As life my have it, I have been giving an opportunity to extend my scientific fascination on *Corvus tasmanicus through the exploitation of the fine research laboratories at Hillcrest College, a small and quant knowledge hub located south of the capital of Northern Carolina. Hillcrest was founded immediately following the end of the second war to end all wars as a token of remembrance to the 6 Hillcrest brothers who, all but one, perished in vigilant displays of patriotism and camaraderie. The one who did not die with such dignity; drowned in a lake after he was knocked unconscious by a boisterously thrown football. Needless to say the war took all their lives. Since it’s opening, Hillcrest has been the destination of many aspiring, sharp minds that have yet to break the barrier of the unknown and being unknown. May fate allow me to surpass the norm.
Today marks the beginning of my residency at Hillcrest and a busy day it was to be. I arrived early Monday morning, around 7:30ish, only to learn that the previous lab occupant was reluctant to leave a key under the welcome mat as promised. I began to wonder if all the terms that were promised in my contract were rubbish. I surely hoped not, for I was expecting my shipment of subjects and supplies to come in this afternoon, although if not, I would have more time to organize the lab.
I quickly grew bored of looking for a janitor or a colleague that could help me in my predicament, so I began to explore my surrounding. I found myself perched upon a large rock examining a Tenodera aridifolia, Chinese Mantis or in layman’s terms a praying mantis. As I watched the creature jaggedly move each of its devilish legs over a respectively treacherous terrain, I began wondering about the worldly functions of such an insectoid. For instance, does it function upon reason and computation or is it does it follow more basic traits such as intuition and impulse? Another thought that crossed my mind is if these organism comprehended their existence and in turn their actions or are they merely a random collection of organic baloney that some how has managed to assemble itself into its present state of function and stability.
As I sat there reflecting on my new friend, I remembered reading somewhere that when mantids are placed in captivity and are given an endless supply of nutrition they will consume without question. If this gorge is allowed to continue, the abdomen of the mantis will burst, resulting in immediate death. I smiled. How’s that for an example of gluttony? Just as this thought traversed my neutron circuitry, a large, awkward hand passively came to rest upon my shoulder. As I turned to see what foul beast had interrupted such wonderful contemplation, my eyes encountered what seemed to be three men who were gobbled up by some sort of revolting blob. My heart only slowed after I noticed the janitor logo protruding uncomfortably from the confinements of his shirt. At this moment, my gut suspended its decision to prepare my body for survival.
As I stood there speechless, I believe he realized his discomforting approach and began apologizing for startling me. I implied that no harm was intended, and not to worry about such infringements. After a brief introduction, I was informed that he was suppose to meet me promptly at 7:30 but was held up by a confrontation at the local donut shop. Something about an opportunity to join some sort of club that idealizes the consumption of specific breakfast pastries. He went on for a while about this rubbish without noticing my lack of interest. The fact of the matter was, that I was somewhat occupied by the well being of my predatory friend who could of easily been squashed by the likes of this janitor or by a careless blunder from yours truly.
I gradually coerced him towards the laboratory in order to admit me entrance, the whole time he was going on and on about the overwhelming assortment of tastes that one can find in his beloved donuts. I agreed to such mundane thoughts and thanked him graciously for allowing me admittance to my new facility. Comically, he told me to think nothing of it and told me if I needed anything feel free to ask. Later, I learned that he was the only other soul stationed in the newly deemed Lab of *Corvus tasmanicus.
As life my have it, I have been giving an opportunity to extend my scientific fascination on *Corvus tasmanicus through the exploitation of the fine research laboratories at Hillcrest College, a small and quant knowledge hub located south of the capital of Northern Carolina. Hillcrest was founded immediately following the end of the second war to end all wars as a token of remembrance to the 6 Hillcrest brothers who, all but one, perished in vigilant displays of patriotism and camaraderie. The one who did not die with such dignity; drowned in a lake after he was knocked unconscious by a boisterously thrown football. Needless to say the war took all their lives. Since it’s opening, Hillcrest has been the destination of many aspiring, sharp minds that have yet to break the barrier of the unknown and being unknown. May fate allow me to surpass the norm.
Today marks the beginning of my residency at Hillcrest and a busy day it was to be. I arrived early Monday morning, around 7:30ish, only to learn that the previous lab occupant was reluctant to leave a key under the welcome mat as promised. I began to wonder if all the terms that were promised in my contract were rubbish. I surely hoped not, for I was expecting my shipment of subjects and supplies to come in this afternoon, although if not, I would have more time to organize the lab.
I quickly grew bored of looking for a janitor or a colleague that could help me in my predicament, so I began to explore my surrounding. I found myself perched upon a large rock examining a Tenodera aridifolia, Chinese Mantis or in layman’s terms a praying mantis. As I watched the creature jaggedly move each of its devilish legs over a respectively treacherous terrain, I began wondering about the worldly functions of such an insectoid. For instance, does it function upon reason and computation or is it does it follow more basic traits such as intuition and impulse? Another thought that crossed my mind is if these organism comprehended their existence and in turn their actions or are they merely a random collection of organic baloney that some how has managed to assemble itself into its present state of function and stability.
As I sat there reflecting on my new friend, I remembered reading somewhere that when mantids are placed in captivity and are given an endless supply of nutrition they will consume without question. If this gorge is allowed to continue, the abdomen of the mantis will burst, resulting in immediate death. I smiled. How’s that for an example of gluttony? Just as this thought traversed my neutron circuitry, a large, awkward hand passively came to rest upon my shoulder. As I turned to see what foul beast had interrupted such wonderful contemplation, my eyes encountered what seemed to be three men who were gobbled up by some sort of revolting blob. My heart only slowed after I noticed the janitor logo protruding uncomfortably from the confinements of his shirt. At this moment, my gut suspended its decision to prepare my body for survival.
As I stood there speechless, I believe he realized his discomforting approach and began apologizing for startling me. I implied that no harm was intended, and not to worry about such infringements. After a brief introduction, I was informed that he was suppose to meet me promptly at 7:30 but was held up by a confrontation at the local donut shop. Something about an opportunity to join some sort of club that idealizes the consumption of specific breakfast pastries. He went on for a while about this rubbish without noticing my lack of interest. The fact of the matter was, that I was somewhat occupied by the well being of my predatory friend who could of easily been squashed by the likes of this janitor or by a careless blunder from yours
truly.
I gradually coerced him towards the laboratory in order to permit me access, the whole time he was going on and on about the overwhelming assortment of tastes that one can find in his beloved donuts. I agreed to such mundane thoughts and thanked him graciously for allowing me admittance to my new facility. Comically, he told me to think nothing of it and told me if I needed anything feel free to ask. Later, I learned that he was the only other soul stationed in the newly deemed Lab of *Corvus tasmanicus.
*Note: Corvus tasmanicus is the scientific name for the Forest Raven found in Southeastern Australia.
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