Real looking dead things freak me out

A recent trip to the Museum of Natural History exposed me to wild animals all around the world. What I couldn't understand was, were they stuffed a la taxidermy style or merely replicated? Should I know this already? Is this a strange question to wonder instead of basking in the intrigue of seeing so many animals in one place? I have to admit. It does help that they weren't alive, better for the picture taking. The kind scientists that arranged the animals were brilliant enough to place them in action poses, to make it almost seem as though this Natural History trip was one to the Zoo.

Night at the Museum anyone? I still have yet to see the 2, I bet it's good!

Butterfly Envy

On a recent trip to the Smithsonian's Natural Museum of History, I paid money to go to the butterfly exhibit. There, I was an object of covet and adoration, more so than I ever have in my life.

It happened quite casually, actually. I walked in alone, with a small party of people, there were perhaps no more than 15 of us. The majority of the party was little girls. I walked in, camera in hand, ready to capture some butterflies. I would post them on facebook, but I haven't decided yet if anyone cares to see butterflies landing on leaves. Instead, I'll upload a choice few here, so you have no choice.

But - back to the story, I walked in, and almost immediately a butterfly lands in my hair. It latches on and decides to stay the entire duration of my time in the butterfly exhibit. I was first informed by a staring girl, who looked at my hair as she spoke to me. "You have a butterfly in your hair!" she said while touching her own. "Do I have one in mine?" she asked her nanny hopefully.

my friendly butterfly

Her nanny and friend shook their head no, while the girl moved away. Two minutes later, another girl walked up to me and grabbed my arm. She was also excited about the fact that there was a butterfly in my hair. Over the period of 20 mins, the same 5 or 6 girls came up to me to update me on the status of my friend. Whenever the butterflies would fly over them, they would stand very still, hoping that they would receive the same treatment.


The long and short of this story is that it's nice to be coveted by such guileless youth. They don't try to hide behind some distorted artifice!

Why, Georgia, Why (I love you)?

I will miss the following things about Georgia:

the ease of access to Chick-fil-a.obvi i took this image from the chickfila website, drool.

Yes, they have them in DC, but the chicken just doesn't taste like it has as much fat and awesomeness to it. I will miss that mean Italian man that has a Chick-fil-a on 78 who is obvi from New York and not happy that he wakes up at 6.30 to open his very successful store. How do I know it is successful? I'm there.

sweet baby yummy.

really awesome sales: horribly amazing cheap sales with lots of inventory on winter and fall clothing because it stays so hot in Atlanta for a long time and people in the south don't like wearing clothes that cover their bodies...

Quiktrip. I love their "cappuccino". which is in reality, like.. super sweet creamy fatty sugar beverage with a splash of coffee that might have come from a mix and sweet mix that is.

graduating from UGA and having people be jealous of your education because of UGA's sweet football team, sorry, DC only has Georgetown, GW, American, Catholic, UDC....

people who ask me if I can speak English. You, ol' Lutheran minister, you.

cheaper cost of living. including - cheap(Er) gas, not by much.

most all my friends from college and the greater Atlanta area. Meghan, Megan, Heather, Heather, Lindsey, Whitney, Molly, Danny, Clancy, Alison, Alison, Lauren, and CaryBeth, Casey, Allie...... - SHOUT OUTz.

being not the fattest person in one place. damn DC and their love of fitness. (this will hopefully lead to the end of my food addiction.)

stores that are open 24 hours. Actually I don't know if I will miss Wal-mart or Kroger, but it's nice to know that they're open in case I get really bored and just want to browse and look at nice new shiny things.

being able to wear bright pastel colors in public without having a lot of people stare at you.

the Gwinnett County Public Library System - I still owe you 10.60$ in overdue book fines which I will be paying off shortly but you have served me brilliantly.