What do you feel like saying, right now?

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

You love you some science. What’s that all about?

I'm guessing it's about the evolution of fossil ecosystems. That, or the development of senior living centers that cater to different populations and needs!

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

You love you some science. What’s that all about?

So, fossil ecosystems gives us kind of like a snapshot of what life was like millions of years ago, showing us plants, animals and even how parasites interacted with prehistoric environments. So, when we talk about their evolution, we’re really looking at how these ecosystems changed over time as species adapted, went extinct, or evolved into knew forms of life.

Like, during the Mesozoic period, the age of the dinosaurs, ecosystems were shaped by massive herbivores feeding on ferns, conifers, etc. and predators evolving alongside them to hunt efficiently. And then, at the same time, microscopic organisms and parasites, like prehistoric ticks or worms, co-evolved with their hosts, just like they do today.

I’ve always been fascinated with dinosaurs and prehistoric life since I was like 5 or 6 years old. And I never outgrew it. I’m a veterinary parasitologist so when I study parasites today, it’s almost like looking through a window into the past because parasites are some of the oldest and most resilient organisms on Earth. And then, many modern parasites have barely changed over millions of years, which means they’re like living fossils? If that makes sense?

I have such a love/hate relationship with them. They’re so amazing. I wanted this book so bad, lol. I was so happy when I got it for Christmas.

[cheerfulgreek]

WIFLSRN: It’s too cold to go to the gym this morning. I looked on my phone and saw it was freezing, but I didn’t think it’d feel this bad. I mean, it’s 17, which isn’t that bad. So I got ready, put my gym clothes on, went in garage and got in the car, which was already warm, saw a package in front of the door, got out to get it and said “Oh dear, God!” 🥶

I marched right back inside the house and got back in the warm bed!

[Phrozen Sands]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

So, fossil ecosystems gives us kind of like a snapshot of what life was like millions of years ago, showing us plants, animals and even how parasites interacted with prehistoric environments. So, when we talk about their evolution, we’re really looking at how these ecosystems changed over time as species adapted, went extinct, or evolved into knew forms of life.

Like, during the Mesozoic period, the age of the dinosaurs, ecosystems were shaped by massive herbivores feeding on ferns, conifers, etc. and predators evolving alongside them to hunt efficiently. And then, at the same time, microscopic organisms and parasites, like prehistoric ticks or worms, co-evolved with their hosts, just like they do today.

I’ve always been fascinated with dinosaurs and prehistoric life since I was like 5 or 6 years old. And I never outgrew it. I’m a veterinary parasitologist so when I study parasites today, it’s almost like looking through a window into the past because parasites are some of the oldest and most resilient organisms on Earth. And then, many modern parasites have barely changed over millions of years, which means they’re like living fossils? If that makes sense?

I have such a love/hate relationship with them. They’re so amazing. I wanted this book so bad, lol. I was so happy when I got it for Christmas.

This is interesting, CG. I didn’t know you were a specialist. I missed that one, if you posted it.

You’re definitely passionate.

[cheerfulgreek]

I just saw the New Orleans incident on the news. I think aephi alum lives in New Orleans? If so, I’m hoping to see a post here that she and her family are well and unharmed.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

This is interesting, CG. I didn’t know you were a specialist. I missed that one, if you posted it.

You’re definitely passionate.

Yep.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

I just saw the New Orleans incident on the news. I think aephi alum lives in New Orleans? If so, I’m hoping to see a post here that she and her family are well and unharmed.

She has posted on Facebook that she and her family are safe.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by AGDee

She has posted on Facebook that she and her family are safe.

Thanks, Dee.

[cheerfulgreek]

Phrozen, you had a question about my experience as a flight attendant? You told me to come over here.

[Phrozen Sands]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

Phrozen, you had a question about my experience as a flight attendant? You told me to come over here.

Yeah. Post it here about the passengers and pilots. I need a good laugh because I know you’ll make it funny Lol.

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

Yep.

My daughter's recently adopted indoor rescue cat tested positive for giardiasis a couple weeks ago, so both cats have been taking medication and they've been cleaning the house and everything like mad. They can't figure out where she picked it up, but I'm guessing she may have already been infected when they got her?

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

Yeah. Post it here about the passengers and pilots. I need a good laugh because I know you’ll make it funny Lol.

lol
That’s been 20 years ago? It was two pilots, and one was married. I was like… “Um, you’re like well over twice my age? Um.. no.” — on that alone. And it was two different summers. And the passengers are like a blur now.

Originally Posted by Sciencewoman

My daughter's recently adopted indoor rescue cat tested positive for giardiasis a couple weeks ago, so both cats have been taking medication and they've been cleaning the house and everything like mad. They can't figure out where she picked it up, but I'm guessing she may have already been infected when they got her?

Yep, I think you’re right, because it’s possible and more likely than not that the cat was already infected at the time of adoption. I mean, it’s a really common parasite in shelter environments with stray animals. Since both cats are being treated and her house is being cleaned thoroughly, that’s a step I always strongly recommend to my clients toward resolving the problem and preventing reinfection. It’s just that giardia cysts can survive in the environment for a long time. She’s doing what I would recommended. Make sure she continues the full course of the prescribed medication, too.

[Phrozen Sands]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

lol
That’s been 20 years ago? It was two pilots, and one was married. I was like… “Um, you’re like well over twice my age? Um.. no.” — on that alone. And it was two different summers. And the passengers are like a blur now.

Lol what happened with the married one?

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

Yep, I think you’re right, because it’s possible and more likely than not that the cat was already infected at the time of adoption. I mean, it’s a really common parasite in shelter environments with stray animals. Since both cats are being treated and her house is being cleaned thoroughly, that’s a step I always strongly recommend to my clients toward resolving the problem and preventing reinfection. It’s just that giardia cysts can survive in the environment for a long time. She’s doing what I would recommended. Make sure she continues the full course of the prescribed medication, too.

WTH is that?

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

Lol what happened with the married one?

Nothing, because at the time, at 21, both the married and “single” pilot were more than twice my age. Their ages alone were too much. One summer, one pilot asked me out, I said no. The next summer I came back and worked for the same airline, and a different pilot asked me out and I said no. Plus, he was married. And then with the passengers, during that time, I lied and told them all that I had a boyfriend, although I was single, lol. That was always my response to guys I had no interest in.

Originally Posted by Phrozen Sands

WTH is that?

It’s a microscopic parasite, so you can’t see them with the naked eye. They infect the intestines of animals and people, which causes giardiasis. So, if you come in contact with contaminated water, food, or contact with infected feces, you can be infected. That’s why it’s imperative to always keep your hands washed before eating. Or keep them sanitized as often as you can.

Remember the pizza guy who was “tossing dough” in his car? His dirty fingernails were like the VIP entrance for pinworms. Eating pizza that’s delivered by someone whose fingernails looked like he’d been playing in potting soil, that would be giving pinworms and who knows what else an all-access pass to Club Intestine. Wash your hands or prepare for the itchiest after party of your life. That’s why I didn’t eat any of that pizza, lol. Eww!

[Phrozen Sands]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

It’s a microscopic parasite, so you can’t see them with the naked eye. They infect the intestines of animals and people, which causes giardiasis. So, if you come in contact with contaminated water, food, or contact with infected feces, you can be infected. That’s why it’s imperative to always keep your hands washed before eating. Or keep them sanitized as often as you can.

Remember the pizza guy who was “tossing dough” in his car? His dirty fingernails were like the VIP entrance for pinworms. Eating pizza that’s delivered by someone whose fingernails looked like he’d been playing in potting soil, that would be giving pinworms and who knows what else an all-access pass to Club Intestine. Wash your hands or prepare for the itchiest after party of your life. That’s why I didn’t eat any of that pizza, lol. Eww!

Wait… CG, can you explain this for real, minus the jokes so I understand what you’re talking about? I’m paranoid about anything living inside me.