Random Fun

Thought I would share with you a few random photos from the last week or so. Just because they are funny and need to be posted for all to enjoy!

Here's a shot of RyGuy with V. They are being "real guys" and playing videogames. Very manly sequined headband Ry! (Check out more of the sequined headband at Underwater Knitting!)

Dancingfish and I watch the boys play pool at STEELGARDEN (as we do pretty much every Thursday). It's really just an excuse for she and I to get Fish Bowl martinis (not pictured). By the way -- the scarf I am wearing definitely belongs to RyGuy. Not that I am against the new scarf trend or anything!



Here's a photo for my blogstalker. No -- Luke & I are NOT making out. But I do look pretty terrified. What can I say? He's a scary guy!


RyGuy & Luke. Why does Luke have that look on his face? Is he trying to fondle RyGuy or is he eyeing the pretty sorority girls that have just taken over the pool table?




I don't have any photos from last night's celebration -- but a CONGRATULATIONS is in order to RyGuy for receiving a nice big fellowship for next semester! YAY! (And YAY for free drinks and shots from Ry's crazy advisor! I guess it is OK to be called a whore by a professor if he is willing to buy you drinks all night! At least I'm not a slut!)

That's all of the fun that has punctuated the craziness of grad school in the last two weeks!

"My-So-Called Spring Break" begins in just one week! Stay tuned for the exciting adventures! The finale will feature a Bethlehem visit from BF-Kimmy, the BF-in-law, Bubbl25 and Gorgeous!!! Can't wait!

Things just keep getting "betta"!

YAY! Just got word that my paper on Betta fish behavior will be in the March issue of Behavioural Processes! You can check out my abstract on the website!

I'd like to dedicate the manuscript to the late boyfriend-fish (see below). He was a good fish who inspired millions (or just me).

I think it's time for me to get a new pet ... I'm running out of things to publish ...

Spinal Nucleus of the Bulbocavernosus

Another exciting day in the world of Sneks.

I truly dislike Monday's because I have classes and meetings and things from 9am until 7pm (tonight I am stuck here until 9pm). But today was even better than usual because I had to present a paper in my behavioral ecology class (which I do just about every week) and I had to give a 30 minute presentation on a chapter in my advanced behavioral neuroendocrinology class entitled "Sexual Differentiation of the Brain and Behavior". Despite my lack of knowledge of brains and hormones, I threw together a snappy little powerpoint presentation that had lots of pictures (that would distract people from what I was actually saying).

All was going well until I got to the slide about sexual dimorphism in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB). The SNB is an area of the spinal cord that contains the neurons that are attached to the three muscles that are at the base of penis. Therefore, it is logical that the SNB would be larger in males than in females (see figure). I get this point across. And then I am interrupted by my professor. She adds to my explanation "Well, that makes sense because those are the muscles that control the WEENIE". Thank you Dr. S.

I can't wait to get my Ph.D.!

Definition of "Sneks"

Sneks -- [adjective]: Pretentiously academian 'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

True? Perhaps. Funny? Yes.(Thanks Amandamonkey! & Hamster_grrl!)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day! My "Valentine" kept me smiling all day!

Feel free to post your exciting Valentine's events!

Biology is for the birds

Many of you think of me as a BIOLOGIST. But really, what is a "Biologist"? I have many friends that are Biologists, but we all do very different things. I will not share the details of today's experience with BJ, RyGuy and the zebrafinches (pictured below). Let's just say, I realized (again) that my place in the world of biology is defintely limited. I can watching fish swim. And whales jump. Or perhaps even birds sing. And that is my place. I can live with it.


Rest in Peace little birdies. Go hang out with boyfriend-fish. He's a cool guy.

He was a good fish ...

Sad news. During this snowy weekend in Bethlehem, my beloved boyfriend-fish bid farewell to this cruel world. Perhaps he could no longer bear the almost-freezing temperatures of my apartment. Perhaps he was struck with a fatal piscine illness. Perhaps he suspected I cared for another. Perhaps he realized that, while I did love him, boyfriend-fish and I are from two different worlds -- our love was just not enough. We will never know why he was taken from us so young.

If nothing else, boyfriend-fish's untimely death reminds us to live each day to the fullest, for it may be our last. I leave you with words from one of boyfriend-fish's heros (Dory, from Finding Nemo):

Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.

Yes, you can cite me!

And I forgot -- the most exciting part of my 25th Birthday month -- I am now officially published! Check out the February 2006 edition of Ethology (I'll happily send you the pdf file if you're really interested in shoaling!)!!

I'll keep you posted on the other manuscripts we've got floating around!

Birthday Week Review

My "birthday week" is officially coming to an end and it has been a very fun week! Here are just a few of the highlights:
~Last friday (after beer-thirty) watched The Grizzly Man with friends. If you have time to kill (and alcohol to drink) I recommend this documentary about a crazy bear-loving man (he actually said "Sgt. Brown just took a number 2") who died in Alaska while out "saving the bears".
~Superbowl Sunday was spent with DancingFish, V, Gags & her hubby and friends eating way too much food and rooting for the Steelers! There were plenty of cupcakes to celebrate mine and V's birthdays (the candles to the left are the ones I made my wishes on)! I also got some beautiful hand-knitted green arm warmers from DancingFish! You know it's a good day when your stomach hurts from laughing so hard! Below is a picture of Molly (Gags' puppy) watching our favorite break from the Superbowl -- The Puppy Bowl! Fun times had by all.
~Monday was an early, bust morning of preping for a presentation I had to give in class ... which was then cancelled. So I went home and napped. Napping makes me happy. Also making me happy -- RyGuy was back after a week of illness! Welcome Back!
~Before Ballet on Tuesday, DancingFish and I checked out the rock gym (because one of my students works there and let us climb for free) and then dined on SpaghettiOs. Yummy. Extra yummy while doing "chanjmas" and "gleesods" in ballet class.
~Wednesday I had dinner with the girls' and their guys at the "best restaurant in Allentown" -- this complete dive bar with THE MOST amazing food. Seriously. It was like 4-star restaurant NYC presentation. With paper napkins.
~And to wrap it up, Thursday night was a relaxing night with no real work, good conversation, and delivered pan pizza. Can a girl complain?

And that's just all of the fun I had with my friends here in Northeast PA. Thanks to all of my friend around the country who sent cards and gifts and called me with birthday wishes! I cannot wait to have a "postponed" Birthday visit from BF-Kimmy, the BF-in-law, Bubbl25, and Gorgeous in a few weeks!! Miss you guys!

Thanks again to all for the most wonderful birthday a girl could ask for! Now it's back to "regular time". I should go teach my class about anole evolution .....

Happy 25th Birthday to me!

Well, after months (or perhaps years) of saying "I'm totally putting that on my blog", here it is -- my very own blog. Finally started to celebrate not only 25 years of life, but also to celebrate the wonderful friends I have!

If you're interested in hearing about the crazy, funny, silly, dorky, nerdy, stupid things that go on in my life, stop on back to "The Oddity Effect" for a treat! (Things might get more interesting once I figure out how to post photos ...)

That's all I have time for today -- off to celebrate with some football, food, drinks, and friends!!