Chicken troubles

Went to the poultry farm today in class. We got to hold baby chicks. They had just hatched this morning. They were soooo cute and so soft. After picking that little guy up, all I could do was smile because he was just so adorable and it made my day. I was so happy, I had to tone down my smile lest my classmates think I'm uncool. But then my little chick started to be a little frustrating. He started pecking at me. Then he kept of turning around. He buried his head in my hand, then pecked at it some more. Then he was chirping really loudly. Then he kept trying to get away. I was the only person in my group who couldn't keep control of their chick. How embarrassing! And as all this was going on, I was supposed to be listening to a guy who was teaching us about the baby chicks, but I was too busy trying to keep mine from jumping out of my hands! Meanwhile the kid behind me said his chick fell asleep in his hand. How fricken cute is that?! Too cute too handle! Mine pooped on my hand.

I thought this information should be shared

In my zoology class, everyday the professor says something interesting or at least mildly amusing and I thought "imagine my head was on my rear end" was going to be it for today. But then we went into the topic of flatworm reproduction. You can tell this is going to be fascinating already, can't you?

First of all, for some background info, flatworms are monoecious. This means they have both male and female parts under "one house." So that when they meet any other flatworm, they can get it on. Except with flatworms "getting it on" is a little different. It's called hypodermic impregnation.

In other words, penis fencing. Yes, that's right, penis fencing. Some flatworms battle it out in order to be able to literally stab the other with its penis. You see, flatworms have no vagina-like structure, and this is the solution to that problem. So afterwards, the flatworm is left covered in holes and with its opponents sperm.

I bet you wish you had seen the video. Note: I wouldn't search for this on youtube, just to be safe.

The dead deer is staring at me

When I walked into the zoology classroom on Tuesday, I expected most of my classmates to be there already because I was running a little late, but I wasn't expecting the fine displays of taxidermy stuck on the walls. The only reasons I could think of, of why they were there were 1. The professor thought some decorative touches would spruce the place up and get us in the mood to learn about animals 2. They are there to teach us about animals or 3. They are there to teach us what happens when you don't do your homework.

There are also some live permanent members of the class consisting of fish, frogs, snakes, and tarantulas.They must not be very good students to have been there for all these years. It's like that Spanish-speaking girl who was in my Spanish class, but failed.

We also learned some interesting facts about animals that day. Like there is a kind of millipede that when it gets old can wrap itself in a cocoon and come out young again.  And that most animals spend most of their time inactive and conserving energy. Proving once more how well I fit in with all my animal friends.

If all that weren't enough to convince the students how interesting the class was going to be then the various videos such as the one of the six male frogs all jumping on one female frog, the one of the male seal protecting his harem, or the one of the female praying mantis eating the male during coitus, sure were. Well, I'm hooked anyway (insert fish reference?).

Fish are friends, not food

Some of you know that I have wanted to become a vegetarian for a while now. I had cut back on my meat intake, but it wasn't practical to stop all together since I still live with my parents and don't pay for my own food.

Well, today we happened to watch a video in my philosophy (we were talking about persons vs objects) called "Meet your Meat." It's a video from PETA, but don't let that put you off. As my philosophy teacher pointed out, not listening their argument just because you don't like them is a logical fallacy (which we just took a test on).

After watching this video, I realized that I could not put off vegetarianism just because it wasn't "practical". It's horrible how some (most) animals are treated before they get killed for food. Please watch this video (because I'm sure none of you did when I posted the link on facebook). It's okay to look away at some parts- I did.

I'm an animal person

A few times, I have heard noises at my bedroom window.So, I look and there's a squirrel there eating, chill'n, maybe hanging on the screen. It happens more often in the rain because the roof on my house extends out farther in the front and apparently it's a good shelter. Today, I was sitting on the floor of my room, making jewelery and watching Grey's Anatomy on my laptop. It was raining, but I had my window open. I started hearing these squeaky, chirpy noises, and I was like, what's that? I think it's coming from from window, so I get up to see and two little birdies fly away. Awwwww, little birdies. I felt bad for making them fly away. They could hang out by my window if they want. I like having little animal visitors. Although, sometimes they leave rotting food.

I need to work on my coiled snake impression

All week I have been taking notes in my head about things to blog about, and, well, I can't remember any of them. It would be nicer if my brain was a computer. Then I could just save my ideas and I would only lose them if I deleted them. Although, I've never had much luck with computers. Today, my computer shut-down on me for no reason. I swear I didn't do anything! Maybe it was mad at me for going for a few days without using it (gasp! I went days without using my computer?! I don't believe it either).

Friday, I went to the Field Museum for AP Bio. It was so much fun! Well, most of it. We had to go through this exhibit called "The Evolving Planet" and Mr. S gave us a ginormous packet to do. Which wouldn't have been so bad except no food or drink was allowed and I was dying of thirst. When we were about halfway through, there was a map on the wall of the exhibit, and when I saw it I was like, "gaaaa! We're only halfway through!" Well, ok, I didn't say it like that, but that's what I was thinking. I was so caught up in my thirst I could barely remember anything past the dinosaurs.

We strolled through the DNA area like we were supposed to and took pictures with Sue before going to the Egyptian exhibit. I liked seeing the mummies.

Then, we went to the animal exhibit. That's where the real fun was. We spent our whole time there taking pictures posing as the animals. We have some funny pictures with everything from Rinny being a baboon to me being a worm. Good times. But we didn't look at the entire exhibit because we had to leave, so naturally, we got lost trying to get out.