I know I said I’d write a bunch on endangered, discovered and extinct species of animals, but I have to tell you about this guy I recently met and who I almost fell for. I met him at the coffee shop. Jeez, that coffee shop is like some kind of mating hole. I meet everyone there.

So, I was sitting with a cappa-frappa-dappa-cino (or whatever you call it), working on my laptop. I guess I'm so used to being in an office, I can't be in my home for too many hours in a row so I take my work to the coffee shop. Anyway, the place was pretty packed so this guy asked if he could share my table. I let him because he was cute. No he was handsome. No, he was hot. Not that I wouldn't let anyone else, but this was bonus. So he starts talking to me and it turns out he's a marine biologist! I couldn't believe it. We were talking and talking about all the different fish out there, the latest on sharks, and so on. I literally jumped the gun and started daydreaming while he was talking to me. I was thinking about what his wedding would be like. Would he get married on the beach? In a boat? Maybe scuba diving.

But of course none of this kind of stuff works out. And here's why this one didn't. He started to confess to me that the reason he's a marine biologist was that he's always felt like he might actually be a fish. He has dreamt of fish his whole life. He doesn’t even eat seafood. And he swims at least 3 HOURS every morning. He showed me all the different fish tattoos he has on his arms and legs. He said there were more and he could show them to me "another time." The way he spoke about this obsession with fish was creepy. Mainly because he was dead serious when he said he was convinced that he was a fish in his past life and that he's meditating every day so that in his next life, he'll return to the form of a fish. Here’s the kicker: he said he could only be with someone who wasn't a predator. That she'd have to be on equal level as him, the same kind of fish. I didn’t know what the hell he was talking about.

I’m no fish. I'm more of a cougar than anything.

I gave him my wrong phone number. I hope he doesn't come back to the coffee shop.

So global warming is really starting to put a damper on a lot of ecosystems. Ecosystems with lots of animals, including the “American pika.” The pika was a really cute relative of the rabbit. I stress “was.” It was one of the first mammals in North America to be pushed to the brink extinction because of global warming. I think there are some around but not many. They've disappeared in a bunch of areas. I wonder what's going to happen to all of us in 50 years? How many of us will be disappearing due to global warming? It's really scary. But even though I'm aware of all this, I'm just as guilty in not having a hybrid car (because they're so freaking expensive! And the waiting lists are epic!!) and not getting the right light bulbs, etc., when I should.

What will my kids be dealing with? Well, that’s if I have kids. At the rate I'm going, who knows. I think I want them. But not alone. Or maybe, only alone. I don't know.

I have a friend who had an abusive father. About a year ago, she decided she was ready for kids, so she literally went into a bar, spotted the guy with the best brains and looks, slept with him until she got pregnant and then dumped him. He has no idea he has a child and that's just the way she wanted it. She didn't want to chance her kid having to go through the same hell she went through growing up. Kinda weird, but I guess I can understand.

I got my photo of my penguin. He's cute. I named him Kesh, for Marrakesh, the city in Morocco. I figure there ain’t no penguins in Morocco and I've been dying to go there.

Did you know most penguins stay faithful to their lover, especially when they have chicks. They usually stay together for years, even if they're separated for months at a time. I hope Kesh is a loyal guy. I'd hate to have adopted a cheating bastard. There’s some school in mid-west America that’s all up in arms about some children’s book illustrating two male penguins as lovers. I don’t know why I told you that… I guess I just find it sweet and funny and, hey, it’s about penguins.

I didn’t buy new shoes in the last week but I did adopt a penguin. Online. After all these penguin movies, I've been dreaming about them. So when I was about to write today's blog, I saw an ad for "save a species" and clicked right on it. I’m usually weary about where all that money goes but I think this organization is legit. Besides, I want to spend some money and since I feel guilty spending it on myself, I might as well save a life. I even called and asked for a photo of the penguin so that I can at least have something to put up on the fridge as a symbol of freedom and liberation. And it'll keep me company. Who knows if it's the actual penguin I save. I’m sure my money goes into a pool for penguin food, but I don't mind living with a little denial since I do know for certain that a couple hundred bucks went out of my pocket for a good cause.

Work has become a bit tense lately. In a good way. Even Andrew was short with me a couple of times. He immediately apologized. It was weird, like he was so excited, he wasn't thinking straight. I think it's all the pressure and so much going on with his responsibilities. I wish I could write about it but I've had to sign non-disclosures, like everyone else. Pretty standard. Besides, it probably wouldn't be exciting for anyone who doesn't work there. Not really.

What's good about all the frenzy is that I'm working like mad, getting involved in almost everything Andrew's doing, just so that I'm up to speed. I think a promotion may be coming my way. It may come even before I get my PhD. Wouldn't that be sweet? It'd be nice to get some extra cash. I'm itching to do some serious shopping. I've been waiting for spring sales, but hell, I feel like splurging.

Bikram was good today. I'm feeling a little bloated but the instructors told me that's what happens, especially to women. When you're in heat that makes you sweat so profusely, your body stores water, getting ready for the next sweat. At least I know it's working since my back's been feeling a lot better already. Ok… too much information.

You know what's funny? I went to my coffee shop this morning and the guy, the owner who always gave me a flower for V-day but didn’t this year, was there, waiting with a flower in hand. He said I hadn't been there in a while but he didn't forget about me. I felt so stupid. But I also felt happy to get my little daisy. I think he took it off a table but it’s the thought that counts. What a sweetie.

An extinction and then re-discovery.

There are many extinct animals and insects I'd love to see recovered. I just think it's so sad when an animal that’s been around for centuries just disappears. Completely. Like the Yunnan box turtle in China. The turtles were eaten into extinction, but some scientists think they've re-discovered one. Now, they have to make sure it doesn't get on the market and sold as soup. I hope they really found one and are able to jumpstart them into existence again.

So interested and exciting. One day everyone thinks you’re gone for good and the next day you stumble back into the public eye.