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Category: Blogging

#Ocean2Ocean: Dorkface has Died of Dysentery Edition

Posted on August 20, 2013October 27, 2013 By Andrew Thaler
Blogging

Screenshot 2013-08-20 at 17.08.41Location: Scotts Bluff, NE

Distance Traveled: 1837 miles

Distance Remaining: 1163 miles

MPG: not great.

After replacing the surge-break assembly on the trailer, we resumed the long haul across Missouri, ending the day with a 10 PM arrival at the Diamond B ranch. The goats we’re ready to get out of the car.

Tired, but still wired from too much caffeine and a frustrating day, we made the mistake of turning on the TV to see if there were any good shows on. We discovered something along the lines of Doomsday Castle Builders. I adore Doomsday Preppers and find their mentality absolutely fascinating. However, I adore them in much the same way that I adore the poor one-eyed cat that constantly tries to get into our chicken coop. If there actually were a doomsday, these guys are the last people with which you’d want to be stuck. Anti-social, paranoid, trigger happy — I can’t help but assume the fact that they operate under the assumption that people will immediately resort to roving gangs of murders is less about understanding the human condition and more about projection. The entire mentality of the “prepper” movement necessarily ignores the fact that civilization exists because we’re an inherently cooperative species. It does make for entertaining television.

Actually, on second thought, we’re probably better off if the preppers go lock themselves in bunkers and let the rest of us get on with the business of recovery.

Read More “#Ocean2Ocean: Dorkface has Died of Dysentery Edition” »

#Ocean2Ocean: Corn Maze Edition

Posted on August 19, 2013October 27, 2013 By Andrew Thaler
Blogging

Screenshot 2013-08-19 at 11.35.00Location: Columbia, MO

Distance Traveled: 1119 miles

Distance Remaining: 1881 miles

MPG: 12.8

Status: awaiting repairs

The drive through Indiana and Illinois was long and uneventful. The goats have settled into their routine, and now seem to prefer napping in their crate to climbing in and out of the truck for a walkabout. We did get to see the St. Louis Arch as we drove through town, which the most exciting moment of the drive. Otherwise, we saw plenty of corn.

We stayed the night at the Circle B Ranch, another fabulous horse hotel. No llamas, this time, but the goats were delighted to have a stall to wander around and the horses were very curious about their new barn companions.

This morning, after more than 1000 miles, we finally had our first breakdown, as the surge-break assembly on one of trailer tires rusted out. We’re currently sitting in Columbia, MO awaiting a mechanic to come out and take a look. For what it’s worth, UHaul’s roadside assistance was professional and responsive.

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#Ocean2Ocean: Bluegrass State Edition

Posted on August 18, 2013October 27, 2013 By Andrew Thaler 3 Comments on #Ocean2Ocean: Bluegrass State Edition
Blogging
Progress to date.
Progress to date.

Location: West of Lexington, KY

Distance traveled: 645 miles

Distance remaining: 2355 miles

MPG: 12.2

Last night we checked in to the delightful Sunday Stables, where Luna and Hermione shared a barn (but not a stall) with horses, cats, chickens, and a llama. Susan Sunday was a fabulous host and the goats were glad of solid ground and some room to roam.

We crossed the border into Kentucky earlier this morning, and we greeted with the sight of massive oil refineries as well as an Amazon.com warehouse, very different from the mountains and coal plants of West Virginia.

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#Ocean2Ocean: North Carolina in the rearview

Posted on August 17, 2013October 27, 2013 By Andrew Thaler
Blogging

After 7 hours of driving (North Carolina is a long state), we have crossed the Virginia border. Our departure from coastal NC was marked, inexplicably, by a flock of wild turkeys on the side of 70. Inconveniently, it also happens to be move in week for several Carolina universities; it was slow going through the Triangle.

The goats are calm, but confused.

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From Ocean to Ocean: The Great Southern Fried Migration

Posted on August 16, 2013October 27, 2013 By Andrew Thaler 4 Comments on From Ocean to Ocean: The Great Southern Fried Migration
Blogging

The time has finally come. After 11 years in North Carolina, I have finally succumbed to the insatiable human desire to venture beyond the horizon. Tomorrow morning, Amy and I will hitch our worldly possessions to my tough old truck and drive west until we reach the Pacific Ocean. And, because we’re 1/4 of Southern Fried Science, we’ll live blog the entire journey. A few FAQ’s before we go: What are you doing in California? Amy has a post-doctoral fellowship at the California Ocean Science Trust, where she’ll be developing a new citizen science initiative. I will be searching for work once I get there. So, if you’re an employer Oakland or the San Francisco Bay area, and need a crack deep sea ecologist, conservation geneticist, or science communicator, please take a look at my Curriculum Vitae. What will happen to your chickens? The chickens have been adopted by a family who will love them and their eggs for years to come. I’ve said my goodbyes to Poly, Tikka, Olga, and Masala. What will happen to your goats? Luna and Hermione are coming with us. What?

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Southern Fried Science Best of the Web 2010

Posted on November 30, 2010October 27, 2013 By Andrew Thaler 2 Comments on Southern Fried Science Best of the Web 2010
Blogging

Southern Fried Science is on vacation! Once again, we’ll be taking a break from blogging during the month of December. Weekly dose of TED and Biodiversity Wednesday will continue (since they don’t require any work on our part). While we’re gone, please enjoy a selection of exclusive penguin videos shot by Antarctic Adventurer David Honig. Don’t forget to check out the Gam to catch up with the rest of the Southern Fried Science Network, follow us on twitter (Andrew, David, Amy), and subscribe to the Gam RSS feed for updates across the network. Regular posting will return in January.

In the mean time, consider this post an open thread to discuss anything about marine biology, graduate school, conservation, life in science, or just life in general. We’ll check in every so often.

Can’t last a month without the fry-off? Check out our favorite blogs, tweeps, and articles.

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Endlessly Swimming Penguin

Posted on January 27, 2010May 27, 2014 By Andrew Thaler
Blogging

Confirmation Page

Posted on July 10, 1999October 28, 2013 By Andrew Thaler
Blogging

****waves back at IrishUp****

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