Dream analogy: Kristin is Legend

So I dreamt last night that I was with all my family hiding in this house and I had a rifle and a shotgun to protect us from werewolves.  One werewolf showed up and I shot him.  But then I couldn't find my guns cause my dad didn't think they were safe where I left them so I spent most of the dream in a panic that a werewolf would show up and I wouldn't be able to shoot it.  Finally, I found them again.  Then the dream shifted to us being out somewhere and there was this taco bar (like a salad bar) that had $3 tacos but my dad refused to pay for it saying that it cost too much so I had to go hungry cause I didn't have the $3.  WTH?  I think 3 things contributed to this nightmare:  1.  Yesterday on my nephew Ross' Facebook page I saw I am Legend is one of his favorite movies...well, my nightmare werewolves were the same ones from the movie.  2.  my good friend's mom died last week and the news has made me terribly homesick...I think the panic of not knowing where my guns were stems from the fear of me not being there when something bad happens to my family.  3.  I'm really struggling to live on what I make here and am constantly evaluating how much money I have and what I can spend and if I can eat out or not.  I feel exhausted today...for some reason, I don't think I got a good night's rest!

What a shocker

So this week I've been learning how to use an electric fishing machine.  We had a day-long class on Tuesday and today Anson and I got to do the practical part and go out in a stream to learn the techniques.  After following a very long list of safety procedures and equipment, it's not dangerous at all...keeping in mind that it could easily kill you if the electric current goes through your chest or anyone's around you.  I managed to not shock Anson nor myself.  If you are using the appropriate amount of voltage for the habitat then the electricity causes the fish to swim towards the hand-held electrode and then you can scope it up with a net.  And again, if you are doing it appropriately, it doesn't harm the fish at all...just so long as you didn't zap it too long.  And it's pretty much like regular fishing...much more fun if you're catching fish but still great to be out in a stream on a beautiful day.

Another exciting note...I've submitted my first paper on my master's research to a journal (Journal of Parasitology).    WOOHOO!  Now I just gotta keep my fingers crossed that it's accepted.

View from the sea

Anson and I went on a pelagic (ocean) birding trip last weekend.  It was great weather and the birds were awesome!  We were out for 3 hours in total.  Link to my photo album is on the right.

The list for the boat:

Southern Royal Albatross: 2
White-capped Albatross: 20+
*Salvin's Albatross: 1 
(Southern) Buller's Albatross: 15+
Black-browed Albatross: 1
Northern Giant Petrel: 2
Sooty Shearwater: 1000+ 
*Common Diving Petrel: 1
*Fairy Prion: 400+
Blue Penguin: 1

Black-backed gulls

Red-billed gulls

White-fronted terns

Spotted shags

Stewart Island shags

Little black shags

*Royal spoonbills

(* means it was a new bird species for me)

I did not get to see the black-browed albatross but did see a reef heron while we were waiting for everyone to board.  It was my first time seeing an adult royal albatross...the sightings were brief but fantastic!  And I saw my first Hector's dolphins, which are the rarest dolphins in the world and the smallest marine dolphin.

My vote has been cast!

So my absentee ballot is in the mail!  They say a high percentage of absentee ballots don't get counted because they don't arrive on time or for not following some regulation.  Well, I think I followed all the directions properly and it should arrive in Blue Earth County on time.  Let's hope so!!

A friend sent me this link to a blind quiz you can take on the candidates.  It gives you a series of 2 quotes and you choose the one you agree with the most.  It tallies them up at the end and tells you which candidate you most agree with.  Well, I had already sent in my ballot but took it anyway...it confirmed my choice.  :)  Try for yourself here.