For reals?

So I voted today, like a lot of other Americans...and it didn't feel very official. I arrived at my polling place and picked up my ballot, which was handed to me in a "secrecy folder," otherwise known as a 15 cent manila folder. It actually had a "secrecy folder" sticker on the front. Right. Next, I was given a black scented marker to fill out my ballot. That's right, the nasty licorice-scented marker no one wanted to use in 3rd grade ("So that's where they all went!" I exclaimed internally). I walked up to my polling booth (no curtain, just a metal, freestanding structure), filled in my selections, returned the ballot to the "secrecy folder," and headed over to the poll volunteers. They stuck the secrecy folder halfway into the ballot box and shook my now-unpleasantly-scented ballot into it, then handed me a souvenir ballot and an "I Voted" sticker. Question: what would have happened if my ballot had fallen out of the "secrecy folder" while it was being shaken into the ballot box?
On my way back to school, I considered stopping by Ben and Jerry's for a free scoop (if you prove you voted, you get a free scoop of ice cream), but alas, no free scoops until after the polls close...unfortunately I had lab and am now at work, so no ice cream for me. Starbucks is also offering free coffee but since I don't drink it, I guess I'm out of luck.
Are the freebies supposed to be incentives for people to vote? Honestly, I don't know if I want someone making decisions about the future of this country if their primary motivation to vote was to get a free snack. Come on. I'm probably the most politically apathetic person I know, and even I care enough to get to the polls without needing the promise of a sugar high.
I could buy the argument that B&Js is just being philanthropic and meeting the needs of hungry voters (my blood glucose was definitely low after my 4 minute voting adventure), but I'm not so sure about the 'Bucks. Oh well. For those of you who enjoyed a free cup of coffee or ice cream cone, well done! As a starving student I have to commend you for taking advantage of corporate America.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. Ridiculous quotes and Halloween pics to be posted soon-ish.

Ridiculous

I won't get to play tonsil hockey anymore. (pause) Because I won't have tonsils. -Kristin

Snot Funny

It's slicker than snot. -equine repro

Uplifting

"Anatomical barriers can be overcome!"
-food animal medicine notes

Did ewe know?

To get ewes to urinate:
Hold off nose; causes momentary panic and urination occurs.
-food animal medicine

Awesome.

Post-less

It seems like no one has been posting lately. It's really cramping my style when I'm looking for distractions during class. Get to it, people!

A few updates:
-My first surgery is tomorrow! We're neutering a dog, I'm the anesthetist.
-Our lecture hall is flippin' FREEZING! Apparently they're trying to cryopreserve us during class to make up for the 4 years of our lives we've sacrificed to vet school.
-Little has a harness and tie out. She's officially a guard cat. Feel free to swing by our place and laugh at her!

Also, some quotes:

"This is a 6 month old Charolais with her colleagues."-neuro

"How do you estimate total body potassium? The best way is to grind the cat up in a meat grinder."

"Wellness isn't sexy." - eq med

"I don't want to walk" looks exactly the same as "I can't walk." -neuro

"They're running out of dope!" eq med

"Manx cats are an abomination." -neuro

"When you do the 5th rib resection, you reach your hand into the space and you have the heart beating in your hand (looks expectantly at class, silence)...and that's very special." -FAM

For Better or For Worse

So I went to a wedding on Saturday. It was beautiful, etc, but I realized weddings have some weird traditions.
-Why is cutting the cake such a big deal? Yes, the bride and groom are capable of using utensils and feeding themselves...possibly making sure they'll be able to take care of each other in their old age??
-Two words: bouquet toss. Definitely my LEAST favorite part of every wedding.
-Retrieving the garter...hmmm, not so sure I want to be felt up in front of my grandma. But maybe that's just me.
-Toasts: Not so good when toasters are toasted. Moral of the story: taking 4 shots before making a toast is probably a bad idea. Yeah.
-Some excellent quotes: "Some people see the shape of the rings, and they like to get philosophical and say the ring is a symbol of unending love and all that. But really it's just the shape that fits best on your finger." (that's my kind of pastor!)
-"Steve graduated from college, and soon found the love of his life....golf." -best man's toast