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#define zugunruhe
In ethology, zugunruhe is anxious behavior in migratory animals that are prevented from migrating, especially in birds. When these animals are enclosed, they exhibit this behaviour during the seasons in which they normally migrate. Behaviourists have been able to study the endocrine controls and navigational mechanisms associated with migration from studying zugunruhe. This term is German in origin and is a compound of Zug (move, migration) and Unruhe (anxiety, restlessness).
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Huntsville and such
Those of you who know me should know why I haven’t updated in a long time. Amanda and I had a very long month when we went down to Huntsville for Mike’s wedding. We had our baby Isaac prematurely, and after fighting for three long weeks in the Huntsville NICU, he passed away peacefully in our arms. We’re still having a hard time with it, but I suppose it’s good to talk about it.
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Blizzard pics '07
Took some pictures of the snow yesterday and put them up on flickr: We definitely got a fair bit of snow, and some of the drifts were pretty impressive. Unfortunately, the winds and the city plows concentrated and packed the snow on our side of the street (but it did mean our street was plowed a few times as opposed to the more minor streets that maybe saw one pass… benefits of being a city and school bus route).
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Hell hath frozen over, Part III
Apparently the UofI hasn’t called a snow day since ‘79. That’s close to 30 years of no snow days. They had some silly spokesperson on the news last night that tried to claim we were such a hardy campus and liked to walk everywhere so it took an awful lot to shut us down. Apparently they decided that severe blizzard conditions with 45mph gusts and snow falling way faster than the plows could ever hope to keep up with might actually warrant a snow day.
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Hell hath frozen over
All classes have been canceled for Tuesday (Feb. 13) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. More than 5 inches of snow fell overnight, up to another foot of snow is possible by Tuesday night and a blizzard warning is in effect. U. of I. employees who have been designated as essential personnel are expected to report to work. This mailing approved by: The Office of the Chancellor The U of I never cancels class.
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Hell hath frozen over, Continued
All Wednesday (Feb. 14) classes at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have been cancelled. Continuing high winds and snow have made it impossible to keep streets and sidewalks clear and safe. Only personnel providing critical services should continue to report for each work shift until further notice. Employees uncertain about their status should direct any questions to their supervisors. Classes at the U. of I. Child Development Lab also are cancelled for Wednesday.
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Recipe: Spicy Chili
1 lb ground beef 1 packet taco seasoning + water as directed on package 2 jalapenos 2 chipotles in adobo sauce 1 teaspoon adobo sauce (from chipotles) 4 small cans V-8 “spicy hot” 1 can vegetable broth 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles 2 cans kidney beans (1 light red, 1 dark red) 1-2 cups salsa 2 large handfuls of corn tortilla chips, crushed cumin red pepper flakes chili powder 1 beer (chef’s choice)
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Cat Diary, can't stand the pressure
They give me a little taste, and then take it away. I can’t take this kind of abuse. I just need my tasty kibbles. Aaah! Can’t they hear me begging for one more hit? Tried to work out some of my energy leaping at the fun string that makes the light come on. Can you believe they left the lid to the washer open? They’re out to get me. I just can’t stand the pressure.
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Cat Diary, caught sleeping
Boss kitty caught me sleeping again. Don’t know why he makes such a big deal about it. Doesn’t everyone sleep like their dead?
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Cat Diary, Day 752
Day 752 of my captivity. Found what I hope is one of my captor’s favorite possessions. It appears to be some sort of container for transporting instruments of my exploitation and I believe it to be associated with their obnoxious light flashing device. I have thoroughly inspected it’s contents to ascertain if it might hold anything I could use in my escape. Having found nothing, I destroyed it’s lining with my claws and ate the outer edges to prevent its further use.
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