Yesterday, one of the undergraduate technicians came into the lab to tell me that she'd noticed a bunch of dead birds on the ledge outside the 2nd floor window. When I went to inspect, sure enough, there were six Cedar Waxwings lying dead amongst the pebbles on the ledge. Upon closer inspection, the technician realized that there were splatter marks on the window, which indicated all six birds had died on impact. Cedar Waxwings are a colonial (flocking) species; my guess is that they were flying around together, flew into the little alcove above the ledge because it's enclosed and a bit warmer, and slammed into the window. Poor things, they are truly amongst the most beautiful of songbirds. Not that any birds deserve to die (except maybe invasives like Song Sparrows and Starlings), but you know how you sometimes get a little extra sad when the teen who died in the car crash was really striking? You always hear people say, "It's a shame; she was SO beautiful." That's the way it is with these birds. Well, something like that.
Anyway, I left a note for the custodial crew before leaving work yesterday to ask if I could borrow a ladder to access the ledge (the 2nd floor window doesn't open so you have to climb to the ledge from the ground). The curator at the MSU Museum was interested in having the specimens in the bird collection, so I wanted to retrieve them for her. I got a call this afternoon from the custodial supervisor. His first words after introducing himself were, "Is this a joke?" I laughed nervously and assured him that no, it was no joke, I really did want to retrieve some dead birds. He told me he didn't have a ladder tall enough, but that I could call the electrician who should have a ladder to reach the second floor ledge. I called the number he gave me and the electrician said he'd send a guy over to inspect.
I put on my surgical gloves and grabbed some plastic bags and hurried down to the entrance to meet the guy. I was fully expecting a guy carrying a big ladder to show up, but that guy didn't come. About ten minutes later, as I was debating whether to go back to my office and call to make sure someone was on the way, I heard a beeping noise. It took a few seconds to realize what it was. I stepped outside into the snowy cold and saw a big utility truck backing up to lift a hydraulic ladder with a bucket at the end up to the ledge. I asked the guy if I could go up, but he said he wasn't allowed to let anyone in the bucket. I was bummed. I could tell he was excited to go get the birds, though. I saw him climb out of the bucket, round up the six birds and then he rode the basket back down to pass the bag of birds to me. We were both pretty psyched. I thanked him and he grinned. We're both featherbrains, I think.
In other news, I cried in the shower this morning. I cried not because I had to go to work, or because I missed Adam, or because the economy is tanking. Nope, I cried at the thought of the last episode of "Gilmore Girls" where Rory decides to leave Stars Hollow for a permanent job, Lorelei and Luke finally get together for real, and Lorelei and Rory have their final breakfast together at Luke's diner, just like in the last scene of the very first episode. Even now, just writing it, I'm getting teary. I love that show.
Tonight I am breaking tradition. Usually I go every year to Lansing's "Silver Bells in the City" with Adam. We drink cup after cup of free hot chocolate, I run around endlessly looking for a toilet to potty in, we watch the electric light parade go by, I drink more hot chocolate against my better judgement, and we go to all the stores in downtown that stay open late for the occasion. It's been our "thing" for several years now, and we've always loved it. Tonight is "Silver Bells" and Adam is not in town to share it with me. I debated skipping it altogether out of respect for Adam's homesickness, but decided instead to go and have enough fun for the both of us. And I mean that in the most non-selfish way I can. I'm going with a friend and we'll have a good time, drink loads of hot chocolate, take lots of bathroom breaks, and we'll cap the night off with a movie and takeout. Well, it's almost like having Adam here; I just don't know how "lucky" I'll get with her after the movie's over. *smirk*
GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE!
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