stress!
stress has negative connotations for most people, but as many of you are probably aware i function best when under at least mild stress. therefore, although i'm daunted by my responsibilities (classes and TAships and lab debates and building swift towers and contacting every single birder in south america and grants and OPIRG and my various althetic pursuits and juggling crazy bills while living on a very small income...), i also really appreciate being challenged. i'm in a little over my head, but my swimming skills are pretty solid.

apples
we wrapped up field work this past week, and like a celebratory high five from a higher power, apple trees along the road began dropping their bounty. fortunately dan was tolerant of pulling over and waiting while i scrambled out to throw CRISP, JUICY, SUCCULENT apples in my bag. what's with people's wariness at eating Free! Fresh! Wild! things? sounds great to me, but i can't count the number of times people have rejected what i've picked or collected, although they would pay (sometimes out the ear) for the same or similar products in the grocery store or at a farmer's market.

why didn't dan bound out of the car and raid the tree with me? why did he resist trying one of the apples? why did he only reluctantly accept the apple that i forcefully implored him to take and try later?

he's not even a purebred urbanite! people are so weird.

GMO guide
if any of you are as overwhelmed by monsanto and avoiding GMOs as i am, this is a very comprehensive website. actually, it may be too much stimuli for you if you're already overwhelmed. in that case, do ask and i'll send you a concise no gmo shopping guide .pdf i have.