Ah, it's that time of year again: when you look outside, see the sun shining brightly and your hopes soar, then you notice the Dumpster is still firmly iced to your parking spot and the snowplows have just created a new retaining wall between you and the crosswalk. That's right- it's spring!!

With spring comes my birthday, which I usually don't like to think about since it normally means reviewing everything I meant to do but haven't. But this year is different- this year when I wrote my birthday list for family and friends, I sat there and agonized and finally cranked out a few material desires (including a copy of the original Fellowship of the Ring poster which Scout ate- she's lucky she's cute).

This year, I have everything I want. If the best I can do on a birthday wishlist (which has in the past included things like a DeLorean or the guys from Rammstein) is ask for a $6 poster or a DVD, I think I'm doing pretty well.

Okay, this is where I gush about my baby girl, Roslin! Uh, not a human baby- I'm not really into those- she is my three-month-old Gray-headed (or Un-Cape) parrot. First off- she's brilliant. I've helped raise a number of different parrot species and I've never seen smarts like hers before. It's kind of scary. I'm going to need an arsenal of challenging toys and constant supply of new things to train her to do as she grows. She'll step up and down already, is learning to come when called and was merely bemused when I tried a harness on her. She recognizes her name. She's a terrific flier for her age. And so far, nothing scares her except the sort of things that should, like loud noises and Timid.

To be honest, she is a daunting creature. I expected her to be intelligent, but not like this. My experience prepared me for a rapid learning curve- she has wreaked havoc on my expectations. I've had to add a whole 'nother level to my experience to accomedate her. She's absolutely unreal.

So, if you're still reading this, here's the art scoop- I have been drawing. I just haven't been scanning anything. I bought a new laptop in October and it came with Windows Vista. *shakes fist* I am NOT a computer person, I am the incarnation of Computer Murphy's Law. My first attempt to install updated drivers for my scanner, tablet and camera software ended in my brother re-installing Windows for me. Now I'm too scared to try installing anything until all my papers have been written and handed in (and graded, just to be safe). So until my rivetting works on edge effect related to species density in the North Saskatchewan River valley and cryptobiosis in Tardigrada come back to me with red pen all over them, I can't upload anything.

That'll be early April. I can't wait!

Til then, watch for Roslin's baby pictures, taken by her breeder!
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j.l.'s University PROGRESS REPORT- Winter '09
.............................................
Chem 261 (organic chemistry) : B+
Bio 208 (principles of ecology) : B-
Zool 250 (invertebrate zoology) : C+/B- ...not sure
Stat 151 : W (withdrawn)
EAS 110 (field school) : N/A (commences after final exams!)
Goal : -acheive GPA of 2.3+
-obtain every possible letter grade (A, B, C, D, F, W...) lol