Thirty two weeks down. One to go.

Well, it seems I've reached the end of the semester again. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I've written one term paper and I have one more to write by the end of this week. Life shall be grand. Until then, it's stress and coffee for me. But really, everything is gonna be alright.

Next semester is going to be a tough one. Because I want to learn. More on that later.

Kyle DeForrest. Before he was famous.

Check this out.  It's my younger brother.

On hope.

How is it that in this world where life is brief and love is fleeting that we allow for waste? We life in a world where every moment SHOULD be spent protecting the fragile life that still, somehow, is only held together by, lets face it, mostly luck and very little planning.  We (citizens of Earth) have this mentality of us versus them, always trying to take more, to be better than our neighbors all around. When will we realize that there is only one planet for all to share?

A bit about ecology, urban ecology, and why insects are awesome.

I talk about ecology quite a bit.  It's pretty much my entire life.  But I realized that most people are not super-nerds like me, and don't necessarily know the background.  So here's a bit from a paper I wrote earlier in the semester about ecology, urban ecology, and why insects are awesome.  

Perception of Ecosystem Services (A blurb from Ecology)

Ecosystem services are ecological processes that humans can profit from  Urban forests provide valuable services including carbon sequestration, air and water quality improvement, energy conservation (shade), noise reduction, climate mitigation and recreational/aesthetic value.  Perception of the value of urban forests can be divided into two groups.  The first group consists of those who acknowledge the monetary value of pollution mitigation and associated health benefits.  The second group consists of those who value the aesthetic, recreational and spiritual aspects of urban forests.  Factors that influence an individual’s perception can be education, health, or proximity of their home to green space.  

Ultimate Wish List

Hammock.  This one. In the Tequila Color.  I've been toying with this idea for awhile now and it really seems like the most attractive, space efficient, comfortable and affordable option for all my sleeping, lounging and entertaining needs.

Trekking Poles.  Two of em. I hike. Often. I have knees.  I'd like to keep it that way.

Books! A whole list! Here are the most important ones!

Peterson's mushroom guide.  I want to forage in the spring.

Peterson's edible plants.  Again, foraging.

Borror and DeLong's Introduction to the study of Insects.  We have a copy of this book in the lab.  It's my bible.

Hedrick, Genetics of Populations.  I need this for the evolution class I'm taking next semester.

Kaufman's Field Guide to Insects.  I'm working out of the Peterson's guide right now.  Peterson's is good for technical information, and uses sketches/drawings.  Kaufman's has actual pictures of the insects, which can make identification easier because it is the most realistic representation.



     



























I do have interests other than insects and evolution.  Although not really any different from chemistry, I love to cook.  I really would like to own, and cook my way through, Julia Childs' Mastering the Art of French Cooking (2 Volume Set).  While I will admit that this has been inspired in part by Julie & Julia (the movie about a young lady who cooks her way through the book, blogging as she goes),  I have always wanted to learn a specific style of cooking.  My family is polish/german, so growing up many of the meals I make use aspects from that-- although really it is at best improvisational cooking.  So, added to the list: 

Making Time

I'm a pretty busy person.

15-20 hours a week: tutoring
8 hours a week: Teaching
4 hours a week: Grading and writing lectures.
10 hours a week: Class
10-15 hours a week: Research
5 hours a week: Studying

That's 52-62 hours.

Now there are 168 hours in a week.  If I want to get 6 hours of sleep every night (42 hours for the week) after work, studying, and research I've got 64-74 hours(9-10 hours a day) left to travel, cook, eat, socialize etc. I can do that.  I can make it work.  But its exhausting.

If ever there was a time to develop super powers. . . I'd want super speed.  Seriously.  Take the flash.  Imagine how fast this guy can do the dishes.  His place must be pristine.  And the morning commute?  Its a flash. (haha)

The Flash

Class today was a whole spoonful of awesome.

I simply must write about it.  Here's the idea:  Cities are ecosystems.  They're divided neatly into blocks, which are further divided.  In the city you might get a series of planters, all exactly alike.  Perfect for experiments. Think about it.  Urban ecologists (like me!) need to study cities.  More specifically, we're not really sure what happens in all the green stuff we use to make things pretty.  So why not set up some experiments in the planters we already have in place? 

Planters on Euclid Ave. in Cleveland Ohio

More planters on Euclid Ave.  These are integrated into the Euclid Corridor Project which is pretty cool. 

There will be more on this later!

A bit of ecology for your perusal. :) *CLIMATE CHANGE

Had an ecology midterm last week.  It's interesting stuff!  Read on!

Research Update: 10.20.2010

Hello World.  So my research is going swimmingly.  I've reached the 200 hour mark in the lab and am FINALLY starting to see some preliminary trends in my data.  (yay data!) I've been pointing and counting my heart out -- slowly picking away at tiny detail work that will pay off in the end.  (See the pictures!)  I've been working pretty hard, but I'm anxious to start identifying the pan trap samples.