Best Cities for Twentysomethings...

This list of best cities for college grads was just released by Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class. If you haven't read that book, I highly recommend it. It can be quite an interesting read for most, but it is a little overrated in the Planning field, if you ask me. Anyway, I decided to take a gander through his new list of best places, hoping for some good news about Nashville, but no such luck, as I expected (I just set myself up for disappointment sometimes). It is interesting how Florida generated his list, but there was definitely a lack of Southern options--what a bummer. First of all, I don't really fall into his target age (20-24), but my lifestyle is still somewhat of a hybrid between a recent grad and focused career-gal. Of course, NC, FL, and TX were the southern reps in this list. Unfortunately, I have no desire to move that far away right now. NC and TX always have appealed to me, but I just enjoy being near my family and friends too much to head too far from TN. Evidently, I should move to State College, PA--home of Penn State, as it ranks as the top city for singles!

Check out Florida's blog here: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-05-26/best-cities-for-college-graduates-from-ithaca-to-seattle/.

Friendly Reminder from a local biologist.

A friend and co-worker of mine sent the following email to me today. Since I have a special disgust for rodents and insects make me itch, I decided it would behoove me to share it with my friends. After reading the email, I imagine my next snake encounter to be filled with jams from Janet Jackson's "What have you done for me lately?" Anyone else get that feeling? Ooh ooh ooh yeah.

Friends and Colleagues,

To many of you, I am the stormwater coordinator, however, I am first and foremost a biologist. That is why I want to share this thought with you.

As I was driving to work this morning, I spotted 3 snakes on the highway. All three had been smashed by vehicle tires; two were in locations where it was obvious the driver had gone out of his/her way to smash the misunderstood slithering serpent. My mother is deathly afraid of snakes, and I too gasp when I have a surprised encounter with one. Many humans fear snakes, which has lead to the demise of many snake species; this fear has made humans the most vicious predator of snakes. Snakes should not be feared, especially since most snakes in Tennessee are non-venomous. So the next time you think about swerving to kill a snake in the road, please think about this: Snakes are also extremely beneficial and useful to humans!

Snakes are economically important as they act as a form of natural pest control, preying heavily on rodents and in many cases insects. Such animals can destroy crops, and spread harmful diseases to humans. Snakes are invaluable as they naturally help keep the numbers of these animals in check. Because of the recent floods, rodents have come into contact with many different contaminants which could allow them to become transmitters of disease. It even more important to limit the potential for rodent/human contact during this time. Understanding and respecting snakes’ roles as rodent exterminators, and allowing the snakes to go on their merry way will help.

So, if you do see a snake on the road, stop and help move it across in the direction its going. In fact, just walking over to it will most likely cause the snake to slither away. This ensures that both you and the snake will not be harmed. Long sticks can also be used to gently herd snakes off of the road. I know lots of people that do this for turtles. Just because snakes aren’t as cute as turtles, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be able to go on their way unharmed by humans. If you are too afraid of snakes to stop and help, don’t run over them.

I know many of you will smirk and laugh at this, but hopefully some of you will learn from it. Being sustainable and going green also means being environmentally friendly it ecologically important critters (including snakes).

Babies!

The time has finally come. Babies is in theatres! This documentary looks so endearing, yet realistic about the differences in raising babies in various parts of the world (San Francisco, Tokyo, Namibia and Mongolia). I cannot wait to see it. Evidently, there is no narration and very little dialogue. Usually, that would turn me away, but the images and trailer really intice me to go see it. I think I could watch these babies all day long!

Missing/Lost/Pre-occupied

Well, I know I have been M.I.A. lately, but I have been and will be out of town nearly every weekend until June. I just got back a week or so ago from a fabulous trip to DC and Baltimore with my mom. It was a very needed vacation/cultural experience. Maybe, I will update you all via photogs at a later date. I am headed home for mother's day this weekend--definitely looking forward to this holiday as compared to the dreaded father's day. That's the holiday I hope to make it through with my mind/body/emotions all in tact.

Anyway, my house survived the flood. It has been a long, draining week, but I am so lucky to be relatively unaffected by the devastation that has ravaged most of the region. Hopefully, my posts will resume more steadily in the coming weeks. In the meantime, here is my message: donate time/$$/supplies to the flood recovery efforts in TN. West and Middle TN need help.

Bye for now.