The other day, I was in Safeway—buying Diet Dr Pepper, naturally—when I heard the guy up ahead of me say something to his friends that I was positive I must have misheard. Specifically, what I heard him say was "and there's this really awesome parasitic wasp that drives its victims like cars." Now, I like parasitic wasps. I am, one might say, unduly fascinated by parasitic wasps. So I tend to assume that when I hear other people bring them up in conversation, I'm hearing them wrong.
I began shamelessly eavesdropping...and wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles, he was talking about insect parasitism! Yay! As the conversation swung toward blood flukes, I interjected to note that blood flukes were probably largely responsible for the evolution of gendered reproduction. He looked, in a word, delighted.
What followed was the largest, rowdiest, happiest discussion of parasite behavior I have ever been involved with outside of a group of my friends. All five of the people involved had read Parasite Rex, and parthenogentic reproduction came up, gleefully.
I think I may have met my male equivalent from a nearby parallel dimension.
Well, there's also the possibility that they could be the Only Ones Who Can Save The World. Do you want to take the risk that we won't need parasite-controlled velociraptors someday?
I disagree. I think she should have gotten his phone number. (You DID get his phone number, right Seanan?) I anticipate with glee the trouble that she, and this dude, and their circle of weirdo friends, would get into together.
It helps that I live on the other side of the continent. But my enthusiasm is genuine.
Since she failed to get his contact info, I can just imagine her writing one of those things in classifieds or whatnot, I can't remember what they're called, but the things like, "To the man at the store fascinated by parasites: the other day, we had the most awesome conversation about parasites I have ever had outside my circle of friends. I can't believe I forgot to get your contact info. If you're interested in more awesome conversations about mind-control parasites, etc, drop me a line: me@whatever.com"
Only, you know, with more of Seanan's awesome humour.
You: Tall, brown-hair, talking about parasitic wasps. Me: Blonde, buying soda, brought the blood flukes to the party. I forgot to get your number because I was so excited by your witty banter about tapeworms and undercooked meat. Call me?
geeky
June 30 2010, 16:28:31 UTC 7 years ago
Now please stay away from each other, as I can only IMAGINE the trouble you two would get into.
June 30 2010, 16:50:25 UTC 7 years ago
July 1 2010, 04:12:35 UTC 7 years ago
July 1 2010, 05:20:45 UTC 7 years ago
June 30 2010, 17:32:28 UTC 7 years ago
It helps that I live on the other side of the continent. But my enthusiasm is genuine.
July 1 2010, 04:12:53 UTC 7 years ago
Woe.
July 1 2010, 05:21:29 UTC 7 years ago
July 6 2010, 15:15:04 UTC 7 years ago
July 1 2010, 05:25:24 UTC 7 years ago
Only, you know, with more of Seanan's awesome humour.
July 1 2010, 18:04:37 UTC 7 years ago
July 1 2010, 04:11:55 UTC 7 years ago