Poor, Poor Birdies

Ok, so something has been bothering me for awhile. I finally got around to getting some pictures so I can better tell the tale. In the chemistry building at UWM, there is a stairwell next to a wall of windows. On these windows, are black cutouts of bird silhouettes. See Exhibit A:



There is a ledge halfway up the first story, and I looked out one day and saw little black piles on the ledge. See Exhibit B:



Upon closer inspection, I realized these little black piles were actually birds! Look!





How sad is that??? Do you think they just ran into the window and died? I wonder if it's the construction paper bird that throws them off. I think that next time I go up those stairs, I'm going to rip down all the birds. Now, I am FAR FROM an animal lover by any defintion of the term, but to see little birdy carcasses, with their feathers and beaks, is just too much, even for me. I mean, has nobody else noticed them out there? It's kind of hard to miss. All I can think of are the cute little birdies at the beginning of Toy Story 2, or whatever Pixar short that is. For the Birds, I think. So sad.

On to happier things. Today is August 4th, which marks the 210th birthday of the Coast Guard! (Which, in case you didn't know, my dad is in the CG, and has been since before I was born. He currently teaches at the CG Academy in CT. So, I'm a big time military brat, uber-patriotic, and love it.)



In 1790, Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce trade laws, prevent smuggling, you know, piratey stuff. It was the nations only armed force on the water until the Navy was established in 1798. In times of peace they act under the Department of Homeland security, and in times of war, under the direction of the President and the Department of the Navy.

So, happy birthday Coast Guard! Thanks for protecting us from Pirates!