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.
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, 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