As I sit here - an unimmunized and flavorful magnet for airborne pests - the West Nile Virus has made its presence known in Arkansas during this gloriously humid and sultry summer. Joining its ranks of unpleasant and potentially deadly diseases borne through mosquitoes that recently appeared in Arkansas is St. Louis Encephalitis. And, as I happen to work within a hundred yards of marshiness and stagnant waters, I'm willing to bet that I'm walking right into the danger zone.
In other news, Lara and I - inspired by our dear friends' forays into zoos around the world - visited the Little Rock Zoo. Let's just say that on a heat index day of well over 1 double zero degrees, animals don't want to play...or entertain...or live. I think of all the animals we saw, four of them moved: a tiger, a bear, baby Mosi the gorilla, and a goat. My favorite quote of the day from an excited observer near the spider monkeys: "LOOOOOK, LOOOOOK!!! Hey. LOOOOOK! He's walking!!!!" Walking.
Soon after this rare display of jungle activity that incited the masses and a frenzy of photography, Lara and I were greeted by our dear friend Molly...as in the bird Molly that had an enchanting conversation with my classmate and human friend Molly back in October during a previous visit to the Zoo. She, the bird, didn't remember me, but did say "hello" and "pretty bird" to me.
And lastly, this weekend brought the Arkansas Democratic Party Convention to Little Rock at which I volunteered. If I may give one word of advice: alphabetize, as in "It would be genius to alphabetize the check-in list." Despite this slight oversight, Nikolai and I got the job done and were praised for our organization with accolades such as "Man oh man, you sure must have worked at the Gap; your table is neat." No. No Gap. But, at a Wal-Mart meat department, I learned the product organization/placement trade. The night was a success, so I checked off another piece of public service - done.(Nikolai would like to be a guest writer to this section, but he had to step out. However, he does say "Thank you" to Eric Wilson.)
Well, the final push of the IPSP is upon us. I hope all is well with my friends in the far reaches of the earth. Avoid the West Nile and any kind of -ephalitus and such things. But know that Arkansas will grant you no disease-free refuge upon your return.
Willy Nelson is supposed to be in LR this weekend. I'm sorry you will miss him, J.D. I hope to go...so I can scream WILLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEE really loud while wearing a bandana.
Monday, July 21, 2008
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