It's been five days, its probably looking like a prune with wings, unless all that humidity from the shower keeps on rejuvenating it everyday. Hard to say, I dont believe I've ever had a decomposing fly in my shower.

"Disappearer" is neater than "Fake Plastic Trees"? I don't reckon so, Gio.

Anyway, does anybody else have theories about my decomposing shower bug? And does anybody know if Mrs Soto is actually planning on joining this bloody blog?

Lovely indeed. The work of a cat, perhaps?

'No wait but listen, I'm talking to you
No wait but listen, I'm talking to you
No wait but listen, I'm talking to you
No wait but listen, I'm talking to you

Well I'm the only one here who can save this man's life.
Trust me I've got a P.h.D. and a knife.
You see his wound is to the right--no--left side head.
Check his pulse; OH MY GOD,
this man has gone gone gone gone gone gone gone gone gone.....'

That would be "No wait, but listen, I'm talking to you", by Rooney. Well, part of it, anyway. You know, Gio, I looked up the words, and it seemed to be called "Gone".

Oy, Gio. I still want to know what why and under what circumstances you burried said squirrel.

hey, isa thanks. does a puddle count as a geographic feature?

hey, what are we supposed to do with geographic feature? is it like if i found it under the ground, or with a bunch of other rocks etc.?

Annette.....? And which Sarah?

Err...Gio.
What do you mean "we", Quimasabe?
You half-burried a dead squirrel.
Lovely.

forget how fast it decomposes, it only takes about 24 hours for fly eggs to hatch into larvae. and they live from about 6 to 10 days. imagine if that's how humans were. wouldn't that be highly inconvenient

I had a very interesting moment today.....here is what happened:
I was in the shower, and, seeing as our windows have been open because of the weather, there are various mosquitos in the house. However, in my bathroom, was not a mosquito, but a jolly overgrown fly. I don't like flies. Especially when I'm washing my hair. So, I pick up a deadly weapon (i.e. a bottle of Pantene), and smash it against the (then closed, seeing as I was showering) window (don't worry--the bottom of the window is at eye-level). Our windows are very interesting. On the inside, there is a screen (which obviously doesn't work), and, on the outside, glass. To open the window, you turn a knob and the glass moves, but not the screen. So this corpse of a fly was trapped, with its tail end (or its front end--don't particularly care to look) smooshed into the screen.
My question is, how long will it take for the fly's body to begin decomposition, with the added factors of daily heat and extreme humidity for about half an hour (shower time + amount of time for steam to disperse)?

Any idears?

Why yes, Maria, indeed I am. Indeed I am.....

wow you're really taking this grammar thing on this blog seriously

Why I just published that last post, I will never know. I think it was just that happy afterglow of a good meal. Ah, well.

Must share with the folkses:

Mmm....just enjoyed a really fab meal. Consisted of: zucchini, squash, pumpkin, potato and green beans and minced shallots brushed with olive oil and baked in the oven. With couscous. For dessert: peaches. As a late-night snack: a cup of milk with a square of chocolate dropped in.

While I'm at it, I think I'll describe my entire day's worth of food. Okay.
Breakfast: a nectarine.
Lunch: homemade bread--homemade by yours truly--with avocado, tomato and a bit of garlic. Salad, and a nectarine. Oh yeah. A piece of cheese too.
Afternoon snacks: popcorn, 2 Tagalongs and 2 Thin Mints (these I stole from Araceli). An apple with peanut butter--I LOVE peanut butter.

So. There you have it. A day in the life. Well, a better day in the life.

"thanks giovanna!! your the best!!"

Maria, I believe that you intended to say: Thanks, Giovanna! You're the best!"
The manner in which you spelled the word "your/you're" indicated that you were using it as a possessive, as in, "Giovanna, can you bring some more of your homemade cookies to lunch tomorrow?"
"You're", on the other hand, is a contraction, joining the words "you" and "are".
Thanks for allowing me to let off steam!

thanks giovanna!! your the best!!

hey, i dont have the paper for the lab report, can anyone please explain to me how you are supposed to write it?

i believe it's due this week. i have found a couple of rocks in my mothers drawer. its amazing what your mother saves from when you were 8, really

No, I actually haven't found my rock yet. Wouldn't it be nice if Mrs Soto joined so she could tell us all about it? Hint hint, in the hopes that you are reading this, Madame. When's it due again?

anyone found their rock yet?

no worries emily, but if anybody has a scanner, and would like to do me the favor of emailing me the lab report my email is penguinwittuxedo@nescape.net. sometime today would be nice considering it's due tomorrow.

Oh, and Maria, sorry mon, haven't got it.

FURTHER, the reason you should do my research for me is because you are blessed with high-speed Internet, while here I sit, brokenhearted, came to dump, but only farted....WHOOPS! Wrong show for the wrong audience....But yeah, here I sit, brokenhearted, with an idiotic dial-up service, which, for your information, has a speed of 49.2 Kbps. So, I spend, like, 10 minutes waiting to post anything.

caitlin, don't get your panties--or whatever--in a twist. Also, you spelled "capitalize" incorrectly by idiotic American standards. However, seeing as it is correct by the rocking Brits' standard, I shall refrain from chewing you out.

does anyone have a scanner? i need the lab report handout

OK, several things to say:
1) Our unintentional palm tree (I promised to say more about it) happened when my uncle came to visit from--that's right--ENGLAND! We bought a coconut (don't ask me why, I was, like, 4 years old), but never ate it. It eventually went frot (yes, it IS a word--South African) and we chucked it into the front garden. And, well, wha'dya know, a palm tree grew! TADA!

2) I think a black hole exploded and blew up another star. Could someone please find out? I just saw a headline.

3) Will be posted later, seeing as I am being called by my parental units to clear the table, unload, and then reload te dishwasher. Then, I suppose I better get a move on Soto's homework. Plus Sands's, Pereira's, Szmulewicz's, Izquierdo's and Buitragos's. Ali, what exactly was Pereira's homework?

Ah, Emy. You see, we had no identifiable plants--and still don't other than an unplanned palm tree (it was an accident--more on that later) and various potted African Violets. And dead Basil.
So, snails are evidently not a problem.
As to your MSG reactioin, where'd you get it? My daddy is allergic to MSG. We order all our Chinese food with no MSG, and he can't even eat Sour-Cream-And-Cheddar Chip, which are one of my fovorites. What a shame, there's more for me!!

Caitlin also misspelled "misspell". Perhaps I shall stop capitalizing her name.
Ooooh......the deepest of insults.

After updating (that's right Erik--updating, not ^^^dating) myself upon this blog, I have come to a mature decision. I will not blow up at Caitlin for misspelling "hypocrite". Instead, I will pity her....and her apparent lack of knowledge about the English language.
Hmph.
Easier said than done.
P.S. Caitlin, you also misspelled "limestone".
P.P.S. Gio, you had a pet snail?! That is indeed deeply cool, especialy with such a name as Robert. Robert and the snails. How's that for a band name? Why for only one day, though? Did your mum decide that Robert was a bad influence on you? You know, when I was little, I used to collect snails....

i've had a pet rock, it was cool, he had a red cape. i made him fly and he landed in a window. : D

wow, you humans are taking this blog rather intensely

I'm lost, as usual

I'm lost

Thank you and "I" there you go I said "I", I have enough grammar to deal with in LA. Do you have to find the rock? Because I have this really cool rock but it was bought.

Very well, Maria. I will tell you what I know about the rock project. However, may I urge you, for the sake of your self-esteem, you may want to capitalize your "I"s. Anyway, my backyard isn't any good for rocks either. I'm trying to let my dad let me use this rock we found on the beach in Martha's Vineyard. It's gray, and has a tiny white stripe running all around it, and it's a very neat shape.
For you, you could take a walk in your neighborhood. If there are any vacant lots, they could be of help. Or, snoop in a nasty neighbor's yard, and steal one of theirs! =P

ok, whatever about erik, i need you to stop having your fit!! I need to know about the rock assignment! please

Erik. I will never stop having my fit.
OK. Erik. When you write "^^^date", you are in fact spending more effort (gasp--punching those bloody buttons) than simply writing the word "update". I presume that you take such measures to abbreviate, and therefore lessen the effort of pushing the pathetic buttons.
Okay, Usual Suspects (and you know who you are)! Who votes that we ignore anything this buffoon says, unless he says it in normal, unabbreviated, un-buffoonish language?
All in favor say "Yay!".
All opposed, don't say anything.

And no Giovanna, if I were truly attempting to be British, I would have said "mad" rather than "looney" rather than "nuts".

"hey all, cheking in, so any ^^^dates on the rock thing? R we supposed 2 pik up a pretty rok and say: oooooooooh! and take it 2 class? about the test, is it about defining the minerals or is it about the textbook, write ASAP plz!!!!"

ERIK!!! HAVE YOU LEARNED NOTHING????!!!!
What would you define "^^^" as?
Yes, as a warning to everyone, as Giovanna so eloquently put it: Emily is dangerous when she gets upset over grammar. Or when someone finishes all the cookies.
INDUBITABLY, MY FRIENDS!
Or, unless Erik changes his typing patterns straightaway: INDUBITABLY, MY FRIENDS-MINUS-THAT-ONE-GUY-WHO-REFUSES-TO-TYPE-IN-A-DIGNIFIED-AND-INTELLIGENT-FASHION.
Erik, may I remind you to read the sub-heading of this blog? It says, and here I quote: "Hopefully this blog will be a forum for intellectual scientific discusion!" Well, it can't very well be a forum for intellectual, intelligent, scientific discussion if people write--excuse me, type--like drunk monkeys.

has anyone found their rocks yet? any tips?

chill, i have never been in a blog alright? and i was typing quickly because my mother was coming and I'm not supposed the be using the computer. so chill, alright. good, now where am I supposed to find rocks? let's jsut say my back yard isnt too suitable for this assignment.

Ah, Giovanna.....
There would be a reason that there is no period after "Mrs". Reason being: THAT'S HOW THE BRITS DO IT!!! TADA!! And, Gio? Tipper Gore? Zappa? Jell-O? (That would be the way it is properly spelt--yes, spelt, not spelled--once again, the British influence.) But Gio? Sometimes I do seriously worry about your mental health. You are like a peanut M&M. Sweet on the outside, going nuts underneath. Oh, vomit. That sounded so sappy and cutesy-wutesy and pathetic and sick. SOMEBODY SAVE ME FROM MY BLOODY INSANE SELF!!

Erik, in response to your question about the rocks, (which, by the way, I really shouldn't be answering seeing as the way you typed it was absolutely deplorable), I am not quite sure. Perhaps if Mrs Soto were to join, she could tell us.

OK. Some of youse guys (yes, youse is a word), as in certain folks, as in you, have some severe misconceptions about this blog. First off, this is not like AIM or msn instant messanger, or whatever it is you may use. You post whatever you have to say, (and by what you have to say, I mean something of substance.....or something like it....) on the site.
Then, just like Julius Caesar, others will come, will see, will respond, and conquer your views.
And, please, people, try to write in proper English. No "u" for "you". No "4" for "for". No "2" for "to" or "too". "2" for "two" is, however, permissible, as is "4" for "four".
This, being a forum for intellectual discussion, must be just that. Once again, "plz", "xplain", "ppl" and "b" for "be" will not be tolerated.
And I, being an administrator, have full rights to edit, censor, and even delete posts.
Come on people, it's amazing how little effort is needed for expressing yourself these days. No lengthy writing-out of verse or speech-preparing....no. All that you have to do is poke out little buttons on a loser keyboard. So, come on folks, you can do it!
Do we need more pep talks? Or threats? Let me know, in readable, English please.

hello ppl, any one on?

I swear, if Mrs Soto doesn't join soon........let's ambush her on Tuesday!
All right, who's with me folks?

Caitlin, I know everything. And its absolutely nothing to me, so tell me anyway.

Mrs Soto, I agree full-heartedly with Caitlin about making chocs in class. That'd be bloody brilliant!!

You most certainly may NOT be Emily K as well. Furthermore, for your information, the phrase "as well" is comprised of two words, not one.

And even further more, no you may not become an administrator. So there.

-You know, a few days ago, the local TV weatherman referred to the weather as "scrumptious!"

Um, Gio?
Isn't there always, like, a staff meeting or summat on Tuesdays?

You see, Emily Northrop, the really nice thing about being an administrator is that you can edit--and delete-- ALL posts, not just your own. =)!!!!!!!

Right then, Gio. <3 ??? What is <3 ??
But yeah, OK, um, well, you could link to all the things you said previously: Soto's SchoolNotes page, Space.com, our school's site, etc.
But also, how do you do it? Because I want to know for my own blog....

I swear I'll remember to mention this in class.
I swear I will get people's e-mail addresses.
I swear that this blog will actually become a class blog rather than a Usual-Suspects-Group-plus-Rick-who-remembered-to-give-me-his-email-address-during-math-so-that-I-could-invite-him-blog.

You know, Mrs Soto still hasn't joined. Maybe she just observes this with amusement rather than lower herself to post something.

Gio, please do stuff with the links. I've tried about 4 zillion times, but every time I click Edit-Me, it says "this-page-could-not-be-displayed-blah-blah-blah-it-sucks-yeah".......so yeah, anyway..... Righty-o, then! Full speed ahead, mate!

Ahem, an article has now confirmed it folks.....

Homework fails to make the grade

Mark Townsend
Sunday February 8, 2004
The Observer

Children have long suspected it, and now research confirms it: homework is a waste of time. Anxiety, boredom, fatigue and emotional exhaustion are all side-effects of bringing schoolwork home, according to a review of 75 years of study into the issue.

Even those who believe homework improves their performance in the classroom resent the encroachment on their spare time.

And the best place for extra study may not, in fact, be at home. The report by the Institute of Education makes a case for out-of-hours study to be done in after-school learning clubs, away from the potentially disruptive influence of parents.

Tensions are the most pronounced in middle-class families where the pressure to succeed can create a volatile atmosphere. Parents who are overbearing can undermine any pleasure children derive from study.

The report's author, Dr Susan Hallam, said: 'Parents have the most positive influence when they offer moral support, make appropriate resources available and discuss general issues. They should only actually help with homework when their children specifically ask them to.'

Current government guidance ranges from at least one hour a week of homework for five-to seven-year-olds to two-and-a-half hours a day for students aged 14 to 16. Yet Hallam found that homework tended to boost achievement only when done in moderate amounts.

Her findings follow comments from David Bell, chief inspector of schools, who said that parents have a key role to play in tackling an endemic anti-learning culture in society.

'Early support from parents is crucial. A very significant investment in the early years has got to be right, even though we are still not 100 per cent sure what the biggest single influence is in these years,' he said.

Allow me to clarify the following: when you see something posted by an "Em", then it is not in fact me talking, but Emily Northrop, therefore I shall not be blamed for her heinous grammatical crimes.

Thought of the day:
eyebrows.
I mean, why are they even there? You would have thought that they would have simply evolved out, along with the Neanderthols. I mean, we don't look like gorillas anymore (well, some of you still do....). And yet they still play a very important role in the vanity of everyday women.....

Oy, Caitlin.
Why is your user name Caitlin 1007??

So, as to the chocolate minerals......*picture a Homer Simpson drooling*........enough said.

Hey folks. Mrs Soto says to post this:

What actuating edge class I have! Okay, Give me someone word comments about...
-astronomy
-chocolate minerals
-labs
-next year's required science projects
Just how curious ARE you?
--Mrs. S

Well, this blog is currently rather a private affair, but if we mention it in class, then other people may join.

Hi Alvin.

HEY! Kinda lonely roundabout these parts.....

LET THE BLOGGING BEGIN!

OK.
So, this is our first Science Blog entry. I must now alert Mrs Soto to its Existence.