I got 99 problems and the biggest bitch of them all rules the world

Organic chemistry exam tomorrow and my head is feeling wonky. The sooner this semester ends the better. If I didn't have to work on Friday my modus operandi for Thursday night = boozing it up.

I'm in a constant battle with my curriculum. Organic chemistry is an elephant and when you try to shove an elephant into a corn kernel it doesn't work out well for either party. I tell myself to 'be better' constantly. Study more, pay closer attention, work out more problems -- in the end I still struggle to remember every fundamental and fact.

If you look at my transcript it's plainly evident I'm not cut out to ride with top-notch, wound up pre-medical students. I can't take another four years of memorizing trifle I can look up in books. I accept this truth. I like to write and scouts honor, I do it billennia times better than test taking. My use of the possibly made up word billennia may  negate this...

(picture source)

fdasfdsjafhds!!!#@$#@$#

marymary handmade makes awesome jewelry like this happy sloth necklace picture on your left. The proper fireblasting of science and nature into wearable pieces of art completes my day!

For your viewing pleasure!

I appreciate a good cheeseball lab safety video from the early nineties. Safety is important! You'd never want your lab partner to accidentally acid wash your jeans! Watch all four parts on the scienceclassinfo channel if you're ambitious...

the illest photo blog on the block

I get nerdy eyegasms from fresh photons, a tumblr-hosted, science-based picture dump.

do not want!

THIS IS NOT GOOD!

(found via this blog)

'"Well, my name is Claire Trimer and I'm a baby sloth wrangler."' -- sunnydale22, youtube.com

In tandem with my second-to-last post you should make a mental note that sloths are fucking awesome and one of my favorite animals. I'm going to develop a new section of this blog (along with my from the lab bench segments and uncommon quarks) devoted to unparalleled badassery of the animal kingdom. I'm on a little Life of Pi high. Let the term "sloth sanctuary" resonate on your tongue for a sec because it's a complete redundancy (see video below)!

A sloth's entire life is a sanctuary until he descends downward from his tree to take his weekly dump. True fact, thanks to wiki, a sloth poops once a week into the same handcrafted dirt hole. This dump-dive is when the sloth is at his most vulnerable. How vulnerable do YOU feel when you poo? Yeah...the similarities between humans and our primal ancestors run deep. If you don't believe me, let my man Attenborough tell you. BOO!

Some link love for my lackadaisical lifemates? No prob. 

Three-toed sloth love at National Geographic. 

Semi-funny SNL digital short honoring sloths.

Sloths.org is a site of sloth photography (yeah, this exists). 

Lastly and most importantly The Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica!

I'll be shocked if someone reads this

salvation army post #3

This reminds me of Blood, Sweat & Tears the band my parents are into.

Friday night blog sesh anyone? As far as the Salvation Army goes, I'm intrigued. I had no idea the organization was so Jesus-y. Um, I guess pulling into a church parking lot was a dead giveaway. I find religion fascinating and cRaZyYYYYYY. If an organization is doing good for others by way of faith and in a respectful manner I'm all for it. However, if the motivations behind a groups deeds are to fulfill an agenda, BOO! That's dumb in my opinion. Others will argue, who cares about an agenda as long as they are getting the job done? I dunno. If an earthquake trampled my home, livelihood and family the only thing on my mind would be survival, my loved ones and the bare necessities. Not scripture or God's ultimate plan. Prayer is a personal journey and if the afflicted find solace in doing so that is their decision.

Would you willingly read a blog about the Salvation Army? I wouldn't. How much can be said? "Salvation army started in blah blah blah. I sorted yellow balls. They have a pretty decent facility. Volunteer your time. It makes you feel good because you contribute a priceless gift to your community. They help alcoholics." Perhaps it's our paltry attempt at spreading awareness which is cool but trying to motivate others is questionable. I find people who want to help have the match lit under their asses already. Listening to me garble on about the cause is...well, sad.

Story of my life.

salvation army post #2

I would rather study for my biochemistry exam than help at the Salvation Army this afternoon. I know, I know...it's only two hours that I'd usually nap away anyway. I've managed B's on the past two exams but I'm desperate to raise my grade before the semester's end. I have so much to do before the summer each moment I salvage is precious. I wonder what we'll be doing at Salvation. Rumor has it something outside but today's weather mimics the gloom-and-doom of an overcast winter day. Did you know the Salvation Army is an evangelical Christian church?

My dumbass had the opportunity to register for algebra months ago.

I feel like a muppet baby.

salvation army post #1

It was nice helping out at the Salvation Army last Thursday because I spend an inordinate amount of time absorbed in myself -- my schoolwork, my family and friends, my dog, my various internet pursuits, yadda yadda yadda. Don't get me wrong, I'm no stranger to volunteer work. I spent a year + cleaning cages at Leader Dog for the Blind but I was wholly motivated by self interest and adding a notch to ye old veterinary school app. It was a good diversion from ordinary academia and a well-needed reminder that people exist who are less fortunate.

lub-dub: a whale song

Blue whale heart posted reddit a day or two ago. Wowzaaa!

k-i-s-s-i-n-g

The Science of Kissing by Sheril Kirshenbaum was a "meh" read. I loaded up my kindle with new and noteworthy books before I headed to California and this tome about why people love or loathe tonsil hockey was included. Maybe it's because I'm already aware of basic anthropology, human behavior and  biology but I wasn't exactly blown away. The book totes some interesting historical lessons about kissing and interludes into the evolution of my favorite pastime--making out, duh. The final chapters regale information about the threesome we technically experience while kissing another. No, Charlie Sheen is not on this party train (wow, I need to quit with Charlie Sheen references). It's bacteria you dupe! The book concludes with current kissing experimentation in the works.

I would include more information about this book but I read it two weeks ago and you can obviously tell what kind of impact it had on me.

I think I'll end with this nugget of an infographic I found on tumblr:

bone? this way

Snoop Dogg was quoted this week saying he'd be too scared to engage in sex with Lady Gaga. He might be right! In her latest music video for the song Born this Way, Gaga dons skeleton face make-up as she dances around in a black tux. Let me not be the first to say that whole music video is a mind fuck. Anywho, her bony counter part is Canadian body-moder Rick Genest. His anatomical make-up, on the other hand, is of the permanent variety. This is simply another instance where science and art coalesce or monster mash if you will.

Video can be watched here.

Photo source/artist unknown.

super nerds rejoice!

Check out these cute as fuck C-3PO and R2D2 flash drives. You can snag them on fredflare.com.

Wow, she has really big brains

Damn you faulty technology! My jeep's window regulator is busted and I'm currently stationed in their waiting room taking advantage of the free wi-fi. I suppose that's a catch-22 because having Internet access is glorious. This is a perfect opportunity to catch up on my BBC, Times, and of course, the Charlie Sheen saga. Sheesh, usually sitting in waiting rooms makes my tiger blood boil, but not today.

Since a smarty-pants like Natalie Portman won the Oscar for best actress last Sunday, the New York Times science portion came out with this article detailing the secret lives of a couple Hollywood brainy types. A worthy, quick read if you've got nothing better to do or want to push off some studying!

Photo courtesy of The New York Times