DEC, Dinosaurs, and Diseases

Hello, My Squishy Brethren,

We came in fourth in the Spirit Point competition (three independent living groups took the lead), but do not despair because

a) We were, by far, first among all dorms!

b) The DEC committee decided to scale points PER CAPITA in hopes this would "level the playing field." However, what resulted was a grossly unfair advantage for the independent living groups--I calculated and everything WILG (the winning group) did to earn spirit points was worth OVER 13 TIMES as much points as anything we did due to the scaling.

c) Living groups were more easily able to mobilize than dorms due to their small numbers and close community

d) The DEC committee informed me McCormick deserved the win and though we will not earn the prize this year, on account of b) and c), the rules for next years competition will be changed because given the current standards, "It's essentially impossible for a dorm to win."

So, let us not lament lemons, but luxuriate in lemonade (sorry-late night alliteration=bad): We were first among all dorms, Spirit Point wise and next year, if we put in the same effort, we can hit it big!!!!!

Anyway, I redesigned the Free Fossils poster because the previous one I made was stolen:

Speaking of which, Lillian informed me that I will be made publicity chair or something of the like in our next meeting (Friday)!!! :)

I've been in a very I-Love-dinosaurs-and-I-cannot-lie mood this month, as you can probably tell from some of my most recent artwork:

I've also been in a bit of a I-love-diseases-because-they're-so-interesting mood as of late. I finished the Columbia Virology lecture series and look forward to rewatching it over the summer. I also just completed my first draft for the Science Writing investigative essay assignment and it's all on Zika virus (which I really think the government should be fighting with Wolbachia, not larvicide, but I don't want to go on a rant here, so I'll just leave it at that)

I'll blog more/update a bit later. I just must study for the upcoming physics test as while bio comes easily for me (97 on the last test...and finished 20 minutes early), I no understand calculus or solonoids or double integrals or goodness-help-me-it's-an-MIT-solenoid-that-requires-a-double-integral.

Best, And Squishy Love,

Amoeba