Like Banter, Only Without the Music in Between

On Spring and Life Choices

Thu, 15 May 2008 16:52:45 -0400

me: how is GA on this fine day?
jesslyn: partly cludy, 71 farenheit
me: it has hit 70 in massachusetts!
jesslyn: the bird is on the wing, the lambs are nickering in the fields, etc
me: hahaha
jesslyn: heaven be praised! congrats!
me: love those nickering lambs
i know
soon there will be BBQs and the ceremonial putting away of wool layers
jesslyn: ohhh!
me: for about two months until it is crappy enough to bring them out again
jesslyn: yeah
me: so get this
jesslyn: keep those wooly layers close at hand
me: i just came from a seminar on fish dispersal
jesslyn: rawr
me: the dude does all his work in Paupau New Guinea and Belize
and i realized I AM IN THE WRONG LAB
jesslyn: hit that!
me: good god
jesslyn: for realz
me: why am i in some cold system trying to catch bats with a butterfly net and a helicopter when i could just SCUBA my fine self around petting clownfish?
jesslyn: hehe
me: geez
jesslyn: i ask myself that question every single day
me: dumbass
me, i mean
jesslyn: also, salt water is wonderful for the skin

Maimed Teen Calls For Federal Safety Oversight Of Thrill Rides - Louisville News Story - WLKY Louisville

Thu, 15 May 2008 12:30:41 -0400

Maimed Teen Calls For Federal Safety Oversight Of Thrill Rides - Louisville News Story - WLKY Louisville:

Way to go, Ed. I’m happy to see that someone is tackling this oft-forgotten subject. Having a best friend who was severely affected by an accident at an amusement park, this hits close to home.

I never liked “thrill rides” much at all growing up. Part of it was my propensity for motion sickness, but in general I didn’t get the idea of such fabricated adrenaline seeking. You want a thrill? Get up early and watch the sun rise from a beach. Fall in love. Climb a mountain. Swim in a cool, clear, quiet pond on a warm day. Give a 6’5” man a piggy back ride and laugh til your sides hurt. Watch your dog catch herring in a stream.

Them’s all the thrill I need.

Nudibranchs—Photo Gallery—National Geographic Magazine

Thu, 15 May 2008 11:48:06 -0400

Nudibranchs—Photo Gallery—National Geographic Magazine: Brilliant photos — amazing creatures. If I were going to study something without a backbone it would probably be nudibranchs. Though I am quite in love with cephalopods so it would be a tough choice between the two.

Fotos Tormenta eléctrica en erupción del volcán Chaitén - TERRA

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:04:28 -0400

Fotos Tormenta eléctrica en erupción del volcán Chaitén - TERRA: Thanks to Buck for the find. Amazing photos.

A Pampered Champion’s Finicky Taste - New York Times

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:18:55 -0400

A Pampered Champion’s Finicky Taste - New York Times: Oh Derby Day will bring out some quirky horse stories. This is a whole article about a former Derby winner’s lack of libido, in sometimes overwhelming detail. To each his own.

CSUB Natural Sciences and Mathematics - Owl Cam

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:51:54 -0400

CSUB Natural Sciences and Mathematics - Owl Cam: Owls are wicked cool. I am kind of shocked that there was no nest involved.

Animal cruelty in China | Salon

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:04:26 -0400

Animal cruelty in China | Salon

Chinook Salmon Vanish Without a Trace - New York Times

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:52:02 -0400

Chinook Salmon Vanish Without a Trace - New York Times: I find it surprising that no one mentions sea lion predation in this article.

For Scientists, a Beer Test Shows Results as a Litmus Test - New York Times

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:59:00 -0400

For Scientists, a Beer Test Shows Results as a Litmus Test - New York Times: Malarkey!

Scrutiny for Puerto Rico Over Animal Treatment - New York Times

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:39:06 -0400

Scrutiny for Puerto Rico Over Animal Treatment - New York Times

Groundfishing boats abandoning Portland | Portland Press Herald

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:46:04 -0500

Groundfishing boats abandoning Portland | Portland Press Herald: A sad story these ears have heard too often.

Extreme acts of animal cruelty, beef recall | Salon News

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:03:23 -0500

Extreme acts of animal cruelty, beef recall | Salon News:

Props to Boxer and Feinstein, as usual. But shouldn’t we be trying to prevent cattle from becoming “downer cows” in the first place instead of requiring their euthanization once they reach that point? Euthanization is a step forward in humane treatment, but it is still inefficient waste of a resource.

I know it tastes good. I know red meat cravings are severe. Here are my suggestions: Make friends with (or better yet, become) a hunter and put a deer in the freezer. It lived a happy, free life and didn’t contribute to pollution, waste, and habitat degradation. It’s great in chili, ground, as a roast, grilled…in nearly every way beef is. If eating Bambi is not possible, just cut down your beef intake, and try to buy from producers that take care of their animals and the land. I beg of you. I am so tired of hearing these stories, and until demand for the product goes down mass production and its associated abuses to animals, family farms and the environment will continue to occupy the status quo.

Gwen Knapp / NEW LEASH ON LIFE / Raiders' Cooper dedicates himself to care of abused and mean dogs at animal shelter

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:51:41 -0500

Gwen Knapp / NEW LEASH ON LIFE / Raiders' Cooper dedicates himself to care of abused and mean dogs at animal shelter: Pro sports needs more Jarrod Coopers.

Patriots: 'Better A Diamond With A Flaw Than A Pebble Without' | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:22:11 -0500

Patriots: 'Better A Diamond With A Flaw Than A Pebble Without' | The Onion - America's Finest News Source: Leave it to the Onion to take the sting away with humor.

Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler - New York Times

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:42:56 -0500

Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler - New York Times:

oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh godoh god oh god oh god oh godohgod oh i can’t even look at that photo without tears springing to my eyes.

If only we would listen to Michael Pollan.

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

jess and shiloh (via freidenfelds) how you know you might like...

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:57:38 -0500

jess and shiloh (via freidenfelds)

how you know you might like your dog too much: you share not only your food but your drink.

The New York Times' scaremongering story about mercury-tainted sushi. - By Jack Shafer - Slate Magazine

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:32:46 -0500

The New York Times' scaremongering story about mercury-tainted sushi. - By Jack Shafer - Slate Magazine: This is extremely interesting.

Climate change, global warming, presidential candidates, media | Salon News

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 08:28:16 -0500

Climate change, global warming, presidential candidates, media | Salon News: That the mainstream media doesn’t think climate change is a major issue is beyond me.

Full-time athlete and full-time vegan | Gristmill: The environmental news blog | Grist

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:45:31 -0500

Full-time athlete and full-time vegan | Gristmill: The environmental news blog | Grist: Interesting. I had no idea.

Gates Foundation to Give $306 Million to Assist Poor Farmers - New York Times

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:01:54 -0500

Gates Foundation to Give $306 Million to Assist Poor Farmers - New York Times: Sometimes it’s hard to dislike Bill Gates. Usually, actually. Good work, Billy.