8-31-06

I saw this little blurb on Slate.com:

Scientists are trying to stop fetal sharks from eating each other in the womb. A mother gray nurse shark carries 40 or so embryos in her two wombs. But once an embryo develops jaws, it starts eating its siblings. Results: 1) Only one embryo survives in each womb. 2) The species is endangered. Solution: Scientists are developing "artificial uteruses" so each embryo can grow without being eaten by others. Crunchy spin: We're saving another of nature's creatures. Extra crunchy spin: This shark's been around for 70 million years. Don't you think nature knows what it's doing? Anti-crunchy spin: This is even dumber than paroling repeat felons.

Is that creepy or what? Since we're already talking about marine life, I am reminded that we just got back photos from our cruise, where visited Stingray City in Grand Cayman and fed stingrays in the ocean. It was an amazing experience; the stingrays swam up and brushed up against us. I was too scared (I'm the world's biggest scaredy cat) to feed them, but JR did.

I'm not sure how I ended up being a scaredy cat, but I've been like this for as long as I can remember. Is it part of my genetic code? Is is due to socialization? I like to think that I've worked really hard to push myself to take risks and do things I'm frightened of (like getting into the water with stingrays) but every so often, I hit my wall and I know I can't go any further.

DAILY SUGGESTION

Have an oreo. Then tell JK that he needs to go to the doctor.

WHAT'S NEW

I've updated both the watching and reading sections.