Comparative Physiology

The past few weeks have been sort of nuts, namely in the form of scholarship essays, physics, physics, more physics, music compositions, physics, well, you get the idea. Which meant comparative physiology kept getting pushed aside, and only half a chapter of reading got done.

Leaving three and a half long, complex chapters on neural firing, synapses, sensory processes, and endocrine systems to read before my exam Tuesday, starting on Saturday. Clearly, the only way to get through this much reading (and I mean, all I did for three days was eat, sleep, and read comparative phys. I read for about 10 hours straight each day, at least), was to knit a pair of socks while doing so.

Start, Saturday afternoon, halfway through Neurons:


Saturday night, done with Neurons, halfway through Synapses:


Sunday afternoon, done with Synapses:


Sunday night, done with Sensory Processes:


Monday night, 2/3 of the way through Endocrine Systems (sock #2):

At this point, I was done with the material for the test, so ended my frantic weekend of Comparative Phys. I took the test, got an A, and was happy.

However, the socks still needed to be finished...
And textbooks don't suddenly get more interesting just because you've taken another exam...

Done with Endocrine Systems and Intro to Gas Systems:

And finally, done with Breathing Physiology:
Pattern: The Universal Toe-Up Sock Formula, by Amy Swenson
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Louet Gems Fingering, in Tropical Storm

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Nerd Humor

Normally, I detest puns in any way, shape, or form. But I make an exception for science puns, just because, well, geeky humor amuses me.

Lately I've run across so many funny science things, I just have to share them:

My AP Chem teacher apparently, on occasion, puts her fish bowl on a a magnetic stir plate, drops in a stir bar, and has her goldfish do laps. At least, this is what she told my brother's AP chem class.

Sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium, sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium, sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium sodium BATMAN!

Know any good sodium jokes?
Na

Want to hear a potassium joke?
K

Two chemists walk into a bar. One of them tells the bartender, "I'll have some H2O please."
The other chemist, thinking this is a good idea, says, "I'll have some H2O too."
The second chemist dies.

What's a frat guy's favorite element?
BROmine!
(thank you Julie Sanders)

A cop pulls Heisenberg over on the highway. He says to him, "Sir, do you know how fast you were going?"
Heisenberg replies: "No, but I know exactly where I was!"

At a Galapagos Study Abroad info session earlier this year, two weeks before the application deadline, Jen and I were talking with Dr. Peterson, the director of the program. He said to us: "Study abroad is freaking out because there are only six applications in. I'm going, 'Six applications! That's great!' They clearly don't understand how scientists are with deadlines."

Yo mama's so ugly, even Flourine won't bind to her!
(again, courtesy of Julie Sanders)


That's all, for now!

Long Weekend

I have the apartment to myself this weekend.


Therefore, I made pizza.

Why You Really Should Rewind Your Sock Blanks

Start with this:


Which turns into this:



Then becomes this:



And finally this:





Some instructions are not meant to be followed.
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