Stepping Out & Stepping Up

Week 9. There are three weeks left of my internship. The past couple have been particularly hectic, as I dig into my project. I present my project (regardless of whether I finish or not) Monday, August 1st. I have just about a week left to interpret, organize, and polish my results. I know it’s possible, but it’s definitely going to require a lot of work.

Less Lightposts, More Birdhouses

It was an early Monday evening, and I was out running by the river. I’ve made it a point to run at least three times a week this summer, and I run outside whenever I can (weather permitting). I was almost exactly at the two mile mark when I passed a bird sitting on top of a lightpost. I didn’t think anything of it – I must have passed dozens of birds that day already. I continued jogging down the sidewalk, when I was suddenly struck in the back of the head. The bird was clinging to my hair and was attacking me! I managed to brush it off and escape. After getting a safe distance away, I turned around to see it sitting on the same lightpost as before, almost as if it were daring me to come back (spoiler alert: I did not). A few nearby spectators all immediately changed their paths, although I am not sure if they were avoiding me or the bird.

I don’t have any pictures of the event, but this is probably what it looked like.

#WeAreOrlando

Note: This post deals with some heavy stuff. I tried my best to make it as judgement-free, nonpolitical, and palatable as possible.

It would be impossible for me to write about this week and NOT mention Orlando. A man opened fire at Pulse, a popular gay bar in Orlando, Florida, around 3 AM on June 12. It was Latin Night at the club. 49 innocent people were killed.