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The thing about humane mouse traps is that they're only humane if you remember to check them every couple days.

In other news, today i found out i really enjoy using a chainsaw. If computers don't work out for me, life as an ax man or the Ash man doesn't sound that bad.

More Death

This mouse died scared, not even able to force a little piece of feces out its anus. Little One, blurrily visible in the background, is turning out to be quite the mouser.

In other deaths, i enjoyed reading the story of Margaret Moth's life. Her whole spirit reminds me of Matthew Scott's Colombian escape and Aron Ralsten's Utah experience. I hope i can exhibit a tenth of their character - preferably while keeping my arm and mouth intact and never going too hungry.

Random bits, not related

My mom's new thermostat - the 15 minute install took me 5 hours across 3 days. Doesn't help that it took some heavy thought to figure out how to remove the original or that i used the wrong paint (whose fault?) the first time.

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Friday, on my way to work, heard a beautiful sound, kind of like someone hitting the bottom of a large empty metal coffee container. I filmed it and tried to filter out the background noise - here is the sound, i think i need to work on my audio editing skills.

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Last night i found a dead mouse in my basement, in my work area. At first i was sad that something in my house killed it - i purposefully use live traps. But as i boxed it up i thought maybe it was poisoned in a neighbour's house and spent its dying strength crawling to a comfortable place, where it knew i'd take care of its passage.

Frozen ground is hard to dig.

Reviews

For those of you wondering how the 2 weeks volunteering in crocodile research went, here's the letter i'm sending to Earthwatch, maybe with some edits once i'm more awake.

An Open Letter to the Decision Makers at Earthwatch

I volunteered in the November 2009 expedition of Crocodiles of the Zambezi, run in the field by Audrey Detoeuf-Boulade and Kevin Wallace. The first time I met Audrey and Kevin was at the beginning of the expedition, and am writing to express my admiration for the two; they form a phenomenal, invaluable team.

Audrey and Kevin are both capable of handling a wide range of technical problems. Whether it is engine issues, food/lodging logistics, health concerns, or simply getting water, they are unfazed by the adversities of life in the bush, responsive to all problems that arise, and relentless in their pursuit of getting the work done. And both cook great meals, even with minimal utilities when necessary.

Along with fantastic field skills, both have the social and managerial skills to handle all manner of personal and personnel issues. They are enjoyable people to simply hold a conversation with but can take charge when needed. In handling employees, interacting with locals, or managing volunteers, Audrey and Kevin perfect that elusive combination of true professionals, great leaders, and wonderful friends.

And still there is more to Audrey and Kevin – they excel as scientists and teachers. Both show profound dedication to their fields, knowledge of their areas, a thirst to discover more, and a desire to better their environment. They are willing to explain all the details of their work yet are receptive to new ideas and suggestions. And while both demonstrate a deep understanding of the science, they are also capable of providing simplified explanations for the lay person. These are the kind of scientists that truly make the world a better place.

Thus, if Audrey and Kevin should ever ask Earthwatch for funding, please accept them without hesitation. And should they not come to you in the near future, it is in Earthwatch’s best interest to actively pursue them. This is a couple that will greatly benefit any organization they are associated with.


Sincerely,


Francisco Luis Roque

Yes, Kev and Auds are that cool.

Acid Spitting Beetle

By the next day, this blister was thrice as big and other blisters were forming on my leg and torso. I'm fine now, unfortunately other family members aren't. Goodbye, uncle.

Discourse on Language

Woke up one lazy morning to a meeping cat and a chitting squirrel.



They spoke to one another for about 5 minutes, Little One meh-meh-meeping her story and the squirrel running from one side of the tree to the other, then stopping for a bit and chit-chit-chitting to Little One. I slowly gained consciousness, listening to their stories, wondering at the intricacies of burying nuts and the difficulties of chasing spiders, admiring what comfortable friends they've become and how well they communicate. Then i reminded the squirrel i had some acorns for him (no oak trees close by, so i collect some on my way home from work) and went outside to give them to him.

I wonder if they speak to each other every morning - i've only heard them do so once before. At night time Little One also tries to talk to the local skunk, but the skunk still prefers to speak in scents, something i'd rather not get too used to.

Sounds

Srik-srik-srik, srik-srik-srik. I think that's onomatopoetic for the sound of a squirrel working on a nut. This one is in my back yard; yes, my friend returned.




Later today, on my way to work, i saw this painted turtle trying to make it through the chain link fence. He made sounds like a goose, a mouth-open hiss sound. Maybe he's the Tarzan of turtles - left behind by his parents, he was raised by a flock of wild geese and so only speaks goose. Crazy confused feral turtle.

At home, a few hours ago, i stood but five feet away from the neighbourhood skunk. Tch-tch-tch, i said, but the skunk just looked up, sniffed around, and silently wandered off. Skunk body posture reminds me of Ankylosaurus.

Road Hazards

Narrowly missed biking over this frog, over by the UM Art & Architecture Building. I set the little thing into the convenient, small wetland area surrounding the parking lot. Hopefully it will quickly learn that the sidewalk is a dangerous place to be.

Speaking of wetlands, their animals and danger, i signed up to volunteer helping with crocodiles in November. If it pans out, i'll spend two weeks measuring, tagging and gathering other data about Nile Crocodiles in Zambia, along the border with Zimbabwe. After that i hope to make it up north to see my cousin who will be volunteering in Solwezi. And, hopefully, somewhere in there i'll find the time to take a peak at Victoria Falls and raft the Zambezi.

Riverside

Saw a black squirrel in Gallup Park this morning. I know they occur in large numbers elsewhere in the state, but this was the first i've seen in Ann Arbor. I thought it might be a sign; through the remainder of my ride to work, the rest of the animals spoke differently to me, but as i speak neither squirrel nor bird nor chipmunk nor turtle, i was uncertain what they were warning me of.

Later, as i was walking home around midnight, a car parked about 10 feet in front of me and a pretty young woman in a nice black dress jumped out. At first i didn't look at her, she was going 'uhh, uhh' (though not loudly) and waving her hands. As i passed i glanced over and realised she was trying to get my attention. So i stopped and she came over and in a very low voice and barely understandable words and a smattering of what i believe was sign language she asked me for money. She seemed deaf, hence the sign language and her awkward voice.

It's been about 12 years since i gave a stranger money; i'm used to the regular scams - "i need bus money to get to Ypsi/Detroit/NYC", "ran out of gas on the highway, look i even have a small gas container", "i need drugs, man" - and ignore them. But her story was different and i couldn't figure out with certainty that she was scamming me. I gave her $6 and then tried testing her, asking if that was enough and implying i would give more, figuring that a scammer would leap at the opportunity. But she just said that she was so worried, thanked me and hugged me (i was cautious and checked afterwards, nothing missing) at which point i also realised she smelled good (nice perfume) and her clothes were clean - unlike AA most scammers/panhandlers.

Since she was worried about running out of gas i pointed out the nearest gas station, about a block away, and then she thanked me some more, got back in the car and drove off. I sat down across the street from the gas station but did not see her car pull up (she would have had to circle around the block to do so). Possibly she went to a different station on her route home, but i am left wondering whether or not it was a scam - i'm at 80% certainty it was, what do you think?

If i'm right that it was a scam, i'm also thinking that the black squirrel may have been a warning. But in retrospect the squirrel may have had a different message - the squirrel that lives in the first tree behind my house has been missing for a few days (i gather nuts and leave them in one spot for him, normally he eats them up but the ones i've left the past few days are still there) and i think maybe the Black Squirrel of Death showed itself to me to let me know my friend is gone.