I made a doctor's appointment finally. The doctor they selected for me is older than the last few--I google-stalked her and discovered that she graduated as an undergrad in 2006. I can't expect her to tell me that I'm "not overweight" (the last nice thing a doctor told me) but hopefully she'll prescribe me some albuterol inhalers. It's a shame they changed the propellant (something to do with the ozone layer), I don't think the new ones work as well. They should check to see what those CFC propellants are doing in our lungs, that shit felt nice.

Will I have the courage or time to bring up mental health issues? I have diagnosed myself with mild anxiety/depression/rage issues, which most people don't see, except for my ravaged fingernails and hefty recycling contributions:



And then there's the possibility that they'll discover some other interesting ailment with their routine tests! High cholesterol? Enlarged prostate? Is my asymmetrical body hair a symptom of anything?

The point-and-shoot camera I bought earlier this year does not provide the sharpest images I've ever captured, but I consider that an exchange for the fact that the camera is waterproof and shock resistant. I'm a world-class klutz, and tend to drop and spill things. But the camera isn't too bad. Now that I've figured out how to adjest the ASA and manual focus, I can get some halfway decent macros. Here's a bumblebee pollinating a raspberry flower, late in the season.

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A little Russula, symbiotic with the red oaks of the Riverway.


A red admiral caterpillar.

This Sunday we went to Hammond Pond Reservation not on a rainy day, but instead on one of the most beautiful New England days possible. ( Read more... )</>