed fluid with saline solution (~72F as compared to the 99F of my body this afternoon). I got to start a book that I have had from the library for two weeks already but hadn't yet touched. I earned $20 for two and a half hours of my time (future visits will average 1.5 they say) and less than a liter of a fluid that my body will replace with no problem over the coming day, provided that I eat and drink normally.

Not that I want or plan to make a career out of this, but I think that I can do this for a couple of hours a week so as to not feel like someone is squeezing my heart in an Iron Maiden every time I think about or spend any money. Also, plasma is used to make important medical things, like vaccines and good things for burn victims. Yes.

Weekend update:
The wedding was nice, if a bit weird to be at a wedding for a friend of mine not a family member or friend of my parents. Simple, traditional ceremony followed by fun reception and delicious cake. Bride was beautiful and cute; groom was witty and charming.
Following the reception, a local bar was attended by certain attendees of the wedding. Karaoke ensued, but the night got too long and tempers were running high. In short, naps were needed but didn't happen until much too late.

There were two quite enjoyable car rides with my library girls, though, those alone would have been enough to make the weekend worth it.

I am off to fold some laundry and watch some mindless sitcoms on the non-internet. A lot of the latter activity has been present in my life lately... I guess that I am just stocking up for that time (set to start in less than a week) when I must cut myself off from the not-internet world and descend into the studying of what will compose a large part of the rest of my life. God, I hope that I like it as much as I think that I will...